Exercise 3: Managing Tasks

What To Do How To Do It
Start programs using each of the following methods:
  • Type program name (full path may be necessary)
    • MS-DOS prompt
    • Run dialog box (click Start, Run)
    • Explorer (Address box)
  • Double-click icon
    • Desktop
    • Explorer
    • My Computer
  • Click shortcut
    • Start or Programs menu
    • QuickLaunch (icons on taskbar often near Start button)
  • Start when the computer starts
    • autoexec.bat (view contents using a text editor)
    • config.sys (view contents using a text editor)
    • Startup menu (click Start and move to Programs, Startup)
Stop programs using each of the following methods:
  • At the MS-DOS prompt
    • Press Ctrl-C (e.g. after typing dir/p)
  • In Windows
    • File, Exit
    • Close button (X)
    • Alt-F4
  • Using Task Manager
    1. Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete
    2. Click the Task Manager button (Windows 2000/XP)
    3. Select a task to end
    4. Click End Task
    5. You may have to click End Task a short time later
List tasks and view task information
  1. Press Ctrl-Alt-Delete
    (Windows 98 only displays a list of tasks)
  2. Click the Task Manager button
    (Windows 2000/XP displays more information)
View task-related information in the System Information dialog box
  1. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Information
  2. Click the + next to Software Environment
  3. Click each one of these items:
    • Loaded modules
    • Running tasks
    • Startup programs
    • Print jobs
View task-related information in the System Monitor
  1. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Monitor
  2. Click Edit, Remove Item, and remove all items currently shown
  3. Click Edit, Add Item
  4. Click the Kernel category. You will see at least three items:
    Processor Usage (%), Threads, Virtual Machines
  5. For each of the items, click explain, and add the items.
  6. Run some programs and note their effect on processor usage, threads and virtual machines.
Use Scheduled Tasks
  1. Click Start, Settings, Control Panel and Double-click Scheduled Tasks
    OR: Click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Scheduled Tasks
  2. Look at the list of existing scheduled tasks
    (name, schedule, next run time, last run time, status)
  3. Double-click Add Scheduled Task and click Next
  4. Select a program to run
  5. Select when the task should be performed
  6. Tick the box to view settings
  7. Click Finish
  8. Click the Settings tab to view and change other scheduling settings