Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician Training

Microsoft offers certification for professionals proficient in its specific technologies. The Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) must have customer service skills and the knowledge to troubleshoot Windows operating systems and applications.

1.Significance
According to Microsoft, the MCDST certification helps support technicians validate their skill sets. Certifications evolve with technology and demonstrate to employers that Microsoft-trained professionals can adapt to changing technological landscapes.

2.Qualifications
MCDST candidates must have six to 12 months of experience helping end users troubleshoot operating systems and must pass two exams: one on troubleshooting Windows XP and another on troubleshooting Windows XP desktop applications.

3.Training
To successfully complete the Windows XP operating system troubleshooting exam, Microsoft recommends up to eight different classroom training and lab sessions--each ranging form one to three days--or a 12-hour e-learning course. To prepare for the XP applications troubleshooting exam, two one-day classroom sessions are available.

4. Advancement
Professionals with MCDSTs can advance their certifications to either Microsoft Certified IT Professional or Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist by passing one additional exam in either category.


Source: eHow

How to Check a Windows XP Product Key

A Windows XP product key is required for numerous tasks. For example, if you want to reinstall the operating system, you need to enter this code. Also, Microsoft's technical support team will ask that you provide the product key if you consult them regarding a problem with Windows XP. The product key is not easily accessible from your computer menu, so you need other ways to get this number.

Difficulty:
Moderate

Instructions

1. Look over your CD-ROM or check your software packaging. If you still have your installation CD sleeve or software packaging, you can usually find the product key for Windows XP printed on it.

2. Check the operating system information printed on your computer. If your PC was pre-installed with Windows XP, the manufacturer probably included a sticker that has the product key listed on it. It is likely to be somewhere on your computer's modem or on the base of your laptop computer.

3. Use a Windows product key finder software if you are unsuccessful at locating the Windows XP code on your own. For example, Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder is a type of software program that can automatically locate your Windows XP product code. Since the code is embedded, it is much easier to use a software program.

4. Install and launch the product key finder software. Scan your computer in order to find the Windows XP product key code that was installed from your registry. Print this code and store in a safe place.


source : eHow

Microsoft's Stock Is Finally Set To Reboot

Microsoft’s (MSFT) stock has gone nowhere for over a decade, trading in the $40-$60 range through 1999 and early 2000, and only occasionally breaking $30 since. Currently trading around $26-$27 ($27.12 on September 16 market close), it’s threatening to pierce $30 again. Several factors support the argument that Microsoft’s stock can achieve sustained value above $30 in the coming year.

Some context can help here. CEO Steve Ballmer has headed the company since January 2000. Stepping into the founder’s shoes is never easy, and no one can blame Ballmer for failing to continue Microsoft’s meteoric growth from a start up to a multinational powerhouse – a company can only grow so big. But at some point blame for failure to generate value for shareholders is placed on the person at the helm, and that’s Ballmer. Consequently, grumbling about Ballmer has been on the rise, with highly respected fund manager David Einhorn saying it’s time for Ballmer to leave and that he’s a drag on the stock (see, e.g., here.).

Setting Microsoft’s anemic stock performance and the sky-high expectations for big tech companies aside, Microsoft’s financial performance since Ballmer took over hasn’t exactly been a disaster. Since 2002, earnings have only gone down twice, in 2004 and (not surprisingly) 2009, and in both 2005 and 2010 they rebounded above the level of the year preceding the declining year.

Consequently, the stock’s P/E level has steadily fallen, ranging from 29-50 in 2002, and now standing at 10. At some point this has to stop, with the company either stumbling on growth trends long sustained under Ballmer’s leadership, or the stock going up.

Microsoft has also transitioned to offering a hearty dividend compared to big tech peers, now yielding 2.36% versus 2.04% for Hewlett-Packard (HPQ), 1.73% for IBM (IBM), 1.44% for Cisco (CSCO), and no dividends for Apple (AAPL). And the company’s regular dividends have steadily increased since they began in 2003, multiplying from .08 to .61 a share, pointing to a slow but steady momentum that at some point should boost its shares.

Now on top of these long-term trends are early reports that the upcoming Windows 8 package looks strong, with the newly released developer version drawing hype that Microsoft is leveraging rather than suffering from the tablet explosion Apple’s iPad ignited (see, e.g., here and here.). While parsing through these articles to predict the success or failure of a particular high-tech product is precarious, one significant reflection of industry expectations is a recent post on Adobe System’s (ADBE) web page stating (in the context of expecting continued support for its Flash multimedia platform): “We expect Windows desktop to be extremely popular for years to come (including Windows 8 desktop) ...”

