A+ Guide to Managing and

Maintaining your PC, 6e

Lesson 2
Introducing Operating Systems
 Objectives

At the end of the discussion, the students are

expected to:
•Learn about the various operating systems and the
differences between them
•Learn how an OS interfaces with users, files and
folders, applications, and hardware
•Learn about a few OS tools you can use to examine
and maintain a system

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 Introduction
• A computer comprises hardware and software
– Physical devices are the visible component
– The controlling software component is not visible
• Computer technicians need to master both parts

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 Operating Systems Past and Present
• What an operating system (OS) does:
– Manages hardware
– Runs applications
– Provides an interface for users
– Retrieves and manipulates files
• The OS can be analogized to a “middleman”
• A computer needs only one operating system
• Operating systems have evolved to a complex form

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 Figure 2-1 Users and applications depend on the OS
to relate to all applications and hardware components

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 DOS (Disk Operating System)
• The first OS used by IBM computers/compatibles
• Where DOS can still be found:
– Specialized systems using older applications
– On troubleshooting disks or CDs
• Windows 3.x and DOS
– Windows 3.x provided a graphical interface
– Underlying OS functions were performed by DOS
• Windows 9x/Me uses DOS in the underlying OS
• Windows XP/2000 run DOS emulation programs

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 Figure 2-3 Windows 3.x was layered between DOS
and the user and applications to provide a graphics
interface for the user and a multitasking
environment for applications

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 Windows 9x/Me
• Refers to Windows 95, Windows 98, Windows Me
• Combine a DOS core with graphical user interface
• Designed to bridge legacy and newer technologies
– Backward-compatible with older systems
– Able to accommodate new technologies
• Cautionary note on minimum requirements
– May differ for upgrades and new installations
– May differ for installation and run-time operation

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 Figure 2-5 Windows 9x/Me is the bridge from DOS to Windows NT

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 Windows NT
• Two versions of Windows NT (New Technology):
– Windows NT Workstation for desktops
– Windows NT Server to control a network
• Best known feature: new OS core replacing DOS
• Avoid installing Windows NT
– Windows NT introduced many new problems
– Problems only solved in later versions of Windows

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 Windows 2000
• Upgrades Windows NT (both desktop and server)
• Improvements over Windows NT:
– A more stable environment
– Support for Plug and Play
– Device Manager, Recovery Console, Active Directory
– Better network support
– Features specifically targeting notebook computers
• OS includes only qualified hardware and software
• Windows 2000 is being phased out

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 Windows XP
• Integrates Windows 9x/Me and Windows 2000
• Two main versions: Home Edition and Professional
• Noteworthy new features:
– Allows two users to logon and open applications
– Incorporates Windows Messenger and Media Player
– Adds advanced security, such as Windows Firewall
• Hardware requirements
– 64 MB RAM (128 MB recommended)
– 1.5 GB free hard drive space (2 GB recommended)
– 233-MHz CPU speed (300-MHz recommended)

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 Figure 2-8 The Windows XP desktop and Start menu

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 Windows Vista
• Next generation of Windows operating systems
• Code-named Longhorn
• Noteworthy new features:
– New graphical interface
– Revamped engine
– A new interface between it and applications
• Scheduled release dates:
– November 2006 for business editions
– January 2007 for consumer editions

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 Windows Server 2003
• Refers to a suite of Microsoft operating systems:
– Windows Small Business Server 2003
– Storage Server 2003
– Server 2003 Web Edition
– Server 2003 Standard Edition
– Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
– Server 2003 Datacenter Edition
• Not designed for use in a PC
• Not covered in this text

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 UNIX
• Comprises a class of operating systems
• UNIX versions referred to as flavors or distributions
• Chief uses:
– Controlling networks
– Supporting Internet-based applications

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 Linux
• Variation on UNIX created by Linus Torvalds
• OS kernel and source code are freely distributed
• Popular distributions:
– SuSE (www.novell.com/linux/suse)
– RedHat (www.redhat.com)
– TurboLinux (www.turbolinux.com)
• Used as both a server and a desktop
• X Windows: GUI shells for UNIX and Linux

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 OS/2
• Jointly developed by IBM and Microsoft
• Chiefly used in certain types of networks
• Part of OS/2 was incorporated into Windows NT
• OS/2 is not covered in this book

