© 2007 Cisco Systems, Inc. module 5 Windows Operating Systems 5.0 Introduction   The operating system (OS) controls almost all functions on a computer. In this chapter, you will learn about the components, functions, and terminology related to the Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems. After completing this chapter, you will meet these objectives: list of 7 items • Explain the purpose of an operating system. • Describe and compare operating systems to include purpose, limitations, and compatibilities. • Determine the operating system based on customer needs. • Install an operating system. • Navigate a GUI. • Identify and apply common preventive maintenance techniques for operating systems. • Troubleshoot operating systems. list end 5.1 Explain the purpose of an operating system  All computers rely on an operating system (OS) to provide the interface for interaction between users, applications, and hardware. The operating system boots the computer and manages the file system. Almost all modern operating systems can support more than one user, task, or CPU. After completing this section, you will meet these objectives: list of 2 items • Describe characteristics of modern operating systems. • Explain operating system concepts. list end Roles of an Operating System Control hardware access Manage files and folders Provide user interface Manage applications  5.1   Explain the purpose of an operating system       5.1.1   Describe characteristics of modern operating systems    table end Regardless of the size and complexity of the computer and the operating system, all operating systems perform the same four basic functions. Operating systems control hardware access, manage files and folders, provide a user interface, and manage applications. Control Hardware Access The operating system manages the interaction between applications and the hardware. To access and communicate with the hardware, the operating system installs a device driver for each hardware component. A device driver is a small program written by the hardware manufacturer and supplied with the hardware component. When the hardware device is installed, the device driver is also installed, allowing the OS to communicate with the hardware component. The process of assigning system resources and installing drivers can be performed with Plug and Play (PnP). The PnP process was introduced in Windows 95 to simplify the installation of new hardware. All modern operating systems are PnP-compatible. With PnP, the operating system automatically detects the PnP-compatible hardware and installs the driver for that component. The operating system then configures the device and updates the registry, which is a database that contains all the information about the computer. NOTE: The registry contains information about applications, users, hardware, network settings, and file types. File and Folder Management The operating system creates a file structure on the hard disk drive to allow data to be stored. A file is a block of related data that is given a single name and treated as a single unit. Program and data files are grouped together in a directory. The files and directories are organized for easy retrieval and use. Directories can be kept inside other directories. These nested directories are referred to as subdirectories. Directories are called folders in Windows operating systems, and subdirectories are called subfolders. User Interface The operating system enables the user to interact with software and hardware. There are two types of user interfaces: list of 2 items • Command Line Interface (CLI) – The user types commands at a prompt, as shown in Figure 1. • Graphical User Interface (GUI) – The user interacts with menus and icons, as shown in Figure 2. list end Most operating systems, such as Windows 2000 and Windows XP, include both a GUI and a CLI. Application Management The operating system locates an application and loads it into the RAM of the computer. Applications are software programs, such as word processors, databases, spreadsheets, games, and many other applications. The operating system ensures that each application has adequate system resources. Application programming interface (API) is a set of guidelines used by programmers to ensure that the application they are developing is compatible with an operating system. Here are two examples of APIs: list of 2 items • Open Graphics Library (OpenGL) – Cross-platform standard specification for multimedia graphics • DirectX – Collection of APIs related to multimedia tasks for Microsoft Windows list end    5.1   Explain the purpose of an operating system       5.1.2   Explain operating system concepts    table end To understand the capabilities of an operating system, it is important to understand some basic terms. The following terms are often used when comparing operating systems: list of 4 items • Multi-user – Two or more users can work with programs and share peripheral devices, such as printers, at the same time. • Multi-tasking – The computer is capable of operating multiple applications at the same time. • Multi-processing – The computer can have two or more central processing units (CPUs) that programs share. • Multi-threading – A program can be broken into smaller parts that can be loaded as needed by the operating system. Multi-threading allows individual programs to be multi-tasked. list end Almost all modern operating systems are multi-user and multi-tasking, and they support multi-processing and multi-threading. Modes of Operation All modern CPUs can run in different modes of operation. The mode of operation refers to the capability of the CPU and the operating environment. The mode of operation determines how the CPU will manage applications and memory. Figure 1 shows an example of the logical memory allocation. The four common modes of operation are real mode, protected mode, virtual real mode, and compatible mode. Real Mode A CPU that operates in real mode can only execute one program at a time, and it can only address 1 MB of system memory at a time. Although all modern processors have real mode available, it is only used by DOS and DOS applications or by 16-bit operating systems, such as Windows 3.x. In real mode, when an application creates an error, the entire computer can be affected because the program has direct access to memory. This can cause the computer to stop responding, restart, or shut down due to corruption of the memory space. Figure 2 is a chart of some common DOS commands that can still be used in modern operating systems, such as Windows XP. Protected Mode A CPU that operates in protected mode has access to all of the memory in the computer, including virtual memory. Virtual memory is hard disk space that is used to emulate RAM. Operating systems that use protected mode can manage multiple programs simultaneously. Protected mode provides 32-bit access to memory, drivers, and transfers between input and output (I/O) devices. Protected mode is used by 32-bit operating systems, such as Windows 2000 or Windows XP. In protected mode, applications are protected from using the memory reserved for another application that is currently running. Virtual Real Mode A CPU that operates in virtual real mode allows a real-mode application to run within a protected-mode operating system. This can be demonstrated when a DOS application runs in a 32-bit operating system, such as Windows XP. Compatibility Mode Compatibility mode creates the environment of an earlier operating system for applications that are not compatible with the current operating system. As an example, an application that checks the version of the operating system may be written for Windows NT and require a particular service pack. Compatibility mode can create the proper environment or version of the operating system to allow the application to run as if it is in the intended environment. Common DOS Commands COMMAND FUNCTION HELP Provides command line help DIR