| A | B |
|---|
| BOOT.INI | Test file used during the boot process that provides a list of all Oss currently installed and available for NTLDR. Also tells where each OS is located on the system. Used in Windows XP and earlier Microsoft operating systems |
| CAB files | Short for cabinet files. These files are compressed and most commonly used during OS installation to store many smaller files, such as device drivers |
| clean installation | Operating system installed on a fresh drive, following a reformat of that drive. Often the only way to correct a problem with a system when many of the crucial operating system files have become corrupted. |
| disk cloning | Taking a PC and making duplicates of the hard drive, including all data, software, and configuration files and transferring it to another PC. |
| End User License Agreement (EULA) | Agreement that accompanies a piece of software, to which user must agree before using the software. Outlines the terms of use for the software and also lists any actions on the part of the user that violate the agreement |
| Files and Settings Transfer Wizard | Used to transfer your files and settings from your old computer to your new computer. Copies your desktop files and folders, and your settings from Internet Explorer and Outlook Express; however, it does not copy over your programs, not even the Microsoft ones, and it won’t copy settings from any programs other than IE and Outlook Express |
| hardware abstraction layer (HAL) | Part of the Windows OS that separates system-specific device drivers from the rest of the NT system. |
| image installation | Operating system installation that uses a complete image of a hard drive as an installation media. Helpful when installing an operating system on a large number of identical PCs. |
| log files | Files created in Windows to track the progress of certain processes. |
| Microsoft Product Activation (MPA) | Introduced by Microsoft with the release of Windows XP, Microsoft Product Activation prevents unauthorized use of Microsoft’s software by requiring users to activate the software. |
| migration | Moving users form one operating system or hard drive to another. |
| multiboot installation | OS installation in which multiple operating systems are installed on a single machine. |
| NTDETECT.COM | One of the critical Windows NT/2000/XP startup files |
| NTLDR | Windows NT/2000/XP boot file. Launched by the MBR or MFT, NTLDR looks at the BOOT.INI configuration file for any installed operating systems. |
| operating system (OS) | Series of programs and code that create an interface so users can interact with a system’s hardware, for example, DOS, Windows, and Linux. |
| patch | Small piece of software released by a software manufacturer to correct a flow or problem with a particular piece of software |
| product key | Code used during installation to verify legitimacy of the software |
| registration | Usually optional process that identifies the legal owner/user of the product to the supplier. |
| remnants | Potentially recoverable data on a hard drive that remains despite formatting or deleting. |
| service pack | Collection of software patches released at one time by a software manufacturer |
| SETUPAPI.LOG | Log file that tracks the installation of all hardware on a system |
| SETUPLOG.TXT | Log file that tracks the complete installation process, logging the success or failure of file copying, Registry updates, and reboots |
| Sysprep | Windows tool that makes cloning of systems by making it possible to undo portions of the installation. |
| Upgrade Advisor | The first process that runs on the XP installation CD. It examines your hardware and installed software (in the case of an upgrade) and provides a list of devices and software that are known to have issues with XP. It can also be run separately from the Windows XP installation, from the Windows XP CD. The Upgrade Advisor is also available for Windows Vista and Windows 7. |
| upgrade installation | Installation of Windows on top of an earlier installed version, thus inheriting all previous hardware and software settings |
| User State Migration Tool (USMT) | Advanced application for file and settings transfer of multiple users. |
| Windows Easy Transfer | An upgraded version of the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard. Windows Easy Transfer comes native in Vista/7 and can be downloaded and installed on Window XP or 2000 as well, though you won’t be able to transfer settings from a 2000 computer, only files. |
| Windows Logo’d Product List | List of products that have passed the Microsoft Windows operating system. Formerly called the Hardware Compatibility List (or HCL). |
