Windows Install/Maintenance Classes

[araracd]

In a few weeks time i'll start giving classes on Windows installing and maintenance. I'll be showing the students different Windows (2000, XP, Vista) in different versions (Home, Professional, Server, etc).

What kind of stuff do you guys think would be important to show them about:
. Differences between the versions
. Installing options
. Maintenance
. anything else

All help is welcome

[hokiethang]

what is the target audience? Are these high school students, college students or professionals looking for more information about windows installation?

I'd also not publicly show Windows Vista unless you have explicit permission from Microsoft to do so. Since it's in a closed Beta at the moment, all public demonstrations and discussions must first be approved by Microsoft. Also, the windows vista installer is likely very far from being polished and finished, and may change greatly between the current beta builds and the released product.

[araracd]

The target audience is mostly comprised of computer technicians without any formal training (i.e. no degree of any kind). They're currently taking classes in various different subjects - computer programming, networks, operating systems, databases, web programming, etc.

And hokiethang, thanks for the tip on Vista.

[hokiethang]

Originally Posted by araracd

The target audience is mostly comprised of computer technicians without any formal training (i.e. no degree of any kind). They're currently taking classes in various different subjects - computer programming, networks, operating systems, databases, web programming, etc.

And hokiethang, thanks for the tip on Vista.

Ahh ok, well, for the most part just a quick review of the install process, and the basic features would be very useful just to get everyone on to the same page. If they are computer technicians they likely know some basic information about windows and the systems. If it's really just basics, then you have it covered in your topmost post. There are infinitely more levels you can go with windows though, since windows can get very complex. Maybe running through the device management, driver installation for windows would be helpful for a basic computer tech.

[jayjaya29]

http://www.tweakhound.com/xp/installxp/installXP1.htm

Anything on www.tweakhound.com is good information.

[araracd]

Thanks for all your help guys.

I've got 60 hours of classes to prepare and i'm having trouble coming up with stuff. The problem is that, as i said, they have other subjects like networks, etc. and some of the things i could teach them will already be covered in those other subjects leaving me with not too much to play with.

[hokiethang]

Originally Posted by araracd

Thanks for all your help guys.

I've got 60 hours of classes to prepare and i'm having trouble coming up with stuff. The problem is that, as i said, they have other subjects like networks, etc. and some of the things i could teach them will already be covered in those other subjects leaving me with not too much to play with.

Well if you want to go a bit deeper into windows, talk about policy management (just in case they may work in an enterprise environment), and user administration. You may also want to start in to how Active Directory works, and how to maintain a system that is connected to an AD. It's a bit more advanced, but its more very useful topics (since a majority of windows machines in offices reside on domains).

[AxlxA]

make sure you teach them how to install winxp onto a SATA hdd. I had to do that for a client and had to plug in my floppy just to grab the drivers. It was annoying.

[araracd]

Thanks AxlxA, that's also the kind of tips i'd like to get - common problems they might run into.