Procedures in Using Computer System Configuration Tools

As a future computer technician you must be diligent and eager to know

the different procedures in using the tools for computer system configuration.
This will help and guide you to carry out a particular job in a proper manner.
Once you already identify them, you must also acquire the necessary and
appropriate skills to apply them in actual situations.

This part of the module present some of the required procedures in

computer system configuration. Take note that you need to exert extra effort in
finding out some procedures which are not in this module. This is your chance
to explore and learn through your own experience.

The subsequent sections below present the various procedures in using

Computer System Configuration Tools:

1. Accessing and using Microsoft System Configuration

Click on Start Button
In the Search Box, type Run
In the Run window, type msconfig, and press Enter.

Figure 10. General Tab of Microsoft system configuration

 2. Accessing and using Regedit:
Click on Start Button

In the search box, or Run window, type the following:

regedit and then press Enter.

Figure11. Registry Editor Window

Using the Registry Editor

The Registry Editor (regedit.exe) is included in Windows to enable you
to view and edit the contents of the Registry. When you open the Registry
Editor, you will see a window divided into two panes. The left side shows a tree
with folders (see Structure of the Registry above), and the right side shows the
contents (values) of the currently selected folder (key).

To expand a certain branch, click on the littleplus sign [+] on the left of
any folder, or just double-click on the folder.

click the desired key, and
To display the contents of a key (folder), just
look at the values listed on the right side.

You can add a new key or value by selecting New from the Edit menu.

You can rename any value and almost any key with the same method
used to rename files; right-click on an object and clickrename, or click
on it twice (slowly), or just press F2 on the keyboard.

Lastly, you can delete a key or value by clicking on it, and pressing
Delete on the keyboard, or by right-clicking on it, and choosing Delete.

Caution: Using regedt32.exe or regedit.exe incorrectly might cause

configuration problems that may require you to reinstall the operating
system.

3. Accessing and Using Direct X Diagnostic

You can test Microsoft DirectDraw and Direct3D on each monitor
attached to your system. You can also test DirectSound on each wave output
device, and DirectMusic on each music port.

To run the DirectX Diagnostic Tool (DX Diagnostic Tools Window of

Windows XP differs from Windows 7 but it does the same function):
Click on Start Button, type Run on the search box.
On the Run window, Type in dxdiag and click Ok or press Enter,
as shown in Figure 9, Run Dialog Box.

Figure12. Run Dialog Box

Next you will see a new window with various tabs.

 Figure13. System Tab of DX Diagnostic Tool

version of DirectX installed on your computer.

The System tab shows information about your computer and displays the

The DirectX Files tab shows the file name and the version number for
each DirectX file installed on your computer. It also shows the file names
running under DirectX.
and the version numbers of other files that are used by games that are

The Display tab lists your current display settings, and allows you to
disable DirectDraw, Direct3D, and AGP Texture Acceleration. You can
also test DirectDraw and Direct3D from the Display tab which will
indicate that the DirectX Graphics runtime files are installed and
operating correctly. It will also display your device's available memory
and can tell you if your video driver has passed Microsoft's Windows
Hardware Quality Labs testing standard. The DirectX Diagnostic Tool,
however, cannot report memory that is in use at the time that it starts
and you
may see less memory reported than your video card actually
has.
 Figure14. Display Tab of DX Diagnostic Tool

The Sound tab displays your current audio settings and allows you to
test DirectSound. It will tell you if the audio driver are signed, meaning
that it has passed Microsoft's Windows Hardware Quality Labs testing
standard. The Hardware Sound Acceleration Level slider is used to
correct audio glitches that might be caused by some audio drivers. You
can adjust the slider settings and see if it provides better results in your
application. Be sure not to lower it too much or you may disable some
audio features of your system. If the tool detects a problem with your
sound settings, a warning message is displayed in the Notes box.

The Music tab displays your current MIDI settings, and allows you to
test the DirectMusic component of DirectX. Click on the Test DirectMusic
button to perform the test. If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a
with DirectMusic, a warning message is displayed in the Notes
problem
box.
 Figure15. Sound Tab of DX Diagnostic Tool

The Input tab lists the input devices connected to your computer such as
USB and PS2 devices. It also displays the input drivers installed on your
computer. If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with an input
input device driver, a warning message is displayed in the
device or an
Notes box.
 Figure16. Input Tab of DX Diagnostic Tool

The Network tab lists the registered DirectPlay Service Providers. These
are the connection methods that DirectPlay will operate across. A registry
problem here can normally be resolved by reinstalling DirectX. A registry
error here can normally be resolved by removing and reinstalling that
application. If the DirectX Diagnostic Tool detects a problem with a
DirectPlay Service Provider or Application, a warning message is displayed
in the Notes box.

