Start and Shut Down a Computer System

Start a computer system

1. Press the computer’s Power button.

If the monitor is not turned on, press the Power button on the monitor.
2. When the computer has finished booting, it will show a dialogue box that will ask for
a username and password.
3. Enter your username and password, then click “→ ” (the submit button) or press
the Enter key on keyboard.

Shut down a computer system (Windows 10)

Method 1

1. Click the Start icon (at the bottom left corner).

2. Click the Power icon on the main menu.

3. Click Shut down.

Method 2

1. Right-click the Start icon.

 2. Click or hover over Shut down or sign out.
3. Click Shut down.

Log off (or sign out) a computer (Windows 10):

Method 1

1. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del keys at the same time.

2. Click Sign out.

Method 2

1. Click the Start icon.

2. Click the User profile icon.

3. Click Sign out.

Method 3

1. Right-click the Start icon.

2. Click or hover over Shut down or sign out.
3. Click Sign out. (Or click Restart to reboot the computer.)

Start a Program

Start a program or application such as Word, PowerPoint, Paint, etc. (Windows 10)

Method 1

1. Click the Start icon.

2. Click the name of the program that you wish to start (e.g. Word, PowerPoint, etc.).

Method 2
 1. Type the program name in the Search box.
2. Click the name of the program that you wish to start.

Method 3

1. Double-click a program shortcut icon on the desktop. (If the program icon is on the
desktop.)

Method 4

1. Click an open program on the taskbar (the bottom edge of the screen).

Close a Program
Close (exit) a program (close an active open window)

Method 1

1. Click the Close icon (x) in the upper-right corner of the window.

Method 2

1. Click the File, and then click Close.

Method 3

On your keyboard, press Alt + F4 at the same time.

(Always save your document before closing.)

Single User Operating System

Single User Operating System
A single-user operating system is a type of operating system developed and intended
for use on a computer or similar machine that will only have a single user at any given
time. This type of OS is typically used on devices like wireless phones and two-way
messaging devices.

The operating system is responsible for handling many different tasks and is typically
one of the most important programs used on a computer. It manages memory usage
and other resources, hardware connectivity and the proper execution of other
applications. A single task operating system can only run one program or application
at a time. So it is not as useful for a computer or other device intended to run multiple
programs at once.
This is where a multitasking single-user operating system is used instead. A
multitasking OS can run multiple applications and programs at once. This is often used
on computers where someone may want to navigate the internet, run a graphics
editing program, play music through a media playing program, and type in notes in a
simple word processing program all at the same time. A single task OS could not do
this, but the multitasking systems can handle all these processes.

Even though this type of operating system can connect to other computers through a
network, it is still only being used by a single user. As long as the computer only has
one monitor, keyboard and other input devices, then it is a single-user system.

Single User Operating System

A single-user operating system is a type of operating system developed and intended
for use on a computer or similar machine that will only have a single user at any given
time. This type of OS is typically used on devices like wireless phones and two-way
messaging devices.

The operating system is responsible for handling many different tasks and is typically
one of the most important programs used on a computer. It manages memory usage
and other resources, hardware connectivity and the proper execution of other
applications. A single task operating system can only run one program or application
at a time. So it is not as useful for a computer or other device intended to run multiple
programs at once.
This is where a multitasking single-user operating system is used instead. A
multitasking OS can run multiple applications and programs at once. This is often used
on computers where someone may want to navigate the internet, run a graphics
editing program, play music through a media playing program, and type in notes in a
simple word processing program all at the same time. A single task OS could not do
this, but the multitasking systems can handle all these processes.

Even though this type of operating system can connect to other computers through a
network, it is still only being used by a single user. As long as the computer only has
one monitor, keyboard and other input devices, then it is a single-user system.

o This operating system occupies less space in memory.

o It is cost-effective.

2. Sngle-User Multi-Tasking operating system

Single-User Multi-Tasking operating system is developed especially for one user, but
this single user can perform multiple tasks simultaneously. For example, you can write
any text while surfing the internet, downloading images, watching movies, etc., on
Windows, Linux, Mac O/S. It has the following advantages:

o Time-saving.
o High productivity in less time frame.
o Less memory is used for performing multiple tasks.

Features of Single User Operating System

Single user operating system provides the following features to the user, such as:

o It does not use the scheduling process for I/O.

o It uses less scheduling for the users.
o It is only dedicated to single-use.
o It is not intended for several tasks at the same given time.
o It does not use MMU.

Functions of a Single User Operating System

Description and exemplification are the main functions of a single user operating
system. Below are some more functions of single-user OS, such as:

1. Interpreting users commands: It takes the instructions from the user and
passes them on to the rest of the operating system. This is the part of the OS
that the user interacts with to give instructions to the computer. It can be
command-driven, menu-driven or a GUI, which may use a WIMP system.
 2. File management: It controls the organization of backing storage. It uses part
of the disc as a file catalogue, which holds details of where data is stored on the
disc. Files are organized into a hierarchical filing system storing files in separate
directories and subdirectories.
3. Memory management: It controls where programs and data are placed in the
main memory. Many OS's allow more than one program to be in memory at the
same time. Memory management ensures that any program does not overwrite
any other program (including the OS itself).
4. Input/output management: It communicates between the computer system
and the input and output devices. It handles the transfer of data between
peripherals and the CPU.
5. Resource Allocation: The OS allocates resources to other programs such as
applications. For example:
o Scheduler to share processor, e.g. batch, foreground or background,
timesharing.
o Memory management - e.g. Virtual memory paging, swapping memory
contents to hard disc.
o Ensures drivers are given access to hardware devices.
o Mechanisms for accounting; limit enforcement - e.g. no. of pages
printed, file space per user etc.
6. Managing Processes: It controls processes and handles interruptions. The
kernel manages processes (when a program runs, it starts a process, which may
start further processes) and handles interrupts.

