Introduction To Hardware
The interior of a computer looks very complicated at first glance. When the case is removed there is a mass of bits, cables and components that can intimidate the uninitiated. This lesson will seek to dispense some of the mist … Take lesson
Introduction to Networking
Why use a Network? Quite simply explained we use networks for communication between computers, sharing of data and peripherals. In the business world we use networks for ease of administration and to cut costs. Sharing data example imagine an office … Take lesson
Introduction To Windows
Operating Systems The most important piece of software on any computer is the operating system. The operating system gives the framework upon which all other services and applications run. The majority of home users use a Windows based machine. Most … Take lesson
Managing Files And Folders
A file is a collection of numbers which have been written to your computer’s hard drive. These numbers can be converted into a picture, a sound, text, or a set of instructions for a program to perform certain actions. A … Take lesson
Start Menu
The Start Menu was introduced in Windows 95 and allows for applications to be easily located and launched. As the name implies, The Start menu is the starting point for most tasks in Windows. The look of the Start menu … Take lesson
Desktop and My Documents
The Windows desktop provides a convenient location for storing files and folders. The desktop can contain shortcuts to applications and documents that you access frequently. This lesson is based on Windows XP, but if you understand this you will understand … Take lesson
Server Roles in Windows Server 2003
The term server refers to a machine that is providing a service for other machines, e.g. A computer which shares files on the network would be classed as a file server. For example, A Domain Controller is classed as a … Take lesson
Windows Quickstart Quiz
This quiz covers the the training module “Windows Quickstart”. This module contains seven lessons. Here is a summary of the previous lessons. The first lesson is “Introduction to Hardware“ The second lesson is “Introduction To Networking”. The third lesson is … Take lesson
Windows XP Server 2003 Overview
In September 2001 Microsoft released an upgrade to Windows 2000 Professional called Windows XP Professional. Windows XP comes in four variants, Windows XP Professional, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Media Centre Edition and Windows XP Tablet PC Edition. Unlike … Take lesson
Windows Accessibility in Windows XP
Microsoft Windows supports users with limited sight, hearing or mobility through accessibility options. These facilities include: The Accessibility Wizard The Magnifier Utility The Narrator Utility The On-Screen Keyboard The Utility Manager Use the buttons below to navigate through the lesson … Take lesson
Windows Task Scheduler
Microsoft Windows includes a Task Scheduler utility that allows you to run programs automatically at a specific time and at a set interval. This is useful for scheduling important administration tasks such as Windows Backup. Use the buttons below to … Take lesson
Multi-Language and Regional Support in Windows XP
Windows XP/2003 can support multiple languages. With multiple language support installed documents can be created and read in foreign languages. Use the buttons below to navigate through the lesson Microsoft provides localized editions of Windows XP/2003. For example users in … Take lesson
The Microsoft Management Console (2003)
The MMC utility provides tools for managing system functions, such as Users and Groups, Disk Management and Security Settings. In many respects the MMC resembles an empty toolbox. An administrator can choose which tools it contains, and set up further … Take lesson
Microsoft Licensing
Every Installation of Windows requires a license. You also need a Client Access License (CAL) for all clients that attach to a server over the network. Licenses aren’t required for Internet Information Services (IIS), Telnet and File Transfer Protocol (FTP) … Take lesson
Windows Domains and Workgroups in Windows XP/2003
A Windows 2000/2003/XP Professional machine can be either a member of a Domain or a Workgroup. The full benefits of Windows 2000/2003/XP can only be achieved by placing all of the computers on the network into domains. N.B. In order … Take lesson
Windows Server Quiz
This quiz covers the the training module “Windows Server”. This module contains six lessons. Here is a summary of the previous lessons. This first lesson is “Windows Server Overview“. The second lesson is “Windows Scheduler”. The third lesson is “Multi-Language … Take lesson
Partitions and Volumes
Hard Disks perform a very simple function – to store data and then reliably retrieve it on command. However, before any information can be stored on a hard disk it must be both partitioned and formatted with a file system. … Take lesson
Converting to Dynamic Disks
In order to use a dynamic volume on a Windows XP/2003 system the original basic disk will need to be converted to a dynamic disk. Existing basic partitions on the disk will be upgraded to volumes, however upgraded volumes may … Take lesson
File Systems
Once a partition/volume has been created, it then needs to be formatted with a File System. A File System organises and allows for the retrieval of the data stored on the disk. This mechanism is similar to how office file … Take lesson
Volume Sets
Fault-Tolerance/Redundancy of data and high speed data access are essential requirements in many of today’s businesses. Using dynamic disks in Windows 2003 enables the use of Volume Sets. A volume consists of a part or parts of one or more … Take lesson
Spanned Volumes
Spanned Volumes can make use of any unused drive space on separate drives. Spanned Volumes are not fault tolerant. If one of the disks were to fail the entire volume would be lost with the data along with it. There … Take lesson
Striped Volumes
Striped Volumes are similar to spanned in that they use the space available on both disks and appear to the user as one single volume. There can be 2-32 disks in a striped set. Striped Volumes are supported in both … Take lesson
Mirrored Volumes
Mirrored Volumes store exactly the same information on each drive, making the information on the second drive available for fault tolerance. Mirrored Volumes are supported by Windows Server 2003 but not Windows XP. When files are written to the disk … Take lesson
RAID-5 Volumes
RAID 5 Volumes are similar to striped volumes. However, as well as striping the information across 3 disks it also creates parity information, which can be used to recover lost data in the event of a disk failure. Therefore this … Take lesson
Managing Disks Quiz
This quiz covers the the training module “Managing Disks”. This module contains eight lessons. Here is a summary of the previous lessons. This first lesson is “Partitions and Volumes“. The second lesson is “Converting to Dynamic Disks”. The third lesson … Take lesson
Local Users and Groups
Windows allows for multiple users to log on to a single machine, each user will posses differing access rights to the resources located on the machine. Users and the groups to which they belong form the cornerstone of Windows file … Take lesson
Creating and Configuring User Accounts in Windows XP
To configure user accounts on a local machine the Local Users and Groups console is used. Use the buttons below to navigate through the lesson Click on Start. Right-click on My Computer. Select Manage. The Computer Management Console will appear. … Take lesson
Creating a new user group in Windows XP
To create a new group the Computer Management console is used. Expand Local Users and Groups. Use the buttons below to navigate through the lesson Select Groups. A list of all current groups is displayed. To create a new group … Take lesson
Local Users and Groups Quiz
This quiz covers the the training module “Local Users and Groups”. This module contains three lessons. Here is a summary of the previous lessons. Local Users and Groups Creating and Configuring User Accounts Creating a New Group [mtouchquiz 8] … Take lesson
Shared Folders and UNC Paths
Sharing folders allows users to access resources on other machines on the network. Both machines must have file and print services for Microsoft Networks installed to allow shared folders to be accessed. Only folders, and not individual files, may be … Take lesson