meljun cortes computer organization lecture chapter13 windows

Chapter 13

Understanding Windows

MELJUN CORTESMELJUN CORTES

© 2007 The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved

OverviewIn this chapter, you will learn to

Explain the Windows interface

Identify the features and characteristics of Windows 2000 and Windows XP

Describe the current versions of Windows

EssentialsCompTIA A+Essentials


Windows InterfaceAll versions share common look and feel

Utilities same or similar

GUI works the same

Command-line interface has similar commands

Master one, and you’re well on your way to mastering them all


User InterfaceLogin

Every version of Windows supports multiple usersRequiring a user login increases security

DesktopPrimary interface to the computer


User InterfaceTaskbar and Start menu

Runs along the bottom of the desktop and includes up to four sections Start menu allows access to the installed programs System tray shows programs running in the background Quick Launch enables you to launch often-used programs with a single click


User InterfaceMy Computer

Provides access to drives, folders, and files

Customizable: Can display different views, show hidden files, hide file extensions, and more


User InterfaceWindows Explorer

Another utility for accessing drives, folders, and files

My DocumentsMy Pictures, My Music, My Videos


User InterfaceRecycle Bin

Deleted files sent to Recycle BinCan retrieve them if desiredSize can be adjusted

My Network PlacesShows the current network

connections available


Hot Keys

Working with textF1 HelpF2 RenameF3 Search MenuF4 Open the Address

Bar

F5 Refresh current window

F10 Activate menu bar options

CTRL-C CopyCTRL-X CutCTRL-V PasteCTRL-Z UndoCTRL-B BoldCTRL-U UnderlineCTRL-I Italic

• Function keys


Hot KeysPopular hot keys

CTRL-ESC Open Start menuALT-TAB Switch between open programsALT-F4 Quit programCTRL-Z Undo the last commandCTRL-A Select all the items in the current windowSHIFT-DELETE

Delete item permanently

SHIFT-F10 Open shortcut menuSHIFT Bypass Autorun for CDsALT-SPACE Display system menuALT-ENTER Open propertiesCTRL-SHIFT-ESC

Launch Task Manager


Hot KeysWindows key shortcuts

Open Start menu-R Open Run command-BREAK Open system properties-D Show desktop-M Minimize all windows-E Open My Computer-L Lock computer-F Search for file or menu


Tech Utilities: Right-Click Also called:

Alt menuContext menu

Works almost everywhere

Properties selection very common


Tech Utilities: Control Panel Handles maintenance, upgrade, and configuration aspects of

Windows

Start | Settings | Control Panel

Contains many mini-programs, called applets

Any icon in the Control Panel is a file with a CPL extension If Control Panel won’t start, one of these is probably corrupt—rename each one

until you find the bad one


Tech Utilities: Control Panel• Category view • Classic view


Tech Utilities: Device Manager

Device Manager Used to configure hardware and drivers

Devices are organized in special groups called types

Access through System applet in Control Panel Properties of My Computer -Break Computer Management



Device Manager Used to configure hardware and drivers

Access through System applet in Control Panel Properties of My Computer -Break Computer Management



Device Manager Devices are organized in special

groups called types

Problems identified with red “X” or a yellow exclamation point

Can also update drivers here


Tech Utilities: System ToolsSystem Tools is a collection of tech utilities found on the

Start menuStart | Programs | Accessories | System Tools


Tech Utilities: Command LineCommand line

Start | Run | cmdNot DOSDOS is dead, but CLI thrives

IT TechnicianCompTIA A+Technician

IT Technician

Microsoft Management Console


Tech Utilities: MMCMicrosoft Management Console (MMC)

Shell program - holds utilities called snap-insStart | Run | mmcStarts with blank console

Add snap-ins: File | Add/Remove Snap-ins | Add Save the new customized console you created


Tech Utilities: Administrative Tools

Administrative ToolsA folder that holds many predefined MMC consoles built by

MicrosoftControl Panel | Administrative ToolsThe three most used

Administrative Tools are Computer Management Event Viewer Performance


Tech Utilities: Computer ManagementComputer Management

A predefined MMC that pulls together snap-ins related to many computer management options


