Day 21

(Please wait for all of the photos to download before printing)

A + test questions

NIC Cards

Plus a word about the Windows Product Activation feature of Windows XP

 

A network interface card, or "NIC," allows computers, which are connected through a network, to share information and resources. The NIC is the card that goes into each computer to make it network ready. NICs can be on an ISA or a PCI slot. The PCI versions are newer. There are also three common speeds for these cards, which are 10BaseT, 100BaseT, or 10/100BaseT. Higher numbers refer to faster cards.

3com and D-Link cards tend to be best and give you fewer headaches. Many 3com card will install with just the windows drivers already on your machine.

XP is the version of windows after Windows ME and 2000. I will show some of the elements found within this OS.

 

The Windows Desktop

Nice back yard, Bill... How long does it take to mow it?

 

The Start Menu

The start menu is now far more easier to personalize.

 

My document folders

 

Navigation to the System Information Program

The XP desktop has been created to give a more natural feel to windows navigation.

 

The Task Bar

 

 

The Control Panal, in XP's category view

 

The Control Panal, in XP's classic view

 

XP's System Properties

 

 

Installation

When installing the OS on a new machine, Windows XP uses your PC hardware to generate the ID, and it now seems that only three to six changes in your PC's configuration are needed before reactivation is to be required. Reactivation means that the user needs to call Microsoft's office and receive a new number. A new activation number will be given as often as once every 120 days with triggering any piracy investigations.

Here is a table to show the relationship between the computer hardware and the bit-fields, which make up for the ID.

bit-field value based on

volume serial number string of system volume

network adapter address string

CD-ROM drive hardware ID string

graphics adapter hardware ID string

CPU serial number string

hard drive hardware ID string

SCSI host adapter hardware ID string

IDE controller hardware ID string

processor model string

RAM size

Desktop or Laptop ID string

Docking ID string

On the plus side- the user may install this OS with an Operating System that is already on the computer. Then when you boot up the system, it asks you which OS to go into to.

To do this XP adds a file called "Boot" into your system's root directory of drive C.

To edit it, simply open it using wordpad. It will look like the photo below. As it is written, it will start XP in 5 seconds, unless the user keys down to Win98

I rather have win98 as my default OS, so my boot file looks like this...

Do you notice which lines I changed to do this task?

[boot loader] This is a key menu command for telling the system that it has more than one OS installed on it.

timeout= Sets the clock to count down the seconds until it uses the default OS, unless the user takes action.

[operating systems] Tells the system where to look for the OS.

10 Reasons to Get Windows XP Home Edition, accoding to Microsoft.

Fast User Switching
Share a single computer with everyone in your family? Now you can each access your own accounts without having to close each other's applications or restart the computer. (First used in windows 98)

New, Simplified Visual Design
The clean, simple design of Windows XP puts the features you use most often up front and center, so you can get to them quickly. (New)

Windows Media Player for Windows XP
Windows Media Player for Windows XP gives you a single, easy-to-use place to play DVDs, organize music, burn CDs, and more. (New)

Windows Messenger
Windows Messenger is the easy way to communicate with your friends and family in real time. You can see who is online and choose to communicate through text messaging, voice, or video with excellent performance and better quality than ever. (Has been done before using other programs)

Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker lets you capture, edit, organize, and share home movies on your computer, whether you made them with a digital video camera or an analog camera. (Has been done before using other programs)

My Pictures
My Pictures is the place to work with your digital photos. Here you can organize, preview, and even order prints of your pictures via a Web service. (Has been done before using other programs)

Internet Explorer 6
Internet Explorer 6 includes new and better features to simplify Web browsing tasks, increase reliability, and help keep your personal information private. (New)

Remote Assistance
Remote Assistance lets you allow a friend or support professional who is also running Windows XP to remotely control your computer to demonstrate a process or help solve a problem.

System Restore
System Restore actively monitors system file changes, so that if something goes wrong with your computer, you can restore your system to a previous state without losing data. (First used in Windows ME)

Network Setup Wizard
Network Setup Wizard makes it easier than ever to set up your own home network so all the computers in your house can share printers, devices, files, and an Internet connection. (Similiar to wizards found in other window versions)

