AFRI B&B INNOVATIVE

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION

DISK OPERATING SYSTEM

Lecturer: Abubakarr Barrie

Contact Number: +232 74 328495
Email: [email protected]
 INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Definition: Information technology can be defined as the achievement of Processing, Storing and distribution
of Vocal, Pictorial, Textual and Numeric information in microelectronics based combination of Computing
and telecommunication. If this is so then let’s take a brief look of the Computer and the basic way of how it
processed data to become information.
WHAT IS A COMPUTER?
1. A computer is a special machine that is capable of processing data very quickly and produced the new
information called output.
2. A computer is an electronics machine that can accept input process, stores and give output called
information.
KEYWORDS IN THE PROPER DEFINITION OF A COMPUTER
INPUT: This is the method of getting instruction and data into the system through the input devices like, the
keyboard, mouse, monitor, scanner, flash drive etc.
OUTPUT: This is the method of getting the outgoing information through output devices like the VDU,
Printer, speaker etc.
DATA: This is the raw material or the unprocessed form of the information. The computer receives human
information as data because there is a language barrier between the computer and man. Therefore the
interpreter between man and computer is the operating system which converts human language to machine
language and machine to human language Vice Versa.
PROCESS: Because there is language barrier between man and the system, the computer has a very sensible
chip called the CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU), this unit is responsible for processing of Data with
the help of the operating system. It is known as the brain of the computer.
STORAGE: The storage of the processed data known as information is done by the main memoires of the
computer via the CPU, which are the RAM and ROM in the primary storage unit and the disks (Hard disk,
floppy disk, Com pact disk, magnetic tape etc.) in the secondary storage unit.
INFORMATION: This is an organized set of data placed in a Meaningful and Useful context for end users;
it is the finished product or the processed form of the raw data.
TYPE OF COMPUTERS
1. ANALOGUE COMPUTER
2. DIGITAL COMPUTER
3. HYBRID COMPUTER
ANALOG COMMUTERS: These are used to measure physical-magnitude such as temperature, pressure
mileage Etc. They are used to do all manual work or they are used for engineering purpose. They are
continuous sound waves, e.g. Analogue Telephone.
DIGITAL COMPUTERS: these perform mathematical operation, calculation and commercial data
processing. They are all electronics materials e.g. calculator, mobile phone etc.
HYBRID COMPUTER: these types of computers are, as the name suggests, a combination of both Analogue
and Digital computers. The Digital computers which work on the principle of binary digit system of “0” and
“1” can give very precise results. But the problem is that they are too slow and incapable of large scale
mathematical operation Robotics and process control.
COMPUTER SYSTEM
Before talking of the computer system, let us try to know what a system is.
WHAT IS A SYSTEM: A System is an organized set of related things put together to work as one or achieve
a particular goal.
A computer system is a functional unit consisting of the keyboard, monitor, system unit, mouse, printer
etc.
And other peripherals devices like the U.P.S, which means uninterrupted power supply. The UPS is electrical
device that is used to store electric charge to be use by the user when there is an emergency power failure from
the generating machine.
TYPES OF COMPUTER SYSTEM
A computer system can be of four main types
1. SUPER COMPUTER SYSTEM
2. MAINFRAME COMPUTER SYSTEM
3. MINI COMPUTER SYSTEM
4. MICRO COMPUTER
SUPER COMPUTER:
This is used to process very large amounts of data very quickly. They are particularly useful for occasion
where very large amount of calculation need to be performed. Super computer has a very large memory that
can store much information. It has many inputs and output devices. It is very expensive and can be acquired
by government or big companies. Super computers are used for complex scientific purposes E.g. In weather
forecasting, simulating air craft, computer used by space researchers, the construction of dams etc.
MAIN FRAME COMPUTER
A mainframe computer has all the features of a super computer. It is also a large computer in terms of price
and speed, normally requiring specialized physical environment in which to operate.
MINI COMPUTERS
This is a computer whose size, speed and capabilities lies somewhere between those of a mainframe and a
micro-computer. The term was originally before microcomputers came along to describe computers which
were cheaper but less well equipped than mainframe computers. They fall within the price range of many
governments and small business. The advent of the minicomputer greatly expanded the potential computer
market. The model came into existence in the 1960s but grew more popular in the 70s.
MICRO COMPUTER
Micro in science is the smallest indivisible particle that cannot be seen with the naked eyes except with the
help of a microscope. But micro in computer science called microcomputer as the smallest computer that can
be move from one place to another by a person without asking someone else for help. This is also called
“Personal Computer” (PC). It is very small in size, convenient to use and much more popular than the
mainframe or minicomputer. It is less expensive, but has limited memory space and relatively slow in
processing data. Microcomputer can be a Lap-Top or Desktop.
COMPUTER GENERATION
The term computer generation was applied to different types of computers to help define or outline the major
technological development in hard ware and software. Today, four distinct generations with each generation,
computers became smaller, more powerful and less expensive.
1ST GENERATION (1940-1958)
These are the earliest general –purpose computers. Most inputs and output media were punched cards and
magnetic tapes, and main memory was almost exclusively made up of hundreds of vacuum tubes. These
computers were slow, large and produced a tremendous or great amount of heat. They could run only one
program at a time.
2ND GENERATION (1959-1963)
By the early 1960s, transistor and some other solid-state devices that was much smaller than vacuum tube
being used for most computer circuitry. Second generation machines tended to be smaller, more reliable and
significantly faster than the first generation computers.

