A+ Guide to Software

by Andrews, Jean

• ISBN13: 9780619186272
• ISBN10: 0619186275
• Edition: 2nd
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-04-04
• Publisher: Course Technology

Summary

Written by an instructor expressly for the classroom, this guide has been thoroughly updated for today's technologies and is designed to prepare students to pass the 2003 A+ OS Technologies certification exam and master PC Repair.

Table of Contents

A+ Table of Contents	xiii
Introduction	xx
Introducing and Comparing Operating Systems	1	(42)
What an Operating System Does	2	(10)
Operating System Components	4	(1)
How an OS Relates to Users	5	(2)
Comparing Operating Systems	7	(5)
DOS (Disk Operating System)	12	(1)
Windows Operating Systems	13	(19)
Windows 9x	13	(4)
Windows NT	17	(7)
Windows 2000	24	(5)
Windows XP	29	(3)
Other Operating Systems	32	(5)
Unix	32	(1)
Linux	33	(1)
OS/2	34	(1)
Macintosh Operating System (Mac OS)	34	(3)
Chapter Summary	37	(1)
Key Terms	38	(1)
Review Questions	38	(1)
Hands-on Projects	39	(2)
Case Project	41	(2)
How an OS Works with Hardware and Other Software	43	(52)
How an OS Relates to Hardware	44	(27)
The Motherboard	46	(2)
The CPU	48	(1)
Memory or RAM	48	(1)
Buses on the Motherboard	49	(3)
System Resources on the Motherboard	52	(12)
BIOS on the Motherboard and Other Circuit Boards	64	(2)
CMOS Setup Chip	66	(1)
Hard Drives and Other Secondary Storage Devices	66	(5)
How an OS Relates to Other Software	71	(9)
Real (16-Bit) and Protected (32-Bit) Operating Modes	71	(3)
How an OS Uses BIOS and Device Drivers	74	(6)
How an OS Launches Applications	80	(8)
How Application Software Is Loaded and Initialized	81	(5)
Loading Application Software Using the Windows Desktop	86	(2)
Chapter Summary	88	(2)
Key Terms	90	(1)
Review Questions	90	(2)
Hands-on Projects	92	(2)
Case Project	94	(1)
Understanding the Boot Process and Command Line	95	(62)
Booting Up Your Computer	96	(9)
Startup BIOS Controls the Beginning of the Boot	96	(6)
Loading the MS-DOS Core of Windows 9x	102	(3)
Emergency Startup Disks	105	(7)
Windows 9x Startup Disks	105	(5)
Accessing a Command Prompt	110	(2)
How DOS and Windows 9x View and Manage Memory	112	(11)
Physical Memory and Memory Addresses	114	(1)
Areas of the Memory Map	115	(4)
Utilities that Manage Memory	119	(3)
Some Default Settings Used by Windows	122	(1)
Managing Floppy Disks and Hard Drives	123	(25)
How Data is Logically Stored on a Floppy Disk	123	(1)
The Formatting Process for a Floppy Disk	124	(4)
How a Hard Drive Is Logically Organized to Hold Data	128	(7)
Using Fdisk to Partition a Drive	135	(2)
Formatting Each Logical Drive	137	(1)
Using Commands to Manage a Floppy Disk or Hard Drive	138	(9)
Using Batch Files	147	(1)
Chapter Summary	148	(2)
Key Terms	150	(1)
Review Questions	151	(1)
Hands-on Projects	152	(3)
Case Project	155	(2)
Prepare a Hard Drive for the Installation of Windows 9x	155	(2)
Installing and Using Windows 9x	157	(60)
Windows 9x Versions and Architecture	158	(6)
How Windows 98 Differs from Windows 95	158	(1)
Windows Me	159	(1)
Windows 9x Architecture	160	(4)
Installing Windows 9x	164	(16)
What's on the Windows 9x CD	165	(1)
Preparing for Installation	166	(1)
Installing Windows 9x as a Clean Installation	167	(1)
Installing 9x as an Upgrade	168	(3)
Installation Process from the Setup Screen	171	(7)
Instructions for Specific Upgrades	178	(2)
Downloading and Installing Updates for Windows 9x	180	(1)
Using Windows 9x	180	(10)
Keystroke Shortcuts in Windows	180	(2)
Managing the Windows 9x Desktop	182	(4)
Using Windows Explorer to Manage Floppy Disks and Hard Drives	186	(4)
Installing Hardware with Windows 9x	190	(8)
Adding New Hardware	190	(6)
Plug and Play and Hardware Installations	196	(2)
Installing Applications in Windows 9x	198	(6)
Preparing for Software Installation	198	(1)
Performing Software Installations	199	(1)
Troubleshooting Software Installations	199	(1)
Supporting DOS Applications Under Windows 9x	200	(4)
Managing Memory with Windows 9x	204	(4)
Memory Management with Device Drivers in Windows 9x	204	(2)
Windows 9x Swap File	206	(1)
Virtual Machine Manager	207	(1)
Getting Help from Microsoft	208	(1)
Chapter Summary	209	(3)
Key Terms	212	(1)
Review Questions	213	(1)
