DAR ES SALAAM INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

NAME OF STUDENT: LIFA MARCO KAZINZA.

ADIMINSTRATION NUMBER: 230222474625
ASSIGNMENT NO: 04
MODULE NAME: OPERATION SYSTEM
MODULE CODE: ITT 05112
COURSE: ORDINARY DIPLOMA IN COMPUTER ENGINEERING
Question 1:

i. What are operating system utilities, and how do they assist in problem-solving?

Operating system utilities are tools or programs that came with the operating system to help users
manage, maintain, and optimize their computer system.

Operating system utilities assist in problem solving by providing tools and functionality that help users
diagnose, troubleshooting, and to fix some issues in the system. Here are how they contribute to solving
problems;

a. Security and threat removal; This contain utilities like window defender, antivirus software,
firewalls, and encryption tools. And those utilities help in detecting and removal viruses, malware and
other security threats , encrypt sensitive data to protect against unauthorized access and prevent
attacks through networks monitoring and firewalls.

b. Network troubleshooting: Network diagnostics , ping , traceroute , ifconfig /ip. And those
utilities help in identify network bottlenecks or failures, configure or reset network adaptors and
diagnose and resolve internet connectivity issues.

c. Command-Line tools: This contain utilities like command prompt, powershell(window), terminal
(linux,macsOS). This help to execute advanced troubleshooting e.g repairing file system, resetting
network settings , Automate repetitive tasks with scripts and provide flexibility for deeper problem
analysis.

ii. Explain how the command-line interface (CLI) can be used to troubleshoot network issues.

a. Check network connectivity. This used by the command “ping”. The purpose of this is to test
connectivity to a specific server or devices and measure response time and packet loss.

b. Trace the route to destination. This command “tracert”. The purpose is to display the packets
take to reach a destination and identifiers delays or failures at specific hops.

c. View network configuration . This command “ipconfig /all”/ The purpose is to display network
adaptors settings like IP address, subnet mask, gateway and DNS and identify the correct and missing
configurations.

iii. Describe the use of the Task Manager in Windows. What information can it provide for
problem diagnosis?
Task manager in window is a built in utility that provide real time information about system
performance, resource usage and running processes. This are the key uses of task manager in the
windows are;

a. Monitor System Performance; This occar by navigate to performance of CPU, memory , disk and
network usage and detect bottlenecks or hardware resources limitations.

b. Manage running application; This provide information of list of all running applications and
background process and resource usage like CPU, memory, disk and network by each process. Use case
of diagnosis by end unresponsive or resource-hogging applications. And identify malicious or unknown
process.

c. Control start up programs; This provide use the startup tab by list of programs set to run at
starup and impact of each program on system boot time. Use case for diagnosis by disable unnecessary
start up programs to improve boot times and resolve issues caused by conflicting or outdated startup
applications.

iv. What is the purpose of the Disk Cleanup utility, and how can it help improve system
performance?

Disk cleanup utility in window is a built tools designed to free up disk space by removing unnecessary
and temporary files. Its primary functions is to optimize storage and improve system performance by
cleaning out clutter that can slow down the computer over time. The purpose of disk utility

a. Free up disk spaces; Removes files that are no longer need, such as temporary files, cached files
and system logs to increase available storage.

b. Improve system performance; reduce the load on the hard drive, allowing it to operate more
efficiently.

c. Enhance system stability; eliminate outdated or corrupted files that could cause errors or
crashes

(v) How can the Event Viewer be used to identify system errors and warnings?

Event Viewer is a powerful built-in tool in Windows that allows users to view detailed logs
about system events. These logs are categorized into Application, Security, Setup, System, and
Forwarded Events. System errors and warnings are recorded in the System log. By filtering logs
based on event level (Error, Warning, Information, etc.), users can identify specific issues. For
example:

 Critical errors: Indicate serious problems that may lead to system instability.
  Warnings: Highlight potential issues like low disk space or hardware degradation. By
analyzing timestamps, Event IDs, and descriptions, users can pinpoint the root cause of
issues, such as driver failures or service crashes.