Displays the contents of a directory ATTRIB Changes the attributes of a file to indicate a read-only, archive, system, or hidden file EDIT Opens a file for editing COPY Copies a file XCOPY Copies files and subdirectories FORMAT Formats a disk MD Makes a new directory CD Changes to a specified directory RD Removes a directory 5.2 Describe and compare operating systems to include purpose, limitations, and compatibilities  A technician may be asked to choose and install an operating system for a customer. The type of OS selected depends on the customer's requirements for the computer. There are two distinct types of operating systems: desktop operating systems and network operating systems. A desktop operating system is intended for use in a small office/home office (SOHO) with a limited number of users. A network operating system (NOS) is designed for a corporate environment serving multiple users with a wide range of needs. After completing this section, you will meet these objectives: list of 2 items • Describe desktop operating systems. • Describe network operating systems. list end  5.2   Describe and compare operating systems to include purpose, limitations, and compatibilities       5.2.1   Describe desktop operating systems    table end A desktop OS has the following characteristics: list of 3 items • Supports a single user • Runs single-user applications • Shares files and folders on a small network with limited security list end In the current software market, the most commonly used desktop operating systems fall into three groups: Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS, and UNIX/Linux. Microsoft Windows Windows is one of the most popular operating systems today. The following products are desktop versions of the Microsoft Windows operating systems: list of 7 items • Windows XP Professional – Used on most computers that will connect to a Windows Server on a network • Windows XP Home Edition – Used on home computers and has very limited security • Windows XP Media Center – Used on entertainment computers for viewing movies and listening to music • Windows XP Tablet PC Edition – Used for tablet PCs • Windows XP 64-bit Edition – Used for computers with 64-bit processors • Windows 2000 Professional – Older Windows operating system that has been replaced by Windows XP Professional • Windows Vista – Newest version of Windows list end Apple Mac OS Apple computers are proprietary and use an operating system called Mac OS. Mac OS is designed to be a user-friendly GUI operating system. Current versions of Mac OS are now based on a customized version of UNIX. UNIX/Linux UNIX, which was introduced in the late 1960s, is one of the oldest operating systems. There are many different versions of UNIX today. One of the most recent is the extremely popular Linux. Linux was developed by Linus Torvalds in 1991, and it is designed as an open-source operating system. Open-source programs allow the source code to be distributed and changed by anyone as a free download or from developers at a much lower cost than other operating systems.  5.2   Describe and compare operating systems to include purpose, limitations, and compatibilities       5.2.2   Describe network operating systems    table end A network OS has the following characteristics: list of 4 items • Supports multiple users • Runs multi-user applications • Is robust and redundant • Provides increased security compared to desktop operating systems list end These are the most common network operating systems: list of 4 items • Microsoft Windows – Network operating systems offered by Microsoft are Windows 2000 Server and Windows Server 2003. Windows Server operating systems use a central database called Active Directory to manage network resources. • Novell Netware – Novell NetWare was the first OS to meet network OS requirements and enjoy widespread deployment in PC-based LANs back in the 1980s. • Linux – Linux operating systems include Red Hat, Caldera, SuSE, Debian, and Slackware. • UNIX – Various corporations offered proprietary operating systems, based on UNIX. list end   Worksheet NOS Jobs Research NOS jobs 5.3 Determine operating system based on customer needs  To select the proper operating system to meet the requirements of your customer, you need to understand how the customer wants to use the computer. The operating system that you recommend should be compatible with any applications that will be used and should support all hardware that is installed in the computer. If the computer will be attached to a network, the new operating system should also be compatible with other operating systems on the network. After completing this section, you will meet these objectives: list of 2 items • Identify applications and environments that are compatible with an operating system. • Determine minimum hardware requirements and compatibility with the OS platform. list end  5.3   Determine operating system based on customer needs       5.3.1   Identify applications and environments that are compatible with an operating system    table end An operating system should be compatible with all applications that are installed on a computer. Before recommending an OS to your customer, investigate the types of applications that your customer will be using. If the computer will be part of a network, the operating system must also be compatible with the operating systems of the other computers in the network. The network type determines what operating systems are compatible. Microsoft Windows networks can have multiple computers using different versions of Microsoft operating systems. These are some guidelines that will help you determine the best operating system for your customer: list of 3 items • Does the computer have “off-the-shelf” applications or customized applications that were programmed specifically for this customer? If the customer will be using a customized application, the programmer of that application will specify which operating system is compatible with it. Most off-the-shelf applications specify a list of compatible operating systems on the outside of the application package. • Are the applications programmed for a single user or multiple users? This information will help you decide whether to recommend a desktop OS or a network OS. If the computer will be connected to a network, make sure to recommend the same OS platform that the other computers on the network use. • Are any data files shared with other computers, such as a laptop or home computer? To ensure compatibility of file formats, recommend the same OS platform that the other data file-sharing computers use. list end As an example, your customer may have a Windows network installed and wants to add more computers to the network. In this case, you should recommend a Windows OS for the new computers. If the customer does not have any existing computer equipment, the choice of available OS platforms increases. To make an OS recommendation, you will need to review budget constraints, learn how the computer will be used, and determine what types of applications will be installed.  