Booting The Windows Operating System

Each time the computer is switched on; it goes through a series of steps before the user is permitted to interact with the system. These initial steps are collectively known as booting and the process is called as the Boot process.

Stages of The Boot Process

Windows XP boots in stages. Let us discuss the different stages.

Power On Self Test (POST)

Power On Self Test or POST is a set of instructions stored in the ROM that checks each functional area of the computer. These instructions form a part of the ROM-BIOS. The POST checks RAM, tests the connections to the various hardware devices like the keyboard, VDU and disk drive and reports problems encountered.

The next stage is the bootstrap process.

Bootstrap Process

The name of this process originates from an American expression, pull yourself up by your boot straps which means, prepare yourself. During this process, the OS is loaded into RAM. Familiarity with the boot process helps in understanding the OS better.

The bootstrap process comprises of two sequences:

• Preboot Sequence

• Actual Boot Sequence

Preboot Sequence

The bootstrap process consists of loading the components of the OS into the internal memory, (RAM) of the computer. These components are :

• Kernel – This is a program that acts as an interface layer between the user and the hardware components. The kernel hides the hardware details from the user.

• Device Drivers – These are programs that run various devices attached to the computer. For example, the disk drive and the mouse have their own device drivers.

Actual Boot Sequence

The actual boot sequence succeeds the preboot sequence. This sequence gathers information about hardware and drivers and prepares windows XP to load. Windows XP requires certain files in order to boot. They are :

• Ntldr – Loads the OS

•    Boot.ini – Builds the OS selection menu that is displayed during the booting process

• Ntdetect.com – Examines the hardware available and builds a hardware list.

Note : All these files are hidden and read only. This ensures that they are not modified or damaged accidentally.

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Windows Operating System

An operating system software is the program that acts as an interface between the user and the hardware. It recognizes the input from the keyboard or the mouse sends output to the visual display unit, keeps track of the files and directories and provides an environment to run other programs. MS DOS, UNIX, LINUX, OS/2 and MS-Windows 7 are example of an operating system.

Evolution of Microsoft Windows XP

Microsoft has designed the windows family to meet computing needs ranging from stand alone, through small local area networks (LAN), to wide area enterprise networking. The following section summarizes the product available in the Microsoft Windows family :

Windows 3.1

The oldest member of the windows family, Microsoft Windows 3.1 brought mass acceptance of Personal computer (PC) based graphic user interface (GUI), windows 3.1 is not a true operating system and runs on DOS.

Windows for workgroups 3.11

Network support was one of the major focuses of windows for workgroups 3.11. windows for workgroups 3.11 runs on DOS, and is not a true operating system,, Network support is significantly better than windows 3.1

Windows NT

Windows NT includes the windows 95 user interface. It can work in two modes, server mode or workstation mode. In server mode, the system acts as a host and providers resources and services to a group of computers. In workstation mode, the system normally acts as client in the group of computers and users the services provided by another computer for some tasks. While working in either of the modes, the windows NT system provides good networking and security features.

Windows XP

Windows XP combines the strengths of windows NT, such as security, manageability, and reliability, with the best end user features of windows, such as simplified user interface, and plug and play.

Features of Windows XP

Let us discuss the features of windows XP that make it a powerful operating system (OS).

True 32-bit Operating system

The computer stores and processes data in bits, which is the smallest unit for measuring information. OSs can be classified on the basis of the number of bits they can process at a time. Windows XP is a 32-bit OS, which implies that it can send or receive 32 bits of information a  time and can internally process 32 bits of data.

Portability

The characteristics of the microprocessor affect the OS design. An OS, which is designed with a particular processor in mind, can take advantage of the specific features of that processor, but will not be able to run on computer, which use any other processor. The ability of software to run on different processors is referred to as portability. Windows XP is one such portable OS, which can run on both the older Intel IV processors as well as on the latest Core2Dou and Core i7 processors.

Scalability

Windows XP is a multi processing OS, which means that it can use more than one microprocessor for its internal processing. In fact, windows XP can run on computers with as many 32 processors. The architecture of windows XP is designed to take maximum advantage of the additional processors and ensure that none of the processors are idle.

Multitasking Features

Windows XP is a multitasking OS, which means that it can perform more than one task at the same time. For example, you can write a sales report in MS WORD, and can refer to the latest sales figures document in the background. Multitasking is implemented by using the principle of time sharing, where each application is allowed to run only for a fixed duration of time. After that, the microprocessor puts that task in a queue and performs another task. Thus, it manages to perform more than one task at a time. This feature is also known as preemptive multitasking.