Here is a small table comparing the ASUS Motherboards for AMD Processors

	A7V-E KT133	A7V133-M	A7V133-C	A7V KT133	A7A266	A7V266a
Chipset	VIA KT133	VIA KT133A	VIA KT133A	VIA KT133	ALi M 1647	VIA KT266
RAM Supported	SDRAM PC100/PC133	SDRAM PC100/PC133	SDRAM PC100/PC133	SDRAM PC100/PC133	SDRAM PC133 DDR PC2100	DDR PC2100
MAX RAM	1 GB	1 GB	1.5 GB	1.5 GB	2 GB DDR 3 GB SDRAM	3 GB DDR
FSB	200MHz	200/266MHz	200/266MHz	200/266MHz	200/266MHz	200/266MHz
Best Suited For...	Duron	Duron/T-Bird	Duron/T-Bird	Duron/T-Bird	Duron/T-Bird (266)	Duron, T-Bird and Palomino (266)
AGP	2X/4X	4X	Pro 4X	Pro 4X	Pro 4X	Pro 4X
PCI Count	6	3	5	6	5	5
Optional Audio	Yes, AC '97	Yes, Creative	Yes, AC '97	Yes, AC '97	Yes, C-Media	Yes, C-Media
IDE Channels	2	2	4	4	2	2 to 4
Best Price at Pricewatch.com (Summer of 2001)	$89	$125	$126	$130	$141	$185
Total Price for CPU(800 MHz Duron) + M/B	$124	$161	$162	$166	N/A	N/A

-Groups-

We need the Pentium systems to be upgraded with NICs (Network Interface Cards) so that we will be able to build a LAN (Local Area Network) with these systems next time.

Study Outline
Supporting Microcomputers text

Lesson 1: Computer Basics

Essential Computer Components

1.     The standard components of a typical computer system are:

             

            A

            B

            C

            D

            E

            A base unit usually consists of (at a minimum):

A

B

C

            Match the computer types listed below to the descriptions. (Note: terms may be used once, more than once, or not at all.)

A Supercomputers

B Mainframes

C Minicomputers

D Workstations

E Microcomputers/Desktop PCs

F Servers

G Portables

 

     High-end, fast computers traditionally designed for graphical work such as video production or drawing

     Systems of a size between mainframes and other computers

     Powerful computers that are used on networks for such tasks as storing organizational data, files, and programs; controlling printers; and making resources available to users on the network

     Large, expensive, centralized computers that usually contain massive amounts of data and are connected to by dumb terminals

     Huge, expensive, extremely fast machines used by very few organizations

     Computers that can be easily moved and used at different locations; you take them with you

     Computers that sit on a single desktop, have a single processor, and are often found in homes, schools and offices

2.     Fill in the weight range for each portable computer type listed below.

a.     Palmtop:                          pounds

b.      Notebook:                        pounds

c.      Handheld PC:                  pounds

d.     Subnotebook:                   pounds

e.     Laptop:                            pounds

Input-Process-Output-Storage Cycle

1.     Fill in the description for each of the four stages of the IPOS cycle.

A.     Input:

 

B Process:

 

C Storage:

 

D Output:

 

2.     A                              manages every aspect of the IPOS cycle.

3.     Common disk operating systems include:

A.

B.

C.

D.

E.

4.     The                            is the brain of the entire processing system.

5.     The CPU rests inside the computer case on the                    .

6.     True/False: A motherboard can have more than one processor. 

7.     There are many integrated circuits in a typical computer, each of which contains microscopic digital switches called
                                    .

8.     What is ASCII?  What does the acronym stand for?

 

9.     Match the terms to definitions below. (Note: terms may be used once, more than once, or not at all.)

A.     Binary system

B.    Bit

C.    Byte

D.    Kilobyte

E.     Megabyte

F.     Gigabyte

 

     1,024 bytes

     A character of data

     1,073,741,824 bytes

     A code made up of 0s and 1s

     8 bits

     1,048,576 bytes

     A binary digit

Lesson 2: Tools and Safety

Tools

Standard Tools

1.     List and describe at least five standard tools that can be helpful for computer installation and repair:

a.

 

 

 

 

Specialized Tools

2.     Match the tools listed below to the descriptions. (Note: terms may be used once, more than once, or not at all.)

A.     Offset screwdriver

B.    Multimeter or volt-ohm meter

C.    ESD wrist strap

D.    Compressed air

E.     AC circuit tester

F.     Loopback plug

G.    Gender changer plug

 

     Helps you determine the correct wiring and grounding of wall outlets

     Discharges static electricity from your body

     Its bent or angled shape helps you to access hard-to-reach locations

     Lets you test I/O ports such as serial and parallel ports

     Cans used to clean dust from keyboards, cases, printers, or mouse devices.

