Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Form Factors
Motherboards, power supplies, and cases are surprisingly interchangeable due to industry standards called form factors. Techs should know common form factors and the benefits and challenges of each. This clip is from the chapter "Book...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Troubleshooting Firmware
A system's BIOS is robust and rarely causes trouble, but when it does a good tech must be ready to troubleshoot. Understanding a few simple tricks can make troubleshooting easier. This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter 5 - Firmware"...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - System Setup
A small system-setup program built into the motherboard firmware enables techs to configure low-level features and options for the system's hardware. A good tech needs to know how to access and use the system set up on any computer. This...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - POST
The power-on self-test (POST) takes place every time a system starts. POST checks the system and communicates any problems it finds to the user. This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter 5 - Firmware" of the series "CompTIA A+...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - What Is BIOS?
Basic Input/Output Services (BIOS) is code (firmware) built into every motherboard to give the CPU basic communication with the hardware attached to the motherboard. BIOS is a critical part of the PC, and a good tech needs to understand...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - RAM Features
DRAM varies in other ways, such as single-sided or double-sided DRAM. Different motherboards may or may not be able to take advantage of these features. This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter 4 - RAM" of the series "CompTIA A+...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - RAM Technology
Dynamic random-access memory (DRAM) comes in a number of versions defined by the doubling of commands they process per clock cycle. It's important for techs to recognize these technologies and the speed rating systems used. This clip is...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Installing and Troubleshooting a CPU
Every computer needs a CPU. The installation steps are straightforward but should be handled with care to prevent damage. Additionally, some form of cooling is required. This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter 3 - CPUs" of the series...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - CPU Cooling
While anything that uses electricity generates some heat, no other piece of hardware in our PC generates more heat than the CPU. Keeping temperatures under control is one of the keys to a system's longevity. Let's beat the heat and learn...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - What Is a CPU?
The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is quite possibly the most critical component of a PC. But what tasks does the CPU deal with, and how does it go about handling them? Let's dig into the core features of a CPU. This clip is from the...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Cloud Ownership
In this episode, Mike looks at concepts of security, ownership, and access to cloud resources. Specifically, he explores the differences among public, private, hybrid, and community cloud computing. This clip is from the chapter "Book...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Beyond the LAN
In this episode, Mike explores the crazy acronym soup around networking, explaining the differences among terms such as LAN, WAN, MAN, PAN, and HAM. (Just kidding on the last term!) This helps minimize confusion in later networking...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Webcams and Videoconferencing
Video conferencing software has changed the way we work, especially with more and more companies moving to remote and hybrid workplaces. This episode gives a quick demonstration of Microsoft Teams and its screensharing function. This...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - SCSI
The Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) has been around in one form or another for decades. Despite its age, SCSI drives still appear in niche systems. It's important to recognize SCSI systems and where they're used today. This clip...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Cooling Your System
Previously we discussed the types of heat sinks, fans, and liquid cooling that are used to lower component and system temperatures. Now we will look at keeping your system cool through even the most difficult of tasks. This clip is from...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Chipsets
A motherboard chipset determines the RAM capacity, USB capabilities, CPU architecture, and more. Mike explains how the modern chipsets have evolved over the years and why they matter today. This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter 6 -...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Installing and Troubleshooting RAM
Upgrading your RAM is one of the quickest tasks that you can do to immediately increase system performance. Whether you are doing a new PC build, or simply updating your system, you are going to need to know how to install and...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Virtual Memory
Running out of memory is something we try to avoid. All operating systems use virtual memory (or RAM), a part of your mass storage set, to act as (very slow) memory in case your real memory runs out. This clip is from the chapter "Book...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - RAM Capacity
Individual sticks of DRAM will have very different capacities. It's important to understand RAM capacities and how sticks work together to provide the total memory for a system. This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter 4 - RAM" of the...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - CPU Generations and Architecture
By now you are probably wondering what that alphabet soup of letters and numbers alongside a CPU name means. Understanding the nomenclature of CPU models will ensure that you fully understand how they work. In this video, we are going to...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Choosing the Right CPU
Choosing a CPU that meets all your needs is one of the most important decisions you will make when building your PC. The wrong choice can mean a computer that does not perform the tasks needed or quickly becomes outdated. Since we have...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - 32-Bit Versus 64-Bit Computing
As technology evolves, the industry sets standards to define milestones. There is possibly no standard more prolific than 32-bit and 64-bit computing. Every piece of hardware and software released in the last three decades follows either...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - Modern CPUs
The modern processor is loaded with features that you need to know in order to excel as a PC technician. Let's examine some of the modern CPU's abilities and get hands-on with a tool that has become a necessity when dealing with central...
Curated Video
CompTIA A+ Certification Core 1 (220-1101) - What Is a Computer?
Computers are everywhere if you know where to look! What are the parts and the functions of a computer? What do all these devices have in common? This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter 2 - The Visible Computer" of the series...