Objective 2.4: Resolve Issues Related to Operating System Features

From a troubleshooting standpoint, operating system issues are generally separated quite clearly from application issues since operating systems and applications run within different CPU spaces. If an application is a suspected cause of an issue, it has little to no chance of interfering directly with the operating system and its services. This concept is useful in helping a DST know where to look and what steps to take to troubleshoot a specific issue.

Windows XP is a powerful, highly customizable operating system that supports powerful, highly customizable applications. As a DST, part of your responsibility will be helping users customize their environments to suit their needs. It is up to you to understand whether configurations are required in an application or in the operating system itself and to be able to make (or instruct the user how to make) those changes.

To answer the questions in this objective, you should know how to customize and troubleshoot the Windows XP desktop, especially with regard to running applications. This includes working with files and folders, customizing the Start menu, and customizing the Taskbar.