Operating Systems and Utility Programs

What is system software?

-Programs that control or maintain operation of computer

-Two types are operating systems and utility programs

-Operating system (OS) (sometimes called the platform) coordinates all activities among computer hardware resources

What is a cross-platform application?

-Runs identically on multiple operating systems

-Operating system that computer uses is sometimes called the platform

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

What is a user interface?

-Controls how you enter data and instructions and how information displays on screen

-With a command-line interface, a user types commands or presses special keys on the keyboard to enter data and instructions

What is a graphical user interface (GUI)?

-User interacts with menus and visual images such as buttons and other graphical objects to issue commands

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

What are other program management features of operating systems?

-multiprocessing

--Can support two or more processors running programs at same time

-multiuser

--Enables two or more users to run programs simultaneously

-fault-tolerant computer

--Has duplicate components such as processors, memory, and disk drives

--Continues to operate when one of its components fails

What is memory management?

-Optimizing use of random access memory (RAM)

-With virtual memory (VM), portion of hard disk is allocated to function as RAM

How does an operating system schedule jobs?

-A job is operation the processor manages

-Receiving data from input device

-Sending information to output device

-Processing instructions

-Transferring items between storage and memory

What is spooling?

-Sending print jobs to buffer instead of directly to printer

-Print jobs line up in queue

What is a driver?

-Program that tells operating system how to communicate with device

-With Plug and Play, operating system automatically configures new devices as you install them

How do you establish an Internet connection?

-Windows Vista includes Connect to a network wizard

--Guides user through setting up connection between computer and Internet

How does an operating system monitor performance?

-Provides program, called performance monitor, that assesses and reports information about various computer resources and devices

What is a network operating system?

-Allows users to share resources on a network

-Administers security by establishing user name and password for each user

What is a utility program?

-System software that performs maintenance-type tasks

--Also called utility

What is a file manager?

-Performs functions such as formatting, copying, renaming, deleting, and moving files

-Image viewer displays contents of graphics file when you double click on it

What is a personal firewall?

-Detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized intrusions

-Windows Vista automatically enables the built-in personal firewall upon installation

What is an uninstaller?

-Removes a program and all associated files

What is a disk scanner?

-Searches for and removes unnecessary files

-Windows Vista includes a disk scanner utility called Disk Cleanup

What is a disk defragmenter?

-Reorganizes files and unused space on hard disk so programs run faster

What is a diagnostic utility?

-Compiles technical information about hardware and certain system software

-Prepares report outlining problems

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

-A restore program reverses the backup process and returns backed up files to their original form

What is a screen saver?

-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 to require password to deactivate

What are three categories of operating systems?

-Embedded

-Network

-Stand-alone

What is Windows XP?

-Fast, reliable Windows operating system

-Available in five editions: Home Edition, Professional Edition, Tablet PC Edition, Media Center Edition, and Professional 64-bit Edition

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

What is Mac OS X?

-Available only for computers manufactured by Apple

-Macintosh operating system has been model for most GUIs

What is UNIX?

-Used by power users because of its flexibility and power

-Most versions offer GUI

-Available for computers of all sizes

What is Linux?

-Popular, free, multitasking UNIX-type operating system

-Open-source softwaree— code is available to public

-Both a stand-alone and a network operating system

What are examples of network operating systems?

-NetWare

Designed for client/server networks

-Windows Server 2003

Upgrade to Windows 2000 Server

- Unix and Linux

Multi-purpose operating system

-Solaris

Version of UNIX developed by Sun Microsystems

Specifically for e-commerce applications

What is an embedded operating system?

-Found on most mobile computers, PDAs, and other small devices

--Windows CE is scaled-down version of Windows

--Windows Mobile for Pocket PC

--Palm OS for Palm

--BlackBerry OS

--Embedded Linux

--Symbian OS

What is a virus?

-Potentially damaging computer program

-Affects computer without user’s knowledge

SIGNS OF VIRUS INFECTION

-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 available

-A program or file suddenly is missing

-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

What is an antivirus program?

-Identifies and removes viruses in memory, storage media, and incoming files

-Must be updated frequently

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, adware, and similar programs

What are internet filters?

-Anti Spam Programs

-Web Filters

-Pop-up Blockers

What is a file compression utility?

-Shrinks size of files to free up room and improve performance

-Compressed files are sometimes called zipped files

What is a media player?

-Allows you to view images and animation, listen to audio, and watch video files on your computer

What is CD/DVD burning software?

-Writes text, graphics, audio, and video files to a recordable or rewriteable CD or DVD

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