1. Introduction to Computing Slides By ADEELA MUSTAFA

2. Operating Systems & Utility Programs (8 th –Chapter) What Is System Software System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer’s hardware. Two types of system software are operating systems and utility programs. Operating Systems An operating system (OS) is a set of programs containing instructions that work together to coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources. Most operating systems perform similar functions that include starting and shutting down a computer, providing a user interface, managing programs, managing memory, coordinating tasks, configuring devices, establishing an Internet connection, monitoring performance, providing file management and other utilities, and automatically updating itself.

3. Windows-OS Operating Systems & Utility Programs Apple-OS

4. Operating Systems & Utility Programs Figure 8-1 Most operating systems perform similar functions, which are illustrated with the latest version of Windows in this figure.

5. Operating Systems & Utility Programs An operating system can run from an optical disc and/or flash memory mobile media, in most cases, the operating system is installed and resides on the computer’s hard disk. On handheld computers and many mobile devices such as smart phones, the operating system may reside on a ROM chip. The operating system that a computer uses sometimes is called the platform. A cross-platform program is one that runs the same on multiple operating systems. Operating System Functions Many different operating systems exist, designed for all types of computers. Regardless of the size of the computer, however, most operating systems provide similar functions. The operating system handles many of these functions automatically, without requiring any instructions from a user.

6. Operating Systems & Utility Programs Starting and Shutting Down a Computer The process of starting or restarting a computer is called booting. When turning on a computer that has been powered off completely, you are performing a cold boot. A warm boot, by contrast, is the process of using the operating system to restart a computer. A warm boot properly closes any running processes and programs; however, it does not save any unsaved work. Thus, always remember to save your work before rebooting (restarting) a computer. With Windows, you can perform a warm boot by clicking the Start button on the taskbar, clicking the arrow next to the Shut down button on the Start menu, and then clicking Restart.

7. Operating Systems & Utility Programs Worm-Boot

8. Operating Systems & Utility Programs Cold Boot ( Using Windows ) Step 1: When you turn on the computer, the power supply sends an electrical signal to the components in the system unit. Step 2: The charge of electricity causes the processor chip to reset itself and find the ROM chip(s) that contains the BIOS. The BIOS (pronounced BYE-ose), which stands for basic input/output system, is firmware that contains the computer’s startup instructions.

9. Operating Systems & Utility Programs Step 3: The BIOS executes a series of tests to make sure the computer hardware is connected properly and operating correctly. The tests, collectively called the power-on self test (POST ), check the various system components including the buses, adapter cards, RAM chips, mouse, keyboard, and drives. As the POST executes, LEDs (tiny lights) flicker on devices such as the disk drives and keyboard. Beeps also may sound, and messages may appear on the screen. Step 4: The POST results are compared with data in a CMOS chip. CMOS is a technology that uses battery power to retain information when the computer is off. he CMOS chip stores configuration information about the computer, such as the amount of memory; type of disk drives, keyboard, and monitor; the current date and time; and other startup information. It also detects any new devices connected to the computer. If any problems are identified, the computer may beep, display error

10. Operating Systems & Utility Programs messages, or cease operating — depending on the severity of the problem. Step 5: If the POST completes successfully, the BIOS searches for specific operating system files called system files. The BIOS may look first to see if a USB flash drive plugged in a USB port or a disc in an optical disc drive contains the system files, or it may look directly on drive C (the designation usually given to the first hard disk) for the system files. Step 6: Once located, the system files load into memory (RAM) from storage (usually the hard disk) and execute. Next, the kernel of the operating system loads into memory. Then, the operating system in memory takes control of the computer. Step 7: The operating system loads system configuration information. In the latest Windows versions, the registry consists of several files that contain the system configuration information.

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13. Stand-Alone Operating Systems A stand-alone operating system is a complete operating system that works on a desktop computer, notebook computer, or mobile computing device. Some stand-alone operating systems are called client operating systems because they also work in conjunction with a server operating system. Client operating systems can operate with or without a network. Other stand-alone operating systems include networking capabilities, allowing the home and small business user to set up a small network. Examples of currently used stand-alone operating systems are Windows 7, Mac OS X, UNIX, and Linux.

