CompTIA A+ (220-1201/1202) Video Training

Product Overview

TotalVideo for CompTIA A+ stars Mike Meyers, the Alpha Geek, alongside Dakota Snow. Together they deliver 30+ hours of intense training covering both exams you need: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202).

Total Seminars filmed this course in an episodic format designed to optimize your learning. First, you cover safety, professionalism, and what is inside the computer. Then you move through storage, operating systems, and the command line. After that, you tackle displays, networking, virtualization, cloud, and artificial intelligence.

Finally, you finish with mobile devices, printers, security, and operational procedures. Substantive technical content sits alongside laugh-out-loud segments, so a long study block never drags. As a result, this A+ series takes you on a great ride as you prepare. Start building the IT support skills employers need today.

• Applies to both CompTIA A+ exams: Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202)
• Includes 30+ hours of expert video training
• Covers 30 chapters and 241 video lessons, including a free preview section of 8 lessons
• Covers artificial intelligence alongside virtualization and cloud computing
• Single-user license — access via the Total Seminars Training Hub
• Compatible with all devices and browsers — no special software required

Certification Alignment

CompTIA A+ requires you to pass two separate exams. This course maps directly to the official domains of both.

Core 1 (220-1201)

• Mobile Devices (13%) — hardware, accessories, connectivity, and mobile device management
• Networking (23%) — ports and protocols, wireless standards, hardware, and SOHO configuration
• Hardware (25%) — cables, RAM, storage, motherboards, CPUs, power, and printers
• Virtualization and Cloud Computing (11%) — hypervisors, virtual machines, and cloud models
• Hardware and Network Troubleshooting (28%) — diagnosing hardware, displays, mobile, network, and printer faults

Core 2 (220-1202)

• Operating Systems (28%) — Windows, macOS, Linux, command line, and installation
• Security (28%) — malware, social engineering, authentication, and workstation hardening
• Software Troubleshooting (23%) — operating system, application, and malware removal scenarios
• Operational Procedures (21%) — safety, documentation, change management, and professionalism

220-1201 and 220-1202 are the current A+ exam versions. Notably, Troubleshooting carries the heaviest weight in Core 1, while Operating Systems and Security together make up more than half of Core 2.

Career Impact

A+ is the recognized starting point for a career in IT support. Therefore, it is the credential hiring managers look for first on an entry-level resume.

• Prepares you for roles such as IT Support Specialist, Help Desk Technician, and Field Service Technician
• Also fits Desktop Support Analyst and Technical Support Specialist positions
• Meets the U.S. Department of Defense 8140/8570 baseline requirement for several IT support roles
• Leads naturally to CompTIA Network+ and Security+ as your next certifications

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, you can do the following.

• Work safely and professionally, and apply a structured troubleshooting methodology.
• Identify, install, and upgrade CPUs, RAM, motherboards, power supplies, and storage.
• Install, maintain, and optimize Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.
• Manage users, groups, and permissions, and work confidently at the command line.
• Configure wired and wireless networks, and troubleshoot connectivity problems.
• Apply virtualization, cloud, and artificial intelligence concepts in a support role.
• Secure endpoints and mobile devices, and follow documented operational procedures.

Prerequisites

You need no prior certification to start. CompTIA recommends about 12 months of hands-on experience in an IT support role, though that is not a formal requirement. This course builds from foundational concepts, so beginners can follow it.

This course suits career changers entering IT support, help desk staff who want to certify what they already do, and students building a first technology credential. Before you begin, get comfortable using a computer day to day. Everything else is taught from the ground up.

About the Experts

Course Outline

This course runs 30 chapters and 241 video lessons, including a free preview section of 8 lessons. Together, they cover the official domains of both A+ exams. The chapters below appear in eight groups.

Getting Started, Safety, and Computer Basics

First, watch the free preview lessons to see how the course works. Then you cover workplace safety, professionalism, and how computers and operating systems fit together.

