Michael Meyers' survey of operating systems

This new series by PC guru Mike Meyers is designed to give students of varying experience a practical working knowledge of baseline IT skills and technologies. This four-color illustrated volume covers each of the major operating systems, including DOS, Windows 9x/2000/XP, Mac OS9/OSX, UNIX, Linux, and handheld systems.

Survey of Operating Systems Chapter 1 Introduction to Operating Systems Microcomputers Today What Is a Microcomputer? What Types of Microcomputers Are Used Today? What's Contained in and Attached to a Microcomputer Processor Motherboard and Chipset Memory Video Adapter and Display Keyboard Pointing Device Disk Drives Peripheral Devices Purpose and Functions of Microcomputer Operating Systems What Is an Operating System? User Interface Job Management Task Management Memory Management File Management Device Management Security Yesterday's Operating Systems First the Machines Then the Operating Systems DOS, CP/M, Apple, and the Killer App The Second Wave OS/2 Microsoft Windows Windows for Workgroups What OSs Are Available Today? DOS from Microsoft Windows NT Windows 98 Windows Me (Millennium Edition) Windows 2000 Windows XP Macintosh OS UNIX/Linux Chapter 2 DOS Finding DOS and Understanding Its Strengths and Weaknesses Versions of DOS, Past and Present DOS's Strengths DOS's Weaknesses Installing DOS DOS Hardware Requirements Preparing for DOS Installation How the FAT File System Works How DOS Uses Files and Directories DOS File Attributes Working with the DOS Command Prompt Success at the DOS Prompt Which Command Will Accomplish the Task? Learning to Manage Files and Directories Understanding the DOS Bootup Process and Required Startup Disks Why You Should Learn the DOS Bootup Process DOS System Files The DOS Bootup Process Creating DOS Startup Disks Using FORMAT to Create a Startup Disk Using SYS to Create a DOS Startup Disk Using Windows to Create a Startup Disk Working with DOS in Windows Running DOS Applications in Windows Using the Command Prompt in Windows Troubleshooting Common DOS Problems 'Non-System Disk' Error Message 'Bad or Missing Command Interpreter' Error Message 'Bad Command or File Name' Error Message Request to Enter the Current Date and Time Chapter 3 The Windows Desktop Who Invented the Desktop? Navigating the Windows GUI Getting to the Desktop via Logon A Tour of the Desktop Managing Files in Windows What Files Should You Manage? Using My Computer to Manage Files Configuring and Customizing the Windows Desktop Classic Desktop versus Active Desktop Decorating the Desktop: Background, Color Schemes, and Settings Customizing the Taskbar Launching Programs in Windows Start Menu Program Shortcut Start | Run Launch by Association Command Prompt Logging Off and Shutting Down Start Menu Ctrl-Alt-Delete Troubleshooting Common Windows Desktop Problems Disappearing Dialog Box Inability to Find Something Failure of Windows Fails Start Failure of Windows Stalls An Application Fails to Start Chapter 4 Windows NT 4.0 Workstation NT 4.0 Workstation Overview Benefits and Features The Limitations of Windows NT Why Is Windows NT 4.0 Still in Use? Where Can I Find Windows NT 4.0 Today? Hardware and Windows NT Workstation 4.0 Installing and Configuring Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Preparing for Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Installation Customizing and Managing Windows NT 4.0 Workstation Creating a New Hard Disk Partition Installing and Removing Applications and Windows Components Preparing the Desktop for Users Managing Windows NT Workstation Security Managing Users, Groups, Rights, and Permissions Using and Managing a Local Printer Troubleshooting Common Windows NT 4.0 Problems The Registry Event Viewer When Problems Sneak Up on You Loss of Data Troubleshooting Startup Problems The Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) Chapter 5 Windows 98 Windows 98 Overview Windows 98 Features and Strengths Limitations of Windows 98 Why Would I Use Windows 98 Today? Hardware and Windows 98 Installing and Configuring Windows 98 Preparing for Windows 98 Installation Performing Post-Installation Tasks Customizing and Managing Windows 98 Application Installation Methods Managing Users, Files, and Printers Adding a New User Working with Long File Names in Windows 98 Installing Printer Drivers Troubleshooting Common Windows 98 Problems Resources for Troubleshooting Windows 98 Fails During Startup Using Safe Mode to Correct Problems A Program Stalls in Windows 98 Explorer Performed an Illegal Operation Fatal Exception Error: The Windows 98Blue Screen of Death Windows 98 Shutdown Problems Poor Performance Chapter 6 Windows 2000 Professional Windows 2000 Professional Overview Benefits and Features Weaknesses of Windows 2000 Professional When Is Windows 2000 Professional Needed? Installing and Configuring Windows 2000 Professional Hardware and Software for Windows 2000 Professional Customizing and Managing Windows 2000 Professional Using the Control Panel Applets Customizing Display Settings Adding a Printer Use the Start Menu Tools Managing Files and Folders in Windows 2000 Professional Finding Files and Folders Installing and Removing Applications and Windows 2000 Components Managing Security for Users, Files, and Printers Managing User Accounts and Groups Manage Permissions Troubleshooting Common Windows 2000 Professional Problems An Approach to Troubleshooting Where to Find Help Registry Editor Event Viewer Device Manager An Ounce of Prevention Common Problems and Solutions Chapter 7 Windows XP Professional 287 Describe Windows XP Professional Benefits, Features, and Weaknesses Benefits and Features Windows XP Weaknesses When to Use Windows XP XP Versions Installing and Configuring Windows XP Professional Customize and Manage Windows XP Professional The Windows XP Control Panel Adding a Printer to Windows XP Installing and Working with Applications in Windows XP Add or Remove Windows XP Components Manage User Security in Windows XP Users and Groups in Windows XP Professional Practicing User Security Troubleshooting Common Windows XP Problems Resources for Troubleshooting Troubleshooting Startup Failure with Safe Mode Creating Startup Disks An Old Application Will Not Run Chapter 8 Macintosh OS 9 and OS X Introducing Apple and the Macintosh Operating System A Colorful Contribution to the World of Computing Macintosh Characteristics Features of the Mac OS Desktop Startup Login The Desktop The Finder The Apple Menu The Chooser The Control Strip and the Dock Features of Mac OS X Installing and Configuring Mac OS X Getting to Know the Mac OS X Workspace Changing System Preferences Managing Files in OS X Printing Printing Options . Working with User Accounts and Privileges Troubleshooting Common Mac OS Problems Where