Multi User Support

Windows XP is also a multi user OS, which means that it supports more than one user several users can access the same set of files, share the same resources, like printers or scanners. Windows XP ensures that there is no unauthorized access of resources or interference with other user’s tasks.

Multi Threading

The multitasking and multi user support provided by windows XP is implemented by a technique called multi threading. A thread is defined as a single sequential flow of control. A program is normally broken into small chunks called task and tasks are further broken into smaller chunks called threads. Each windows XP process requires at least one thread of execution. Windows XP allows a process to have more than one thread associated with it. For example, you can edit a file, print in the ;background and another user may also be working on the same file simultaneously. All these processed seem to be running simultaneously because each of these processes use a different thread.

Compatibility

Windows XP is compatible with other OSs. This means that it can interact with other OSs like OS/2, for networking and resource sharing purposes.

Built In Networking

Windows XP can be used as server, with several workstations, known as mode, connected to it. The nodes can communicate, access resources and data on the server as well as on other nodes. The networking support also enable windows XP to make use of microprocessor of other computers on a network. This ensures maximum utilization of system resources. This feature is known as distributed processing.

Graphical User Interface

Windows XP has a user friendly graphical interface. Users can now perform complex tasks by selecting options from drop down menus and click on icons to execute programs.

Enhanced Multimedia Support

Windows media player for windows XP combines all digital media activities into a single player. Thus, same player can be used to view clippings, listen to audio and view DVD movies.

Windows File Protection

Windows XP protects core file system files from being overwritten by application installations. If a file is overwritten, windows XP will restore the correct version.

Encrypting File System (EFS)

The EFS encrypts each file with a randomly generated key thus providing high level of protection from hackers and data theft. Encryption is a technique used to disguise the contents of a file to hide its substance. The entire process of encryption and decryption is transparent to the user.

Adaptive User Environment

Windows XP adapts to the way an individual user works. For example, the redesigned start menu shows most frequently used applications first. This provides a cleaner work environment and allows user to be more efficient.

Dual View

A single computer desktop can be displayed on two monitors thus allowing users to maximize their productivity.

Remote Desktop

Windows XP allows users to create a virtual session onto their desktop computers using the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP). This allows users to access all of their data and applications housed on their computer from another computer connected to their machine via a network.

Remote Assistance

This feature enables a user to share control of his/her computer with someone on a network or the internet. The other person can view the user’s screen and control the pointer (mouse) and keyboard to help solve a problem. This reduces the amount of time spent at user’s desk for troubleshooting and administrative tasks.

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Logging On and Desktop To Windows XP

Logging On To Windows XP

Every user on the windows XP network has a unique Login ID, known as an account that is created by the system administrator. Windows XP prompts the user to logon by selecting the login ID from the list of authentic user as shown in the following figure.

On selecting the user name, the system configures the settings according to the user while displaying the welcome screen. After logging the user into the system, the windows XP Desktop screen is displayed. The Desktop is the area from where menus can be invoked objects on the computer or network accessed.

Note : When you access the windows XP system for the first time after installation, the system doesn’t prompt you for a username.

The Windows XP Desktop

When you start windows XP, you see icons displayed on the desktop. The desktop is the first view of the windows XP operating system. The desktop contains icons, short cuts and the taskbar. The user can navigate the user interface using the taskbar or the Start menu.

Desktop Icons

The following figure shows the desktop.

When you login for the first time, the desktop contains only one icon for the Recycle Bin.

Note : Windows XP works in adaptive mode and deeps adding icons to your desktop as you work with various applications. It is also possible to hide the icons of the desktop by clicking the right mouse button on the desktop and selection Personalize option followed by the Change Desktop Icons option, click on check box the following option Computer, User's Files, Network etc under Desktop Icon Menu and click on apply. This option acts in toggle mode and can be clicked again to show the icons on the Desktop.

Recycle Bin

Windows  stores deleted files in the Recycle Bin, which is located on desktop. You can use the Recycle Bin to retrieve files that you have accidentally deleted, or empty the Recycle Bin to create more disk space.

Taskbar

The taskbar is bar that appears at the bottom of the windows XP desktop as displayed in the windows XP desktop figure. The Start button is at the extreme left of the taskbar. All the applications that are running appear as minimized buttons on the taskbar. The current window is displayed as a pressed button; all other applications are displayed as raised buttons. You can click on an inactive application to make it active and it will be displayed as the current window. The taskbar thus makes it easier to switch between applications.