5.3   Determine operating system based on customer needs       5.3.2   Determine minimum hardware requirements and compatibility with the OS platform    table end Operating systems have minimum hardware requirements that must be met for the OS to install and function correctly. Figure 1 is a chart of the minimum hardware requirements for Windows 2000, Windows XP Pro, and Windows XP Home operating systems. Identify the equipment that your customer has in place. If hardware upgrades are necessary to meet the minimum requirements for an OS, conduct a cost analysis to determine the best course of action. In some cases, it may be less expensive for the customer to purchase a new computer than to upgrade the current system. In other cases, it may be cost-effective to upgrade one or more of the following components: list of 4 items • RAM • Hard disk drive • CPU • Video adapter card  list end NOTE: In some cases, the application requirements may exceed the hardware requirements of the operating system. For the application to function properly, it will be necessary to satisfy the additional requirements. Once you have determined the minimum hardware requirements for an OS, you should ensure that all of the hardware in the computer is compatible with the operating system that you have selected for your customer. Hardware Compatibility List Most operating systems have a hardware compatibility list (HCL) that can be found on the manufacturer's website, as shown in Figure 2. These lists provide a detailed inventory of hardware that has been tested and is known to work with the operating system. If any of your customer’s existing hardware is not on the list, those components may need to be upgraded to match components on the HCL. NOTE: An HCL may not be continuously maintained and therefore may not be a comprehensive reference.   Worksheet Upgrade Components Research additional hardware components to upgrade a computer 5.4 Install an operating system  As a technician, you may have to perform a clean installation of an operating system. Perform a clean install in the following situations: list of 3 items • When a computer is passed from one employee to another • When the operating system is corrupted • When a new replacement hard drive is installed in a computer list end After completing this section, you will meet these objectives: list of 9 items • Identify hard drive setup procedures. • Prepare the hard drive. • Install the operating system using default settings. • Create user accounts. • Complete the installation. • Describe custom installation options. • Identify the boot sequence files and Registry files. • Describe how to manipulate operating system files. • Describe directory structures. list end  5.4   Install an operating system       5.4.1   Identify hard drive setup procedures    table end The installation and initial booting of the operating system is called the operating system setup. Although it is possible to install an operating system over a network from a server or from a local hard drive, the most common installation method is with CDs and DVDs. To install an OS from a CD or DVD, first configure the BIOS setup to boot the system from the CD or DVD. Partitioning and Formatting Before installing an operating system on a hard drive, the hard drive must be partitioned and formatted. When a hard drive is partitioned, it is logically divided into one or more areas. When a hard drive is formatted, the partitions are prepared to hold files and applications. During the installation phase, most operating systems automatically partition and format the hard drive. A technician should understand the process relating to hard drive setup. The following terms are used when referring to hard drive setup: list of 9 items • Primary partition – This partition is usually the first partition. A primary partition cannot be subdivided into smaller sections. There can be up to four partitions per hard drive. • Active partition – This partition is the partition used by the operating system to boot the computer. Only one primary partition can be marked active. • Extended partition – This partition normally uses the remaining free space on a hard drive or takes the place of a primary partition. There can be only one extended partition per hard drive, and it can be subdivided into smaller sections called logical drives. • Logical drive – This drive is a section of an extended partition that can be used to separate information for administrative purposes. • Formatting – This process prepares a file system in a partition for files to be stored. • Cluster – A cluster is also called a file allocation unit. It is the smallest unit of space used for storing data. • Track – A track is one complete circle of data on one side of a hard drive platter. A track is broken into groups of 512 bytes, called sectors. • Cylinder – A cylinder is a stack of tracks lined up one on top of another to form a cylinder shape. • Drive mapping – Drive mapping is a letter assigned to a physical or logical drive. list end Hard Drive Access Track Platter/ Disks Sector Intersector Gap Intertrack Gap Synchronization Information Error Correcting Code (ECC)  5.4   Install an operating system       5.4.2   Prepare hard drive    table end A clean installation of an operating system proceeds as if the disk were brand new; there is no attempt to preserve any information that is currently on the hard drive. The first phase of the installation process entails partitioning and formatting the hard drive. This process prepares the disk to accept the file system. The file system provides the directory structure that organizes the user's operating system, application, configuration, and data files. The Windows XP operating system can use one of two file systems: list of 2 items • File Allocation Table, 32-bit (FAT32) – A file system that can support partition sizes up to 2 TB or 2,048 GB. The FAT32 file system is supported by Windows 9.x, Windows Me, Windows 2000, and Windows XP. • New Technology File System (NTFS) – A file system that can support partition sizes up to 16 exabytes, in theory. NTFS incorporates more file system security features and extended attributes than the FAT file system. list end Figure 1 shows the steps required to partition and format a drive in Windows XP. Click the Start button in the lower right corner to see the hard drive setup steps.  Lab Install Windows XP Install Windows XP using FAT32 on a 5 GB partition    5.4   Install an operating system       5.4.3   Install the operating system using default settings    table end When installing Windows XP, the installation wizard gives the option to install using typical (default) settings or custom settings. Using the typical settings increases the likelihood of a successful installation. However, the user must still provide the following information during the setup: list of 9 items • Standards and formats that define currency and numerals • Text input language • Name of the user and company • Product key • Computer name • Administrator password • Date and time settings • Network settings • Domain or workgroup information list end When a computer boots up with the Windows installation CD, the Windows XP installation starts with three options: list of 3 items • Setup XP – To run the setup and install the XP operating system, press ENTER. • Repair XP – To repair an installation, press R to open the Recovery Console. • Quit – To quit Setup without installing Windows XP, press F3. list end For this section, select the Setup XP option.  5.4   Install an operating system       5.4.4   Create accounts    table end An administrator account is automatically created when Windows XP is installed. The default administrator account is named "administrator". For security purposes, change this name as soon as possible. This privileged account should only be used to manage the computer—it should not be used as a daily account. People have accidentally made drastic changes while using the administrator account instead of a regular user account. Attackers seek out the administrative account because it is so powerful. Create a user account when prompted during the installation process. Unlike the administrator account, user accounts can be created at any time. A user account has fewer permissions than the computer administrator. For example, users may have the right to read, but not modify, a file.  5.4   Install an operating system       5.4.5   Complete the installation    table end After the Windows installation copies all of the necessary operating system files to the hard drive, the computer will reboot and prompt you to log in for the first time. You must register Windows XP. As shown in Figure 1, you must also complete the verification that ensures that you are using a legal copy of the OS. Doing so will enable you to download patches and service