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A+ Guide to Software, 4e

A+ Guide to Software, 4e. Chapter 1 Introducing Operating Systems. Objectives. Learn about the various operating systems and the differences between them Learn how an OS interfaces with users, files and folders, applications, and hardware

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A+ Guide to Software, 4e

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  1. A+ Guide to Software, 4e Chapter 1 Introducing Operating Systems

  2. Objectives • 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  3. Introduction • Personal computers have changed our lives • You will gain a deeper understanding of the operating system • Customize • Troubleshoot • Optimize • Learn different operating systems • What they do • How they work to control the hardware A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  5. Figure 1-1 Users and applications depend on the OS to relate to all applications and hardware components A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  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 • 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  7. Figure 1-3 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 Software, 4e

  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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  9. Figure 1-5 Windows 9x/Me is the bridge from DOS to Windows NT A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  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 • Avoid installing Windows NT • Windows NT introduced many new problems • Problems only solved in later versions of Windows A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  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 • Better network support • Features specifically targeting notebook computers • OS includes only qualified hardware and software • Windows 2000 is being phased out A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  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) • 233-MHz CPU speed (300-MHz recommended) A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  13. Figure 1-8 The Windows XP desktop and Start menu A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  14. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  15. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  16. UNIX • Comprises a class of operating systems • UNIX versions referred to as flavors or distributions • Chief uses: • Controlling networks • Supporting Internet-based applications A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  17. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  18. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  19. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  20. Figure 1-10 The Mac OS X desktop is intuitive and easy to use A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  21. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  22. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  23. Figure 1-11 Inside an operating system, different components perform various functions A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  24. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  25. Figure 1-12 Enter command lines in a Command Prompt window A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  26. Figure 1-13 A menu-driven interface: Windows Explorer in Windows XP A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  27. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  28. Figure 1-14 A hard drive or floppy disk is divided into tracks and sectors; several sectors make one cluster A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  29. 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” A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  30. Figure 1-16 A hard drive is organized into directories and subdirectories that contain files A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  31. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  32. Figure 1-19 Use the Windows 2000/XP Disk Management utility to see how a hard drive is partitioned A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  33. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  34. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  35. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  36. Real (16-bit), Protected (32-bit), and Long (64-bit) Operating Modes • Bit type: number of bits simultaneously processed • Real (16-bit) mode • Exposes hardware to application (no longer used) • Example: DOS • Protected (32-bit) and Long (64-bit) modes • OS controls how an application accesses hardware • Preemptive multitasking is supported • Example: Windows XP Professional x64 Edition • Multiprocessing involves multiple CPUs A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  37. 16-bit, 32-bit, and 64-bit Software • 16-bit software • Written for Windows 3.x • Data access is 16 bits at a time • 32-bit programs • Written for Windows NT/2000/XP and Windows 9x/Me • 64-bit programs • Written for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition • Most software today is 32-bit or 64-bit A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  38. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  39. Figure 1-24 An OS relates to hardware by way of BIOS and device drivers A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  40. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  41. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  42. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  43. Figure 1-29 Protected mode allows more than one program to run, each protected from the other by the operating system A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  44. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  45. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  46. Figure 1-30 The Windows XP desktop and Start menu A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  47. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  48. Figure 1-43 Create a new file using Windows Explorer A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  49. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

  50. 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 A+ Guide to Software, 4e

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