(vi) Describe how to use the ping command for troubleshooting network
connectivity issues.

The ping command tests the connectivity between the host and a target device using ICMP
(Internet Control Message Protocol). Steps to use ping for troubleshooting:

1. Open Command Prompt and type ping <IP address> or ping <domain>.
2. Interpreting results:
o If packets are successfully sent and received, the network is functional.
o Packet loss or high latency indicates potential network congestion or a faulty
connection.
3. Use ping 127.0.0.1 to test if the local network adapter is functioning.
4. Ping the default gateway (e.g., ping 192.168.1.1) to test local network connections.
5. Ping external domains (e.g., ping google.com) to verify internet access. The output
includes details like latency and time-to-live (TTL), which can help isolate the problem.

(vii) What role does the System File Checker (SFC) play in maintaining OS
integrity?

The System File Checker (SFC) is a utility that scans and repairs corrupted or missing system
files in Windows. Here’s how it helps:

1. Run the command: Open Command Prompt as an administrator and type sfc
/scannow.
2. Process: SFC checks system files against a cached copy stored in the operating system
and replaces any corrupted files with the correct version.
3. Fixing issues: It resolves problems like missing .dll files or corrupted drivers, which may
cause system crashes or functionality errors. SFC is particularly useful after malware
attacks, failed updates, or software installation issues.

(viii) How can the Taskkill command be utilized to resolve unresponsive

applications in Windows?

The Taskkill command forcibly terminates processes that are unresponsive or consuming
excessive resources. Steps to use:

1. Open Command Prompt as an administrator.

2. Identify the target process using the tasklist command, which displays all running
processes and their IDs (PIDs).
 3. Use the syntax taskkill /PID <pid> /F to terminate the process by its PID or
taskkill /IM <process_name> /F to terminate by name. The /F flag forces
termination. For example, taskkill /IM notepad.exe /F closes Notepad immediately.

(ix) Explain the purpose of the Device Manager and how it can assist in
diagnosing hardware issues.

Device Manager in Windows provides a centralized interface to view and manage hardware
devices. Its purposes include:

1. Identifying malfunctioning devices through yellow warning icons.

2. Accessing device properties to view error codes and troubleshooting suggestions.
3. Updating, rolling back, disabling, or uninstalling device drivers. For example, if a
network adapter fails, Device Manager can indicate a driver issue, and users can update
or reinstall the driver to resolve it.

(x) What is Safe Mode, and when should it be used to troubleshoot OS problems?

Safe Mode is a diagnostic mode that starts Windows with minimal drivers and services. It’s used
for:

1. Diagnosing startup issues caused by third-party applications.

2. Uninstalling problematic software or updates.
3. Running diagnostic tools like SFC or antivirus scans. Access Safe Mode by pressing F8
(legacy systems) or navigating through Advanced Startup Options in modern systems.
Variants include Safe Mode with Networking and Safe Mode with Command Prompt.

(xi) Describe how to use the grep command in Linux for troubleshooting log files.

The grep command is a powerful text search tool in Linux. It’s commonly used to filter log files
for specific patterns or keywords:

1. Open a terminal and type grep <pattern> <file>. For example, grep error
/var/log/syslog lists all lines containing the word “error”.
2. Use flags like -i for case-insensitive searches, -n to display line numbers, or -r for
recursive searches in directories.
3. Combine with other tools like tail to view real-time logs: tail -f /var/log/syslog
| grep error. This helps identify specific issues, such as failed services or permission
errors.

(xii) How can System Restore be used to recover from problematic software
installations?

System Restore creates snapshots of system settings and files, allowing users to revert to a
previous state. Steps:
 1. Access System Restore via Control Panel > Recovery > Open System Restore.
2. Select a restore point created before the problematic software installation.
3. Confirm and restart the system. System Restore does not affect personal files but can
undo changes to system files, drivers, and registry settings, resolving issues caused by
software conflicts or updates.

