WIXLIB

CompTIA A 220-901 and 220-902Cert Guide Mark Edward Soper800 East 96th StreetIndianapolis, Indiana 46240 USA

CompTIA A 220-901 and 220-902 Cert GuideCopyright 2017 by Pearson Education, Inc.All rights reserved. No part of this book shall be reproduced, stored ina retrieval system, or transmitted by any means, electronic, mechanical,photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without written permission fromthe publisher. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of theinformation contained herein. Although every precaution has been taken inthe preparation of this book, the publisher and author assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Nor is any liability assumed for damagesresulting from the use of the information contained herein.ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-5652-7ISBN-10: 0-7897-5652-8Library of Congress Control Number: 2016945195Printed in the United States of AmericaFirst Printing: August 2016TrademarksAll terms mentioned in this book that are known to be trademarks or service marks have been appropriately capitalized. Pearson IT Certificationcannot attest to the accuracy of this information. Use of a term in this bookshould not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark or servicemark.Editor in ChiefMark TaubProduct Line ManagerBrett BartowAcquisitions EditorsBetsy BrownMichelle NewcombDevelopment EditorEllie BruManaging EditorSandra SchroederProject EditorMandie FrankCopy EditorJeff RileyIndexerKen JohnsonProofreaderPaula LowellWarning and DisclaimerEvery effort has been made to make this book as complete and as accurateas possible, but no warranty or fitness is implied. The information providedis on an “as is” basis. The author and the publisher shall have neither liability nor responsibility to any person or entity with respect to any loss ordamages arising from the information contained in this book.Special SalesFor information about buying this title in bulk quantities, or for specialsales opportunities (which may include electronic versions; custom coverdesigns; and content particular to your business, training goals, marketingfocus, or branding interests), please contact our corporate sales departmentat corpsales@pearsoned.com or (800) 382-3419.For government sales inquiries, please contact governmentsales@pearsoned.com.For questions about sales outside the U.S., please contact intlcs@pearson.com.Technical EditorChris CraytonPublishing CoordinatorVanessa EvansDesignerChuti PrasertsithCompositorTricia Bronkella

Contents at a GlanceIntroductionlviiCHAPTER 1Technician Essentials and Computer/Device Anatomy 101CHAPTER 2Configure and Use BIOS/UEFI ToolsCHAPTER 3Motherboard ComponentsCHAPTER 4RAM Types and FeaturesCHAPTER 5PC Expansion CardsCHAPTER 6Storage DevicesCHAPTER 7CPUsCHAPTER 8Ports and InterfacesCHAPTER 9Designing and Building Custom PC Configurations3316799125161205253301CHAPTER 10 Using, Maintaining, and Installing Printers and MultifunctionDevices 369CHAPTER 11 Networking425CHAPTER 12 Mobile Devices507CHAPTER 13 Hardware and Network Troubleshooting569CHAPTER 14 Windows Operating Systems Features and InstallationCHAPTER 15 Managing Microsoft WindowsCHAPTER 16 Networking Microsoft WindowsCHAPTER 17 Operational ProceduresCHAPTER 18 OS X and Linux673735839881921CHAPTER 19 Virtualization, Cloud Computing, and Network ServicesCHAPTER 20 Mobile Operating Systems and DevicesCHAPTER 21 Security9811021CHAPTER 22 Troubleshooting Desktop and Mobile Operating SystemsGlossaryIndex95711511220Online-only Elements:Appendix ACompTIA A ObjectivesAppendix BMemory TablesAppendix CAnswers to Memory Tables1077

Table of ContentsIntroductionChapter 1lviiTechnician Essentials and Computer/Device Anatomy 101Foundation Topics4The Essential Parts of Any Computer or Mobile DeviceFront and Rear Views of a Desktop PCAll Around a Laptop ComputerAll-in-One Computers5911Quick Reference to PC and Mobile ComponentsHardware, Software, and FirmwareSoftwareFirmware411Smartphones and TabletsHardware31315151516Why Hardware, Software, and Firmware Are Important toUnderstand 16The CompTIA Six-Step Troubleshooting TheoryTechnician Tools and Equipment1717Basic Tools and Supplies for Assembly/Disassembly of ComputersSystem and Electrical Testing Tools19Network Installation and Configuration ToolsPrinter Maintenance Tools20Software and Operating Systems20Spare Parts and Equipment to TestImportant Websites22Exam Preparation TasksReview Questions212323Answers and Explanations to Review QuestionsChapter 2Configure and Use BIOS/UEFI ToolsFoundation Topics3132BIOS/UEFI Configuration32Accessing the BIOS Setup ProgramUEFI and Traditional BIOS3332281918

