Is this a hard test? (computer support tech interviews)

[isasir]

Test doesn't seem too bad. I'd have to pull 8 and 9 outta my ass tho' and hope I got those right if I were to get this test.

Question tho', wouldn't #5 & #7 involve going to the same place (right-click my computer->properties) to change that info? Unless I'm missing something, wouldn't that make it something that either you get both, or you don't?

 

[slycat]

this is easy as crap...

 

[BAMAVOO]

Wanna make it hard. Have them Install Exchange 2000 in a child domain. Then delete the raid that the Exchange server is on and back it up from an upgrade from Veritas 8.x to 8.6..Now that is a pain 😉

 

[illusion88]

Originally posted by: Stark

Originally posted by: illusion88

Originally posted by: NTB
Actually, it probably wouldn't have occured to me to check the Master/Slave jumper until I hooked the drive up and tried to boot...new drives are usually set to Master by default. Wouldn't be the first time I've done that 😱

Nate

So true! I have dont that plenty of times!

Ya, i was trying to be tricky. 😉

Should I not do this to the next candidate? I haven't had to change a jumper in... well ever doing normal support. But I know how to!!

Naw... Its something they should look for. And if it turns up that it doesnt work, when they troubleshoot it, they should find that as a problem. Leave it like that.

 

[lowtech1]

Originally posted by: Tripleshot

Originally posted by: Stark

Originally posted by: Tripleshot

Originally posted by: Ranger X

Originally posted by: Tripleshot
568A or B cat5? By the way, your test would have been no problem for me. How much do you pay, and why are MCSE's applying for an A+ position? You are hiring brain surgeons for ingrown toenail problems?

Umm, maybe because the economy is rough and people settle for a lesser position to make ends meet?

hell, don't I know it.!!!! I am MCSE/MCDBA, A+ and going for CISSP and CNE-- and am now helping people find jobs as councilor in a job service office for my state. That is why I asked "how much do you pay?"

IT jobs are coveted by those who have them, many creat ways to protect their jobs by setting practices that would stump many wh oare not connected t oevery aspect of IT, with a doctorate in computer science. There is a job opening for a blowhard company here that insists on a masters, AS400 knowlwdge, linux,msce, sql server, hardware, software, training background and security internet skills, and will only pay 24k/yr.

Sad thing is, some jerk is going to get this job and be stuck with the biggest headache a network admin ever can have---taking over someone elses problems without any support.

It is just now that smaller companies are starting to realize they need to upgrade from peer to peer, and go with the server based solutions. What a nightmare.

Salary Range for this spot: $14.43 - 18.03 - 21.64 hourly
Insurance: paid for employee, available for spouse/family (Kaiser, Healthnet)
401k with 5% match and profit sharing
Nice end of year bonus (based on company performance)

Responsible for providing technical support and training to host and network end users and for installing, troubleshooting and repairing PC hardware, software, and peripheral equipment.

That is a fair wage for the required duties of an A+ MCSA for here, however $7.00/hr is what they pay here. What part of So. Cal. are you in? Can that wage support COL there?

Yike!
That is as bad as we have here in some part of Canada, while prices on most things are lower.

 

[slycat]

Originally posted by: notfred
I could do all of it except the printer. I stil ldon't know what WINS actually does, though.

easy..maps netbios names to ips.

 

[sharkeeper]

WINS (Windows Internet Naming Service) is a proprietary Microsoft name resolution service that provides dynamic NetBIOS name-to-IP address mapping. It is designed to solve the problem of locating network resources that understand NetBIOS API calls in a TCP/IP network. WINS servers maintain computer names (NetBIOS names) and IP addresses automatically. In most cases, it is used with Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) and can be considered to be a complementary service that provides dynamic name registration. Often, WINS is used to dynamically provide an NT-based domain name server with the names and IP addresses of Windows computers.

Unlike many other services that run on NT, more isn?t better when it comes to WINS. Microsoft recommends using just one WINS server for up to 10,000 computers. Therefore, it is usually not a good idea to have a WINS server on each network or subnetwork.

Cheers!

 

[lowtech1]

Originally posted by: notfred
I could do all of it except the printer. I stil ldon't know what WINS actually does, though.

WINS is old school NT that DNS replaces, but WINS have to be enable if you want to do NFS sharing.

 

[sharkeeper]

Then delete the raid that the Exchange server is on and back it up from an upgrade from Veritas 8.x to 8.6..Now that is a pain

As long as the database and streaming files are intact that isn't a problem. ESEUTIL and ISINTEG are your friends!

Cheers!

 

[lowtech1]

Originally posted by: sharkeeper

Then delete the raid that the Exchange server is on and back it up from an upgrade from Veritas 8.x to 8.6..Now that is a pain

As long as the database and streaming files are intact that isn't a problem. ESEUTIL and ISINTEG are your friends!

