Sim-Ex™ Tutorial for A+ : Operating Systems

Introductions: A+ Certification consists of A+ Core 1 exam and A+ Core 2 exam. Certification vendor revises the certification objectives in line with the developments taking place from time to time. For example, recent Operating Systems questions include Windows Vista and Windows 7 questions.

2. Installation, Configuration, and Upgrading

2.1 Identify the procedures for installing Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP, and bringing the operating system to a basic operational level.

• Verify hardware compatibility and minimum requirements
• Determine OS installation options
  • Installation type (typical, custom, other)
  • Network configuration
  • File system type
  • Dual Boot Support
• Disk preparation order (conceptual disk preparation)
  • Start the installation
  • Partition
  • Format drive
• Run appropriate set up utility
  • Setup
  • Winnt
• Installation methods
  • Bootable CD
  • Boot floppy
  • Network installation
  • Drive Imaging
• Device Driver Configuration
  • Load default drivers
  • Find updated drivers
• Restore user data files (if applicable)
• Identify common symptoms and problems

2.2 Identify steps to perform an operating system upgrade from Windows 9.x/ME, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP. Given an upgrade scenario, choose the appropriate next steps.

• Upgrade paths available
• Determine correct upgrade startup utility (e.g. WINNT32 vs WINNT)
• Verify hardware compatibility and minimum requirements
• Verify application compatibility
• Apply OS service packs, patches, and updates
• Install additional Windows components

2.3 Identify the basic system boot sequences and boot methods, including the steps to create an emergency boot disk with utilities installed for Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP.

• Boot Sequence
  • Files required to boot
  • Boot steps (9.x, NT-based)
• Alternative Boot Methods
  • Using a Startup disk
  • Safe/VGA-only mode
  • Last Known Good configuration
  • Command Prompt mode
  • Booting to a system restore point
  • Recovery Console
  • Boot.ini switches
  • Dual Boot
• Creating Emergency Disks with OS Utilities
• Creating emergency repair disk (ERD)
  

2.4 Identify procedures for installing/adding a device, including loading, adding, and configuring device drivers, and required software.

• Device Driver Installation
  • Plug and Play (PNP) and non-PNP devices
  • Install and configure device drivers
  • Install different device drivers
  • Manually install a device driver
  • Search the Internet for updated device drivers
  • Using unsigned drivers (driver signing)
• Install Additional Windows components
• Determine if permissions are adequate for performing the task

2.5 Identify procedures necessary to optimize the operating system and major operating system subsystems.

• Virtual Memory Management
• Disk Defragmentation
• Files and Buffers
• Caches
• Temporary file management

References:

• http://www.cs.mun.ca/~paul/cs3725/material/web/notes/node11.html
• http://www.easydos.com/
• http://www.cae.wisc.edu/site/public/?title=winnt2kupgrade
• http://www.comptia.org
• http://networking.ringofsaturn.com/Certifications/aplusos.php
• http://searchwincomputing.techtarget.com/

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