Ebook Fundamentals of hardware and operating systems (Hardware Service Technician) - Part 1

There is a growing need in all organisations
for effective user support of their
IT installations.
It is essential that the staff tasked with these
responsibilities can fulfil them completely
and safely and, where necessary, call for
more skilled help.
This textbook is intended to provide the
student with a thorough knowledge of the
hardware requirements associated with PC
technical support.
In particular it covers:

Fundamentals of
Hardware and
Operating Systems

• Installation, configuration and upgrading

(Hardware Service Technician)

• Diagnosing and troubleshooting
• Preventive maintenance
• Motherboard, processor and
memory upgrades
• Supporting and servicing printers
• Supporting Local Area Networks
The textbook is based upon the CompTIA
(Computer Technology Industry Association)
A+ syllabus.

ISBN 0-9543071-4-3

For any other enquiries please contact one of our regional offices:
UK & Europe - Tel +44 (0) 161 438 6200 | Africa and the Caribbean - Tel +27 (0) 21 913 8928
East Asia - Tel +86 (0) 10 6518 9327 | Middle East and South Asia - Tel +971 (0) 4 391 2727
South East Asia - Tel +60 (0) 3 7710 5755

International Diploma in
Computer Studies (IDCS) 2008



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A+

Fifth Edition

Charles J. Brooks
C E R T I F I C AT I O

Training Guide

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A+ TRAINING GUIDE
Authorised English Reprint from the English Language edition, entitled A+ CERTIFICATION TRAINING GUIDE
(EXAM 220-301, EXAM 220-302) by BROOKS, CHARLES J., published by Pearson Education, Inc, publishing as
QUE, Copyright © 2003 by Que Publishing.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic
or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage retrieval system, without permission
from Pearson Education, Inc.
ENGLISH language edition published by GALATEA TRAINING SERVICES LIMITED, Copyright © 2004.
ISBN 0-954307-4-3
Printed by B & Jo Enterprise Pte Ltd in Singapore.


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Table of Contents
Introduction

1

How This Book Helps You ..............................................................................................................1
A+ Core Hardware Service Technician Examination Blueprint ....................................3
Domain 1.0 Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading ............................................4
Domain 2.0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting ..................................................................8
Domain 3.0 Preventive Maintenance, Safety, and Environmental Issues ..........9
Domain 4.0 Motherboard/Processors/Memory ..............................................................10
Domain 5.0 Printers ....................................................................................................................12
Domain 6.0 Basic Networking ..............................................................................................13

Part I Chapters
1 Basic Terms and Concepts
Introduction

17

..........................................................................................................................................21

PC Standards ........................................................................................................................................21
The PC System ....................................................................................................................................22
System Unit Cases ......................................................................................................................23
Inside the System Unit ....................................................................................................................25

AT and ATX Specifications ....................................................................................................27
Power Supplies ..............................................................................................................................27
System Boards ..............................................................................................................................29
Microprocessors ............................................................................................................................30
Chipsets ............................................................................................................................................32
Connectors and Jumpers ..........................................................................................................33
Configuration Settings ..............................................................................................................34
Expansion Slots ............................................................................................................................35
Adapter Cards ................................................................................................................................36

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Storage Devices ..................................................................................................................................40
Disk Drives ......................................................................................................................................41
Digital Versatile Discs (DVD) ..............................................................................................45
Tape Drives......................................................................................................................................46
Peripherals and Ports ........................................................................................................................46

Keyboards ........................................................................................................................................47
Monitors ............................................................................................................................................48
Other Peripherals ..........................................................................................................................52
System Software..................................................................................................................................54
Basic Input/Output Systems ....................................................................................................53
CMOS Setup ..................................................................................................................................57
Operating Systems ......................................................................................................................59
Review Questions ........................................................................................................................62
Answers and Explanations ......................................................................................................56
Challenge Solutions ....................................................................................................................68

2 Adding and Removing FRU Modules in Desktop Systems
Introduction

71

..........................................................................................................................................75

