Maintaining, Optimizing, and Troubleshooting Windows NT, 2000 and XP

1. Maintaining, Optimizing, and Troubleshooting Windows NT, 2000 and XP Chapter 8

2. Overview • In this chapter, you will learn to • Select the proper tools for maintaining and optimizing Windows • Maintain and optimize Windows NT/2000/XP • Troubleshoot Windows NT/2000/XP

3. Tools for Maintaining and Optimizing Windows

4. Microsoft Management Console • Microsoft Management Console (MMC) provides a standardized method to create customized administrative tools called consoles and to save them • MMC does not provide management functions itself – it just hosts management applications called snap-ins

5. Snap-Ins • There are many available snap-ins to add functionality to MMC • Some companies create additional snap-ins Many preconfigured consoles have been already created for you. Check out the System Tools under Start  ProgramsAccessories

6. Adding Snap-ins to MMC • There are many available snap-ins to add functionality to MMC • Some companies create additional snap-ins • To add a snap-in to MMC • Windows 2000: Use the Console menu • Windows XP: Use the File menu • Choose Add/Remove Snap-in…

7. Adding Snap-ins to MMC • You may add as many snap-ins as you wish • Save your newly created console using Save As on the File or Console menu • You may also use the Options choice on the File or Console menu to decide whether uses may make changes to the console User will be unable to make any changes to the console

8. System Information as MMC

9. Event Viewer • Event Viewer enables users to see what’s happening behind the scenes with their OS • To start Event Viewer • Windows 2000: Control Panel  Administrative Tools Event Viewer • Windows XP: Control Panel  Performance and Maintenance Administrative Tools Event Viewer

10. Event Viewer Logs • By default, Event Viewer has three logs

11. Event Viewer Events

12. Event Viewer Settings • To change the maximum log size • Alt-click on any of the log files and choose Properties • While viewing the Properties of any log file, click on the Filtering tab to keep all of the events but to view only a portion of them • When your “Event log is full”, alt-click the log file and choose Clear all Events • You’ll be able to save the log file for later viewing

13. Event Viewer

14. Task Manager • Task Manager provides information about programs and processes running on your computer • Monitor key indicators of your computer’s performance • Interface contains three tabs: Applications, Processes, and Performance • Update by clicking Refresh Now on the View menu • To open press Ctrl-Alt-Del

15. Task Manager

16. Maintaining and Optimizing Windows

17. Windows Update • Microsoft issues updates to Windows on a regular basis to fix problems • Start  Windows Update (in Win2K) • Start  All Programs  Windows Update (XP) • To automate updates, alt-click My Computer under the Start menu and choose Properties, then the Automatic Update tab • Software Update Service (SUS) is a product that network administrators may use to control what updates are pushed down and when

18. Windows Update

19. Windows Update

20. Adding or Removing Software • Installing software • Most programs are distributed on CD-ROMs that make use of the Autorun feature • Or you could use the Add/Remove Programs icon in Control Panel • Removing software • Use the uninstall option that is part of the program • Or go to Control Panel’s Add/Remove Software applet

21. Add/Remove Programs

22. Installing/Adding a Device • Installing new hardware in Windows 2000/XP is the same as in Windows 9x/Me

23. Drivers • Drivers • Drivers tell Windows how to talk to devices • This allows new devices to be added to your computer • Poorly written device drivers can cause a lot of problems

24. Driver Signing • Microsoft issues digital signatures (called driver signing) to devices that have been tested by them at the Windows Hardware Quality Lab • “Designed for Windows 2000” • “Designed for Windows XP”

25. Unsigned Drivers • Many manufacturers issue drivers that have not been signed • When detected during a hardware install, you’ll get the message shown • You are taking a chance when installing unsigned drivers

26. Device Manager • Device Manager may be set up in a MMC • Or Alt-click My Computer  Properties  Hardware tab Device Manager button

27. Adding a PnP Device • Usually Windows you just plug in the device and Windows will find it • If Windows does not detect the device, use the Add Hardware wizard in Control Panel

