MCDST 70-272 Exam Cram 2: Supporting Users & Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Windows XP Operating System (Paperback)

~ (Author), Ed Tittel (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

The new Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) credential proves that you have the skills to successfully support end users and successfully troubleshoot desktop environments running on Windows XP. MCDST candidates must pass two core exams (70-271 and 70-272). The 70-272 exam, when combined with the 70-271 (the operating system exam for desktop support technicians), validates that a candidate can successfully answer (or escalate) all calls from end users. The MCDST 70-272 Exam Cram 2 gives readers the essential information they need to know to pass the 70-272 exam, which includes configuring and troubleshooting applications (Internet Exporer, Outlook Express), resolving issues related to usability, resolving issues related to application customization, configuring and troubleshooting connectivity for applications, and configuring application security. This book can be used as a sole study guide for those experienced with Windows XP or it is the perfect supplement guide for more comprehensive training materials, instructor-led classes, and/or computer-based training.

About the Author

Diana Huggins is currently an independent contractor providing both technical writing and consulting services. Prior to this, she worked as a senior systems consultant. Some of the projects she worked on include a security review of Microsoft's official curriculum, content development for private companies, as well as network infrastructure design and implementation projects.

Diana's main focus over the past few years has been on writing certification study guides. To complement her efforts, she also spends a portion of her time consulting for small- to medium-sized companies in a variety of areas and continues to work as an independent technical trainer.

Diana currently has her Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) and Microsoft Certified Trainer (MCT) Certification, along with several other certifications from different vendors. Although her focus is on the Information Technology industry, she also holds a bachelor's degree in education. Diana runs her own company, DKB Consulting Services. The main focus of the company is developing certification training courseware, online practice exams, as well as content delivery.

Felicia Buckingham is an independent contractor currently deploying Office XP for a provincial-wide electrical company. Prior to this, she spent several years in the technical training industry with a focus on Microsoft Office applications.

Felicia holds her Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) and Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Master designations, along with several other certifications from various vendors. She specializes in Microsoft Office training and consulting.

Over the past few years, Felicia has contributed to several Microsoft Office study guides and has recently co-authored Microsoft Excel 2003 Programming Inside Out. During the past year, she has also established her own consulting company that specializes in Microsoft Office deployment, training services, and courseware development.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 360 pages
• Publisher: Que (May 29, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0789731509
• ISBN-13: 978-0789731500
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #616,230 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #23 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Microsoft > Desktop Publishing
  #24 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Microsoft > Accounting
  #53 in	Books > Computers & Internet > Programming > APIs & Operating Environments > Operating Systems Theory

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The book is good, but I don't like the CD., June 28, 2004

By	Shelby L. Meyer "Shelby" (Illinois) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I read the book over the weekend to brush up on my skills and to get an idea of what the test would be like. As I went through the book I also did the quizzes at the end of each chapter and missed only 3-4 questions out of the entire book (100+ questions) so I was feeling pretty confident.

I then installed the CD and took the test and failed with a 60%! The CD has a lot of questions that are in a different format than that of the actual test. (At least according to what I have read in the Microsoft MCDST newsgroup). A person literally has to memorize the steps and pull-down menus of applications to pass the disk based test. The CD is provided by MeasureUp so the questions are entirely different than what is found in the book.

I took the exam and passed with flying colors! However there were a number of topics on the test that were NOT in this book including: VPN error messages, and some Word and Excel stuff.

(I give it 4 stars because of the CD).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Use As Back Up to Your Other Study Guide "ONLY", April 7, 2005

By	Michael S. Mccrea "SoHoHelpDesk.Net" (Halifax, Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I will say that I am a fan of ExamCram2 Series of Study Guides, and that is what they are: "Study Guides". I was disappointed about the lack of material in this guide, do not rely on this book to pass the 70-272 Exam. If you pass the test just by reading this book you may have all ready had enough knowledge to pass. This book does not cover all the material in the exam by any means. The MeasureUp testing software is nice to get you use to the way some of the exam questions are. I would use this book to just go over questions and answers before you do a final write. I highly suggest to get Microsoft 70-272 Training Kit if you are new to alot of the material covered by this exam.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Deeply insufficient, December 27, 2005

By	Daniel Luechtefeld (Greater Metropolitan Tacoma, WA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

My IT background: ten years as a Unix admin, pursuing a Master's degree in Telecom. Extensive familiarity with desktop OS's and apps both as a user and LAN admin.

Newcomers to IT hoping to use this book as a primary study source will be disappointed.

I scored a 754 on 70-272 (700 is passing). The Exam Cram helped a bit in focusing which aspects of the Office, Outlook, and IE GUIs with which to become familiar. However, entire topics on the exam were completely unaddressed by this book ("Security Center", GPOs). Moreover, The book was apparently written before XP SP2 was released; the test requires knowledge of SP2 features.