This is the Safari online edition of the printed book.

This book covers every skill measured by the latest A+ Exams including:

• Understanding all essential PC terminology, concepts, internal components, and peripherals

• Installing, upgrading, configuring, and optimizing PC components

• Troubleshooting hardware and performing essential preventive maintenance

• Mastering today’s best practices for professionalism and client communications

• Managing storage, printers, and scanners

• Maintaining laptops and other portable devices

• Performing advanced component installation, upgrade, and troubleshooting

• Installing, upgrading, repairing, and optimizing all Windows operating systems covered on the A+ exams

• Securing PCs and safeguarding their contents against data loss

• Setting up networks and troubleshooting network connectivity issues

• Understanding and managing computer-related safety and environmental issues

WRITTEN BY A LEADING A+ EXPERT

Charles J. Brooks is currently co-owner and vice president of Educational Technologies Group Inc., as well as co-owner of eITPrep LLP, an online training company. He is in charge of research and product development at both organizations. A former electronics instructor and technical writer with the National Education Corporation, Charles taught and wrote on post-secondary EET curriculum, including introductory electronics, transistor theory, linear integrated circuits, basic digital theory, industrial electronics, microprocessors, and computer peripherals. Charles has authored several books, including the first five editions of A+ Certification Training Guide, The Complete Introductory Computer Course, and IBM PC Peripheral Troubleshooting and Repair. He also writes about networking, residential technology integration, and convergence.

CD Features MeasureUp Practice Questions!

The CD features innovative testing software powered by MeasureUp, with an extensive collection of additional practice questions. This state-of-the-art study system can help you get completely ready for any current A+ exams: A+ Essentials, 220-602, 220-603, or 220-604!

• Multiple test modes, so you can study in the way that’s most comfortable for you

• Detailed explanations of correct and incorrect answers help you thoroughly understand every A+ topic

• Helps you quickly identify your strengths–and fix your weaknesses

www.examcram.com

ISBN-13: 978-0-7897-3565-2

ISBN-10: 0-7897-3565-2 

U.S. $59.99

CAN. $65.99

U.K. £42.99 (inc. of VAT)

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 4 Ratings

Save your Money - 2009-07-16
Reviewer Rating:
This book has been extremely disappointing and readers should stay away.

1. The writing is verbose and at times hard to follow. The technical difficulty varies wildly, at times requiring prior background knowledge that wasn't introduced prior in the textbook. The book teeters between preparing users for the test and giving them superfluous and unhelpful information.

2. The book is filled with errors, as the other reviewers have noted. There are diagram errors, where microATX and nanoATX are mixed up, and terminology errors, such when MB/S is written as MHz, confusing the reader.

3. The graphics used in this book are poorly rendered, outdated (think really thick laptops that could have had PII processors in them), or half CG half low resolution photographs that were clearly the work of an amateur photographer. What this tells me is that the book had shoddy and incomplete updates as it went through its editions.

After reading through half of this book, I didn't have confidence I will do well on the test, and switched to Meyers, and I'm rebuilding my knowledge on a more trusted source. The author and publisher have both failed to thoroughly edit this book, and with these errors, in my view they have undermined their credibility and have lost my confidence. It is incredibly disappointing that Mr. Brooks is asking readers to pony up so much money for an outdated book that, despite the fact it has gone through so many editions, still remains hard to read, error filled, and utilizes old and poor quality diagrams and photographs.

If it wasn't for my highlights in the book, I would have returned it for a full refund. Save yourself the grief and money, this book is not the way to go.

Maybe not the best but... - 2009-07-16
Reviewer Rating:
I have been putting off taking the A+ certification exams for a the better part of a year now and finally decided to get down to business and get studying. I purchased this book from a local bookshop and although it may not be the best around (I really don't know, I just used this book alone to study), it helped me pass my essentials and it tech exams (743 and 819). It does contain a few errors but you'll find most technical books do today; and yes it's a long (and let's face it sometimes boring) read but apart from this book the only real world experience (which is usually the best teacher) I have is building a few custom gaming computers for myself and friends. After looking at the abysmal reviews on amazon I thought I may not be adequately prepared but that was not the case. I would say if possible get this and another source to study from but know I encountered several questions on the actual exam that were nearly word for word with the questions in this book (and cd) and it helped me pass :) .

Not the best book. - 2008-11-03
Reviewer Rating:
Errors and inconsistent.

Error example: The author believes that Mac OS X uses the Linux kernel and includes sample test questions which help reinforce this mistaken belief. Yes, A+ does not focus on Macs, it is just an error which stands out in my head and it makes me question other 'facts' presented in the book.

Inconsistency example: In the practice essentials exam at the end of the book and on the CD utility there is a question asking what is the best way to remove a screw that has fallen into the system unit. The question and choices are identical but the correct answer given in the book is not the same as that on the CD.

I'm glad I worked through the book, I'm even more glad that I returned the copy I had initially bought at B&N because I found Amazon's price to be much lower. However, in the end, I borrowed a copy from our local library.

Not a terrible book, but not great either. I'm glad I did not invest in it. Meyers book so far is better.

Not good enough - 2009-04-15
Reviewer Rating:
This book is written very poorly. Some of the practice questions aren't worded clearly and some of the practice questions haven't even been gone over in the material. The technical editor did a poor job of editing and proofing the book. The book is also very inconsistent. Get Meyers.

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