There’s more than one kind of documentation in I T, and this episode explains the major types that appear on the A Plus exam. We start with Acceptable Use Policies (AUPs), which define what users are permitted to do with company devices and networks. These documents are key to setting boundaries and providing grounds for enforcement.

Next, we cover Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), which describe routine tasks and ensure consistency in system administration, user onboarding, or backup operations. Finally, we explore the use of network diagrams, wiring charts, and configuration maps to visualize systems and support faster diagnostics. These documents not only support daily operations but also play an important role in onboarding and audits. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Keeping track of hardware, software, and configuration data is vital for organizations of all sizes, and this episode explores how asset and inventory management supports that effort. We begin with physical asset tracking—using labels, barcodes, and location databases to monitor laptops, desktops, and peripherals. Then we move into software inventory, including how to track licenses, subscription renewals, and version compliance.

We also discuss the importance of documenting configuration changes, warranty dates, and decommissioning procedures. These processes ensure proper lifecycle management and help enforce security policies. CompTIA may test your ability to select or explain asset tracking methods in support or audit scenarios. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode focuses on the importance of clear, consistent documentation in every phase of IT support. We begin by explaining ticketing systems—how they track user requests, service histories, resolutions, and follow-up actions. You’ll learn what makes a good ticket entry, including timestamps, concise descriptions, and links to previous cases.

We also cover other forms of documentation, such as change logs, asset inventories, and support knowledge bases. These resources help create continuity across shifts, teams, and long-term projects. The A Plus exam includes questions that require choosing the most appropriate documentation method for a given situation, and this episode prepares you to do that with confidence. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

The final domain in the Core 2 exam is Operational Procedures, and this episode introduces its wide-ranging content. You’ll learn what this domain includes: documentation standards, safety procedures, communication skills, licensing and privacy concerns, and basic scripting. While these topics may seem non-technical, they are just as important for a well-rounded technician as knowing how to fix hardware or configure systems.

We explain how this domain emphasizes professionalism, user interaction, workplace policies, and secure handling of information. CompTIA expects you to demonstrate soft skills as well as technical ones, and this episode sets the stage for understanding how to balance both effectively. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Malware isn’t limited to desktops. In this episode, we explore the types of malicious threats that target mobile devices. We begin with adware, spyware, and malicious apps that gain access to sensitive permissions—like camera, microphone, or SMS—without the user’s knowledge. Then we explain the concept of rooting or jailbreaking, which removes manufacturer restrictions and increases exposure to security risks.

We also discuss data leakage—where personal or business data is exfiltrated through unauthorized apps—and how to recognize suspicious behavior like sudden battery drain, popups, or background data usage. Understanding these threats helps you respond effectively to user complaints and enforce mobile security policies. CompTIA may test your ability to distinguish normal from compromised behavior, and this episode prepares you to do just that. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Mobile devices introduce their own unique troubleshooting challenges, particularly when it comes to application behavior. In this episode, we start with app crashes—why they happen, how to review logs or force close misbehaving apps, and what steps to take before uninstalling. Then we examine connectivity issues within apps, such as those that rely on Wi-Fi or cellular data and behave erratically when those connections are unstable.

We also cover app update problems, including how to trigger manual updates, clear cache or storage space, and deal with compatibility issues caused by outdated operating systems. These topics are increasingly relevant as mobile devices become central to business workflows. CompTIA expects you to know how to support apps just as thoroughly as desktops, and this episode ensures you can. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Successfully removing malware requires following the right sequence, and this episode lays out that process according to CompTIA’s expectations. We begin with identification—recognizing that malware is present—followed by isolating the system from the network to prevent spread. Then we quarantine the malicious files using antimalware software and proceed with cleaning or deleting the infections.

We explain how to schedule deep scans, remove residual entries, and check for persistent elements like registry changes or scheduled tasks. Finally, we discuss restoring system functionality, applying updates, and improving defenses to prevent re-infection. These steps form the core of several exam questions, especially in simulation or troubleshooting formats. This episode helps you internalize both the logic and the order of operations. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

Security issues don’t always come with flashing warnings—sometimes they hide behind subtle behavior. This episode helps you identify the symptoms that often indicate malware or unauthorized access. We begin with security alerts—both real and fake—and how to distinguish between legitimate warnings and scareware popups. Then we cover unexplained file changes, such as altered timestamps, missing data, or renamed files.

We also explore browser redirection, where users attempt to access one website and are taken somewhere entirely different—often a sign of hijacked DNS settings or malicious browser extensions. These symptoms are designed to test your pattern recognition and deductive reasoning on the exam. Knowing how to interpret unusual behavior is a key skill for real-world IT professionals, and this episode trains you to do just that. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

When something breaks in Windows, there are several tools you can use to restore functionality, and this episode breaks them down step by step. We begin with the System File Checker (SFC), which scans and repairs corrupted or missing system files using known-good versions. Next, we explain DISM and when to use it alongside or instead of SFC to fix more deeply embedded issues.

We also discuss more significant recovery options like rolling back updates, restoring system images, and using manufacturer-provided reimage tools to return the device to factory settings. These techniques are tested heavily on the A Plus exam and require not just name recognition but an understanding of when each method is most appropriate. This episode prepares you for questions involving system instability, failed patches, and critical file loss. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.

This episode covers some of the most common and dramatic symptoms you'll face when troubleshooting Windows systems. We begin with the infamous Blue Screen of Death—also known as BSOD—explaining what causes it, how to interpret error codes, and what logs or tools to use when diagnosing the issue. Then we move into boot problems, such as systems getting stuck on the Windows logo, reboot loops, or messages like “Operating System Not Found.”

We also explore low memory symptoms, including system sluggishness, app crashes, and excessive disk swapping. You’ll learn how to identify whether the issue is truly memory-related or if it’s caused by malware, excessive startup programs, or background services. CompTIA loves to present vague error descriptions and ask for the most likely root cause, so this episode will help you connect those dots efficiently. Brought to you by BareMetalCyber.com.