Term
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Definition
| The collection of central processes requiring the most privilege. Kernel-mode processes are insulated from direct contact and manipulation with devices and users by the Hardware Abstract Layer (HAL). Having the kernel run in a privileged environment allows the operating system to continue operation even when applications or non-critical devices fail. |
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Term
| What is the Device Manager? |
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Definition
The device manager is a system tool that provides a graphical view of the hardware installed on your system & helps you manage & troubleshoot it.
The device manager will also flag and display devices that are conflicting with other devices or resources. |
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Term
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Definition
| A logical grouping of network computers that share a common central directory / database. |
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Term
| What policies override administrative local security policies? |
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Definition
| Domain policies trump local policies. |
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Term
| You must be logged on as a member of the ____________ group to manipulate resource settings in the device manager. |
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Definition
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Term
| List 3 ways to access the device manager in Windows XP Professional. |
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Definition
1) From the run dialogue, type "devmgmt.msc".
2)Right click My Computer > manage > system tools > Device manager
3)Category view Control Panel - Performance & Maintenance > system > Hardware tab > Device Manager button |
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Term
| Define "Plug & Play." (PnP) |
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Definition
| PnP is a function that allows the system to automatically detect the settings for PnP-Enabled devices and arbitrate their (IRQ & DMA resource allocation. requests automatically. |
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Term
| What are Input / Output (I/O) ports and what are their primary function? |
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Definition
| I/O ports are a section of memory that a hardware device uses to communicate directly with the OS. Represented by a hexadecimal #. Device Drivers use I/O ports to locate & access resources. |
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Term
| What are DMA Channels? What is DMA's primary role? What does DMA stand for? |
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Definition
| DMA Channels allow a hardware device to communicate directly with system memory, bypassing the interrupt process completely. This speeds up access to necessary data. DMA Channels are controlled directly by the chipset on the motherboard, or by other devices with their own DMA controller. |
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Term
| How many channels are in a modern PC? |
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Definition
| Their are 8 DMA channels on modern PC's, numbered 0-7. |
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Term
| What are interrupts? Interrupt requests? IRQ's? |
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Definition
| Interrupts are how a hardware device gets the CPU to notice a request for resources. The CPU knows this process as the Interrupt Request (IRQ). |
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Term
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Definition
APIC - Advanced Programmable Interrupt Controllers.
These controllers can have up to 24 IRQ's, controlled directly by XP. This further eliminates hardware resource allocation issues. |
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Term
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Definition
| APM - Advanced Power Management. |
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