Hi all,

I've just started studying my MCSE (starting with the first of the Core
exams 70-290). My workplace is unwilling to pay, so I've decided to self
study and get out of my "go nowhere" job.

As a noob (although I've been in the IT trade for about 8 years, from
Helpdesk through to NT4 and Wink2K Server installs, network design and
upgrades etc), I wondered if any of you guys had some insights and
suggestions, pitfalls to watch out for etc.

I'm self studying from the MS Press books and will only do courses if I have
to (like I say, I'm funding it myself). I'm hoping to do roughly one exam
every 2 months. Do I have a time limit from when I get my first exam to
when I get my last?

Any insights you guys and gals can share would be most appreciated.

Regards,

Steve Swallow

New MCSE Student by Ralf

Ralf
Mon Oct 11 03:36:53 CDT 2004

Steven, we all have a time limit my friend... it's just
that most of us don't know what it is...

Good luck with your studies though.



>-----Original Message-----
>Hi all,
>
>I've just started studying my MCSE (starting with the
first of the Core
>exams 70-290). My workplace is unwilling to pay, so
I've decided to self
>study and get out of my "go nowhere" job.
>
>As a noob (although I've been in the IT trade for about
8 years, from
>Helpdesk through to NT4 and Wink2K Server installs,
network design and
>upgrades etc), I wondered if any of you guys had some
insights and
>suggestions, pitfalls to watch out for etc.
>
>I'm self studying from the MS Press books and will only
do courses if I have
>to (like I say, I'm funding it myself). I'm hoping to
do roughly one exam
>every 2 months. Do I have a time limit from when I get
my first exam to
>when I get my last?
>
>Any insights you guys and gals can share would be most
appreciated.
>
>Regards,
>
>Steve Swallow
>
>
>.
>

Re: New MCSE Student by Doom

Doom
Mon Oct 11 09:25:04 CDT 2004


"Steven Swallow" <steven@jswallow.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:ckcfgl$ck2$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Hi all,
>
> I've just started studying my MCSE (starting with the first of the Core
> exams 70-290). My workplace is unwilling to pay, so I've decided to self
> study and get out of my "go nowhere" job.

I think it's good that you want to get certified but my question is this: In
this job market where are you planning on going to?



Re: New MCSE Student by TechGeekPro

TechGeekPro
Mon Oct 11 16:59:45 CDT 2004

On Oct 11, 2004 at 10:25am "Doom" blathered:

> I think it's good that you want to get certified but my question is
> this: In this job market where are you planning on going to?

Isn't that Microsoft's new slogan: Where did you want to go today?

--
TechGeekPro, MCNGP #36
MCNGP.com - We're here to help!
I'm TechGeekPro, and I approved this post.

Re: New MCSE Student by Steven

Steven
Mon Oct 11 19:54:08 CDT 2004

You have at least a couple of years if you are going the Windows 2003 route.
I would not rely on one book for each test though. I HIGHLY recommend that
you also use Mark Minasi's mastering Windows 2003 Server as a learning book.
It is not an MCSE book but it is very good at explaining concepts with lots
of real world examples, explanations, and many tricks and traps throughout.
Also take advantage of the free resources at Microsoft's website such as the
various white papers and the Widows 2003 Server Deployment Kit as shown in
the first link below. You will find the built in Windows help files also
extremely valuable learning tool. Right clicking a setting or dragging the ?
mark [from top right hand corner of a pop up box] to the setting will often
open the help file for that setting.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/reskit/deploykit.mspx
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/Security/topics/hardsys/tcg/tcgch00.mspx --
Great security reference for your studies.
http://labmice.techtarget.com/windows2003/default.htm -- Labmice site.
Tremendous amount of information available in a well organized site.

If you are disciplined and can learn on your own I suggest you forget
classes and instead sep up a small test network at home with at least three
computers. You can do that with one monitor if need be and use a KVM switch
to switch between computers and/or use Remote Desktop. You can get used Dell
computers for around $150 shipped with thirty day warranty on Ebay [no
monitor]. A 500Mhz with minimum 128 ram or better yet 256 ram and a hard
drive of at least 5G would be great. A 5G drive would allow you to have dual
boot operating systems to give you great flexability in scenrios with three
computers. I have passed 15 exams with no classroom time and never came
close to failing one. However do NOT get too bummed out if you fail one,
just consider it a learning experience and be determined to be better
prepared the next time. Good luck. --- Steve


"Steven Swallow" <steven@jswallow.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:ckcfgl$ck2$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Hi all,
>
> I've just started studying my MCSE (starting with the first of the Core
> exams 70-290). My workplace is unwilling to pay, so I've decided to self
> study and get out of my "go nowhere" job.
>
> As a noob (although I've been in the IT trade for about 8 years, from
> Helpdesk through to NT4 and Wink2K Server installs, network design and
> upgrades etc), I wondered if any of you guys had some insights and
> suggestions, pitfalls to watch out for etc.
>
> I'm self studying from the MS Press books and will only do courses if I
> have to (like I say, I'm funding it myself). I'm hoping to do roughly one
> exam every 2 months. Do I have a time limit from when I get my first exam
> to when I get my last?
>
> Any insights you guys and gals can share would be most appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> Steve Swallow
>



Re: New MCSE Student by Consultant

Consultant
Tue Oct 12 09:39:00 CDT 2004

is your moms' name robin?


