CHAPTER 2

System Software
 Introduction to Computer Skills
OBJECTIVES
Identify the types of system software
Summarize the features of several
stand-alone operating systems
Summarize the startup process
on a personal computer
Identify various network operating systems

Describe the functions of an operating system

Identify devices that use several

embedded operating systems
Discuss ways that some operating
systems help administrators control a
network and administer security
Explain the purpose of several
stand-alone utility programs
Explain the purpose of the utilities
included with most operating systems

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 Introduction to Computer Skills

What is system software?

✂ Programs that control the operations of the
computer and its devices

Operating Utility
System (OS) Programs

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is system software?

Programs that Two types are

maintain operation operating systems
of computer and utility programs

Operating system (OS)

(sometimes called the platform)
coordinates all activities
among computer
hardware
resources

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What are the functions of an operating system?
start the computer provide a user interface manage programs

administer
security

manage
memory

control a
network

establish an schedule jobs and

monitor Internet connection
performance configure devices
provide file
management and
other utilities
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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a cross-platform application?
 Runs identically on multiple operating systems
 Operating system that computer uses is sometimes
called the platform

Application

Operating System/ Operating System/ Operating System/ Operating System/

Platform A Platform B Platform C Platform D

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is booting?
 Process of starting or restarting a computer
 Cold boot
Turning on
computer that has
been powered off
 Warm boot
Restarting
computer that is
powered on

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
How does a personal computer boot up?

Step 1. Power supply Step 4. Results of POST are

sends signal to com- compared with data in CMOS chip
ponents in system unit Step 5. BIOS looks for system files
Step 2. Processor on a USB drive, in floppy disk drive
accesses BIOS to start or CD/DVD drive, and then hard
computer disk
Step 6. Kernel (core) of operating
Step 3. BIOS runs
tests, called the POST, system loads into RAM
to check components Step 7. Operating system loads
such as mouse, configuration information and
keyboard, and adapter displays desktop on screen
cards

Click to view Web

Link, click Chapter 8,
Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
BIOS below Chapter 8
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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a recovery disk?
 It contains system files that will start the computer
when the computer cannot boot
 Also called boot disk

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a user interface?
 It controls how you enter data and instructions and
how information displays on screen

command-line interface menu-driven interface

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a graphical user
interface (GUI)?

 User interacts with

menus and visual
images such as icons
and buttons

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is single user/ multitasking?

 Working on two or
more programs that
reside in memory at
same time
 Foreground contains
program you are using
 Background contains
programs that are
running but are not
in use

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What are other program management features of operating
systems?

Enables two or
multiprocessing more users to
run programs
simultaneously
Can support two
or more processors multiuser
running programs
at same time Has duplicate
components such as
processors, memory,
Continues to fault-tolerant computer and disk drives
operate when one
of its components
fails

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is memory management?
 Optimizing the use of random access memory (RAM)
 With virtual memory (VM), portion of hard disk is
allocated to function as RAM
Step 1. The
operating system
transfers the least
recently used data
and program
instructions to disk
Step 2. The
because RAM is
needed for other operating system
functions. transfers data and
program instructions
from hard disk to
RAM when they are
needed.

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
How does an operating system schedule jobs?

Adjusts schedule
based on
job’s priority Sending
Receiving data
information
from input device
to output device
A job is operation
the processor manages Transferring items
Processing
between storage
instructions
and memory

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is spooling?
 Sending print jobs to buffer instead of
directly to printer
 Print jobs line up in queue

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a device driver?

Program that With Plug and Play,

tells operating system operating system
how to communicate
Device automatically configures
with device Driver new devices as you
Also called driver install them

Click to view Web

Link, click Chapter 8,
Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
Plug and Play below
Chapter 8
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 Introduction to Computer Skills
How do you install a device driver?

Step 3. Click Add a Step 4. Add Printer

printer link. Follow Wizard searches for
Step 1. Open Control Step 2. Click Printers and
on-screen instructions. Plug and Play printers
Panel window. Point to Other Hardware link. Point
on your computer. If it
Printers and Other to Add a printer link.
finds any such
Hardware link.
printers, it installs
them.
Step 5. If Add Printer Wizard cannot find any Plug and
Play printers, you can select type of printer you want to
install. An on-screen prompt may ask you to insert floppy
disk, CD-ROM or DVD-ROM that contains necessary
driver files to complete the installation of printer.

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
How do you establish an Internet connection?
 Windows XP includes
New Connection Wizard
 Guides user through setting
up connection between
computer and Internet

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
How does an operating system monitor performance?
 Provides program, called performance monitor,
that assesses and reports information about
system resources
and devices

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a network operating system?
 It allows users to share printer, Internet
access, files, and programs on a network
 It administers security
by establishing user
name and password for
each user

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a utility program?
 System software that performs
maintenance-type tasks
 Also called
utility

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a file manager?
 Performs functions such as copying, renaming,
deleting, and moving files
 Image viewer
displays contents
of graphics file
when you double
click on it

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a personal firewall?
 Detects and protects a personal computer from
unauthorized intrusions
 The latest update
to Windows XP
automatically
enables the built-
in personal
firewall upon
installation
Click to view Web
Link, click Chapter 8,
Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
Personal Firewalls
below Chapter 8
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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is an uninstaller?

Removes a In Windows XP,

program and uninstaller is in Add/Remove
all associated files Programs in Control Panel

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a disk scanner?
 Detects and corrects
problems on hard disk
 Searches for and removes
unnecessary files

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a disk defragmenter?
 Reorganizes files and unused space on hard
disk so programs run faster
fragmented disk

disk after
defragmentation
process

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a diagnostic utility?
 Compiles technical information
about hardware and some
software
 Prepares report outlining
problems

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a backup utility?
 Copies selected files or entire hard disk onto
another storage medium
 Most compress files
during backup to
require less storage
space

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a screen saver?

