Windows 95 Intermediate - DOS Applications and Windows 95 - Slide No. 1 © Cheltenham Computer Training 1995-2002 DOS Applications and Windows 95 Windows

Windows 95 Intermediate - DOS Applications and Windows 95 - Slide No. 1© Cheltenham Computer Training 1995-2002

DOS Applications and Windows 95

Windows 95 - Intermediate


The DOS Window Toolbar

• Access to screen and program control

Alt+Enter to toggle between full screen and a window


The Start Command

• Windows applications can now be launched from a DOS prompt

START CALC will start the Windows 95 Calculator, (stored as CALC.EXE)


Showing a Visual Directory Display Using the Start Command

• Enter the command Start . • A window will visually display the file and folder

structure

START .


Using DIR/v and COPY With Long File Names

• Long file name support


A New EDIT.COM Program

• Smaller and Faster than the true DOS version

• Able to open multiple files (up to 9)

• Able to open files as large as 4 MB


What About PIF Files?

• Windows 3.1 required PIF (Program Information Files) so that it knew how to run a particular DOS program– A complicated process if you had to write

your own PIF file!

• Property sheets replace PIF files in Windows 95


Review Questions


Networking With Windows 95



Windows 95 Network Features

• Many different types of network work well with Windows 95 including:

• Novell• Windows for Workgroups• MS NT Server• etc


Peer-to-Peer Networks vs. Server-Based Networks

• Server-based networking– Large corporate workgroups

• Peer-to-Peer networks – Small workgroups


Sharing Documents and Folders

• Disks, files and folders can be shared

• You can control the level of access other people have to your system


Sharing Printers

• You can easily share printers attached to your PC

• You can attach to printers connected to other PCs


Windows 95 as a Network Client

• Comprehensive range of networks and protocols

Novell - IPX

Microsoft - NetBEUI

Internet

TCP/IP


Remote Access Services (RAS)

• Allows you to connect to the office computer when you are away from the office

I can’t tell the difference!

HOME

MY OFFICE


Windows 95 and the Internet

• Easy Internet communication• Vast range of services easily accessed• Watch your phone bills!


Mail and Fax Services

• E-mail services are available

• You can send faxes electronically

• The Microsoft Exchange network is available as a tool for corporate support professionals


Review Questions


Advanced Use of The Clipboard and OLE



Manipulating ‘Scraps’

• Text or graphics can be dragged directly onto your Desktop

• Useful as a temporary storage medium– There are endless ways to use scraps, such as a way to store

‘headed note paper’

A new concept available within Windows 95!


DOS and the Clipboard

• It is easy to copy data from the DOS session to the Clipboard


Screen Dumps and Producing Documentation

• Print Screen– Dumps the entire screen to the Clipboard

• Alt+Print Screen– Dumps the active window to the Clipboard

• Very useful for producing Windows-based documentation

• The screen dumps may be edited and cropped within the Paint program


Benefits of Using OLE

• Allows document centric computing– Less reliance on applications, disks, and files

• Linking allows you to save disk space– Avoids duplication of disk eating bitmaps!

• Allows transmission of data across a network – Without having to also send the application that created it

MORE PRODUCTIVITY

The Boss


New Features of OLE

• In-place Activation• Adaptable Links• Inter-program Drag and Drop• Improved Disk and Memory Usage• Logical Pagination of Objects• Storage Independent Links• Object Conversion


OLE 2 - In-place ActivationMicrosoft Word - before in-place activation

Microsoft Word - after in-place activation


OLE 2 - Storage Independent Links

• OLE 1 linking mechanism is file system dependent• OLE 2 linking mechanism is file system independent

– In theory!

OLE 2

No worries!


OLE 2 - Adaptable Links

• Links should be maintained if you copy a linked object to a new disk location– In theory!


OLE 2 - Logical Pagination of Objects

• Embedded objects can now be spread across multiple pages– Using imposed, logical, page breaks within the host


OLE 2 - Object Conversion

• OLE 2 embedded objects may be selected and the format changed

In this example an Excel chart has been embedded in a Word document


Linking and Updating Issues

• Links can be:– Updated manually

– Updated automatically

– Locked

– Broken


Review Questions


Customizing Windows 95



Customizing the Background• You can place any image you

wish on the Windows 95 background

– Provided it is in a file format that Windows 95 understands

Click on the Desktop, using the right-hand mouse button


Setting a Screen Saver

• You can change your screen saver using the Display Properties options– Prevents screen ‘burn-in’


BEWARE: Do not forget your password if you set one!


Setting Color Schemes

• Useful for changing the screen appearance

• 27 different schemes!



What is the Control Panel?

• A window containing icons that allow you to modify, control and customize your system


Setting the Time and Date

• Date• Time • Time Zone


Customizing the Mouse and Keyboard

• Mouse configuration

• Keyboard configuration


Changing Your Windows 95 Password

• Allows you to change your Windows 95 logon password


Adding New Devices

• ‘Add New Hardware Wizard’• Automatic device detection


Installing New Application Programs

• Install programs tracked• Un-install feature


Creating Shortcuts• Shortcuts are pointers to objects• Can be created via:

– Direct Desktop manipulation– Drag and drop to the file system

Shortcut to Word

Drag to the Desktop or to a folder


Customizing Shortcut Behavior

• You can customize the way a program starts when run from a shortcut icon

• It can be run as a window, full screen, or as an icon

• You can also define a keyboard combination used to automatically start the program represented by the shortcut


Customizing Shortcut Icons

• Changed via the Properties pop-up menu


File Viewers

• Quick View – View files without launching the

associated application


Adding Your Desktop to the Start Menu• You can add the Desktop to your Start menu

– Allows easy access to the Desktop objects

Or • Right-click on the Taskbar and select the ‘Minimize All Windows’

command to quickly display the Desktop


Review Questions


Security and Optimization Issues



DriveSpace and Disk Compression

• DriveSpace• Compressed Volume File

(CVF)


The Disk Defragmenter

• Reorders data to ensure blocks are contiguous


ScanDisk

• File system problems • 32 bit utility


Backup

• Allows you to backup some or all of your files to diskette or tape

• Only certain tape drives are supported– Not DAT tapes!