packs. Performing this step requires a connection to the Internet. Depending on the age of the media at the time of your installation, there may be updates to install. As shown in Figure 2, you can use the Microsoft Update Manager from the Start menu to scan for new software and to do the following: list of 2 items • Install all service packs • Install all patches list end Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Windows Update You should also verify that all hardware is installed correctly. As shown in Figure 3, you can use Device Manager to locate problems and to install the correct or updated drivers using the following path: Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager In Device Manager, warning icons are represented by a yellow exclamation point or a red “X”. A yellow exclamation point represents a problem with the device. To view the problem description, right-click the device and select Properties. A red “X” represents a device that has been disabled. To enable the device, right-click the disabled device and select Enable. To open a category that is not yet expanded, click the plus (+) sign. NOTE: When Windows detects a system error, Windows reporting displays a dialog box. If you choose to send the report, then Microsoft Windows error reporting (WER) collects information about the application and the module involved in the error and sends the information to Microsoft.   Lab Windows XP User Accounts and Updates Create user accounts and check for Windows updates  5.4   Install an operating system       5.4.6   Describe custom installation options    table end Installing an operating system on a single computer takes time. Imagine the time it would take to install operating systems on multiple computers, one at a time, in a large organization. To simplify this activity, you can use the Microsoft System Preparation (Sysprep) tool to install and configure the same operating system on multiple computers. Sysprep prepares an operating system that will be used on computers with different hardware configurations. With Sysprep and a disk cloning application, technicians are able to quickly install an operating system, complete the last configuration steps for the OS setup, and install applications. Disk Cloning Disk cloning creates an image of a hard drive in a computer. Follow these steps for disk cloning: list of 4 items 1. Create a master installation on one computer. This master installation includes the operating system, software applications, and configuration settings that will be used by the other computers in the organization. 2. Run Sysprep. 3. Create a disk image of the configured computer using a third-party disk-cloning program. 4. Copy the disk image onto a server. When the destination computer is booted, a shortened version of the Windows setup program runs. The setup will create a new system security identifier (SID), install drivers for hardware, create user accounts, and configure network settings to finish the OS install. list end  5.4   Install an operating system       5.4.7   Identify the boot sequence files and Registry files    table end You should know the process that Windows XP uses when booting. Understanding these steps can help you to troubleshoot boot problems. Figure 1 shows the boot sequence for Windows XP. The Windows XP Boot Process To begin the boot process, you first turn on the computer, which is called a cold boot. The computer performs the power-on self test (POST). Because the video adapter has not yet been initialized, any errors that occur at this point in the boot process will be reported by a series of audible tones, called beep codes. After POST, the BIOS locates and reads the configuration settings that are stored in the CMOS. This configuration setting is the order in which devices will be tried to see if an operating system is located there. The BIOS boots the computer using the first drive that contains an operating system. Once the drive with the operating system is located, the BIOS locates the Master Boot Record (MBR). The MBR locates the operating system boot loader. For Windows XP, the boot loader is called NT Loader (NTLDR). NTLDR and the Windows Boot Menu At this point NTLDR controls several installation steps. For instance, if more than one OS is present on the disk, BOOT.INI gives the user a chance to select which one to use. If there are no other operating systems, or if the user does not make a selection before the timer expires, then the following steps occur: list of 4 items • NTLDR runs NTDETECT.COM to get information about installed hardware. • NTLDR then uses the path specified in the BOOT.INI to find the boot partition. • NTLDR loads two files that make up the core of XP: NTOSKRNL.EXE and HAL.DLL. • NTLDR reads the Registry files, chooses a hardware profile, and loads device drivers. list end The Windows Registry The Windows Registry files are an important part of the Windows XP boot process. These files are recognized by their distinctive names, which begin with HKEY_, as shown in Figure 2, followed by the name of the portion of the operating system under their control. Every setting in Windows—from the background of the desktop and the color of the screen buttons to the licensing of applications—is stored in the Registry. When a user makes changes to the Control Panel settings, File Associations, System Policies, or installed software, the changes are stored in the Registry. Each user has a unique section of the Registry. The Windows login process pulls system settings from the Registry to reconfigure the system to the state that it was in the last time that the user turned it on. The NT Kernel At this point, the NT kernel, the heart of the Windows operating system, takes over. The name of this file is NTOSKRNL.EXE. It starts the login file called WINLOGON.EXE and displays the XP welcome screen. NOTE: If a SCSI drive will boot the computer, Windows will copy the NTBOOTDD.SYS file during installation. This file will not be copied if SCSI drives are not being used. Boot Sequence for Windows XP Power On Self Test (POST) POST for each adapter card that has a BIOS BIOS reads the MBR MBR takes over control of the boot process and starts NTLDR NTLDR reads the BOOT.INI file to know which OS to load and where to find the OS on the boot partition NTLDR uses NTDETECT.COM to detect any installed hardware NTLDR loads the NTOSKRNL.EXE file and HAL.DLL NTLDR reads the registry files and loads device drivers NTOSKRNL.EXE starts the WINLOGON.EXE program and displays the Windows login screen  5.4   Install an operating system       5.4.8   Describe how to manipulate operating system files    table end After you have installed Windows XP, you may want to make changes to the configuration. The following applications are used extensively for post-installation modifications: list of 2 items • Msconfig – This boot configuration utility allows you to set the programs that will run at startup and to edit configuration files. It also offers simplified control over Windows Services, as shown in Figure 1. • Regedit – This application allows you to edit the registry, as shown in Figure 2. list end NOTE: REGEDT32 was used with Windows NT. In Windows XP, and Windows Server 2003, the REGEDT32 file is nothing more than a shortcut to the REGEDIT.EXE command. In Windows XP, you can enter REGEDT32.EXE or REGEDIT.EXE; both commands run the same program. CAUTION: Using REGEDT32.EXE or REGEDIT.EXE incorrectly may cause configuration problems that could require you to reinstall the operating system. Startup Modes You can boot Windows in one of many different modes. Pressing the F8 key during the boot process opens the Windows Advanced Startup Options menu, which allows you to select how to boot Windows. The following startup options are commonly used: list of 4 items • Safe Mode – Starts Windows but only loads drivers for basic components, such as the keyboard and display. • Safe Mode with Networking Support – Starts Windows identically to Safe Mode and also loads the drivers for network components. • Safe Mode with Command Prompt – Starts Windows and loads the command prompt instead of the GUI interface. • Last Known Good Configuration – Enables a user to load the configurations settings of Windows that was used the last time that Windows successfully started. It does this by accessing a copy of the registry that is created for this purpose. list end NOTE: Last Known Good Configuration is not useful unless it is applied immediately after a failure occurs. If the machine is restarted and, despite its difficulties, manages to open Windows, the registry key for Last Known Good Configuration will probably be updated with the faulty information.  