Operating System

Operating System
- Is a software program that enables the computer hardware to        communicate and operate with the computer software.
Without a computer operating system, a computer and software programs would be useless.

Examples of computer operating systems

Microsoft Windows 10 - PC and IBM compatible operating system. Microsoft Windowsis the most common and used operating system.
Apple macOS - Apple Mac operating system. Today, the only Apple computer operating system is macOS.
Ubuntu Linux - A popular variant of Linux used with PC and IBM compatible computers.
Google Android - Operating system used with Android compatible phones and tablets.
iOS - Operating system used with the Apple iPhone and iPads.
Chromium - Google operating system used  with Chromebooks.

Windows 

Microsoft Windows is a group of several graphical operating system families, all of which are developed, marketed, and sold by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. Active Windows families include Windows NT and Windows Embedded; these may encompass subfamilies, e.g. Windows Embedded Compact (Windows CE) or Windows Server. Defunct Windows families include Windows 9x, Windows Mobile and Windows Phone.

Windows NT

Started as a family of operating system with Windows NT 3.1, an operating system for server computers and workstations. It now consists of three operating system subfamilies that are released almost at the same time and share the same kernel. It is almost impossible for someone unfamiliar with the subject to identify the members of this family by name because they do not adhere to any specific rule; e.g. Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 are members of this family but Windows 3.1 is not.

Examples of Windows NP

Windows XP

         Windows Vista

         Windows 7

        

        Windows 8 and 8.1

         

         Windows 10

Startup Menu

The Start menu may be launched either by pressing ⊞ Win (the Windows key) on a keyboard or its equivalent on a tablet device, pressing CTRL+ESC on a keyboard, or by clicking on the visual Start button. 

With the exception of Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012, the Start button can be found on the taskbar. 

On versions before Windows Vista, the Start Button consisted of the word "Start" and the Windows Logo (the word "Start" was localized for each different language version of the system, for instance, reading Avvio in Italian^{[citation needed]}). On the Windows Vista and Windows 7 desktop, the word "Start" has been replaced by a blue Windows "orb" logo.^[15]However, the user can revert to displaying the word "Start" and the Windows Logo by setting the theme to Windows Classic.

 The Start button on Windows Server 2012 and Windows 8 is initially moved from the traditional taskbar to "charms", a hidden secondary taskbar located to the right of the screen (accessed by swiping in from the right on multitouch devices, or positioning the mouse in one of the right corners of the screen and sliding up or down). The Start screen is accessed either by that button or by clicking the lower left corner of the screen. Windows 8.1 and Windows Server 2012 R2 restore the button back to its original place without removing the new button in the charms.^[16][17]

Right-clicking on the Start button invokes a context menu. This menu in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 is called the Quick Link menu^[18] and grants access to several frequently used features of Windows, such as accessing desktop or File Explorer.^[19]

Format Computers

Things you will need before you format a computer: 

➡You will need to backup your computer files. This can be the hardest part     of formatting your computer because if you forget something important       it could be a disaster.

➡You will need your original system discs. This will include a drivers disc       and the Windows operating system disc. 

➡You will need to know everything about formatting a computer.

How to format windows xp using a Windows XP disc

1. First you must put your Windows XP CD in the drive. 

2. Then restart your computer. 

3. When it says press any key to boot from cd, Press any key on the keyboard. I use the space bar, easy to get to. (If you can do this Go to step 6

 4. If it doesn’t ask you to press any key to boot from cd then restart your computer again. 

5. Go into the BIOS settings of your PC, usually by pressing the F1, F2, F10, or maybe the delete key. If you are not sure watch the screen at startup and it will say “To enter setup press…….”. You have to be quick and press it. If you miss it restart again. Once you are in the bios you have to change the boot options. You have to make your cd rom the first boot option. Save and exit. If you do not understand how to get into your BIOS please see how to get into your BIOS and change settings. 

6. When the CD starts up A blue screen will appear and you are on your way.. 

1. Press Enter to setup Windows XP now. See screen shot above. Do not rush through this process as pressing the wrong key here can take you down the wrong road. You should take your time when its your first time learning how to format a computer using windows xp.

 2. If there is a copy of Windows XP on your computer and you wish to overwrite it you will have to press the escape button when prompted. (screen shot below) Do not install Windows XP in another directory unless you know what you are doing. Just overwrite the previous version as you should have backed up your files anyway. In this example I am showing you how to format a computer that has already had Windows installed on it. 

1. You should now make the partition that had windows on it blue and press D to delete the partition. It will ask if you are sure. Press L to confirm. More details on deleting partitions. 

2. Then Press C to create another partition and Windows will estimate a size for you. If you wanted to partition your hard drive into two equal parts you would have to do some math’s and then type the appropriate number in. Otherwise just going with what Windows puts there will be the minimum partition size. If you make a mistake when estimating the size of a partition you can simply go back now and delete the partition and start again. Do not move forward if you have made a mistake. 

3. Press Enter to confirm size. 

4. Then it will ask you which partition you want to install Windows on. The default is C: drive. Select this by making it blue and press enter. 

5. If there are no partitions it will create one for you. 

6. Then it will ask you to format quick, normal, in fat32 or NTFS. Fat32 suits older computers so I choose a quick format with NTFS. Quick or Slow is fine. If you had errors it is better to use a slow format which can also be known as a low level format. When you format a computer please note that a low level format can take a long time, depending on what size hard drive you have. 