Cheers!

Most if time the above utility will works (done it twice), but not if the SID failed.

 

[weezie]

Your tests are *much* nicer than mine.

 

[lowtech1]

Another bonus question is that the person has to be able to drink a gallon of beer upside down in 2 minutes, and then breath fires while running naked down the freeway.

😀

 

[Tripleshot]

Originally posted by: lowtech
Another bonus question is that the person has to be able to drink a gallon of beer upside down in 2 minutes, and then breath fires while running naked down the freeway.

😀

Ya gotta love the geeks!!!! 😀
😀 😀 😀 😀

 

[eLiu]

Originally posted by: Stark
I'm helping with interviews for a computer support tech position and came up with the following hands on test. It's to be done on a Dell Optiplex basic system

Local Admin password: password
Domain admin account: exam password: password

DNS: 10.1.1.100
WINS: 10.1.1.101

1. Add memory to system
2. Replace HD (new drive has win2k preinstalled)
3. Add sound card.
4. Add DNS, WINS settings
5. Add computer to domain: test-net
6. Update BIOS (included blank floppy)
7. Add computer to workgroup: lab
8. Swap exit rollers on an HP LJ2200 printer
9. Make a cat5 straight through cable

is this a hard test?

The first person I gave it to destroyed one computer and had no clue on any of the windows tests. He was a really good guy, too!

I've been able to do all but the last one since I was 12...I still can't do the last one though--we "borrow" cat5 from my dad's office.

 

[Savarak]

Soo easy, even #8, since if you already get the "new" roller... you can just open each section of the printer(probably start at where the paper EXITS), and find the matching roller to swap out!!

Cat5 cables are easy to make!! There really is no real color coordination needed, as long as the order for 1 end matches the other end, then it WILL work.. no need to memorize any "Brown, strip brown, green, stripe green... bleh bleh bleh" stuff!!

 

[brtspears2]

Piece of cake test. HP Printers are easy to fix as long as you have the parts, small hands, and sometimes a small flashlight. BIOS.. could be tricky, just needs to make a boot disk and have the correct BIOS upgrade, else you will be out of luck.

CA5 straight through, white-orange, orange, white-green, blue, white-blue, green, white-brown, brown off the top of my head. same way other head.

 

[Tripleshot]

Originally posted by: Savarak
Soo easy, even #8, since if you already get the "new" roller... you can just open each section of the printer(probably start at where the paper EXITS), and find the matching roller to swap out!!

Cat5 cables are easy to make!! There really is no real color coordination needed, as long as the order for 1 end matches the other end, then it WILL work.. no need to memorize any "Brown, strip brown, green, stripe green... bleh bleh bleh" stuff!!

You flunked. You would not get a job in any IT dept. I had control over. If it was as you say, there would never be a standard such as 568A or 568B. You also know nothing of histerisous problems and signal degeneration.

BTW, without a google search, I doubt you even know the maximim recommended length of a Cat5 run, or the amount of bend allowed. How about how far you strip the sheath to install the cable to a switch/router/hub or to a wall plug or connector?


It is people like you that give IT managers gray hair. Stay out of the computer business and go flip burgers for a living. You will cause less harm.

 

[jjessico]

So the guy knows how to make a half-a$$ patch cable instead of a good one. There is no reason to bite his face off over it.

Jason

 

[3L33T32003]

First, tell them it is a timed test. Second, tell them that these are all the things they have to do, and that they can do them in any order they want.
I would fail them right away if they did not do 6 first (assuming the pc was working when they started) and then 1 and 3 before they replaced the HDD.

 

[Stark]

So what does the morning crowd think of my uber-elite test?

 

[wyvrn]

It was a fine test, except for the cable making. I never bothered to make any cables until my CCNA courses where it was required. Cables were also provided for us in desktop, helpdesk, and field tech positions that I had. I don't think the average tech makes cables that often.

Other than that, it seems pretty straightforward. I will say that many techs are either hardware or software specialized because that is what entry level positions demand. Few entry level tech positions concentrate on building a computer and knowing the software. For instance, all helpdesk jobs I have had did not require messing with hardware. And the desktop techs frequently knew less about the OS than I did on the helpdesk. It wasn't until I did field tech and desktop support that I got my hardware experience (short of building comps at home). As far as MCP's and A+ techs, there are no lab requirements for the exams (which there absolutely should be!). That might explain why your techs are good in some areas and weak in others.

 

[DDCSpeed]

This is a relatively hard test. I worked as a technician for a year and a half and cant figure out how to do 1 or 2 of them off the bat. Not sure exactly what the last 2 meant.