Practical 1: Windows OS (CUIT112)
By the end of the practical, you should know:
1.
2.
3.
Basic hardware that make a computer
That a System Unit is not a CPU
How to use the following in Windows 7:
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Windows Explorer
Disk Cleanup
Backup
Disk defragmenter
Scan disk / disk check
4. the purpose of each of the following Windows 7 systems tools:
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disk Cleanup
Backup
disk defragmenter
scan disk /disk check
Windows Operating System
Define:
Operating System?
Utility Software?
System Software?
System Unit/ Computer Case/ Computer
Chassis/ Computer Tower (houses all the
main interior components of a computer
e.g. CPU)
Monitor/ VDU
Mouse
Keyboard
Power button
Windows 7 Desktop
Desktop
Icons
Start button
Windows Explorer Icon
5
Taskbar
The Start Menu
System folders
Programs
Control Panel
Help and Support
All Programs
Shut down
Search box
Start button
6
Creating a Folder on the desktop
• Right click on the desktop -> New -> Folder ->
Rename the folder
Windows Explorer
• It is the main tool used to interact with Windows
7.
• It is used to navigate Windows 7
• You’ll need to use the Windows Explorer to view
your libraries, files, and folders.
• How to access Windows Explorer :
click the Start menu -> type Windows Explorer in
the search box -> click Windows Explorer -> and
then click either Computer or one of your many
folders, such as Documents, Pictures, or Music.
Windows OS System Tools
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Disk Cleanup
Backup
defragmenter
Scan disk
1. Disk Cleanup tool
• Used to free up some space on the hard
drive by removing files one no longer needs
e.g. temporary files used by Windows or
when browsing the Internet
• To run disk Cleanup in Windows 7, follow
the following steps:
Disk Cleanup Procedure (Windows 7)
1. From the Start button menu, choose All
Programs→Accessories→System Tools→Disk
Cleanup
2. If prompted, choose the mass storage device
that you want to clean up. (The prompt
appears only when you have multiple storage
media/ partitions on your PC. You probably
want to choose drive C, the main storage
device)
3. In the Disk Cleanup dialog box, place check
marks by all the items you want to remove
4. Click OK
5. Click the Delete Files button to begin the
Cleanup process.
Disk Cleanup: Procedure 2
Click on the Start button ->right click on
Computer -> click on Properties -> click on
Performance Information and Tools ->click on
Open Disk Cleanup -> Select drive ->In the Disk
Cleanup dialog box, place check marks by all the
items you want to remove ->Click OK -> Click the
Delete Files button to begin the Cleanup
process.
2. Backup Tool
Backup Definition:
• It is a copy of a file or other item of data made
in case the original is lost or damaged
• it is the copying of physical or
virtual files or databases to a secondary site
for preservation in case of equipment failure
or other catastrophe/ disaster.
Backup Procedure (Windows 7):
• Select the Start button, then
select Control Panel -> System and
Security (or System and Maintenance) > Backup and Restore ->Backup your
computer-> Setup backup (if you have
never setup/run backup on the computer
before).
Please Note:
1. Do not back up files to the same hard disk that
Windows is installed on, e.g. do not back up files to
a recovery partition.
2. Always store media used for backups (external
hard disks, DVDs, or CDs) in a secure place to
prevent unauthorized people from having access to
your files; a fireproof location separate from your
computer is recommended.
3. You might also consider encrypting the data on
your backup.
3. Disk Defragmenter
• A tool for improving the performance of a
computer by rearranging fragmented data on
disks (HDD)
• It rearranges fragmented data so your disks
and drives can work more efficiently.
• Can be scheduled, or run manually
• Fragmentation is the storing of a file in
several separate areas of memory scattered
throughout a hard disk
Defragmentation Procedure
(Windows 7)
1. Click on the Start button->All Programs >Accessories -> System Tools-> Disk
Defragmenter
2. Under Current status, select the disk
(partition) you want to defragment
3. To check if the disk needs to be defragmented
or not, click Analyze disk. If the fragmentation
above 10%, you should defragment the disk
4. Click Defragment disk
Note:
• Disk Defragmenter might take from several
minutes to a few hours to finish, depending on
the size and degree of fragmentation of your
hard disk. You can still use your computer
during the defragmentation process
4. Scan disk (Disk Check tool)
• Used to check a hard disk for errors
• Symptoms of errors on a hard disk: When you
perform specific actions or open certain files,
your computer crashes or programs freeze
• NB: Please make sure that you close all open
programs and files before you start the disk
check
Scan Disk Procedure (Windows 7)
Click on the Start button-> Computer ->right
click on the drive/partition you want to
check/scan ->click on Properties ->click on
Tools-> Check Now -> Select Automatically fix
file system errors and/or Scan for and attempt
recovery of bad sectors -> click on Start