28. Adding a Printer • To add a printer • Windows 2000: Start  Printers and Faxes Add Printer • Windows XP: Start  Printers and Faxes File menu  Add Printer

29. Adding Non-PnP Devices • Non-Plug and Play devices are called legacy devices • If there is no setup program, use the Add Hardware wizard in Control Panel

30. Managing User Accounts and Groups • A valid user account and password is required to log in to a Windows NT/2000/XP system • Every Windows NT/2000/XP system has an account called the Administrator • An Administrator account has complete access and control to the computer • A Guest account is also created with limited privileges

31. Managing User Accounts and Groups • Each user is a member of one or more groups • Groups enable system administrators to easily assign rights and permissions • All members of the group will inherit the same rights and permissions • Several built-in groups are automatically created • Right-click My Computer and select Manage

32. Users and Passwords Applet • The Users and Passwords applet in Windows 2000’s Control Panel • Allows you to decide whether a user needs to log in or not • Allows you to add, remove, or change the properties of users • Always give users a password for Security reasons • Passwords should be at least 8 characters long • Passwords should contain a mixture of letters and numbers – both upper and lower case • Passwords are case sensitive • Do not use common words for passwords

33. Users and Passwords Applet

34. Managing Users in Windows XP • In Windows XP the Control Panel applet for managing users is called User Accounts • Limited account belongs to the local Users group

35. Optimizing Windows 2000/XP • Windows 2000 and Windows XP come well optimized out of the box • Optimization tasks follow the same basic process as in Windows 9x

36. Performance Options • Performance Options are under the Advanced tab of My Computer Properties

37. Resource Tracking • Resource Tracking tools include • Task Manager • Performance Console

38. Task Manager • To start Task Manager, press Ctrl-Shift-Esc or Ctrl-Alt-Del

39. Performance Console • Performance Monitor contains two utilities • System Monitor snap-in • Track resource use and network throughput • Collect and view real-time data about memory, disk, processor, network, and other activity in graph, histogram, or report form • Performance Logs and Alerts snap-in • Collect performance data from local or remote computers • Configure logs to record performance data and set system alerts to notify you when a value is above or below a defined threshold

40. Performance Console Add counter Value bar Legend

41. Objects and Counters • An object is a system component • A counter tracks specific information about the object • Performance Console includes System Monitor • Shows real-time data on objects • Click the + to add counters for new objects

42. Performance Logs and Alerts • Performance Logs and Alerts allows you to create a written record of anything that happens on your computer • Alt-click Counter Logs and select New Log Settings • Give it a name and then make your choices

43. Disk Defragmentation, Error Checking, and Disk Cleanup • Disk Defragmentation, Disk Cleanup, and Error Checking may be accessed by selecting the Properties of the drive • These are similar to the tools used in Windows 9x

44. Preparing for Problems • Tools to prepare for problems • System Restore • Backup and Restore Wizard • Automated System Recovery • Emergency Repair Disk • Recovery Console

45. System Restore • System Restore enables you to create a restore point, a copy of your computer’s configuration at a specific point in time • To create a restore point • Start  All Programs Accessories System Tools System Restore • A new restore point is automatically created whenever you install new software

46. System Restore

47. Backup and Restore Wizard • Backup enables you to backup and restore your data and files • Backup System State Data backs up the registry and for Windows 2000 Server Active Directory • In addition, there’s a third option • Windows 2000: Emergency Repair Disk (ERD) • Stores a copy of the registry in \WINNT\REPAIR • Windows XP: Automated System Recovery (ASR) • Creates a backup of your system containing the system partition and disks containing the operating system

48. Creating an MS-DOS Startup Disk • Windows XP contains an option to create an MS-DOS Startup Disk • Just go to the Format disk screen

49. Recovery Console • Recovery Console offers a command line interface to help resolve issues like faulty drivers • To install Recovery Console • Run Setup but select Repair and then Recovery Console (lets you run it from the CD) • Or install to your hard drive, run \i386\winnt32 /cmdcons from your Setup CD

50. Troubleshooting Windows