Subject : CT 21 – Computer Hardware Servicing 1
Module Title #2 : Software
Software – Any aspect of the computer operations that
cannot be physically touched. This includes bits, bytes,
words and programs.
3 General Classes of Software
1. System Software
2. Application Software
3. Games and Learning Software
System Software
- Consists of special used by the system itself to
control the computer’s operation. Two classic
examples are the Basic Input / Output System
(BIOS) and Disk Operating System (DOS).
BIOS – Generally located at the ROM IC hence, referred to
as ROM BIOS.
- A collection of special programs (native
intelligence) permanently stored in one or two ROM
IC’s installed on the system board. These programs
are available to the system as soon as it is powered
up, providing for initialization of smart chips, POST
tests, and data transfer control.
The Steps of a Bootup Process.
1. Phase One – POST (Power-On Self Test)
- BIOS performs a series of diagnostic tests on the
system called POST to verify that is operating
correctly. If any of the system’s basic components
are malfunctioning , tests will cause an error message
or code to be displayed on the monitor screen. And
/or an audio code be output through the system’s
speaker.
a. CPU Test
b. Memory Tests.
2. Phase Two – Initialization (parity check)
- The BIOS program also places starting values in the
systems various programmable devices. These
regulate the operation of different portion of the
computer’s hardware.
a. Initialize system board devices
b. Initialize video controller
c. Initialize I/O controller
3. Phase Three – Bootup
- The BIOS checks the system for a special program
that it can use to load other programs into RAM. This
program is called the Master Boot Record (MBR)
- The Boot record program contains information that
allows the system to load a much more powerful
control program. Called the Disk Operating System
into RAM memory. Once the operating system has
- been loaded into the computer’s memory, the BIOS
give it control over the system.
a. Check Floppy Disk Drive(FDD) for Master Boot
Record.
b. Check Hard Disk Drive ( HDD) for Master Boot
Record
Note: The operation of transferring control of the system
from the BIOS to the operating system is referred to
as booting up the system.
Cold Boot – computer is started from OFF condition
Warm Boot – computer is restarted from the ON condition
(Reset)
CMOS Setup (CMOS Setup Utility)
- A Software setup program used to provide the system
with information about what options are installed. The
configuration information is stored in special CMOS
registers that are read each time the system boots up.
Battery backup prevents the information from being
lost when power to the system is removed.
Special Key Combinations
1. DEL key
2. ESC key
3. F2 key
4. CTRL and ESC key
5. CTRL+ALT+ESC key
Note : If the proper keys are not pressed within a
predetermined amount of time, the BIOS program will
continue within the bootup process.
Typical Menu
 Standard CMOS Setup
 Pnp/PCI Configuration
 Power Management Setup
 Integrated Peripherals Control
 User/Supervisor Password
Warning!!!
Set Values with Caution - The setting in the menu
allow the system to be configured and optimized for
specific functions and devices. Incorrect setup values
can cause the system to fail. The default values are
generally recommended.
Plug-and-Play (PnP)
- Enables the system to automatically determine
what hardware devices are actually installed in the
system and to allocate system resources to the
devices to configure and manage them.
1. PnP device communicate with the BIOS during the
initialization phase to tell the system what type of
device it is, where it is located and its resource
needs.
2. The BIOS stores the PnP information it collects
from the devices in special section of the CMOS
RAM known as the Extended System
Configuration Data (ESCD) area.
3. The BIOS and Operating System both access the
ESCD area each time the system is restarted to see
if any information has changed. They work
together in sorting out the needs of the installed
devices and assigning them needed system
resources.
a. Starup > Firmware
b. What kind of card which slot? > PnP
driver/Name Registry
c. What types OS and Hardware is installed?
d. PnP drivers > Northbridge (PCI Controller)
OPERATING SYSTEMS
- Programs designed to control the operation of a
computer system.
- Acts as an intermediary between nearly as complex
software applications and the hardware they run on.
- Accepts commands from the computer user and
carries them out to perform some desired operation.
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1. Disk Operating System (DOS) – a collection of GAMES AND EDUCATIONAL PACKAGES
programs used to control overall computer operation
in a disk-based system. It also as a bridge between - A program used for leisure and education
the application programs and the computer. Ex. Counter Strike, CABAL, Farmville etc.

3 Distinct Sections Version Numbers

 Boot Files – take over control of the system from
- All types of software are referred to by version
the ROM BIOS during startup.
numbers.
 File Management Files – enable the system to
- When a programmer releases a software program
manage information within itself.
for sale, a version number is assigned to it, such as
 Utility Files – permit the user to manage system
Windows 3.11 or Windows XP.
resources troubleshoot the system, and
- The version number distinguishes the new release
configure the system.
from prior releases of the same software.
- The number to the left of the decimal point is the
2. Graphical User Interfaces (i.e. Windows, Linux,
Mac OS etc.)
major revision numbers, which usually change
- Operating system that employ graphics display to when corrections are made to the program.
represent procedures and programs that can be
executed by the computer.
TYPE OF INTERNET SOFTWARES

Application Software Open Source Software: Open source refers to a

- Programs that perform specialized tasks such as
word processing accounting and so forth.
Types of Application Software
program or software in which the source code (the
form of the program when a programmer writes a
program in a particular programming language) is
available to the general public for use and/or
modification from its original design free of charge.