14. Operating Systems & Utility Programs Windows 7 In the mid-1980’s, Microsoft developed its first version of Windows, which provided a graphical user interface (GUI). Since then, Microsoft continually has updated its Windows operating system, Most users choose one of these Windows 7 editions: Windows 7 Starter, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Ultimate, or Windows 7 Professional.

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17. Windows 7 Starter designed for netbooks and other small notebook computers, uses the Windows 7 Basic interface and allows users easily to search for files, connect to printers and devices, browse the Internet, join home networks, and connect to wireless networks. This edition of Windows typically is preinstalled on new computers and not available for purchase in retail stores. Windows 7 Home Premium includes all the capabilities of Windows 7 Starter and also includes Windows Aero with its Aero Flip 3D feature.It also provides tools to create and edit high-definition movies, record and watch television shows, connect to a game console, and read from and write on Blu-ray Discs.

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19. With Windows 7 Aero Flip 3D, users flip through windows by rolling the wheel on their mouse.

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21. Mac OS X Since it was released in 1984 with Macintosh computers, Apple’s Macintosh operating system has set the standard for operating system ease of use and has been the model for most of the new GUIs developed for non-Macintosh systems. The latest version, Mac OS X, is a multitasking operating system available only for computers manufactured by Apple. Mac OS X includes these features: (1)New desktop search technology, (2) Dashboard, a desktop area for mini-programs called widgets, (3) Built-in, fast Web browser, (4) Parental controls, (5) Improved backup utility, called Time Machine, (6) Accessibility interface reads e-mail messages, (7) 3-D personal video and audio conferencing, (8) Filter to eliminate junk e-mail messages,

22. Operating Systems & Utility Programs (9) Contact lists synchronized with Bluetooth enabled smart phone or other mobile device, (10)Latest version of QuickTime to listen to music and view videos on the Internet, (11)Easy networking of computers and devices, (12) Windows network connection and shared Windows documents, Mac OS X is the operating system used with Apple Macintosh computers.

23. Operating Systems & Utility Programs UNIX UNIX (pronounced YOU-nix) is a multitasking operating system developed in the early 1970s by scientists at Bell Laboratories. Bell Labs instead licensed UNIX for a low fee to numerous colleges and universities, Several versions of this operating system exist, each slightly different. When programmers move application software from one UNIX version to another, they sometimes have to rewrite some of the programs. Although some versions of UNIX have a command-line interface, most versions of UNIX offer a graphical user interface. Today, a version of UNIX is available for most computers of all sizes. Power users often work with UNIX because of its flexibility and power. Manufacturers such as Sun and IBM sell personal computers and work stations with a UNIX operating system.

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25. Linux Linux is one of the faster growing operating systems. Linux (pronounced LINN-uks), introduced in 1991, is a popular, multitasking UNIX type operating system. Linux is not proprietary software like the operating systems discussed thus far. Instead, Linux is open source software, which means its code is provided for use, modification, and redistribution. It has no restrictions from the copyright holder regarding modification of the software’s internal instructions and redistribution of the software. The two most popular GUIs available for Linux are GNOME and KDE. Open source software state two main advantages: users who modify the software share their improvements with others, and customers can personalize the software to meet their needs.

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28. Server Operating Systems A server operating system is an operating system that is designed specifically to support a network. A server operating system typically resides on a server. The client computers on the network rely on the server(s) for resources. server operating systems are designed specifically to support all sizes of networks, including medium- to large-sized businesses and Web servers. Examples of server operating systems include Windows Server 2008, UNIX, Linux, Solaris, and NetWare. Windows Server 2008 Windows Server 2008 is an upgrade to Windows Server 2003. Windows Server 2008, which includes features of previous Windows Server versions, offers the following capabilities:

29. Operating Systems & Utility Programs (1) Improved Web server management, enabling. (2) users to share data. (3) Enhanced server security. (4) Network Access Protection restricts. (5) Protection against malicious software attacks. (6) Shares many technologies with Windows.(7) Client support using Windows, Mac OS, UNIX, and Linux. To meet the needs of all sizes of businesses, the Windows Server 2008 family includes many editions, with the more common listed below: (1) Windows Server 2008 Standard for the typical small- to medium-sized business network, (2) Windows Server 2008 Enterprise for medium to large-sized businesses, including those with e-commerce operations,

30. Operating Systems & Utility Programs (3) Windows Server 2008 Datacenter for businesses with huge volumes of transactions and large-scale databases, (4) Windows Web Server 2008 for Web server and Web hosting businesses, (5) Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-Based Systems for computers with 64-bit processors that function as a Web server (6) Most editions of Windows Server 2008 include Hyper-V, which is a virtualization technology.

