Chapter 3: Configuring the Windows Vista Environment

Windows Vista Management Utilities Microsoft Management Console Registry Editor Device Manager 2/14

Microsoft Management Console Type MMC in Search box Framework to organize and standardize administrative tools – “snap-ins” Author mode and three User modes 3/14

Microsoft Management Console Modes Author Mode –Author mode allows all MMC functions User Mode – Full Access –Full functionality, but cannot add or remove snap-ins or change console properties User Mode – Limited Access, Multiple Window –Allows users to create new windows, but not close existing windows. Limited to the console tree as last saved. User Mode – Limited Access, Single Mode –Allows users to access only the areas of the console that were visible when last saved. Can not create new windows 4/14

Microsoft Management Console 5/14

Registry Editor Allows access to Registry REGEDIT 6/14

Registry Editor Registry –The database used by the operating system to store configurations information. –Regedit should only be used for advanced configuration, by users with advanced knowledge. Most configuration should be done with Control Panel. 7/14

Registry Editor Registry Keys –HKEY_CURRENT_USER Configuration information for the user who is currently logged in. –HKEY_USERS Configuration information for all users of the computer HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE Computer Hardware information, regardless of who is logged in. HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT Configuration information used for Windows Explorer to associate file types with apps. HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG Configuration of the hardware profile used during system startup. 8/14

Device Manager Used to –View a list of all hardware that is installed on your computer –Determine and update device drivers –Change hardware settings –Disable, enable, and uninstall devices –Use driver rollback –Troubleshoot devices –Print a summary of devices 9/14

Device Manager 10/14

Managing Device Drivers Hardware installed –Plug and Play Devices Automatic and dynamic recognition of hardware that is installed Automatic resource allocation or reallocation –Non-Plug and Play Devices (Legacy) Vista supports non-plug and play devices, and you will have to configure resources manually as always. IRQ, I/O, Memory, DMA 11/14

Managing Device Drivers To Update Device Drivers –System Tools > Device Manager in Computer Management –Right-click device, choose properties, click Driver tab –Update Driver… button starts Update Wizard You can also Roll Back a driver to the Previous, if need be 12/14

Troubleshooting If Device Manager detects a problem with a device, the following icons will appear. –A Blue i indicates that Automatic settings has been disabled, in place of manual configuration –A Black down arrow indicates that the device is recognized by Vista but disabled. –A Black exclamation point indicates the device has a problem and may not be working 13/14

Managing Disk Devices Hard Disk Drives –See Chapter 7 DVD, CD-ROM –Double-click device name in Device Manager 14/14

Managing Display Devices 15/14

Managing Display Devices Configuring Video Adapters –Configure Resolution, Color Selection, etc. –Multiple Display support If built in display adapter, install Vista first before second adapter. 16/14

Power Management Particularly useful for laptops –Configured by going to Control Panel, System and maintenance, Power Options Vista includes a Battery Meter to manage power consumption. –Visual indication of the amount of charge left. Red Circle with an X indicates to change power source. –Clicking on Meter is a shortcut to switch between Power Plans. 17/14

Power Management Built-in power plans –Controls the trade-off between quick computer access and power savings. –Balanced Display after 20 minutes, PC after 1 hour –Wireless stays in high performance –Power saver Same as balanced, but also Hard Drive after 20 minutes of idle. –High Performance Display after 20 minutes, but nothing else. Create custom power plan –Based on one of the built-in power plans 18/14

Power Options 19/14

Advanced Power Settings Monitor, hard disk, and sleep settings –Sleep leaves data in volatile RAM –Hibernate will copy to non-volatile drive Require a password on wakeup Power button and lid actions –Do nothing, shut down, or sleep Multimedia settings 20/14

ReadyBoost / ReadyDrive ReadyBoost –Uses non-volatile flash drive as an additional cache of memory if the system runs out of RAM –When flash drive is installed, select this option ReadyDrive –Uses the fash drive to recover from hibernation quickly, because it’s faster than a mechanical hard drive. 21/14

Windows Vista Services A service is a program, routine, or process that performs a specific function within the Windows Vista operating system. There are a variety of ways to manage services, but usually though Control Panel >Administrative Tools 22/14

Managing Windows Vista Services 23/14

Windows Vista Services The Services Window will list information such as: –The Service Name –A description of the Service –Start-up Type of the Service Manual, Automatic, Automatic (delayed start), or Disabled –Status of the Service 24/14