Operating Systems Basic PC Maintenance, Upgrade and Repair Mods 1 & 2

Operating SystemsOperating SystemsBasic PC Maintenance, Upgrade and RepairBasic PC Maintenance, Upgrade and Repair

Mods 1 & 2Mods 1 & 2

What is an What is an OperatingOperating System System

► An operating system (OS) provides a computer An operating system (OS) provides a computer user with a file system structure and a means of user with a file system structure and a means of communicating with the computer system communicating with the computer system hardware.hardware.

► It communicates with disk storage units, screen It communicates with disk storage units, screen displays, printers, memory, and other computer displays, printers, memory, and other computer components.components.

► It allows application software to communicate It allows application software to communicate with the BIOS, which in turn translates the with the BIOS, which in turn translates the request into instructions the hardware can request into instructions the hardware can understand.understand.

► It provides the user with the ability to interact It provides the user with the ability to interact with the computer hardware and peripherals.with the computer hardware and peripherals.

Operating System CharacteristicsOperating System Characteristics

► Defined as, “The way an operating system handles activities Defined as, “The way an operating system handles activities such as storing data, interfacing with the user, and presenting such as storing data, interfacing with the user, and presenting information on the screen.”information on the screen.”

► MultitaskingMultitasking – the ability of an operating system to support two – the ability of an operating system to support two or more programs running at the same time.or more programs running at the same time.

► Although it seems that both programs are running Although it seems that both programs are running simultaneously, they are not. The PC switches control between simultaneously, they are not. The PC switches control between the programs and gives the illusion of simultaneous operationthe programs and gives the illusion of simultaneous operation.. Preemptive MultitaskingPreemptive Multitasking – also referred to as time slicing, allows – also referred to as time slicing, allows

multiple programs to share control of the operating system.multiple programs to share control of the operating system.► No single program can totally take control.No single program can totally take control.► All programs running in this mode are sharing RAM.All programs running in this mode are sharing RAM.► If two programs attempt to use the same area of RAM at the If two programs attempt to use the same area of RAM at the

same time, the computer will lock up.same time, the computer will lock up.► Windows 95, 98, Windows 95, 98, MeMe, 2000, NT and XP use this type of , 2000, NT and XP use this type of

multitasking.multitasking.

Operating System CharacteristicsOperating System Characteristics

► User InterfaceUser Interface – The way in which a user interfaces with – The way in which a user interfaces with the operating system.the operating system.

► The two dominant user interfaces are The two dominant user interfaces are texttext lineline commandcommand and and graphicalgraphical useruser interfaceinterface (GUI). (GUI). Text line commandText line command interface means that commands for interface means that commands for

the computer are issued by typing in text at a command the computer are issued by typing in text at a command promptprompt

► Examples of this are DOS, PC-DOS, and UNIX.Examples of this are DOS, PC-DOS, and UNIX. Graphical user interfaceGraphical user interface, pronounced “gooey”, is a user , pronounced “gooey”, is a user

friendly interface used in most all computers today.friendly interface used in most all computers today.► Macintosh invented this interface in the 80’s.Macintosh invented this interface in the 80’s.► Microsoft, in response, created Windows 3.1Microsoft, in response, created Windows 3.1► The GUI displays the file system consisting of folders, The GUI displays the file system consisting of folders,

icons, and names.icons, and names.► The file structure is easily displayed and interpreted.The file structure is easily displayed and interpreted.► Allows the user to perform functions by selecting on-Allows the user to perform functions by selecting on-

screen icons rather than issuing text line commands.screen icons rather than issuing text line commands.

File System File System StructureStructure

► The basic structure is made up of directories, The basic structure is made up of directories, subdirectories, and files.subdirectories, and files. File – a collection of data that forms a single unitFile – a collection of data that forms a single unit Directory – a file used to group other files together in a Directory – a file used to group other files together in a

hierarchical file structure.hierarchical file structure. ► Is similar to a file folder in a conventional paper filing Is similar to a file folder in a conventional paper filing

system.system.► Are referred to as “folders” in many operating system.Are referred to as “folders” in many operating system.

Subdirectory – a file that subdivides the contents of a Subdirectory – a file that subdivides the contents of a directory.directory.