5.4   Install an operating system       5.4.9   Describe directory structures    table end File Extensions and Attributes In Windows, files are organized in a directory structure. The root level of the Windows partition is usually labeled drive C:\. Next, there is an initial set of standardized directories, called folders, for the operating system, applications, configuration information, and data files. Following the initial installation, users can install most applications and data in whatever directory they choose. Files in the directory structure adhere to a Windows naming convention: list of 4 items • Maximum of 255 characters may be used. • Characters such as a period (.) or a slash (\ /) are not allowed. • An extension of three or four letters is added to the filename to identify the file type. • Filenames are not case sensitive. list end The following filename extensions are commonly used: list of 5 items • .doc – Microsoft Word • .txt – ASCII text only • .jpg – Graphics format • .ppt – Microsoft PowerPoint • .zip – Compression format list end The directory structure maintains a set of attributes for each file that controls how the file may be viewed or altered. These are the most common file attributes: list of 4 items • R – The file is read-only. • A – The file will be archived the next time that the disk is backed up. • S – The file is marked as a system file and a warning is given if an attempt is made to delete or modify the file. • H – The file is hidden in the directory display. list end The filenames, extensions, and attributes can be viewed by entering a DOS window and using the ATTRIB command, as shown in Figure 1. Use the following path: Start > Run > cmd Navigate to the folder that contains the file that you are interested in. Type ATTRIB followed by the file name. Use a wildcard such as *.* to view many files at once. The attributes of each file will appear in the left column of the screen. Information about the ATTRIB command can be found at the command prompt by typing: ATTRIB/? The Windows equivalent of the ATTRIB command can be accessed by right-clicking a file in Windows Explorer and choosing Properties. NOTE: To see the properties of a file in Windows Explorer, you must first set Windows Explorer to "Show Hidden Files". Use this path: Right-click Start > Explore > Tools > Folder Options > View NTFS and FAT32 Windows XP and Windows 2000 use FAT32 and NTFS file systems. Security is one of the most important differences between these file systems. NTFS can support more and larger files than FAT32 and provides more flexible security features for files and folders. Figures 2 and 3 shows the file permission properties for FAT32 and NTFS. Partitions can be converted from FAT32 to NTFS using the CONVERT.EXE utility. Doing this will provide the extra security advantages of NTFS. To restore an NTFS partition back to a FAT32 partition, reformat the partition and restore the data from a backup. CAUTION: Before converting a file system, remember to back up the data.  Worksheet FAT32 and NTFS Answer NTFS and FAT32 questions 5.5 Navigate a GUI (Windows)  The operating system provides a user interface that allows you to interact with the computer. There are two methods that you can use to navigate the file system and run applications within an operating system: list of 2 items • A Graphical User Interface (GUI) provides graphical representations (icons) of all of the files, folders, and programs on a computer. You manipulate these icons using a pointer that is controlled with a mouse or similar device. The pointer allows you to move icons by dragging and dropping, and execute programs by clicking. • A Command Line Interface (CLI) is text-based. You must type commands to manipulate files and execute programs. list end After completing this section, you will meet these objectives: list of 5 items • Manipulate items on the desktop. • Explore Control Panel applets. • Explore administrative tools. • Install, navigate, and uninstall an application. • Describe upgrading operating systems. list end the graphics are below it is the text from the windows screen Operating System Navigation Administrator Internet Internet Explorer My Documents E-mail Outlook Express My Recent Documents MSN Explorer My Pictures My Music Windows Media Player My Computer Windows Movie Maker Control Panel Tour Windows XP Printers and Faxes Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Help and Support Search All Programs Security Chapter Introduction Run... Log Off Start Turn Off Computer Recycle Bin 3: 05 PM  5.5   Navigate a GUI (Windows)       5.5.1   Manipulate items on the desktop    table end Once the operating system has been installed, the desktop can be customized to suit individual needs. A desktop on a computer is a graphical representation of a workspace. The desktop has icons, toolbars, and menus to manipulate files. The desktop can be customized with images, sounds, and colors to provide a more personalized look and feel. Desktop Properties To customize the GUI interface of your desktop, right-click the desktop and choose Properties, as shown in Figure 1. The Display Properties menu has five tabs: Themes, Desktop, Screen Saver, Appearance, and Settings. Click any of these tabs to customize your display settings. Desktop Items There are several items on the desktop that can be customized, such as the Taskbar and Recycle Bin. To customize any item, right-click the item and then choose Properties. Start Menu On the desktop, the Start menu is accessed by clicking the Start button. The Start menu, shown in Figure 2, displays all of the applications installed in the computer, a list of recently opened documents, and a listing of other elements, such as a search feature, help center, and system settings. The Start menu can also be customized. There are two styles of Start menu: XP and Classic. The XP-style Start menu will be used throughout this course for demonstrating command sequences. My Computer To access the various drives installed in the computer, double-click the My Computer icon that appears on the desktop. To customize certain settings, right-click My Computer and choose Properties. Settings that can be customized include the following: list of 5 items • Computer name • Hardware settings • Virtual memory • Automatic updates • Remote access list end Launching Applications Applications can be launched in several ways: list of 4 items • Click the application on the Start menu. • Double-click the application shortcut icon on the desktop. • Double-click the application executable file in My Computer. • Launch the application from the Run window or command line. list end My Network Places To view and configure network connections, right-click the My Network Places icon on the desktop. In My Network Places, you can connect to or disconnect from a network drive. Click Properties to configure existing network connections, such as a wired or wireless LAN connection  Lab Run Commands Explore CLI commands    5.5   Navigate a GUI (Windows)       5.5.2   Explore Control Panel applets    table end Windows centralizes the settings for many features that control the behavior and appearance of the computer. These settings are categorized in applets, or small programs, found