31. Operating Systems & Utility Programs UNIX In addition to being a stand-alone operating system, UNIX also is a server operating system. That is, UNIX is capable of handling a high volume of transactions in a multiuser environment and working with multiple processors using multiprocessing. For this reason, some computer professionals call UNIX a multipurpose operating system because it is both a stand-alone and server operating system. Many Web servers use UNIX as their operating system.

32. Operating Systems & Utility Programs Solaris Solaris, a version of UNIX developed by Sun Microsystems, is a server operating system designed specifically for e-commerce applications. Solaris manages high-traffic accounts and incorporates security necessary for Web transactions. Client computers often use a desktop program, such as GNOME desktop, that communicates with the Solaris operating system.

33. Operating Systems & Utility Programs NetWare Novell’s NetWare is a server operating system designed for client/server networks. NetWare has a server portion that resides on the network server and a client portion that resides on each client computer connected to the network. NetWare supports open source software and runs on all types of computers from mainframes to personal computers. Client computers also can have their own stand-alone operating system such as a Windows, Mac OS, or Linux.

34. Operating Systems & Utility Programs Utility Programs A utility program, also called a utility, is a type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs. Most operating systems include several built-in utility programs. Functions provided by utility programs include the following: managing files, searching for files, viewing images, uninstalling programs, defragmenting disks, backing up files and disks, setting up screen savers, securing a computer from unauthorized access, protecting against viruses, compressing files, playing media files, burning optical discs, and maintaining a personal computer.

35. Operating Systems & Utility Programs File Manager A file manager is a utility that performs functions related to file management. Some of the file management functions that a file manager performs are displaying a list of files on a storage medium organizing files in folders; copying, renaming, deleting, moving, and sorting files and folders; and creating shortcuts. A folder is a specific named location on a storage medium that contains related documents. A shortcut is an icon on the desktop or in a folder that provides a user with immediate access to a program or file. Operating systems typically include a file manager. Windows, for example, includes Windows Explorer, which displays links to files and folders, as well as previews of folder contents and certain types of files.

36. Operating Systems & Utility Programs Windows includes file managers that allow you to view documents, photos, and music. In this case, thumbnails of photos are displayed.

37. Operating Systems & Utility Programs Search Utility A search utility is a program that attempts to locate a file on your computer based on criteria you specify The criteria could be a word or words contained in a file, date the file was created or modified, size of the file, location of the file, file name Search utilities can look through documents, photos, music, and other files on your computer and/ or on the Internet, combining search results in a single location. Search utilities typically use an index to assist with locating files quickly. An index stores a variety of information about a file, including its name, date created, date modified, author name, and so on. When you enter search criteria, instead of looking through every file and folder on the storage medium, the search utility looks through the index first to find a match. Each entry in the index contains a link to the actual file on the disk for easy retrieval. Operating systems typically include a built-in search utility. In Windows, all the Explorer windows, as well as the Start menu, contain a Search box where you enter the search criteria.

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39. Disk Defragmenter A disk defragmenter is a utility that reorganizes the files and unused space on a computer’s hard disk so that the operating system accesses data more quickly and programs run faster. When an operating system stores data on a disk, it places the data in the first available sector on the disk. It attempts to place data in sectors that are contiguous (next to each other), but this is not always possible. When the contents of a file are scattered across two or more noncontiguous sectors, the file is fragmented. Fragmentation slows down disk access and thus the performance of the entire computer. Defragmenting the disk, or reorganizing it so that the files are stored in contiguous sectors, solves this problem. Operating systems usually include a disk defragmenter. Windows Disk Defragmenter is available in the System Tools list.

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41. End Thank You All (have a nice day)