Study Lab for Chapter 18

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

Accessories folder

Start menu folder used for Windows utilities.

Administrative Tools

Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP folder containing System Management tools.

application response

Optimizing Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP system to run the active window's task with a higher priority than other tasks .

ATTRIB

Views/changes basic file attributes at the command prompt.

Autoexec.bat

Text-based configuration file used by Windows 9x to load TSR programs, launch programs such as antivirus scanners , and adjust Io.sys defaults. Windows Me uses Autoexec.bat to adjust some Registry values.

background services

Non-active programs, printing, and other tasks that are not in the active window.

binary

Computer-readable file.

boot sequence

Sequence of files and processes used to start a system; varies with the version of Windows in use.

Boot.ini

Configures Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP startup process.

bootstrap loader

Portion of the system BIOS uses to locate operating system files.

Category view

Windows XP view of the Control Panel, organized by types of configurations to perform.

Character Map

Visual selection and pasting of icons and alternative characters from different fonts into a document.

CHDIR

Changes to a folder/directory (CD) at the command prompt.

CHKDSK

Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP disk check/repair tool. Windows 9x/Me's CHKDSK is used mainly for reporting disk stats.

Classes.dat

Windows Me Registry file.

Classic Start

Optional Start menu for Windows XP; mimics look of previous Windows versions.

Classic view

Each CP icon is listed; standard in all versions of Windows but XP, in which it is an optional view.

Classic view

Windows 95style Windows Explorer split-screen view.

command prompt

DOS-like interface to the operating system. User enters commands to perform specific tasks.

Common Tasks

Windows XP Windows Explorer view that incorporates a context-sensitive task pane.

compression

Windows NTFS file attribute that shrinks a file to a smaller size to save disk space.

Computer Management Console

Windows 2000/XP interface for system and disk management components .

Config.sys

Text-based configuration file used by Windows 9x to load device drivers and adjust Io.sys defaults. Windows Me uses Config.sys to adjust some Registry values.

Control Panel

Windows interface to hardware, software, and system settings.

Conventional memory

Memory between 0 and 640KB.

COPY

Copies files at the command prompt.

Defragment

Windows 9x/Me/2000/XP tool that puts file sectors and empty space into contiguous sections for faster disk access.

DEL ( ERASE )

Deletes files at the command prompt.

DELTREE

Removes specified folder and subfolders and their contents at the command prompt.

desktop shortcut

Shortcut on the desktop to a program or object.

DIR

Displays file/folder listings at the command prompt.

disk cache

Memory used to hold data being read from or sent to a drive.

Disk Cleanup

Easy removal of temporary, temporary Internet, and other files to save disk space.

DOS alias

MS-DOScompatible eight-character plus file extension name made from LFN.

Dos=high

Config.sys statement that loads the MS-DOS kernel into the first 64KB of XMS memory, the high memory area (HMA).

DriveSpace

Windows 9x disk compression; can be read by Windows Me.

ECHO

Turns on/off the display of commands in batch files at the command prompt.

EDIT

Command-prompt text editor.

Emergency Repair Disk ( ERD )

Windows 2000 disk used to help restore system function.

encryption

Windows NTFS (2000/XP) file attribute that prevents users other than the original user or Administrator from accessing the file.

executable

File that can start a program or procedure; .COM, .EXE, and .BAT are traditional executable file extensions.

Expanded memory

Bank-switched memory (also called EMS memory). Accessed in 64KB pages through a page frame in unused UMB space.

Extended memory

Memory over 1MB. Converted to XMS memory by Himem.sys .

file attributes

Indicates which files need to be backed up (archive), are read-only, used by the operating system (system), or are not visible with default Windows settings (hidden). Additional attributes can be viewed and set within the Windows GUI.

file extensions

One-to-three character part of a filename after the last period. Windows uses the file extension to determine which program to use to open a file.

file permissions

Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP feature on NTFS drives that enables file/folder access control by user/ group . Disabled in Windows XP if simple file sharing is enabled.

Find

Windows NT 4.0/9x/Me interface for locating files and other network information.

Hal.dll

Hardware Abstraction Layer. Translation layer between NT 4.0/2000/XP kernel and system hardware.

High memory

First 64KB of XMS memory.

Himem.sys

Device driver used by Windows to convert extended memory into XMS memory for use by Windows.

hives

Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP term for Registry files (default, SAM , SECURITY , software, system, ntuser.dat [XP only] and UsrClass.dat [XP only]).

HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT

Registry branch containing file associations.

HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG

Registry branch containing settings for the current hardware profile.

HKEY_CURRENT_USER

Registry branch containing settings for the current user.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE

Registry branch containing hardware settings.

HKEY_USERS

Registry branch containing settings for all users.

Ifshlp.sys

Installable file system driver. Loaded by Io.sys .

Io.sys

Binary file used by Windows 9x/Me to start system. Use Msdos.sys and Config.sys to modify its defaults.

LFN

Long file/folder names .

Maintenance Wizard

Windows 98 interface for scheduling ScanDisk, Defrag, and Disk Cleanup.

MEM

Displays memory statistics/usage at the command prompt.

MKDIR

Makes a folder/directory ( MD ) at the command prompt.

MSCDEX

Microsoft CD-ROM extensions used in Autoexec.bat in Windows 9x if CD-ROM drive uses Config.sys driver.

Msdos.sys

Text-mode configuration file used to adjust boot options and Io.sys defaults in Windows 9x/Me.

My Computer

Windows interface to drives and other important objects such as Control Panel. Incorporates Windows Explorer.

Ntdetect.com

Detects hardware during Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP startup.

NTLDR

NT loader program used by Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP to start Windows.

Ntoskrnl.exe

Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP kernel.

paging file

Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP term for virtual memory file. Can be spread across multiple drives.

Regedit

Registry editor.

Regedt32

Multi-pane Registry editor used by Windows NT 4.0/2000 as an alternative to Regedit.

registered file types

File types that can be opened by programs known to the Windows Registry.

Registry

Windows database of hardware, software, and user settings. Structure and files in the Registry varies by Windows version.

RENAME

Renames files at the command prompt.

RMDIR

Removes a folder/directory ( RD ) at the command prompt.

ScanDisk

Windows 9x/Me disk repair tool.

Scanreg

Windows 98/Me Registry checker/backup program.

Scheduled Tasks

Enables user to schedule utility and other tasks to run as desired.

Search

Windows 2000/XP interface for locating files and other network information.

SET

Configures system environment at the command prompt.

SETVER

Displays/sets operating system version number to enable older programs to run under Windows.

Start menu

Stores shortcuts to programs; contains folders for related programs.

swapfile

Windows 9x/Me term for virtual memory file.

System Monitor

Windows 9x/Me tool that monitors various local and network performance issues.

System State

Windows XP special backup of Registry and other system files.

System Tools

Most Windows system utilities are stored in this Start menu folder, a subfolder of Accessories.

System Tray

Also called systray; the area by the clock where icons for startup utilities and background programs are located.

System.da0

Backup of System.dat Registry file.

System.dat

Windows 9x/Me Registry file.

System.ini

Windows hardware configuration file. Used primarily for 16-bit Windows application support.

System Restore

Windows Me/XP utility that stores system configurations and enables the user to revert to an earlier configuration.

Taskbar

Selector area next to the System Tray where icons for running programs are located.

temporary files

Files used for print jobs and other temporary functions.

text

Human-readable file.

TYPE

Displays the contents of text files at the command prompt.

Upper memory

Memory between 640KB and 1MB. Some of this area (known as UMBs or upper memory blocks) is used by RAM and ROM on adapter cards and by the system BIOS.

User.da0

Backup of User.dat Registry file.

User.dat

Windows 9x/Me Registry file.

VER

Displays operating system version at the command prompt.

virtual memory

Disk space used as memory.

Web view

IE 4.0 Windows Explorer view that provides a preview of the active object.

wildcards

Enable commands such as DIR , DEL / ERASE , or RENAME to work on similarly named files only.

Win.com

Windows 9x loader program. Default behavior can be modified with /d switches.

Win.ini

Windows software configuration file. Used primarily for support of 16-bit Windows applications.

Windows Backup

Standard backup utility in Windows; features vary by version.

Windows Explorer

Explores drives in My Computer. Same as Internet Explorer in IE 4.0 and above.

XCOPY

Copies files and folders at the command prompt.

XCOPY32

Enhanced version of XCOPY used in a command-prompt window in Windows 9x/Me. Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP's XCOPY is an enhanced version of XCOPY32 .

