Professor Messer’s Free CompTIA A+ Certification Training Course

Professor Messer's 220-601 and 220-602 CompTIA A+ Training Course

This is the complete index to our entire series of free CompTIA A+ training course videos. All of our CompTIA A+ training videos are completely free; there’s nothing to buy when you watch all of our videos online.

95 Videos – Total Running Time: 25 hours, 38 minutes

Introductory Module

In this introductory module, you’ll learn about Professor Messer, the format of the training course, and our goal for building a community of A+ certified professionals. You’ll also learn about the history of CompTIA, the advantages of an A+ certification, the exam categories, and best practices to use when taking the CompTIA A+ certification exam at your testing center.

Introduction to PCs

If you’ve ever wanted to make sense of the jumble of chips, cables, and fans inside of a computer, this training module is for you! We’ll start the module with a tour of the outside of the computer, and then we’ll take off the cover and show you exactly what components you can expect to find on the inside of a computer. We’ll finish up the module with a primer on the operation of computer systems.

Chapter 1: Soft Skills

Four videos – 58 minutes

“Soft skill” requirements are new to the latest CompTIA A+ exam objectives. These skills may be considered relatively non-technical, but they comprise a set of capabilities that are important to the organizations that employ technical professionals.


Chapter 2: Safety and Tools

Six videos – 1 hour, 23 minutes

One of the most important foundational elements of the CompTIA A+ certification involves the safety of computer professionals and those around them. In these videos, you’ll discover how to protect yourself when working around today’s high-voltage electrical environments and how the proper tools can be the difference when tackling big problems.

Preventing Electrostatic Discharge (13:36)
220-601, Section 7.2

The CompTIA A+ Toolbag (13:56)
220-601, Section 1.4 and 220-602, Section 1.2

Keeping Things Clean (12:05)
220-601, Section 1.4

Software Tools (09:30)
220-601, Section 3.3

Managing Safety Hazards (14:24)
220-601, Section 7.1, Section 7.2, and Section 7.3

PC Preventive Maintenance Best Practices (19:11)
220-601, Section 1.4 and 220-602, Section 1.3


Chapter 3: Motherboards

Eight videos – 1 hour, 28 minutes

The motherboard is the heart of any personal computer. Every piece of a computer touches the motherboard, and the overall performance is directly related to the technologies embedded in the motherboard. In these videos you’ll learn how a motherboard works, how to instantly identify the major components of a motherboard, and how to solve motherboard problems when they occur.

Motherboard Overview (15:02)
220-601, Section 1.1

Bus Architectures (7:48)
220-601, Section 1.1

Expansion Slots (13:17)
220-601, Section 1.1

Motherboard I/O Connections (9:47)
220-601, Section 1.1

Motherboard Drive Connections (6:17)
220-601, Section 1.1

Motherboard Form Factors (11:56)
220-601, Section 1.1

Installing Motherboards (12:45)
220-602, Section 1.1

Troubleshooting Motherboards (11:21)
220-602, Section 1.3

Chapter 4: Processors and CPUs

Five videos – 1 hour, 18 minutes

The CPU is the center of the personal computer universe, and these videos will help you understand everything you’ll need to pass the CompTIA A+ exams.

Introduction to CPUs (13:58)
220-601, Section 1.1

CPU Technologies (23:39)
220-601, Section 1.1

CPU Sockets (7:06)
220-601, Section 1.1

A History of CPUs (19:31)
220-601, Section 1.1

Selecting, Installing, and Troubleshooting CPUs (13:33)
220-601, Section 1.3, 220-602, Sections 1.1 and 1.2

Chapter 5: Memory

Four videos – 1 hour, 8 minutes

Memory technology is a mix of form factors, speed ratings, and installation challenges. In this chapter, you’ll learn exactly how to identify, upgrade, and troubleshoot memory in today’s modern personal computers.

An Overview of Memory (23:43)
220-601, Section 1.1

Identifying Memory Types (16:26)
220-601, Section 1.1

Installing and Upgrading Memory (17:46)
220-602, Section 1.1

Troubleshooting Memory Problems (10:17)
220-601, Section 1.3 – 220-602, Section 1.2

Chapter 6: BIOS and CMOS

Three videos – 44 minutes

What really happens when you start your computer? In this chapter, we’ll show you how the BIOS handles the most basic operations of your personal computer and how the CMOS stores all of your important configuration information. We’ll also show you how to use VMware Player or Microsoft Virtual PC to create a test lab on your computer where you can test your BIOS changes without modifying your PC settings.

