Define partition? Briefly describe primary and extended partitioning.
Disk partition is a disk management technique. It is the logical division of the hard disk. A hard disk can contain one or more partitions. Partitioning is useful if the user wants to use multiple operating systems.
Types of partitions
Windows usually creates two basic types of partitions. These are as follows:
- Primary partition
Primary partition is a type of partition that can be used as system partition. The system partition contains the hardware-specific files required to load windows-2000.
A primary partition can be created to occupy the entire hard disk or a potion of it. Any hard disk can have a maximum of four partitions. All four partitions can be primary partitions. Each primary partition must be formatted after partitioning. The primary partition should be formatted as a single logical drive only. It cannot be subdivided into multiple logical drives.
- Extended partition
Extended partition is a type of partition that can be further divided into sub-partitions. The sub partitions are known as logical partitions. It is done to use multiple operating systems. A hard disk can have only one extended partition.
The extended partitions can also be formatted to create drives. Any number of drives can be created on an extended partition unlike primary partitions. Each drive can be designated by an alphabet.
The figure shows a hard disk with one primary partition and one extended partition. The extended partition is subdivided into logical drives.
Differentiate the following:
Multi-tasking and multiprocessing
Sing-user and multi-user operating system
1. Multitasking & multiprocessing
An operating system that can execute more than one program at the same time is called multitasking operating system. It can support single user at one time to perform different tasks. It supports the use of single processor. Some examples of multitasking operating systems are UNIX and windows 2000.
An operating system that supports two or more processors running programs at the same time is called multiprocessor operating system. It supports multiple users at one time to perform different tasks. It supports multiple processors. Some examples of multiprocessing operating systems are Linux, UNIX and windows 2000.
2. Single-user & multi-user operating system
An operating system in which only one user can work at a time is called single-user operating system. DOS is an example of single-user operating system.
A multi-user operating system allows multiple users to use the same computer at the same time. Some examples of multi-user operating systems are Linux, UNIX and windows 2000.
Write the procedure for adding new printer.
The procedure for adding a new printer is as follows:
- Open printer’s window by selecting printer’s shortcut from start menu’s settings group.
- Click add printer icon in printers to launch add new printer wizard.
- Click the next button to begin the printer installation process.
- Select the local printer radio button.
- Click the next button to continue.
- Select the port to which your printer is connected in the available ports list.
- Click the next button to continue.
- Scroll down in the manufacturers list and select the manufacturer of your printer. It displays list of printer models.
- Select the model of your printer and click next button. If your printer is not listed, click the Have Disk button and browse to the location of driver files.
- Enter a name of your printer. By default, the system uses the name associated with the printer driver.
- Click the next button to continue. Print test page will appear.
- Select yes to print a test page or no to skip test page.
- Click the finish button to complete the installation.