Rating: 
Summary: Update from earlier review...
Review: I wrote my earlier review before I even took the test, because I thought the book was that good. Well, it definitely is that good. The book is very thorough, and I'm sure played a big role in me passing the A+ test!
Rating:
Summary: Worked for me
Review: I used this book as my only study material and I got an 878 on Core Hardware and an 864 on Os Technologies. I'm not new to the field though (i've done most tasks asked of a tech: building, repairing, upgrading, installation, networking, and phone support). There was only one question on the test that this book didn't prepare me for about what causes an NMI (Non Maskable Interupt) which isn't refered to at all in the book that I could find. I read this book cover to cover once (not in one sitting of course) including the web chapter and skimmed it the day of the test. I used the book mainly as a review and also a guide as to what information needed to be memorized (knowing that IRQ 8 is the "real time clock" isn't knowledge that you use everyday or maybe even ever, but that was one of the questions I was asked on the test).I would recommend this book to anyone studying for this test, especially if you don't have a lot of experience since this book has a large amount of background material at the begining of each chapter. The Background material is separated from the tested material so that those who want the fast track and know their stuff can skip it making the 1200+ pages a little more digestable. I chose to read all of it even though i've been working on computers since my brand new 12MHz 286 with MS-DOS 3.1 (I remember having to use the turbo switch on the back to slow it down to play some games because it was tooooo fast). This book is written well enough that I would also recommend it to people who aren't studying for the test, but are casual users interested in learning more about their computers. As a supplement to this book (or any other A+ book) I would recommend going to a couple motherboard manufacturers web sites any studying the pictures of some AT and ATX motherboards layouts. The hardware test used some very low quality drawings of motherboards and you will have to identify parts by clicking on the pictures with crosshairs. The parts are not totally to scale which will make some parts hard to identify if you don't know where they are normally located (trying to tell a floppy connection from an IDE connection is much more difficult than in real life). When you do take the test GET A VOUCHER to save yourself some money. I paid full price for my COMPTIA Network+ certification and had no idea I could have got a discount until I read the beginning of this book. Good Luck!!!
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding
Review: This book goes into depth as to what will be covered on the A+ Core 201 and the Operating Systems 202 A+ Exams. It also comes with a CD-ROM with 6 practice tests that are helpful for passing the tests. If you read this book and consistantly score 90 or above on its practice exams, then you will pass the A+ exams with no problem. I took the exams and passed the Core exam with a 79% and the Operating Systems with a 73%.
Rating:
Summary: A good reference book, A great study guide
Review: This is an excellent book in general. It is a superb book to have as a reference, and it is even better at preparing you for the A+ exam. Don't be intimidated by the 1000+ page count, it has lots of pictures. It covers everything that you need to know at the basic tech level. A very excellent book!
Rating: 
Summary: Some errors, missing some points, overall allowed me to pass
Review: I took the new 2001 exams today and passed them both (690 Core, 791 OS). Unfortunately there were some serious errors in this book (like the viewable size of a monitor is not the glass!), but overall very good. I should note that the quiz program that comes with the book is also poor and doesn't really prep you for the real exam because the real 2001 exam is 70 questions and 1.5 hours. Also, a note about the hardware exam: I should have done much better but the new 2001 exams have graphics that are impossible to decipher (like identify the *blank* in this graphic). Even if you got 92%+ in practice exams (like I did), study more because you're doomed on these questions. Aside from that, I would recommend this book, as all I did was spend about 30 hours reading the book and about an hour or so before each exam going over what I highlighted!
Rating:
Summary: Worth the money-however still got some bugz in it...
