Notes Chapter 2 Flashcards
3 major components of modern computers
- hardware
- operating system
- applications
Modern computing devices almost always have two other stages
- Data storage
- Network connection
A typical desktop PC & the input and output devices
(Page 37 figure 2-11)
System unit or case: the processing takes place inside.
Keyboard: input device
Monitor: visual out put
Speakers: audio output
Mouse: input device
Multifunction device, with printer, scanner, and more: printed output, scanned input
Operating systems run on specific hardware
For example, if you have a 32-bit CPU, you need to install a 32-bit version of an operating system.
Context menu
Offers option specific to the icon you right-click. Right-clicking a file, for example, gives you a context menu that differs greatly from when you right-click an application
3 weird rectangles (f3) Apple keyboard
This is the Mission Control button that lets you see all your open apps at a glance and quickly switch between them.
Can also be accessed by holding the control/ctrl key and then pressing the up arrow key
Desktop environments ( Linux )
- unlike Windows or MacOS, diff Linux distros offer a variety of user interfaces called desktop environments.
Command line interface (CLI)
CLI works when GUI just can’t get the job done.
Techs must learn to be comfortable in this area
On windows the default CLI is powershell -to access it, open the quick links menu (right click the start button) and select windows powershell (or windows terminal in windows 11.
Powershell
Microsoft provides two powershell choices: one that says powershell and another that says powershell (admin). Powershell (admin) is more powerful but requires you to have administrative rights.
Command line prompts “ dir “
At the command prompt, type dir and press enter. - this command line utility
displays all the files and folders in a specific directory. (Directory is the same thing as a folder)
Mac OS CLI called terminal
On a Mac dir doesn’t work. You need to type ls
Linux CLI called terminal
Can be accessed by pressing CTRL-ALT-T
Windows
Has important folders that help organize programs and documents. They sit in the root directory — where the operating system is installed. Vary depending on the version of windows.
Windows file explorer
Enables you to browse and select files and folders stored on all the storage locations available to the computer.
General tab
(General options in CompTIA speak), you can set the default folder to display each time file explorer opens. ** you can make a lot of changes to this **
The view tab
CompTIA calls view options, shows advanced settings where you can see hidden files, folders and drives. (File explorer hides them by default)
File explorer example
Local Disk (C:) > Users > Mike
This translates in proper fashion as
C:\Users\Mike
Tech utility launch points
Every OS has 2 or 3 locations, for some, most or all of their tech specific utilities
Settings
Provides a central location and a consistent interface for most of the important tech tools in windows. Setting so slowly taking over many utilities from the venerable control panel.
Control panel
An ancient but still used launch point, handles many of the maintenance, upgrade, and configuration aspects of windows
Administrative tools
(Renamed windows tools in windows 11) is one example of the many powerful utilities found in the control panel. - enables you to set up hard drives, manage devices, test system performance, and much more.
Device manager
Enables you to examine the state of all the hardware and drivers in windows computer. Techs spend a lot of time with this tool.
Applets
Populates the control panel. The name and selection if applets vary. Allows you to control appearance, installed applications, and system settings
MacOS launch points
The system preferences app
And
The utilities folder
System preferences (Mac OS)
Click the apple icon (top left corner of screen) and select system preferences. From there you have access to all settings
Utilities folder (Mac OS)
Located in applications folder.
Click go on menu bar - select utilities
Hot keys: COMMAND-SHIFT-U
Utilities folder (Mac OS)
Located in applications folder.
Click go on menu bar - select utilities
Hot keys: COMMAND-SHIFT-U
Linux has 2 launching points
KDE Plasma Desktop in settings app. Search for system settings or click applications
Gnome 3
System menu
