CompTia A+ Exam (Beginning vids)

What are the two types of laptop batteries?

Lithium ion and Lithium ion polymer.

What is the memory effect and what does it mean for batteries? (AI)

The memory effect happens with Nickel-cadmium batteries, where if the battery isn’t used up to 0 before recharging it will mark the new percentage as the 0. For example if I charge my laptop from 30% to a 100%, in the future it will treat 30% as the new 0%.

General information about the keyboard and a key:

Designed for easy replacement; just open the bezel and remove the ribbon cable.
If the keyboard is not usable, use an external keyboard to troubleshoot.
If a key is broken, replace it carefully.

What is SO-DIMM and DIMM? (CHECK AI)

Small outline dual inline memory module. This houses the RAM chips.
DIMM is the dual inline memory module but for desktops.

What is Laptop Storage for? And what are the two types?

Stores operating system files and user documents.
There are two types: HDD and SSD and within SSD is M.2 (CHECK AI)

What is HDD? 4

Hard Disk Drive.
It has magnetic spinning platters and a read/write arm.
2.5” form factor for laptops and 3.5” for Desktops.
Slow and prone to damage.

What is SSD? (4)

Solid state drive.
It is a storage drive with no moving parts.
2.5” form factor.
Fast access and silent

What is the M.2? And what are 3 of its characteristics that make it better than SSD?

It is a smaller form factor SSD for laptops.
It has no SATA or power cables and is easy to install.

What is disk imaging software?

Creating an image file containing the contents/configuration of a drive or system that can later be restored.
Useful for backup, disaster recovery, and deploying standardized computers.

What is disk cloning software?

It makes an exact copy of one drive to another drive.
Common use: Drive replacement/upgrade.
Drive → Drive

When would you clone a drive?

When replacing/upgrading a drive and you want to preserve the existing OS, applications, and data.

Why is imaging useful in an enterprise environment? DELETE THIS LATER

A standardized image can be deployed to many computers, saving time.

Laptop 802.11/Wifi

Wifi is usually built into the motherboard, but older models may have cards like the Mini PCI/Mini PCIe (Express). The card connects to MAIN and AUX antenna cables, which connect to antennas in the laptop display.

Bluetooth (also what frequency?)

Short-range wireless network (PAN)
Personal area network
Operates on 2.4 GHz

NFC

Near field communication
Very short range network that is 4cm or less operates at 13.56 MHz frequency and needs very little power.

What USB connecter is this?

USB-A

What USB Connector is this?

USB B, used for Printers

USB mini

What USB is this?

USB micro

USB-C
Used for displayPort, HDMI, Thunderbolt

Printers troubleshooting the issue could be with:

application
printer driver
operating system
printer itself

What is the printer driver?

Software that allows OS to talk to printer

troubleshooting pinter layer: (DELETE)

Application → OS → Driver → printer

Print a test page from printer (improve AI)

You can print a test page from the printer, if it prints out good then the printer is not suspect. If the test page doesn’t print then something is wrong with the printer

Print a test page from Windows (EDIT ME)

windows → print properties → print test page
No print: suspect OS, printer config, driver, connection or printer
print good: windows/driver/printer communication is good

What if printer paper has lines down the page?

inkjet: need to clean the print heads
laser: photosensitive drum got scratched

Faded ink or a clear page printed?

Low on ink/toner printer

Print page has echo/double images or specking

laser printer: clean optical drum

Printed page is garbled

Incorrect or Corrupted printer driver
Printer Language mismatch: PCL or PostScript
Application issue: may be sending incorrect data

Grinding noises from printer

Ink cartridge is loose
Paper Jam
read manual or give back to company

Printer finishing issues

Staple jam
incorrect hole punch (check driver updates and or check app)

How is a paper jam caused and how to fix it?

Do not pull out the stuck paper (open printer instead)
Cause: too many papers pulled, no papers being pulled
If no papers being pulled clean pickup roller
It could also be a problem with paper tray

If there are creases on printer paper?

Paper weight is wrong or there is a problem in the paper path

Where to fix incorrect page orientation?

Printer Driver (update) or at printer

What if printer paper tray is not recognized?

Make sure correct paper type is put in correct paper tray

What is the printer spooler?

Waiting line/manager for print jobs
app → os → print driver → print spooler
Gets print job from app/OS and stores in queue and then sends to printer

What to do for corrupted print jobs? (printer spooler)

Restart print spooler in windows print-service

Printer Connectivity issues

Check link lights
check wired connection
Verify printer configurations: IP address, subnet mask, default gateway, DNS settings, wifi connection
Check printer server (computer that manages printers and print jobs for multiple computers)

What connector is this?

Audio Jack connector
TRRS: tip ring ring sleeve connector

Docking Station

A device that allows a laptop to connect to multiple peripherals, displays, networking, and power through a single connection.

Port replicator

A device that expands a laptop's available ports, often through a single connection.

What is a cellular network?

A wireless network that is created by cell towers that divide the land into cells.
Provides voice and data communication.

What is handoff in a cellular network?

Allow your phone to switch from one cell to another as you move.

What is the difference between 3G, 4G and 5G?

3G: Video calls and phone internet
4G: Faster broadband + above
5G: larger data transfers, faster speed, cloud processing + above

What does SIM stand for? What is eSIM? GPS?

subscriber identity module.
embedded SIM
Global positions system

What does a SIM do?

Lets a cellular network identify and authenticate your subscription so your device can access the carrier's services.

How many satellites are needed to find location and why? (GPS)

4 are needed to calculate 3D position and correct for receiver’s clock error.

MDM capabilities, list them: (6)

Enforce security policies (MFA)
Control applications
Configure settings
Restrict device features (ex. camera)
Protect Corporate data (BYOD)
Manage lost devices

Define IMEI

International mobile equipment identification.
A unique identifier associated with a cellular device

Define MFA

multi factor authentucation from two different categories:
something you know (password)
something you have (security token)
something you own (fingerprint)

Define OTA configuration

Wireless delivery of configurations, settings, and policies to mobile devices.

synchronization vs backup (MDM)

synchronization: keeps data consistent across locations
backup: creates a recoverable copy

What does MDM stand for, what is its purpose?

mobile device management
It centrally manages, configures, and secures an organization’s mobile devices

An employee uses their personally owned phone for work. What model is this?

BYOD: bring your own device

A company owns a phone but allows the employee to use it personally. What model is this?

COPE: corporate owned personally enabled

An employee chooses a phone from a company-approved list. What model is this?

CYOD: choose your own device

What is one benefit of separating corporate and personal data on a BYOD phone?

protects company information and preserves the employee's privacy.