Rating: 
Summary: Have a seperate reference handy!
Review: The A+ certification book started out well, but when you get to the test prep questions, the answers are blatantly wrong on occasion. These editing errors really had me worried about taking the test with this book. The CD-ROM included the same errors, as well as others. I had to revert to a full blown computer book to verify the right answers. All in all...he targeted the laymen well and explained things somewhat confusingly. I would have spent more on a better book.
Rating:
Summary: Not the book to use
Review: I passed and am in the middle of my MCSE. ALL my instructors put down this book. The book is a light book, maybe for passing the test. But good luck when you get a job. Some mistakes, and very light on the DOS/ Windows portions. The only positive reason to buy this one is the flash cards and the quick review on the inside covers.
Rating: 
Summary: Good choice!
Review: This book helped me prepare for and PASS the A+ Certification Test (Core & Win/DOS modules). Some hands-on experience building/upgrading PC's and a good backround in Windows 95 is a definate PLUS!This was my first "Dummies" book. The reading is easy to understand and flows smoothly. I really enjoyed reading this book, and it provides good information. There are some errors in the book, including the practice questions, but they were few and minor. The book could have covered the section on multimeters a little bit better. I just passed the 2 tests, a 71% on the Core (low, but hey, I passed!), an 89% on Win/DOS, and 5/6 cust. satisfaction. Having my MCP (Win95) helped, especially with the Win/DOS module. Overall this is a great book to help you achieve A+ Certification.
Rating:
Summary: Good, but certainly not enough!!
Review: Good, but certainly not enough!! The hardware portion is fine you need some hands on with pc's, build them for family! But i had to rely on my mcp knowledge for win because that was not enough. So you will need additional study!! Read some win stuff and install dos and win 95 a few times! use as much axamsim as you can. I thank "Phil's A+ Certification Study Guide" for the studyquestions!
Rating: 
Summary: Definitely the best and most fun place to begin
Review: I started reading A+ Certification For Dummies then read some of Exam Cram and Upgrading and Repairing PCs Eighth edition for extra info. The Dummies book is by far the best book to get started despite a few errors in the text and CD - it's so fun and easy to read. I am glad I read other material covering DVM use and Dos/Win though. I don't work in the computer field but I've always enjoyed wrestling with computers when they acted up. Today, I passed the Core Test with 95%, the DOS/Windows with 90% and 100% on Customer Satifaction (I know, I'm bragging). Heck, I may convert my hobby into a career thanks to the Author and the Dummies crew!
Rating: 
Summary: Weak for Dos/Win, Great for Core
Review: I teach a class in A+ Certification and we used the Dummies book. There were some errors on the CD and a few errors in the book. It gives you enough for the Core part of the test but not enough for Dos/Win. The book reads easy and fast.
Rating:
Summary: Great material
Review: I had thought about taking a course for the test but decided to try and study myself. Studied for about a month using the book and also the dali design software on the cd. Passed the core and windows tests no problem.
Rating:
Summary: This book and a few web-sites were all I needed
Review: I used this book and Cramsession.com to study for my tests and passed both on the first try. Gilster's book was not only fun and easy to read but was full of useful information and instructions. I found the Dos/Windows portion small, but then, as the author said, the information was spread throughout the book, and since there is so much over-lap in the tests, it wasn't really a problem. The CD was good. It could have used a few more questions, but it was close enough to the format of the actual test, that I felt right at home when test time came. Thanks IDG books!
Rating:
Summary: Very good coverage, use his Instant Answers!
Review: I got 3 books to use to pass the A+ Exam, this one, A+ Exam Cram and A+ Certification Exam Guide by Meyers. I passed 1st time w/ 98% on the Core and 80% on DOS/Windows and 6/6 on the Cust Satisfaction. Don't be put off by the title. Acutally if you don't use this book you are a dummy <grin>. This book really tied things together. Know his "instant answers"! The reading is fast and even humorous. It was great reading after the Meyers book since this focused in on what you need to know having the general background from Meyers. You can build a computer from the Meyers book, but use this one to narrow down to specifics. Meyers tells you 'why', this tells you 'what' to know for the exam. The editing typos were a negative. The CD gave alot of questions. Some of the answers are wrong but should be fairly obvious when checking the source material. He has alot of demo tests too so it gives you more practice. He has a great section on where to find more practice questions on the net. Download them all! He has alot of practice questions before and after the chapters to see your weaknesses, plus others in the back of the book. Alot of the questions in the book are worded exactly as they appear on the core exam, including the answers! He has a lot of ways to help you to remember some of the lists of things, use his sayings to remember sequences. Software treatment <sigh> was fair at best. The treatment of the Registry was just what you need for the exam. He gives a good FAT, VFAT, FAT32 coverage, but tie it in with Meyers on the same subject. The s/w section was the weakest part of the whole book. Half of the DOS/Windows exam questions were NOT covered by any of these 3 books. If you are weak on the s/w get a s/w devoted book. He only has about 15 pages on DOS/Windows 3.1 including troubleshooting. Know his charts, but you need more. The Win95 sections were too basic and not enough coverage. He is very confident as to what's on the Core exam. You might be able to pass the core with just this book.
Rating:
Summary: Good prep for the Hardware but not the Software.
Review: I recommend this book as your first read but make sure you research some other sources to suppliment this one. I did great on the core exam but just scraped by on the Dos/Windows portion. I would suggest taking a class like I did and taking some practice exams online in addtion to reading this book.
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