Should I buy MCTS 70-680 by I.McLean, O.Thomas ?

I'm preparing to take the 70-680 exam and got myself a book "MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-680): Configuring Windows 7" by Ian McLean, Orin Thomas. Unfortunately without a DVD, so I can't take practice tests. Tried to google for DVD (don't judge me), but the only *.iso I found was corrupted (I guess). Every time I tried to install practice tests, installation was interrupted because of "missing cab file". Already, half way through the book and I like what I see. I'm ready to buy it, but... In my country it cost about 100 dollars - that's to much for me. Good for me, my friend is ready to buy it from amazon.co.uk and send it to me for only 45 dollars. My questions are:
1. Does anyone else (who installed practice tests) experienced "missing cab file" error? Would be awesome to buy the book and get DVD with broken cab file.
2. Is there a place, there I can buy only a DVD?
3. Maybe I'd better pay the same amount of money to some online practice test center? But which one?

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Comments

Hyper-Me

transcenders is the most popular practice exam company. Dont know if they have any 70-680 out yet though.

shon541

Hyper-Me wrote: »

transcenders is the most popular practice exam company. Dont know if they have any 70-680 out yet though.

Looks like they do now!
Microsoft

Hyper-Me

Does a reacharound come with that 119$ PDF? eesh

wd40

I'm planing to take the exam at the end of next month, using the second shot offer, if I fail I will buy practice exams for the second shot.

I will be using the students exams, Actually re-taking the exam if I fail the second time is cheaper than buying these practice tests

zippie666

wd40 wrote: »

I will be using the students exams, Actually re-taking the exam if I fail the second time is cheaper than buying these practice tests

Make sure you'll register at Student Certification Discounts first, you'll get a great discount

Dilan-LT

i have book, just look PM....

Dracula28

Keep in mind that there are quite a few errors in the book. There are two errata pages, but even then all the errors have not been adressed.

Amazon.com: Customer Discussions: 70-680 Errata Thread

MCTS Self-Paced Training Kit (Exam 70-680): Configuring Windows® 7 comments and corrections

The syntax for unmounting images with dism on Page 119 is wrong, but has not been adressed. Not to forget the continuity error on the same page. It is damn annoying to get wrong syntaxes all the time.

Correct command; dism /Unmount-Wim /MountDir:c:\img (/commit or /discard).

eserfeliz

Matt27[lt] wrote: »

1. Does anyone else (who installed practice tests) experienced "missing cab file" error? Would be awesome to buy the book and get DVD with broken cab file.
2. Is there a place, there I can buy only a DVD?
3. Maybe I'd better pay the same amount of money to some online practice test center? But which one?

Here's the link for the practice tests, it's located in the first chapter:

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=163947

Microsoftman

This response is for matt27. I highly advise that you buy the book or see if you can get the ebook. It is the best way to maxmize your performance on the exams. Microsoft Press books are filled with real-world examples, chapter reviews, lesson summaries, case senarios, etc. These features allow to prepare to tackle these tough exams. These books also follow the offical microsoft curriculum. There is a DVD that comes with it that will provide you with practice tests. If you really want to get practice test software to help you prepare I would look into transcender practice exams. Theses exams are written and critiqued by industry experts in the field of Information Technology and include flashcard quizzes, and different exam modes to assist you in the exam preparation process.

Matt27[lt]

Thanks for all the advices. I was politely reminded about legality of *.iso file I obtained. I want to say I do not endorse piracy or other illegal activity. This Sunday I ordered the book with DVD from amazon.co.uk and a friend will bring it in Lithuania on March 19th.
Irony is, this Tuesday I got a PM, from this forum member (he lives in the same city), who has the book with DVD and is happy to share it with me. Well, I'm going to have to books and two dvd

.
Thought about canceling my order, but the book is already on the way so I'm going to keep it.
Thanks for errata pages - I'll keep it in mind.