Study Lab for Chapter 17

Use the "Key Terms and Definitions" section of the lab to review terms used in this chapter. Try the "Practice Test" to check your comprehension of the chapter. Tackle the "Lab Exercises" to apply your knowledge.

Key Terms and Definitions

ATA host adapter card

An add-on card that enables a computer to use larger ATA/IDE drives than the computer's BIOS can manage by itself.

Autoexec.bat

MS-DOS/Windows 9x startup file used to launch terminate-and-stay resident (TSR) programs and configure system options.

Autorun

Windows feature used to automatically launch CD programs.

backup

Process of transferring important information to off-system storage, such as tape, removable media, or optical media.

Byte-by-Byte Verify

Verification process that compares each byte of the backup to the original.

Config.sys

MS-DOS/Windows 9x configuration file used for device drivers and adjustments to the operating system's configuration.

Disk Manager Drive Overlay

Disk management program used to control drive capacity larger than the BIOS can manage; not compatible with Windows 2000/XP.

Dynamic Update

Technique used by Upgrade Advisor to download the latest compatibility information from Microsoft.

EMM386.EXE

MS-DOS/Windows 9x memory manager that can interfere with an upgrade.

EULA (end- user license agreement)

Must be agreed to before an installation can proceed.

Express Installation

Method for installing service packs that requires an Internet connection during the entire process. Use for one computer.

EZ-BIOS

Disk management program used to control drive capacity larger than the BIOS can manage; not compatible with Windows 2000/XP.

File Manager

Windows 3.1 file management program; similar to My Computer or Windows Explorer in later versions.

.grp files

Files used by Windows 3.1 to display shortcuts to related programs.

legacy hardware

Non-PnP hardware.

Microsoft Windows Catalog

Online listing of products compatible with Windows XP.

MS-DOS

Command-line operating system predating Windows 95.

Network Installation

Method for installing service packs in which the entire service pack is downloaded for installation on multiple computers.

plain-text

Text without control characters or fonts, such as .TXT, .BAT, and .INI.

product key

Multicharacter alphanumeric code you must enter as part of the Windows installation process.

Readiness Analyzer

Downloadable version of the Upgrade Analyzer.

REM

REMark; used to disable statements in Config.sys or Autoexec.bat .

service pack

Collection of improvements, fixes, and updates to a particular Windows version. Can be downloaded or ordered on CD.

Setup.exe

Common name for Windows installation program.

Startup folder

Folder used by Windows to store shortcuts to programs launched when Windows starts.

Sysedit

Multiwindowed text editor used in some versions of Windows to edit configuration files.

System.ini

Windows 3.1/9x file used to configure hardware for use with Windows.

Upgrade Advisor

Windows XP downloadable tool (also included on the Windows XP CD) for determining whether the system is compatible with Windows XP.

Upgrade Analyzer

Windows 2000 feature used to determine whether your system is ready for Windows 2000.

Web Archive

Method for storing a Web page (including graphics) as a single file for offline research or emailing.

Win.ini

File used by Windows 3.1/9x to configure software options.

Windows 3.1

Version of Windows that requires MS-DOS. Can be used to qualify for upgrade to Windows 98.

Windows 95

First version of Windows to support Plug and Play hardware detection. Can be used to qualify for upgrades to Windows 98 and 2000.

Windows 98

Improved version of Windows 95 with support for USB, FAT32 drives, and other enhancements. Can be used to qualify for upgrade to Windows Me, 2000, and XP.

Windows Explorer

File manager used in Windows 9x and later versions.

Windows Update

Windows 98 and later versions' method for detecting what updates are needed by a particular computer and enabling the user to choose which updates to install.

