Chapter 5: Windows
With all the components in place, it was time to assemble the case. Remember those oil paints from earlier? I decided to give the whole PC a rustic, beat-up look to match the monitor. Using XLR8's speed, I painted it with a distressed metal finish in minutes.
"Trash on the outside, treasure on the inside."
The hardware was ready. But there was a problem: the world I lived in didn't have an operating system capable of unleashing the PC's full power.
I stared at the blank screen, hands on my hips. "Okay, Ben. You've built the fastest computer. Now you need an OS to match it."
Day 1: The Kernel
Creating an operating system from scratch was no small task. I started with the kernel, the core that would manage all hardware and software interactions. Using old programming books and reference materials, I wrote the first lines of code late into the night.
"Lightweight, efficient, and adaptable," I mumbled, my fingers flying across the keyboard. The first test was a disaster. The kernel couldn't even handle basic commands without crashing. Frustration built up as I debugged line after line of code, only to hit a wall again.
By 3 a.m., I slumped back in my chair, staring at the screen. "Why am I even doing this?" I muttered. But deep down, I knew. This wasn't just about the computer; it was about proving I could achieve something extraordinary.
Day 2: A Breakthrough
The next day, I approached the kernel with a fresh mindset. I rewrote large sections of code, simplifying processes and optimizing resource allocation. After hours of testing, the kernel finally stabilized. The sense of accomplishment was overwhelming. I let out a triumphant cheer, startling myself with how loud it was in the silent room.
"Step one, done," I said, grinning.
Day 3: Building the User Interface
The kernel was just the beginning. The next challenge was designing a user interface. I wanted something intuitive yet futuristic. Inspired by sci-fi movies and alien tech, I sketched out ideas for a holographic interface with voice and gesture recognition.
Implementing the UI was a tedious process. I started with basic text commands, gradually adding graphical elements. The first holographic prototype was clunky a"Why won't you work?" I groaned, running my hands through my hair.
Hours turned into days as I fine-tuned the interface. Each failure taught me something new, and by the end of the week, I had a sleek, responsive design that felt like it belonged in the future.
Day 4: Driver Development
No operating system is complete without drivers to control the hardware. This was one of the most tedious parts of the project. Each hardware component required custom drivers to communicate with the OS.
nd unresponsive.
The graphics card driver was particularly troublesome. I spent an entire day troubleshooting compatibility issues, only to discover a single line of incorrect code.
"You've got to be kidding me," I muttered, staring at the error on the screen. Fixing it felt like pulling a thorn out of my brain—painful but relieving.
Day 5: Security Features
With the system coming together, I turned my attention to security. I couldn't risk anyone hacking into my masterpiece. Using advanced algorithms and inspiration from alien encryption methods, I developed a security protocol so strong that even I struggled to crack it during testing.
There were moments of paranoia as I imagined the potential misuse of my system's power. "This has to be foolproof," I whispered, doubling down on the encryption layers.
Week 2: Testing and Debugging
The second week was dedicated to rigorous testing. I simulated real-world scenarios, pushing the system to its limits. Crashes and bugs were inevitable, but each one brought me closer to perfection.
One night, after a particularly frustrating crash, I threw my pen across the room. "Why does this keep happening?" I shouted, my voice echoing in the empty space.
After taking a deep breath, I returned to the code. Step by step, I traced the issue and fixed it. The satisfaction of seeing the system run smoothly again was worth the struggle.
Week 3: Final Touches
By the third week, the OS was almost complete. I added finishing touches, like customizable themes and a voice assistant. I named it "Windows 11x," a nod to its advanced capabilities.
The final test was nerve-wracking. As I pressed the power button, the screen lit up with the holographic interface I'd spent weeks perfecting. Navigating through the menus felt surreal. It was fast, responsive, and unlike anything I'd ever seen.
Leaning back in my chair, I smiled. "This isn't just an operating system. It's a masterpiece."
The Sound of Success
As the soft chime echoed through the room, my sister called out, "Ben, what was that sound?"
I leaned back in my chair, a satisfied grin spreading across my face. "That," I said, turning towards her dramatically, "is the sound of Windows."
"Windows?" She tilted her head, confusion clear on her face.
"Yep!" I said, pointing at the screen with pride. "Your genius brother has officially built an operating system."
Her eyes widened, and she leaned closer, trying to get a better look at the holographic interface glowing on the monitor. "Really? You actually made this?"
"Of course!" I replied, puffing out my chest. "Did you ever doubt me?"
She stared at me for a moment, her expression unreadable, before breaking into laughter. "Yeah, I doubt you all the time, but this... this is actually impressive."
"Impressive?" I said, feigning offense. "This is revolutionary! A once-in-a-lifetime masterpiece!"
"Alright, alright," she said, rolling her eyes but unable to hide her smile. "Show me what it can do, Mr. Genius."
I spun back to the monitor, basking in my accomplishment. My sister, still leaning in, raised an eyebrow. "So… what can it do?"
I hesitated, scratching the back of my head sheepishly. "Uh… well, nothing at the moment."
"Nothing?" she repeated, her expression dropping into deadpan disbelief.
"Yeah," I admitted, laughing nervously. "There aren't any games or software available yet to test its capabilities. But trust me, it's powerful!"
She crossed her arms, smirking. "So, you're telling me you made an operating system… that can't do anything?"
I waved her off, trying to salvage my pride. "Hey, genius takes time! Greatness isn't built overnight. Just wait—when I'm done, this will be the most advanced system this world has ever seen!"
"Sure, sure," she teased, standing up and ruffling my hair. "Keep telling yourself that, Mr. Revolutionary Genius."
The Next Big Project
With my operating system complete, I set my sights on my next project—something truly groundbreaking.
"I'm going to create the most powerful AI," I whispered to myself, the room silent except for the faint hum of my makeshift Quantum Fluid Processor.
But this wouldn't just be any AI. No, it would be an emotional, empathetic companion—one that could never betray me. My mind wandered to Tony Stark and the disaster that was Ultron. "I won't make the same mistakes," I vowed.
However, there was one glaring problem: I didn't have the money to afford vast servers or cloud storage to house such a powerful AI. That's when inspiration struck. Using alien technology from the Omnitrix, I began building a compact data storage device—a machine capable of housing my AI entirely offline.