Introducing Operating Systems
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
Directories can contain subdirectories and files Directory table: lists subdirectories and files Root directory: directory for a logical drive; e.g., C:\ Path: drive, directories, filename, and file extension
Example: C:\wp\data\myfile.txt points to myfile
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Figure 2-15 A hard drive is organized into directories and subdirectories that contain files
Figure 2-18 Use the Windows 2000/XP Disk Management utility to see how a hard drive is partitioned
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An OS Manages Applications
The OS installs and runs all other PC software Application: software providing services for users Applications rely on the OS for support operations
Example: MS word relies on OS to manage memory
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32-bit programs
Written for Windows NT/2000/XP and Windows 9x/Me
64-bit programs
Written for Windows XP Professional x64 Edition
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An OS Manages Hardware
OS interacts with hardware using drivers or BIOS Software falls into three categories:
Device drivers or the BIOS Operating system Application software
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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
Configure BIOS device interaction in CMOS setup The OS may use system BIOS to access devices Disadvantage of using BIOS device management
BIOS does not operate as fast as device drivers
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16-bit program in real mode has direct access to RAM The OS controls memory access in protected mode
The address spaces of a program is protected Virtual memory expands number of running programs
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Figure 2-27 Protected mode allows more than one program to run, each protected from the other by the operating system
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System Properties
Two ways to open utility:
Right-click My Computer and select Properties Click the System applet in the Control Panel
Control Panel
Contains applets used to manage the system Accessing Control Panel in Windows XP
Click Start and the click Control Panel
Two views: Category View and Classic View Applets can be launched via the Run dialog box
Example: enter Main.cpl to open Mouse Properties
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Device Manager
Primary graphical tool for solving hardware problems Primary screen displays a list of devices
Right click Properties to view device details
Figure 2-47 Windows XP Device Manager gives information about devices and allows you to uninstall a device
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System Information
Used to view detailed information about the system Important features
BIOS version you are using The directory where the OS is installed How system resources are used Information about drivers and their status
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Microsoft Web site: http://support.microsoft.com Use search engine to locate alternative resources
Ensure that the alternative site is reputable
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Figure 2-51 Troubleshooter making a suggestion to resolve a problem with using the modem to connect to the Internet
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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
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Summary (continued)
OS functions: providing a user interface, managing files, managing applications, and managing hardware Windows desktop: primary graphical interface to OS Windows Explorer: used to navigate directory and manipulate files and folders Other tools: System Properties, Control Panel, Device Manager, System Information, and Windows Help Keystroke shortcuts provide a way to perform tasks without a mouse
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