Chapter 5: Windows Installation

The operating system controls almost all functions on a PC. In this

chapter, you will learn about the components, functions, and
terminology related to the Windows 8.x, Windows 7 and Windows
Vista operating systems.

An operating system has several functions. One of the main tasks is

to function as an interface between the user and the hardware
connected to the computer. The operating system also controls
other functions:

Software resources, Allocation of memory and all peripheral devices,

Services common to the application software of a computer, From
digital clocks to computers, almost all computers need a system,
operational before they can be operated, so Both the name.

To understand the capabilities of an operating system, it is important

to first understand some basic terms. The following terms are often
used in the description of operating systems:
Multiuser: Two or more users have individual accounts that allow
them to work with programs and peripheral devices simultaneously.
Multitasking: The computer is capable of operating several
applications simultaneously. Multiprocessing: The operating system
can support two or more CPUs.

Threading: You can divide a program into smaller parts that load as
the operating system needs it. Subprocessing allows different parts
of a program to run simultaneously. The operating system starts the
PC and manages the file system. Operating systems can support
more than one user, task or CPU.

Regardless of the size and complexity of the PC and the operating

system, all operating systems perform the same four basic functions:
Hardware access control, File and folder management, Proportion of
a user interface, Application management, Hardware access
The operating system manages the interaction between applications
and hardware. To access each hardware component and
communicate with it, the operating system uses a program called
"device driver." When a hardware device is installed, the operating
system locates and installs the driver for that component. The
allocation of system resources and the installation of controllers are
carried out through a Plug and Play (PnP) process. The operating
system then configures the device and updates the registry, which is
a database that contains all the information about the PC. If the
operating system cannot locate a device driver, a technician must
install the driver manually, either with the means included in the
device or by downloading it from the manufacturer's website.

File and folder management: The operating system creates a file

structure on the hard drive to store data. A file is a block of related
data that is given a unique name and treated as a single unit.
Program and data files are grouped into directories. Files and
directories are organized for ease of use and recovery. Directories
can be saved within other directories. These nested directories are
known as "subdirectories." In Windows operating systems,
directories are called "folders," and subdirectories, "subfolders."

User interface: The operating system allows the user to interact with
the software and hardware. Operating systems include two types of
user interfaces, Command-line interface (CLI): The user enters
commands at the command prompt, Graphical user interface (GUI)
The user interacts through menus and icons.
Application management: The operating system locates an
application and loads it into the RAM of the PC. Applications are
software programs, such as word processors, databases,
spreadsheets and games. The operating system allocates available
system resources to running applications.

To ensure that a new application is compatible with an operating

system, programmers follow a set of guidelines known as the
"Application Programming Interface" (API). The APIs allow programs
to access resources managed by the operating system in a consistent
and reliable manner. The following are some examples of API:

The Open Graphics Library (OpenGL): This is a standard cross-

platform specification for multimedia graphics. DirectX: This is an API
collection related to multimedia tasks for Microsoft Windows.
Windows API: Allows applications from earlier versions of Windows
to work in more recent versions. Java API: This is an API collection
related to Java programming development.

The processor architecture of the central processing unit (CPU)

affects the performance of the computer. A CPU contains a record,
which is a storage location, where logical functions are performed in
the data. A larger record can point to more addresses than a smaller
record.
To better understand the architecture of the CPU, use a chef's
analogy. He has a tool and some food in his hands. Think of your
hands as a record. If the chef has very large hands, it can contain
more items that can be used immediately. At the counter (cache), he
has other tools and ingredients that he will use very soon, but he is
not using them at this time. In the kitchen (main memory) you will
find the necessary ingredients and tools for the dish, but not as soon
as the items found on the counter are needed. Other tools and
ingredients related to cooking are in stores around the city (hard
drive). These items can be requested and sent to your kitchen, if
needed.

