computer info dos command image
Just Me
I would like to know more about how my windows machine works to the deepest level. Registry, Command line, BIOS, etc. Any recommendations on how to become very computer literate?
Answer
Well, your registry is a small portion of your hard drive space that tells your computer where everything else on your hard drive is. Since data can only be stored in a single line on your hard drive, the registry is necessary for your computer to fill out a "tree" hierarchy. Each time you move something around in your hard drive, the registry makes a note that it has been moved to another location. These notes can pile up, however, and it really slows down your computer. Registry cleaners like Glary Utilities get rid of all your notes and re-write your registry. It usually takes about 10 minutes, depending on how much stuff is on your computer.
RAM is Random Access Memory. It is used in your computer whenever you run a program. RAM is like short-term memory and your hard drive is long-term. You computer can read your RAM in any order it needs (thus the term "random access") while your computer can only read your hard drive in the order it is written, like a one-way road.
An Operating System is something that operates your computer, obviously. Now to give you a bit more info on this, 99.9% of all computers come with an operating system called DOS (Disk Operating System). DOS is very limited in its capabilities, and can only run certain programs. Very few people use DOS as their operating system. Most people use windows, which boots from DOS and then takes over DOS's job.
Boot Order:
I believe this may be what you mean by "command line."
When you first start up your computer, DOS looks for a program to be run. When people use DOS, they usually boot from the CD drive, meaning that they have DOS run a program that is written on a CD. When you install a better OS (operating system), you have DOS boot from your hard drive and find Windows, which DOS can start to run. You may not realize this, but it happens every time you start up your computer. You can change the boot order if you want, but there is very little need to if you have windows or mac or some other OS, because Windows can run what is on your CD just as well if not better than DOS can. You DO need to boot from your CD if you are going to install an OS through DOS, just like when you first install Windows. You can also do this if you want to install a second operating system. (Yes, you can do that.) One other interesting thing about DOS is that you cannot operate it with a mouse; you must use your keyboard.
BIOS:
(Basic Input/Output System) BIOS is the first code run by your computer when it is turned on. It tells your computer what it needs to do from the very start. Now, you may think that that is what DOS is supposed to do, but not quite. The BIOS tells DOS to run, which tells Windows to run. BIOS also is what gets your hardware functioning at first, so you can control your computer.
e-mail me if you need more information. I like teaching people about computers.
Well, your registry is a small portion of your hard drive space that tells your computer where everything else on your hard drive is. Since data can only be stored in a single line on your hard drive, the registry is necessary for your computer to fill out a "tree" hierarchy. Each time you move something around in your hard drive, the registry makes a note that it has been moved to another location. These notes can pile up, however, and it really slows down your computer. Registry cleaners like Glary Utilities get rid of all your notes and re-write your registry. It usually takes about 10 minutes, depending on how much stuff is on your computer.
RAM is Random Access Memory. It is used in your computer whenever you run a program. RAM is like short-term memory and your hard drive is long-term. You computer can read your RAM in any order it needs (thus the term "random access") while your computer can only read your hard drive in the order it is written, like a one-way road.
An Operating System is something that operates your computer, obviously. Now to give you a bit more info on this, 99.9% of all computers come with an operating system called DOS (Disk Operating System). DOS is very limited in its capabilities, and can only run certain programs. Very few people use DOS as their operating system. Most people use windows, which boots from DOS and then takes over DOS's job.
Boot Order:
I believe this may be what you mean by "command line."
When you first start up your computer, DOS looks for a program to be run. When people use DOS, they usually boot from the CD drive, meaning that they have DOS run a program that is written on a CD. When you install a better OS (operating system), you have DOS boot from your hard drive and find Windows, which DOS can start to run. You may not realize this, but it happens every time you start up your computer. You can change the boot order if you want, but there is very little need to if you have windows or mac or some other OS, because Windows can run what is on your CD just as well if not better than DOS can. You DO need to boot from your CD if you are going to install an OS through DOS, just like when you first install Windows. You can also do this if you want to install a second operating system. (Yes, you can do that.) One other interesting thing about DOS is that you cannot operate it with a mouse; you must use your keyboard.
BIOS:
(Basic Input/Output System) BIOS is the first code run by your computer when it is turned on. It tells your computer what it needs to do from the very start. Now, you may think that that is what DOS is supposed to do, but not quite. The BIOS tells DOS to run, which tells Windows to run. BIOS also is what gets your hardware functioning at first, so you can control your computer.
e-mail me if you need more information. I like teaching people about computers.
How can I get system files back?
gullwingdo
I think I accidentally deleted some important system files. How can I get them back without redoing my whole computer? Is there any way to re-instal Windows without erasing everything on my computer?
I am running Windows 98 SE.
Answer
1) Make sure your Windows CD is in the drive.
2) From a DOS prompt, type the following line...
sfc /scannow
For more info and options on the sfc command, you may type...
sfc /?
NOTE: sfc is not necessarily available with all versions of Windows, and I don't have Win98SE here for testing. However this command is always my first troublshooting recourse before running Setup and doing a re-install.
1) Make sure your Windows CD is in the drive.
2) From a DOS prompt, type the following line...
sfc /scannow
For more info and options on the sfc command, you may type...
sfc /?
NOTE: sfc is not necessarily available with all versions of Windows, and I don't have Win98SE here for testing. However this command is always my first troublshooting recourse before running Setup and doing a re-install.
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