Selecting and Installing an Operating System
📚 Introduction In the last lesson, you learned about the boot-up process of an operating system. Now, let's explore the steps involved in selecting and installing an operating system.
Deciding on the Operating System
❓ Factors to Consider When deciding which operating system to install, consider the following questions:
Has the decision already been made? Organizations often have specific operating systems in use based on their required applications and systems.
Are you working with an organization or service that requires a particular operating system? If so, the decision is straightforward.
If no decision has been made or you're looking for an OS for personal use, consider the software that needs to be run. Some software is designed for specific operating systems, while others are cross-platform.
Take into account the hardware that will be used. Modern operating systems generally support common hardware, but some manufacturers restrict their OS to their own hardware.
Consider the CPU architecture. Operating systems are optimized for either 32-bit or 64-bit architectures, so ensure compatibility between the CPU and the chosen OS.
Installing the Operating System
🔌 Pre-Installed Systems Many computers come with a pre-installed operating system. If this is the case, you may need to complete the installation process by configuring settings such as the computer name, network configuration, etc.
📀 Installation Media To install an operating system from scratch, you can use various installation media. Some OS manufacturers provide disks or USB drives for installation, while others offer the option to reinstall directly over the internet.
💿 USB Drive Installation For our purposes, let’s focus on using a USB drive to install the operating system. Most manufacturers provide specific USB drives with the installation image, like Windows. Alternatively, for Linux, you can load the OS onto any USB drive.
🚀 Scalability Considerations While working with a single computer, using a USB drive is sufficient. However, as an IT support specialist, you’ll often need to install operating systems on multiple computers. In such cases, scalability becomes important, and you'll need to consider additional support options.
Conclusion
Selecting and installing an operating system involves considering factors such as software compatibility, hardware requirements, and CPU architecture. By following the appropriate installation procedures and utilizing suitable installation media, you can successfully set up an operating system on your device.
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