The A+ Audio Course is your full-spectrum audio study guide for the CompTIA A+ certification (Core 1 and Core 2). Whether you're brand new to IT or brushing up before exam day, this podcast breaks down every topic in the official exam objectives into clear, structured, and accessible episodes. Each lesson focuses on what matters most—helping you understand, retain, and apply essential IT concepts, from hardware and networking to operating systems, security, troubleshooting, and professional procedures.
Designed for listening on the go, the A+ PrepCast covers over 130+ exam-focused episodes, including detailed walkthroughs, glossary deep dives, and domain-specific overviews. Episodes are crafted to support both visual and auditory learners, and align perfectly with the latest CompTIA exam version. Whether you're commuting, exercising, or prepping between classes, the A+ PrepCast turns your time into certification momentum. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.
When the network stops working or slows to a crawl, multiple causes could be at play, and this episode helps you navigate them. We begin with slow speeds caused by congestion, bad cabling, duplex mis…
This episode introduces the invisible issues that often plague network performance—factors like wireless interference, signal jitter, and high latency. We begin by explaining electromagnetic interfer…
This episode focuses specifically on hardware components inside laser and inkjet printers and how their failure manifests in print quality issues or mechanical malfunctions. We start with paper feed …
Printers might not seem exciting, but they’re a vital part of many IT environments—and they cause plenty of headaches. This episode explores the most common symptoms: paper jams caused by worn roller…
Connectivity issues are common on mobile devices, and this episode addresses some of the most testable areas. We begin with Bluetooth pairing failures, connection drops, and interference issues, walk…
Mobile devices introduce their own unique set of problems, particularly with power and display components. In this episode, we begin by examining battery-related issues—such as devices that won’t cha…
This episode focuses specifically on projectors and external monitors—devices that can introduce a new layer of complexity during troubleshooting. We explain common failure symptoms such as no signal…
Display issues can range from mildly annoying to completely debilitating, and this episode helps you diagnose the most common ones. We begin with screen burn-in and image retention, explaining how ol…
RAID systems are designed to provide performance and redundancy, but when they fail, they introduce complexity. This episode focuses on how to troubleshoot issues within various RAID configurations, …
Drive-related issues are among the most frequent problems encountered in IT support, and this episode helps you identify, diagnose, and resolve them. We begin by explaining boot-related errors, such …
The power supply unit—or PSU—is a foundational component, and this episode explains how its failure can lead to a wide range of confusing symptoms. We begin with the most obvious issue: a system that…
When systems freeze, crash, or reboot unexpectedly, the underlying issue often traces back to either the CPU or RAM. This episode explores the symptoms and diagnostics associated with overheating pro…
This episode targets one of the most frustrating and high-stakes categories of hardware failure: motherboard issues. We begin with POST codes and beep sequences, explaining what each code represents …
After you’ve implemented a solution, it’s not enough to walk away. This episode focuses on verifying that the fix worked and that the system is fully operational. We explain how to check not only the…
Once the root cause has been confirmed, it's time to fix the issue. This episode explains how to create a resolution plan that minimizes disruption and addresses the problem completely. We cover how …
Once you’ve verified that a problem exists, the next step is to develop and test a theory about what’s causing it. In this episode, we explain how to take what you know and form a hypothesis—whether …
This episode focuses entirely on the first step in the troubleshooting process: identifying and verifying the problem. We begin by exploring how to gather information from users, analyze symptoms, an…
Before you can fix a problem, you need a process—and CompTIA provides one. This episode walks you through the six-step troubleshooting methodology that forms the foundation of effective problem-solvi…
Troubleshooting is a core skill for any IT professional, and Domain 5.0 of the Core 1 exam focuses exclusively on this area. In this overview episode, we introduce the types of problems you’ll be exp…
This episode explains the hardware and software requirements that must be met for clients to effectively run various types of applications, especially in virtualized or remote environments. We begin …