MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-271): Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System, Second Edition (Pro-Certification) [Hardcover]

Walter Glenn (Author), Tony Northrup (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0735622272 | ISBN-13: 978-0735622272 | Publication Date: October 26, 2005 | Edition: 2nd

Ace your preparation for the skills measured by MCDST Exam 70-271—and on the job—with this official Microsoft study guide, now updated for Windows XP Service Pack 2. Work at your own pace through a system of lessons, hands-on exercises, troubleshooting labs, and review questions.

The Readiness Review Suite on CD, featuring advanced technology from MeasureUp, provides 425 challenging questions for in-depth self-assessment and practice. You can choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests, or focus on specific objectives. You get expert exam tips and detailed explanations for right and wrong answers—including a customized learning path that describes how and where to focus your studies.

Maximize your performance on the exam by learning how to:

• Perform and troubleshoot installation or upgrade
• Configure and troubleshoot hardware—such as print, display, and I/O devices
• UPDATED—Manage access to files, folders, and add-on software
• Configure the desktop and user environment
• NEW—Set up and support Windows Firewall, security and privacy settings, and local policy
• NEW—Use Microsoft Update and Automatic Updates to keep your system current
• Resolve network connectivity issues—both local and remote
• Optimize system performance

Your kit includes:

• 15% exam discount from Microsoft. Offer expires 12/31/10. Details inside.
• Fully reengineered, self-paced study guide with expert exam tips.
• Readiness Review Suite featuring 425 questions and multiple testing options.
• Case scenarios and troubleshooting labs for real-world expertise.
• 120-day evaluation version of Microsoft Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2.
• Fully searchable eBook.
• Microsoft Encyclopedia of Security eBook.
• Microsoft Encyclopedia of Networking, Second Edition, eBook.

A Note Regarding the CD or DVD

The print version of this book ships with a CD or DVD. For those customers purchasing one of the digital formats in which this book is available, we are pleased to offer the CD/DVD content as a free download via O'Reilly Media's Digital Distribution services. To download this content, please visit O'Reilly's web site, search for the title of this book to find its catalog page, and click on the link below the cover image (Examples, Companion Content, or Practice Files). Note that while we provide as much of the media content as we are able via free download, we are sometimes limited by licensing restrictions. Please direct any questions or concerns to [e-mail].

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Fully updated for Windows XP Service Pack 2, this kit provides in-depth preparation for the skills measured by the MCDST exam—and on the job!

Key Book Benefits:

NEW—Fully updated for Windows XP Service Pack 2 In-depth coverage by an exam-certified author on Exam 70-271 objectives, plus instructive case studies and troubleshooting scenarios Readiness Review Suite featuring 425 questions and multiple testing options 120-day evaluation version of Windows XP software with Service Pack 2 Features eBook in PDF format Microsoft Computer Dictionary, Fifth Edition, eBook

About the Author

Tony Northrup, MVP, MCSE, MCTS, and CISSP, is a consultant and author. Tony started programming before Windows 1.0 was released, and has also focused on Windows administration and development. He has written about 25 books covering Windows and Web development, networking, and security. Among other titles, Tony is author of MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-536): Microsoft® .NET Framework—Application Development Foundation, Second Edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 944 pages
• Publisher: Microsoft Press; 2nd edition (October 26, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735622272
• ISBN-13: 978-0735622272
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.6 x 2.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (49 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #531,071 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 45 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars microsoft finally got it right, January 24, 2005

By 

Don V "pacificite" (pacifica, ca USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-271): Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System (Pro - Certification) (Paperback)

microsoft has finally figured out how to write a book for their certifications. hire someone outside their organization to do it. previous books have always fallen woefully short of teaching a person to the point that they can come close to passing the test. this book accomplishes this goal. admittedly, this is a verrrry simple and easy test. but i did find the objectives covered adequately to figure out the answers. this was microsoft's big failing in previous books. they skimmed over or inadequately explained the topic and then hit you with detailed and complex scenarios on the exam that were several levels more advanced than what they taugh you. this book brings you to the level you need to be able to figure out the answers you need. this is what microsoft should have been doing all along. kudos to them.

30 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This did the trick--I passed!, July 17, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-272): Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System (Pro - Certification) (Hardcover)

I've been a heldesk technician for less than a year, so I was nervous about taking the exam. I bought this book and the Exam Cram, and they did the trick--especially this book. The book is easy to follow, has all the basics, and gives you good test prep drill too. In retrospect I probably didn't need the Exam Cram. In fact, the other book that was pretty useful is the Windows XP Resource Kit, edition 2.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A must if you need to pass the first time., September 23, 2006

By 

R. J Kaucher (Cincinnati, OH) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-271): Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft® Windows® XP Operating System, Second Edition (Pro-Certification) (Hardcover)

Depending on your experience this may be the only book you need to pass the 70-721 exam. I did require additional material but this book was certainly the major reason that I passed the exam with a 917 score.

The only reason why I gave this book four stars and not five is because of the practice test. The practice test was very useful, and I was using it repeatedly for reviews, taking four practice exams in the week leading up to my test. But the questions and answers in certification mode were some times ambiguous and on one occasion the question presented the user with the incorrect graphic to click on to give an answer. This left me to wonder if I should be clicking on the "advanced" tab even though the wrong dialog was shown or should I click in the area where the "advanced" tab would be located on the correct dialog? In spite of these errors the questions in the practice test were exceptionally useful for locating holes in my knowledge which I was then able to fill by finding and studying material in other resources such as knowledge base articles on the Microsoft web site.

Since I purchased this book and began my studies (I wanted to get some work experience before taking the test) I have found the information and tips in this material, the book and the testing software, immensely useful from a practical stand point. Even the most obscure knowledge found in this book has aided me in resolving real user issues on the job. At my current job as a desk top technician, if my colleagues have an issue relating to Windows XP that they do not know how to solve they come to me before they escalate it. One case is where the guy next to me received a call from a user whose key board was acting abnormally. He had to press in the key and hold it down for more than the normal time to get the letter he was typing to appear. I knew immediately that FilterKeys had been enabled and I was able to tell my coworker exactly how to disable it due to having missed the question nearly five times in the practice tests and finally memorizing everything I could about accessibility options out of frustration with myself.

The practice test has 300+ questions, far more than included in any other testing resource. If you want to pass the 70-721 exam you will need this book.