The CompTIA A+ 2003 will no longer be generally available from 30 June 2007.

The upgraded CompTIA A+ is now available and covers the latest technology and job-specific knowledge to provide excellent customer service.

For the complete CompTIA A+ retirement schedule please CLICK HERE

The Microsoft Technology Specialist (MCTS) certification is the first level of a new generation of Microsoft certifications targeted to specific Microsoft technologies,

A MCTS must demonstrate an in-depth knowledge, and be capable of implementing, building, troubleshooting, and debugging a particular Microsoft technology.

The Technology Series certifications do not include job role skills and will be retired when mainstream product support for the particular technology expires.

An examples of this certification is:

• A Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) on Windows Vista, Configuration. 

Only one Microsoft exam is needed for this certification: 70-620 This is designed for professionals with experience of resolving issues related to desktop operating systems and applications, logon problems, password resets, security and network connectivity.

Other MCTS certifications are available. Full details can be found on the Microsoft Website

With the release of Windows Vista, people are asking the question

“Can I upgrade my existing Operating System to Windows Vista?”

This article will outline the editions of Windows Vista and the upgrade options available

Editions

Four editions of Windows Vista (I have excluded the Enterprise edition in this article) are available, the choice of which will be dependant on the existing Operating System and hardware installed on your computer.

Editions include

• Windows Vista Home Basic
  Intended for those who only want to use their PC to browse the net, use e-mail and create and edit basic documents. It also includes desktop search and security tools.

• Windows Vista Home Premium
  This includes everything in the Basic version and adds the new graphical interface called Aero.

• Windows Vista Business
  This will be the basic version for companies of all sizes and includes the tools that will help PC management

• Windows Vista Ultimate
  This has all the features of the business and home editions in one package

Upgrade Options

Two upgrade options are available dependant on the version of the Windows Operating System already running on the computer.

1. In Place Upgrade: This will allow existing applications, files and settings to be retained.

The following list outlines the in-place upgrade options

Windows XP Professional – Can have an in-place upgrade to Vista Business or Vista Ultimate

Windows XP Home – Can have an in-place upgrade to Vista Home Basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business or Vista Ultimate

Windows XP Media Center – Can have an in-place upgrade to Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate

Windows XP Tablet PC – Can have an in-place upgrade to Vista Business or Vista Ultimate

2. Clean Install: This uses Windows Easy Transfer to automatically copy files and settings to another hard drive or storage devise, these are reloaded onto the upgraded PC after Windows Vista is installed

NOTE: With this option Applications will need to be reinstalled

The following list outlines where a clean install is needed

Windows XP Professional – Can be upgraded with a clean install to Vista Home Basic or Vista Home Premium

Windows XP Media Center – Can be upgraded with a clean install to Vista Home Basic or Vista Business

Windows XP Tablet PC – Can be upgraded with a clean install to Vista Home Basic or Home Premium

Windows 2000 – Can be upgraded with a clean install to Vista Home basic, Vista Home Premium, Vista Business or Vista Ultimate

Windows XP Professional x64 – Can be upgraded with a clean install to a corresponding or better edition of Windows Vista

NOTE: Versions of Windows earlier than Windows 2000 CANNOT be upgraded, instead a full version of Windows Vista must be installed.

To check your computer can be upgraded visit the Microsoft web site and run the Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor

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A recent entry on the Windows Vista team blog by Product Manager Nick White has advised PC users that all pre-release versions of Windows Vista beta 2 (release candidates 1 and 2) will expire on the 31 May 2007.

It is recommended that users using these pre-release versions upgrade to the final commercial version of Windows Vista or another operating system prior to this expiry date to avoid loss and retrieval of any stored data on their computers