You need to be able to do a decent internet search to complete this course. This is a skill you should have mastered in the computer literacy course. I suggest that you review www.googleguide.com. Wikipedia is also good for a quick one paragraph overview. There are some good Troubleshooting Flowcharts here. You may want to study these because its how you should be thinking through most troubleshooting problems whether it’s a PC a network or something else. Critical thinking, analytical thinking, deductive and inductive reasoning are essential skills. You must pass off these benchmarks after each section.
A+ Practical Applications Outline
Before attempting any benchmark please be aware of the following:
- Its OK to practice these as needed. Do not use the instructor to practice on or do a "dry run". Pass of the benchmark when you are confident you can do your best. There is no second attempt.
- Ask your instructor about equipment to use. Do not use any equipment without verifying it with the instructor first.
- You need to complete the benchmark from memory. On the job you will be able to use resources like the Internet to reference but you are trying to gain experience to compete in the job market. Experienced technicians do not have to stop and look everything up. You should try not to also.
- However, if you need a minute to look something up, and you at least know what to look up its OK. Look it up and then return to the benchmark and pass it off. Too many "look ups" though may result in an obvious conclusion that you really don't know what you are doing and the instructor may fail you.
- You may need to schedule the benchmarks. Or at least give the instructor a heads up. Don't expect to just announce you are ready and be able to complete them right then. Please be patient.
SECTION 1 BENCHMARKS
Benchmark - Introduction to CompTIA
This benchmark expects you to be able to do a simple internet search using relevant keywords. For example, "I don’t know who CompTIA is…so I will Google CompTIA." You may discover that on their homepage is an ABOUT US link. I also am a big fan of Wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CompTIA.
Please be able to answer the following questions and demonstrate where to find some of this information:
- Who is CompTIA?
- You are preparing for the 2009 version. What are the current exam numbers for the A+ you are currently preparing for?
- How many questions per exam?
- How much time do you have to take an exam?
- What does each exam cost the general public?
- How much will the exam cost you? (HINT: Check the MLATC.INFO Program Information page. you should already have read.)
- Does the A+ ever expire?
- What are "soft skills"?
- On the MLATC Program Information page there are the objectives at the bottom of that page. Review them.
Benchmark - Disassemble and reassemble a basic PC and ID External Connectors and major components of PC
Using one of the "Dead PCs" disassemble the system down to the FRU (Field Replaceable Unit). Leave the fans, front panel wires untouched.
This would be the following:
- PSU
- Mobo
- CPU, heatsink and fan (remove from mobo)
- Memory (remove from mobo)
- HDD
- FDD
- CD/DVD
You do not need to be an expert yet in identifying computer parts. For now you just need to be able to do a basic ID of external ports, plugs, jacks and connectors and what typically uses them. You should be able to do this from memory. Some of these connectors are newer and may not have been in the training. Using one of the "dead" PCs, identify the following by sight and the typical uses of each:
- USB
- PS/2
- RJ-45 (NIC)
- RJ-11
- IEEE 1394 (firewire)
- HDMI if available
- eSATA if available
- VGA or DVI
- DB 25 pin parallel
- DB 9 pin serial
- DB 15 pin (two rows)
- Audio (colors also)
- Case
- PSU
- Mobo (motherboard)
- CPU
- Memory
- HDD
- FDD
- Optical Drive (DVD/CD)
- Data cables vs. power cables
Now reassemble the entire system. Everything must be plugeed in properly.
Benchmark - Basic Windows Interface
Knowing the interfaces of the various operating systems can make you a more effective technician. However, you can't know everything. There are too many differences and too many things the same. You need to keep an instance of each OS ready to go using VMWare. Store these on your portable drives.
1.4-1 Add Quick Launch to the Task Bar in XP.
1.4-2 Change back and forth between the Control panel classic and category view
1.4-3 Make it so that the System Tray does not hide inactive icons
1.4-4 I don't like the newer XP start menu. Change the start menu to classic.
1.4-5 A user asks "Where is my Quicklaunch bar in Windows 7? " Demonstrate how to add a application icon to the task bar in Windows 7.
1.4-6 A user complains about the new Windows 7 Start menu. Demonstrate how to change the start menu back to a classic mode. Or can you...?
1.4-7 Add a gadget to the desktop.
SECTION 2 BENCHMARKS
Benchmark - Safety
2.1.1-1 Demonstrate how to use the antistatic mats and wrist straps in the lab.
2.1.1-2 Locate an example of a MSDS sheet on the internet.
SECTION 3 BENCHMARKS
Benchmark - Form Factors
Until you have more experience with and can easily recognize the differences between form factors you need to be able to at least know where to find the correct information and some basics about form factors.
- Locate the Wikipedia article on FORM FACTORS. Demonstrate and explain at least two different common and current standard form factors and why its important to know about these.
Benchmark - PSU
*May need an instructor to show you first and then practice on your own before passing benchmark.
Demonstrate how to use the PSU tester as well as how to use a multimeter to do a simple test of a PSU. Include
- What volts should be coming from the PSU.
- Demonstrate and explain "soft power".
- Explain the term rails and why you would want more than one in a PSU.
- Identify all the cables coming from a PSU and what they are for.
Benchmark - Motherboards (mobo)
The training does not give too much detail on the connector types in this section. We have added a few pieces of information like pin count, speeds and a few other things that you may encounter on the exams.
Using one of the dead mobos please identify the following:
- CPU Socket
- Memory slots
- IDE connector (PATA)
- SATA connectors
- FDD connector
- AGP, PCI, PCIe, ANR or CNR. Any and all you can find.
- power for fans (CPU vs. Case)
- BIOS/CMOS and battery
- You should already know the back panel connections but ID them again anyway.
- Front Panel LED Connectors
- I want to install more RAM into my computer. I have a Asus Sabertooth X58. How much RAM can I install total?
Benchmark - How to Search the Internet and Read The Freakin' Manual (RTFM)
One skill you need to master quickly is how to find information on the Internet. Quickly. Please demonstrate you skills by completing the following to your instructor. Any blanks will be filled in by your instructor at the time you pass off the benchmark.
- A customer tells you "I have a ___________________ motherboard. How much RAM can I put in it and what kind of RAM do I need?"
- You want to know more about motherboards. Show two sites that deal with mobo reviews.
Benchmark - Expansion Slots
From memory you need to visually ID as many expansion slots as you can. Your instructor will show you a series of expansion slots. You will need to name them and what can go in them.