Hands-on Projects	214	(1)
Case Project	215	(2)
Supporting and Troubleshooting Windows 9x	217	(50)
Booting Windows 9x	218	(6)
Files Used to Customize the Startup Process	218	(2)
The Windows 9x Startup Process	220	(4)
Loading an Application at Startup	224	(1)
Troubleshooting the Windows 9x Boot Process	224	(9)
Error Messages Received While Loading Windows 9x	225	(1)
Microsoft Windows 9x Startup Menu	226	(6)
Using the Startup Disk for Troubleshooting	232	(1)
The Windows 9x Registry	233	(6)
How the Registry Is Organized	234	(1)
Recovering from a Corrupted Registry	235	(2)
Modifying the Registry	237	(2)
Tools Used to Monitor, Control, and Troubleshoot Windows 9x	239	(14)
System Applet in Control Panel	242	(1)
System Monitor	243	(1)
System Configuration Utility	243	(2)
Tools to Manage Security	245	(1)
Managing a Hard Drive	246	(4)
Device Manager	250	(1)
Dr. Watson	251	(1)
Windows Help and the Microsoft Web Site	252	(1)
Troubleshooting Hardware in Windows 9x	253	(3)
Troubleshooting Legacy Devices and Drivers	255	(1)
Troubleshooting Applications in Windows 9x	256	(3)
Problems with a Software Program Itself	257	(1)
Uninstalling Software	258	(1)
Troubleshooting Problems with Windows Performance	259	(1)
Chapter Summary	259	(3)
Key Terms	262	(1)
Review Questions	262	(1)
Hands-on Projects	263	(4)
Understanding and Supporting Windows NT	267	(36)
A Break with the Past: A New Windows Architecture	268	(7)
The Modular Concept of Windows NT	268	(4)
Windows NT Modes	272	(3)
Installing Windows NT	275	(10)
Hard Drive Partitions	276	(1)
A Choice of File Systems	277	(2)
Preparing to Install Windows NT	279	(2)
Installing Windows NT as the Only OS	281	(2)
Installing Windows NT as the Second OS on the Hard Drive	283	(2)
Supporting Windows NT	285	(7)
Memory in Windows NT	285	(1)
Installing Hardware and Software	286	(3)
Windows NT Networking	289	(3)
Understanding the Windows NT Boot Process	292	(2)
Troubleshooting Windows NT	294	(5)
Troubleshooting the Windows NT Boot Process	295	(4)
Chapter Summary	299	(1)
Key Terms	300	(1)
Review Questions	300	(2)
Hands-on Projects	302	(1)
Case Project	302	(1)
Installing and Using Windows 2000 Professional	303	(28)
Windows 2000 Architecture	304	(3)
New Features	304	(2)
Basic Disks and Dynamic Disks	306	(1)
Installing Windows 2000 Professional	307	(12)
Plan the Installation	307	(7)
Clean Installation	314	(2)
Clean Install When the Hard Drive Has an Operating System Installed	316	(1)
Upgrade Installation	317	(1)
After the Installation: Backing Up the System State	318	(1)
Using Windows 2000	319	(4)
Managing the Desktop	320	(3)
Installing Hardware and Applications	323	(3)
Installing Hardware	323	(2)
Installing Applications	325	(1)
Chapter Summary	326	(1)
Key Terms	327	(1)
Review Questions	327	(1)
Hands-on Projects	328	(2)
Case Project	330	(1)
Managing and Troubleshooting Windows 2000	331	(42)
Understanding the Boot Process	332	(3)
Customizing the Boot Process	332	(3)
Troubleshooting the Boot Process	335	(9)
Tools for Maintenance and Troubleshooting	344	(24)
Using the Backup Tool to Restore the System State	345	(1)
Windows 2000 Support Tools	345	(2)
Windows File Protection	347	(1)
Command Window	348	(1)
Disk Properties Window	349	(1)
Computer Management	350	(4)
Microsoft Management Console	354	(6)
Performance Monitoring and Optimization	360	(5)
Managing Virtual Memory	365	(1)
Dr. Watson and Memory Dumps	366	(1)
Windows Update	367	(1)
Chapter Summary	368	(1)
Key Terms	369	(1)
Review Questions	369	(1)
Hands-on Projects	370	(3)
Installing and Using Windows XP Professional	373	(36)
Features and Architecture of Windows XP	374	(3)
Windows XP Features	374	(2)
Windows XP Architecture	376	(1)
Installing Windows XP	377	(14)
Planning the Installation	377	(4)
Installation Process	381	(6)
After the Installation	387	(4)
Using Windows XP	391	(7)
Customizing the Windows XP Desktop	393	(3)
Managing Audio and Video	396	(2)
Multiple Logins and Remote Assistance	398	(1)
Installing Hardware and Applications	398	(6)
Installing Hardware	398	(3)
Installing Applications	401	(3)
Chapter Summary	404	(1)
Key Terms	405	(1)
Review Questions	406	(1)
Hands-on Projects	407	(2)
Managing and Supporting Windows XP	409	(36)
