A+ Certification Bible [Hardcover]

Edward Tetz (Author), Glen E. Clarke (Author), Joseph Phillips (Author), Angshuman Chakraborti (Author), Meeta Gupta (Author), Mridula Parihar (Author), Rashim Mogha (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0764548107 | ISBN-13: 978-0764548109 | Publication Date: August 15, 2001

Built around the exam objectives for easy reference during specific objective focus, A+ Certification Bible contains extensive self-evaluation opportunities to help you determine what areas need additional study. Comprehensive coverage allows you to maximize the information, and tailor your study to your own needs at any level of experience.

Covers: Exam 220-201 and 220-202

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

A business runs on its software, which means that it's possible to make a very nice living by maintaining the hardware that enables business software to go. The CompTIA A+ professional certification is the generally recognized token of accomplishment in the areas of Intel-compatible hardware configuration and the hardware-related parts of the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems. The A+ Certification Bible is a comprehensive guide to the subjects successful A+ candidates are required to understand, according to CompTIA's published statements of exam scope. Author Ed Tetz does an admirable job of telling readers what they need to know for the exam, though when on the job some may wish for more practical information. For example, Tetz explains how the NTFS 5.0 filesystem--a feature of Windows 2000--is better than the earlier version of NTFS that shipped with Windows NT, but he doesn't alert readers to the extensive woe they can expect to encounter if they attempt to make the two versions of NTFS exist on the same drive. The problems are not on the A+ test, so it's sort of moot, but this is the kind of troubleshooting challenge an A+ technician can expect to see on the job.

Wish lists aside, this hardcover volume gets the job done as far as A+ test preparation is concerned. Its prose is clear, and illustrations--including the photographs that traditionally detract from books about hardware--add to readers' understanding. Each chapter concludes with multiple-choice questions and free-answer scenarios. An annotated answer key for all questions and scenarios appears on another page. --David Wall

Topics covered: Everything CompTIA says candidates must understand in order to pass the two A+ exams (220-201 and 220-202). Content runs heavily to hardware, including techniques for configuring and troubleshooting hard disks, memory, motherboards, and processors. Sections deal with the points at which Microsoft operating systems--mostly Windows 98 and Windows 2000--interact with hardware. There's coverage of networking to the extent required by A+, as well.

From the Back Cover

The only guide you need for A+ exam success ... You're holding in your hands the most comprehensive and effective guide available for the CompTIA A+ exam. Ed Tetz, Glen Clarke, and Joseph Phillips, who have taught the A+ certification curriculum to hundreds of people, deliver incisive, comprehensive explanations of every A+ hardware and operating system topic, highlighting exam-critical concepts and offering hands-on tips that can help you in your real-world IT career. Throughout, they provide pre-tests, exam-style assessment questions, scenario exercises, and labs - everything you need to master the material and pass the exam. Get complete coverage of Hardware and OS exam objectives
* Master hardware basics, from CPU chips, motherboards, and RAM to ports, cables, and printers
* Get the scoop on installing and configuring drives, peripherals, and portable devices
* Discover all you need to know about hardware maintenance and troubleshooting
* Get up to speed on OS basics, from command prompt procedures to managing files and directories
* Find out how to install and configure Windows, device drivers, and applications
* Get a handle on OS troubleshooting, from deciphering error codes to running utilities
* Delve into networking, from cards, cables, and topographies to configuring Internet access
Test Prep Tools on CD-ROM:
* Hungry Minds test engine powered by top-rated Boson Software
* Searchable e-version of the book
Boson Software System Requirements: PC running Windows 95 or later, Windows NT 4 or later. See the About the CD Appendix for details and complete system requirements. www.hungryminds.com

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 1178 pages
• Publisher: Wiley (August 15, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764548107
• ISBN-13: 978-0764548109
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.7 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #612,740 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great resource!, September 4, 2001

By 

Tommy - See all my reviews

This review is from: A+ Certification Bible (Hardcover)

I am currently studying for the A+ Certification exams. I have a little experience in this topic area and am looking to clean up my knowledge. This study guide doesn't just give facts but explains concepts in a clear-to-understand fashion. There are plenty of screenshots, diagrams, and pictures to help illustrate the points covered. I would highly recommend this book!! I have not written the exams yet because I am still reading, but I am extremely pleased so far!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ace the A+ exam with this book., August 13, 2001

By 

"jem4" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: A+ Certification Bible (Hardcover)

I'm using Ed Tetz's book to study for my A+ exams, and I have found it to be very clear and easy to understand. The "A+ Certification Bible" is a fairly comprehensive technical computer book , that provides end of chapter multiple choice test questions. This book also includes simulate test questions on a CD-rom. It is also packed with pictures, diagrams, and descriptive learning objectives. This is a great book for computer owners and professional technicians alike. It has large easy to read type, is well illustrated . This is a great book to help you "ace" the A+ exam. I definitely recommend this book.

14 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars stay away from that thing, February 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: A+ Certification Bible (Hardcover)

I'm technician with over 5 years of experience and got Server+, Network+ and hardware certification by some major computer manufacturer.

I bought this book based on my experience with Server+ Bible which is very good.

A+ Bible made of 2 parts - hardware and software preparation.

software part is O.K., but hardware part is quite nasty.

it appears that somebody without serious (if any) hardware experience just grabed info from different sources and put it all together without really knowing what they were talking about.

examples:

book claims, that AC adapter for laptops "converts analog signals
into digital" which is complete idiocy.

book claims, that there are "ISA, PCI, AGP bus in portable computers" and you should consider it when "upgrading CPU on portable system"

book claims, that "dust and dirt on your shoes create static dischare and sintetic clothes promote static becasue they are good conductors of electricity", if that is not an outmost idiocy I don't know what it is then.

(static is caused by 2 non-conductors separating - just rob a comb on some wool blanket or something - and not by dust on shoes)

also book contains some incomplete and unsafe "advise" on discharging CRT with a screwdriver and a wire, which could get you hurt if you follow it.

in printing section stages of printing process are not described properly.

technical book that contains this kind of nonsense can't have any credibility and should not be on the market.

if you are technical person you'll be probably greatly outraged by that kind of writing, and if you are not technical you wouldn't want to put that kind of garbage into your head anyway.

my guess is, the book was written by some software-oriented network admin types.

there are some good pictures of cables and screenshots in the book, software section and exams on the CD are O.K., otherwise the book deserves 1 star.