Getting Started (Free Preview) — 8 lessons

• Promo
• Introduction to A+
• What is the CompTIA A+?
• Why Get CompTIA A+ Certified?
• How to Take the A+ Exam
• What’s on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 (220-1201) Exam?
• What’s on the CompTIA A+ Core 2 (220-1202) Exam?
• How to Pass the CompTIA A+ Exams

Chapter 1: Safety and Professionalism — 6 lessons

• Professional Communication, Part 1
• Professional Communication, Part 2
• Dealing with Difficult Customers
• Physical Safety
• Tools of the Trade
• Troubleshooting Theory

Chapter 2: Introduction to Computers and Operating Systems — 12 lessons

• Primary PC Components
• Common Safety Procedures
• Touring a PC
• What is a Computer?
• What is an Operating System?
• Users and Super Users
• Why Windows?
• Touring Windows 10 and 11
• Touring the macOS, Part 1
• Touring the macOS, Part 2
• Touring the macOS, Part 3
• Touring Linux

Inside the PC: CPUs, RAM, Firmware, and Power

Next, you open the case. These chapters work through processors, memory, BIOS and UEFI, motherboards, and power supplies.

Chapter 3: CPUs — 7 lessons

• What is a CPU?
• Modern CPUs
• 32-Bit vs. 64-Bit Processing
• Choosing the Right CPU
• CPU Generations and Architecture
• CPU Cooling
• Installing and Troubleshooting a CPU

Chapter 4: RAM — 5 lessons

• RAM Technology
• RAM Capacity
• RAM Features
• Virtual Memory
• Installing and Troubleshooting RAM

Chapter 5: BIOS and UEFI — 4 lessons

• What is BIOS?
• POST
• System Setup
• Troubleshooting Firmware

Chapter 6: Motherboards — 4 lessons

• Form Factors
• Chipsets
• Choosing the Right Motherboard
• Installing and Troubleshooting a Motherboard

Chapter 7: Power Supplies — 5 lessons

• The Power Supply
• Choosing a Power Supply
• Power Protection
• Cooling Your System
• Installing and Troubleshooting a PSU

Storage and Essential Peripherals

After that, you handle the drives and devices users touch every day. You cover mass storage technologies, how to implement them, and essential peripherals.

Chapter 8: Mass Storage Technologies — 5 lessons

• Introduction to Mass Storage
• Magnetic Disk Drives
• Solid-State Drives (SSDs)
• SCSI
• Boot Order

Chapter 9: Implementing Mass Storage — 14 lessons

• Understanding Partitioning
• MBR Partitioning
• GPT Partitioning
• Understanding File Systems
• Popular File Systems
• Formatting in Action
• Dynamic Disks
• New Installation – First Drive
• RAID
• Hardware RAID
• Software RAID in Storage Spaces
• Encrypting Mass Storage
• Maintaining Storage Disks
• Mass Storage Troubleshooting

Chapter 10: Essential Peripherals — 9 lessons

• USB Standards
• Understanding USB
• Configuring USB
• Thunder and Lighting
• Optical Media
• Readers and Scanners
• Common Peripherals
• Webcams and Videoconferencing
• Installing and Troubleshooting Expansion Cards

Operating Systems, Users, and the Command Line

Software is half of A+. So these chapters install and maintain operating systems, manage users and permissions, and get you comfortable at the command line.

