MITS Academy — Basic Computer Course
MITS ACADEMY
Basic Computer Course
Basic to Intermediate Level | Hardware, OS, MS Office, Internet, Cybersecurity
[Link]
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MITS Academy — Basic Computer Course
Basic Computer Course
Module 1: Computer Fundamentals
1.1 What is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device that accepts input (data), processes it according to
instructions (a program), and produces output (information). Computers can perform billions of
operations per second with extreme accuracy. The key characteristics of computers are: Speed
(processes instructions in nanoseconds), Accuracy (results are precise if instructions are
correct), Diligence (does not get tired, same performance 24/7), Storage (stores massive
amounts of data), Versatility (can perform many types of tasks), and Automation (once
programmed, works without human intervention).
1.2 Types of Computers
Personal Computers (PC): desktop and laptop computers for individual use. Workstations: high-
performance PCs for scientific, engineering, or graphics work. Servers: powerful computers that
provide resources and services to other computers on a network. Mainframes: very powerful
computers used by large organizations (banks, airlines) for processing millions of transactions
simultaneously. Supercomputers: the fastest computers in the world, used for weather
forecasting, scientific research, nuclear simulations (e.g., PARAM Siddhi in India). Embedded
Computers: computers built into devices like smartphones, ATMs, microwave ovens, washing
machines, cars.
1.3 Hardware vs Software
Hardware: physical components of a computer — anything you can touch. Examples: CPU,
RAM, hard drive, keyboard, mouse, monitor, printer. Software: programs and data stored
electronically — you cannot touch it. Examples: Windows OS, Microsoft Word, games, apps.
Firmware: software permanently stored in hardware chips — the bridge between hardware and
software (e.g., BIOS/UEFI on motherboard). The hardware provides capability; the software
provides functionality.
1.4 Generations of Computers
First Generation (1940s-1950s): Vacuum tubes as electronic components. Very large (room-
sized), expensive, and unreliable. Example: ENIAC. Second Generation (1950s-1960s):
Transistors replaced vacuum tubes. Smaller, faster, more reliable. Example: IBM 7090. Third
Generation (1960s-1970s): Integrated Circuits (ICs) — multiple transistors on a chip. Even
smaller and more powerful. Example: IBM System/360. Fourth Generation (1970s-present):
Microprocessors — entire CPU on a single chip (VLSI). Personal computers became possible.
Example: Intel 4004. Fifth Generation (present and future): AI, parallel processing, quantum
computing. Examples: AI chips like Google TPU, IBM Quantum computers.
Module 2: Hardware Components
2.1 The CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU is the "brain" of the computer. It performs all calculations and executes program
instructions. Key components: ALU (Arithmetic Logic Unit) — performs mathematical
calculations (+, -, *, /) and logical comparisons (>, <, =, AND, OR). Control Unit (CU) — fetches
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instructions from memory, decodes them, and coordinates all other components. Registers —
tiny, ultra-fast storage inside the CPU for data currently being processed. CPU performance is
measured by: Clock Speed (GHz — how many billion cycles per second), Number of Cores
(dual-core, quad-core, octa-core — multiple CPUs on one chip), and Cache Size (L1/L2/L3 —
fast memory built into the CPU).
2.2 Memory (RAM and ROM)
RAM (Random Access Memory): Primary memory — stores data and programs currently in use.
Volatile: loses all data when power is off. Faster than hard drive. More RAM = more programs
can run simultaneously. Modern computers: 4GB (basic), 8GB (standard), 16GB+
(professional/gaming). ROM (Read-Only Memory): Stores the firmware (BIOS/UEFI). Non-
volatile: retains data without power. Cannot be easily modified. Executes when you press the
power button. Cache Memory: extremely fast memory built into or near the CPU. Stores
frequently accessed data to speed up processing. L1 cache (fastest, smallest, inside CPU core),
L2 cache (larger, slightly slower), L3 cache (shared among cores).
2.3 Storage Devices
HDD (Hard Disk Drive): Magnetic storage. Mechanical moving parts (spinning platters). Slow
but very cheap. Used for mass storage. Typical capacity: 500GB to 4TB+. SSD (Solid State
Drive): Flash memory (no moving parts). 5-10x faster than HDD. More expensive per GB. Used
as the primary drive for the OS and applications. Typical capacity: 256GB to 2TB. Optical Discs:
CD (700MB), DVD (4.7GB), Blu-ray (25-50GB). Mostly used for media, backups, software
distribution. USB Flash Drive: portable flash storage. 4GB to 512GB. Plug-and-play. Cloud
Storage: store data on remote servers accessible via internet. Examples: Google Drive (15GB
free), OneDrive (5GB free), Dropbox.
