CompTIA IT Fundamentals+

(Exam FC0-U61)
A 5-day Training Course

Copyright © 2018 CompTIA, Inc. All rights reserved. Screenshots used for illustrative purposes are the property of the software proprietor. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in
any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission CompTIA, 3500 Lacey Road, Suite 100, Downers Grove, IL 60515-5439. CompTIA® and the CompTIA logo are registered trademarks of CompTIA, Inc., in
the U.S. and other countries. All other product and service names used may be common law or registered trademarks of their respective proprietors.
 What is CompTIA IT Fundamentals+?
“The CompTIA IT Fundamentals+ exam will certify the successful candidate has
the knowledge and skills required to identify and explain the basics of computing,
IT infrastructure, software development and database use. In addition, candidates
will demonstrate their knowledge to install software, establish basic network
connectivity and identify/prevent basic security risks. Further, this exam will
assess the candidate’s knowledge in the areas of troubleshooting theory and
preventative maintenance of devices. This exam is intended for candidates who
are advanced end users, are considering a career in IT, and are interested in
pursuing professional-level certifications, such as A+.”
• International, vendor-neutral certification that is taught at colleges, universities
and commercial training centers around the world
• Recognized by the technology community as a valuable credential that proves
foundation-level competency with PC support
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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Objectives
• Set up a computer workstation and use basic
software applications
• Explain the functions and types of devices
used within a computer system
• Apply basic computer maintenance and
support principles
• Describe some principles of software and
database development
• Configure computers and mobile devices to
connect to home networks and to the Internet
• Identify security issues affecting the use of
computers and networks
Image by racorn © 123rf.com

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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Exam Format
•Exam code: FC0-U61
•Up to 75 questions in 60 minutes
•Passing score: 650 on a scale 100-900
Domain % of Exam
1.0 IT Concepts and Terminology 17%
2.0 Infrastructure 22%
3.0 Applications and Software 18%
4.0 Software Development 12%
5.0 Database Fundamentals 11%
6.0 Security 20%
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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Introducing Yourself
•Name / company
•Job function
•Type and amount of experience
•Expectations and objectives

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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
(Exam FC0-U61)
Module 1 / Unit 1 / Common Computing Devices

Copyright © 2018 CompTIA, Inc. All rights reserved. Screenshots used for illustrative purposes are the property of the software proprietor. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in
any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission CompTIA, 3500 Lacey Road, Suite 100, Downers Grove, IL 60515-5439. CompTIA® and the CompTIA logo are registered trademarks of CompTIA, Inc., in
the U.S. and other countries. All other product and service names used may be common law or registered trademarks of their respective proprietors.
 Objectives
•Describe the basics of how
a computer processes data
•Describe the functions and
capabilities of types of
computing devices, such as
PCs, servers, mobiles, and
home automation
Image by racorn © 123rf.com

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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Information Technology
• System to process, store, and transfer information
• Words, numbers, pictures, sound, or video can all be
represented as digital data—as strings of ones and zeroes
• IT systems to process data includes computers,
telecommunications networks, and any other programmable
electronic device
• The Information Age—data processing is critical to prospects
in most industries
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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Computer Hardware and Software
•Hardware
o Components within the system case
o Peripheral devices

•Software
o Operating System (OS)

o Applications/apps

•User interfaces
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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Basics of Computing and Processing
• User selects a command or inputs data
o Command or data is converted into simple instructions by the applications software and OS
o Instructions are stored in system memory—Random Access Memory (RAM)
• Central Processing Unit (CPU) retrieves each instruction or data file from
memory and processes it
• CPU then writes the result back to memory and directs other components to
perform actions
• Digital data is binary (1s and 0s)
• Transistors in CPU and RAM can have on or off states that represent 1 or 0

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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Input, Output, Processing, and Storage
• Input
o Peripheral devices
o Mice, keyboards, scanners, cameras, and microphones
• Processing
o Memory
o CPU
o Software instructions
• Output
o Peripheral devices
o Monitor or loudspeaker system
• Storage
o Hard disks or optical discs (media that does not need a power supply to store data persistently)
• Networks
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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Personal Computers
• IT in business started with mainframe computers in the 1960s and 1970s
o Very large (based on racks of circuit boards)
o No 1:1 interface with users
• Personal Computer revolution of the 1980s
o Microprocessors (“computer on a chip”) allowed smaller computers that could be operated directly by the user
o IBM PC
o Intel CPU
o Windows OS
• Internet revolution of the 1990s and 21st century
o Laptops
o Tablets
o Smartphones
o Internet of Things (IoT)

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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Desktop and Workstation Computers
• Computer case with
peripheral devices
• Easy to modify and upgrade
o CPU speed
o Memory capacity
o Disk storage capacity
o Optional components
o Ergonomics

• All-in-One PCs
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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Servers
•Server can mean any computer providing services
•Server-class hardware supports many users and is
very reliable
•Redundancy and fault tolerance
•Rack-mounted form factors

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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Laptops
• Self-contained units
• Integrated input (keyboard and touchpad)
and output (screen and speakers)
• Size and weight
• Display type
• Input devices
• Power source
• Components
• Networking

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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 PC and Laptop Vendors
• Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM)
• PCs and laptops
o Dell, Hewlett-Packard (HP)/Compaq, Lenovo (previously IBM's PC division), Acer, and
Huawei
• Laptops and hybrids
o Samsung, Sony, Toshiba, and Asus
• Apple
• Chromebooks
• Servers
o Dell, HP Enterprise (HPE), and Lenovo
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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Smartphones and Tablets
• Handheld computers
o Derived from early Personal Data Assistants (PDA) and
“feature phone” cell phones
o Input via touchscreens
o Solid state storage
• Different formats and sizes
o Smartphone (4.5-5.7”)
o Phablet (5-7”)
o Tablet (7-10”)
o Hybrid laptop/tablets
• Vendors
o Smartphone market is dominated by Apple and Samsung
o LG, HTC, Huawei, Motorola/Lenovo, Microsoft, Nokia,
Sony, and Amazon

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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 The Internet of Things (IoT)
• Home automation
o Hub with voice control
o IoT wireless (Z-Wave, ZigBee, or Bluetooth LE)
o Thermostats
o Security systems
o IP cameras
o Home appliances
o Streaming media

• Modern cars and drones

• Medical devices
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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Gaming Consoles
• Same sort of components as a computer
• Gaming pads
• Vendors
o Sony (PlayStation)
o Microsoft (Xbox)
o Nintendo (Wii and Switch)

• Handheld consoles
o Nintendo 3DS and Switch
o Sony Vita
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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+
 Review
Image by Wavebreak Media © 123rf.com

• Describe the basics of

how a computer
processes data
• Describe the functions
and capabilities of types
of computing devices,
such as PCs, servers,
mobiles, and home
automation
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CompTIA IT Fundamentals+