CSC 2260 Operating Systems and Networks

CSC 2260Operating Systems and Networks

Chapter 6Fall 2008

Dr. Chuck Lillie

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Making the Windows GUI Work for You

Who Invented the Desktop?Navigating the Windows GUIConfiguring & Customizing the Windows DesktopManaging Files in WindowsLaunching Programs in WindowsSelecting a Strategy for Leaving the DesktopTroubleshooting Common Desktop Problems

Chapter

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Learning Objectives

Explain the nature and history of the Windows GUI

Navigate the Windows GUI Configure and customize the Windows

desktop Manage files in Windows Launch applications in Windows Select a method for leaving the desktop Troubleshoot common Windows desktop

problems

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Who Invented the Desktop?

1968: Douglas Engelbart’s demonstration1970’s: Xerox PARC influences othersResult: desktop metaphor

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Navigating the Windows GUI

Getting to the Desktop via LogonUser Accounts

Each account is a record in an accounts database

Local database or server-based Windows 9x does not have local accounts

database Workgroups and Domains

Workgroups Logical grouping for sharing resources Unique name on the network No central accounts database – only local

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Getting to the Desktop via Logon (continued)Workgroups and Domains (continued)

Domains Logical grouping for sharing resources Unique name on the network Central accounts database

The use of CTRL-ALT-DELETE before logonMost versions of Windows can require

Ctrl-Alt-Delete to open logon dialog boxSecurity measure to clear memory

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Getting to the Desktop via Logon (continued)Working with Logon Dialog Boxes

Logging onto a stand-alone or workgroup computer

Windows XP Welcome to Windows dialog box Windows NT Logon Information dialog box Windows 98 Welcome or Enter Network Password Windows 2000 Log On to Windows dialog box

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Getting to the Desktop via Logon (continued)Working with Logon Dialog Boxes (continued)

Logging onto a Microsoft Windows Domain User logs on to access domain resources A computer can be a member of a domain and be

centrally managed as a resource of a domain The computer from which a user logs on must be a

domain member Windows 9x exception – user logon without computer

membership Windows XP Home cannot be a member of a domain,

and a user cannot log onto a domain from XP Home

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Getting to the Desktop via Logon (continued)Working with Logon Dialog Boxes (continued)

Buttons in the Logon Dialog Boxes OK Cancel Help Shut Down Options

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Step-by-Step 6.01

Logging Onto Windows

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A Tour of the DesktopGetting Started

Special dialog boxes in Windows NT, 98, and 2000

Cartoon-style message balloon in Windows XPFirst Look

Default desktop includes mouse pointer, taskbar, Start menu button, and one or more icons

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A Tour of the Desktop (continued)Desktop Icons

Default icons vary among versions of WindowsMy Computer, Internet Explorer, Recycle Bin.

Network Neighborhood, My Network Places, My Briefcase, My Documents, MSN Internet Account, Online Services, Connect to the Internet

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A Tour of the Desktop (continued)Taskbar

Default position across bottom of screenStart buttonQuick Launch toolbarButtons for running programs Notification area (AKA system tray or systray)Reposition and resizeWindows XP default lockedTaskbar Properties

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A Tour of the Desktop (continued)Start Menu

Programs/All ProgramsDocuments/My Recent DocumentsPersonal Folders

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Step-by-Step 6.02

Using the Start Menu

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Configuring and Customizing the Windows DesktopClassic Desktop vs. Active Desktop

Active Desktop: web content on desktopClassic desktop: double-click to open objectsEnable/Disable in Display applet

Web tabDesktop tab in Windows XPSingle-click a separate option in Windows XP

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Configuring and Customizing the Windows DesktopDecorating the Desktop: Background,

Color Schemes, and SettingsBackground/Desktop page of Display applet

BackgroundWallpaperColorsScreen saverThemes

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Configuring and Customizing the Windows DesktopCustomizing the Taskbar

Quick Launch toolbar An area on the taskbar designed to launch

programs that are used frequently

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Configuring and Customizing the Windows Desktop

Step-by-Step 6.03

Customizing the Desktop

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Managing Files in Windows

File and Folder BasicsA file is information organized as a unit A folder is a special file that holds a list of

files and other folders

An application may save to a default folder User may choose to save in other folder

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File and Folder Basics (continued)File/folder management actions

OpeningClosingCopyingMovingDeleting

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What Files Should You Manage?Users only manage data files Understand folder structure:

Document and Settings Windows Program Files Fonts System and System32 Temp

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What Files Should You Manage? (continued) Hands Off System Files!

