Chapter 2 Introducing Operating Systems

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
2

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

3

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
4

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

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
6

Figure 2-18 Use the Windows 2000/XP Disk Management utility to see how a hard drive is partitioned
7

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

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
9

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

10

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

11

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

12

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

13

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

14

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 manufacturers site
15

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

16

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
17

Figure 2-27 Protected mode allows more than one program to run, each protected from the other by the operating system
18

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

19

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
20

Figure 2-28 The Windows XP desktop and Start menu

21

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
22

Figure 2-41 Create a new file using Windows Explorer

23

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
24

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

25

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
26

Figure 2-47 Windows XP Device Manager gives information about devices and allows you to uninstall a device
27

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

28

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

29

Figure 2-51 Troubleshooter making a suggestion to resolve a problem with using the modem to connect to the Internet
30

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

31

Summary
The OS manages system resources for users and applications DOS (disk operating system): early commanddriven 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

32

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
33