Microsoft Outlook – Email Formats

Ever wonder why your email may automatically format bullet on some occasions and then other times it doesn’t? Or sometimes you can’t insert an image into a message that you are responding to? Well, one reason for these issues is the format that email is being created with. There are three different formats for email messages in Microsoft Outlook: HTML, Plain Text and Rich Text. The HTML format is the most common format for email. This format allows your email messages to have the broadest range of formatting choices, embed pictures and background themes, as well as other options. While HTML is the most common format – you may run into email sometimes that is in another format. Some senders don’t have their email program set to create HTML messages, perhaps because of the larger file size of HTML messages or because their email program cannot create email in the HTML format.
The other two formats, Plain Text and Rich Text formats are more basic and less frequently used. Plain Text only sends numbers and letters. It does not allow for formatting or other frills, but it does ensure that the recipient (even those with less sophisticated email programs) can read your message. The Rich Text format, a combination of the two other formats, is usually only available in Microsoft programs, so you will typically want to choose either HTML or plain text.
To change the format of an email in Microsoft Outlook, click the Format Text tab on the message’s ribbon and choose the desired format from the displayed Format options.
To change the default format for all new messages in Outlook, click the File tab on the ribbon in Outlook and Go to Options. Then click the category for Mail. From there, choose the desired format from the Compose messages in this format field.

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Networking Transmission Media Tips

Transmission media – The pathway that enables computers to send and receive signals to one another

Physical and Wireless media can connect computers in a network.

Physical Media

Types of Cable Signals

Straight-through cable – The eight wires inside of each RJ45 are in the exact same order (use to connect heterogeneous devices)
(Host to Router, Host to Switch and Switch to Router)

Cross-over cable – The wires 1 & 3, 2 & 6, are reversed (use to connect homogenous devices)
(Host to Host, Switch to Switch and Router to Router)

Rollover or Console cable – It is a special cable use for console access to a switch or router.

Types of Physical Cable Media


Twisted Pair  (Solid vs. Stranded)
Twisted Pair Cable uses one or more pairs of twisted copper wires to transmit signals

2 types of twisted pair cables

UTP – Unshielded Twisted Pair (Most common)
STP – Shielded Twisted Pair (Protection against EMI)

Cable, Transfer Speed and Bandwidth                                      
CAT3      
10Mbps                                               
16MHz

CAT4      
4-16Mbps (Token Ring)                    
20MHz

CAT5      
10/100Mbps                                      
100-350MHz

CAT5e    
10/100/1,000Mbps                             
100-350MHz

CAT6      
10/100/1000/10,000Mbps                      
100-500MHz

CAT6a    
10/100/1000/10,000Mbps                      
500-1000MHz

CAT 7     
10/100/1000/10,000Mbps                      
700-1000MHz


CAT cables usually connect to an RJ45 connector
 

Straight Thru-Cable (Heterogeneous Environment)


Cross Over Cable (Homogenous Environment)

1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Transmit+	Transmit-	Receive+	Not used	Not used	Receive-	Not used	Not used

Coaxial
Coaxial cable, commonly called coax, has two conductors that share the same axis.


Coaxial
Thinnet or 10Base2 cost is cheap RG58 wire with 50 Ohms Terminator
Must use a T connector with BNC and last computer on both ends must be terminated
No more than 30 nodes per segment
Nodes must be space 0.5 meters apart

Thicknet or 10Base5 moderate costs RG8 rated at 50 Ohms connects to an AUI or DIX NIC thru a vampire tap
Nodes must be 2.5 meter intervals
No More than 100 Nodes per segment

Use	Type of Coaxial Cable	Termination	Connector
10Base2 (Thinnet)	RG58	50ohmn	BNC
10Base5 (Thicknet)	RG8	50ohmn	AUI/DIX
Cable TV	RG59 (analog) RG6 (digital)	75ohmn	F

Coaxial Cable


Fiber-Optic
Fiber-Optic cable transmits light signals rather than electrical signals.

Most expensive physical media usually use as backbone or a high speed connection

Multi mode Fiber (MMF) - use LED light emitting diode found on most high speed networks use for shorter distances

Single mode Fiber (SMF) - use Laser to transmit signal mostly for longer distances

Fiber Optic Connectors

ST

SC

MTRJ

LC

ST – Straight Tip Connector
SC – Square Connector

SFF (Small Form Factor) Fiber Optic connectors

MTRJ- Mechanical Transfer Registered Jack
LC – Local or Lucent Connector

Advantage:
Speed, Distance, Security and Immune to EMI

Disadvantage:
Cost, Difficulty of installation and Flexibility

Transmission Degradation of Physical Media

Attenuation – Loss of signal as it goes to a transmission media.
Crosstalk – a form of EMI caused by wires to interfere next to each other
Dispersion – applies to fiber optic cables.
Fire Ratings - Plenum (Non Flammable fire rating for cables) vs. PVC Poly Vinyl Chloride

Wireless Media



Radio Waves – use radio signals to communicate, the three types of radio waves are low power, high power and spread spectrum broadcasts.

Microwave Transmission - most popular long distance transmissions found in networks. It uses line-of-sight communication.
Microwave systems consist of 2 radio transceivers: one to transmit and one to receive.  These antennas are usually installed on towers to give them more distance and speeds.

Infrared- uses infrared light to transmit signals. Infrared signals cannot penetrate walls or other thick objects

Satellite - Uses Satellite Technology to transmit signals. (Direct TV)

Install components of wiring distribution

Distribution Frame

MDF stands for Main Distribution Frame and IDF stands for Independent Distribution Frame.

The MDF is the main computer room for connecting servers, switch, routers, DSL's, etc. to reside.

The IDF is a remote room or closet connected to the MDF. In the IDF you can expect to find hubs and patch panels.

Cross connects - A device that allows conductors or channels to be interconnected, either physically or electronically, on a semi-permanent basis. A cross-connect can be in the form of a main distribution frame (MDF), intermediate distribution frame (IDF), or terminal block where wire pairs from cables are mechanically terminated on a punch-down block, with short wire jumpers interconnecting the cable pairs on each side of the block.

A cross-connect is a location within a cabling systems that facilitates the termination of cable elements plus the reconnection of those elements with jumpers, termination blocks, and/or cables to a patch panel and so on. It’s where all the wires come together
Cables that run from communication closets to wall outlets are known as horizontal cables, because there are generally used on the same floor of building.

Backbone cables that connect equipment rooms, telecommunication rooms and other physical termination points are referred to as vertical cables, because they are often from floor to floor in a building.

A patch panel or patch bay is a panel, typically rack-mounted, that houses cable connections. One typically shorter patch cable will plug into the front side, whereas the back holds the connection of a much longer and more permanent cable. The assembly of hardware is arranged so that a number of circuits, usually of the same or similar type, appear on jacks for monitoring, interconnecting, and testing circuits in a convenient, flexible manner.


The 25-pair color code is a color code used to identify individual conductors in a kind of electrical telecommunication wiring for indoor use, known as twisted pair cables. The colors are applied to the insulation that covers each conductor.

