CompTIA Study Guide: Your Path to IT Certification

WEBVTT
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And welcome to Technology Tap.
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I'm Professor Jay Rodney.
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In this episode, I'm here a plus master class with a twelve on one exam.
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Let's tap in the world.
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And also we talk about scams, which is one of the my favorite topics.
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I'm Professor J.
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Rod, Cybersecurity Professor, CompTIA certified instructor, and someone who has helped hundreds of students prepare for certification exams and launch careers in IT.
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When you're studying for the COMTIA 1201 exam, taking an IT class or changing careers, or simply curious about how computers work, you are in the right place.
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Today's episode, the beginning of the complete Camp TIA A Plus Masterclass, over the next several weeks, we'll break down topics that appear on the exam or explaining why they matter in the real world.
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This isn't about memorizing answers, it's about learning how to think like a technician.
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And if you think like a technician, you'll pass the exam.
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And more importantly, you'll succeed on the job.
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Before we begin, if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and share it with someone studying for the Camtia A.
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And you'll also find my ComTia A exam book and study guide on my link tree, which will be in the show notes.
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Alright, let's get started.
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People often ask me, Professor, do I really need the Camtia A Plus?
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And the short answer is no, you don't need it.
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But it can make getting your first IT job much easier.
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Imagine you're hiring two people.
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Both have no professional IT experience.
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One says, I like computers.
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The other one says, I've earned my Camtia A plus certification.
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Who will you interview first?
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Exactly.
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The certification tells employers that you've learned industry standards and have invested time in developing foundational technical skills.
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This is why so many entry-level positions list CAMTIA as a preferred or even required.
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These jobs include help desk technicians, desktop support, IT support specialist, computer technician, field service, tech, and technical support representative.
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The certification isn't this finish line, it's the starting point.
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Here's something many students misunderstand.
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The exam isn't testing you on whatever you can memorize facts.
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It is not a memorization quest exam, right?
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And that's you know one thing that the student forgets.
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It's testing whatever you understand technology well enough to solve problems.
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For example, the exam probably won't ask what is RAM.
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Instead, it might ask, a user's computers becomes extremely slow while running multiple applications, which upgrade will most likely improve performance.
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Now you have to think is it storage, CPU, power supply, or RAM?
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That's what technicians do every day.
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They troubleshoot.
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The Comtia A plus exam requires logical thinking.
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Here's the biggest secret I teach my students.
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Stop asking what is the right answer and start asking what problem is happening.
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Every hardware component exists for a reason.
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If you understand the purpose of each component, the questions become much easier.
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Technicians don't memorize, they diagnose.
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Imagine visiting a doctor.
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You say, My arm hurts.
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The doctor doesn't immediately prescribe medication.
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First, they ask questions.
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Where does it hurt?
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When did it start?
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Did you fall?
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Can you move it?
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IT professionals do exactly the same thing.
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Users describe the symptoms, technicians identify costs.
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That mindset alone can dramatically improve your score.
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Let's simplify computers.
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Every computer performs four basic functions input, processing, storage, output.
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Think about a smoothie.
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The ingredients are the input, the blender processes, the picture stores it, and the glass is the output.
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Computers operate very similarly.
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You type on a keyboard, you click on a mouse, you use a microphone.
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Those are inputs.
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The CPU processes the information, RAM temporarily stores active work, the SSD permanently stores files, and the monitor displays the results.
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Once you understand the flow, computers become much easier to understand.
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Let's meet the major hardware components.
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First, the motherboard.
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Think of the motherboard as the city's highway system.
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Every component communicates through it.
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Without the motherboard, nothing works together.
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Next, the CPU.
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The CPU is the brain.
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Every calculation, every instruction, every click, the CPU processes it.
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Next, RAM.
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RAM is the temporary memory.
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Think of it as your desk.
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The larger your desk, the more projects you can work on simultaneously.
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When the power turns off, RAM forgets everything.
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That's why it's called volatile memory.
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Next, storage.
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Hard drives and SSDs permanently store data.
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This is your filing cabinet.
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Even after shutting down the computer, your files remain.
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Then we have the power supply.
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This job is simple.
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Convert AC electricity from the wall into DC electricity that computer components can use.
