A+ Certification Readiness Review with CD-ROM by Microsoft Corporation (Manufactured by), Microsoft Corporation, James Karney, Microsoft Corporation (Editor)

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The CompTIA A+ Certification program measures ability to support hardware and software based on the Intel platform. Covering both A+ Exams 220-221 and 220-222, this READINESS REVIEW will help certification candidates sharpen their test-taking skills, save time, and build their confidence for the real exam.

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Objective Domain 1: Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading

You must know the role each component plays in the function of the system and its relation to its companions, the way the computer operates, and the resources involved in its operation. These resources can include the interrupt request (IRQ), direct memory access channels (DMA), and I/O addresses, which are used to order communications between the CPU and system components. Working with drivers and memory addresses requires an understanding of hexadecimal notation and how it is used to identify memory segments within the machine.

The personal computer relies on a variety of standardized ports and expansion bus standards, as well as standardized connections, fittings, and configuration mechanisms to allow the components to work together and refine easy methods for upgrading the machine or adding peripherals. These include DB-9, DB-25, RJ-11, RJ-45, BNC, USB, IEEE 1394, IEEE 1284, SCSI, IDE, ISA, EISA, PCI, AGP, and slot 1 interfaces; as well as jumpers, DIP switches, and a variety of cabling systems used to connect monitors, printers, keyboards, and other external devices.

Installing and removing field replaceable modules and add-ons requires detailed knowledge of how to safely remove and install a variety of devices including expansion cards, storage devices, memory modules, and chips. The process includes several steps: physically connecting the device to the bus, installing software device drivers, allowing the new device to communicate with the computer's operating system, configuring the device, and possibly troubleshooting it. Changing the configuration of a personal computer means changing the dynamic of how the components interact with each other and how they perform. You must be able to properly configure drivers, address system settings, and reduce any potential conflicts in which system modification creates bottlenecks.

Computers, monitors, printers, and peripherals use electricity. Improperly handled electricity could cause damage to sensitive components and cause harm or even death to you, the technician. Computer personnel must be aware of proper safety precautions and handling procedures for electrical components, especially ones that can store a charge even when unplugged from a power source. Electrostatic discharge, or ESD (commonly known as static electricity), can damage or destroy delicate components. A modern microcomputer does not require a variety of complicated tools for basic repair, maintenance, or enhancement. It does require the ability to properly operate simple hand tools in a manner that is safe and effective for both you and the hardware.

Tested Skills and Suggested Practices

The skills that you need to master the Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading objective domain on the A+ Core Hardware exam include:

• Identifying basic terms, concepts, and functions of system modules, including how each module should work during normal operation and during the boot process.
• Practice 1: Open a personal computer and make a list identifying the major components, their connections, and their functions. The list should include at least the motherboard, CPU, expansion slots, memory slots and modules, primary expansion cards (for example, display, sound, network), storage (such as hard drive, floppy drive, CD-ROM, DVD), I/O ports, monitor, CMOS/BIOS, mouse, keyboard, case, and power supply.
• Practice 2: Follow the boot procedure for the PC from turning it on through the start of the operating system. Refer to the manual and become familiar with warning messages and the beep codes for error states.
• Practice 3: Enter the CMOS setup program and review all the options and their functions.

• Identifying basic procedures for adding and removing field replaceable modules for both desktop and portable systems.
• Practice 1: On a typically configured personal computer, practice removing and replacing the power supply, motherboard, expansion cards, and memory modules. Identify the steps necessary for removing and replacing the central processing unit. Pay particular attention to cabling issues, safety considerations, and ESD, ensuring that components work properly once they are installed.
• Practice 2: On a portable computer identify the appropriate field replaceable modules, how they are removed and reinstalled, and any special considerations for handling them.

• Identifying available IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses and procedures for device installation and configuration.
• Practice 1: On a typical personal computer, examine the system CMOS setup, operating system startup files (CONFIG.SYS, AUTOEXEC.BAT, and so forth), and (on a Windows system) the operating system registry. Make a log noting all the IRQ, DMA, and I/O addresses. Compare those to the settings listed in the owner's manual and for those of a computer from a different manufacturer. Be sure you understand the role of these three resource components in the operation of the computer.
• Practice 2: Carefully modify the settings for one peripheral card so that it interferes with the settings for either the primary printer port or one of the serial ports. Restart the machine and use the proper procedures for the operating system involved to resolve the conflict.

