DIT314 ~ Client Operating System & Administration

CHAPTER 2INTRODUCTION TO WINDOWS XP

PROFESSIONAL

Prepared By : Suraya Alias

2.1 Windows XP & Features

Is an Operating Systems developed by Microsoft for the use of general purpose, home users and business desktop, notebook. “XP” aka eXPerience.

Two types of Win XP Windows XP Home

Edition Windows XP

Professional

Features in Win XP Improved Device Support System Restore Support for Latest

Hardware Standard User Interface Remote Desktop Power Management Kernel Improvement

2.2 Features in Win XP

1) Improved Device Support Win XP provide new and improved drivers and

user interfaces for devices compared to previous version

Keeps a copy of old driver, user can revert back if encounter any problems

2) System Restore Enables users and Admin to restore a comp to

previous state without losing data

2.2 Features in Win XP

3) Support for Latest Hardware Standard Win XP support UDF (Universal Disk Format) for

DVD, USB and IEEE 1394 bus

4) User Interface Improved Interface

Includes new visual themes, related programs are grouped, hiding taskbar icons etc

Fast User Switching Allows a multi user activity, allows another user to log

in and use the system without having to log the previous user and quit his application

2.2 Features in Win XP Remote Assistance

Allows Win XP users to temporarily take over a remote Windows XP computer over a network or in the internet to resolve issues

CD Burning Easier for user to burn CD

5) Remote Desktop Designed to allow users to

connect to computer running Win XP from another computer on the network. Useful for working from home.

2.2 Features in Win XP

6) Power Management Win XP provides a power management to reduce the

power consumption of the computer. Two techniques; Hibernate mode

This feature saves everything in memory in disks , turns off your monitor and hard disk your computer.

When you restart, the computer is restored exactly the way you left it

Standby Mode Standby mode conserves power by turning off the display and the

hard drive after a predetermined period of inactivity (a time-out). While your

computer is on standby, information in computer memory is not saved on your hard disk. If

there is an interruption in power, the information in memory is lost. Control Panel->Power Options

2.2 Features in Win XP

6) Kernel Improvement The kernel is the central component of most computer

operating systems (OS). Responsible in managing the system's resources (the

communication between hardware and software components

Windows XP includes Simultaneous Multithreading Support, or the ability to utilize the Hyper-Threading feature of newer Intel Pentium 4 processors.

Simultaneous Multithreading is a processor's ability to process more than one data thread at a time.

2.3 Differences between XP EditionsXP Editions Explanation

Windows XP Professional

Edition

Sets the standard for desktop performance, security, and reliability. This edition is suitable for a corporate network, for computers on small networks, and for home users who need advanced features.

Windows XP Home Edition

Windows XP Home Edition supports only one processor, whereas Windows XP Professional supports two processors.Computers running Windows XP Home Edition cannot join a domain.Windows XP Home Edition does not support the use of dynamic disks. Does not support the Encrypting File System (EFS)Windows XP Home Edition does not support the use of NTFS or print permissions. does not include Internet

2.3 Differences between XP EditionsWindows XP Home Media Edition

Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) is a version of Windows XP designed to serve as a home-entertainment hub.

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition

Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is intended for specially-designed notebook/laptop computers called tablet PCs.

Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition

Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition supports for the 64-bit computing and supports considerably more system memory—up to16 GB of physical RAM.It suits for the advanced technical workstation users in areas such as mechanical design and analysis, 3D animation, video editing and composition, and scientific and high-performance computing applications.

2.4 Win XP Service Pack

Service pack for Window operating system is to fix and add new features.

A service pack (SP) is a collection of updates, fixes and enhancement to a software program delivered in the form of a single installable package. Usually, the service pack is numbered,

thus it is referred to as SP1 and SP2 Type winver.exe to determine the version

2.5 Evaluating Major Enhancements on WIN XP SP2 Features

1) Security Center new service which provides a central location for changing security

settings, learning more about security, and ensuring that the user's computer is up to date with the recommended security settings "up & running".

2) Automatic Updates provides high-priority updates, which include security and other

critical updates that can help protecting your computer against viruses and other security threats.

including security updates, critical updates, and service packs, and installs them automatically

3) Windows Firewall The new Windows Firewall (previously called Internet Connection

Firewall or ICF) is a software-based, stateful filtering firewall that provides protection for computer that are connected to a network by preventing unsolicited inbound connections through TCP/IP version 4 (IPv4) and TCP/IP version 6 (IPv6).

2.5 Evaluating Major Enhancements on WIN XP SP2 Features4) Internet Explorer

Information bar prompts users for information. Notifications such as blocked ActiveX

installs, blocked popup windows and download all appear in the Information bar.

Pop-up blocker a pop-up blocker is for blocking pop-up windows. Internet Explorer

displays notification in the Information bar when a pop-up is blocked. File download prompt

provides a new dialog box when a user downloads a file Add-on management

Internet Explorer prompts users when add-on software tries to install itself into Internet Explorer

Unsafe Attachment Blocking The prompts that are used for file downloads, mail attachments, shell

process execution, and program installation5) Wireless Networking enhancement6) Email for Outlook Express

2.5 Licensing on Windows XP

There are three primary ways in getting a Microsoft licenses software: Full Packaged Product (FPP) Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Volume Licensing.