3RD GENERATION (1964-1970)

During this period, the integrated circuit (IC) a complete electronic circuit on a silicon chip replaced
transistorized circuitry. The used of magnetic disks became widespread, and computers began to support such
capabilities as multiprogramming (processing several program simultaneously) and timesharing (people using
the same machine simultaneously). The size of computers continues to be decreased.
4TH GENERATION (1971 TO PRESENT)
In 1971, the first electronic computers were introduced that used Large Scale Integrated Circuit (LSI) and
Very Large-Scale Integrated (VLSI) circuits, thousands to millions of transistors on a tiny chip, for main
memory and logic circuitry.

COMPUTER USED IN DEFERENT BUSINESS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF I.T. SOME USES
OF COMPUTERS
Computers can be used to do many jobs in different fields. The following are some of the uses of computers
in their related fields, Industry, Business, Government, medical, Education, Sport, Entertainment,
Communication, Research, etc.
BUSINESS
In business, all commercial houses today depend largely on computer to carry out their day to day operations.
Computer can be used to enter daily sales in supermarkets, to calculate and balance cash at bank and bank
cash purposes. E.g. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM).
INDUSTRY
In some well-to-do industries, automated machines called Robot are commonly used to reduce cost and defect
while increasing safety in manufacturing task that are unsafe or boring. These Robots are the walking, talking,
variety seen in various science fiction movies, but are primarily microprocessor-controlled “ARMS” that can
perform the same hot, dirty or dangerous task such as welding or painting Automobile bodies time after time
without loss of concentration or reduction in efficiency
GOVERNMENT
Government at the local, state, and national level have found the computer to be an important tool in efficiency
serving their citizenry. For example, the entire concept behind the strategic defense initiative (Star War) is
based on using computers to decide when to fire missiles and to guide those missiles to destroy host-lies
weapon in space. Computers are used in various legislative bodies around the country, which speed up the
processing of legislative acts.
MEDICAL
The advances brought about by the used of information technology are visible in the field of medicines. The
computers in the field are used in every possible way to diagnose and treat all types of diseases and conditions.
Probably the best known computer diagnostic tools is the CAT scan (Computerized Axis Topography) which
allows Doctors to visualize a cross section of the body part, through a series of X-RAY that are combined by
the computer treatment of the diseases. It’s being improved through the use of Microprocessor-controlled led
sale machines that release just the right amount of a medicine in to the bloodstream at just a right time.
EDUCATION
In the field of Education, the computer is being used at all levels, and at a rapid pace. Colleges have been
asking for PC to the mainframes and mini computers. They have been using it for years, some college requires
that incoming student purchase a PC for use in their classes. At Elementary school level, the greatest current
uses one in Computer Aided Instruction (CAI) in which the computer act as a tutor to the students, and
Computer Management Instruction (CMI) that frees teachers from spoil administrative tasks that distract from
their main purpose of classroom teaching. Commuter can be used to do on-line learning.
ENTERTAINMENT
Computer and video games have been providing enjoyment for countless numbers of children and adult of all
age for almost 50 years. Many of today “computer old timers” got their start by playing the star travel game
of mainframe computers. Logic games, including chess, popular board games such as monopoly or scrabble
