Getting Started

This training kit contains hands-on exercises to help you learn about supporting applications in Windows XP. Use this section to prepare your self-paced training environment.

Hardware Requirements

To follow the practices in this book, it is recommended that you use a computer that is not your primary workstation because you will be called on to make changes to the operating system and application configuration. The computer you use must have the following minimum configuration (all hardware should be listed in the Microsoft Windows Catalog):

• Personal computer with an Intel Pentium 233 MHz or higher processor (Pentium III recommended) Intel Pentium/Celeron family, or AMD K6/Athlon/Duron family, or compatible processor recommended

• 64 MB of RAM or higher (128 MB or higher recommended)

• 1.5 GB of available hard disk space

• CD-ROM drive or DVD-ROM drive

• Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution monitor

• Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse, Microsoft IntelliMouse, or compatible pointing device

• Internet connection

Software Requirements

The following software is required to complete the procedures in this training kit. (A 120-day evaluation edition of Microsoft Windows XP Professional Edition is included on CD-ROM.)

• Windows XP Professional Edition

  Caution

  The 120-day evaluation edition that is provided with this training is not the full retail product and is provided only for the purposes of training and evaluation. Microsoft Technical Support does not support these evaluation editions. For additional support information regarding this book and the CD-ROMs (including answers to commonly asked questions about installation and use), visit the Microsoft Learning Support website at http://www.microsoft.com/learning/support/default.asp. You can also e-mail [e-mail] or send a letter to Microsoft Learning, Attn: MCDST Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-271): Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98502-6399.

Setup Instructions

Set up your computer according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Caution

If your computer is part of a larger network, you must verify with your network administrator that the computer name, domain name, and other information used in configuring Windows XP in several chapters of this book do not conflict with network operations. If they do conflict, ask your network administrator to provide alternative values and use those values throughout all the exercises in this book.

The Readiness Review Suite

The Supplemental CD-ROM includes a practice test made up of 300 sample exam questions and an objective-by-objective review with an additional 125 questions. Use these tools to reinforce your learning and to identify any areas in which you need to gain more experience before taking the exam.

To install the practice test and objective review

1. Insert the Supplemental CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.

   Note

   If AutoRun is disabled on your machine, refer to the Readme.txt file on the CD-ROM.

2. Click Readiness Review Suite on the user interface menu.

Lab Files

The \Tools\ folder on the CD-ROM contains the Defrag tool that is referenced in Chapter 12.

The eBook

The CD-ROM includes an electronic version of the Training Kit. The eBook is in Portable Document Format (PDF) and can be viewed by using Adobe Acrobat Reader.

To use the eBook

1. Insert the Supplemental CD-ROM into your CD-ROM drive.

   Note

   If AutoRun is disabled on your machine, refer to the Readme.txt file on the CD-ROM.

2. Click Training Kit eBook on the user interface menu. You can also review any of the other eBooks that are provided for your use.