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Operating System (OS)

- An operating system is a set of programmes that control execution of user’s application and
enables the user to access hardware and software resources of A computer.
- Os consists of 2 main parts
 Shell outer part of OS
 Kernel the inner part of OS mainly called the operating system

Functions

 Job scheduling or processor scheduling

- The OS prepare, schedules, controls and monitors tasks submitted for execution in the processor to
ensure efficient processing.

 Resources allocation
- OS allocates computer resources such as CPU timer ,main memory ,secondary storage and input
and output for use by application programs each resources is given unique identification number
called interrupt request [IRQ]
- This reduces poor resource allocation due to a situation called dead lock.
- Dead lock is a situation where a particular job holds a request resource and fails to release it.

Examples of computer resources under the control of the OS

 CPU
 Main memory,
 Secondary storage
 Input and output devices

 Memory management
- The OS ensures that each program and data it requires are allocated adequate space in memory
- The OS divides the main memory into blocks of size called page Frame. Each task is allocated a
page frame and the remaining task is sent back to the secondary storage.

 Input/out put management

- The OS coordinates input/output of data and their location storage and retrieval making sure that
the data is transmitted securely.

 Error handling
- The OS alerts the user of errors arising out of the illegal operations, hardware or software failures.

 Interrupt handling
- An interrupt is a break from the normal sequential processing of instructions in a program.
- The OS determines the causes of the interrupt and transfers the control to the most appropriate
program.

 Communication control and management

- The OS is responsible for managing various communication devices and provides an environment
within which communication protocols operate.
- Protocol –rules that govern communication between devices on a network.

Types of OS
- Operating system can be classified according to,
a. Number of tasks
b. Number of users
c. User interface

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 Classification according to the number of task

a) Single program
- The OS allows only one program to be executed at a time
Examples
Ms –dos
b) Multi – tasking OS [multithreading]
- The OS allows a single CPU to execute more than one program at a time
Examples
Windows vista
 Classification according to number of users
a) Single user OS
- This allows only one user at a time to access a computer e.g
Ms-dos
Ms windows 95
b) Multi- user OS
- This allows two or more users to access the computer at the same time.
Examples
Windows 200server, 2003server
Novel
UNIX
Window NT
Linux

 Classification according to interface

- User interface refers to interaction between the user and the computer.
Types
a. Command line base OS
- The user interacts with the computer by typing a command line.
Examples
Ms –dos
b. Menu driven interface OS
- this interface allows the user to select command options from a list of menu using keyboard or
pointing devices e.g mouse
Examples
Ms – dos [dos editor version]
c. Graphical user interface
- The interface represents command as small pictures on the screen called icons.
Examples
Ms –windows 95/98/2000/xp/vista
Linux
Factors to consider when choosing an OS
1. The hardware configuration of the computer i.e. Memory capacity, processing speed and hard disk
capacity.
2. The type of Acomputer in terms of size and makeup
3. The application soft ware intended for the computer
4. User friendliness of the operating system
5. The documentation available
6. The cost of the operating system
7. Reliability and security provided by the operating system
8. The number of processor and hardware it can support
9. The number of users it can support

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How an operating system organizes information

- Most OS organizes information in a tree hierarchy:-
 Drives
 Folders and sub folders
 Files

OS information organization tree

 Drives
- A storage location on the computer recognized as a drive .they are given labels a-z for
identification
- This is where information or data can be stored to or read from

Summary of the drives

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 Folders / directory
- This is named storage location where related files can be stored
- Root directory or folder –it’s a main folder / directory where other folders originate from
- Sub folders / sub directory –a folder created inside another folder /directory
 Files
- A file is a collection of related data given unique name for ease of access
Details of a file
i. A unique name and optional extension
ii. The name and the Extension are separated by a period (.) e.g.
June.doc
June – name
Doc – extension
iii. Extension is used to identify the type of files e.g
Doc –is a word processor file
Txt –is a plain file
Sys –is a system file
iv. The size of the data and time the file was created

Some examples of extension

- There are 3 types of files namely
System file – contains information that is critical of the computer
Application files – they hold programs that are executable
Data files – contains user specific data

Types of files and descriptions

Factors that dictate how OS organizes information

i. Rapid access – the organization method should allow quick access to stored data
ii. Easy of update-the organization method should allow ease of update and the OS must be able to
keep a record of the date modification.
iii. Economy of storage – the organization method should use the least storage possible because
memory is a scarce resource.
iv. Simplicity of maintenance – the organization method should enable quick navigation through the
file system and make it easy for it to be maintained.
v. Reliability – the file organization method must be reliable.