Start Menu

The Start menu is a menu located at the extreme left of the taskbar. Start menu provides links to all the programs/applications and documents.

The Start button opens a menu that displays the username of the current user on the top and makes the following main options available with a single click:

•   My Computer

• Control Panel

•   Help and Support

• All Programs

•   Switch User – Log Off, Restart, Sleep, Shut Down

The Start menu also displays options to execute frequently used applications which have been installed on your system.

From the Start menu, you can customize the look and feel of windows; find files and folders and log-ff or turn-off your computer. For some items, a submenu opens to the side of the main item to display a list of options for that item.

Working With Windows XP

A window is essentially a rectangular area on your screen in which you can view an application or document. You can open, close, move and change the size of windows. You can open more than one window at a time, and you can even minimize a window to an icon or enlarge it to fill the entire desktop.

Components of a window

A typical window appears as shown in the following figure.

As can be observed from the above figure, a window consist of a title bar, control buttons such as Close, Minimize and Maximize buttons, and a handle that appears when the mouse pointer is placed at the border of the windows. Let us understand how these components help us to work with windows.

Moving a Window

Let us take an example of “Program Files” folder in drive C:. You can double click on the folder to open the window. This window can be moved by placing your mouse pointer on the title bar that is at the top of the window and moving the mouse with the left button pressed to the required location. This will enable you to move the window anywhere on the screen.

Resizing a window

You can change the size of a window and make it big or small using the handle that appear at the four borders of the window. The mouse pointer changes to a handle when it is placed at the border of a window. You can drag (move the mouse with the left button pressed) to move the handle inwards or outwards to change the size of the window to smaller or larger respectively.

The size of the window can increase width-wise or length-wise as required by you.

Using Control Buttons

Every window has three buttons on the right-upper corner that can be used to minimize, maximize and close the window.

In a maximized window, the maximized button is replaced by the restore button as shown below.

Working With Menus and Dialog Boxes

To enable you to perform actions within a window, you have to work with windows menus and dialog boxes.

Menus

A menu is a list of available commands in an application window. The names of the menu appear on the topside of a window. The window menu, which can be used to manipulate a window, is represented by the program icon at the extreme left of the title bar and is common to all windows XP applications. You can open a menu by clicking the menu name. Let us discuss how you can use menus to open applications.

Starting an Application

To start an application, select the All Programs option from the start menu and click on the program application you want to execute. The All Programs option displays a submenu with a list of suboptions as displayed below.

Thus the Start menu is used to launch various applications. Alternatively, applications can also be launched through the Run option of the Start menu. The user needs to specify the name of the executable file and the application is launched. Following figure shows the Run dialog box.

Opening Documents

You can quickly access a recently used document using the My Recent Document option of the Start menu. This option will open a sub menu that will display about 12 to 15 recently used documents. Click on a document to open it.

Working With a Dialog Box

To perform any action on an object in Windows XP, you will have to interact with a dialog box. For example, if you open Notepad application and want to save a file you will have to use the Save As option in the File menu of an application.

When you select Save As from the menu as shown in the above figure, the Save As dialog box will be displayed.

You can click on the Help button at the top right hand corner of the dialog box to get more information about any of the items in the box. A pop-up window will display the required information and you can close the window by clicking inside it.

LOGGING OFF

The Log Off option on the Start menu enables you to close your current session. The following screen is displayed.

The two options available on the Log Off Windows screen are:

• Switch User

• Log Off

If you select Log Off option, the current session will be closed stopping all the running applications. Alternatively, when you select the Switch User option, the system will prompt you to select the user name to begin a new session. In this case, unlike the Log Off option, all the programs of your previous session are kept alive.

TURNING OFF YOUR COMPUTER

The Turn Off option on the Start menu enables you to shout down your computer. The following screen is displayed.

The three option available on the Turn Off Computer screen are:

• Hibernate – If you select this option, the system saves your desktop state to the hard disk and proceeds to shut down the computer. When you start the computer again, the saved desktop state is retrieved from the disk and displayed accordingly.

• Turn Off – If you select this option, the system closes all programs and shuts down the computer.

• Restart – This option will shut down the computer and then restart it.

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Manipulating Your Windows Folders and Files

In the previous section we discussed how you could navigate through a hierarchy of folders in Windows Explorer. Let us now discuss the common tasks that can be performed on folders and files.

