Unit of Competence

Operate Personal
Computer

1
Prepared y Abenezer A.
 Unit
Descriptor
This unit defines the competence required to operate a
personal computer, including starting the PC, logging
in, using and understanding desktop icons and their
links to underlying programs, navigating a directory
structure, saving work, printing, closing down the PC.

2
Learning
outcome
At the end of this module the trainees will able to:
LO1: Start the computer

LO2: Access basic system information

LO3: Navigate and Manipulate desktop

environment LO4 Organize basic directory/ folder

structure and files

LO5: Organize files for user and/or organization

requirements LO6: Print installing

 LO1: START THE COMPUTER

 Check peripheral device connections for correct

position.

 Check input voltage for the device based on the

OHS standards.

 Switched on power at both the power and

computer.

4
 Check peripheral device connections
for correct position.
What is Peripheral Device?
 A computer peripheral is a device that is connected to a

computer but is not part of the core computer architecture.

 The core elements of a computer are the central processing

unit, power supply, motherboard and the computer case

that contains those three components. Technically
speaking, everything else is considered a peripheral
device.
5
 Why we need Computer
Peripherals?
 You connect the device to the computer to expand
the
functionality of the system.

For example, consider a printer. Once the printer is

connected to a computer, you can print out
documents. Another way to look at peripheral
devices is that they are dependent on the computer
6
 Cont
…can't do much on their own,
For example, most printers
and they
only become functional.

Example: A peripheral device connects to a computer

system to add functionality.

Examples are a mouse, keyboard, monitor, printer and

scanner. Learn about the different types of peripheral
devices and how they allow you to do more with your
7
 Cont
…
Types of Computer Peripherals
There are 3 types in Computer Peripherals.
1. Input device: An input device is a piece of equipment that
enables data to be entered into a computer system(Example
Mouse, Keyboard, Joystick ,Microphone ,Digital Camera,
Scanner etc..)
2. Output device: which provides output to the user from the
computer
(monitors, printers, etc.)
3. Storage device: which stores data processed by the
8 computer
 Cont
…be external or internal.
 Peripheral devices can

 For example, a printer is an external device that

you connect using a cable, while an optical disc

drive is typically located inside the computer case.
 Internal peripheral devices are also referred to as

integrated peripherals. When most people refer to

peripherals, they typically mean external ones.
9
10 Prepared By: Abenezer A. Nov,
2017
 What is
 Computer?
A Computer is a programmable electronic
device/machine that accepts data as input, stores and
processes it, and then gives the information as output.
 A computer system is the combination of hardware and

software.
1. Hardware and
2. Software

11
 Computer Software
 Computer hardware is directed by a set of instructions. Without
these instructions, computers can do nothing.
 These set of instructions are called software (also called
programs).
 We use programming languages to write these instructions.

 Examples of programming languages include C, C++, Visual

Basic, Java, etc.
 Software are categorized into two:
System Software

Application Software
12
 Computer
Hardware
Computer hardwareis the physical part of
the computer system that can be seen and
felt.
The hardware part of a computer system is composed

of a number of interacted physical parts.

E.g. keyboard, mouse, system unit, monitor

and power switch
13
 Hardware Parts of Computer
 System Unit
 Monitor

 Keyboard

 Mouse

 Power Switch

14
 System Unit
It processes, stores, and
communicates
information.
components of System
unit
CPU
Primary Memory
 RAM & ROM
Secondary Memory
 Internal Hard Disk
Mother Board
CD-Drive
Ports & etc…
15 Nov,
2017
 Monito
r
This is what we call the Display
Unit or Screen.

This visually communicates

with the user.

Almost all information

communicated from the computer
to the user is through the monitor

16
 Power Switch

Both the system unit and the

monitor have a power switch
that turns them on and off.

Most power switches have

this symbol.

17
 Keyboar
 It is an important tooldthat allows a user to communicate
with the computer.
 We use keyboard in order to type text into the computer.
 It is composed of “keys” that send a signal to the
computer that the computer recognizes and uses to carry
out processes and programs.