Security Using Windows NT/2000/XP	410	(12)
User Accounts and Profiles	410	(6)
Disk Quotas	416	(2)
EPS (Encrypted File System)	418	(3)
Internet Connection Firewall	421	(1)
The Windows NT/2000/XP Registry	422	(6)
How the Registry Is Organized	422	(4)
Editing the Registry	426	(2)
Other Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tools	428	(5)
Help on the Web	431	(2)
Troubleshooting the Boot Process	433	(7)
System Restore	435	(1)
Windows XP Startup Disk	436	(1)
Automated System Recovery	437	(2)
Error Messages and Their Meanings	439	(1)
Chapter Summary	440	(2)
Key Terms	442	(1)
Review Questions	442	(1)
Hands-on Projects	443	(2)
Supporting Hard Drives	445	(38)
Supporting Hard Drives	446	(21)
Disk Compression	446	(3)
Disk Caching	449	(2)
Troubleshooting Hard Drives	451	(6)
Making Backups	457	(9)
Volume Types and Fault Tolerance	466	(1)
Viruses and Other Computer Infestations	467	(10)
Understanding Computer Infestations	468	(6)
Protecting Against Computer Infestations	474	(3)
Chapter Summary	477	(1)
Key Terms	478	(1)
Review Questions	478	(1)
Hands-on Projects	479	(4)
Windows on a Network	483	(54)
Networking Basics	484	(6)
How Network Communication Works	484	(1)
Understanding Network Layers	485	(2)
The OSI Model Applied to a Local Network	487	(3)
Addressing on a Network	490	(12)
MAC Addresses	491	(2)
IP Addresses	493	(6)
Host Names and NetBIOS Names	499	(1)
Assigning or Changing a Computer Name	500	(2)
Connecting to a Network and Sharing Resources	502	(26)
Connecting to a NetBEUI Network	502	(4)
Connecting to a TCP/IP Network	506	(5)
Sharing Resources on the Network	511	(12)
How Computers Find Each Other on a LAN	523	(2)
Network Drive Maps	525	(2)
Direct Cable Connection	527	(1)
Remote Access to a Network	528	(2)
Allowing Inbound Connections	528	(1)
Remote Control	529	(1)
Chapter Summary	530	(2)
Key Terms	532	(1)
Review Questions	533	(1)
Hands-on Projects	534	(3)
Windows on the Internet	537	(38)
The OSI Model Applied to a TCP/IP Network	538	(8)
IP Address and Port Identifies a Service	538	(2)
TCP/IP Protocols at Each Layer	540	(4)
TCP/IP Utilities	544	(2)
Connecting to the Internet Using a Dial-up Connection	546	(9)
How Dial-up Networking Works	546	(1)
Creating a Dial-up Connection in Windows 9x	547	(4)
Creating a Dial-up Connection in Windows 2000	551	(2)
Dial-up Networking Problems	553	(2)
DSL and Cable Modem Connections	555	(4)
Cable Modem	555	(2)
DSL	557	(1)
Sharing Internet Connections	557	(2)
Supporting Internet Clients	559	(10)
Supporting Web Browsers	560	(4)
Supporting E-Mail	564	(2)
Supporting FTP	566	(3)
Chapter Summary	569	(2)
Key Terms	571	(1)
Review Questions	571	(1)
Hands-on Projects	572	(3)
Linux, Macs, and Notebooks	575	(38)
Introducing the Mac OS	576	(12)
Starting Up Mac	576	(3)
Using the Mac	579	(4)
Supporting Hardware	583	(5)
Introducing Linux	588	(10)
Root Account and User Accounts	588	(1)
Directory and File Layout	589	(2)
Linux Commands	591	(4)
Using the vi Editor	595	(2)
Window Managers	597	(1)
Supporting Notebooks	598	(9)
Windows 98 Notebook Features	599	(1)
Windows 2000 Notebook Features	600	(1)
Windows XP Notebook Features	601	(1)
Power Management	602	(5)
Online Resources for Notebooks	607	(1)
Chapter Summary	607	(2)
Key Terms	609	(1)
Review Questions	609	(1)
Hands-on Projects	610	(3)
APPENDIX A Error Messages and Their Meanings	613	(4)
APPENDIX B ASCII Character Set and Ansi.sys	617	(4)
APPENDIX C The Hexadecimal Number System and Memory Addressing	621	(10)
Learning to ``Think Hex''	622	(1)
Place Value	622	(4)
How Exponents Are Used to Express Place Value	626	(1)
Binary Number System	626	(1)
Memory Addressing	627	(1)
Displaying Memory with DOS DEBUG	628	(3)
APPENDIX D The Professional PC Technician	631	(12)
What Customers Want: Beyond Technical Know-how	631	(1)
Support Calls: Providing Good Service	632	(6)
Planning for Good Service	632	(1)
Making an On-site Service Call	633	(1)
Phone Support	634	(3)
When You Can't Solve the Problem	637	(1)
Recordkeeping and Information Tools	638	(1)
Professional Organizations and Certifications	639	(1)
Why Certification?	640	(1)
Protecting Software Copyrights	640	(3)
What Does the Law Say?	641	(1)
What Are Your Responsibilities under the Law?	641	(2)
Glossary	643	(14)
Index	657