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 Mac OS
• First introduced in 1984 with Macintosh computers
• Current version: Mac OS X (ten)
• Mac OS X can work on some Intel-based computers
• Markets: education, desktop publishing, graphics
• Noteworthy features:
– Support for graphics and multimedia capabilities
– Use of the Finder program to provide the desktop
– Superior Plug and Play capabilities
– Excellent support for multitasking

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 Figure 2-10 The Mac OS X desktop is intuitive and easy to use

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 What an Operating System Does
• Four functions common to all operating systems:
– Providing a user interface
– Managing files
– Managing applications
– Managing hardware
• All OSs also have similar core components

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 Operating System Components
• Components common to all OSs: shell and kernel
• The shell exposes functions to users and applications
– Example 1: enables user to select a CD
– Example 2: enables application to print a document
• The kernel (core) interacts with hardware devices
– Example: passes a print request to a printer device
• Registry database and initialization files
– Used to store configuration information in Windows

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 Figure 2-11 Inside an operating system, different
components perform various functions

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 An OS Provides a User Interface
• Sequence of events occurring after PC is turned on
– The operating system is loaded
– Running OS provides an interface (desktop)
– OS awaits an event, such as a double-click
• A user can initiate an event in several ways:
– Click a menu item
– Enter a command in Run dialog or command console
– Double-click an icon

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 Figure 2-12 Enter command lines in a Command Prompt window

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 Figure 2-13 A menu-driven interface: Windows Explorer in Windows XP

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 An OS Manages Files and Folders
• File system: organizes files and folders
• File systems used by Windows for hard drives:
– File Allocation Table (FAT): tracks disk space usage
– New Technology File System (NTFS): replacing FAT
• Organization of a hard drive or floppy disk
– Platter contains concentric tracks
– Track contains 512 byte sectors
– Cluster contains one or more sectors
– Cluster is the smallest unit on disk for storing a file

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 Figure 2-14 A hard drive or floppy disk is divided into tracks
and sectors; several sectors make one cluster

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 Files and Directories
• File system hierarchy:
– Directories (called folders in Windows)
– Subdirectories (child directories)
– Files
• Directories can contain subdirectories and files
• Directory table: lists subdirectories and files
• Root directory: directory for a logical drive; e.g., C:\
• Path: drive, directories, filename, and file extension
– Example: C:\wp\data\myfile.txt points to “myfile”

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 Figure 2-15 A hard drive is organized into directories and
subdirectories that contain files

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 Partitions and Logical Drives on a
Hard Drive
• Hard drives are organized into partitions
• Two types of partitions
– Primary: can only have one logical drive; e.g., C:\
– Extended: can have one or more logical drives
• Logical drive (sometimes called a volume)
– Formatted using a file system
– Has a root directory and subdirectories
• Disk Management tool
– Used to create/view partitions, format logical drives

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 Figure 2-18 Use the Windows 2000/XP Disk Management
utility to see how a hard drive is partitioned

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 An OS Manages Applications
• The OS installs and runs all other PC software
• Application: software providing services for users
• Applications rely on the OS for support operations
– Example: MS word relies on OS to manage memory
• Applications are typically tailored to a single OS
– Ensure that OS is suitable for a given application

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 Installing Application Software
• Sources of application software:
– Internet, CDs, DVDs, or floppy disks
• Installation program is provided by application
• Tasks performed by installation program:
– Folders are created on the hard drive
– Files are copied to the folders
– For Windows, entries are made in Windows registry
– Icons are usually placed on desktop
– For Windows, entries are added to the Start menu

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 Launching Application Software Using
the Windows Desktop
• An application has to be started before use
– You run, load, launch, or execute the application
• Four ways to run software:
– Use a shortcut icon
– Use the Start menu
– Use the Run command
– Use Windows Explorer or My Computer

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 An OS Manages Hardware
• OS interacts with hardware using drivers or BIOS
• Software falls into three categories:
– Device drivers or the BIOS
– Operating system
– Application software

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 Figure 2-23 An OS relates to hardware by way of BIOS and
device drivers

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 How an OS Uses Device Drivers to
Manage Devices
• Device drivers: specify how to interact with a device
– Example: a driver links a computer to a digital camera
• Drivers are provided by OS and device manufacturer
• Three kinds of drivers (corresponds to a mode)
– 16-bit real, 32-bit protected, and 64-bit long
• Device drivers in Windows
– Before installation, verify Microsoft has tested device
– Registry stores information about 32-bit device drivers
– Updated drivers are available at manufacturer’s site

