A+ Chapter 11 & 12 – Flashcards
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What is the shell?
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A portion of an OS that relates to the user and to applications.
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What is the kernel?
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The kernel is responsible for interacting with hardware.
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What are the three components of an OS?
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The kernel, the shell, and the configuration data
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Where is the configuration data primarily contained?
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The configuration data is primarily contained in the registry.
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The shell provides tools such as _____ and ____ as a way for a user to interact with the system (ex. launch an application)
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Windows Explorer and the Windows desktop
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For applications, the shell provides _____ and ____ that applications can call on to do things like print, read from storage, etc.
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Commands and procedures
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The shell is made up of several subsystems that all operate in ____
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User mode
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User mode
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A mode in which the subsystems have only limited access to system information, and can access hardware only through other OS services.
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All applications relate to Windows by way of the ____ subsystem
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Win32
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What does the Win32 security subsystem do?
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Provides login to the system and other security functions, including privileges for file access
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Because the kernel operates in ____ mode, it has more power to communicate with hardware devices than the shell has.
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Kernel
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Applications operating under the OS cannot get to hardware devices without ...
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the shell passing those requests to the kernel.
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The two main benefits of the separation of tasks (for kernel and shell)
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•A more stable system •Helps to prevent a wayward application from destabilizing the system.
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The kernel has two main components:
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•The HAL (hardware abstraction layer) which is the layer closest to the hardware •The executive services interface, which is a group of services that operate in kernel mode between the user mode subsystem and the HAL.
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The layers of the OS from Hardware to Applications
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Hardware --> HAL --> Executive Services interface --> The shell (aka the user mode subsystems) --> Application
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The layers of the OS from hardware to user
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Hardware --> HAL --> Executive Services interface --> The shell (aka the user mode subsystems) --> user interface tools --> User
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When Windows is first installed, it builds the HAL based on the type of ____ installed.
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CPU
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Why can you not move a Windows installation from one computer to another?
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The HAL cannot be moved from one computer to another.
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What is a process?
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A program that is running under the authority of the shell.
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When an application is launched, the program is copied from the ___ into ___ and there it is called a ___
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hard drive, memory, process
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What is a thread?
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When a process makes a request for resources, this is called a thread. A thread is a single task, ex. printing a file
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When a process makes a request for resources, where is this request send?
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the Win32 subsystem.
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What is multithreading?
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A process with more than one thread
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Sometimes a process is called
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An instance
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What is the command to start Task manager?
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Taskmgr.exe
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Task manager allows you to view..
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Applications and processes running on your computer, information about process and memory performance, network activity, and user activity.
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Some ways to access Task Manager?
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•Right click a blank area on the Taskbar, and select Start Task Manager •Press Ctrl+Alt+Del •Press Ctrl+Shift+Esc Click start, enter taskmgr.exe into the search box
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What are the 6 tabs in Windows 7/Vista task manager?
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•Applications •Processes •Services •Performance •Networking •Users
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In the Applications tab in Task Manager, an application can have two states:
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Running or Not Responding
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How do you end a task that is not responding?
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In task manager, select it and click the End Task button
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The processes tab in Task Manager lists ...
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System services and other processes associated with applications, and how much CPU time and memory the process uses.
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To see all processes running click..
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Show processes from all users
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A service running under the ___ account has more core privileges than a service running under another account
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System
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If an Application is hung, why should you try to end it using the Applications tab rather than the Process tab?
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Ending the application in the Applications tab will end the application by attempting a normal shutdown, and if data has not been saved you are given the opportunity to save it. If you try to end an application by ending it's underlying process, the application will be ended abruptly and you will lose any unsaved information.
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If you want to end the process + all related processes, right click the process and select End Process Tree
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...
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Why should you be careful not to end critical Windows Processes?
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Ending these could crash your system.
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How can you refresh your desktop using task manager? (In case your desktop locks up)
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Click the process tab, select explorer.exe, and click end process. Then click the applications tab, click new task, and enter explorer.exe. Any previously running applications will still be running.
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What is the purpose or the services tab in task manager
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This tab lists the services currently installed along with the status of each service
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A service is...
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A program that runs in the background and is called on by other programs to perform a background task.
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To manage a service in task manager..
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click the services tab, click the services button at the bottom of the window to go to the services console.
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The performance monitor tab in task manager can..
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give you a quick look at how system resources are being used.
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The CPU usage graph shows...
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the percentage of time that the CPU is being used.
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What is the purpose of the networking tab in task manager?
