Tech Directions - November 2007 - (Page 25)

● Repair corrupted system file ntldr, ● Repair corrupted system file ntdetect.com, and ● Expand compressed drivers to the Windows system folder. 5. Boot to automated system restore with Windows installation CD and emergency repair disks. The famous Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) problem when Windows System files are missing. Notes to the Teacher Students may get frustrated if they try to remove system files like user32.dll because they are locked by the OS and cannot be altered with the OS running. You can advise students to boot the PC to the Recovery Console using Windows Setup CD and then sabotage such Windows system files. I strongly recommend students try this. In doing so, they will actually observe the legendary “blue screen of death” and they will also understand why some viruses and worms begin to take effect when the machine reboots. Because each group of students may come up with completely different ways to sabotage the OS, the entire class will benefit from a summary session in which each group demonstrates their unique ways to hack an OS and then presents their best solutions. Such a cooperative hands-on approach not only makes the learning more fun but also enhances student learning by letting them learn from the experiences of their peers. If actually sabotaging a PC operating system is not appropriate for your lab environment, you can install tools like VMWare Workstation or Microsoft Virtual PC to emulate the real operating system. In my experience, students respond very well to the virtual system settings and get good exposure to an exciting learning tool. Student Feedback and Gains This project aims primarily to develop students’ critical thinking skills and to enhance their troubleshooting skills by hands-on practice. My students have really enjoyed the activity. One student commented in a report: “This lab was useful because it teaches us how to use the www.techdirections.com COMPUTER TECHNOLOGY 25 http://www.TECedu.com http://www.TECedu.com http://www.techdirections.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Tech Directions - November 2007

Tech Directions - November 2007 Technically Speaking Contents Direct from Washington The News Report Technology’s Past Technology Today Mastering Computers Video Game Programmers Learn to “Pitch” Project Teaches Students to Diagnose an Ailing Windows OS See the Math with Your Binoculars! Fire Safety Technician ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo Hands-On Activities More than Fun

Tech Directions - November 2007

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