Introduction
Microsoft Corporation is a software company that specializes in the development of both operating systems and application programs.Some of its popular operating systems include;Windows 95,98,2000,NT,Millennium (Me) and XP. These operating systems have gained wide popularity with many PC users because of their friendly graphical user interface.
Other operating systems that rival Microsoft products include Linux,UNIX,Mac OS and OS/2.
NB:In order to understand how an operating system organizes information,this book cuts across four versions of Windows i.e.Windows 95,98,Me and XP,by giving standardized procedures that are common to all.However because it is hard to cater for the small differences in the four versions,the book provides a common procedure of carrying out Tasks.However,extra details on specific versions are discussed in appendices LII and III.The good thing about all the versions of Windows discussed in this book is that once you acquire basic skills in using one version,you can easily transfer the same to other versions.
Some common features in Windows operating systems:
1.They all have similar user interface
2.Ability to handle long file names.As opposed to MS DOS which can handle a maximum of eleven characters,Windows 95 and later versions accept file names of up to 255 characters including spaces.
3.Various versions of Windows operating systems automatically accept a new hardware once it is connected to the computer.This feature is referred to as plug and play {PnP}.
4.They all support multiple tasks and multiple users.
Windows manages data and information stored on secondary storage devices by organizing it into easily accessible units called files and folders.
Files
A file is a collection of related data or information stored in one location and given a unique name that enables the operating system to identify it during
storageandretrievalprocess.Everyfilehasdetailsthatindicatethefollowing:
1.A unique name and an optional set of maximum three characters called an extension e.g. a file named JUNE.DOC has JUNE as the name and DOC as the extension.The file name and the extension are separated by a period(.).The extension usually suggests the type of information held by the file e.g.DOC suggests that it is a document file created in an application program called Microsoft Word.
2.Its size and date of creation.
There are two types of files namely;system file and application files.
System files
These type of files contain information that is critical for the operation of the computer.For example,all hardware devices are tested and made ready (initialised) during boot up by having the computer read information
From special system files.These files in Windows would have name extensions like.sys,.ini and.dll.An example of a system file is system.ini
Application files
They are also called program files because they hold programs or application files.They may have extensions such as.exe.
The following list gives some common file name extensions and suggests the type of information that could be held in the file.
Extensions Type of information
DAT Data files
EXE Executable file that starts an application
TXT Text files
DOC Document file
When naming files,it is important to give meaningful names and extensions that suggest its content.For example when saving a letter written to John,give it a name such as John letter.The name extension is automatically added by the application being used.
Folders
A folder or a directory is a named storage area where the user can store related files to enable easy access.Like with an ordinary file cabinet,a folder is meant to help the user divide a large storage media into small manageable storage locations.
Sub folders
A large folder maybe divided into smaller units called sub folders.Therefore,a sub folder or sub directory is a folder/directory within another folder/directory.
In Windows,folders and sub folder icons mostly appear in yellow color while file icons are mostly white with a fold at the top right hand corner
Storage media
When saving a file or creating a folder,identify a storage location,which is more reliable and sufficient.For example,if a file or folder requires more than 1.44 MB of storage space,you cannot use a 1.44 MB 3 inch.floppy disk instead use a storage media with larger space.
Windows desktop
Once you switch on the computer,Windows is automatically loaded into the main memory and a mostly empty screen called the desktop appears.This shows that the computer is ready for use.Some versions of Windows e.g.Windows XP,prompt the user to press Ctrl+Alt+Delete to gain access to desktop features through a process called Log on.
Desktop features
On the desktop are icons and along thin bar called the task bar.
Icons
Icons are mostly manipulated using a pointing device e.g.the mouse.Some of the common icons on the desktop are My Computer;Recycle bin,Internet
Explorer,and My Documents.
The task bar
The task bar enables the user to easily switch between different programs and documents(tasks)that are currently running.
Whenever the user starts a program or opens a file,its button appears on the task bar and stays there until the user exits from the program.You can switch between various programs and documents in Windows by clicking these buttons.This process is called multitasking.
The task bar has at least three main parts.
Start button:The leftmost button on the task bar that the user clicks to display the start menu.
Task manager:This is the plain stripe that displays buttons of all currently running tasks.
System tray:This is at the rightmost part of the task bar.It has icons of tasks running in the background but are not displayed on the screen.Examples are the time and calendar,an antivirus program,volume control etc.To display such a task,simply double click its icon.
The start menu
When you click the start button,a list of choices appear called the start menu.The items on the menu may vary depending on the version of Windows you are using.
Programs
This menu displays a list of all programs installed in the computer.The menu has a small solid arrow.When you point at it,another list of menus called a side kick menu will be displayed.
Documents/my recent documents
Documents menu in Windows 95,98 and me or my recent documents in Windows X P lists the last fifteen recently accessed files.You can open any of the listed files from a storage device by clicking its name provided that the device is accessible.
Settings/control Panel
Settings menu in Windows 95,98 and Me or the control panel in Windows XP provides tools which the user can use to maintain and make changes to the computer setup.It is important not to tamper with this menu because you may interfere with the computer functionality.
Find/search
Find in Windows 95,98,and Me or Search in XP helps the user to search for a file or folder in case the user forgets its name or location.
Help/help and support
The help command on the start menu,displays detailed information on how to use the operating system and solve some computer related problems in case
of the computer fails to function properly.
Run
It enables the user to:
1.Install programs on the hard disk.
2.Open files and folders from a storage location.
3.Run programs from removable media without necessarily installing it on the hard disk.
Logon/logoff
Logon is a security measure that restricts unauthorized users from accessing computer resources.It prompts for a username and password in order to gain access.After using the computer,log off the computer before leaving.
Shutdown
This menu lets the user shutdown,restart the computer,or restarting MS-DOS mode.Windows Me and Windows XP do not have MS-DOS in their shutdown dialog box.Every time you finish using the computer you must first shut it down before turning it off.To do this you need to:
1.Click the start button
2.Point and click shut down a prompt for Windows 98 will appear.
3.If you want to shutdown,click the shutdown button
4.Finally,click ok or simply press enter
5.Wait for the computer to display a message,It is now save to turn off.Some computers automatically switch themselves off once you click ok.