MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-271): Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System [With CDROM]

I recently purchased this book with CDs to prepare for the 70-271 exam. After reading the book and working from the CDs, I passed the exam on the first try. It required learning all of the 146 practice questions, then the 311 Measure-Up questions. My only frustration was that the CD questions cover all sorts of topics about Windows 98 to XP issues (dual-boot, etc.) and the exam is much more "Up-To-Date." However, the book without the questions would not have prepared me at all for the exam.

Hi, I purchased both the MS Press 70-271 and 70-272 books to prepare for my MCDST certification. I read this book, the 70-271 MS press book as my sole study source for the exam and passed on my first try. The book is layed out well, at the end of each chapter are test and scenario based questions to help test your knowledge and understanding of the material. The second part of the book has a complete test prep section to further help prepare you for the exam. For the most part the book contained all of the pertinant information I was tested on in the actual exam. Make sure you especially understand how TCP/IP works as explained in the book, NTFS permissions and File and Print Shareing and permissions, as you'll be tested extensively on that. Overall I enjoyed the book, it has many photo's and illustrations as you're reading through the book, so even if you don't have the operating system handy to practice on while you're reading, you'll still get a general ID of how things look. This book also includes a trial version of Windows XP Professional SP2, as well as testing software to test your knowledge. I do highly suggest that anyone taking this exam also has the opportunity to review what they've learned on the actuall Operating System to review their knowledge. Good Luck on the exam and with the help of this book you'll be on the right track!

Very in-depth view of how things are done using Windows XP. Of course, I've been in the IT field for many years but there was stuff in this book that I did not know I could do! The best way of studying? Take out the old fashioned notebook and pen and jot down your hardest areas. Basically, create a cheat sheet and study that like no tomorrow. Also, with the included MeasureUp certification test engine, heed their words seriously. "You must pass the certification test mode at least three times at 100% before taking the test". Indeed, there were about 6 or 7 of those questions on the exam. I passed the exam last Monday with no problems so, have faith with this book, and stdy well!

Suppose you were looking to hire someone for your help desk. You narrow it down to the final two candidates You ask them how well they know Windows XP. One says, "I know it pretty well." The other says, "I'm a Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician on Windows XP." Which would you hire? That's not to say that the first candidate wouldn't do a fine job for you. But it is to say that the second candidate will give you a higher feeling of confidence. To make yourself be the second candidate is the only reason for taking this test. Oh, one thing more, besides just taking it, you need to pass it. And that is the reason for having this book. It will help you pass the test. 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.

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.