When the computer runs on real RAM because youve loaded too many programs, the system swaps the programs from real RAM to swap file, opening more space for the programs currently active. Swap Files/Page As a programs RAM and as loaded more At a certain enough RAM to programs Files Process load and they take up more programs are RAM is used point you wont have run any more
It starts by creating a swap file that resides somewhere on your hard drive, it works like a temporary storage box. Windows removes the running program temporarily from RAM to the swap file so other programs can load and run To load program D needs a certain amount of RAM. Windows looks at the programs to see which one is used the least [in this case B] and then swaps it from RAM to the swap file.
If you wish to reopen program B it needs to be reloaded to RAM. Windows decides which program needs to be removed from RAM [Program C] then it loads program B into RAM
Windows slows down while swaps are taking place The swap file or page file is located at PAGEFILE.SYS in Windows 2000/XP and is a hidden system file.
Windows supports DOS and other earlier versions of Windows as well as current Window applications via these numerous subsystems. Windows 2000/XP are the only Microsoft OSs that support SMP [Symmetric Multiprocessing] providing support for systems with up to 32 CPUs
d. Backup Operators Same as users but they can run backup programs that access any file or folder for backup purposes only e. Replicator Can replicate files and folders in a domain f. Everyone This applies to everyone who has access to a computer on the network. The group cannot be edited g. Guests Someone who has no username and password but can use this group to access the system Windows XP derives a lot from 2000. If you are running XP Pro you are offered the same 7 groups as detailed above but can access another 4 specialised groups including Help Services Group and Remote Desktop Users. When XP Home and Profession are installed on a standalone PC or connected to a network group but not a domain, they run in a specialized networking mode called Simple File Sharing this only has 3 account types: 1. Computer Admin 2. Limited User [access certain things and have limits as to where they can be saved] 3. Guest NTFS Permissions NTFS permissions define exactly what an account or group can and cant do to the file or folder on an NTFS volume. The five crucial NFTS permissions are:
3.
1. Ownership When you create a file or folder you are the owner, therefore you can do what you want to it. 2. Take Ownership Permission Anyone who is has this permission can seize control of a folder or file. Administrators have this and can use it on anything. Even if you are the owner of the file. 3. Change Permission Anyone who has this can give or take away permissions for other accounts 4. Folder Permission Security tab that lets you set permissions 4.a. Here are the standard permissions for a folder Full Control: You can do whatever you want Modify: Do anything except delete files or subfolders Read & Execute: See contents of the folder or file and any subfolders
List folder content: See contents of the folder or file and any subfolders [seems the same as above but it is only inherited by folders]* Allow inheritable permissions from parent to propagate to this object check box. Checking this box allows you to give the same permission that you gave to the file/folder to the subfolders. File Permissions Similar to folder permissions: Full control: do anything you want Modify: Do anything you want except take ownership or change permission Read & Execute: if the file is a program you can run it Read: If the file is data you can read it Write: Enables you to write to that file
5.
The system files start the PC and then at the end of that process point to the CPU to the location of the boot files The CPU talks to NTOSKRNL and the GUI starts to load. The OS is then up and running and you can do work What is odd is that Microsoft have allowed all of the OS file mobile, meaning you can move them anywhere on any partition/volume on the PC. Whichever drive holds the core OS files is called the Boot Partition.
BOOT.INI File This is a text file that lists OSs availability and tells the NTLDR where to find the boot partition for each available OS.
ARC naming system [as pictured above] is designed to enable your PC to use any hard drive, including removable devices, to boot windows
E.G Mulit(0)Disk(0)RDisk(0)Partition(1)\Windows Multi(x) is the number of the adapter and always starts with 0. The adapter is determined by how you set the boot order in your CMOS settings. Disk(x) is only used for SCSI drives, but the value is required to be in the ARC format, so with ATA systems it is always 0. RDisk(x) specifies the number if disks on the adapter. On a PATA is would be (0) and slave (1). With SATA it depends on how many SATA connections. Partition(x) is the number of the partition or logical drive in an extended partition. The numbering starts from 1. \WINDOWS is the name of the folder that holds the boot files. Common switches at the end of ARC formats: /BOOTLOG tells Windows to create a log of the boot process and write to a file called Ntbtlog.txt /CMDCOM tells windows to start the recovery console /LASTKNOWNGOOD tells windows to boot the last known good files /NO EXECUTE no execute default on Windows systems to prevent unruly system lockups
NTDETECT.COM This detects the installed hardware in the system Critical Boot Files Once NTDLR finishes detections, it loads NTOSKRNL.EXE, HAL.DLL, some of the registry and some basic device drivers then it passes control to NTOSKRNL.EXE file. This completes the registry loading, starts all device drivers and then starts WINLOGON.EXE program, which displays the login screen.
Windows Versions
Windows XP Professional For office environments that support multiple users. Only version of windows that can log into a special Windows Server controlled network called a Domain. Windows XP Home Same as office but lacks the followings: Ability to logon to windows domain
Encrypted file system Support for multiple processors Support for remote desktop Support remote NFTS access control [no permissions] Support for group policies Windows Media Centre This is a powerful PVR [personal video recorder] program which allows you to watch and recorder TV and organise all of your media from music to photos. Has the same capabilities as Windows XP Home Windows 64-Bit Versions 64-Bit-Version [supports 64-bit CPUs] Windows XP 64-Bit Edition Windows XP Professional x64 Edition This runs on any AMD or Intel processor that supports both 32 & 64 bits Microsoft Vista started the move into the 64-Bit World