Operating Systems - System Information

What are some of the functions of an OS? What components does the OS manage? In this lab you will delve deeper into your computer to see some of the functions of your OS. Included in the Windows OS is a utility that provides detailed information about your system. This utility can often be used if you are having a problem with your system or just need to find some of the specs for your system. The utility that you will use in this lab is called msinfo32.exe. To start the program go to Start > Run and type in msinfo32.

 

  1. What are the major categories listed on the left hand side of the window?
  2. The first screen opens with a system summary displayed on the right panel. Use this screen to provide the following information:
    A. OS Name _________________________ B. System manufacturer________________
    C. Total Physical Memory______________ D. Total Virtual Memory _______________
  3. Expand the Hardware Resources directory and then select Memory. Write down the first Resource value range displayed. This number represents a range of memory space reserved for this device. It is the OS’s task to make sure that no other resources uses this memory space or the system could crash. What type of number is this?
  4. Expand the Components directory.
    A. List three components found in this directory.
    B. What is the name of the video (display) card found on this system?
    C. How many drives does this computer have? How many disks does it have? Explain the difference.
    C. What is the size of the hard disk on this computer?
  5. Choose one other directory to expand and write down one piece of information provided that you can make sense of. Explain what this information means.
  6. Expand the Software Environment section. Click on the Startup Programs and list two of these. Often these programs get installed on your system when you install new software even if you don't want it installed as a startup program. These programs can slow down your system so removing then could improve performance. You should NOT however remove your antivirus program from this list, why not?
  7. How many network connections do you have? List some of the connections.
  8. What are some of the services running on your computer at this instance? List three.
  9. Show your instructor the System Info – Hard Drive information page for teacher check_____________