Starting MCP course halfway through

**MorseLady** · February 29th, 2008, 05:36 AM

Please refer to my earlier posts in Certification and elsewhere.

I am 67 and failed my MCP XP and Server 2003 exams due to domestic pressure. I am now free of that pressure and ready to study again.

The Deputy Head of IT at my local College has indicated that he is willing for me to try again and has said he will contact the new MS Academy tutor to see if I can join the Vista 70-670 MCP evening course which is halfway through and I will be starting the Server 2003/2008 course in April anyway. I am also given to understand that funding will be available, this was an issue with the old tutor who wrongly told me that funding for MCP courses had been withdrawn.

Question can I benefit from joining the Vista course halfway through when my only experience of Vista has been a trial of the Business version? I do have the time and resources to catch up. Shall I go for it? I was about to buy a new Vista computer anyway.

My goal as well as self improvement is possibly to break out of retirement now I am no longer a carer and try and become an IT professional. I know it's a hard road especially as my age is against me.

**NooNoo** · February 29th, 2008, 05:41 AM

If you have nothing else occupying your time and you have access to a vista machine on which to practice, you can, but the first few days may be daunting.

Perhaps the tutor can tell you exactly how much of the vista course you missed? Specifically what was covered in that time... perhaps we can help you catch up.

**MorseLady** · February 29th, 2008, 09:09 AM

I have just had an email back from the Deputy Head of IT who has been in touch with the tutor who says that the lab sessions have finished and there are only three revision sessions now and suggesting I join the Vista course in September and meantime buy a spare copy of the book. I have just bought the Vista book in the Complete Reference series anyway and have another book on loan from the library.

I have said I would like to join the Server 2003/2008 course starting in April and am waiting for a reply.

**NooNoo** · February 29th, 2008, 11:25 AM

When does your new beastie arrive?

**MorseLady** · February 29th, 2008, 06:29 PM

I haven't ordered it yet as I am waiting to see if my car requires any expensive work to pass the MoT next week.

**NooNoo** · March 3rd, 2008, 12:33 PM

You too huh?
I got caught out with the rule changes about ABS lights - if the light is on, the car is now deemed to have faulty brakes

The light is on, I don't need ABS to brake - I have been happily braking in all weathers for 25 years without ABS. I am looking at having to fit two sensors which are £125 EACH plus of course, the inevitable labour charge!!

**MorseLady** · March 4th, 2008, 04:30 AM

My 1995 Fiesta has not got ABS but I am worried about the Advisory I had with last year's just made it pass like power steering fluid leaking and some springs needing fixing etc and those advisories may well turn into fail this year! I have spent almost as much on this car as I paid for it and it's worth little now, time to get my credit cards out and visit car showrooms!

As for ABS never needed or used it and would prefer not to have it, I learned skid control and all sorts of things like double de clutching which I still do sometimes when I did Advanced Driver training many years ago and once I get a decent car that does not object to doing over 55mph on the motorway I am going to have a go at the IAM Skills for Life course and the advanced driving test to prove that at 67 years of age and 15 years off the road until two years ago I am still hopefully a competent driver.

Sorry to hear that your car is giving you aggro in the wallet too Noo expensive beasties those cars we love so much

I really really want that Vista computer and I really really want a piano too, time to do the Lottery - well someone has to win

**NooNoo** · March 5th, 2008, 05:29 AM

I agree on the ABS, I don't have a problem braking without it - never have had...which is why it wasn't fixed when the problem started 3 years ago... but rules is rules say the MOT people - sigh....

**MorseLady** · March 5th, 2008, 07:02 AM

Originally Posted by NooNoo

but rules is rules say the MOT people - sigh....

and more bucks for the garages especially if they are a main dealer for your make of car

**NooNoo** · March 5th, 2008, 01:36 PM

Oh yah, the diagnostic computer is only available to main dealers... ouch

**MorseLady** · March 7th, 2008, 12:26 PM

Noo, I have just got back home after taking the car for the MoT which it failed because of some corrosion but I rang my usual garage and drove straight down there and left the car which they will start on first thing tommorow and it will only cost £70 and they brought me home in their big beastie. I always use this particular garage for repairs and they really look after me but they don't do MoTs but the MoT garage don't do welding. I have a retest booked for tommorow afternoon.