The More Help tab allows you to further troubleshoot problems that the
other tabs could not resolve. Features include the DirectX troubleshooter,
sound troubleshooter, system information tool and the override tool which
will override DirectDraws refresh rate.
Windows Registry Backup and Recovery

Directions: In this activity you will back up a computer registry. You will
also perform a recovery of a computer registry. The registry is also
called System State data. You will be given 1 hour to accomplish this
activity.

Recommended Equipment:
A computer system running Windows XP is required for this
exercise.

Procedures:
Step 1

Log on to the computer as yourself.

Click Start > Run.

Type ntbackup and then click OK. The Backup or Restore
Wizard window appears.

Figure 17. Backup or Restore Wizard

Step 2

Click Advanced Mode.

The Backup Utility window appears.
 Figure 18. Backup Utility Window

Step 3

Click Backup Wizard.

The Welcome to the Backup Wizard window appears.

Figure 19. Backup Restore Wizard Window

Step 4

Click Next.

Click the Only back up the System State data radio button.
 Figure 20. Choose Only backup system state data

Step 5

Click Next.

The Backup Type, Destination, and Name window appears.

Figure 21. Backup Type Destination, and Name Window

Step 6

Click Browse.

If you are asked to insert a disk into the floppy disk drive, click

Cancel.

The Save As dialog box appears.

Figure 22. Save As Dialog Box

Step 7

Click the My Documents icon on the left side of the Save As dialog
box.

Click Save.

The Backup Type, Destination, and Name window re-appears.

Step 8

Click Next.

The Completing the Backup Wizard appears.
 Figure 23. Completing the Backup Wizard Window
Step 9

Click Advanced.

The Type of Backup window appears.

Figure 24. Type of Backup Window

The default backup type is Normal. If available, make sure that
Backup Migrated Remote Storage Data is not checked.

Step 10

Click Next.

The How to Backup window appears.
 Figure 25. How to Backup Window
Step 11

Click the Verify Data After Backup check box, and then click
Next.

The Backup Options window appears.

Figure 26. Backup Options Window

Step 12

Click Replace the existing backups, and then click Next.

The When to Back Up window appears.
 Figure 27. When to Backup Window
Step 13

At the When To Back Up window, click Now and then click Next.

The Completing the Backup Wizard window appears.

Figure 28. Completing the Backup Window

Step 14

Click Finish.

The Backup Progress window appears.
Figure 29. Backup Progress Window

The Backup Progress window indicates that the backup is complete.

Step 15

Click Report.

The Notepad application window appears containing the report.

Close Notepad.

In the Backup Progress dialog box, click Close.

Close the Backup Utility.

Step 16

Click Start >Run.

Type regedit in the open field. The Registry Editor window appears.

Figure 31. RegEdit Window

Step 17

Expand the HKEY_CURRENT_USER Registry Key.

Expand the Control Panel Registry Key.

Expand the PowerCfg Registry Key.

Right-Click the Screen Saver. Stars Registry Key.

Click Delete.

Click File > Exit in the Registry Editor window.

Browse to the My Documents folder and locate the backup.bkf file.

Double-click the backup file to bring up the Backup Utility Wizard.

Click Next.

Step 18

Click the Restore files and settings radio button and then click
Next.

The What to Restore window appears.

Figure 32. What to Restore Window

Step 19

Expand the file.

Expand the backup.bkf file.

Click the System State check box.
 Figure 33. Click System State Check box

Step 20

Click Next.

The Completing the Backup or Restore Wizard window appears.

Figure 34. Completing the Backup or Restore Wizard Window

Step 21

Click Advanced.

The Where to Restore window appears.
 Figure 35. Where to Restore Window
Step 22

The default restoration location is Original location.

Click Next.

The Restoring System State will always overwrite current System
State unless restoring to an alternate location. Warning window
appears.

Click OK.

Figure 36. Restoring System State will always overwrite current

System State unless restoring to an alternate location
Warning Window

Step 23

Click the Replace existing files if they are older than the backup files
radio button.
 Figure 37. How to Restore Window

Step 24

Click Next.

The Advanced Restore Options window appears

Figure 38. Advanced Restore Options Window


Be sure that all three check boxes are selected, and then click
Next.

Click Finish.

The system recovery begins by copying the files back to the computer.

When prompted to restart the computer, click Yes. The computer will restart.

Step 25

Click start > Run.

Type regedit in the Open field.

Click OK.

You should see the Screen Saver Stars Registry key in the
Registry Editor application window.

Click File > Exit.
Finish

Performance Rubrics for

Windows Registry Backup and Recovery

CRITERIA Excellent Good Fair Poor

4 3 2 1
Safety Procedures
(15%)
-Applied / manifested
safety precautions while
working
Adherence to the
Procedures (30%)
-Followed the
procedures
systematically
Workmanship (15%)
-Utilized organized
materials and tools
while accomplishing the
task and exhibited time
management
Quality of work (40%)
-the windows registry
was fully backed up