About the Outline

This outline includes all topics relevant to the required exams, however, due to the flexible nature of this bootcamp course, your instructor will customize your training to focus on topics you need to fill the knowledge gap in order for you to successfully pass the exams and earn your certification.

Section 1: Personal Computer System Components

• Identifying Components of Motherboards
  • Types of System Boards
  • System Board Form Factors
  • System Board Components
• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Processors
• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Memory
  • Important Memory Terms
  • Types of Memory
  • Memory Packaging
  • Identifying Characteristics of Ports and Cables
  • Peripheral Port Connector Types
  • Common Peripheral Interfaces and Cables
• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Cooling Systems
  • Fans
  • Memory Cooling
  • Hard Drive Cooling
  • Chipset Cooling
  • CPU Cooling

Section 2: Storage Devices, Power Supplies, and Adapters

• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Storage Devices
  • Hard Disk Drive Systems
  • Floppy Drives
  • Optical Storage Drives
  • Other Storage Media
• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Power Supplies
  • Floppy Drive Power Connectors
  • AT System Connectors
  • Standard Peripheral Power Connector
  • Modern Power Connectors
  • AC Adapters as Power Supplies
• Identifying Input Devices
  • Mouse
  • Keyboard
  • Barcode Reader
  • Multimedia Devices
  • Biometric Devices
  • Touch screens
  • KVM Switch
• Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Adapter Cards
  • Video
  • Multimedia
  • I/O
  • Communications

Section 3: Understanding Display Devices

• Understanding Display Types and Settings
  • Video Display Types
  • Adjusting Display Settings
• Understanding Video Standards and Technologies
  • Video Standards
  • Advanced Video Resolutions
  • LCD-Specific Concepts
  • Additional Video Technologies

Section 4: Understanding Laptops and Portable Devices

• Understanding Laptop Architecture
  • Laptops vs. Desktops
  • Laptop Case
  • Motherboards and Processors
  • Memory
  • Storage
  • Input Devices
  • Expansion Buses and Ports
  • Docking Stations
  • Power Systems
• Laptop Power Management
  • Understanding Laptop Power Management
  • Managing Power in Windows

Section 5: Installing and Configuring Printers

• Understanding Printer Types and Processes
  • Impact Printers
  • Bubble-Jet Printers
  • Laser Printers
  • Printer Interlaces and Supplies
• Installing and Configuring Printers
  • Printer Installation Procedures

Section 6: Operating System Features and Interfaces

• Understanding Operating Systems
  • Operating System Terms and Concepts
  • Microsoft Windows
• Using Operating Systems
  • The Windows Interface
  • What’s in a Window?
  • Control Panel
  • The Command Prompt
  • Administrative Tools
  • The Registry
  • Virtual Memory
  • Windows System Files
  • Disc Management
  • File Management

Section 7: Installing and Configuring Operating Systems

• File Systems and Directories
  • File Systems: FAT32 vs. NTFS
  • Files and Folders
• Installing Operating Systems
  • Determining OS Installation Options
  • Determining the Installation Method
  • Preparing the Computer for Installation
  • Installing Windows 2000
  • Windows XP Installation
  • Windows Vista Installation
  • Post-installation Routines
• Upgrading Operating Systems
  • Upgrading to Windows Vista
  • Upgrading to Windows XP
  • Finalizing Your Upgrade
  • Migrating User Data
• Performing a Repair Install
• Common Installation Problems
• Installing Device Drivers
  • Rights and Security Issues
  • Basic Procedure for Device Installation
  • Windows Version-Specific Installation Items
• Optimizing Windows
  • Keeping the System Current
  • Power Management
• Identifying Boot Sequences

Section 8: Troubleshooting Theory and Preventive Maintenance

• Understanding Troubleshooting Theory
  • Identifying the Problem
  • Establishing a Theory
  • Testing Solutions
  • Establishing a Plan of Action
  • Verifying Functionality
  • Documenting the Work
• Understanding Preventive Maintenance
  • Managing the Physical Environment
  • Using the Right Repair Tools and Cleaning Materials
  • Running Updates
  • Using Disk Management Tools
  • Backing Up Data and Creating Restore Points

Section 9: Troubleshooting Operating Systems, Hardware, Printers, and Laptops

• Identifying Troubleshooting Resources
  • User/Installation Manuals
  • Internet/Web Resources
  • Training Materials
• Understanding Operating System and Hardware Symptoms
  • Troubleshooting Common Operating System Problems
  • Troubleshooting Hardware Symptoms
  • Troubleshooting Printers
• Troubleshooting Common Laptop Issues
  • Diagnosing Laptop Problems
  • Preventive Maintenance on Laptops

Section 10: Understanding Networking

• Understanding Networking Principles
  • Understanding Networking Fundamentals
  • Understanding Networking Protocols
• Identifying Common Network Hardware
  • Network Interface Cards (NICs)
  • Cabling and Connectors
  • Networking Components
• Comparing Network Types
  • Wired Networks
  • Wireless Networks
  • Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

