70-270

Installing, Configuring, and

Administering Microsoft
Windows XP Professional
Exam Notes for Installing, Configuring, and
Administering Microsoft Windows XP
Professional Exam 70-270

XP Exam Notes compiled By: Robert J. Shimonski

Please Note: Exam 70-270 is available in its beta version September 25-October 1,
2001. While it is in its beta version, this exam is numbered 71-270.

Abstract

This Exam Notes guide provides a technical overview of Windows XP. It shows new
technologies and features, sharing information, managing your desktop and other
tasks to help you prepare for the beta and then the live XP exam from Microsoft. This
of course is not a definitive guide to XP; it is too big and too detailed of an Operating
System to cover in a simple guide. Make sure you have hands on experience with XP
before you sit the exam…. So where do you want to go today?

Credit Toward Certification

When you pass this exam, you achieve Microsoft Certified Professional status. You
also earn core credit toward Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer certification. XP
exams are interchangeable with MCSE 2000 exams.

Preparation Tools

In addition to your hands-on experience working with the product, you may want to
use the following tools and training to help you prepare for this exam:

Step-by-Step Guide to Preparing for a Microsoft Certified Professional Exam

The Step-by-Step Guide describes a concise, six-step approach to preparing for an
MCP exam, and is also a compendium of MCP exam-preparation resources.
Microsoft Official Curriculum
The Microsoft Official Curriculum (MOC) consists of courses designed by Microsoft
product groups that support the certification exam process. You can choose from
instructor-led classroom training, self-paced training kits, and online training.

Microsoft Certified Professional Approved Study Guides

MCP Approved Study Guides are self-paced learning tools that are available in a
variety of formats to match your learning style, including books, CD-ROMs, online
content, and videos. These guides come in a wide range of prices to fit your budget.

Practice Tests
Practice tests offered by Microsoft Approved Practice Test Providers enable you to
assess and receive feedback on your level of knowledge and exam-readiness prior to
taking a certification exam. Although your score on a practice test doesn't
necessarily indicate what your score will be on a certification exam, a practice test
gives you the opportunity to answer questions that are similar to those on the
certification exam and can help you identify your areas of greatest strength and
weakness.

MOC Courses
Course 2272—Implementing and Supporting Microsoft Windows XP Professional
In this five-day course, you will acquire the skills to install, configure, deploy,
monitor, and troubleshoot Windows XP Professional

Course 2520—Deploying Microsoft Windows XP Professional

If you have knowledge and experience with earlier versions of Windows server
operating systems, this one-day course will give you practical training on deploying
Windows XP Professional

Links and Resources

Course Outline

Audience Profile

Candidates for this exam operate in medium to very large computing environments
that use Windows XP Professional as a desktop operating system. They have a
minimum of one year's experience implementing and administering any desktop
operating system in a network environment.

Skills Being Measured

This certification exam measures your ability to implement, administer, and

troubleshoot information systems that incorporate Microsoft Windows XP
Professional. Before taking the exam, you should be proficient in the job skills listed
below.
 XP Professional EXAM NOTES
Note that most of the functions you will perform from the course outline will be
similar to Windows 2000 Professional. This is the entire outline and below it, I will
cover all the details that are new to XP Professional

Exam Outline:
Installing Windows XP Professional
• Perform an attended installation of Windows XP Professional.
• Perform an unattended installation of Windows XP Professional
• Install Windows XP Professional by using Remote Installation Services (RIS).
• Install Windows XP Professional by using the System Preparation Tool.
• Create unattended answer files by using Setup Manager to automate the
installation of Windows XP Professional.
• Upgrade from a previous version of Windows to Windows XP Professional.
• Prepare a computer to meet upgrade requirements.
• Migrate existing user environments to a new installation.
• Perform post-installation updates and product activation.
• Troubleshoot failed installations.

Implementing and Conducting Administration of Resources

• Monitor, manage, and troubleshoot access to files and folders.

• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot file compression.
• Control access to files and folders by using permissions.
• Optimize access to files and folders.
• Manage and troubleshoot access to shared folders.
• Create and remove shared folders.
• Control access to shared folders by using permissions
• Manage and troubleshoot Web server resources.
• Connect to local and network print devices
• Manage printers and print jobs.
• Control access to printers by using permissions
• Connect to an Internet printer.
• Connect to a local print device.
• Configure and manage file systems.
• Convert from one file system to another file system.
• Configure NTFS, FAT32, or FAT file systems.
• Manage and troubleshoot access to and synchronization of offline files.
• Configure and troubleshoot fax support.
Implementing, Managing, Monitoring, and Troubleshooting Hardware
Devices and Drivers

• Implement, manage, and troubleshoot disk devices.

• Install, configure, and manage DVD and CD-ROM devices.
• Monitor and configure disks.
• Monitor, configure, and troubleshoot volumes.
• Monitor and configure removable media, such as tape devices.
• Implement, manage, and troubleshoot display devices.
• Configure multiple-display support.
• Install, configure, and troubleshoot a video adapter.
• Configure Advanced Configuration Power Interface (ACPI).
• Implement, manage, and troubleshoot input and output (I/O) devices.
• Monitor, configure, and troubleshoot I/O devices, such as printers, scanners,
multimedia devices, mouse, keyboard, and smart card reader.
• Monitor, configure, and troubleshoot multimedia hardware, such as cameras.
• Install, configure, and manage modems.
• Install, configure, and manage Infrared Data Association (IrDA) devices.
• Install, configure, and manage wireless devices.
• Install, configure, and manage USB devices.
• Install, configure, and manage hand held devices.
• Manage and troubleshoot drivers and driver signing.
• Monitor and configure multiprocessor computers.

Monitoring and Optimizing System Performance and Reliability

• Monitor, optimize, and troubleshoot performance of the Windows XP

Professional desktop.
• Optimize and troubleshoot memory performance.
• Optimize and troubleshoot processor utilization.
• Optimize and troubleshoot disk performance.
• Optimize and troubleshoot application performance.
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Scheduled Tasks.
• Manage, monitor, and optimize system performance for mobile users.
• Restore and back up the operating system, system state data, and user data.
• Recover system state data and user data by using Windows Backup.
• Troubleshoot system restoration by starting in safe mode.
• Recover system state data and user data by using the Recovery Console

Configuring and Troubleshooting the Desktop Environment

• Configure and manage user profiles.

• Configure support for multiple languages or multiple locations.
• Enable multiple-language support.
• Configure multiple-language support for users.
• Configure local settings.
• Configure Windows XP Professional for multiple locations.
• Manage applications by using Windows Installer packages.
• Configure and troubleshoot desktop settings.
• Configure and troubleshoot accessibility services.
Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting Network Protocols and
Services

• Configure and troubleshoot the TCP/IP protocol.

• Connect to computers by using dial-up networking.
• Connect to computers by using a virtual private network (VPN) connection.
• Create a dial-up connection to connect to a remote access server.
• Connect to the Internet by using dial-up networking.
• Configure and troubleshoot Internet Connection Sharing.
• Connect to resources using Internet Explorer.
• Configure, manage, and implement Internet Information Services (IIS).
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot remote desktop and remote assistance.
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot an Internet connection firewall.

Configuring, Managing, and Troubleshooting Security

• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Encrypting File System (EFS).

• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot local security policy.
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot local user and group accounts.
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot auditing.
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot account settings.
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot account policy.
• Configure and troubleshoot local users and groups.
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot user and group rights.
• Troubleshoot cache credentials.
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot a security configuration.
• Configure, manage, and troubleshoot Internet Explorer security settings.

You can see that most of the course and test objectives seem to be easy, but they
are not… This is a tough exam, and there is a lot of new functionality to XP. Make
sure you are practicing it and working with it daily to really get a good feel for it.
XP Professional Information and details:
Note: Make sure you are using a version of XP beta that is fairly current like RC1 or
2 or 25xx Build. There are MAJOR differences between the betas that will confuse the
hell out of you

Introduction to XP

First off, you are probably asking yourself – what is so different about XP… take a
look at this:

Windows XP Enhanced Desktop and Icons

The desktop itself is different, but no fear – you can switch it back to the 2000 look
and feel.
You can switch it by going to the taskbar => right click it and go to properties => go
the start menu tab and select the Classic Start Menu view. This should be a look you
are used to, but beware, it did not change the functionality, and just the look. One
thing you changed was the start menu. The new start menu is different, and by
switching this over, you get the old 2000 one. Here is what the new start menu looks
like:

Windows XP Enhanced Control Panel

Some points of interest here is that the log off is different. When you log on and log
off, it is different in XP (Yes, you can switch it back to 2000 view) but why not leave
the cool look and feel of XP?