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Getting started with Microsoft window

Windows desktop features

 Background
- This is the work space area on the monitor on which icons and running tasks are placed
 Icons
- This is the graphical representation of information on a desktop .They are manipulated using
pointing devices common on the desktop e.g
 My computer
 Recycle bin
 Internet explore
 My documents
 Taskbar
- It enables the user to easily switch between different programs and tasks that are currently running
- The task bar has 3 main parts namely

Start button- the left most button on the taskbar that the user clicks to display the start menu
Task manager –this is the band where the buttons of currently running tasks are displayed
System tray – this is the right part of the task bar .it has the icons of tasks running in background but are
not displayed on the screen e.g
Time
Calendar
Antivirus program
Volume control

The start menu items

Programs menu – displays a list of programs installed in the computer

My recent documents –displays a list of last fifteen recent accessed files.
Control panel – it is the computer maintenance and configuration “tool box”
It provides tools used to maintain and make changes to the set up.
Fund /search – it helps the user to search for file sand folders in case the user forgets its name or location .
Help and support – help command displays detailed information on how to use the os or to solve some
computer related problems incase the computer fails to function properly.
Run –it enables the user to :–
- Install programs on the hard disk storage location
- Open files and folders from a storage location
- Run programs from removable media without necessarily installing it on the hard disk.
Log off- this is used to terminate the current user session
Logging in – is the security measure that restricts unauthorized users from accessing computer resources.
Turn off- it lets user to
Shut down
Re start
Make computer go to standby
Hibernate
Hibernate – save every thing in memory on disk and turn off the computer
Standby- makes the computer consume less power in idle mode but remain unreliable for immediate use.

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Managing files and folders

- There are 2 ways of manipulating file and folders

a. Using window explorer
b. Using my computer icon

a. Windows explorer
- It displays files and folders in a hierarchy or tree structure
- This is displayed from the highest level i.e. the root directory [c:/ >]to the folders and files
- Explorer divides its windows into two panes
 Left pane displays a tree of drives and folders
 Right pane displays a list of files and subfolders in a particular open drive or folder

Procedures of display

Using start menu

- Click start point to programs then accessories
- Click windows explorer [widow is displayed]

Using my computer [this is the standard ways]

- Right click on my computer
- Click explorer

b. My computer
- Double click on my computer icon, gives you a graphical view of what is inside the computer this
include drives, control panels and other resources.
To display files and folders from a particular drive
- Double click a drive icon a window appears displaying files /folders
- Double click a folder to display its contents
- Double click the drive c to display its contents
- On these windows, you can start manipulating your files / folders

Creating anew folder

Procedure
- using my computer icons ,display the explorer window
- on the folder tree on the left pane select the location in which you want to create the new folder
- on the file menu point to new then click folder
- Type a new name for the folder to replace the temporary names, then press enter key .or click the
icons once.
- To create a sub folder, the steps above but select a folder as the location.
Opening a folder
- Using my computer icon display the explorer window
- On the folder tree on the left pane, click the plus [+] sign against the storage location that contains
the file or folder you wish to open
- Select the folder. It contents will be displayed on the right pane.
Creating anew file [text document]
Procedure
- Using my computer display window explorer
- On the folder. Tree on the left pane, select the location in which you want to create a new file.
- On the file menu point to new
- Select new document from a list of available application s an icon with a temporary name
appears in the explorer window.
- Type anew name for the new file to replace the temporary name and press enter key.

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The application window

Parts of an application window

Title bar- a bar across the top of the window that displays the name of the current program or task
On the right of the title bar are 3 tiny buttons namely:-
 Minimize button- it reduces a window by pressing a button which is placed on the task bar.
 Restore/maximize button-it stretches the window to cover the entire desktop on restoring it to its
original size.
 The close button-is used to exit application
Menu bar – provides a list of commands that can be used to manipulate a task e.g to save a document,
click file-save
Tool bar- these are buttons arranged in arrow that are short cuts to menu commands.
Working area –this is the working area where you can create your documents.
Status bar- this is the an interactive white strip at the button of the application window that acts as a
communication link between the user and the OS such interactive activities include ;saving , opening a file ,
printing ,cursor position e.t.c
Scroll button and arrow- scrolling is the moving up, down, left or right of the document. Window on the
screen if it is too large to fit. Scroll buttons and arrows are horizontal and vertical buttons at the borders of
a window used to scroll through long documents.

Saving changes to a file

- Saving file for the time.
- Click file- then click save /save as
- But if the file is already saved but want to save with different name
Procedure
- Click file menu and then save as
- From the resulting save as dialogue box, select where the document is to be saved then type its
name
- Click the save button

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Renaming file and folders

- Renaming refers to changing the previous name to a new name.
Procedure
- Using my computer icon, display the explorer window.
- On the folder tree on the left pane select the file or folder to be renamed
- On the file menu click rename.
- Type the new name and then press enter key.

