The document outlines the administrative tools and features available at Edmonds Community College, focusing on system configuration and task management. It describes key functionalities such as MSConfig and Task Manager, highlighting their role in controlling PC behavior, monitoring performance, and managing active processes. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of caution when modifying startup settings, particularly in Windows XP.

1. Administrative
tools and
features II.

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Instructor, PACE-IT Program – Edmonds Community College
Areas of expertise Industry Certifications
 PC Hardware
 Network Administration
 IT Project Management
 Network Design
 User Training
 IT Troubleshooting
Qualifications Summary
Education
 M.B.A., IT Management, Western Governor’s University
 B.S., IT Security, Western Governor’s University
Entrepreneur, executive leader, and proven manger
with 10+ years of experience turning complex issues
into efficient and effective solutions.
Strengths include developing and mentoring diverse
workforces, improving processes, analyzing
business needs and creating the solutions
required— with a focus on technology.

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PACE-IT.
– System Configuration.
– Task Manager.

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Administrative tools and features II.

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Administrative tools and features II.
– System Configuration.
» This tool is also known as MSConfig.exe.
» A very powerful administrative tool that allows the user
and/or administrator to control the behavior of the PC.
– How to access.
» Located under Administrative Tools in the Control
Panel.
» Type “msconfig.exe” from a run or search box.
– User and Administrator are presented
with five tabs to choose from.
» General.
» Boot.
» Services.
» Startup.
» Tools.

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Administrative tools and features II.
General.
Basic configuration.
Batch file that instructs the PC on
what to do and what to load upon
boot request.
Boot.
What to boot and how.
Tells the PC where to boot from on
the next power up and how the boot
will occur (safe boot?). Particularly
useful in dual-boot systems.
Services.
Lists what services are
available right now.
Involves a snapshot in time. Shows
the status of the service. Because
not all services can be accessed
from here, the Services applet will
provide more options.

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Administrative tools and features II.
Startup.
Determines what is
automatically loaded.
Representation of a batch file that
tells the PC what applications and
services to load at boot up. For
modification to take effect, a reboot
is necessary.
Tools.
Quick link to common
tools.
Tab grants access to certain tools.
These tools can be accessed by
other methods as well.
Bonus.
Use caution when
modifying Startup in XP.
Modifying the Startup process can
improve boot times and
performance, but use care.

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Administrative tools and features II.

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Administrative tools and features II.
– A useful system tool.
» Provides a wealth of information about the system.
» Allows for instantaneous control over the system.
– How to access.
» Ctrl + Alt + Delete.
» Ctrl + Shift + Escape.
» Right click on the Windows taskbar and select the Task
Manager option.
– Versions.
» While the task manager tool has evolved over the years
from operating system to operating system, it functions
approximately the same in each OS. Note: the screen
shots in this presentation are from a Windows 7 machine,
so yours may look different.

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Administrative tools and features II.
Applications.
List of programs that
are actively running.
Shows all current active (or not so
active) programs. The End Task
button will force close a highlighted
program.
Processes.
List of processes that
are currently running.
Very useful in determining which
processes are over-utilizing the CPU
or overly consuming RAM
resources.
Services.
List of recent services
and what the state is.
Very similar to the Processes tab,
but only for services.

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Administrative tools and features II.
Bonus.
Services vs. Processes.
A service runs in the background
with no user interaction (commonly
called a daemon). A process is an
instance of an executable program.
Performance.
A visual reference to
current performance.
Allows you to evaluate CPU and
RAM utilization. Grants access to
the resource monitor (not available
in XP).
Networking.
A visual reference for
wired and wireless usage.
Gives the user a visual of how much
of the system’s available network
bandwidth is being utilized.

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Administrative tools and features II.
– Users
» Displays users currently logged onto the PC.
• See which users are currently active on a given node.
» If Fast User Switching or Remote Desktop Connection
are being used, then more than one user may be
present.
» Windows WorkGroups also allow for concurrent
connections.

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Administrative tools and features II.
This tool is also known as MSConfig.exe. It establishes the boot-up
behavior of a PC. It also provides quick link access to some systems tools.
Use caution when modifying XP’s startup file.
Topic
System Configuration.
Summary.
A powerful tool in the technician’s hands. It provides a great deal of
information about the system’s performance and health. It allows you to see
which applications, processes, services, and users are active on the
machine.
Task Manager.

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THANK YOU!

15. This workforce solution was 100 percent funded by a $3 million grant awarded by the
U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration. The solution was
created by the grantee and does not necessarily reflect the official position of the U.S.
Department of Labor. The Department of Labor makes no guarantees, warranties, or
assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including
any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the
information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability
or ownership. Funded by the Department of Labor, Employment and Training
Administration, Grant #TC-23745-12-60-A-53.
PACE-IT is an equal opportunity employer/program and auxiliary aids and services are
available upon request to individuals with disabilities. For those that are hearing
impaired, a video phone is available at the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD)
office in Mountlake Terrace Hall 159. Check www.edcc.edu/ssd for office hours. Call
425.354.3113 on a video phone for more information about the PACE-IT program. For
any additional special accommodations needed, call the SSD office at 425.640.1814.
Edmonds Community College does not discriminate on the basis of race; color; religion;
national origin; sex; disability; sexual orientation; age; citizenship, marital, or veteran
status; or genetic information in its programs and activities.