... Gosh I am glad I am not starting over again. :o)

Quoting Todd Walton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>:

I interviewed for a help desk position yesterday, very basic.  Part of
the interview was taking two computerized knowledge tests: Windows XP
Technical Skills and PC Hardware.  As many of you probably know,
"hardware" in the PC testing world actually means "hardware being run
by Windows".  I scored significantly greater than average for the XP
test, and just average for the hardware test.  I've never formally
trained in either, and I'm not surprised at doing so poorly.  ...sigh

A couple of questions I got on the *hardware* test:

1) A typical IDE-based PC has how many IDE interfaces?

2) COM1 and COM3 are typically associated with which IRQ?

3) Which three files are necessary for a Windows 9x recovery disk?

4) A user complains that she cannot access the network.  Others claim
they cannot reach the user by the network.  What should be your first
step?

For number 1 I said four.  That was wrong, and they didn't tell me
what the right answer was.  If not 4, then the answer is probably 2.
Every personal computer I've ever seen the innards to had an IDE1 and
IDE2, each handling a master and a slave drive.

For number 2 I had no f-ing clue, and should I on a hardware exam?
Number 3 I have a pretty good idea, but I guessed wrong.  COMMAND.COM,
IO.SYS and... ?

Number 4, I chose "replace the card".  In my former life as an
electronics tech, we'd *never* start with swapping, but the other
three choices made less sense.  I was wrong.  If that was wrong, then
"ping the computer" would be the next step.  I guess that makes sense.
You want to collect data and verify your symptoms yourself, right?

Anyway, I just figured I'd share.  I wish I'd've had the time to skim
an A+ book before I went, but I only had hours notice.  I think it
might be worth looking in to the A+ exam.  I recently left San Diego
for a multi-year hiatus.  I checked out the Net Admin vocational
program at the local community college.  Credit hours are $98 a pop
here!  That's approximately $83 more than in California.  The
estimated cost of the whole program is $8300.  Ouch.  But that's why
I'm getting a job, right?

-todd


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