Windows XPWindows XPOverviewOverview

Architecture (from Architecture (from 2000)2000)

Kernelmode

Hardware

HAL

Kernel

Executive Services

security

Win16VM

Win32

OS/2 POSIX

Usermode

Blue screen of death protection often caused by incompatible device drivers XP verifies third-party drivers when you install them: warns

(soft blocks) and (hard) blocks - do not install system restore: takes back to a safe, working, status

Improved dynamic libraries handling run different applications with different versions of the same

DLL files keep different versions of the same DLL

Improved memory pool management optimized to handle physical memory allocation better,

reducing disk-based virtual-memory use amount of pages of memory that the OS can map for allocation

is twice Windows 2000

Improved boot and registry management

Architecture (XP adds)Architecture (XP adds)

Basics Basics Install precautions

flash the BIOS: use CPU-z or Aida32 to find upgrade download and run the XP upgrade advisor press F5! XP may not detect ACPI in the BIOS: select Advanced

Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) PC choices: upgrade vs. clean install SP2 install and resources: mostly a security upgrade

Customizing removing Windows Messaging (!), Outlook(?) - Add remove

programs/Add Remove Windows components folder options in Explorer: general, view, thumbnails, filmstrips selecting look: themes, background, screensaver, resolution cleaning up boot: use msconfig and check site information many more things to do if you wish to tinker

Administrative ToolsAdministrative Tools Computer Management

Users and groups also acct mgmt Event Viewer: how to and example Disk Management Defragmentation Services: services to disable: telnet, terminal, wireless,

firewall (?), Smart Card(?), routing and remote access, remote registry, remote desktop help, NetMeeting remote , messenger, indexing service, alerter, clipbook

System Information Special services

Remote desktop

Security center and ICS Performance monitor (+ task manager)

Special topicsSpecial topics Basics to improve performance

disk cleanup, defragmentation, spyware protection decrease the number of programs in startup m set preferences for performance (example) set performance monitor counters for specific areas

Managing the page file and memory pool XP page file: overview, locating, sizing, defragmenting, counter How to clear the page file at shutdown How to use poolmon.exe to find kernel memory leaks

Multibooting XP and Windows XP and Linux: up to FC 1 (Fedora Core 1), FC 3 and above