Introduction to Windows XP

Professional

70-270: MCSE Guide to

Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Microsoft Certification
 MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems
Engineer) 70-270 exam
 "Installing, Configuring, and Administering
Microsoft Windows XP Professional"
 http://www.microsoft.com/learning/exams/70-2
70.asp
 Measures the ability to implement and
administer Microsoft Windows XP
Professional as a desktop operating
system in a network environment
Microsoft Networking Family
 A collection of operating systems (O/S)
 An operating system:
 Works directly with hardware to provide environment
for other software to operate
 Participates in network as a server or a client
 Server—provides services such as files, programs,
access to shared devices to clients (workstations in
the network)
 Client—accesses shared resources; usually a

desktop on a worker's desk

 Includes a wide range of products
Windows XP (Page 1)

 Builds upon many features of Windows

2000 and Windows 98/SE/ME
 Includes advanced Internet, security, and
connectivity technologies
Windows XP (Page 2)

 Five distinct products:

 Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
 Runs on Intel's more expensive Itanium 2
processor
 Limited deployment until the hardware

technology becomes more reasonably priced

 Windows XP Media Center Edition
 Enhanced for multimedia applications including
video, audio, images, television and CD/DVD
playback
Windows XP (Page 3)

 Five distinct products (con.):

 Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
 Improved speech and pen capabilities for
running on a Tablet PC; interprets writing into
text
 Windows XP Home Edition
 Designed for stand-alone (not running in a
network) home use
 Similar to Windows XP Professional but with

limited business-level features

Windows XP (Page 4)

 Five distinct products (con.):

 Windows XP Professional
 May be used in a stand-alone environment, or
may be used for a domain network client
 Encrypting File System (EFS)

 Offline files

 Internet Protocol Security (IPSec)

 Automated System Recovery (ASR)

 Remote Desktop

 Internet Information Server (IIS)

Windows Server 2003
 The server version of Windows XP
 Successor to Windows Server 2000
 Name changes through development phase
included:
 "Whistler"
 "XP Server"
 "2002 Server"
 ".NET Server"
 "Windows Server 2003"
 Several distinct versions
Other Client O/S's
 Since the year 1995:
 Windows 2000 Professional
 Windows NT 4.0 Workstation
 Windows ME
 Windows SE (Windows 98 Second Edition)
 Windows 98
 Windows 95
 Windows for Workgroups
Selecting "XP Professional" or
"XP Home Edition" (Page 1)

 Do you need to connect to a large Microsoft

network (Windows NT, Windows 2000, or
Windows 2003)?
 Microsoft XP Home Edition does not provide
domain connection capabilities to a network
 Do you need to remotely access your
computer?
 The Remote Desktop feature is found only in
Microsoft XP Professional
Selecting "XP Professional" or
"XP Home Edition" (Page 2)

 Do you need to protect sensitive files?

 The Encrypting File System (EFS) feature is
found only in Microsoft XP Professional
 Do you need a wide range of fault tolerance
and recovery options?
 The ability to restore damaged files, recover
from system failures or restore the entire system
only is available in Microsoft XP Professional
Selecting "XP Professional" or
"XP Home Edition" (Page 3)

 Are you a power user?

 Microsoft XP Professional is needed to perform
a variety of operations including multiple-CPU
systems, running Internet Information Server
(IIS), using multiple programming languages,
etc.
 Are you pursuing certification?
 The MCSE 70-270 certification is for Microsoft
XP Professional
Selecting "XP Professional" or
"XP Home Edition" (Page 4)

 What is your budget?

 If the answer is "No" to all the questions above,
then the extra expense of Windows XP
Professional probably is not necessary
 Before installing Windows XP
Professional, verify that your computer
meets the minimum system requirements
The Windows XP Environment
 A hybrid of Windows 2000 and Windows
ME (Millennium Edition)
 Inherits high reliability and security from
Windows 2000
 Gets "Plug and Play" from Windows ME
 Automatically detects presence of new
hardware
 Installs the appropriate device driver
Multiple Processors
 A powerful Windows XP feature that
supports true multiprocessing with up to
two CPU's
 Multiple applications are able to execute
simultaneously (as opposed to just
concurrently)
Multitasking
 The Windows XP feature that allows the CPU
to processes more than one task at a time over
one or more CPU's
 Preemptive multitasking
 O/S maintains control over how long any execution
thread takes possession of CPU
 Cooperative multitasking
 Individual applications take control over the CPU for
as long as they like
 Can lead to stalled (hung) systems
Multithreading
 Individual tasks within single process
space operate independently as separate
execution modules called threads
 All threads share same memory and
system resources
 Allows O/S to execute multiple threads
from single application concurrently
File Systems (Page 1)

 Each hard drive volumes and/or partition is

formatted using a particular file system
 FAT (file allocation table)
 Windows 95 extended MS-DOS system
 Supports long filename, file up to 2 GB

 FAT32
 Used in Windows 95 and Window 98
 File sizes up to 4 GB
File Systems (Page 2)

 Types of file systems (con.)