Replacing System Boards ..............................................................................................................75
Removing External I/O Systems ..........................................................................................76
Removing the System Unit’s Cover ....................................................................................77
Removing Adapter Cards ........................................................................................................77
Removing the Cables from the System Board ..............................................................79
Removing the System Board ..................................................................................................80
Replacing System Board Devices ..............................................................................................83
Installing Microprocessors ......................................................................................................83
Installing Memory Modules ....................................................................................................89
Installing Support ICs ................................................................................................................90
Power Supplies ....................................................................................................................................91
Removing a Power Supply ......................................................................................................92

Installing Power Supplies ........................................................................................................93
Installing Video/Monitor Systems ..............................................................................................95
Input Devices ........................................................................................................................................96
Keyboards ........................................................................................................................................97
Mice ....................................................................................................................................................98
Installing Touch-Sensitive Screens ......................................................................................99


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Installing Storage Devices ..........................................................................................................101
Floppy-Disk Drive Installation ..........................................................................................102
Hard-Disk Drive Installation ................................................................................................102
Installing CD-ROM/DVD Devices ..................................................................................108
Tape Drives ..................................................................................................................................110
Removable Storage ..................................................................................................................114
Installing Adapter Card-Based Peripherals ..........................................................................115
Installing Sound Cards ............................................................................................................116
Modems ................................................................................................................................................117
Installing an Internal Modem ..............................................................................................118
Configuring a Modem ............................................................................................................119
Establishing Modem Protocols ..........................................................................................120

Character Framing ....................................................................................................................122
SCSI Adapter Cards..................................................................................................................123
Universal Serial Bus

......................................................................................................................124

IEEE-1394 FireWire Bus ............................................................................................................125
Installing Devices Using Advanced Buses and Ports ..............................................126
Installing Wireless LAN Components ..................................................................................128
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................131
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................133
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................135

3 Adding and Removing FRU Modules in Portables

137

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................140
Portable System Components ....................................................................................................140
Portable System Boards ..........................................................................................................141
Installing Portable Memory ..................................................................................................142
Portable Display Types ..........................................................................................................144
Keyboards ......................................................................................................................................145
Trackballs ......................................................................................................................................147
Touch Pads ....................................................................................................................................148
Portable Drives............................................................................................................................149
External Portable I/O ......................................................................................................................150
Portable Peripherals ........................................................................................................................151
Peripheral Storage Devices ..................................................................................................151
External Drive Units ................................................................................................................152

Removable Storage ..................................................................................................................154
Portable Power Sources ..........................................................................................................156

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PC Cards ..............................................................................................................................................159
Cardbus ..........................................................................................................................................160
PC Card Functions ....................................................................................................................160
Installing PC Cards ..................................................................................................................160
Installing PC Card Support ..................................................................................................161
Networking Portables ....................................................................................................................164
Wireless Networking with Portables ................................................................................166
Expanding Portable Peripheral Capabilities........................................................................168
Docking Stations ........................................................................................................................168
Port Replicators ..........................................................................................................................169
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................171
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................173

Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................174

4 System Resources

177

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................180
Extended I/O ......................................................................................................................................180
Moving Data ................................................................................................................................181
Initiating I/O Transfers ............................................................................................................181
PC Address Allocations ..........................................................................................................186
Typical I/O Resource Allocations ......................................................................................188
Internal Modems ........................................................................................................................192
Floppy-Drive Controllers ......................................................................................................193
Hard-Drive Controllers ..........................................................................................................194
Multimedia Devices..................................................................................................................195
Network Adapter Cards ..........................................................................................................196
USB Ports ......................................................................................................................................196
IEEE-1394 Ports ........................................................................................................................197
Infrared Ports ..............................................................................................................................197
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................200
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................203
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................204

5 Peripherals and Ports

207

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................210
Standard I/O Ports ..........................................................................................................................210

ATX Ports ......................................................................................................................................211
AT Ports ..........................................................................................................................................212