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Without clean, stable power, nothing functions reliably.
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Finally, output devices.
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Monitors, printers, speakers, these communicate information back to the user.
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One exam objective compares desktops and laptops.
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Desktop computers generally offer more performance, more upgrades, lower costs, better cooling.
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Laptops offer mobility, battery operation, integrated display, keyboard, smaller sizes.
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If someone says I travel every week, would you recommend a desktop?
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Probably not.
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Always match technology to the user's needs.
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Let's imagine your first day working at a help desk, a customer calls, my computer won't turn on.
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Many beginners immediately think the motherboard is dead.
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Not so fast.
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Experienced technicians ask questions.
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Is the power cable plugged in?
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Yeah, you may see that and say, wow, that's a dumb question to ask.
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But you have to ask.
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And that's how you do it.
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Right?
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It may be simply that it's unplugged.
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Is the outlet working?
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Are there lights?
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Any fan movement?
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Any beep codes?
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Was there a recent power outage?
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Troubleshooting means eliminating simple causes before assuming expensive failures.
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Comtia loves these questions.
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Always begin with the obvious.
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It's always do the simple stuff first and then start doing hard stuff.
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Exam tip never replace expensive parts first.
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Always verify power, connections, settings, cables, simple user mistakes.
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You'll be amazed how many broken computers simply have loose cables.
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Alright, let's practice.
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Question one.
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Which components performs calculations?
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A RAM, B, CPU, C, Power Supply, or D, SSD?
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I'll give you a few seconds to think about it.
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And the answer is B CPU.
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The CPU executes instructions and performs calculations.
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Question two, which storage loses data when the power turns off?
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A SSD.
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B hard drive, C, RAM, or D flash drive.
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I'll give you a couple of seconds to think about it.
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The answer is C RAM.
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RAM is volatile memory.
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Here's question three.
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Which component distributes communications between hardware devices?
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A motherboard.
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B monitor.
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C power supply.
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D keyboard.
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The answer is the motherboard.
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Every major component communicates through this.
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One mistake students make is that they read the textbook once.
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That's not enough.
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Here's a strategy I recommend.
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Day one, read the material.
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Day two, watch a video.
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Day three, explain it to someone else.
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Day four, answer practice questions.
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Day five, review your mistakes.
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And if you can teach a topic, you can understand it.
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If you only recognize it, you probably don't.
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One of my former students failed the A plus exam on the first attempt.
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It's not that he wasn't intelligent.
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He memorized every definition, but he couldn't troubleshoot.
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After changing his study strategy, he stopped asking, What is this component?
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Instead, he asked, What problems does this component solve?
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He passed both A plus exams.
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A few weeks after that, he landed his first help desk position.
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Today he's a system administrator.
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The lesson, don't memorize technology.
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You gotta understand it.
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Alright, so far we've learned why A matters, uh how employers use certifications, and how technicians think.
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These concepts are the foundations of everything else you learn throughout the Camtia A Plus certification.
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When you open up a desktop computer, the motherboard is the large printed circuit board mounted to the case.
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It contains thousands of tiny electrical pathways called traces that carry data and power between devices.
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Modern motherboards are designed for specific processors, memory types, and expansion technologies.
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That's why you can't simply install any CPU or any RAM into any motherboard.
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Compatibility matters.
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ComTia expects you to recognize common motherboard sizes.
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They're called form factors.
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The three you'll see most often are the ATX, the standard desktop size, multiple PCIe expansion slots, four or more RAM slots, or two or more RAM slots, because they don't have a lot nowadays, and plenty of room for upgrades.
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Micro ATX, smaller than eight ATX, fewer expansion slots, popular in office computers, and mini ITX, very compact, uses one PCIe slot, excellent for small form factor PCs and home theater systems.
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Here's an exam tip.
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If the question mentions a small computer with limited expansion, think mini ITX.
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If maximum expandability is required, think AT ATX.
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Or right.
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Alright, CPU, the central processing unit.
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Performance and execute instructions.
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Every time you open a browser, launch Microsoft Word, watch a YouTube video, or play a video game.
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The CPU processes millions or even billions of instructions every second.
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Modern processors contain billions of microscopic transistors.
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The more efficiently these transistors work together, the faster your computer performs.