Tech Utilities: Event ViewerEvent Viewer

Keeps track of events that happen with your computer


Tech Utilities: PerformancePerformance

System Monitor shows real-time dataPerformance Logs and Alerts—captured data


ServicesServices

Separate programs that handle functions in Windows

Double-click any service to examine its properties and settings

Services start Automatically Manually May be disabled


OS FoldersSystem folder

Folder where the OS files were installed%systemroot%

Typically C:\Windows in XP, C:\Winnt in 2000


Other Important FoldersC:\Program Files

C:\Documents and Settings

C:\WINNT

C:\WINNT\FONTS

C:\WINNT\SYSTEM32


What Is the Registry?Registry

A unified database

Stores all hardware and software configuration info for the local computer

Data stored in Registry files called hives

In %SystemRoot%\System32\Config folder

Rarely modify directly

Instead modify via Control Panel or other administrative tools


Registry EditorsRegedit

Older version—Allowed easy searchesRegedt32

Newer version—better for modifying Registry

Combined version in XP and Vista

When using the Registry Editors, be very careful!Does not recognize syntax or semantic errorsMay prevent your operating system from loading


REGEDIT


Registry Editors• REGEDIT in

Windows 2000

• Regedt32 in Windows 2000


Combined in XPTyping Regedit or Regedt32 launches same program in XP


Registry ComponentsHKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Defines standard

class objects

HKEY_CURRENT_USER Personalized information for current user

HKEY_USERS Generalized information for all users

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE General hardware configuration info

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG Hardware information for this boot


Swap File or Page File All versions of Windows use virtual memory

Also known as RAM cache

Windows swap files are used to implement virtual memory

Allows the system to work as though it has more memory than it doesUses drive for extra memory


Virtual MemoryMore programs

More RAM

At some pointno more physical RAM available


Virtual MemoryPrograms swapped out

of RAM to hard drive

New programs can nowbe run in physical RAM

Features and Characteristics of Windows NT/2000/XP


OS OrganizationWindows operating system separated into different

components

The subsystems

The NT Executive

The drivers


Robust, scalable, cross-platform

RobustSeparates processes and runs them in

different subsystemsOne program bug doesn’t affect others

Cross-platformUses object-oriented approach Designed to support multiple platforms by

using HALAbstracts (separates) differences in hardware

ScalableSupports symmetric multiprocessing (SMP) Allows support for up to 32 CPUs


NT File System (NTFS)Robust and powerful

Long filenames containing up to 255 characters

Redundancy Advanced FAT called the master file table (MFT)

Backward-compatible with DOS and Windows 9x

Recoverability Uses transaction logging to survive accidental shutdowns

Security Allows file and folder security


NTFS Security OverviewImplemented with

Users, groups, permissions

Files and folders can be restrictedPermissions granted to user or groupUser can gain access based on own user accountUser can gain access based on group membership


NTFS SecurityAccounts

Every user has an accountWithout an account, can’t log on

Every Windows NT/2000 PC has an Administrator account that has full access to everything


NTFS SecurityGroups

A group is a collection of user accounts that share the same access capabilities

Assign access to a group and then put users into the group

Users will inherit the access assigned to the group

Windows provides several built-in groups


Built-in GroupsAdministrators

May perform all administrative tasks on the computer

Backup OperatorsMay use Windows Backup

GuestsMay perform only specific tasks

that are granted

Guest account is a member

Power UsersMay create and modify local user

accounts and share resources on the local computer

ReplicatorSupports file replication in a

domainUsers

May perform only tasks specifically assigned

Local user accounts that are created become members

Everyone


NTFS PermissionsNTFS permissions in 2000/XP

Lists users and groups granted access to a file or folder

Lists the specific level of access allowed

Available only on volumes formatted as NTFS (Security tab)

