Tuesday 9 June 2009

Different Operating Systems:

Windows 2000:
Windows 2000 introduced many of the new features of Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE into the NT line, such as the Windows Desktop Update, Internet Explorer 5, Outlook Express, NetMeeting, FAT32 support, Windows Driver Model, Internet Connection Sharing, and Windows Media PlayerNet. Certain new features are common across all editions of Windows 2000.
Windows 2000 also comes with several system utilities. This protects critical Windows system files by preventing programs other than Microsoft's operating system update mechanisms such as the Package Installer, Windows Installer and other update components from modifying them.

Windows XP:
Windows XP is a family of 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, notebook computers, and media centers. The name "XP" stands for eXPerience. Windows XP is the successor to both Windows 2000 Professional and Windows Me, and is the first consumer-oriented operating system produced by Microsoft to be built on the Windows NT kernel (version 5.1) and architecture. It presents a significantly redesigned graphical user interface, a change Microsoft promoted as more user-friendly than previous versions of Windows.

Function of system unit components and how they communicate.

The main components that comprise the PC are:
· The main system unit
· Storage devices
· Input devices
· Output devices
System Unit: A system unit, also known as a base unit, is the main body of a desktop computer, typically consisting of a metal or (rarely) plastic enclosure containing the motherboard, power supply, cooling fans, internal disk drives, and the memory modules and expansion cards that are plugged into the motherboard, such as video and network cards.
Inside each case there is a main electronic board, called the ‘motherboard’ that houses the CPU, Memory, etc

Motherboard
The main circuit board of a computer. Each motherboard is designed to handle a particular computing processor. The motherboard contains the connectors for attaching additional boards. Typically, the motherboard contains the CPU, BIOS, memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports, expansion slots, and all the controllers required to control standard peripheral devices, such as the screen display, keyboard, and disk drive. All the power, data and addressing information is carried between components on the copper tracks etched on to the printed circuit board.


CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The main chip in any computer system is the Central processing Unit. Sometimes referred to simply as the central processor, but more commonly called processor, the CPU is where most calculations take place. In terms of computing power, the CPU is the most important element of a computer system. The CPU itself is an internal component of the computer. Modern CPUs are small and square and contain multiple metallic connectors or pins on the underside. The CPU is inserted directly into a CPU socket, pin side down, on the motherboard. Each motherboard will support only a specific type or range of CPU so you must check the motherboard manufacturer's specifications before attempting to replace or upgrade a CPU. Modern CPUs also have an attached heat sink and small fan that go directly on top of the CPU to help dissipate heat.

Storage devices:
Memory:
The computer has to store the program and data in an area where it can be used by computer’s processor. This area is known as the computer’s memory. Memory consists of computer chips that are capable of storing information.
RAM
Random-access memory is a form of computer data storage. Today it takes the form of integrated circuits that allow the stored data to be accessed in any order.
ROM
Read-only memory (usually known by its acronym, ROM) is a class of storage media used in computers and other electronic devices. Because data stored in ROM cannot be modified (at least not very quickly or easily), it is mainly used to distribute firmware (software that is very closely tied to specific hardware, and unlikely to require frequent updates).


INPUT DEVICES:
Input devices are used to enter or input data into the CPU. The main input device on computer is the keyboard. There is a wide range of other input devices including the mouse, scanner, communication devices and audio and video capture cards.

Keyboard: A computer keyboard is an important device that allows a computer user to enter characters (e.g. letters and numbers) into a computer. It is the main input device for the computer system. Keyboard is attached with the base unit through a wire which you plug in and start using keyboard.

Mouse:
A small hand controlled device connected to a PC that can be used in a GUI system to move a cursor around the screen. This cursor can be positioned on an icon and the programs associated with that icon can be run by clicking usually the left-hand button on the mouse. The mouse is connected to computer system in similar way as keyboard through a wire, to change basic settings for mouse Control Panel option can be use.

Scanner:
Devices that can read text or illustrations printed on paper and translate the information into a form the computer can use. A type of optical scanner that consists of a flat surface on which you lay documents to be scanned. Flatbed scanners are particularly effective for bound documents.

OUTPUT DEVICES:
An output device is any piece of computer hardware equipment used to communicate the results of data processing carried out by information processing system.The main output device on a computer system is monitor, printer, speakers etc.

Monitor:
Most programs send the output from their calculation to a screen (apart from those such as payroll programs that send most of their output to the printer, with only a summary going to the screen. The screen is contained in a unit called the ‘monitor’ – sometimes also called the VDU (visual display unit).
There are two main types of monitors.
The CRT monitor, which is big and heavy. It is the oldest technology used by monitors. It looks like a television, but has a bigger resolution and often a higher frequency.
The LCD monitor, which is thin, flat, and lightweight. It is a newer technology than CRTs. The quality can be the same or even better than a CRT.
Monitor is attached with the system through a cable or port which plug in base unit to display on screen.