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Compte frequently asks you about the CPU characteristics.
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Let's break them down.
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Clock speed.
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Clock speed is measured in gigahertz.
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This indicates how many cycles the processor performs each second.
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Generally, the higher the clock speed, the faster the processing.
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However, clock speed isn't everything.
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A new processor running at 3.2 GHz may outperform an older processor running at 4.0 gigahertz because of architectural improvements.
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Never compare CPUs using clock speed alone.
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Years ago, processors only have one core.
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Today, CPU commonly have dual chords, quad chords, six chords, eight, twelve, sixteen, or more.
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Each core can process instructions independently.
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Think of cores like workers in a warehouse.
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One worker can package boxes, eight workers can package many more simultaneously.
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That's why modern software performs better with multiple chords.
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Many processes support hyper threading or simultaneous multi-threading.
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One physical core appears as two logical processors.
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This allows the CPU to handle additional tasks more efficiently.
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On the exam, don't confuse cores with threads.
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One of the most important beginner mistakes is assuming every processor fits every motherboard.
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Not true.
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Processors require specific sockets.
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Examples include the Intel, they use LGA 1700 or the LGA 1851.
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AMD uses the AM4 and the AM5.
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If the socket doesn't match, the processor cannot be installed.
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Always verify compatibility before purchasing hardware.
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And that and the most important guide from that is your motherboard book.
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The motherboard guide.
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Your motherboard, everything comes off from the motherboard.
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Right?
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If it's compatible with the motherboard, then you can install it.
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The chipset acts like a traffic manager.
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It determines supported CPUs, memory compatibility, storage options, USB support, PCIe generation, expansion capabilities.
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A budget chipset may support fewer USB ports and limited overclocking.
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A premium chipset often supports faster storage, additional PCIe lanes, and advanced features.
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Cache memory is extremely fast memory located inside or very close to the CPU.
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Instead of retreating frequently used information from RAM repeatedly, the processor stores it in cache.
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Think of cache like keeping frequently used tools on your workbench rather than walking to the garage every time.
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There are several cache levels.
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L1 is the fastest and the smallest, L2 is larger, slightly slower, and L3, shared among CPU cores, is the largest.
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The closer the cache is to CPU core, the faster it operates.
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RAM temporarily stores programs and files that are actively being used.
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Imagine writing a research paper.
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The SSD stores the document permanently, you know, the hard drive, right?
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RAM stores the work while you're currently editing.
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Once the computer shuts down, RAM is erased.
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That's why RAM is called the volatile memory.
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Current recommendations are approximately 4 gigs for very basic web browsing, 8 gigs for entry-level office productivity, and 16 gigs for recommended for most users, 32 for gaming or gaming editing or virtual machines, and 64 gigs or more for more professional workloads.
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I have 128 gigs.
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Camtea doesn't expect exact numbers.
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Instead, understand how RAM affects performance.
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Modern systems primarily use DDR4 and DDR5.
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DDR4 offers higher speed, greater bandwidth, improved efficiency, low power consumptions.
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Remember, DDR4 and DDR5 are not interchangeable.
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The motherboard determines which memory type you must install.
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Doesn't matter that this is what you want.
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Oh, I want DDR5.
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If your motherboard only takes DDR4, guess what?
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You're getting DDR4.
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Or you're getting nothing.
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Or you get a new motherboard.
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Many motherboards support single channel, dual channel, quad channel.
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Dual channel memory improves performance by allowing the CPU to communicate with two memory modules simultaneously.
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If the motherboard manual recommends installing RAMs into slots A2 and B2, follow the manual.
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Improper installation may reduce performance.
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Every computer starts the same way.
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You press the power button, what happens first?
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The operating system?
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No.
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The firmware starts first.
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Older systems use BIOS, basic input and output systems.
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Modern computers use UEFI, unified extensible firmware interface.
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UEFI offers faster boot times, larger drive support, mouse interface, better security, secure boot, network capabilities, and COMPTIA strongly emphasizes UEFI.
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Post POST stands for power on self-test.
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Every time a computer starts, it checks CPU, RAM, keyboard, storage, video.
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If something fails, the motherboard may generate beep codes, LED indicators, diagnostic codes.
