Installing and maintaining an operating system

Installing and maintaining an operating system

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Introduction

There are different kinds of operating systems depending on the tasks to be carried out. An operating system is basically a system software that controls the hardware and software applications installed in a computer. In order for an application to function, it requires an operating system. This paper discusses different tools of an operating system and the various steps that are taken in installation of an operating system. Finally the paper discusses the major application management of the system.

Operating system

An operating systems is the core of the computer; its main role is to connect the computer hardware with the application software already existing in a computer. They help the user connect the hardware components with the outside world. Installing the operating system should be done before installing any application to the computer this is because the operating system initiates its workability (Tanenbaum & Woodhull, 2007). There are different varieties of operating systems. However the most common ones are windows, linux and Apple.

Operating system at work

The figure above shows an operating system at work. From the figure, the operating system connects all the computer hardware like the mouse, hard drive and sound card among others to the computer. The operating system is also responsible for monitoring the computer’s performance, repairing computer problems and maintaining computer systems (Davis, Ben-Natan, & Copeland, 2008). These roles are played by tools provided by the operating system. Additionally it provides a set of libraries which are essential in accepting various computer tasks.

In the installation process the user have to carry out some configurations which are done to personalize operating systems. This configuration depends on the user’s tasks that he or she wants to be performed. For instance, an organization’s operating system may be different from a home-based computer’s operating system. Different operating systems have different settings while some configurations are similar.

Tools of operating systems

Various operating systems offer different functions. Microsoft windows operating systems offer computer management roles. They also offer administrative tools like computer administration, cleaning computer disks and management of various computer commands. Other tasks involving performance of the monitor and organization of computer schedules are performed. Computer operating systems display their resources continuously. In a system, processes being the main resource owners, monitoring is carried out at process level (Fasack, Rutz, & Voll, 2009). This information is used by operating systems while they are running to carry out actual memory management, programming, multiprogramming, and many other significant conclusions.

In addition, performance monitoring is convenient while evolving and cleansing systems, and it provides user support during daily process. Accounts of operating system and process performance can be used to calculate variations to the system and permit correct assessments to additional systems. They can also be used to foresee the performance of comparable systems and the type of performance achievements may be anticipated in the future.

Windows operating systems provide tools that are relevant for changing computer systems like security, network and internet settings. Other configurations include sound, clock, language and appearance. The security tools enable the user to troubleshoot problems to configure the connection problems. They are effective in managing computer power, backup and storage. Network and internet provides viewing options that also enhance internet connection and sharing options among other internet related options. Others configure sound and windows flexibility settings.

Installing operating systems

In installing a computer operating system entails a certain process. There are both pre-installation stages and post-installation stages. It is advised to have a customized installation disc which allows for installation of all the applications and drivers that the user wants to install. This will help the user avoid most of the processes involved after installation that are very repetitive (Tanenbaum & Woodhull, 2007). There are various tools that are used to in automating post-installation processes like Windows Update Downloader, Silent Installers, and Driver Pack among others.

Installation takes a certain process. The first process involves deciding the type of operating system to install into the computers. The choosing process is determined by several factors like policies and guidelines in the organization, hardware resources and the job role of the user. The roles the organization wants to execute determines the type of the operating system to install (Jollands, 2001). Thus the user has to choose the operating system well that will be effective to execute the intended roles. The second step involves matching the operating system with the user’s needs. If the needs match then the user can go on and install the operating system. The other step involves making a decision on whether to buy or download from the website the operating system. It is up to the organization to buy or download an operating system. The other step involves ensuring that all the data is backed up to avoid loss of data or any tampering with the information.

The other step involves booting the computer from the installation disc, then wait for the setup program to load and select the sort of installation that the user want. The next step involves configuring the partition to create place for installing the operating system. Later the user is required to key in the product key which allows the user to fully install the operating system in to the computer. After keying in the product key then the user can be able to configure the date, time, language and other basic settings including account name and password (Jollands, 2001). Other settings that can be done are the display settings, installation of user’s drivers and applications and also computer antivirus. Finally the user also need to set network and internet connections to ensure that he or she can connect locally and internationally.

Conclusively, the above discussion is about operating systems; their role and installation in to the computer. These programs are very essential to a computer as they ensure that all the computer hardware components are linked together to complete the user’s command. Some of the roles carried out include administration and management roles like monitor administering, printing and connecting the user internationally through internet connection. Device monitor allows the computer to display data from the computer components like compact discs. Conclusively, computer installation and maintenance requires a skilled person to prevent cases of data mishandling.

References

Davis, M. L., Ben-Natan, O., & Copeland, B. W. (2008). U.S. Patent No. 5,742,829. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Fasack, M. L., Rutz, W. A., & Voll, R. G. (2009). U.S. Patent No. 4,823,290. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Jollands, T. D. (2001). U.S. Patent No. 6,292,941. Washington, DC: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Tanenbaum, A. S., & Woodhull, A. S. (2007). Operating systems: design and implementation (Vol. 2). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.

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