• Identifying common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors.
• Practice 1: Identify all of the connectors and cables located directly on the motherboard of a Pentium II or later machine equipped with standard I/O ports. Draw the cable connectors and note the methods used to ensure proper orientation of Pin 1 on both ends of the chain. Note the system used to jumper, ID, and terminate as appropriate.
• Practice 2: Identify all of the potential connectors and cables of a Pentium II or later machine equipped with USB and standard I/O ports. Draw the cable connectors and note the methods used to ensure proper orientation of Pin 1 on both ends of the chain. Note the system used to jumper, ID, and terminate as appropriate. The list should include printers, serial and USB connections, mouse, display, and keyboard.

• Identifying proper procedures for installing and configuring IDE/EIDE devices.
• Practice 1: Install an EIDE hard drive greater than 10 GB in a computer, configuring the drive as a master device on the primary channel, and a CD-ROM or DVD drive as the slave.
• Practice 2: Using the system from Practice 1 for this objective, move the CD-ROM or DVD from the slave on the primary EIDE channel to the master on the second channel.

• Identifying proper procedures for installing and configuring SCSI devices.
• Practice 1: Set up a system with a single SCSI host adapter and three devices. At least one of the devices should be mounted on the chain internally and another externally. The third might be either. During host adapter installation, carefully examine the configuration provided by the SCSI BIOS. Configure the system to boot from a SCSI hard drive using INT 13.
• Practice 2: Add a second device to the chain in Practice 1, making sure to properly adjust the SCSI ID and termination settings as required.

• Identifying proper procedures for installing and configuring peripheral devices.
• Practice 1: Remove the display components (monitor, graphics card, and all related drivers) from a computer. Reinstall them and adjust the resolution, refresh rates, color depth, and similar features.
• Practice 2: Examine the system BIOS of a recently built PC. Pay particular attention to the peripheral port settings and options. Familiarize yourself with any settings and types of connections you are not used to working with on a regular basis. Attach devices to the parallel port and USB port. Then add a USB hub with three or four USB peripheral devices while the Windows 98 or Windows 2000 operating system is running.
• Practice 3: Examine the docking stations for two or three major brand laptop computers. Note the options. Add two PC cards to a laptop, at least one of which is a modem, and configure it for Internet access.

• Identifying hardware methods of upgrading system performance, procedures for replacing basic subsystem components, unique components, and when to use them.
• Practice 1: Open a Pentium-based computer and become familiar with the replaceable system level components including the CPU, RAM modules, and hard drive. Examine the slots and connections. Draw a diagram and table comparing the component level connections for different memory and CPU types.
• Practice 2: Identify the date of the computer's system BIOS and its version number. Check with the manufacturer for possible upgrades. If the computers can make use of the upgrade, perform the procedure. If not, become familiar with the process or perform the task on another computer in need of a BIOS upgrade.

Further Reading

Objective 1.1

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 2, "Understanding Electronic Communication."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1, 2, and 3 in Chapter 3, "An Overview of the Personal Computer."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1, 2, and 3 in Chapter 6, "Motherboard and ROM BIOS."

Objective 1.2

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 20, "Upgrading a Computer."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 7, "Memory."

Objective 1.3

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 3, "An Overview of the Personal Computer."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 4, "The Central Processing Unit."

Objective 1.4

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1, 2, and 3 in Chapter 8, "Expansion Buses, Cables, and Connectors."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lesson 1 in Chapter 9, "Basic Disk Drives."

Objective 1.5

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lesson 2 in Chapter 9, "Basic Disk Drives."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 10, "Advanced Disk Drive Technology."

Objective 1.6

Adaptec, Inc. "SCSI Products." 2001. (View Web page at http://www.adaptec.com/worldwide/product/ prodtechindex.html?cat=%2fTechnology%2fSCSI.)

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 3 in Chapter 10, "Advanced Disk Drive Technology."

Objective 1.7

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 8, "Expansion Buses, Cables, and Connectors."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 3 and 4 in Chapter 11, "The Display System."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 15, "Telecommunications: Modems and the Internet."

Objective 1.8

Karney, James. Upgrade and Maintain Your PC. 3rd ed. New York, NY: Hungry Minds, Inc., 1998. Review Chapter 5, "Getting Under the Hood."

