CompTIA A+ 2009 Fast Track

Those wishing to qualify with CompTIA A+ Certification for PC Support professionals.

It is also suitable for students wanting to improve their skills in PC support and administration. By completing this course, students will also be assisted with entry into a career in ICT.

This course will particularly benefit students pursuing a career in supporting desktop personal computer users, in job roles such as Support Engineer, Maintenance Engineer, Desktop Engineer, Computer Administrator, or PC Support Analyst.

Study of the course can also help to prepare for other, similar technical support qualifications and act as groundwork for more advanced training, including CompTIA Network+ or CompTIA Server+, CCNA, and MCTS.

Students should note that due to the fast pace of this course, there cannot be the same amount of practical work compared to the two separate courses. Not all topics can be covered in this course, therefore students will be expected to do self study during the week, thereby allowing students to discuss points with the instructor.

Students will learn the fundamental principles of supporting desktop and portable computers and operating systems plus network and print devices and applications.

The course will provide students with the necessary training to ensure proficiency in PC installation and troubleshooting skills.

Successful students will be capable of working as competent PC support engineers - proficient in PC installation and troubleshooting skills.

They will be ready to take and pass CompTIA's A+ Certification exams.

- Identify types and characteristics of PC components, including motherboard, CPU, memory, and storage, input, and output devices.
- Install and configure peripheral devices.
- Identify types and characteristics of portable computers.
- Install and configure Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Vista and Windows7.
- Perform basic PC maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Understand fundamental principles of securing IT systems and working safely.
- Communicate effectively with customers.
- Understand fundamental principles of implementing LANs and internet access.
- Manage and optimize Windows using command line tools, administrative consoles, and Remote Desktop.
- Manage and optimize disks and volumes using command line tools and administrative consoles.
- Diagnose and resolve Windows troubleshooting scenarios.
- Use anti-virus tools to prevent and recover from malware infections.
- Configure and troubleshoot local network and wireless connections and client applications.
- Configure and manage users, groups, and shared resources.
- Configure and troubleshoot access control measures, such as BIOS security, authentication, encryption, and firewalls.
- Perform preventive maintenance using approved tools and products.
- Assemble, disassemble, and upgrade PC and notebook components.
- Configure and update BIOS/CMOS.
- Troubleshoot, optimize, and upgrade hardware.
- Install, configure, troubleshoot, and maintain printers