2.4 Input and Output Devices
Input devices — send data INTO the computer: Keyboard (text, commands), Mouse (pointer
control), Scanner (converts physical documents to digital), Microphone (audio input), Webcam
(video input), Touchpad (laptop equivalent of mouse), Barcode Scanner, Fingerprint Reader.
Output devices — send information FROM the computer TO the user: Monitor (visual display),
Printer (paper output), Speakers (audio), Projector (large display). Dual-purpose (both input and
output): Touchscreen monitor, Modem (sends and receives data over the internet).
2.5 Motherboard and Other Components
Motherboard: the main circuit board that connects all components. Contains the CPU socket,
RAM slots, expansion slots (PCIe for graphics card), BIOS chip, and connectors for storage and
peripherals. GPU (Graphics Processing Unit): dedicated processor for rendering images and
video. Essential for gaming, video editing, and AI. Power Supply Unit (PSU): converts AC power
from the wall into DC power for the computer components. Cooling System: CPU cooler
(heatsink + fan), case fans, liquid cooling — prevents overheating. Ports: USB (data transfer),
HDMI/DisplayPort (video), 3.5mm audio, Ethernet (wired internet), SD card slot, Thunderbolt.
Module 3: Operating Systems
3.1 What is an Operating System?
The Operating System (OS) is the most important software on a computer. It manages all
hardware resources and provides a platform for applications to run. Key functions: Process
Management (runs multiple programs simultaneously), Memory Management (allocates RAM to
programs), File System Management (organizes files and folders), Device Management (drivers
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for hardware), User Interface (GUI or command line), Security (user accounts, permissions,
firewalls).
3.2 Windows OS Essentials
Windows (by Microsoft) is the most widely used OS (about 73% of PCs). The Desktop is your
main workspace. The Taskbar at the bottom shows running programs and the Start menu. File
Explorer: manages your files and folders. Control Panel / Settings: system configuration. Task
Manager (Ctrl+Shift+Esc): shows running processes, CPU/RAM usage, end unresponsive
applications.
Windows Keyboard Shortcuts:
Win key = Open Start Menu
Win + D = Show Desktop
Win + E = Open File Explorer
Win + L = Lock Computer
Win + R = Run dialog (type commands)
Win + Prt Sc = Screenshot saved to Pictures
Alt + Tab = Switch between open windows
Alt + F4 = Close current window
Ctrl + C/X/V = Copy / Cut / Paste
Ctrl + Z = Undo
Ctrl + Y = Redo
Ctrl + A = Select All
Ctrl + F = Find
Ctrl + S = Save
Ctrl + P = Print
Ctrl + Alt + Del = Security options / Task Manager
3.3 File Management
Files: individual documents, images, programs, etc. Each file has a name and an extension that
indicates its type (.docx = Word document, .xlsx = Excel, .pdf = PDF, .jpg = image, .mp4 =
video, .exe = Windows executable program, .zip = compressed archive). Folders (Directories):
containers that organize files. You can create nested folders (folders within folders). File
operations: Create (New > Folder or File), Copy (Ctrl+C), Cut (Ctrl+X), Paste (Ctrl+V), Delete
(Delete key → Recycle Bin), Permanently Delete (Shift+Delete), Rename (F2 or right-click >
Rename). Search: Windows key + S or the Search bar in File Explorer.
Module 4: Microsoft Office Suite
4.1 Microsoft Word (Word Processing)
Microsoft Word is used for creating documents: letters, reports, resumes, and more. Interface:
Ribbon (top) contains all tools organized in tabs (Home, Insert, Layout, References). Document
area is where you type.
Essential Word Skills:
Formatting text:
Select text, then use:
Ctrl+B = Bold
Ctrl+I = Italic
Ctrl+U = Underline
Font name and size boxes on the Home ribbon
Text color, Highlight buttons
Paragraph formatting:
Alignment: Left (Ctrl+L), Center (Ctrl+E), Right (Ctrl+R), Justify (Ctrl+J)
Line Spacing: Home > Line Spacing
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Bullets/Numbering: Home > Bullets or Numbering
Page setup:
Layout tab > Margins (Normal = 1 inch all sides)
Layout tab > Orientation (Portrait or Landscape)
Layout tab > Page Size (A4 or Letter)
Headers and Footers:
Insert tab > Header / Footer
Insert > Page Number
Printing:
File > Print (Ctrl+P)
Select printer, number of copies, page range
4.2 Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheets)
Excel is used for organizing data, calculations, and charts. A spreadsheet is a grid of Cells
organized in Rows (numbered 1, 2, 3...) and Columns (lettered A, B, C...). A cell reference: A1 =
Column A, Row 1. A Range: A1:D10 = cells from A1 to D10.
