computers for dummies

How does a file become fragmented?

A hard drive becomes fragmented when a file that occupies a finite storage location on the hard drive is modified and becomes larger. If the finite storage space on the drive is not large enough to store the larger modified file, part of the file must be stored in another location that is not contiguous to the original storage location. Thus the file becomes fragmented. Now your computer must search for the file in two different locations in order to retrieve it. This is what causes your computer to slooow down.

How is a memory-resident part of an operating system different from a nonresident part of an operating system? _______

A memory resident, which means it remains inmemory while the computer is running, other parts of the operating system are nonresident, meaning these instructions remain on a storage medium until they are needed.

what is operating system

It allocates storage for programs and data and carry out many other supervisory functions. It acts as an interface between the user and the machine.

What Are Several Embedded Operating Systems?

Most mobile devices and many consumer electronics have an embedded operating system that resides on a ROM chip. Popular embedded operating systems include the following. Windows Embedded CE is a scaled-down Windows operating system designed for use on communications, entertainment, and computing devices with limited functionality , such as VoIP telephones, digital cameras, point-of-sale terminals, automated teller machines, digital photo frames, handheld navigation devices, and portable media players. Windows Mobile, an operating system based on Windows Embedded CE, works on smart phones and PDAs. Palm OS is an operating system

What Is the Purpose of Several Utility Programs?

Most operating systems include several built-in utility programs. A file manager performs functions related to fi le management. A search utility attempts to locate a fi le on your computer based on criteria you specify. An image viewer displays, copies, and prints the contents of a graphics file. An uninstaller removes a program and any associated entries in the system fi les. A disk cleanup utility searches for and removes unnecessary files. A disk defragmenter reorganizes the fi les and unused space on a computer's hard disk. A backup utility is used to copy, or back up, selected fi les or an entire hard disk to another storage medium. A restore utility reverses the backup process and returns backed up fi les to their original form. A screen saver displays a moving image or blank screen if no keyboard or mouse activity occurs for a specifi ed time. A personal firewall detects and protects a personal computer from unauthorized intrusions. An antivirus program protects computers against a virus, or potentially damaging computer program, by identifying and removing any computer viruses. A spyware remover detects and deletes spyware and similar programs. An adware remover detects and deletes adware. An anti-spam program attempts to remove spam before it reaches your inbox. Web filtering software restricts access to certain material on the Web. A phishing filter warns or blocks you from potentially fraudulent or suspicious Web sites. A pop-up blocker stops pop-up ads from displaying on Web pages. A file compression utility shrinks the size of a fi le. A media player allows you to view images and animation, listen to audio, and watch video fi les on a computer. Disc burning software writes on a recordable or rewritable CD, DVD, or Blu-ray Disc. A personal computer maintenance utility identifi es and fixesoperating system or disk problems and improves a computer's performance.

What Are the Various Server Operating Systems?

Server operating systems are designed to support all sizes of networks, including medium- to large-sized businesses and Web servers. An example of a server operating system is Windows Server 2008. UNIX and Linux often are called multipurpose operating systems because they are both stand-alone and server operating systems. Solaris is a server operating system designed specifi cally for e-commerce applications. Novell's NetWare is a server operating system designed for client/server networks

What Is System Software, and What Are the Two Types of System Software?

System software consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of a computer and its devices. Two types of system software are operating systems and utility programs. System software serves as the interface between the user, the application software, and the computer's hardware. An operating system (OS) is a set of programs that contains instructions that work together to coordinate all the activities among computer hardware resources. Different sizes of computers typically use different operating systems because operating systems generally are written to run on a specifi c type of computer. A utility program, or utility, performs maintenance-typetasks, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or its programs.

What Are the Functions of an Operating System?

The operating system starts and shuts down a computer, provides a user interface, manages programs, manages memory, coordinates tasks, confi gures devices, establishes an Internet connection, monitors performance, provides fi le management and other utilities, updates automatically, controls a network, and administers security. The user interface controls how data and instructions are entered and how information is displayed. Two types of user interfaces are a graphical user interface (GUI) and a command-line interface. Managing programs refers to how many users, and how many programs, an operating system can support at one time. An operating system can be single user/single tasking, single user/multitasking, multiuser, or multiprocessing. Memory management optimizes the use of random access memory (RAM). Virtual memory is a concept in which the operating system allocates a portion of a storage medium, usually the hard disk, to function as additional RAM. Coordinating tasks determines the order in which tasks are processed. Confi guring devices involves loading each device's driver when a user boots the computer. A driver is a small program that tells the operating system how to communicate with a specifi c device. Establishing an Internet connection sets up a connection between a computer and an Internet access provider. A performance monitor is a program that assesses and reports information about computer resources and devices. Operating systems often provide the capability of managing and searching for fi les, viewing images, securing a computer from unauthorized access, uninstalling programs, and other tasks. Most operating systems include an automatic update feature that provides updates to the program. A server operating system is an operating system that organizes and coordinates how multiple users access and share network resources. Network administrators typically have an administrator account that enables them to access fi les, install programs, and specify network settings.

What Are Features of Windows 7, Mac OS X, UNIX, and Linux Operating Systems?

Windows 7 is Microsoft's fastest, most efficient operating system to date, offering quicker program start up, built-in diagnostics, automatic recovery, improved security, and enhanced searching and organizing capabilities. Most users choose between Windows 7 Home Basic, Windows 7 Home Premium, Windows 7 Ultimate, or Windows 7 Business editions. Mac OS X is a multitasking GUI operating system available only for Apple computers. UNIX is a multitasking operating system that is fl exible and powerful. Linux is a popular, multitasking UNIX-type operating system that is open source software, which means its code is available to the public for use, modification, and redistribution.

1. How is a cold boot different from a warm boot?

You perform a cold boot every time you turn on the power switch of your computer. To "boot" the computer means to start it up and reset the memory and BIOS. Pressing the Ctrl-Alt-Delete keys simultaneously while the computer is running performs a warm boot. You may need to do this if the computer stops responding because of memory problems or the "Blue Screen of Death" appears. The computer needs to be reset before you can continue. If the warm boot fails to restart the computer, you will need to resort to a cold boot by shutting off the power switch, waiting ten seconds and then turning it back on.

what is a user interface

a program that controls how you enter data and instructios and how information is displayed on the screen

a warm boot

by contrast, is the process of using the operating system to restart your computer

what is system software

consists of the programs that control or maintain the operations of the computer and its devices

a server operating system

is a OS that organizes and coordinates how multiple users access and share resourceson a nerwork

stand-alone operating system

is a complete operating system that works on a desktop computer, notebook , or mobile computing device

a driver

is a small program that tells the (OS) operating systemhow to communicate with a specific device

a command line interface

is when a user types commands or presses special keys on the keyboard to enter data and instructions

a graphical interface

is when you interact with menus and visual images such as buttons and other graphical objects to isuue commands

a cold boot

is when you turn on a computer that has been powered down the computer completly

What is the purpose of an automatic update feature?

this feature automatically provides updates to the program. these updates can include fixes to the program bugs, enhancement to security, modification to device driver, access to new or expaneded components such as desktop themes or games, and even updates to the application software, such asa web browser or an email program