IT2105

Task Performance
Processes
Part 1 (3 items x 5 points)
1. Recall the details about the kernel components of a Windows operating system (OS).
Based on the figure below, select three (3) kernel components that you think are the
most significant in terms of process control.

a. I/O Manager: The I/O manager is responsible for handling input and output operations in the
Windows operating system. It manages interactions between hardware devices (such as disk drives and
keyboards) and the OS, facilitating efficient data transfer.

b. Process and Thread Manager: This component handles the creation, scheduling, and termination
of processes and threads. It is crucial for multitasking and ensuring that system resources are allocated
efficiently among running processes.

c. Virtual Memory Manager: The virtual memory manager is responsible for managing the system’s
memory, including paging and ensuring that each process gets its own address space. It helps
efficiently utilize physical memory by swapping data between RAM and disk storage.

2. Give one (1) sample process that can be executed by each kernel component you have
selected. Explain each sample process relative to its corresponding process control

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structure. Perform additional research if necessary.

Figure 1. The internal architecture of Windows operating system.

Source: Operating Systems: Internal and Design Principles 9th ed.,
2018 p. 102

Sample Process: When a user opens a file, the I/O manager handles the read request from the disk to
load the file into memory. It interacts with the file system drivers, reads the requested data from the
disk, and transfers it to the appropriate application. The I/O manager ensures that the operation is
carried out efficiently while maintaining system security and access control.

Sample Process: When a user launches an application, the process and thread manager creates a new
process with its associated threads, allocates memory for it, and schedules it for execution. The
manager oversees its execution, ensuring proper synchronization between threads and handling context
switching.

Sample Process: When the system runs out of physical memory, the virtual memory manager moves
some data from RAM to the page file on the hard drive. This process, called "paging," ensures that
applications can continue running without consuming excessive physical memory, even when the
system is under memory pressure.

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Part 2 (60 points)

Select a computing device or a gadget (i.e., smartphone, tablet, and laptop) that you currently
have access to. Then, answer the following items:

a. What is the operating system of the device? (2 points)

Windows 11

b. What is the total memory capacity (RAM) of the device? (2 points)

8.00 GB

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c. What is the available or remaining memory capacity (RAM) of the device? (2 points)
7.28 GB
d. Enumerate five (5) running application processes in the device. Select applications that
consume high memory utilization. Indicate the memory allocation for each process. (5
items x 2 points)

 Microsoft Teams - 2.13 GB

 Spotify Music - 1.12 GB
 Messenger - 618 MB
 Canva - 500 MB
 Microsoft 365 (Office) - 489 MB
e. Enumerate five (5) running background processes or system processes in the device.
Select processes that consume high memory utilization. Indicate the memory allocation
for each process. (5 items x 2 points)

 svchost.exe (Service Host)

 winlogon.exe (Windows Logon Process)
 explorer.exe (Windows Explorer)
 spoolsv.exe (Print Spooler)
 dwm.exe (Desktop Window Manager)
f. Which has higher memory utilization in your device, the background/system processes or
the application processes? Briefly explain the condition of processes in your device to
support your answer. (Essay: 5 points)

the application processes likely consume more memory than the background/system processes.
Applications such as Microsoft Teams (2.13 GB), Spotify Music (1.12 GB), and Messenger
(618 MB) are known to use significant memory due to their resource-intensive tasks, such as
handling multiple users, streaming media, or managing real-time communication. In comparison,
background/system processes, while necessary for the OS to function, usually consume less
memory, as their operations are lightweight, like managing system resources or handling
background tasks. However, if critical system processes, such as svchost.exe, are involved in
complex tasks, they may use more memory temporarily. Overall, the heavier usage comes from
active applications that users interact with.

g. Give three (3) possible ways to connect your device to other devices. Describe each in one
(1) sentence. (3 items x 3 points)

1.  Wi-Fi: Allows the device to connect wirelessly to a network or the internet, enabling
communication with other devices over the same network.
2.  Bluetooth: A short-range wireless technology used to connect the device to peripherals
such as headphones, keyboards, or other Bluetooth-enabled devices.
3.  USB Cable: Establishes a wired connection between the device and another device (e.g.,
computer), allowing data transfer or charging.
h. Does the process of connecting your device to other devices create new processes? Why
or why not?
(Essay: 5 points)

Yes, connecting your device to other devices often creates new processes. For example, when a device is
connected via USB, the operating system may start processes to handle data transfer, charging, or installing
drivers. Similarly, when connecting via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, the OS may start processes related to network
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communication or device pairing, managing the flow of data between devices, ensuring security, and maintaining
the connection.

i. What are the possible effects of ending (force stop) multiple processes in your device?
Elaborate on your answer. (Essay: 5 points)

Force stopping multiple processes can have several effects. For applications, it can free up memory
and system resources, improving overall performance, especially if the device was running slowly.
However, stopping system-critical processes can lead to system instability or crashes, as these
processes are necessary for the OS to function correctly. Additionally, if user applications are force
stopped, unsaved data may be lost, and any ongoing tasks (e.g., file downloads, message syncing)
may be interrupted, requiring a restart of the application or process.

j. Describe the functionality of your device in the less-privileged mode. (Essay: 5 points)

In less-privileged mode, also known as user mode or guest mode, the device operates with
restricted permissions. Users are limited in their ability to install software, change system settings,
or access sensitive system files. This mode enhances security by preventing unauthorized changes
to the OS, reducing the risk of malware infections or accidental system misconfigurations. Users
can still perform basic tasks, such as browsing the internet, running applications, and accessing
personal files, but cannot make critical modifications to the system.

k. Identify at least two (2) ways on how you can terminate processes in your device and
briefly describe each. (Essay: 5 points)

1. Task Manager: On most operating systems, users can access the task manager (e.g., via
Ctrl + Shift + Esc on Windows) to manually end processes that are consuming too
many resources or are unresponsive. This is an easy and direct way to stop individual
applications or processes.
2. Command Line Interface (CLI): Advanced users can use command-line tools like task
kill on Windows or kill on Unix-based systems to forcefully terminate processes by
their process ID (PID). This method is useful for terminating processes that may not appear
in the task manager or are deeply embedded in system operations.

Note: If you are evaluating a smartphone, you might have to enable the Developer Mode/Developer Options of the device.

Grading Rubric for Essay:

Criteria Performance Indicator Points
Content Correct ideas, concepts, and/or examples were 3
included.
Organization The presentation of ideas was generally organized. 2
TOTAL 5
Note: DO NOT COPY AND PASTE. Students who copy and paste their work from any website or their classmate will automatically receive a failing mark for this assessment task.

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