1. How to use a computer and not lose your mind
Let’s Begin
Operate a Personal Computer
How to use a computer and not lose your mind
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2. Topic 1 -Hardware, Peripherals and Software
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Topic 1 -Hardware, Peripherals and Software
The elements of your computer can be categorised in three ways:
Hardware
Peripherals &
Software
XP &
Vista
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Hardware – System Unit
Located either on the desk or on the floor is your system unit.
This is where all the intelligence of your computer is housed and where all the hard work takes place
Or Laptop or Notebook
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Hardware – System Unit
All devices connect into the system unit so data can be entered, stored or retrieved
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5. External Hardware - Monitor
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The monitor allows you to see what your computer is doing.
CRT Monitors
LCD Monitors
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6. External Hardware – Keyboards
The keyboard is one of the main input devices into your computer.
Standard keyboard layouts are often referred to as QWERTY Keyboards –the first six keys on the first alphabetic row
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7. External Hardware – Keyboards
Common keyboard connections are
PS/2
USB
Wireless
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8. External Hardware – Mouse
The mouse is another major input device. You can use your mouse to drive your computer instead of using the keyboard. You select items with your mouse by clicking on the item.
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9. External Hardware – Mouse
Common Mouse connections are
Wireless
PS/2
USB
Bluetooth
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10. External Hardware – Speakers
Speakers are attached to the computer to allow sound to be played
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Internal Hardware
The system unit contains many parts. Each part has a specific place to go. Inside the system unit can get hot and needs to be cooled down. Dust inside the system unit can become a problem
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12. Internal Hardware
Motherboard -The motherboard is the main circuit board of a microcomputer.  It is also known as the mainboard or system board.
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13. Internal Hardware
CPU – Central Processing Unit –The CPU is the brain of your computer
The CPU is the central electronic chip that determines the processing power of the computer.
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14. Internal Hardware
One of the most important things about CPUs is speed.
The speed of CPU is measured in Hz, i.e., number of operations can be done per second. The CPU speed is currently measured in gigahertz (GHz). A gigahertz is a billion hertz or a thousand megahertz
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15. Internal Hardware -Memory
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Internal Hardware -Memory
File Storage Capacity by Bits and Bytes
bit 1
byte 8
Kilobyte
8,192
Megabyte
8,388,608
Gigabyte
8,589,934,592
Terabyte
8,796,093,022,208
Petabyte
9,007,199,254,740,990
Exabyte
9,223,372,036,854,780,000
Zettabyte
9,444,732,965,739,290,000,000
All computers need memory to run programs and applications and to remember the tasks they have to perform. Memory is measured in bytes. You can think of one text character as 1 byte. A page of text is approximately 4,000 bytes.
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16. Internal Hardware -Memory
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Internal Hardware -Memory
RAM -random-access memory: the most common computer memory which can be used by programs to perform necessary tasks while the computer is on
When you switch off your computer, the information held in RAM is lost unless it was saved. You can upgrade your RAM. Most modern computers have at least 512MB of RAM
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17. Internal Hardware –Hard Drive
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Internal Hardware –Hard Drive
A Hard Drive or Hard Disk is the main storage component of your computer. It stores your programs, applications and your data.
Like RAM the space on your Hard Drive is measured in Bytes. Most modern computers have at least 40 or 60 GB hard drives. The Hard Drive is often the ‘C:’ Drive of your computer.
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18. Internal Hardware –Floppy Drive
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Internal Hardware –Floppy Drive
Floppy Disk Drive
Floppy disks can also store data, which is then portable. A floppy disk only holds 1.44MB of information.
A typical floppy disk today is the 3½” disk. The floppy disk is usually known as ‘A:’ Drive. Many of the computers sold today are sold without Floppy Disk Drives.
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19. Internal Hardware –CD Drive
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Internal Hardware –CD Drive
CD-ROM discs are read using CD-ROM drives, which are now almost universal on personal computers. Virtually all modern CD-ROM drives can also play audio CDs as well as Video CDs and other data standards when used in conjunction with the right software.
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20. Internal Hardware –Video Card
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Internal Hardware –Video Card
The video card on your system will determine the picture quality displayed on the monitor. Video can be integrated into the motherboard
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21. Internal Hardware –Sound Card
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Internal Hardware –Sound Card
The sound card on your system will determine the quality of sound played through the speakers. Sound can be integrated into the motherboard
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22. Peripherals - Printers
Printers come in many models, types and price ranges. At the high end are laser printers. Other types are ink-jet, multi-function or dot matrix
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Peripherals - Modems
A modem is a device that converts the data from the computer into sound for transmission over a telephone line. Modems can be internal or external.
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24. Peripherals -Scanners
A scanner is a device that can transform a physical image, whether text or graphics, into a form that the computer can use
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25. Peripherals –Digital Camera
Digital cameras store the image as a file which can be downloaded onto the computer by connecting a cable between the computer and the camera
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26. Peripherals – Web Cameras
Web cams capture video and are primarily used for allowing you to send images over the internet
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27. Peripherals - Gaming Devices
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28. Other Storage devices –Pen Drives
Also know as Flash Drives, Jump Drives, Pen Drives etc. These devices attach to the computer via USB and are now very affordable
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29. Other Storage devices –External Hard Drives
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Other Storage devices –External Hard Drives
External Hard Drives are a light weight way of carry large amounts of data.
A 40GB Hard Drive is worth around 28,400 Floppy Disks
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30. Other Storage devices –Zip and Tape Drives
There are many other means of storing large amounts of data that you can take between computers. These include Zip Drives and Tape Drives
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Software
Software provides instructions to your computer, telling it what to do.
Software can be divided into two main groups
Operating System Software
Application Software
Software is usually copied from Disks onto the computer’s Hard Drive.
Some software may be preloaded when you buy your computer
Once loaded software is permanently installed until you choose to remove it.
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32. Operating System Software
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Operating System Software
An operating system ("OS") is the program that, after being initially loaded into the computer manages all the other programs and hardware in a computer.
All computers must have an operating system.
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33. Operating System Software
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Operating System Software
Microsoft Windows and Linux are both examples of Operating Systems. Microsoft are about to release a new OS called Vista.
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34. Application Software
Applications enable you to work on certain tasks, e.g. writing letters, doing your accounts, using and playing games are just a few.
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35. Application Software The main application categories are:
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Application Software
The main application categories are:
Word Processors
Spreadsheets
Presentation Applications
Databases
Graphics Applications
Internet Browser Applications
Virus Checking Software
The main application categories are:
Word Processors –Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Lotus Ami Pro and WordPro-Open Microsoft Word
Spreadsheets –Microsoft Excel, Lotus and Quattro Pro-Open Microsoft Excel
Presentation Applications- Microsoft PowerPoint, Harvard Graphics and Freelance -Open Microsoft PowerPoint
Databases –Microsoft Access and Lotus Approach –Open Microsoft Access
Graphics Applications – Microsoft Paint, CorelDraw and Adobe Illustrator –Open Microsoft Paint
Internet Browser Applications -Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape, Firefox
Virus Checking Software –McAfee Virus Scan, Norton Anti Virus or PC-cilian
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Office Suites
These applications can be purchased in ‘Suites’ or bundles, and are used together to gain the best results for your business problems.
Common application suites include Microsoft Office, Lotus SmartSuite, Open Office and
Microsoft Office 2007 is released this year. The current version is Microsoft Office 2003
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End of Topic 1
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