Lab 11.1: Starting Up, Navigating, and Shutting Down a Windows System

In this lab, we’ll go over the basic tasks involved in using a Windows 9x/2000/XP operating system. Although these operating systems are very similar, you need to be aware of some major differences. Differences in the GUI are not usually a problem for experienced users, but occasionally they present minor concerns. Remember that help is available in all versions of Windows to provide detailed information on each command.

Upon completion of this lab, you will be able to:

Start up or boot a Windows operating system
Navigate Windows menus
Shut down a Windows operating system
Start, navigate, and exit a command-line session

Set Up

For this lab, you will need a working PC with Windows installed. It is best if you can boot into Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows XP to notice the variations between the operating systems. The operating systems have many similarities but also many differences.

Note

Windows computers have difficulty booting if they are not shut down properly. This lab describes the startup, navigation, and proper shutdown procedures for Windows computers. Both the mouse and keyboard techniques are addressed.

Exercises

Select and perform the procedures that match your operating system.

Starting Up Windows

To start up Windows,

Turn on the computer. During the boot process, pay particular attention to any on-screen messages and follow their instructions.

Note

Windows 9x runs ScanDisk after an improper shutdown. Windows 2000/XP runs the CHKDSK program after an improper shutdown. When these programs run, you usually should accept the defaults and allow any damaged files to be repaired.

If a Log On window appears, enter the username and password. If there is no password, click OK. The computer should display the Windows Desktop, which includes a Start menu, a Taskbar, and Desktop icons.

Navigating Windows Menus

To navigate Windows menus,

Place the mouse pointer over the Start button and click to open the Start menu.

Note

Each mouse action has a different effect on an object. Typically, clicking selects an object, double-clicking opens or runs an object, and right-clicking brings up a context-sensitive menu. Sometimes all you need to do is hover the mouse pointer over an item to initiate an action; doing so normally opens an additional menu or gives you pop-up definitions.

In the open Start menu, move the mouse pointer to the Programs item and hover. Doing so opens the Programs submenu. In Windows XP, move the mouse to All Programs.

Tip
The small arrows at the right edge of any menu tell you that submenus are available.
In the Programs submenu, move the mouse pointer to the Accessories item and either click or hover to open the Accessories submenu. In Windows XP, move the mouse to All Programs.
In the Accessories submenu, place the mouse pointer on Notepad. Click the mouse to open the Notepad program.
Close the open Notepad window by clicking the Close (X) button in the upper-right corner of the window. Doing so returns you to the Desktop.

Shutting Down Windows Using a Mouse

To shut down Windows using a mouse,

Click the Close button on all open windows. Doing so returns you to the Desktop.
To shut down Windows, follow these steps:

In Windows 98, click the Start button, click Shut Down, and then select Shut Down.

Start Shut Down Shut Down

In Windows 2000:

Start Shut Down Shut Down

In Windows XP:

Start Turn Off Computer Turn Off

Warning

Do not turn off your computer until you see a message that says you can safely do so. Normally, an ATX computer turns itself off. If it doesn’t, press and hold the power button to turn it off.

Shutting Down Windows Using the Keyboard

To shut down Windows using the keyboard,

Press Alt+Tab to cycle between all open programs. Then, press Alt+F4 to close the programs one at a time.
Open the Start menu by pressing the Windows logo key or by pressing Ctrl+Esc.

Press the Up Arrow key to highlight a menu option on the Start menu. Follow the sequence list in the previous exercise for each of the operating systems to complete the shutdown. If you need to access the buttons in a window, press the Tab key to cycle between them.

Note

Alternatively, you can press Ctrl+Alt+Del. In Windows 98, this action brings up the Close Program window. You can shut down the computer by pressing the Tab key until the Shut Down button is active. In Windows 2000/XP, this action brings up the Windows Security window. From there, you can Tab to the Shut Down or Turn Off button.

Starting a Windows Command-line Session

In Windows 98:

Use the following sequence to start a command-line session:

Start Programs MS-DOS Prompt
When the DOS window opens, you’ll see the command prompt (C:\Windows>) displayed in a window.

In Windows 2000:

Use the following sequence to start a command-line session:

Start Programs Accessories Command Prompt
When the Command Line window opens, the prompt appears with the path displayed. The path is made up of directory names and is displayed between the drive letter and the prompt.

In Windows XP:

Use the following sequence to start a command-line session:

Start All Programs Accessories Command Prompt
When the Command Line window opens, the prompt appears with the path displayed. The path is made up of directory names and is displayed between the drive letter and the prompt.

Navigating in a Windows Command-line Session

To navigate in a Windows command-line session,

Type the command CD\ to change to the root directory.

Note
After entering each command, you need to press Enter for the command to execute.
Type CLS to clear the screen:
```
C:\>CLS 
```
To display the contents of the root directory, execute the directory command (DIR) by typing the following command:
```
C:\>DIR 
```
Note
Subdirectories are enclosed in angle brackets (<>).
To create a new directory, use the MD command (Make Directory). Type MD CLTEST to create a test directory for this exercise:
```
C:\>MD CLTEST 
```
To redisplay the contents of the root directory and see the new directory, type DIR:
```
C:\>DIR 
```
To open a directory or subdirectory, type CD (Change Directory) followed by a space, and then type the name of the subdirectory. Enter the following to open the CLTEST directory:
```
C:\>CD CLTEST 
```
Now, when you enter the directory command, the files in the CLTEST directory will scroll by. The new directory should only be two entries, one for the parent directory (..) and the other for the current directory (.):
```
C:\Cltest>DIR 
```
Type the command CD\ to change to the root directory:
```
C:\Cltest>CD\ 
```
Open the directory that stores the operating system. In Windows 98, the directory is called Windows; in Windows 2000/XP, it is Winnt.

In Windows 98, type
```
C:\>CD WINDOWS 
```
In Windows 2000/XP, type
```
C:\>CD WINNT 
```
To display the contents of the current directory, type DIR. Watch as the files scroll by.
To obtain help with the DIR command, type DIR /?, the pipe symbol (|), and then MORE at the prompt:
```
C:\Windows>DIR /? | MORE 
```
Read the screen about the DIR command. When you are ready to move to the next screen, press Enter.

To pause the DIR command, you use the /P switch. Type DIR /P at the prompt:

C:\Windows>DIR /P

Note

After you use the /P switch, press Enter or the spacebar to page down and see the next screen. Continue to press Enter or the spacebar until you complete the action. To stop the action, you can press Ctrl+C.

Exiting a Windows Command-line Session

When the C: prompt is displayed as shown here, type EXIT to return to the Windows Desktop:

C:\Windows>EXIT

Note

Computers that use DOS for an operating system can be turned off when the command prompt is displayed. However, Windows computers must be returned to the Windows GUI before you can shut them down.