 It causes monitor’s screen to display moving

image or blank screen if there is no activity
for a specified time
 To secure computer,
user configures screen
saver that require
password to
deactivate
Click to view Web
Link, click Chapter 8,
Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
Screen Savers below
Chapter 8
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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What are some characteristics of operating systems?

Proprietary Device-
Device-
software independent
dependent
Privately owned and
Runs only on specific limited to specific vendor Runs on many
type of computer or computer model manufacturers’
computers

Downward
compatible Upward
Works with application compatible
software written for Runs on new versions of
earlier version of operating system
operating system

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What are three categories of operating systems?

Embedded Network

Stand-alone

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is DOS (Disk Operating System)?

Developed in 
early 1980s 
for personal  D Used command­line 
computers
interface when first 
O
developed, later 
developed, later 
Hardly used today  included menus
S
because it does 
not offer GUI

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
How do Windows
versions compare? Windows Version Year Released

Windows 3.x 1990
Windows NT 3.1 1993
Windows 95 1995
Windows NT Workstation 4.0 1996
Windows 98 1998
Windows Millennium Edition  2000
Windows 2000 Professional 2000
Windows XP 2001
Windows XP SP2 2004
Windows Vista 2006
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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is Windows XP?
 Fast, reliable Windows operating system
 Available in five
editions:
Home Edition,
Professional Edition,
Tablet PC Edition,
Media Center Edition,
and 64-bit Edition

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is Windows Vista?
 Successor to Windows XP, containing a new
interface and new / enhanced features
 Available in several
editions, grouped into
Home and Business
categories

Click to view Web Link,

click Chapter 8, Click
Web Link
from left navigation,
then click Windows
Vista
p. 419
below Fig. 8-26
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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What are some features of Windows Vista?

Windows Vista Features

Reliability and Performance
Security
Information Management
Appearance and Navigation
Communications and the Internet

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is Mac OS X?
 Available only for computers manufactured
by Apple
 Macintosh operating
system has been
model for most GUIs

Click to view Web

Link, click Chapter 8,
Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
Mac OS X below
Chapter 8
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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is UNIX?
 Used by power users because of its flexibility
and power
 Most versions
offer GUI
 Available for
computers of all
sizes

Click to view Web

Link, click Chapter 8,
Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
UNIX below Chapter 8
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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is Linux?
 Popular, free, multitasking UNIX-type
operating system
 Open-source software — e

code is available to
public
 Both a stand-alone
and a network
operating system

Red Hat provides a version of Linux called Red Hat

Enterprise Linux.

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What are examples of network
operating systems?
NetWare
Designed for 
client/server 
networks

Windows  UNIX / Linux
Server 2003 Multi­purpose
Upgrade to Windows  operating system
2000 Server
Solaris
 Version of UNIX 
developed by Sun 
Microsystems
Click to view Web
Link, click Chapter 8,  Specifically for 
Click
Web Link from left e­commerce 
navigation, then click applications
Solaris below Chapter
8
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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is an embedded operating system?

 Found on most mobile

computers, PDAs, and other
small devices
 Windows CE is
scaled-down version of
Windows

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What are two operating systems for PDAs?
 Windows Mobile for Pocket PC
 Palm OS for Palm

Click to view Web

Link, click Chapter 8,
Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
Windows Mobile
below Chapter 8

Click to view Web

Link, click Chapter 8,
Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
Palm OS below
p. 423 Chapter
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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is Embedded Linux?
 Scaled-down Linux operating system
designed for PDAs, smart phones,
smart watches, set-top boxes,
Internet telephones, and other
devices
 Offers many PIM functions

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is Symbian OS?
 Open-source, multitasking operating system
designed for smart phones
 Make telephone calls,
save appointments,
browse Web, send
and receive e-mail
and faxes, and more

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a virus?
 Potentially damaging computer program
 Affects computer without user’s knowledge

• An unusual message or image is displayed on the

computer screen
• An unusual sound or music plays randomly
• The available memory is less than what should be
SIGNS OF  available
VIRUS  • A program or file suddenly is missing
INFECTION • An unknown program or file mysteriously appears
• The size of a file changes without explanation
• A file becomes corrupted
• A program or file does not work properly
• System properties change

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is an antivirus program?
 Identifies and removes viruses in memory, storage
media, and incoming files
 Must be updated frequently

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is spyware?
 Program placed on a computer without the user’s
knowledge that secretly collects information about the
user
 Often enters a computer as a result of a user installing
a new program
 A spyware remover is a program that detects and
deletes spyware

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What are internet filters?
 Programs that remove or block certain items from
being displayed

Anti­Spam Web
Programs Filters

Pop­up
 Blockers

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a file compression utility?
 Shrinks size of files to free up room
and improve performance
 Compressed files are sometimes called
zipped files
 Two popular utilities:
PKZIP and WinZip

Click to view Web

Link, click Chapter 8,
Click
Web Link from left
navigation, then click
File Compression
Utilities
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What is CD/DVD burning software?
 Writes text, graphics,
audio, and video files to
a recordable or
rewriteable CD or DVD

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 Introduction to Computer Skills
What is a personal computer maintenance utility?
 Identifies and fixes operating system problems and
disk problems
 Some continuously
monitor computer to
identify problems
before they occur

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 Introduction to Computer Skills

Define an operating system

Discuss a variety of stand-alone

operating systems, network operating systems,
and embedded operating systems
Discuss the functions common to
most operating systems

Describe several stand-alone

utility programs
Introduce several utility programs commonly
found in operating systems

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