Computer Troubleshooting

The 64-bit operating system is one that is capable of storing information in memory that is at least 64 bits or 8 bytes wide. They are also based on registers, address buses, or data buses of that same size. A bus is a subsystem that transfers data or power between computer components inside a computer or between computers. The bus is controlled by a device driver similar to those that control outside peripherals like a mouse or printer.

64-bit CPUs have existed in super computers since the 1960’s and work stations and servers since the 1990’s. While this architecture has been around for awhile, 64-bit operating systems are relatively new concepts in the computer world. Windows XP, Windows Vista, and Mac OS X Tiger are all 64-bit operating systems. (more…)

Linux is a relative newcomer to the operating system scene. It is based on Unix technology developed as part of a programmer’s dream of freeware operating systems that people could download, analyze, change, and then re-distribute.

The first Linux systems were completed in 1992 by combining system utilities and libraries from the GNU program which was another freeware based operating system. Since then, Linux has gained the support of corporations like IBM, Sun Microsystems, Hewlett Packard, and Novell.

Linux is predominantly known for its use in servers. It is used as an operating system for a wider variety of computer hardware than any other operating system. Linux is used on desktop computers, super computers, mainframes, and embedded devices such as cell phones. It is packaged for different uses in Linux distributions which contain the Linux kernel along with a variety of other software packages tailored to specific requirements.

Many people feel that Linux is only for use by computer experts. This thought came about because many mainstream computer magazine reporters cannot explain Linux in simple terms. This is mainly because they lack experience using the system. (more…)

On October 25, 2001, Microsoft Corporation released its latest update of its Windows operating system. They called it Windows XP as a way to distance themselves from the previous versions of Windows that were named after the years they were released. The letters XP stand for experience and this operating system was designed for both home and business use.

Windows XP is known for its improved stability and efficiency over previous versions of Windows. It presents a significantly redesigned graphical user interface (GUI) and was a change that Microsoft promoted as more user-friendly than previous versions of Windows.

New software management capabilities were introduced to avoid the “DLL Hell” that plagues older consumer versions of Windows. It is also the first version of Windows to use product activation to combat software piracy – a restriction that did not sit well with some users and privacy advocated. Basically, installation of Windows XP required user to input a product key and then activate that product key to insure that the specific version of XP did, indeed, belong to the computer user instead of having it being shared between several computers.

Windows XP was also criticized by some users for security vulnerabilities, tight integrations of applications like Internet Explorer and Media Player as well as for aspects of its user interface. People always say “change is good”, but when Windows XP was released, the change was just a little more than what some people could comfortably handle.

Several new features were introduced to the operating system with Windows XP. These features included:

* Faster start-up and hibernation sequences
* The ability to discard a newer device driver in favor of the previous one should a driver upgrade not produce desirable results
* A new more user-friendly interface including the framework for developing themes for the desktop environment.
* Fast user switching which allows a user to save the current state and open applications of their desktop allowing another user to log on without losing that information
* Support for most DSL modems and wireless network connections as well as networking over Fire Wire
* The Remote Desktop functionality which allows users to connect to a computer running Windows XP from across a network or the Internet and access their applications, files, printers, and devices.

Microsoft Windows XP is one of the most common operating systems found on computers even today. While Microsoft has come out with their newest version of Windows – Windows Vista, hardcore PC users still prefer Windows XP as their operating system

In 1998, Microsoft Corporation released their latest update of the popular Windows operating system – Windows 98. It was a successor to the previous version of Windows 95 and was an improvement on technology contained in its predecessor.

One of the great advantages to Windows 98 was that it required relatively low system requirements making it easier to gain its full potential even on older machines. This version of Windows gave full support to DOS applications because it could be switched between DOS mode and Windows mode. Being able to do this allowed the user to fix certain system errors manually.

Windows 98 was never as stable as regular computer users needed. This was due to many reasons. Often the software developers of drivers and applications had insufficient experience with the creation of programs for the new system. This caused many errors generally described as system errors by the user even if the error was not cause by parts of Windows or DOS.

Microsoft realized these problems and released many patches that allowed the operating system to gain extreme stability comparable with higher versions of Windows through the use of the most current device drivers and careful installation of the operating system. Many older computers still run Windows 98, so having these patches has proven to be a great advantage for them.

The biggest advantage to Windows 98 as an operating system is its compatibility. It can safely handle very old applications or hardware from the late 80’s and early 90’s while running most newer applications at the time without problems. Its software environment is very similar to Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

Windows 98 had a limitation in the area of hardware handling. This operating system did not support more than 512 megabytes of RAM as an internal limitation of the system. RAM over this limit could be used by applying patches and changing the system settings natively. What this means is that high-end graphics cards and peripherals will probably not work properly.

Windows 98 also contained many system tools for the computer user to take advantage of. These tools include scan disk, disk defragmentation, scanreg, and msconfig among others. All of these tools help the computer system run much more efficiently and eliminate problems that may arise due to Internet use and possible infection with viruses.

Eventually, Windows 98 would be succeeded by other versions of Windows that would improve on other areas of functionality, but at the time, it was very well received as a technological advancement in the area of operating systems in general.

In February of 2000, Microsoft Corporation released its newest update to the popular Windows operating system. Windows 2000 was made available in four editions: Professional, Server, Advanced Server, and Data Center Server. Windows 2000 was marketed as “the most secure Windows ever shipped.”

Despite claims that Windows 2000 had advanced security measures, it did become the target of a number of profile virus attacks like Code Red and Nimda. More than seven years after its release, Windows 2000 continues to receive patches for security vulnerabilities on a near-monthly basis.

Even though security is an issue with Windows 2000, many computers still use this version as their main operating system. Even though there have been updates to the Windows product, it still remains a favorite especially with businesses because of its advanced file sharing capabilities.

All editions of Windows 2000 have common functionality including many system utilities such as the Microsoft Management Console and standard system management applications like disk defragmentation utility. Support for people with disabilities was improved with a number of new assistive technologies. Microsoft also included increased support for different languages with Windows 2000.

Windows 2000 also saw the advent of file encryption which could protect sensitive data. It offered personalized menus that could be adapted to the way the user worked adding to its efficiency for individual users.

Because Windows 2000 was primarily developed for business use, it was often referred to as Windows Professional. Its server technology was unlike anything ever seen, as is usually the case with any Windows product. Networking simplification was one of the main goals for Windows 2000 programmers, and it seemed to achieve its objective.

Monitoring other computers on the server became much easier with Windows 2000. For example, if a computer has been disconnected from the server, it shows immediately. Plus, you can easily see when a computer is working on something with a separate dialog box that indicates the computer is working.

When Windows 2000 was released, it had a markedly different look from previous versions of Windows. The graphical user interface was still easy to navigate, but it allowed for things like having multiple windows open at one time and easier navigation between those windows.

It wouldn’t be long before Microsoft released a newer version of Windows, but the advent of Windows 2000 proved to be a great advantage to business operating systems. With the new server technologies, it made securing computers on a network much easier and provided for more behind-the-scenes processing capabilities that made work on the computer much, much more efficient.