Windows XP Training: Installing, Configuring, Optimizing, and Troubleshooting

Description

Price: $995.00

Course Objectives

At this workshop, you will learn how to:

• Perform clean Installs and upgrades of Windows XP Professional
• Automate Windows XP installations using the powerful, built-in tools
• Use Windows XP to configure and manage hardware
• Rollback drivers to solve incorrect driver installations
• Manage disks and file systems
• Understand and analyze the boot process
• Troubleshoot various system issues
• Use boot options to solve startup problems
• Use the Recovery Console to recover a failed system
• Configure and control the user's desktop environment
• Configure and administer profiles
• Configure and deploy Group Policies
• Take advantage of Windows XP Professional's powerful built-in security features
• Provide effective user support with Windows XP Professional's Remote Assistance feature
• Configure and support the TCP/IP protocol
• Configure Windows XP Professional to operate on Windows networks
• Configure Windows XP Professional for mobile computing and remote users
• Use System Restore to "rollback" a system
• Take advantage of Windows XP Professional's Remote Desktop Connection feature to share a desktop
• Modify Windows XP Professional to support legacy applications
• Understand and analyze event logs
• Monitor system performance and resources
• Configure the Windows Firewall to maximize protection while maintaining ease-of-use

Certifications and Exams

soundtraining.net's Windows XP classes are designed for working IT professionals who need to quickly learn the key concepts of supporting Windows XP Professional. This Windows XP training seminar is not designed as a "test-takers' boot camp", but it can help the student prepare for Microsoft Certified Professional exam 70-270, Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional. Exam candidates are strongly encouraged to visit the Microsoft website to familiarize themselves with the exam objectives before enrolling for any training program.

Who should attend?

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
• Need Windows XP training, but can't afford to spend an entire week out of the office

Course Outline

Module One: Microsoft Windows XP Professional Installation

In module one, we'll introduce you to Windows XP Professional. We'll cover the minimum and recommended minimum hardware requirements. You'll learn the importance of verifying hardware and software compatibility and we'll show you three ways to do it. You'll see the various disk partitioning options. We'll show you the three different file system and explain which one is best (and why). We'll cover installing into a workgroup and a domain. You'll learn how to do CD-ROM and network-based installations. You'll see the upgrade paths to Windows XP. We'll show you the easy way to migrate from legacy operating systems using the User State Migration Tool. This module concludes with a checklist for troubleshooting failed installations.

• Planning to install Windows XP Professional
• System requirements and hardware compatibility
• Disk partitioning
• Choosing the right file system
• Installing into a workgroup or a domain
• Installation options including CD-ROM and network
• Upgrade paths to Windows XP Pro
• Transferring user settings with the User State Migration Tool
• Troubleshooting a failed Installation

Module Two: Automating an Installation of Microsoft Windows XP Professional

In module two, we continue our look into the installation process, but now we'll show you ways to simplify the process through automation. We'll cover the basics of automation including the use of the Setup Wizard to create an answer file, the use of the sysprep utility, plus you'll learn about third-party tools that can take hours (even days) off the deployment process!

• The basics of automated installations
• Automating a Windows XP Pro installation
• Using third-party imaging software in small or large deployments

Module Three: Hardware Configuration with Windows XP Professional

Module three introduces you to hardware installation and configuration on a Windows XP Professional computer. We'll explain the differences between configuring "plug and play" and "non plug and play" hardware. You'll learn how to view installed devices, including hidden devices. You'll see how easy it is to update device drivers and how easy it is to roll back a problem driver. We'll also show you how to add a local printer under Windows XP Professional.

• Installing and configuring hardware
• Installing plug and play devices
• Installing non-plug and play devices
• Viewing installed devices
• Updating and rolling back drivers
• Adding a local printer

Module Four: Disk Management in Windows XP Professional

Module four is about disk management. You'll see the two different disk management tools included with Windows XP Professional and learn how to use them to control your disk configuration. You'll learn how to work with the Disk Management MMC snap-in and you'll learn how to use the command-line tool diskpart. We'll explain the difference between basic and dynamic disks and show you your options for organization with dynamic disks. You'll learn how to prepare disks for upgrading to Windows XP Professional. We'll cover disk management including the use of Disk Defragmenter and defrag.exe.

• Disk administration tools
• The Disk Management MMC snap-in
• The command-line tool diskpart
• Basic and dynamic disks
• Organization options with dynamic disks
• Preparing disks before upgrading to Windows XP Pro
• Fragmentation and defragmentation

Module Five: The File Systems of Windows XP Professional

In module five, you'll learn about the three different file systems supported by Windows XP Professional. You'll see the advantages of using NTFS, but you'll also learn when it's appropriate to use FAT or FAT32. We show you how to use the convert tool to upgrade from FAT or FAT32 to NTFS. We'll explore file compression and encryption. You'll learn how to work with compression and encryption to maximize hard drive space or to protect files stored on a hard drive. You'll see first-hand the effects of copying and moving compressed and encrypted files.

• Understanding file systems
• NTFS
• Converting the file system to NTFS
• NTFS Data Compression
• Using the Encrypting File System for data security

Module Six: Windows XP's Boot Process and System Recovery

In module six, you'll examine the boot process from power-up to authentication. You'll see each step of the boot process including real-mode and protected-mode processes. We'll show you how the system prepares for fault recovery. You'll see how "Last Known Good Configuration" works and when to use it to recover a system. We'll explain how the boot.ini files works to control system startup and how you can modify it to take control of the boot process. You'll learn how to enable boot logging to create a written record of the boot process. We'll show you how to use the Recovery Console for emergency recovery and you'll learn how to use Windows XP's great System Restore feature to recover from improper configurations.

