PURCHASING, INSTALLING, AND MAINTAINING A PERSONAL COMPUTER

Considerations When Purchasing a Computer Desktop, laptop, or notebook Processing speed Storage size and types Monitor Battery life Software

INSTALLING A COMPUTER Read the installation manuals before installing equipment Set up your computer in a well-designed work area where you can control the temperature and humidity Set up your space near an electrical outlet and telephone outlet or cable connection Save all the paperwork that comes with your computer Record the serial numbers of all equipment and software

INSTALLING A COMPUTER Complete and mail your equipment and software registration cards or register online Keep the shipping containers and packing materials for all your equipment Identify device connectors Keep your computer area clean Make sure your home or renter’s insurance policy covers the computer

How to Maintain a Personal Computer Start a notebook that includes information on your computer Keep all original disks, CDs, books, etc. Before you work inside your computer, turn off the power and disconnect the equipment from the power source Keep the area surrounding your computer dirt and dust free

How to Maintain a Personal Computer Back up important files and data Protect your computer from viruses Keep your computer tuned—It is important to use the disk defragmenter (In Windows…Start..Programs..Accessories.. System Tools..Disk Defragmenter Learn to use diagnostic tools Conserve energy wherever possible

The Windows XP Desktop

TERMS Operating System – coordinates the activities of your computer Server – a computer that controls access to the hardware and software on a network Workstation – A computer connected to a server Graphical User Interface - a user interface that displays graphics in addition to text when communicating with the user Window – a rectangular area on the screen, sometimes the whole screen, that is used to display files, documents, or programs. Each window contains a border, title bar, and window title.

SAVING FILES When the power to the computer is turned off, a file will be lost if it is not saved to: A floppy disk – a: The hard drive – c: A compact disk (CD) – d: Flash drive – e: Personal network file at CSCC – u: CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) a storage device from which you can only read and open files

MORE TERMS Control panel Icons Mouse Taskbar Scroll bar Properties Primary mouse button Secondary mouse button Wheel Taskbar Scroll bar Properties Object Menu/menu bar Command Maximize Minimize Close

THE START BUTTON Start programs Set up a printer Get “Help” Shut down your computer

USING COMMON ELEMENTS IN OFFICE Application – refers to one of the parts of the Office suite Program – a set of specific computer instructions that is designed to allow you to accomplish a particular task Major strengths of Microsoft Office: The consistency of the programs and the way they work together The capability to save files in a format that can be read on the World Wide Web

WORKING ON THE WEB Internet World Wide Web Web page – each individual screen Web site – a collection of related pages at a particular location Home page – the primary (starting) page at a Web site Hyperlinks Browsers Intranet – a special type of WEB available only to users of a particular type of network

WINDOWS EXPLORER Folders pane Hierarchical structure Plus and minus signs Status bar File Management Copying Moving Renaming Deleting Source and destination folders and drives Navigation toolbar Windows Update System Restore Tools

MICROSOFT APPLICATION SOFTWARE Microsoft Word Microsoft Excel Microsoft Access Microsoft PowerPoint Microsoft Publisher Microsoft Front Page Microsoft Outlook

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