Section 11: Understanding Network Security Fundamentals

• Understanding Security
  • Authentication technologies
  • Working with hardware and Software Security
  • Understanding Wireless Security
  • Understanding Physical and Data Security
• Security Solutions
  • BIOS Security
  • Malicious Software Protection
  • Data Access
  • Data Remnant Removal
  • Password Management
  • Locking Workstations
• Identifying Security Problem Areas

Section 12: Understanding Operational Procedures

• Understanding Safety and Environmental Issues
  • Identifying Potential Safety Hazards
  • Identifying Environmental Concerns
  • Using Safety Documentation
  • Using Appropriate Repair Tools
  • Handling Accidents
• Applying Proper Safety and Disposal Procedures
  • Preventing Electrostatic Discharge
  • Preventing Electromagnetic Interference
  • Working in a Safe Environment
  • Handling Equipment
  • Following Disposal Procedures
• Demonstrating Communication Skills and Professionalism
  • Communicating with Customers
  • Using Appropriate Behavior
  • Putting It All in Perspective

Section 13: Installing, Maintaining, and Troubleshooting Hardware

• Installing, Configuring. and Maintaining PC Components Working with Storage Devices
  • Working with Motherboards, CPUs, Memory, and Adapter Cards
  • Working with Power Supplies
  • Working with Cooling Systems
• Identifying Tools and Diagnostics for PC Components
  • Gathering Tools
  • Recognizing and Isolating Issues
  • Applying Basic Troubleshooting Techniques
• Removing, installing, and Configuring Components
  • Selecting Components
• Using Tools and Diagnostic Procedures for Personal
  • Computer Components
  • Understand i iig Computer Resources
  • Determining Available Resources
  • Manually Specifying a Resource Assignment

Section 14: Installing, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Laptops

• Disassembling and Reassembling Laptops
  • Using the Right Tools
  • Organization and Documentation
• Replacing Laptop Components
  • Understanding LCDs
  • Replacing Hard Drives and Memory
  • Recognizing Internal Laptop Expansion Slots
  • Upgrading Wireless and Video Cards
  • Replacing Other Internal Components
  • Removing External Hardware

Section 15: Resolving Printer Problems

• Troubleshooting Printer Problems
  • Dot-Matrix Printer Problems
  • Bubble-Jet Printer Problems
  • Laser Printer Problems
• Performing Preventive Maintenance
  • Performing Scheduled Maintenance
  • Using Cleaning Solutions
  • Ensuring a Suitable Environment
  • Using Recommended Supplies
  • Installing Printer Upgrades

Section 16: Operating System Structures and Commands

• Using Operating Systems
  • Using the Command Prompt
• Understanding and Navigating Directory Structures
• User File Locations
• System File Locations
• Font Files
  • Managing Temporary Files
• Program Files
• Offline Files
  • Windows Vista
  • Windows XP
  • Windows 2000

Section 17: Operating System Utilities and Troubleshooting Issues

• Performing Preventative Maintenance on Operating Systems
  • Using Recommended Hardware
  • Obtaining Current Drivers
  • Installing Windows Properly
  • Shutting Down Properly
  • Updating Windows
  • Creating Restore Points
• Dealing with Boot Issues
  • Advanced Startup Options
  • Using the Rcp.iir Options (Windows Vista)
  • Using the Recovery Console (Windows 2000 and Windows XP)
  • Creating Boot Disks or an Emergency Repair Disk
  • Common Boot Errors and Solutions
• Solving Windows File-Related Problems
  • System Files Not Found
  • Configuration File Issues
  • Swap File Issues
  • Troubleshooting Other Common Problems
  • Understanding Windows Reporting
• Using Windows-Based Troubleshooting Utilities Disk Management Tools
  • System Management Tools
• Disk and Remote Management
  • Getting Disks Ready to Store Files and Programs
  • Remote Desktop Connection and Assistance
• System Performance and Optimization
  • Common Operational Problems

Section 18: Installing and Troubleshooting Networks

• Installing and Configuring SOHO Networks
  • Choosing Connection Types
  • Installing the Network
  • Understanding Firewall Basics
• Troubleshooting Client-Side Connectivity Issues
  • Troubleshooting TCP/IP Settings
  • Using Client-Side Tools
  • Troubleshooting Proxies and Firewalls

Section 19: System Security

• Security Basics
• Viruses and Malware
  • Symptoms of a Virus/Malware Infection
  • How Viruses Work
  • Types of Viruses
  • Virus Transmission in a Network
  • Antivirus Software
• Recognizing Common Attacks
  • Back Door Attacks
  • Spoofing Attacks
  • Man-in-the-Middle Attacks
  • Replay Attacks
  • Password-Guessing Attacks
  • Denial-of-Service (DoS and Distributed DoS (DDoS) Attacks
  • TCP Attacks
• Recovering Operating Systems
  • Recovery Console
  • Recovery CD/DVD
  • Automated System Recovery
  • Emergency Repair Disk
  • Diagnostic Tools
• Security and Troubleshooting
  • Hardening the OS
  • Updating Your Operating System
  • Working with File systems
  • General Rules for Security and Troubleshooting
• Access Control
  • Working with Policies
  • Working with Disks and Directories
  • Auditing and Logging
  • BIOS Security
  • Encrypting File System
  • General Rules for the Exam on Access Control