Now you don’t have to memorize Start > settings > Control panel… there is not
settings option. All programs is where the rest of your applications installed will
reside.
The Start menu was designed to adapt to the way you work:

o Your five favorite programs display first (to the left of the control panel), and
your default e-mail and Web browser are always available
o It groups your most frequently used files and applications together for quick
and easy access
o One click also gets you to Help and Support, and tools to configure your
system
o This can be turned off, but once you get used to it, it is pretty helpful

Basics of XP

Windows XP is the next version of Microsoft Windows beyond Windows 2000 and
Windows Millennium. Remember that Windows XP is built on an enhanced Windows
2000 code base, with different versions aimed at home users and business users:
• Windows XP Home Edition
• Windows XP Professional

XP really is Windows 2000 on Steroids. There is not much difference in the feature
set, but there are about a million new Wizards and functions you can use, plus the
entire GUI has been tweaked.

New GUI

While maintaining the core of Windows 2000, Windows XP features a fresh new
visual design. Common tasks have been consolidated, and simplified and new visual
cues have been added to help you navigate your computer more easily. Just logging
on can be and look much different as seen below:
Windows XP Welcome Screen in with Fast Switching Enabled

o Fast User Switching for Multiple Users of a Computer was Designed for the
home, Fast User Switching lets everyone use a single computer as if it were
his or her own
o Windows XP takes advantage of Terminal Services technology and runs each
user session as a unique Terminal Services session, enabling each user's data
to be entirely separated
o Enabled by default if you're using Windows XP Home Edition, Fast User
Switching is also available on Windows XP Professional if you install it on a
stand alone or workgroup-connected computer

Task Manager

Task Manager had a little face-lift as well. The Task Manager is still pretty much the
same BUT it has a great new tab to see the utilization on your NIC cards. The only
way to get any traffic on a LAN (like my test lab at home) was to PING the life out of
my XP machine from another machine on the network. I just threw some big fat
oversized hand crafted ICMP packets at it from a router but you can do the same
from a workstation with the command seen below:

Use the Ping Command

Ping: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx –t –l 1500

Now, open Task manager and check out the Networking Tab. You will find some
activity on the card. (There is two NIC’s seen here because I have it Multihomed with
one card in a router port) but you get the idea…

Windows XP Enhanced Task Manager

File grouping

Windows XP introduces an easier-to-manage taskbar by grouping multiple instances

of the same application. (Which I found VERY hard to get used to) Instead of having
5 instances of a Microsoft Word file each arranged horizontally on the taskbar,
Windows XP groups them together on one taskbar button. Remember how the tasks
in the taskbar would turn into slivers that you couldn’t even read anymore? This in
fact turns it into a Menu system for you. In the Taskbar, you see only one taskbar
button, showing the number of files that are open for the application. Clicking the
button shows the vertical list of all file names and the files can all be cascaded, tiled,
or minimized at the same time. If you open four MMC consoles, they will all be
grouped and you can select between them from the “File Grouping”

Hardware and Device Support

XP supports your hardware better. I believe this but I haven’t tried XP on all the
hardware I can get my hands on. I have implemented it on quite a few systems and
it seems to be holding true to its name.