in the Control Panel, as shown in Figure 1. Adding or removing programs, changing network settings, and changing the security settings are some of the configuration options available in the Control Panel. Control Panel Applets The names of various applets in the Control Panel differ slightly depending on the version of Windows installed. In Windows XP, the icons are grouped into categories: list of 10 items • Appearance and Themes – applets that control the look of windows: list of 3 items nesting level 1 • Display • Taskbar and Start menu • Folder options list end nesting level 1 • Network and Internet Connections – applets that configure all of the connection types: list of 2 items nesting level 1 • Internet options • Network connections list end nesting level 1 • Add or Remove Programs – an applet to add or remove programs and windows components safely • Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices – applets that control all of the settings for sound: list of 3 items nesting level 1 • Sounds and audio devices • Speech • Portable Media Devices list end nesting level 1 • Performance and Maintenance – applets to find information about your computer or perform maintenance: list of 4 items nesting level 1 • Administrative tools • Power options • Scheduled tasks • System list end nesting level 1 • Printers and Other Hardware – applets to configure devices connected to your computer: list of 6 items nesting level 1 • Game controllers • Keyboard • Mouse • Phone and modem options • Printers and faxes • Scanners and cameras list end nesting level 1 • User Accounts – applets to configure options for users and their e-mail: list of 2 items nesting level 1 • E-mail • User accounts list end nesting level 1 • Date, Time, Language, and Regional Options – applets to change settings based on your location and language: list of 2 items nesting level 1 • Date and time • Regional and language options list end nesting level 1 • Accessibility Options – a wizard used to configure windows for vision, hearing, and mobility needs • Security Center – applet used to configure security settings for: list of 3 items nesting level 1 • Internet options • Automatic updates • Windows firewall list end nesting level 1 list end Display Settings You can change the display settings by using the Display Settings applet. Change the appearance of the desktop by modifying the resolution and color quality, as shown in Figure 2. You can change more advanced display settings, such as wallpaper, screen saver, power settings, and other options, with the following path: Start > Control Panel > Display > Settings tab > Advanced  5.5   Navigate a GUI (Windows)       5.5.3   Explore administrative tools    table end Device Manager The Device Manager, shown in Figure 1, allows you to view all of the settings for devices in the computer. A common task for technicians is to view the values assigned for the IRQ, I/O address, and the DMA setting for all of the devices in the computer. To view the system resources in the Device Manager, use the following path: Start > Control Panel > System > Hardware > Device Manager > View > Resources Task Manager The Task Manager, shown in Figure 2, allows you to view all applications that are currently running and to close any applications that have stopped responding. The Task Manager allows you to monitor the performance of the CPU and virtual memory, view all processes that are currently running, and view information about the network connections. To view information in the Task Manager, use the following path: CTRL-ALT-DEL > Task Manager Event Viewer The Event Viewer, shown in Figure 3, logs a history of events regarding applications, security, and the system. These log files are a valuable troubleshooting tool. To access the Event Viewer, use the following path: Start > Control Panel > Administrative Tools > Event Viewer Remote Desktop The Remote Desktop allows one computer to remotely take control of another computer. This troubleshooting feature is only available with Windows XP Professional. To access the Remote Desktop, use the following path: Start > All Programs > Accessories > Communications > Remote Desktop Connection Performance Settings To enhance the performance of the operating system, you can change some of the settings that your computer uses, such as virtual memory configuration settings, which are shown in Figure 4. To change the virtual memory setting, use the following path: Start > Control Panel > System > Advanced > Performance area > Settings button  5.5   Navigate a GUI (Windows)       5.5.4   Install, navigate, and uninstall an application    table end As a technician, you will be responsible for adding and removing software from your customers' computers. Most applications use an automatic installation process when an application CD is inserted in the optical drive. The installation process updates the Add or Remove Programs utility. The user is required to click through the installation wizard and provide information when requested. Add or Remove Programs Applet Microsoft recommends that users always use the Add or Remove Programs utility, as shown in Figure 1, when installing or removing applications. When you use the Add or Remove Programs utility to install an application, the utility tracks installation files so that the application can be uninstalled completely, if desired. To open the Add or Remove Programs applet, use the following path: Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs Add an Application If a program or application is not automatically installed when the CD is inserted, you can use the Add or Remove Programs applet to install the application, as shown in Figure 2. Click the Add New Programs button and select the location where the application is located. Windows will install the application for you. Once the application is installed, the application can be started from the Start menu or a shortcut icon that the application installs on the desktop. Check the application to ensure that it is functioning properly. If there are problems with the application, make the repair or uninstall the application. Some applications, such as Microsoft Office, provide a repair option in the install process. You can use this function to try to correct a program that is not working properly. Uninstall an Application If an application is not uninstalled properly, you may be leaving files on the hard drive and unnecessary settings in the registry. Although this may not cause any problems, it depletes available hard drive space, system resources, and the speed at which the registry is read. Figure 3 shows the Add or Remove Programs applet to use to uninstall programs that you no longer need. The wizard will guide you through the software removal process and remove every file that was installed.  Lab Install Third-Party Software Install and remove an application  5.5   Navigate a GUI (Windows)       5.5.5   Describe upgrading an operating system    table end Sometimes it may be necessary to upgrade an operating system. Before upgrading the operating system, check the minimum requirements of the new operating system to ensure that the computer meets the minimum specifications required. Check the HCL to ensure that the hardware is compatible with the new operating system. Back up all data before upgrading the operating system in case there is a problem with the installation. The process of upgrading a computer system from Windows 2000 to Windows XP is quicker than performing a new installation of Windows XP. The Windows XP setup utility replaces the existing Windows 2000 files with Windows XP files during the upgrade process. However, the existing applications and settings will be saved. Upgrading the Operating System list of 6 items 1. Insert the Windows XP CD into the CD-ROM drive to start the upgrade process. Select Start > Run. 2. In the Run box, where D is the drive letter for the CD-ROM, type D:\i386\winnt32 and press Enter. The Welcome to the Windows XP Setup Wizard displays. 