Frequently Asked Questions

What is Windows XP? Windows XP is the latest desktop operating system from Microsoft (not to be confused with server-side operating systems such as Windows 2000 Server and Microsoft's latest version, Windows Server 2003). Windows XP replaces Windows NT Workstation and Windows 2000 Professional. Windows XP is significantly different from all previous Microsoft operating systems. Windows XP offers a new graphical user interface (GUI), new tools and wizards, new ways to accomplish tasks, new local and network security models and significant stability improvements. There is no Windows XP server. Windows XP is strictly a desktop operating system. What is this course about? This course covers installing the Windows XP Professional operating system and applications, building a small network, sharing resources, configuring the GUI and other major Windows XP features. The course also illustrates the integration of Windows XP into an enterprise environment. It does not, however, cover server configuration or the centralised administration of security, computers and users. How does XP fit into the Windows family? Windows XP is the latest desktop operating system, and the successor to Windows 2000 Professional. It also replaces the Windows 9x family of desktop operating systems. Windows XP is available in a Home Edition, a Professional Edition, a Media Center Edition, and a Tablet PC Edition. Does the course cover Windows XP Home Edition, as well as XP Professional? The two products are very similar. Professional has some additional features that are necessary for running in enterprise environments. All of the hands-on exercises will be run on Windows XP Professional, but the differences between the two products are thoroughly explained during the course. What background do I need? This course assumes that you are reasonably familiar with a graphical environment and know how to use a mouse and keyboard. Don't worry about finding your way around in Windows XP; you have plenty of time to explore and learn the new interface during the course. Who will benefit from this course? This course provides an excellent introduction to Windows XP and is ideal for personnel who are moving into Windows support and IT professional roles. Typical participants include: PC technical support, help desk personnel, and departmental administrators and managers who need a thorough understanding of how to support Windows XP on the desktop. I've been promoted to a PC support role and I'm new to Windows technologies. Will I be sufficiently prepared for this course? Probably. During the course, you learn what you need to know about installing the operating system and applications, building a small network, sharing resources, configuring the GUI and the other major Windows XP features. My team manages our organisation's Windows Server 2003/2000/NT network. Should we attend a course on Windows XP Professional? This course provides your PC support technicians, help desk personnel and departmental administrators with the skills they need to support Windows XP users. Even experienced administrators already proficient with Windows 2000 Professional may benefit from the in-depth discussion of Windows XP features. I work as an IT consultant supporting small businesses and home users, especially telecommuters. Will this course benefit me? Absolutely. You learn how to set up Windows XP on networks and gain secure Internet access using Internet Connection Sharing and the Internet Connection Firewall. The course introduces Windows XP's new GUI and major features. How does this course differ from Course 595? Course 551 is an introductory course that focuses on the configuration and changes that can be made locally to the Windows XP system. The course does not cover the details of configuring servers or centrally managing security, computers and users via the Active Directory. Course 595, Windows Server® 2003: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction, is a more advanced course that introduces the core technologies for building enterprise solutions, and includes thorough introductions to Active Directory and other advanced enterprise technologies. Will I learn how to configure application compatibility? Yes, you learn to make many seemingly incompatible applications run successfully on Windows XP. You also learn to resolve sophisticated incompatibility issues using Microsoft's Application Compatibility Toolkit and the Security Configuration and Analysis Snap-In. How much time is spent on each topic? Content Hours Introduction to Windows XP 2.0 Working with the GUI 2.5 customising the system 4.0 Managing hardware 2.0 Managing applications 2.0 Supporting multiple users 2.5 Networking and sharing resources 3.0 Installation and upgrades 2.0 Working in domain environments 1.0 Multimedia and Internet technologies 2.0 Times, including the workshops, are estimates; exact times may vary according to the needs of each class. Does the course cover troubleshooting and optimisation? The course provides a general understanding of troubleshooting and optimisation issues, including editing the Registry and using System Restore. For details of advanced troubleshooting and optimisation, we recommend that you take Course 559, Windows Server® 2003 AD Troubleshooting: Hands-On, orCourse 598, Troubleshooting Windows Server® 2003 Environments. Will the course teach me to set up a TCP/IP network? The course covers basics related to operating Windows XP in a TCP/IP environment. It does not cover all the details of IP addressing, subnetting, DNS and other more advanced TCP/IP topics. I've heard that Windows XP enhances security. Does the course provide details of this aspect? The course discusses XP's security features and options, including XP's unique Simple File Sharing. It does not deal with the details of enterprise security. To learn more on security, we recommend that you take Course 599, Securing Windows Server® 2003: Hands-On. Will this course teach me to deploy and manage Windows XP in an enterprise environment? You learn how to manually install and manage Windows XP in both standalone and network environments. You also experience some of the advantages of working in a managed enterprise environment, but this course does not cover the details of managing security, computers and users in Active Directory or NT Domain environments. How does this course relate to other Learning Tree courses? Courses in the Windows Server 2003 curriculum include: 595, Windows Server® 2003: A Comprehensive Hands-On Introduction  596, Windows Server® 2003 Active Directory®: Hands-On  597, Deploying and Managing a Windows Server® 2003 Environment: Hands-On  598, Troubleshooting Windows Server® 2003 Environments  599, Securing Windows Server® 2003: Hands-On  Other courses that apply include: 558, Automating Windows® Administration with VBScript: Hands-On  559, Windows Server® 2003 AD Troubleshooting: Hands-On

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