The 100-pair color code is another type of wiring use for telecommunications and networking.
A 66 block (also M-Block) is a type of punch down block used to connect sets of wires in a telephone system.

A 110 block is a type of punch block used to connect sets of wires in a structured cabling system.

A demarc (an abbreviation for demarcation point) marks the point where communications facilities owned by one organization interface with that of another organization.
A demarc extension refers to the process of installing additional wiring from the main connection
In telecommunications, a network interface device (NID) is a device that serves as the demarcation point between the carrier's local loop and the customer's premises wiring.

Generically, NIDs may also be called a network interface unit (NIU) or telephone network box. A smart jack is a type of NID which has capabilities beyond simple electrical connection (such as diagnostics). An optical network terminal (ONT) is a type of NID used with fiber-to-the-premises applications.

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Windows XP platforms consist of two versions

Windows XP Notes

Windows XP Professional - OS use in a Client/Server Environment

Windows XP Media Center - OS use in Multimedia Environment

Windows XP Home - OS use in Peer to Peer Environment mostly in found in homes

Windows XP Hardware Requirements

CPU - Any Intel or AMD 233MHz is required the recommended is 300MHz or higher
Memory - 64MB is required the recommended is 256MB
Hard Disk - 2GB is required the recommended is 6.4 GB
Video - VGA is required the recommended is SVGA
Mouse and Keyboard must be present

When installing Windows XP

Install from CD ROM
Install from another Windows OS but install to another directory (dual boot scenario) or upgrade
Install from Network
Automated Installation (Remote Installation, Disk Imaging and Unattended Installation)

Windows XP System Folder C:\WINDOWS

File Systems

FAT -File Allocation Table compatible with DOS and Windows 9x dual boot configuration, excellent on small drives, however no file level security
Windows XP supports both FAT16 and FAT32

NTFS - New Technology File System supports larger partition, allows file and folder level security, protect system resources, supports disk compression, encryption, disk quotas and file ownership

To convert FAT to NTFS the CONVERT command is used:

CONVERT drive: /FS:NTFS or CONVERT volume /FS:NTFS

NTFS Folder permissions

Right click a folder > Sharing > Security

Read - Can only read files and folder (RASH)
Write - Create folder, files, change folder attributes and view folder ownership and permissions
List Folder contents - See the names of files and subfolders in folder
Read & Execute - Read and Execute
Modify - Delete folder, plus perform actions permitted by the write and read & execute permissions
Full Control - Full Control

Share Folder Permissions

Right click a folder > Sharing

Read
Change
Full Control

Windows Setup options

Typical - allows setup to choose standard options
Portable - allows laptops dealing with PC cards and Advance power management
Compact - minimum space
Custom - users have control of the installation process

Advanced Options
Archiving - Backup
Indexing - Index files for fast searching
Compression - Dynamically compressed or uncompressed
Encryption - Secure files
Disk Quotas - Limits the amount of disk space a user may use
Dynamic Drives - Windows XP new drive organization

Logging On to Windows XP
Username - the name that defines a particular individual on the computer
Password - personal identifier that is used to verify the user
Log on to - Log on to Domain or Workgroup

Windows XP Key Boot Files

NTLDR - In the MBR this file boots up the Windows XP operating system

BOOT.INI - Holds information about what OS are installed on the computer

BOOTSECT.DOS - It locates the IO.SYS file so lets you start another OS dual boot environment

NTDETECT.COM - Installs Windows XP into protected mode and also detect the installed hardware on the system

NTBOOTDD.SYS - On a system with a SCSI boot device, this file is used to recognize and load the SCSI interface.

NTOSKRNL.EXE- Windows XP Core Files

WIN.COM - Windows XP command file

HAL.DLL - Hardware Abstraction layer

Desktop settings in Windows XP

My computer icon - Displays all the disk drives and properties settings

Recycle Bin - Where deleted files are stored until complete erased

Windows explorer - Windows XP user interface
Right Click Start>Explore
Start>Programs>Accessories>Windows Explorer

The desktop is a virtual desk upon which of all your programs and utilities will run.

Display properties
Right click desktop > Properties
Start>Settings>Control Panel>Display

Themes - Allows user to set background
Desktop - Use to select a picture or document to display on desktop
Screen saver - Allow you to setup a screen saver on your desktop
Appearance - Use to collect color scheme for your desktop
Settings - Use to set color depth, resolution and monitor configuration settings

System Properties
Right Click My Computer>Properties
Start>Settings>Control Panel>System

General - Contains information about OS version, service packs, updates, User information, license,
serial number, CPU and memory

Computer Name- Contains how to setup a network in Windows XP environment

Hardware - Contains information about Add/Hardware, Driver Signing, Device Manager and Hardware profiles (useful with laptops)

Advanced - Contains information about advance settings such as setting up environment variables, start and shutdown features, virtual memory and user profiles

System Restore - allows XP to restore system

Automatic Updates - allows XP to download updates from Microsoft website

Remote - allows user to connect to a computer by remote access

Device Manager - A graphical view of all the hardware installed in your computer

Device Manager Status

Normal icon - Hardware is operating properly
Yellow exclamation point- Hardware device not configured or its drivers are missing
Red with x or Stop sign icon- means the device has been disabled
Question mark - device drivers has not been loaded or recognized

Start Menu and Taskbar

Taskbar/Start Menu- contains the start menu and the system tray (Taskbar and Start Menu)

Turn Off Computer- Allow you to shutdown, restart or go into standby mode in your computer

Log Off menu - Allow you to log off and have someone else log into your computer

Run menu - Used to start programs if they don't have shortcut in the desktop

Start > Run > EDIT
Command Line Text Editor

Start > Run > NOTEPAD
Windows XP GUI Text Editor

Start > Run > SYSEDIT
Use to modify settings such as the AUTOEXEC.BAT, CONFIG.SYS, WIN.INI and SYSTEM.INI

Start>Run>MSCONFIG
Starts the Windows XP System Configuration Utility (General, System.ini, Win.ini, Boot.ini, Services and Startup)

Start > Run > CMD
Start the command prompt in a windows XP environment

Start > Run > REGEDIT
Starts the Windows Registry

Start > Run > DRWATSON
Starts the Dr. Watson utility useful for taking snapshots of windows XP environment

Start > Run > WINMSD
Starts the System Information Utility in Windows XP

Help and Support menu - Allow you to look for Windows XP help topics

Search menu - Is use to search for files, folders, computer, Internet and people.

Settings submenu - Gives access to your control panel, printer and taskbar/start menu

Document menu - To keep track of the last 15 data files you opened

Programs menu - Contains the programs and applications you will use

Windows Update – Allows your Windows 2000 to update files

Windows XP Management Utilities

Control Panel is the main utility for configuring your computer's setup. You can access the control panel by selecting Start>Settings>Control Panel.