7. From now on you just Follow the prompts and let it go..the process of formatting your computer is on its way. Some setup files will be taken from the Windows CD onto your computer to complete this process. 

8. The computer will restart and it will try to boot from cd again…Do not press anything on the keyboard.. Just let it go through the stages of setup. You only press the ANY KEY at the start to get it to boot to the Windows XP cd. 

9. Make sure you have your serial number ready to enter in. This can be found on your coa certificate which is a sticker usually put on the side of your computer. 

10. Do not remove the Windows XP CD until the computer has started up with a new desktop and icons.

Bios setup

How to access my computer BIOS? 

To access any bios on any computer you must watch the startup screen on the computer. It will usually say “To enter setup press…….” Some common keys you may have to press are F1, F2, F10, or maybe the delete key. You must press this key when the startup screen is showing. There will be a message on the bottom of the screen flashing by saying “press ??? to enter setup.” If you miss this you have to restart again.  

Install Windows

      1) Check Hardware Compatibility

Before installing or upgrading Windows on your computer, you should check the hardware in the computer to make sure it is compatible with that version of Windows. Microsoft provides a Windows Compatible Products List through their website that allows you to check if the specific hardware in your computer is compatible with the chosen version of Windows.

If you find that one or more pieces of hardware in your computer are not compatible with the chosen Windows version, we recommend replacing that hardware with compatible hardware. Having compatible hardware in your computer will help ensure the Windows install or upgrade process is successful.

      2) Genuine Windows CD, DVD, or USB                     thumb drive

First, you will need a genuine copy of the Microsoft Windows operating systeminstallation CD, DVD, or USB thumb drive. A genuine Windows product key is included with the installation disc, which is required to activate Windows after installation. If you have an OEM computer, the product key for your version of Windows is also often on the back or side of the computer.

If you have an OEM computer (e.g., Acer, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, etc.), the computer will not have a genuine Windows CD, DVD, or USB thumb drive. Instead, you would re-install Windows and all the software using a hidden partition or a set of restore discs. The steps mentioned on this page would still work, but you'd need a copy of Windows. You can also borrow a Windows disc from a friend as long as you're installing the same version of Windows that came with the computer and you have the product key for that version of Windows.

       3) Installing or Upgrading Windows

To start the Windows install or upgrade process, you will need to configure your computer to boot from a CD or DVD before booting to the hard drive. Changing the boot process forces the computer to look for the Windows installation disc before trying to boot from the hard drive.

1. Access the computer's BIOS setup.
2. Change the computer's boot order, setting the CD, DVD or disc drive as the first boot device if you are trying to boot from a disc or a USB drive if you're trying to boot from a USB thumb drive.
3. Save the settings change and exit BIOS.

Once you have updated the boot order, you can begin the Windows installation process.

4. Place the Windows disc in the CD/DVD drive or USB thumb drive into the back of the computer.
5. Turn on or restart the computer. As the computer is starting up, it should see the installation disc or drive and show a message similar to Press any key to boot from CD. Press any key on the keyboard to have the computer boot from the Windows disc or drive.
6. The Windows install process will begin. There will be several prompts that you will need to answer. Select either Yes or the appropriate option to install Windows.
7. When asked which partition to install Windows onto, select the main partition, which is usually the C: drive or one labeled "Unaollocated partition". If upgrading Windows, select the existing installation of Windows on the hard drive.
8. You may be asked if you want to erase all contents on the hard drive, then install Windows. It is recommended that you choose this option, as it will also properly format the hard drive to allow the Windows operating system to be installed.
9. The computer may need to restart several times during the Windows install process. The restarts are normal and if prompted to restart, select the Yes option.
10. When the install process is nearly complete, the Windows configuration option screens are shown. On these screens, you may be asked to select the time zone you live in, your preferred language, and the name of the account you will use to access Windows. Select the appropriate options and enter the appropriate information on each configuration screen.
The Windows install process will be complete when the computer prompts you to log in with the account you just created on the configuration screens or when it loads directly into Windows.

      5) Final Windows and computer

        configuration

           
After Windows has been installed on the computer, you will need to install the driversand related software for the hardware in the computer. You can use the installation discs that came with the hardware, or you can download the drivers from the hardware manufacturer's website.
It is strongly recommended that you install the latest drivers for each piece of hardware.
To determine which hardware needs drivers to be installed, check the Device Managerand look for exclamation mark "!" next to hardware devices. The exclamation point means drivers are needed for that device.
After installing the necessary hardware device drivers, install any software programs on the computer that you want to use.
Finally, download and install any available Windows updates. Updating Windows can help improve the performance of the operating system, the hardware in the computer, and software programs you use. It can also improve security by fixing potential security holes and flaws in Windows.

      6) Long-term maintenance of         

          Windows

Microsoft frequently releases new updates for Windows, so it is recommended that you check for and install available updates. Doing so will help keep Windows running better and keep your computer protected.
Also, periodically check for updated hardware device drivers from manufacturers' websites. Keeping hardware drivers updated can help the hardware devices in the computer to run at peak performance and improve compatibility with other hardware and software in the computer.