Week 2

1. Week 2 BIOS & Operating System A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining your PC, 6e

2. Objectives • Learn how an OS interfaces with users, files and folders, applications, and hardware • Learn what happens when you first turn on a PC before the OS is loaded • Learn about the Power System.

3. 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

4. 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

5. Users and applications depend on the OS to relate to all applications and hardware components

6. 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 • Used by some diagnostic applications on UBD_CD • 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/Vista/Win7 run DOS emulation programs

7. 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 A+ Guide to Managing and Maintaining your PC, 6e

8. 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

9. Windows 9x/Me is the bridge from DOS to Windows NT

10. 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 • First Microsoft product which did not rely on DOS • Avoid installing Windows NT • Windows NT introduced many new problems • Security • Compatibility to most gaming s/w • Did not support Direct x • Problems only solved in later versions of Windows

11. 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 • Central security authentication & authorization • Better network support • Features specifically targeting notebook computers. • OS includes only qualified hardware and software. • Windows 2000 is being phased out.

12. 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) • Typical installs consume 3+ GB • 233-MHz CPU speed (300-MHz recommended)

13. Windows Vista • Next generation of Windows operating systems • Noteworthy new features: • New graphical interface • Harder to use? • Targeted a less computer literate user • Supported a consumer electronic paradigm • Revamped engine • Faster • Too security conscious for typical users. • A new interface between it and applications. • Some s/w must be upgraded. • Many hidden “features”.

14. Windows 7 • Basically an updated Vista • Features • Performance enhancements. • Better support for touch screens • Better handwriting & speech recognition • More user centric, users have more control over the look and feel as well as performance tweeks • Many backward compatible look and feel enhancements which vista had are now a free download from MS, e.g. classic menu. • H/W resources • 32 bit, same as vista • 64 bit, considerably more, almost double.

15. Windows 8 • Target market is Touch Screen Devices • Use of ribbon interface • Improved security • Pins & picture passwords • Improved performance • USB 3.0 support • Boot speed increased by hibernating the Kernel. • Can be compiled for Intel and Arm processors • Arm used in many hand held devices • Cell phones

16. 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

17. UNIX • Comprises a class of operating systems • UNIX versions referred to as flavors or distributions • Chief uses: • Controlling networks • Supporting Internet-based applications • Each maker of “Work Stations” had their own UNIX version. • SunOS, Irix (SGI)

18. 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

19. 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

20. Mac OS • First introduced in 1984 with Macintosh computers • Current version: Mac OS X (10.9) • Mac OS X can work on most 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 • Unix based kernel with Mac interface

21. The Mac OS X desktop is intuitive and easy to use

22. What an Operating System Does • Four functions common to all operating systems: • *** Providing a user interface • Managing files • Managing applications • *** Managing hardware • All OSs can have similar core components. • All do the same job • Some better then others.

23. 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

24. Inside an operating system, different components perform various functions

25. An OS Manages Hardware • OS interacts with hardware using drivers or BIOS • Software falls into three categories: • Device drivers, Main BIOS or component BIOS • Operating system • Application software

26. An OS relates to hardware by way of BIOS and device drivers

27. 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 • Device drivers in Windows • Before installation, verify Microsoft has tested device • Registry stores information about 32/64-bit device drivers • Updated drivers are available at manufacturer’s site

28. 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 • Device drivers are faster • Reside in Memory • BIOS is Firmware, which is slow. • Maybe limited in functionality. • Supports only basic operations.

29. Understanding the Boot Process • Key learning objectives • Know how to boot a PC • Understand what happens first when a PC is turned on • Understand how an operating system is loaded

30. Booting a Computer • Process that drives a computer to a working state • Hard (cold) boot: turn the power switch on • Soft (warm) boot: allow the OS to reboot • How to soft boot Windows XP .. Win 8 • Click Start • Click Turn Off Computer • Click Restart • Some utilities that direct the OS to warmboot.

31. Choosing Between a Hard Boot and a Soft Boot • Hard boots are more stressful on machines • Power surges through system when PC is turned on • Reasons to choose a soft boot over hard boot • Less stressful on the machine • Faster due to skipping initial steps • Some computers have a soft and hard power switch • Soft power switch shuts down and restarts Windows • Hard power switch cuts power and restarts machine • Dell power button, will soft boot if pressed. • Shut down machine if held for 5 sec.

32. The Startup BIOS Controls the Beginning of the Boot • The startup BIOS gets a system up and running • Four phases of the boot process: • BIOS runs the POST and assigns system resources • POST: power-on self test • BIOS searches for and loads an OS • OS configures system and completes its own loading • Application software is loaded and executed

33. Boot Step 1: The ROM BIOS startup program surveys hardware resources and needs and assigns system resources to satisfy those needs

34. Changing the Boot Sequence • BIOS looks to CMOS RAM to locate the OS • Boot sequence: order of drives checked for an OS • Change boot sequence using CMOS setup utilities • Access CMOS setup utilities when PC is turned on • Example: press F8 before Windows screen appears

35. Numbered steps show how BIOS searches for and begins to load an operating system (in this example, Windows NT/2000/XP is the OS)

36. How to Troubleshoot a PC Problem • Assume the attitude of an investigator • Do not compound the problem by your own actions • Look at the problem as a learning opportunity • Ask questions until you understand the problem • Believe that you can solve the problem

37. Steps to Solving a PC Problem • Key advice: • Ask good questions • Document the process • Four-step problem solving process: • Step 1: Interview the user • Step 2: Back up data • Step 3: Solve the problem • Step 4: Verify the fix and document the solution

38. General approach to troubleshooting

39. Troubleshooting a Failed Boot • It takes time to acquire troubleshooting skills • Hands-on training: troubleshooting a failed boot

40. My Computer Won’t Boot • First step: maintain your calm • Second step: develop a game plan • Figure 3-45 provides a procedure • Plan is driven by a set of yes-no questions • Example: Does the PC boot properly? • If no, troubleshooter is directed to another question • If yes, troubleshooter is directed to stop (for now)

41. Use this flowchart when first facing a computer problem

42. Troubleshooting Major Subsystems Used For Booting • Categories of troubleshooting steps in Figure 3-45 • The electrical subsystem • Essential hardware devices • The motherboard, memory, and the CPU • Video • Reading from the hard drive • Key aides: tables identifying error codes

43. Beep codes and their meanings

44. Summary • Some PC repair tools: recovery CDs, screwdrivers, POST, cleaning pads and solutions, diagnostic cards • Preventive maintenance plans extend the life of a PC • Follow an organization’s preventive maintenance plan, or develop one if it does not exist • Computers present chemical and electrical hazards • Protect components in case from ESD by grounding yourself and the PC

45. Summary (continued) • Assembling and reassembling a PC prepares the technician for actual repair work • Startup BIOS controls when the boot process begins • Four step boot process: POST, loading the OS, OS initializing itself, loading and executing applications • Expert troubleshooters ask good questions • Before tackling a problem, develop a game plan