Finally, Microsoft’s shares have been particularly resilient this year while the Japanese earthquake, continuing U.S. budget deficit and unemployment, and fears of a double dip recession shook the equities’ markets, suggesting broad sentiment that Microsoft’s shares are a value. The Dow Jones Industrial average has fallen 11.2% from its 52 week high on May 2 (12,876) as of market close on September 16 (11,433.71). Microsoft is a Dow component, and its shares rose 7.1% (from $25.32 to $27.12) over the same period, falling only 7.9% from its Microsoft’s own 52-week peak on January 27 ($29.46), without factoring in dividends.

So if long-term trends continue, Microsoft at current price levels offers increased resilience to correction, good dividend income, and the real prospect of capital appreciation if Windows 8 is a solid base hit.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this post does not constitute professional investment advice, and should only be used in consonance with all available information, including the opinion of a professional adviser, to make an investment decision.

Microsoft Build: News from the Windows 8 sessions

Sessions at the Microsoft Build conference are yielding interesting tidbits on the coming Windows 8 store, the Windows To Go feature, WinRT programming interface, security, and Xbox Live support.

Microsoft’s Build conference is still in full swing at the Anaheim Convention Center. The 5,000-plus developers in attendance are mining the sessions for information on developing for the coming Windows 8 tablets and PCs.

Here are just a few of the interesting bits:

Microsoft is sharing more on Windows To Go, its Windows 8 on a USB stick technology. Blogger Manan Kakkar managed to make his way into the packed September 15 session on the topic. (Many were turned away due to the capacity of the room for this one.) With Windows To Go, a user can take the Windows 8 install with files and data stored on a USB 2.0 or 3.0 drive and plug it to any other PC and continue working. Kakkar has a video clip of Windows To Go in action in his blog post on the topic.

Microsoft to take a 30 percent cut on Windows Store applications for Windows 8? Metro-style Windows 8 applications must go through Microsoft’s malware-check process and will be available for purchase through the Windows Store, as Tom Warren at WinRumors.com noted.

IStartedSomething’s Long Zheng reported from a Build session that Microsoft was planning to take a 30 percent cut on applications available in the Windows 8 store. (I had heard from other reporters at the show that Microsoft was not going to take a cut at all — at least at first — to help encourage developers to build more Windows 8 apps. Zheng noted that Microsoft now has pulled references to the 70/30 split, so it’s not clear whether that’s still the plan. Microsoft is expected to offer phone and Windows 8 PC apps for download from the store, and to provide links to legacy applications in the store, allowing developers to determine their own licensing and pricing policies for those apps.

WindowsRT, under the hood: One of the biggest mysteries from this week’s big reveal of Windows 8 has been the WinRT (Windows Runtime), an application programming interface for developing and running Metro-centric Windows 8 applications. ITWriting’s Tim Anderson. Here’s more on WinRT from a seesion on the topic that Anderson attended:

“WinRT is only useable from Metro applications. You cannot call WinRT from a Win32 application, nor vice versa,” (for the most part), Anderson explained. “I think it is reasonable to assume that a future version of Windows which runs only WinRT is a possibility; and that Windows 8 on ARM will look a bit like that even though Win32 will still be there, but mainly out of sight; but I am speculating. Does that mean Win32 is now legacy? In a way, but such a huge legacy that for the moment we should think of Windows 8 as two platforms side by side.”

Windows Defender is back with Windows 8: A number of Microsoft watchers, partners and customers have been wondering how Microsoft is planning to safeguard Windows 8 without making the process intrusive. There are multiple answers, according to a new blog post on the “Building Windows 8″ blog. Microsoft is beefing back up its Windows Defender tool and providing it as a built-in solution to those without other antimalware offerings installed. The new Defender “will provide you with real-time detection and protection from malware threats using a file system filter, and will interface with Windows secured boot, another new Window 8 protection feature,” the Softies said. There’s another layer of security built in, as well: The SmartScreen reputation-based security technology that is built into recent Internet Explorer releases is going to be built right into the operating system.

Microsoft will provide support for certain Xbox Live features on Windows 8 PCs and tablets. Avatars, achievements, roaming saved states — many of the same Xbox Live capabilities offered on Windows Phones — will be available on Windows 8, too, WinRumors reported from a session on Xbox Live development for Windows 8. Async multiplayer functionality, being built into Windows 8, “will allow Windows PCs, Windows Phone and Xbox 360 users to play against each other using multiplayer and matchmaking functionality. The support brings a new level of multiplayer gaming to Xbox Live once Windows 8 is available,” WinRumors’ Tom Warren said.

Source : zdnet

Contact Microsoft for Internet Explorer Help

Instructions

1. Call Microsoft customer support at the number below during regular business hours. Be prepared with your contact information as well as the issues you are having with Internet Explorer. You may be prompted to leave a message.

Microsoft Customer Support
1-800-234-6020

2 Visit the Microsoft support email center by following the link in the Resources section below if you would rather communicate via email.

3 Type a brief title for your email in the "Problem Title" text box. You can name it simply "Internet Explorer problems" or label it with the specific problem if you know the term (for example, "Internet Explorer script error").

