STUDYING - This certification exam Its questions focus on all aspects of supporting XP users both in the corporate and home network in these key areas: installation, managing and troubleshooting: resources, devices, drivers, desktop and user environments, protocols and services.

The MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-271): Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System (Pro - Certification) (37% discount)(on offer at $38). Is designed to help maximize your performance on EXAM 70-271, one of two required exams for the new Microsoft Desktop Support Technician Certification. This kit packs the tools and features exam candidates want most—including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from an expert, exam-certified author; and a robust testing suite.

It also provides real-world scenarios, case studies, and troubleshooting labs for the skills and expertise you can apply to the job.
Focusing on building your ability to resolve end-user incident requests by configuring and troubleshooting the Microsoft Windows XP operating system in the corporate or home environment, this official study guide covers system installation, managing access to resources, configuring and troubleshooting hardware devices and drivers, configuring and troubleshooting the desktop and user environments, and troubleshooting network protocols and services.

Ace your exam preparation by working at your own pace through the lessons, hands-on exercises, and practice tests. The flexible, best-of-class test engine on CD-ROM features 425 practice questions. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests or focus on discrete objectives or chapters, and get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers—including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get a 180-day evaluation version of Windows XP software and other resources on CD-ROM.

The contents of the book are just about what you'd expect: everything you need to know to support end users running (or trying to run XP). Among everything else this includes: installing, setting up users and groups, understanding file and folder access, installing and managing hardware (display, I/O, storage, printers), networking, accessing the internet. And each of these subjects is the subject of a chapter in the book.

And because this is a training kit for the test, it has extensive review questions and a CD with additional questions and information. Finally this kit will give you a 15% discount in the cost of the test.

EXAMS - The exam comprises between 50-60 questions and usually takes about 90 mins to complete with a set time limit of 120 minutes. Results are Pass or Fail with no scores given.

MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-271): (37% off)

CONCLUSION - 70-271 exam is a great place to start your standing as a certified IT professional, particularly if your support work focuses on Windows XP. You might also consider starting your certification quest with CompTIA exams such as A+ and Network+. These tests will introduce you to the support role of XP, PC hardware, and basic networking.

STUDYING - The 70-272 - is the harder of the two MCDST exams so does require greater attention to both study and hands on experience. Its questions focus on all aspects of supporting XP applications in these key areas: configuring and troubleshooting applications, resolving issues related to usability, resolving issues related to application customization, configuring and troubleshooting connectivity for applications, and configuring application security.

Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System (Pro - MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-272): Supporting Users and Troubleshooting Desktop Applications on a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System (Pro - Certification) (32% discount)(on offer at $41). This kit packs the tools and features exam candidates want most—including in-depth, self-paced training based on final exam content; rigorous, objective-by-objective review; exam tips from an expert, exam-certified author; and a robust testing suite. It also provides real-world scenarios, case studies, and troubleshooting labs for the skills and expertise you can apply to the job.

Focusing on building your ability to resolve end-user incident requests about applications running on the Microsoft Windows XP operating system in the corporate or home environment, this official study guide covers configuring and troubleshooting applications, including Microsoft Office and Microsoft Internet Explorer; resolving issues related to usability and application customization; configuring and troubleshooting connectivity for applications; and configuring application security features.

Ace your exam preparation by working at your own pace through the lessons, hands-on exercises, and practice tests. The flexible, best-of-class test engine on CD-ROM features 425 practice questions. Choose timed or untimed testing mode, generate random tests or focus on discrete objectives or chapters, and get detailed explanations for right and wrong answers—including pointers back to the book for further study. You also get a 180-day evaluation version of Windows XP software and other resources on CD-ROM.

EXAMS - The exam comprises between 50-60 questions and usually takes about 90 mins to complete with a set time limit of 120 minutes. Results are Pass or Fail with no scores given.

MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-272) (32% off)

CONCLUSION - 70-272 finalises the completion of your first step on the certification route. You are now well set to embark on the more ambitious microsoft and cisco rates namely the MCSA / MCSE and the CCNP. To widen the breadth it may now be useful to take a look at the Comptia Exams, namely the A+ and Network+ , with the knowledge gained durign the MCDST they should be straight forward additions and with a wider recognition and being vendor neutral.

Also remember that the MCDST counts as an electicve against the MCSA certificate, as which does the A+ /Network+ combo.