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Understanding posts help technicians troubleshoot systems that won't boot.
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The small coin cell battery on the motherboard powers CMOS memory.
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It stores date and time, BIOS settings, boot order.
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If the battery dies, symptoms include incorrect date, incorrect time, BIOS reset, boot configuration loss.
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Fortunately, replacing the battery is inexpensive.
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It's one of those batteries that your grandfather uses for his hearing aid.
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You buy it at CVS.
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Common BIOS settings include the boot order, enabling virtualization, enabling TPM, secure boot, CPU settings, memory settings, date and time.
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Never change bio settings unless you understand their purpose.
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A user reports, my computer keeps saying no boot device found.
00:19:12.400 --> 00:19:16.559
Many new technicians immediately assume the hard drive failed.
00:19:16.799 --> 00:19:19.279
But experienced technicians investigate.
00:19:19.519 --> 00:19:22.319
Questions include: Did someone replace hardware?
00:19:22.559 --> 00:19:23.839
Did the BIOS reset?
00:19:24.000 --> 00:19:25.119
Is the drive detected?
00:19:25.279 --> 00:19:26.880
Is the state of cable connected?
00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:29.039
Is the boot order correct?
00:19:29.599 --> 00:19:34.319
The issue could be as simple as the computer trying to boot from a USB flash drive.
00:19:34.559 --> 00:19:36.799
Always troubleshoot logically.
00:19:38.799 --> 00:19:40.400
Here's a quick knowledge check.
00:19:40.559 --> 00:19:41.119
Question one.
00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:45.039
Which component permanently stores BIOS settings?
00:19:45.759 --> 00:19:46.880
A SSD.
00:19:46.960 --> 00:19:50.720
B C MOS battery, C CPU, or D RAM?
00:19:51.440 --> 00:19:52.960
Give me a couple of seconds.
00:19:54.640 --> 00:19:57.200
The answer is B C MOS batteries.
00:19:58.160 --> 00:19:58.880
Question two.
00:19:59.279 --> 00:20:02.480
Which firmware replace BIOS on modern systems?
00:20:02.720 --> 00:20:04.000
A FAT32?
00:20:04.079 --> 00:20:05.119
B GPT?
00:20:05.839 --> 00:20:08.640
C U UEFI or D SATA?
00:20:10.000 --> 00:20:11.200
Give me a couple of seconds.
00:20:11.920 --> 00:20:13.759
The answer is UEFI.
00:20:14.640 --> 00:20:16.400
What does post do?
00:20:16.720 --> 00:20:18.319
A install Windows.
00:20:18.559 --> 00:20:20.480
B checks hardware during startup.
00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:24.400
C formats of SSD or D download drivers.
00:20:25.119 --> 00:20:26.559
Give me a couple of seconds.
00:20:27.440 --> 00:20:30.240
The answer is B checks hardware during startup.
00:20:31.359 --> 00:20:32.319
Question 4.
00:20:32.559 --> 00:20:36.000
Which memory loses its contact when the power is removed?
00:20:36.319 --> 00:20:41.039
A SSD B flash drive C RAM D optical disc.
00:20:41.839 --> 00:20:43.359
Give me a couple of seconds.
00:20:44.000 --> 00:20:45.759
The answer is C RAM.
00:20:47.359 --> 00:20:57.279
Alright, whenever you see a motherboard question, ask yourself Does this involve compatibility, power, memory, firmware, startup, expansion?
00:20:57.599 --> 00:21:01.839
ComTea questions usually revolve around solving one of these problems.
00:21:02.160 --> 00:21:07.279
Don't focus on memorizing dozens of model numbers.
00:21:07.440 --> 00:21:10.559
Focus on understanding what each component does.
00:21:15.519 --> 00:21:16.319
Storage.
00:21:16.559 --> 00:21:24.640
When you're installing Windows, replacing a failed hard drive, upgrading a laptop, recovering files, or troubleshooting a computer that won't boot.
00:21:24.880 --> 00:21:28.960
Understanding storage technologies is essential.
00:21:30.559 --> 00:21:31.839
Why storage matters?
00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:34.000
Imagine you buy a brand new computer.
00:21:34.160 --> 00:21:42.640
It has 32 gigs of RAM, a powerful CPU, and an excellent graphic card, but there is no storage device.
