Instructor: Prof. Michael P. Harris
ITSC 1405 – Intro to PC Operating Systems
Chapter 1
Getting Started with the Operating System
Chapter 1
Getting Started with the Operating System
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
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Define operating system.
Define enhancements.
Explain the function and purpose of OS version numbers
List some of the types of system configurations.
Explain the need and procedure for booting the system.
Explain the function of disk files.
Explain the function of and rules used for file specifications.
List and explain the importance of the two types of computer files.
Describe the function and purpose of commands.
Compare and contrast internal and external commands.
Explain the function and purpose of the DIR, VER, and CLS commands.
Explain the purpose of and the procedure for using the DATE and TIME commands.
Explain the legal and ethical ramifications of copying disks that were not purchased.
Explain the purpose and function of the DISKCOPY command.
Explain the necessary steps to end a work session.
STUDENT OUTCOMES
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Identify your system configurations.
Boot the system.
Use the DIR command to display the files on the screen.
Use the VER command to determine which version of Windows is being used.
Use the CLS command to clear the screen.
Use the DATE and TIME commands to set or change the date and time on the computer.
Make a copy of a disk.
End a computer work session.
CHAPTER SUMMARY
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An operating system is a software program that is required in order to run application software and
to oversee the hardware components of the computer system.
Windows is the major operating system in use today on Wintel microcomputers.
All microcomputers come with disk drives. There are three basic types of disk drives: the floppy
disk drive, the hard disk drive, and the CD-ROM drive.
Carolyn Z. Gillay, Bette A. Peat, Windows XP Command Line
Franklin, Beedle & Associates ©2003 ISBN: 1-887902-82-1
Page 1
Instructor: Prof. Michael P. Harris
ITSC 1405 – Intro to PC Operating Systems
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15.
Chapter 1
Getting Started with the Operating System
Computer systems are configured in various ways, such as: 1) one hard disk drive, one CD-ROM
drive, and one floppy disk drive, 2) one hard disk drive, one CD-ROM drive, one floppy disk
drive, and one Zip drive, 3) two hard disk drives, one CD-ROM drive, and one floppy disk drive,
or 4) one hard disk drive, one CD-ROM drive, one read-write CD-ROM drive, and one floppy disk
drive.
Booting the system, also known as a cold start, means more than powering on the system. It loads
the operating system into memory and executes the self-diagnostic test routine.
Internal commands are programs loaded in CMD.EXE with the operating system. They remain in
memory until the power is turned off.
External commands are stored on a disk and must be loaded into memory each time they are used.
They are transient and do not remain in memory after being executed.
Programs and data are stored on disks as files. The formal name for this is file specification, which
includes the file name and the file extension.
A command is a program. A program is the set of instructions telling the computer what to do.
Programs (commands) must be loaded into memory in order to be executed.
To load a program into memory, the user can key in the command name at the system prompt or
click on the command’s icon.
The DIR command is an internal command that displays the directory (table of contents) of a disk.
Internal commands include VER, CLS, DATE, and TIME.
 VER displays the current version of the OS that is in memory
 CLS clears the screen
 DATE and TIME allow you to look at and/or change the system date and system time, a
process that can also be done from the desktop taskbar. Using the /T parameter with the DATE
or TIME command will display the system date or time.
DISKCOPY is an external command that makes an identical copy of a floppy disk, track for track,
sector for sector. It was used to make a working copy of the ACTIVITIES disk but can be used to
make exact copies with any two floppy disks that are the same media type. It formats a disk prior
to copying to it.
To end a work session with the computer, Windows must be shut down in the proper sequence and
shouldn’t be turned off until a message on the screen tells you it is safe to do so.
KEY TERMS
booting the system
bug
command
cursor
data file
disk file
file extension
file name
file specification
function keys
LFN
operating system
Carolyn Z. Gillay, Bette A. Peat, Windows XP Command Line
Franklin, Beedle & Associates ©2003 ISBN: 1-887902-82-1
program file
system date
system time
toggle switch
ToolTip
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