Chapter 11: Installing and Upgrading Operating Systems — 7 lessons

• Windows 11 Editions and Features
• Boot from Everything
• Installing and Upgrading Windows
• Post-Installation Tasks
• Linux Features and Tools
• Installing and Upgrading Linux
• Upgrading macOS

Chapter 12: Working with Operating Systems — 6 lessons

• The Task Manager
• The Control Panel
• Windows Settings
• MMC and Additional Tools
• What Is the Registry?
• macOS Core Tools

Chapter 13: Users, Groups, & Permissions — 7 lessons

• Introduction to Users and Groups
• Managing Users and Groups
• NTFS Permissions
• Linux and macOS Permissions
• File Explorer
• Sharing Resources
• Security Policies

Chapter 14: Maintaining and Optimizing Operating Systems — 6 lessons

• Maintaining Windows
• Maintaining macOS
• Maintaining Linux
• Working with Applications
• Backing Up Your Data in Windows
• Backing Up Your Data in Linux and macOS

Chapter 15: Working with the Command-Line Interface — 13 lessons

• Understanding the CLI
• Navigating the CLI
• Working with Folders
• Working with Files
• Working with Drives
• Super Copy Commands
• Command-Line Permissions
• Advanced Windows Commands
• Advanced Linux Commands, Part 1
• Advanced Linux Commands, Part 2
• Introduction to Scripting
• Interpreted Languages
• Scripting and the Terminal

Chapter 16: Troubleshooting Systems — 6 lessons

• Windows Recovery Environment
• Advanced Windows Startup Options
• Troubleshooting Boot Problems
• Troubleshooting at the GUI
• Troubleshooting Applications
• Kernel Panic

Displays and Network Fundamentals

Then you move outward from the box. You cover display technologies, the essentials of networking, and TCP/IP basics.

Chapter 17: Display Technologies — 8 lessons

• Monitor Technologies
• LCD Breakdown
• Graphics Cards and Connections
• Resolutions and Aspect Ratios
• Installing a Graphics Card
• Multiple Monitors
• Projectors
• Troubleshooting Display Technologies

Chapter 18: Essentials of Networking — 8 lessons

• Introduction to Networking
• Hubs vs. Switches
• Hexadecimal
• WANs and Routers
• Cables and Connectors
• Crimping Cables
• Structured Cabling
• Network Card Troubleshooting

Chapter 19: TCP/IP Basics — 9 lessons

• Introduction to TCP/IP
• Network IDs and Subnet Masks
• Special IP Addresses
• Network Address Translation (NAT)
• Dynamic IP Addressing
• IPv6
• Port Numbers
• TCP, UDP, and ICMP
• Working with Connections

Networking in Practice

Next comes the networking a technician actually does. These chapters cover OS networking and troubleshooting, wireless, and internet and SOHO setups.

Chapter 20: Operating System Networking and Network Troubleshooting — 15 lessons

• Understanding DNS
• Working with DNS
• Windows Naming
• Working with Workgroups
• Working with Active Directory
• Windows Sharing with Mac and Linux
• The net Command
• Routers
• Basic Router Configuration
• Firewall Configuration
• Windows Firewall
• Port Forwarding
• Advanced Router Configuration
• VLANs
• Network Troubleshooting

Chapter 21: Wireless Networking — 9 lessons

• Wireless Network Hardware
• Wi-Fi Standards
• Basic WAP Setup
• Wireless Encryption
• Connecting to a Wi-Fi Network
• It’s a Huge Mesh
• Enterprise Wireless
• Beyond Wi-Fi
• Troubleshooting Wireless Connections

Chapter 22: Internet and SOHO Networking — 14 lessons

• Beyond the LAN
• Internet Tiers
• Broadband Connections
• Firewalls and Servers
• Telnet and SSH
• Remote Desktop Connections
• The World Wide Web
• File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
• E-Mail
• Proxy Servers
• Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)
• Internet of Things (IoT)
• Troubleshooting Internet Connections
• Browser Security

Virtualization, Cloud, AI, and Mobile Devices

Modern support work reaches well beyond the desktop. Therefore you cover virtualization, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, portable computing, and mobile devices.

