A+ Certification For Dummies^® (For Dummies)

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Ron Gilster

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Pages: 648 (Paperback)

ISBN: 0764541870

Pub: John Wiley & Sons

Pub date: 2003-10-17

Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 97917

Editorial Review:

The Computer Technology Industry Association (CompTIA) A+ certification proves that you're a capable hardware technician, capable of upgrading, troubleshooting, and fixing problems related to physical devices (such as memory chips and video cards) in Intel-compatible personal computers. A+ Certification for Dummies is designed to help you review for the two A+ exams--Core Hardware (220-201) and Operating System Technologies (220-202)--and it succeeds at that goal. It's also worth reading if you're not interested in A+ certification, but want to know enough to change out your own hard drives and install expansion cards without the help of a technician.
Ron Gilster teaches the subject--which encompasses good troubleshooting and repair practices as well as specific hardware facts--in a clear style that's easy to follow as you work on an actual machine (and, by the way, work on actual machines is essential to passing the tests). The book foregoes photographs (which almost never turn out well, and rarely look like your equipment anyway) in favour of clear line drawings. There are some step-by-step procedures to follow, but Gilster mostly recognises that PC hardware varies a lot and leaves most specifics up to readers. One bit of advice: in the field, supplement this book with Scott Mueller's definitive hardware encyclopedia, Upgrading and Repairing PCs. --David Wall

Topics covered: Intel-compatible personal computers, their essential subsystems (motherboard, RAM, processor, BIO S, video, disk storage, and others), and how to assemble, troubleshoot, and repair them. Operating system coverage focuses on Windows 95, 98, Me, and 2000.

Reader Reviews:

Nothing special (2/2 people found this helpful)

I have read this book and it is very easy to understand. I did notice that there were a few errors, I don't think they would cause you to fail the exam though. It is also slightly inconsistant with its terminology at some times. Also what I noticed was that this book had not seemed to be proof-read very well. I say this because the amount of errors I noticed, you would have thought the book wasn't even read by anyone after it was ready to be published. This is what disappointed me the most, and I was going through the book *very* fast. I have got the Sybex book but have not read it, apparently they are really good. The cd-rom that comes with this book is not that great either. Funnily enough, I actually think this book is worth buying. One last point; if you read any review saying there are not any mistakes in the book, don't trust them, I can assure you that there are. I don't normally care about reviewing books, but that lack of a decent proof-read made me quite angry.

Don't bother. (5/5 people found this helpful)

Hmm. Where to start. Well if you do buy this book to try pass the A+ exam then you will certainly need another source of reference. This book is outdated (and will be especialy in november when the new exam objectives come in.)and is often confusing with its mistakes. It trys to be funny about the subject but just succedes in being irritating. Im sorry Im being a bit nice here. This book was no help at all to me. Dont waste your money. I would bin it if I didnt need some books to fill up my book shelf. Try A+ fourth edition by Charles j. Brooks published by marcraft.

Cheap and cheerful (5/5 people found this helpful)

This book is cheap and cheerful. Whilst it provides a first look at the subject it is unlikely to impart enough knowledge on its own to allow you to pass the exam. Almost every other review here, both good and bad, tells you that you will need another source of reference besides this one to make the grade.

Some subjects, such as the use of multimeters, and the perils of ESD, are covered better than some bigger, more expensive books but more detail is required in most other areas.

This book is unlikely to be a comprehensive reference for the future nor enough to get you qualified without some other more serious literature.

I passed the A+ exams but this book only provided an introduction to the subject not the in-depth knowledge requred.

Best book I found (1/1 people found this helpful)

I read the Syngress book first (A+ cert study guide) but found the Dummies book was more detailed. Go through all the hardware stuff and you will pass easily.

The software side is a bit too brief though. The book explains that what you have already learnt under the hardware sections will mean you have covered everything, but I don't agree. I did the official course and there is far more on the OS technologies course that in this book. Having said that, the book is good as far as it goes.

I would say buy this book, read the hardware stuff and do the exam, then read the software stuff...

Great for absolute beginners, but needs supplementing (2/2 people found this helpful)

Ideal for those who like me had (have) no real hardware knowledge. Lacking in diagrams and real upto date info. It talks a lot about Windows 3.x and I had to buy another book to update myslef on the latest terminology and technology, but I couldn't have started without this one.

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