CompTIA A+ Operational Procedures Summary

Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is a sudden spark of static electricity that can damage computer parts, even when you cannot feel it. An ESD wrist strap connected to ground keeps you at the same charge as the computer so no spark jumps to the parts.

Wrong choices

• A magnetic screwdriver: Magnets do not protect against static electricity.
• Rubber-soled shoes on a carpet: Walking on carpet can build up static, and rubber soles do not drain it away.
• A wool sweater: Wool can build up static charge, which makes the problem worse.

Shutting down and unplugging the PC removes power from the parts. That protects the technician from shock and the parts from damage. Many power supplies keep a small standby power on the motherboard even when off, so unplugging matters.

Wrong choices

• Turn off only the monitor: Turning off the monitor leaves the computer itself powered.
• Put it in sleep mode: A PC in sleep mode still has power inside it.
• Leave it plugged in and running to save time: Working inside a running PC risks electric shock and damage to parts.

A safety data sheet (SDS) explains a product's hazards, how to handle and store it, how to clean up spills, how to dispose of it, and what first aid to give. Manufacturers provide one for products like toner.

Wrong choices

• The change management request: A change request plans system changes. It does not cover chemical safety.
• The end-user license agreement (EULA): A EULA covers software license terms, not chemical safety.
• The help desk ticket: A ticket records the problem and the work done. It does not give chemical safety steps.

Class C extinguishers are rated for electrical fires and do not conduct electricity. Many offices use multipurpose ABC extinguishers, which also cover Class C. Never use water on an electrical fire.

Wrong choices

• Class K: Class K extinguishers are for kitchen cooking oil and grease fires.
• Class A: Class A extinguishers are for ordinary materials such as paper and wood. Some use water, which conducts electricity.
• A water extinguisher: Water conducts electricity and can cause a serious shock on an electrical fire.

PowerShell scripts use the .ps1 extension. Other common script types are .bat for Windows batch files, .sh for Linux shell scripts, .py for Python, .js for JavaScript, and .vbs for VBScript.

Wrong choices

• .py: .py is a Python script.
• .bat: .bat is a Windows batch file, an older type of script that runs in the command prompt.
• .sh: .sh is a Linux or macOS shell script.

A UPS (uninterruptible power supply) has a battery that takes over when the wall power fails. It gives equipment time to keep running briefly or shut down safely. Many UPS units also protect against surges.

Wrong choices

• A surge suppressor: A surge suppressor blocks power spikes, but it has no battery to keep equipment running during an outage.
• An extension cord: An extension cord only carries power from an outlet. It does nothing during an outage.
• A power strip: A power strip only adds outlets. It does not supply power during an outage.

Letting the customer explain without interruption shows respect and gets the full story. Repeating the problem back confirms you understood it correctly. Then you can set clear expectations about what happens next.

Wrong choices

• Use detailed technical terms to show expertise: Jargon can confuse the customer. Plain language works better.
• Explain that the customer probably caused the problem: Blaming the customer makes them more upset and does not solve anything.
• Put the customer on hold to take a personal call: Taking personal calls while helping a customer is unprofessional.

A differential backup copies everything that changed since the last full backup. Each one grows larger over the week, but a restore is simple: the full backup plus the most recent differential.

Wrong choices

• Full: A full backup copies everything, not just the changes.
• Synthetic full: A synthetic full is built by combining earlier backups into a new full backup. It is not a backup of changes.
• Incremental: An incremental backup copies only changes since the last backup of any kind, so a restore needs every incremental since the full.

Work through the restore in order:

1. Restore Sunday's full backup.
2. Apply Monday's incremental, then Tuesday's, then Wednesday's.
3. Apply Thursday's incremental last.

Each incremental holds only the changes since the backup before it, so every one is needed.

Wrong choices

• Sunday's full backup plus only Thursday's incremental: Each incremental holds only one day's changes, so skipping Monday to Wednesday would lose those days.
• Only Sunday's full backup: The full backup alone would lose all the changes made Monday to Thursday.
• Only Thursday's incremental backup: Thursday's incremental holds only Thursday's changes.

The 3-2-1 rule is a simple guide for safe backups: keep three copies of important data, store them on two different types of media, and keep one copy off-site. An off-site copy protects against fire, theft, or ransomware at the main location.

Wrong choices

• Three backups a day, two each week, and one each month: The rule is about copies, media types, and location, not backup times.
• Three passwords, two factors, and one administrator: That mixes up sign-in ideas. The 3-2-1 rule is about backups.
• Three servers, two firewalls, and one backup: The rule describes backup copies, not network equipment.