and many adventure/detective games that require the player to make decision in order to score points, also
popular types of games for the PC. Computers today have multimedia facilities that can allow the user to play
movies and music.
COMMUNICATION
Communication comes from a Latin word “commune” which means to share. Communication also means to
share message. In the early days, people move on foot or horses to share messages. But today the advent of
computer has free people from moving to spread messages, but stay at one location and use computers,
telephones, and wireless, TV and radio devices to communicate easily and quickly. These devices are
connected in a computer network to share message in E-mail, voice mail, graphic mails, telecommunicating.
ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF USING A COMPUTER
ADVANTAGES
The advent of computer has brought about a number of advantages of which some of them are:
 It has a high speed of operation (larger in memory and higher in processor speed), the faster the
computer
 It has large storage capability
 It has a large degree of vacancy
 It is versatile in terms of operation that is it can perform a wide range of task.
 It is capable of carrying out repetitive works, which order wise will make a person becomes tired.
 It is reliable in terms of operation that is, what you give is what is receive. For a computer to maintained
it reliability, it as the following JARGON (slang) G.I.G.O these means garbage in garbage out. But a
synonym of G.I.G.O is R.I.R.O which means Rubbish in Rubbish out. W.Y.W.Y.G these means what
you see is what you get.
Note: The above advantages had let us to know that some managers were cheating workers telling them
that computer has jumped their names. But today, people who have studied computer technology are
now with the understanding that computer cannot do anything wrong without the help of the user.
 Computers can create job facility for people as all fields of works today depending on computerization
or area of studies.
DISADVANTAGES
 It is very expensive.
 It cannot operate task without electricity.
 It creates unemployment.
 What you give is what you receive.
 It can allow people to do forgery.
 Computer communication will allow the third party to know your secret you might want to send to
your friend or relatives. E.g. Internet, Tele Center.
 It can sometimes cause eye injury
 It can cause repetitive strain injury (RSI)
ELEMENT OF COMPUTER
There are three main element of computer system although other people or books might tell you about seven
or more like INPUT, PROCESS, STORAGE, OUTPUT INSTRUCTIONS, COMMUNICATION and
USER etc. But department of information technology in EFICO School of Technology and computer studies
grouped all of them into three categories. These are the HARDWARE, SOFTWARE and THE USER/LIFE
WARE LET US SEE HOW THIS IS DONE.
HARDWARE
This refers to the physical component or tangible aspect of a computer system that we can see, touches, and
identify. It deals with the engineering aspect of computer studies and those that are involved in it as a faculty
of study as referred to as hard ware Technician or engineer
INPUT DEVICES STORAGE OUTPUT DEVICES
Keyboard Memory (RAM & ROM)
Printer
Memory Stick/Flash Drive Hard Disk, Floppy Disk
Monitor
Scanner Compact Disk (CD)
Voice Synthesis
Mouse Magnetic Tape
Speaker
Digital camera Robotic

IDENTIFYING AND DESCRIBING THE HARDWARE OF THE COMPUTER SYSTEM

THE SYSTEM UNIT

CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)

The CPU inside the computer system is known as the BRAIN of the computer and can be named as
CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT or simply the PROCESSOR.
PRIMARY STORAGE
When talking of a primary storage to be part of CPU we are actually referring to the main memories of the
computer system. These are; the ROM and RAM. They are located where information is store permanently or
temporarily. Below they are discussed.
RAM: This means Random Access Memory
ROM: This means Read Only Memory