• Understanding Windows XP Professional's boot process
• Understanding system settings related to the boot process
• Modifying the boot.ini file to control startup behavior
• Advanced boot options
• Windows XP Professional's Recovery Console
• Using System Restore

Module Seven: The Windows XP Professional Desktop

In module seven, we'll explore every aspect of the new Windows XP Professional desktop to ensure your complete understanding of its myriad configuration and customization options. You'll learn how to modify user desktop settings and user environment settings. We'll also show you how to modify Windows XP Professional's system settings, including visual effects, processor scheduling, memory usage, and virtual memory. You'll learn about the four different types of user profiles and see the effects of user profiles on the user experience. We'll show you how Group Policy affects what users see on their desktop. The module ends with a thorough explanation of the new Remote Assistance feature and a live demonstration that lets you see it first hand.

• User desktop settings and environment
• Windows XP Professional's system settings
• Understanding the effects of user profiles and Group Policy on the desktop
• Windows XP Professional's Remote Assistance

Module Eight: Understanding and Configuring the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) and Name Resolution

The TCP/IP protocol is at the heart of today's modern data networks. In module eight, we'll explain the most important aspects of an IP address, including the network ID, host ID, subnet ID, and subnet mask. You'll learn how to configure and troubleshoot IP addresses using both common IT tools and Windows XP's powerful new IT tools. You'll learn how host names are resolved to IP addresses. We'll explain the key points to consider in choosing between DNS and WINS for name resolution, plus we'll show you how to use a hosts file or an lmhosts file for name resolution. You'll learn how to configure a client for name resolution and how to troubleshoot DNS issues with the NSLOOKUP tool. This module also includes a section on using the powerful new Alternate IP feature of Windows XP Professional.

• Understanding, configuring, and troubleshooting TCP/IP addresses
• Determining how names are resolved to IP addresses
• Choosing between DNS and WINS
• Using hosts and lmhosts files
• Configuring a client for names resolution

Module Nine: Operating Windows XP Professional in Microsoft Windows Networks

Module nine is about sharing and collaboration. This is our networking module. We'll discuss the differences between workgroup and domain networking. We'll show you the different types of user accounts on a local computer running Windows XP Professional. You'll understand how user accounts are configured in the workgroup model. We'll show you how to implement security on a local computer. You'll learn how to operate Windows XP Professional in a domain and the benefits of domain networking. You'll see first-hand how to create a logon banner in Windows XP Professional.

• Understanding workgroups and user accounts
• Implementing security on a local computer
• The difference between workgroup and domain networking
• Operating Windows XP Professional in a domain

Module Ten: Windows XP Professional Remote Users

Module ten covers remote users running Windows XP Professional. We'll show you how to configure and troubleshoot remote access connections. You'll see how to use the New Connection Wizard to connect to the Internet or the network at the office. We'll show you how Windows XP makes it easy to set up a home or small office network. You'll learn how to set up advanced connections including Virtual Private Network (VPN) connections and how to accept incoming connections. This module concludes with an overview of Windows XP Professional's Remote Desktop feature and a live demonstration to show you its power.

• Configuring and troubleshooting remote access connections
• Enabling inbound connections
• An overview of authentication protocols and encryption
• Windows XP Professional's Remote Desktop feature

Module Eleven: Mobile Computing with Windows XP Professional

Today's workers could be anywhere. The office without walls is truly here, so today's IT professional must be able to support the user regardless of where they are. Module eleven is a logical follow up to module ten. Whether your mobile users are sales people at a client location, geologists in the field, or anyone else working on a laptop away from the office, this module will help you ensure your ability to provide maximum support. You'll learn mobile computing hardware configuration. We'll show you the sophisticated power management options available under Windows XP Professional. You'll see the power of using files, folders, and web pages offline.

• Mobile computing hardware configuration
• Power management options
• Offline use of files, folders, and web pages

Module Twelve: Monitoring Windows XP Performance and Resources

No matter what your operating system is, you've got to monitor it to ensure maximum performance. In module twelve, we'll show you how to find your way around the various monitoring and performance tools including the System Information applet, the Performance Monitor, the Task Manager, and the Event Viewer. This module concludes with a live demonstration showing you how to run legacy applications using the Application Compatibility Tool.

• The system information applet
• Monitoring system performance
• Improving performance with performance and maintenance tools
• Event logs
• Application compatibility

Module Thirteen: Securing Windows XP

Security is of maximum importance in today's systems and networks. In this module, you'll gain an understanding of security fundamentals including physical security and password security. You'll learn how to use Local Security Policy settings to secure a standalone workstation, you'll see the huge changes in Windows XP Service Pack 2, and you'll learn how to configure the Windows Firewall to protect each workstation.

• Security fundamentals
• Password security
• Using Local Security Policy to secure Windows XP/LI>
• Security auditing
• Security enhancements in Windows XP Service Pack 2
• Understanding and configuring the new Windows Firewall

Prerequisites

This professional-level Windows XP training program is designed for individuals who desire a technical understanding of Microsoft Windows XP Professional. Before attending this course, students should have experience with desktop operating systems.

	This seminar is currently available only for onsite presentation. Onsite training can make sense for groups of four or more. It may be offered publicly in the future, so please check back frequently or call 206.988.5858 for the latest schedule updates. Please click here for more information about soundtraining.net's onsite training programs.

Schedule and Registration

Registration: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Morning session: 9:00 a.m. to noon
Lunch (on your own): Noon to 1:00 p.m.
Afternoon session: 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Course Reviews

Want to leave course feedback? Fill out the form below and submit your comments on this course.

Type the word above in here:
Your feedback: