Microsoft Exam 70-270 Preparation Guide

Microsoft exam 70-270 preparation guide Página 1
Microsoft exam 70-270 preparation guide

Contents:
Part 1: Getting started with Windows XP Pro

Part 2: Automating installation
Part 3: Upgrading to Windows XP
Part 4: Configuring Windows XP Pro environment
Part 5: Managing the Desktop
Part 6: Managing users and groups
Part 7: Managing security
Part 8: Managing disks
Part 9: Accessing files and folders
Part 10: Managing network connections
Part 11: Managing printing
Part 12: Dial-up networking and Internet
Part 13: Optimizing Windows XP Pro
Part 14: Performing system recovery
Preface
I have written this short preparation guide as a way for myself to ease studying for the Mcirosoft 70-270 exam titled: "Installing,
configuring and administrating Microsoft Windows XP Professional". I provide this guide as is, without any guarantees, explicit or implied,
as to its contents. You may use the information contained herein in your computer career, however I take no responsibility for any
damages you may incur as a result of following this guide. You may use this document freely and share it with anybody as long as you
provide the whole document in one piece and do not charge any money for it. If you find any mistakes, please feel free to inform me about
them Tom Kitta. Legal stuff aside, let us start.
Guide version 0.12 last updated on 24/05/2004
Part 1: GettingstartedwithWindowsXP Pro
[1.1] Windows XP Professional hardware requirements

Processor minimum P233, recommended PII 300
RAM minimum 64Mb, recommended 128Mb
Disk Space minimum 1.5Gb, recommended 2Gb
Network needed if installing using it
Display minimum SVGA 800x600 or better
Peripheral devices: keyboard and mouse (or other pointing device)
CD-ROM or DVD-ROM if installing from CD, recommended 12x or faster
Floppy drive if you intend to use ASR (Automated System Recovery)
Windows XP Professional supports up to 2 CPUs, while Windows XP Home edition supports only 1 CPU, there are not other
hardware requirement differences between Windows editions
[1.2] Windows XP Professional install steps
Collecting information
Insert Windows XP CD and reboot the PC
Setup program starts when you boot from the CD. Press F6 for third party disk driver, F2 for automatic recovery
A welcome dialog box appears, press enter to install XP, R for repair of XP installation, F3 to quit
Licensing agreement, F8 to accept, ESC to refuse
Partitions screen appears
Copying of setup files
Remove CD and reboot PC
Installing Windows
Regional settings, choose locale (numbers, currencies, dates and times view options) and keyboard layouts
User name and organization screen
Product key screen, 25 character key
Computer name
up to 15 bytes for NetBIOS compatibility
1 byte is 1 character in most languages (2 in say Chinese)
http://www.tomkitta.com/guides/70-270.html 10/05/2011 04:50:35 p.m.

FQDN has a limit of 155 bytes for DC in Windows 2000/2003 (255 bytes in NT 4.0)
Computer name has a limit of 63 bytes
Computer name has to be unique on the network
Administrative password
If you have a plug and play modem, you set it up now
Date and time
Network settings
Work group name or domain affiliation
Automated finishing tasks
[1.3] Install options
For clean install/upgrade on computers running win 3.x or DOS (16 bit systems) use winnt.exe
For install/upgrade on computers running 32 bit OS use winnt32.exe
[1.4] After installation
The default network setup is for the Windows XP to be a DHCP client
You need to activate your product within 30 days unless you have corporate licence
After 30 days you will not be able to logon to your PC without activation if you log out or restart your PC (you will still be able to
access your PC in safe mode without network support)
Activation can be done over the phone or online
There are three log files created after installation
%systemdir%\setupact.log - installation actions log
%systemdir%\setuperr.log - errors that occurred during installation
%systemdir%\netsetup.log - network related log (like domain joining)
[1.5] Support for multiboot
Windows XP will configure multiboot automatically if it detect compatible OS (i.e. Microsoft OS) and you are using clean install
option
Do not use dynamic disks or NTFS if the other OS doesn't support it
Windows XP will not be able to read volumes compressed with Windows NT4 compression
[1.6] Joining a domain
You can pre-authorize a computer in the AD
Or, you can enter user name and password of the domain user that has 'Add computers to the domain' permission to add computer
to the AD
[1.7] Laptop special Windows XP features
Credential manager
Clear type
Hot docking
[1.8] Other points
Hardware compatibility list (HCL) http://www.microsoft.com/hcl/ now Windows catalog http://www.microsoft.com/windows/catalog/
If hardware is not found in the Windows catalog you will not get any support from Microsoft
BIOS is preferred with ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) functionality, APM (Advanced Power Management) is
the API for ACPI hardware
If you are upgrading from Windows 98/Me checks whatever there are drivers for your hardware, since 98/Me drivers are VxDs
(virtual device drivers) and don't work on Windows XP
You can upgrade from Windows 98/Me/NT4/NT3.51/2000 Pro (due to a bug win95 will qualify as upgrade media but only for clean
install)
System partition is the location of the files that are needed for Windows XP to boot, vary little space, default is the active partition
Boot partition is the location of Windows XP OS (all files)
Note that Microsoft changed the default directory for installation from WINNT to WINDOWS
Installation files are in \I386 directory on the CD
WFP - Windows file protection is used to protect Windows system DLL files from modification, files are stored in %SystemRoot%
\System32\Dllcache
Sfc.exe - scans and verifies the versions of all protected system files when the computer is booting
Dynamic update runs during installation of Windows XP. You can disable it with /dudisable switch of winnt32, /duprepare:pathname
to prepare network share for dynamic update files, /dushare:pathname to specify network share with dynamic update files.
Part 2: Automatinginstallation
[2.1] Types of automated installation

Remote Installation Service (RIS) introduced in Windows 2000 - for use with multiple PCs for automatic deploy
Disk imaging (cloning) which uses reference PC - for use with PCs that have similar hardware
Unattended installation - use when you have lots of PCs with network cards that are not PXE-compliant
[2.2] Create answer files with Setup manager
Answer files are automated installation scripts used to answer the questions that appear during a normal Windows XP
Professional installation
Answer files are used with all methods of unattended installations. To create answer files you use Setup manager (setupmgr)
To use setup manager you need to extract it from \support\tools\deploy.cab found on installation CD
There is a sample answer file on the installation CD, unattend.txt
Through answer file you can configure
Mass storage devices
Plug and Play devices
HALs
Set passwords
Configure language, regional, and time zone settings
Display settings
Converting to NTFS
Installing applications can choose from the following options
Use cmdlines.txt to add applications during GUI portion of the setup
Within answer file configure [GuiRunOnce] section to install an application the first time a user logs on
Create a batch file
Use the Windows installer
Use sysdiff tool to install applications that don't have automated install procedures
[2.3] Using RIS (Remote Installation Service)
You can configure RIS server to distribute 2 types of images:
CD based image
Contains only Windows XP OS
Copies all files to the target PC before commencing installation of the Windows XP OS
Created automatically during installation of RIS
A Remote Installation Preparation (RIPrep) image
Can contain both Windows XP OS and applications
This images is based on pre-configured computer
Copies only files needed for installation on given PC, thus faster than CD based image which copies everything
Can be deployed to the clients that have the same HAL and HD controller
Must be created manually, not automatic like CD based image
For RIS you need DHCP, DNS and AD configured on your network
RIS server uses Boot information negotiation layer (BINL) for initial contact, then TFTP is used to transfer bootstrap image
RIS and DHCP server need to be authorized in AD, RIS server is authorized through DHCP manager
The following services are run as part of RIS: BINL, SIS, SIS Groveler, TFTP
To configure RIS server use risetup.exe
NTFS is required to store image files with at least 2Gb free space on separate from OS partition
RIS template files are used to specify installation parameters, default file is ristndrd.sif
You need following user rights to install images using RIS
Create Computer accounts
Logon as batch job (Administrator doesn't have this right by default)
For non-PXE network cards use rbfg.exe utility to create RIS boot disk (this utility doesn't support all network cards)
[2.4] Using disk images
Uses reference computer HD image that needs to prepared first with sysprep which needs to be extracted from deploy.cab found in
installation CD
Source and target computer must satisfy
Both computers must have the same HD controller
Both computers must have the same HAL
Plug and Play devices may not be the same as long as there are drivers for all of them
You will need to extract sysprep utility from the deploy.cab
Sysprep strips user personal data from the installation image

After you copy the installation image to the destination PC a mini wizard runs (unless you have an answer file)
Sysprep modes:
Audit: allows for the verification of hardware and software installation by a system builder while running in factory floor mode.
Audit boots allow a system builder to reboot after factory floor mode has completed its automated pre-install customization, in
order to complete hardware and software installation and verification, if necessary.
Factory: allows for the automated customization of a pre-install on the factory floor by using a Bill of Materials file to automate
software installations, software, and driver updates, updates to the file system, the registry, and INI files such as Sysprep.inf.
This mode is invoked via the "sysprep -factory" command.
Reseal: is run after an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) has run Sysprep in factory mode and is ready to prepare the
computer for delivery to a customer. This mode is invoked via the "sysprep -reseal" command.
Clean: Sysprep will clean the critical device database. The critical device database is a registry listing of devices and services
that have to start in order for Windows XP to boot successfully. Upon setup completion, the devices not physically present in
the system are cleaned out of the database, and the critical devices present are left in tact. This mode is invoked via the
"sysprep -clean" command.
[2.5] Unattended installation
With this method you use a distribution server or Windows XP installation CD on it to install Windows XP on target PC
The distribution may have answer file
The target computer must be able to connect to the distribution server over the network (if used)
End user interaction levels:
Fully automated installation
GUI attended installation
Read only installation
Hide pages installation
Provide defaults installation
[2.6] Installing applications with Windows Installer Packages
Microsoft installer (MSI) files - provided by software vendor
Repackaged application (MSI) - do not include native Windows installer packages, used to provide applications that can be
cleanly installed
ZAP files - used when you don't have MSI files and install applications using native setup program
MSP files (modification files) - provide paths to installed Microsoft software, must be assigned to MSI file at deployment
Windows installed packages work as
Published applications - not advertised, can be installed through Add/Remove programs. They can also be installed through
opening of a document that uses uninstalled published application.
Assigned applications - advertised through programs menu, installed next time user starts the PC, before log on prompt
appears
Please note that Windows Installer packages cannot be published to computers in Windows XP, all other options are OK, i.e. you
can assign applications to computers and assign/publish applications to users
You can create your own MSI files using VERITAS Software Console or WinINSTALL LE Discover
You create GPO for MSI package which is to be published or assigned. If it is for a user, User Configuration\Software Settings
\Software, if it is a computer Computer Configuration\Software Settings\Software
Using AD you can uninstall old application, upgrade on top of old application. Computers can accept only mandatory upgrades,
users support both optional and mandatory upgrades.
If you have multiple versions of the same software, you will need to configure install order and/or whatever it is a mandatory install
You need AD to deploy packages which are found on a share on a file server
Msiexec.exe - provides the means to install, modify, and perform operations on Windows Installer from the command line. For
example you can force end user to enter CD key for the software that is being installed
Part 3: Upgradingto WindowsXP
[3.1] Upgrade general points

You can upgrade from Windows 98/Me/NT4/NT3.51/2000 Pro (Windows Home edition can upgrade from only 98/Me/2000) There
is a bug on the CD allowing a clean install provided Windows 95 CD.
Choose upgrade if you want to keep existing applications and preserve current local users and groups
Clean install will allow you to multiboot
Upgrade from Windows NT/2000 Pro is easier than from 98/Me due to their similarity to XP
You can generate Windows XP compatibility report winnt32 /checkupgradeonly
Upgrade your BIOS so you can use advanced power futures and device configurations
Before the upgrade remove or disable any client software like virus scanners or network services

If older applications fail to run on Windows XP due to security issues, use compatws.inf template
Upgrade of Windows 98/Me can be undone using osuninst.exe or through add and remove programs control panel
For upgrade you have a choice of Express upgrade or Custom upgrade
[3.2] Unsupported by upgrade Windows 9x software properties
File system applications
Custom plug and play solutions
Custom power management solutions
Third part disk compression utilities, defragmenters (Windows NT and 2000 as well)
Partitions compressed with DriveSpace or DoubleSpace are not supported
[3.3] Migrating user data
User state management tool (USMT) is used for migration of users from one computer to another
ScanState.exe - collects user data and settings information based on the configuration of the Migapp.inf, Migsys.inf, Miguser.inf,
sysFiles.inf
LoadState.exe - deposits information collected on the source computer to a PC running copy of Windows XP. Cannot be used on a
computer that was upgraded to Windows XP.
Supports Windows 95/98/Me/2000 to XP
F.A.S.T.
Files and Settings Transfer Wizard (F.A.S.T.) It is one of the least known new features in Windows XP.
Supports all Windows versions from Windows 95 (with IE4) through Windows XP (XP as destination only)
Can be used as poor man's backup utility, creates a backup files that can be stored to HD or CD-RW
Can move user accounts one at a time, good for single users
Part 4: ConfiguringWindowsXP Pro environment
[4.1] Windows image acquisition architecture

WIA is used to manage images between image capture devices and computer software applications
Supported devices
IEEE 1394
USB
SCSI
Devices connected through standard COM port or infrared connection are not supported by WIA
[4.2] Support for digital audio and video
Multichannel audio output
Acoustic echo cancellation (AEC)
Global effects (GFX)
[4.3] Microsoft Management Console (MMC)
The MMC is an utility used to create, save, and open collections of administrative tools that are called consoles
Access control options for MMC
Author mode - full customization of the MMC console
User mode-full access - as author mode, except that users cannot add or remove snap-ins, change console options, create
Favorites, or create taskpads
User mode-limited access, multiple windows - access only to those parts of the console tree that were visible when the
console file was saved. Users can create new windows but cannot close any existing windows.
User mode-limited access, single window - as 'user mode limited access, multiple windows' but users cannot create new
windows
[4.4] Installing hardware
Plug and Play support
Non-plug and play devices can be installed using 'Add hardware wizard'
DVDs regional settings can be changed up to 5 times (hardware change, need new DVD-ROM after that)
[4.5] Device drivers
Accessed from 'Device manager'
You can update drivers
You can roll back drivers (new in Windows XP)
You can also uninstall driver
Driver signing:
Harmful driver install prevention

HCL - Hardware compatibility list, replaced by Windows catalog

Run d:\i386\winnt32 /checkupgradeonly from Windows XP CD to check hardware compatibility
Command line sigverif.exe is used to check drivers from command line
By default system is set to warn user if he or she is installing unsigned driver (other options are: ignore and block)
Driver signing can also be controlled from GP using object settings for local computer (or computer configuration for domain)
choices are: Silently succeed, Warn but allow installation and Do not allow installation.
Unsigned driver means that the driver was not tested by Microsoft and is not supported by Microsoft. For most part these
drivers are still OK
When driver is signed by Microsoft it and the hardware are tested by Microsoft
Some older devices (like CD-ROM etc.) plug into LPT port on the PC. You will need to set LPT port to "Legacy plug and play
support" on port settings tab for older devices to work.
The easiest way to solve embedded device conflict with an add on device is to disable the on board device. For example, to use add
on music card, you will need to disable on board music card
Many problems are caused by incorrect drivers, for example graphic card that displays only 800x600 resolution. Update driver to
solve these problems.
Driver.cab on Windows XP CD contains all original Windows XP drivers
[4.6] Multiple display support
To avoid flickering monitor resolution should be set to at least 72Hz
Maximum of 10 monitors per PC
When you install 2nd video card the build into the motherboard card gets disabled and new card becomes primary display adapter
Secondary adapter has to support multiple-displays
[4.7] Computer power states
Complete shutdown of PC
Hibernation - saves all of the desktop state into a file which uses as much HD space as there is RAM in the system, to go back to
active mode press power button
Standby (three levels on ACPI compliant PC)
Level one turns off the monitor and hard drives
Level two turns off the CPU and cache as well
Level three turns off everything but the RAM
Fully active PC
You configure standby through the Power options in Control panel, Level 2 and 3 of standby are only available if universal power
supply (UPS) has been configured
Through power options you can also configure alerts when system is running on battery power and behaviour of power button
[4.8] PCMCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card International Association) Cards
Type I cards - are up to 3.3mm thick. Used for adding more RAM to the PC
Type II cards - are up to 5.5mm thick. Used for modem and network cards
Type III cards - are up to 10.5mm thick. Used for portable disk drives
[4.9] Configuring I/O devices
Through Keyboard properties you can configure typing delay and cursor behaviour as well as keyboard key layout
You need a keyboard in order to install Windows XP
Through Mouse properties you can configure mouse properties such as: speed, buttons, wheel and pointers
USB 2.0 supports up to 127 devices per root hub, up to 5 deep nested external hubs, transfer speeds up to 12Mbps. You can see
power & bandwith usage by checking out root properties.
USB supports two speeds, low and high, which use different cables
USB controllers require that an IRQ be assigned in the computer BIOS. Make sure you have newest BIOS and/or firmware.
Wireless devices, RF - Radio Frequency and IrDA - Infrared Data Association
[4.10] Windows registry
Windows registry is a database used by the OS to store system configuration
Regedit is used to edit the registry (regedit32 is just a pointer to that file)
There are five default keys in the Windows registry:
HKEY_CURRENT_USER - for user who is currently logged on the computer
HKEY_USERS - configuration data for all users of the PC
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE - computer hardware and software configuration, devices drivers and startup options
HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT - used by Windows explorer for file type to application association, software configuration data and
OLE (object linking and embedding) data
HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG - hardware profile that is used during system startup

[4.11] Remote desktop

Remote desktop connection = terminal services client
In Windows XP terminal services service is limited to single connection only. Service is disabled by default and has to be enabled
through system properties Remote tab
Remote desktop depends on terminal services service
Windows XP Home Edition does not allow connections to it using Remote desktop, XP Pro allows only one connection
[4.12] Remote assistance
Remote assistance is available with all editions of Windows server 2003 and Windows XP
The person assisting the user has a concurrent session with logged in user
Logged in user has to authorize access
You can send invitation from 'Help and Support' menu. You can send invitations through e-mail using MAPI enabled client,
Microsoft messanger or using a file. You need to supply a connection password.
You can also offer remote assistance to others (disabled in GP by default)
You can chat using text or voice, you can send and receive files
HelpAssistant account is used if help is given by another user, support_XXXX account is used if help is given by Microsoft staff
[4.13] Services
A service is a program, routine or a process that performs a specific function
Service startup types: automatic, manual and disabled
You can choose the account service uses to log on
When service fails you can choose the OS to do one of the following options
SC.exe used for communication with service control manager
Take no action
Restart the service
Run a file
Reboot the computer
[4.14] HAL - hardware abstraction layer
Computer driver which is the interface to BIOS, kernel is build on top of this driver
You can choose HAL during install by pressing F5
Multiple processors - when installing a 2nd processor in a single processor system (UP - uni processor) you will need to update
HAL for the CPU from single CPU to multiple CPU (SMP - symmetric multi processor driver)
Do not upgrade from standard HAL to ACPI (advanced configuration and power interface) HAL and vice versa
[4.15] Hardware profiles
Hardware profile consists of a set of instructions that instruct Windows as to which devices to start when computer starts and/or
which settings to use for each device
By default you have hardware profile called Profile 1 (for laptops, Docked Profile or Undocked Profile) is created
You can designate a default profile. If you want the default hardware profile to load automatically (without showing you the list
during startup), enter a 0 in seconds under Hardware profiles selection. If you want to see the list anyway press the SPACEBAR
during startup.
Windows will ask you which profile to use every time you start your computer if you have more then one profile and you don't specify
default profile with 0 wait time
You can also use hardware profiles as a debuging tool. For example, you can set up profiles that omit the hardware devices you
suspect of being defective.
[4.16] Other hardware
Fax service - is used for faxing support, controled through fax applet in control panel when installed
Program compatability wizard - accessed from Accessories, used to run programs in Windows 95, 98/Me, NT4, 2000
compatability mode
Part 5: Managingthe Desktop
[5.1] Customizing desktop

You can configure start menu and taskbar through 'Taskbar and Start menu properties'
'Start menu' modifications are done to Windows XP theme, while 'Classic start menu' modifications are done to Windows 2000
theme
Display properties
You can select a different theme
You can display web page on your desktop or just a picture(s)
You can set up a screen saver

In appearance you can change many aspect of the choosen theme

In settings you can change aspects of video display adapter
Default Windows XP theme is also known as 'Luna'
Local profile is created when user logs on for the 1st time, consists of following folders: Desktop, NetHood, PrintHood, SendTo,
Start Menu, Cookies, Favorites, Application Data
Notification area was previously named system trey
[5.2] Multilanguage technology
Unicode - internationall standard that allows support for the characters used in world's most common languages
National language support API - is used to provide information for locale, character mapping and keyboard layout
Multilingual API - used to set up applications to support keyboard input and fonts from various language version of applications
Windows XP stores all language specific information in separate files from the OS files
[5.3] Multilanguage support
Support for two technologies
Multilangual editing and viewing which supports multiple languages while user is viewing, editing and printing documents
Multilanguage user interface
Localized Windows XP - include fully localized user interface for the language that was selected. This version allows user to view,
edit and print documents in more than 60 languages. There is no support for multilangual user interface.
Multilanguage Windows XP - provides user interfaces in several different languages. You will need to install the following files
Language groups - contain fonts and files needed to process specific language
Windows XP multilanguage version files - contain language content required by user interface and help files, can be up to
45Mb in size
Use muiseteup.exe to setup default user interface
Multilanguage version of Windows XP is not available in retail, need Windows volume licensing
On localized version of Windows XP you configure multiple languages through 'Regional and language options'
[5.4] Accessability options
Configured through 'Accessability options' in control panel
Keyboard settings:
StickyKeys - allows user to enter key combinations one key at a time
FilterKeys - ignores brief repeated keystrokes
ToggleKeys - user hears tones when togling CAPS LOCK/NUM LOCK/SCROLL LOCK
MouseKeys - allows you to use the numeric keypad to control the mouse pointer
ShowSounds - instructs programs that convey information by sound to also provide information visually
SoundSentry - allows you to change settings to generate visual warnings
You can also set the time after which options are turned off and when they are turned on (like on user log on)
[5.5] Accessability utilities
Accessability wizard - adjust PC based on users vision, hearing and mobility needs
Magnifier utility - makes portion of the screen bigger for easier viewing
Narrator utility - employes text-to-speech technology to read the contents of the screen
On screen keyboard - has three different modes:
Clicking mode - user clicks the on-screen keys to type text
Scanning mode - on-Screen keyboard highlights areas where you can type characters
Hovering mode - use a mouse or joystick to point to a key for period of time to type character
Utility manager - start and stop accessability utilities, can start/stop utilities on user log on or when PC is locked
Part 6: Managingusers and groups
[6.1] Built-in Accounts

Administrator - full control over the PC, even if disabled can be accessed from safe mode, password provided suring setup
Guest - for users that don't have username and password on the system, disbled by default
Initial user - uses the name of the registered user and exists only if the computer is member of a workgroup not a domain, by
default member of the administrative group
HelpAssistant - new in Windows XP, used together with remote assistance
Support_xxxxxxx - used by Microsoft for help and support services, disabled by default
[6.2] Logging on
There are two type of users, local and domain

Local user credential are compared to local security database, domain user credentials are checked agains active directory stored
on domain controller
When user logs onto the system an access token is created
Local user credentials cannot be used to access network resources
[6.3] Managing users
You manage users through 'Local users and groups' MMC that can be accessed in two ways
Custom MMC
By right clicking on My computer and selecting 'manage'
User account consist of:
Name and password
SID (security identifier) - consists of a domain SID, which is the same for all SIDs created in the domain, and a RID, which is
unique for each SID created in the domain. SIDs are unique in the network.
Can have other attributes, like group membership
User names can be up to 256 bytes (characters) long and must be unique (different than other user names and group names)
User names cannot contain *{}\/:;,=|+?"<> and cannot be made of spaces and periods alone
User names are not case sensitive but passwords are
You can create users using net user
You have following user options:
User name (required field)
Full name (by default same as user name)
Description
Password textbox (up to 127 bytes (characters), 15 for NTLM)
Confirm password textbox
User must change password at next logon checkbox
User cannot change password checkbox
Password never expires checkbox
Account is disabled checkbox
You can set the following user properties
User profile path - stored in 'Documents and settings\%username%' folder, contains user preferences, and file ntuser.dat. In
Windows NT 4.0 the path was \%systemdir%\profiles\%username%
Logon script - files that are run every time user logs into the PC
Home folder - is where users commonly store their personal files and documents
Password reset disk - use when user forgot their password. If you just reset the user password access to encrypted data will be
lost.
Mandatory profiles can only be used with roaming profiles, they don't work with local profiles. Mandatory profiles can only be set up
by an administrator
You can copy profiles using 'User profiles' tab of 'System properties'
UNC path - is in the format //computer_name/share_name
Renaming an account maintains all group membership, permissions, and privileges of the account. Copying a user account
maintains group membership, permissions, an privileges assigned to its groups, but doing so does not retain permissions
associated with the original user account. Deleting and re-creating an account with the same name loses all group membership and
permissions.
[6.4] Build-in local groups
Administrators - full control over the PC
Backup operators - can only access file system through backup utility
Network configuration operators (new) - network settings
Guests - limited privileges
Power users - can add/remove users, create non-administrative shares, manage printers, start and stop services that are not
started automatically
Remote desktop users (new) - members can logon remotely
Replicator - for directory replication used by domain servers
Users - run programs, print stuff, nothing special
HelpServices (new) - support through Microsoft Help services
[6.5] Special groups
Special groups are used by the system. Membership is automatic based on special criteria. You cannot manage these groups.
Creator Owner - the account that created or took ownership of an object

Creator - the group that created or took ownership of an object

Everyone - everyone that can possibly be accessing the PC, doesn't include the anonymous group
Interactive - users who use resources interactively (locally)
Network - users who access resources over the network
Authenticated users - users who access the PC using valid user name and password
Anonymous logon - users who access the PC through anonymous logon
Batch - user accounts that are only used to run a batch job
Dialup - users that logon to the network through dialup connection
Service - user accounts that are used only to run a service
Local System - a system processes that uses resources as users are members
Terminal server users - users who logon through terminal services
[6.6] Managing groups
Groups can be up to 256 bytes (characters) long, have to be unique and cannot contain '\'
Groups are used to manage and organize users. Add users to a group and then assign permission to the group
Part 7: Managingsecurity
[7.1] Policies
Configured through 'Local computer policy' group policy, gpedit.msc MMC
Account policies are used to control logon procedures. If you want to control user after logging on, use local policies
Local policies are made up of
Audit policy - disabled by default
User rights assignment - too many to list here, see explanation underneath
Security options - also too many to list
Local policies are set for all users of the computer, you cannot single users out (you need AD for that)
[7.2] Password policy settings
Enforce password history
Maximum password age
Minimum password age
Minimum password length
Complexity requirement
Store passwords using reversible encryption
[7.3] Account lockout policy
Account lockout duration
Account lockout threshold
Reset account lockout counter after X minutes
[7.4] Enabling auditing for files, folders and printers
You will need to enable auditing for object access policy
And you also need to enable auditing for individual files and folders through NTFS security or through printer security
Auditing data is placed into security log
[7.5] Auditing
Account logon events - success or failure of domain logon
Account management - events such as resetting passwords and modifying user properties
Directory services - any time user access AD an event is generated
Logon events - success or failure of local logon or logon to a share
Object access - file, folder or printer access
Policy change - success or failure of change of security options, user rights, account policies and audit policies. Both domain and
local PC changes are tracked.
Process tracking - useful for applications
System events - system events such as shutting down PC or clearing the logs
[7.6] User rights
Administrators can assign specific rights to group accounts or to individual user accounts. If a user is a member of multiple groups,
the user's rights are cumulative, which means that the user has more than one set of rights. The only time that rights assigned to
one group might conflict with those assigned to another is in the case of certain logon rights.
There are too many user rights to list

There are two types of user rights:

Privileges, such as the right to back up files and directories
Logon rights, such as the right to logon to a system locally
[7.7] Security options
Security option policies are used to configure security for the computer
These policies are applied to the computer, not to users and groups
Security options are edited through computer part of 'Group policy editor' GP object 'Local computer policy' MMC
Security options can also be viewed with secpol.msc
There are too many security options to list
[7.8] Security templates
secedit.exe is used to compare and analyzes system security by comparing your current configuration to at least one template
Security templates are stored in %systemroot%\security\templates folder
Setup security.inf - default settings
Compatws.inf - used for backwards compatibility, so applications not certified for Windows XP can work
Secure*.inf - implements recommended security in all areas except files,folders and registry keys
Hisec*.inf - high security network communication, Windows XP can communicate only with other XP or 2000 computers
Rootsec.inf - new root permissions introduced in XP are going to be applied
Notssid.inf - removes default permissions granted to terminal server SID
[7.9] Using local group policies
Normally GP are applied through AD, but they can also be applied locally
When you use local group policies there can only be one GP object
Policies that have been applied through AD will take precedence over any local group policies
You administer local GP through Local group policy object (gpedit.msc)
Rsop - resultant set of policies is the final set of policies that is applied to the user and computer. Use gpresult to display Rsop for
current user in command line format. Use rsop.msc to start Microsoft management console that displays Rsop.
[7.10] Using group policies with AD
When a DC is present you can have GPO in AD, they are stored in %systemroot%/Sysvol folder on every DC by default
When user logs into active directory, this is the order of policy application:
Local computer
Site (group of domains)
Domain
OU (organizational unit)
The following options are available for overriding the default policy application
No override - enforce policy inheritance, you force all child policy containers to inherit the parent's policy, even if that policy
conflicts with the child's policy and even if Block Inheritance has been set for the child. This option is used by corporations that
want to have corporate level security and don't want low level administrators to be able to override it. To set no override option
open properties screen of domain or OU in the GPO Links list, r-click the GPO link that you want to enforce, click No Override.
Block inheritance - used if you don't want to inherit GP settings from parent containers. You can block policy inheritance at
the domain or OU level by opening the properties dialog box for the domain or OU and selecting the 'Block Policy inheritance'
check box
Group Policy is not inherited from parent to child domains, i.e. blah.boom.com does not inherit from boom.com
The smallest unit you can apply GP to is an organizational unit (OU)
[7.11] Other security issues
Both Windows XP Pro and Home Edition allow user accounts to utilize blank passwords to log into their local workstations, although
in XP Pro, accounts with blank passwords can no longer be used to log on to the computer remotely over the network
In XP Home Edition all user accounts have administrative privileges and no password by default
Windows XP Home Edition will not allow you to disable the Guest account. When you disable the Guest account via the Control
Panel, it only removes the listing of the Guest account from the Fast User Switching Welcome screen, and the Log on Local right.
The network credentials will remain intact and guest users will still be able to connect to shared resources.
The "Everyone" group has access to Printers assigned by default
Remote desktop is not enabled by default on Windows XP Pro
Part 8: Managingdisks
[8.1] File systems

FAT 16 bit (File Allocation Table)
FAT 32 bit

NTFS (New Technology File System)

To convert from FAT to NTFS use: convert x: /fs:NTFS. You cannot use convert to convert to other file systems.
[8.2] Disk drives
SCSI 15000RPM, 20Mbps transfer
IDE 7200RPM, 16.7Mbps transfer
SATA (similar to IDE)
Both SCSI and SATA support up to 15 drives on a single controller
IDE drives have 'cable select' option on them which automatically determines master and slave. It is best practice to manually set
jumpers for master and slave.
[8.3] ARC path designation (Advanced RISC computing)
ARC dates back to NT 3.5 days (in the form presented here, otherwise NT 3.1)
The file boot.ini is used to find '\windows\' directory
Bootcfg.exe configures, queries, or changes Boot.ini file settings
Msconfig can be used to change system startup options including modification of boot.ini
Please note that Microsoft has changed the default install directory from WINNT to WINDOWS for Windows XP. For upgrades we
will still use WINNT directory.
Multi
Identifies the controller physical disk is on
Multi(x) syntax of the ARC path is only used on x86-based computers
For IDE or pure SCSI disks when OS is on the 1st or 2nd SCSI drive
The Multi(x) syntax indicates to Windows NT that it should rely on the computers BIOS to load system files. This means that
the operating system will be using interrupt (INT) 13 BIOS calls to find and load NTOSKRNL.EXE and any other files needed
to boot Windows NT.
Numbering starts at 0, for example Multi(0), due to technical reasons it should always be 0
In a pure IDE system, the Multi(x) syntax will work for up to the 4 drives on the primary and secondary channels of a dual-
channel controller
In a pure SCSI system, the Multi(x) syntax will work for the first 2 drives on the first SCSI controller (that is, the controller
whose BIOS loads first)
In a mixed SCSI and IDE system, the Multi(x) syntax will work only for the IDE drives on the first controller
SCSI
Identifies the controller physical disk is on
The SCSI(x) syntax is used on both RISC and x86-based computers
Using SCSI() notation indicates that Windows NT will load a boot device driver and use that driver to access the boot partition
On an x86-based computer, the device driver used is NTBOOTDD.SYS, on a RISC computer, the driver is built into the
firmware
Numbering starts at 0, for example SCSI(0)
Windows NT Setup always uses Multi(x) syntax for the first two drives
Disk
Identifies the physical disk attached to controller
0 if Multi(x) present, Disk is only for SCSI
For SCSI value of Disk(x) is the SCSI ID and can be 0-15 Note: one channel is always reserved for the controller itself
Numbering starts at 0, for example Disk(0)
Rdisk
Identifies the physical disk attached to controller
Almost always 0 if SCSI(x) is present, Rdisk is for Multi(x), ordinal for the disk, usually number 0-3
Numbering starts at 0, for example Rdisk(0)
Partition
Refers to the partition on the hard disk where Windows system folder is located on
All partitions receive a number except for type 5 (MS-DOS Extended) and type 0 (unused) partitions, with primary partitions
being numbered first and then logical drives
A partition is a logical definition of hard drive space
Numbering starts at 1, for example Partition(1)
Signature
Used when system BIOS or controller hosting the boot partition cannot use INT-13 Extensions
The signature() syntax is equivalent to the scsi() syntax

Using the signature() syntax instructs Ntldr to locate the drive whose disk signature matches the value in the parentheses, no
matter which SCSI controller number the drive is connected to
The signature() value is extracted from the physical disk's Master Boot Record (MBR)
[8.4] Easy way to memorize ARC
There are 5 letters in the word 'Multi' and 5 letters in the word 'Rdisk'
There are 4 letters in the word 'SCSI' and 4 letters in the word 'Disk'
'SCSI' works together with 'Disk' while 'Multi' works together with 'Rdisk'
When system uses Multi(x) it uses BIOS INT-13 Extensions, so on board BIOS has to be enabled
[8.5] Disk Management MMC snap-in
To activate: start -> all programs -> administrative tools -> computer management -> disk management tree node
Another ways is to r-click on My computer and select 'manage' from the list
Finally you can just create a custom MMC snap in
Using disk management, among other things, you can:
Initialize new disks
Create new volumes and partitions
If you r-click and select properties -> general tab you can see location heading with a number. That number is the ARC number of
the HD.
If you need a disk formatted in FAT or FAT32 you cannot do it from disk manager, you need to use: format x: /fs:FAT32 Note
Windows can format FAT 32 disks up to maximum of 32Gb but can read higher capacity drives
DiskPart.exe - you can create scripts to automate tasks, such as creating volumes or converting disks to dynamic.
Fsutil.exe - perform many NTFS file system related tasks, such as managing disk quotas, dismounting a volume, or querying
volume information.
Mountvol.exe to mount a volume at an NTFS folder or unmount the volume from the NTFS folder.
[8.6] Remote management
Computer management is not just for the local machine, you can also manage other PCs, to activate r-click on computer
management (local) and select 'connect to another pc'
By default Domain Admins are part of local administrators group and you need these right to connect and administer remote PCs
If you cannot access Device Manager from the Computer Management extension snap-ins on a remote computer, ensure that the
Remote Registry service is started on the remote computer.
Computer Management does not support remote access to computers that are running Windows 95.
In remote management 'Device Manager' is in read only mode
[8.7] Basic Disks
Primary partition is the only one that is bootable and there is a maximum of 4 primary partitions
Extended partitions are not bootable
Logical drives are created in extended partitions. There are no limits as to the number of logical drives each extended partition
may have.
Primary partitions and logical drives are assigned drive letters
Basic Disk FAT is located on the first sector of the hard disk; space is shared with the MBR
[8.8] Dynamic disks
Fault tolerance better than basic disks, due to multiple storage places for information. 1Mb database is placed at the end of each
physical hard disk containing information about all dynamic disk located in this particular system, this creates multiple storage
spaces of the same data.
Can be one of the following:
Simple volume:
Single disk
No fault tolerance
Can be NTFS or FAT
Spanned volume:
maximum of 32 disks
Cannot extend spanned volumes, need to delete and recreate
No fault tolerance
Mirror volume:
Also known as RAID 1
Windows XP Pro does not support mirror volumes
Can be NTFS or FAT
Fault tolerance, data is the same on both disks

To replace the failed mirror in a mirrored volume, right-click the failed mirror and then click Remove Mirror, and then
right-click the other volume and click Add Mirror to create a new mirror on another disk
Variation of mirroring called duplexing uses HD connected to different controllers for even more fault tolerance
Striped volume:
Also known as RAID 0
Maximum of 32 disks
Breaks data into 64Kb chunks for writing to different disks that make up the stripe
It is recommended to use same type of hard drives for member drive
Windows XP cannot be installed on software RAID 0
You cannot extend striped volume, need to recreate it
No fault tolerance
RAID 5:
Made up of three disks with each storing parity information
Fault tolerance when one disk fails
Maximum of 32 disks, minimum of 3
Not available in Windows XP professional
To replace the failed disk region in a RAID-5 volume, right-click the RAID-5 volume and then click Repair Volume
Only in Windows XP Professional, Windows 2000 Professional and Windows 2003 server (all editions) you can use dynamic disks
Note: if disk fails for which ARC path is in boot.ini system will not boot. You should have a disk with modified boot.ini
Mounted volumes - can mount HD as a NTFS folder
Uninstall disks prior to moving them, Re-scan disk when you attach it
Dynamic disks can be re-configured without re-boot
When your boot disk is also a dynamic disk, then you will not be able to dual boot into OS that is not dynamic disk capable
Dynamic disks are not supported on laptops due to luck of advantage over basic disks in this scenario
Dynamic disk partition table types:
dynamic GUID partition table (GPT) disks, for 64bit editions of Windows
dynamic MBR disks, for 32 and 64bit editions of Windows
The Foreign status occurs when you move a dynamic disk to the local computer from another computer
You can have a maximum of 2000 volumes on a dynamic disk, recommended maximum is 32
Volumes created after the 26th drive letter has been used must be accessed using volume mount points
Hard drives that are connected to the Pc using USB or IEEE 1394 can not be converted to dynamic volumes
Extending simple volume:
Similar to spanned volume but uses the same physical HD with simple volume
You can extend a simple volume only if it does not have a file system or if it is formatted using the NTFS file system. You also
need free space on HD and the volume could not have been originally a basic disk partition.
You cannot extend volumes formatted using FAT or FAT32
You cannot extend a system volume, boot volume, striped volume, mirrored volume, or RAID-5 volume
[8.9] Volume status descriptions
Failed - basic or dynamic volume cannot be started automatically or the disk is damaged
Failed Redundancy - data on a mirrored or RAID-5 volume is no longer fault tolerant because one of the underlying disks is not
online, has substatus information
Formatting - occurs only while a volume is being formatted with a file system
Healthy - normal volume status on both basic and dynamic volumes, no known problems, has substatus information
Regenerating - occurs when a missing disk in a RAID-5 volume is reactivated
Resynching - occurs when creating a mirror or restarting a computer with a mirrored volume
Unknown - occurs when the boot sector for the volume is corrupted
Data Incomplete - displayed in the Foreign Disk Volumes dialog box, and occurs when data spans multiple disks, but not all of the
disks were moved.
Data Not Redundant - displayed in the Foreign Disk Volumes dialog box when you import all but one of the disks in a mirrored or
RAID-5 volume
Stale Data - displayed in the Foreign Disk Volumes dialog box, and occurs when a mirrored or RAID-5 volume has stale mirror
information, stale parity information, or I/O errors
[8.10] Converting to dynamic disk and back to basic disk
If you convert a boot disk, or if a volume or partition is in use on the disk you attempt to convert, you must restart the computer for
the conversion to succeed.
The conversion may fail if you change the disk layout of a disk to be converted or if the disk has I/O errors during the conversion.

After you convert a basic disk into a dynamic disk, any existing partitions on the basic disk become (dynamic) simple volumes.
If you are using shadow copies and they are stored on a different disk then original you must first dismount and take offline the
volume containing the original files before you convert the disk containing shadow copies to a dynamic disk.
If you are converting disks form dynamic to basic the disk being converted must not have any volumes on it nor contain any data
before you can change it back to a basic disk. If you want to keep your data, back it up before you convert the disk to a basic disk.
[8.11] Disk quotas
Disk quota applies to everyone using the volume except administrators
Remember that every user needs few Mb (min 2) for storage of the profile which is needed for logging in
Quota entry can be created per user but not per group, only volumes and users have quota entries
Quota limit is calculated using the uncompressed file size, thus compressing files will not create more space
The default quota entry is for all users of given volume. You can add additional quota entries on per user basis only.
Once again, quota entries are per user per volume, no groups are allowed.
Remember that once a user uses a volume with quota set on it an entry is automatically added. Thus, if you had a general entry for
all users and later on some users run out of space and need more you modify quota entries not add new ones.
Disk quota is only applied to the files that are being added after the quota entry got created, it doesn't apply to files that were already
there
Each file can contain up to 64kb of metadata that is not applied towards users quota limit
Fsutil is used to manage quota from command line
To free some space run disk cleanup, from command prompt: cleanmgr.exe (note it doesn't clear internet temporary files)
[8.12] Defragmenting
You will need at least 15% of free HD space in order to defragment
You may need to repeat the process several times in order to achieve planned results
Defragmenting should be done on every volume every 1 to 2 months
You cannot schedule defragmenting task (unless you use custom scripts)
Windows defragmenter works with FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS
On modern computer systems that use NTFS and don't use the file system extensively (desktops) the benefits of defragmenting a
hard drive are measurable but not noticeable for the end user. Thus defragmenting is only significant performance tool for file
servers.
[8.13] Encryption:
Only users who created the files, users whom owner gave access to view the file (new in Windows XP, additional users need to
already be issued certificates) and recovery agents can decrypt the file
When moving encrypted file from one volume to another volume, it stays encrypted. When copying file it also stays encrypted. This
behaviour is unique for encryption!
Note that user which has NTFS permissions to an encrypted file can delete that file, even if he/she cannot view that file. They can
also move the file around on the same NTFS volume (different volume would mean a copy operation and possible decryption).
Cannot encrypt and compress at the same time (due to encryption process using pseudo random salt which cannot be further
compressed due to its nature)
You can zip 1st using winzip or other 3rd party compression tool, then encrypt to get encrypted and compressed file
Executable file cipher.exe is a command line encryption utility
By default, the recovery agent is the Administrator account on the 1st DC, there is no default for stand alone server/workstation
For encryption property, moving/copying a file to a FAT system decrypts file without warning
It is recommended to store recovery agent certificate on a floppy disk in secured location. It is also recommended to copy their file
to be recovered to the recovery agent PC where it will be recovered.
User needs correct certificate to perform action on a file that would result in that file being decrypted
[8.14] How EFS (encrypted file system) works
When the user chooses to encrypt a file, a file encryption key is generated
This encryption key, together with encryption algorithm is used to encrypt the contents of the file
The file encryption key is encrypted itself using user's public key and stored together with the encrypted file. The file encryption key
is also protected by the public key of each additional EFS user that has been authorized to decrypt the file and each recovery agent.
File can only be decrypted by using user's private key, by using private key of users given permission to view the file and private
key of recovery agent
Private/public pair is created using user's certificate
On stand alone machines user's certificate is created the 1st time he or she tries to encrypt a file
For domain user certificate is issued by the certification authority - user needs permission to get a certificate
Files marked with the System attribute cannot be encrypted, nor can files in the systemroot directory structure.
Before users can encrypt or decrypt files and folders that reside on a remote server, an administrator must designate the remote
server as trusted for delegation.
If you open the encrypted file over the network, the data that is transmitted over the network by this process is not encrypted.

Users can use EFS remotely only when both computers are members of the same Windows Server 2003 family forest
Encrypted files are not accessible from Macintosh clients
Encrypting File System (EFS) no longer requires a recovery agent
[8.15] Compression (NTFS)
When you compress a whole folder:
All files are compressed automatically when added but not current folder occupants
OR
Compression can also be applied to current files and subfolders
Decompression is a reverse process of compression
Moving a file on the same volume means that the file location is moved in MFT only, not the physical file itself.
When you copy a file, no matter whatever on the same volume or not, the destination file will inherit the destination folder's
permissions
When you move a file on the same volume, it keeps its original permissions. When you move a file to another volume, the move is
treated as a copy operation and the file permissions are inherited from the destination folder.
All file attributes behave in the same way with the exception of encryption
File compression is supported only on NTFS volumes with cluster sizes 4 KB and smaller
For command line use compact.exe, it can display and modify compression attributes but it works only on NTFS
Part 9: Accessingfiles and folders
[9.1] General folder options

General folder options:
Windows classic or web content in the folders
Whatever foldersare openedall in the same windowor separatewindows
Opening with single or double mouse click
Folder view options:
Configure things that you see once you open files and folders
There are too many options to list
File type options are used to associate file extensions with application file types
[9.2] Offline folder options
Offline folder options, you can store network files offline
On the client side:
The first step is to enable (enabled by default) offline file support on the client under Folder options -> Offline files and is
available only on Windows XP and above
In the folder options for offline files you can set:
You can set synchronization options: manually synchronize, automatic synchronization (log on or log off) and reminder
at certain time intervals
You can also set up an option for how much disk space will be used for temporary network files and whatever these will
be encrypted
When offline files are enabled connect to a shared folder, right click it and select 'Make available offline' this will bring settings
dialog box and start synchronization
When the folder is set up as available offline when you right click on it you will have an option to synchronize
Folders that are synchronized appear with a small blue arrow pointing down in the lower left corner of the folder icon
On the server side:
SMB are used for communication between networked computers, for offline file sharing any SMB PC will do as a server
You can disable and enable (default) client's ability to use offline content by changing the options in Share properties ->
Caching on the server computer
[9.3] ACL - access control list
Every object in AD (and on a stand alone PC) has ACL
ACE - access control entries
ACL is a list of ACEs. Each ACE has deny or accept action and an associated SID (security identifier).
The process of checking user access is preformed in this way:
User SID is checked against ACE on ACL list of the resource user wants to access
Also groups that the user belongs to (group SID) is checked against ACE in ACL
If there is no entry, then access is denied
Accept if ACE = SIDs in ACL and associated ACE action is accept
Windows resolves SID and presents name as ACE

Deny right takes precedence over allow right in group and user security context. This is true even for Administrator and object
owner.
[9.4] General NTFS permissions for files
Read
List files attributes
Read data in the file
Read permissions
Write
Change file attributes
Create new files and write data to files
Append data to files
Read and execute = 'Read' + execute file permission
Modify = 'Read and Execute' + 'Write' + delete permission
Full control = all of above permissions + 'Change Permissions' permission + 'Take Ownership' permission
[9.5] General NTFS permissions for folders
Read
List folder attributes
List folder
Read permissions
Write
Change folder attributes
Create folders
Read and execute
Modify = 'Read and Execute' + 'Write' + delete permission
List folder contents (only permission for a folder)
Traverse folders
List the contents of a folder
See folder's or file attribute
Full control = all of above permissions + 'Change Permissions' permission + 'Take Ownership' permission
[9.6] Share permissions
Only applicable for folders, no share permissions for files
Read = read file data, file names and subfolder names + execute (default assigned to everyone group)
Change = read permission + delete files and subfolders + write
Full control = all of above permissions + change of share permissions right only
Share permissions do not apply to users that are logged into the OS interactively (i.e. locally)
NTFS general permissions always apply, even for a share i.e. user needs two read permissions in order to access a file over the
network
Use NTFS permissions to tighten security
To add share form command prompt: net share 'folder name'='path'
To delete share form command prompt: net delete 'folder name'
To connect to a share from command prompt use: net use \\computer_name\share_name
When a share name ends in $ it is hidden and cannot be browsed to, full name needs to be typed in
Share permissions are not included in a backup or restore of a data volume
Share permissions do not replicate through the File Replication service
When both NTFS and share permissions are applied to a resource the system looks at the effective permissions for NTFS and
share permissions and applies to the object the most restrictive set of cumulative permissions
Be default, simple file sharing is enabled in Windows XP if you are not connected to a domain. Therefore, the Security tab and the
advanced options for permissions are not available. In Windows XP Home edition you have to use simple file sharing.
You can not disable simple file sharing in Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, in Windows XP Pro you use folder options to
disable simple file sharing
[9.7] Explicit permissions and inherited permissions for files and folders
There are two types of permissions: explicit permissions and inherited permissions.
Explicit permissions are those that are set by default when the object is created, by user action.
Inherited permissions are those that are propagated to an object from a parent object. Inherited permissions ease the task of
managing permissions and ensure consistency of permissions among all objects within a given container.

Explicit permissions take precedence over inherited permissions, even inherited Deny permissions. This has nothing to do with user
and group security context.
[9.8] Inherited permissions (file and folders)
All files and folders inherit their permissions from the parent folder by default
There are three ways to make changes to inherited permissions:
Make the changes to the parent folder, and then the file or folder will inherit these permissions. Remember this is not related
to user and group security!
Select the opposite permission (Allow or Deny) to override the inherited permission.
Clear the 'Allow inheritable permissions from the parent to propagate to this object and all child objects. Include these with
entries explicitly defined here' check box. You can then make changes to the permissions or remove the user or group from
the permissions list. However, the file or folder will no longer inherit permissions from the parent folder. You be presented with
a confirmation dialog that has these options
You can 'copy' permission entries making all entries explicit (convert inherited entries into explicit)
Or you can remove all inherited permissions and keep only the current explicit permissions
You cannot change parent permissions inside a child object - they show as grayed out if inheritance is on.
If the object is inheriting conflicting settings from different parents then the setting inherited from the parent closest to the object in
the subtree will have precedence.
Only inheritable permissions are inherited by child objects. When setting permissions on the parent object, you can decide whether
folders or subfolders can inherit them with Apply onto.
[9.9] Special shares
drive letter$ - shared resource that enables administrators to connect to the root directory of a drive
ADMIN$ - resource that is used during remote administration of a computer. The path of this resource is always the path to the
system root (ex. c:\windows)
IPC$ - resource that shares the named pipes that are essential for communication between programs. You use IPC$ during remote
administration of a computer and when you view a computer's shared resources. You cannot delete this resource.
NETLOGON - required resource that is used on domain controllers
SYSVOL - required resource that is used on domain controllers
PRINT$ - resource that is used during remote administration of printers
FAX$ - shared folder on a server that is used by fax clients in the process of sending a fax
You cannot browse to $ shares (cannot see them in Explorer)
[9.10] Moving and copying of files
Moving a file on the same volume means that the file location is moved in MFT only, not the physical file itself.
When you copy a file, no matter whatever on the same volume or not, the destination file will inherit the destination folder's
permissions (destination folder and file permission will be the same)
When you move a file on the same volume, it keeps its all of its original permissions, explicit and inherited from original folder.
Assign the following names: the file, call it F, new folder call it A, original folder, call it B. When you move F from B to A and then
make some permissions changes on folder A, they will be inherited by the file F (unless inheritance is blocked on F), old inherited
permissions (the one's from folder B) will be removed. However, the file F will keep all explicit permissions, which is different then
copy operation, where explicit permissions are removed after copy.
When you move a file to another volume, the move is treated as a copy operation. The file permissions are inherited from the
destination folder in the same way regular copy operation permission are inherited.
[9.11] Other points
Groups or users granted Full Control on a folder can delete any files in that folder regardless of the permissions protecting the file
Every general permission has 'Synchronize' permission
Read attributes permission includes 'Read Extended Attributes' permission
Everyone group is no longer granted full control by default to shares, only read access (as of service pack 1, original had full
access)
The Anonymous Logon security group has been removed from the Everyone security group
Windows XP and 2000 need installation of client software, twcli32.msi to take advantage of Volume Shadow Service (VSS) that is
run on Windows Server 2003 computer
Part 10: Managingnetworkconnections
[10.1] Installing a network adapter

Make sure you install the latest driver
If you have a combo network card (that has two network connectors) make sure you configure speed and cable type
70 to 80 percent of network problems are due to faulty cabling
If you have a combo network card make sure that the speed and cable type are configured correctly
[10.2] Configuring TCP/IP

TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) developed in 1970's

Installed by default on Windows XP, most common protocol supported by almost all OSs
TCP/IP is scalable, it is a routed protocol
TCP/IP is a fault tolerant protocol that will dynamically reroute pockets if network is down and alternate links exist
Companion services such as DNS and DHCP exist
This is the most popular protocol and is the basis of the internet
IP address uniquely identifies computers on the network, it has 32 bits in it
The loopback IP address is 127.0.0.1, this is your localhost address. The first address in your network is for the network itself, the
last address is for the network broadcast.
IP class assignments
Class A 1-126.x.x.x, hosts supported 16777214, with mask 255.0.0.0
Class B 128-191.x.x.x, hosts supported 65534, with mask 255.255.0.0
Class C 192-223.x.x.x, hosts supported 254, with mask 255.255.255.0
Subnet mask is used to specify which part of the IP address is the network address and which part of the address is the host part
Default gateway is the location where pockets are sent which are not destined for your network (you need routers). Metrics are
used to calculate optimal paths to gateways.
Router is a device that connects two or more network segments together
Ipconfig is used to show PCs IP configuration
Ping is used to send ICMP echo request packets
Nbtstat is used to display NetBIOS over TCP/IP connection statistics, also known as NBT
Alternate configuration you can specify what happens when there is no DHCP server on the network
Automatic Private IP Addressing (APIPA) - assigns PC address from the range 169.254.0.1 to 169.254.255.254, in use
since Windows 98
Manual configuration of alternative settings
[10.3] DHCP
DHCP server is used for automatic IP assignment to hosts, here is the whole process:
Client seeking IP address brodcasts on the network DHCPDISCOVER message
Any DHCP server that receives the message and has available IP addresses sends a DHCPOFFER for a period of time
called lease
Client selects one of the offers and brodcasts DHCPREQUEST indicating its selection
DHCP server sends DHCPACK message to the client with possible configuration information like DNS server IPs
DHCP server must be authorized in AD if part of a domain
If there is no DHCP server on your network segment you can use DHCP server on another network segment, provided that the
other DHCP server is configured to give out addresses to PC on other segments and the router that joins segments acts as a DHCP
relay agent
[10.4] DNS
DNS servers are used for name to IP and IP to name (reverse DNS) address resolution
HOSTS file is used to resolve nicknames or domain names entries, located in systemroot\System32\Drivers\Etc
DNS settings:
DNS server addresses, in order of use - which DNS server will be used first to resolve a query
Append primary and connection-specific DNS suffixes - specifies how unqualified domain names are resolved by DNS,
for example if primary suffix is microsoft.com and you enter blah, DNS will try blah.microsoft.com
Append parent suffixes of the primary DNS suffix - whatever name resolution includes the parent suffix for the primary
DNS suffix, up to second level of the domain name, for example given primary suffix win.ms.com and you enter blah, DNS will
1st try blah.win.ms.com then blah.ms.com
Append these DNS suffixes - additional suffixes that will be used to resolve unqualified name
DNS suffix for this connection - DNS suffix for the PC, can override data supplied by DNS server
Register this connection's address in DNS - dynamic registration using PC name
Use this connection's DNS suffix in DNS registration
[10.5] WINS
NetBIOS (Basic Input/Output System) resolution to an IP address can be done in 3 ways
WINS servers are used for NetBIOS name to IP address resolution, this server is for backward compatibility with NT4
Through broadcast (same network segment)
LMHOSTS file is a static mapping if IP addresses to NetBIOS computer names, it is located in %systemroot%
\System32\Drivers\Etc folder
WINS settings:

WINS addresses, in order of use

Enable LMHOSTS lookup
Enable/Disable NetBIOS over TCP/IP
Use NetBIOS settings from the DHCP server
NetBEUI - NetBIOS Enhanced User Interface
AppleTalk - is not supported by Windows XP (was supported before)
[10.6] TCP/IP filtering
Through filtering you can specify for your PC:
Which TCP ports are permitted
Which UDP ports are permitted
Which protocols are permitted
This is set for all adapters at once and is separate from firewall
It is set up from Network connections -> connection -> TCP/IP properties -> advanced button -> options tab
[10.7] Configuring NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS
NWLink IPX/SPX/NetBIOS is Microsoft implementation of Novell IPX/SPX (Internetwork Packet Exchange/Sequenced Packet
Exchange)
This is just a transport protocol that is routable, if you want to access Novell servers you need to install client software
Internal network number - used to identify file servers, normally leave as is
Frame type - specifies how the data is packaged for transmission
[10.8] Network access authentication
Network access control using IEEE 802.1X - you choose a method, password/certificate/smart card
Authenticate as computer when computer information is available
Authenticate as guest when user or computer information is unavailable
Part of connection properties
[10.9] Advanced options
Bindings are used to attach protocols to a network adapter. You can improve performance by binding common protocols higher in
binding order
Part 11: Managingprinting
[11.1] Printing related definitions

Printer - this is how we call a piece of software on your PC
Print device - this is the actual hardware printer
Print server - PC to which a local printer is connected - any Windows PC. It is the computer that sends print jobs to the print device.
For a network printer you send jobs to the server as well.
Print spooler - also referred to as print queue this is a directory on print server where jobs are being stored prior to being printed
Print processor - also known as rendering is the process that determines whatever a print job needs further processing once job
has been sent to the spooler
Printer pool - configuration that allows to use one printer for multiple print devices
Print driver - piece of software that understands your print device codes
Physical port - port through which a printer is directly connected to the computer, COM or LPT
Logical port - port through which a printer with a network card is attached to network, much faster than a physical port
Local printer - printer that uses a physical port and has not been shared
Network printer - printer that is available to local and network users, can use either physical or logical port
[11.2] Printer and print device configurations
1 printer per 1 print device
1 printer for many print devices (print pooling)
Many printers for 1 print device - used usually for print scheduling
[11.3] Windows print process
When user chooses to print the document, request is sent to Graphics Device Interface (GDI) which calls print driver
Print job is sent to a local print spooler which sends the job to the print server
The print spooler on the print server saves the job to disk
Print processor analyzes the print job to determine whatever extra processing is needed, separator page is called if needed
Job is passed to the print manager which directs job to the right port at the right time
Print device prints the job
[11.4] Printer information

You can use UNIX (LPR) protocol, for this you will need to add LPR port. LPR is included in "print services" for UNIX, which is
installed as a separate component of Windows XP
You can also have print services for Macintosh and for Netware
Whenever you hear anything that deals with: LPR, LPD, LPQ think UNIX
You can set printer priority (1-99) as well as printer availability (which means when the printer will be available timewise) to
different user groups as well as access to the print device itself to different user groups and individual users.
For example to use different print priority for two groups you need to setup two print devices, restrict their use and set priority on
them
If you want to know printer utilization track print queue object in system monitor
%systemdir%\system32\spool\printers\ is the default location of the spool folder. You should change it if your server serves
many printers.
A port is defined as the interface that allows the PC to communicate with the print device
Print.exe - sends a text file to a printer
Net Print - displays information about a specified printer queue, displays information about a specified print job, or controls a
specified print job
Bidirectional support - option on ports tab that allows printer to communicate with the computer, for example print errors
[11.5] Spooling
Spooling is the process of saving the jobs to disk in a queue before they are sent to the print device
You have the option of:
Start printing after the last page is spooled - small jobs that enter the queue after large jobs may print before large jobs
finish spooling
Start printing immediately - strict order of entry into the queue determines who gets printed 1st
Print directly to the printer - good for troubleshooting the print device
You can change location of print spooler
[11.6] Print processor
There are 5 print processors in Windows XP
RAW - makes no change to the job
RAW (FF appended) - always adds form feed character
RAW (FF auto) - tries to determine whatever form feed character needs to be added
NT EMF - for use with other Windows XP clients, multiple versions
TEXT - interprets all data as plain text
[11.7] Printer Pooling
One printer, multiple print devices
Think of it as load balancing for printers, used in larger enterprises
Need to use the same driver for all print devices that are member of the pool. Many newer printer devices will work with older driver,
use driver that is the newest for the oldest printer.
It is enabled with a check box found at the bottom of the ports tab
When one print device fails the print job gets redirected to another print device in the pool
[11.8] Redirecting print jobs
You can redirect print jobs provided both printers use the same driver
When user placed into a queue a request to print a document on a print device which failed to print BEFORE commencement of
printing you can redirect printing to another printer
To redirect a print job select print device you want jobs redirected from
If the new printer is on this print server, just select new port to which the new printer is attached, otherwise
Click on 'ports' tab
Click on 'add port', select local printer and click on 'new port'
Type in UNC share name of the printer you want the job redirected to, in format \\other_print_server\share_name
Check the check box next to the port you just created
[11.9] Separator pages
Separator pages are used in multi user environments, sample files are found in %systemroot/system32/ folder with .sep ending
Pcl.sep - used to send a separator page on printers supporting PCL (Printer Control Language), which is a common standard
Pscript.sep - doesn't send a separator page but switches the computer to PostScript printing mode
Sysprint.sep - used by PostScript printers to send separator pages
Sysprintj.sep - same as sysprint.sep but with support for Japanese characters
[11.10] Managing printers
To manage printer, right click it, you have following options:

Set as Default Printer - jobs will by default be sent to this printer

Printing preferences - settings like page layout
Pause printer - jobs can still be submitted, but will not print
Use printer offline - pauses the printer and saves the print queue so documents in it are available even after PC reboot
Other options: Rename, Sharing, Delete
You can also manage documents with following options: Pause,Restart,Resume,Cancel,Properties
[11.11] Sharing
When you share a printer it becomes a Network printer
If you don't share your printer it is a Local printer
You cannot share a Fax printer
You can specify print drivers for following systems:
Alpha Windows NT 4.0
IA64 Windows XP
Intel Windows 95/98/Me/NT 4.0/2000/XP
[11.12] Security
There are three print related permissions:
Print - users can send print jobs to a printer
Manage Printers - administration of printer consisting of: can pause,restart printer, change spool settings, share/unshare
printer, change print permissions
Manage documents - pause/restart/resume and delete queued documents, no control over the printer itself
Special permissions - used to customize the print options with allow or deny access with: Print, Manage Printers, Manage
Documents, Read Permissions, Change Permissions and Take Ownership
Administrators and Power users can do all tasks
Creator Owner group can Manage Documents only
Everyone group can Print only
Advanced security settings:
Permissions - list all users, computers and groups that have been given permissions to the printer
Auditing - tracks who is using the printer and what type of access is being used
Owner - owner of the printer
Effective permissions
Part 12: Dial-up networkingand Internet
[12.1] Configuring a modem

General: speaker volume, maximum port speed, wait for dial tone before dialing check box
Selection of country and extra initialization string
Advanced port settings allow to set buffer size
Hardware settings like Data bits, Parity, Stop bits and Modulation
Data connection settings like Port speed, data protocol, compression and flow control
You can run diagnostics of your modem
[12.2] Connecting to a Remote access server (RAS)
You can connect to a RAS server using a modem, ISDN or a null modem cable
Both client and server must use the same connectivity settings
RAS security settings
Allow unsecured passwords
Require secured password
Use smart card (you will need EAP)
Logon security protocols
MS-chap (Microsoft Challenge Handshake Authentication Protocol) still supports NTLM (but not by default) Same encryption
key is used for all connections, both authentication and connection data are encrypted
MS-chap v2 no NTLM and stronger encryption (like salting passed encrypted password strings) both MS-chap protocols are
the only ones that can change passwords during the authentication process. New key is used for each connection and
direction.
Chap - need to enable storage of a reversibly encrypted user passwords, encryption of authentication data through MD5
hashing. No encryption of connection data.
PAP (Password Authentication Protocol) passwords are unencrypted as well as connection data

SPAP (Shiva Password Authentication Protocol) - less secure than CHAP or MS-CHAP, no encryption of connection data
EAP-TLS (Extensible Authentication Protocol - transport level security) - certification based authentication (EAP) used with
smart cards, both authentication and connection data are encrypted, not supported on stand alone servers - only for domains.
EAP-MD5 CHAP (Extensible Authentication Protocol - Message Digest 5 Challenge Handshake Authentication protocol) -
this is a version of Chap that was ported to EAP framework. Encrypts only authentication data, not connection data, same like
Chap.
Unauthenticated access - connections without credentials, good for testing
[12.3] Using Virtual Private Networking (VPN)
Data that is sent over the network is encrypted, for VPN you just need access to a network while for RAS you need to dial-in
VPN supports
Single inbound connections
Tunneling protocols
Callback security
Multilink support (chaining of multiple modems)
PPTP (Point-to-Point Tunneling Protocol) - build in encryption for IP or IPX protocols inside of PPP datagrams, require IP
connectivity between your computer and the server
L2TP (Layer Two Tunneling Protocol) - Windows XP implementation of L2TP is designed to run natively over IP networks only,
does not support native tunneling over X.25, Frame Relay, or ATM networks. Uses IPsec and certificates for security.
[12.4] Using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)
Internet connection sharing (ICS) allows you to connect a small network to the internet through a single connection
Internet connection sharing server gets assigned address 192.168.0.1 and its simple DHCP server assigns addresses in the range
of 192.168.0.2 - 192.168.0.254 to all client computers
You can specify which protocols and ports are to be shared, for example HTTP on port 80
You configure connection sharing using Network and Internet connections from control panel in advanced tab
[12.5] Managing IE settings
Security zones
Internet
Local intranet
Trusted sites
Restricted sites
Content
Content advisor - you can limit what is accessed based on language, nudity, sex and violence
Certificates
Personal information - you can configure Auto complete and Microsoft profile assistant
Connections - how you connect to the internet, any connection
Programs associated with different internet services, HTML editor, E-mail, News groups, Internet call, calendar and contact list
Advanced tab has too many options to list
You can print to an internet printer if the print server has IIS and supports internet printing
Internet printing uses Internet print protocol (IPP)
To install internet printer, start the 'Add printer wizard', choose network printer and type as address http://computername/printers/
share_name/.printer
You can connect through a web browser to print server by surfing to http://print_server/printers if it is allowed and print server has
IIS installed
To connect using IE to an ftp server that uses password and user name, use: ftp://user_name:password@ftp.company.com;
Otherwise IE will ask you to enter your credentials.
[12.6] Internet connection firewall
ICF is a stateful firewall
Configured from Network Connections -> Connection you wish to firewall -> properties -> advanced tab
You can log dropped packets and successful connections
You can choose a service that already is listed (like port 80 IIS) or add your own
Don't confuse with IP packet filtering which is set for all connections at once.
[12.7] Other points
PPP - Point-to-Point Protocol that provides advanced futures (like: IPX, NetBEUI and TCP/IP, encrypted authentication if
configured) not found in Serial Line Internet Protocol (SLIP)
Part 13: OptimizingWindowsXP Pro

[13.1] Performance and system events

Task manager
Event viewer
System monitor (to activate you can run perfmon.exe from command line)
Performance logs and alerts
Network monitor
[13.2] Performance
To set process priority at run time, go use start "process name" /"priority value"
Another way is to: cmd /c start /"priority setting""application name" -- you cannot use this from the run menu
Priority types:
Real time (you will need Administrator access to set this priority level)
High
Above normal
Normal
Below normal
Low
Processor affinity is the process of assigning specific processors to specific tasks in multiprocessor system, this is done through
task manager
Relog - extracts performance counters from performance counter logs into other formats, such as text-TSV, text-CSV, binary-BIN,
or SQL
Logman - manages and schedules performance counter and event trace log collections on local and remote systems
[13.3] Performance indicators
Memory: pages faults/sec - data not found in CPU cache creates a fault, most processors can handle large amounts of soft page
faults, compare with memory: pages/sec
Available memory in bytes - need more if less than 10% available (could be an application memory leak)
Memory: pages/sec - hard drive access to page file, a rate of 20 or more indicates a need for more RAM
Page file percent close to 100, need more space on file or more RAM
Physical disk: percentage disk time above 70% - is too high, if paging file usage is excessive as well it indicates more RAM is
needed otherwise a disk is the bottleneck
Physical disk average queue length above 2 - check paging file and physical memory
Physical disk current queue length - a value above 2 indicates a problem
CPU close to 100% - need more CPU power if situation continues for excessive amounts of time
Number of open files indicates how busy the server is, compare to baseline
Server: bytes total/sec - indicates network throughput
Baselining is the process of determining average/normal system performance. Should be done over a period of 3 to 4 weeks using
counter logs.
Performance logs and alerts are used to perform long term analysis:
Using the default Windows XP Pro data provider or another application provider, trace logs record detailed system
application events when certain activities, such as a disk I/O operation occurs. When the event occurs, your OS logs the
system data to a file. A parsing tool is required to interpret the trace log output, like Tracerpt
When counter logs are in use, the service obtains data from the system when the update interval has elapsed, rather than
waiting for a specific event.
Remember that trace logs are event driven and
Counter logs are update interval driven
[13.4] Performance alerts
Alerts are created when specific counter(s) go above or below a specific value. When an alert is triggered you can do one of the
following:
You can log alerts in application log
Can send a network message
Start performance data log
Run a program
[13.5] Log file settings
Maximum log size
Overwrite log events as needed
Overwrite log events older than X days
Do not overwrite events (clear log manually)

Microsoft recommends keeping 7 day logs

[13.6] Log files
Default event log files:
Application - tracks events related to applications that are running on your PC
Security - tracks events related to Windows XP auditing
System - tracks events related to the Windows XP OS
Log file extension is .evt (files with this extension can be viewed by event viewer)
Tracerpt - processes event trace logs or real-time data from instrumented event trace providers
[13.7] Log filtering
Event type
Event source
Event ID
User
Computer
Date range
[13.8] Log viewer event types
Information - logged for informative purposes
Warning - non critical events that might indicate a problem
Error - indicates a problem
Success Audit - indicates occurrence of an even audited for success
Failure Audit - indicates occurrence of an even audited for failure
[13.9] Event information
Eventvwr - used to lunch event viewer
Eventtriggers.exe - displays and configures event triggers on local or remote machines.
Eventcreate.exe - enables an administrator to create a custom event in a specified event log
Eventquery.vbs - lists the events and event properties from one or more event logs
[13.10] Page file
Page file size should be such that the size of it plus size of physical RAM satisfies PCs needs, for light use 512Mb
Don't let system manage the size of the page file (fragmentation of page file due to constant resizes)
Set initial size of the page file but don't prevent it from growing to large size, it will rarely occur and provide you with a cushion in
case of memory intensive application takes up lots of RAM
If you move page file from the system drive you will no longer get any memory dumps
You will need to restart your PC once you make changes to the page file such as its initial or maximum size
It is best to place the page file on a drive whose cluster size matches RAM page file size, on intel PCs its 4Kb, default for NTFS is
also 4Kb
The Microsoft recommended size is equivalent to 1.5 times the amount of RAM on your system, set by default
To create memory dump file, the paging file on the %systemroot% drive must be at least as large as RAM + 11MB, you may to
increase it to 1.5*RAM
[13.11] Memory dumps
Small memory dumps are stored in %SystemRoot%\Minidump by default and have 64Kb of data
Dumpchk.exe - utility that you can use to verify that a memory dump file has been created correctly found in the support tools on
the Windows XP CD
Windows writes the log file, by default called Memory.dmp, to the same file name each time a Stop error occurs
[13.12] Scheduling tasks
To schedule a task go to Performance and Maintenance under Control Panel and select 'Schedule a task'
Scheduled task properties:
Command line execution for the program that is running the task
The folders containing needed for execution files
Comments
The user name and password of the user the task is to be run as
Whatever the task is enabled or not
Many other advanced options, like running task when CPU is idle
Scheduler service must be running for scheduled task execution to occur
Scheduler tasks needs appropriate permissions to run the scheduled task
Security can be set by group or user

Part 14: Performingsystemrecovery
[14.1] Overview
Document everything in your plan, test your plan
Posses a 'recovery toolkit' with stuff like backup utilities/system utilities etc.
Make sure you backup:
User data
Critical system files
Critical applications
Recovery point - how much data can we loose? Most medium size companies are OK with loosing up to 24h - thus daily backup is
OK.
Time frame for recovery - how long does it take to recover affected systems
Hot sites are ultimate backup solution for server farms (a hot site can take on all functions of the current site, is kept synchronized
and is in a different physical location)
Backup files have .bkf extension
When files are backed up they retain all of their original attributes including encryption
File attributes are lost when you restore backup to a FAT volume
[14.2] Windows XP boot sequence
Preboot sequence
Power on self test (POST) is run when PC is turned on, system configures hardware
The Master Boot Record (MBR) is loaded to which BIOS points
MBR points to the active partition which in turn is used to specify which partition should be used to boot the OS
NTLDR is used to start Windows XP boot process
Boot sequence
NTLDR switches the processor from real mode to 32-bit flat memory mode and starts mini file system drivers which support
PC file systems
Operating system selection with BOOT.INI occurs, for OS other than Windows XP file BOOTSECT.DOS is used
NTDETECT.COM detects hardware which is stored in registry
Control is passed to NTOSKRNL.exe
Kernel load sequence
HAL (hardware abstraction layer) driver is loaded (hal.dll)
Control set that the OS will use is loaded
Low level drivers such as disk are loaded
Kernel initialization sequence
The registry key HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\HARDWARE is created with current PC hardware
The Clone Control set is created, it is the exact data used to configure the PC without changes made by setup
Low level drivers are initialized and higher level subsystems are being loaded
Logon sequence
Log on dialog box appears, user enters valid credentials
Service controller performs scan of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services to see whatever there
are any services that still needs to be loaded
[14.3] Backup types
Normal (full) - Clears archive bit, backs up all data on volume that is being backed up.
Incremental - backs up only these files that have their archive bit set to 1 (since last full or incremental backup). Clears archive bit.
Restore process will have to chain multiple incremental backups. This backup is fastest when combined with normal backup.
Differential - backs up only these files whose archive bit is set to 1. Does not clear archive bit, no chaining of backups during
restore process
Copy - only backup type that can back up registry and other critical system files. Like full backup, but does not clear or set any
archive bits. This type of backup is used for archiving or when backing up between incremental and normal backup routine.
Daily - backs up only these files that were modified today. Does not clear archive bit.
You can exclude files from being backed up
System state - boot and system files, AD (if DC), SYSVOL directory (if DC), COM+ Class Registration database, registry, Cluster
service information (if server is part of a cluster), IIS Metadirectory (if installed) - only for local system!
All backed up files keep their file attributes, unless you are restoring to FAT
For command prompt use: ntbackup.exe
Backup cannot be preformed to CD-R and DVD-R

When NTBackup creates a backup set it also creates a listing of files and folders included on the set, called a catalog. It is stored
on both the disk of the server and the backup set itself.
[14.4] Backup log
By default 10 backup logs are kept on the server
There are three logging options:
No log
Summary log (default)
Detailed log
[14.5] Restore options
Do not replace files (default)
Replace only if the file on disk is older
Always replace files
Options do you have to restore the files to
Restore to alternate location
Restore to single folder
Restore to original location
[14.6] Boot problems
Hit F8 for boot menu during startup
Last known good configuration is the control set in the registry (current settings, like used drivers)
Last known good configuration is still good choice only if user has not logged on since problem arouse
Safe mode does not backup the 'Last known good configuration'
To access recovery console: 'winnt32.exe /cmdcons' - this places recovery console option into boot.ini
Recovery console is good for missing boot files
Can run recovery console from Windows XP CD, to run console from CD boot from CD and press R (repair installation)
When boot files are missing you will have to copy new ones from installation CD
The maximum number of lines in the [operating systems] section of the Boot.ini file in Windows XP is 10. If you add an 11th line (or
more), only lines 1 through 10 will be seen during the boot phase of Windows XP
Directory services restore mode:
This is like a safe mode for a domain controller
Active directory is not started
[14.7] Advanced boot options
Safe mode - in boot.ini /safeboot:minimal /sos /bootlog /noguiboot
Safe mode with networking - in boot.ini /safeboot:network /sos /bootlog /noguiboot
Safe mode with command prompt - in boot.ini /safeboot:minimal(alternateshell) /sos /bootlog /noguiboot
Enable boot logging - in boot.ini /bootlog (log is stored in %systemroot%\ntbtlog.txt)
Enable VGA mode - in boot.ini /basevideo
Last known good configuration - in boot.ini no corresponding switch exists
Directory services restore mode (Windows domain controllers only) - in boot.ini /safeboot:dsrepair /sos
Debugging mode - in boot.ini /debug
The /sos /bootlog /noguiboot switches are not required with any of the above settings, but they are useful to help with
troubleshooting. These switches are included if you press F8 and choose one of the modes from startup boot menu.
[14.8] ASR - Automated system recovery
Replaces ERD (emergency repair disk)
Stores system state data (uses a cd or tape)
Need Windows XP CD and ASR floppy to do a clean install and apply system settings
ASR is needed to recover from boot failures
To create ASR disk either run ntbackup.exe from command prompt or go to: start -> all programs -> accessories -> system tools -
>backup
Using ASR recovers the system up to the point ASR was created
If you create ASR for system without floppy files are saved to the %systemroot%\repair folder. ASR restore will not work without a
floppy drive and the floppy disk.
To preform ASR recovery you need:
ASR floppy disk
ASR Backup set
Windows XP setup CDROM
There is no ASR in Windows XP Home edition

[14.9] Best practices for backup

Develop backup and restore strategies and test them; train people.
Always create an Automated System Recovery (ASR) backup set when the operating system changes
Always choose to create a backup log for each backup
Keep at least three copies of the backup media. Secure both the storage device and the backup media.
Perform a trial restoration periodically to verify that your files were properly backed up
[14.10] Startup and recovery options
Found in System properties advanced tab
You can specify the following options:
Default operating system - OS loaded by default if no selection is made on OS selection menu
Time to display list of OSs - how long the OS selection menu is shown (30 sec by default)
Time to display recovery options (30 sec by default)
Write event to the system log - event is written each time system fails (enabled by default)
Send Administrative alert - when system fails message is sent to the administrator (enabled by default)
Automatically restart
You can also edit the boot.ini file and specify the size of the kernel dump file
[14.11] Other points
System state data can only be restored and backed up locally (there are 3rd party software utilities that can restore and backup over
the network)
Using 'last known good configuration' can be used to recover from most stop errors if the user has not logged in BUT server must
be able to boot, i.e. if ntldr error need to use ASR or recovery console
For major hardware failures such as motherboard replacement you will need to reinstall Windows XP. However, you will still need to
restore system state prior to full Windows boot in order to preserve original SID.
Recovery password can be different than administrator password
For problems with boot files use recovery console and copy needed files over from the CD
Dr. Watson - used to troubleshoot application errors, DRWTSN32.EXE
Boot disk can be created by copying onto a floppy the following files: NTLDR, NTDETECT.COM, NTBOOTDD.SYS (for SCSI
without BIOS), BOOT.INI
System restore - creates restore points that can be used to restore PC to a previous state. Enabled by default, daily backups or
when significant changes occur. To manually create restore points, use system restore wizard, which is located under Accessories
-> System Tools -> System Restore. By default 12% of hard drive space is used for system restore data storage
Runas is also known as secondary logon, you need to have Secondary Logon service running to use it. This command line utility
is used to run programs within different user's security context. For example, network administrator is logged on as a regular user
and needs to run system utility that requires administrative privileges. Instead of logging out and back in as an administrator, the
user could use runas command which uses the following syntax: runas /user:ComputerName\UserName "program name"

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Microsoft exam 70-270 preparation guide Página 1

Microsoft exam 70-270 preparation guide

Part 1: Getting started with Windows XP Pro

Guide version 0.12 last updated on 24/05/2004

Part 1: GettingstartedwithWindowsXP Pro

[1.1] Windows XP Professional hardware requirements

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[2.1] Types of automated installation

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Part 3: Upgradingto WindowsXP

[3.1] Upgrade general points

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Part 4: ConfiguringWindowsXP Pro environment

[4.1] Windows image acquisition architecture

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HCL - Hardware compatibility list, replaced by Windows catalog

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[4.11] Remote desktop

Part 5: Managingthe Desktop

[5.1] Customizing desktop

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In appearance you can change many aspect of the choosen theme

Part 6: Managingusers and groups

[6.1] Built-in Accounts

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Creator - the group that created or took ownership of an object

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There are two types of user rights:

[8.1] File systems

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NTFS (New Technology File System)

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Part 9: Accessingfiles and folders

[9.1] General folder options

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Part 10: Managingnetworkconnections

[10.1] Installing a network adapter

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TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/internet protocol) developed in 1970's

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WINS addresses, in order of use

Part 11: Managingprinting

[11.1] Printing related definitions

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Set as Default Printer - jobs will by default be sent to this printer

Part 12: Dial-up networkingand Internet

[12.1] Configuring a modem

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Part 13: OptimizingWindowsXP Pro

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[13.1] Performance and system events

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Microsoft recommends keeping 7 day logs

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Part 14: Performingsystemrecovery

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