A Product Review by

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Getting Certified Using Micro 2000's Training Course
August 18, 2005
Reviewer: Jedd
Category: Miscellaneous
Read the review from the Upgrade Advisor web site by
clicking
here.
For several years now there has primarily been one recognized
Tech Certification for computer support professionals. CompTIA is the
leading association representing the international technology community.
Its goal is to provide a unified voice, global advocacy and leadership,
and to advance industry growth through standards, professional competence,
education and business solutions. A major piece of their focus is the
CompTIA A+® Certification.
CompTIA A+ certification is an international industry
credential that validates the knowledge of computer service technicians
with the equivalent of 500 hours of hands-on experience. Major hardware
and software vendors, distributors and resellers accept CompTIA A+ as
the standard in foundation-level, vendor-neutral certification for service
technicians. The exams cover a broad range of hardware and software technologies,
but are not bound to any vendor-specific products. The skills and knowledge
measured by the CompTIA A+ exams were derived from an industry-wide and
worldwide job task analysis. To date, more than 500,000 individuals have
obtained CompTIA A+ certification.
Company: Micro 2000, www.micro2000.comGetting
Started
Earning CompTIA A+ certification proves that a candidate has a broad base
of knowledge and competency in core hardware and operating system technologies
including installation, configuration, diagnosing, preventive maintenance
and basic networking. There is a whole industry that supports training
and preparation for the A+ certification exams. Micro 2000 provides tools
and training materials that any technical person uses on a day to day
basis. Whether you are preparing to take CompTIA A+ certification exams,
want to brush up your computer knowledge and support skills, or simply
have an excellent resource for learning about computers and troubleshooting
your own issues, Micro 2000's CompTIA A+ CERTIFICATION COURSE is a fantastic
resource.
Usability
Micro 2000's breaks up the material in volumes based on a skill level.
If you have a high school education you should have no problem going through
the material presented in any volume. Having at least a basic ability
to turn on and use a computer is also enough to get you going. If all
you know is that when you hit the power button on your PC and it works
but aren't quite sure how that mouse in there makes it all happen by running
on his little wheel, then Volume 1 : Computer Basics will help you get
started. If you have never opened up a computer case then Volume 2 : PC
Hardware will help you find your way around the case and all the hardware
that makes your PC work. Once you have mastered these, Volume 3 : Operating
Systems can help you tackle the most common needs and issues users face.Even
though I've worked with computer hardware and software for many years,
I read through each volume this training course came with. I have to admit
there were a few things here and there I didn't know. The expanse of knowledge
and things to learn when it comes to computers and operating systems can
be endless. If you are working on getting enough determination to do your
own computer upgrades, these training materials are a great way to learn
what you need to know about computers as well as to have around as a reference
book when you want to upgrade your video card or add another harddrive.
Like any learning opportunity, reading these materials is beneficial if
you are around computers even if you aren't planning on getting certified
to support them.
Features and Specifications
UPDATED CONTENT Course content has
been updated to include all objectives for CompTIA's new 2003 test.
EASY TO READ TRAINING GUIDES 4 volumes containing the
information needed by every PC technician.
INTERACTIVE CONTENT An interactive learning CD with
instructional video clips, practice exams and simulations of real-world
installation and maintenance tasks.
CAQC CERTIFIED Certified by CompTIA, the CAQC certification
means that this course has been extensively reviewed and approved by
CompTIA for meeting all of the required elements in an A+ training program.
ALL TECHNICAL TERMS DEFINED A 1000-term glossary and
complete index make the course a handy reference tool long after graduation.
PROFESSIONAL DIAGNOSTICS INCLUDED A copy of Micro-Scope,
the award-winning PC diagnostic software, complete with manual, loopback
plugs and carrying case.
EXCELLENT SUPPORT Free technical support via email
and 1 year free access to web-based updates on course material.
PASS OR GET A FULL REFUND We guarantee that if you
take either A+ exam twice using our training content and fail, we will
give you a full refund.
Course Materials Cover Brief History of computers
- What is hardware? What is software?
- Safety when working around computers
- Motherboards
- Memory and CPUs
- Disk drives, CD-ROMs
- Monitors and video adapters
- Networks and the Internet
- Windows 95 & 98
- Windows NT & 2000
- Windows XP
- Troubleshooting hardware
and more!
Minimum System Requirements
Pentium, 233MHz
Operating System: Windows 95/98/2000/XP/NT 4.0 w/ SP 3
64MB of Memory
100MB Free Hard Disk Space
256-color display or higher, 800X600 Resolution Minimum
CD-ROM Drive 4x Speed or Greater
Sound Card
Product Includes 4 Training Books:
Volume 1: Computer Basics
Volume 2: PC Hardware
Volume 3: Operating Systems
Volume 4: Study Guide
Interactive Learning CD
Micro-Scope with Loop-back Plugs, Case, and Manual
Getting Started Guide
Technical Support Micro 2000, Inc. offers:
- 30 Days FREE phone support from the date of purchase
Unlimited lifetime support via email
- Also available, pay-per incident phone support or
yearly phone support packages
Adding It All Up
The materials in the Micro 2000 CompTIA A+ CERTIFICATION
COURSE are a little behind current hardware and operating systems. However,
the material and study guides are up to date for what is needed to know
to pass the exams. More importantly, if you are a beginner, these are
excellent learning tools and references to have around. Even though I've
never taken the A+ exams and become officially certified to support computer
systems, I'm going to take up Micro 2000 on their guarantee that I should
be able to pass both exams now that I've read through their training materials.
Anyone want to challenge themselves and test with me? Just remember...once
your family and friend know you are certified, they will be calling you
even more for support. But hey...now you can charge them for it... :-)
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