The operating systems discussed in this book provide many tools that enable you to find...

The operating systems discussed in this book provide many tools that enable you to find out more about them.

In this project, you use tools in Windows XP, Vista, 7, Server 2003/Server 2003 R2, or Server 2008/Server 2008 R2 to find out about the operating system version and devices that are attached to your computer.

To find out more about these Windows-based operating systems:

1. In Windows XP or Server 2003/Server 2003 R2, click Start, click My Computer, click the Help menu, and click About Windows. In Windows Vista, 7, or Server 2008/Server 2008 R2, click Start, right-click Computer, and click Properties (see Figure 1-16).

2. What version of the operating system do you have? Does the display show if there are any service packs (major operating system updates) installed? Record your observations.

3. In Windows XP or Server 2003/Server 2003 R2, click OK, and close the My Computer window. In Windows Vista, 7, or Server 2008/Server 2008 R2, close the System window.

4. In Windows XP or Server 2003/Server 2003 R2, click Start, right-click My Computer, and click Manage. Or in Windows Vista, 7, or Server 2008/Server 2008 R2, click Start, right-click Computer, and click Manage.

5. In the tree (see the left pane) under Computer Management and System Tools, click Device Manager.

6. What types of devices that can be used with the computer do you see displayed in the right (Windows XP/Server 2003/Server 2003 R2) or middle (Windows Vista/7/Server 2008/Server 2008 R2) pane? Record some of your observations.

7. Double-click Keyboards. What type of keyboard does your computer have?

8. Double-click Processors. What type of processor or processors are in the computer?

9. Close the Computer Management window.