BIOS Settings Overview34Automatic Configuration of BIOS/CMOS SettingsMain Menu38Main/Standard Features/Settings39Discovering System Information39Boot Settings and Boot SequenceIntegrated Ports and PeripheralsSATA Configuration404242USB Host Adapters and Charging SupportAudio and Ethernet PortsPower ManagementMonitoring43444647Processor and Memory ConfigurationVirtualization SupportSecurity Features484850Exiting BIOS and Saving/Discarding ChangesFlash Upgrade BIOS53Flash BIOS Update54Using BIOS/UEFI DiagnosticsExam Preparation TasksReview All the Key Topics575757Complete the Tables and Lists from MemoryDefine Key Terms5858Complete Hands-On Labs59Lab 2-1: Disable Onboard Audio59Lab 2-2: Check Fan and Voltage LevelsAnswer Review Questions5960Answers and Explanations to Hands-On LabsLab 2-1: Disable Onboard Audio6363Lab 2-2: Check Fan and Voltage Levels64Answers and Explanations to Review Questions645137

viCompTIA A 220-901 and 220-902 Cert GuideChapter 3Motherboard ComponentsFoundation Topics68ATX, ITX, and Smaller SizesATX and microATXITX Family67686870Comparing ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX MotherboardsExpansion Slot TypesPCI Slots7272PCI-X Slots73PCIe (PCI Express) SlotsRAM Sockets76CPU Sockets77Chipsets727377CMOS Battery79Power ConnectorsFan Connectors8081Front and Top Panel ConnectorsBus Speeds8284Installing Motherboards85Step-by-Step Motherboard Removal85Preparing the Motherboard for InstallationStep-by-Step Motherboard InstallationExam Preparation TasksReview All the Key Topics899090Complete the Tables and Lists from MemoryDefine Key Terms889191Complete Hands-On Labs91Lab 3-1: Determine Available USB Ports, Locations, and TypesLab 3-2: Determine Smallest Form Factor Suitable for a New PCAnswer Review Questions929292Answers and Explanations to Hands-On Labs97Lab 3-1: Determine Available USB Ports, Locations, and TypesLab 3-2: Determine Smallest Form Factor Suitable for a New PCAnswers and Explanations to Review Questions979797

ContentsChapter 4RAM Types and FeaturesFoundation Topics99100Memory Upgrade ConsiderationsRAM TypesSRAMSDRAM100101102102DDR SDRAM102DDR2 SDRAM102DDR3 SDRAM103Parity vs Non-Parity105ECC vs non-ECC Memory106Buffered (Registered) vs UnbufferedSO-DIMM vs DIMMRAM nnelQuad-Channel107109109109110111Single-Sided vs Double-SidedRAM CompatibilityInstalling Memory107111111112Preparations for Installing DIMM MemoryExam Preparation TasksReview All the Key Topics116116Complete the Tables and Lists from MemoryDefine Key Terms112116116Complete Hands-On Lab117Lab 4-1: Select and Install the Correct RAMAnswer Review Questions117118Answers and Explanations to Hands-On Labs121Lab 4-1: Select and Install the Correct RAMAnswers and Explanations to Review Questions121122vii

viiiCompTIA A 220-901 and 220-902 Cert GuideChapter 5PC Expansion CardsFoundation Topics125126Expansion Card and Slot OverviewInstalling Sound Cards126127Installing a USB Audio Device128Configuring a Sound Card with WindowsConfiguring a Sound Card with OS X129Configuring a Sound Card with Linux129Installing Video Cards128129BIOS Configuration130Removing Drivers for an Old Video Card or Onboard VideoRemoving the Old Video Card131Video Card Physical InstallationDriver Installation135136Installing FireWire Cards137Installing Thunderbolt Cards138Installing Storage Cards140Installing Modem Cards140Installing Wireless/Cellular CardsInstalling TV Tuner CardsSpeakers142145Installing Video Capture CardsInstalling Riser Cards134134Installing Network CardsInstalling USB Cards131146147148Display Devices148Exam Preparation TasksReview All the Key TopicsDefine Key Terms151151152Complete Hands-On Labs152Lab 5-1: Checking a System for Required I/O Ports152Lab 5-2: Checking a System for Required Expansion SlotsAnswer Review Questions153152

