Program:
Microsoft Desktop Technician. This program is made up of ITEC 2060 Desktop Applications Support and ITEC 2065 Desktop Operating System Support.
Timeline:
Total course time is 180 hours. This is calculated at 3 lab hours per day, 5 days a week. This course should be finsihed in 2 months or 8 weeks or 60 days or 180 hours. You can get an extension of 90 hours by paying the tuition for the extension.
Prerequisites:
A completed Computer Literacy course is STRONGLY recommended. The instructor will NOT have the resources to train you in computer basics. Please take the Computer Literacy course first. Students should have a basic knowledge of computer hardware and operating systems.
Required Course Materials:
- A flash drive to save your work to. The bigger the better. A portable USB drive would be best. 40 GB or higher.
- Blank CD-Rs/DVDs - Plan on going through about a dozen or so.
- Lab Manual -
- There are two exams for for this course. Students get 50% off so each exam is only $70 each.
- Check the costs spreadsheet in the faq section and the bookstore for current pricing
Description:
In this course, you will learn to support users running the Microsoft® Windows® XP operating system. You'll learn about the job duties of the Desktop Support Technician (DST), and you'll resolve a variety of common desktop operating system issues, including issues related to installation, desktop management, file and folder access, hardware, printing, and network connectivity.
The MCDST is the most efficient Windows XP training solution for help desk professionals currently supporting a Windows XP or Windows 2000 environment. This introductory course provides an overview of operating system concepts and how to troubleshoot Windows XP. This course prepares individuals for MCP exam 70-271. The MCDST credential proves that you have the skills to successfully support end users and to successfully troubleshoot desktop environments that are running the Microsoft Windows operating system. MCDST candidates are required to pass two core exams. Elective exams are not required. Check out the FAQ from Microsoft for more information.
The program is appropriate for you if you are working or want to work in a typically complex computing environment of medium-to-large organizations that use Microsoft Windows XP operating system. There are no specific prerequisites for this test, although it is recommended that you should have experience in using applications included with the Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Office Applications.
Job Roles for MCDST certified professionals
The job roles for MCDST certified professionals typically include: .
- Desktop support technician
- Call center support representative
- Customer service representative
- Help desk specialist (or technician)
- Product support specialist
- PC support specialist
- PC technician
Objectives
After completing this course, you will be able to:
- Customize the desktop, Start menu, and task bar, and switch views in Control Panel.
- Support users in a desktop support environment.
- Identify and resolve desktop management issues.
- Identify and resolve network connectivity issues.
- Identify and resolve hardware issues.
- Identify and resolve file and folder issues.
- Identify and resolve printer issues.
- Identify and resolve installation issues.
Benefits of MCDST certification
Microsoft products are most widely used in business enterprises today and the MCDST certification proves expertise on the Microsoft products and technologies. Professionals holding the MCDST certification are preferred by the employers and they also get preference in promotions. MCDST certification is helpful for professionals who have skills to successfully support end-users and to troubleshoot desktop environments that are running the Microsoft Windows operating system. They can upgrade their credentials and get recognition from the industry. MCDST Certified professional can find appropriate job easily and get paid more. And most importantly, on average, an MCDST certified person gets more salary than persons having the same job profile.
All About the Microsoft MCDST 70-271 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting in Windows XP exam:
This test consists of Multiple Choice, Hot Area, Drag and Drop, Build list and reorder, and Build a Tree questions. The test can be adaptive and simulation questions might be asked. There are no Case study type questions. You will be required to attempt approximately 50 questions in 90 minutes. To pass, you need a score of 700.
The test is designed to measure your ability to resolve end-user incident requests by configuring and troubleshooting the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. Upon passing this test you will become a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP). Passing this test will also help you in achieving the MCDST certification.
Microsoft's MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Technician) certification has been designed for professionals who have the knowledge and skills to configure and troubleshoot the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. The also have experience using applications included with the Windows XP Professional and Windows XP Home Edition, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Office Applications.
The Microsoft MCDST 70-271 Supporting Users and Troubleshooting in Windows XP exam is one of several exams in the new MCDST (Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician) track, a certification series designed to help candidates who are new to Microsoft certifications obtain certified status and get started in the computing support industry. It is a basic certification that covers topics in help desk/technical support common to Windows XP users and is somewhat comparable to the CompTIA A+ certification. The MCDST requires passing two core exams, 70-271 and 70-272, so the 70-271 is certainly a good way to get started going about obtaining MCDST status. Passing the 70-271 will get you Microsoft Certified Professional or MCP status.
Difficulty and Scope
The Microsoft MCDST 70-271 exam is somewhere between the MCTS and MCSA/MCSE exams in terms of difficulty. It is not an easy exam and even experienced technicians find that they generally need to study and prepare for the exam. At the same time, it is not exceedingly difficult like some of the MCSE exams and is very manageable for the IT certification candidate with some desktop support experience and Windows XP knowledge. In general, the more you know about Windows XP, the better you will do on the MCDST 70-271, as it covers:
- Install Windows XP via attended and unattended installations
- Upgrading to Windows XP from previous versions of Windows
- Manage and troubleshooting NTFS permissions
- Configure file sharing and basic Windows networking
- Troubleshoot common PC hardware, especially hard disk drives, removable media, display devices, and I/O devics
- Configure Windows for accessibility
- Manage local security policy
- Correct performance issues
- Utilize Remote Desktop connections
When and why to take the MCDST 70-271 exam
Most people take the MCDST 70-271 in working towards the MCDST certification, which is a new Microsoft equivalent of the CompTIA A+ certification as a general technical support skills test. Becoming MCDST certified can help you achieve a career in help desk support, systems repair, on-site technician, or technology trainer. Much of the test centers on meeting the demands of real-life users and solving their Windows XP issues in a competent and efficient way. So, employers are very interested in candidates who have the MCDST because it shows that they have some handle on dealing with users and common troubleshooting issues.
As to when to take the exam, it is best to take it when you are ready to immediately follow the 70-271 exam with the 70-272. Make sure you have enough time to avoid a long layoff between the two exams as much of the content relates from one exam to the other and it helps to be familiar with the 70-271 when studying for the 70-272.
Exam information:
072–271: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System.
072–272: Supporting Users and Troubleshooting a Microsoft Windows XP Operating System.
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