IC3 Internet and Computing Core Certification Guide

Global Standard 4

Computing
Fundamentals

Lesson 1: Operating Systems

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 Lesson Objectives

• how an operating system works

• how to start and exit Windows
• what the Windows desktop is
• how applications differ from operating systems
• how to use the Start button
• how to navigate around the desktop
• how to use the taskbar
• understand the relationship between software and hardware
• understand software updates

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 What is an Operating System?
• Collection of programs to control hardware and
application software, and manage computer interaction
and communication with user
− Manages input devices, output devices, and storage devices
− Manages files stored on computer
• Every computer requires operating system to function
− Must load into computer’s memory before it can load any
application software or interact with user

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 What is an Operating System?
• Disk Operating System (DOS)
− Original operating system developed for PC
− Text-based
• Most operating systems use integrated graphical user
interface (GUI)
− Functions and commands represented by menus and clickable
buttons or icons
− Use "point and click" to perform most tasks

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 What is an Operating System?
• Software programs that run on particular operating system
use same buttons, symbols, or pictures for common
functions
• Manages hardware, programs and files
• Application software allows user to be productive

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 Modern Operating Systems
• Windows 8

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 Modern Operating Systems

• Windows 7

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 Modern Operating Systems

• Mac OS

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 Modern Operating Systems
• UNIX
− One of the first multi-tasking, multi-user operating systems
− Originally developed in 1969 for large mainframe computers and
servers
− More recent versions for desktop systems include GUI
− Widely used in universities, scientific or research organizations
− Often used on machines which support engineering or computer-
aided design (CAD) applications

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 Modern Operating Systems
• Linux
− First developed in 1991
− Freely available and modifiable
− Packaged into formats called distributions
− Includes operating system, various utilities and libraries, and some
application software
− Widely used on supercomputers and high-end servers
− Very popular with entrepreneurial software developers

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 Modern Operating Systems
• Handheld Operating Systems
− Used on PDAs and Smartphones
− Options vary depending on type of
handheld device
− Popular handheld operating systems
include Apple iOS, Symbian, Windows
Mobile, Palm and Blackberry

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 Modern Operating Systems
• Embedded Operating Systems
− Manage and control operations on specific type of equipment
− When equipment is turned on, embedded operating system loads
into memory
− Designed to be compact and are highly specialized
− Include only functions that are required by specific devices

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 Operating System Capabilities and Limitations

• File names can be up to 255 characters long

− On PC, cannot include \ / : * < > ? | in file name
− On Mac, cannot use colon in file names
• Can open multiple programs at same time
• Can customize to suit personal preferences
• Stand-alone computer – may be able to install programs or
download items from Internet
• Networked computer – may not have sufficient rights to
perform certain tasks

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 Common Operating System Features
• Can maintain separate accounts for each user, keep track
of user's documents and settings, and keep user accounts
secure
• When first turn on Windows 7 computer:
− If you are only user with no password, automatically log on to
account and Desktop appears
− If using computer with multiple user accounts or requires
password, Windows displays icon and account name to log on

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 Common Operating System Features
• Power On / Power Off
− When first start computer, press power button
− Computer runs set of self-diagnostic programs to ensure critical
hardware working properly, then loads operating system to memory
− Should never press power button to turn system off
− Should always use operating system's Power Off or Shut Down option
− Ensures any changes made to system are properly saved, and any
temporary files no longer needed are deleted

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 Common Operating System Features
• Starting the Computer
− Power switch usually at front or
top of system case
− Power switch for monitor
usually at lower right corner
− Some systems include Reset Power Button
button
− Power button on notebook at Reset Button
outside, front, or above
keyboard

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 Common Operating System Features
1. Turn on everything connected to system unit first.
− Ensures steady flow of power to system unit when turned on.
2. Turn on system unit – should be last power switch.
− Diagnostic part of operating system checks everything is working
− Computer then starts looking for operating system files

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 Common Operating System Features
• What’s Happening in the Background?
− Process of turning on computer and loading operating system
called booting
− ROM-BIOS chips make bootup procedure possible
− Loads instructions stored in ROM-BIOS into memory and then executes
instructions
− Computer takes inventory of internal and external equipment,
performing self-tests known as power on self-test (POST)
− BIOS program checks and counts memory, and then looks for and loads
operating system into memory

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 Common Operating System Features
• What’s Happening in the Background?
− When operating system loaded, Windows displays Welcome screen
first
− If computer connected to
network or set up for
multiple users, logon
screen displays
− Click icon for user account
or enter login ID, type
password and press
ENTER

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 Common Operating System Features
• Exiting the Computer Properly
− Important to save files, close open programs, and log off or shut
down computer when finished working
− Never turn off computer without closing files and software
programs properly
− Click Start button to access Shut Down options
− Computer closes all open files and programs safely, exits operating
system and then turns off computer

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 Common Operating System Features
• Exiting the Computer Properly

Shut down Shut down options

Switch user Switch to another account without logging off

current account.
Log off Close all open items, logs off current user account,
and returns to log on screen.

Lock Hides desktop behind logon screen until log back

into system.

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 Common Operating System Features
• Exiting the Computer Properly
Restart Closes all open items safely and restarts without powering down;
also called reboot or warm boot. Clears memory and reloads
operating system, but doesn’t do self-diagnostic tests.

Sleep Display turns off and fan stops; light on case may blink or turn
yellow to indicate status. All work and settings in memory and
draws low amount of power. May appear as Standby.

Hibernate Only on notebooks; draws no power. Like Sleep but writes work
and settings to hard disk and then turns off system. Press power
button to start system and resume from where you were before
activating hibernation.

