Basic of operating systems and installation.

Operating system
OS services
-Manages hardware
-Runs applications
-Provides an interfaces for users
-Retrieves and manipulates files

Windows 9x/ME
-Windows 95,Windows 98,Windows ME
-True operating system

Windows NT
-Two versions of windows NT(New Technology)
  -Workstation for desktops
  -Server to control a network
-Microsoft completely rewrote OS core
  -Totally eliminates DOS core
  -Introduced many new problems
-First Windows OS using bits at a time.

Windows 2000
-Upgrades Windows NT
-Came in several versions

Windows XP
-Integrates Windows 9x/ME and windows 2000
-Two main versions: Home Edition and professional.
-Noteworthy new features: -Allows multiple users to log on simultaneously
                                          -Incorporates Windows Messenger and Media Player
                                          -Adds advanced security, such as Windows Firewall
-Stable
  -Service pack:major update or fix to an OS
  -Patch :minor fix

Windows Vista
-Upgrade from Windows XP
  -Comes in five versions