18
 Cont
Keys on the … Function
Keyboard Key

Numeric
Key

19
 Cont
Backspace … Function
Key Key

Numeric
Key
To delete the
character (or space) to
the left of the cursor

20
 Cont
Delete Key … Function
Key

Numeric
Key
To delete the
character (or space)
to the right of the
cursor

21
 Cont
Escape (Esc) … Function
Key Key

Numeric
Key
Used to cancel
the current
operation or
 Used to exit a
program
22
 Cont
Tab … Function
Key Key

Numeric
Used to move from Key
one position on the
screen to another
Used to create
indentation for
paragraphs
23
 Cont
Caps Lock … Function
Key Key

Numeric
Used to type letters in Key

UPPERCASE when
caps lock button is ON
•To deactivate caps lock,
press the caps lock key
again.
24
 Cont
Shift … Functio
Key n
Key
Used in combination with a
key
second Numeric
. By holding down the shift key,Keyit
is
•Used to capitalize letters
•Used to type the characters
and symbols above the
numbers on the number keys.
25
 Cont
Space Bar … Function
Key Key

Numeric
Used to create a space Key
(one character wide)
between characters or
words

26
 Cont
Enter … Function
Key Key

Used to activate
anything that you have Numeric
Key
selected
But in text processing,
used to moves the cursor
down to the next line

27
 Cont
Arrow … Function
Keys Key

Pressing one of these keys Numeric

Key
will cause some type of
screen movement in the
direction of the arrow on
the key

28
 Cont
End … Function
Key Key

Numeric
Key
Used to find and see the
LAST page of a document

29
 Cont
Home … Function
Key Key

Numeric
Key
Used to find and see
the FIRST page of a
document

30
 Cont
Numeric …
Function Keys
Keys

Numeric
Keys

Used to type numeric

data

31
 Cont
Function …
Function
Keys Keys

Used for some specific

purpose Example: Numeric
Keys
•F1-Help
•F2-Rename/Setup
•F4-Find (in word)
•F12-Save as (in Ms
Office)

32
 Cont
Control (Ctrl) …
Function Keys
Key

Usually used with another keyNumeric

Keys

Example: Ctrl + S, Ctrl

+C, Ctrl +V, Ctrl + O, etc

33
 Cont
Alternate (Alt) …
Function
Key Keys

Used in combination
Numeric
other
with Keys
keys
Example: Alt + Tab,
Ctrl + Alt + Delete, etc

34
 Mouse
 Similar to the keyboard, the mouse is used to communicate

with the computer.

 The mouse is like a remote control to a TV

 It is a tool that drives the computer that can be used “away

from the computer;” though the mouse is considered your

direct connection into the computer world.

35
 Cont
Using the Mouse
…
 Fit the palm of your
hand
around the mouse, with
your index finger resting on

the left (the primary) mouse

button &
your middle finger resting on

the right (the secondary)

mouse button.
Let the heel of your hand rest
the desk or table.
36 on Nov,
2017
 Cont
Mouse Cursors …
As you move the mouse, the mouse pointer (the cursor
on the screen) will move in the same direction as your
hand.
The Arrow or
cursor or is thevisual cue that points,
Pointer moves, and selects things on
monitor

37
 Cont…
Mouse
1. Click
Techniques
To click, you press down one of the mouse buttons.

As you click it, it makes a “clicking” noise.

2. Left Clicking
This is the primary “click” that you will use.

This is clicking on the left mouse button.

When someone says, “click here,” that usually means to

left click.
38
 Cont
…
3. Right Clicking
This is used to change options or perform specific

functions. ( using the displayed short-cut menu or

Menu)

4. Point
Use the mouse to move the mouse pointer so that it hovers over

the top of an icon or word on the screen.

39
 Cont
5. Drag and Drop
…
Move the mouse pointer over the top of an item (such as an icon)

on your screen and then (while holding your hand still) gently
press and release the left button on the mouse.
This technique is often used to make a selection.

6. Double-click
While hovering the mouse pointer over an item on the screen,

quickly press the left mouse button two times.

By double clicking, you are usually prompting the computer to
take an
40 action on the item you selected
 Cont
7. Select Item or Icon …
Press and hold down a mouse button (usually the left
button).
As you hold down the button, move the mouse in any

direction.
Click and drag is a method used when “highlighting”

or “selecting” text.
To do this to text, click at the beginning of the text that

you want to select, hold down the left mouse button,

41 and move your mouse to the end of where you want to
 Turning the Computer ON and
OFF
Turning the Computer ON
On a desktop computer, there
will be a power button to
turn ON the computer.
Similarly, there will be a
power button on the monitor
to turn ON the monitor.
These buttons are usually on
the front of the computer
and the monitor.

42
 Cont
…
 Follow the procedures below to turning the computer ON:

 Push the power button on the computer (system unit)

 You will see some lights near the power button come on, these

are the lights to show you that the computer is running.

Push the power button on the monitor (if it is not ON)

A green light will show on the monitor

43
 Cont
…
Turning the Computer OFF
Follow the procedures below to shutdown the computer that
allows the computer to properly store files.
Click on the start button at the bottom left of the screen.
From the start menu choose Shut down.
In the dialog box that opens, select Shut down (if it isn't
already pre- selected).
Click on the OK button.
Wait until the monitor turns black and the computer is no
longer making a humming noise.
Lastly, turn off the computer monitor by pressing the power
button on
the monitor.
44
 Introduction Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
It is the operating system that is installed on most
computers.
Desktop
It is the first screen you see on the monitor when the
computer starts up
It is sometimes referred to as The Desktop
Environment.
The desktop environment is made up of several parts
including: Desktop Icons(Computer , Network and Recycle
Bin etc…..) The Task Bar
The Start Button
45 Notification Area(System Try)
 Cont
…
Shows the disk drives and hardware connected
to this computer

Accessed the computer and the device are that are

on the network

Contain File and Folder that you have deleted

46
 Cont
…
Quick Lunch
Start Button
Notification area or System Try

C C

Show Desktop
Taskbar

47
 Taskba Cont
r …
The area at the very bottom of
Quick
Start Button Lunch the computer screen
To hepyou ktheeinpgs
organized

C C

Show Desktop
Taskba
r
48
 Cont
Start
Button …
Located on the lower left
Cor ner
hand of your screen
Start
Button (on thearea or System
taskbarNotification
Used
Try to access all of the
)
programs on the computer so
you can “start” them.
C C

Show Desktop
Taskbar

49
 Cont
Quick
Lunch …
Quick
Start Button Lunch
Notification area or System Try

Used to Quickly access

different programs.
C C

Show Desktop
Taskbar

50
 Cont…
Notification area or System
Try
Quick Lunch
Start Button
Notification area or System
Try

Found at Cthe right end of the taskbar. C

It can give you quick access to
changing your computer's volume,
display properties, or mouse Show Desktop
settingsT.askbar
51
It Prepared
also
A.
displays the
By: Abenezer current time and Nov,
2017
 Cont
Show Desktop …
Quick Lunch
Start Button
Notification area or System Try

Used to Minimized all open

files and folder
C C

Show Desktop
Taskbar

52
 Working in
A Window Windows
is arectangle on your screen
that organizes how youor
 view and work in specific programs
 view files on your computer.
Elements of a window:
TitleBar
Menuar
Status Bar
Scroll Bar
Minimize Button
Maximize Button
Close Button
53
 Cont
…

Status Bar
54
 Title Cont
Bar …

Status Bar
55
 Menu Cont
Bar …

Status Bar
56
 Status Cont
Bar …

Status Bar
57
 Scroll Cont
Bar …

Status Bar
58
 Close Cont
Button …

Status Bar
59
 Maximize Button Cont…

Status Bar
60
 Minimize Button Cont
…

Status Bar
61 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 Operation Sheet #1
1. Start computer
2. Shutdown Computer
3. Click On computer icon
4. Open Document Window
5. Minimize Document Window
6. Maximized Document Window
7. Close Document Window
8. Drag recycle bin icon and Drop Icon
9. Select all icon on the Desktop
10. Drag Selected Icon and Drop
11. Pointing On Start Button
12. Open Paint Program Then Draw Triangle, Rectangle and
Ellipse shade
62
13. Open Paint Program Then Draw Ethiopian Flag and Oromia
63 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 LO2: ACCESS BASIC SYSTEM
INFORMATION
 Insert User name and password as prompted and noted

access, privacy, security and related conditions of use

displayed on introductory screens
 Navigate Operating system to access system information

to identify system configuration and application

versions in operation
 Use On-line help functions as required

64 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 Access privacy, security of user name and
password
What is a Security?
 On a network, protection of a computer system and its data

from harm or loss, implemented especially so that only

authorized users can gain access to shared files.
What is a User?
 A person who uses a commputer. If the computer is connected

to a network, a user can access the programs and files on the

computer, as well as programs and files located on the network
(depending on account restrictions determined by the network
65 administrator).
Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 Cont
What is a user account?…
A user account is a collection of information that tells

Windows which files and folders you can access, what

changes you can make to the computer, and your
personal preferences, such as your desktop background
or screen saver.
User accounts let you share a computer with several

people, while having your own files and settings. Each

person accesses his or her user account with a user name

66
and password.
Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 Cont
There are three types….
of accounts. Each type gives
users a different level of control over the
computer:
1. Standard accounts are for everyday
computing.
2. Administrator accounts provide the most
control over a computer, and should only be
used when necessary.
3. Guest accounts are intended primarily for people
67 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. who need temporary use of a computer.
2017
 Cont
….
How to create user account
To open user accounts, click Start, and then click
Manage
Create a new user account
To rename a user account
To delete a user account
To change the password for a user
To disable or activate a user account
To modify a user account
How to create user account
To open user accounts, click Start, and then click Control
Panel. Double-click user account

68 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 Operating
system
What is an Operating System?
Is a computer program that manages the hardware and

software resources of a computer.

It Co-ordinates the activity between the user and the
computer.
Through OS you can tell the computer to run a

program, to type your letter, and to store and retrieve

the data you work with the computer.
69 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
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 The OS performs basic tasks such
as:
 Controlling and allocating Memory.
 Prioritizing system requests.

 Controlling input and output devices.

 Make Easy Networking And Managing Files.

 It also may provide a Graphical User Interface

(GUI) for higher level functions.

70 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 Types of Operating
Systems
1. Single Tasking
OS(CLI)

2. Multi-Tasking
OS(GUI)

71 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 Cont
1.
….
Single Tasking OS
Only one program can be run on the

computer at a time.
Example: MS-

DOS TO START MS
DOS,
Click Start button 
Click Run  Type
cmd Click OK.
72
Click Start
Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 MS DOS
The following Commands
are MS Dos Commands.
I. Internal Commands:
Dir …………………….Displays a list of files and subdirectories in
a
directory
Ver………….………….Displays the version of the operating
system.
Cls ……………………..Clears the screen
Date ……………………Displays or sets the date
Time ……………………Displays or sets the system time.
Ren ………………..……Renames a file or folders.
CD …………………..….Specifies that you want to change to the
parent directory
RD …………….…………Removes (deletes) a directory
MD………………...…… Makes (Creates) a directory
73 Copy………………..…...
Prepared By: Abenezer Copies one or more files
Nov,to another
location
A. 2017
 Cont
II. External Commands: ….
 Xcopy …………………Copies files and directory trees
 Edit…………………….Opens MS DOS editor.
 fdisk ………………….Partition Hard disk for use with
Windows
98.
 format……………….. Formats a disk for use with
Windows.
 Diskcopy …………….Copies the contents of one floppy disk
to another
 Doskey ………………Edits command lines, recalls
Windows
2000 commands, and creates macros
 CHKDSK …………… Checks a disk and displays a status
report
74  Scandisk…………….Same as CHKDSK.
Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
 CompA. …………………Comparesthe contents
2017 of two
 Cont
2. Multi-Tasking OS ….
Designed to run more that one program at a time.

 Example: MS-Windows (Win 95, Win 98, Win NT, Win 2000,

WinXP,W7.W8,W10).

Multi-User OS
Used in large companies to connect a number of

computers (workstations), to a Server so that Server's

CPU is shared by all of the workstations.

75 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 System
System Information
mation collects
and display system
Infor s
configuration information for local and remote
computers.
This includes information about

1. Hardware configurations
2. Computer components, and
3. Software, including signed drivers and unsigned
drivers.
76 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 Cont
When support … troubleshoot your system
technicians
configuration, they require specific information about
your computer. You can use System Information to
quickly find the information that these technicians
need to resolve a system problem.
System Information saves data files in a native (.nfo)

format. You can also open .cab and .xml files in

System Information.
77 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
78 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
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 LO3: Navigate and Manipulate desktopenvironment

Create and customize desktop icons

Select, open and close to access application

programs

desktop icons

Manipulate and desktop return to original

conditions application windows

79 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 Introductio
nNavigate and manipulate desktop environment deals

with creation of desktop icons, using icons to access

application windows and manipulating application
windows

80 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 1. Desktop icons
Icons: icons are little pictures that represent objects,

such as files or actions such as menu commands the

user can initiate an action by double-clicking on the
icon
Program icon: A graphic symbol representing an

application or document .double click on the icon to

start the application associated with it
81 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
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 2. Manipulation of application
windows Window: contains a
Application running
application. Application windows have menu bars
and may also contain one or more document window
Document window: contains a document used by an

application. Generally, document windows appear

within application windows and are often referred
to child windows

82 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 Windows
Component
Title bar
Displayed along the top of all most all program,

folder and display box windows.

