What's in the National Contest?

You need to know how to install and configure common peripherals. You'll need to know how to troubleshoot Windows; basic problems and issues. You need some command line skills, troubleshooting skills, and basic electronics. (Just basics, such as using your DMM and simple calculations.) You need to be able to think clearly and be able to solve problems.

To wear a medal on Friday night, you need to be a master of the basics. An encyclopedic knowledge of arcane and trivial problems isn't necessary. And don't forget the pressure.

"I've never seen so many tough problems in a single day." --2000 CMT Contestant. 

There will be no Linux or Macintosh, no PC building (too easy for all of you), no OS installation (not enough time, and too easy). No server administration, no soldering irons, no MS Office, no routers. 

What to Bring

Please bring your drivers license, student ID, or some other form of photo identification. Two forms of ID is suggested. If you don't have either of those, please being some form of ID. This will make the A+ exam registration much simpler. 

Imagine you were going to build a PC from scratch, and the HDD has nothing...I mean nothing, on it. What do you need to make that PC boot and see a command prompt? (You don't need Windows CDs, but if you have them they are allowed.)  

Rules Clarifications

The contest rules call for you to bring diagnostic software. You can bring as much or as little diagnostic software as you like. Some suggested diags you might consider bringing:

1) Windows Boot Disk (s) with basic DOS utilities.

2) Software that exercises and tests hardware quickly.

3) Any diagnostic software you are comfortable with that helps you make efficient repair decisions.

There are literally dozens of good, small, and suitable diags that are fast and effective. I will not make any recommendations. That's what Google is for.

Similarly you are asked to bring virus detection software. You won't have time to go through the complete installation of NAV, for example. You could bring rescue disks or a DOS-based antivirus software on floppies. (You still need to meet the Proof-of-Ownership requirement regardless of your method of using the software)

In the end, consider yourself as a field service technician for a moment. Bring the programs that are smaller and faster, preferably on floppies or a bootable CD, because field service techs don't have a lot of time to install software. Note that each station will have a series of problems--speed can be a deciding factor if you get stuck early. Again, as in the real world, you will have a license and/or the original software you will use onsite with you when you compete on the National Contest Floor. 

(Thanks to Joshua Thomas--CMT 2002--for help with this section.)

Just the FAQ

A contestant from the Midwest writes: What about a diag demo, downloaded from the net and put on a CD.  Would that be legal for the contest?