Chapter Three Using the System Utilities. Objectives Understand and use the Control Panel applets Understand and use the Control Panel applets Use the.

Chapter ThreeChapter Three

Using the System Using the System UtilitiesUtilities

ObjectivesObjectives

Understand and use the Control Panel Understand and use the Control Panel appletsapplets

Use the Scheduled Tasks to automate tasksUse the Scheduled Tasks to automate tasks Install and configure new hardwareInstall and configure new hardware Create hardware profiles for changing Create hardware profiles for changing

system configurationssystem configurations Describe the versatility of the Microsoft Describe the versatility of the Microsoft

Management ConsoleManagement Console Create your own custom MMC consolesCreate your own custom MMC consoles

Control Panel OverviewControl Panel Overview

Control PanelControl Panel Collection of tools and utilities within Collection of tools and utilities within

Windows, where most system- and Windows, where most system- and hardware-level installation and hardware-level installation and configuration take placeconfiguration take place

AppletsApplets Tool or utility found in the Control Tool or utility found in the Control

Panel that typically has a single, Panel that typically has a single, focused purpose or functionfocused purpose or function

Control Panel OverviewControl Panel Overview

Figure 3-1: The Control Panel in Category view

Control Panel OverviewControl Panel Overview

Figure 3-2: The Appearance and Themes category Wizard

Control Panel OverviewControl Panel Overview

Table 3-1: Category Wizards from the Control Panel

Control Panel OverviewControl Panel Overview The Control The Control

Panel hosts Panel hosts the applets the applets and utilities and utilities used to used to install and install and configure configure devicesdevices and and software software (particularly (particularly servicesservices))

Figure 3-3: The Control Panel applet icons in Classic View

Accessibility OptionsAccessibility Options

This applet is where special interface This applet is where special interface features can be enabled and tuned for the features can be enabled and tuned for the visual-, audio-, and movement-impaired visual-, audio-, and movement-impaired useruser Keyboard tabKeyboard tab Sound tabSound tab Display tabDisplay tab Mouse tabMouse tab General tabGeneral tab

Add HardwareAdd Hardware Plug and Play (PnP)Plug and Play (PnP)

Technology that allows an operating system to Technology that allows an operating system to inspect and identify a device, install the inspect and identify a device, install the correct driver, and enable the device, all correct driver, and enable the device, all without user interactionwithout user interaction

DriverDriver Software element used by an operating system Software element used by an operating system

to control a deviceto control a device The Add Hardware applet is used to add a The Add Hardware applet is used to add a

new hardware device or troubleshoot a new hardware device or troubleshoot a device that is not functioning properlydevice that is not functioning properly

Add or Remove ProgramAdd or Remove Program

This applet is actually three tools in This applet is actually three tools in one:one: Change or Remove Programs (see Change or Remove Programs (see

Figure 3-4)Figure 3-4) Add New Programs (see Figure 3-5)Add New Programs (see Figure 3-5) Add/Remove Windows Components Add/Remove Windows Components

Wizard (see Figure 3-6)Wizard (see Figure 3-6)

Add or Remove ProgramAdd or Remove Program

Figure 3-4: The Add or Remove Program applet’s Change or Remove Programs

Add or Remove ProgramAdd or Remove Program

Figure 3-5: The Add or Remove Program applet’s Add New Programs

Add or Remove ProgramAdd or Remove Program

Figure 3-6: The Add or Remove Program applet’s Add/Remove Windows Components

Administrative ToolsAdministrative ToolsDate and TimeDate and Time

Administrative ToolsAdministrative Tools This applet is actually a folder pointing This applet is actually a folder pointing

to the same place as the Administrative to the same place as the Administrative Tools item in the Start menuTools item in the Start menu

Date and TimeDate and Time This applet is used to set the calendar This applet is used to set the calendar

date, clock time, and time zone for the date, clock time, and time zone for the systemsystem

DisplayDisplayFolder OptionsFolder Options

DisplayDisplay This applet is used to choose from a This applet is used to choose from a

wide range of interface changes and wide range of interface changes and preference settingspreference settings

Folder OptionsFolder Options The four tabs of this applet are used to The four tabs of this applet are used to

set the functional and visual parameters set the functional and visual parameters of the folders on the systemof the folders on the system

FontsFonts This This

applet applet lists all lists all fonts fonts currently currently used by used by the the Windows Windows XP systemXP system

Figure 3-7: A font sample display window

Game ControllersGame ControllersInternet OptionsInternet Options

Game ControllersGame Controllers This applet is used to install and This applet is used to install and

configure the operation of joysticks and configure the operation of joysticks and other specialized gaming controlsother specialized gaming controls

Internet OptionsInternet Options This applet is used to define settings for This applet is used to define settings for

Internet Explorer and general Internet Internet Explorer and general Internet accessaccess