Control Panel Options

Accessibility Options
Allows you to configure options that make Windows more accessible to users with limited sight, hearing and mobility

Add/Hardware
Allows you to install, remove, and troubleshoot your hardware (especially non plug-Plug-play hardware)

Add/Remove Programs
Allows you to change or remove programs that are currently installed in your computer or add or remove windows components

Administrative Tools
Provides Windows XP administrative utilities, including:

Component Services
Computer Management
Data Sources (ODBC)
Event Viewer
Local Security
Performance
Services

Date/Time
Allows you to set date, time and time zone for your computer

Display
Allows you to configure your computer's display, including background, screen saver, appearance, Active Desktop, resolution, colors and visual effects

Folder Options
Allows you to configure folder option, such as general folder properties, file associations and offline files and folders

Fonts
Allows you to manage fonts installed on your computer

Game Controllers
Allows you to add, remove, and configure game controllers, including joysticks and game pads

Internet Options
Allows you to configure Internet Connection properties, security, content settings, and Internet programs

Keyboard
Allows you configure keyboard settings

Mouse
Allows you configure mouse settings

Network Connections and Setup Wizard
Contains settings for network and dial up connections and wizards to create new connections

Phone and Modem Options
Allows you to configure telephone dialing options and modem properties

Power Options
Allows you to configure power schemes, hibernation, APM and UPS options

Printers and Faxes
Allows you to install and manage printers and faxes

Regional and Language Options
Allows you to set regional options, including numbers, currency, time, date and input locales

Scanners and Cameras
Allows you to configure cameras and scanners

Scheduled Tasks
Allows you to configure tasks to be run at specific times or intervals

Sounds and Audio Devices
Allows you to configure sound devices and to assign sound to system events

System
Allows you to configure system properties, including network identification, hardware, user profiles and advanced settings

Taskbar and Start Menu
Allows you to configure the taskbar and the start menu

User Accounts
Provides a simple tool for managing users and passwords

Computer Management
Right Click My Computer>Manage or
Start>Settings>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Computer Management

Computer Management provides a single, consolidated tool for managing common management tasks. The interface is organized into 3 main groups:

System Tools - Provides access for managing your computer

Event Viewer – Utility that tracks information about your hardware and software
Performance logs and alerts – Use to configure logs of performance related files and charts
Shared Folders – Utility use to manage shared folders
Device Manager – Utility use to manage your devices
Local users and groups – Utility use to create local users and groups

Managing windows XP User Accounts

Built-in-accounts
Administrator - Is considered God in computer networking has full control rights over the network
Guest - Limited privileges

Local vs. Domain users

Local rights - only to the particular workstation
Domain rights - global rights anywhere within the Domain

Default Local Groups
Administrators - full permissions and privileges
Backup Operators - permission to backup and restore files
Guest - limited privileges
Network Configuration Operators Group - have some admin rights to manage computers
Power Users - less permission than an administrator
Remote Desktop User - Remote desktop administration
Replicator - supports directory replication
Users - end users with limited system access
Help Services - support the computer through the Microsoft Help Services


System Tools

Backup
Backup and Restore Files (Not found in XP home)

Types of Backup

Full Backup - A full backup copies everything

Incremental Backup - An incremental backup is faster to perform than a full backup because it records changes made to files since they were last backup (whether that last backup was full or incremental) Using a system of incremental backups, a user might perform a full backup once each week, with daily incremental backups recording the progressive changes to files
Differential Backup - A differential backup records all the changes made since the last full backup.

Disk Cleanup
A utility, which goes through the system and deletes, unneeded files to free up disk space

Disk Defragmenter
A utility use to make your drives contiguous

Files and Settings Transfer Wizard
Use to transfer files and settings from an old computer to a new computer that came with XP

Maintenance Wizard
Sets up a system maintenance plan

Scheduled tasks
Enables to run tasks automatically

System Information
Finds information on the hardware and software installed in your PC

System Restore
Monitors your computer for changes and creates a restore points that can be used to restore
the computer to a previous configuration

Troubleshooting in Windows XP

System Partition Errors

NTLDR missing or corrupt
Can't find NTDETECT.COM Unable to read BOOT.INI

Boot Partition Errors
Usually get an error reading on screen
Solution is to reboot to last know good configuration or use the recovery console and repair the error

F8 Boot Menu

Safe Mode - Troubleshooting tool that loads basic drivers
Safe Mode with networking - Safe mode with basic network support
Safe Mode Command Prompt Only - Safe mode in command prompt
Enable Boot Logging - Option log found in a file called NTBTLOG.TXT Enable VGA Mode - Boots Windows XP with only standard VGA driver
Last Known Good Configuration - Provides a great way to recover from bad installation and restores from previous state
Debugging Mode - Advanced boot logging

Windows Troubleshooting errors

General Protection Fault - When a memory overwrites another memory
Windows Protection Error - When the virtual device drivers did not load during startup
Illegal Operation - You performed an operation that windows did not like
System Lock up - Memory or to many programs are being used
Blue Screen of Death - Hardware, Device drivers and system being overloaded

Registry

The Registry is a database that the operating systems uses to store hardware and software settings centrally in a hierarchical database

To access the registry
Start>Run> REGEDIT

Data in the Registry

NTOSKRNL.EXE
Device Drivers
User Profiles
Setup Programs
Hardware Profiles
NTDETECT.COM
Components that makeup the registry

Subtree (HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE and HKEY_USERS)
Keys (are analogous to folders and subfolders)
Entries (has three parts: name, data type and value)
Hive (a discrete body of keys, subkeys, and entries)
Data types (REG_DWORD, REG_SZ and so on)

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5 Tips to Stay Healthy If You Sit at a Computer All Day

Desk jockeys aren’t athletes, but they still need to stay fit

 It might be due to the darkness that accompanies shorter days, or the invasion of warmer, comfier clothes into the winter workplace, but now is the time when long hours, slouching, slumping, and straining dominate the office. Clean up your act around the computer, before bad habits lead to poor health.

Here are five ways to make sure your computer desk doesn’t become the death of you.

1. Give your monitor a second look.

If your screen is planted directly on your desktop, it’s time to ask management for a raise — for your computer’s display. According to Dr. Jim Sheedy, director of the Vision Performance Institute at Pacific University, the top of your the screen should be level with your eyes. The ideas is to get the eyes looking down about 10 degrees. If it’s any lower or higher, computer users will adapt to it by moving their head. If your screen is to low, your head points down, causing neck and back aches. High displays, meanwhile, contribute to dry eye syndrome.

See the 10 Healthiest Cities to Live in America

 

 

 

Colin Anderson—Blend Images/Corbis

Honolulu, Hawaii Best Place for Lifelong Health The heavenly climate helps, but the key to well-being here also includes enviable health care and a rich cultural tradition of looking out for one another.

1 of 10

2. Poor posture? Take it on the chin.

Poor posture is something that every office-based employee should consider throughout their day. Most people sitting at a computer get drawn into the screen, which means they crane their necks forward. This imbalance puts strain on the neck and spine. It’s like holding a bowling ball with one hand, says Dr. James Bowman, of Portland, Ore.-based Solutions Chiropractic. If your arm is vertical underneath, it puts less strain on the muscles, but lean that ball forward and your muscles have to compensate to keep it aloft. Sitting at a desk, that bowling ball is actually our head, so Bowman recommends chin retractions, or making a double chin, to keep the neck and spine lined up underneath.