► Is similar to a folder within a folder in a conventional paper Is similar to a folder within a folder in a conventional paper filing system.filing system.

► Are referred to as subfolders in many operating systems.Are referred to as subfolders in many operating systems. Pathname – used to identify the location of a specific file Pathname – used to identify the location of a specific file

in a directory structure.in a directory structure.► Example: C:\PC Maintenance\Computer PicsExample: C:\PC Maintenance\Computer Pics

The Microsoft Windows FamilyThe Microsoft Windows Family

► In 1990, Windows was introduced as the first In 1990, Windows was introduced as the first Microsoft graphic user interface for the PC Microsoft graphic user interface for the PC operating system.operating system.

► It was built on top of the MS-DOS systemIt was built on top of the MS-DOS system► It was not really a new type of system, it just It was not really a new type of system, it just

displayed the file structure on the screen displayed the file structure on the screen differently than text only systems.differently than text only systems.

► This new system was Windows 3.0.This new system was Windows 3.0.► Improved versions of this over the years were Improved versions of this over the years were

Windows 3.1 and 3.11Windows 3.1 and 3.11

Windows 3.xWindows 3.x


► The release of Windows 95 produced many The release of Windows 95 produced many changes in the Microsoft operating system. Some changes in the Microsoft operating system. Some significant changes were . . . .significant changes were . . . . Plug and Play (PnP)Plug and Play (PnP) Right mouse clickRight mouse click 32-bit operating system32-bit operating system Enhanced CD playerEnhanced CD player

► PnP allows hardware devices to be configured PnP allows hardware devices to be configured automaticallyautomatically (detection, configuration, assignment of (detection, configuration, assignment of system resources).system resources).

► Right mouse click displayed a shortcut menu with Right mouse click displayed a shortcut menu with access to features such a Open, Explore, Find, access to features such a Open, Explore, Find, Create Shortcut, Rename, Properties, etc.Create Shortcut, Rename, Properties, etc.

Windows 95Windows 95


► The release of Windows 98 was delayed several The release of Windows 98 was delayed several times.times.

► It was originally a project code named It was originally a project code named MemphisMemphis, , and later called Windows 97.and later called Windows 97.

► It offered support for new technologies such as It offered support for new technologies such as DVD, MMX, AGP, and FAT32.DVD, MMX, AGP, and FAT32.

► It also introduced the integration of a Web It also introduced the integration of a Web Browser (Internet Explorer) as part of the Browser (Internet Explorer) as part of the operating systemoperating system This caused a lot of controversy and helped involve This caused a lot of controversy and helped involve

Microsoft in an antitrust suit that made it all the way to Microsoft in an antitrust suit that made it all the way to the United States Supreme Court.the United States Supreme Court.

Windows 98Windows 98


► Short for “New Technology”, it was originally Short for “New Technology”, it was originally developed to replace MS-DOS systems, but developed to replace MS-DOS systems, but became too large and powerful for the typical PC at became too large and powerful for the typical PC at the time.the time.

► Is similar in appearance to other Windows Is similar in appearance to other Windows operating systems.operating systems.

► Comes in two different versions:Comes in two different versions: Stand-alone PCStand-alone PC File server.File server.

► Security is enhanced, limiting access to users. Security is enhanced, limiting access to users. Even single user had to set up their own security Even single user had to set up their own security system in order to access files.system in order to access files.

Windows NTWindows NT


► Windows Me was more stable than its Windows 95 Windows Me was more stable than its Windows 95 and 98 predecessors.and 98 predecessors.

► Although the basic operating system remained the Although the basic operating system remained the same, several necessary changes were made.same, several necessary changes were made. Introduced an advanced network wizard designed Introduced an advanced network wizard designed

specifically for the home or small office user specifically for the home or small office user (sharing (sharing between PC’s.)between PC’s.)

Included more sophisticated data compression Included more sophisticated data compression techniques for video files.techniques for video files.

A system restore tool was added to the system that A system restore tool was added to the system that allowed the user to restore the PC back to a previous allowed the user to restore the PC back to a previous working configuration if a problem exists.working configuration if a problem exists.

Windows MeWindows Me


► Windows 2000 continues to improve the many Windows 2000 continues to improve the many features of the Windows operating system.features of the Windows operating system.

