Introduction xliii Chapter 1 Technician Essentials and Computer/Device Anatomy 101 2 Foundation Topics 3 The Essential Parts of Any Computer or Mobile Device 3 Front and Rear Views of a Desktop PC 3 All Around a Laptop Computer 7 All-in-One Computers 9 Smartphones and Tablets 9 Quick Reference to PC and Mobile Components 10 Hardware, Software, and Firmware 12 Hardware 12 Software 12 Firmware 13 Why Hardware, Software, and Firmware Are Important to Understand 13 The CompTIA Six-Step Troubleshooting Theory 13 Technician Tools and Equipment 14 Basic Tools and Supplies for Assembly/Disassembly of Computers 14 System and Electrical Testing Tools 15 Network Installation and Configuration Tools 15 Printer Maintenance Tools 16 Software and Operating Systems 16 Spare Parts and Equipment to Test 16 Important Websites 17 Exam Preparation Tasks 18 Chapter 2 Configure and Use BIOS/UEFI Tools 26 Foundation Topics 27 BIOS/UEFI Configuration 27 Accessing the BIOS Setup Program 27 UEFI and Traditional BIOS 28 BIOS Settings Overview 29 Automatic Configuration of BIOS/CMOS Settings 31 Main Menu 32 Main/Standard Features/Settings 33 Discovering System Information 33 Boot Settings and Boot Sequence 34 Integrated Ports and Peripherals 35 SATA Configuration 35 USB Host Adapters and Charging Support 35 Audio and Ethernet Ports 36 Power Management 37 Monitoring 38 Processor and Memory Configuration 39 Virtualization Support 40 Security Features 41 Exiting BIOS and Saving/Discarding Changes 42 Flash Upgrade BIOS 43 Flash BIOS Update 44 Using BIOS/UEFI Diagnostics 46 Exam Preparation Tasks 47 Chapter 3 Motherboard Components 54 Foundation Topics 55 ATX, ITX, and Smaller Sizes 55 ATX and microATX 55 ITX Family 57 Comparing ATX, MicroATX, and Mini-ITX Motherboards 58 Expansion Slot Types 59 PCI Slots 59 PCI-X Slots 59 PCIe (PCI Express) Slots 60 RAM Sockets 63 CPU Sockets 64 Chipsets 64 CMOS Battery 65 Power Connectors 66 Fan Connectors 66 Front and Top Panel Connectors 67 Bus Speeds 69 Installing Motherboards 69 Step-by-Step Motherboard Removal 69 Preparing the Motherboard for Installation 72 Step-by-Step Motherboard Installation 72 Exam Preparation Tasks 74 Chapter 4 RAM Types and Features 82 Foundation Topics 83 Memory Upgrade Considerations 83 RAM Types 84 SRAM 84 SDRAM 84 DDR SDRAM 84 DDR2 SDRAM 84 DDR3 SDRAM 85 Parity vs Non-Parity 87 ECC vs non-ECC Memory 87 Buffered (Registered) vs Unbuffered 88 SO-DIMM vs DIMM 88 RAM Configurations 90 Single-Channel 90 Dual-Channel 90 Triple-Channel 90 Quad-Channel 91 Single-Sided vs Double-Sided 91 RAM Compatibility 91 Installing Memory 91 Preparations for Installing DIMM Memory 92 Exam Preparation Tasks 95 Chapter 5 PC Expansion Cards 102 Foundation Topics 103 Expansion Card and Slot Overview 103 Installing Sound Cards 103 Installing a USB Audio Device 104 Configuring a Sound Card with Windows 105 Configuring a Sound Card with OS X 105 Configuring a Sound Card with Linux 105 Installing Video Cards 105 BIOS Configuration 106 Removing Drivers for an Old Video Card or Onboard Video 107 Removing the Old Video Card 107 Video Card Physical Installation 109 Driver Installation 110 Installing Network Cards 110 Installing USB Cards 111 I.