Deleting file and folders

- In windows when you delete an item from the hard disk, it is temporarily held in a special folder
known as recycle bin form where it can be restored if necessary.
Warning!!!
- One should not attempt to delete system and application files from the hard disk.
- Items deleted from the removable storage are not held in the recycle bin and are completely lost
Procedure of deleting
- Using my computer icon display the explorer window
- On the folder tree on the left pane, select the item to be deleted
- On the file menu click delete
- A message appears an the screen asking you whether you want to delete the item
- Confirm by clicking yes.
Restoring deleted files and folders [from recycle bin]
Procedure
- Double click the recycle bin icon
- Select the deleted items to be restored
- Click file then restore.

Emptying recycle bin

Procedure
- Double click the recycle bin on the desktop
- Choose yes when prompted to confirm deletion of the files

Copying and moving files and folders

- Cut- a document for moving data.
- Copy- a command that creates a duplicate of the data when you cut or copy the item is temporarily
held in a temporary storage known as the clip board
Procedure
- Using my computer icon, display the explorer window
- Select the file or folder to be copied
- On the edit menu click copy
- Select the drive or folder where you want the item to be copied
- From the edit menu, click paste, information or item is pasted to a new location.
Procedure of moving /cutting
- Using my computer icon display the explorer window
- On the edit menu, click cut
- Select the drive or folder where you want the item to be moved
- From the edit menu click paste.
- Moved dialogue box will be displayed on the screen.
Sorting files and folders
- Sorting is arranging files and folders in a particular order i.e.
Alphabetically [name]
Size
Type
Date of last modification or creation

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Procedure

- Open a file or storage location

- Click view point arrange icons by
- Choosing name, type, size or modification.
Manipulating files and folders the shortcut menu
- To copy, move, delete or rename
- Right click the file or folder to display its shortcut menu
- On the shortcut menu, left click the appropriate command i.e.
- To copy or move, right click the destination location then click paste
- To delete simply click delete command.
- To rename type in a new file name to replace the old one.
To manipulate files and folders by drag and drop
Procedure
- To copy a file or folder hold down the CTRL key while you drag the icon of the file to anew
location.
- To move files from one location to another on the same drive but in a different folder simply press
down the mouse button and drag the item to the new location
Selecting multiple files and folders
- If you want specific file
- Select them by clicking each item while holding down the CTRL OR SHIFT key
- If you want to select all files in a an open folder
Click edit then select all or press CTRL+A
Searching for files and folders
- Click start point to search for, then click for files and folders
- In the search dialogue, specify the search criteria
- window
- Click the search button

Disk management using windows

- examples of disk management utilities

 Formatting
 Scanning
 Defragmenting
 Disk Compression
 Backup
 Partitioning

 Formatting
- The process of preparing a new disk for use by creating sectors and tracks on the surface of the
disk.
Procedure for formatting
- Insert media disk into the floppy or USB port
- Double click my computer
- Right click the drive
- On the shorten menu, click format
- In the format dialogue box, choose a file system FA132,
- Specify the capacity and the type in the drive label,
- Click start to start formalities.
- Click close.
 Scanning storage devices for problems [scandisk]
- This tool helps the user to check up and repair minor problems e.g lost storage or damaged surface
Procedure to scan drive for errors
- In my computer window, right click the drive

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- In the properties dialogue box, select affix disk options

Scanning for viruses

- Refers to checking your system for virus and removing them using antivirus software.
- Soft ware to scan
The common types of malicious programs
- Virus –a destructive program that attaches it self on removable drives and causes damage to the
computer system.
- A warm –it does not attach it self to program but self replicates hence dogging a computer storage
and memory.
- Trojan horse- masquerade as genuine programs get they are carriers of viruses. They may come
inform of games and screen savers
- A computer must be installed with the latest antivirus programs such as
 Norton
 Mcafee
 Kasperskey
 Avg [avisoft]
Procedure
- In my computer window, right click the drive.
- On the short cut menu, click scan with [antivirus name >the scan process is]
- Click delete or quarantine the infected area.

 Disk defragmentation
- Refers to arranging of the scattered folders and files on a storage media for easy access of files and
folders
Procedure
- In my computer window right click the drive on the shortcut menu click properties
- In the properties dialogue box click tools tab,
- Click defragment now. Disk defragmenter is displayed.
- Select the volume of defragment
- Click defragment button to start the process.
- Wait for the process to complete then close the defragmenter.