“It’s probably the most effective single exercise you can do for the upper back and neck,” he says.

3. Stand up for yourself.

The modern workplace was built around the concept of sitting, but humans’ ability to stand goes back millions of years. Buck the trend of the office era with a standing desk — or, if that’s too radical, a sit-stand workstation. According to research out of the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Clinic, sit-stand workstations helped workers replace 25 percent of their sitting time with standing up, which can increase their sense of well being and decreased their fatigue and appetite. The   can go from 26-inches to 51-inches at the push of a button, lifting up to 350 pounds of whatever’s on your desk—including multiple monitors.

“I definitely feel healthier standing while working as it causes me to be more focused on my posture and ‘hold’ myself better in terms of my stomach and shoulders especially,” says Dan McCormack, who uses a Jarvis Desk at his home office in Austin, Texas.

4. Move it or lose it.

But why stand when you could walk? Many offices around the country are getting wise to treadmill desks, which can help workers burn 100 calories more per hour over sitting, according to 

“The most important thing is to switch it up and work in different positions throughout the day,” says Emily Couey, Eventbrite’s vice president of people. The online event ticketing service offers multiple workspace options including traditional sitting desks, standing desks, and treadmill desks, which Couey says “people love, because it allows them move while they work — especially those with fitness trackers counting their daily steps.”

5. Pace yourself.

All work and no play makes Jack a bad employee. Whether it’s on their phone in the bathroom or on the computer in their cube, everyone takes sanity breaks to check their Facebook or read some news. The  e even encourages this kind of behavior by breaking tasks into “pomodoros,” intense 25 minute work bursts, followed by five-minute breaks.

Named because they can be measured using little tomato-shaped kitchen timers (Pomodoro is Italian for tomato), this method lets people work intensely and stave off distraction, yet rewards them with time to goof off, as well. If you don’t have a tomato timer handy, there are a lot of apps online to keep track of your sessions. But Francesco Cirillo, the technique’s founder, recommends using the real deal.

“You have to be able to actually wind it up,” Cirillo says in his book, The Comodoro Technique. “The act of winding up the Pomodoro is a declaration of your determination to start working on the activity at hand.”

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Windows OS Installation Notes

Windows 7 Requirements

CPU                     
1GHz (32bit) 2GHz (64bit)

RAM                      
1GB (32bit) 2GB (64bit)

Disk Space            
16GB (32bit) 20GB (64bit)

Video                    
Direct X9 with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Media                     
DVD ROM

Windows 7 Versions

Starter, Home, Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise

Windows Vista Requirements

CPU                     
800MHz

RAM                      
512MB

Disk Space            
15GB or 20GB

Video                    
Direct X9 with WDDM 1.0 or higher driver

Media                 
DVD or CD ROM

Windows Vista Versions

Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Ultimate and Enterprise

Windows XP Requirements

CPU                      
233MHz or 1.6GHz for Windows XP Media Center

RAM                      
64MB or 256MB for Windows XP Media Center

Disk Space            
2GB for both OS

Media                   
CD ROM or DVD ROM

Windows XP Versions

Home, Professional and Media Center

OS Boot methods

CD/DVD ROM
USB
PXE

Installing Windows
Attended Installation with disk (Full Version or Clean Install)
Attended Installation (Upgrade Version)
Multi-boot Scenario
Virtualization (VMware, Virtual PC, Hypervisor)
Network Installation (push vs. pull) RIS (Remote Installation Service)
Disk Imaging (Sysprep or Norton Ghost)
Unattended Installation
Makeboot disk installation

System Folder
Windows 8, 7, Vista and XP (C:\WINDOWS)
Windows 2K and NT (C:\WINNT)

Windows XP Setup Options
Upgrade vs. New Installation (Advanced)

Windows Vista/7/8 Setup Options
Upgrade vs. Custom (Advanced)

File Systems

FAT16 -File Allocation Table 16bit compatible with all Windows OS
excellent on smaller hard drives
2GB limit per partition
waste a lot of space so it is only good on a 16bit environment

FAT32- File Allocation Table 32bit excellent on OS using a 32bit environment, more reliable and can support larger partitions.
Every OS supports FAT32 except (Windows NT 4.0, DOS and Win 95 OSR1)

NTFS - New Technology File System supports larger partition, Allows file security, protect system resources, supports compression, encryption, disk quotas and file ownership

NFS- Network File System use in a UNIX/Linux OS Environment

HPFS- High Performance File System use in an IBM/OS 2 Environment
OS File System Support
DOS – FAT16
Windows 95 OSR1-FAT16
Windows 95 OSR2-FAT16, FAT32
Windows 98, 98SE, ME – FAT16, FAT32
Windows NT 4.0 – FAT16 and NTFS
Windows 2K/XP/Vista/7/8 – FAT16, FAT32 and NTFS
UNIX and Linux – NFS

Pre OS installation Utilities

Backup (Normal (Full), Differential, Incremental, Copy, Daily)
File and Setting Transfer Wizard (XP) or Windows Easy Transfer (Vista/7)
User State Migration Tool (XP)
HCL (Hardware Compatibility List)
Upgrade Advisor (XP or Vista)

HOW TO CREATE A START UP DISK (emergency disk, repair disk, boot disk, recovery disk etc.)

What happens when your computer has a problem so severe it won’t boot?  Often times, you will need an emergency or boot disk to repair and restore your computer so that it would boot up properly.

Windows Vista/7 (System Repair Disc)

Start>Control Panel>Backup and Restore> Create a System Repair Disc>Insert Disk>Follow Directions

Windows XP (ASR) Automated System Recovery

Start
Programs
Accessories
System Tools
Backup
Advanced mode (click on this link)
Automated System Recovery Wizard
Insert Floppy Disk as needed
Follow directions and finish

Partition Drives – Create and divide units of a hard drive

Partition Utilities

OS installation Disk, FDISK, Delpart, Diskpart, Disk Management or PQ Magic

FDISK Main Menu (Create, Active, Delete and Display)

Basic Disk
C is primary partition
Extended partition is the total drive space minus the primary partition
Logical partition is D-Z

Dynamic Disk
Simple Volume
Spanned Volume
Mirror Volume
Stripe Volume
Raid 5 Volume

Format – High level formatting is the command use to make drives and partition usable (Quick vs. Full Format)

Disk Management
Drive Status
Mounting
Assigning Drive letters
Adding Drives
Assigning Partitions

Installation Checklist

• OS Installation
• Drivers (MMDOC)
• Antivirus
• Antispyware
• Firewall
• IDS (Intrusion Detection System) IPS (Intrusion Prevention System)
• Utilities
• Applications
• Updates (NT SP6, 2K SP4, XP SP3, Vista SP2 and 7 SP1)
• Common Sense