Keyboard and MouseKeyboard and MouseNetwork ConnectionsNetwork Connections

Keyboard and MouseKeyboard and Mouse This applet is used to modify keyboard This applet is used to modify keyboard

functionsfunctions Network ConnectionsNetwork Connections

This applet is used to manage all This applet is used to manage all network connections of a Windows XP network connections of a Windows XP systemsystem

Phone and Modem Phone and Modem OptionsOptions

Power OptionsPower Options Phone and Modem OptionsPhone and Modem Options

This applet is used to define dialing This applet is used to define dialing locations, install and configure modems, locations, install and configure modems, and configure RAS and TAPI related and configure RAS and TAPI related drivers and devicesdrivers and devices

Power OptionsPower Options This applet is used to set the system’s This applet is used to set the system’s

power-saving featurespower-saving features

Power OptionsPower Options

Figure 3-8: The Power

Options applet, Power Schemes tab

Printers and FaxesPrinters and FaxesRegional and Language Regional and Language

OptionsOptions Printers and FaxesPrinters and Faxes

This applet is used to install, share, and This applet is used to install, share, and configure many types of output devicesconfigure many types of output devices

Regional and Language OptionsRegional and Language Options This applet is used to:This applet is used to:

Set location-specific uses or requirementSet location-specific uses or requirement Configure the default input language to use Configure the default input language to use

for text entryfor text entry

Regional and Language Regional and Language OptionsOptions

Figure 3-9: The Regional and

Language Options applet, Regional

Options tab

Scanners and CamerasScanners and CamerasScheduled TasksScheduled Tasks

Scanners and CamerasScanners and Cameras This applet is used to install drivers and This applet is used to install drivers and

configure digital cameras and optical configure digital cameras and optical scannersscanners

Scheduled TasksScheduled Tasks This applet is used to automate task This applet is used to automate task

launchinglaunching

Sounds and Audio Sounds and Audio DevicesDevicesSpeechSpeech

Sounds and Audio DevicesSounds and Audio Devices This applet is used to customize the This applet is used to customize the

sound scheme, set master volumes, sound scheme, set master volumes, configure speakers, set audio device configure speakers, set audio device preferences, and configure preferences, and configure

SpeechSpeech This applet configures the text-to-This applet configures the text-to-

speech functions for applications speech functions for applications written to Microsoft’s Speech APIwritten to Microsoft’s Speech API

SystemSystem The System applet is used to configure or The System applet is used to configure or

control many system-level and core control many system-level and core operational functions of Windows XPoperational functions of Windows XP

Hardware profilesHardware profiles A collection of custom device settings used on A collection of custom device settings used on

computers with changing physical componentscomputers with changing physical components Virtual memoryVirtual memory

The combination of physical RAM and pagefile The combination of physical RAM and pagefile space used by the operating system to enlarge space used by the operating system to enlarge usable memory for processesusable memory for processes

SystemSystem

Figure 3-10: The System applet,

Computer Name Tab

SystemSystem

Driver SigningDriver Signing Used to identify drivers that have Used to identify drivers that have

passed the Microsoft Windows passed the Microsoft Windows Hardware Quality Labs evaluation and Hardware Quality Labs evaluation and teststests

Device ManagerDevice Manager Once a device is installed, you can Once a device is installed, you can

verify it is working through the Device verify it is working through the Device ManagerManager

SystemSystem

Figure 3-11: The Device Manager

SystemSystem

Figure 3-12: A device’s Properties dialog box, General tab

SystemSystem

Figure 3-13: A device’s Properties dialog box, Driver tab

SystemSystem

Figure 3-14: A device’s Properties dialog box, General tab

SystemSystem

The four main areas of hardware The four main areas of hardware resource conflict are:resource conflict are: IRQIRQ I/O portI/O port DMADMA MemoryMemory

SystemSystem

Hardware profileHardware profile Similar to a user profileSimilar to a user profile Collection of custom device settings Collection of custom device settings

used on computers with changing used on computers with changing physical componentsphysical components

Most often used on portable computers Most often used on portable computers for which hardware configurations for which hardware configurations change oftenchange often

SystemSystem The Startup and The Startup and

Recovery Recovery Options dialog Options dialog box allows you to box allows you to define system define system startup startup parameters and parameters and specify how specify how STOP errors are STOP errors are handledhandled

Figure 3-15: the Startup and Recovery dialog box

SystemSystem

Environmental VariablesEnvironmental Variables The top pane of the tab controls settings The top pane of the tab controls settings

for system-wide environment variablesfor system-wide environment variables The bottom pane controls local user The bottom pane controls local user

environment variablesenvironment variables Error ReportingError Reporting

Provides Windows XP the ability to Provides Windows XP the ability to report errors regarding the OS and report errors regarding the OS and installed applicationsinstalled applications