Printer:
Device that will produce a hard copy of the data that appears on the screen.
A printer is a piece of hardware for a computer. It is an instrument that must be connected to a computer which allows the users to print items on paper, such as letters and pictures. It can also work with Digital Cameras to print directly without the use of a Computer.
Speakers:
The PC speaker is the most primitive sound system used in IBM PC compatibles. It was the only source of sound available to PC games before more technologically advanced sound cards such as AdLib and Sound Blaster were introduced as ISA plug-in cards in the late 1980s.
There is a wire to connect speakers with PC and gets the sound output.

Other Components:
Modem:
Modem is an input and output device Modem (from modulator-demodulator) is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data. Modems can be used over any means of transmitting analog signals, from driven diodes to radio.

Sound Card: A sound card (also known as an audio card) is a computer expansion card that facilitates the input and output of audio signals to/from a computer under control of computer programs. Typical uses of sound cards include providing the audio component for multimedia applications such as music composition, editing video or audio, presentation/education, and entertainment (games). Many computers have sound capabilities built in, while others require additional expansion cards to provide for audio capability. A modern sound card is designed with the PCI interface and connects to the PCI slot of motherboard.

Graphics Card:
Video card, also known as a graphics accelerator card, display adapter, or graphics card, is a hardware component whose function is to generate and output images to a display. It operates on similar principles as a sound card or other peripheral devices.
Most modern graphics cards are AGP based and connects to the AGP bus of the motherboard.


Conclusion:
A system develops by connecting all its components in order with each other that’s how computer works as well. As in above we talked about its components and devices all these devices when attached with the main system unite (base unit) in particular order runs system successfully.

B)Install and configure a DVD rewrite drive supplied.

To install your DVD rewrite gather some information from your PC to install it.
First we need to know what hardware’s are already fitted to PC so it will help at the end of installation in order to check that installation is well. Windows Hardware Manager will display a list of the hardware but not how it has been configured. Now follow the steps to install DVD rewrite
Right click on My Computer and select – Properties
Select the Hardware Tab and Device Manager.
After selecting the Hardware Tab and Device manager make a note of the DRIVES you have fitted to your computer and their names. If your computer shows that there are four drives (2-Hard disks and 2 CD/DVD-Rom’s) you will not be able to add any more drives. You will be able to identify the drives from this list when you open the computer case.

The CD drive contains three ports witch is the IDE port, the power port and audio port. CD-ROM is available in either internal or external models. Before you configure DVD ROM, You have to shut down Computer and unplug the power supply cable from back of your computer. Than unplug the rest of the wires from the back of the computer. Unscrew all screw from the back of the components base, than open the base of the cover. Every drive has specific area to locate. Put down the new drive on the appropriate area than secure the drive to the casing with screws provided
If you fitted screw with drive to base than its holds a drive in specific location.

Software Utilility

Utility software (also known as service program, service routine, tool, or utility routine) is a type of computer software. It is specifically designed to help manage and tune the computer hardware, operating system or application software

Virus Protection
The term "virus" is used to describe various types of malicious software that can affect your computer. Viruses work in different ways and have varied effects, but almost all can destroy data or prevent your computer from working properly. Some are merely an inconvenience; others will destroy particular files types or even erase your entire hard drive. Viruses can be written for any operating system, but most are written for and affect the many versions of Microsoft Windows. While viruses used to be passed predominantly from user to user via floppy disks, the most common method of receiving viruses these days is from an email attachment. The only attachments that are potentially harmful are executable files (.exe, .com, .pif, and .bat files), certain scripts (including .vbs and java scripts), and documents that allow macros to be run (generally Microsoft Word and Excel files, .doc and .xls respectively).Because new viruses are created and distributed daily, virus protection programs rely on frequent updates (called definition or DAT files) to remain effective. If your computer is infected with a virus and you do not have anti-virus software installed or do not have a recent update, you may not be able to install or update the software. In such cases, more specialized virus recovery programs will be necessary to repair the damage.

Firewall

A firewall is a system that secures a network, shielding it from access by unauthorized users. Firewalls can be implemented in software, hardware or a combination of both. When your computer gets an unsolicited request, Firewall blocks the connection. If you run a program such as an instant messaging program or a multiplayer network game that needs to receive information from the Internet or a network, the firewall asks if you want to block or unblock (allow) the connection. You should see a window like the one below. Firewall is a critical first line of defence to protect your computer against many types of malicious software. It helps block computer viruses and worms from reaching your computer.
It can stop many kinds of malware before they can infect your computer or other computers on your network. It helps in protecting other operating system resources if they behave in unexpected ways-a common indicator of the presence of malware. For example, if a component of windows that is designed to send network messages over a given port on your PC tries to send messages by way of a different port due to an attack; firewall can protect the malware from spreading to other users.