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Parallel Ports ......................................................................................................................................215
Printer Cabling ............................................................................................................................215
LPT Handles ................................................................................................................................217
Serial Ports ..........................................................................................................................................217
Serial Transmission Modes ..................................................................................................218
Serial Cables ................................................................................................................................220
Serial Port Names and Resources ......................................................................................222
USB Architecture ............................................................................................................................222
USB Cabling and Connectors ..............................................................................................223
FireWire ..........................................................................................................................................224
Infrared Ports ..............................................................................................................................225
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................229
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................231
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................233

6 Installing Disk Devices

235

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................238
Integrated Drive Electronics Interface ..................................................................................238
Configuring IDE Drives ........................................................................................................240
Advanced EIDE Specifications ..........................................................................................241
Small Computer System Interface ..........................................................................................244
SCSI Specifications ..................................................................................................................245
SCSI Cables and Connectors ..............................................................................................248
SCSI Signaling ............................................................................................................................249
SCSI Addressing ........................................................................................................................251
SCSI Termination ......................................................................................................................253
RAID Systems ..................................................................................................................................256
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................261
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................263
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................265

7 Installing and Configuring Peripheral Devices

267

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................269
Video/Monitor Systems ................................................................................................................269
Installing External Dial-up Modems ......................................................................................270
External Modem Configuration ..........................................................................................272
Installing Digital Modems ....................................................................................................272
IEEE-1284 Parallel Port Devices ......................................................................................273

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Peripheral Storage Devices ........................................................................................................274
Infrared Devices ........................................................................................................................276
Personal Digital Assistants ....................................................................................................278
Installing Uninterruptible Power Supplies ..........................................................................279
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................282
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................283
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................284

8 System Upgrading and Optimizing

285

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................289
System Board Upgrading ............................................................................................................289
Upgrading Microprocessors..................................................................................................290
Upgrading the BIOS ................................................................................................................296

Upgrading Memory ..................................................................................................................297
Making Upgrade Decisions ..................................................................................................300
HDD Upgrading................................................................................................................................300
Disk-Drive Subsystem Enhancements ............................................................................304
Upgrading Adapters ........................................................................................................................305
Specialized Video Cards ........................................................................................................306
Optimizing Network Adapters ............................................................................................307
Upgrading Peripheral Devices ..................................................................................................308
Power-Supply Upgrade Considerations ................................................................................309
Portable System Upgrading ........................................................................................................310
Batteries ..........................................................................................................................................311
Fuel Cells ......................................................................................................................................312
Upgrading/Replacing Portable Drives ............................................................................312
PC Cards ........................................................................................................................................313
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................316
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................318
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................320

9 Symptoms and Troubleshooting

321

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................326
Isolating Power-Supply Problems ............................................................................................326
Checking Dead Systems ........................................................................................................327
Other Power-Supply Problems ............................................................................................328


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Troubleshooting the System Board ........................................................................................328
System Board Symptoms ......................................................................................................329
Configuration Checks ..............................................................................................................331
Hardware Checks ......................................................................................................................333
Troubleshooting Keyboard Problems ....................................................................................338
Keyboard Symptoms ................................................................................................................338
Basic Keyboard Checks ..........................................................................................................339
Keyboard Hardware Checks ................................................................................................339
Troubleshooting Mouse Problems ..........................................................................................340
Problems with Port Connections ........................................................................................340
Problems with Correct Mouse Drivers ............................................................................341
Problems with the Mouse Trackball ................................................................................341
Problems with Mouse Buttons ............................................................................................341
Mouse Hardware Checks ......................................................................................................342
Mouse Configuration Checks ..............................................................................................342
Troubleshooting Video ..................................................................................................................343
Video Hardware Checks ........................................................................................................345
Troubleshooting Monitors............................................................................................................348
Diagnosing Monitor Problems ............................................................................................350
Troubleshooting Floppy-Disk Drives ....................................................................................351
Basic FDD Checks ....................................................................................................................352
Troubleshooting Hard-Disk Drives ........................................................................................353