00:21:42.880 --> 00:21:43.599
What happens?
00:21:43.759 --> 00:21:44.400
Nothing.
00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:49.440
The computer has nowhere to store Windows, the application, your pictures, documents, videos.
00:21:49.759 --> 00:21:52.640
Storage is your computer's long term memory.
00:21:52.799 --> 00:21:57.599
Unlike RAM, storage keeps your information even after the power is turned off.
00:21:57.759 --> 00:21:59.759
That's why we call it non volatile storage.
00:22:00.160 --> 00:22:00.559
Storage.
00:22:00.960 --> 00:22:03.519
Let's start with traditional hard drives.
00:22:03.920 --> 00:22:07.759
HDD stores data on spinning magnetic platters.
00:22:08.000 --> 00:22:10.079
Imagine an old vinyl record.
00:22:10.240 --> 00:22:14.160
Now imagine several of those records stacked inside a sealed metal case.
00:22:14.400 --> 00:22:21.359
A tiny read-write head floats just above the platter, reading and writing magnetic data as the platter spin.
00:22:21.759 --> 00:22:29.920
Typical speeds include 5400 revolutions per minute, 7200 RPMs, and 10,000 RPMs.
00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:32.640
RPM stands for revolutions per minute.
00:22:32.799 --> 00:22:37.039
Generally, higher RPMs means faster access time.
00:22:37.200 --> 00:22:39.920
What are the advantages of our old hard drive?
00:22:40.160 --> 00:22:50.400
Hard drives are inexpensive, excellent for storing large amounts of data, great for backups, and common in servers and archival storage.
00:22:50.960 --> 00:22:56.559
A 4TB hard drive often costs less than a 4TB SSD drive.
00:22:56.799 --> 00:22:58.480
What are the disadvantages?
00:22:58.720 --> 00:23:06.880
Because hard drives contain moving parts, they are slower, they generate more heat, they use more power, they're more likely to be damaged if dropped.
00:23:07.039 --> 00:23:10.400
Mechanical failure is also more common over time.
00:23:11.039 --> 00:23:12.559
Solid state drives.
00:23:12.799 --> 00:23:14.880
Now let's compare that to SSDs.
00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:18.000
SSDs contain no moving parts.
00:23:18.240 --> 00:23:22.480
Instead of magnetic platters, SSD use flash memory chips.
00:23:22.720 --> 00:23:28.079
Think of them as a giant USB flash drives with much faster controllers.
00:23:28.319 --> 00:23:32.400
Because nothing moves, data is assessed almost instantly.
00:23:32.559 --> 00:23:38.240
Windows boots much faster, programs launch quicker, file transfers improve dramatically.
00:23:38.480 --> 00:23:43.839
Battery life often increases in laptops because SSD consumes less power.
00:23:44.799 --> 00:23:46.720
Suppose I ask you to retrieve a book.
00:23:46.880 --> 00:23:47.599
Scenario 1.
00:23:47.680 --> 00:23:48.880
The book is already on your desk.
00:23:49.039 --> 00:23:52.400
Scenario 2, the book is stored in a warehouse several miles away.
00:23:52.559 --> 00:23:53.599
Which one is faster?
00:23:53.759 --> 00:23:55.200
Well, the book on your desk.
00:23:55.359 --> 00:23:57.519
That's essentially what SSD does.
00:23:57.759 --> 00:24:01.920
Hard drive must physically move or read right head to the correct location.
00:24:02.240 --> 00:24:05.200
SSD simply access memory electronically.
00:24:05.359 --> 00:24:07.119
No waiting for spinning disk.
00:24:08.160 --> 00:24:10.799
Many SSDs connect using SATA.
00:24:11.039 --> 00:24:13.440
SATA stands for Serial ATA.
00:24:13.920 --> 00:24:18.079
SATA 3 supports approximately 6 GB per second.
00:24:18.319 --> 00:24:22.480
Real roll speeds are usually around 550 MB per second.
00:24:22.640 --> 00:24:30.079
Whatever you're using 2.5 inch SSD or 2.5 inch HDD, both typically connect using SATA.
00:24:30.640 --> 00:24:32.160
NVMe drives.
