Computers 101 An Introduction to the Personal Computer

Part I Introduction… Hardware verses Software

The Big Picture… Stuff to Know… Hardware (The physical parts) Computer Parts Software (The programs) Operating System Application Software

Hardware vs. Software HARDWARE  The physical stuff that makes up your computer system, the electronics, the monitor, keyboard, etc. SOFTWARE  The computers programs. Software is a collection of codes that tell the hardware how to work.

Hardware  Hardware includes all of the physical devices and electronics that make up the computer.

We Will Learn Hardware… (On Thursday…)  We will disassemble a computer and look at all of the components inside and learn how they work and how they perform.  Learning computer components, and how their performance is measured, will help you when you buy a PC.

Software Computer Software Operating System Application Software

The Operating System  The operating system controls all of the other programs.  The operating system is always running.  The operating system manages all of the computers files.

Application Software  Application software allows you to do practical work, such as type documents, manage accounts, surf the web, etc.  Some examples include Powerpoint, Excel, Word, Internet Explorer, etc.

Software We Will Learn…  In the Computers 101 course we will learn how to use the following software:  The Windows XP operating system  Microsoft Notepad  Microsoft Internet Explorer (basics only…)

Part II Powering Up Turning the Beast On, and then Off again, Correctly

Powering Up – Booting Up  Despite how simple it sounds, lots can happen when you switch the PC on during the boot-up process.  Boot-UP: The checklist process the computer goes through as soon as you flip on the power. The computer is literally trying to “pull itself up by its boot straps.”

Start-up Procedure- Things you do… 1.Make sure everything is plugged in and the power strip is “ON” 2.Press the Power button on the computer’s console 3.Press the Power button on the monitor 4.Turn on any other equipment; speakers, printers, etc.

Start-up Procedure- Things the PC does… 1.The computer begins reading its checklist procedure from the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) chip. 2.The computer checks all of its circuits, checks the time, and memory. 3.The computer then looks for the drive that contains the operating system, and starts running it.

Windows Takes Over…  Once operating system takes over once the computer finds it.  As soon as the operating system finishes loading its internal programs, you’re ready to use the computer.  You know you’re ready to start using the computer because the mouse cursor is shaped like a pointer.

When Things go Wrong…  If your computer doesn’t boot-up properly, follow the instructions on screen and continue.  Depressed Key: If a book was resting on the keyboard and depressing a key, an error will appear. Simply be sure no keys are being mistakenly pressed, and tap the spacebar to continue.

When Things go Wrong…  Continued…  Disk in Drive: If a disk was left in the floppy drive, or sometimes the CD-ROM drive, the computer will again give an error message. Eject the disk from the offending drive, and tap the spacebar to continue.

Logging On…  If your computer is on a network, you must log on.  Logging On: The process where the operating system verifies that you have an account on the network and can use its resources.  To log on, follow the directions on screen.

Logging On- Procedure 1.Simultaneously press the ALT, CTRL, and Delete keys. 2.In the box that appears, type your username.  For this course, your name will be: warrior 3.Type your password in the box below your username.  For this course, your password will be: warrior 4.Select the WHRHS network from the bottom box. 5.Click the Okay button to log on.

Shut-Down… 1.Save work and exit all programs. 2.Click the START button. 3.Click Turn Computer Off. 4.Click the Turn-Off button.  The computer will shut itself down.  If you forgot to exit applications and save your work, Windows will ask you if you want the work saved. 5.Some people turn off their monitors, others leave them on. Just go with the flow…

Other Options…  When you click to turn things off, you have other options…  Log-Off: Simply logs you off but leaves the power on. The next person must go through the process of logging on again, but the PC is already switched on and booted up.  Stand By: Also called snooze mode. The PC goes into a power save mode, but remains switched on, logged on, etc. Used when you are going to be away for a while, but will be back to finish your work.

Other Options… con’t  Re-start: If you choose the re-start button, the computer will shut-down, then come back to life automatically. This process, known as rebooting, resets the computer, hopefully clearing up any nagging problems.

Part II Final Thoughts…  If your computer locks up, simultaneously hold the ALT, CTRL, and Delete keys to bring up a menu that gives you each of the shut-down options. If the PC locks up and you re-start, you will loose all of the work up to the last time you saved.  Pulling the plug to shut down or re-start a PC is always the last, and least desirable option!