HDD Configuration Checks ................................................................................................355
Basic HDD Checks ..................................................................................................................356
HDD Hardware Checks ..........................................................................................................357
Troubleshooting CD-ROM and DVD Drives ....................................................................358
Basic Checks ................................................................................................................................358
Windows Checks ........................................................................................................................359
CD-ROM/DVD Hardware Checks....................................................................................360
Troubleshooting Tape Drives

....................................................................................................362

Troubleshooting Other Removable Storage Systems

....................................................364

Troubleshooting Port Problems ................................................................................................365
Port Problem Symptoms ........................................................................................................365
Basic Port Checks ......................................................................................................................366
Windows Parallel Port Checks ............................................................................................368
Windows Serial Port Checks ................................................................................................370
USB Port Checks ......................................................................................................................371
IEEE-1394 Adapters and Ports............................................................................................373
Troubleshooting Infrared Ports ..........................................................................................374

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Troubleshooting Modems ............................................................................................................375
Modem Symptoms ....................................................................................................................376
COM Port Conflicts..................................................................................................................376
Windows Modem Checks ......................................................................................................377
Communication Software ......................................................................................................379
Modem Hardware Checks ....................................................................................................382
Troubleshooting Sound Cards ....................................................................................................383
Sound Card Configuration Checks....................................................................................383
Sound Card Hardware Checks ............................................................................................384
Troubleshooting Network Cards ..............................................................................................385
Troubleshooting Portable Systems ..........................................................................................386
Troubleshooting Touch Pads ..............................................................................................388
Troubleshooting PCMCIA ....................................................................................................388
Troubleshooting Portable Unique Storage ....................................................................389
Troubleshooting Batteries ......................................................................................................390
Troubleshooting Docking Stations/Port Replicators ................................................391
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................395
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................399
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................402

10 Basic Troubleshooting Techniques

405

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................407
Diagnostic and Repair Tools ......................................................................................................407
Using a Multimeter ..................................................................................................................408
Information Gathering....................................................................................................................411
Symptoms/Error Codes ..........................................................................................................412
Initial Troubleshooting Steps......................................................................................................413
Observing the Bootup Procedure ......................................................................................413
Field-Replaceable Unit Troubleshooting........................................................................418
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................421
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................422
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................424

11 Preventive Maintenance

425

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................428
Cleaning ................................................................................................................................................428


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Preventive Maintenance Procedures ......................................................................................429
Dust ..................................................................................................................................................430
Rough Handling..........................................................................................................................430
Heat Buildup ................................................................................................................................431
Protecting Monitors ..................................................................................................................432
Caring for LCD Displays ......................................................................................................433
Protecting Hard-Disk Drives ................................................................................................434
Protecting Removable Media Drives ..............................................................................436
Protecting Input Devices ........................................................................................................439
Power-Line Protection ..................................................................................................................440
Surge Suppressers ......................................................................................................................441
Uninterruptible Power Supplies ..........................................................................................442
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................448
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................450
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................452

12 System Protection

453

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................456
Electrostatic Discharge ..................................................................................................................456
MOS Handling Techniques ..................................................................................................458
Understanding Grounds ..........................................................................................................460
Protection During Storage

..........................................................................................................462

Disposal Procedures ........................................................................................................................463
Avoiding High-Voltage Hazards

..............................................................................................464

Avoiding Laser and Burn Hazards ..........................................................................................455
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................469
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................468
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................470

13 Microprocessors

471

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................474
The Pentium Processor ..................................................................................................................474
Advanced Pentium Architectures ............................................................................................476
Pentium MMX ............................................................................................................................476
Pentium Pro ..................................................................................................................................477
Pentium II ......................................................................................................................................478
Pentium III ....................................................................................................................................479
Pentium 4 ......................................................................................................................................481

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Itanium Processors ....................................................................................................................482
Pentium Clones ..........................................................................................................................484
Socket Specifications

....................................................................................................................486

