Non- IT Pro needs help with learning path to W7 certification
Hello,I'm not an experienced IT Pro. I don't have a degree either. I'm looking to earn W7 certificates by home learning. I've checked this out in Technet and I see that it may be difficult to pull off w/o the "in field" experience. It did however, suggest getting it through using the technology at home to help prepare for and pass the MCTS exam for W7. That said, I'd like to present my purposed learning path that will help to accomplish this through a sort of "home lab".Please examine my ideas and correct/direct where necessary.1. W7 Pro on "practice machine".2. Progressive line of study books from Microsoft Press.I've been using XP since it came out and while I'm not of admin level, I've mangaged to do some basic admin stuff that I think most home users know.What I'm hoping to do, is master W7 but I need help w/picking the right books to progress in knowledge and difficulty level.So far, since I have not much W7 experience, I'm thinking of getting "Windows 7 Step by Step to familiarize myself w/the OS in general, although I may find some things redundant but will still find a lot new to me I'm sure. Then, progress onto the book, "Windows 7 Inside Out" to dig deeper into the "admin level" stuff. Then more serious books, like "Internals" and "Resource Kit" and other like titles, ultimately leading up to the "Configuring W7 Self-Paced Training Kit" to prepare for my first and what I believe to be the most basic MCTS W7 certification.I would even like to look at "Powershell" some day.Please direct me on my path as I need help to do this from home and w/o experience. Your help in picking the right first book and subsequent titles to step my way up to the cert exam would be deeply appreciated!Thanks much,msdn42
January 31st, 2010 6:47am

Start here http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-overview.aspx and I would suggest the Technet Plus Direct subscription at $349 to start, $249 per year after which is all tax deductible as an educational expense. For anything related to administration of workstations, you're going to have to know servers and various tools to administer a network. Take it in baby steps. Get yourself another decent machine with at least 4-8 gigs of ram to build a server with Hyper-V, don't need it now, but you'll need it later if not sooner for networking. I recommend NOT using your workstation that you use daily, as you want to be able to do lots of things with your network you woudn't dare do with your workstation. When I started I had two machines and eventually built 18 of them. In the beginning I probably devoted 75% of my funds to my labs and eventually gave away those machines to nieces and nephews as my career built up. I now only have my everyday workstation/game machine that's on my domain, along with 3 laptops and Dell 420 8 gigs of ram that is a 2008 server (DC) with Hyper-V that has another DC but a 2003 virtual server, a WSUS 2008 virtual Server, and 3 virtual workstations on a separate vlan and couple of cisco switches. I already sold my rack of cisco routers and switches as I didn't need it any more. The learning never ever stops but now I'm choosing what I want instead of someone telling me what I must have to get or keep my job(s).Nothing like first starting out not knowing a lot and working all kinds of hours and on call, never knowing when you're going home or going to work, sometimes only getting an hour sleep before you're back at the job because somebody decides to "fix" something when they should have called you first, but that's life. You learn a lot real fast and furious. Various companies will use various tools for their organization, you'll just learn to adapt and get as much exposure to the tools available, but basic troubleshooting is a must learn technique and over time you'll learn the basics and recognize the symptoms among software and various OEM products.Here's where you'll start http://www.microsoft.com/learning/en/us/certification/cert-windowsclient.aspx. Lots of companies still will work with XP for some time to come. If you know you're stuff on XP, maybe that's the first apple you should take a bite of. Good luck on your search.MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]
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January 31st, 2010 7:47am

Thanks for all that info and experience. I am interested in server/network as well. I plan to set up a home lab and have some more to think about.Just one more thing though. With so many books, would you please recommend a good starting title and if possible, some good "next" titles too?Thanks,msdn42
February 3rd, 2010 1:26am

Thanks for all that info and experience. I am interested in server/network as well. I plan to set up a home lab and have some more to think about.Just one more thing though. With so many books, would you please recommend a good starting title and if possible, some good "next" titles too?Thanks,msdn42 HiYou might want to take a look at our Technet Learning Forums where you can dialog with others who are obtaining their certifications.Hope this helps. Thank You for using Windows 7 Ronnie Vernon MVP
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February 3rd, 2010 1:35am

Thanks a lot! I didn't know about "Learning Forums".msdn42
February 3rd, 2010 4:48am

Oh then you don't know what you're missing then ;) I do though want to take this opportunity though to warn you to beware of sites who guarantee pass rates and all that BS. Don't fall for it, as you'll do just fine with proper study and putting your nose to the grind. Don't take shortcuts. It's not hard but it isn't easy either. At first its all confusing, you'll have your mind all twisted up. Book knowledge is very good and you need it to keep mistakes in the real world to a minimum. Learn to quickly search for data using good key words. Like troubleshooting, knowing where to search and when to take the correct action quickly, is key to your success. There will be plenty of times when you have free time - STUDY, RESEARCH and know what's going on in the world in the field of technology so you'll at least have an idea. Learn what your business does and how you can better it, but knowing when to present your ideas and how to respond when challenged is also key to your success. If you BS somebody, you WILL be put into a bad position you don't want to be in. Know what your limitation is but also know what you can do to rectify it. Good luck and keep your hat on tight, hair pulling time can be in store :) MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]
Free Windows Admin Tool Kit Click here and download it now
February 3rd, 2010 6:23am

Oh and if you get the Technet subscription, take advantage of the free Technet labs. Keep money reserved for renewals. If you find good books on Technet/Microsoft Press stores you like, see if Amazon or others have it cheaper (compare total costs including shipping). Anything you use in your studies is tax deductible as an educational expense, including computers, books, training materials including mileage to attend free training sessions that might be in your area. Microsoft puts on events in different locations every year as do other technology companies. Try to attend them as they are usually half day, whole day or sometimes 2-3 days. Just document everything and keep receipts and other documentation you'll need for tax records.MCSE, MCSA, MCDST [If this post helps to resolve your issue, please click the "Mark as Answer" or "Helpful" button at the top of this message. By marking a post as Answered, or Helpful you help others find the answer faster.]
February 3rd, 2010 6:30am

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