Ch. 1: Introducing Operating Systems

Question 1

32-bit operating system

Answer 1

Type of operating system that processes 32 bits at a time

Question 2

64-bit operating system

Answer 2

Type of operating system that processes 64 bits at a time

Question 3

Action Center

Answer 3

Tool in Windows 7 that lists errors and issues that need attention

Question 4

administrator account

Answer 4

In Windows, a user account that grants to the administrator(s) rights and privileges to all hardware and software resources, such as the right to add, delete, and change accounts and to change hardware configurations.

Question 5

Aero Peek

Answer 5

Windows 7 feature that gives you a peek at the desktop when you move the mouse over the rectangle to the far-right side of the taskbar.

Question 6

Aero Shake

Answer 6

Windows 7 feature that minimizes all other windows except the one you shake.

Question 7

Aero Snap

Answer 7

Windows 7 feature that automatically maximizes a window when you drag it to the top of the desktop or snaps the window to the side of the screen when you drag it to a side.

Question 8

Aero user interface

Answer 8

Windows 7/Vista 3D user interface that gives a glassy appearance. aka Aero Glass

Question 9

Child directories

Answer 9

A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. aka subdirectory or folder

Question 10

Compressed (zipped) Folder

Answer 10

A folder with a .zip extension that contains compressed files. When files are put into the folder, they are compressed. When files are moved to a regular folder, the files are decompressed.

Question 11

Control Panel

Answer 11

A window containing several small utility programs called applets that are used to manage hardware, software, users, and the system.

Question 12

desktop

Answer 12

The initial screen that is displayed when an OS has a GUI interface loaded.

Question 13

device driver

Answer 13

A program stored on the hard drive that tells the computer how to communicate with a hardware device such as a printer or a modem.

Question 14

file attributes

Answer 14

The properties assigned to a file. Examples of file attributes are read-only and hidden status.

Question 15

file extension

Answer 15

A portion of the name of a file that indicates how the file is organized or formatted, the type of content in the file, and what program uses the file. In command lines, the file extension follows the filename and is separated from it by a period; for example, Msd.exe, where exe is the file extension.

Question 16

filename

Answer 16

The first part of the name assigned to a file, which does not include the file extension. In DOS, the filename can be no more than 8 characters long and is followed by the file extension. In Windows, a filename can be up to 255 characters.

Question 17

folder

Answer 17

aka subdirectory or child directory

Question 18

folder attributes

Answer 18

The properties assigned to a folder. Ex: read-only and hidden status.

Question 19

gadget

Answer 19

A mini-app that appears on the Windows 7 desktop or Vista sidebar

Question 20

GUI

Answer 20

Graphical User Interface (goo-ey) An interface that uses graphics as compared to a command-driven interface.

Question 21

Jump List

Answer 21

Appears when right-clicking an icon in the Windows 7 taskbar and provides access to some of the major functions of the program.

Question 22

library

Answer 22

In Windows 7, a collection of one or more folders that can be stored on different local drives or on the network

Question 23

navigation pane

Answer 23

In Windows Explorer or the Computer window, pane of the left side of the window where devices, drives, and folders are listed. Double-click an item to drill down into the item.

Question 24

Network and Sharing Center

Answer 24

The primary Windows 7/Vista utility used to manage network connections.

Question 25

notification area

Answer 25

An area to the right of the taskbar that holds the icons for running services; these services include the volume control and network connectivity. Also called the system tray or systray.

Question 26

operating system (OS)

Answer 26

Software that controls a computer. An OS controls how system resources are used and provides a user interface, a way of managing hardware and software, and ways to work with files.

Question 27

patches

Answer 27

A minor update to software that corrects an error, adds a feature, or addresses security issues. Also called an update. Compare to service pack.

Question 28

path

Answer 28

A drive and list of directories pointing to a file such as C:\Windows\System32

Question 29

root directory

Answer 29

The main directory, at the top of the top-down hierarchical structure of subdirectories, created when a hard drive or disk is first formatted. In Linux, it’s indicated by a forward slash. In DOS and Windows, it’s indicated by a backward slash.

Question 30

screen resolution

Answer 30

The number of dots or pixels on the monitor screen expressed as two numbers such as 1680 x 1050.

Question 31

service

Answer 31

A program that runs in the background to support or serve Windows or an application.

Question 32

service pack

Answer 32

A collection of several patches or updates that is installed as a single update to an OS or application.

Question 33

sidebar

Answer 33

Located on the right side of the Vista desktop and displays Vista gadgets.

Question 34

standard account

Answer 34

The Windows 7/Vista user account type that can use software and hardware and make some system changes, but cannot make changes that affect the security of the system or other users.

Question 35

subdirectory

Answer 35

A directory or folder contained in another directory or folder. Also called a child directory or folder.

Question 36

System Information

Answer 36

A Windows tool that provides details about a system, including installed hardware and software, the current system configuration, and currently running programs. The program file is Msinfo32.exe

Question 37

system tray

Answer 37

see notification area
An area to the right of the taskbar that holds the icons for running services; these services include the volume control and network connectivity. Also called systray

Question 38

System window

Answer 38

A window that displays brief and important information about installed hardware and software and gives access to important Windows tools needed to support the system.

Question 39

systray

Answer 39

See notification area

Question 40

User Account Control (UAC) dialog box

Answer 40

A Windows 7/Vista security feature that displays a dialog box when an event requiring administrative privileges is about to happen.

Question 41

volume

Answer 41

A primary partition that has been assigned a drive letter and can be formatted with a file system such as NTFS. Compare to logical drive.

Question 42

Windows Experience Index

Answer 42

A Windows 7/Vista feature that gives a summary index designed to measure the overall performance of a system on a scale from 1.0 to 7.9.