1. Commercial Application Packages Open source code is typically created as a

2. Programming Language Packages. collaborative effort in which programmers improve
upon the code and share the changes within the
Commercial Application Packages community.
Examples : Mozilla Firefox, VLC Media Player
- These are user-oriented packages that may be
purchased and used directly. Shareware: This software is downloadable from the
 Word Processors – software packages used to create Internet. Licenses differ, but commonly the user is
allowed to try the program for free, for a period
and edit alphanumeric texts, such as letters, memos,
stipulated in the license, usually thirty days.
contracts and other documents.
 Spreadsheets – specialized financial worksheet that
Examples : Winzip and WinRAR
enable the user to prepare and manipulate numerical
information in comparative format.
Freeware: Freeware is also downloadable off the Internet
 Database Management System – are programs that
and free of charge. Often freeware is only free for
enable the user to store and track vast amounts of
personal use, while commercial use requires a paid
related information about different subjects.
license. Freeware does not contain spyware or
 Graphics Programs – enable the user to create non-
adware. If it is found to contain either of these, it is
alphanumeric output form the computer like charts,
reclassified as such.
graphs, artistic output in the form of lines, shapes and
images.
Examples : Flash Player, CCleaner and Winamp
 Personal Productivity Programs (desktop
organizers) – on compasses a variety of programs that
simulate tools found on typical business desks. They
normally includes item such as calculator, notepad,
calendar etc.

Programming Packages
- Because the only language that computers
understand is their own machine language, and
most humans don’t relate well to machine
languages, you will need a piece of system
software to convert whatever language you’re
programming into the machine language.

Two Forms of Programming Packages

1. Interpreters – convert the program as it being
run (executed).
2. Compilers – convert the entire user-language
program into machine code before it is
executed.

Examples:
 Visual Basic, Visual C++, Java SDK, Turbo
C/C++, C#, Visual C#.
 Assembly Language, FORTRAN, COBOL,
QBASIC, PASCAL
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DISK OPERATING SYSTEM (DOS)

DOS System Files

- DOS is a 16-bit (FAT16), text-based interface OS for file
and disk management, now it is integrated as the MS-
DOS Command Prompt application in Windows.
Architecture
To boot, DOS needs three core files and two
configuration files, found in the root directory, loaded by the boot
sector. If any of the three core files are missing, you will get the
error "Missing operating system."
1) IO.SYS is a core, hidden file that contains basic I/O device
drivers and controls the boot process, including loading the
files that follow it
MD – Make (create) a directory
RD – Remove directory/subdirectory
REN – Rename file [old name] [new name]
DEL – Delete files
DELTREE – Delete entire tree (including subdirectories, files, and
directory)
TREE – display the directory structure with all subdirectories
· | more – displays one screen at a time
MOVE – Move files
SYS – Copies the 3 DOS system files to a partition/drive, making

2) MSDOS.SYS is a core, hidden file that contains the DOS kernel it bootable
(the main part of the OS) code. This file is the interface COPY – Copy files and directories [from] [to]
between applications and hardware drivers held in IO.SYS.
(**NOTE** in Windows, this file is a text file, NOT the kernel XCOPY – Directory-level copy (with extra switches)
of the Windows OS) · /S – Copies system files

- CONFIG.SYS is a configuration text file that contains · /E – Copies empty subdirectories as well
commands to load device drivers, memory managers, and · /H – Copies hidden files as well
system hardware configuration settings. These include
DEVICE= and DEVICEHIGH=, for example. · /V – Verifies each file as it is written
DISKCOPY – Copies entire disk
3) COMMAND.COM is a core file that provides the user interface,
sometimes called the shell or Dosshell. It interprets and executes ATTRIB – sets Attributes of a file
what is entered at the command prompt. · +/-R – Read Only
- AUTOEXEC.BAT is a configuration text file that holds a list of
boot DOS commands, like PROMPT $P$G, some TSRs, and the · +/-A - Archive
MSCDEX drive label to read the CD-ROM. · +/-S - System

DOS needs only: · +/-H - Hidden

· IO.SYS VER - Displays the MS-DOS version number
· MSDOS.SYS
· COMMAND.COM SETVER – Displays or updates the current version table
MEM - Displays the amount of used and free memory
Command Prompt Utilities
· /C – will show programs loaded into the first 1MB of memory
You should practice using the following, or at least have an idea (conventional, upper,reserved, extended)
how and when to use them:

· FDISK.EXE CHECKING DRIVES

· FORMAT.EXE
· SYS.EXE
· EDIT.EXE CHKDSK - Checks the disk status and displays a status report (Can
· HIMEM.SYS
· EMM386.EXE fix disk errors)
· SMARTDRV.EXE (for disk caching) · /F – Fixes/Repairs lost clusters/chains
· MSD.EXE
· MSCDEX.EXE (for CD ROM support) SCANDISK - Starts Microsoft Scandisk, a disk analysis and repair
· MEM.EXE tool, that checks a drivefor errors and corrects any problems
· ATTRIB.EXE
· DEFRAG.EXE (also, from within Windows) it finds
· DELTREE.EXE
· EXPAND.EXE
· LABEL.EXE Note: Key in troubleshooting
· SCANDISK.EXE
· SHARE.EXE DEFRAG – defragmentation of a hard drive
· EXTRACT.EXE (for those CAB files)
EDIT – enables editing
Command Prompt Commands and Syntax UNFORMAT – unformats a disk

· /? – Shows all the switches for any given command · /TEST - Lists all the files/directories that would be recovered by

· Wildcards – asterisk and question mark UNFORMAT

o ? - Replaces any single character (eg, ??.sys) UNDELETE – for recovering deleted files,

o * - Replaces any number of characters (eg, *.* finds all files) · Only works if they haven’t been overwritten since their deletion

DIR – Shows the contents of a directory MSCDEX – CD ROM driver support

· /P – Pause after each screen SCANREG – Scans registry

· /W – Wide list format FORMAT – For (re)creating file systems

CD – Changes directories · [drive letter] /S – makes the drive bootable (system)

· \ - Goes to root FDISK – For (re)creating partitions (see below)