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2. Computer Practice N4

3. SYSTEM SOFTWARE
MODULE 3

4. MAGNETIC STORAGE MEDIA
UNIT 3.1

5. Magnetic storage media
Microcomputers can use disks or flash disks as a secondary memory for storing data or programs.
Magnetic storage media include diskettes or flash disks and hard disks.

6. Floppy diskettes No longer used.
Flat, flexible and round magnetic piece of material on which data is stored.
Transfer data to and from the diskette.
Superseded by other storage media.
Figure 3.1: A floppy disk

7. Stiffy diskettes
Flat, round magnetic pieces of material with hard plastic protective covers.
Need a special stiffy diskette drive to operate.
No longer used.
Figure 3.2: A stiffy disk

8. Hard disks
Used as external memory for programs or data and are magnetic devices.
Are sealed inside the computer.
Can also be contained inside an External Hard Drive, which is connected to the computers via a USB port.
Called the C drive.
Internal hard drive
External hard drive

9. CD-ROM drive (Compact Disk Read-Only Memory)
Small plastic-encased disks.
Used to upload the permanent storage of instructions, images, sound and text.
Perfect medium for storing massive data you do not have to update frequently.
Used to save instructions for application software, such as Microsoft Word, and games.
Figure 3.3: A CD-ROM

10. Assessment activity 3.1
Test your knowledge of this section by completing Activity (page 27 of your Student’s Book)

11. FILES AND FILE NAMES
UNIT 3.2

12. Files and file names
Information is stored on a diskette under a file name.
Different types of files include:
Program files.
Data files.
Backup files.

13. Program files Contain the instructions for a particular program.
A selection of these files together constitutes a program.
These files are stored on diskettes.

14. Data files Contain information recorded using a program.
The user compiled this information.

15. Backup files
When you make an identical copy of data or a program onto another diskette.
If you have original diskettes with data or programs, rather use the backup disks to work from.

16. Rules regarding file names
When saving a file to a memory device/computer, name the file to find it easily.
Computer’s specific rules when saving a file:
File name has 2 parts to it, namely:
File name and extension.
Separated by a full-stop, e.g. List of Books . Xlsx
Name must be unique; short, but descriptive of the file content.
Extension is automatically inserted by the computer; describes the program used to create the file.
e.g. xlsx tells you that the file was created in Excel. [NB: You must not type in the file name.]
Can use upper or lower case letters and spaces in the file name.
Can’t use the following characters in file names: * ; : / \ ? = < >

17. VIDEO: Back, spine, neck and shoulders

18. Assessment activity 3.2
Test your knowledge of this section by completing Activity 3.2 (page 28 of your Student’s Book)

19. THE OPERATING SYSTEM
UNIT 3.3

20. Functions of the operating system
Activates or boots up the computer.
Makes communication between the computer and the operator possible.
Controls the functioning of the computer and links the peripherals.
Enables the computer to run its applications.

21. The desktop The Start button. My Computer. Recycle Bin.
Program Manager.
Windows Explorer.
Figure 3.4: The desktop

22. Assessment activity 3.3 – 3.5
Test your knowledge of this section by completing Activity 3.3 – 3.5 (page 31 – 37 of your Student’s Book)

23. MY COMPUTER
UNIT 3.4

24. Control Panel Change Windows settings in the Control Panel
On the desktop, double click on the My Computer icon.
Select the Control Panel on the left-hand side or click on Start on the desktop.
Select Settings.
Select Control Panel.

25. Display Double click on the Display icon on the Control Panel.
For the desktop background, select Desktop and select a theme to be displayed as background.
Select Screen Saver and select a theme.

26. Assessment activity 3.6
Test your knowledge of this section by completing Activity 3.6 (page 37 of your Student’s Book)

27. FORMATTING
UNIT 3.5

28. Formatting
Used to have to format a diskette before storing any information on it.
Now disks are pre-formatted.
The format process creates a File Allocation Table (FAT) or a file directory.

29. How to format a flash disk
Double click on the My Computer icon on your desktop.
Click on the icon for Removable Disk (D).
Click on File.
Click on Format.
Capacity will be, e.g. 249MB.
For Format Type, select Quick Format.

30. How to scan a flash disk Click on Start on your desktop.
Select Programs.
Select Accessories.
Select System Tools.
Select Disk Clean Up.
Select the option for automatically fixing errors.

31. How to check the properties on your flash disk
Double click on My Computer.
Select Removable Disk (D).
Click on File.
Click on Properties.
The properties of your flash disk will be displayed.

32. How to check the volume label of your disk
Follow the same steps as you did to show the properties of your flash disk.

33. How to display the windows version you are working on
Double click on My Computer.
From System Tasks, select View system information.
The system version will be displayed on the screen.
Figure 3.16: Display version of windows (2003 and 2010)

34. VIDEO: Hips, legs and taking a break

35. Assessment activity 3.7 – 3.8
Test your knowledge of this section by completing Activity 3.7 – 3.8 (page 42 of your Student’s Book)