Intermediate CompTIA A+ Certification Prep

Intermediate CompTIA A+ Certification Prep

Take the second step toward becoming a CompTIA A+ certified tech by mastering virtualization, multifunction devices, three flavors of Windows, plus macOS and Linux operating systems.

6 Weeks Access / 24 Course Hrs
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  • Details
  • Syllabus
  • Requirements
  • Instructor
  • Reviews
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Details

This online Intermediate CompTIA A+ Certification Prep course will teach you how to install, organize, maintain, and troubleshoot three different versions of Windows, plus explore similar features in macOS and Linux. You will examine and compare the features and structures of Windows 7, 8/8.1, and 10. Toward the end of the course, you will get a deeper understanding of virtualization and virtual machines in modern networks. Plus, you will learn about printers and multifunction devices, from the various technologies in use to installing and troubleshooting. This course takes you through the second of three steps you need to become both a highly-competent PC tech and a CompTIA A+ certified technician, using the 1001 and 1002 competencies.

Enrollment Options:
Instructor-Led
6 Weeks Access Course Code: ac2
Start Dates*Mar 15 | Apr 12 | May 17 | Jun 14
*Choose start date in cart
$119.00 USD
Add to Cart
Self-Paced
3 Months Access Course Code: T9223
No Instructor, Start Anytime
$110.00 USD
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Syllabus

The first lesson reviews common types of specialized PCs and discuss the hardware components that support their individualized roles. Then you will learn about installing contemporary Windows versions. You will learn about the preparation required, such as checking hardware requirements and backing up your personal files. To ensure a smooth installation process, you don't want to skip this step.

In this lesson, you'll learn basic operating system concepts and the various operating systems (and versions) covered on the CompTIA A+ exams. You will explore common OS functions that enable users, software, and hardware to interact with each other. Next, you will learn the primary user interfaces—the graphic user interface and the command line interface—and how the GUI manifests in recent versions of Windows, macOS, and Linux.

This lesson is all about Windows. You will learn the final preparation steps for installing or upgrading Windows, how to actually install the OS, what to do when you're done, and how to troubleshoot any problems that occur. Finally, you will practice the boot process for each version of Windows.

Get ready to explore the structures that power Windows. This lesson covers the Registry, a database that stores everything about your PC. You will also learn how Windows uses processes and services, the building blocks for everything running in Windows. Finally, you will explore the special Windows tools for programmers.

In this lesson, you will learn how to use the text-based command-line interface. You will explore the command prompt and find out how to use it to navigate the folder structure. You will learn about basic commands for listing files and creating new directories and advanced commands for moving and copying files.

Maintaining operating systems is critical. Because Microsoft Windows looms large in the CompTIA A+ objectives, you will learn how to download the latest Windows updates and service packs from Microsoft. You will also learn about the tools and utilities included in Windows that keep it healthy, like Disk Defragmenter and the System Configuration tool. Finally, this lesson will teach you how to automate your maintenance procedures with the Windows Task Scheduler.

You will learn about how to improve the performance of your system by optimizing your hardware and software. Additionally, you will learn how to install and remove applications and features, as well as updating and rolling back hardware drivers using Device Manager.

This lesson focuses on troubleshooting the boot process. You will explore some problems you may encounter and how to deal with them. You will also learn how to use specific utilities like the Windows Recovery Environment. Finally, this explores using command-line commands to fix boot errors.

A necessary skill every tech needs is to know how to troubleshoot an OS from multiple perspectives. This lesson focuses on what to do when the GUI fails to load normally, and several troubleshooting tools and the scenarios that are most useful.

This lesson explores virtualization—using special software to run a second operating system within your real OS. In addition, you will learn what virtualization is and explain its many benefits. Finally, explore the different types of virtualization and popular virtualization software.

The CompTIA A+ certification strongly stresses the area of multifunction devices (MFDs) and printing, so you will need a high degree of technical knowledge about all types of printers. This lesson starts your exploration of printers and MFDs. You will learn about the types of printers and scanners that are commonly used.

The final lesson will introduce you to installing and troubleshooting multifunction devices and printers. First, you will learn installation, setup, and optimization techniques for all kinds of printers. Lastly, you will learn troubleshooting techniques for impact, thermal, inkjet, and laser printers.

Requirements

Prerequisites:

Successful completion of the Basic CompTIA A+ Certification Prep course.


Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

  • Access to a PC running Windows is required.
  • Access to a Mac running macOS (in addition to the PC) is recommended.
  • You should have access to a hard drive that you can install, format, and partition, and to a couple of Plug and Play devices that you can practice installing. Because of the dangers of electro-static discharge (to the machine), you are not required to tear apart your own primary computer.

Software Requirements:

  • PC: Windows 8 or later.
  • Mac: macOS 10.6 or later.
  • Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge is also compatible.
  • Adobe Acrobat Reader.
  • Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

  • Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Instructor

David Rush

David Rush has been an IT instructor and expert for over 35 years with degrees in Physics and Electrical Engineering. He has been the senior instructor for the industry leader in CompTIA certification books, videos, and learning tools for the past 11 years.

In this capacity, Dave has taught computer technology, A+, and Network+ to the FBI, DEA, CIA, and other federal law enforcement agencies. He also creates train-the-trainer courses and materials for educational institutions. He conducts weekly, live online seminars on using Raspberry Pi computers and Linux as tools to foster studies toward CompTIA certifications.

In addition to his involvement in IT instruction, Dave has had a wide and varied career, including time as an airline pilot with U.S. and international airlines.

Instructor Interaction: The instructor looks forward to interacting with learners in the online moderated discussion area to share their expertise and answer any questions you may have on the course content.

Reviews

A job well done, informative and rewarding. Looking forward to more.

Fabulous course-- can't wait for Class 3!!!

I feel this course gave me a great base knowledge for taking the CompTia A+ tests. I plan on taking the hardware class next.

Love the course, things come to light after repetitive reading and the deeper one delves into the lessons and other materials, I'm sure to be a decent tech.

The Intermediate A+ Certification broadened my understanding of how operating systems work. I suggest that people who are interested in becoming A+ Certified take all three courses.

This course is very well organized and has the necessary structure to keep "independent study" students progressing steadily. This course, like the basic course, achieves the impossible by making it possible for students of many different computer backgrounds and experience to have both a uniform standard of computer technical knowledge and still be able to pursue those areas of computer knowledge particular to their own interests. I think this course and the basic course are most useful to those students who understand that they must invest some of their resources in both hardware and operating system software to gain the practical knowledge essential to be a computer technician. I look forward to the advanced course.

This has been a great experience for me! I can't sit in a classroom anymore, so this is perfect for me.

This was an excellent course! As are all of the courses I have taken with Prof. Jernigan.

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