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1.1 Identify the major desktop components and interfaces, and their functions. Differentiate the characteristics of Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP.
Content may include the following:
o Contrasts between Windows 9x/Me, Windows NT 4.0 Workstation, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows XP
o Major Operating System components
o Registry
o Virtual Memory
o File System
o Major Operating System Interfaces
o Windows Explorer
o My Computer
o Control Panel
o Computer Management Console
o Accessories/System Tools
o Command line
o Network Neighborhood/My Network Places
o Task Bar/systray
o Start Menu
o Device Manager
1.2 Identify the names, locations, purposes, and contents of major system files.
Content may include the following:
o Windows 9x –specific files
o IO.SYS
o MSDOS.SYS
o AUTOEXEC.BAT
o COMMAND.COM
o CONFIG.SYS
o HIMEM.SYS
o EMM386.exe
o WIN.COM
o SYSTEM.INI
o WIN.INI
o Registry data files
SYSTEM.DAT
USER.DAT
o Windows NT-based specific files
o BOOT.INI
o NTLDR
CompTIA A+ Operating System Objectives 8/1/03 3 of 9
o NTDETECT.COM
O NTBOOTDD.SYS
O NTUSER.DAT
O Registry data files
1.3 Demonstrate the ability to use command-line functions and utilities to manage the operating system, including the proper syntax and switches.
Command line functions and utilities include:
o Command/CMD
o DIR
o ATTRIB
o VER
o MEM
o SCANDISK
o DEFRAG
o EDIT
o XCOPY
o COPY
o FORMAT
o FDISK
o SETVER
o SCANREG
o MD/CD/RD
o Delete/Rename
o DELTREE
o TYPE
o ECHO
o SET
o PING
1.4 Identify basic concepts and procedures for creating, viewing, and managing disks, directories and files. This includes procedures for changing file attributes and the ramifications of those changes (for example, security issues).
Content may include the following:
o Disks
o Partitions
Active Partition
Primary Partition
Extended Partition
Logical partition
o Files Systems
FAT16
FAT32
NTFS4
NTFS5.x
o Directory Structures (root directory, subdirectories, etc)
o Create folders
o Navigate the directory structure
o Maximum depth
CompTIA A+ Operating System Objectives 8/1/03 4 of 9
o Files
o Creating files
o File naming conventions (Most common extensions, 8.3, maximum length)
o File attributes - Read Only, Hidden, System, and Archive attributes
o File Compression
o File Encryption
o File Permissions
o File types (text vs binary file)
1.5 Identify the major operating system utilities, their purpose, location, and available switches.
o Disk Management Tools
DEFRAG.EXE
FDISK.EXE
Backup/Restore Utility (MSbackup, NTBackup, etc)
ScanDisk
CHKDSK
Disk Cleanup
Format
o System Management Tools
Device manager
System Manager
Computer Manager
MSCONFIG.EXE
REGEDIT.EXE (View information/Backup registry)
REGEDT32.EXE
SYSEDIT.EXE
SCANREG
COMMAND/CMD
Event Viewer
Task Manager
o File Management Tools
ATTRIB.EXE
EXTRACT.EXE
Edit.com
Windows Explorer
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:
o Verify hardware compatibility and minimum requirements
o Determine OS installation options
o Installation type (typical, custom, other)
o Network configuration
o File system type
o Dual Boot Support
o Disk preparation order (conceptual disk preparation)
CompTIA A+ Operating System Objectives 8/1/03 5 of 9
o Start the installation
o Partition
o Format drive
o Run appropriate set up utility
o Setup
o Winnt
o Installation methods
o Bootable CD
o Boot floppy
o Network installation
o Drive Imaging
o Device Driver Configuration
o Load default drivers
o Find updated drivers
o Restore user data files (if applicable)
o 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:
o Upgrade paths available
o Determine correct upgrade startup utility (e.g. WINNT32 vs WINNT)
o Verify hardware compatibility and minimum requirements
o Verify application compatibility
o Apply OS service packs, patches, and updates
o 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:
o Boot Sequence
o Files required to boot
o Boot steps (9.x, NT-based)
o Alternative Boot Methods
o Using a Startup disk
o Safe/VGA-only mode
o Last Known Good configuration
o Command Prompt mode
o Booting to a system restore point
o Recovery Console
o Boot.ini switches
o Dual Boot
o Creating Emergency Disks with OS Utilities
o Creating emergency repair disk (ERD)
CompTIA A+ Operating System Objectives
CompTIA A+ Operating System Objectives 8/1/03 6 of 9
2.4 Identify procedures for installing/adding a device, including loading, adding, and configuring device drivers, and required software.
