What is system software and what are its parts?

Programs that control operation of computer

Two parts are operating systems utility programs

The functions of an operating system are? start up the computer provide user interface manage programs manage memory schedule jobs and

configure devices control a network

administer security access the Web monitor performance

and provide housekeeping

services

Where are operating systems found?

On the hard drive of an device that contains a hard drive

On ROM chips

What is booting a computer? Causing the computer to start executing

instructions. PCs and Macs contain built-in instructions in a ROM or flash memory chip that are automatically executed on startup. These instructions search for the operating system, load it and pass control to it.

What are the steps in the boot process from the time you turn on the computer until the OS interface appears?

How a PC boots

Step 1:

Power supply sends signal to components in system unit

Step 2:

The processor accesses BIOS to start computer

Processor

BIOS

processor

BIO

S

CD-ROM drive

Step 3:

BIOS checks components such as mouse, keyboard connectors, and expansion cards

expansion cards

expansion cards

Step 4:

Results of POST are compared to data in the CMOS chip

processor

BIO

S

CD-ROM drive

CMOS

expansion cards

Step 5:

BIOS looks for system files on drives such as the hard drive or CD/DVD drive

processor

BIO

S

hard disk

CD-ROM drive

CMOS

floppy disk drive

expansion cards

Drive that contains operating system is

called boot drive

Step 6: Boot program loads kernel of operating system into RAM from boot drive

processor

BIO

S

hard disk

CD-ROM drive

(RAM) memory modules

CMOS

floppy disk drive

Step 6

expansion cards

Operating system in memory takes control of computer

Step 7

Step 7: Operating system loads configuration information and displays desktop on screen

Operating system executes programs in StartUp folder

What are the two ways to boot a computer?

Cold boot - Starting the computer by turning power on. Turning power off and then back on again clears memory and many internal settings.

Warm boot - Restarting the computer by performing a reset operation (pressing reset, Ctrl-Alt-Del, etc.) while the computer is still turned on.

What are the three types of user interfaces?

Command Line

menu-driven interface

Graphic User Interface (GUI)

What are the three categories of operating systems?

Stand-alone Network Embedded

What are some of the common utility programs?

Backup utility File Manager Personal Firewall Software Uninstaller Disk Scanner Disk Defragmenter Performance Monitors