• No automatic, timed backup facility

• Better than nothing!– Most corporates would use a

professional backup package


Net Watcher

• Provides information on who is connected to your PC• Allows you to:

– Select servers

– Disconnect users

– View details of who is connected and what they are doing


Resource Meter• Indicates:

– Free system resources

– User resources

– GDI resources

NOTE: Once any of these resources are exhausted, the system will either respond very slowly, or even fail to respond

NOTE: Resources are not the same as free memory


System Monitor• Allows you to monitor system CPU activity


Review Questions


Microsoft Plus



What is Microsoft Plus?

• Microsoft Plus is a separate product that can be purchased from Microsoft to enhance the appearance and functionality of the basic Windows 95 system


Installing Microsoft Plus

• Easy to install, menu driven installation– In a corporate environment this would normally be

performed by the support department

• Click on the Add/Remove Programs icon


Customizing the Appearance of Your Desktop

• Allows you to customize items including:– Use large icons

– Show window contents while dragging

– Smooth edges of screen fonts

– Show icons using all possible colors

– Stretch desktop wallpaper to fit the screen


Customizing the Appearance of Your Desktop With Desktop Themes

• Used to enhance the look and feel of your Windows 95 system


Scheduling System Utilities UsingSystem Agent

• System Agent allows you to schedule programs to run automatically, such as the ScanDisk and Defrag programs– Assuming that you leave your PC switched on in the evenings!

– System Agent will sound an alarm when you are running low on disk space


Disk Compression Using Microsoft Plus

• There is a basic difference between DriveSpace 3 and the Compression Agent– The DriveSpace program compresses

the entire disk

– The Compression Agent tightly compresses individual files

– WARNING: If you are working in a corporate environment DO NOT attempt to compress a disk yourself unless authorized by your support department. If the operation goes wrong you could lose your entire hard disk!


Microsoft Plus and the Internet

• The Internet Explorer allows you to access the Internet and explore the World Wide Web (WWW)

• You can browse the net, mark your favorite places on the net, or link to specific places on the net

• Programs, documents and pictures can be downloaded from the net and stored on your hard disk


Review Questions


Technical Overview



Does Windows 95 Still Use DOS?

• Although DOS is included within the operating system it is included as an application rather than as a system component

• Windows 95 is a full 32 bit, protected-mode operating system in its own right

Now you see it, now you don’t


Installing Windows 95

• Easy to install using an installation Wizard

• Windows 95 first examines your hardware and software and then gets on with the installation

• Your corporate support department should install for you but if you ever have to do it yourself - DON’T WORRY!

Yes .... I installed it myself, no problem!


What is Pre-emptive Multitasking?

• The operating system allocates processor usage based on time intervals (time slicing)

• All applications seem to run simultaneously• The system pre-empts when an application has

used enough processor time and moves on to the next process

• By default the application or window that is in the foreground (the focus window) will receive overall processor and system priority


What is Multi-threading?

• A thread is a channel of communication between programs or processes

• Multi-threading refers to the availability of multiple communication channels


What about CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT?

• Windows 95 does not need the AUTOEXEC.BAT or CONFIG.SYS files – They are useful for older programs running under Windows 95

• Windows 95 uses the Registry


16 and 32 Bit Operating System Components

• Windows 95 uses a mixture of 16 bit and 32 bit code• 32 bit code is faster and is used where necessary for

performance• Windows 3.1 and 3.11 were entirely 16 bit, and therefore

slower!

Windows 3.1Windows 95


What are Virtual Device Drivers?

• A virtual device driver (VxD) is a device driver which allows multiple applications to access a device at the same time

Windows 95 Hardware i.e. a CD ROM Drive

Device Driver


Memory Protection

• Allows each application to run in its own, protected memory space

• Vital for successful multitasking!– Used by both Windows 3.1 and Windows 95

Excel Word


VCACHE - 32 Bit Cache

• Caches speed up access to and from the hard disk

• Windows 3.1 used SmartDrive– Not very efficient

• Windows 95 uses VCACHE– More sophisticated than the older SmartDrive utility and

capable of managing memory dynamically

– No configuration is necessary


System Resource Improvements

• Windows 3.1 suffered from chronic ‘System Resource’ limitations– A memory bottle-neck that could not be cured by adding more

memory

• Windows 95 does not have such server restrictions

Windows 3.1

Windows 95


The Registry

• A database for all system and application installed components

• Removes the need for Windows 3.1 type ‘INI’ files

A single centralised database


Plug and Play

• Plug and Play devices are automatically configured by the system– No need to set switches

and read complicated manuals!

Easy!


Printing a Resource Summary Report

• Useful in identifying problems with your system– May be requested by your support department to help them

identify problems


Creating an Emergency StartUp Disk and Starting in Safe Mode

• Allows you to boot from a diskette if you are unable to boot Windows 95 from the hard disk

• Only for use by advanced users or support personnel


Protecting and Examining Files

• Files may be marked read-only or hidden

• File version information may be viewed


Review Questions