ContentsAnswers and Explanations to Hands-On Labs157Lab 5-1: Checking a System for Required I/O Ports157Lab 5-2: Checking a System for Required Expansion SlotsAnswers and Explanations to Review QuestionsChapter 6Storage Devices161Foundation Topics162Optical Drive Features and CapacitiesCD-ROM / CD-RW159162162DVD Recordable and Rewriteable StandardsBlu-ray (BD)158163164Drive Speed Ratings164Recording Files to Optical Discs165Creating Optical Discs in Windows165Using Third-Party Optical Disc Mastering Programs for WindowsUsing Third-Party Drag-and-Drop File Copying ProgramsBurning Discs in OS X168Burning Discs in Linux168Magnetic Hard Disk DrivesForm FactorsSpin Rate167169170170Internal Hard Disk Drive, SSD, and Optical Drive InstallationInstalling an eSATA Hard DiskFlash Drives177179Flash Card ReaderSolid State DrivesSSD181184184Hybrid186eMMC186Hot-Swappable Drives187Safely Ejecting a Drive in Windows187Safely Ejecting a USB Drive in OS X188Safely Ejecting a USB Drive in Linux188RAID Types167189Creating an SATA RAID Array190172ix

xCompTIA A 220-901 and 220-902 Cert GuideTape Drive194Tape Drive CapacitiesExam Preparation Tasks195195Review All the Key Topics195Complete the Tables and Lists from MemoryDefine Key Terms196196Complete Hands-On Labs196Lab 6-1: Researching Optical Drives196Lab 6-2: Checking RAID Support and Creating a RAID ArrayAnswer Review Questions197Answers and Explanations to Hands-On LabsLab 6-1: Researching Optical Drives200200Lab 6-2: Checking RAID Support and Creating a RAID ArrayAnswers and Explanations to Review QuestionsChapter 7CPUs202205Foundation Topics206Processor Cache Size/Type209Hyper-Threading (HT Technology)Virtualization Support210210Architecture (32-bit vs. 64-bit)Integrated GPU211211Intel HD Graphics from Clarkdale to Ivy BridgeIntel HD Graphics for Haswell ProcessorsIntel HD Graphics for Broadwell ProcessorsIntel HD Graphics for Skylake ProcessorsAMD APU Graphics214Execute Disable Bit (EDB)Socket TypesIntel197214215215Land Grid Array SocketsProcessor Code Names216218212213213211200

ContentsLGA 775219LGA 1366220LGA 1156220LGA 1155221LGA 1150222LGA 2011223AMD224mPGA SocketsSocket AM3225226Socket AM3 227Socket FM1228Socket FM2229Socket FM2 Cooling230231Heat SinkFans231231Phase-Change Material/Thermal PasteLiquid-Based Cooling234Fanless/Passive Heat SinkCPU Installation235236Intel Processors237Intel Processor Removal237Intel Processor InstallationAMD Processors238240AMD Processor Removal240AMD Processor InstallationExam Preparation TasksReview All the Key Topics241243243Complete the Tables and Lists from MemoryDefine Key Terms232244244Complete Hands-On Labs244Lab 7-1: Installed CPUs and Upgrade OptionsLab 7-2: Shopping for a CPU UpgradeAnswer Review Questions245245244xi

xiiCompTIA A 220-901 and 220-902 Cert GuideAnswers and Explanations for Hands-On Labs248Lab 7-1: Installed CPUs and Upgrade OptionsLab 7-2: Lab 7-2 Shopping for a CPU UpgradeAnswers and Explanations to Review QuestionsChapter 8Ports and InterfacesFoundation Topics253254Rear Panel Port ClustersUSB254255USB 1.1 and 2.0USB 3.0260USB 3.1260USB Adapters258262FireWire (IEEE 1394)FireWire 400266FireWire 800266SATA and eSATA267265SATA Configuration and CablingThunderboltVideo269271273VGA274DVI274DVI and Copy ProtectionHDMI276276DisplayPort278DisplayPort Versions278DisplayPort and ThunderboltRCA278279S-Video (Mini-DIN 4)Mini-DIN 6280Component280BNC Coaxial279281Video Adapters and ConvertersThunderbolt to DVIHDMI to VGA282282282250248249