Microsoft Corporation. A+ Certification Training Kit. 3rd ed. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press, 2001. Review Lessons 1 and 2 in Chapter 20, "Upgrading a Computer."

Objective 1.1   Identify basic terms, concepts, and functions of system modules, including how each module should work during normal operation and during the boot process.

Because of rapid changes in the design of processors, you must know the CPU types (ix86, Pentium, Pentium Pro, Pentium II, Pentium III, and Pentium IV), mounting systems (SEC, ZIF, and so forth), cache configurations, performance indexes, and handling procedures for those you come in contact with.

You must also be familiar with the technology, key terms, concepts, and components of older PC technology that might not be current in new machines but could be employed on systems to be repaired. These can include MFM and ESDI hard drives, EISA and MCA bus technology and expansion cards, older CPUs predating the Pentium era, and display systems.

Some people have the mistaken notion that knowledge of technical terms and high-level concepts has little practical application for technicians. In reality, a competent technician must understand how components interact, how they exchange data, and how they provide and use system resources. The technician must also know all the common and technical names as well as the relative merits of different technologies and the proper system configuration to equip a microcomputer for a given task or to support a given class of user. The selection of a CPU, amount of memory, type of storage media, wattage rating of the power supply, and type of chassis vary significantly depending on whether it's for a typical user or a CAD specialist, and whether it involves a machine dedicated to operate as an Internet or a network server.

MCS

220-221.01.01.001

D

The modern PC offers several different methods for attaching devices to the system. Which of the following expansion technologies allows attaching both internal and external devices?

A.   USB

Incorrect

A.   The universal serial bus (USB) supports connecting external devices only. In asynchronous mode it can transfer up to 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps) and is a tool for connecting devices such as mouse devices and keyboards. Its isochronous transfer rate of 12 Mbps is suitable for high-bandwidth peripherals such as modems, speakers, scanners, and monitors.

B.   IEEE 1394 FireWire

Incorrect

B.   IEEE 1394, also known under its Apple trade name of FireWire, is a high-speed serial interface that can connect up to 62 external devices on a single chain at transfer rates up of to 50 megabytes per second (MBps).

C.   EIDE

Incorrect

C.   The Enhanced Integrated Drive Electronics (EIDE) specification allows connecting up to two devices by an internal connection. This technology is primarily designed for connecting hard drives, CD-ROM and DVD drives, and tape devices.

D.   SCSI

Correct

D.   The Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) allows attaching both internal and external devices on a common chain. SCSI technology is commonly used to connect hard drives, scanners, tape drives, optical devices, and underrated hard drives appearing as a single unit (redundant array of independent disks or RAID). It is the only bus technology that allows attaching both internal and external devices through the same common interface.

MCM

220-221.01.01.002

A and D

Which of the following statements describes the power-on self test (POST)? (Choose all that apply.)

A.   The POST is a part of the system BIOS and is contained on a ROM chip.

Correct

A.   Because the POST program is self-contained and must be invoked before the operating system starts, it is stored in nonvolatile read-only memory and incorporated into the system BIOS. Most modern PCs allow for updating the system BIOS, and the POST is often updated to provide additional features and support newer technology as it becomes available.

B.   The CMOS setup program is accessed during the beginning of the POST test by holding down either the Ctrl+Alt+Esc, Del, or F2 keys. The appropriate combination is always displayed at the beginning of the test cycle.

Incorrect

B.   Although the Ctrl+Alt+Esc, Del, and F2 keys are commonly used for accessing the setup program contained in CMOS, some proprietary machines employ custom keystrokes to type the setup program. In such cases you or the user might have to refer to the service manual to determine the correct sequence, because the BIOS manufacturer might not.

C.   The POST is stored on the CMOS chip that contains the system configuration data.

Incorrect

C.   The CMOS chip only stores data that is used to identify the current system configuration. If the CMOS battery dies completely, the current configuration is lost and must be manually reset. Because the motherboard would cease to function if the POST program were damaged, it is not practical to use CMOS technology for the POST. The POST is contained in the system BIOS.

D.   Problems with system configuration or components encountered during the POST might cause the system to halt or produce a series of coded beeps or text messages to aid in troubleshooting.

Correct

D.   The purpose of the POST is to ensure that the system configuration is valid and to identify and isolate problems to be rectified. If the POST encounters a fatal error (CPU or memory failure, and so on), it might only be able to issue a sequence of beeps to indicate the nature of the fault before the system hangs. Nonfatal errors are often reported using a combination of a beep code and a text message displayed on the screen. Text messages are often used to report problems like a missing keyboard or improperly configured floppy or hard drive.

