Chapter 8. Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting Input/Output Devices and Drivers Objectives This chapter helps you to prepare for the exam by covering the following Microsoft-specified objectives for the Implementing, Managing, Monitoring, and Troubleshooting Hardware Devices and Drivers section of the Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional exam: Implement, manage, and troubleshoot input and output (I/O) devices. Monitor, configure, and troubleshoot I/O devices, such as printers, scanners, multimedia devices, mouse, keyboard, and smart card reader. Monitor, configure, and troubleshoot multimedia hardware, such as cameras. Install, configure, and manage modems. Install, configure, and manage Infrared Data Association (IrDA) devices. Install, configure, and manage wireless devices. Install, configure, and manage USB devices. Install, configure, and manage handheld devices. Install, configure, and manage network adapters. The meaning of "XP" is experience, and the best way to experience Windows XP is through the I/O devices. As an administrator, you will be expected to know how to install and configure new and replacement devices for users who need them. These devices include, but are not limited to, pointing devices, scanners, printers, keyboards, digital cameras, videoconferencing hardware, modems, network adaptersboth traditional and wireless or infrared, Universal Serial Bus (USB) hubs and devices, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).
Manage and troubleshoot drivers and driver signing. The second objective within this chapter goes hand in hand with the first objective. I/O devices require a software component, called a device driver, to enable them to perform under the Windows XP Professional operating system. An administrator must be able to physically connect a device and implement, upgrade, and roll back its device driver.
Monitor and configure multiprocessor computers. Windows XP Professional supports a maximum of two processors, whereas Windows XP Home Edition recognizes only a single processor when installed on a multiprocessor computer. Administrators should be able to identify when a multiprocessor computer is being recognized accurately by the operating system, as well as how to configure the operating system to recognize both processors.
Outline Introduction | 310 | Implementing, Managing, and Troubleshooting Input and Output (I/O) Devices | 310 | Monitoring, Configuring, and Troubleshooting I/O Devices Printers Scanners Multimedia Devices Mice Keyboards Smart Card Readers Monitoring, Configuring, and Troubleshooting Multimedia Hardware Installing, Configuring, and Managing Modems Installing, Configuring, and Managing Infrared Data Association (IrDA) Devices Installing, Configuring, and Managing Wireless Devices Installing, Configuring, and Managing USB Devices Installing, Configuring, and Managing Handheld Devices Installing, Configuring, and Managing Network Adapters | 312 314 316 317 319 319 321 322 323 329 330 332 333 334 | Managing and Troubleshooting Drivers and Driver Signing | 336 | Using Windows XP Rollback | 338 | Monitoring and Configuring Multiprocessor Computers | 338 | Chapter Summary | 342 | Apply Your Knowledge | 343 |
Study Strategies Device Manager is the primary tool for viewing and configuring I/O devices. In addition, Control Panel includes several utilities geared to configuring specific types of devices, such as printers, modems, network adapters, keyboards, mice, and more. Replace or install the various I/O devices in a test computer, and then customize the configuration using each device's specific utility. Device drivers are often provided directly from original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). To familiarize yourself with how these device drivers function, obtain new device drivers for existing hardware on a test computer. Update the driver and review the changes that appear under Control Panel and in Device Manager. Roll back the device driver, and then review any further changes. Run Performance Monitor (Perfmon) to see the performance differences between the drivers. Using a test computer, install it with two monitors and two video adapters. Start the computer to see how the two monitors are treated by Windows XP. Configure multiple-monitor support using the Display utility in Control Panel. Start the computer in Safe Mode, and rename one of the video drivers. Restart normally and see how the computer responds.
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