- Overview of the Domains Covered on Each Exam
- Hardware
- Operating Systems
- Networking
- Conclusion
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Operating Systems
Both Essentials and 220-702 include a domain for Operating Systems (it is 3.0 in Essentials, and 2.0 in 220-702). As with Hardware, there are distinctive differences in what you need to know for both exams and your best strategies to master the objectives in each exam.
Essentials Operating Systems and Software
Operating Systems and Software 3.1 compare and contrast 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Windows XP and Windows Vista to each other and to Windows 2000 in terms of features, start menu and task bar appearance, upgrade requirements, x86 versus x64, and application compatibility.
Operating Systems and Software 3.2 cover the major user interfaces in Windows, including Control Panel, My Computer and others; major command-line and Run menu programs such as Cmd, ping, and others; My Network Places; Administrative Tools; Microsoft Management Console (MMC); Task Manager and Start menu.
Operating Systems and Software 3.3 covers the process of installing and configuring Windows, including file systems, installation methods and options, configuring devices and power management, disconnecting peripherals, and more.
Operating Systems and Software 3.4 discuss different ways of booting a computer, including boot order, boot devices, and boot options for solving problems.
Some keys to mastery include the following:
- Run different versions of Windows and compare how they look and how they work.
- Practice using the user interfaces and tools built into Windows, and while you practice, make sure you identify which tools are best for particular tasks.
- Install Windows XP and Windows Vista using different methods.
- Configure the computer to boot from CD/DVD, from hard disk, and from a bootable USB device.
- Try different boot options to see what Windows features are disabled.
220-702 Operating Systems
The 220-702 Operating Systems objectives are designed to evaluate your ability to solve operating system problems by choosing and using the best operating system tool or utility.
Operating Systems 2.1 covers command-line and run menu commands for troubleshooting and resolving problems, such as MSConfig, Ping, IPConfig, and others.
Operating Systems 2.2 covers how Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista differ in their directory (folder) structures used for program files, user and system files, and other important file types.
Operating Systems 2.3 objectives include disk management tools, the use of Disk Manager, system monitor, administrative tools, Device Manager, Task Manager, System Information, System Restore, Remote Desktop/Remote Assistance, Task Scheduler, and regional/language settings.
Operating Systems 2.4 objectives deal with solving common problems, error messages, and conditions such as print spooler errors, blue screen (STOP) errors, boot and startup errors, and system performance and optimization settings.
Some keys to mastery include:
- Use command-line and run menu commands and programs referred to in 2.1 with different command-line switches. See how the options enable each program to perform different tasks.
- Compare the folder structures used for user files in Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista.
- Try each of the management tools in 2.3.
- Use the system performance and optimizations settings covered in 2.4.
- When problems such as those covered in 2.4 occur, record the problems and the solutions you used.