What’s New in the A+ Exams, Part I: Core Hardware
An objective-by-objective guide to recent A+ changes and how they may affect your study strategies.
by Faithe Wempen
11/19/2003 -- On Nov. 26, new versions of CompTIA's A+ exams will go live. These versions are based on new 2003 objectives that incorporate some of the technology changes we've seen in the industry since the previous update in 2001. These include not only the latest hardware (up to the P4) but also the latest Windows versions (up to Windows XP). For a complete list of the new objectives and their topics, click here.
One of the biggest changes I noted in the new objectives is the better, clearer wording, making it easier to figure out how one objective differs from another. Several objectives have also been split in two (or in three) so that each objective is more specific. For example, in a couple of cases portable computers have been split out from desktops.
In this two-part article, I’ll provide an objective-by-objective report on what’s changed and what it means to A+ students.
Core Hardware: Objective 1.1
Identify the names, purpose, and characteristics of system modules. Recognize these modules by sight or definition.
This objective's wording has changed slightly, but it's still the same objective. The previous wording was:
1.1 Identify basic terms, concepts, and functions of system modules, including how each module should work during normal operation and during the boot process.
The main new topics are adapter cards, cases, and riser cards.
Core Hardware: Objective 1.2
Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for desktop systems. Given a replacement scenario, choose the appropriate sequences.
The main difference here is that desktop and portable systems have been split out into separate objectives. Objective 1.2 now refers only to desktop PCs, while a newly added Objective 1.3 does the same for portable systems. The original wording was:
1.2 Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field replaceable modules for both desktop and portable systems.
Many of the topics for this objective are the same as the topics listed for Objective 1.1, but they are being approached from the standpoint of adding and removing them here, rather than knowing their specifications.
The topic of Storage Devices has been made more specific in the list of topics, clarifying that the topic means not only FDD and HDD but also standard and writeable CD and DVD and tape storage.
Cooling systems has been added as a brand-new topic for this objective, including both traditional and liquid cooling systems.
Core Hardware: Objective 1.3
Identify basic procedures for adding and removing field-replaceable modules for portable systems. Given a replacement scenario, choose the appropriate sequences.
This is almost the same as Objective 1.2 except it applies to portable systems. There as no equivalent prior objective. All the topics in this objective are technically "new" since the objective itself is new, but many of them previously existed in the old Objective 1.2.
The new objectives seem to be adding the expectation that an A+ technician will be disassembling portable PCs to remove floppy and CD drives. However, because of the proprietary nature of portable PCs, each one disassembles a little differently, so there is not much that the A+ exam can "test" on the specifics of doing it. Some portable PCs have modular floppy and CD drives that freely swap out with other components; others have them hard-built into the system so that disassembling the case is required for replacement. The best advice here is "read the service manual."
Wireless networking components are also added here, from the standpoint of the client PCs (that is, NICs). Routers and other network connectivity components are covered elsewhere.
Core Hardware: Objective 1.4
Identify typical IRQs, DMAs and I/O addresses, and procedures for altering these settings when installing and configuring devices. Choose appropriate installation or configuration steps in a given scenario.
Formerly Objective 1.3, this one has changed little except for its wording. The previous wording was as follows:
Identify available IRQs, DMAs, and I/O addresses and procedures for device installation and configuration.
This objective addresses hardware in terms of its system resources. Since almost all hardware use the same types of resources (IRQs, DMA channels, I/O addresses, and memory addresses), this is a simple matter. The main thing to work on is memorizing the default assignments for common hardware types. Begin by knowing the assignments for all the devices listed in the objective’s topic list, such as the default IRQ for a floppy controller, for example. Infrared, IEEE 1394, and USB do not have default assignments, so for them, simply be aware of their needs for resources. For example, a USB root hub requires resources but individual USB devices do not. One unexpected addition: Specialized devices (e.g. CAD/CAM).
Core Hardware: Objective 1.5
Identify the names, purposes, and performance characteristics of standardized/common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors. Recognize ports, cabling, and connectors by sight.
Formerly Objective 1.4, it has not changed much except for the wording. The new wording emphasizes port recognition by sight, indicating there will probably be pictures to identify on the test.
Identify common peripheral ports, associated cabling, and their connectors.
The ports here are addressed in this objective from the standpoint of identifying ad describing them. Their installation and troubleshooting is not covered here; those are covered in other objectives. Infrared has been added, and Centronics has been differentiated into mini and 36. Similarly serial has been differentiated into straight through and null modem.
Core Hardware: Objective 1.6
1.6 Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common IDE devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequences in given scenarios. Recognize the associated cables.
