Operating System Windows XP - Research Paper Example

Running Head: OPERATING SYSTEM WINDOWS XP Operating System Windows XP of the of the Operating System Windows XP Whenever a company launches a new computer, it is unable to anything. Every type of hardware needs software that makes it possible for the hardware to function. The set of programs that works to make a connection between software and hardware is known as an Operating System. (Comino, 2003) An operating system is the key software that functions to up hold all the activities related to software and hardware. A number of operating systems have been launched for example Windows, Solaris, and UNIX etc. As far as windows is concerned there is Windows 95, 98, 2000, XP and various other types of systems. Each of these possesses their own benefits and disadvantages. However, the most popular system among IT professionals is Windows XP Professional. Windows Xp Installation Windows XP is a very good thing to have in the computer world. There are several programs that you can choose to use to manage your personal data and calculate certain mathematical equations. You can open more then one program at a time. Each window contains a different program. (Spring, 2007) A good example of a program is Microsoft Excel. When you get Microsoft XP Home Edition you also get many other programs that come with it for instance, go to start and then all programs and then go to Microsoft Office. There is Microsoft Office Excel, Microsoft Office Access, Microsoft Office Word, and Microsoft Office Publisher. Each program has its own purpose. Microsoft Excel is spreadsheet software that organizes data in columns and in rows. (McFedries, 2007, 210) The first thing that you will need to obtain is a copy of Windows XP Pro. You can easily obtain this from your local computer store, or make use of a copy from a friend. Next, you will need to check to see if your computer system is compatible with MS Windows XP Professional. You will need to make sure that your system has enough random access memory, or RAM, and be sure that your hard drive is large enough to hold the MS Windows XP Professional files with enough room left to save your own files. Another thing to check before going ahead and installing MS Windows XP Professional is the speed of your processor. (Youg, 2001, 510) It should be running at a minimum of 800 MHz. One processor that I prefer is the AMD-K7 processor. Your system will also need to have an installed CD-ROM drive and an available floppy drive. Now you are ready to begin the installation. The first step in installing MS Windows XP Professional is to insert the compact disk into you CD-ROM drive. Most systems will automatically run the installation program once the compact disk is inserted, but if your system doesn’t, you will need to turn your computer off with the disk inserted, and turn it back on. This will automatically run the installation program. During the installation, the program will ask you if you are starting a new install or if you are upgrading your system. (Novell, 2006) Most users will be upgrading their system from an earlier version of MS Windows. Next, it will ask you where the files are going to be installed, or which directory the MS Windows XP Professional files will be copied to. Then the final step to beginning the installation program is to click the “begin install” button. You system will now restart. After the system restarts, the files will begin copying from the compact disk. One problem that might pop up during the installation process is a security dialog box. At the prompt, just click yes and the installation will continue. (Spring, 2004) After all of the required files are transferred to your hard drive, MS Windows XP Professional will restart once again, completing the installation process. Running MS Windows XP Professional is as easy as installing it. If you are running MS Windows XP Professional after an installation, you won’t need to turn your system on, but for others who took a break, turn your computer system on. Once up and running for the first time, MS Windows XP Professional will ask you for personal information to register your copy of MS Windows XP Professional with Microsoft. After entering all the required information needed in the required text fields, you will be prompted to connect to the internet to register. If you have connected your modem to a phone line, or if you have a permanent link to the internet, click the register button. If not, click the skip this step button. (Vamosi, 2007) Once your system dials out and registers your copy, or if you chose to complete this step later, MS Windows XP Professional will restart once again, saving all of your personal information. After the system restarts, MS Windows XP Professional will display the user interface and become fully functional. At this point, you may get a dialog box prompting you to login to windows. At this prompt, just click “ok” button to enter Windows. Windows XP Professional provides with the best presentation as compared to various other operating systems present in the market. Those computers that are using Windows XP Professional do better than Windows 98 Second Edition, and congregate with the Windows 2000 performance at business benchmarks. Windows XP does not just start applications more rapidly, but most of the times, the whole system starts up much faster. In the middle of the time when someone pushes its power button and the time when they start their work, the system goes through a number of steps that are starting the central input/output system (BIOS), loading operating system, switching the devices on, and asking to log on using a password. In case of Windows XP, these steps are taken very fast that most of the times the computer will start to function in just half a minute or may be less than that. In addition to that, Windows XP Professional is able to carry out number of tasks altogether with no missing of beat. Hence a window XP is the best operating system for IT professionals. References Comino, S., & Manenti, F. M. (2003, June). Open Source vs Closed Source Software: Public Policies in the Software Market. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from http://opensource.mit.edu/papers/cominomanenti.pdf DeGraw, T. (2005, February 9). Tweaking Windows XP. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from http://meems.imeem/com/j96qsrV McFedries. P (2007) ‘Computers Simplified, Visual Press, pg 210. Microsoft Corporation (2001, August 24). Windows XP Professional System Requirements. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/evaluation/sysreqs.mspx Novell (2006, March 2006). SUSE Linux Home, Product Info, System Requirements. Retrieved March 29, 2006, from http://www.novell.com/products/suselinux/sysreqs.html (2005) Windows 2000 - All About All. Info Spring, T (2004) First Look at Mozilla.orgs Firefox. Retrieved July 19, 2007 from http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,114843-page,1/article.html Schuhmann, D. (2006) 500 Hour Tests of Tomorrows Windows "Vista". Retrieved July 19, 2007 from http://www.tomshardware.com/2006/05/31/windows_vista/ Vamosi, R. (2006) Firefox 2. Retrieved July 19, 2007 fromhttp://reviews.cnet.com/security-utility-services/firefox-2/4505-9241_7-32126746.html?tag=pid10597816 Vamosi, R. (2007) Windows Home premium. Retrieved July 18, 2007 fromhttp://reviews.cnet.com/windows/windows-vista-home-premium/4505-3672_7-32013237.html?tag Young. M (2001) ‘Windows XP: The Complete Reference Osborne Press, pg 500-521 Read More