"Steven Swallow" <steven@jswallow.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:ckcfgl$ck2$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
> Hi all,
>
> I've just started studying my MCSE (starting with the first of the Core
> exams 70-290). My workplace is unwilling to pay, so I've decided to self
> study and get out of my "go nowhere" job.
>
> As a noob (although I've been in the IT trade for about 8 years, from
> Helpdesk through to NT4 and Wink2K Server installs, network design and
> upgrades etc), I wondered if any of you guys had some insights and
> suggestions, pitfalls to watch out for etc.
>
> I'm self studying from the MS Press books and will only do courses if I
> have to (like I say, I'm funding it myself). I'm hoping to do roughly one
> exam every 2 months. Do I have a time limit from when I get my first exam
> to when I get my last?
>
> Any insights you guys and gals can share would be most appreciated.
>
> Regards,
>
> Steve Swallow
>



Re: New MCSE Student by Neil

Neil
Tue Oct 12 12:28:03 CDT 2004

incase you missed it "Doom" <doom_mcngp38@nospam.com> said in
news:OO1Qb45rEHA.3848@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl:

> In
> this job market where are you planning on going to?
>

_from_ Burger King to McDonald's or the other way around?

--
Neil MCNGP #30
the "curious" hair on the soap of society

Re: New MCSE Student by Neil

Neil
Tue Oct 12 12:32:00 CDT 2004

incase you missed it "Steven Swallow" <steven@jswallow.wanadoo.co.uk>
said in news:ckcfgl$ck2$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk:

> I'm self studying from the MS Press books and will only do courses if
> I have to (like I say, I'm funding it myself). I'm hoping to do
> roughly one exam every 2 months. Do I have a time limit from when I
> get my first exam to when I get my last?
>

no time limits so you may want to (if anything) add some extra study time
in there. spend lots of time USING teh product. you can get free
downloads of Most of the software from MS (time limited eval copies) that
woudl be ideal for study. consider getting a copy of VMWare or MS's VPC
so that you can run multiple OS's on a single box. also consider getting
multiple PC's to test some of the networking functionality. Good luck...

--
Neil MCNGP #30
the "curious" hair on the soap of society

Re: New MCSE Student by Neil

Neil
Tue Oct 12 12:32:23 CDT 2004

incase you missed it "Consultant" <consultant_mcngp@yahoo.com> said in
news:eolV3kGsEHA.3076@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl:

>
> is your moms' name robin?
>
>

formerly Spitz?

--
Neil MCNGP #30
the "curious" hair on the soap of society

Re: New MCSE Student by JaR

JaR
Tue Oct 12 13:34:20 CDT 2004

In microsoft.public.cert.exam.mcse, Neil climbed on a soapbox & opined:

> incase you missed it "Doom" <doom_mcngp38@nospam.com> said in
> news:OO1Qb45rEHA.3848@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl:
>
>> In
>> this job market where are you planning on going to?
>>
>
> _from_ Burger King to McDonald's or the other way around?
>

Movin' up.

Going to work for Dennys.

JaR
Promotional Candidate

Re: New MCSE Student by Neil

Neil
Tue Oct 12 13:51:50 CDT 2004

incase you missed it JaR <plente@spamsuxsofthome.net> said in
news:Xns958075BB038ABplentespamsuxsofthom@207.46.248.16:

> Movin' up.
>
> Going to work for Dennys.

scr3w dat, I hear Home Depot is hirin'

--
Neil MCNGP #30
the "curious" hair on the soap of society

Re: New MCSE Student by Steven

Steven
Tue Oct 12 13:57:12 CDT 2004

Steven,

Thanks for all the links, they look like they'll be very useful! Regarding
my home set-up, I'm way ahead of you mate! I already have a Server set up
with Windows Server 2003, and PC with XP Pro SP2 (although SP2 might come
off if it gives me any more grief) and a laptop I can use as a second client
if need be.

All hooked up to a KVM switch!

As for failing exams, I'm obviously going to be taking plenty of mock exams
before I go to an exam...like I say, I'm funding it myself and I don't have
an unlimited supply of money!

Thanks for all the help, I'll certainly stay in touch with this newsgroup.

Steve Swallow

"Steven L Umbach" <n9rou@n0-spam-for-me-comcast.net> wrote in message
news:QWFad.456749$8_6.136152@attbi_s04...
> You have at least a couple of years if you are going the Windows 2003
> route. I would not rely on one book for each test though. I HIGHLY
> recommend that you also use Mark Minasi's mastering Windows 2003 Server as
> a learning book. It is not an MCSE book but it is very good at explaining
> concepts with lots of real world examples, explanations, and many tricks
> and traps throughout. Also take advantage of the free resources at
> Microsoft's website such as the various white papers and the Widows 2003
> Server Deployment Kit as shown in the first link below. You will find the
> built in Windows help files also extremely valuable learning tool. Right
> clicking a setting or dragging the ? mark [from top right hand corner of a
> pop up box] to the setting will often open the help file for that setting.
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsserver2003/techinfo/reskit/deploykit.mspx
>
> ttp://www.microsoft.com/technet/Security/topics/hardsys/tcg/tcgch00.mspx
> --
> Great security reference for your studies.
> http://labmice.techtarget.com/windows2003/default.htm -- Labmice site.
> Tremendous amount of information available in a well organized site.
>
> If you are disciplined and can learn on your own I suggest you forget
> classes and instead sep up a small test network at home with at least
> three computers. You can do that with one monitor if need be and use a KVM
> switch to switch between computers and/or use Remote Desktop. You can get
> used Dell computers for around $150 shipped with thirty day warranty on
> Ebay [no monitor]. A 500Mhz with minimum 128 ram or better yet 256 ram and
> a hard drive of at least 5G would be great. A 5G drive would allow you to
> have dual boot operating systems to give you great flexability in scenrios
> with three computers. I have passed 15 exams with no classroom time and
> never came close to failing one. However do NOT get too bummed out if you
> fail one, just consider it a learning experience and be determined to be
> better prepared the next time. Good luck. --- Steve
>
>
> "Steven Swallow" <steven@jswallow.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:ckcfgl$ck2$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I've just started studying my MCSE (starting with the first of the Core
>> exams 70-290). My workplace is unwilling to pay, so I've decided to self
>> study and get out of my "go nowhere" job.
>>
>> As a noob (although I've been in the IT trade for about 8 years, from
>> Helpdesk through to NT4 and Wink2K Server installs, network design and
>> upgrades etc), I wondered if any of you guys had some insights and
>> suggestions, pitfalls to watch out for etc.
>>
>> I'm self studying from the MS Press books and will only do courses if I
>> have to (like I say, I'm funding it myself). I'm hoping to do roughly
>> one exam every 2 months. Do I have a time limit from when I get my first
>> exam to when I get my last?
>>
>> Any insights you guys and gals can share would be most appreciated.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Steve Swallow
>>
>
>



Re: New MCSE Student by Steven

Steven
Tue Oct 12 13:59:15 CDT 2004

No,

Although my list of friends is quite scary;

Dean Raven
Dan Crow
Stuart Crane

Bird based surnames seem to be quite popular 'round these parts...

Steve

"Consultant" <consultant_mcngp@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eolV3kGsEHA.3076@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
> is your moms' name robin?
>
>
> "Steven Swallow" <steven@jswallow.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:ckcfgl$ck2$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
>> Hi all,
>>
>> I've just started studying my MCSE (starting with the first of the Core
>> exams 70-290). My workplace is unwilling to pay, so I've decided to self
>> study and get out of my "go nowhere" job.
>>
>> As a noob (although I've been in the IT trade for about 8 years, from
>> Helpdesk through to NT4 and Wink2K Server installs, network design and
>> upgrades etc), I wondered if any of you guys had some insights and
>> suggestions, pitfalls to watch out for etc.
>>
>> I'm self studying from the MS Press books and will only do courses if I
>> have to (like I say, I'm funding it myself). I'm hoping to do roughly
>> one exam every 2 months. Do I have a time limit from when I get my first
>> exam to when I get my last?
>>
>> Any insights you guys and gals can share would be most appreciated.
>>
>> Regards,
>>
>> Steve Swallow
>>
>
>



Re: New MCSE Student by JaR

JaR
Tue Oct 12 14:09:13 CDT 2004

In microsoft.public.cert.exam.mcse, Neil climbed on a soapbox & opined:

> incase you missed it JaR <plente@spamsuxsofthome.net> said in
> news:Xns958075BB038ABplentespamsuxsofthom@207.46.248.16:
>
>> Movin' up.
>>
>> Going to work for Dennys.
>
> scr3w dat, I hear Home Depot is hirin'
>

Kewl! I wanna work in Power Tools.