3. Choose Upgrade to Windows XP and click Next. The License Agreement page displays. 4. Read the license agreement and click the button to accept this agreement. 5. Click Next. The Upgrading to the Windows XP NTFS File System page displays. 6. Follow the prompts and complete the upgrade. When the install is complete, the computer will restart. list end NOTE: The Windows XP Setup Wizard may automatically start when the CD is inserted into the optical drive. 5.6 Identify and apply common preventive maintenance techniques for operating systems  Preventive maintenance for an operating system includes organizing the system, defragmenting the hard drive, keeping applications current, removing unused applications, and checking the system for errors. After completing this section, you will meet these objectives: list of 3 items • Create a preventive maintenance plan. • Schedule a task. • Backup the hard drive. list end  5.6   Identify and apply common preventive maintenance techniques for operating systems       5.6.1   Create a preventive maintenance plan    table end The goal of an operating system preventive maintenance plan is to avoid problems in the future. You should perform preventive maintenance regularly, and you should also record all actions taken and observations made. Some preventative maintenance should take place when it will cause the least amount of disruption to the people who use the computers. This often means scheduling tasks at night, early in the morning, or over the weekend. There are also tools and techniques that can automate many preventive maintenance tasks. Preventive Maintenance Planning Preventive maintenance plans should include detailed information about the maintenance of all computers and network equipment, with emphasis on equipment that could impact the organization the most. Preventive maintenance includes the following Important tasks: list of 5 items • Updates to the operating system and applications • Updates to anti-virus and other protective software • Hard drive error checking • Hard drive backup • Hard drive defragmentation list end A preventive maintenance program that is designed to fix things before they break, and to solve small problems before they affect productivity, can provide the following benefits to users and organizations: list of 4 items • Decreased downtime • Improved performance • Improved reliability • Decreased repair costs list end An additional part of preventive maintenance is documentation. A repair log will help you to figure out which equipment is the most or least reliable. It will also provide a history of when a computer was last fixed, how it was fixed, and what the problem was.  5.6   Identify and apply common preventive maintenance techniques for operating systems       5.6.2   Schedule a task    table end Some preventive maintenance consists of cleaning, inspecting, and doing minor repairs. Some preventive maintenance uses application tools that are either already in the operating system or can be loaded onto the user's hard drive. Most preventive maintenance applications can be set to run automatically according to a schedule. Windows has the following utilities that will launch tasks when you schedule them: list of 2 items • The DOS AT command launches tasks at a specified time using the command line interface. • The Windows Task Scheduler launches tasks at a specified time using a graphical user interface. list end Information about the AT command is available at this path: Start > Run > cmd Then type AT /? at the command line. Access the Windows Task Scheduler by following this path: Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Scheduled Tasks Both of these tools allow users to set commands to run at a certain time just once, or to repeat at selected days or times. The Windows Task Scheduler, shown in Figure 1, is easier to learn and use than the AT command, especially when it comes to recurring tasks and deleting tasks already scheduled. System Utilities There are several utilities included with DOS and Windows that help maintain system integrity. Two utilities that are useful tools for preventive maintenance are: list of 2 items • ScanDisk or CHKDSK – ScanDisk (Windows 2000) and CHKDSK (Windows XP) check the integrity of files and folders and scan the hard disk surface for physical errors. Consider using them at least once a month and also whenever a sudden loss of power causes the system to shut down. • Defrag – As files increase in size, some data is written to the next available space on the disk. In time, data becomes fragmented, or spread all over the hard drive. It takes time to seek each section of the data. Defrag gathers the noncontiguous data into one place, making files run faster. list end You can access both of these utilities by using this path: Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter Automatic Updates If every maintenance task had to be scheduled every time it was run, repairing computers would be much harder than it is today. Fortunately, tools such as the Scheduled Task Wizard allow many functions to be automated. But how can you automate the update of software that has not been written? Operating systems and applications are constantly being updated for security purposes and for added functionality. It is important that Microsoft and others provide an update service, as shown in Figure 2. The update service can scan the system for needed updates and then recommend what should be downloaded and installed. The update service can download and install updates as soon as they are available, or it can download updates as required, and install them when the computer is next rebooted. The Microsoft Update Wizard is available at this path: Start > Control Panel > System > Automatic Updates Most anti-virus software contains its own update facility. It can update both its application software and its database files automatically. This feature allows it to provide immediate protection as new threats develop. Restore Point An update can sometimes cause serious problems. Perhaps an older program is in the system that is not compatible with the current operating system. An automatic update may install code that will work for most users but does not work with your system. Windows Restore Point, shown in Figure 3, is the solution for this problem. Windows XP can create an image of current computer settings, called a restore point. Then, if the computer crashes, or an update causes system problems, the computer can roll back to a previous configuration. A technician should always create a restore point before updating or replacing the operating system. Restore points should also be created at the following times: list of 2 items • When an application is installed • When a driver is installed list end NOTE: A restore point backs up drivers, system files, and registry settings but not application data. To restore or create a restore point, use the following path: Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore ERD and ASR Windows 2000 offers the ability to create an emergency repair disk (ERD) that saves critical boot files and configuration information necessary to troubleshoot problems in Windows. Windows XP offers the same features with the Automated System Recovery (ASR) wizard. Although both ERD and ASR are powerful troubleshooting tools, they should never replace a good backup. A recovery CD contains the essential files used to repair the system after a serious issue, such as a hard drive crash. The recovery CD can contain the original version of Windows, hardware drivers, and application software. When the recovery CD is used, the computer will be restored to the original default configuration.  