00:24:32.319 --> 00:24:36.000
Now we reach the fastest customer storage, NVMe.
00:24:36.240 --> 00:24:39.200
That stands for Non-Volatile Memory Express.
00:24:39.440 --> 00:24:45.119
Instead of communicating through SATA, NVMe communicates through PCI Express lanes.
00:24:45.440 --> 00:24:48.079
The results, much higher performance.
00:24:48.319 --> 00:24:58.079
Many NVMe drives exceed 30 35 uh 3,500 megabits per second, which is 35 gigs.
00:24:59.200 --> 00:25:02.720
High-end drives exceed 7,000 megabytes per second.
00:25:02.960 --> 00:25:06.559
That's over 10 times faster than many SATA SSD.
00:25:07.200 --> 00:25:11.279
M.2 is not NVMe, one of the biggest exam traps.
00:25:11.519 --> 00:25:15.119
Students often think M.2 means NVMe.
00:25:15.279 --> 00:25:16.319
Not necessarily.
00:25:16.640 --> 00:25:19.920
M.2 refers only to the physical connector.
00:25:20.160 --> 00:25:22.640
Some M.2 drives use the SATA.
00:25:22.799 --> 00:25:24.799
Others use NVMe.
00:25:25.039 --> 00:25:30.640
Yeah, some you could have an M.2 thing or slot or equipment.
00:25:30.799 --> 00:25:39.359
That's the your antenna for your for your wireless, your and your laptop, your NIC card.
00:25:39.920 --> 00:25:40.240
Right?
00:25:40.319 --> 00:25:43.599
It could be an N it could be M.2 chip.
00:25:43.920 --> 00:25:47.599
And it's your it's for your your wireless.
00:25:48.000 --> 00:25:49.359
Always read the specification.
00:25:49.599 --> 00:25:52.000
Comteer loves asking these questions.
00:25:52.880 --> 00:26:05.119
You can't encounter two and a half inch SSD, two and a half inch HTD, three and a half inch desktop, HTD, M.2, U.2 for primary for the enterprises.
00:26:05.359 --> 00:26:09.279
Knowing which system supports each form factor is important.
00:26:12.400 --> 00:26:20.000
Manufacturers measure storing using gigabytes, terabytes, sometimes petabytes in enterprise environments.
00:26:21.119 --> 00:26:27.279
Today it's common to see 5, 12 gigabytes SSD, 1TB, 2, 3, and 4.
00:26:27.519 --> 00:26:30.559
The right choice depends on the user's needs.
00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:32.640
Let's think like technicians.
00:26:32.799 --> 00:26:36.400
A gamer, recommend large NVMe SSD.
00:26:36.559 --> 00:26:41.599
A photographer, we recommend a large SSD plus backup storage.
00:26:41.839 --> 00:26:45.519
A business server, multiple SSD in RAID.
00:26:45.680 --> 00:26:49.920
A college student, perhaps a one terabyte SSD.
00:26:50.559 --> 00:26:58.480
Always recommend technology based on the customer's workflow.
00:27:00.240 --> 00:27:01.440
Partitions.
00:27:01.680 --> 00:27:05.680
Before Windows can use a new drive, it must be partitioned.
00:27:05.920 --> 00:27:09.920
Think of partition like dividing a large filing cabinet into separate drawers.
00:27:10.079 --> 00:27:15.680
One drawer might contain Windows, another stores backup, another contains recovery tools.
00:27:16.319 --> 00:27:23.039
Even though it's one physical drive, the operating system sees multiple logical drives.
00:27:23.599 --> 00:27:25.839
GPT versus MBR.
00:27:26.400 --> 00:27:31.119
Compte expects you to know two partition type styles.
00:27:32.000 --> 00:27:39.039
MBR, master boot record, older standard, supports up to two terabytes, four primary partitions.
00:27:39.200 --> 00:27:49.839
GPT, GUED partition table, modern standard, supports large drives, many partitions, and improved reliability.
00:27:50.079 --> 00:27:51.920
Works with UEFI.
00:27:52.079 --> 00:27:54.559
Whenever possible, choose GPT.
00:27:55.759 --> 00:27:56.559
File systems.
00:27:56.720 --> 00:27:59.920
File systems organize information on storage devices.
