Cj316 Unit 2 Assignment

1. What are the six major functions performed by a computer operating system?

The processor management, system resources configuration, Hardware device configuration, Storage management, Program interface, and user interface.

2. What is the boot process?

The term boot is used to describe the process taken by the computer when turned on that loads the operating system and prepares the system for use.

The first part of the boot process is controlled by BIOS and begins after the POST.

Eventually, BIOS hands the boot process over to the master boot code. (Fisher, 2014)

3. What is the difference between a file header and a file name extension? Which is more useful to an investigator (more reliable)?

A file header is the string of text before the dot in a file that describes the contents of the file. File headers are made up of numbers, letters and other characters, with the specific characters allowed for use depending on the computer's operating system. A file-name extension is the text including and following the dot that indicates the file type. File-name extensions are most commonly three characters long. I think the file header may be more useful to the investigator.

4. List five common file name extensions used for images and videos.

1) .wmv Windows Media Video File

2) .bmp Bitmap Image File

3) .jpg JPEG Image

4) .mpg MPEG Video File

5) .avi Audio Video Interleave File

5. What is a file path and why is it important to high-tech crime investigators?

A file path is the exact location of a data file within the drive and directory that it is stored in.

It is very important for an investigator to document the specific file path that was used to find the evidence on the computer. This is because the file path gives you the exact location to the file needed and the file path specifies how you found the file in the first place.

6. An operating system keeps track of several different file properties...