comptia

Motherboard Form Factors

There are a number of different form factors to consider when replacing or upgrading a motherboard. This module provides an overview of many motherboard types, and provides some helpful tips for easily identifying ATX, NLX, microATX, BTX, microBTX, and picoBTX motherboard form factors.

Motherboard Drive Connections

The storage subsystem is an important part of any computer system. In this module, we’ll provide you with the details of motherboard connections for floppy drives, EIDE/PATA drives, SATA drives, and SCSI technology.

Motherboard I/O Connections

All motherboards have input and output ports on the back, but what do all those connections mean? In this module, we’ll turn the PC around and show you exactly how each port works and how to instantly recognize the most common input and output connections.

Expansion Slots

The expansion slots are the most modular part of the PC motherboard, but what are all of these different standards? This module will walk you through the most popular expansion slot bus types, such as PCI, PCIe, and AGP. Some older technologies, such as AMR and CNR will also be detailed.

Bus Architectures

The internal bus and expansion bus on a personal computer is a major factor in the overall speed an operation of the system. In this module, we’ll discuss computer buses, PC expansion buses, and methods to calculate the speed and throughput of a computer bus.

Motherboard Overview

Every CompTIA A+ professional needs to have a complete understanding of motherboards and the components that reside on today’s PC motherboard technology. In this video, we’ll provide you with the information you need to instantly identify the most important motherboard features, and you’ll learn how chipset architectures relate to real-world motherboard configurations.

PC Preventive Maintenance Best Practices

What techniques can you use to keep your personal computer running in peak condition? In this video, we’ll show you some simple preventive maintenance techniques for your external case, display devices, input devices, and other PC components.

Managing Safety Hazards

As technology professionals, we occasionally have to operate in environments where safety hazards may exist. In this module, we’ll show you how to avoid problems with high voltage computer equipment and environmental hazards, and we’ll discuss the best ways to dispose of hazardous materials. More importantly, we’ll show you how to handle accident situations that might occur when working in our high-tech environments.

Introduction to Personal Computers

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.

Software Tools

CompTIA A+ certified professionals need more than screwdrivers and multimeters to properly troubleshoot and maintain computing systems. To provide the best troubleshooting and preventive maintenance, they must also have the right software tools. In this module, we’ll discuss the primary categories of software tools and show you where to download some free software compilations that will make your job much easier.