Perform basic configuration of an operating system
What is an operating system?
Configuring mouse settings
Setting a dial up connection
Setting up printers and other external devices
Printers
Other external devices
Shortcuts to accessing programs or files
Start menu
Setting date and time
Creating and changing user accounts
Summary
Check your progress
What is an operating system?
An operating system is a computer program that manages all the tasks that you perform on the computer. Every computer needs an operating system in order to run other programs. Operating systems perform many basic tasks including decoding input which has been sent from the keyboard or mouse, sending output to the monitor, keeping track of all files and folders on the computer and controlling devices that are attached to the computer such as printers and scanners. Today there are many different kinds of operating systems that are available. Some of the most popular include:
- Microsoft Windows — a popular operating system that has been created by Microsoft
- Mac OS — designed and specifically used on Apple MacIntosh computers.
- Linux — a freely-distributed operating system.
When you buy a computer the operating system has usually been installed. Sometimes, however, you may need to change some basic settings to suit your requirements. Most operating systems usually have a special area that allows you to configure settings such as changing as the mouse buttons, creating an internet dial up connection, setting up a printer or scanner, organising the start menu, setting the date and time and managing user accounts. In many operating systems, configuring these settings can be done in a place called the Control Panel.
Configuring mouse settings
A mouse is a very popular device that you use to point to images on the screen and to ‘click’ on the chosen image. A mouse usually has two buttons at the top and often a scroll wheel between the two buttons. Some of the popular ways a mouse can be used include:
- Moving: on a flat surface you can move the mouse in the direction you want to go.
- Clicking: to quickly press and release a mouse button in order to select an item.
- Double-click: to click the mouse quickly twice, will often open a particular item.
- Drag: to hold the mouse button while moving the mouse will allow you to move something from one place to another.
If you have never used a mouse before, it could feel difficult to start with. You may also have problems using the mouse if you are left-handed. Configuring settings such as mouse speed and changing the buttons may be helpful.
All operating systems will have a slightly different way of changing the mouse, however, you will find in most operating system the mouse settings can be configured somewhere inside the Control Panel (or Control Centre).
Changing buttons
If you are a left-handed you may need to configure your mouse so that the main button you press with your left hand is the right mouse button.
Changing the speed of the mouse
There should also be settings available that allows you to change options such as the double-click speed and how fast the pointer will move on the screen.
Figure 1: Changing Mouse Properties using Microsoft Windows operating
Figure 2: Changing Mouse Properties using an Apple MacIntosh operating system
Figure 3: Changing Mouse Properties using a Linux operating system
Setting a dial up connection
A dial-up connection connects you to connect to a network or the Internet by using a device that uses a telephone network. This device is often a modem that uses a standard phone line. A dial-up connection is one method of connecting to the Internet, however, in recent times a connection called broadband is a faster alternative.
If, for example, you worked for a company that allowed you to use your computer from home, you may need to create a dial up connection so that you can connect to the company’s computer system. You will need a user name, password and telephone number in order to create this kind of dial-up connection.
You may need to create a dial-up connection so that you can connect to the Internet. Before you can connect to the Internet you will need to find yourself an Internet service provider (ISP). Internet service providers are organisations that offer businesses and individuals access to the Internet. For a fee, the ISP will provide you with an account, password and telephone number that allows you to access the Internet.
Similarly to changing the mouse settings, a dial-up connection is usually created inside the Control Panel. Information that you will probably need to enter includes:
- The name of the connection you are creating — you may want to use the name of the Internet Service Provider.
- The modem type — you may be asked for the name of your modem and the maximum speed it can handle. You will need to refer to the modem’s user guide to help you.
- A user name, password, server address and telephone number (if connecting to the Internet — your Internet service provider should give you this information).
Some operating systems also include wizards, which are step-by-step guides to help you through the process of setting up a dial up connection. The following three diagrams display the Windows XP operating system’s wizard for setting up a dial-up connection.
Figure 4: Windows XP operating system’s wizard to create a new dial up connection
Setting up printers and other external devices
Printers
A paper copy of a document is often known as a hard copy. Software programs, on the other hand, are known as soft copies. If you have a printer attached to your computer you can print any document or picture you created on the computer or information you find on the Internet. If you are part of a large organisation it could be possible that there are several printers that you can use for printing. Within the Control Panel there will probably be an option to choose Printers. The Printer’s option may allow you to change a lot of printer settings including:
- making the printer the default printer (the printer that will be used if no other printer is selected)
- page orientation — whether the printouts will be portrait or landscape
- whether the printout will be colour or greyscale (black and white)
- print quality — whether the print out will be draft, normal or best quality
- paper size — eg A4, A5, letter
- the ability to cancel or pause the job that is currently printing.
