ASE

I agree with the other reviews of this book. It was published at a time where Compaq was switching between the old tests and the updated tests. The Compaq ASE book was written before the Proliant 8000 and 8500 eight way systems were released. It was also written with speculation on Windows 2000. Those of you who are planning your ASE right now will notice that the second test (Windows NT Integration) has been renamed to Windows 2000 Integration and covers the different versions of 2000 and such.

You can not complete the ASE sequence with this book alone. Fortunately for me my partner attended the classes so I have used his coursebooks for the updated information and have passed the first two tests. We'll see how the third one goes next week.

First, I apologize to anyone who purchased this book based on my first review. I've still only read the first sixteen chapters, but started concentrating on studying for the test rather than simply reading the content. I still stand behind the following - the book is very well written. If you are looking for a basic book which explains the topics included in the table of contents, this is the book for you. The each topic and chapter can hold its own without having to rely on information presented earlier. For a first edition book of this size, the number of errors are surprisingly small. However, as a study guide for the Compaq exams listed on the title, it falls horribly short. Again, I've been concentrating on the first exam thus far, but rather than topics for exam 010-397, it covers the topics necessary for 010-066, the PREVIOUS version of this exam, and the differences are very significant. The new version of the test also covers newer generation Pentium chips, Alpha, Tandem/NonStop technology, newer buses, memory, a large number of new terms (bus snarfing anyone?) and the top of the line ProLiant XX00 servers. I haven't confirmed this yet, but I assume the second and third units will cover tests 010-068 and 010-057 rather than 010-078 and 010-067 as advertised on the book cover. Again, the book will provide a mental framework onto which additional information can be added, but the necessary information for the exams is NOT contained in this book. To anyone contemplating the ASE program, make sure to download and read the Self Assessment Guides from the Compaq Training Web page first.

This book is a bit old, but if you work with older Compaq Servers as I do then it is fine. A valuable resource even if you do not intend to sit the Compaq ASE exams.

I just took the X1 test for Exhaust Systems from ASE. Without giving away the content of the test, the Delmar Study Guide is a medium grade preparation book with shallow explanations.

There are sections in the X1 ASE test that the Study Guide did not discuss. The subjects the Study Guide does discuss are repeated multiple times and are only good for engraining the content to memory from repetition of reading the same subject over and over. This same repetition however, tires the reader and gives a loss of interest in the book.

Explanations of Secondary AIR systems are incomplete. The Study Guide refers to the AIR Bypass Valve and the AIR Diverter Valve as one in the same. The Study Guide also advises that increasing exhaust pipe diameter 1/4" to 1/2" over stock is an acceptable modification to improve engine performance, which is true as this modification lowers exhaust backpressure, however the Study Guide neglects to inform the reader that this modification may increase spark knock as Positive Backpressure EGR valves require exhaust backpressure to open the EGR valve. There is also evidence of poor proof reading of the book by the author or publisher as the self-test example questions in section six have two sets of questions that are repeated word for word.

The self-test example questions in sections five and six do have their version of the correct answer for each question with an explanation as to why each possible answer (multiple choice) is correct or incorrect. I found this the most enjoyable reading, as some of their answers were incorrect to their own questions. For example, in one question, a catalytic converter is blue showing signs of overheating; this could be caused by rich fuel management, or a plugged fuel filter. Their answer was C for both are correct, and their reason why is that a rich condition provides excessive HC in the exhaust, which is true, and a plugged fuel filter would lean out the engine causing excessive HC in the exhaust, that is incorrect. A lean condition, if ignited, would have low HC, high O2 and high NOx, usually accompanied with spark knock. If the lean were greater, misfire would occur and would pump HC, or unburned fuel into the exhaust, which could overheat the catalytic converter. This was not explained in the Study Guide.

I wonder if the authors of this book have taken the X1 test themselves, and I doubt they were technicians.

Brad Piper, Auto Technician since 1995, Master ASE Auto & L1 Advanced Engine Performance ASE Certified.

I used Criminal Law by Gardner and Anderson as my text when I taught an undergrad Criminal Law class. I found it overly simplistic, even for that level, and left my students with too many loose ends. The case excerpts used are drastically edited, sometimes only a sentence, which does not help demonstrate the proposition the cases supposedly stand for. It seemed that the authors also spent an inordinate amount of text on relatively unimportant topics. I also found the instructor's edition to be unhelpful.

I would NOT recommend this book as a study aid for the ASE P2 Test. There is numerous errors & typos in this book. The answers to the sample test portion contradict was is in the learning section of the book. I have contacted Delmar Publishing numerous times about all of the errors in this book & have asked them for a correction bulleton. They have NOT replied back to any of my concerns as of yet, but it now has been over 2 weeks since I asked for an explaniantion for all of these mistakes in this book. SAVE your money on this book, DON'T BUY IT!!!

As a student at Fresno city college, our intruction use this book and I feel that the book cost too much becuase most of the student cannot afford. Please lowered the price so every student will the book and get the knowlege to share.