Practice Test

1:	You need to configure the EMM386.EXE driver to provide upper memory blocks before Windows 9x starts. Select the correct combination of configuration file and command. C:\Windows\emm386.exe /NOEMS added to Autoexec.bat Device=c:\windows\emm386.exe NOEMS added to Config.sys EMM386.exe=Noems added to Msdos.sys EMM386.exe=Noems added to Io.sys
2:	Windows 98 starts only in Safe Mode. To correct the problem, you need to start the system with the Windows 98 EBD and access the CD-ROM drive and the Internet to download new drivers. Which of the following commands will start Windows to enable you to do this? Win /d:f Win /d:n Win /d:v Win /d:x
3:	You need to find the Registry settings for a particular hardware device. Which of the following Registry sections should you look in? HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT HKEY_USERS HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE HKEY_CURRENT_USER
4:	You need to revert to the oldest available Registry to solve a problem with Windows 98. Which of the following files contains the oldest Registry backup copy? rb000.cab User.dat rb004.cab System.dat
5:	You maintain both Windows 2000 and Windows XP systems and want to configure the Control Panel to look the same on both versions of Windows. Which of the following should you do? Configure Windows 2000 to use Category view. Configure Windows 2000 to use Web view. Configure Windows XP to use Category view. Configure Windows XP to use Classic view.
6:	You need to add a shortcut to the Windows Start menu. Which of the following is not part of the process? Opening the Start.txt file with Notepad Right-clicking on the Start button Browsing for the object Changing the name of the shortcut as desired
7:	Which of the following tools provides the most convenient way to remove various types of temporary files? Recycle Bin Disk Defragmenter Scheduled Tasks Disk Cleanup
8:	A user of a Windows 2000 computer reports disk errors. Which command should be used to schedule a thorough disk check and repair on the next boot? CHKDSK/F CHKDSK filename ScanDiskW Defrag
9:	You need to set attributes for some files so they are more difficult to alter or overwrite on a system using FAT32. However, the files must remain visible in Windows Explorer. Which attribute would you use? Archive Read-only Encrypted Hidden
10:	Which of the following command-line functions and applications can use wildcards to select certain files? (Choose all that apply) COPY VER DIR SET
11:	You need to copy files within a directory structure to another drive and duplicate the directory structure in the process. Which of the following commands should be used with the appropriate options? XCOPY COPY DELTREE MKDIR
12:	If you are short of disk space on a system running Windows XP and you add a second hard disk, which of the following statements is true about the location of the swapfile and temporary files? (Choose all that apply) Windows uses the new drive automatically. Windows can be configured to use both drives for the swapfile. Windows must be configured to use the new drive for the swapfile and temporary files. Windows cannot use the new drive for the swapfile and temporary files.

Lab Exercises

Required equipment : working computer with at least one of the following versions of Windows (9x/Me/NT 4.0/2000/XP) installed. Highly recommended: a dual-boot installation of Windows 95, 98, or Me paired with NT 4.0, 2000, or XP or two computers: one running Windows 9x/Me and the other running NT 4.0/2000/XP.

Boot Detective

Objective : Determine the default boot configuration of your system.

1. Start the system.

2. If you use Windows 9x/Me, view Msdos.sys , Config.sys , and Autoexec.bat . If you use Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP, view Boot.ini .

3. Use the Windows Help System or an Internet search engine to learn about boot options not discussed in this chapter.

Registry DetectivePart 1

Objective : Locate backup copies of the Windows Registry.

1. Start the system.

2. With Windows 95, look for System.da0 and User.da0 . What size are these files? Can they fit onto removable media?

   With Windows 9x/Me, look for rb000.cab through rb004.cab . What size are these files? How many days old is the oldest file? Can you fit the backups onto removable media?

   With Windows NT 4.0/2000/XP, look for .log files in the System32\Config folder. What size are these files? How many days old is each file? Can you fit the backups onto removable media?

3. If you have suitable removable media (floppy, Zip, CD-RW, and others), copy the backups if possible.

4. Use the Windows Backup program to make System State (XP) or Emergency Repair Disk (2000) backups.

Registry DetectivePart 2

Objective : Learn how to view the Windows Registry with a Registry editor.

1. Start the system.

2. Start Regedit or Regedt32 (depending upon the Windows version).

3. Open each branch of the Registry.

4. Exit the program.

Explorer Detective

Objective : Determine and modify the default appearance of files and folders in Windows Explorer.

1. Start the computer.

2. Open Windows Explorer/My Computer.

3. Open the root folder of the system drive.

4. Open the View option menu and change the current settings for system and hidden files. Apply the changes. If these files were previously hidden, do you see more files now? If these files were visible, do you see fewer files now?

