Operating System Help

»Introduction

Overview

This section is dedicated to help you with those pesky operating system issues. This includes dealing with errors and configuring your operating system for better performance. We hope you find what you are looking for.

About This Document

Use the links below to view the relevant information. To return to the top, use the "back to top" link, or you can access other sections by using the navigation bar to your left.

»Section Index: Operatating System

Operating Systems

• Microsoft Windows
• Macintosh
• Unix

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Microsoft Windows

1. I do not remember where I saved my file to. How can I find it?
2. How do I get the latest updates for my computer?
3. How can I tell what version of Windows I am running?
4. How do I get on the Internet?
5. How do I sort the Start Menu programs and folders so they are listed Alphabetically?
6. How do I disable popup messenger windows?

I do not remember where I saved my file to. How can I find it?

Windows Vista

To locate a lost file or folder in Vista, click start, then type the name of the file in to the search bar at the bottom and hit "Enter". If this doesn't find your file, you can click "Advanced Search in the upper right-hand corner of the search box. In the options that pop up, select "Everywhere" from the drop down menu next to "Location", and type in the name of your file again.

Windows XP

To locate a lost file or folder, click on the "Start" menu, click on the "Search", and then click on "For Files and Folders." In the window that opens enter the name of the file or folder that you would like to search for and click on the "Search now" button.

How do I get the latest updates for my computer?

To update your system and install bug fixes, open Internet Explorer and click on the "Tools" menu and select "Windows Update." On the next screen click on the "Scan for Updates" link on the page and then select the updates that you would like to install. Any security updates and other important updates will be selected for you. When you have selected all the updates that you would like to install, click on the review and install updates.

If you do not see "Tools" try pressing the Alt key to bring up the toolbar.

How can I tell what version of Windows I am running?

Windows Vista

1. Turn-on your computer and wait while it boots to Windows.
2. Click the "Start" button at the lower left of your screen.
3. Right-click "Computer" and click "Properties."
4. If Windows was installed correctly, this will display the version you have.

Windows XP

1. Turn-on your computer and wait while it boots to Windows.
2. Click the "Start" button at the lower left of your screen.
3. Click "Settings."
4. Click "Control Panel."
5. Double click the "System" icon (or click "Performance and Maintenance" then "System" if you are in category view).
6. If Windows was installed correctly, version number is at the top right.

How do I get on the Internet?

To access the internet using the AT&T global dialer, OSU public wireless network or the ResNet network, see the instructions at http://tss.oregonstate.edu/OCH/helpdocs/getting_connected/.

How do I sort the Start Menu programs and folders so they are listed Alphabetically?

Windows Vista

Vista should do this automatically for you.

Windows XP

To sort the Start Menu items alphabetically, open the Start Menu, highlight Programs, and then right click on any of the folders or programs in the list and choose "Sort by Name."

How do I disable popup messenger windows?

Note: Windows Vista does not have this feature

Windows XP

1. Click on the Start button -> Settings -> Control Panel.
2. Open the Administrative Tools.
3. Now double-click on Services, then scroll down the list to Messenger.
4. Double-click Messenger and click Stop to stop the service.
5. Change the startup type to Disable and click Apply at the bottom.
6. Click OK to exit window.
7. Close the Services window.

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Macintosh

1. How do I start OS X in safe mode?
2. How do I setup a printer in OS X?
3. How do I update my Mac running OS X?
4. How do I run programs automatically, everytime I startup my Computer in OS X?
5. How do I start my classic Mac with the extentions off?
6. How do I update my classic Mac?

How do I start OS X in safe mode?

NOTE: Safe Booting into Mac OS X takes longer than a normal startup. It can be quite a long time. This will depend based on how long it takes to check and repair the directory of your hard drive.

1. Make sure your computer is turned off.
2. Press the power button to turn your computer on
3. Just after you hear the startup tone (NOT BEFORE), press and hold the down the shift key.

How do I setup a printer in OS X?

1. Open the Print Center located in the Utilities folder
2. Click on the Add button
3. Click on the scroll box at the top of the window and select the type of printer you are using. Example: IP Printing, USB, Appletalk
4. Select driver for your printer and set any aditional settings that you need for your printer.

How do I update my Mac running OS X?

1. Open System Preferences application located in your dock
2. Click on the Software Update icon
3. Click on the Check Now button
4. Select the updates you wish to install and click the Install now button

How do I run programs automatically, everytime I startup my Computer in OS X?

1. Open System Preferences application located in your dock
2. Click on the Login Items icon
3. Click on the Add button and browse to the program you would like to start automaticly

How do I start my classic Mac with the extentions off

1. Make sure that your computer is turned off.
2. Press the power button to turn your computer on
3. Press down and hold the shift key while your computer starts up
4. Your computer should say Welcome to Macintosh Extentions off

How do I update my classic Mac?

1. Click on the Apple menu, select Control Panels
2. Open the Software Update control panel
3. Click on the Update Now button
4. Click on the check boxes next to the software ou would like updated
5. Click on the Install button

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UNIX

1. What flavors of UNIX/Linux can I put on my PC?
2. I don't know what the [blank] command does, what do I do?

What flavors of UNIX/Linux can I put on my PC?

Free:

• FreeBSD
• OpenBSD
• NetBSD
• Slackware
• Gentoo Linux
• Debian GNU/Linux
• RedHat Linux
• Mandriva Linux
• Ubuntu

The list could go on...

See linux.org for a searchable database of distributions.

• Solaris
• QNX RTOS
• SCO Unix

Instructions for each are unique and any questions about these products should be sent to the appropriate projects or companies support team.

I don't know what the [blank] command does, what do I do?

At the prompt, type man [blank], and a comprehensive manual for the command will be displayed.

Example:

If I wanted to know how to use the "ls" command, I would type the following into the prompt:
man ls

Different UNIX systems have different man page implementations, if you want more in depth instructions, read the man page for the man command. Type:
man man

For more detailed help on linux, please visit your particular linux distro's homepage or go to http://linuxdocs.org/ for more information.

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