Windows Command Prompt and System Management
Windows Command Prompt
Common Commands
- CLS: Clears the information displayed in the command prompt. (SYNTAX: CLS)
- DATE: Displays and modifies the current system date. (SYNTAX: [DATE (FORMAT AS)])
- TIME: Displays and modifies the current system time. (SYNTAX: [HOTAS: MINUTES [SECOND [CENTIMES]]])
- VIEW: Visualizes the version number of the system in use. (SYNTAX: VER)
- HELP: Displays a help description indicating the syntax and parameters for using any command. (SYNTAX: HELP [command])
Date and Time Change
To change the date and time, click on the taskbar. The date and time are displayed in the notification area. Clicking on it will open a dialog box to change the date, hour, and time zone. This can also be done from the Control Panel by clicking on the “Date and Time” icon.
Windows Help
Each open window has its own unique help option. Additionally, we have the option of technical assistance and the Windows Support window.
Version of Windows
To view the version of Windows installed, go to the Control Panel and select “System”. In Windows XP, the information is displayed in the “System Properties” window. In Windows 7, the information is not displayed in a separate window. You can access it by selecting “My Computer” or “Computer” and pressing the ALT key while clicking.
Formatting
The formatting process is similar across all versions of Windows. Follow these steps:
- Open “My Computer” and select the drive you want to format.
- Right-click on the drive and select “Format”.
There are several ways to format a disk:
- Quick format: FORMAT C: /q
- Full format: FORMAT C:
- Copy system files only: SYS A: (Windows 98)
- Create a disk in MS-DOS:
The disk size varies and you can change the file system (FAT or NTFS). Hard drives smaller than 512MB should be formatted with FAT. FAT disks can only use FAT16, while hard drives larger than 512MB can be formatted with FAT32 or NTFS. The size of the allocation unit (cluster size) should be left at the default value, which is the best option for performance. FAT16 has a fixed cluster size of 32KB, FAT32 has a fixed cluster size of 4KB, and NTFS allows the user to decide the cluster size according to their needs. You can also change the disk label, but it is not mandatory. In command mode, this is done at the end of the process. You should indicate whether you want to quick format the disk. This option can only be used if the disk has been formatted normally at least once. Floppy disks are formatted at the factory and can be quick formatted indefinitely. Enable compression only if the file system is NTFS. This compresses the data using the operating system’s own technique and is only available for disks larger than 512MB. The compression is transparent to the user.
Defragmenter
Files are stored in clusters, which are groups of physical sectors. Ideally, files would be stored in contiguous clusters. However, when the hard drive is used frequently, the disk becomes fragmented. For example, if you modify a file and add data that fills four more clusters, the operating system has two options:
- Move the file to four clusters to the right, provided they are free.
- Store the new four clusters starting from the first free cluster.
If the operating system does not organize files to be stored contiguously, it will use free clusters to add the clusters belonging to the same file. This results in file fragmentation because the clusters are not contiguous. When fragmentation becomes high, the performance of the system decreases when accessing data from the disk. The time it takes for the operating system to read a contiguous file is smaller than if it is fragmented. This is because the read/write head of the disk has to jump from one sector to another, which takes time. The solution is to defragment the disk.
Freeing Up Disk Space
While it may seem like a large hard disk will never be completely filled, installing too many applications, games, and utilities can lead to a full disk. The Recycle Bin is a component that should be checked and cleaned occasionally. Additionally, browsing the internet without clearing temporary internet files can also fill up the disk. These files are stored in temporary directories. Windows has a directory called TEMP that stores temporary files used in installation processes, device configuration, and software configuration. These files are theoretically useless and take up space. You can free up this space using the Disk Cleanup utility.
Error Check
If you suspect that your disk may have defective sectors, poorly referenced files, or problems with the allocation table, you can run the disk check utility. This utility checks the integrity of the hard disk information against the information contained in the operating system. You can access it in the same way as the disk defragmenter. Once implemented, you have two options:
- Try to repair links from the mapping table to the data area (if the file system is FAT32, the FAT table is analyzed).
- Attempt to repair physical disk errors and bad sectors caused by physical reasons (e.g., external magnetic shocks).
Conversion of File System and Compression/Decompression
In Windows operating systems, there is only an option to convert the file system from FAT to NTFS. This operation is irreversible unless you use third-party software. Compressing and decompressing files is an important and useful operation. Windows XP and Windows 7 incorporate this possibility so that files take up less space.
Updating the Operating System
The operating system upgrade process is important. Manufacturers release a product and then include modifications and enhancements to fix bugs and improve functionality. Updates are downloaded as internet files that can be installed automatically. There are two main types of updates:
- Critical: Security and error fixes.
- Recommended: Software updates.
Another way to download updates is to use the Internet Explorer browser to connect to Windows Update (Tools -> Windows Update). This way, you can always check the authenticity of the Windows license. Windows 7 includes Windows Defender, which removes malicious software and can also update Office, antivirus software, etc.
Adding/Removing Hardware to the Operating System
Since Windows 95, the way to add hardware has changed substantially. Today, almost all versions of operating systems are plug and play. This means you can insert the hardware hot or cold, and the operating system will automatically recognize it.
- Hot: Usually USB or Firewire type devices. You can insert the new hardware without shutting down the computer.
- Cold: Internal components such as hard drives, cards, etc. It is necessary to shut down the computer, insert the hardware, and then turn it back on.
When inserting hot hardware, a balloon appears in the notification area, indicating that the hardware is being installed. If all goes well, another indication will appear to confirm the successful installation. The new plug-and-play hardware either has the drivers incorporated or the drivers are included with the operating system. Most of the drivers used to install hardware are files with a .sys extension. During installation, if an error occurs, it may be because the driver is not compatible with the operating system, there is an incompatibility issue with the device, or the device has a physical error.
Device Management
: PERFORMANCE: One way to verify that the hw is installed correctly using the device manager, is run from the control panel. A list with out menu of all devices of the computer hw. Sometimes a device may have the following aspect of its operation .- bad device installed. Hw misallocation of resources, problem with drivers – device disabled: properly installed, disable user’s decision, the device works well but can not be used until you re-enable ADD / DELETE / UPDATE SW: Win xp and 7 are able to run applications such as: – two eindows 3.x, Windows 9.x, Windows NT., in short 8,16,32-bit applications. There are also versions of these systems to run 64-bit applications. To install an application we double click on the icon to install, install or setup. I incorporate most of the programs in Windows XP .-: the tool to add / remove software panel is located in controlàagregar or Remove Programs to see your choices more important. “Windows 7 in the previous option is in controlàprogramas panel and features, with this tool we can: work with the OS itself sw, sw of working with these ssoo terceros.en the Windows registry entries are usually not completely eliminate . Especially after uninstalling a program. Few programs have uninstallers can completely eliminate the information generated in the registry. There are third party tools on the market to accomplish this task. Regcleaner or jv16tools,. strongly recommend that you uninstall herramientas.si we use these registry entries obsolete computer slower growing anger in OSs such as Linux do not have this feature problema.no configuration log, the installation information in files of type Stock text will never cause overhead on the system, to remove the directory is cleared and ready