Examples of Single User Operating System

There are some operating system examples like DOS, Windows 3x, Windows 95, 97,
98. Also, in mobile phones, Symbian OS is single-user OS.

These systems are also known are single application OS as one application is
concentrated at a time. These systems require fewer resources and can do processing
in a queue. The recurring tasks are performed well in these systems, such as making
payroll or employees' salaries.

Advantages of Single User Operating System

Single-user operating is that in which one user works on one interface. In these
systems, no other operating system is interrupting the processing. Single-user
operating systems work on processing that requires fewer resources. Below are some
more important advantages of single-user OS, Such as:

o Supports one user at a time: In these systems, one user is only active at a time.
So there will be no other user interfering with the applications. And in these
systems, all computer resources are used by user requests.
o Easy to maintain: These systems use fewer resources, and their complexity is
less, making them easy to maintain and debug. Higher resources are needed in
a multi-user operating system, and resources are used most of the time.
o Less chance to damage: These systems include fewer requests to hardware
and software at a time, so they have less chance to damage. These systems do
not make higher load time also.
o Concentrate on one task: In a modern operating system, there are running
multiple tasks at a time. Like many applications and tasks are running
simultaneously, but in single-user OS, only one task runs at a time. So these
systems sometimes give less output result at a time.

Disadvantages of Single User Operating System

Single user operating system also has some disadvantages, such as:

o Tasks take longer to complete: As you know, many tasks are waiting for the
CPU if no multiple tasks run at a time. So these systems respond to processes
at a higher time. This will make the system slow, and response time is higher.
o Idle time is higher: If only one task is running and this task doesn't require
memory or I/O use, these devices remain idle. But other tasks need those
devices. So only one task is run at a time, then other tasks have to wait till the
first task is finished. So CPU, memory and disk I/O are not used properly.

Difference between Single User and Multi-User OS

The difference between single-user operating systems and multi-user operating systems are
given below:

Terms Single User Operating System Multi-User Operating System

Definition A Single-User Operating System is a A Multi-User Operating System is a sys

system in which only one user can that allows more than one user to acce
access the computer system at a time. computer system at one time.
 Bootloader The bootloader loads all the resources The bootloader distributes the resource
of the CPU in the profile of a single the CPU based on the priority of the users
superuser.

Super User A superuser gets all the powers of Superuser does not exist for a multi-
maintaining the system and making operating system as each entity has co
changes to ensure the system runs over their working.
smoothly.

Complexity Single-User Operating System is simple The Multi-User Operating systems

and easy to design. complicated as they have to apply com
techniques to share the resources am
various users.

Performance Only one task at one time gets Schedules different tasks for performanc
performed. any rate.

Example MS-DOS, Windows 95, Windows NT, Mainframes, IBM AS400, Linux &
Windows 2000, Personal Computers, Distributed OS, etc.
etc.

INITIALIZATION AND FORMATTING OF STORAGE DEVICES

Disk formatting is a process to configure the data-storage devices such as

hard-drive, floppy disk and flash drive when we are going to use them
for the very first time or we can say initial usage. Disk formatting is
usually required when new operating system is going to be used by the
user. It is also done when there is space issue and we require additional
space for the storage of more data in the drives. When we format the
disk then the existing files within the disk is also erased.
We can perform disk formatting on both magnetic platter hard-drives
and solid-state drives.
When we are going to use hard-drive for initial use it is going to search
for virus. It can scan for virus and repair the bad sectors within the drive.
Disk formatting has also the capability to erase the bad applications and
various sophisticated viruses.
 As we know that disk formatting deletes data and removes all the
programs installed with in the drive. So it can be done with caution. We
must have the backup of all the data and applications which we require.
No-doubt disk formatting requires time. But the frequent formatting of
the disk decreases the life of the hard-drive.

Figure – Formatting process of disk

1. Low-level Formatting :
Low level formatting is a type of physical formatting. It is the process of
marking of cylinders and tracks of the blank hard-disk. After this there is
the division of tracks into sectors with the sector markers. Now-a-days
low-level formatting is performed by the hard-disk manufactures
themselves.
We have data in our hard-disk and when we perform low-level
formatting in the presence of data in the hard-disk all the data have been
erased and it is impossible to recover that data. Some users make such a
format that they can avoid their privacy leakage. Otherwise low-level
will cause damage to hard-disk shortens the service-life.
Therefore, this formatting is not suggested to users.
2. Partitioning :
As suggesting from the name, partitioning means divisions. Partitioning
is the process of dividing the hard-disk into one or more regions. The
regions are called as partitions.
It can be performed by the users and it will affect the disk performance.
High-level Formatting : High-level formatting is the process of writing.
Writing on a file system, cluster size, partition label, and so on for a
newly created partition or volume. It is done to erase the hard-disk and
again installing the operating system on the disk-drive.

Figure – Steps of High-level Formatting

Firstly High-level formatting clears the data on hard-disk, then it will

generate boot information, then it will initialise FAT after this it will go
for label logical bad sectors when partition has existed.
Formatting done by the user is the high-level formatting.
Generally, It does not harm the hard-disk.It can be done easily with the
Administrator, Windows snap-in Disk Management tool, diskpart, etc.
We can use such a format to fix some problems like errors in the file
system, corrupted hard-drive and develop bad sectors.
"GeeksforGeeks helped me ace the GATE exam! Whenever I had any
doubt regarding any topic, GFG always helped me and made my
concepts quiet clear." - Anshika Modi | AIR 21