Figure 5: A Windows dialog box that enables changing printer preferences
Other external devices
Depending on the operating system you are using there may also be an option to change settings for input devices such as scanners and digital cameras. Some of the settings that may be able to be changed include:
- the quality of scan
- colour of images (colour orgreyscale)
- page orientation (landscape or portrait).
Shortcuts to accessing programs or files
Shortcuts are used in a windows-based operating system. They are quick pointers to programs and files on your computer. They allow you to open a program or a file by double-clicking on them. Shortcuts have an arrow in the lower left-hand corner of the icon. A shortcut can be placed anywhere on your system. The most common places to place shortcuts are on the desktop and on the Start menu.
One method to create a shortcut on the desktop is to:
1Choose the program or file that you want to use for a shortcut.
2Right-click with your mouse button. (Left-click if you have swapped your mouse settings for a left-handed person.)
3Choose Option ‘Send to Desktop’. (Create Shortcut) will appear. Or, Create Shortcut may be listed in the menu that pops up when you right-click. In either case, select Create Shortcut.
4An icon similar to below will appear on your desktop.
Start menu
Like shortcuts, the Start menu is an option that is used within the Microsoft Windows operating system. A Start menu is a menu that allows you to access useful items on your computer. A list of programs that you use the most frequently will appear in this list. This list can be changed manually by:
1Using your mouse, right-click within the Start menu.
2Go to Properties. There will then be options such as size of icons, number of programs to display that you can customise.
Figure 6: An example of the Start menu in Windows XP
Setting date and time
Your computer needs to use the date and time for a large number of operations. For example, every time you create or modify a file the date and time is set alongside the file. Whenever you send an email the date and time is sent with the email. There is also a clock available that will display the current date and time.
All operating systems will have a place for you to set up the date and the time. If you have a Control Panel or Control Centre the date/time settings should be located in that area. There may also be a place to change the ‘time zone’, so if you took the computer to another country you could automatically adjust it to the new time zone.
Some operating systems will also let you change the way the date and time appears. You could, for example, set the time to appear in 24 hours format or 12-hour format using AM and PM.
Figure 7: Date and time using Windows /
Figure 8: Date and time using Apple MacIntosh
Creating and changing user accounts
In some operating system software there is the ability to create user accounts for each person who will be using the computer. Benefits of creating a user account for each person are that this:
- customises the display of the desktop for each user
- keeps each user’s files private
- helps to protect important computer settings.
When creating user accounts, one person needs to be an Administrator. The Administrator can have total control of the computer, meaning they can create or delete user accounts, install and delete programs — whereas the other users will not have this ability.
To change or create a user account you will need to log in as an ‘Administrator’ and then you will probably need to go to the Control Panel and find the area User Accounts.
All other users will have varying degrees of control of the computer. Administrators are able to set up each user independently. It is important that the administrator gives the correct amount of access to the computer system for each user. Depending on local needs, some users may need to be given accounts that allows them permission to install new programs and gives them complete access to all files on the computer. Other users, however, may only need accounts that will not let them change any settings and gives them access to only a limited number of files.
The Administrator will also assign a password to each user’s account. Although the Administrator, will have permission to change a user’s password, it is important that each user keeps this password confidential, so that nobody else is able to use their account. The Administrator will also have their own password. It is essential that the administrator’s password not be lost or forgotten, for without access to an Administrator account, no changes to any other account will be able to be made.
To change or create a user account you will need to log in as an ‘administrator’ and then you will need to go to the Control Panel and find the area ‘User Accounts’. In this area there will be the ability to create new accounts and make changes to existing accounts.
Figure 9: Example of accessing the User Accounts settings: Microsoft XP operating system
Summary
An operating system is the most important program used on any computer. Today there are many ways in which you are able to configure the operating system to suit your individual needs. Basic configurations include: mouse settings, dial up connections, printer and other device settings, setting the date and time, and settings for user accounts.
Check your progress
Now you should try and do the Practice activities in this topic. If you’ve already tried them, have another go and see if you can improve your responses.
When you feel ready, try the ‘Check your understanding’ activity in the Preview section of this topic. This will help you decide if you’re ready for assessment.
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2005