Page 1
System configuration and
Troubleshooting
T ejas: I w as w atching F1 formula car racing. There is a lot of customization done in these cars. Some
technical requirements like speed, tyres, need to be the same in each car. But the controls available on
the steering wheel, the seat of the driver are customized.
Jy oti: Maintenance and trouble shooting is done by a team of engineers.
Mo: Can you customize a desktop as per your requirements?
T ejas: Y es. Some of the customizations are, install devices, change the look of the desktop and install
applications that we want to use.
Jy oti: Some applications require system administator help for installation and configuration.
Moz: Right. Do you need engineers to troubleshoot a computer?
T ejas: Some of the trouble shooting can be done by the user . For example, if a netw ork is not w orking
we can find if the network cable is connected to the switch or not.
Jy oti: W e som etimes hav e to use the administrator login, to troubleshoot. For example, if the netw ork
is not working and the cable is connected, we need to check the network settings. A user cannot check
this or change the settings.
Moz: Right. The role of using a administrator login is called system administrator. A user can
become a system administrator. Similar to the formula 1 car team of engineers, there are trained
system administrators who specialize in installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of
computers and networks.
Moz: Let us customize the desktop as per your requirements and look at customizations that require
system admin login. Later we can look at basic troubleshooting that a desktop user should know.
Aim: In this lesson, you will learn:
- Desktop components and management.
- Basic system administration of a desktop.
- Basic troubleshooting of devices, and applications.
7
A user can do some of the customization and trouble shooting on a desktop.
Sometimes the user has to use the administrator login for these tasks.
Sometimes you may need the help of a trained system administrator to customize and
trouble shoot.
Info
Customization and Troubleshooting
Page 2
System configuration and
Troubleshooting
T ejas: I w as w atching F1 formula car racing. There is a lot of customization done in these cars. Some
technical requirements like speed, tyres, need to be the same in each car. But the controls available on
the steering wheel, the seat of the driver are customized.
Jy oti: Maintenance and trouble shooting is done by a team of engineers.
Mo: Can you customize a desktop as per your requirements?
T ejas: Y es. Some of the customizations are, install devices, change the look of the desktop and install
applications that we want to use.
Jy oti: Some applications require system administator help for installation and configuration.
Moz: Right. Do you need engineers to troubleshoot a computer?
T ejas: Some of the trouble shooting can be done by the user . For example, if a netw ork is not w orking
we can find if the network cable is connected to the switch or not.
Jy oti: W e som etimes hav e to use the administrator login, to troubleshoot. For example, if the netw ork
is not working and the cable is connected, we need to check the network settings. A user cannot check
this or change the settings.
Moz: Right. The role of using a administrator login is called system administrator. A user can
become a system administrator. Similar to the formula 1 car team of engineers, there are trained
system administrators who specialize in installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of
computers and networks.
Moz: Let us customize the desktop as per your requirements and look at customizations that require
system admin login. Later we can look at basic troubleshooting that a desktop user should know.
Aim: In this lesson, you will learn:
- Desktop components and management.
- Basic system administration of a desktop.
- Basic troubleshooting of devices, and applications.
7
A user can do some of the customization and trouble shooting on a desktop.
Sometimes the user has to use the administrator login for these tasks.
Sometimes you may need the help of a trained system administrator to customize and
trouble shoot.
Info
Customization and Troubleshooting
Moz: What are the components of a desktop and their uses?
Jy oti: The desktop has a menu bar from which w e can find applications. The task bar shows minimized
windows of opened applications. (see Fig. 1)
T ejas: W e also hav e some area to sav e and access files on a desktop.
Jy oti: In this area w e can hav e shortcuts of applications that w e frequently use. The files, directories
and shortcut to applications are available as icons on this space.
Moz: This area where you can save and access files is called workspace.
Jy oti: The desktop also has a panel from where w e can launch applications.
Moz: This panel is called the application launch panel.