The terms 32 bits and 64 bits refer to the amount of data that a
computer's CPU can manage. A 32-bit register can store 2 ^ 32
different binary values. Therefore, a 32-bit processor can directly
address 4,294,967,295 bytes. A 64-bit register can store 2 ^ 64
different binary values. Therefore, a 64-bit can directly address 9 223
372 036 854 775 807 bytes. The figure shows the main differences
between the 32-bit and 64-bit architectures.

Desktop operating systems A technician may have to choose and

install an operating system for a client. There are two different types
of operating systems: desktop and network. Desktop operating
systems are designed for use in small or home office environments
(SOHO, small office, home office) with a limited number of users.
Network operating systems (NOS) are designed for use in corporate
environments and serve many users with a wide variety of needs.
A desktop operating system has the following characteristics:
Supports a single user. Run single user applications. Share files and
folders on a small network with limited security. In today's software
market, the most commonly used desktop operating systems are
classified into three groups: Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac and
Linux. This chapter is about Microsoft operating systems:

Windows 8.1: Windows 8.1 is an update for Windows 8. The update

includes improvements to make Windows more familiar with users
with devices that use touch or mouse and keyboard interfaces.
Windows 8: Windows 8 introduced the Metro user interface that
unifies the appearance of Windows on desktops, laptops, mobile
phones and tablets. Users can interact with the operating system
using a touch screen or keyboard and mouse. Another version,
Windows 8 Pro, is aimed at business professionals and technicians
with additional functions.

Windows 7: Windows 7 is an update of Windows XP or Windows

Vista. It is designed to run on personal computers. This version
provided improvements in the graphical user interface and better
performance than previous versions. Windows Vista: Windows Vista
is a personal computer operating system. As the successor to
Windows XP, it offers security improvements and introduced the
Windows Aero user interface.
Compatibility of applications and environments with operating
systems When recommending an operating system to a customer, it
is important to understand how the PC will be used. The operating
system must be compatible with existing hardware and the required
applications.

To recommend an operating system, the technician must analyze

budget constraints, know how the computer will be used and
determine what types of applications will be installed on it and when
a new computer will be purchased. The following are some
guidelines that can help determine the best operating system for a
customer:

Does the client use commercially available applications on this PC?

In the packaging of commercially available applications, the
operating systems compatible with the application are detailed.
Does the client use custom applications programmed specifically for
him? If the client uses a custom application, the programmer of that
application specifies which operating system to use.

Minimum hardware requirements and compatibility with the

operating system platform Operating systems have minimum
hardware requirements that must be met for the operating system
to be installed and functioning properly.
Identify the equipment that the client has. If it is necessary to update
the hardware to meet the minimum operating system requirements,
perform a cost analysis to determine the best course of action. In
some cases, it may be cheaper for the customer to buy a new PC than
to upgrade the current system. In other cases, it may be cost
effective to update one or more of the following components: RAM,
Hard disk drive, CPU, Video adapter card, Motherboard

Note: If the application requirements exceed the hardware

requirements of the operating system, you must meet the additional
requirements for the application to function properly. After
determining the minimum hardware requirements, make sure that
all PC hardware is compatible with the operating system chosen for
the client.

Microsoft Compatibility Center: Microsoft has a Windows online

compatibility center that allows technicians to verify the
compatibility of both software and hardware, as shown in the figure.
This tool provides a detailed inventory of the hardware that was
tested and for which it was found to work with Windows. If the client
has hardware components that are not listed, it may be necessary to
update those components.
Click here to go to the Microsoft compatibility center. To see the
compatibility states for Windows on the results page, click on the
product to display the product details page. The drop-down menu
next to "compatibility status for" allows you to choose and view the
compatibility status for the version of Windows most important to
you.

Operating systems must be updated periodically so that they

continue to be compatible with the latest hardware and software. It
is also necessary to update the operating system when the
manufacturer stops providing support for it. The operating system
update can improve performance. Typically, new hardware products
require that the latest version of the operating system be installed
to function properly. While updating an operating system can be
costly, you can get more functionality thanks to new software
features and compatibility with new hardware.