A+ Core Operating System Technologies Exam

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Below is a summary of the 2003 A+ Operating System Technologies Exam objectives:

1 Operating System Technologies Exam
2 Domain 2 Installation, Configuration and Upgrading
3 Domain 4 Networks
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] Operating System Technologies Exam

[edit] 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
Disk Defragmentation
Files and Buffers
Caches
Temporary file management

[edit] 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: