Computer Basics

Pittsburg Public Library Computer Lab Instructor: AnnDee Peterson

Step 1: Powering on the Computer

Introduction to Computer Hardware
A computer is made up of multiple parts that either send or receive information. All computers include the following hardware:
Computer Case: The case that holds all the electrical components of the computer, including the hard disk, RAM chips, central processing unit (CPU), and motherboard. Inside this case is where everything takes place. Disk Drives: Devices that read data from and write data to a disc. The Zip and Floppy disk drives look similar, but the Zip disk drive has a larger opening since Zip discs are larger. You can save files, such as letters, pictures, presentations, on either Zip or Floppy Discs.

Monitor: Similar to a television, the monitor displays text, pictures and other items from the computer on a screen.

Mouse: The device that controls the movement of the pointer displayed on the screen. Use the mouse pointer to select and open items on the computer.

Step 2: Exploring the Computer Desktop

When you start the computer, you will see the desktop.

Taskbar: The blue bar at the bottom of the computer screen. It displays a button for each open program, as well as the Start button and the Clock. Icon: A Picture representing a program or file.

Icons

Notification Area (or System Tray): Contains status notifications. The clock by default appears here. Applications can put icons in the notification area to indicate the status of an operation or to notify the user about an event. Quick Launch Toolbar: The Quick Launch bar contains shortcuts to applications. Windows provides default entries, such as Internet Explorer. A single click on the application's icon in this area launches the application. Start Button: A button, located in the lower-left corner of the screen, that provides access to programs. Also used to shut-down the computer.

Taskbar

Notification Area

Start Button

Quick-Launch Toolbar

Step 3: Using Icons

To Start a Program:
Internet Explorer Icon

Start or Open a Program by double-clicking the Icon on the desktop. Once a program starts, the program is visible as a window on the computer screen and a button representing the program appears on the taskbar. To Open a Document:

Icons can also be used to open a document on your computer. The icons to the left represent individual documents. Notice the two different programs: Microsoft Word & Publisher. By double-clicking the document icon, you will open the document and the associated program at the same time.

Windows Tip: If you have trouble with double-clicking, you can click an Icon once and then press the Enter key on the keyboard.

Step 4: Using Windows XP

Using the Microsoft Windows XP operating system, you can have more than one program or folder open for viewing at the same time.

Minimize Button: The left button in the upper-right corner used to minimize a program window. A minimized program remains open, but is visible only as a button on the taskbar. Resize Button: The middle button in the upper-right corner of a window is used to resize a window. By clicking the button, the size of the window will be enlarged or reduced, within the size of your monitor. Close Button: The right button in the upper-right corner of a window used to quit a program or close a document window.

Each program or folder is in its own window, a rectangular area on the screen. Having multiple windows open is similar to having multiple books open on top of the desk. Each Window contains different information. For instance, you may have a window open that displays a letter you are writing and a window that displays a map of the world. When you are using multiple windows, the one you are working with is called the active window. The active window is located on top of the other windows, and its title bar is a brighter color than the title bars of the other windows.

Single-Click these Buttons

Step 5: Common Windows Elements

Most windows have common features so once you become familiar with one program, you can use that knowledge in another program. This example uses Microsoft Word.

Document Name

Program

Menu Bar

Title Bar

Resize Minimize Close Button Button Button

Toolbar

Scroll Bars

Quick-Launch Toolbar

Windows

The Active Window

Title Bar: The top bar of a window displaying the title of the program and the document. Use the title bar to click and drag windows around your screen. Menu Bar: The bar containing names of menus, located below the title bar. You can us the menus on the menu bar to access many of the tools available in a program. Toolbar: The bar below the menu bar containing buttons that provide access to the most commonly used tools in a program. Each button has a picture on it that represents the buttons action. Example: The print button looks like a printer.

Windows Tip: If you rest the mouse pointer over a button on the screen, a short description of the button appears. This is called a ScreenTip.

Step 6: Switch between Open Programs

Open more than one program, either by choosing the programs from the Start menu or by double-clicking the program icons. Check out the Windows Taskbar. Do you know where to look? Buttons for all open windows appear on the taskbar. Single-click any button on the taskbar to activate that window. Keyboard Shortcut: Press Alt+Tab to switch between open programs.

Clicking an inactive button on the taskbar will make that program or document the Active Window. This window will open in front of all others. Click any button on the taskbar to switch to that window. The button for the active program is a different color than the others.

Step 7: Shutting Down the Computer

Click the Start Button Click the Shut Down Button. You will see this Dialog Box, which asks: What Do You Want the Computer To Do?

The box below will probably say Shutdown. Click the downward-pointing arrow on the right side of the box. Change your Mind? Click the Cancel Button

Choose one of the following options: Shut down: Ends your session and shuts down Windows so that you can safely turn off power. Log off: Ends your session, leaving the computer running on full power. Restart: Ends your session, shuts down Windows, and starts Windows again. Stand by: Maintains your session, keeping the computer running on low power with data still in memory.
Handout Reference: Computer Companion: 28 Practical Lessons for Individual & Classroom Use From the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Hibernate: Saves your session to disk so that you can safely turn off power. Your session is restored the next time you start Windows.