4 Describe the problem in the text box labeled "Problem Description." If you do not know the exact problem, provide information on what you were trying to do when the problem occurred, what happens (such as a crash or freeze) and how often it occurs. Also state whether or not the computer is part of a network of 10 or more computers. Provide the error message and error message code that appears when the problem occurs if available.

5 Select your Windows operating system from the drop-down menu.

6 Click "Continue" and fill out your contact information on the next screen. Include your name, phone number and email address. Click "Continue" when finished.

7 Wait for the confirmation page and click on "Close." Monitor your email Inbox for a response within a day from Microsoft customer support.

Source: eHow

Getting Microsoft Tech Support Online-Anytime Anywhere

So you have installed Microsoft application software in your Personal computer or laptop and are mighty upbeat about it. You are so much elevated, that when your system incurs some issues, you are hurled down to earth and are all tensed up, not knowing where to look for help. The first obvious step would be to contact the vendor or shop where you purchased the Microsoft application from. Microsoft is a standard, reputed company and you can be assured that you would get your problem solved at one of their many outlets.

Internet has taken over our lives so much that we now can get any work done from the comforts of our homes. You just need to get hold of the company website and contact them via email or phone and get the work done. Same is the case if your applications give you trouble. You could always call up the technical support by phone. But many a times these software companies offer tech support online too. You just have to go online, click on the link and a person, who purports to be a technical staff, would answer all your queries.

To cut down on the peripherals, you need to create an account with your ID. This ID is based on the receipt number or any other identification of the actual purchase of the said application. Once you make an ID and log in, you can choose your exact query from the ones listed on the problem resolution centre page. Normally they have a list of general queries and problems that users encounter. If your problem is listed, go ahead and click on the link and you will be taken to an appropriate page and given the right guidance. If your specific issue is not there on the listed queries, you will be guided to another page where you get to interact live with a technically expert person.

24/7 chat services are also provided, wherein people from around the globe, who have different time zones can call up to get their issues resolved. There would a number of questions and fill-in boxes that you would have to fill, so that the technical help person online could get the exact detail of your location, application and issue. These services are mainly for the actual customers who have purchased the original Microsoft applications.

The person or technical support would answer your queries once you log in. You can chat, wherein you type your questions and the other person replies back. This is a very professional mode and one which saves time (you can get help at home, without actually visiting any shop) and money (the service is free of cost).

Article Source: http://goo.gl/3eMZG

Microsoft Technical Help & Support

Microsoft and its suite of products are used worldwide and more often than not businesses revolve around Microsoft Office. Given that it is central to the healthy running of not only companies but small businesses and home users, it is vital that all systems work efficiently and effectively. Moreover, it is important that people have adequate training and Microsoft help at hand. The kind of Microsoft Help that makes sense for them; the kind of Microsoft Help that is actually effective in resolving their issues.

Microsoft Help is available online at their official website and it provides comprehensive Microsoft Help quickly and easily. Microsoft support is also available to you via chat and online support forums on the same site. Another feature worth listing here is that you can chat to other Microsoft Help users. A sharing of problems often makes it easier to relate to one's concerns. Finally, one of the other advantages of using Microsoft Help at the official website is that their entire range of products is covered and all manner of updates are available in one centralized location. You can have your fun with web casts, pod casts, demos, online training and what have you!

Any problems with MS Office can be the cause of delays and maybe even vital business losses. After all, who has not had an Office glitch happen to them at their most important meetings? Microsoft Help therefore is pivotal to the day to day workings of thousands if not millions of office workers, be it at home or in the workplace.

It is oft said that "too much of a good thing can be bad" or to twist the saying, "too much of something can be quite confusing". I refer to Microsoft Help. Incorrect, inadequate and often half baked advice can lead to a great deal of frustration. Given that there is so much Microsoft Help out there, it would be good to review the various places where sound, comprehensive and most importantly updated Microsoft Help can be found.

However, some of us are not so good with using some of the Microsoft Help methods I mentioned above. We all use MS Office in some measure, ranging from expertise in all their packages to simple usage of MS word and maybe Excel and the occasional PowerPoint slide. What this also means is there are many users who are not 'Tech Savvy' i.e. the moment some technical jargon; detailed instructions, too much technology appear we throw up our hands in despair! While Microsoft Help is right there, on our systems and a click away on the Internet, it may not be something that many users are able to use. They find it confusing and complicated. Here is where I see, the second category of Microsoft Help stepping in; the more human face of Microsoft Help!
Microsoft Help is right there, on our systems and a click away on the Internet, it may not be something that many users are able to use. They find it confusing and complicated. Here is where I see, the second category of Microsoft Help stepping in; the more human face of Microsoft Help!

Here we can talk about Microsoft support which is also available to us via online tech support companies either remote or on the phone. There are several vendors who provide 24/7 service and can be your online savior for a small fee.