Managing Folders and Files

Windows Explorer provides easy access to common tasks that can be performed on files and folders. The common tasks that can be used on files and folders are:

v  Make a new folder

v  Create a new file

v  Rename

v  Copy

v  Move

v  Delete

The common management tasks are available on the left side of the window that displays the contents of the folder. The tasks are hyperlinks that are colored and underlined text, which give easy access to a file or a task. The tasks that can be performed on the file or folder are given under File and Folder Tasks as displayed in the following figure.

The File and Folder Tasks differ for different files and folders. For examples, when you open a drive the File and Folder Tasks contain the following actions :

v  Make a new folder

v  Publish this folder to the web

v  Share this folder

Some tasks are specific to the file or folder that is opened. For example, if you select a picture in a folder, you can perform File and Folder Tasks and also the Picture Tasks that are :

v  View as a slide show

v  Order prints online

v  Print this picture

v  Set as desktop background

Let us discuss some of the common tasks that you can perform on files and folders.

Creating a Folder

In Windows XP, the most commonly used method to create a new folder I using the File and Folder Tasks list. The steps to create a new folder are:

1. Select the folder in which you want to create the new folder.
2. Select the Make a new Folder hyperlink from the File and Folder Task list.

A new folder with the default name as New Folder will be created as shown in the following figure:

3. Type the name of the folder and press ENTER.

Creating A File

Windows XP treats all objects as files. Thus, folders are special files that contain related files and folders.

The steps to create a file in a folder are:

1.      Click on the File menu in Windows Explorer.

2.      Select the New option.

3.      Select the type of file from the submenu of New.

A folder or a file can be created on the windows XP Desktop. On the desktop, right click the mouse button. Windows displays a short cut menu from which you can select the New option. The following figure displays the shortcut menu with the New option:

The submenu displayed on selecting the New option displays the different types of application files that you can create.

Renaming Files and Folders

You can change the name of a file and folder with the following steps:

1. Click on the file or folder that you want to rename.
2. Click on the Rename this/Rename this Folder hyperlink in the File and Folder Tasks list in the left pane. A cursor will appear in the file/folder name that will enable you to edit the name as shown in the following figure:

3. Type the new name.
4. Press ENTER.

In windows, a file or folder name can consist of 255 characters, including spaces. However, it cannot contain the following characters : \ / : * ? <>.

Note : Names of system folders such as windows, Document and settings cannot be changed because they are required by windows to function properly.

Copying Files and Folders

Windows XP allows you to copy files and folders. Copying creates a duplicate file in another location. To copy a file :

1. Click the file folder that you want to copy.
2. Click on Copy this file or Copy This Folder hyperlink under File and Folder Tasks in the left pane of the window. The Copy Items window will be displayed as shown in the following figure:

3. Select a folder from the list and click the Copy button and the file or folder will be copied to that folder.

In case you want to copy the file to a new folder, then first click on the Make New Folder button to create anew folder and give the appropriate name. Then click on the Copy button to copy the file or folder inn the new folder that you created.

Moving Files and Folders

You can move a file from one folder to another. The difference between Copy and Move is the Copy creates a duplicate file in another location, but Move removes the file physically from the original location and places it in the new location. To move a file or folder:

1.      Click the file or folder that you want to move.

2.      Click on the Move This File or Move This Folder hyperlink under File and Folder Tasks in the left pane of the window. The Move Items window will be displayed as shown in following figure:

3.      Select a folder from the list and click the Move button and the file or folder will be moved to that folder.

In case you want to move the file to a new folder, then first click the Make New Folder button to create a new folder and give the appropriate name. Then click on the Move button to move the file or folder in the folder that you created.

Note : Moving a file is the same as using the Cut option from the Edit menu. Using this option you physically cut and paste the file, thus changing the location of the file.

Deleting File and Folders

Windows XP enables you to delete files on your computer and on the network, if you have the permission to do so. Deletion of unnecessary files results in freeing of disk space and keeping your data well organized.

You can delete selected files or folders by clicking on the Delete This File or Delete This Folder hyperlink under File and Folder Tasks.

The deleted files and folders are moved to the Recycle Bin folder. You can restore or permanently delete the files using menu options from the Recycle Bin folder.

Note : All the tasks discussed above can also be performed using the Edit menu on toolbar or the shortcut menu that appears on right clicking the selected file or folder.

