CompTIA® A+® Complete Study Guide Exam 220-901 Exam 220-902 Third Edition Quentin Docter Emmett Dulaney Toby Skandier Senior Acquisitions Editor: Kenyon Brown Development Editor: Gary Schwartz Technical Editors: Robin Abernathy, Ian Seaton, Troy McMillan Production Editor: Rebecca Anderson Copy Editor: Judy Flynn Editorial Manager: Mary Beth Wakefield Production Manager: Kathleen Wisor Associate Publisher: Jim Minatel Media Supervising Producer: Rich Graves Book Designers: Judy Fung and Bill Gibson Proofreaders: Sarah Kaikini and Jen Larsen, Word One New York Indexer: J & J Indexing Project Coordinator, Cover: Brent Savage Cover Designer: Wiley Cover Image: © Getty Images Inc./Jeremy Woodhouse Copyright © 2016 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana Published simultaneously in Canada ISBN: 978-1-119-13785-6 ISBN: 978-1-119-13787-0 (ebk.) ISBN: 978-1-119-13786-3 (ebk.) 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For Kara, Abbie, Lauren, Reina, and Alina —Quentin Docter For Carl: Thanks for always looking after the baby. —Emmett Dulaney For Charlotte: Welcome to the world, baby. —Toby Skandier Acknowledgments As we were putting this book together, I was reminded of the proverb that begins, “It takes a small village…” That beginning definitely holds true to create a book of this scope and size. From beginning to end, there are scores of dedicated professionals focused on delivering the best book possible to you, the readers. First, I need to thank my coauthors, Emmett Dulaney and Toby Skandier. Their dedication to producing an excellent book that will best serve the needs of our readers is inspiring. Now, onto the rest of the team. Kenyon Brown and Gary Schwartz kept us on track and moving forward, which was a challenge at times. Becca Anderson had the fun job of keeping us organized, which is akin to herding cats. Tech editors Robin Abernathy and Ian Seaton provided a great set of expert eyes and made excellent suggestions. Copyeditor Judy Flynn reminded me yet again that I am no master of the English language and saved me from butchering it (too badly). Many thanks also go out to proofreaders Sarah Kaikini and Jen Larsen at Word One, and our indexer Jack Lewis. Without their great contributions, this book would not have made it into your hands. —Quentin Docter I would like to thank my coauthors, Quentin Docter and Toby Skandier, without whom this book would have never happened. Thanks are also due to Gary Schwartz for keeping this book on schedule and working tirelessly to turn it into something usable. —Emmett Dulaney Yet another stellar project with Quentin and Emmett. While we haven't started finishing each other's sentences, we certainly have found our groove, I would say. That turns work into less thereof. Thank you, guys. Thanks also to our tireless editorial and production team. Keep up the great work! —Toby Skandier About the Authors Quentin Docter (A+, Network+, IT Fundamentals, MCSE, CCNA, SCSA) is an IT consultant who started in the industry in 1994. Since then, he's worked as a tech and network support specialist, trainer, consultant, and webmaster. He has written several books for Sybex, including books on A+, Server+, IT Fundamentals, Windows, and Solaris 9 certifications as well as PC hardware and maintenance. Quentin can be reached at [email protected]. Emmett Dulaney (A+, Network+, and Security+) is an associate professor and the former director of training for Mercury Technical Solution. He holds or has held 18 vendor certifications and is the author of over 30 books, including the CompTIA Security+ Study Guide. He specializes in certification and cross-platform integration, and he is a columnist for Certification Magazine and Campus Technology. Emmett can be reached at [email protected]. Toby Skandier (A+, Network +, Cloud+, Storage+, Server+, JNCIS, MCSE, CCNP, and CCSI) began his career in 1985, and he is the founder of Talskan Technologies, LLC, a technical-education provider based in North Carolina. He has coauthored numerous books for Sybex, including Network Administrator Street Smarts and the best- selling Network+ Study Guide. Toby can be reached at [email protected]. CONTENTS Introduction What Does This Book Cover? The CompTIA A+ Exam Objectives A+ Certification Exam Objectives: 220-901 A+ Certification Exam Objectives: 220-902 Assessment Test Answers to Assessment Test Part I: 220-901 Chapter 1: Motherboards, Processors, and Memory Identifying Components of Motherboards Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Processors Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Memory Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Cooling Systems Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Performance-Based Question 1 Performance-Based Question 2 Chapter 2: Storage Devices and Power Supplies Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Storage Devices Identifying Purposes and Characteristics of Power Supplies Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Performance-Based Question Chapter 3: Peripherals and Expansion Installing and Configuring Expansion Cards Identifying Characteristics of Connectors and Cables Input Devices Output Devices Input and Output Devices Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Performance-Based Questions Chapter 4: Display Devices Understanding Display Types and Settings Understanding Video Standards and Technologies Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Performance-Based Question Chapter 5: Custom Configurations Standard Thick Clients Graphic and CAD/CAM Design Workstations Audio/Video Editing Workstations Virtualization Workstations Gaming PCs Home Theater PCs Thin Clients Home Server PCs Summary Exam Essentials Review Questions Performance-Based Question Chapter 6: Networking Fundamentals