Part III Using Windows XP The basics of the Windows Operating System

Roadmap for Part III Skills to be practiced in Microsoft Notepad… Skills to be practiced in Microsoft Notepad…

Parts of Windows  First, we must learn what each of the parts of the Windows XP operating system are called  The Desktop  The Taskbar  The Start Panel  The typical Window

Introducing the Desktop…

Parts of the Desktop The Taskbar…  The Start Button  Quick Launch Bar  Window Buttons  System Tray

The Start Panel…  The Start Panel appears when you click on the Start Button  The Start Panel allows you to activate all of your programs and make system adjustments.

Opening Notepad…  Click on the START menu…  Move your mouse up to the PROGRAMS selection, a new menu will pop up to the right…

Opening Notepad, con’t…  Move your mouse over to the ACCESSORIES selection, a new menu will pop up to the right…

Opening Notepad, con’t…  Move your mouse over to the NOTEPAD icon and click your left mouse button (your pointer finger…)

The Notepad Program Window…

Parts of a Window…  All Windows Contain:  Title Bar  Menu Bar  Minimize Button  Maximize Button  Close Button  Scroll Bar(s)  Borders

Working with Windows Windows XP Parts of Windows Working with Windows File Structure & Manipulation Just Finished…

Working with Windows  Programs run inside of windows  You can have as many programs as you desire running at once, each inside of its own respective window. Right now the only program you’re running is Notepad…

Manipulating Windows  Each window can be…  Moved  Resized  Maximized  Minimized  Closed

Moving Windows  To move a window, drag the window around the screen by its title bar.  Widows are moved to get to stuff that may be hidden underneath The Title Bar

Resizing Windows  All windows can be resized by dragging the borders as required.  You know your mouse is positioned over the border because it changes into a “double arrow”

Maximizing Windows  To make a window cover the whole screen, and give you the maximum amount of workspace, double click on the title bar.

Maximizing Windows  Alternately, you can click on the Maximize Button. The MAXIMIZE Button

Restoring a Window  To RESTORE the window to its original size, click on the restore button. The RESTORE Button

Minimizing Windows  Minimizing hides the program, taking it off screen so that you can do other things.  A minimized program is still running, no data is lost or changed, its just out of your way…  Click the minimize button to minimize a window. The MINIMIZE Button

Restoring a Minimized Window…  Click on the window’s name on the taskbar to restore the window. Click Here…

Closing Windows  When your finished with a window, you can close it by clicking the close button  The close button is the red button with the X.  The process of closing windows is sometimes called “X’ing out”.  When a window is closed it no longer appears on the task bar.

Running Multiple Programs  The Windows XP operating system allows you to have multiple windows open at once.  These windows can be automatically arranged in the following ways:  Cascaded  Tiled Horizontally  Tiled Vertically

Cascading…  To cascade the windows:  Right click on the clock located on the taskbar.  Left click on cascade RIGHT CLICK Here

Tile Windows  To tile the windows:  Right click on the clock located on the taskbar.  Left click on either tile horizontally (shown in the picture) or tile vertically

Finding a Missing Window  If you need to fetch a window from the pile of open windows on the desktop you can use the task manager.  Simultaneously press ALT, CTRL, Delete to open the task manager.  Select the window you want from the list.  The selected window appears on top of the rest of the open windows.

Introduction to Hot Keys  Hot Keys (sometimes called short-cut keys) are combinations of keys that when pressed simultaneously cause actions to happen.  The familiar ALT, CTRL, Delete combination is an example of the hot keys to open the task manager.  Hot Keys provide a faster means of achieving common tasks by keeping your fingers on the keyboard.

Typical Hot Key Combinations… WIN + D Hides all open windows WIN + M Minimizes all windows WIN Opens Start Panel ALT + ESC Switches between open windows ALT + TAB Allows user to select any open window ALT + F4 Closes the active window

File Structure and Manipulation Windows XP Parts of Windows Working with Windows File Structure & Manipulation For Thursday Night…

Tonight’s Class work…  In your Notepad window:  Type your name  Hit Enter, and type the course:  Computers 101, Session 1  As the instructor reviews tonight’s terminology, take notes to review & practice with the computer.  Type your home work assignment to be due for the Thursday.  Follow the instructors directions to print this notepad document…