Installing Windows 7
Insert and Boot up to DVD Windows 7
Input the Language, Time, Date, Currency Format and Keyboard Settings
Accept the License Terms
Select Custom or Upgrade Installation
Select Where to Install Windows 7
Type Username and a computer name
Type Password
Enter Product Key
Configure Windows 7
Set Time, Date and Zone
Set the computer location (home, work or public network)
Windows 7 is now installed

OS Boot Files

DOS	Windows XP	Windows Vista/7
IO.SYS – A binary file that provides basic input/output interface between the ROM BIOS and the Hardware MSDOS.SYS – A binary file considered to be the core of  the DOS operating system CONFIG.SYS –  A text file used to load drivers, memory managers and use to configure the system to the user’s needs COMMAND.COM – DOS user interface loads the command prompt which interprets DOS commands AUTOEXEC.BAT – A text file that contains setting up display settings, environment variables and routines	NTLDR - In the MBR this file boots up the Windows  operating system BOOT.INI - Holds information about what OS are installed on the computer BOOTSECT.DOS - It locates the IO.SYS file so lets you start another OS dual boot environment NTDETECT.COM - Installs Windows into protected mode and also detect the installed hardware on the system NTBOOTDD.SYS - On a system with a SCSI boot device, this file is used to recognize and load the SCSI interface. NTOSKRNL.EXE- Windows 2000/XP Core Files WIN.COM - Windows  command file (CMD) HAL.DLL - Hardware Abstraction layer	BOOTMGR – Found in the MBR this file boots up the Windows operating system BCD (Boot Configuration Data) - is text file that lists the available OS found and tells the BOOTMGR where to find boot partition WINLOAD.EXE- Loads the Windows Interface NTOSKRNL.EXE- Windows Vista/7 Core Files WIN.COM - Windows  command file HAL.DLL - Hardware Abstraction layer

Explain the purpose of client-side virtualization
Purpose of Virtual Machines
Resource requirements
Emulator requirements
Security requirements
Network requirements

Hypervisor or virtual machine manager is a piece of computer software, or hardware that creates and runs virtual machines

Operating System – Software that runs and manages your computer

DOS, Windows 9x (95/98/ME), Windows NT, Windows 2K, Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, Windows 8
UNIX, Linux and  MAC OS X Mountain Lion, Lion, Snow Leopard and Leopard



GUI – Graphical User Interface vs. Command Line OS
32bit vs. 64bit

Windows Environment (Desktop, Start Menu, Taskbar, Toolbar, Notification Area, and System Tray)
Windows Vista/7 (Aero, Flip 3D, Desktop Gadgets, UAC User Account Control, Shadow Copy, Ready Boost, Compatibility Mode, Category View, File Structure, Jump List, Libraries, Security, Network Sharing Center, Home Group)

Username - A unique user logon name that is assigned by an administrator
Password - personal identifier that is used to verify the user
Log on to - Log on to Windows Locally or Domain
Windows XP/Vista/7 (Supports Authentication Security called Kerberos)

Security Dialog Box (Windows XP)
You can access the Security Dialog Box by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Del

Lock Computer - Allows you to secure the computer without logging off
Log Off - Allows you to log off as the current user and close all running programs
Shut down - Allows you to shut down your computer
Change password - Allows you to change your user account password
Task manager - Manages task of your computer that are running in the background
Cancel - Close the Windows Security dialog box
Security Dialog Box (Windows Vista/7) Ctrl + Alt + Del

Lock This Computer
Switch User
Log Off
Change a Password
Start Task Manager
Cancel
LFN- Long file name Support
Windows supports up to 255 characters

cannot use the following characters in a windows naming scheme

/ \ forward and backward slashes
? Question mark
< > Greater than and less than
: Colon
* Asterisk
" " Quotation marks
| Pipe character

PnP - The ability of a device to run without user intervention
3 things needed in order to be PnP

PnP BIOS - Any BIOS made after 1995 are typically PnP
PnP OS – Any Microsoft OS is PnP capable except (Windows 95 OSR1, Windows NT and DOS)
PnP Device - Any Device made around 1996 are typically PnP (Not PnP is called Legacy Devices

Double Click on My computer or Computer icon

Like Windows Explorer, My Computer is used to manage files and folders on your computer and on any storage devices attached to your computer.  You can also access other Windows tools, such as Control Panel, using My Computer, which you can open by double-clicking the My Computer icon on the desktop in Windows 9x, and Windows 2000.                                                                       

Recycle Bin - Where deleted files are stored until complete erased

Windows explorer - Windows user interface

Right Click Start>Explore
Start>Programs>Accessories>Windows Explorer
Start>All Programs>Accessories>Windows Explorer (Normal View XP/Vista/7)

Windows Vista	Windows XP	Windows 7
Windows Color and Appearance – use to set color and aero appearance Desktop Background - Use to select a picture or document to display on desktop Screen Saver- Allow you to setup a screen saver on your desktop Sounds – Sets sound configuration Mouse Pointers – sets mouse configuration Theme – Sets themes Display Settings – Use to set color depth, resolution and monitor settings	Themes - Allows user to set Themes Desktop - Use to select a picture or document to display on desktop Screen Saver - Allow you to setup a screen saver on your desktop Appearance - Use to collect color scheme for your desktop Settings - Use to set color depth, resolution and monitor configuration settings	My Themes Aero Themes Basic and Contrast Themes Desktop Background Windows Color Sounds Screen Saver

Taskbar - contains the start menu and the system tray

Right Click Taskbar>Properties

Windows XP	Windows Vista	Windows 7
Taskbar Start Menu	Taskbar Start Menu Notification Area Toolbars	Taskbar Start Menu Toolbars

System

Right Click My Computer>Properties
Start>Control Panel>System
Start>Settings>Control Panel>System

System Properties Windows XP                                                         


System Properties Windows Vista/7

Windows XP

Windows Vista/7

General - Contains information about OS version, service packs, updates, User information, license, serial number, CPU and memory Computer Name- Contains information on how to setup a network in a Windows XP environment Hardware - Contains information about Windows Update, Driver Signing, Device Manager and Hardware profiles (useful with laptops) Advanced - Contains information about advance settings such as setting up environment variables, start and shutdown features, virtual memory and user profiles System Restore - Allows XP to restore system (12% of the disk is set by default) Automatic Updates - Allows XP to schedule updates from a Microsoft website Remote - Allows user to connect to a computer by remote access

View basic information about your computer (Windows Experience Index) 1 up to 7.9 Device Manager Remote Settings System Protection Advanced System Settings Computer Name Hardware Advanced System Protection Remote

Device Manager Errors:  Exclamation point and question mark (problem usually drivers and configuration problem) and red x (disable) needs to enable device or connect device could also be a conflict
Description Codes in the Device Manager

Code 1    Device not configured properly
Code 3    Driver Corrupted
Code 10   Device cannot start
Code 12   Device has resource issues
Driver Signing: Ignore, warn and block
Hardware Wizard: Use for installing legacy devices
User Profiles: Computer name/user 3 types of user profiles: local, roaming and (mandatory with server only)
Pagefile.sys (Virtual Memory should be 1.5 times as big as your memory)