Maximize, Minimize, Restore and Close Buttons

To close a windows using keyboard

 Press Alt+F4

83 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

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84 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 Cont
…
To minimize all program windows simultaneously

-Right click on empty part of the Task bar

- select show the desktop

To reverse the effect of minimize all windows

-Right click on empty part of Taskbar

-select Undo show Open windows

Scroll bar: Allows movement of text and graphics within

windows

85 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 Cont
…area framing the window.
Window Borders: the

Control icon: All windows have control icons

Dialog box: Allow you to enter text in to the dialog

box
Text box: Allow you to enter text in to the dialog box

List box: Select from the list of option

Scroll buttons: Drag up or down to move the

window display
86 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 Cont
…
Scroll bar: used to move up or down through the

contents of a window
Dropdown list: A list of option from which items

can be selected
Check box and Radio button

Check box allows the selection of one or more items

Radio button allows only one a single selection

87 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 Desktop icons(Practical Section)
 To add a desktop icon

 To rename a desktop icon

 To arrange your desktop icons

 To customize a background color

 To put a shortcut icon on the

desktop
 To turn off the desktop icon grid
88 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 Rename Icon
Method 1
Right click on icon
Then click on rename
Then type name
Method 2
Select icon
Then press from keyboard
F2
Then type name

89 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 Manipulation of application windows
 Window components
 Opening a Window
 Resize an Open Window
 Moving aWindow
 Displaying All Open
Windows
 Arrange all open windows
 Minimizing aWindow
 Maximizing aWindow
 Restoring aWindow
90  Closing aWindow
Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 LO4:- Organize basic
director/folder structure
and directories
 Create and name files and
subdirectories
 Identify attributes of directories.

 Move subdirectories between directories

 Rename directories as required.

Accesses directories and subdirectories via

different paths
91 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 Introductio
nThis Presentation
 briefly defines director, folder
and their attributes and how to move directories
and also brief sub or child directories/folder
Folder
A container for programs and files in graphical user
interfaces, symbolized on the screen by a graphical image
(icon) of a file folder.
A folder is a means of organizing programs and
documents on a disk and can hold both files and
additional folders. Folder is a directory in windows
92 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
environments
A. 2017
 Cont
…
The Root Directory is the top of the directory hierarchy
for a drive.
Directories and subdirectories form a structure called
Directory tree. Suppose you want to keep letters and
minutes of the different units of Addis Ababa University
(AAU) separately you can then create subdirectories in
the following format

93 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
94 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 Create the following
Directory structure Under
My Document

95 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 \Mary Help College

96 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

A. 2017
 Cont
All directories … the
except root directory are
subdirectories; however they are commonly called
directories. To understand the relationship between two
or more directories, the term parent & child directories
are used. For example, the root directory is the parent
director of the subdirectories FACULITY, finance and
ADMINST.
FINANCE is the parent directory of PAYROLL, and

PURCHASE on the other hand PAYROLL and

97 PURCHASE are called child directoriesNov,
Prepared By: Abenezer of FINANCE.
A. 2017
 LO5:- Organize files for user
and/or organization
requirements
 Use system browser to search drives for specific files
 Accesses most commonly used types of files in the
directories.
 Select, open and rename groups of files as required

 Move files between directories.

 Copy files to disks.

 Restore deleted files as necessary.

 Erase and format disks as necessary.

98 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
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 Use system browser to search
drivers
Search for a file or folder/To search the Internet

99 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

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 Accessing commonly used files
To show your most recently used documents on the
Start menu

100 Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,

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 LO6: Print
information
 Add Printers if required and ensured to
have correct printer settings(layout,
paper size, paper tray, cartridge type,
number of copies, orientation)
 Change Default printer if appropriate.
 Print Information from an installed
101
printer
Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017
 LO7:- Operate application
software
Create Documents and customize
basic settings to meet page layout
conventions.
Format Document and create tables.

Add Images and use mail merge

Select Basic print settings and print

102
documents.
Prepared By: Abenezer Nov,
A. 2017