A+ Certification For Dummies

The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+ certification proves that you're a capable hardware technician--capable of upgrading, troubleshooting, and fixing problems related to physical devices (such as memory chips and video cards) in Intel-compatible personal computers. A+ Certification for Dummies is designed to help you review for the two A+ exams--Core Hardware (220-201) and Operating System Technologies (220-202)--and it succeeds at that goal. It's also worth reading if you're not interested in A+ certification, but want to know enough to change out your own hard drives and install expansion cards without the help of a technician.

Ron Gilster teaches the subject--which encompasses good troubleshooting and repair practices as well as specific hardware facts--in a clear style that's easy to follow as you work on an actual machine (and, by the way, work on actual machines is essential to passing the tests). The book foregoes photographs (which almost never turn out well, and rarely look like your equipment anyway) in favor of clear line drawings. There are some step-by-step procedures to follow, but Gilster mostly recognizes that PC hardware varies a lot and leaves most specifics up to readers. One bit of advice: in the field, supplement this book with Scott Mueller's definitive hardware encyclopedia, Upgrading and Repairing PCs. --David Wall

Topics covered: Intel-compatible personal computers, their essential subsystems (motherboard, RAM, processor, BIOS, video, disk storage, and others), and how to assemble, troubleshoot, and repair them. Operating system coverage focuses on Windows 95, 98, Me, and 2000.