Start Classic menu (Right Click Taskbar>Properties>Start Menu>Classic Start Menu) No Classic Start Menu in 7
Windows XP    Windows 7
Normal Start Menu (XP/Vista/7)

XP	Vista/7
My Documents My Recent Documents My Pictures My Music My Computer My Network Places Control Panel Printers & Faxes Help and Support Search Run All Programs Start (Log Off and Shut Down)	User Documents Pictures Music Games Recent Items Computer Network Connect To Control Panel Default Programs Help and Support All Programs Search Address Bar Start (Shut Down and Lock Computer icons)

Run Menu commands

Windows XP

Windows Vista/7

Start>Run>NOTEPAD GUI Text Editor Start > Run > EDIT Command Line Text Editor Start > Run > MSCONFIG The system configuration utility Start > Run > CMD Start the command line interface in a windows environment Start > Run > DRWTSN32 Starts the Dr. Watson utility useful for taking snapshots of windows environment Start>Run>WINMSD or MSINFO32 Starts the XP System Information Utility Start > Run > REGEDIT Starts the Windows Registry Start > Run > SYSEDIT System Configuration Editor Start>Run>MMC Microsoft Management Console Start>Run>GPEDIT.MSC Group Policy Editor Start>Run>SERVICES.MSC Start Services Start>Run>DEVMGMT.MSC Start Device Manager Start>Run>DXDIAG Direct X Diagnostic Tool Start>Run>COMPMGMT.MSC Start Computer Management Start>Run>CONTROL Start Control Panel Start>Run>SIGVERIF Signature Verification Start>Run>MSTSC Remote Desktop Connection

Start>Run>NOTEPAD GUI Text Editor Start > Run > EDIT Command Line Text Editor Start > Run > MSCONFIG The system configuration utility Start > Run > CMD Start the command line interface in a windows environment Start > Run > DRWATSON Starts the Dr. Watson utility useful for taking snapshots of windows environment Start>Run>MSINFO32 Starts the Windows Vista System Information Utility Start > Run > REGEDIT Starts the Windows Registry Start > Run > SYSEDIT System Configuration Editor Start>Run>MMC Microsoft Management Console Start>Run>GPEDIT.MSC Group Policy Editor Start>Run>SERVICES.MSC Start Services Start>Run>DEVMGMT.MSC Start Device Manager Start>Run>DXDIAG Direct X Diagnostic Tool Start>Run>COMPMGMT.MSC Start Computer Management Start>Run>CONTROL Start Control Panel Start>Run>SIGVERIF Signature Verification Start>Run>MTSC Remote Desktop Connection

Control Panel Options
Control Panel contains programs that you use to configure the Windows operating system or the computer’s hardware.  Below, we list the most commonly used Control Panel programs.

Start>Settings>Control Panel or Start>Control Panel


Control Panel Windows XP

Control Panel Windows Vista

Control Panel Windows 7
Accessibility Options (XP)
Allows you to configure options that make Windows more accessible to users with limited sight, hearing and mobility
Action Center (Windows 7)
Add Hardware (XP and Vista)
Allows you to install, remove, and troubleshoot your hardware (especially non plug-Plug-play hardware aka Legacy)
Add/Remove Programs (XP)
Allows you to change or remove programs that are currently installed in your computer or add or remove windows components
Administrative Tools

Provides Windows XP/Vista/7 administrative utilities

Computer Management, Device Manager, Users and Groups, Local Security Policy, Performance Monitor, Services, System Configuration, Task Scheduler, Component Services, Data Sources, iSCSI initiator, Performance Monitor, Print Management, Windows Memory Diagnostics, Windows Firewall and Advanced Security
Auto Play (Vista/7)
Automatic Updates (XP)
Backup and Restore Center (Vista/7)
Bit Locker Drive Encryption (Vista/7 Ultimate)
Color Management (Vista/7)
Date/Time
Allows you to set date, time and time zone for your computer
Default Programs (Vista/7)
Desktop Gadgets (Windows 7)
Device Manager (Vista/7)
Device and Printers (Windows 7)
Display
Allows you to configure your computer's display
Ease of Access Center (Vista/7)
Folder Options
Allows you to configure folder option, such as general folder properties, file associations and offline files and folders
(View hidden files, hide extensions, general options and view options)
Fonts
Allows you to manage fonts installed on your computer
Gaming/Game controllers
Allows you to setup your joystick and game pads
Getting Started (Windows 7)
Home Group (Windows 7)
Indexing Options (Vista/7)
Internet Options
Allows you to configure Internet Connection properties, security, content settings, and Internet programs
(Connections, Security, General, Privacy, Programs, Advanced)
iSCSI Initiator (Vista/7)
Keyboard
Allows you configure keyboard settings

Licenses
Allows you to configure licenses
Location and other sensors (Windows 7)
Mail
Allows you to setup your email
Mouse
Allows you configure mouse settings
Network Connections (XP)
Network & Sharing Center (Vista/7)
Notification area icons (Windows 7)
Offline Files (Vista)
Parental Controls (Vista/7)
Pen & Input Devices (Vista)
People near Me (Vista/7)
Performance Information and Tools (Vista/7)
How to speed your PC performance
Personalization (Vista/7)
Phone and Modem Options
Allows you to configure your phone and modem settings
Power Options/Management
Allows you to configure power options/management settings
(Hibernate, Power plans, Sleep/suspend, standby and UPS)
Printers and Printers and Faxes (Windows Vista/XP)

Problem Reports and Solutions (Vista)
Program & Features (Vista/7)

Recover Manager (Vista) Recovery Center (7)
Remote Applications and Desktop Connections (Windows 7)
Regional Options/Regional Language Options
allows you to set regional options, including numbers, currency, time, and date and input locales
Scanners and Cameras
Allows you to configure your scanners and digital cameras
Schedule Tasks
Allows you to schedule tasks for your computer
Security Center
Sound (Vista/7) Sounds/Audio Devices (XP)

Speech\Speech Recognition Options (XP and Vista/7)

Sync Center (Vista/7)
System
Allows you to configure system properties, including device manager, hardware profiles, and performance settings
Tablet PC Settings (Vista)
Taskbar and Start Menu (XP and Vista/7)

Text to Speech
Troubleshooting (Windows 7)

User Accounts (XP/Vista/7)
Allows you to set up users and set passwords
Welcome Center (Vista)
Windows Card Space (Vista/7)
Windows Defender (XP and Vista/7)
Windows Firewall (XP/SP2 and Vista/7)

Windows Mobility Center (Windows 7)
Windows Sidebar (Vista)
Windows Sideshow (Vista)
Windows Update (Vista/7)
Right Click My Computer >Manage
Computer Management

Computer Management Windows XP
Right Click My Computer>Manage or

Start>Settings>Control Panel>Administrative Tools>Computer Management
Computer Management provides a single, consolidated tool for managing common management tasks. The interface is organized into 3 main groups
System Tools - Provides access for managing your computer