NTFS security is effective whether a user Gains access at the computer Gains access over the network


NTFS Special PermissionsOwnership

When you create a new file or folder you become the ownerOwners have full controlOwners can change permissions

Take Ownership permissionEnables a user to take ownership of a file or folderAdministrator account can take ownership of any files

Change PermissionCan give or take away permissions for other accounts


NTFS Standard PermissionsFolder permissions

Apply to folders

File permissionsApply to files


NTFS Folder PermissionsFull Control

Enables you to do anything you wantTo deny all access, deny Full Control

ModifyCannot delete files or subfolders but may

modify them

Read & ExecuteEnables read files and run programs


NTFS Folder PermissionsList Folder Contents

Enables you to see the contents of the folder and subfolders

ReadEnables you to read any files in the folder

WriteEnables you to write to files and create new files and folders


NTFS Folder Permissions• By default,

permissions are inherited from parent folders

– This may be prevented by removing the check mark at the bottom


NTFS File PermissionsFull Control

Enables you to do anythingModify

Enables you to do anything except take ownership or change permissions

Read & ExecuteIf the file is a program, you can run it

ReadIf the file is data, you can read it

WriteEnables you to write to the file


Combining PermissionsUser’s effective permissions are the cumulative permissions resulting from a

combination of user and group permissions.

Sally is in Administrator group

Sally has Read permission on a folder

Administrator has Full Control on the folder

Sally’s effective permission is Full ControlCumulative from Full Control and Read

Deny permission overrides all other permissions. Deny always becomes the effective permission.


The Boot ProcessNT Loader manages the booting process

Windows 2000/XP boot files that must be in the root directory of the system partition are NTLDR (NT Loader) BOOT.INI NTDETECT.COM NTBOOTDD.SYS (only needed for SCSI controllers that don’t have their own

ROM BIOS)

System Partition Active partition (typically C: drive)

Boot Partition Where OS files located (X:\Windows on XP)


The Boot ProcessAfter POST, BIOS looks for valid OS in the

boot sector

MFT (on boot sector) points to system files

NTOSKRNL loads device drivers and loads system files

System files (NTLODR, NTDETECT, BOOT.INI) start the PC and point to boot files

GUI starts to load


Boot Files: NTLDRNTLDR (NT Loader) manages the boot-up process until

control is handed over to NTOSKRL (NT kernel)

To find available operating systems, NTLDR reads the boot.ini file

If multiple OSs are available, a menu shows up


Boot Files: BOOT.INI

BOOT.INI is a text file that lists the available OSs and where to find the boot partition


More Boot FilesBOOTSEC.DOS is read by NTLDR if it finds a different OS

to load

NTDETECT.COM detects the hardware if you choose to boot to NT/2000/XP

NTBOOTDD.SYS is used if NTLDR detects that the boot partition resides on a SCSI drive that lacks a ROM chip for BIOS support


Windows VersionsWindows comes in families

Different versions targeted at different market segments

Windows 2000 familyWindows 2000 Professional (desktop)Windows 2000 Server


Windows XP FamilyXP Professional

Fully functional versionIntended for corporate users

XP HomeDesigned for home and small office useMany unneeded features not available

XP Media CenterSame as XP Home with additional media features


Windows 64-Bit VersionsWindows XP 64-bit Edition

Runs only on Intel Itanium processors

Windows XP Professional x64 EditionRuns on any AMD or Intel processor that supports both 32 bits

and 64 bits


Windows VistaWindows Vista Home Basic

Similar to XP HomeWindows Vista Home Premium

Similar to XP Media CenterWindows Business

Basic Business version similar to XP ProfessionalWindows Vista Enterprise

Available only to large corporate buyers Windows Vista Ultimate

Includes all features of any versionAdds some features such as game performance “tweaker” and

DVD ripping


Other WindowsWindows Mobile

PDAs and phones

Windows XP Tablet PCLaptop with a touch screen

Windows EmbeddedOS embedded into devices

meljun cortes computer organization lecture chapter13 windows

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