Journal 07 - maxinepopov/sys-140 GitHub Wiki

Basic Operating Systems Overview

Operating system = software that is coordinating interactions between hardware and software applications. Also, interaction between the user and the computer. Examples include, OS X, IOS, windows, google chrome OS, and android. Advantages of Linux includes the code that is making up the operating system is able to be opened to view and change. Operating systems can be a GUI or command-based interface, or both. Example is Windows explorer. Windows explorer and file are being used to manage files and folders.

File = electronic container that is capable of storing computer code or data. Command prompt allows you to enter commands specific to the operating system.

User interaction with operating systems = On startup of windows computer, the user gets presented by a logon screen asking for the ID and/or password. The desktop is the area on screen of the GUI environment and includes icons. Windows 8 has a start screen as well and uses tiles instead of icons. The live tile represents apps with content that changes in periods. The shortcut represents a path to files, folders, and programs. The recycle bin holds files and folders that are deleted by users. Taskbar is located at the bottom of a traditional desktop and holds current applications or files. Start button is located in the desktop's lower left corner on the taskbar. It launches apps and utilities, searches, obtains help, and can remove or add hard/software. Task view button (windows 10) enables the viewing thumbnails of open apps and selecting which one to choose.

When something is double clicked in windows, the window will appear. Technicians interact with windows operating systems through the dialog box which is used in the operating system. The close button closes the dialog box window. OK button either means all options selected or changed when the dialog box is applied. Cancel button, the change in dialog box is not applied. Apply button makes the change immediately. Radio button is a circle that has a solid dot inside it. Context menus save time and are used by technicians; it appears differently in applications, though there’s options available in the main menu or windows settings.

Control panels configure the aspects of windows and it can be accessed from the start menu. The system control panel can determine the amount of RAM installed, the processor installed, and the current version the computer has of windows. The version OS is very important when troubleshooting since it is information placed within a search parameter. The service pack contains multiple fixes to operating systems.

Windows Registry = Configuration that is stored in a database. It contains folders, file property settings, port configuration, application preferences, and user profiles. The user profile contains configuration settings, in which the user has access, desktop settings, and network configuration for each user who has an account. Registry loads into RAM during the boot process. Registry is made up of five subtrees or branches or hives. “Hkey_Local_Machine, Hkey_Users, Hyker_Current_User, Hkey_Current_Config, and Hkey_Classes_Root.

Editing windows registry = Changes done through windows are done through the control panels. Although, sometimes the registry is needed. Regedit or regedt32 are two registry editors available from a command prompt.

64bit of windows, the registry gets divided into 32- and 64-bit keys. 64-bit software keys are being kept in Hkey_Local_Machine\Software subfolders. 32bit keys kept in subfolder “Wow6432Node” located in Hkey_Local_Machine. 64 bit software keys are in the Hkey_Local_Machine\Software subfolders.

Backing up data = Cloud storage known as storing data in a remote location. Storage spaces can also be used to back up data.

Recovering the windows OS = Once a computer performs bad or malfunctions, repair, replacement, or uninstalling the operation could be a solution. This can be done by creating a windows system image using backup and restore on windows via control panel, optical disks, hard drives, network location, system image recovery option, creating a windows recovery disc, use recovery disc providing by the computer manufacturer, recovery partition, advanced startup options in windows 8, windows 10 advanced startup section, backup/restore software provided by external hard drive manufacturer, using the original operating system disc or image, or selecting safe mode from advanced boot options.