Command Line Interfaces
Current A+ objectives include at least some degree of familiarity with the Windows, Linux and Mac command line interfaces (CLIs). Fortunately, Linux and Mac use the same commands, for the most part.
Our text covers specific commands in some detail. You need to know:
- How to open a Windows Command Shell (cmd.exe) and Powershell (powershell.exe)
- How to open a Linux terminal
- How to open a Mac terminal
- How to change directories, move files, rename files
MANDATORY CRITICAL ASSIGNMENT: NOT OPTIONAL
Batch Files / Shell Scripts
It will be a real strong point on your resume if you can say you have some experience – any experience – writing command-line shell scripts. The process is very different between the Unixes and Windows.
So do a simple search. It’s good to get used to starting almost every process with a search:
https://duckduckgo.com/?q=simple+windows+batch+script&t=h_&ia=web
WikiHow, for instance, has a good starter tutorial, though its use of loops might put off beginners:
https://www.wikihow.com/Write-a-Batch-File
HowToGeek has a little more advanced demo, including a video:
https://www.howtogeek.com/263177/how-to-write-a-batch-script-on-windows/
And SpeedGuide has a good, technical tutorial that will give you a great backup script:
https://www.speedguide.net/articles/how-to-backup-using-batch-files-1547
Now, let me intoduce you to the excellent SpiceWorks community, and a Windows shell script to back up an entire Windows profile:
https://community.spiceworks.com/topic/2099691-windows-profile-back-up-script-batch-file
Another excellent source is StackOverflow. Notice how this script only backs up new or changed files:
It may be handy to turn this into a fun hacking exercise:
https://duckduckgo.com/?t=ffab&q=write+a+simple+harmless+virus&ia=web
OS Troubleshooting
Be clear that OS Troubleshooting is a different topic than Troubleshooting Methodology, which we looked at back in 220-1001. Working from the command line is often a critical skill for this. Our book covers some good details, and here’s some discussion
http://www.techrepublic.com/article/10-mistakes-to-avoid-when-troubleshooting-it-problems/
Also see Professor Messer’s video for the current version of the A+:
WinPE
WinRE
-Refresh
-Reset
-Startup Repair
-System Restore
-System Image Recovery
-Memtest / Windows Memory Diagnostic
-bootrec
-bcdedit
Getting to Advanced Startup Options
Win 7/8 – f8 during boot
Win 10 – hard restart over and over (!)
Textbook Time
Chapters 15 and 16