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Complete A+ Guide to IT Hardware and Software: A CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1001) & CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Textbook, 8th edition

Published by Pearson IT Certification (August 1, 2019) © 2020

  • Cheryl A. Schmidt Florida Community College, Jacksonville

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Cheryl Schmidt's Complete A+ Guide to It Hardware and Software, Eighth Edition presents the fundamentals of computer desktop and laptop installation, configuration, maintenance, and networking through simple, step-by-step instruction based on CompTIA A+® Edition objectives. With a focused emphasis on security and customer service skills, this comprehensive computer repair guide introduces the most important tools students need to become professional, customer-friendly technicians using today's technologies. A+® Certification Exam objectives summarize exam topics in an easy-to-use reference at the beginning of the book, so students can quickly locate and review key concepts covered on the exam. Each section is written in building-block fashion, beginning with the simplest concepts, continuing on to more advanced concepts, and creating a solid foundation for understanding new technologies as they arrive. Schmidt provides comprehensive pedagogical tools, many of them unique to this book. 
  • Excellent resource to learn  installation, preventative maintenance, networking, security and troubleshooting of PCs preparing  you for entry-level IT job roles
  • Straightforward coverage of all certification objectives
  • Extensive end-of-chapter review, including true/false, multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended questions
  • Soft Skills sections in each chapter, and at least two Soft Skills activities at the end of each chapter
  • Tech Tips designed to be useful in real-world PC repair
  • Hands-On Exercises linking theory to practice and experience 
  • Clear chapter objectives
  • At least 2 Critical Thinking Skills activities in every chapter
  • Comes with instructor resources for course use: Instructor’s Manual, Chapter Power Points, Test Bank
  • Learning Objectives provide the goals for each chapter
  • Practical Tech Tips give real-world PC repair knowledge
  • Soft Skills information and activities in each chapter cover all the tools and skills you need to become a professional, customer-friendly technician in every category
  • Review Questions, including true/false, multiple choice, matching, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended questions, assess your knowledge of the learning objectives
  • Key Terms identify exam words and phrases associated with each topic
  • Detailed Glossary clearly defines every key term
  • Critical Thinking Activities in every chapter take you beyond the facts to complete comprehension of topics
  • Chapter Summary provides a recap of key concepts
The Eight Edition of the Complete A+ Guide to IT Hardware and Software: AA CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1001) & CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1002) Textbook has been updated to reflect the latest exam objectives. 

New Core 1 Exam Objectives: Bigger Cloud Emphasis, New Technology
The A+ 220-1002 exam features an increased emphasis on new technology, such as the introduction of a separate domain on cloud and virtualization. Previously, cloud and virtualization were lumped in with other systems and technologies (and was part of Core 2 rather than Core 1). The “other OS/technologies” domain in the old version also included Mac and Linux, servers, mobile OS, mobile device connectivity and synchronization  – which together were worth 12 percent of the score. In the new version, cloud and virtualization are now worth 12 percent on their own.
Much of the cloud knowledge covered is the same, but new cloud-related topics listed in the 220-1002 exam objectives include:
  • Shared resources (internal versus external)
  • Off-site email applications
  • Cloud file-storage services
  • Virtual application streaming and cloud-based apps
  • Virtual desktops
The change reflects the growing complexity of the environments that IT support professionals need to understand and operate in. As Sears explained: “With the new A+ certification, there’s attention paid to devices other than laptops and mobile phones. There is discussion of how to support IoT devices. It all ties back to an increase in the sophistication of these technological environments.”

Other changes in the various domains represent current IT and technology trends. For example, phablets (devices between phones and tablets) and docking stations are out from the mobile domain, while VR/AR headsets are in; syncing to automobiles was added under mobile-device synchronization methods; and more networking protocols are included, such as 5G, under wireless networking protocols.
New Core 2 Objectives: Bigger Emphasis on Security
The 220-1002 exam takes security skills to the next level, according to CompTIA. For example, it’s no longer enough to simply recognize malware – you need to be able to detect and remove it.

Changes to the security domain include:
  • Physical and logical (digital) security practices have been separated into individual sections 
  • New concepts have been introduced, such as the “principle of least privilege” and mobile-device management (MDM) policies
  • Social engineering has been expanded and includes a lot of other vectors beyond phishing, like spearphishing, shoulder-surfing and even dumpster-diving
  • Workstation security practices have been expanded to include basic active directory functions like account deletion
  • Chapter 1: Introduction to the World of IT
  • Chapter 2: Connectivity
  • Chapter 3: On the Motherboard
  • Chapter 4: Introduction to Configuration
  • Chapter 5: Disassembly and Power.
  • Chapter 6: Memory
  • Chapter 7: Storage Devices
  • Chapter 8: Multimedia Devices
  • Chapter 9: Printers
  • Chapter 10: Mobile Devices
  • Chapter 11: Computer Design and Troubleshooting Review
  • Chapter 12: Internet Connectivity, Virtualization, and Cloud Technologies
  • Chapter 13: Networking
  • Chapter 14: Introduction to Operating Systems
  • Chapter 15: Introduction to Scripting
  • Chapter 16: Advanced Windows
  • Chapter 17: macOS and Linux Operating Systems
  • Chapter 18: Computer and Network Security
  • Chapter 19: Operational Procedures

Cheryl Schmidt is a professor of Network Engineering Technology at Florida State College at Jacksonville. Prior to joining the faculty ranks, she oversaw the LAN and PC support for the college and other organizations. She started her career as an electronics technician in the U.S. Navy. She teaches computer repair and various networking topics, including CCNA, network management, and network design. She has published other works with Pearson, including IP Telephony Using CallManager Express and Routing and Switching in the Enterprise Lab Guide.


Cheryl has won awards for teaching and technology, including Outstanding Faculty of the Year, Innovative  Teacher of the Year, Cisco Networking Academy Instructor Excellence Award, and Cisco Networking Academy Stand Out Instructor. She has presented at U.S. and international conferences. Cheryl keeps busy maintaining her technical certifications and teaching but also loves to travel, hike, do all types of puzzles, and read.

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