Formerly Objective 1.5, this objective has become much more specific, but the overall content is the same. The original wording was:
Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring IDE/EIDE devices.
The listed topics for this objective are much more specific than they were in the previous objective set, and add some topics such as IDE RAID that were no specified previously. It also breaks out IDE types into EIDE, ATA/ATAPI and Serial ATA.
Core Hardware: Objective 1.7
Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common SCSI devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequences in given scenarios. Recognize the associated cables.
Formerly Objective 1.6, this objective has also become more specific and its topics encompass a deeper level of understanding of the subject. The original objective was:
Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring SCSI devices.
The topics are much more specific in this revision of the objective, although most of these topics were implicitly included in the earlier version. There is now more expectation that you will know the differences between the myriad versions of SCSI and how they are or are not compatible with one another. Expect to be asked about SCSI cabling, including length, type, and termination requirements. SCSI RAID is also explicitly mentioned; be ready to distinguish between RAID 0, 1, and 5 types.
Core Hardware: Objective 1.8
Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring common peripheral devices. Choose the appropriate installation or configuration sequences in given scenarios.
Formerly Objective 1.7, this objective is more specific now, but is basically unchanged. The original wording was:
Identify proper procedures for installing and configuring peripheral devices.
Many of the examples provided for this objective are different from the earlier version, and some topics have been removed. For example, coverage of portable peripherals no longer falls here. Therefore you should study the topic list for this one carefully. New topics include all kinds of Internet connection devices (dial-up, cable, DSL, ISDN), digital cameras, PDAs, wireless access points, printers, and UPS and suppressors.
Core Hardware: Objective 1.9
Identify procedures to optimize PC operations in specific situations. Predict the effects of specific procedures under given scenarios.
This objective was formerly 1.8. It deals with procedures for improving system performance. The original wording was:
Identify hardware methods of upgrading system performance, procedures for replacing basic subsystem components, unique components and when to use them.
The topics here cover items that are commonly added or upgraded on a system either to solve a certain problem or to improve its performance. Many of these are brand-new to this revision, including liquid cooling systems, RAID controller cards, and additional processors.
Core Hardware: Objective 1.10
Determine the issues that must be considered when upgrading a PC. In a given scenario, determine when and how to upgrade system components.
This is a new objective, although some of its content was drawn from earlier existing objectives. You should know how each of the other components is affected when another component is upgraded. This objective is a prime example of the way the objective wording has been improved; these are all essential skills for a technician that were never spelled out before.
Core Hardware: Objective 2.1
Recognize common problems associated with each module and their symptoms, and identify steps to isolate and troubleshoot the problems. Given a problem situation, interpret the symptoms and infer the most likely cause.
This objective remains mostly the same, but the wording has changed to include interpreting symptoms and inferring a cause. The original wording was:
Identify common symptoms and problems associated with each module and how to troubleshoot and isolate the problems.
This objective has a HUGE list of topics it covers, for both desktops and portables. Many of these topics are also covered elsewhere, but here we are specifically talking about problems and troubleshooting. Some of the new stuff includes IEEE 1394 and infrared troubleshooting, removable storage, liquid cooling and portable unique storage, as well as writeable CD and DVD.
Core Hardware: Objective 2.2
Identify basic troubleshooting procedures and tools, and how to elicit problem symptoms from customers. Justify asking particular questions in a given scenario.
This objective remains mostly the same, with simply an additional sentence added. It deals with strategies for talking with customers and interfacing with hardware that is having a problem. It also includes knowing how to work with a basic set of tools.
Core Hardware: Objective 3.1
Identify the various types of preventive maintenance measures, products and procedures and when and how to use them.
This objective deals with the tools, procedures, and consumables involved in keeping a system clean and performing preventive maintenance. The previous wording was:
Identify the purpose of various types of preventive maintenance products and procedures and when to use them.
The most significant additions here are the cleaning of removable media and verifying UPS and suppressors. Other topics that were not spelled out earlier include cleaning monitors, controlling dust and moisture on the interior of a PC, and performing defragmenting and disk checking.
Core Hardware: Objective 3.2
Identify various safety measures and procedures, and when/how to use them.
This objective and the next one (3.3) were originally a single objective; they have been split for this revision. Objective 3.2 deals with procedures for preventing harm to the computer and to the user or technician. The original wording was:
Identify issues, procedures, and devices for protection within the computing environment, including people, hardware, and the surrounding workspace.
There's nothing new here; these topics are simply a subset of the previous topics for the objective. The only change is that ESD precautions are spelled out in more detail.
Core Hardware: Objective 3.3
Identify environmental protection measures and procedures, and when/how to use them.