00:28:00.079 --> 00:28:03.440
Without one, the operating system cannot locate files.
00:28:03.599 --> 00:28:07.920
Common files include NTFS, FAT32, and XFAT.
00:28:08.319 --> 00:28:10.480
NTFS is Windows default.
00:28:10.559 --> 00:28:14.640
It supports permissions, encryptions, compressions, large files, and journaling.
00:28:16.640 --> 00:28:19.279
Most Windows installation uses NTFS.
00:28:19.680 --> 00:28:24.400
FAT32, it's older, highly compatible, works with many devices.
00:28:24.559 --> 00:28:28.319
However, the maximum file size is 4 gigs.
00:28:28.400 --> 00:28:33.440
That's why large videos often cannot be copied to FAT32 flash drives.
00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:37.519
You have to reformat the flash drive in order to be NTFS.
00:28:37.680 --> 00:28:47.599
XFAT, designed for flash storage, supports large files, compatible with Windows, Mac OS, many cameras, portable storage devices.
00:28:47.839 --> 00:28:50.640
Excellent choice for external drives.
00:28:51.440 --> 00:28:53.039
Then you have RAND, RAID.
00:28:53.279 --> 00:28:56.559
RAID stands for Redundant Array of Independent Disc.
00:28:56.880 --> 00:29:01.519
RAID combines multiple drives for performance, redundancy, or both.
00:29:01.759 --> 00:29:03.359
Let's review the common levels.
00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:06.000
RAID Zivil stripping, minimum two drives.
00:29:06.160 --> 00:29:07.839
Benefits, very fast.
00:29:08.079 --> 00:29:10.480
Drawback, no redundancy.
00:29:10.720 --> 00:29:13.680
If either drive fails, everything is lost.
00:29:14.000 --> 00:29:18.000
Never use RAID zeros for important data.
00:29:18.640 --> 00:29:20.400
RAID one, memoring.
00:29:22.400 --> 00:29:23.119
Mirroring.
00:29:23.279 --> 00:29:24.319
Minimum two drives.
00:29:24.480 --> 00:29:26.559
Each drive stores identical data.
00:29:26.799 --> 00:29:34.559
If one drive dies, the other one is the one that continues functioning.
00:29:35.279 --> 00:29:35.920
Right?
00:29:36.880 --> 00:29:40.559
Excellent for reliability.
00:29:44.400 --> 00:29:52.240
Requires three or more drives, provide parity, fault tolerance, good storage efficiency, very common in business environments.
00:29:52.559 --> 00:29:55.759
Rate 10 combines rate one and rate zero.
00:29:55.920 --> 00:29:58.160
Excellent speed, excellent redundancy.
00:29:58.319 --> 00:30:03.359
Requires four hard drives minimum, often used for critical business.
00:30:04.000 --> 00:30:05.039
Backups.
00:30:05.519 --> 00:30:07.119
Here's an important lesson.
00:30:07.440 --> 00:30:09.759
RAID is not backup.
00:30:10.000 --> 00:30:10.880
Say it again.
00:30:11.119 --> 00:30:12.960
RAID is not backup.
00:30:13.440 --> 00:30:18.319
If ransomware encrypts every file, RAID faithfully copies the encrypted files.
00:30:18.559 --> 00:30:22.960
If someone accidentally deletes a folder, RAID mirrors the deletion.
00:30:23.200 --> 00:30:25.039
You still need backup.
00:30:25.599 --> 00:30:29.440
A very popular backup strategy is the 321 rule.
00:30:29.680 --> 00:30:36.559
You keep three copies of your data stored on two different types of media with one copy stored off site.
00:30:36.880 --> 00:30:40.720
Example, original computer, external drive, cloud backup.
00:30:40.880 --> 00:30:43.839
Simple, efficient, highly recommended.
00:30:53.200 --> 00:31:00.799
Possible causes, low storage space, failing HTD, background processes, fragmented hard drive.
00:31:03.039 --> 00:31:04.799
I'm malware, old hardware.
00:31:04.960 --> 00:31:08.400
A third user reports the BIOS doesn't detect my SSD.
00:31:08.640 --> 00:31:16.799
Possible causes, loose SATA cable, par cable disconnected, incorrect BIOS, try failure, and motherboard issues.
