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Computer Repair & Maintenance
Ainsley Smith
Tel: 0161 953 5995 Ex 3374
[email protected]
Installing an operating system, drivers and
applications on a PC
Today's Session
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The need for an operating system
Testing hardware and fixing failures before
installing an operating system (OS)
Various operating systems available,
Minimum system requirements
The BIOS
Device drivers
Applications
The need for an operating system?
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An operating system performs basic tasks such
as controlling and allocating memory
Prioritising system requests, controlling input
and output devices,
Facilitating networking and managing file
systems
The operating system forms a platform for
other system software and for application
software
The need for an operating system?
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Process management
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Every program running on a computer, be it a
service or an application, is a process
Memory management
An operating system's memory manager coordinates
the use of these various types of memory by
tracking which one is available
 Usually referred to as virtual memory management
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The need for an operating system?
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Disk and file systems
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All operating systems include support for a variety of file
systems
FAT32 - NTFS
Networking
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Most current operating systems are capable of using the
TCP/IP networking protocols
This means that one system can appear on a network of the
other and share resources such as files, printers
The need for an operating system?
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Security
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Many operating systems include some level of security
Internal security: an already running program
External security: a new request from outside the computer
Graphical user interfaces
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Most modern operating systems contain Graphical User
Interfaces
In the original implementations of Microsoft Windows the
GUI was actually part of the operating system
Modern operating systems are modular, separating the
graphics subsystem from the O/S
The need for an operating system?
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Device drivers
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A device driver is a specific type of computer
software developed to allow interaction with
hardware devices
Testing hardware and fixing failures
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Why test the system ?
No point going any further if system components
do not work.
 It will be impossible to install an O/S or the system
will have errors and be unstable.
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Testing hardware and fixing failures
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Check the LED’s on the front of the case.
During boot-up, the HDD LED should light.
 If it does, it is connected properly to the
motherboard.
 If not, try reversing the leads on the LED plug, or
just turning it around.
 You can also check that the power LED
 Check the hard drive. Make sure it is spinning.
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Check the fans.
Make sure the CPU fan, power supply fan, are all
spinning.
 If your video card happens to have a fan, make sure
it spins freely as well.
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Testing hardware and fixing failures
Make sure the CD-ROM has power by
hitting the eject button and seeing if it
opens.
 Hit the reset button to be sure it works.
While it reboots, check to be sure all the
data on the BIOS splash screen is correct
to your system.
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Testing hardware and fixing failures
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Let the system run for 10-15 minutes.
While it is running, go into your CMOS setup again
and go to the PC Health screen so that you can
monitor the CPU temperatures while it is running.
 The purpose in doing this is to ensure that the
processor is being adequately cooled and will not
lead to instability.
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Popular Operating systems
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MS-DOS
Windows
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NT , 9X,2000,XP,2003 etc
Linux
Mac OSX
Unix
Minimum system requirements
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What do we mean by minimum system
requirements ?
It’s the basic hardware that is needed to run the
Operating system / applications
 Ignoring this requirement may result in CUP
overload – (heat)
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Minimum system requirements
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Here's What You Need to Use Windows
XP Professional
PC with 300 megahertz or higher processor clock
speed recommended;
 128 megabytes (MB) of RAM or higher
recommended (64 MB minimum supported; may
limit performance and some features)
 1.5 gigabytes (GB) of available hard disk space
 Super VGA (800 x 600) or higher-resolution video
adapter and monitor
 CD-ROM or DVD drive
 Keyboard and Microsoft Mouse or compatible
pointing device
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The BIOS
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What is the BIOS
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Basic Input/Output System
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BIOS refers to the code “Firmware” run by
a personal computer when first powered on.
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The primary function of the BIOS is to
identify and initiate component hardware,
(such as hard drives, floppies, and CDs)
The BIOS
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This is to prepare the machine so other software
programs stored on various media can load, execute,
and assume control of the PC.
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This process is known as booting, or booting up, which
is short for bootstrapping.
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The BIOS runs off the PROM, EPROM or, most
commonly, flash memory when the computer is
powered on
Device Drivers
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What are Device drivers ?
A device driver, or “software driver” is a computer
program allowing higher-level computer programs to
interact with a computer hardware device
 A driver typically communicates with the device
through the computer bus to which the hardware is
connected
 Drivers are hardware-dependent and operatingsystem-specific.
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Device Drivers
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Purpose of a driver
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Device drivers act like a translator between a device
and the applications or operating systems that use it.
Device Drivers
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Where from ?
Obtained from original Hardware cd-rom
 For up-to-date drivers use the manufacturers web
site and browse the support pages.
 Many drivers now come pr-installed with Win XP or
Vista but may still be quite old.
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 Hp
Printer Drivers
Applications
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Office
In 1989, Microsoft introduced its most successful
office product, Microsoft Office.
 This was a bundle of separate office productivity
applications, such as Microsoft Word and Microsoft
Excel
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Office Professional
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Includes Access Outlook Contact manager and
Publisher.
Applications
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Alternatives to MS office
Corel WordPerfect Office
 Star Office (Sun micro systems)
 Open Office (freeware version of Star Office)
 Google Docs & Spreadsheets (online)
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Applications
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Internet Explorer
In July 1995, Microsoft released the Windows 95
operating system, which included key technologies
for connecting to the Internet.
 In response to the growing public interest in the
Internet, Microsoft created an add-on to the
operating system called Internet Explorer 1.0.
 The Internet became much more accessible for
many more people.
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Applications
Alternatives to MS IE6
 Although it's still in beta, Mozilla's new Firefox browser
has so far lived up to the buzz surrounding it.
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Created by the programmers who originally programmed
Netscape
If you want a browser that's been thoroughly vetted,
Mozilla itself is an option.
Opera has held its own for several years and has its own
following. There are free and paid versions of Opera
available.
Security Applications
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Antivirus
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Subscription -Antivirus Software
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Traditional antivirus works via a blacklist approach,
identifying known bad files and responding accordingly
Antivirus software needs to be updated regularly with the
new blacklist or Patch.
MacAfee
Sophos
Norton
Free -Antivirus Software
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AVG
Kaspersky
Security Applications
Firewall software
 Windows Firewall
A protective boundary that monitors and restricts
information that travels between your computer and
a network or the Internet.
 This provides a line of defence against someone
who might try to access your computer from outside
the Windows Firewall without your permission.
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Security Applications
Firewall software
 Windows Firewall
Service Pack 1 did not detect any outgoing
information i.e. Trojans etc
 Service pack 2 does now protect against these type
of attacks
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What Windows Firewall Does and Does Not Do
Security Applications
Alternatives to Windows Firewall
 Zone Alarm
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Black Ice
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IBM
MacAfee Internet security suit
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Free or Professional
Subscription
Trend
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Corporate – can be managed over the LAN
Security Applications
Spy ware
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Computer software that is installed sneakily on to a
personal computer to intercept or take partial
control over the user's interaction with the
computer, without the user's informed consent.
Anti spy software
Spy Bot search and destroy – free
 Microsoft Defender - free
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Security Applications
To access the Internet:
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Always use a Firewall
Install Anti virus – keep it uptodate
Install Anti Spyware