Gorman, Stubbs, & CEP Inc.1

Introduction to Operating Systems

Lesson 4

Microsoft Windows XP

2Lesson 4 – Microsoft Windows XP

Objectives

Describe the improvements of Windows XP Professional over earlier versions of the operating system.

Install Windows XP Professional successfully from CD-ROM.

Use the functions of the operating system. Manage folders and files. Use the Windows XP unique features to

customize the use of your operating system.

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Improvements in Windows XP

More behind-the-scenes security More reliable Latest version of Internet Explorer Increased support for audio and video files Increased hardware support Cosmetic changes

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Pre-installation of Windows XP

Make sure you have the necessary hardware requirements.

Make sure your hardware is on the Hardware Compatibility List (HCL).

Select a file system for the installation partition.

Identify whether you want to do an upgrade or a clean install.

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Hardware Requirements

CPU Pentium based

Memory 64 MB Required

256 MB Recommended

Hard Disk Space 650 MB required

4 GB recommended

Display Monitor with VGA resolution or higher

Other CD-ROM drive, 12X or faster

Keyboard

Mouse

Internet access

10/100 Ethernet Card (NIC)

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Logging On to the Computer

You must have a user account in order to use XP.

Click on your icon and type your username and password in the dialog box.

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Basic Functions of XP

Desktop Mouse Taskbar Start button Windows Help and Support

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Desktop

Main workspace in XP Contains small pictures called icons Can customize the desktop color and create

shortcuts and toolbars

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Mouse

Tool used to navigate the desktop and other programs

Left mouse button is used to select (click once) or open (double-click) items

Right mouse button activates context menus You can configure the mouse:

– Buttons– Pointers– Speed

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Taskbar and Start button

The taskbar is the gray rectangular bar at the bottom of the desktop.

– Can be customized with your favorite icons– Can be moved to any area of the desktop

The Start button contains the icons to open programs, documents, XP tools, and the Shut Down command.

– Can be modified to work as XP or Windows classic– Can add shortcuts to the Start menu, change the look of

the icons, and select different default E-mail and Internet programs

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Windows

Area or workspace you see when you open a program or application

Contains:– Title bar– Minimize, Restore, and Close buttons– Scroll Bars

Can be resized

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Help and Support

Provides on-screen information about the program you are using

Utilizes features of previous versions of Windows as well as online help features

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File Management

My Computer– Customizing– Folders– Working with files and folders

Windows Explorer WordPad

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My Computer

Represents your computer with its hardware devices and document folders.

You can customize the My Computer window:– Change the view of icons– Change the arrangement of icons

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Folders

Folders are a storage space for files. Subfolders are folders within a folder. The parent folder is the main folder that

contains subfolders. You can change the manner in which folders,

files, icons, and windows operate through Folder Options, found under the Tools menu.

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Working with Files and Folders

The Cut command moves a file. The Copy command duplicates a file. The Paste command places a cut or copied

file in a new location. The Rename command changes the name of

a file or folder.

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Working with Files and Folders (continued)

The Delete command places it in the Recycle Bin when deleting from the hard drive and removes it completely from the floppy drive.

Copy Disk will copy the contents of a floppy to another floppy.

Finding Files is accomplished with the Search command.

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Windows Explorer

Another method for viewing files and performing file management tasks

Split into 2 panes:– Folders– Contents

You can copy, move, rename, and delete files and folders as you did in My Computer.

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Word Processing

WordPad is used for word processing. The feature called Word Wrap automatically

moves your insertion point to the next line. The Backspace and Delete keys are used for

editing text.

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Unique Features of Windows XP

Creating shortcuts Using the Control Panel Hardware troubleshooters Disk maintenance Creating user accounts

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Creating Shortcuts

A shortcut is a quick way to open a file without going to its original location.

Two ways to create shortcuts:– Use My Computer or Windows Explorer to find a file icon,

right-click and select Copy, and then right-click on the desktop and Paste Shortcut.

– Right-click and drag a file icon from My Computer or Windows Explorer and select Create Shortcut Here from the context menu.

Create shortcuts in the Start menu by dragging an icon from My Computer or Windows Explorer and dropping it in the correct place on the Start menu.

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Control Panel

Contains categories of options to customize the workings of Windows XP:

– Appearance and Themes– Network and Internet Connections– Add or Remove Programs– Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices– Performance and Maintenance– Printer and Other Hardware– User Accounts– Date, Time, Language, and Regional options– Accessibility Options

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Hardware Troubleshooters

Available in Help and Support if you have a problem with a hardware device

Can help with– Hardware problems– Networking problems– System setup problems– Printing problems– Adding new hardware problems

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System Maintenance

Disk Cleanup – Removes unnecessary files safely from the machine.

Check Disk – Locates problem areas on the hard disk and attempt to repair them.

Disk Defragmenter – Improves the performance of the drive by placing pieces of files closer together.

Task Scheduler – Schedules maintenance tasks to run automatically.

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User Accounts

The administrator has all rights and privileges to the machine: set up and manage other computers, create users, and apply permissions.

Limited User – Provides the user with limited access to the machine.

Guest – Provides access to the machine for anyone that does not have an account.

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Summary

There are many improvements in Windows XP over earlier versions of the software including stability, improved device recognition, and increased security.

When you install Windows XP, preparation will help you avoid potential problems during the installation process.

The desktop is your main workspace. It contains icons, application windows, desktop components, and the taskbar.

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Summary (continued)

Your mouse is the tool you will use to open files, programs, and menus.

The taskbar displays any programs that you have minimized for quick access between applications.

A window is the area or workspace you see when you open a program or application.

The My Computer window contains an icon for all of your disk drives. It provides an access point to create folders, move, copy, delete, and rename files.

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Summary (continued)

The Recycle Bin is an area on the hard drive that holds files and folders deleted from C:.

In Windows, you can search for files by the filename, the date, the type of file, or by the file size. Windows Explorer is another method of viewing files and performing file management tasks.

Windows XP comes with a small word-processing program called WordPad.

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Summary (continued)

A shortcut is simply a quick way to open a file or program without having to go to the original location.

The Control Panel is an area that allows you to configure the operating system as you would like it to work.

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Summary (continued)

Windows has built-in tools to help you maintain and improve your system’s performance including Disk Cleanup, Check Disk, and Disk Defragmenter.

The administrator can create new accounts and assign permissions to those users.