After completing A+ Certification: Connecting Peripherals, the user should be able to:
 

	List the types and uses of expansion slots
	Explain parallel ports and their uses
	Describe serial ports and their uses
	Troubleshoot port problems
	Discuss power supplies and power supply protection
	Troubleshoot common peripheral problems

Expansion Slots
 

	Identifying types of expansion slots
	Local bus slots
	PCMCIA slots

Parallel Ports
 

	Parallel port applications
	The Centronics standard
	Parallel printer interface

Serial Ports
 

	Serial port applications
	Serial interface ICs
	RS232C standard
	DOS serial port assignments
	Universal Serial Bus (USB)

Troubleshooting Port Problems
 

	Common port problems
	Port problem symptoms
	Port hardware checks
	DOS checks
	Windows 3.x checks
	Windows 95 checks

Power Supplies
 

	Power supply units
	Power-line protection

Troubleshooting Peripherals
 

	Troubleshooting keyboard problems
	Troubleshooting mouse problems
	Troubleshooting light pen problems

This course is distributed with:
 

	Exercises that allow users to practice hardware and software maintenance and repair
	A file containing the text of the exercises
	A glossary of computer maintenance, repair, and software terms