T ejas: The windows of applications that w e open are also visible on a desktop.
Moz: Right. A Desktop, through a graphical user interface (GUI) provides these basic components
(Menu bar, Workspace, Task bar, Application launch panel) to a user.
Basic components of a desktop
Moz: Y ou hav e Gnome desktop on y our lab computer . Hav e y ou seen any other desktops?
Jy oti: Y es. The desktop of a Microsoft W indows OS has different look and feel. But it has the same
basic functions of providing access to applications, windows, and workspace. (see Fig. 2)
Task bar
Menu bar
Application window
Application
launcher
Workspace
Date and Time
Menu bar
Icon
Fig.1 Ubuntu desktop
Date and
Time
Start Button Task bar
Icon
Workspace
Fig.2 Window desktop
Page 3
System configuration and
Troubleshooting
T ejas: I w as w atching F1 formula car racing. There is a lot of customization done in these cars. Some
technical requirements like speed, tyres, need to be the same in each car. But the controls available on
the steering wheel, the seat of the driver are customized.
Jy oti: Maintenance and trouble shooting is done by a team of engineers.
Mo: Can you customize a desktop as per your requirements?
T ejas: Y es. Some of the customizations are, install devices, change the look of the desktop and install
applications that we want to use.
Jy oti: Some applications require system administator help for installation and configuration.
Moz: Right. Do you need engineers to troubleshoot a computer?
T ejas: Some of the trouble shooting can be done by the user . For example, if a netw ork is not w orking
we can find if the network cable is connected to the switch or not.
Jy oti: W e som etimes hav e to use the administrator login, to troubleshoot. For example, if the netw ork
is not working and the cable is connected, we need to check the network settings. A user cannot check
this or change the settings.
Moz: Right. The role of using a administrator login is called system administrator. A user can
become a system administrator. Similar to the formula 1 car team of engineers, there are trained
system administrators who specialize in installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of
computers and networks.
Moz: Let us customize the desktop as per your requirements and look at customizations that require
system admin login. Later we can look at basic troubleshooting that a desktop user should know.
Aim: In this lesson, you will learn:
- Desktop components and management.
- Basic system administration of a desktop.
- Basic troubleshooting of devices, and applications.
7
A user can do some of the customization and trouble shooting on a desktop.
Sometimes the user has to use the administrator login for these tasks.
Sometimes you may need the help of a trained system administrator to customize and
trouble shoot.
Info
Customization and Troubleshooting
Moz: What are the components of a desktop and their uses?
Jy oti: The desktop has a menu bar from which w e can find applications. The task bar shows minimized
windows of opened applications. (see Fig. 1)
T ejas: W e also hav e some area to sav e and access files on a desktop.
Jy oti: In this area w e can hav e shortcuts of applications that w e frequently use. The files, directories
and shortcut to applications are available as icons on this space.
Moz: This area where you can save and access files is called workspace.
Jy oti: The desktop also has a panel from where w e can launch applications.
Moz: This panel is called the application launch panel.
T ejas: The windows of applications that w e open are also visible on a desktop.
Moz: Right. A Desktop, through a graphical user interface (GUI) provides these basic components
(Menu bar, Workspace, Task bar, Application launch panel) to a user.
Basic components of a desktop
Moz: Y ou hav e Gnome desktop on y our lab computer . Hav e y ou seen any other desktops?
Jy oti: Y es. The desktop of a Microsoft W indows OS has different look and feel. But it has the same
basic functions of providing access to applications, windows, and workspace. (see Fig. 2)
Task bar
Menu bar
Application window
Application
launcher
Workspace
Date and Time
Menu bar
Icon
Fig.1 Ubuntu desktop
Date and
Time
Start Button Task bar
Icon
Workspace
Fig.2 Window desktop
Applications Programming • Scratch now right click go to Add this
launcher to panel.
2. Scratch added to panel.
We can also add a shortcut to the application launch panel.
