Chapter 8 Operating Systems and
Utility Programs
CHAPTER 8 PRIMARY OBJECTIVES
Identify the various types of system software
Differentiate between an operating system and utility program
Describe the features of operating systems
Describe the functions of an operating system
Identify and briefly describe popular operating systems used today
Explain the startup process for a personal computer
Discuss the purpose of the following utilities: viewer, file compression, diagnostic,
disk scanner, defragmenter, uninstaller, backup, antivirus, and screen saver
SYSTEM SOFTWARE
Consists of the programs that control the operations
of the computer and its devices
Operating System animation
OPERATING SYSTEMS
A set of programs containing instructions that coordinate all activities among hardware
resources
Allows you to run applications software
Some applications run on multiple platforms (cross-platform)
Kernel
Memory-resident
User interfaces
Command-line interface
Command language
Graphical user interface (GUI)
Menus
Icons
User Friendly
Browser-like features
Browser-like features
Features of Operating Systems
Single user (single tasking)
Multitasking
Foreground application
Background applications
Multiprocessing
Multiprocessing
Fault-tolerant
Functions of an Operating System
Memory management - optimize use of random access memory (RAM)
Buffer
Virtual memory (VM)
Pages and paging
Thrashing
Spooling print jobs
Jobs placed in a buffer before sent to a printer
Configuring devices
Device drivers
When you add a new device, a driver also must be present
Plug and Play
Interrupt request (IRQ)
Monitoring system performance
Performance monitoring software
Administering security
Logging on
User ID
Password
Managing storage media and files
File manager program
Formatting and copying disks
Displaying lists of files
Checking the amount of used and free space
Copying, renaming, deleting, moving, and sorting files
POPULAR OPERATING SYSTEMS
Technical issues
Device dependent vs. device independent
Proprietary software
Downward vs. upward compatibility
DOS
Several versions
Command-line and menu-driven
Windows 3.x
Operating environment
Graphical user interface
Introduced in 1990
Windows 95
True multitasking operating system
Improved graphical interface
Supports networking, Plug and Play technology, longer file names, and e-mail
Windows 98
Upgrade to Windows 95
Includes Microsoft Internet Explorer
Better Internet and multimedia support
New features
Windows 2000
Upgrade to Windows 98 and Windows NT
Graphical user interface
Microsoft: Whats This video
Windows CE
Designed for use on wireless communications devices
and smaller computers
Graphical user interface
Auto PC
Voice commands
Mac OS
Released in 1984 with the Macintosh
Can open, edit, and save files created in Windows and DOS
OS/2
From IBM
Graphical user interface
Speech recognition
Support for multiple CPUs
UNIX
Multi-user and multitasking
Many versions available
Command-line interface
Linux
Free
Gaining in popularity
NetWare
Widely used network operating system
Server portion resides on network server
Client portion resides on each client computer
STARTING A COMPUTER
Booting
Cold boot
Warm boot (warm start)
Boot information is displayed
Boot steps
Power supply sends a signal
CPU resets and finds BIOS
BIOS performs power-on self test (POST)
POST results compared to CMOS
BIOS finds boot program
BOOT program loaded and run
Operating system loads and finds hardware
Boot disk
Used if hard disk will not boot
Contains small set of operating system commands
Can be created by a user
UTILITY PROGRAMS
A type of system software that performs a specific
task, usually related to managing a computer, its devices, or it programs