BIOS and CMOS Overview (12:11)
220-601, Section 1.1

CMOS Settings (13:04)
220-601, Section 1.1

Upgrading and Troubleshooting the BIOS (18:20)
220-601, Section 1.1

Chapter 7: Personal Computer Storage

Five videos – 1 hour, 21 minutes

Computer storage systems are a myriad of drive formats, cable connections, and removable drives. As the capacity of hard drives continues to increase, it becomes even more important for the CompTIA A+ certified professional to be familiar with all aspects of personal computer storage.

Storage Technology Overview (20:08)
220-601 Section 1.1, 220-602 Section 1.1

PATA Drive Technology(21:58)
220-601 Section 1.1, 220-602 Section 1.1

SATA Drive Technology (11:55)
220-601 Section 1.1, 220-602 Section 1.1

SCSI Drive Technology(13:37)
220-601 Section 1.1, 220-602 Section 1.1

Removable Drive Technology (13:42)
220-601 Section 1.1, 220-602 Section 1.1

Chapter 8: Personal Computer Power

Two Videos – 36 minutes

Power is an important part of every computer system in the world, and every CompTIA A+ certified professional should be able to understand, specify, and troubleshoot power problems in any environment.

Computer Power Overview (17:07)
220-601 Section 1.1, 220-602, Section 1.1

Installing and Troubleshooting
Computer Power (19:15)
220-601 Section 1.3, 220-602 Section 1.2 and 1.3

Chapter 9: Personal Computer Connectors

Three videos – 31 minutes

The personal computer has a large and diverse set of ports, connectors, and cables. The CompTIA A+ professional needs to recognize the most common ports and connectors and how to use and support each port.

Common Computer Ports (12:30)
220-601 Section 1.1

Computer Cable Types (11:06)
220-601 Section 1.1

Connectors and Adapters (7:56)
220-601 Section 1.1

Chapter 10: Adapter Cards

Two Videos – 25 minutes

Adapter cards may be hidden inside of the personal computer, but it’s easier than you may think to crack that case and begin upgrading your system! In these videos, we’ll provide you with an overview of adapter card technology and show you how to install and troubleshoot a typical adapter card configuration.

Adapter Card Overview (9:32)
220-601 Section 1.1

Installing and Troubleshooting Adapter Cards (15:56)
220-601 Section 1.3, 220-602 Section 1.1 and 1.2

Chapter 11: Cooling Systems

Two Videos – 23 minutes

Proper personal computer cooling is important for maintaining the long-term availability of your important systems. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of PC cooling and shows how you can easily install and monitor the health of your PC cooling systems.

Cooling System Overview (12:59)
220-601 Section 1.1

Cooling Systems Installation
and Troubleshooting (10:18)
220-602 Section 1.3

Chapter 12: Input, Output, and System Resources

Five Videos – 1 Hour, 24 minutes

The most basic operations of our personal computers involve inputting data, allocating system resources, and outputting the results.

Input Devices (12:38)
220-601 Section 1.1,
220-602 Section 1.1 and 1.2

Installing, Configuring, and Upgrading Video (23:28)
220-601 Section 1.1 and 1.3,
220-602 Section 1.1

Installing, Configuring, and Upgrading Audio (21:16)
220-601 Section 1.2 and 1.3
200-602 Section 1.1

Working with Multimedia Devices (9:49)
220-601, Section 1.2

System Resources: I/O, IRQ, and DMA (16:48)
220-601, Section 1.1 – 220-602, Section 1.2

Chapter 13: Printers and Scanners

Four Videos – 1 hour, 11 minutes

The management of printers and scanners can be a challenging technical hurdle for even the most seasoned computing professional. Organizational productivity usually screeches to a grinding halt when the printer isn’t working! In this series of CompTIA A+ training videos, we’ll provide you with an introduction to printers and scanner technologies and take you through the process of selecting, installing, and supporting a printer and scanner.

Introduction to Printers and Scanners (21:19)
220-601, Section 4.1, 220-602, Section 4.1

Printing and Scanning: Components, Consumables, and Interfaces (19:44)
220-601, Section 4.1

Selecting and Installing Printers and Scanners (14:32)
220-601 Section 4.2 and 200-602 Section 4.2

Optimizing Printer and Scanner Performance (15:14)
220-601, Section 4.2 – 220-602, Section 4.2

Troubleshooting Printers and Scanners (17:31)
220-601, Section 4.3 – 220-602, Section 4.3

Printer and Scanner Preventive Maintenance (8:55)
220-602, Section 4.4

Chapter 14: Laptop and Portable Devices

Four videos – 55 minutes

Personal computers don’t just sit on a desk! Laptop and portable devices make up a majority of the mobile computing devices, and the CompTIA A+ certification includes these devices as part of the exam requirements.