Taskbar and Start MenuTaskbar and Start MenuUser AccountsUser Accounts

Taskbar and Start MenuTaskbar and Start Menu This applet is the same properties dialog box This applet is the same properties dialog box

accessed by right-clicking over the Start accessed by right-clicking over the Start button and selecting the Properties command button and selecting the Properties command from the pop-up menufrom the pop-up menu

User AccountsUser Accounts This applet is used to create and manage local This applet is used to create and manage local

user accounts, passwords, and .NET passports, user accounts, passwords, and .NET passports, the Local Users and Groups tool, and to the Local Users and Groups tool, and to specify whether Ctrl+Alt+Delete is required to specify whether Ctrl+Alt+Delete is required to log onlog on

Microsoft Management Microsoft Management Console OverviewConsole Overview

MMCMMC A graphical interface shellA graphical interface shell Provides a structured environment for Provides a structured environment for

consolesconsoles, , snap-inssnap-ins, and extensions , and extensions that offer controls over services and that offer controls over services and objectsobjects

Does not provide any management Does not provide any management capabilities itselfcapabilities itself

The MMC ConsoleThe MMC Console

Figure 3-16: The parts of the Microsoft Management Console

Snap-InsSnap-Ins

The components added into a The components added into a console that actually perform the console that actually perform the actions on services or objectsactions on services or objects

There are two types of snap-ins:There are two types of snap-ins: Stand-alone snap-insStand-alone snap-ins Extension snap-insExtension snap-ins

Snap-InsSnap-Ins

Once you’ve added and configured a Once you’ve added and configured a console’s snap-ins, you can save the console’s snap-ins, you can save the console to an .msc file in one of four console to an .msc file in one of four formats:formats: Author ModeAuthor Mode User Mode formatsUser Mode formats

Full AccessFull Access Delegated Access, Multiple WindowsDelegated Access, Multiple Windows Delegated Access, Single WindowDelegated Access, Single Window

Using the MMCUsing the MMC

Windows XP is equipped with several Windows XP is equipped with several preconfigured consoles designed to preconfigured consoles designed to offer administrative control over your offer administrative control over your systemsystem These tools are found mainly in These tools are found mainly in

Administrative Tools, a folder within the Administrative Tools, a folder within the Control PanelControl Panel

You can utilize all of the snap-ins used to You can utilize all of the snap-ins used to create the Administrative Tools to create create the Administrative Tools to create your own custom consolesyour own custom consoles

Administrative ToolsAdministrative Tools

Collection of system configuration Collection of system configuration utilities that Microsoft deemed utilities that Microsoft deemed powerful and dangerous enough to powerful and dangerous enough to separate from the Control Panel separate from the Control Panel appletsapplets

You must have administrative You must have administrative privileges to use the seven privileges to use the seven Administrative Tools on Windows XP Administrative Tools on Windows XP ProfessionalProfessional

Administrative ToolsAdministrative Tools

Component ServicesComponent Services Data Sources (ODBC)Data Sources (ODBC) Event ViewerEvent Viewer Local Security PolicyLocal Security Policy PerformancePerformance ServicesServices Computer ManagementComputer Management

Computer ManagementComputer Management Divided into Divided into

three sections:three sections: System toolsSystem tools StorageStorage Services and Services and

ApplicationsApplications

Figure 3-17: Computer Management, with Device Manager selected

Computer ManagementComputer Management

System Tools section contains five System Tools section contains five tools:tools: Event ViewerEvent Viewer Shared FoldersShared Folders Local Users and GroupsLocal Users and Groups Performance Logs and AlertsPerformance Logs and Alerts Device ManagerDevice Manager

Computer ManagementComputer Management

Storage section has three tools for Storage section has three tools for storage device administrationstorage device administration Removable StorageRemovable Storage Disk DefragmenterDisk Defragmenter Disk ManagementDisk Management

Computer ManagementComputer Management

Service and Applications section Service and Applications section contains management controls for contains management controls for various installed and active services various installed and active services and applications, including the and applications, including the following controls:following controls: Indexing ServiceIndexing Service WMI ControlWMI Control ServicesServices

PCMCIA or PC CardsPCMCIA or PC Cards

PCMCIAPCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card Personal Computer Memory Card

International AssociationInternational Association PC CardsPC Cards

Modern name of PCMCIA technologyModern name of PCMCIA technology Credit card-sized devices typically used Credit card-sized devices typically used

to expand the functionality of notebook to expand the functionality of notebook or portable computersor portable computers

Chapter SummaryChapter Summary

Be familiar with the various applets Be familiar with the various applets and tools found in the Control Panel and tools found in the Control Panel and Administrative Toolsand Administrative Tools

Be familiar with the MMC and the Be familiar with the MMC and the Administrative ToolsAdministrative Tools

Be familiar with the process of Be familiar with the process of installing hardware, using hardware installing hardware, using hardware profiles, and dealing with PC Cardsprofiles, and dealing with PC Cards