Enhanced A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining Your PC, Third Edition Comprehensive

This older book explains step-by-step how to learn the fundamentals of maintaining a PC. It comes with a CD-ROM to test your preparation for the "A+" certification, and includes a limited version of a test program. Its 1100 pages make it a handful to hold. My comments are selective, based on my limited experience. The section on "Configuring a Modem" skips over the very important topic of jumper settings (for older non-PnP modems). You must analyze your PC to understand what you will need to do. Windows 95 assumes COM1 and COM2. If your computer has only COM1 you may avoid problems by setting the modem to COM3 - IRQ3. Modern computers allow you to select the COM port. Your modem can used COM2 - IRQ3 when you select COM4 for the second serial port. Some prefer COM1 - IRQ4 for the modem, and COM3 for the first serial port. Use the MSD program before you start, and find out what BIOS settings are used. Be careful if a beginner! Write or print everything before you make any changes. The discussion on "Installing a Hard Drive" doesn't mention the "Cable Select" option on some hard drives. Some computers may require this setting rather than MAster or SLave. When adding a sound card or modem to a Windows 95 system, first use "Device Manager" to remove any old sound card or modem from the OS. Not doing this can result in unexpected problems. You won't make this mistake twice. What if a used motherboard or computer has password protection for BIOS settings or Startup? Sometimes you can use a jumper to negate this, if you have the documentation. If not, removing the battery for 10 minutes will end the password. You will have to reset the settings (or select the defaults). Your local Adult High School of Community College may have a course that uses this book. Or you can borrow this from your local library to review selected topics to understand your computer.

I have about 13 years of computer experience and have learned quite a bit in my trade. I purchased this book as required material for a college education course and I was amazed at the content. The book assumes you are an average computer user (and if you're viewing this webpage, you probably are) and teaches you exactly how the machine works inside and out, gives diagrams, and explains everything in perfect detail. This book was the best $73.00 investment I've ever made. It covered material I already knew, but taught me many times more material I only wished I knew before I bought it. I also highly recommend the Thomson Course Technology PC Troubleshooting Pocket Guide for Managing and Maintaining Your PC -- Third Edition as a great supplemental book to review whenever you run into computer trouble. I bought my copy for only $19.00.

I used this book to get through my A+ Course. The book was better than the course, I would not have been able to do it without this book! I dont think the school I attended would have any passing students if they did not use this as the class text book!! I will keep the name of the school anonymous!!

COMPTIA has started to update the A+ Exam and the new exam will be out in the first quarter of 2001. Having a book that gives you the newest objectives is certainly a plus and Jean Andrews has delivered the first book I have seen to cover the newest set of objectives.The 1200 page book can be used as a self-study manual or in a classroom setting. Starting off with computer concepts and how software and hardware works gives the technician a great base to build on.Andrews then covers the topics of system boards, memory, storage devices and troubleshooting the hardware side. This covers about 40% of the book. Andrews makes sure that the laser printer process and laptops get the needed coverage devoting chapters to each topic.The networking sections are excellent and each area is covered with enough information to make sure that you can pass the exam. The software topics of Windows 9.X, NT and 2000 Professional are also given their due with excellent attention to detail.With tables, figures, diagrams, review question, key terms, hands-on projects you have every objective covered and the best chance of getting a leg up on the rest of the IT community. The cd-rom included has a 120-day eval of Nuts and Bolts and a discount voucher is also included.Again, Jean Andrews is leading the pack in making sure that future technicians are given every opportunity to climb the IT ladder. About the only thing left out is the software practice test, but overall this is an excellent place to start.