Laptop and Portable Technologies (17:45)
220-601, Section 2.1 and 220-602, Section 2.1

Optimizing and Upgrading Laptop and Portable Devices (11:45)
220-601, Section 2.2 and 220-602, Section 2.2

Diagnosing and Troubleshooting Laptops and Portable Devices (15:21)
220-601, Section 2.3 and 220-602, Section 2.3

Laptops and Portable Device Preventive Maintenance (10:28)
220-601, Section 2.4




Chapter 15: Operating Systems

Twelve videos – 3 hours, 38 minutes

CompTIA A+ Professionals spend a great deal of their time working with PC operating systems. This chapter provides an overview of Microsoft Windows and discusses best practices for planning Windows upgrades and installations.

Operating System Overview (21:55)
220-601, Section 3.1

Basic Windows OS Functionality (15:26)
220-601, Section 3.1

The Windows Boot Process (19:46)
220-601, Section 3.1

Planning a Windows OS Installation (21:12)
220-601, Section 3.2

Installing Windows 2000 (20:43)
220-601, Section 3.2

Installing Windows XP (16:49)
220-601, Section 3.2

Planning a Windows OS Upgrade (12:36)
220-601, Section 3.2

Upgrading to Windows 2000 (17:07)
220-601, Section 3.2

Upgrading to Windows XP (17:28)
220-601, Section 3.2

Working with Device Drivers (15:02)
220-601, Section 3.2

Operating System Preventive Maintenance (14:15)
220-601, Section 3.4, 200-602, Section 3.4

Optimizing the Windows Operating System (25:23)
220-601, Section 3.2, 200-602, Section 3.2

Chapter 16: Disks and Files

Four Videos – 1 hour, 26 minutes

Disk partitioning and file systems are fundamental to every operating system. This chapter focuses on the configuration of disk partitions, the implementation of RAID, and the ongoing management of files and disks in Microsoft Windows.

Working with Disk Partitions and File Systems (22:25)
220-601 Section 3.1, 220-602 Section 3.1

Configuring RAID (16:09)
220-601 Section 3.1, 220-602 Section 3.1

Directory Structures and Files (23:59)
220-601 Section 3.1, 220-602 Section 3.1

Disk Management (22:55)
220-601 Section 3.3, 220-602 Section 3.3

Chapter 17: Diagnosing and Troubleshooting Operating Systems

Six Videos – 2 hours

The true test of a CompTIA A+ certified professional is when things begin to go bad. In this chapter, we’ll show you how to recover the Windows operating system, deal with errors, and run diagnostics programs and command line utilities.

Recovering the Operating System (21:41)
220-601 Section 3.3, 220-602 Section 3.3

Common Operational Issues (14:49)
220-601 Section 3.3, 220-602 Section 3.3

Dealing with Errors (26:47)
220-601 Section 3.3, 220-602 Section 3.3

Diagnostic Utilities and Tools (22:00)
220-601 Section 3.3 and 3.4, 220-602 Section 3.1

Other Windows Diagnostic Utilities (11:10)
220-601 Section 3.3 and 3.4, 220-602 Section 3.1

The Windows Command Line (23:28)
220-601 Section 3.3 and 3.4, 220-602 Section 3.1

Chapter 18: Networking

Six Videos – 2 Hours, 5 minutes

The network has become an important part of every personal computer system, and the CompTIA A+ exam requires an understanding of the administration and use of networked devices and resources.

Introduction to Networking (21:29)
220-601 Section 5.1

Network Cabling (20:16)
220-601 Section 5.1

Network Topologies (22:20)
220-601 Section 5.1, 220-602 Section 5.1

Installing and Configuring Networks (15:39)
220-601 Section 5.2, 220-602 Section 5.2

Using the Network (25:46)
220-602 Section 5.2

Troubleshooting Network Connections (19:32)
220-601 Section 5.3, 220-602, Section 5.3 and 5.4


Chapter 19: Security

Six Videos – 1 hour, 42 minutes

Managing network, application, and system security is rapidly expanding to all parts of the organization. In this chapter, you’ll learn how today’s security requirements are addressed by CompTIA A+ certified professionals.

Security Fundamentals (15:31)
220-601 Section 6.1

Wireless Security (20:24)
220-601 Section 6.1

Securing Data (23:44)
220-601 Section 6.1, 220-602 Section 6.1

Installing and Configuring Security Systems (13:50)
220-601 Section 6.2, 220-602 Section 6.2

Troubleshooting Security Systems (16:41)
220-601 Section 6.3, 220-602 Section 6.3

Security Preventive Maintenance (12:03)
220-601 Section 6.4, 220-602, Section 6.4