T ejas: Many a time w e leav e our computer for a short break. Instead of logging out w e can lock the
screen and then unlock it later , by just giving our passw ord.
Skill Skill Skill
Ubuntu: Locking screen
Adding application launcher to desktop
Adding application launcher to panel
Click on Main Menu lock screen. • The screen is locked. To unlock enter password. •
1
1 2
2
Launching applications from a panel or workspace
Jy oti: Applications can be launched from the application menu, or from the panel, or from the desktop
workspace. We can create a desktop shortcut icon for an application that is accessed frequently.
Select Applications Programming Scratch, right click and select Add this •
launcher to desktop.
2. Scratch added to desktop.
Launching applications from a panel or workspace
1 2
Page 4
System configuration and
Troubleshooting
T ejas: I w as w atching F1 formula car racing. There is a lot of customization done in these cars. Some
technical requirements like speed, tyres, need to be the same in each car. But the controls available on
the steering wheel, the seat of the driver are customized.
Jy oti: Maintenance and trouble shooting is done by a team of engineers.
Mo: Can you customize a desktop as per your requirements?
T ejas: Y es. Some of the customizations are, install devices, change the look of the desktop and install
applications that we want to use.
Jy oti: Some applications require system administator help for installation and configuration.
Moz: Right. Do you need engineers to troubleshoot a computer?
T ejas: Some of the trouble shooting can be done by the user . For example, if a netw ork is not w orking
we can find if the network cable is connected to the switch or not.
Jy oti: W e som etimes hav e to use the administrator login, to troubleshoot. For example, if the netw ork
is not working and the cable is connected, we need to check the network settings. A user cannot check
this or change the settings.
Moz: Right. The role of using a administrator login is called system administrator. A user can
become a system administrator. Similar to the formula 1 car team of engineers, there are trained
system administrators who specialize in installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of
computers and networks.
Moz: Let us customize the desktop as per your requirements and look at customizations that require
system admin login. Later we can look at basic troubleshooting that a desktop user should know.
Aim: In this lesson, you will learn:
- Desktop components and management.
- Basic system administration of a desktop.
- Basic troubleshooting of devices, and applications.
7
A user can do some of the customization and trouble shooting on a desktop.
Sometimes the user has to use the administrator login for these tasks.
Sometimes you may need the help of a trained system administrator to customize and
trouble shoot.
Info
Customization and Troubleshooting
Moz: What are the components of a desktop and their uses?
Jy oti: The desktop has a menu bar from which w e can find applications. The task bar shows minimized
windows of opened applications. (see Fig. 1)
T ejas: W e also hav e some area to sav e and access files on a desktop.
Jy oti: In this area w e can hav e shortcuts of applications that w e frequently use. The files, directories
and shortcut to applications are available as icons on this space.
Moz: This area where you can save and access files is called workspace.
Jy oti: The desktop also has a panel from where w e can launch applications.
Moz: This panel is called the application launch panel.
T ejas: The windows of applications that w e open are also visible on a desktop.
Moz: Right. A Desktop, through a graphical user interface (GUI) provides these basic components
(Menu bar, Workspace, Task bar, Application launch panel) to a user.
Basic components of a desktop
Moz: Y ou hav e Gnome desktop on y our lab computer . Hav e y ou seen any other desktops?
Jy oti: Y es. The desktop of a Microsoft W indows OS has different look and feel. But it has the same
basic functions of providing access to applications, windows, and workspace. (see Fig. 2)
Task bar
Menu bar
Application window
Application
launcher
Workspace
Date and Time
Menu bar
Icon
Fig.1 Ubuntu desktop
Date and
Time
Start Button Task bar
Icon
Workspace
Fig.2 Window desktop
Applications Programming • Scratch now right click go to Add this
launcher to panel.
2. Scratch added to panel.
We can also add a shortcut to the application launch panel.
T ejas: Many a time w e leav e our computer for a short break. Instead of logging out w e can lock the
screen and then unlock it later , by just giving our passw ord.