5. Revert the system to the previous setting.

6. Change from Classic to Web or Common Tasks view (depending upon the Windows version in use). Which do you prefer? Why?

7. Select different views for the files (details, large icons/tiles, and so forth). Which provides you with the most information? Which shows you the most files per screen?

Taskbar/Systray Detective

Objective : Determine what programs are launched at startup and where they are found.

1. Start your system.

2. Right-click each icon in the system tray (systray). Which programs do you use frequently? Which have you never used?

3. Examine the Taskbar. Do you see programs listed there?

Shortcut Maker

Objective : Learn to make Start menu and desktop shortcuts.

1. Start your system.

2. Open the Start menu.

3. Create a shortcut to a frequently used program in the main Start menu.

4. Create a shortcut on the desktop.

Maintenance Master

Objective : Use the disk maintenance tools.

1. Start your system.

2. Run ScanDisk or CHKDSK (depending upon the Windows version).

3. Run Disk Cleanup. How many MBs of space can be freed up?

4. Run Defrag. Use the analysis feature (if available). How fragmented is your drive?

LFN, File Extension, and Attribute Detective

Objective : Learn more about LFNs, file extensions, and file/folder attributes on your system.

1. Start your system.

2. Start Windows Explorer/My Computer.

3. Select a folder on the system and view its properties. What is its LFN? _______________________________________________________________________

   What is its DOS alias? _______________________________________________________

   What attributes does the folder have? ________________________________________

   Can you select advanced attributes such as encryption or compression? Yes/No

4. Repeat step 3 with a file.

5. Open a command-prompt session.

6. Use ATTRIB to determine the attributes of a file or folder of your choice.

7. Create a new file with your choice of applications. Use Windows Explorer/My Computer and ATTRIB to change its attributes.

8. If Windows Explorer/My Computer doesn't display the file extensions for registered file types, change view options to display them.

Command-Prompt Commander

Objective : Become comfortable with command-prompt utilities and functions.

1. Copy some files into a folder called \Practice .

2. Open a command-prompt session within the Windows GUI.

3. Change to the \Practice folder.

4. Use DIR with various wildcards to display file information.

5. Use MKDIR ( MD ) to make a folder called Copies beneath \Practice .

6. Copy files to the Copies folder with various wildcards.

7. Use CHDIR ( CD ) to change to the Copies folder.

8. Use DIR to view files; use DEL with the same wildcards to delete some files.

9. Insert a formatted floppy disk into drive A:.

10. Use XCOPY to copy the files and folder structure of \Practice and \Practice\Copies to the floppy disk.

11. Use EDIT to view/edit any text (.TXT) files.

12. Use the /? option with each command for help as needed.

Performance Tuning

Objective : Learn how to adjust Windows defaults to improve performance.

1. Start Windows.

2. Open the System Properties sheet and click Performance, Virtual Memory (Windows 9x/Me) or Advanced, Performance Options, Change (Windows NT/2000/XP).

3. Open the swapfile or paging file menu. Are there other hard disks available for the paging file? Do other drives have more room than the default system drive?

4. Switch the paging file or swapfile to another drive if there's more room than on the default system drive.

5. Restart the system if prompted.

6. With Windows 9x/Me, open the System Properties sheet and click Performance, File System. Adjust the disk cache setting to Network Server.

Answers to Practice Test

A1:	The correct answer is B ( Device=c:\windows\emm386.exe NOEMS added to Config.sys ).
A2:	If you answered B ( Win /d:n ), you're right!
A3:	Answer C ( HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE ) is the one to choose.
A4:	Answer A ( rb000.cab ) is the winning selection.
A5:	Choosing Answer D (configure Windows XP to use Classic view) is a wise move.
A6:	Answer A (opening the Start.txt file with Notepad) is bogus the rest of them are actual steps.
A7:	If you're looking for fast disk emptying, try Answer D (Disk Cleanup).
A8:	Frankly, Answer A ( CHKDSK/F ) is right!
A9:	Answer B (read-only) is a winnerand it works on FAT16 and NTFS drives too!
A10:	Pick a pairas long as it's Answers A ( COPY ) and C ( DIR ).
A11:	The easy way to copy it all in one fell swoop is Answer A ( XCOPY ).
A12:	If you chose B (Windows can be configured to use both drives for the swapfile) and C (Windows must be configured to use the new drive for the swapfile and temporary files), you're right!