As mentioned, this objective and the previous one (3.2) were originally a single objective. This new objective deals specifically with the environmental impact of disposing of various components and consumables. All these topics were originally part of Objective 3.2. There's nothing new.
Core Hardware: Objective 4.1
Distinguish between the popular CPU chips in terms of their basic characteristics
The wording of this objective is unchanged. The only new topic here is the L3 cache.
Core Hardware: Objective 4.2
Identify the types of RAM, form factors, and operational characteristics. Determine banking and speed requirements under given scenarios.
This objective is not changed much, except to include the more recent RAM technology in the topics covered. The original wording was:
Identify the categories of RAM (Random Access Memory) terminology, their locations, and physical characteristics.
This objective now specifically calls out SoDIMMs, MicroDIMMs, DDR, and RAMBUS, which it did not before, but otherwise it’s simply a clearer and more specific restatement of the previous topic list. It also specifically mentions ECC vs non-ECC now, and differentiates between single-sided and double-sided RAM.
Core Hardware: Objective 4.3
Identify the most popular types of motherboards, their components, and their architecture (bus structures).
The main difference here is that the topic of power supplies has been removed. The previous objective wording was as follows:
Identify the most popular types of motherboards, their components, and their architecture (bus structures and power supplies).
This objective appears to have a lot of topics that were not previously included, but many of them are simply enumerations of topics that were implicitly included before. For example, under Communication Ports, Memory, and Processor sockets, the objectives now list all the types you need to know specifically. It also brings up 32-bit versus 64-bit PCI and the various speeds of AGP. Brand-new mentions include AMR (audio modem riser) slots, CRN (communications network riser) slots and chipsets.
Core Hardware: Objective 4.4
Identify the purpose of CMOS memory, what it contains, and how and when to change its parameters. Given a scenario involving CMOS, choose the appropriate course of action.
Basically the same wording here; the earlier version read as follows:
Identify the purpose of CMOS (Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor), what it contains and how to change its basic parameters.
The same basic topics are covered here as before, with a couple of minor additions such as disabling on-board devices, disabling virus protection, and working with power management and infrared settings.
Core Hardware: Objective 5.1
Identify printer technologies, interfaces and options/upgrades
The new version introduces options/upgrades, but is otherwise the same. The previous version was:
Identify basic concepts, printer operations and printer components.
Several new printer technologies have been added, here, such as solid ink, thermal and dye sublimation. Several new interfaces are also added, including SCSI, IEEE 1394 and wireless.
Core Hardware: Objective 5.2
Recognize common printer problems and techniques used to resolve them.
Even though the objective wording does not mention preventive maintenance ("care") as the previous wording did (see below), the topics covered does include those items. New items include printer firmware and color calibration. The previous wording was:
Identify care and service techniques and common problems with primary printer types.
Some of the many new topics introduced here include printer drivers, firmware updates, calibrations, printing test pages, memory, configuration, network and local connections, consumables and environment.
Core Hardware: Objective 6.1
Identify the common types of network cables, their characteristics and connectors.
This is a brand-new objective, although some of it was formerly covered elsewhere. There are many new cable and connector types here that were not on the previous version of the exam. However, realistically speaking many of them are obscure enough that they are not likely to appear on the exam. Some of the many types of cable that appear here include all kinds of coaxial, UTP, STP and fiber optic, and their connectors including BNC, RJ-45, AUI, ST/SC, and IDC/UDC.
Core Hardware: Objective 6.2
Identify basic network concepts including how a network works.
This objective and the next one (6.3) were formerly a single objective; they have been split out and expanded. The original objective was:
Identify basic networking concepts, including how a network works and the ramifications of repairs on the network.
Notice that the current version of 6.2 does not include anything about troubleshooting or repairing. Most of the topics in this objective are new to the list, including bandwidth, protocols, cabling, network models, infrared and wireless.
Core Hardware: Objective 6.3
Identify common technologies available for establishing Internet connectivity and their characteristics
This is a new objective, having been split off from Objective 6.2. Nearly the whole list consists of new topics, including a comprehensive list of Internet technologies and their characteristics, such as LAN, DSL, cable, ISDN, dial-up, satellite and wireless.
NEXT WEEK: Faithe breaks down what's new on the 2003 OS Technologies A+ Exam. 
Faithe Wempen, M.A.,is a Microsoft Office Specialist Master Instructor and an instructor in the Computer Technology Department of Indiana University/Purdue University at Indianapolis. She is the author of over 50 books on computer hardware and software, including A+ Jumpstart: PC Hardware and Operating System Basics. She also co-owns the Sycamore Knoll Bed and Breakfast.
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