Microprocessor Clock Speeds....................................................................................................489
Power-Supply Levels
Heat Sinks and Fans

....................................................................................................................489

......................................................................................................................490

Configuring Microprocessors ....................................................................................................492
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................496
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................498
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................499

14 Random Access Memory

501

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................504
Memory Systems ..............................................................................................................................504
Advanced DRAM ......................................................................................................................505
SRAM..............................................................................................................................................510
Memory Overhead

..........................................................................................................................511

Cache Memory ..................................................................................................................................513
SIMMs, DIMMs, and Banks ......................................................................................................515
RAM Speeds ......................................................................................................................................518
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................523
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................525
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................526

15 Motherboards

529

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................534
System Board Form Factors ......................................................................................................534
ATX System Boards ................................................................................................................535
AT System Boards ....................................................................................................................536
System Board Compatibility ................................................................................................537
Pentium Chipsets ..............................................................................................................................539
System Bus Speeds ..................................................................................................................540
Expansion Bus Architectures......................................................................................................542
8-Bit Slots ......................................................................................................................................543

16-Bit Slots ..................................................................................................................................543
32-Bit Architectures..................................................................................................................544
Local Bus Designs ....................................................................................................................544


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PCI Local Bus ............................................................................................................................545
AGP Slots ......................................................................................................................................549
Expansion-Slot Considerations ..........................................................................................552
I/O Connections ................................................................................................................................552
Pentium ATX Ports ..................................................................................................................552
Pentium AT Ports ......................................................................................................................553
Universal Serial Bus ......................................................................................................................555
USB Data Transfers ..................................................................................................................555
Onboard Disk-Drive Connections ............................................................................................556
IDE Connections ........................................................................................................................556
SCSI Connections ......................................................................................................................559
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................552
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................566
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................568

16 CMOS RAM

569

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................572
CMOS Setup Utilities ....................................................................................................................572
Standard CMOS Setup Functions ......................................................................................574
The BIOS Features Setup Screen ......................................................................................576
Chipset Features Setup Functions ......................................................................................578
PnP/PCI Configuration Functions ....................................................................................579
Integrated Peripherals Setup Functions ..........................................................................581
Power Management Functions ............................................................................................584
Security Subsystem ..................................................................................................................585
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................588
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................590
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................592

17 Basic Printer Concepts

593

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................597
Printer Types ......................................................................................................................................597
Fonts

......................................................................................................................................................598

Printer Mechanics ............................................................................................................................599
Dot-Matrix Printers ........................................................................................................................600
Printhead Mechanisms ............................................................................................................601

Thermal Printers ........................................................................................................................602

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Ink-Jet Printers ..................................................................................................................................604
Ink-Jet Printer Components ..................................................................................................605
Laser Printers ....................................................................................................................................606
Laser Printing Operations ......................................................................................................607
Electrophotographic Cartridges ..........................................................................................609
Dye-Sublimation Printers ......................................................................................................610
Printer Installation ............................................................................................................................611
Printer Cables ..............................................................................................................................612
Infrared Printer Ports................................................................................................................614
Networked Printers ..................................................................................................................615
Other Printer Interfaces ..........................................................................................................615
Printer Options and Upgrades..............................................................................................616
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................622

Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................625
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................627

18 Servicing Printers

629

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................633
General Printer Troubleshooting ..............................................................................................633
Printer Drivers ............................................................................................................................634
Troubleshooting Interface/Controller Problems..........................................................635
Troubleshooting Network Printer Problems ................................................................637
Troubleshooting Dot-Matrix Printers ....................................................................................639
Dot-Matrix Printer Power-Supply Problems ................................................................639
Dot-Matrix Consumables ......................................................................................................640
Printhead Not Printing ............................................................................................................642
Printhead Not Moving ............................................................................................................643
Paper Not Advancing ..............................................................................................................645
Troubleshooting Ink-Jet Printers ..............................................................................................645
Ink-Jet Printer Configuration Checks ..............................................................................646
Ink Jet Consumables ................................................................................................................647
Troubleshooting Laser Printers ................................................................................................650
Laser Printer Consumables ..................................................................................................651
Printer Is Dead or Partially Disabled ..............................................................................652
Print on Page Is Missing or Bad ........................................................................................653
Paper Will Not Feed or Is Jammed ..................................................................................655