Content may include the following:
o Device Driver Installation
o Plug and Play (PNP) and non-PNP devices
o Install and configure device drivers
o Install different device drivers
o Manually install a device driver
o Search the Internet for updated device drivers
o Using unsigned drivers (driver signing)
o Install Additional Windows components
o 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:
o Virtual Memory Management
o Disk Defragmentation
o Files and Buffers
o Caches
o Temporary file management
3.1 Recognize and interpret the meaning of common error codes and startup messages from the boot sequence, and identify steps to correct the problems.
Content may include the following:
o Common Error Messages and Codes
o Boot failure and errors
Invalid boot disk
Inaccessible boot device
Missing NTLDR
Bad or missing Command interpreter
o Startup messages
Error in CONFIG.SYS line XX
Himem.sys not loaded
Missing or corrupt Himem.sys
Device/Service has failed to start
o A device referenced in SYSTEM.INI, WIN.INI, Registry is not found
o Event Viewer – Event log is full
o Failure to start GUI
o Windows Protection Error
o User-modified settings cause improper operation at startup
o Registry corruption
o Using the correct Utilities
o Dr. Watson
o Boot Disk
o Event Viewer
3.2 Recognize when to use common diagnostic utilities and tools. Given a diagnostic scenario involving one of these utilities or tools, select the appropriate steps needed to resolve the problem.
Utilities and tools may include the following:
o Startup disks
o Required files for a boot disk
o Boot disk with CD-ROM support
o Startup Modes
o Safe mode
o Safe Mode with command prompt
o Safe mode with networking
o Step-by-Step/Single step mode
o Automatic skip driver (ASD.exe)
o Diagnostic tools, utilities and resources
o User/installation manuals
o Internet/web resources
o Training materials
o Task Manager
o Dr. Watson
o Boot Disk
o Event Viewer
CompTIA A+ Operating System Objectives 8/1/03 8 of 9 o Device Manager
o WinMSD
o MSD
o Recovery CD
o CONFIGSAFE
o Eliciting problem symptoms from customers
o Having customer reproduce error as part of the diagnostic process
o Identifying recent changes to the computer environment from the user
3.3 Recognize common operational and usability problems and determine how to resolve them.
Content may include the following:
o Troubleshooting Windows-specific printing problems
o Print spool is stalled
o Incorrect/incompatible driver for print
o Incorrect parameter
o Other Common problems
o General Protection Faults
o Bluescreen error (BSOD)
o Illegal operation
o Invalid working directory
o System lock up
o Option (Sound card, modem, input device) or will not function
o Application will not start or load
o Cannot log on to network (option – NIC not functioning)
o Applications don’t install
o Network connection
o Viruses and virus types
o What they are
o TSR (Terminate Stay Resident) programs and virus
o Sources (floppy, emails, etc.)
o How to determine presence
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:
o Configure protocols
o TCP/IP
Gateway
Subnet mask
DNS (and domain suffix)
WINS
Static address assignment
Automatic address assignment (APIPA, DHCP)
o IPX/SPX (NWLink)
o Appletalk
o NetBEUI/ NetBIOS
o Configure Client options
CompTIA A+ Operating System Objectives 8/1/03 9 of 9 o Microsoft
o Novell
o Verify the configuration
o Understand the use of the following tools
o IPCONFIG.EXE
o WINIPCFG.EXE
o PING
o TRACERT.EXE
o NSLOOKUP.EXE
o Share resources (Understand the capabilities/limitations with each OS version)
o Setting permissions to shared resources
o 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:
o Protocols and terminologies
o ISP
o TCP/IP
o E-mail (POP, SMTP, IMAP)
o HTML
o HTTP
o HTTPS
o SSL
o Telnet
o FTP
o DNS
o Connectivity technologies
o Dial-up networking
o DSL networking
o ISDN networking
o Cable
o Satellite
o Wireless
o LAN
o Installing and Configuring browsers
o Enable/disable script support
o Configure Proxy Settings
o Configure security settings
o Firewall protection under Windows XP