P1 explain the function of the system unit components and how they communicate

Serial communication

serial communication is where the computer processes data bit by bit and transfers it bit by bit (one at a time) this happens with a usb stick , the advantages of Serial communication is that you only need one connection this is because the data can only travel in one direction across the connection and this is called simplex but mostly nowerdays they are duplex , this is where you can transfer data both ways across a connection.

North bridge and South bridge

The north bridge handles processes from the CPU , Graphics card and RAM. The north bridge will handle graphic and CPU so applications such as a demanding game will run through the north bridge. What the South bridge does is manage the communications from IDE, PCI and ISA this means that i prosses the data from things such as your NIC, HDD and CD-ROM.

P4 describe the range of utility software currently available

Utility software is available to maintain the upkeep and also if used properly can increase the performance of your PC , software utilities are easy to get hold hold of a good website where i personaly download my utilities from is www.download.com , but also microsoft come with some intergrated utilitys they are -

Disk defragmentation
Windows have a utility called disk defragment what this utility does is arrange all the scattered files in a logical order so they are easy to access , so it increases the access speed of the files on your computer.

System restore
System restore on windows does exactly what it says it restores your system from when you previously saved the health of your PC or it will do it automatically every month, the reason that the system will allow you to do this is because if somthing happens rather than you wiping out your whole hard-drive and re-installing windows you can just click system restore and it will restore the health.

msconfig
With Msconfig this enables you to disable what loads up when your computer boots up this will increase loading time of your system and most probably make it crash less (freeze up)

task manager
Task manager enables you to manage the programs that you have open and also allows you to check the amount of the CPU that is being used and the ammount of RAM that is being used, if you have say a installation of a programme or maybe a game you can go into the task manager and clcik on "processes" and find what process that is your installatioon and you can set it to a high priority and in doing this the installation will complete faster because your allowing it more access to the RAM and CPU

P2 The purpose and features of two opperating systems

The two operating systems i have chosen to show the functions and features are Windows XP and MAC's OS 10.5 better known as Leopard. People who use windows are people that want a wider access to applications and people that want to edit applications becuase there is software out for windows such as microsoft visual studios witch lets you create and tinker with existing application.People who would want to use mac is for graphics manipulating software and people that have used it in the work station and feel comftable. The majority of people use windows as a operating system this is becuase you get introduced to the windows OS when you first start using computers at 1st school it was not untill high-school i was introduced to a mac and this is why most people use windows as a OS.

Windows

Windows file protection
"Windows File Protection", This is where Windows will protect any important system files from being over written and if a file is over written windows will restore its original file and in doing this it will reduce critical problems with the system.

Windows fire wall
Windows also have a integrated fire wall witch is turned on by default and this will reduce the risk of being attacked by Internet based bugs and bots.


Macintosh

System restore application
Mac has a system restore application which will restore your whole computer system core files and everything by saving everything on your computer before you install or change a major file, so just incase you make a mistake you can always click your system restore button and it will restore your system to when your computer was "Healthy" , you can compare this to windows file protection application becuase they are both used to protect the systems core files.

Mac's firewall
Mac does have a firewall application but it is alot more in depth than windows firewall , Mac's firewall lets you control the connections made to and from otHer computers and it does this by using and application rather you have to knowing the ports like you would when using Windows so this allows less experienced users to control the safety of their computer.