MCS

220-221.01.01.003

B

Which of the following system components has the sole function of passing data between peripherals to RAM and conversely to offload that task from the CPU?

A.   The IRQ handler

Incorrect

A.   The IRQ handler is used to prevent two devices from talking to the CPU at the same time. This is simply a method of controlling the flow of communication between the CPU and system devices and does not involve the transfer of data in or out of memory.

B.   The DMA controller

Correct

B.   Movement of data in and out of the memory stack is a relatively simple task but has the potential to require a lot of CPU overhead. The DMA controller is designed to handle all data passing to and from peripherals into memory. Early PCs had only one DMA chip, but with the advent of the Intel 286, a second DMA chip was added to the system design, offering a total of eight DMA channels.

C.   Volatile memory

Incorrect

C.   Volatile memory is RAM that loses the data stored every time the power is turned off. This term is used to designate memory types (like DRAM and VRAM) that are only active when the computer is running and does not describe the task for which the memory is used.

D.   The upper memory area (UMA)

Incorrect

D.   The UMA is the memory block from 640 KB to 1024 KB and is designated for hardware use, such as video RAM, BIOS, and memory-mapped hardware drivers that are loaded into high memory.

MCS

220-221.01.01.004

D

Which of the following expansion bus technologies is designed to provide a dedicated pathway for display adapters in machines employing processors that are Pentium II and later?

A.   PCI-X

Incorrect

A.   PCI-X is an evolution of the original PCI bus that provides 64-bit, 133-MHz performance. Like the earlier PCI technology, it offers a shared data path for several expansion cards. Although a large number of graphics adapters are available in the PCI form factor, it does not provide a dedicated pathway for display system expansion cards.

B.   VL local bus

Incorrect

B.   VESA local bus was a short-lived industry standard designed to speed up graphic adapter performance by connecting the display adapter card directly to the system-bus side of the PC's internal data bus. The VL local bus was employed only in 386 and 486 machines and soon disappeared because of two problems with maintaining proper clock speed related to the motherboard's crystal. The standard was loosely defined and many proprietary versions of the architecture were used, which made it difficult for motherboard manufacturers to effectively employ the technology.

C.   PCI

Incorrect

C.   Peripheral Component Interconnect, or PCI, is a local bus system with 32-bit data path and burst modes. It is commonly found on PCs, Apple Macintoshes, and some other non-PC computers. Although it is common to find graphics adapters made using a PCI architecture, it is not specifically designed for display cards, and most modern PCs have three or four PCI slots sharing a common bus.

D.   AGP

Correct

D.   The Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP) is a dedicated graphics adapter slot and is the only one of its kind on the motherboard. AGP technology takes all display data traffic from the PCI bus and provides its own 525 MBps pipe directly into the system chip set and then directly to the CPU. It also provides a direct data path to system memory for graphics functions.

MCS

220-221.01.01.005

C

The incorporation of Level 1 or internal cache is a major improvement in CPU design because it can store a backlog of commands to reduce the need for wait states. Which Intel CPU was the first to incorporate an on-board Level 1 cache?

A.   The Pentium II

Incorrect

A.   With the Pentium II, Intel introduced the Single Edge Connector (SEC) cartridge packaging. This CPU incorporates a high-speed cache memory chip, and a 512 KB unified, nonblocking, Level 2 cache.

B.   The Pentium Pro

Incorrect

B.   Introduced in 1995, the Intel Pentium Pro incorporated an internal RISC architecture with a CISC-RISC translator. Like the Pentium and the 486, it offers an internal Level 1 cache. It requires a special ZIF socket.

C.   The 486

Correct

C.   The Intel 486, initially produced on April 10, 1989, was the first PC CPU to break a one million transistor mark with 1.2 million transistors. It was also the first Intel CPU to offer an internal Level 1 cache as well as a built-in math coprocessor.

D.   The 386 SX

Incorrect

D.   The 386 SX, introduced in June 1988, was a scaled down version of the Intel 386. It offered a 16-bit external data bus, a 24-bit address bus, and no internal cache. The only 386-style CPU to offer an internal cache was from AMD, not Intel. The AMD 80386DXLV offered an internal cache of 8 KB....