Understanding Operating Systems 2/1/2010 You get to work and turn on your computer. You open up Microsoft Outlook to check your calendar and your email; Internet Explorer to access your company’s website; QuickBooks or other accounting software to manage your accounts; and Microsoft Word to finish the letter you started drafting yesterday. Did you know you are taking advantage of the underlying features of your operating system!? Every computer, from the smallest notebook to the largest supercomputer, has an operating system (OS). The OS is critical; a computer cannot run without it. The operating system is the traffic cop of your PC, conducting the flow of “traffic” or data through the computer system by coordinating the hardware, software, processor, user interface, and the system’s memory. Did you know there are actually a number of different types of operating systems? Some operating systems co-ordinate resources for many users on a network (multi-user operating system), whereas other operating systems, such as those found in some household appliances and car engines, don’t require the intervention of any users at all (real-time operating system). Some OS’s are proprietary systems developed specifically for the devices they manage (single-user, single-task operating system), while others (the one your most familiar with, most likely) are available commercially, for personal and business use (single-user, multitask operating system). Let’s focus on the single-user, multitask OS, the most familiar to those of us who use the computer daily at work or home. This type of OS can handle only one person working on it at a time but can perform a variety of tasks. The most commonly used operating systems you hear about are Microsoft Windows, Windows XP, Windows Vista, or now Windows 7; or the Apple Macintosh operating system. The type of processor in the computer determines which operating system a particular desktop computer uses. The combination of operating system and processor is referred to as a computer’s platform. Microsoft Windows and Macintosh operating systems are each designed to coordinate with a different series of processors. Windows OS’s are designed to coordinate with a series of processors from Intel Corp and Advanced Micro Devices, while Apple Macintosh operating systems worked primarily with processors from the Motorola Corporation, IBM, and Intel. The two operating systems are not interchangeable. If you attempt to load a Windows OS on a Mac, for example, the Mac processor would not understand the operating system and would not function properly. The operating system manages the processor. When you use your computer, you usually ask it to perform several tasks at once, such as printing a word document, waiting for a file to download, and working on a power point presentation all at the same time. Although the processor is the powerful brains of the computer, processing all of it instructions and performing all of its calculations, it needs the operating system to arrange for the execution of all these activities in a systematic way to give the appearance that everything is happening simultaneously. To do so, the OS assigns a slice of its time to each activity requiring the processor’s attention. The OS must then switch between different processes thousands of times a second to make it appear that everything is happening seamlessly. Otherwise, you wouldn’t be able to print a document and open a web page at the same time without experiencing delays in the process. This ability to perform more than one task at a time is multi-tasking. Also, when you utilize the many different devices for the computer system such as the keyboard, mouse, USB drive, and printer, it may appear that all these events work at the same time; in effect, the operating system switches back and forth between processes, controlling the timing of events the processor works on. I have given you a brief summary of how the “traffic controller” of your PC, your operating system, manages the processor. Next month I will dig deeper into the “mind” of an operating system at ­user-interfaces as well as managing memory, hardware, and peripheral devices! had finished my setup and ran my pc for a while before trying to unlock the 4th core on my cpu AMD X3 435 wit my motherboard Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H. I went into the Bios and selected Hybrid for firmware and ACC on auto. This is what I get I have never done this before and a few questions (1) Does this mean it has unlocked the 4th core but there's no L3 cache? (2) Should I test it for stability? What should I do to test? How to Upgrade a Desktop PC MemoryClick here to run a free scan for system related errors Level of difficulty: Intermediate Knowing how to upgrade a computer’s memory can help in saving a slowly running desktop PC. Upgrading a PC in general may sometimes only require certain hardware changes. Sometimes, all that a slow computer needs is a memory upgrade in order for it to run as good as new. This is good news, especially for those who want to keep the working parts of their computers for as long as possible. A computer running on Windows XP but has only 256Mb of memory desperately needs an upgrade. Windows XP running on a 512Mb RAM is okay but would work better on a minimum of 1Gb RAM. Materials Needed: - Memory or RAM hardware - screw driver Step 1 When buying a separate RAM hardware for the first time, always make sure that the proper hardware for the computer is bought. If unsure exactly what type of RAM is needed for the PC, there are certain websites that can aid in determining the type of RAM needed. A good website is http://www.crucial.com. Step 2 Supply the computer’s brand and model to the website. An automated search result for the proper hardware should appear. Write down the search result before going to a vendor to buy one. RAM hardware is readily available in any computer store. Any generic brand would do. Step 3 Once the proper RAM has been bought, take all the wires off from the CPU, including the power supply. Step 4 Then, position it very carefully on the side where it can be opened. This is usually the side where the fan is. Step 5 Unscrew the side of the casing and take it off. The RAM slot can be found on the motherboard itself. RAM slots on motherboards usually range from 2 to 4 slots. This means that about 2 to 4 RAM hardware can be installed into the computer. Step 6 Once the RAM slot has been found, take the RAM from its package. When doing this, make sure that the person handling the RAM hardware is grounded. Step 7 The old RAM may be kept or discarded. It is advisable to keep the old RAM along with the new one. This could still help in adding to the computer’s total RAM. On an empty RAM slot, carefully slide the hardware into it. Step 8 The locking tool on each side of the RAM slot should automatically lock the hardware into place. A clicking sound should be heard. A click means that the RAM has been installed to the motherboard properly. Step 9 Put the machine back together, including the wires attached to them. The computer should automatically detect the new RAM and its processing speed should increase.Windows system maintenance:Stability:How to scan and repair your PC's registry related errors Speed:How to increase PC speed and performance Drivers:How to scan your PC for the outdated drivers You are currently viewing How to Upgrade a Desktop PC Memory on Uniblue's how to archive. Browse more how to's How to Upgrade a Desktop PC Memory How to Upload DVD on to Computer