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This tab let you monitor network activity and bandwidth used. You can use it to see how heavily the network is being used by this computer.
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What is the purpose of the users tab in task manager?
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This tab shows all users currently logged on to the system.
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Where can you find Windows administrative tools?
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You can find administrative tools in command prompt.
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Which administrative tools does the Windows 7 Home Edition not include?
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Local security policy and print management.
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Which command is used to enter system configuration?
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msconfig.exe
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What is the purpose of the System Configuration utility?
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To find out what processes are launched at start up and to temporarily disable a process from loading
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What are some ways to permanently remove a process from Windows startup?
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Uninstall the program , remove it from startup folder, or use the Services console to disable a service
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What does the disable all button do in the services tab in the system Configuration utility?
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This disables all non-essential Windows Services as well as third-party services such as virus scan programs.
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Why should you only use the disable all button on the services tab in the system Configuration utility for the most difficult Windows for the most difficult Windows problems?
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You will disable some services that you may really want such as Windows task scheduler automatic updates and the system restore service
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What is the purpose of the startup tab in the system Configuration utility?
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Use the startup tab to see a list of programs that launch at startup.
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The programs under the startup tab in the system Configuration utility launch by way of?
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Startup folder or a registry key entry
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What is the command to enter the services console?
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services.msc
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What is the purpose of the Services console?
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To control the windows and third-party services installed on the system.
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The start of tapes for services within the services console include...
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•Automatic (Delayed start). This starts shortly after startup, after the user logs on, so it does not slow down the startup process •Automatic. Starts when Windows loads. •Manual. Starts as needed. •Disabled. Cannot be started.
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What is the command to enter the computer Management console?
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compmgmt.msc
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What is the purpose of the computer Management console?
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This console contains several tools that can be used to manage the local PC or other computers on the network
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Why is the computer management window called a console?
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Because it consolidates several Windows administrative tools.
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What are some ways to answer the computer Management console?
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•Click start, enter compmgmt.msc or Computer management into the search box •Click start, right click computer, and select manage. •Open Control Panel and look in the Administrative tools group.
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what are some tools you can access using the computer management console?
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You can access task scheduler , Event Viewer Event Viewer , performance monitor device manager Disk Management and the services console.
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What is the command to open Microsoft Management console?
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mmc.exe
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What is the purpose of Microsoft Management console?
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This is a Windows utility that can be used to build your own customized console windows.
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What is a snap in?
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In a console the individual tools are called snap-ins.
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A console is saved in a file with a dot a _____ file extension.
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.msc
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True or false: A snap-in in a console can itself be a console?
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True
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To use all the functions of MMC, you must ..?
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Be logged on with admin privileges.
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What is the command to enter Event Viewer?
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Eventvwr.msc
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What is the purpose of Event Viewer?
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Within Event Viewer, you can find logs of just about anything that has happened in Windows, logged by Windows.
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What are some ways to open Event Viewer?
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•Enter Event Viewer or eventvwr.msc in the search box •Open it using the computer management console (it is a snap-in) •Use the administrative tools group on control panel
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What are the three main types of events in event viewer?
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Error, Warning, and information.
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What do the Error and warning events in Event Viewer mean?
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Error indicates something went wrong with the system, warning indicates failure may occur in the future.
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What is included in the Administrative Events Log in event viewer?
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This log shows only Warning and Error events intended for the administrator.
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What is included in the application log in event viewer?
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Events recorded by an application.
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What is included in the Security log in event viewer?
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These events are called audits and include successful and unsuccessful logins to a user account + attempts from another computer on the network to access shard resources on this computer.
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What is included in the setup log in event viewer?
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This log includes events recorded when applications are installed.
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What is included in the system log in event viewer?
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Events triggered by Windows components, ex. device driver failing to load or problem with hardware
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What is included in the forwarded events log in event viewer?
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This log received events that were recorded on other computers and sent to this computer.
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log files are assigned a ____ file extension.
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.evtx
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What is the purpose of Windows task scheduler?
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Task scheduler can be set to launch a task or program at a future time, including at startup.
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Task scheduler stores tasks in a file stored in the _____ folder
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C:WindowsSystem32Tasks
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What are two ways to open task scheduler?
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•Click Task Scheduler from the Administrative tools group in control panel. •Click start, All programs, Accessories, System Tools, and Task Scheduler.
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What is the command to open the Registry editor?
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regedit.exe
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What is the Windows registry?
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The windows registry is the most important windows component that holds information for Windows.