► One major change was the switch from FAT to One major change was the switch from FAT to NTFS, the new file system also known as the NTFS, the new file system also known as the dynamic file system.dynamic file system.

► This system provided added security and allows This system provided added security and allows multiple hard drives to be handled as one large multiple hard drives to be handled as one large volume. To the user, the multiple drives appear volume. To the user, the multiple drives appear as one.as one.

Windows 2000

Windows 2000


► In October of 2001, the first versions of Windows XP were In October of 2001, the first versions of Windows XP were released.released.

► XP = eXPerienceXP = eXPerience► Was the first major change in the Windows operating Was the first major change in the Windows operating

system since Windows 95 came on the market.system since Windows 95 came on the market.► Windows XP is written using a modified NT kernelWindows XP is written using a modified NT kernel

Kernel is the core of the operating systemKernel is the core of the operating system► This modified NT kernel is much more stable when This modified NT kernel is much more stable when

compared to the typical Windows 95 and 98 kernels.compared to the typical Windows 95 and 98 kernels.► Two XP operating systems were created; Home Edition Two XP operating systems were created; Home Edition

and Professional.and Professional.► XP is the dominant replacement for all Windows systems.XP is the dominant replacement for all Windows systems.► Computers running Windows 98, NT, Me, or 2000 should Computers running Windows 98, NT, Me, or 2000 should

be easily upgraded to XPbe easily upgraded to XP

Windows XpWindows Xp

Other Operating SystemsOther Operating Systems

► LinuxLinux A derivative of UNIX, a mainframe computer operating A derivative of UNIX, a mainframe computer operating

system originally developed in the 1970’s.system originally developed in the 1970’s. Can run on Intel and Motorola processors, so . . . .Can run on Intel and Motorola processors, so . . . . It can be loaded on Mac’s as well as PC’s.It can be loaded on Mac’s as well as PC’s.

► OS/2OS/2 Developed by Microsoft for IBM computer systems.Developed by Microsoft for IBM computer systems. Similar to the Windows operating system.Similar to the Windows operating system.

► OS/9OS/9 Was developed jointly by Microware Systems and Was developed jointly by Microware Systems and

Motorola in the early 80’s.Motorola in the early 80’s. Motorola manufactures the CPU found in Mac Motorola manufactures the CPU found in Mac

computers.computers.► OS/10OS/10

http://www.apple.com/macosx/http://www.apple.com/macosx/

Operating System TerminologyOperating System Terminology

► There are several common technical terms There are several common technical terms associated with operating systems.associated with operating systems. File Allocation Tables (FAT)File Allocation Tables (FAT) – a table used by the – a table used by the

operating system to record and recall the locations of operating system to record and recall the locations of files on a hard disk.files on a hard disk.

ConfigurationConfiguration – Setup for use with specific hardware and – Setup for use with specific hardware and software. Configuration files contain information such as software. Configuration files contain information such as the amount of memory and the type of floppy drive, the amount of memory and the type of floppy drive, modem, and video adapter present in the system.modem, and video adapter present in the system.

RegistryRegistry – Found in Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, and – Found in Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, and XP. Essentially a database that stores configuration XP. Essentially a database that stores configuration informationinformation

Application SoftwareApplication Software – software designed for a specific – software designed for a specific purpose such as creating databases or spreadsheets, purpose such as creating databases or spreadsheets, word processing, producing graphics, or just for word processing, producing graphics, or just for entertainment. entertainment.

Operating System TerminologyOperating System Terminology

► There are several common technical terms There are several common technical terms associated with operating systems.associated with operating systems. DriversDrivers – software that enables proper communication – software that enables proper communication

between the PC and peripheral and installed devices. between the PC and peripheral and installed devices. Many drivers are located in the Windows directory and Many drivers are located in the Windows directory and are known as are known as cabinet (cab) files.cabinet (cab) files.

Cab FilesCab Files – Compressed files that contain the operating – Compressed files that contain the operating system software.system software.

Software PatchesSoftware Patches – are fixes for operating systems and – are fixes for operating systems and application software that have already been released. application software that have already been released. They also contain system updates that can remove They also contain system updates that can remove bugsbugs..

BugsBugs – errors in programming. – errors in programming.

Documents

Operating Systems Basic PC Maintenance, Upgrade and Repair Mods 1 & 2