Skill Skill Skill
Ubuntu: Locking screen
Adding application launcher to desktop
Adding application launcher to panel
Click on Main Menu lock screen. • The screen is locked. To unlock enter password. •
1
1 2
2
Launching applications from a panel or workspace
Jy oti: Applications can be launched from the application menu, or from the panel, or from the desktop
workspace. We can create a desktop shortcut icon for an application that is accessed frequently.
Select Applications Programming Scratch, right click and select Add this •
launcher to desktop.
2. Scratch added to desktop.
Launching applications from a panel or workspace
1 2
Skill
Windows: Lock Screen
Click on Start Button Shut down •
arrow Lock.
The screen is locked. To unlock •
enter password.
1 2
Starting applications automatically when a user logs in
T ejas: Our teacher has asked us to configure the
system such that a browser comes up as soon
as a user logs in. We might find an option in
systems menu.
Moz: An application that is added in “startup
applications” option, executes or starts automatically
without the user intervention, as soon as the user
logs in to.
Jy oti: Let us add firefox to the startup applications.
Select systems preferences startup
applications
Fig.12
Skill
Adding an application to Startup applications
3 4
Select application, click on add. •
Select application (firefox), click on add. • Application added. •
Enter name, enter comment. •
1 2
Page 5
System configuration and
Troubleshooting
T ejas: I w as w atching F1 formula car racing. There is a lot of customization done in these cars. Some
technical requirements like speed, tyres, need to be the same in each car. But the controls available on
the steering wheel, the seat of the driver are customized.
Jy oti: Maintenance and trouble shooting is done by a team of engineers.
Mo: Can you customize a desktop as per your requirements?
T ejas: Y es. Some of the customizations are, install devices, change the look of the desktop and install
applications that we want to use.
Jy oti: Some applications require system administator help for installation and configuration.
Moz: Right. Do you need engineers to troubleshoot a computer?
T ejas: Some of the trouble shooting can be done by the user . For example, if a netw ork is not w orking
we can find if the network cable is connected to the switch or not.
Jy oti: W e som etimes hav e to use the administrator login, to troubleshoot. For example, if the netw ork
is not working and the cable is connected, we need to check the network settings. A user cannot check
this or change the settings.
Moz: Right. The role of using a administrator login is called system administrator. A user can
become a system administrator. Similar to the formula 1 car team of engineers, there are trained
system administrators who specialize in installation, maintenance and troubleshooting of
computers and networks.
Moz: Let us customize the desktop as per your requirements and look at customizations that require
system admin login. Later we can look at basic troubleshooting that a desktop user should know.
Aim: In this lesson, you will learn:
- Desktop components and management.
- Basic system administration of a desktop.
- Basic troubleshooting of devices, and applications.
7
A user can do some of the customization and trouble shooting on a desktop.
Sometimes the user has to use the administrator login for these tasks.
Sometimes you may need the help of a trained system administrator to customize and
trouble shoot.
Info
Customization and Troubleshooting
Moz: What are the components of a desktop and their uses?
Jy oti: The desktop has a menu bar from which w e can find applications. The task bar shows minimized
windows of opened applications. (see Fig. 1)
T ejas: W e also hav e some area to sav e and access files on a desktop.
Jy oti: In this area w e can hav e shortcuts of applications that w e frequently use. The files, directories
and shortcut to applications are available as icons on this space.
Moz: This area where you can save and access files is called workspace.
Jy oti: The desktop also has a panel from where w e can launch applications.
Moz: This panel is called the application launch panel.
T ejas: The windows of applications that w e open are also visible on a desktop.
Moz: Right. A Desktop, through a graphical user interface (GUI) provides these basic components
(Menu bar, Workspace, Task bar, Application launch panel) to a user.
Basic components of a desktop
Moz: Y ou hav e Gnome desktop on y our lab computer . Hav e y ou seen any other desktops?
