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Cheat sheet

CompTIA A+ Cheat Sheet

Core 1 Hardware

13-28%of exam

Core 1 Networking

11-23%of exam

Core 2 Systems

23-28%of exam

Security + Ops

21-28%of exam

Quick Facts

Exams
220-1201 + 1202
Questions
Max 90 each
Time
90 min each
Pass C1
675/900
Pass C2
700/900
Format
MCQ + PBQ
Skill
Troubleshoot first

Laser Process

Process -> Charge -> Expose -> Develop

Transfer nextFuse tonerClean drumLaser only

RAM vs Storage

RAM

  • Volatile
  • Active work
  • Fast

Storage

  • Persistent
  • Saved data
  • Slower

Work vs save

Mobile Devices

Touchpad
Pointer input
Digitizer
Touch layer
Dock
Port expansion
NFC
Near-field pairing
Bluetooth
Short-range wireless
Hotspot
Shared cellular

HDD vs SSD

HDD

  • Mechanical
  • Cheaper
  • Moving parts

SSD

  • Flash
  • Faster
  • No moving

Spinning vs flash

Hardware

CPU
Executes instructions
RAM
Volatile memory
Motherboard
Component backbone
PSU
Power supply
GPU
Graphics processing
TPM
Hardware trust

Storage

HDD
Spinning disk
SSD
Flash storage
NVMe
PCIe storage
SATA
Drive interface
RAID 0
Stripe speed
RAID 1
Mirror redundancy

Printers

Laser
Toner process
Inkjet
Liquid ink
Thermal
Heat paper
Impact
Ribbon strike
Fuser
Bonds toner
Duplex
Two-sided print

Mail Ports

SMTP 25 | POP3 110 | IMAP 143

SMTP sendsPOP downloadsIMAP syncsHTTPS 443

NAT vs DHCP

NAT

  • Translates addresses
  • Internet sharing
  • Router

DHCP

  • Leases addresses
  • Client config
  • Scope

Translate vs assign

Network Triage

  1. 169.254 IPCheck DHCP
  2. No nameCheck DNS
  3. No gatewayCheck router
  4. Weak Wi-FiCheck channel
  5. No linkCheck cable
  6. VPN failsCheck creds

Ports

20/21
FTP
22
SSH
25
SMTP
53
DNS
80
HTTP
110
POP3
143
IMAP
443
HTTPS

IMAP vs POP3

IMAP

  • Server sync
  • Port 143
  • Multi-device

POP3

  • Download mail
  • Port 110
  • Single-client

Sync vs download

Networking

DHCP
Leases IP
DNS
Names to IP
NAT
Address translation
APIPA
169.254 fallback
SSID
Wireless name
VPN
Encrypted tunnel

Cloud

IaaS
Virtual infrastructure
PaaS
Managed platform
SaaS
Hosted app
VDI
Virtual desktop
Hypervisor
Runs VMs
Snapshot
Point copy

UEFI vs BIOS

UEFI

  • Modern firmware
  • Secure Boot
  • GPT

BIOS

  • Legacy firmware
  • MBR
  • Older systems

Modern vs legacy

Boot Triage

  1. No powerCheck PSU
  2. POST beepsCheck hardware
  3. No OSCheck boot order
  4. Slow bootCheck startup
  5. Driver issueDevice Manager
  6. Disk issueDisk Mgmt

Windows Tools

Device Mgr
Driver status
Disk Mgmt
Partitions
Event Viewer
System logs
Task Manager
Processes
Services
Daemon control
gpedit
Local policy

Troubleshooting Steps

Identify -> Theory -> Test -> Plan

Implement fixVerify functionDocument outcomeEscalate if needed

Malware Triage

  1. Suspect malwareQuarantine host
  2. Need evidencePreserve logs
  3. Remove threatScan offline
  4. Fix gapsPatch system
  5. Restore dataClean backup
  6. Prevent repeatUser training

Security

MFA
Extra factor
BitLocker
Disk encryption
Firewall
Traffic filter
EDR
Endpoint detection
Phishing
Fake lure
Quarantine
Isolate file

Procedures

Change
Controlled update
Ticket
Work record
Backup
Recovery copy
ESD strap
Static protection
SDS
Safety sheet
Chain custody
Evidence tracking

Common Traps

DHCP mixup

DHCP assigns IP DNS resolves names

Memory mixup

RAM is volatile Storage persists

Firmware mixup

UEFI is modern BIOS is legacy

Mail mixup

SMTP sends mail IMAP syncs mail

Malware order

Quarantine first Restore later

Last Minute

  1. 1.Core 1 = devices/network/hardware
  2. 2.Core 2 = OS/security/ops
  3. 3.DHCP gives IP
  4. 4.DNS gives names
  5. 5.NAT translates addresses
  6. 6.RAM loses power
  7. 7.SSD has no moving parts
  8. 8.UEFI supports Secure Boot
  9. 9.SMTP sends email
  10. 10.IMAP syncs email
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