Chapter 23: Virtualization, Cloud Computing, and AI — 10 lessons

• Understanding Virtualization
• Your First Virtual Machine
• Advanced Virtualization Setup
• Cloud Computing
• Cloud Ownership
• Cloud-Based Applications
• Application Integration
• AI Policies and Procedures
• Limitations
• Private vs. Public

Chapter 24: Portable Computing — 6 lessons

• Laptop Features
• Laptop Hardware Troubleshooting – The Tools
• Laptop Hardware – Core Hardware
• Laptop Hardware – CPU and Motherboard
• Touring Your Laptop Display
• Power Management

Chapter 25: Mobile Devices — 5 lessons

• What is a Mobile Device?
• Mobile Connections
• Touring Android
• Touring iOS
• Virtual Reality

Chapter 26: Maintaining and Securing Mobile Devices — 6 lessons

• Maintaining Mobile Devices
• Mobile Devices and E-mail
• Mobile Synchronization
• Mobile Device Security
• Mobile Security Troubleshooting
• Mobile Device Troubleshooting

Printers, Security, and Operational Procedures

Finally, you finish with printers and multifunction devices. The course closes with essential security practices, endpoint hardening, and operational procedures.

Chapter 27: Printers and Multifunction Devices — 9 lessons

• Laser Printers
• Inkjet Printers
• Impact Printers
• Thermal Printers
• Installing a Local Printer
• Sharing Printers
• Installing Wireless and Cloud Printers
• Troubleshooting Printers
• 3D Printing

Chapter 28: Essential Security Practices — 5 lessons

• Threats
• Dealing with Threats
• Physical Security
• Passwords and Authentication
• Multifactor Authentication (MFA)

Chapter 29: Securing Endpoint Systems — 7 lessons

• Malware, Part 1
• Malware,Part 2
• Anti-Malware
• Social Engineering
• Licensing
• Incident Response
• Environmental Controls

Chapter 30: Operational Procedures — 6 lessons

• Documents You Need to Know
• Data You Need to Know
• Change Management
• The Zen of Backup
• Recycling and Data Destruction
• Ticketing Systems

Frequently Asked Questions

What is included in the CompTIA A+ (220-1201/1202) course?

This course includes 30+ hours of expert video training across 30 chapters and 241 lessons, including a free preview section of 8 lessons. It covers both Core 1 and Core 2 exams. All content lives in the Total Seminars Training Hub.

Do I need to pass two exams to get A+ certified?

Yes. CompTIA A+ requires both Core 1 (220-1201) and Core 2 (220-1202). Each exam has a maximum of 90 questions and lasts 90 minutes. Core 1 passes at 675 and Core 2 at 700.

How long do I have access to the course?

You have one year of access from the date of purchase.

What devices can I use to access the training?

Compatible with all devices and browsers — no special software required. In other words, you can watch on a laptop, tablet, or phone.

Is this course aligned to the latest CompTIA A+ exam version?

Yes. This course aligns to the current 220-1201 and 220-1202 objectives. It also covers the artificial intelligence content that is new to this A+ release.

Do I need prior IT experience?

No. CompTIA recommends about 12 months of hands-on IT support experience, but it is not required. The course builds from foundational concepts, so beginners can follow it.

Can I use this course for classroom or multi-user training?

Single-user licenses cover individual use only. Therefore, they are not valid for classroom instruction. For volume licensing, call 877-687-2768 for discounted multi-user pricing.

What happens after I purchase?

You’ll receive an order confirmation email immediately. A second email then arrives with your Total Seminars Training Hub login. Most customers get access within minutes. If nothing arrives within 30 minutes, check your spam folder or contact support@totalsem.com.

Educators

Please call 877-687-2768 for discounted multi-user pricing. Single-user licenses are not valid for classroom use.

Order Process

After completing your purchase, you will receive:

• E-mail message confirming the order
• A second email with your login credentials for the Total Seminars Training Hub. You have one year of access from the date of purchase. Log in at hub.totalsem.com on any device — no download required. If nothing arrives within 30 minutes, check your spam folder or contact support@totalsem.com.