(xiii) What is the significance of logs in OS problem-solving, and how can they be
accessed?

Logs provide detailed records of system activities, errors, and warnings, helping in diagnosing
issues. Their significance includes:

1. Event tracing: Logs track events like service failures or security breaches.
2. Root cause analysis: By analyzing log details, users can pinpoint the source of problems.
Access logs via:

 Windows: Use Event Viewer (run eventvwr.msc).

 Linux: View logs in /var/log using commands like cat or less.
 MacOS: Use Console.app for system logs. Common logs include system logs,
application logs, and security logs.

(xiv) Explain how the chmod command can resolve permission issues in a Linux
environment.

The chmod command changes file or directory permissions, resolving access-related issues.
Syntax: chmod [permissions] <file>.

1. Use symbolic mode: chmod u+w file.txt adds write permission for the owner.
2. Use numeric mode: chmod 755 script.sh sets read, write, and execute for the owner,
and read/execute for others.
3. Recursive changes: chmod -R 644 /path/to/directory modifies permissions for all
files within a directory. Permissions control who can read, write, or execute files,
ensuring secure access.

(xv) What is a bootable USB, and how can it be used to fix a corrupted operating
system?

A bootable USB is a USB drive containing an operating system’s installation or recovery files.
It’s used to:

1. Reinstall the OS on a corrupted system.

2. Access recovery tools for troubleshooting.
3. Perform disk repairs or backup data before reinstalling the OS. Create one using tools
like Rufus or the Windows Media Creation Tool. Boot from the USB by changing the
boot order in BIOS or UEFI.
(xvi) Describe the function of the Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) in
troubleshooting.

WinRE is a recovery environment that provides tools for diagnosing and fixing system issues.
Features include:

1. Startup Repair: Fixes bootloader and startup issues.

2. System Restore: Reverts the system to a previous state.
3. Command Prompt: Runs advanced diagnostic commands.
4. Reset this PC: Reinstalls Windows while keeping or removing files. Access WinRE via
Advanced Startup Options by pressing Shift + Restart or booting from installation media.

(xvii) How can performance monitors assist in identifying resource bottlenecks in

an OS?

Performance monitors track system resource usage in real time. Tools like Windows
Performance Monitor or Linux’s top/htop display:

1. CPU usage: Identify processes consuming excessive CPU.

2. Memory usage: Spot applications causing memory leaks.
3. Disk I/O: Detect slow read/write speeds.
4. Network usage: Pinpoint bandwidth-heavy applications. Analyzing these metrics helps
optimize resource allocation and resolve bottlenecks.

(xviii) Explain the steps to check for and fix disk errors using CHKDSK.

CHKDSK (Check Disk) scans and repairs file system errors and bad sectors. Steps:

1. Run Command Prompt as administrator.

2. Type chkdsk <drive>: /f /r (e.g., chkdsk C: /f /r).
o /f fixes file system errors.
o /r repairs bad sectors.
3. Schedule a scan if the drive is in use.
4. Restart the

(xix) What is the role of Antivirus Utilities in maintaining OS health and

resolving security-related issues?

Antivirus utilities protect the OS by identifying, quarantining, and removing malicious software.
Their roles include:

1. Real-time protection: Monitors and blocks threats during normal usage.

2. Scheduled scans: Regularly checks for malware and vulnerabilities.
3. Threat removal: Eliminates viruses, spyware, ransomware, and other malicious
programs.
 4. System optimization: Some utilities offer tools to clean temporary files and improve
performance. Examples include Windows Defender, Norton, and Avast.

(xx) How can the Network Troubleshooter in Windows assist users in diagnosing
connectivity issues?

The Network Troubleshooter is a built-in tool that identifies and resolves common network
problems. Steps to use:

1. Open Settings > Network & Internet > Status > Network troubleshooter.
2. Follow on-screen instructions to diagnose the issue (e.g., IP conflicts, DNS errors).
3. Automatically applies fixes or provides recommendations, like resetting network adapters
or checking cables. It simplifies troubleshooting for users without technical expertise.