The A+ Certification & PC Repair Handbook (Charles River Media Networking/Security) [Paperback]

Christopher A. Crayton (Author), Joel Z. Rosenthal (Author), Kevin J. Irwin (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1584503726 | ISBN-13: 978-1584503729 | Publication Date: March 1, 2004 | Edition: 1

Many A+ certification guides prepare aspiring PC technicians to pass the exam, but don't put test objectives in a "practical use" context. Other PC repair guides cover A+ exam objectives in a real-world setting, but don't prepare students well enough to pass the test and get certified. The A+ Certification and PC Repair Handbook solves this problem by combining a complete test preparation for the new A+ examinations (220-301 and 220-302) with a hands on guide that reflects how the A+ exam questions apply to real-world PC repair problems. The book teaches users how to install and troubleshoot hardware, and provides solutions to common operating system-related problems for machines running Microsoft Windows 9x, Me, 2000, and XP. Each chapter includes numerous diagrams and photographs, and explains PC repair techniques using easy-to-understand language and accessible terms. For each chapter explaining these PC repair tactics, another chapter is included on how to effectively pass the corresponding portion of the A+ exam, with sample exam questions based on the actual tests. Test-taking techniques are also covered, including the test's recent return to conventional linear testing, as opposed to the adaptive format of previous years. The book's companion CD-ROM contains video tutorials that illustrate PC repair techniques, and full-length, timed, 80-question conventional practice tests covering both modules (Core Hardware and OS Technology) of the A+ certification exam.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Christopher A. Crayton is a technical consultant, security consultant, and trainer. Formerly, he worked as a networking instructor at Keiser College (2001 Teacher of the Year); as a network administrator for Protocol, an electronic customer relationship management (eCRM) company; and at Eastman Kodak Headquarters as a computer and network specialist. Chris has authored several print and online books, including Microsoft Windows Vista 70?620 Exam Guide Short Cut (O?Reilly,2007), CompTIA A+ Essentials 220?601 Exam Guide Short Cut (O?Reilly, 2007), A+ Adaptive Exams(Charles River Media, 2002), The A+ Exams Guide, The A+ Certifi cation and PC Repair Handbook(Charles River Media, 2005), and The Security+ Exam Guide (Charles River Media, 2003). He has also recently co-authored the CompTIA Security+ Study Guide & DVD Training System, Second Edition (Syngress, 2007). Chris is also a technical editor/reviewer for several major publishing companies, including Thomson, Pearson, Charles River Media, Wiley, Que, O?Reilly, Syngress, and Apress. He holds MCSE, MCP+I, A+, and Network+ certifications.

Joel Z. Rosenthal (Pittsburgh, PA) is an A+ and Microsoft certified technician, writer, and editor. He currently works as a computer repair technician.

Kevin J. Irwin (Pittsburgh, PA) owns and operates a computer repair shop. He has been repairing and working with computers for over 20 years.

Product Details

• Paperback: 868 pages
• Publisher: Charles River Media; 1 edition (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1584503726
• ISBN-13: 978-1584503729
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,027,251 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Horrible CD Test, October 26, 2004

By 

Hollman "Computer/Network Nerd" (Nebraska, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The A+ Certification & PC Repair Handbook (Charles River Media Networking/Security) (Paperback)

Although I found this book to be very informative on all needed A+ certification topics, I was extremely disappointed with the included CD-ROM. The CD-ROM included with this book claims to have practice tests which I was very excited about. The practice exams are horrible. There are terrible misspellings, some incorrect answers, and incorrect questions. Also, there are only 4 practice tests. Two for the first exam, and two for the second exam.

For example, one of the questions asks, "What is the memory address is for the video card? I believe a much better, improved question would be, "On the Reserved (Upper) Memory Map, what is the memory address range for the Video Bios? The choices for this one question are also not good. The correct answer is supposed to be C0000-C7FFF, however it is listed as C000-C7FFF (missing a zero). All of the other choices are also missing letters or zeros.

If you are buying this book as a read-only study guide, you have made the right choice. If you would like a practice test study guide on CD, I would suggest another book.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good reference for half your A+., July 31, 2004

By 

K. Weisel (WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The A+ Certification & PC Repair Handbook (Charles River Media Networking/Security) (Paperback)

After reading the two excellent reviews for this book, I purchased it to ensure I was ready for the two required A+ tests. That and it was one of the few books at the time which covered the new 220-301 & 302 exam objectives. The only reason I am writing this review is to ensure other A+ certification seekers out there that this book will not be a great deal of help with the OS/220-302 test. $290 is not cheap for an entry level certification and I would hope that anyone prepping for these tests only has to take each test once. On a good note, this book would be a decent PC Hardware Repair Handbook.

The reason it received 3 stars from me was for its weak OS coverage, which is half the certification. When I received the book from Amazon.com, I noticed how short the OS section was compared to the Hardware/Core section. Even the basics of 9x, NT, 2k, and XP cannot be covered in a few short sections like it was done in this book.

I did manage to pass the tests regardless, but my hands on experience and MCSE certification got me through the OS test.

Good luck to all of you!

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best on the subject, June 5, 2004

By 

Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The A+ Certification & PC Repair Handbook (Charles River Media Networking/Security) (Paperback)

While focused toward passing the A+ Certification exam, the practical real-world knowledge included in "The A+ Certification and PC Repair Handbook" is extensive. Hardware is covered very well from the basics of identifying components to diagnosis and repair. The authors even include information on websites with various freeware and shareware programs as well as commercial programs to help diagnose problems and test system equipment.

For operating system problems and maintenance they cover most of the versions of Windows (95, 98, ME, 2000, XP). The only one not covered is NT, which is becoming more rare every day. There is no coverage of Linux as a desktop operating system and that is consistent with the A+ Certification exam.

All chapters end with a set of typical certification style questions to help make sure you understood the most important points of the chapter. Throughout the book the authors have included excellent photographs, illustrations, and tables with clear labels that make the material understandable and easy to learn. Tutorial exercises are also scattered throughout so you can actually test what you have learned. The book is divided into two distinct parts with Part I actually teaching you what you need to know and Part II organizing it for exam study purposes. Lots of little tips are also scattered throughout the book and help bring years of experience to the reader.

In summary, not only does it prepare you well for the exam but also provides an excellent education in PC hardware and basic configuration and maintenance. The included CD-ROM contains, among other things, several videos showing how to do things, and four practice exams. "The A+ Certification and PC Repair Handbook" is highly recommended for anyone who wants a solid basic education in PC repair and maintenance or who is trying to pass the A+ certification.