MCDST 70-271:
Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Windows XP OS

Topic-Level Outline

                         Days:  3

         Prerequisites:  Experience using Windows XP Professional in an Active Directory domain or workgroup environment. We also recommend passing Microsoft exam 70-270 exam (Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional).

                         Unit 1 :  Installing the operating system

                               Topic A: 0  Installation planning

                               A-1:                               Choosing between an upgrade and a clean installation

                               A-2:                               Verifying hardware requirements

                               A-3:                               Choosing an installation method

                               A-4:                               Meeting licensing and activation requirements

                               Topic B: 0  Windows XP upgrades

                               B-1:                               Choosing an upgrade path

                               B-2:                               Saving files and settings

                               B-3:                               Running the Upgrade Advisor

                               B-4:                               Upgrading to Windows XP

                               B-5:                               Optional activity: Updating device drivers

                               B-6:                               Using the Program Compatibility Wizard

                               B-7:                               Completing the files and settings transfer

                               Topic C: 0  Clean installations

                               C-1:                               Performing a clean installation

                               C-2:                               Applying a Windows XP service pack

                               Topic D: 0  Unattended installations

                               D-1:                               Exploring the Unattend.txt file

                               D-2:                               Loading an answer file in Setup Manager

                               D-3:                               Modifying an answer file

                               D-4:                               Examining RIS deployment

                               D-5:                               Examining Sysprep

                               Topic E: 0  Installation troubleshooting

                         E-1:                         Troubleshooting an installation

                         E-2:                         Viewing setup log files

                         Unit 2 :  Troubleshooting system startup and user logons

                               Topic A: 0  The Windows XP Boot Process

                               A-1:                               Examining the boot process

                               A-2:                               Examining Windows XP load phases

                               A-3:                               Booting using the Advanced Options menu

                               A-4:                               Editing Boot.ini using the Windows XP GUI

                               A-5:                               Editing Boot.ini using Notepad

                               A-6:                               Creating an MS-DOS startup disk

                               A-7:                               Troubleshooting startup

                               Topic B: 0  User logons

                         B-1:                         Examining user logons

                         B-2:                         Troubleshooting logons

 

                         Unit 3 :  Managing users and the Windows environment

                               Topic A: 0  User and group management

                               A-1:                               Creating user accounts

                               A-2:                               Creating group accounts

                               A-3:                               Changing a user’s password

                               A-4:                               Changing a user’s group membership

                               Topic B: 0  User profile management

                               B-1:                               Examining user profiles

                               B-2:                               Troubleshooting user profiles

                               Topic C: 0  User environment customization

                               C-1:                               Customizing the Windows desktop

                               C-2:                               Customizing folder display

                               C-3:                               Configuring Accessibility Options

                               C-4:                               Configuring regional options

                               Topic D: 0  Data protection

                         D-1:                         Backing up data

                         D-2:                         Restoring a deleted file

                         D-3:                         Creating an ASR Backup set

                         D-4:                         Creating a restore point

 

                         Unit 4 :  Configuring and troubleshooting security policy

                               Topic A: 0  Local security policy

                               A-1:                               Configuring password policy and account lockouts

                               A-2:                               Configuring user rights

                               A-3:                               Configuring security options

                               A-4:                               Resetting security options

                               A-5:                               Examining public key, software restriction, and IPSec policy settings

                               Topic B: 0  Group Policy

                         B-1:                         Adding Local Security Policy to a blank MMC

                         B-2:                         Exploring Local Computer Policy

                         B-3:                         Determining effective policy

                         B-4:                         Analyzing security settings

                         Unit 5 :  Configuring and troubleshooting devices

                               Topic A: 0  Storage devices

                               A-1:                               Creating a partition on a basic disk

                               A-2:                               Converting to dynamic storage

                               A-3:                               Creating a new volume

                               A-4:                               Changing drive letters

                               A-5:                               Extending volumes

                               A-6:                               Deleting volumes

                               A-7:                               Examining other storage configurations

                               A-8:                               Troubleshooting storage devices

                               A-9:                               Optimizing a hard disk

                               Topic B: 0  Input/output devices

                               B-1:                               Troubleshooting display devices

                               B-2:                               Troubleshooting I/O devices

                               B-3:                               Creating a new hardware profile

                               Topic C: 0  Power Management

                         C-1:                         Configuring power options

                         C-2:                         Configuring Standby and Hibernation

                         C-3:                         Troubleshooting power settings

                         Unit 6 :  Optimizing performance

                               Topic A: 0  Performance monitoring

                               A-1:                               Monitoring a computer using Task Manager

                               A-2:                               Monitoring a computer using System Monitor

                               A-3:                               Creating a baseline

                               A-4:                               Creating an alert

                               A-5:                               Exploring Event Viewer

                               A-6:                               Lab activity: Viewing baseline statistics

                               Topic B: 0  Performance optimization

                         B-1:                         Fine tuning performance

                         B-2:                         Recognizing performance bottlenecks

                         B-3:                         Optimizing Windows XP

                         Unit 7 :  Managing access to shared resources

                               Topic A: 0  NTFS permissions

                               A-1:                               Converting from FAT32 to NTFS

                               A-2:                               Disabling simple file sharing

                               A-3:                               Applying NTFS permissions

                               A-4:                               Configuring NTFS inheritance

                               A-5:                               Enabling file compression

                               A-6:                               Encrypting files and folders

                               Topic B: 0  Resource sharing

                         B-1:                         Sharing resources

                         B-2:                         Troubleshooting resource access issues

                         B-3:                         Enabling Offline Files

                         B-4:                         Configuring Offline Files

                         B-5:                         Enabling auditing

                         B-6:                         Lab activity: Testing audit settings

                         Unit 8 :  Configuring and troubleshooting printing

                               Topic A: 0  Print management

                               A-1:                               Creating a printer

                               A-2:                               Sharing a printer

                               A-3:                               Connecting to a remote printer

                               A-4:                               Managing the print queue

                               A-5:                               Configuring a printer

                               A-6:                               Configuring fax services

                               Topic B: 0  Print troubleshooting

                         B-1:                         Troubleshooting printing

                         B-2:                         Stopping and starting the Spooler service

                         Unit 9 :  Troubleshooting TCP/IP

                               Topic A: 0  TCP/IP networking

                               A-1:                               Viewing Local Area Connection properties

                                A-2:                               Exploring TCP/IP configuration

                               A-3:                               Examining name resolution

                               Topic B: 0  TCP/IP troubleshooting

                       B-1:                       Viewing TCP/IP configuration using Ipconfig

                       B-2:                       Verifying network connectivity with PING

                       B-3:                       Gathering route data using Pathping and Tracert

                       B-4:                       Verifying DNS using Nslookup

                       B-5:                       Troubleshooting TCP/IP configuration

                       Unit 10 :  Configuring remote connections

                               Topic A: 0  Remote access

                               A-1:                               Installing a modem

                               A-2:                               Creating a dial-up connection

                               A-3:                               Configuring a VPN object

                               A-4:                               Configuring connection properties

                               A-5:                               Creating an incoming connection object

                               A-6:                               Enabling ICS

                               A-7:                               Configuring ICF

                               Topic B: 0  Internet Explorer and remote tools

  B-1:  Configuring Internet Explorer

  B-2:  Troubleshooting Internet Explorer and remote connections

  B-3:  Connecting to a remote desktop