Task Scheduler – Schedules Task (Vista/7 only)
Event Viewer – Utility that tracks information about your hardware and software
Performance logs and alerts – Use to configure logs of performance related files and charts
Shared Folders – Utility use to manage shared folders, sessions and open files)
Device Manager – Utility use to manage your devices
Local users and groups – Utility use to create local users and groups
Performance – Use to analyze performance of computer (Windows 7 only)
Reliability and Performance – checks performance and reliability of Vista (Vista only)
Storage - Provides access to managing your computer disks and storage devices

Disk Management – Utility use to manage your disks
Disk Defragmenter – Utility use to analyze and defrag your hard drives
Removable Storage – Utility that provides info about your removable storage devices
Services and Applications - Provides access to services, WMI and indexing services
WMI Control - Windows Management Instrumentation Control
Services – List all the services that your computer can run
Indexing Service – Use to create and index based on the contents of files stored in your PC
Managing windows XP/Vista/7 User Accounts
Built-in-accounts

Administrator - Is considered the highest in computer networking has full control rights over the network
Guest - Limited privileges

Local rights - only to the particular workstation
Domain rights - global rights anywhere within the Domain
Default Local Groups (9 Default Groups in XP and 14 Default Groups Vista/7)

Administrators - full permissions and privileges
Backup Operators - permission to backup and restore files
Guests- limited privileges
Power Users - less permission than an administrator
Replicator - supports directory replication
Users - end users with limited system access
Network Configuration Operators Group - have some admin rights to manage computers (XP/Vista only)
Remote Desktop User - Remote desktop administration (XP/Vista only)
Help Services - support the computer through the Microsoft Help Services (XP only)
Cryptographic Operators – supports cryptography (Vista)
Distribute COM users  - com users(Vista)
Event Log Readers – able to read event logs (Vista)
IIS_IUSRS  - for web servers(Vista)
Performance Log Users  - checks performance logs (Vista)
Performance Monitor Users  - checks and monitors performance(Vista)

MMC - Microsoft Management Console

MMC Windows XP
A Microsoft Management Console is the console framework for management applications.
Start> Run>MMC
MMC Console Modes
Author mode - Allows use of all MMC functions
User Mode-full access - Allows users full access to windows management commands, but they cannot add or remove snap-ins
User Mode- limited access - Allows user to create new windows, but can only access areas of the console tree that were visible when the console was last saved
User Mode - limited access, single window - Allows users to access only areas of the console tree that were visible when the console was last saved, but they cannot create new windows

Communications and Maintenance


Start>Programs>Accessories>Communications (Windows XP)

Start>All Programs>Maintenance (Windows Vista/7)

Windows XP

Windows Vista/7

Hyper Terminal connects to another computer Network Connections connects to other computers, networks and the Internet Network Setup Wizard allows you to setup a network at home or small office New Connection Wizard allows you to setup Internet connection, private and home or small office Remote Desktop Connection allows you to connect to a remote location Wireless Network Setup Wizard allows you to setup wireless

Backup and Restore Create a system repair disc Help and Support Windows Remote Assistance

System Tools
Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools (XP)
Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools (Vista/7)

Windows XP

Windows Vista/7

Backup Backup and Restore Files and ASR Character map Disk Cleanup a utility, which goes through the system and deletes, unneeded files to free up disk space Disk Defragmenter a utility use to make your drives contiguous Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Use to transfer files and settings from an old computer to a new computer that came with XP Scheduled tasks Enables to run tasks automatically System Information Finds information on the hardware and software installed in your PC System Restore Monitors your computer for changes and creates a restore points that can be used to restore the computer to a previous configuration

Backup Status  Configuration Backup and Restore Character map Computer Contains information about your computer Control Panel Contains Control Panel Settings Disk Cleanup a utility, which goes through the system and deletes, unneeded files to free up disk space Disk Defragmenter a utility use to make your drives contiguous Internet Explorer Web Browser System Information Finds information on the hardware and software installed in your PC System Restore Monitors your computer for changes and creates a restore points that can be used to restore the computer to a previous configuration Task Scheduler Enables to run tasks automatically Windows Easy Transfer Use to transfer files and settings from an old computer to a new computer that came with Vista

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Types of Printers

Printer - A device that prints text or illustrations on paper. There are many different types of printers. In terms of the technology utilized, printers fall into the following categories:

Dot matrix: A type of impact printer that produces characters and illustrations by striking pins against an ink ribbon to print closely spaced dots in the appropriate shape. Dot-matrix printers are relatively expensive and do not produce high-quality output. However, they can print to multi-page forms (that is, carbon copies), something laser and ink-jet printers cannot 

Dot Matrix Printer Manufacturers include Epson, Okidata and Brother

Dot-matrix printers vary in 3 important characteristics:

Speed: Given in characters per second (cps), the speed can vary from about 50 to over 500 cps. Most dot-matrix printers offer different speeds depending on the quality of print desired.

Print quality: Determined by the number of pins (the mechanisms that print the dots), it can vary from 9, 18 or 24pins. The best dot-matrix printers (24 pins) can produce near letter-quality type, although you can still see a difference if you look closely.

Ink: Dot Matrix Printer use ribbon for ink

In addition to these characteristics, you should also consider the noise factor. Compared to laser and ink-jet printers, dot-matrix printers are notorious for making a lot of noise.

Ink-jet: A type of printer that works by spraying ionized ink at a sheet of paper. Magnetized plates in the ink's path direct the ink onto the paper in the desired shapes. Ink-jet printers are capable of producing high quality print approaching that produced by laser printers. A typical ink-jet printer provides a resolution of 600 dots per inch, although some newer models offer higher resolutions.

Ink Jet Printer Manufacturers include Canon, Epson, HP and Lexmark

Speed: Given in Pages per Minute (PPM) the higher the PPM the more pages they can print. Most ink-jet printers offer different speeds depending on the quality of print desired.

Print quality: Determined by the DPI Dot Per Inch Example 2440 x 1220 DPI (Vertical and Horizontal DPI) The higher the DPI the better in terms of print quality.

Ink: Ink-Jet Printers use Ink Cartridges (hidden cost)

In general, the price of ink-jet printers is lower than that of laser printers. However, they are also considerably slower. Another drawback of ink-jet printers is that they require a special type of ink that is apt to smudge on inexpensive copier paper.

Because ink-jet printers require smaller mechanical parts than laser printers, they are especially popular as portable printers. In addition, color ink-jet printers provide an inexpensive way to print full-color documents.

Laser: A type of printer that utilizes a laser beam to produce an image on a drum. The light of the laser alters the electrical charge on the drum wherever it hits. The drum is then rolled through a reservoir of toner, which is picked up by the charged portions of the drum. Finally, the toner is transferred to the paper through a combination of heat and pressure. This is also the way copy machines work.

Laser Printer Manufacturers include HP, Lexmark, Xerox

Speed: Given in Pages per Minute (PPM) the higher the PPM the more pages they can print. Most ink-jet printers offer different speeds depending on the quality of print desired.