THE KEYBOARD

KEYBOARD
This medium of communication is to sent instruction and data in the system and can be classified as one of
the most input device. The keyboard can be of two types. Standard keyboard and enhanced keyboard. They
all have things in common with the exception that the standard keyboard has from F1 to F10 function keys
whilst the enhance keyboard has from F1 to F12 function keys. The keyboard whether standard or enhance is
divided in to five main parts.
1. NORMAL TYPING KEYS (ALPHA NUMERIC KEY)
2. FUNCTIONS KEYS
3. ARROW KEYS (CURSOR MOVEMENT KEY)
4. NUMERICAL KEY PAD
5. SPECIAL COMPUTER KEYS
NORMAL TYPING KEYS (ALPHA NUMERIC KEYS)
This are called Normal because they are found on the keyboard of a TYPE WRITER and also on the keyboard
of a computer. They are called Alpha Numeric because they have from A-Z and 0-9. They are used for normal
typing by typist as well as issuing commands and the layout resembles a Rectangular shape.
FUNCTION KEYS
These keys are located on the top most part of the keyboard and are labelled F1, F2, F3, F4, F5 and F6 etc.
They are used to issue complex commands. With the absent of the F11 and F12 on the “Standard Keyboard,
there are other keys to represent them. The function keys that used in DOS range from F1 to F6 and are referred
to as the EDITING KEYS.
NUMERIC KEY PAD
This area is located on the far right on the keyboard and the layout resembles a calculator. This area is used
mainly for Numeric (numbers) entries. Allocated on them are four (4) mathematical operators (+,-,*, /,). You
can also find four Arrow pointing to four different directions. To activate this area we press the num-lock key
and do the same to deactivate that area.
ARROW KEYS (CURSOR MOVEMENT KEYS)
They are used to move within the environment of the screen. Four Arrow pointing to four different directions
which are pointing left and right that are responsible for moving cursor leftward and rightward. And pointing
Up and Down that are responsible for the cursor upwards and downwards. The mouse does the movement of
the pointer on the screen.
SPECIAL COMPUTER KEYS
They are called especial keys because they are only found on the keyboard of Computer and no other keyboard
else.
BELOW THEY ARE DISCUSSED
ENTER KEY
This is also known as the Go ahead, or yes or ok. This also performs two functions, with this key, the yes, Go
ahead, or OK, the functions are
I. Give the system the permission to go ahead to react to a command.
II. Is to allow you to start typing on a new line.
BACK SPACE & DELETE KEYS
These keys perform the same functions. Their functions are to delete or erase or wipe off characters, but in an
inverse (opposite) manner. The backspace key erases or wipe off or delete characters that are on the left hand
side of the cursor position; whilst the Delete Key erases or wipe off characters from the right hand side of the
cursor position.
PAGE-UP & PAGE DOWN (PGUP, PGDN)
These keys are used to move the page from one place to another. The page up key moves the page upwards
(Current) and the page down moves the page downwards (Previous)
HOME KEY & END KEY
These keys are used to determine (know) the cursor position at any time. The END key takes the cursor to the
end of a sentence whilst the Home key takes the cursor to the starting of a line.
ALTERNATE AND CONTROL KEYS (ALT FOR ALTERNATE & CTRL CONTROL KEY)
These keys are used to issue-complex commands, like activating Menu. They can also be used in combination
with other keys on the keyboard to issue commands E.g. ALT + ENTER can be used to enlarge the DOS
Screen or Resize it.
ESCAPE KEY (ESC)
This key is used to terminate or stop a command being Executed or written, it can also be used to clear any
dialog box on the screen you don’t want to respond to.
SPACEBAR KEY
This is the longest key on the keyboard; it gives one space at a time between lines when typing as well as
issuing commands.
TAB KEY
Two arrows pointing inversely can identify this key. It is used to move the cursor 5cm off from the prompt
when setting margins. The user can also adjust it for desired movement.
CAPS LOCK KEY (CAPITAL LOCK)
This key is used to make letterheads. That is, it is used to type continuous capital letters without bordering the
shift key to activate it functions, you press it and to deactivate it function, you also press it.
SHIFT KEY
This key is used in relation with case characters, by case character we mean one key on top the keyboard has
two characters, that is upper case characters and lower case character, upper case character gives you Block
or Capital letter or character itself, whilst the Lower case character givers you small letters or the character
itself. To access the upper case character when typing you HOLD (press) the SHIFT KEY then click KEY
bearing the upper case characters you want.
DISK DRIVES
These are devices that hold out disk firmly for operation and can be of three main types; namely THE HARD
DISK DRIVE, FLOPPY DISK DRIVE, CD-ROM DISK DRIVE. These are devices where information
can be stored permanently until the user needs them, regardless of power cut off. These disks are the HARD
DISK, FLOPPY DISK, CD (compact Disk) FLASH DRIVE (memory stick) other storage devices are RAM
and the ROM.
THE HARD DISK DRIVE
FLOPPY DISK