     Converts male or female connectors to the opposite gender

     Enables you to test power supplies, cables, and terminators

 

Study Outline with Answers
Supporting Microcomputers text

Lesson 1: Computer Basics

Essential Computer Components

The standard components of  a typical computer system are:

A.    Base Unit

B.    Mouse

C.  Keyboard

D.  Monitor

E.     Printer

A base unit usually consists of (at a minimum):

A.    Motherboard

C.    Central Processing Unit (CPU)

D.    Disk Drive (5.25" and/or 3.25")

Match the computer types listed below to the descriptions (note: terms may be used once, more than once, or not at all).

A.     Supercomputers

B. Mainframes

C. Minicomputers

D. Workstations

E.  Microcomputers/Desktop PCs

F.  Servers

G.  Portables

 

 d  High-end, fast computers traditionally designed for graphical work such as video production or drawing

 c  Systems of a size between mainframes and other computers

 f   Powerful computers that are used on networks for such tasks as storing organizational data, files, and programs; controlling printers; and making resources available to users on the network

 b  Large, expensive, centralized computers that usually contain massive amounts of data, and are connected to by dumb terminals

 a  Huge, expensive, extremely fast machines used by very few organizations

 g  Computers that can be easily moved and used at different locations; you take them with you

 e  Computers that sit on a single desktop, have a single processor, and are often found in homes, schools and offices

Fill in the weight range for each portable computer type listed below.

B.    Palmtop:      less than 2  pounds

Notebook:          5 – 10  pounds

Handheld PC:   less than 2  pounds

Subnotebook:    2 – 5            pounds

Laptop:             10 – 15        pounds

Input-Process-Output-Storage Cycle

10. Fill in the description for each of the four stages of the IPOS cycle.

C.    Input:
Use of a keyboard, mouse, pen, touch screen, microphone, or other device to enter data and instructions into the system

Process:
The central processing unit (CPU) acts on instructions stored in the computer’s memory

Storage:
Long-term data storage occurs on secondary storage, such as floppy disk, hard disk, tape, or compact disk

Output: 
Results of processing display on the monitor, are sent to a printer, or are broadcast as sound or video

11. A disk operating system (DOS) manages every aspect of the IPOS cycle.

12. Common disk operating systems include:

A.    Microsoft-DOS (MS-DOS)

B.    Microsoft Windows 3.x

C.    Microsoft Windows 95

D.    Microsoft Windows NT

E.     Macintosh

13. The central processing unit (CPU) is the brain of the entire processing system.

14. The CPU rests inside the computer case on the motherboard.

15. True/False: A motherboard can have more than one processor. 

16. There are many integrated circuits in a typical computer, each of which contains microscopic digital switches called transistors.

17. What is ASCII?  What does the acronym stand for?
ASCII is a code that assigns an 8-bit combination of 0s and 1s to 256 characters, including letters, numbers, punctuation marks and symbols.

It stands for American Standard Code for Information Interchange.

18. Match the terms to definitions below (note: terms may be used once, more than once, or not at all).

A.     Binary system

B.    Bit

C.    Byte

D.    Kilobyte

E.     Megabyte

F.     Gigabyte

 

 d  1,024 bytes

 c  A character of data

 f   1,073,741,824 bytes

 a  A code made up of 0s and 1s

 c  8 bits

 e  1,048,576 bytes

 b  A binary digit

Lesson 2: Tools and Safety

Tools

Standard Tools

3.     List and describe at least five standard tools that can be helpful for computer installation and repair:

Screwdriver – flathead, Phillips head, and Torx styles are available in different sizes

Nut Driver – hex-head socket end

Chip Puller – used to pull chips from circuit boards

Tweezers – helpful for handling jumpers and other small parts

Part Grabber – used to retrieve small parts dropped into the case

Needle-nosed pliers – can be used to remove jumpers and straighten bent pins

H.    Flashlight – helpful to light the inside of the case

Specialized Tools

4.     Match the tools listed below to the descriptions (note: terms may be used once, more than once, or not at all).

A.     Offset screwdriver

B.    Multimeter or volt-ohm meter

C.    ESD wrist strap

D.    Compressed air

E.     AC circuit tester

F.     Loopback plug

G.    Gender changer plug

 

 e  Helps you determine the correct wiring and grounding of wall outlets

 c  Discharges static electricity from your body

 a  Its bent or angled shape helps you to access hard-to-reach locations

 f   Lets you test I/O ports such as serial and parallel ports

 d  Cans used to clean dust from keyboards, cases, printers, or mouse devices.

 g  Converts male or female connectors to the opposite gender

 b  Enables you to test power supplies, cables, and terminators