Practice Test

1:	You are preparing to upgrade a system to Windows 98 from Windows 3.1. Which of the following steps are not part of the upgrade process? (Choose one) Editing the Registry Editing Config.sys Editing Win.ini Configuring the graphics card to run as VGA
2:	Which of the following best describes what happens to .grp files in Windows 3.1 when the system is upgraded to Windows 98? (Choose one) The files are used to create the Windows Registry. The files are turned into shortcuts accessible with Start, Programs. The files are deleted. The files are ignored.
3:	You want to know if your system has any compatibility problems with Windows 2000. If you're not sure your system can handle Windows 2000, what is the best way to check its compatibility? Download the Windows 2000 Readiness Analyzer and run it. Ask the system manufacturer if the system is Windows 2000 compatible. Buy the upgrade and hope for the best. Check the system's memory size , processor type, processor speed, and free disk space against the minimums.
4:	In general, if you want to upgrade an existing version of Windows to a newer version of Windows (keeping existing programs and data), which of the following methods should you use? Start the installation process from a command prompt. Start the process from the new version's bootable CD or EBD floppy disk. Start the system normally and insert the CD. Back up programs and data, perform a clean install, and reload the backup afterward.
5:	During the installation of Windows 2000 or XP, you need to install third-party drivers for the system's SCSI host adapter. Which key should you press? F8 Esc F6 F5
6:	Your employer is concerned about virus threats and asks you to make sure that Windows is up-to-date. You discover several systems that are using an outdated service pack. Some have dial-up access; others have broadband access. What is the best way to update all machines to the latest fixes? (Choose one) Run Windows Update on all systems. Perform an Express Installation of the latest service pack on the broadband systems, and copy the files for distribution to the systems with a dial-up connection. Perform a Network Installation on one system with a broadband connection, distribute the service pack file to all systems, and then run Windows Update. Perform an Express Installation on all systems.
7:	Which of the following updates cannot be obtained with Windows Update? (Choose one) Driver updates Critical updates Windows updates Application updates
8:	A system has barely enough disk space for an update to Windows 2000 or XP. Which of the following operations can you perform during the update to create more disk space? (Choose one) Compress the drive Change the drive's file system to NTFS Adjust the partition size None of the above

Lab Exercises

Equipment required : a working system running Windows 9x or Me or 2000 that you can upgrade to a newer version of Windows; Windows 2000 upgrade (for systems running Windows 9x) or Windows XP upgrade (for systems running Windows 9x/Me/2000); Internet connection

Recommended : backups of your existing Windows installation you can restore (such as with DriveImage, Norton Ghost, or a backup program with a disaster recovery option)

Readiness Detective

Objective : Determine if your system is ready for an upgrade to a newer version of Windows.

If you have the Windows XP CD-ROM

1. Start the system with your existing version of Windows.

2. Insert the Windows XP CD-ROM.

3. Select the Check Compatibility option. Are there any problems with your system? ______________________________________________________________

4. Search the Windows Catalog or vendor sites for any updates required.

5. Download the required updates. Which updates are required? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

If you have the Windows 2000 CD-ROM

1. Start the system with your existing version of Windows.

2. Insert the Windows 2000 CD-ROM and start the upgrade process (you can back out before the actual upgrade starts).

3. Follow the process until it checks your system compatibility. Are there any problems with your system? ______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

4. Search the Windows Catalog or vendor sites for any updates required.

5. Download the required updates. Which updates are required? _______________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________

caution

Don't activate the Windows XP installation. It's not necessary for these labs.

If you don't have the Windows 2000 or XP CDs, download the Upgrade Advisor or Readiness Analyzer and run the standalone versions.

Upgrading Windows

Objective : Upgrade Windows to a new version.

1. Back up your existing installation (if possible) using a backup method that enables you to restore it in the event of a disaster. Recommended: DriveImage, Norton Ghost, other backup programs that support disaster recovery from bootable floppy disks or CDs and CD backup.

2. Note the amount of disk space used before starting (right-click C: Drive and select Properties in Windows Explorer/My Computer) and note the file system in use.

3. Run the upgrade process as described earlier in this chapter. If you upgrade to Windows 2000 or XP and don't need to access the drive with Windows 9x/Me, change the drive's file system to NTFS if desired.

4. After the backup is complete, note the amount of disk space remaining now. Don't activate the Windows XP installation.

Answers to Practice Test

A1:	Answer A (editing the Registry) is one task you don't need to perform to move an old PC from Windows 3.1 to Windows 98! Be thankful for small favors.
A2:	Answer B (.grp [ group ] files become program shortcuts) with a little presto-chango during the upgrade.
A3:	Answer A (download the Windows 2000 Readiness Analyzer and run it) is the best of the bunch, because it takes into account software and drivers as well as the basics such as disk space, processor speed, and memory size.
A4:	Answer C (boot the old version first and start the upgrade installation from within the old version) is the way to go to make your new version of Windows retain the old settings.
A5:	Answer C (F6) is the key to press if your system needs third-party disk drivers.
A6:	Answer C (a network installation, followed up with Windows Update) is the way to take care of multiple machines that need a service pack.
A7:	Answer D (application updates) is the right answer for what Windows Update can't do. You'll need to select and download them manually.
A8:	Answer B (change the file system to NTFS during install) gives Windows 2000 some breathing room.