Root of drive C:WINNT or WINDOWS folder Hidden by default in Windows 2000 and XPMake system files visible in Tools | Folder Options

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What Files Should You Manage? (continued) Managing Data Files

Data File types Text files Word processing document files Graphic files Database files Spreadsheet files

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Organizing Files Using Folders GUI Techniques

Drag-and-Drop Rules in Explorer/My Computer Dragging while pressing right mouse button = options Dragging while pressing CTRL = move Dragging to another drive = copy Dragging to another drive while pressing SHIFT = move Dragging a program file creates a shortcut to program

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Step-by-Step 6.04

Managing Files and Folders

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Non-GUI Techniques—The Command PromptOpen command prompt and run commandsLaunch any program that runs in WindowsWork at command prompt within Windows

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Non-GUI Techniques—The Command Prompt (continued) The Command Prompt in Windows 9x

DOS Virtual Machine Uses DOS Command shell (COMMAND.COM) Start | Programs | MS-DOS Prompt

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Non-GUI Techniques—The Command Prompt (continued)The Command Prompt in Windows NT,

Windows 2000, and Windows XPMenu item = Command PromptLaunches CMD.EXE32-bit character-mode command promptDo no Harm!

Never do file management at the command prompt Never run third-party disk utilities at the command

prompt

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Windows 2000, and Windows XP (continued)8.3 File Names vs. Long File Names

Windows creates both a long file name and an 8.3 alias Best-supported in GUI Using the 8.3 file name from the command prompt

brings risk of losing the long file name

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Windows 2000, and Windows XP (continued)The Dangers of FDISK and Other DOS Utilities

FDISK will not run in Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows XP, or Windows Server 2003

FDISK is the only partitioning program in Windows 9x FDISK run after booting with a startup disk will run

unrestricted

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Step-by-Step 6.05

Working at the Command Prompt in Windows

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Maintenance of Disks and FilesPerform basic maintenance regularly

Remove excess files that accumulate over timeReorganize how files are saved on diskBack up valuable data and system files

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Maintenance of Disks and Files (continued)Remove excess files with Disk Cleanup

Not available in Windows NTStart | All Programs | Accessories | System ToolsStart | Run | cleanmgr

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Maintenance of Disks and Files (continued)Defragmenting a Disk

Disk Defragmenting utility (not in Windows NT)Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools |

Disk DefragmenterStart | Run | dfrg.msc

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Maintenance of Disks and Files (continued)Backing up data

Data is more valuable than hardware and softwareTherefore, backup is criticalMost Windows versions include backup programThird party programs offer more features

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Launching Programs in Windows

Start MenuProgram ShortcutStart | RunLaunch by Association

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Step-by-Step 6.06

Launch Programs in Windows

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Command PromptLaunching Windows Programs from the

Command PromptRunning DOS Applications in Windows

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Step-by-Step 6.07

Running MS-DOS Editor in Windows

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Selecting a Strategy for Leaving the DesktopLogging Off and Shutting Down

Log offLog off and Shut Down

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Selecting a Strategy for Leaving the Desktop System Standby

Sleep stateConsumes minimal powerOn resume, all programs and data openSettings in Power Options appletNot really turned offRequires power (AC or battery)

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Selecting a Strategy for Leaving the Desktop Hibernate

Contents of memory saved to diskComputer powered off – no power requiredOn resume, all programs and data open Settings in Power Options in Control Panel

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Selecting a Strategy for Leaving the Desktop Start Menu

Start | Shut DownShut Down Windows dialog boxMay include Log off, Shut Down, Restart,

Hibernate (not in NT), and Standby (not in NT)Start | Log off (Windows XP)Start | Turn Off Computer (Windows XP)

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Selecting a Strategy for Leaving the Desktop

Ctrl-Alt-DeleteOpens Security dialog boxSelect Log off or Shut down

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Troubleshooting Common Windows Desktop Problems Disappearing Dialog Box

Dialog box closes before completionPressing Enter closesDo not press Enter until completed

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Troubleshooting Common Windows Desktop Problems Inability to Find Something

Forget where you saved a file?Use the Windows Find or Search utilityFlexible searches on almost anything you can

remember about a file

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Troubleshooting Common Windows Desktop Problems Windows Fails to Start

Data floppy disk left in driveLast Known GoodAdvanced Options Menu

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Troubleshooting Common Windows Desktop Problems Windows Stalls

No response from Windows or appsCannot close any apps In Windows 9x press Ctrl-Alt-Delete In newer versions press Ctrl-Shift-Esc If Explorer not responding, restartAny other single app can be removed

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Troubleshooting Common Windows Desktop ProblemsAn Application Fails to Start

Possible lack of memory Close other applications and retry

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Chapter Summary

Who Invented the Desktop? The origins go back several decades Many innovative people contributed to the

desktop metaphor; Douglas Engelbart demon-strated the use of a mouse in 1968.

The mouse and keyboard are your primary input devices.

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Chapter Summary

Who Invented the Desktop? The Palo Alto Research Center (PARC) was

a major contributor to the desktop metaphor. The Apple Macintosh was the first successful

consumer product using a GUI and a mouse. The desktop metaphor endures today in

Windows, Macintosh OS, and in various GUI interfaces for UNIX and Linux.

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Chapter Summary

Navigating the Windows GUI In most organizations, you must log on and be

authenticated before you can access the desktop. A user account is a record in an accounts database

that may exist locally (except for Windows 9x) or on a network server.

