MCDST: Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician Study Guide: Exams 70-271 and 70-272

Really I wish I could give this 2 and 1/2 stars since it really only covers one of the exams well. I found that this book covers the content in 70-272 wonderfully and most of what is included in this text was really relevant and helpful in that exam.The same can not be said for the content covered for 70-271. I found that a lot of what was in the exam was not mentioned in the book, specifically security template inf files (which there were a few questions). The book focuses a lot on the knowledge of the boot process and I can say I don't remember seeing one question about troubleshooting that in the exam. I understand that all questions may not be the same for every session but I remember thinking when the exam was completed that I studied a lot of stuff that I saw no questions on. On the other hand a lot of stuff I knew through my experience with the OS and not from what I read in the book. The opposite was true for 70-271 which as I said before, the covered content was pretty relevant.Overall I am not sure I would recommend this book to someone who is looking for an "all-encompassing" testing tool. It provides good working knowledge of WinXP but I think a little more material relevant to exam 70-271 should be covered. I think on future exams I will stick to MS published material instead.

The condition of the book is excellent! Looks like new. If you are looking for a guide for an obsolete Windows OS, then this is it.

Direction is very clear.

well, it's not new anymore.. but for the time it was:PROsit really is very comprehensivealmost like reading an encyclopediaCONsnot practical for real test... not enough practice.cannot be used as only book.

The Sybex MCDST book is an excellant resource for passing your MCDST. Although I do highly recommend experience in addition to this title, you should be able to pass the test with it alone. I would have liked to have seen questions in the book that more closely resembled what was on the test but other than that, this book was excellant.

Ok for reference but with Microsoft changing their program eachyear, it makes it hard to buy something and expect to get verymuch use out of it.

The text is easy to read and well thought out. If I should need an additional study guide I will greatly consider this author. My only additional addendum would be if purchase the book on audio disk. Possible as of this writing it may already be available.

Great product. Thanks!

The book is well written and easy to follow.I passed my exams afterwards what more can I really say?

Helped alot.

Did the job.

I work in technical support as a 2nd line analyst for IBM, doing the very role this book covers on a day to day basis.We are reasonably new to Xp on our desk, but the book itself seems to cover all the normal situations covered by a helpdesk analyst, and desktop support people and has helped me already to have a great understanding of XP within 2 days of beginning to read the book.everything from Windows installations through to configuring toolbars in office is covered ( and its generally those ms office problems which cause the most head aches for the analyst), the book sensibly refers the user to make the most of the microsoft knowledge base where appropriate, which is what most of us do anyway when needed, but at the same time covers some of the main scenariosMy only worry is, that ms press are doing two huge books to cover each exam at the cost of £30 each, is this book missing something, or have i found a great bargain ...?But at £20 the information in the book, is worth it in my opinion and it will certainly enhance your knowledge of Windows XP and the standard applications used on it