When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Specialization.
Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate
There are 5 modules in this course
More than 1 million IT professionals have built their IT careers on the CompTIA A+ certification (CompTIA). This Core 1 – Hardware and Network Troubleshooting course from IBM comprehensively prepares you for the first of the two exams required to earn this industry certification employers look for.
The course is ideal for professionals looking to kickstart their IT career in IT support. You’ll build practical skills to set up, configure, and troubleshoot devices, networks, and systems in today’s work environments. You’ll gain a strong foundation in hardware and networking concepts, including troubleshooting laptops, mobile devices, video and resolution issues, storage, and printers. Plus, you’ll learn about configurations, power supply basics, and how to identify key motherboard and storage components.
Throughout, you’ll get hands-on in online labs and then complete a final project where you’ll apply your knowledge in real-world scenarios.
Whether you’re starting your IT career or looking to advance in your current role, this course provides essential exam preparation and job-ready skills employers value.
Enroll today and take the next step toward a successful career in IT.
In this module, you will learn the foundations of troubleshooting laptops and other mobile devices. Lesson 1 introduces you to the basic components of a laptop and how to identify, install, and configure them. You will also learn about storage drives, backlights, displays, digitizers, docking stations, shortcut keys, and Bluetooth and Wi-Fi accessories. The lesson also covers mobile device security as well as battery and power management. In Lesson 2, you will learn how to resolve common issues with laptops and mobile devices, including battery failures, screen resolution and refresh rate problems, and Wi-Fi connectivity. Lastly, you will learn how to identify and troubleshoot video and resolution issues using visual enhancement tools in a simulated Windows Server lab environment.
Troubleshooting Laptops and Mobile Devices•5 minutes
Microsoft Windows Server Lab Environment•2 minutes
Troubleshooting Video and Resolution Issues•5 minutes
3 readings•Total 8 minutes
Course Overview•4 minutes
Summary and Highlights: Laptops, Mobile Devices, and Accessories•2 minutes
Summary and Highlights: Laptop and Mobile Device Troubleshooting•2 minutes
3 assignments•Total 50 minutes
Graded Quiz: Laptops and Other Mobile Devices•30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Laptops, Mobile Devices, and Accessories•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Laptop and Mobile Device Troubleshooting•10 minutes
2 app items•Total 60 minutes
Lab: Troubleshooting Laptops and Mobile Devices•35 minutes
Lab: Visual Enhancement Tools on Windows•25 minutes
6 plugins•Total 33 minutes
Reading: Helpful Tips for Course Completion•15 minutes
Reading: Shortcut Keys•4 minutes
Reading: Docking Stations and Port Replicators•4 minutes
Reading: Mobile Device Security•3 minutes
Reading: Battery and Power Management•5 minutes
Reading: Cheat Sheet: Domain One •2 minutes
Networking, Storage, and Virtualization
Module 2•4 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will learn about networking, storage, and virtualization technologies, as well as how to troubleshoot them. Lesson 1 introduces common types of networks and storage devices, including networking infrastructure, wireless connectivity, software-defined networking, and network-hosted services. You will also explore storage devices, RAID configurations, and virtualization concepts, including cloud computing and virtual machine environments. Lesson 2 walks you through essential troubleshooting tools and techniques. You will learn how to use diagnostic utilities to resolve network connectivity issues, perform advanced troubleshooting, and identify and repair problems with storage devices.
Summary and Highlights: Networking and Storage•3 minutes
Summary and Highlights: Troubleshooting Networking and Storage •5 minutes
Summary and Highlights: Cloud Computing and Virtualization•2 minutes
4 assignments•Total 60 minutes
Graded Quiz: Networking, Storage, and Virtualization•30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Networking and Storage•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Troubleshooting Networking and Storage •10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Cloud Computing and Virtualization •10 minutes
2 app items•Total 60 minutes
Lab: Identify Disk Storage•30 minutes
Lab: Troubleshooting Storage Devices•30 minutes
5 plugins•Total 41 minutes
Reading: Wireless Connectivity•3 minutes
Activity: Identifying Network Services•15 minutes
Activity: Building RAID Configurations•15 minutes
Reading: Network Tools•4 minutes
Reading: Cheat sheet: Domains Two and Four•4 minutes
Internal Computer Components
Module 3•4 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will learn about internal computer components and how to troubleshoot them. Lesson 1 introduces key internal components and foundational terminology. You'll explore motherboard architecture, BIOS configuration, CPU installation and cooling methods, and the basics of power supply. This lesson includes videos, readings, and a hands-on lab to help you identify internal connector types and determine power supply needs. Lesson 2 focuses on troubleshooting techniques for internal components. You'll learn how to diagnose issues with motherboards, RAM, CPUs, and power supplies using video walkthroughs and a crash code identification lab.