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 Common Operating System Features
• Always let Windows complete Shut down or Restart
properly
• If power failure occurs while computer in Sleep or Standby
mode, will lose unsaved information
• To turn off Standby and return to normal mode, move
mouse or press key on keyboard
• To turn off hibernation, press Power button

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 Looking at the Windows Desktop

Desktop Icons

Mouse Pointer

Desktop

Start Button
Taskbar

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 Looking at the Windows Desktop
Desktop Icons Shortcuts to open frequently used programs, folders, or files.

Mouse Pointer Arrow that follows mouse movement to select or activate

items.

Desktop Work area or screen where windows, icons, menus, and dialog
boxes appear; this area can be customized.

Start Button Start programs, open documents, find items, get help, and log
off or shut down your computer.

Taskbar Horizontal bar at bottom of screen that includes Start button,

buttons for open programs and files, and notification area.

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 Navigating Around the Desktop
• Using a Pointing Device
− To select item, point arrow at item and press left mouse button
once; this is a single-click
− To activate item, point arrow at item and press left mouse button
twice in quick succession; this is a double-click
− To display shortcut menu with more options, point arrow at item
and press right mouse button once; this is a right-click

• Using the Keyboard

− Number of features can be accessed through keyboard shortcuts
− Many keyboard shortcuts are standardized between applications

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 Using the Start Button
• Start programs, find files, access online help, log off
Windows, switch between users, or shut down computer
• To activate Start button:
− Click the Start button, or
− press Windows key, or
− press CTRL+ESC

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 Using the Start Button

Pinned Program Area

Recently Used
Programs (dynamic
items that change Useful System
automatically based Folders
on programs used
most frequently)

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 Using the Start Button
•  displays submenu when you click or point to it
• icon indicates sub-list of options
• To return to Start menu, point to menu or click Back
• To select items from Start menu:
− With mouse, click Start once, point to All Programs, click folder to
display list for program, then click option to start
− With keyboard, press Windows key to display Start menu, press
arrow keys to move to command, press ENTER when highlighted

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 Working with an Application Program
• Use application programs to perform productive work
• Every operating system has method to start programs
• When application program closed, memory used by
application released and available for operating system to
reallocate
• Operating system monitors work to identify specific
requirements for memory or storage

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 Using the Taskbar
• By default, taskbar at bottom of Windows desktop
• Includes Start button, notification area, clock, and taskbar
button for each open program
• Windows also automatically installs some commonly-used
programs for easy access

Start Taskbar Buttons Notification Area Show desktop

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 Using the Taskbar

Start Button Click to open menu and select items to open

programs, find files, or shut down computer.

Taskbar Buttons Button displays for each open application program,

and some built-in Windows applications. Click
taskbar button to activate program or window.

Notification Area Displays clock, icons and shortcuts.

Show desktop Point at it to make all open windows transparent, or

button click to instantly minimize all open windows on
Desktop. Click again to restore all windows to
previous state.

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 Using the Taskbar
• To move taskbar:
− Position arrow on blank area of
taskbar and drag to side of
screen
− To prevent changes, right-click
taskbar and click Lock the
taskbar
• To customize taskbar:
− Right-click taskbar and click
Properties, or
− Right-click Start button and
click Properties

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 Using the Taskbar
• Click (Show hidden icons) to temporarily
display hidden icons
• When program open, button appears
− Preview window appears for each file when you point at program
button on taskbar

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 The Software/Hardware Relationship
• Hardware
− Any physical component or device that involves the computer

• Software
− Operating system and application programs
− Designed to work with specific types of computer hardware
− New software may not run correctly if older system is not fast
enough or doesn’t provide required disk space
− If need particular version of software, software choice may dictate
which computer system to use

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 Understanding Updates
• Patches
− Programming file inserted into existing program to fix known problem
− Immediate but temporary solution until problem permanently repaired

• Updates
− Resolve security issues or improve performance; released as necessary

• Service Packs
− Collection of updates typically released after enough updates accumulated

• Windows Updates
− Critical updates for security vulnerabilities, viruses or spyware
− Others correct errors not related to security or to enhance functionality

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 Understanding Updates
• Automatic Updating
− Can set to automatic or manual check to install latest updates
− Can set to check and download updates and then alert when ready
to install
− Update Categories
− Important – include security and critical updates
− Recommended – include software updates and new or improved
features
− Optional – include software you can install manually

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 Lesson Summary

• how an operating system works

• how to start and exit Windows
• what the Windows desktop is
• how to use the Start button
• how to navigate around the desktop
• how to use the taskbar
• how applications differ from operating systems

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 Review Questions

1. For which of the following tasks would you use an operating

system?
a. To create a Contacts list.
b. To delete files from a folder.
c. To calculate the return on an investment.
d. To edit audio and video files.
2. How can you tell where the cursor is on the Windows desktop?
a. The Start button
b. Press the Spacebar to view it
c. The white arrow
d. The last button on the Windows taskbar

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 Review Questions

3. How do you display a shortcut menu for an item on the Windows

desktop?
a. Click the left mouse button
b. Click the right mouse button
c. Double-click either mouse button
d. Tap the scroll wheel.
4. To see the programs installed on your system, which option from the
Start button would you use?
a. Documents
b. All Programs
c. Search
d. List of Quick Start items

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 Review Questions

5. Circle in the following image which button you would use in the
notification area to display the desktop immediately:

6. What is the best way to shut down the computer?

a. Press the power switch on the computer case.
b. Click Shut down from the Start button and let it complete
the process.
c. Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE twice.
d. Press ESC.

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 Review Questions

7. What is a service pack?

a. A collection of software updates.
b. A form of spyware.
c. A shut down mode designed to conserve battery power
d. An embedded operating system.

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