chapter 6 - system software Flashcards
Loads the operating system (platform)
system software
Powering up a computer is called
booting
Restarting a computer is called
warm boot
the groundwork for all system software
operating system
When electricity courses through a computer during start up, the first thing it does is to find:
BIOS (basic input output system)
a “firmware” program that is embedded in a computer chip. it locates hardware like the hard drive, finds the operating system, and enables it.
BIOS
- Controls memory
- Administers input and output
- Manages filing system
system software
loads system utilities like virus protection ands tores configuration in the computer’s “registry”
operating system
a business computer ____ is loaded with the operating system.
user profile
represents the user’s specific preferences and the kinds of resources they require
user profile
When a user double clicks an icon to load application software, it is loaded from the hard drive to ____.
RAM
makes sure the application software works correctly
system software
the operating system needs to carefully allocate memory so application software(s) can work properly, the same way a farmer allocates water for crops.
memory management
resources like printers and keyboards work because of programs that are called ____.
device drivers
an output device that has been translated from 1s and Os to something a human can interface with.
monitor
has to be translated from letters and numbers to something a computer can understand, like 1s and Os.
keyboard
graphical system of file organization and file management
file management system
organizes the physical hard drive which can become fragmented by attempting to move positive and negative charges (1s and Os) to the inside of the device’s concentric rings.
defragmentation
system software can automatically copy important business files somewhere else if the original files get deleted or corrupted
backup utilities
provide information on files like:
* File name
* File creation date
* File modification date
* Location of the file
* In some cases, who modified and created a file
* Size of the file
file management system
does not make a hard drive faster, instead it makes it more efficient.
defragmentation
identifies known virus and attempts to block them from entering and infecting a computer system
antivirus software
keeps a list (database) of known viruses and virus-like programs
antivirus software
Operating systems are updated by their manufacturers to make sure system software is bug free (patches), drivers and virus software are up to date.
system updates