JaR
Connected Candidate

Re: New MCSE Student by Consultant

Consultant
Tue Oct 12 14:23:29 CDT 2004

uh, wait a sec, you ruined my funny

"Steven Swallow" <steven@jswallow.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:ckh9l9$jpo$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...
> No,
>
> Although my list of friends is quite scary;
>
> Dean Raven
> Dan Crow
> Stuart Crane
>
> Bird based surnames seem to be quite popular 'round these parts...
>
> Steve
>
> "Consultant" <consultant_mcngp@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:eolV3kGsEHA.3076@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>> is your moms' name robin?
>>
>>
>> "Steven Swallow" <steven@jswallow.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>> news:ckcfgl$ck2$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
>>> Hi all,
>>>
>>> I've just started studying my MCSE (starting with the first of the Core
>>> exams 70-290). My workplace is unwilling to pay, so I've decided to
>>> self study and get out of my "go nowhere" job.
>>>
>>> As a noob (although I've been in the IT trade for about 8 years, from
>>> Helpdesk through to NT4 and Wink2K Server installs, network design and
>>> upgrades etc), I wondered if any of you guys had some insights and
>>> suggestions, pitfalls to watch out for etc.
>>>
>>> I'm self studying from the MS Press books and will only do courses if I
>>> have to (like I say, I'm funding it myself). I'm hoping to do roughly
>>> one exam every 2 months. Do I have a time limit from when I get my
>>> first exam to when I get my last?
>>>
>>> Any insights you guys and gals can share would be most appreciated.
>>>
>>> Regards,
>>>
>>> Steve Swallow
>>>
>>
>>
>
>



Re: New MCSE Student by Neil

Neil
Tue Oct 12 14:28:34 CDT 2004

incase you missed it "Consultant" <consultant_mcngp@yahoo.com> said in
news:eIhN1DJsEHA.3324@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl:

> uh, wait a sec, you ruined my funny

guess you should have started with "does your wife?"

--
Neil MCNGP #30
the "curious" hair on the soap of society

Re: New MCSE Student by Steven

Steven
Tue Oct 12 17:47:23 CDT 2004

Thus, I shall say "HA!" haughtily. ;)

"Consultant" <consultant_mcngp@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:eIhN1DJsEHA.3324@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> uh, wait a sec, you ruined my funny
>
> "Steven Swallow" <steven@jswallow.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:ckh9l9$jpo$1@newsg2.svr.pol.co.uk...
>> No,
>>
>> Although my list of friends is quite scary;
>>
>> Dean Raven
>> Dan Crow
>> Stuart Crane
>>
>> Bird based surnames seem to be quite popular 'round these parts...
>>
>> Steve
>>
>> "Consultant" <consultant_mcngp@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:eolV3kGsEHA.3076@TK2MSFTNGP10.phx.gbl...
>>> is your moms' name robin?
>>>
>>>
>>> "Steven Swallow" <steven@jswallow.wanadoo.co.uk> wrote in message
>>> news:ckcfgl$ck2$1@newsg3.svr.pol.co.uk...
>>>> Hi all,
>>>>
>>>> I've just started studying my MCSE (starting with the first of the Core
>>>> exams 70-290). My workplace is unwilling to pay, so I've decided to
>>>> self study and get out of my "go nowhere" job.
>>>>
>>>> As a noob (although I've been in the IT trade for about 8 years, from
>>>> Helpdesk through to NT4 and Wink2K Server installs, network design and
>>>> upgrades etc), I wondered if any of you guys had some insights and
>>>> suggestions, pitfalls to watch out for etc.
>>>>
>>>> I'm self studying from the MS Press books and will only do courses if I
>>>> have to (like I say, I'm funding it myself). I'm hoping to do roughly
>>>> one exam every 2 months. Do I have a time limit from when I get my
>>>> first exam to when I get my last?
>>>>
>>>> Any insights you guys and gals can share would be most appreciated.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Steve Swallow
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>



Re: New MCSE Student by JaR

JaR
Tue Oct 12 17:58:00 CDT 2004

In microsoft.public.cert.exam.mcse, Steven Swallow climbed on a soapbox
& opined:

> Thus, I shall say "HA!" haughtily. ;)
>
> "Consultant" <consultant_mcngp@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:eIhN1DJsEHA.3324@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>> uh, wait a sec, you ruined my funny
>>

*Golf clap*

Re: New MCSE Student by billLASTINIT

billLASTINIT
Wed Oct 13 09:18:38 CDT 2004

JaR wrote:
> In microsoft.public.cert.exam.mcse, Steven Swallow climbed on a
> soapbox & opined:
>
>> Thus, I shall say "HA!" haughtily. ;)
>>
>> "Consultant" <consultant_mcngp@yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> news:eIhN1DJsEHA.3324@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
>>> uh, wait a sec, you ruined my funny
>>>
>
> *Golf clap*

He's allright in my eBook.