A+ Certification for Dummies

Features

• Cover Type: Paperback with 648 pages
• Published by: For Dummies
• Edition: 3rd Edition October 24, 2003
• Written in: English
• ISBN 10 Number: 0764541870
• ISBN 13 Number: 978-0764541872
• Book Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 1.5 inches
• Weighs: 2.2 pounds

Product Review
The Certified Computer Technician title--otherwise known as A+ Certification--is one way to document your technical skills for your résumé, and A+ Certification for Dummies is a painless way to prepare for the tests. It also serves as a wonderful primer for anyone who wants to learn more about computers.

The book begins with an introduction to basic electronics and to the numbering systems relevant to computer processing. This opening section also covers the tools and techniques you need to know when working on computers. Next, author Ron Gilster builds your hardware knowledge from the bottom up with chapters on motherboards, memory technology, disk and other storage options, bus structures, and power supplies. Discussions of input and output devices, I/O ports, printers, and basic networking follow.

Further on, the author explains how to work on computers, install new options, and implement upgrades. Gilster also discusses how to deal with customers--often a bigger challenge than diagnosing the hardware problem--and covers the DOS/Windows platform and diagnostic techniques.

An included CD contains study software and hundreds of practice questions. Whether you are preparing for the A+ exam or simply want to get a clue about how computers work, this title covers the basics well. --Stephen W. Plain --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Plainview Daily Herald, September 1, 2000
"an great overview of personal computer operationswas worth careful reading regardless of whether I take the test or not." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Reader Reviews
I am MCSE, A+, and CCNA certified and used this book as part of my preparation for the CompTia A+ exams. This is a typical "Dummies" book that serves a great purpose for introduction to a subject, but does not go into sufficient detail to rely upon solely as a preparation for the A+ exam. I would use this book if I knew next to nothing about the A+ exam and was interested in finding out what all the fuss was about. Otherwise, I would skip this one. Either way, do not rely solely on this book for your test prep. Use it in conjunction with other guides by Sybex or Exam Cram. The cheat sheet included in this book is virtually worthless, as the reminders are too brief and vague to be of any real value, instead, use Exam Cram's book ISBN: 078983043x. the book covers both aspects of the A+ exam (hardware and OS), but has limited graphics with hardly any photos. I found the exam required identifying parts and components from pictures, so this book won't help you there. This book overall presents a decent, but minimal, overview of both the hardware and operating system exams and should be used in conjunction with Mueller's "Upgrading and Repairing PCs" classic (ISBN: 0789727455). Comment | | (Report this)