Review: I needed to get my A+ Certification for hopes that it would improve my search for a Computer Support Specialist position. I have been a part-time CSS for 3 years and thought that if i just spent a week studying on my own i could pass the A+ Test.. The little self assessment test in the beginning of the book suggested i put in about 61 hours of studying.. That was about right.. I focussed on about 3 chapters a day (about 7 hours a day) over 8 days and then took the test.. I definitely didn't feel like i was overly prepared for the test, however i did pass with about an 830/900 on the Hardware test and a 791/900 on the software test. Things on the test that i was not prepared for was the error codes during the "post" and like 2 questions on I/O addresses... In my opinion the book was worth the money, however, there were some errors still present within the text, questions, and the software tests, so be carefull and if something doesn't seem right cross reference it with other sources. For example Question 8 Chapter 9: The 3 main filez that make up DOS are: c)IO.sys, msdos.sys, and command.com, however the answer says they are c)IO.sys, msdos.sys, and Config.sys which is kinda .... . He he... doesn't make sense.. I give it a 4/5 stars :-) Mike seems like a great guy and i am likely going to buy bookz by him in the future. If Mike needz any help i am still looking for a job :-(
Rating:
Summary: Book is very good, included CD-ROM w/ video is even better!
Review: I haven't finished the entire book yet but it is very good. Better than the books I got in the class I am taking for A+ Certification. I really like the CD-ROM that was included - not just a test bank - includes a video w/ the author. My only problem with the book is that it doesn't have a lay-flat binding. I need to be able to highlight and underline when I read and it's very difficult w/o a lay-flat binding. (I have e-mailed to osborne concerning this.) I believe I wouldn't need to be in a $3,195 program to prepare for the A+ exam had I found Mike's book first. However, wanted to get some real "hands on" by going to a traditional school/training facility. The pace of the class is very fast and the program is very difficult to keep up with. I would be in a really bad way if I didn't have Mike Meyers' A+ Certification All-In-One Exam Guide! If you want to pass the A+ buy this book ahead of all others!
Rating:
Summary: A+ CD-Rom in Meyers' Third Edition
Review: I have read some chapters in the book and it will definitely help me in passing the A+ Exam. However, the CD-Rom is much less impressive, I am running Win'98 and unable to view the contents on the CD-Rom I would love to see the contents but the warranty is limited and not much help is available in replacing this bad batch that has been duplicated which I find to be very disappointing in that in buying books the software is usually the bonus for such a purchase. If any reader out there can assist please email: Ozm43@cs.com ; Going to Totalsems website has not been very useful but all in all the book is a good buy for reading; it maintains ones interest in getting certified for A+.
Rating:
Summary: Outdated
Review: While a technically excellent book, this edition covers topics for the 1998 A+ tests that were retired on March 30, 2001. Mike Meyers has a third edition out, which is the one to get to prepare to take the present tests.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Book; Not Just for the Exam; 1 Caution w/ the CD
Review: This third edition of "A+ All-In-One Certification Exam Guide" is one of the first (and currently one of the very few) A+ Exam preparation books that cover the new 2001 exam. In case you are not familiar with the name Michael Meyers, he is major name in PC hardware book authoring. He has a wonderful writing style that makes concepts easy to understand. This book uses excellent analogies and illustrations to further clarify and explain concepts. While the book may appear daunting at 1260+ pages, keep in mind that much of that length is due to the heavy use of illustrations, photos, tables, and screenshots. Remove these extremely helpful and virtually essential items, and I would suspect a book of one-half to two-thirds the size would be the result. Each chapter concludes with review questions and their answers. While not enough on their own to serve as the only practice exam as part of your exam preparation, they do help considerably to solidify the concepts presented in the chapter, and test your understanding. One of the major benefits of this book is that is not solely aimed at A+ Exam preparation, but on PC's as a whole. While presenting the material, Meyers identifies and breaks it up into three categories (as explained in the book's introduction): 1) Historical/Conceptual: Material not on the A+ exams, but it is knowledge that will help you understand the material that is on the A+ exams more clearly. 2) Test Specific: Topics that are on the A+ exams. 3) Beyond A+: More advanced issues that most likely will not be on the A+ exams (but would be beneficial additional information). This categorization of the material makes the book an excellent textbook and subsequent study guide. This book can easily help anyone learn and understand the material needed for A+ Certification. You will find Myers to be knowledgeable and an easy to read author. I highly recommend this book as your choice for an A+ Exam preparation book. There is, however, one caveat: The enclosed CD-ROM, which contains practice exams published by Total Seminars, has some bugs. The most prominent one is that the software will (currently) not run on Windows NT or 2000. This fact and other bug related information is available at Total Seminar's web site.... Once you get around these bugs, the testing software is pretty good. Even without the enclosed software, the book is well worth the price.
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