PC Hardware

Tutorial 16

  1. Name three ways that Windows 95 differs from Windows 3.x.

    Installing devices, managing memory, optimizing the system, and troubleshooting are handled differently in Windows 95 than in Windows 3.x.

  2. What is Plug and Play? What is required for a component to be Plug and Play-compliant?

    The ultimate goal of any computer user is to be able to simply plug any device into a computer, turn it on, and have it work. This is the concept upon which Plug and Play is founded. A well-designed Plug and Play system eliminates the need for jumpers, switches, and installation software.

    The three requirements of Plug and Play are: a Plug and Play BIOS, a Plug and Play device, and a Plug and Play operating system (such as Windows 95).

  3. Does Windows 95 still require MS-DOS?

    Windows 95 does not require MS-DOS. MS-DOS is provided mostly for backward compatibility.

  4. Which version of MS-DOS comes with Windows 95?

    DOS 7.0 comes with Windows 95.

  5. Is CONFIG.SYS required to install GUI drivers?

    CONFIG.SYS is not required to install GUI drivers; however, it is required if you want to use any real-mode drives.

  6. Why would you want to set the swap-file size in Windows 95?

    The VCACHE that comes with Windows 95 is quite different from Windows 3.x in that the cache is "sized dynamically." As Windows needs more RAM, it takes away from the cache and vice versa. Unfortunately, the cache-sizing algorithms are very slow, especially when used with the swap file; therefore, the swap file needs to be limited in size.

  7. What is the main difference between Windows 3.x and Windows 95?

    Windows 3.x is basically an operating environment created to run on top of MS-DOS; its purpose is to provide a GUI and other features in order to run programs and manage files easily. Windows 95 is a complete operating system that includes an improved GUI as well as other useful features.

  8. Why can't older versions of disk utilities be used with Windows 95?

    Older disk utilities do not understand many of the improvements of Windows 95, such as long filenames.

  9. After turning on the power to the computer, what is the first step in the boot-up process?

    The first step in the boot-up process is to run the POST.

  10. In which directory do you find the external MS-DOS commands?

    MS-DOS external commands reside in the windows\command directory of the bootable drive.

  11. What is FDISK used for?

    FDISK for Windows 95 is no different than for Windows 3.x; it is used to partition hard drives. Windows 95 OSR2 and Windows 98 do give the option of using FAT32 file system instead of FAT16.

  12. Define virtual memory.

    Virtual memory uses disk space to simulate RAM. This hard disk drive space is called the swap file.

  13. The Registry is composed of two binary files. Name them.

    The two binary files that hold the Registry database are called SYSTEM.DAT and USER.DAT.

  14. What is the difference between an MS-DOS session and MS-DOS mode?

    An MS-DOS session runs inside a window in the GUI. Windows 95 has the new MS-DOS mode that allows creation of custom CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files for tough MS-DOS applications. MS-DOS mode exits the GUI-therefore, you might have to configure real-mode drivers to access hardware.

  15. If you are running in MS-DOS mode and the CD-ROM does not run, what must you do to get it running?

    You must create (or edit) the CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT files to load the appropriate real-mode drivers for the CD-ROM. You will also need to run the MSCDEX.EXE application.

  16. Do you need a .PIF file to run an MS-DOS program in Windows 95?

    Windows 95 no longer creates .PIF files by using the PIF editor. PIF settings are created by accessing the Properties value that appears when an MS-DOS application is right-clicked.

  17. What are the five steps of a Windows 95 installation?

    The five steps are startup and system check; information collection; hardware detection; startup disk creation and file installation; and windows configuration.

  18. Which version of Windows 95 uses FAT32?

    Only the OSR2 version uses FAT32.

  19. What is safe mode and what is it used for?

    Safe mode starts Windows 95 with a minimum of drivers. This mode is considered to be the Windows 95 troubleshooting mode.

  20. What are the three Registry backup tools provided with Windows 95?

    The three primary Registry backup tools available in Windows 95 are: Microsoft Configuration Backup (CFGBACK.EXE), Emergency Recovery Utility (ERU.EXE), and REG files.