CompTIA A+ Certification All-in-One Exam Guide, Exams 220-1001 & 220-1002

by Mike Meyers

The 220-1001 exam tests your ability to install, configure, and maintain all the hardware technology involved in a personal computer. You need to be able to install and set up a hard drive, for example, and configure devices in Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, and Windows 10. You have to understand device drivers. The 220-1001 exam tests you on mobile devices. While the smartphone and tablet market covers an impossibly wide array of hardware and software, the 220-1001 exam focuses on Apple iOS and Google Android devices (though you might get a question on Google Chrome OS or Windows Phone). You’ll need to know how to interact with the hardware and software. The 220-1001 exam tests extensively on networking. You need to know how to set up a typical local area network (LAN), for example, understanding cabling standards, network protocols, and Windows configuration. The 220-1001 exam will quiz you on cloud computing and virtualization technologies. You’ll need to know about available cloud services such as online storage and applications only available via the Internet. You’ll get asked how to set up and maintain virtual machines in a network environment. The 220-1001 exam requires you to know a lot about hardware and network troubleshooting. You’ll get questions, for example, on how to fix a network failure.

NEED TO KNOW THESE TOPICS FOR THE 220-1001

Here’s a trick used by students in law and medical schools who have to memorize reams of information: Write it down. The act of writing something down (not typing, writing) in and of itself helps you to remember it, even if you never look at what you wrote again. Try taking separate notes on the material and re-creating diagrams by hand to help solidify the information in your mind.

Given a scenario, use the best practice methodology to resolve problems 1. Identify the problem • Question the user and identify user changes to computer and perform backups before making changes • Inquire regarding environmental or infrastructure changes • Review system and application logs 2. Establish a theory of probable cause (question the obvious) • If necessary, conduct external or internal research based on symptoms 3. Test the theory to determine cause • Once the theory is confirmed, determine the next steps to resolve problem • If theory is not confirmed re-establish new theory or escalate 4. Establish a plan of action to resolve the problem and implement the solution 5. Verify full system functionality and, if applicable, implement preventive measures 6. Document findings, actions, and outcomes

2. Answer this question: How can you tell the difference between an online UPS and