By now you are probably wondering what that alphabet soup of letters and numbers alongside a CPU name means. Understanding the nomenclature of CPU models will ensure that you fully understand how they work. In this video, we are going...

The CompTIA A+ concentrates on Windows, but every operating system gives you the ability to use more than one monitor. Make sure you understand the power of multiple monitors as well as how to install and configure them.
<
br/>
This...

Graphics cards often require special treatment when installing them in terms of power and cooling. In addition, systems need special drivers to take full advantage of the power of most graphics cards.
<
br/>
This clip is from the...

More resolution means a more detailed picture. Monitor resolutions have increased for decades, and a good tech understands common resolutions and aspect ratios.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter 17 - Display...

Monitors don't create the images they display; that's the graphics card's job. Graphics cards come with different features and capabilities that a good tech understands very well.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter...

The Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) is the dominant technology for today's monitors. A good tech should possess a deep understanding of how LCDs work and how to open and repair an LCD monitor.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter "Book...

There's more than one way to make a monitor, but they all share one very important common feature: the pixel. Once we understand that all monitors have pixels, it's easier to understand the different technologies you might find in a...

Peripherals allow us to expand our system to support new features such as printing, sound, and external storage. They also enable a wide array of input devices like mice and keyboards. Knowing how to identify each of them quickly is...

A broad cross-section of peripherals scans and read data. From flatbed scanners to barcode readers and card readers, these devices make our users' lives easier and more convenient.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter...

Shiny optical discs are an excellent media for transporting data and are still a very common tool for delivering drivers and configuration utilities for hardware. There's several different optical standards and it's critical to know...

Thunderbolt and Lightning connectors are high-speed alternatives to USB. A good tech recognizes when these technologies are used, their unique connectors, and the benefits/weaknesses they have compared to USB.
<
br/>
This clip is...

Most USB devices work well fresh out-of-the-box. For those that don't, it's important to have a proper USB configuration process to make sure a USB device and all of its features work properly.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter...

Why are there USB Type-A and USB Type-B connectors? Why do modern systems still provide older USB connectors when the latest USB perfectly supports older devices? It takes a good understanding of the USB standards to see how and...

The Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface is the main peripheral interface these days. Make sure you're aware of different USB standards as well as the different types of USB connectors.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter "Book...

Mass storage devices sometimes fail, resulting in the potential loss of critical data. A good tech knows the tools and procedures to diagnose and repair many mass storage problems.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter...

Securing mass storage is a critical aspect of system security. Make sure you know the many ways a system's mass storage can be encrypted.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter 9 - Implementing Mass Storage" of the...

Microsoft's Storage Spaces feature provides a superb tool to configure many different RAID configurations on any Windows system. A good tech knows which types of RAID it supports and how to set them up.
<
br/>
This clip is from the...

Hardware RAID uses a purpose-built RAID controller to configure and maintain RAID arrays. It's important to understand the benefits of hardware RAID and how to configure and maintain RAID arrays.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter...

The Random Array of Independent (or Inexpensive) Disks (RAID) is a philosophy of using multiple drives working as a single drive – an array – for speed or redundancy. A good tech should understand the many RAID levels and the benefits...

Solid-state drives (SSDs) are quickly replacing HDDs for mass storage needs on almost all computers. SSDs are faster and more robust than HDDs and come with their own maintenance needs.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter "Book...

Hard disk drives (HDDs), which store data on rotating magnetic disks, have been the go-to mass storage media for decades. A good tech understands how this venerable media works and understands magnetic media's unique needs.
<
br/>...

Mass storage (disk drives and solid-state drives) store the operating system and applications. Despite the different technologies, systems talk to these many devices in similar ways.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter "Book...

Knowing how to install and troubleshoot errors with power supplies is essential. While it is generally a simple process, there are some things to look out for. Let's go through installing and troubleshooting a PSU together.
<
br/>...

Power supplies come in a dizzying array of power ratings, sizes, and efficiencies. A good tech understands these factors to make sure a system has the power it needs.
<
br/>
This clip is from the chapter "Book Chapter 7 - Power...