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The registry is a _____ designed with a ______ structure (also called a ______)
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database, treelike, hierarchical database
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What does the registry contain?
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The registry contains configuration information for Windows, users, software applications, and installed hardware devices.
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How is the registry built?
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During startup, Windows builds the registry and stores it in memory until Windows shuts down. During startup, after the registry is built, Windows reads from it to obtain information to complete the startup process. After Windows is loaded, it is continuously reading from many of the sub keys in the registry.
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What does Windows build the registry from?
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the current hardware configuration and from information stored in the hives (5 of them) , and the Ntuser.dat file (holds preferences + settings of the user)
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What are the names of the 5 hives and where are they stored?
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The hives are found in C:WindowsSystem32config, they are named SAM (security Accounts manager) Security, Software, System, and Default hives
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After the registry is build in memory, it is organized into...
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five high-level keys
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Each key can have ____
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subkeys
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subkeys can be assigned more of more
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values
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What are the 5 keys?
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•HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE •HKRY_CURRENT_CONFIG •HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT •HKEY_USERS •HKEY_CURRENT_USER
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What is the purpose of HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and where does it's data come from?
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Local Machine is the most important key. It contains hardware, software, and security data. Contains info from SAM, security, software, and system hive.
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What is the purpose of HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG and where does the data come from?
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current config key contains info that identifies each hardware device installed on the computer. The data comes from the current hardware configuration loaded into memory, and the HKLM key (which got its data primarily from the system hive)
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What is the purpose of HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT and where does it pull it's information from?
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this key stores information that determines which application is opened when a user double clicks a file. This process relies on file extensions (to determine which program to load) . Data for this key is pulled from the Local Machine + Current User hives.
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What is the purpose of HKEY_USERS and where is the data pulled from?
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This key contains data about all users and is pulled from the default hive
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What is the purpose of HKEY_CURRENT_USER and where does it pull it's information from?
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this key contains data about the current user. This key is build when the user logs on using data from the HKEY_USERS key and data kept in the Ntuser.dat file of the current user.
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What is the Performance Information and Tools window used for?
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this window gives information to evaluate the performance of a system and to adjust Windows for best performance.
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What are two methods to open the performance information and tools window?
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•Click start, right click computer, select properties. In the system window, click performance information and tools •In the action center, click view performance information
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What is the command to open Resource Monitor?
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resmon.exe
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What is the purpose of resource monitor?
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monitors the performance of the processor, memory, hard drive, and network.
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What are some methods to open resource monitor?
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• In Task Manager, open Resource Monitor in the performance tab. • In the performance Information and tools window, click Advanced tools, and then Open Resource Monitor •In the Computer Management console, click System tools, Performance group, click Monitoring tools, more actions, and resource monitor.
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What is the purpose of Windows Reliability Monitor?
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this gives information about problems and errors that happen over time.
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What is Performance Monitor and what is it's purpose?
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Performance Monitor is a Microsoft Management Console snap-in that can track activity by hardware and software to measure performance.
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What is the command to enter performance monitor?
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perfmon.msc or perfmon.exe
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What is the difference between Resource Monitor and Performance Monitor?
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Resource monitor monitors activities in real time, while Performance monitor can monitor in real time and can save collected data in logs for future use.
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What is a data collector set?
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A data collector set is a set of counters within performance monitor that you can use to collect data about the system and save this data in a report/log file for future use.
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What are the 6 steps to troubleshooting hardware and software problems?
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1. Interview the User and Back up data. 2. Establish a Theory. (Best guess of problem source) 3. Test your theory 4. Plan the fix and resolve the problem (Get the user to test as well) 5. Verify and prevent 6. Document
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How can you load Windows memory diagnostic tool?
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• In command prompt, enter mdsched.exe • Press space bar during boot, the Windows boot manager appears, select Windows memory disgnostic •Boot the computer from the Windows setup DVD, click Repair computer, and click Windows memory diagnostic
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What is the purpose of system file checker?
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System file checker protects system files and keeps a cache of current system files in case it needs to refresh a damages file.
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How do you run system file checker?
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Close all applications and enter the command sfc /scannow in an elevated command prompt window Use /scanonce to scan files after the next reboot.
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What is Tasklist and Taskkill?
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The Tasklist command returns the PID, and the Taskkill command uses the PID to kill the process. Tasklist | more taskkill /f /pid:2212
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A program associated with a file extension is called
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it's default program
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Which tool can be used to register a component
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Component Services (aka COM+)g 8