Jy oti: Y es. The desktop of a Microsoft W indows OS has different look and feel. But it has the same
basic functions of providing access to applications, windows, and workspace. (see Fig. 2)
Task bar
Menu bar
Application window
Application
launcher
Workspace
Date and Time
Menu bar
Icon
Fig.1 Ubuntu desktop
Date and
Time
Start Button Task bar
Icon
Workspace
Fig.2 Window desktop
Applications Programming • Scratch now right click go to Add this
launcher to panel.
2. Scratch added to panel.
We can also add a shortcut to the application launch panel.
T ejas: Many a time w e leav e our computer for a short break. Instead of logging out w e can lock the
screen and then unlock it later , by just giving our passw ord.
Skill Skill Skill
Ubuntu: Locking screen
Adding application launcher to desktop
Adding application launcher to panel
Click on Main Menu lock screen. • The screen is locked. To unlock enter password. •
1
1 2
2
Launching applications from a panel or workspace
Jy oti: Applications can be launched from the application menu, or from the panel, or from the desktop
workspace. We can create a desktop shortcut icon for an application that is accessed frequently.
Select Applications Programming Scratch, right click and select Add this •
launcher to desktop.
2. Scratch added to desktop.
Launching applications from a panel or workspace
1 2
Skill
Windows: Lock Screen
Click on Start Button Shut down •
arrow Lock.
The screen is locked. To unlock •
enter password.
1 2
Starting applications automatically when a user logs in
T ejas: Our teacher has asked us to configure the
system such that a browser comes up as soon
as a user logs in. We might find an option in
systems menu.
Moz: An application that is added in “startup
applications” option, executes or starts automatically
without the user intervention, as soon as the user
logs in to.
Jy oti: Let us add firefox to the startup applications.
Select systems preferences startup
applications
Fig.12
Skill
Adding an application to Startup applications
3 4
Select application, click on add. •
Select application (firefox), click on add. • Application added. •
Enter name, enter comment. •
1 2
Software repository
Concept
A software repository is a storage location from which applications may be retrieved and
installed on a computer.
T ejas: How do w e start using the downloaded softw are?
Moz: Where should you check for details of the settings and usage of any application?
T ejas: “Help” option of any application giv es us most of the information that w e require for configuring
an application and its usage details.
Moz: Good observ ation. First, y ou should follow the A W ARE rules while downloading any
application. Second, you have to download an installation file for the OS on your computer. Then
you simply follow the instructions for installing the application. wizard
For ubuntu, download .deb package which is used by Ubuntu Software Center (USC) to
install software.
For windows, mostly .zip or .exe versions are available.
Download the package for your particular OS and it’s version. •
Ensure that the reposito ry is a reliable site before downloading and installing •
an application.
Window OS install virus protection on your system and scan the downloaded package •
before installating it.
Provide the path of the downloaded and extracted files .dir to the installer. •
Update yourself about the latest developments in the OS that is being used and details of •
software that you are using.
Guidelines
Application installation
Moz: How many types of users are there on a computer?
Jy oti: A person can be either a normal user or a System administrator. These roles have
different privileges.
T ejas: Does privileges mean the actions that the user is allow ed to do on a computer?
Moz: Right. A privilege is a set of permissions to perform some actions on the computer. These
are configured by the special user, called the system administrator, who has all the permissions for
performing all the actions on the computer.
T ejas: Users cannot install new applications. Only a System Administrator can install the applications.
Moz: Right. This is to keep your system secure. What would happen if every user had system
administrator privileges?
Privileges – System administrator and User
System Administrator privileges
Privilege
Concept
A privilege is a permission to perform an action. Examples of various privileges include the
ability to create a file in a directory, or to read or dele te a file, access and use devices like
printer and, scanner.
1
A wizard is a user interface that presents a user with a sequence of dialog boxes that lead the user through a series of w ell-defined steps. T asks •
that are unfamiliar, complex can be easily performed using a wizard.
Recall
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