Operating System and Computer Features

1. Explain how you would get to a command prompt in Windows without having to find the "Command Prompt" icon in the program list.
2. What is meant by "Run as Administrator" with reference to the command prompt or other utilities?
3. Assuming you are using a PC running some version of Microsoft Windows, Explain how you could quickly determine which version of Windows it is running (without asking someone).
4. On a computer running Windows, how can you tell whether the most recent service pack has been installed?
5. In networking a PC, what is the difference between an IP address and a MAC address? Explain how you would determine a PC's IP address and/or its MAC address in Windows? What number system is used for an IPv4 address? An IPv6 address? A MAC address?
6. What does the term virtualization mean with reference to operating systems and computer hardware? What is a hypervisor?
7. Your computer appears to be locked up (non-responsive). What steps would you perform prior to pressing the reset switch or turning the power off?
8. What are some differences in configuration between a computer in a workgroup and one in a domain?
9. What are some examples of ports (physical ports on the computer) that use parallel transfer? Serial transfer? What advantages are there of one as compared to the other? Which direction is the computer industry leaning - serial or parallel ports?