 Disk compression
- This tool helps in consolidating files and folders in smaller storage areas hence creating more
space on the storage device.
Procedure to compress drive
- Double click my computer
- Right click the drive you want to compress.
- Click properties.
- On the general tab select compress drive to save disk space and then click OK
Procedure to compress a file or folder
- Open drive where the file or folder is located
- Right click the file or folder and then click properties
- On the general tab click advance button
- Select and then click OK
- In the properties dialogue click ok to start the zip process.
- In confirm the attribute changes dialogue box whether to zip the folder only or the entire content
and then click OK

 Backing up data
- The tools enable the user to create copies of data and program on separate storage areas to avoid
loosing of data and program incase the storage device fails.
Procedure to backup data from hard disk
- In my computer window right click the hard drive

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- On the short cut menu, click tools tab

- Click backup now
- The backup wizard guides you through the process

 Disk partitioning
- This refers to the process of dividing large physical disk into two or more portions called logical
drives.
- A logical drive is assigned a separate drive letter.

Reason for partitioning a drive

- When the user intends to install more than one os on the same disk install each on a separate
partition.
- For purpose of backup on the same disk but different partition so that if one partition fails the
other will still be working.

Procedure of partitioning a disk using FAT32 file system

- Boot the computer using ms windows 98/me start up disk.
- Select with CD rom support if necessary.
- At A: /> command prompt, type the F disk.
- In the message window displayed select YES to partition the drive the FAT 32.the F disk screen
is displayed
- Choose create a dos portion or logical dos drive.
- Restart the computer once more using the start up disk.
- Format each portion by typing formal [drive letter]

Creating ms-dos start up disk

Procedure
- In my computer window click a floppy disk to select it.
- Right click the drive to format.
- On the short cut menu, click format under options click create.
- Ms-dos start up disk
Choosing a file system
- A file system refers to the technology that an OS uses to organize data on a storage media.
- File systems used in windows OS
- File allocation table [fat32] used in windows 98 and XP.
- File allocation table [fat] used in ms-dos and windows 98.
- New technology files system [NTFS] in the Windows NT, 2006, XP, 2003and vista

Installation and configuration of an OS

Installation of windows millennium [me]
To install windows me using CD-rom
a. Insert a window me, start up disk in the floppy disk drive
b. Turn on the computer
c. Ms Windows me start-up menu appears
d. Select the option ‘start up with CD-rom support’ a series of boot instruction are echoed on the
screen then a command prompt appears.
e. Insert the windows me into the CD-rom drive.
f. At the prompt type set up and press enter key .The set up process as initialized by first scanning
the available drives.
g. When scan disk is complete press X to exit scan disk
h. After the set up initialize widows me set up begins. Follow instruction that appears on the screen.

Installing windows XP
- There are two methods of installing windows XP

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- Upgrade from previous window-this is installing on an existing lower version of windows OS.
- Clean installation-this is done on a new computer that comes without the OS.
Clean installation of windows XP
- The computer BIOS should be set up so that the computer boots from a CD/DVD.
Procedure of installation
a. Insert the CD /DVD rom into the CD/DVD drive.
b. Turn n the computer. The installation process proceeds from the booting steps to the CD/DVD
initialization phase.
c. Partition and format the drive into either FAT or NTFS file system.
d. Windows XP copies all the files into the hard disk
e. Windows XP will re boot and take you through the installation process.
f. Once windows XP are successfully installed you may be requested to set up user accounts and
connect to the internet for update.

Trouble shooting and fixing problems

- Trouble shooting is the process of diagnosing and trying to fix hard ware or soft ware related
problems.
Examples of boot and on-time errors and suggested solutions

Invalid system disk

- The errors access if the drive is configured as the active partition no longer contains essential
systems files required to load the OS.
- Make sure the active partition is selected as the start up drive or re- installs the OS.
Missing operating system
- Missing system files e.g confic, sys, item sys, Auto EXEL may result to the boot failure.
- If the files have been deleted .install the OS or start up the computer using the start up or rescore
disk and try to copy the files into the system sub folders of windows folder.
Corrupted system registry
- Registry is the windows data base that keeps details of all system and application programs
installed in the computer if the registry is corrupted the computer may fail to boot.
- Repair the registry using emergency repair disk or restore the registry back if you created on.
- If all this fails re-install the OS.
Failure to load the CU/desktop
- These may be due to infection by mal wave missing or corrupted display drives
- If the system can start insert mode scan for the viruses or locate the multifunctioning device in the
manager and disable it.
Windows protection error
- This is displayed during start up the CU if loaded it occurs when the 32-bit visual driver fails to
load.
- Restart the computer in safe mode if the OS loads properly use the device manager to re-install
corrupted or missing drives.
Run time problems
- This includes system failure to respond to commands .this is referred to as ‘hanging’
- Use the re start key CTRL+ALT+DEL to display the task manager and try to determinate non-
responding applications if this fails shut down the computer and turn it on again.

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