Discovering Computers Fundamentals, 2011 Edition Living in a Digital World
Objectives Overview Define system software and identify the two types of system software Describe the functions of an operating system Summarize the features of several stand-alone operating systems Identify various server operating systems Briefly describe several embedded operating systems Explain the purpose of several utility programs See Page 135 for Detailed Objectives Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 2
System Software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices Page 136 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 3
Operating Systems An (OS) is a set of programs containing instructions that work together to coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources Start and shut down a computer Provide a user interface Manage programs Manage memory Coordinate tasks Configure devices Establish an Internet connection Monitor performance Provide utilities Automatically update Control a network Administer security 4
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Operating System Functions The process of starting or restarting a computer is called Turning on a computer that has been powered off completely Using the operating system to restart a computer Page 138 Figure 4-2 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 6
Operating System Functions An operating system includes various shut down options saves any open documents and programs to RAM, turns off all unneeded functions, and then places the computer in a lowpower state saves any open documents and programs to a hard disk before removing power from the computer Page 138 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 7
Operating System Functions A controls how you enter data and instructions and how information is displayed on the screen With a user interface (GUI), you interact with menus and visual images Pages 138 139 Figure 4-3a Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 8
Operating System Functions With a, a user uses the keyboard to enter data and instructions Page 139 Figure 4-3b Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 9
Operating System Functions How an operating system handles programs directly affects your productivity Single and multiuser Single and multitasking Foreground and background Multiprocessing Pages 139-141 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 10
Operating System Functions Page 140 Figure 4-4 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 11
Operating System Functions optimizes the use of RAM is a portion of a storage medium functioning as additional RAM Windows ReadyBoost can allocate available memory in flash memory devices as additional memory cache Page 141 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 12
Operating System Functions The operating system determines the in which tasks are processed Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 13
Operating System Functions A is a small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a specific device automatically configures new devices as you install them Page 142 Click to view Web Link, click, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Plug and Play below Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 14
Operating System Functions Operating systems typically provide a means to establish connections Page 142 Figure 4-6 15
Operating System Functions A is a program that assesses and reports information about various computer resources and devices Page 143 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 16
Operating System Functions Operating systems often provide users with the capability of: Searching for files Securing a computer Uninstalling programs Cleaning up disks Diagnosing problems Backing up files and disks Setting up screen savers Page 143 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 17
Operating System Functions automatically provides updates to the program Page 143 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 18
Operating System Functions Some operating systems are designed to work with a server on a network A system organizes and coordinates how multiple users access and share resources on a network Pages 143-144 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 A network uses the server operating system to: Add and remove users, computers, and other devices Install software and administer network security 19
Operating System Functions Each user has a user account A, or user ID, identifies a specific user A is a private combination of characters associated with the user name Page 144 Figure 4-7 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 20
Types of Operating Systems Page 145 Figure 4-8 21
Stand-Alone Operating Systems A operating system is a complete operating system that works on a desktop computer, notebook computer, or mobile computing device Windows 7 UNIX Page 146 22
Stand-Alone Operating Systems is Microsoft s fastest, most efficient operating system to date and is available in multiple editions: Windows 7 Starter Windows 7 Home Premium Windows 7 Ultimate Windows 7 Professional 23
Stand-Alone Operating Systems Page 146 Figure 4-9 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 24
Stand-Alone Operating Systems The operating system has set the standard for operating system ease of use Latest version is Mac OS X Page 147 Figure 4-10 Click to view Web Link, click, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Mac OS X below Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 25
Stand-Alone Operating Systems is a multitasking operating system Linux is an, popular, multitasking UNIXtype operating system Pages 147 148 Figures 4-11 4-12 Click to view Web Link, click, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click Linux below Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 26
Operating Systems Windows Server 2008 UNIX Linux NetWare Pages 148-149 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 27
Embedded Operating Systems An operating system resides on a ROM chip on a mobile device or consumer electronic device Windows Embedded CE Windows Mobile Palm OS Embedded Linux Symbian OS 28
Utility Programs A program is a type of system software that allows a user to perform maintenance-type tasks Page 150 Figure 4-14 29
Utility Programs A is a utility that performs functions related to file management Displaying a list of files Organizing files in folders Copying, renaming, deleting, moving, and sorting files and Page 151 Figure 4-15 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 30
Utility Programs A utility is a program that attempts to locate a file on your computer based on criteria you specify Page 151 Figure 4-16 31
Utility Programs An removes a program, as well as any associated entries in the system files An allows users to display, copy, and print the contents of a graphics file Page 151 Figure 4-17 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 32
Utility Programs A utility searches for and removes unnecessary files Downloaded program files Temporary Internet files Unused program files Page 152 33
Utility Programs A defragmenter 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 Page 152 Figure 4-18 34
Utility Programs A utility allows users to copy files to another storage medium A utility reverses the process and returns backed up files to their original form Page 152 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 35
Utility Programs A causes a display device s screen to show a moving image or blank screen if no activity occurs for a specified time A detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized intrusions Page 153 Figure 4-19 36
Utility Programs A describes a potentially damaging computer program that affects a computer negatively A copies itself repeatedly in memory or over a network A hides within or looks like a legitimate program An program protects a computer against viruses Page 154 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 37
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Utility Programs is a program placed on a computer without the user s knowledge that secretly collects information about the user A spyware remover detects and deletes spyware and other similar programs displays an online advertisement in a banner or pop-up window An adware remover is a program that detects and deletes adware 39
Utility Programs are programs that remove or block certain items from being displayed programs Web filters Phishing filters blockers Pages 155-156 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 40
Utility Programs A file utility shrinks the size of a file(s) Compressing files frees up room on the storage media Compressed files sometimes are called files Can be Click to view Web Link, click, Click Web Link from left navigation, then click WinZip below Page 156 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 41
Utility Programs A allows you to view images and animation, listen to audio, and watch video files on your computer Page 156 Figure 4-22 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 42
Utility Programs software writes text, graphics, audio, and video files on a recordable or rewritable optical disc Page 157 Figure 4-23 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 43
Utility Programs Page 157 Figure 4-24 Discovering Computers and Microsoft Office 2007 A personal computer identifies and fixes operating system problems, detects and repairs disk problems, and includes the capability of improving a computer s performance 44