Essential Excel Skills:
Data entry:
Type in cells, Tab to move right, Enter to move down
Basic formulas (always start with =):
=A1+B1 Add two cells
=SUM(A1:A10) Sum of a range
=AVERAGE(B1:B10) Average of a range
=MAX(C1:C20) Highest value
=MIN(C1:C20) Lowest value
=COUNT(D1:D20) Count cells with numbers
=COUNTA(D1:D20) Count non-empty cells
Formatting:
Select cells > Right-click > Format Cells
Number formats: General, Number, Currency (₹), Date, Percentage
Bold/Italic/Color same as Word (Ctrl+B, Ctrl+I)
Merge cells: Home > Merge & Center
Borders: Home > Borders dropdown
Sorting and Filtering:
Select data > Data tab > Sort or Filter
Filter adds dropdown arrows to column headers
Charts:
Select data > Insert tab > Charts
Choose chart type: Column, Bar, Pie, Line
Edit chart title and labels
4.3 Microsoft PowerPoint (Presentations)
PowerPoint creates slide presentations. The interface shows: Slide Panel (left), Editing Area
(center), Notes Panel (bottom). Each slide can contain text boxes, images, shapes, charts, and
videos.
Essential PowerPoint Skills:
Creating slides:
New slide: Home > New Slide or Ctrl+M
Layout options: Title Slide, Title & Content, Blank
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Adding content:
Click placeholder boxes and type
Insert > Pictures (from file)
Insert > Shapes, Icons
Insert > Chart (creates an embedded Excel chart)
Design:
Design tab > Themes (predefined professional designs)
Design tab > Variants (color schemes)
Transitions and Animations:
Transitions tab: effects between slides
Animations tab: effects on individual slide elements
Keep these subtle — overuse looks unprofessional
Presentation mode:
F5 = Start from beginning
Shift+F5 = Start from current slide
Escape = Exit presentation mode
Arrow keys / Spacebar = advance slides
Module 5: Internet and Email
5.1 Understanding the Internet
The Internet is a global network of billions of connected devices. It allows communication,
information access, and data sharing worldwide. Key concepts: IP Address: unique numerical
address for each device (like a house address). E.g., [Link]. DNS (Domain Name
System): translates website names to IP addresses. HTTP/HTTPS: protocol for loading
websites (S = Secure/encrypted). Broadband types: DSL (telephone line), Cable (TV cable),
Fiber (glass fiber, fastest), Mobile data (4G/5G), Wi-Fi (wireless local network).
5.2 Web Browsing
Web browsers display websites. Popular browsers: Google Chrome (most popular, 65%+
market share), Microsoft Edge (built into Windows), Mozilla Firefox, Safari (Apple). URL
(Uniform Resource Locator) = web address. Structure: [Link] https =
protocol (secure), www = subdomain, example = domain name, .com = top-level domain (.in for
India, .org, .edu), /page = path to specific page.
Browser Shortcuts:
Ctrl+T = New Tab
Ctrl+W = Close Tab
Ctrl+Tab = Switch to next tab
Ctrl+L = Go to Address bar
Ctrl+D = Bookmark this page
Ctrl+H = Browser History
Ctrl+J = Downloads
Ctrl+F = Find text on page
Ctrl+R or F5 = Refresh page
Ctrl+Shift+Delete = Clear browsing data
F12 = Developer Tools
5.3 Email Communication
Email (Electronic Mail) is the primary professional communication tool. Key email providers:
Gmail (Google), Outlook (Microsoft), Yahoo Mail. Email address format:
username@[Link]. Parts of an email: To (primary recipient), CC (Carbon Copy — others
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who should see the email), BCC (Blind Carbon Copy — recipients hidden from others), Subject
(clear, specific — crucial for professional emails), Body (the message), Attachments (files sent
with the email).
Professional Email Etiquette:
Subject line: be specific
Bad: "Question"
Good: "Question about Project Alpha deadline - meeting request"
Greeting:
Formal: "Dear Mr./Ms. [Last Name],"
Semi-formal: "Hello [First Name],"
Informal: "Hi [Name],"
Body structure:
1. State the purpose immediately
2. Provide necessary context/details
3. State what action you need
4. Timeline if applicable
Closing:
Formal: "Yours sincerely," / "Yours faithfully,"
Standard: "Best regards," / "Kind regards,"
Informal: "Thanks," / "Best,"
Then: Your full name and designation
Rules:
- Reply within 24 hours
- Keep to one topic per email
- Attachments: mention them in the body
- Use Reply All only when everyone needs to see your reply
- Re-read before sending
Module 6: Cybersecurity Basics
6.1 Common Online Threats
Virus: malicious program that replicates itself and damages files or system. Malware: umbrella
term for any malicious software (virus, ransomware, spyware, adware). Ransomware: encrypts
your files and demands payment to unlock (very damaging for businesses). Phishing: fraudulent
emails/websites that trick you into revealing passwords, bank details, or OTPs. Fake sender
(appears to be from bank/government/company). Urgent message ("Your account will be
suspended!"). Link to fake website. Social Engineering: manipulating people into revealing
confidential information. Scareware: fake warnings claiming your computer is infected to sell
fake antivirus software.
6.2 Safe Practices
Strong passwords: minimum 12 characters, mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, symbols.
Never use birthdays, names, or common words. Use a different password for each important
account. Use a password manager (Bitwarden, Google Password Manager). Two-Factor
Authentication (2FA): login requires password PLUS a second factor (OTP on phone,
authenticator app). Enable 2FA on email, banking, and social media accounts. Software
updates: install OS and application updates promptly — they patch security vulnerabilities. Be
suspicious: verify before clicking links in emails. Go to the official website directly instead of
clicking email links. Never give OTP to anyone over the phone.
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Module 7: Basic Troubleshooting
7.1 Common Computer Problems and Solutions
Problem: Computer is very slow
Solutions:
1. Close unnecessary programs (Task Manager > End Task)
2. Restart the computer
3. Check Disk Space: Windows + E > C: drive > should have 15%+ free
4. Run Disk Cleanup: search "Disk Cleanup" in Windows
5. Disable startup programs: Task Manager > Startup tab
6. Check for malware: run antivirus scan
7. Check RAM usage in Task Manager
Problem: No internet connection
Solutions:
1. Check if Wi-Fi is connected (Wi-Fi icon in taskbar)
2. Restart the router (unplug 30 seconds, plug back)
3. Run Windows network troubleshooter (right-click network icon)
4. Forget and reconnect to Wi-Fi network
5. Check if other devices can connect (isolates router vs computer)
6. Flush DNS: open Command Prompt > type: ipconfig /flushdns
Problem: Program not responding
Solutions:
1. Wait 30-60 seconds (may recover)
2. Ctrl+Shift+Esc > Task Manager > select program > End Task
3. If repeated, reinstall the program
Problem: Computer overheating
Solutions:
1. Clean dust from vents (compressed air)
2. Ensure adequate ventilation (do not block air vents)
3. Check if CPU fan is running
4. Use on hard flat surface (not on bed/sofa — blocks vents)
Assignments
Assignment 1: File Management
Create a folder structure on your computer for a fictional project: Main folder "Project Alpha"
with subfolders "Documents", "Images", "Reports", "Presentations". Create sample files in each
folder, rename them using proper naming conventions (no spaces — use underscores), and
organize them correctly. Take a screenshot showing the full folder structure.
Assignment 2: MS Office Tasks
Task 1 (Word): Create a 2-page project report with proper headings, a numbered list, a table,
and a header with your name. Task 2 (Excel): Create a student marks sheet for 10 students
across 5 subjects. Calculate Total, Average, Highest, Lowest for each student. Apply conditional
formatting to highlight marks below 40 in red. Task 3 (PowerPoint): Create a 5-slide
presentation introducing yourself and your career goals.
Assignment 3: Internet Research
Use a search engine to research any technology topic. Write a 200-word summary with 3
reliable sources cited. Send the summary as a properly formatted professional email to your
instructor's address with the sources attached as a Word document.
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Projects
Project 1: Complete Computer Usage Simulation
Simulate a full day of computer-based work: Morning — receive a project brief email and reply
professionally, Research the topic online and organize notes in Word, Create an Excel budget
for the project, Design a PowerPoint presentation based on your research. Afternoon — Save
all files in a well-organized folder structure, Export the PowerPoint as a PDF, Send completed
files as email attachments to the instructor. Demonstrate: file organization, keyboard shortcuts
used, proper email etiquette.
Project 2: Technology Report
Research and create a comprehensive report (minimum 4 pages in Word) on a technology topic
(cybersecurity, AI, cloud computing, etc.). Requirements: properly formatted with
headings/subheadings, table of contents, at least one chart or table created in Excel and
embedded, images with captions, citations/references section. Present a 5-slide summary in
PowerPoint.
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