Lab Restore Point Create and execute a restore point  5.6   Identify and apply common preventive maintenance techniques for operating systems       5.6.3   Backup the hard drive    table end Just as the system restore points allow the restoration of OS configuration files, backup tools allow the recovery of data. You can use the Microsoft Backup Tool, shown in Figure 1, to perform backups as required. It is important to establish a backup strategy that includes data recovery. The organization's requirements will determine how often the data must be backed up and the type of backup to perform. It can take a long time to run a backup. If the back up strategy is followed carefully, it will not be necessary to backup every file at every backup. It is only necessary to make copies of the files that have changed since the last backup. For this reason, there are several different types of backup. Normal Backup A normal backup is also called a full backup. During a normal backup, all selected files on the disk are archived to the backup medium. These files are marked as having been archived by clearing the archive bit. Copy Backup A copy backup will copy all selected files. It does not mark the files as having been archived. Differential Backup A differential backup backs up all the files and folders that have been created or modified since either the last normal backup or the last incremental backup (see below). The differential backup does not mark the files as having been archived. Copies will be made from the same starting point until the next incremental or full backup is performed. Making differential backups is important because only the last full and differential backups are needed to restore all the data. Incremental Backup An incremental backup procedure backs up all the files and folders that have been created or modified since either the last normal or incremental backup. It marks the files as having been archived by clearing the archive bit. This has the effect of advancing the starting point of differential backups without having to re-archive the entire contents of the drive. If you have to perform a system restore, you would have to first restore the last full backup, then restore every incremental backup in order, and then restore any differential backups made since the last incremental backup. Daily Backup Daily backups only back up the files that are modified on the day of the backup. Daily backups do not modify the archive bit. To access the daily backup utility on a Windows XP Professional system, use the following path: Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Backup Backup Media There are many types of backup media available for computers: list of 4 items • Tape drives are devices that are used for data backup on a network server drive. Tapes drives are an inexpensive way to store a lot of data. • The Digital Audio Tape (DAT) tape standard uses 4 mm digital audiotapes to store data in the Digital Data Storage (DSS) format. • Digital Linear Tape (DLT) technology offers high-capacity and relatively high-speed tape backup capabilities. • USB flash memory can hold hundreds of times the data that a floppy disk can hold. USB flash memory devices are available in many capacities and offer better transfer rates than tape devices. list end   Lab Windows Backup and Recovery Backup and Restore a computer registry in Windows XP 5.7 Troubleshoot operating systems  Most operating systems contain utilities to assist in the troubleshooting process. These utilities help technicians determine why the computer crashes or does not boot properly. The utilities also help identify the problem and how to resolve it. Follow the steps outlined in this section to accurately identify, repair, and document the problem. The troubleshooting process is shown in Figure 1. After completing this section, you will meet these objectives: list of 2 items • Review the troubleshooting process. • Identify common problems and solutions. list end Troubleshooting Process 1 Gather Data from the Customer 2 Verify the Obvious Issues 3 Try Quick Solutions First 4 Gather Data from the Computer 5 Evaluate the Problem and Implement the Solution 6 Close with the Customer  5.7   Troubleshoot Operating Systems       5.7.1   Review the troubleshooting process    table end Operating system problems can result from a combination of hardware, application, and configuration issues. Computer technicians must be able to analyze the problem and determine the cause of the error in order to repair the operating system. This process is called troubleshooting. The first step in the troubleshooting process is to gather data from the customer. Figures 1 and 2 list open-ended and closed-ended questions to ask the customer. Once you have talked to the customer, you should verify the obvious issues. Figure 3 lists some issues for operating systems. After the obvious issues have been verified, try some quick solutions. Figure 4 lists quick solutions for operating systems. If quick solutions did not correct the problem, use Step 4 in the troubleshooting process to gather data from the computer. Figure 5 shows different ways to gather information about the problem from the computer. At this point, you will have enough information to evaluate the problem and to research and implement possible solutions. Figure 6 shows resources for possible solutions. After you have solved the operating system problem, you will close with the customer. Figure 7 is a list of the tasks required to complete this step. sample List of open-ended questions about the operating system. (This list is NOT comprehensive.) What problems are you experiencing with your computer or network? What software has been installed on your computer recently? What were you doing when the problem was identified? What operating system do you have installed on your computer? What updates or patches have been installed on your computer?  5.7   Troubleshoot Operating Systems       5.7.2   Identify common problems and solutions    table end Operating system problems can be attributed to hardware, application, or configuration issues, or to some combination of the three. You will resolve some types of operating system problems more often than others. Figure 1 is a chart of common operating system problems and solutions. this is the info from fig1 needs work Common Problems and Solutions Common Problems and Solutions Problem Symptom Possible Solution The computer displays the desktop in 16 color VGA mode after updating the video drivers Use the “Roll Back Driver” option to remove the new video driver Remove any unnecessary programs from the Startup tab and reboot the computer The computer will no longer boot to Windows and gives the error “Invalid systems disk” Remove any floppies and CDROMs from the computer and verify that the HDD is set as a bootable device in the BIOS setup The computer will not finish loading Windows Boot the computer in safe mode and uninstall any recently installed applications 5.8 Summary  This chapter introduced computer operating systems. As a technician, you should be skilled at installing, configuring, and troubleshooting an operating system. The following concepts from this chapter are important to remember: list of 6 items • There are several different operating systems available, and you must consider the customer's needs and environment when choosing an operating system. • The main steps in setting up a customer's computer include preparing the hard drive, installing an operating system, creating user accounts, and configuring installation options. • A GUI shows icons of all files, folders, and applications on the computer. A pointing device, such as a mouse, is used to navigate in a GUI desktop. • You should establish a backup strategy that allows for the recovery of data. Normal, copy, differential, incremental, and daily backups are all optional backup tools available in Windows operating systems. • Preventive maintenance techniques help to ensure optimal operation of the operating system. • Some of the tools available for troubleshooting an operating system problem include Windows Advanced Options menu, event logs, device manager, and system files. list end