A+ Certification for Dummies
by Ron Gilster

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Book Reviews of A+ Certification for Dummies

Book Review: Okay as Starter
Summary: 4 Stars

This is a typical "Dummies" book that serves a great purpose for introduction to a subject, but does not go into sufficient detail to rely upon solely as a preparation for the A+ exam. I would use this book if I knew next to nothing about the A+ exam and was interested in finding out what all the fuss was about. Otherwise, I would skip this one. Either way, do not rely solely on this book for your test prep. Use it in conjunction with other guides by Sybex or Exam Cram.

The cheat sheet included in this book is virtually worthless, as the reminders are too brief and vague to be of any real value, instead, use Exam Cram's book ISBN: 078983043x. the book covers both aspects of the A+ exam (hardware and OS), but has limited graphics with hardly any photos. I found the exam required identifying parts and components from pictures, so this book won't help you there.

This book overall presents a decent, but minimal, overview of both the hardware and operating system exams and should be used in conjunction with Mueller's "Upgrading and Repairing PCs" classic (ISBN: 0789727455).

Summary of A+ Certification for Dummies

A+ Certification For Dummies 3^rd Edition is a no-nonsense, easy-to-use reference and study guide for the A+ Core Hardware exam and the OS Technologies exam! It focuses on all the things you need to know to pass these tests, providing background information to help you understand some of the more complex concepts and technologies. You?ll have a handle on all the subjects, including:

• The anatomy of a computer
• Building and deconstructing a PC
• Maintaining a computer
• Operating Systems basics
• Profiles of Windows 95, 98, Me, 2000, and XP
• Making network connections
• Working with the network
• Sharing the internet

The bonus CD-ROM features exclusive test-prep software with twice as many sample questions than the previous editions of this book, plus demo versions of Boson Software, Inc., JRK Software, Vista-Net Publishing, and Self Test Software. Now expanded to include the 2003 version of the exam, this is the fun-and-easy way to study for the exam, with all the rewards in half the time!

The book begins with an introduction to basic electronics and to the numbering systems relevant to computer processing. This opening section also covers the tools and techniques you need to know when working on computers. Next, author Ron Gilster builds your hardware knowledge from the bottom up with chapters on motherboards, memory technology, disk and other storage options, bus structures, and power supplies. Discussions of input and output devices, I/O ports, printers, and basic networking follow.

Further on, the author explains how to work on computers, install new options, and implement upgrades. Gilster also discusses how to deal with customers--often a bigger challenge than diagnosing the hardware problem--and covers the DOS/Windows platform and diagnostic techniques.

An included CD contains study software and hundreds of practice questions. Whether you are preparing for the A+ exam or simply want to get a clue about how computers work, this title covers the basics well. --Stephen W. Plain

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