 New Technology File System (NTFS)
 First introduced in Windows NT; high reliability
file system preferred for Windows XP
 High performance, secure and object-oriented

 All file systems are backwards compatible

 Therefore Windows XP allows all the above
Active Directory
 XP's network control and administration
mechanism
 Combines various aspects of the network into
a manageable hierarchical structure
 Users, groups, hosts, clients, security settings,
resources, network links and transactions
 Installation and management utilities not
included with Windows XP
 Become available when a Windows XP
Professional machine joins a domain
Security
 Starts with a protected mandatory logon
system
 Memory protection
 System auditing of all events and activities
 Precise controls on file and directory access
 Kerberos v5 authentication protocol
 Authenticates clients and servers to network to
ensure both are valid members of a domain)
Compatibility
 Wide range of applications supported:
 MS-DOS 16-bit
 Native 32-bit (Win32)
 Windows 3.1 and Windows for Workgroups 16-
bit (Win16)
 In previous Windows versions, backwards
compatibility often was an issue
Storage Limitations
 RAM
 4 GB (gigabytes)
 Hard disk space
 2 TB (terabytes) for NTFS volumes
 32 GB for FAT32 volumes
 4 GB for FAT16 volumes
Connectivity
 Wide variety of networking protocols:
 NWLink—Microsoft's implementation of Novell's
NetWare
 Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
(TCP/IP)—standard for the Internet
 Compatible with other environments:
 Macintosh networks
 Older Microsoft networks (MS-DOS, Windows for
Workgroups and LAN Manager
 Wireless networks
System Recovery
 Traditional backup capabilities
 Automated self-protecting mechanisms
 Newer system recovery mechanisms:
 System Restore
 Automated System Recovery (ASR)
 Recovery Console
 Device driver rollback
Remote Capabilities
 Remote Desktop
 Access office computer’s user environment
from remote system
 Remote Assistance
 Invite remote user to control your desktop
Help and Support Services
 The comprehensive "Help" system
 Step-by-step guides
 Topical and index organizations
 Online help
 From the "Start" menu on the Task Bar,
select "Help and Support"
Intelligent User Interface
 New desktop layout and look
 Labeled as the "user experience"
 Easy to use
 New default color scheme
 Changes to the "Start" menu
Windows XP Start Menu
Windows XP Start Menu (Page 1)

 Quick links to Web browser and e-mail client

 “Pin” your own selection of icons to quick links by:
1. Right-clicking any item in the "Start" menu
2. Selecting the command "Pin to Start menu" from
the shortcut menu
 List of the most recently accessed
applications is below the pinned items (six be
default—may be extended to 30)
 At bottom of left column is "All Programs" link
Windows XP Start Menu (Page 2)

 Top of right column includes quick links to:

 My Documents (separate MyDocuments folder
exists for each profile—logon—on machine)
 My Recent Documents (selecting document
launches the application)
 My Pictures (folder within MyDocuments)
 My Music (folder within MyDocuments)
 My Computer (all drives and other components on
the computer)
 My Network Places (both local area network and
Internet connections)
Windows XP Start Menu (Page 3)

 Middle of right column includes quick

links to:
 Control panel
 Configuration and management of many
hardware and software features
 Printers and Faxes
 Installation, configuration and management
Windows XP Start Menu (Page 4)

 Bottom of right column includes quick

links to:
 Help and Support
 Web-based application
 Search
 For files, Internet sites, address book, etc.
 Run…
 Any program if you can find and select it by
name in a folder on any computer drive
Activity 1-1: Introducing The New
Windows XP Interface
 http://course.labmentors.com
 Steps on following pages
 Objective: Become familiar with the new
look of Windows XP Professional
 Follow directions to explore the desktop
and Start menu
Activity 1-1: Introducing The New
Windows XP Interface (Page 1)

1. At the Log On to Windows dialog box, type

Administrator in the User name text box.  In the
Password text box, type password. Click OK.
2. Locate the worksheet for this lab by double-
clicking the Lab Worksheets folder on the
desktop, open the 70-270 folder, select the
corresponding chapter for this activity, and then
select the corresponding html worksheet for this
activity.  Fill in the answers as you move through
the lab.
Activity 1-1: Introducing The New
Windows XP Interface (Page 2)

3. Notice the lack of icons on the desktop.

4. Double-click the Recycle Bin. This
reveals all items that have been deleted
but are still recoverable.
5. Select File, Close.
6. Click the Start button on the taskbar.
 Temporarily modify the "Start" menu to the
new "Windows XP" menu
Activity 1-1: Introducing The New
Windows XP Interface (Page 3)

7. Notice the items that appear in the Start menu

by default: Internet, E-mail, My Documents, My
Recent Documents, My Pictures, My Music,My
Computer,My Network Places, Control Panel,
Printers and Faxes, Help and Support, Search,
Run, Log Off, and Turn Off Computer.
 Note: Depending on the hardware and drivers
installed on your computer as well as vendor
configuration, your Start menu may differ from this
description. For example, instead of Turn Off
Computer, you may see Shut Down.
Activity 1-1: Introducing The New
Windows XP Interface (Page 4)