CD-ROM DISK DRIVE

SOFTWARE
This is the invisible aspect of computer system that we cannot see, touch or identify instead, it is made up of
coded instruction or program that have been coded by either the manufacturer or Programmer for the computer
to follow them. It deals with the operational aspect of the computer studies and those that are involve in as a
faculty of study will graduate as Software Engineer. Software can be of two types;
1. APPLICATION SOFTWARE
2. SYSTEM SOFTWARE
APPLICATION SOFTWARE
This is the day to day running program that is within computer system that can be applied to perform various
takes. E.g. MS-Word, MS-Access, MS- PowerPoint, MS-Publisher Etc.
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
This is the decision-making department within the system, with the Aid of an operating system. AN
OPERATING SYSTEM: it is the master computer software that helps to coordinate the flow of the computer
and also act as an interface (interpreter) between the user and the computer itself.
FUNCTIONS OF THE OPERATING SYSTEM
The operating system performs the following types of tasks:
 Coordinates processing with the help of the main memory
 Checks equipment malfunctions and displays error messages
 Manages the stored on disks
SOFTWARE PROGRAMS
There are many software programs that can be installed in to the computer system depending on the type of
operation you want to perform or business you want to do. This software includes: OPERATING SYSTEM:
Like disk operating system (DOS), Macintosh software, OS/2, UNIX, Netware, Windows with the different
Versions (3.1, windows 95, windows 98, windows 98 second edition, Windows Millennium, Windows NT,
Windows Professional, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7,Windows 8, Etc.
OFFICE PROGRAMS: Like Office 97, Office 2000 Professional, Office 2003, Office 2007, Office 2010
and Office 2013 (these yearly products Etc.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE
The relationship between the two is that, the hardware provides the environment e.g., Television set, Stadium,
Video Cassette. Etc. whilst the software makes the thing to happen e.g. athlete
BOOTING
Booting means to start up your computer that is giving power to the system. When you power on a system,
wait till the computer self-start to point. During this time the computer will undergo a process known as POST,
SHORT FOR POWER ON SELF TEST where the computer will test itself for all the peripheral that are
connected to the main system unit. (Input and output devices). When start up is completed, a DOS prompt
appears on the screen usually C:/> it can also display ICONS on the screen called desktop, depending on the
type of software installed in your computer. DOS prompt indicate that DOS is ready for you to issue
commands. DOS prompt is also DOS signature indicating that any operation conducted will be inside in a
Active Drive, Like A: B: C: etc Booting can be of two types, cool booting and warn booting.
COOL BOOTING
This is the process of starting your computer (giving power to your system) by using the main switch. If the
computer lacks the reset button, you can turn off the power and turn it on again as many times as it requires.
This process of turning the computer on and off by using the power switch is all about COOL BOOTING.
WARM BOOTING
This is the process of restarting your computer without turning the power off. Punching or CLICKING the
RESTART button on the system unit could do this. If the computer lacks the restart button, the keyboard could
do warm booting. To carry out this task, you press the CTRL+ALT+DEL keys together. There is no time
wasting, warn booting is faster because you trigger the reboot with CTRL+ALT+DEL, which is refer to as
Keyboard reboot. In this process of worm booting, the computer restarts all RAM leaving them blank.

END OF NOTES