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Preventive Maintenance and Safety Issues ..........................................................................657
Dot-Matrix Printers ..................................................................................................................657
Ink-Jet Printers ............................................................................................................................658
Laser Printers ..............................................................................................................................658
Laser Safety Issues ....................................................................................................................659
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................661
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................662
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................666

19 Basic Networking Concepts

669

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................672
Local Area Networks ......................................................................................................................672
LAN Topologies ........................................................................................................................673
Logical Topologies ....................................................................................................................675
Network Control Strategies ..................................................................................................676
Network Transmission Media ....................................................................................................679
Copper Cabling ..........................................................................................................................679
Coaxial Cable ..............................................................................................................................681
Fiber-Optic Cable ......................................................................................................................682

Wireless Infrared Links ..........................................................................................................683
Wireless RF Links ....................................................................................................................683
Installing and Configuring LANs ............................................................................................686
LAN Adapter Cards ..................................................................................................................686
Installing LAN Cards ..............................................................................................................687
Network Architectures ............................................................................................................691
Networking Protocols ..............................................................................................................696
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................700
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................701
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................703

20 Network Media

704

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................709
Coaxial Cable Specifications......................................................................................................709
Twisted-Pair Cabling ......................................................................................................................711
IDC Connections ..............................................................................................................................713
UDC Connections ............................................................................................................................714
Fiber-Optic Cables ..........................................................................................................................715
Plenum Cable

....................................................................................................................................719

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Ethernet Specifications ..................................................................................................................718
Coaxial Ethernet Specifications ..........................................................................................718
Twisted-Pair Ethernet Specifications ..............................................................................719
Fiber Ethernet Standards ........................................................................................................720
Network Repair ................................................................................................................................722
Troubleshooting LANs ............................................................................................................722
LAN Configuration Checks ..................................................................................................724
Security Access Problems ......................................................................................................724
LAN Hardware Checks ..........................................................................................................725
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................729
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................730
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................731

21 Internet Connectivity

733

Introduction ........................................................................................................................................736
The Internet ........................................................................................................................................736
Internet Service Providers ............................................................................................................738

Internet Access Methods ..............................................................................................................739
LAN Access to the Internet ..................................................................................................740
Dial-Up Access ..........................................................................................................................742
ISDN Connections ....................................................................................................................744
Digital Subscriber Lines ........................................................................................................746
Cable Modems ............................................................................................................................753
Satellite Internet Access..........................................................................................................754
Wireless Internet Access ........................................................................................................756
Review Questions ......................................................................................................................758
Answers and Explanations ....................................................................................................759
Challenge Solutions ..................................................................................................................760


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Final Review
Fast Facts: Core Hardware Service Technician Exam

763

1.0 Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading ................................................................764
2.0 Diagnosing and Troubleshooting ......................................................................................771

3.0 Preventive Maintenance, Safety, and Environmental Issues ..............................773
4.0 Motherboard/Processors/Memory ....................................................................................776
5.0 Printers ..........................................................................................................................................780
6.0 Basic Networking ....................................................................................................................784

Practice Exam: Core Hardware Service Technician

815

Exam Questions ................................................................................................................................816
Answers to Exam Questions ......................................................................................................825

Appendices
A Glossary

807

B Overview of the Certification Process

841

About the A+ Certification Program ......................................................................................841

Index

843

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XIX

About the Author
Charles J. Brooks, author of five editions of the Training Guide, is currently the president of Marcraft
International Corporation, located in Kennewick, Washington, and is in charge of research and development.
He is the author of several books, including Speech Synthesis, Pneumatic Instrumentation, The Complete
Introductory Computer Course, Radio-Controlled Car Project Manual, and IBM PC Peripheral

Troubleshooting and Repair. A former electronics instructor and technical writer with the National Education
Corporation, Charles has taught and written on post-secondary EET curriculum, including introductory electronics, transistor theory, linear integrated circuits, basic digital theory, industrial electronics, microprocessors,
and computer peripherals.