Logging onto a computer requires a user name and password that match those in a user account.

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Chapter Summary

Navigating the Windows GUI A workgroup is a grouping of computers on a

network for the sake of sharing printers and folders. A Microsoft Windows domain has a centralized

security accounts database, maintained on one or more special servers called domain controllers. This database contains accounts for users, groups, and computers in the domain and can be used to authenticate a user for access to any domain resource.

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Chapter Summary

Navigating the Windows GUI For a more secure logon, ctrl-alt-delete is

required to bring up the logon dialog box in all but Windows 9x.

By default, Windows XP, Windows 2000 Professional, and Windows NT Workstation allow users to select Shutdown even though no one is logged on. Not allowed on servers.

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Chapter Summary

Navigating the Windows GUIWindows Help has improved with each

version of Windows. Use it! Windows now has a variety of graphical

objects: the cursor, icons, shortcuts, dialog boxes, windows, folders, buttons, toolbars, menus, and the taskbar.

The Start button gives you access to menus from which you can launch programs.

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Chapter Summary

Navigating the Windows GUIThe Documents shortcut icon contains

shortcuts to recently opened data files. In Windows XP this folder is named My Recent Documents, but is not enabled by default.

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Chapter Summary

Navigating the Windows GUI Personal folders are a subset of special folders

that Windows creates to hold files and folders for each user. Included are files containing desktop configuration and preference information, each user’s own data files. Shortcuts to some personal folders are on the Start menu.

Personal Folders include Start Menu, My Documents, Favorites, Desktop, and many others.

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Chapter Summary

Configuring and Customizing the Desktop If Active Desktop is enabled, choose between

the classic Windows desktop and Web view. In classic Windows desktop, double-click to open an object; in Web view, objects on the desktop behave like links in a web page that can be open-ed with a single click.

Shortcuts added to the Quick Launch area of the taskbar are launched with a single click.

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Chapter Summary

Configuring and Customizing the Desktop Control Panel contains many applets that

allow you to configure your hardware and software.

Right-click on the desktop, choose Properties

to open the Display Properties box, a Control Panel applet that allows you to customize many aspects of the desktop.

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Chapter Summary

Manage Files in Windows A file is information organized as a unit, and

the author of a file determines how much information is stored in a file.

Files allow you to put information into manageable chunks.

A special type of file acts as a container for files, called a folder in Windows, but previously called a directory in MS-DOS. You can create folders in a hierarchy, enhancing the organization of your files.

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Chapter Summary

Manage Files in Windows File management in the Windows GUI is easier

and safer than in DOS because you don’t have to memorize commands that use cryptic syntax; you don’t have to feel like you are taking a typing test every time you want to create, copy, move, or delete a file or folder; and because you can see exactly what files and folders you have selected for a file management operation.

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Chapter Summary

Manage Files in Windows Two important file types are program files and

data files. Program files (also called binary files) contain programming code, and data files contain the data you create and work with in your applica-tion programs.

It is best not to attempt to manage program files, especially those the operating system requires, called system files. Leave them in the folders in which the operating system or installation pro-grams place them.

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Chapter Summary

Manage Files in Windows Manage data files. A short list of data file types includes

Text files—most often have the TXT extension Word processing document files—DOC extensionGraphic files—BMP, DIB, GIF, JPG, TIF, etc. Database files—Access uses the MDB extensionSpreadsheet files—Excel uses the XLS extension

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Chapter Summary

Manage Files in Windows The Find/Search option has been improved

with each version of Windows. In Windows NT, you can search for files, folders, and com-puters, but in Windows XP, you can search for almost anything in the world that is searchable over the Internet.

Users can manage files and folders in My Computer and Windows Explorer and from the command prompt. The last is not recommended.

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Chapter Summary

Launching Programs in WindowsUsers can launch programs by using the

Start menu.

Another method for launching programs is with the use of shortcuts on the desktop or other locations.

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Chapter Summary

Launching Programs in WindowsUsing the file extensions of data files,

Windows associates the files with applications that can create and read that file type. When you click on a file that has an extension for which Windows has an association, Windows will start the associated program and load the file as data for the program.

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Chapter Summary

Launching Programs in WindowsAnother method for launching a program is to

use Start | Run. Then enter a command name in the box to launch a program.

Launch a program from the command prompt. If the program is a GUI program, it will be launch-ed in a window.

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Chapter Summary

Leave the Desktop by Logging Off and Shutting Down Your end-of-day procedure depends on the rules

for using the computer. In some organizations, users are required to log

off but to leave the computer running. In other organizations, users are required to log

off and shut down the computer. Never just switch off your desktop computer with

the on/off switch. You should always do so from within Windows.

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Chapter Summary

Troubleshoot Common Windows Desktop Problems Pressing ENTER when you intended to select a new

field may cause a dialog box to disappear. Use the Find or Search function to find lost files. Leaving a floppy disk in the drive is a frequent

cause of startup failure. If Windows stops responding, you may have no

other choice but to restart your computer.