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To complete this lab, you may copy and paste the questions to an editable file to answer them, or Download the lab in .doc format.

Please submit this lab to ite-instructors@ciscovision.org upon completion.

5.4.8 Optional Lab: Managing System Files with Built-in Utilities in Windows 7

Introduction

In this lab, you will use Windows built-in utilities to gather information about the system and to troubleshoot system resources. You will also learn how to export and import registry settings.

Accessibility Notes: If you are a screen reader user you do not have to complete the checklist of visual Direct X tests. The registry portion of this lab is optional.

Recommended Equipment

The following equipment is required for this exercise:

A computer running Windows 7

Step 1

Log on to the computer as an administrator.

To add Run to the Start menu right-click Start > Properties. Select Start Menu tab then click Customize….

Scroll down until you see the Run command. Click in the box next to Run command. Click OK.

Click Apply > OK to close the “Taskbar and Start Menu Properties” window.

Open the command prompt by clicking Start > Run > type cmd > click OK.

What is the drive path shown?

Type help and press Enter.

What is the command to change directory?

What is the command to display the contents in a directory?

Type cd .. and press Enter.

What is the drive path shown?

Change back to original drive path. Example: Type cd John and press Enter.

What is the drive path shown?

Type dir /? and press Enter. If asked, Press any key to continue.

Which switch displays a wide list format?

Type dir and press Enter.

Type dir /w and press Enter.

What is the difference between these two commands?

Type VOL. What is the volume name for drive C?

Close the Command prompt window.

Step 2

Open System Information by clicking Start > Run > type msinfo32 > click OK.

Click the plus sign next to Hardware Resources, Components, and Software Environment. Expand the window so you can see all the content.

Under the System Summary heading locate and list the following:

Processor BIOS Version/Date Total Physical Memory

Under the Hardware Resources heading locate and list the following:

DMA channels and the device using the resources.

I/O address range for these devices. Printer Port (LPT1) Communications Port (COM1) Communications Port (COM2)

IRQ address for these devices. System timer Communications Port (COM1) Communications Port (COM2)

Under the Components heading and Software heading look around to see what information is provided in these areas.

Close the System Information window.

Step 3

Open System Configuration by clicking Start > Run > type msconfig > click OK. Note: It is very important that you do not make any changes in this utility without instructor permission.

Click the General tab if it is not already active. What are the startup options?

Click the Boot tab. This tab is for modifying boot options.

Click the Services tab. This tab lists the computers services and there status.

Can you enable and disable services at this tab?

Click the Startup tab. This tab lists the programs that are automatically loaded every time you turn on your computer.

Click the Tools tab.

What can you do in this tab?

Click Cancel to close the “System Configuration” window.

Step 4

Open the DirectX Diagnostic Tool by clicking Start > Run > type dxdiag > click OK. If you are asked to have DirectX check driver signatures click No.

Note: When the DirectX Diagnostic Tool first opens, it may take a minute to load all information. Your DirectX Diagnostic Tool may not appear exactly as shown in this lab.

Make sure the System tab is active. What does this tool report?

Click Next Page until you are at the Display tab.

What information is listed on this page?

Click Next Page until you are at the Sound tab.

What information is listed on this page?

Click Next Page until you are on the Input tab. What information is listed on this page?

Click Exit.

Step 5

Open the “Choose your desktop background” page in Personalize appearance and sounds by right-clicking the desktop >

Personalize > Desktop Background.

What is the Background picture?

Click the Picture location drop-down button and select Solid Colors. Select a blue color.

Click Save changes.

The computer screen should now have a blue background. If not ask the instructor for assistance.

Step 6

Open the Registry Editor by clicking Start > Run > type regedit > click OK. If the “User Account Control” window appears click Yes. Note: Do not make any changes in the Registry Editor without instructor permission.

Click the HKEY_CURRENT_USER icon. To search for the desktop Background key click Edit > Find > type Background > click Find Next.

The Background value is located. Leave this window open.

In which folder is the Background located?

What is the data value of the Background (hint – it has three numbers that correspond to red, green, and blue)? Answers may vary based on the shade of blue selected in Choose your desktop background.

Step 7

We will now export the HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Colors folder. In the left pane, click the Colors folder.

Click File > Export. Save the file to the Desktop with the name BlueBKG.

At the desktop, right-click the BlueBKG.reg icon > Edit.

What is the data value of the Background? Answers may vary based on the shade of blue selected in Display Properties.

Close the BlueBKG.reg – Notepad window.

Step 8

Open the “Choose your desktop background” page in Personalize appearance and sounds by right-clicking the desktop >

Personalize > Desktop Background.

Click the Location drop-down button and select Solid Colors. Select a red color.

Click Save changes.

In a few seconds, the desktop will turn to red.

Click the Registry Editor window so it is activated. On your keyboard press F5 to refresh the Registry Editor window.

What is the data value of the Background? Answers may vary based on the shade of red selected in Display Properties.

Step 9

We will now import BlueBKG.reg file.

Click the Registry Editor window so it is activated.

Click File > Import. Locate and click the BlueBKG.reg icon then click Open.

Click OK.

Click the Registry Editor window so it is activated.

What is the data value of the Background? Answers may vary based on the shade of blue selected in Display Properties.

What is the color of the desktop?

Restart the computer.

What is the color of the desktop?

Reset Display Properties Background to the original settings (hint – see Step 5).