Changing The Program For a File Type

The default program used to open JPG files on your machine is Windows Picture and Fax V. You want to change the program used to invoke JPG files so that you can edit the picture. Windows XP provides you with an option to change the program that is used to invoke a file type. For example, if you want to change the program, Windows Picture and Fax V that opens a JPG picture file to Paint, you have to perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start menu and select Control Panel.
2. Click the Appearance and Themes hyperlink and then click Folder Options.
3. Click the File Types tab in Folder Options window.
4. Select JPG in the Registered File Types box in the Extensions column by using the navigation scroll bar.
5. Click the Change button. The Open With dialog box is displayed.
6. Select the program Paint from Recommended Programs.
7. Click OK. The Folder Options dialog box is displayed as shown in the following figure:

As can be observed from the figure above, under Details for ‘JPG’ Extension, the program type has changed in Opens With : Paint.

8. Click Close.

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100 Run Command For Windows Xp and Shortcuts

Add Hardware Wizard - hdwwiz.cpl

Add/Remove Programs - appwiz.cpl

Administrative Tools - control admintools

Automatic Update - wuaucpl.cpl

Bluetooth File Transfer Wizard - fsquirt

Calculator - calc

Certificates - cermgr.msc

Character Map - charmap

Check Disk (DOS) - chkdsk

Command Prompt - cmd

Component Services - dcomcnfg

Computer Management - compmgmt.msc

Control Panel - control

Date and Times - timedate.cpl

Device Manager - devmgmt.msc

DirectX Diagnostic Tool - dxdiag

Disk Cleanup - cleanmgr

Disk Management - diskmgmt.msc

Disk Partition Management - diskpart

Display Properties - control desktop

Display properties - desk.cpl

Driver Verifier Manager - verifier

Event Viewer - eventvwr.msc

File and Settings Transfer Tool - migwiz

File Signature Verification - sigverif

Folder Properties - control folders

Fonts - control fonts

Fonts Folder - fonts

Game Controllers - joy.cpl

Group Policy Editor - gpedit.msc

Help and Support - helpctr

IExpress Wizard - iexpress

Indexing Service - ciadv.msc

Internet Connection Wizard - icwconnl

Internet Explorer - iexplore

User Accounts - control userpasswords2

Internet Properties - inetcpl.cpl

Keyboard Properties - control keyboard

Local Security Settings - secpol.msc

Local Users and Groups - lusrmgr.msc

Microsoft Chats - winchat

Microsoft Movie Maker - moviemk

MS Paint - mspaint

MS Paint - pbrush

Microsoft Synchronize Tool - mobsync

Mouse Properties - control mouse

Mouse Properties - main.cpl

Net Meeting - conf

Network Connections - control netconnections

Network Connections - ncpa.cpl

Network Setup Wizard - netsetup.cpl

Notepad - notepad

Object Page Maker - packager

ODBC Data Administrator - odbccp32.cpl

On-Screen Keyboard - osk

Outlook Express - msimn

Password Properties - password.cpl

Performance Monitor - perfmon.msc

Performance Monitor - perfmon

Phone and Modem Option - telephon.cpl

Phone Dialer - dialer

Power Configuration - powercfg.cpl

Password Properties - password.cpl

Performance Monitor - perfmon.msc

Performance Monitor - perfmon

Phone and Modem Option - telephon.cpl

Phone Dialer - dialer

Power Configuration - powercfg.cpl

Printer and Fax - control printers

Printers Folder - printers

Region and Language - intl.cpl

Registry Editor - regedit

Registry Editor - regedit32

Remote Access Phonebook - rasphone

Remote Desktop - mstsc

Removal Storage - ntmsmgr.msc

Removal Storage Operator Request - ntmsoprq.msc

Resultant Set of Policy - rsop.msc

Scanner and Camera - sticpl.cpl

Schedule Task - control schedtasks

Security Center - wscui.cpl

Services - services.msc

Shared Folder - fsmgmt.msc

Windows Shut Down - shutdown

Sounds and Audio - mmsys.cpl

System Configuration Editor - sysedit

System Configuration Utility - msconfig

System Information - msinfo32

System Properties - sysdm.cpl

Task Manager - taskmgr

TCP Tester - tcptest

Talent Client - telnet

User Account Manager - nusrmgr.cpl

Utility Manager - utilman

Windows Address Book - wab

Windows Address Book Import Utility - wabmig

Windows Explorer - explorer

Windows Firewall - firewall.cpl

Windows Magnifier - magnify

Windows Management - wmimgmt.msc

Windows Media Player - wmplayer

Windows Messenger - msmsgs

Windows System Security Tools - syskey

Windows Version - wnver

Windows XP Tour - tourstart

WordPad – write

Windows Logoff - logoff

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