8. Click Turn Off Computer or Shut Down. This

reveals a dialog box where you can choose to log
off, stand by, hibernate (may not show up), turn
off the computer, restart the computer, or cancel.
9. Click Cancel.
10. Select Start, Run. This reveals the Run dialog
box, where you can enter a filename, or browse
to a path and filename to launch.
11. Enter "regedit" and click <OK>.
Activity 1-1: Introducing The New
Windows XP Interface (Page 5)

12. Select Start, Help and Support to open the

Help and Support Center interface. Explore this
interface.
13. Close the Help system by clicking the Close
button in the upper-right corner of the dialog box.
14. Select Start, Search. This opens a menu with
many selections, each of which is an interface
used to locate different types of objects, files,
people, etc.
15. Select File, Close.
Activity 1-1: Introducing The New
Windows XP Interface (Page 5)

16. Select Start, My Recent Documents.

This opens a menu that lists the most
recently accessed documents or files.
17. Select Start, All Programs. This opens
the first of several levels of menus in
which all of the applications, tools, and
utilities of the system are organized for
easy access. Explore this multilevel
menu.
Activity 1-1: Introducing The New
Windows XP Interface (Page 6)

18. Select Start, My Documents. This reveals

the default storage location for your
personal documents, faxes, and pictures.
19. Select File, Close.
20. Select Start, My Computer. This reveals a
list of all drives present on the system, plus
a link to Control Panel.
21. Select File, Close.
 Set "Start menu" back to Classic
Overview Of New Features
 Broad range of new features/improvements
 Most not covered on certification exam
IntelliMirror
 Fully integrated into Windows XP
 First developed for Windows 2000
 Offers fault-tolerant system to protect
system and data files from loss
 Backs up user data
 Automates application installation
Windows Messenger Service
 Makes online collaboration over Internet or office
LAN (local area network) easier by:
 Trading contact lists
 Exchanging files
 Sharing applications
 Writing on a multi-user whiteboard
 Includes
 Integrated video
 Voice
 Text conferencing
Windows Media Player 8
 Play CD's, DVD's, local music files off a
disk, live or recorded music, etc.
 View recorded movies
 Burn CD's
 Search and organize digital media
 Copy music to portable devices
Windows Movie Maker
 Transform camcorder recordings into
amateur home movies
 Broad support for digital images
Autoplay
 Can configure what system does based on
the type of CD
 I.e. audio, video, images (as from a scanner or
camera), documents, software, data, etc.
 Not a feature new to Windows
Desktop
 Enhanced to allow each user to customize
Start menu, Startup folder, taskbar, etc.
 Customization automatically is stored in
each user profile
 Separate profile exists for each logon account
on the machine
 If the Windows XP system is a domain client,
the profiles can "roam" (the user sees the
same desktop from wherever he/she logs in)
Activity 1-2: Setting Up The
Desktop
 http://course.labmentors.com
 Logon to the simulator
 Objective: Customize the desktop to your
preferences
 Follow instructions to practice customizing
desktop
Windows XP Professional
Hardware Requirements
 233 MHz CPU or higher microprocessor
 64 MB of RAM
 1.5 GB of free space
 VGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution monitor
 Keyboard
 Microsoft Mouse or compatible pointing
device (optional)
Windows XP Professional
"Recommended" Requirements
 P2 300 MHz CPU or higher processor
 128 MB of RAM (4 GB maximum)
 2 GB of free space
 SVGA (800 x 600) or higher resolution
monitor
 12x or faster CD-ROM drive
Hardware Compatibility List
 An essential piece of documentation
containing all known Windows XP-
compatible hardware devices
 Every hardware component in computer
must be Windows XP-compatible
 Check all of your devices against the HCL
(Hardware Compatibility List) before
installing the O/S
 Points to each device’s driver
Finding the HCL
 Located on Windows XP CD-ROM in the
"Support" folder or …
 Consult most current version of the HCL
 www.microsoft.com/whdc/hcl/search.mspx
Why Is the HCL So Important?
 Windows XP controls hardware directly
 Does not use the PC's BIOS (basic
input/output system) as in Windows 95/98
and MS-DOS
 Windows XP works only with devices with
drivers written specifically for it
Activity 1-3: Verifying Windows XP
Hardware Compatibility
 http://course.labmentors.com
 Not really a simulation—just slides
 Objective: Check hardware compatibility
 Open computer case to view components
 Verify compatibility using HCL
Networking Models
 Two networking models:
 Workgroup
 Domain
Workgroup Model (Page 1)

 Also known as peer-to-peer

 All computers are equal
 Each computer in the network from time-to-
time serves both as server and client
 Each computer maintains own set of
 Resources
 Accounts
 Security information
Workgroup Model (Page 2)
Domain Model (Page 1)

 Centralizes all shared resources

 Single point for administration and security
 Simpler to manage from administrative and security
standpoint
 Requires at least one domain controller (DC)
 Stored on central server and maintains domain's Active
Directory managing information about users, groups,
policies, computers and resources
 Microsoft's stated limit is 25,000 machines
 Practical limit up to 3000 computers in domain
Domain Model (Page 2)