What's included
8 videos2 readings3 assignments5 plugins
Show info about module content
8 videos•Total 46 minutes
Understanding Motherboards•8 minutes
Configure BIOS/UEFI Settings•7 minutes
CPU Architecture•5 minutes
Install and Configure CPU and Cooling•7 minutes
Power Supply Basics•5 minutes
Troubleshooting Motherboards•5 minutes
Troubleshooting RAM and CPU•6 minutes
Troubleshooting Power•3 minutes
2 readings•Total 6 minutes
Summary and Highlights: Internal Computer Components•3 minutes
Summary and Highlights: Troubleshooting Internal Computer Components•3 minutes
Practice Quiz: Internal Computer Components•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Internal Computer Components•10 minutes
5 plugins•Total 140 minutes
Reading: Install and Configure Power Supplies•3 minutes
Reading: Internal Connector Types•43 minutes
Lab: Determine Power Supply Needs•45 minutes
Lab: Crash Code Identification•45 minutes
Reading: Cheat Sheet: Domain Three•4 minutes
Printers and Multi-function Devices and Maintenance
Module 4•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will learn about multifunction devices and printers, as well as how to maintain and troubleshoot them. Lesson 1 covers various types of printers, their settings, components, and maintenance procedures. You will learn about multifunction devices, inkjet, thermal, and 3D printers. Lesson 2 will explain how to troubleshoot basic and advanced printer issues, including those related to laser printers and impact printers. It will teach you how to identify issues with and maintain laser and impact printers.
What's included
7 videos2 readings3 assignments4 plugins
Show info about module content
7 videos•Total 31 minutes
Deploy and Configure Multifunction Devices•6 minutes
Inkjet Printers •4 minutes
Thermal and 3D Printers •5 minutes
Troubleshoot Basic Printer Issues •4 minutes
Troubleshoot Advanced Printer Issues •4 minutes
Laser Printer
Maintenance and Troubleshooting•4 minutes
Impact Printer Maintenance and Troubleshooting•5 minutes
2 readings•Total 5 minutes
Summary and Highlights: Printers and Multi-Function Devices•2 minutes
Summary and Highlights: Printer Maintenance and Troubleshooting•3 minutes
3 assignments•Total 50 minutes
Graded Quiz: Printers and Mult-function Devices and Maintenance•30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Printers and Multi-Function Devices•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Printer Maintenance and Troubleshooting•10 minutes
Lab: Identify Popular Features of Enterprise Printers•30 minutes
Reading: Cheat Sheet: Domain Five•3 minutes
Final Project and Final Exam
Module 5•3 hours to complete
Module details
In this module, you will test your knowledge and the skills you've acquired in this course. You will complete a final project that provides an opportunity to apply your technical troubleshooting skills by examining three realistic scenarios simulating common issues that might arise in a Helpdesk setting. This module includes a 20-question, graded final examination that focuses on the course content. The assessment addresses topics such as identifying, installing, configuring, maintaining, and troubleshooting hardware, including computers, printers, storage devices, mobile devices, multi-function devices, and networking devices.
What's included
2 readings4 assignments3 app items5 plugins
Show info about module content
2 readings•Total 3 minutes
Congratulations & Next Steps•2 minutes
Team and Acknowledgments •1 minute
4 assignments•Total 90 minutes
Final Quiz: Final Exam•60 minutes
Quiz: LibreOffice Printer Settings•10 minutes
Quiz: Task Manager in Windows•10 minutes
Practice Quiz: Network Troubleshooter in Microsoft Windows•10 minutes
3 app items•Total 40 minutes
Lab: LibreOffice Printer Settings•15 minutes
Lab: Task Manager in Windows•15 minutes
Lab: Network Troubleshooter in Microsoft Windows•10 minutes
5 plugins•Total 40 minutes
Final Project Overview and Instructions•15 minutes
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CompTIA A+ is a globally recognized, vendor-neutral IT certification that validates foundational skills in hardware, networking, operating systems, security, and troubleshooting. It is widely used by employers to assess readiness for entry-level IT support roles.
How does this course support preparation for the CompTIA A+ certification?
This course aligns with CompTIA A+ Core 1 objectives and focuses on essential hardware and networking concepts, helping learners build the knowledge and practical skills tested on the exam.
Who is this course designed for?
This course is ideal for individuals starting an IT career, career changers, students, or professionals who want to strengthen their technical support and troubleshooting skills.
Do I need prior experience before enrolling?
While no professional IT experience is required, a basic understanding of hardware, operating systems, networking, and storage is recommended to get the most value from the course.
Does the course include hands-on learning?
Yes, the course includes hands-on labs and a final project that allow learners to practice troubleshooting and configuration tasks in real-world scenarios.
What kinds of roles can this course help me prepare for?
The skills covered in this course are commonly used in entry-level IT support roles such as help desk technician, desktop support specialist, and technical support analyst.
When will I have access to the lectures and assignments?
To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.
What will I get if I subscribe to this Specialization?
When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Specialization, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. In select learning programs, you can apply for financial aid or a scholarship if you can’t afford the enrollment fee. If fin aid or scholarship is available for your learning program selection, you’ll find a link to apply on the description page.