Dedication
Once again, I want to thank my wife, Robbie, for her support throughout another book campaign. Without her
support and help, I’m sure there would be no books by Charles Brooks. I also want to mention Robert,
Jamaica, Michael, and Joshua for adding to my life.

Acknowledgments
There are so many people to thank for their efforts in preparing this book that I’m never sure where to start.
But lots of folks worked very diligently to bring this book to market.
My staff at Marcraft has worked diligently to make certain that this is a quality product. I want to thank Cathy
Boulay and Mike Hall for their artistic efforts, which are demonstrated throughout the book.
I also owe a big thanks to Grigoriy Ter-oganov, Yu Wen Ho, and Jason Ho of my Technical Services and
Development staffs for many things, including turning my hands-on procedure ideas into working lab explorations, for their review and proofreading skills, and for their test-bank compilation work. Thanks also to Tony
Tonda for all his work preparing user-support materials for the project.
I want to thank Marc Savage and David Eytchison for their invaluable insight and excellent recommendations
for improving this book.
As always, everyone I have worked with at Que Publishing has made this a pleasant experience. Jeff Riley,
Steve Rowe, and Dan Knott, thanks again for another great life experience. Let’s do another one sometime.
Finally, I want to thank all the people who purchased the previous editions of the book and cared enough to
share their feedback with me. You may see one of your suggestions in this version. Good luck with the exam,
but I hope you don’t need it after using this book.


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HOW

TO

USE THIS BOOK

How to Use This Book
Que Certification has made an effort in its Training Guide series to make the information as accessible as
possible for the purposes of learning the certification material. Here, you have an opportunity to view the
many instructional features that have been incorporated into the books to achieve that goal.

CHAPTER OPENER
Each chapter begins with a set of features

designed to allow you to maximize study
time for that material.
List of Objectives: Each chapter begins with a list of the
objectives as stated by the exam’s vendor.

Objective Explanations: Immediately following each
objective is an explanation of it, providing context that
defines it more meaningfully in relation to the exam.
Because vendors can sometimes be vague in their objectives list, the objective explanations are designed to clarify
any vagueness by relying on the authors’ test-taking experience.

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USE THIS BOOK

Chapter Outline: Learning always gets a boost when
you can see both the forest and the trees. To give you a
visual image of how the topics in a chapter fit together, you
will find a chapter outline at the beginning of each chapter.
You will also be able to use this for easy reference when
looking for a particular topic.

Study Strategies: Each topic presents its own learning
challenge. To support you through this, Que Certification
has included strategies for how to best approach studying in
order to retain the material in the chapter, particularly as it is
addressed on the exam.


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HOW

INSTRUCTIONAL
FEATURES WITHIN
THE CHAPTER
These books include a large amount and
different kinds of information. The many
different elements are designed to help you

identify information by its purpose and
importance to the exam and also to
provide you with varied ways to learn the
material. You will be able to determine
how much attention to devote to certain elements, depending on what your goals are.
By becoming familiar with the different
presentations of information, you
will know what information will be
important to you as a test-taker and
which information will be important to you
as a practitioner.

Warning: In using sophisticated information
technology, there is always potential for mistakes or even
catastrophes that can occur through improper application of
the technology. Warnings appear in the margins to alert you
to such potential problems.

TO

USE THIS BOOK

Exam Tip: Exam Tips appear in the margins to provide specific exam-related
advice. Such tips may address what material is covered (or not covered) on the exam,
how it is covered, mnemonic devices, or
particular quirks of that exam.

N o t e: Notes appear in the margins and contain various kinds of useful information, such as
tips on the technology or administrative practices, historical background on terms and technologies, or side commentary on industry issues.

XXIII