How???

wood299

I would just like different viewpoints on how some of you are studying for 2008 R2 Server exams. I personally want to start studying for this but do not have a 64bit system and cannot find anything but the trial version of 2008 R2 online.
Are some of you just reading the material or do you have access to the OS through your jobs? Just really curious to know...

Dracula28

I'm studying for 640. I'm using Virtual Box at the moment, but might go with Esxi next time around (for 642). You don't really need anything else than the trial version, which you can use freely for 10 days (x3, by using slmgr -rearm).

As for the 64-bit of it, if you have a computer newer than say 2006ish, your cpu probably support 64-bit OS's.

MentholMoose

You somehow need to get hands on experience, either through work or on a home lab. It might be possible to pass the exams solely from reading study guides, but it will be difficult and not worthwhile... the point of certs is to prove your knowledge of particular products, and how can you legitimately claim to know them if you've never even touched them?

If you don't have access to 2008 R2 at work then you will simply need to build a suitable home lab. Unless your PC is ancient it probably can be upgraded to a 64-bit CPU, if it doesn't already have one. You can use the 2008 R2 evaluation... I would think it would work for more than 30 days but I haven't used it so I could be wrong. If you are a student you can get the full 2008 R2 for free from DreamSpark. You could also buy a TechNet subscription which would give you access to 2008 R2 and more.

If you really can't do any of the above, you can use TechNet Virtual Labs to get some hands on experience. You won't be able to do everything but it's better than nothing, and definitely not bad for a free resource!

Dracula28

You can use the trial version that MS offers for about 40 days. When you are told that you have to activate Windows in 1 day, you can just use slmgr -rearm to get another 10 days, and you can do this 3 times. 40 days should be more than sufficient to get through any book.

jbm45

I am preparing to take the 640 exam in the next few weeks and you should have some hands on with using 08 R2. I was able to get a full copy through Microsoft dreamspark since I am a student.

And also like you, I did not have a pc capable of a 64 bit VM so I built one.

wood299

I did some research after dracula's post and I think my machine will run a 64bit OS on it. Dont really have funds to build or buy a new box. And im giving myself 6-12 months to thoroughly test out the 2008 OS to substitute for real world experience.. thanks for the input all...

Daniel333

Hey dude,

Certainly been in your place in my day. But I have to emphasize that if you want to get ahead seriously in IT you need to get a x64 bit machine with around 4gigs of ram. What make and model of computer are you using?

Here is a 64bit setup for $200.
ECS IC780M-A DiabloTek Barebones Kit - ECS IC780M-A Mobo, AMD Phenom X4 9750 CPU, Zalman CPU Fan, Centon 2GB DDR2 RAM, Seagate 320GB HDD, LG 24x DVDRW, DiabloTek ATX Mid-Tower Case, 400W Power Supply at TigerDirect.com

Work a week graveyards at Taco Bell/Walmart and it's all yours.

In the mean time 90% of what you see on the 70-640 can be done under the older 32bit version of Windows 2008. Get a CD from anyone and you can install without a key and it will work just fine. No install key needed.

Not sure what text book you are using but my books all had Windows 200x evaluation versions.

Also remember Microsoft virtual lab,
TechNet Virtual Labs: Windows Server 2008

Lasty you can always study your Linux+, LPIC-1/2 and RedHat certs in the mean time. Since they will run great on any free desktop you can get your hands on it might not be a terrible idea for the time being.

wood299

Ive got a duo core 2.66ghz processor on my pc at home right now running 7 ultimate. I do need more memory for it. but thanks for the link. (think I will pass on the AMD tho) Im in no hurry to take this exam. I want to know my stuff before going in.

Taco bell huh? lol... I used that as a stepping stone about 12 or so years ago... everyone got the biggest burritos when I made them.. I had no idea what was supposed to go on each one and didnt care!

I also found a copy of the MS Press book online in PDF format. So im just going to read that when I have time. I really liked exam cram 70-680 so maybe I can find one for 70-640.

http://rm-rf.ucoz.ru/_ld/0/5_MCTS_Self-Paced.pdf <----70-640 MS Press

Ivanr4g63

Try Virtual Box on your computer,
Downloads - VirtualBox
It's free and you'll be able to install W2k8 R2 on your current PC without erasing/formatting/losing/upgrading anything, just download and go.
Granted, with your current PC specs (mainly lack of memory) it'll not be the fastest version of W2k8 R2 but it'll serve the study purpose.

Also you can download FREE server 2008 R2 (any edition: enterprise, standard, dataceter etc) full version 180 day trial at the microsoft website:
Windows Server 2008 R2 Evaluation Free 180-Day Trial

Download, install that on your VM, and now you have practice material and your own fully functional server to play around with...

Good luck.

If you do download it, save the ISO file, mount a drive instead of burning (it'll save you a blank DVD) instead use virtual clone and you can easily install...

There you go, no reason no to try