A+ Core Operating System Technologies Exam

The A+ Operating System Technologies Exam is the second half of the CompTIA A+ professional certification process. It covers basic knowledge of operating systems including major subsystems, configuration methods, and important standards. It was introduced in 2003, and was superseded in 2006 when CompTIA replaced the OS requirement with an option of three exams which focused material specific for an IT technician, a remote support technician, or a depot technician.

2003 Operating System Technologies Exam

Domain 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. Content may include the following:

* 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.Content may include the following:

* 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.Content may include the following:

* 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.Content may include the following:

* 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.Content may include the following:

* Virtual Memory Management / Paging
* Disk Defragmentation
* Files and Buffers
* Cache
* Temporary file management

Domain 4 Networks

4.1 Identify the networking capabilities of Windows. Given configuration parameters, configure the operating system to connect to a network.Content may include the following:

* Configure protocols
* TCP/IP
**Gateway
**Subnet mask
**DNS (and domain suffix)
**WINS
**Static address assignment
**Automatic address assignment (APIPA, DHCP)
* IPX/SPX (NWLink)
* AppleTalk
* NetBEUI/NetBIOS
* Configure Client options
* Microsoft
* Novell
* Verify the configuration
* Understand the use of the following tools
* IPCONFIG.EXE
* WINIPCFG.EXE
* PING
* TRACERT.EXE
* NSLOOKUP.EXE
* Share resources (Understand the capabilities/limitations with each OS version)
* Setting permissions to shared resources
* Network type and network card

4.2 Identify the basic Internet protocols and terminologies. Identify procedures for establishing Internet connectivity. In a given scenario, configure the operating system to connect to and use Internet resources.Content may include the following:

* Protocols and terminologies
* ISP
* TCP/IP
* E-mail (POP, SMTP, IMAP)
* HTML
* HTTP
* HTTPS
* SSL
* Telnet
* FTP
* DNS
* Connectivity technologies
* Dial-up networking
* DSL networking
* ISDN networking
* Cable
* Satellite
* Wireless
* LAN
* Installing and Configuring browsers
* Enable/disable script support
* Configure Proxy Settings
* Configure security settings
* Firewall protection under Windows XP

ee also

* A+ Core Hardware Exam

External links

* [http://www.mcmcse.com Free practice exams and study guides]
* [http://www.comptia.org/certification/a/2003_aplus_os_objectives.pdf CompTIA A+ 2003 Upgrade OS Technologies Exam Objectives] - PDF file

References