00:31:19.680 --> 00:31:22.160
Always troubleshoot logically.
00:31:22.880 --> 00:31:24.640
Let's do a quick knowledge check.
00:31:24.880 --> 00:31:26.960
Which storage device has no moving parts?
00:31:27.119 --> 00:31:32.720
A DVD B H D C SSD or D Blu-ray?
00:31:33.680 --> 00:31:35.119
Give it a couple of seconds.
00:31:37.039 --> 00:31:38.480
The answer is SSD.
00:31:38.799 --> 00:31:40.319
C SSD, right?
00:31:40.720 --> 00:31:43.759
Question two, which ray level provides mirroring?
00:31:44.000 --> 00:31:48.319
A RAID 0, B RAID 1, C RAID 5, D RAID 10.
00:31:49.039 --> 00:31:50.559
Give it a couple of seconds.
00:31:52.480 --> 00:31:54.160
The answer is RAID 1.
00:31:54.400 --> 00:31:55.119
Question 3.
00:31:55.279 --> 00:31:59.039
Which partition style supports modeling UEFI systems?
00:31:59.279 --> 00:32:04.240
A FAT32 B NTFS C GPT or DMBR?
00:32:04.960 --> 00:32:06.319
Give me a couple of seconds.
00:32:06.960 --> 00:32:08.400
The answer is GPT.
00:32:09.279 --> 00:32:13.119
Which file systems limit files to approximately 4 gigs?
00:32:13.440 --> 00:32:18.400
A NTFS, B FAT32, C GPT, or D RAID?
00:32:19.119 --> 00:32:20.720
I'll give you a couple of seconds.
00:32:21.359 --> 00:32:23.200
The answer is FAT32.
00:32:23.440 --> 00:32:24.319
True or false?
00:32:24.480 --> 00:32:26.319
RAID replaces backups.
00:32:27.759 --> 00:32:28.400
False.
00:32:28.559 --> 00:32:35.599
RAID improves availability but does not protect against accidental deletion, malware, corruption, or ransomware.
00:32:35.920 --> 00:32:43.759
Whenever you see a storage question, ask yourself is this about performance, reliability, capacity, compatibility, or recovery?
00:32:44.079 --> 00:32:47.359
Most comp tier questions fall into one of those categories.
00:32:47.599 --> 00:32:54.480
If you understand the purpose of the technology, not just its name, you'd be much more confident on exam days.
00:33:00.319 --> 00:33:01.119
Alright.
00:33:02.079 --> 00:33:04.880
That's gonna do it for today's episode, right?
00:33:05.039 --> 00:33:08.880
We learned we covered a lot of stuff.
00:33:09.359 --> 00:33:16.640
So if you if today's episode helped you, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone beginning their IT journey.
00:33:17.039 --> 00:33:30.160
For more study tools, including my Comtia A Plus exam success, practice questions, exam strategies, and detailed study guide, visit my link tree, my profile.
00:33:30.400 --> 00:33:36.079
I also have my book, Comtia A Plus Study Guide, which is also my link tree.
00:33:36.319 --> 00:33:43.359
Please follow me on TikTok, I'm at Professor J Rod, and on Instagram at Professor J Rod.
00:33:43.680 --> 00:33:46.960
I have a Comtea question of the day every day.
00:33:47.680 --> 00:33:49.519
So you can see me there.
00:33:49.839 --> 00:33:56.720
Until next time, keep learning, keep troubleshooting, and keep tapping into technology.
00:33:56.880 --> 00:33:58.319
I'm Professor J Rod.
00:33:58.880 --> 00:34:00.799
This has been Technology Tap.
00:34:01.200 --> 00:34:03.359
I'll see you next week for part two.
00:34:06.799 --> 00:34:11.840
This has been a presentation of Little Cha Cha Productions, Art by Sarah, music by Joe Kim.
00:34:12.000 --> 00:34:15.280
We're not part of the Pod Match Network.
00:34:15.599 --> 00:34:20.639
You can follow me at TikTok at Professor J Rod at JROD.
00:34:20.960 --> 00:34:26.159
Or you can email me at Professor Jrodj R O D at Gmail dot com.