CertiGuide to A+ (Operating Systems)  9  Chapter 0000:  How to Get There       9  II  How Operating Systems Work

Defining the Operating System 1 III  Operating System Features

The Operating System knowledge requirements for A+ certification focus on the most common PC Operating Systems. In prior years, these were MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows 3.1 and Microsoft Windows 95. As of 2001, the computer Operating Systems an A+ certification candidate should be familiar with are:

• DOS
  
  
• Microsoft Windows 95
  
  
• Microsoft Windows 98
  
  
• Microsoft Windows NT
  
  
• Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional

The latest release of Windows for PC desktops, known as Windows XP (available in “Professional” and “Home” versions), has been out for a while. Windows XP questions are currently being incorporated into the A+ OS certification but are not being scored at this time. Similarly, the next release of Windows known as Windows 2003 servers or Windows .NET Server, has not yet been incorporated into the exam as of late 2003.

Just like any other program, to be used, an Operating System has to be installed on your computer.

Sometimes an Operating System is "pre-installed" on a new computer's hard disk; other times, particularly if you are building a computer from parts, you must purchase the Operating System software, and install it yourself.

Either way, the Operating System is the first piece of software installed on your computer, before applications like Microsoft Word, Netscape, Lotus Notes or Quake.

Usually it is provided on CD-ROM media, like any other software package. We'll look at understanding and configuring, or personalizing each of the Microsoft Windows Operating Systems one by one.

Defining the Operating System 1 III  Operating System Features