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 How an OS Uses System BIOS to
Manage Devices
• System BIOS contains device information
– Instructions enable CPU to communicate with device
– Example: keyboard activated at startup using BIOS

• Configure BIOS device interaction in CMOS setup

• The OS may use system BIOS to access devices
• Disadvantage of using BIOS device management
– BIOS does not operate as fast as device drivers

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 How an OS Manages Memory
• Memory functions performed by OS at startup
– Launches utilities to manage memory
– Assigns addresses to each location of memory
• Drivers, OS, and application use memory addresses
– Enables three software layers to refer to shared data
• 16-bit program in real mode has direct access to RAM
• The OS controls memory access in protected mode
– The address spaces of a program is protected
– Virtual memory expands number of running programs

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 Figure 2-27 Protected mode allows more than one
program to run, each protected from the other by
the operating system

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 OS Tools to Examine a System
• A variety of tools are available:
– The Windows Desktop
– My Computer and Windows Explorer
– System Properties
– Control Panel
– Device Manager
– System Information
– Windows Help and the Microsoft Web Site

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 The Windows Desktop
• Primary tool provided by the Windows shell
• Terms associated with the desktop
– Taskbar: displays information, offers program access
– Service: support program running in the background
– System tray: displays icons for running services
– Shortcut: desktop icon pointing to a program
• Tools used to configure the desktop
– Display Properties Window
– The Taskbar and System Tray
– Shortcuts

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 Figure 2-28 The Windows XP desktop and Start menu

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 My Computer and Windows Explorer
• Used to manage files, folders, and other resources
• Tools share similar functionality
• Perform a wide range of tasks using shortcut menus
– Example: create a new file
• File and folder operations performed with Explorer
– Creating a folder
– Deleting a folder
– Changing file attributes
– Changing folder options

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 Figure 2-41 Create a new file using Windows Explorer

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 System Properties
• Two ways to open utility:
– Right-click My Computer and select Properties
– Click the System applet in the Control Panel
• Some tasks that can be performed
– View processor and memory information
– Change the name of the computer on the network
– Access Device Manager on the Hardware tab
– Control performance on the Advanced tab
– Switch System Restore on or off
– Use the Automatic Update tab to control updating

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 Control Panel
• Contains applets used to manage the system
• Accessing Control Panel in Windows XP
– Click Start and the click Control Panel
• Two views: Category View and Classic View
• Applets can be launched via the Run dialog box
– Example: enter Main.cpl to open Mouse Properties

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 Device Manager
• Primary graphical tool for solving hardware problems
• Primary screen displays a list of devices
– Right click Properties to view device details
• Some tasks that can be performed
– Enable, disable, uninstall a device
– Update device drivers
– Uninstall device drivers
• Symbols are used to indicate a device status
– Example: red X over device indicates it is disabled

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 Figure 2-47 Windows XP Device Manager gives
information about devices and allows you to uninstall a
device

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 System Information
• Used to view detailed information about the system
• Important features
– BIOS version you are using
– The directory where the OS is installed
– How system resources are used
– Information about drivers and their status
• To open utility, enter Msinfo32.exe in Run dialog box

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 Windows Help and the Microsoft Web
Site
• Key guide to system
• Excellent troubleshooting resource
– Example: analyze problem with Internet connection
• Microsoft Web site: http://support.microsoft.com
• Use search engine to locate alternative resources
– Ensure that the alternative site is reputable

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 Figure 2-51 Troubleshooter making a suggestion to
resolve a problem with using the modem to connect
to the Internet

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 Keystroke Shortcuts in the OS
• Simplify interaction with the operating system
• Examples
– Function keys: F4, F5, F8
– Text editing operations: Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+x
• Shortcut keys are critical when mouse is not working

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 Summary
• The OS manages system resources for users and
applications
• DOS (disk operating system): early command-
driven OS
• Modern OSs: Windows 2000/XP, Linux, Mac OS X
• Operating systems are divided into a kernel and
user shell
• Two OS running modes: real and protected

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 Summary (continued)
• OS functions: providing a user interface, managing
files, managing applications, and managing hardware
• Windows desktop: primary graphical interface to OS
• Windows Explorer: used to navigate directory and
manipulate files and folders
• Other tools: System Properties, Control Panel, Device
Manager, System Information, and Windows Help
• Keystroke shortcuts provide a way to perform tasks
without a mouse

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