Print quality: Determined by the DPI Dot Per Inch Example 4880 x 2440 DPI (Vertical and Horizontal DPI)

Ink: Laser Printers use Toner Cartridges

Laser Printer Parts

• Toner Cartridge Components
• EP Photosensitive Drum
• Erase Lamp
• Primary Corona Wire
• Toner
• Transfer Corona
• Fuser
• Power Supplies
• Turning Gears
• Motherboard
• Ozone Filter
• Sensors
• Switches

Because an entire page is transmitted to a drum before the toner is applied, laser printers are sometimes called page printers. There are two other types of page printers that fall under the category of laser printers even though they do not use lasers at all. One uses an array of LEDs to expose the drum, and the other uses LCD's. Once the drum is charged, however, they both operate like a real laser printer.

One of the chief characteristics of laser printers is their resolution -- how many dots per inch (dpi) they lay down. The available resolutions range from 300 dpi at the low end to 1,200 dpi at the high end. By comparison, offset printing usually prints at 1,200 or 2,400 dpi. Some laser printers achieve higher resolutions with special techniques known generally as resolution enhancement.

In addition to the standard monochrome laser printer, which uses a single toner, there also exist color laser printers that use four toners to print in full color. Color laser printers tend to be about five to ten times as expensive as their monochrome siblings.

Laser printers produce very high-quality print and are capable of printing an almost unlimited variety of fonts. Most laser printers come with a basic set of fonts, called internal or resident fonts, but you can add additional fonts in one of two ways:

Font cartridges: Laser printers have slots in which you can insert font cartridges, ROM boards on which fonts have been recorded. The advantage of font cartridges is that they use none of the printer's memory.

Soft fonts: All laser printers come with a certain amount of RAM memory, and you can usually increase the amount of memory by adding memory boards in the printer's expansion slots. You can then copy fonts from a disk to the printer's RAM. This is called downloading fonts. A font that has been downloaded is often referred to as a soft font, to distinguish it from the hard fonts available on font cartridges. The more RAM a printer has, the more fonts that can be downloaded at one time.

In addition to text, laser printers are very adept at printing graphics. However, you need significant amounts of memory in the printer to print high-resolution graphics. To print a full-page graphic at 300 dpi, for example, you need at least 1 MB (megabyte) of printer RAM. For a 600-dpi graphic, you need at least 4 MB RAM.

Because laser printers are no impact printers, they are much quieter than dot matrix. They are also relatively fast, although not as fast as some dot-matrix printers. The speed of laser printers ranges from about 4 to 20 pages of text per minute (ppm). A typical rate of 6 ppm is equivalent to about 40 characters per second (cps).

Laser printers are controlled through page description languages (PDL's). There are two de facto standards for PDL's:

PCL: Hewlett-Packard (HP) was one of the pioneers of laser printers and has developed a Printer Control Language (PCL) to control output. There are several versions of PCL, so a printer may be compatible with one but not another. In addition, many printers that claim compatibility cannot accept HP font cartridges.

PostScript: This is the de facto standard for Apple Macintosh printers and for all desktop publishing systems.

Most software can print using either of this PDL's. PostScript tends to be a bit more expensive, but it has some features that PCL lacks and it is the standard for desktop publishing. Some printers support both PCL and PostScript.

The 6 steps laser printing process

NOTE * easy way to remember this is CLEAN CARS WILL DRIVE TO FAST

1. Cleaning – The Photosensitive drum is cleaned before it can take on a new image

2. Conditioning or Charging – To make the drum receptive to new images, it must be charged. The EP drum is given a negative charge by the primary corona wire around -600 and -1000 volts

3. Writing - A laser beam is use to write to the EP drum causing dots on the drum to lose some of the negative charge
and become relatively positive charge

4. Developing - A toner is transferred from the toner cylinder to the EP drum by attracting the area of the drum that has a
Relative positive charge

5. Transferring - The transfer corona wire puts a highly positive charge on the paper once the paper has a positive charge
the negatively charge toner particle leaps from the drum into the paper

6. Fusing - The compression roller and fusing roller press and melts the toner into the paper the fuser gets very hot

Other Types of Printers

Photo Printer – Is a type of printer use for printing photographs.

Dye-Sublimation Printer – Is a type of printer which employs a printing process that uses heat to transfer dye to a medium such as a plastic card, printer paper or poster paper.

Thermal Printer- Is a type of printer that produces a printed image by selectively heating coated thermo chromic paper, or thermal paper as it is commonly known, when the paper passes over the thermal print head. The coating turns black in the areas where it is heated which then produce an image.

All-in-One Printer - A printer than can also do scanning, fax and make copies

Plotter - A large device use to print large posters and documents

3D Printer - Prints 3D objects

Wireless Printer (WiFi, Bluetooth and Infrared)

Types of Printer Cables

USB – Standard USB Printer Cable speed is around 12Mbps.

Parallel – IEEE 1284 Standard Cable speed is around 1.5 to 2.77Mbps

IEEE 1284 standard supported the following:

Supports 5 modes of operation (Compatibility, Nibble Mode, Byte Mode, EPP and ECP)

Supported a standard physical interface
Supported impedance and termination
Supported a standard method of connecting a host PC and peripheral device

Serial – RS232 Standard Printer Cable speed is around 57Kbps

Printer Connections

Network, or commonly Ethernet, connections are commonplace on network laser printers, though some other types of printers do employ this type of connection. Generally, network printers are designed to be shared using a central file/print server, though you can share them off a workstation in a “workgroup” environment.

RJ45

Parallel is the original standard for printers and a lot of basic printers still rely on the parallel port connection. A parallel (also called LPT port) sends and receives data simultaneously, transmitting data in parallel. Parallel uses a DB25 connection on the computer side and an oddly shaped 36 pin connection on the printer called the centronics port.

Parallel Port

Centronics

USB, or Universal Serial Bus, is a very common connector type for personal printers being sold today. USB is sold as the next generation of standard ports for computers. USB allows mice, keyboards, scanners, printers, most peripherals to connect to a computer. It supports up to 12 Mbps transfer rate and is hot swappable.

USB_A
USB_B

Infrared is not very commonly used. An Infrared acceptor allows your devices (laptops, PDAs, Cameras, etc) connect to the printer and send print commands via infrared signals.
Serial allows your printer to connect to your computer via the serial port.

Firewire is a high speed connection commonly referred to as IEEE1394, its “standard”. Though not specifically mentioned in the preparation outline for the exam, you should be aware that a printer may connect via Firewire. Firewire is a high speed connection typically used for digital video editing or other high bandwidth requirements.

6pin Firewire port

Wireless connection such as Bluetooth is also popular for connecting printers in a network environment

An HP Jet direct (or Printer Server Box) is a device which allows a non-networkable printer to be networked. For example, we have an Epson color inkjet printer in our office which has a standard parallel port connection on it. The Jet Direct box allows the printer to be connected into our network and allows the printer to be shared off of our file/print server

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