Customer Reviews

A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Fifth Edition Enhanced, Comprehensive

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I enrolled in an online course with Thomson Education Direct (which has recently changed to Penn Foster). The course was designed to prepare me to pass the A+ exam and this textbook was part of the package I received after I graduated. The book is loaded with information and includes end-of-chapter questions and exercises to help you prepare for the A+ exam, plus a CD with further instructional material and test questions. I take the tests first thing, to see where I stand, and find that, unfortunately, the test questions are riddled with mistakes, but I think, No problem. Though the book is a fifth edition, the CD is probably a new thing and that could account for the mistakes. I'll just use the textbook to check the test questions and make sure they're correct.

Unfortunately, the textbook, because it is designed to be used in a classroom setting, provides no answers for the end-of-chapter questions and exercises, so if you're studying independently, it's impossible to check your work to make sure you're correct. I thought, No problem. The student manual lists an instructor's edition which comes with an Electronic Instructor's Manual, Solutions to all the end of chapter material, ExamView, PowerPoint presentations, Figure Files and a Daily Lesson Planner. All you have to do, according to the ad, is go to the listed website (http://www.course.com/pcrepair). So, I go to the site, type the author's name, Jean Andrews, into the search box, up comes the book, and I order it, no sweat. With shipping it runs right around $83.00, a lot for a book, but since it will prepare me for the A+, I'm willing to spend the money.

Unfortunately, it's a waste. The book that arrives is exactly like the student's manual I already have, no answers to any questions at all. I think, No problem. I'll just call customer service to see when the additional resources are going to arrive.

Unfortunately, I am told I can't get the additional resources, because I am not an instructor. Not only that, I learn that because I am a private buyer, I cannot send the Instructor's Edition back and get a refund. Two facts they fail to mention on either the website or in the student's text. I am also informed that the additional resources, supposedly included with the textbook, come at an additional cost. I think, Now, we've got a problem. I'm out $83.00, and Thomson's attitude seems to be "Too bad, so sad." Not exactly what I expect when this entire misunderstanding is due to their faulty advertising.

I'm sorry I ever ran across Thomson, if this is the best they can do for their customers. They seem to be a lot more concerned with preventing cheating than helping someone get certified, because this textbook was provided to me AFTER I graduated from their course when the resources that could help me answer the questions were no longer available to me. Also, you have to wonder, if all the instructor's resources aren't available to the average joe, why are they listed in the student's manual with a source where you can buy them? When I get my A+ certification, I'm sorry to say it will be in spite of Thomson, not because of them.

I got this book for my PC Technology Class, I've used it for 2 weeks, and I just hate this book. The thing that gets me mad the most is that its ALL OVER THE PLACE. They'll be talking about the BIOS, then go to expansion slots for like 3 pages, and then go back to Bios's again (pg 197-208). It's very confusing to follow, they should have sections, instead of cramming everything without header titles. The only good thing I like about it is that is has a lot of info, but if you have the time, and patience to find it, then this book is probably OK for you.

Be your own teacher, take test, follow the details. This is the same book for the College Course I was planning on taking. This really breaks it down for you.

Great book, easy to understand a little bit expensive but its worth it

Taking a computer class one night a week is more than enough for any average person w/ a full-time job. After the registration, the school location and the reality of how much books cost new these days. Amazon came through for me a week before class and this was after tracking all the various campuses and tips from friends. Buying the book used same me easily $30 to $40. The is in great condition, you would of thought it was new.

I didn't read this book yet. I just enrolled at A+ at local IT school and they rec-d only this book.