Ch. 5 – System Software: The Operating System, Utility Programs, and File Management Molly Lovette By: Molly Lovette

Operating System Fundamentals System software contains two primary types of programs: Operating System- group of programs that controls how your computer functions Utility Programs- small program that performs many of the general housekeeping tasks for your computer User interface- desktop, icons, and menus that let you communicate with your computer Operating system: ex) processor, memory, storage, printer, etc Utility programs: ex) system maintenance and file compression -OS controls how your computer system functions -you interact with your OS through the user interface Molly Lovette

What are the different kinds of operating systems? Common operating systems: -Every computer has an OS…even some phones, games consoles, cars, appliances Molly Lovette

Types of Operating Systems Real-time Operating System (RTOS): requires minimal user interaction Multi-user Operating System: provides access to a computer system by more than one user at a time RTOS=“Embedded System” MUOS=“Network OS” -smart phones have their own specific operating systems, which allow the user to multitask -tablets use operating systems that allow interaction with touch screen interfaces -gaming consoles use operating systems developed specifically for those particular devices Molly Lovette

What the Operating System does Types of User Interface: Command-driven interface- you enter commands to communicate with the computer system Menu-driven interface- you choose commands from menus displayed on the screen Graphical interface (GUI)- display graphics and use the point and click technology of the mouse and cursor -OS directs the flow of data and information through the computer system -command-driven was difficult for most (mainly used by business and professional computer operators); improved by incorporating menu-driven -menu-driven was easier but still not easy enough for all -GUIs are most common today/features Windows, menus, and icons/ much more user friendly Molly Lovette

Processor Management When you use your computer, you’re asking the processor to perform several tasks at once Interrupt- unique signal that computers generate that tells the OS that it’s in need of immediate attention Interrupt handler- a special numerical code that prioritizes the requests Preemptive multi-tasking- the OS processes the task assigned a higher priority before processing a lower one -EX) printing a document, listening to Spotify, sending an email at once…OS assigns slices of time to do each activity and it switches millions of times a second to make it appear that everything is happening at once -Interrupt EX) printing -Multi-tasking= when you have multiple requests, they are stored in the RAM (memory) until it can be processed Molly Lovette

Memory and Storage Management Storage areas: Random Access Memory (RAM) Virtual memory Swap file -Picture= RAM -When RAM runs out of storage, it goes to virtual memory -When more RAM is needed, the OS swaps out data and instructions that haven’t recently been used and moves them to the swap file Molly Lovette

Hardware and Peripheral Device Management Device driver- facilitates communication between the device and the OS Types of drivers: Plug and Play Other -devices couldn’t function without the proper device drivers because the OS wouldn’t know how to communicate with them -PnP= automatic -Other= insert driver and download it to computer Molly Lovette

The Boot Process Steps: 1. Activating the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) 2. Performing the Power-on Self-Test 3. Loading the OS 4. Checking Further Configurations and Customizations -Many things happen in the time that you turn on your computer and the time it’s ready to be used Molly Lovette

Step 1: Activating BIOS BIOS- the program that manages the exchange of data between the OS and all input and output devices attached Loads OS into RAM Molly Lovette

Step 2: Performing the Power-on Self-Test Power-on Self-Test (POST)- ensure that essential peripheral devices are attached and operational BIOS – POST – CMOS -BIOS compares results of POST with the various hardware configurations permanently stored in CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semi-conductor)= which is a special kind of memory that uses almost no power -if the results compare favorably, the boot process continues Molly Lovette

Step 3: Loading the OS BIOS searches for the drive that contains the system files OS loads into RAM -system files= main files of OS Molly Lovette

Step 4: Checking Further Configurations and Customizations OS checks the registry for the configuration of other system components Registry- contains all the different configurations (settings) used by the OS and other applications -registry= customized settings like mouse speed, which programs are loaded first, etc. Molly Lovette

The Windows Interface The Start Screen provides your first interaction with the OS and with access to your computer’s apps, tools, and commonly used programs -touch screen, app bars, charm bars (special shortcuts) Molly Lovette

File Management Windows organizes the contents of your computer in a hierarchical directory structure composed of drives, libraries, folders, subfolders, and files. Root Directory (C: Drive)- where you permanently store most of your files File explorer- helps you manage your files and folders by showing the location and contents of every drive, folder, and file on your computer Navigation pane- shows contents of computer Details pane- files and folders of particular area displayed -provides organization to your computer’s content -C drive= large filing cabinet where all files are stored -File explorer= main tool for finding, viewing, and managing the contents of your computer -TIP= creating folders is the key to being organized Molly Lovette

Naming Files Common File Name Extensions: .docx .xlsx .accdb .pptx .pdf .rtf .txt .htm or .html .jpg .zip Molly Lovette

Saving a File Create a file name and designate where you want to save it Documents for files Music for audio files Pictures for graphic files Videos for video files Determine the location of a file by its file path Starts with the drive in which the file is located and includes all folders, subfolders, file name, and the extension C:\Documents\H=CIS\Term Paper\Illustrations\Mlovette.jpg. -example of what a file path may look like Molly Lovette

Utility Programs Types of Utility Programs: 1. Those included with the OS 2. Stand-alone programs 3. Freeware -Utility programs= small applications that perform special functions on the computer System restore Norton antivirus Anti-malware software like Ad-Aware from Lavasoft Molly Lovette

The Jobs of Windows Utility Programs File Explorer File Compression: reduces file size Disk Clean-up: removes unnecessary files from your hard drive Error-Checking: checks your hard drive for unnecessary or damaged files Task Manager and Resource Monitor: displays performance measures for processes; provides information on programs and processes running on your computer Disk Defragmenter: rearranges files on your hard drive to allow for faster access of files System Restore: restores your system to a previous, stable state File History, File Recovery: backs up important files, makes a complete mirror image of your current computer setup -some of these contain stand-alone alternatives as well Molly Lovette

Operating System Song Molly Lovette

Worksheet Answers Operating System and Utility Programs Command driven interface- you enter commands to communicate with computer systems; Menu driven interface- choose commands from menus displayed on screen; Graphical interface- display graphics and use point and click technology of the mouse and cursor Activating BIOS, Performing the Power-on Self Test, Loading the OS, Checking Further Configurations and Customizations Its file path- starts where the drive is located and includes all folders, subfolders, file name, and extension To facilitate communication between the device and the OS Molly Lovette

Answers (continued) 6. .docx .xlsx .accdb .pptx .pdf .rtf .txt .htm .html .jpg .zlp 7. File Explorer File Compression: reduces file size Disk Clean-up: removes unnecessary files from your hard drive Error-Checking: checks your hard drive for unnecessary or damaged files Task Manager and Resource Monitor: displays performance measures for processes; provides information on programs and processes running on your computer Disk Defragmenter: rearranges files on your hard drive to allow for faster access of files System Restore: restores your system to a previous, stable state File History, File Recovery: backs up important files, makes a complete mirror image of your current computer setup Molly Lovette

THE END Molly Lovette