Windows XP includes Plug and Play support for hundreds of devices not covered by
Windows 2000, and enhanced support for:

• Universal Serial Bus - USB

• IEEE 1394 Firewire
• Many other buses like - Peripheral Component Interface (PCI)

Other support enhancements include:

• WIA - Windows Image Acquisition - which replaces TWAIN at the application

services layer to provide better communication between applications and
devices
• WIA is an interface that facilitates image acquisition from still image and
serial devices

COM and Shared DLL Isolation Support

• Windows XP has a new folder under Windows called "WinSxS" (Windows Side-
by-Side)
• This area is used to store versions of Windows XP components that are built
to reduce configuration problems with Dynamic Link Libraries (DLL) (DLL
hell).
• Multiple versions of components are stored in this folder. Windows XP allows
Win32 API components and applications to use the exact version of Microsoft
components with which they are tested and not be impacted by other
application or operating system updates
• It does this by relying on XML files that contain metadata about application
configuration such as COM classes, interfaces, and type libraries
Universal Plug and Play and Hardware Management

• Universal Plug and Play is more than just a simple extension of the Plug and
Play peripheral model. It was designed to:
o Support zero-configuration
o "Invisible" networking and detection
o Automatic discovery tons of devices

You can use Device Manager to manage your devices in your XP machine:

Device manager can be used to force a “Plug and Play” on your system

• With Universal Plug and Play, a device can dynamically join a network, obtain
an IP address, convey its capabilities, and learn about the presence and
capabilities of other devices-all automatically; truly enabling zero
configuration networks. Devices can subsequently communicate with each
other directly and further enabling peer-to-peer networking
• Device manager just got cooler to look at and there is more added
functionality in it as well
Troubleshooting Tools and Restoring your XP System

o This diagnostic tool (Msconfig.exe) simplifies troubleshooting tasks that might

normally be beyond the ability of many users.

Well, if you worked with any other version of msconfig then wait until you see this
one:

• The General Tab will allow you to pick between a Normal Startup sequences
or you can switch to Diagnostic mode. (You can also select specify files to be
used during boot up) System Restore can be launched from here as well
• The next three tabs you should be familiar with, although you will find that
their functionality is increased, especially working with the boot.ini as seen
below. Look at all the switches you can add and adjust as well functions that
are as more advanced. Now that’s cool…
• The services tab is where you can see your running services and enable or
disable them
• The startup tab is cool. For all my Power Users out there (you know who you
are) this is the dialog box addition you have been waiting for – remember
going into Regedit to pull garbage out of the RUN key? Well, wait until you
see the Startup tab, just uncheck the box and it will not run
MSCONFIG Utility

o By automating the standard troubleshooting steps, the tool walks users

through basic troubleshooting steps from one location. It's the same tool used
by Microsoft Product Support Services technicians when diagnosing issues
with the Windows configuration. You can use this tool to modify the system
configuration through a process of elimination with check boxes, reducing the
risk of typing errors.

o The System Configuration Utility can also be used to:

! Create a backup copy of your system files before you begin a

troubleshooting session
! Creating backup copies of your system files ensures that the
modifications made during your troubleshooting session can be
reversed
! You can also restore a backup file using the System Configuration
Utility

o System Restore
! Restore your computer to a previous state in the event of a problem
and do it without losing data
! System Restore actively monitors changes to the system and some
application files and automatically creates easily identifiable restore
points so you do not have to remember to backup
! Just remember that things like this are cool, but if you skimp on the
system requirements you may be hurting… you must understand that
all new MS Operating systems become much more functional but at a
price
! Windows XP creates restore points daily (by default)
! You can also create your own restore points if you want
! System Restore does not monitor changes to or recover your personal
data files ~ Sorry
Power Management

As in Windows 2000, power management in XP is also based on the Advanced

Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification. By this time, Microsoft
probably assumes you are running a machine new enough to support this
functionality.
Control Panel Applet Power Management Utility APM Properties

XP is introducing many new features for Mobile equipment. (This makes sense as we
move into the “mobile on the go” era even more) There are many new power
management features especially for mobile computer users and these are actually
very helpful:

o Processor power control:

! Machine can run with lower CPU speeds while on battery power
! Reduced CPU speeds save on battery power!
o CardBus Wake-on-LAN:
! Windows XP introduces support for CardBus Wake-on-LAN, a
technology
! Machines in Standby mode can be "woken up" for system updates,
software installations and then returned to Standby Mode
! This function allows administrators to address networked notebook
machines as needed without requiring the notebooks to be left on full
power
! Wake-on-LAN technology for desktop computers is also improved in
Windows XP, allowing more refined control of wake-up events
! Your NIC has to support it! You will know if it does or not by going to
device manager and looking at the properties of the advanced tab:
Device manager NIC Properties with Wake on LAN technology

o Wake on Battery:
! When a system in Standby is running on batteries and power drops to
low, a wake event can be triggered that allows the system to enter
Hibernation mode and preserve data
! This will of course save the machines battery power and allow for
better power usage – remember, that is an administrators biggest
challenge with mobile hardware => how to keep it powered!
o Lid power and display dimming:
! When the lid of a mobile computer is closed, the display is powered
off, thus conserving battery power (this is normal)
! When a mobile computer is running on battery power, the LCD monitor
is dimmed – this is great!
! Upon reconnection to AC power, the original brightness in the LCD
resumes and you can have your original functionality

Driver Rollback

• This will resemble “the Last Known Good Configuration” option first available
in NT and Windows 2000 Safe Mode and the System Restore
• You need to understand back from the days of Windows 95 and beyond what
a hardware profile is. Many people do not understand profiles and how they
work but it is must for 2000 and XP (especially with Group Policy) – this could
essentially be thought of as a Hardware Profile
• Driver Update is highly functional and when you update a driver, a copy of the
previous driver package is automatically saved in a subdirectory of the
system files
• For every driver that you back up, a new value is added to the Backup keys
located in the appropriate section of the registry
NIC Card Properties Sheet:

• If the new driver does not work properly, you can restore the previous driver
by accessing the Driver tab for the device in the Device Manager, and clicking
Roll Back Driver
• Driver Rollback permits only one level of rollback (only one prior driver
version can be saved at a time); this feature is available for all device classes,
except printers
• Driver rollback has a js script in the Run key of the registry and you can find
it below the %systemroot% directory

Rollback script

// Replace %systemroot%\system32\config\security with saved copy

// at next reboot
// Using inuse.exe but hide the command window

var wshShell = WScript.CreateObject("WScript.Shell");

var strSrc = wshShell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%systemroot%") + "\\repair\\security";
var strDest = wshShell.ExpandEnvironmentStrings("%systemroot%") +
"\\system32\\config\\security";

wshShell.run("inuse.exe " + strSrc + " " + strDest + " /y", 0);

Internet Connection Firewall

This is a very cool new feature, sure to piss off many personal firewall application
dealers… (Zone Labs, Norton and Black Ice, etc.)

• Designed for home users and small businesses (sorry, you can not use this to
protect your corporate network… go ISA 2000)
• Windows XP built-in feature called Internet Connection Firewall
• Used as a dynamic packet filter
• It protects your machine directly connected to the Internet
• Can be run in conjunction with Internet Connection Sharing
• This Firewall blocks unsolicited connections originating from the Internet

NIC Card Properties Sheet:

• If you notice the settings button on the bottom of the Dialog box, then that’s
what you want to click on. It will produce the next dialog box:
 • When running a firewall of NAY type you will want to ALWAYS turn on logging.
You are not going to sit there and watch it are you? Please answer no…

• Logging will also provide hardcopy timestamped proof of your intrusions or

alerts.

NIC Card Properties Sheet (Advanced Settings):

• Internet Connection Firewall is available for the following types of

connections:
o Local Area Network - LAN
o Point-to-Point Over the Ethernet (PTPOE)
o Virtual Private Network (VPN)
o Dial-up connections

Note: Internet Connection Firewall also prevents the scanning of ports and resources
like file sharing (Netbios) from external sources that I must say is about time
Microsoft started worrying about security on an Internet connected PC… Since most
of them are set up this way
Windows XP Professional and 64-Bit Support

• If you want a high performance workstation to be used for solving complex

scientific problems, heavy math, developing high-performance design and
engineering applications, or creating 3-D animations – then you want to go XP
64 bit. This is the future of Operating systems right here.
• The 64-bit edition is used with the Intel Itanium 64-bit (IA-64) processor
• The 64-bit version will support most 32-bit applications through the WOW64
32-bit subsystem
• Both versions (32 and 64) will run together on the network
• Based on the Win64 API
• Its architecture provides more efficient processing of extremely large amounts
of data, supporting up to eight terabytes of virtual memory
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