Basic Computer Operation and Troubleshooting

September 18, 2001 Fran Randall frandall@unca.edu

http://www.unca.edu/education/edtech/workshops/

Basic Computer Operation and Troubleshooting Workshop Outline

Introduction to computer hardware Cabling Basic operations Troubleshooting Stuff

Introduction to Computer Hardware

Case Power switch Reset switch Hard drive Floppy CD/DVD Zip drive Serial ports Parallel port USB port Keyboard/mouse Network card Modem Sound card Video card RAM Motherboard Bus Fan Cables

The case

What is in the box?

Motherboard
ABIT KT7 RAID

and

and

Typical parts of a motherboard.

ABIT SE6

Cabling

For items in or attached to a system to work properly they must be securely connected. Be sure to carefully connect the cables.

Basic operations
Power cord plugged in.
(If plugged into a power strip, turn it on. Includes peripherals.)

Cables to peripherals secure. Power on peripherals. Power on the system.

Observe the system for proper operation.

The basic system including keyboard, mouse and monitor.

Operating systems
All computer systems have an operating system. Currently (09/01), there are three dominate typical user operating systems. (Macintosh OS, Microsoft Windows OS and Linux.)

FYI: Disk capacities

Floppy
(Double Sided, Double Density)

Zip cartridge CD DVD

(Single Sided, Single Layered) (Double Sided, Double Layered)

1.4 MB 100 MB 250 MB 650 MB 4.7 GB 17 GB

1 GB = 1000 MB

Floppies, zips, CDs and DVDs, Oh my!

Three most important words in computing.

1. 2. 3. Backup Backup Backup You should backup when you do not want to reenter everything you have entered since your last backup. (Schedules can range from every item to months.) You should regularly check that your backups work. Multiple backups and off-site backups are often required.

Other good ideas.

Anti-virus software. Regularly updated virus definitions for the antivirus software. (Automated if available.) Current security patches applied to operating system and applications. Scrutinize any unexpected attachments that are emailed to you. (Particularly .vbs and .exe files.)

Fast and Furious Troubleshooting Before you call

Is it plugged in? Is it turned on? (Also, Is the power on in your building?, etc) Have you tried rebooting the system. (Exiting correctly and physically powering down the entire system including peripherals.) Can you reproduce the problem on-demand?
Computer Troubleshooting and Maintenance Tutorial

Resources
Computer Troubleshooting and Maintenance Tutorial (UNCA DOE) EdTech Workshop Resource Archive (UNCA DOE) Basic Educational Technology Online Course (UNCA DOE) Getting Help With Basic Technology Skills (UNCA DOE) Computer Fundamentals for Teachers (NC A&T School of Education)