Implementing & Supporting Windows XP Professional

The purpose of this course is to address the implementation and desktop support needs of customers that are planning to deploy and support Microsoft Windows® XP Professional in a variety of stand-alone and network operating system environments. It provides in-depth, hands-on training for Information Technology (IT) professionals responsible for the planning, implementation, management, and support of Windows XP Professional.
This course is based on the final, retail release of Windows XP Professional.

Audience
The target audience consists of IT support professionals who:
Are new to the Windows XP Professional product.
Provide Helpdesk support for Windows XP Professional desktops.
Provide support for the Microsoft Windows NT version 4.0 or Windows 2000 Server family of products, or support for a Microsoft Windows XP solution environment.

At Course Completion
At the end of the course, students will be able to:
Install Windows XP Professional and upgrade to Windows XP Professional.
Automate an installation of Windows XP Professional by using answer files and Uniqueness Database Files (UDFs), or by using the Microsoft Windows 2000 System Preparation Tool.
Configure and manage hardware on a computer running Windows XP Professional.
Manage disks.
Configure and manage file systems.
Troubleshoot the boot process and other system issues.
Configure the desktop environment, and use profiles to control desktop customization.
Configure and support Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP).
Configure Windows XP Professional to operate on Windows networks.
Support remote users.
Configure Windows XP Professional for mobile computing.
Monitor resources and performance.
Prerequisites
Before attending this course, students must have:
A+ certification, or equivalent knowledge.
Network+ certification, or equivalent knowledge.

Microsoft Certified Professional Exams
This course will help the student prepare for the following Microsoft Certified Professional exam:
Exam 70-270, Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional .
Course Materials
The student kit includes a comprehensive workbook.


Course Outline

Module 1: Installing Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Take a closer look: Download Sample Module 1 (Portable Document Format, 1.00 MB).
The following topics are covered in this module:
Planning an Installation of Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Installing Windows XP Professional from a Product CD
Installing Windows XP Professional over a Network
Upgrading to Microsoft Windows XP Professional.
Transferring User Settings by Using the USMT
Activating Windows XP Professional
Troubleshooting Failed Installations
At the end of this module, you will be able to install Windows XP Professional and upgrade from Microsoft Windows 98 to Windows XP Professional. This includes:
Planning a Microsoft Windows XP Professional installation.
Installing Windows XP Professional.
Upgrading Microsoft Windows 98 to Windows XP Professional.
Module 2: Automating an Installation of Microsoft Windows XP Professional
The following topics are covered in this module:
Introduction to Automating an Installation of Windows XP Professional
Creating Answer Files
Creating a Uniqueness Database File
How Setup Uses Answer Files and UDFs
Performing an Automated Installation of Windows XP Professional
Introduction to Creating and Deploying an Image
Preparing a Reference Computer
Creating, Testing, and Deploying an Image
Remote Installation Services
At the end of this module, you will be able to automate the Setup program to install Windows XP Professional without user intervention by using answer files and Uniqueness Database Files (UDFs). This includes:
Creating an answer file by using the Setup Manager Wizard.
Editing the Unattend.txt file and performing an unattended installation.
Module 3: Configuring Hardware on a Computer Running Microsoft Windows XP Professional
The following topics are covered in this module:
Installing and Configuring Hardware Devices
Working with Drivers
Troubleshooting Hardware Devices
At the end of this module, you will be able to configure hardware devices and drivers on a computer running Windows XP Professional. This includes:
Adding and removing devices by using the Hardware Wizard.
Using Driver Rollback to restore a device driver.
Module 4: Managing Disks
The following topics are covered in this module:
Working with Disk Management
Working with Basic Disks
Working with Dynamic Disks
Preparing Disks When Upgrading to Windows XP Professional
Managing Disks
Defragmenting Volumes
At the end of this module, you will be able to configure disk drives and perform common disk management tasks. This includes working with dynamic disks.
Module 5: Configuring and Managing File Systems
The following topics are covered in this module:
Working with File Systems
Managing Data Compression
Securing Data by Using EFS
At the end of this module, you will be able to configure and manage file systems. This includes:
Configuring disk compression.
Securing files by using EFS.
Module 6: Troubleshooting the Boot Process and Other System Issues
The following topics are covered in this module:
Examining the Windows XP Professional Boot Process
Controlling System Settings During the Boot Process
Changing Startup Behavior Using the Boot.ini File
Using Advanced Boot Options to Troubleshoot Startup Problems
Using the Recovery Console to Start the Computer
Restoring a Computer to a Previous State
At the end of this module, you will be able to troubleshoot the boot process and other system issues.
Module 7: Configuring the Desktop Environment
Take a closer look: Download Sample Module 7 (Portable Document Format, 1.08 KB).
The following topics are covered in this module:
Configuring User Desktop Settings
Customizing the Desktop Environment
Configuring System Settings
Understanding How User Profiles and Group Policy Affect Desktop Customization
Using Remote Assistance
At the end of this module, you will be able to configure desktop settings and understand how user profiles and Group Policy affect desktop customization. This includes:
Customizing the desktop.
Managing user profiles.
Using Remote Assistance.
Module 8: Configuring TCP/IP Addressing and Name Resolution
The following topics are covered in this module:
Configuring IP Addresses
Troubleshooting IP Addresses
Determining TCP/IP Name Resolution Methods
Configuring a DNS and WINS Client
Connecting to a Remote Host
At the end of this module, you will be able to configure TCP/IP addressing and name resolution. This includes:
Configuring IP addresses for Windows XP Professional.
Configuring the DNS client for Windows XP Professional.
Module 9: Configuring Microsoft Windows XP Professional to Operate in Microsoft Windows Networks
The following topics are covered in this module:
Examining Workgroups and User Accounts
Creating and Authenticating Local User Accounts
Configuring Local Security
Configuring Logon Options in a Workgroup
Configuring Networking Options in a Workgroup
Jo ining a Domain
Operating in a Domain
At the end of this module, you will be able to configure local user accounts to configure Windows XP Professional to operate in an Active DirectoryTMdirectory service domain or in a workgroup. This includes:
Operating in a workgroup.
Operating in a domain.
Module 10: Supporting Remote Users
The following topics are covered in this module:
Establishing Remote Access Connections
Connecting to Virtual Private Networks
Configuring Inbound Connections
Configuring Authentication Protocols and Encryption
Using Remote Desktop
Storing User Names and Passwords to Facilitate Remote Connections
At the end of this module, you will be able to configure access to remote computers. This includes:
Configuring a VPN connection.
Configuring and using Remote Desktop.
Storing user names and passwords.
Module 11: Configuring Microsoft Windows XP for Mobile Computing
The following topics are covered in this module:
Configuring Hardware for Mobile Computing
Configuring Power Management Options for Mobile Computing
Making Files, Folders, and Web Pages Available for Offline Use
At the end of this module, you will be able to configure Windows XP Professional for mobile computing. This includes:
Configuring Power Options.
Configuring offline files.
Module 12: Monitoring Resources and Performance
The following topics are covered in this module:
Determining System Information
Using Task Manager to Monitor System Performance
Using Performance and Maintenance Tools to Improve Performance
Monitoring Event Logs
Configuring Program Compatibility
At the end of this module, you will be able to monitor and interpret system and performance information on computers running Windows XP Professional. This includes using Task Manager and Event Viewer. Additionally, you will be able to use the Program Compatibility feature.