Product Description

Written by a veteran in the field, this book presents a concise overview of the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician certification exams, covering both the Operating Systems (70-271) and the Applications (70-272) tests. In addition to reviewing the credential and explaining how to prepare psychologically for each test, the book specific addresses each exam objective as stated by Microsoft. It encompasses the installation, configuration, troubleshooting of operating systems and software applications, addressing hardware devices and drivers, user environments, customization, and application security. In a clear and efficient manner, the book incorporates both the detailed instructions that newcomers want and the "quick-and-dry" facts needed by those familiar with the certification process. The accompanying CD-ROM offers computer-based practice tests so readers can become comfortable with the CBT format of the exam.

KEY FEATURES:
• Accompanying CD-ROM includes computer-based practice exams presented just like the actual test
• Addresses the Microsoft stated exam objectives, including installing a Windows operating system, managing access to resources, troubleshooting network protocols, configuring applications, and resolving issues related to application customization
• Includes review questions at the end of the chapters that state why the answers are correct or incorrect
• Offers a directory of useful Web sites for the MCDST test-taker
• Provides guidelines on how other Microsoft certification credentials can be achieved, such as MCP, MCT, MCSE, MCSA, MCDBA, and MCSD
• Perfect for both newcomers to the field and veterans wishing to earn another credential

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
Please consult the Appendix for details, especially for specific products.
General Requirements: The basic material on the CD-ROM should function with any 32-bit version of Windows and versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer beyond version 4.0.

On the CD!
The CD-ROM that accompanies MCDST Exams contains a wealth of supplemental information that you’ll undoubtedly find helpful as you pursue the MCDST credential.

• MCDST PRACTICE EXAMS The MeasureUp folder contains a demo version of the MeasureUp MCDST Desktop Support Technicial Bundle. One demo is provided for each of the two MCDST exams. In the MCDST Practice Exams Files folder, you’ll find one 70-271 practice exam and one 70-272 practice exam in a Microsoft™ Word format.
• MCDST LINKS LIST Contains a list of Internet hyperlinks that are relevant to desktop support technicians. They were carefully selected by the author and are all well-known among the DST community.
• FIGURES Contains all of the figures from the book, organized in folders by chapter.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #814262 in Books
• Published on: 2004-10
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 432 pages

About the Author
Tim Warner is a senior-level network administrator for the Vanderbilt University Institute of Software Integrated Systems (ISIS). He is a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician and is CCNP, A+, C++, iNet+, CNE, and MCSE certified. He is the author of MCSE Exams (Charles River Media) and numerous articles on IT topics.

Customer Reviews

Good prep book
This book provides a good way of preparing someone for the MCDST exam. Most of the questions that I had when I took the MCDST has very similar "situations" as the questions and answers in the book. I was concerned at first with getting a book that covered both tests instead of getting one book for each exam. This book doesn't disappoint, in my opinion.

Unless I got a later edition, the book does provide reasons why the answers to the questions are correct and why the incorrect answers are incorrect. The only issue I had was that there are some questions that list incorrect answers. Those errata are shown on the publisher's website, and the correct answer is explained in the book. I think there were only 5 questions out of the entire batch that has incorrect answers listed.

Overall, it was an excellent book.

Solid exam preparation book
One of the many Microsoft certification exams the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) certifies a technician to support the workstation or home user's system. The certification consists of one exam on Operating Systems and one on Applications. The purpose of this book is to prepare the test taker to pass the exams. As such, the book covers the exam objectives, installation, configuration, troubleshooting operating systems and applications, hardware devices and drivers, user environments, customization, and application security. It even comes with a CD-ROM with practice tests.

The book does a good job of covering the various ways to install a Windows operating system as well as how to update a Windows system. Throughout the book are questions and answers to help the reader test their knowledge of the subject. Unfortunately, while it does provide the answers it does not provide an explanation of why it is the correct one. Presumably you would have to look it up in the text to understand why it is the correct one and the other answers incorrect.

While the subject can be very technical it is written in an easy to follow narrative style. One of the problems of most certification exams is that real life often varies considerably from a pristine laboratory environment assumed in most exam situations. This may be an excellent book to prepare for the exam if that is your goal but it may not the best to learn actual installation and troubleshooting. For example, the problems that arise when upgrading an operating system can be quite difficult to troubleshoot and the book does not deal with this real life situation to any significant extent. For the purpose of passing the certification exam MCDST Exams is a recommended purchase and since acquiring the certification is the purpose of the book, it scores a direct hit.

More misses than hits
I've been working in the IT field for 20 years, there are too many wrong answers in this book! In some cases the explanation for the answer shows that the editor or writer told you the wrong answer. How can you study and be sure you are getting the right answers for the upcoming tests? Don't get this.