Chapter 5

Chapter 5

1. Operating System

   • OS Terms and Characteristics
     • To understand the capabilities of an operating system, it is important to first understand some basic terms. The following terms are often used when describing operating systems:
       • Multi-user - Two or more users have individual accounts that allow them to work with programs and peripheral devices at the same time. Multitasking - The computer is capable of operating multiple applications at the same time. Multiprocessing - The operating system can support two or more CPUs. Multithreading - A program can be broken into smaller parts that are loaded as needed by the operating system. Multithreading allows different parts of a program to be run at the same time.
     • Hardware Access- The OS manages the interaction between applications and the hardware. To access and communicate with each hardware component, the OS uses a program called a device driver. When a hardware device is installed, the OS locates and installs the device driver for that component. Assigning system resources and installing drivers are performed with a plug-and-play (PnP) process.
     • File and Folder Management The OS creates a file structure on the hard disk drive to store data. 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.
   • Custom Installation Options
     • Installing an OS on a single computer takes time. Imagine the time it would take to install operating systems on multiple computers, one at a time. To simplify this activity, you can use the Microsoft System Preparation (Sysprep) tool, as shown in the figure, to install and configure the same OS on multiple computers. Sysprep prepares the OS with different hardware configurations. With Sysprep and a disk cloning application, technicians can quickly install the OS, complete the last configuration steps, and install applications.
       • Disk Cloning Disk cloning creates an image of a hard drive in a computer. For disk cloning, follow these steps: Step 1. Create a master installation on one computer. This master installation includes the OS, software applications, and common configuration settings that will be used by the other computers in the organization. Step 2. Run Sysprep. Step 3. Create a disk image of the configured computer using a third-party disk-cloning program. Copy the disk image onto a server. When the destination computer is booted, a shortened version of the Windows setup program runs. The setup installs the drivers for the hardware components, creates user accounts, and configures network settings to finish the installation.
   • Customer Requirements for an Operating System
     • Understanding how a computer will be used is important when recommending an OS to a customer. The OS must be compatible with the existing hardware and the required applications. Before recommending an OS to a customer, investigate the types of applications that the customer will be using and whether new computers
       • Does the customer use off-the-shelf applications for this computer? Off-the-shelf applications specify a list of compatible operating systems on the application package. Does the customer use customized applications that were programmed specifically for the customer? If the customer is using a customized application, the programmer of that application specifies which OS to use.
   • Hard Drive Setup Procedures
     • As a technician, you might have to perform a clean installation of an OS. Perform a clean install in the following situations: When a computer is passed from one employee to another When the OS is corrupt When the primary hard drive is replaced in a computer The installation and initial booting of the OS is called the operating system setup.
       • Partitioning A hard drive is divided into specific areas called partitions. Each partition is a logical storage unit that can be formatted to store information, such as data files and applications. During the installation process, most operating systems automatically partition and format available hard drive space.
         • Primary partition - This primary partition containing the operating system files is usually the first partition. There can be up to four primary partitions per hard drive. A primary partition cannot be subdivided into smaller sections. Active partition - The OS uses the active partition to boot the computer. Only one primary partition per disk can be marked active. In most cases, the C: drive is the active partition and contains the boot and system files. Some users create additional partitions to organize files or to be able to dual-boot the computer.
   • Hard Drive Setup Procedures
     • A clean installation of an OS proceeds as if the disk were brand new. No information that is currently on the hard drive is preserved. The first phase of the installation process partitions and formats the hard drive. This process prepares the disk to accept the new file system. The file system provides the directory structure that organizes the user’s operating system, application, configuration, and data files.
       • Windows operating systems use one of these file systems: New Technology File System (NTFS) - Supports partition sizes up to 16 exabytes, in theory. NTFS incorporates more file system security features and extended attributes than the FAT file system. File Allocation Table, 32 bit (FAT32) - Supports partition sizes up to 2 TB or 2,048 GB. The FAT32 file system is used by Windows XP and earlier OS versions.
   • Custom Installation Options
     • A standard installation of Windows 7 is sufficient for most computers used in a home or small office environment. A custom installation of Windows 7 can save time and provide a consistent configuration across computers on a large network. When deploying Windows to multiple computers, technicians may elect to use a pre-installation environment such as Windows PE. Pre-installation environments are basic operating systems that enable a user to partition and format drives, or start an installation from a network.
       • Windows 7 has several different types of custom installations. Network Installation - Requires all setup files to be copied to a network server Preboot Execution Environment (PXE) Installation - Uses a PXE boot program and a client’s network card to access the setup files Unattended Installation - Uses a network distribution point that uses an answer file Image-based Installation - Uses Sysprep and a disk-imaging program, such as ImageX, that copies an image of the OS directly to the hard drive with no user intervention Remote Installation - Downloads the installation across the network. The installation can be requested by the user or forced on to a computer by an administrator.
   • Operating System Upgrades
     • An OS must be upgraded periodically to remain compatible with the latest hardware and software. It is also necessary to upgrade an OS when a manufacturer stops supporting it. Upgrading an OS can increase performance. New hardware products often require that the latest OS version be installed to operate correctly. While upgrading an OS may be expensive, you can gain enhanced functionality through new features and support for newer hardware.
       • Upgrade Advisor Microsoft provides a free utility called the Upgrade Advisor, which scans the system for hardware and software incompatibility issues in hardware before upgrading to newer editions of the Windows OS. The Upgrade Advisor creates a report of any problems and then guides you through the steps to resolve them. You can download the Upgrade Advisor from the Microsoft Windows website.