Perform Computer Operations
Perform Computer Operations
Sector:
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
Qualification:
COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II
Unit of Competency:
PERFORM COMPUTER OPERATIONS
Module Title:
Performing Computer Operations
You may have some or most of the knowledge and skills covered on the learner’s guide
because you have:
Been working for some time.
Already completed training on this area.
If you can demonstrate to your Instructor that you are competent in a particular skill, you
don’t have to do the same training again. If you feel you have some skills, talk to your
instructor about having them formally recognized. If you gave qualification or certificates of
your competency from previous training, show it to your Instructor. If the skill you acquired
are still relevant to the Module, they may become part of the evidence you can present to
RPL.
At the end of this learner’s guide is a learner diary, use this diary to record important dates
jobs undertaken and other workplace events that will assist you in providing further details to
your Instructors or Assessors. A Record of Achievement is also provided for your Instructor
to complete once you have completed the Module.
This Module was prepared to help you achieve the required competency in the Perform
Computer Operations. This will be the source of information for you to acquire knowledge
and skills in this particular trade, with minimum supervision or help from your Instructor.
With the aid of this material you will acquire the competency independently and at your own
pace.
Talk to your Instructor and agree on how you will both organize the Training of
this unit. Read through the learning guide carefully. It is divided into sections,
which cover all the skills, and knowledge you need to successfully complete in
this module.
Work through all the information to complete the activities in each section. Read
Information Sheets and complete the Self-check. Suggested references are
included to supplement the materials provided in this module.
Most probably your Instructor will be your supervision manager. He/she is there
to support you and show you the correct way to do the things. Ask for help.
Your Instructor will tell you about the important things you need to consider when
you are completing the activities and it is important that you listen and take notes.
Date Document No.
Computer Issued by:
Developed:
Hardware Servicing October 2010
NLPC NC II
QA Performing
Page 2 of 89
Developed by:
SYSTEM Computer
John M. Parra
Operations
Revision # 00
You will be given plenty of opportunity to ask questions and practice on the job.
Make sure you practice your new skills during regular work shifts. This way you
will improve both your speed, memory and also your confidence.
Talk to more experience workmates and ask for their guidance.
Use the Self-check questions at the end of each section to test your own
progress.
When you are ready, ask your Instructor to watch you perform the activities
outline in the learning guide.
As you work through the activities, ask for written feedback on your progress.
Your Instructor keeps feedback/ pre-assessment reports for this reason. When
you have successfully completed each element, ask your Instructor to mark on
the reports that you are ready for the assessment.
When you have completed this module (several modules) and feel confident that
you have had sufficient practice. Your Instructor will arrange an appointment with
registered Assessor to assess you. The results of your assessment will be
recorded in your Competency Achievement Record.
INTRODUCTION :
This module contains information and practices in Starting the Computer. It includes
instructions on how to operate a personal computer
You need to complete this module before you can operate Email and search the web
using browser, because PC Operation NC II. Requires greater level of physical control
(skills). Practices in this module will help you develop your skills in Email and search the web
using browser.
Learning Outcomes :
Assessment Criteria:
Definition of Terms :
1. BIOS (basic input/output system) Software that includes the initialization programs
stored on ROM (read-only memory) chips. Used during the startup routine to check
out the system and prepare to run the hardware.
2. byte A group of 8 bits that represents 1 character of information (for instance,
pressing one key on the keyboard). A byte is the standard unit for measuring
memory in a microprocessor. Memory size is measured in terms of kilobytes (KB) or
megabytes (MB). 1 KB of RAM is 1024 bytes; 1 MB is approximately one million
bytes.
3. CPU (central processing unit) The part of a computer that controls the arithmetic and
logical operations and decoding and executing instructions.
6. IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) The most common standard for interfacing hard
disk and CD-ROM drives in the PC environment. Much of the actual work of
controlling the hard disk drive is handled by the system BIOS. This reduces
hardware cost but introduces an overall system performance penalty during I/O
(input/output) operations.
9. motherboard Also known as a PWB or printed wiring board, it is the large circuit
board found inside the computer. For all practical purposes, it is the computer. It
contains the following items: chip set, data bus, address bus, expansion slots, clock,
battery, and memory.
10. mouse Device used with graphical environments to point and select objects on the
system's monitor. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
11. operating system The program that controls a PC and makes it possible for users
to run their own applications. The operating system provides the built-in routines that
allow the computer to recognize commands, manage files, connect devices, and
perform I/O (input/output) operations.
13. power The strength or force actually put forth by electricity. Electrical power is
measured in watts, which is measured by multiplying voltage by current.
14. power supply Takes alternating current (AC) power from a local source (a wall
outlet) and converts it to direct current (DC) for on-board electronics use.
15. printer A peripheral device that transfers computer output to paper or other form of
hard copy.
16. RAM (random access memory) The main memory where a computer temporarily
stores data.
17. ROM (read-only memory) Computer memory that contains instructions that do not
need to be changed, such as operating system startup instructions. The computer
can access data from ROM but cannot put new data into it.
19. system bus Supports the CPU (central processing unit), RAM (random access
memory), and other motherboard components that provide the controlling element to
the computer. It is responsible for coordinating the operation of the individual system
components and central to the communications system of a computer. Also called
the control bus.
20. USB (universal serial bus) A new external expansion bus that is popular for use with
low-speed mass storage devices such as Zip drives, modems, and printers.
Resources:
1. Instructional Slide Shows
Hardware is the computer’s machinery –the parts you can see and touch, like the
monitor all the electronic devices and circuits inside it.
Computer Software
Software refers to the intangible components of a computer system, particularly the
programs, or lists of instructions that the computer needs to perform a specific tasks.
Peripherals. These are devices that can be added to a computer system to enhance its
usefulness.
An external peripheral device must have a corresponding port and cable that connect it to the
back of the computer. Inside the computer, each port connects to a controller card sometimes
called an expansion or interface card.
A parallel port transmits data eight bits at a time. A serial port transmits data one bit at a time.
A USB port, short for Universal Serial Bus, is a high speed technology that
facilitates the connection of external devices, such as joysticks, scanners,
keyboards, video conferencing cameras, speakers, modems, and printers, to a computer.
In this unit, we expand on the material in the preceding unit with an explanation of the
Input/Process/Output (I/P/O) model and see how it can be used to help us understand the
functional design of the personal computer (PC). We go on to define the hardware
components that a computer professional can expect to encounter every day—the computer
parts that you actually touch.
COMPUTER PARTS:
If possible, while you work through this unit, have a PC at hand with its case open. Take a
look at each piece of hardware and try to identify its function as you go over this material.
DOS
All versions of DOS had several things in common. First, they were built for a specific class
of CPU and computer: The original version of DOS was designed to provide operating
system services for the original IBM PC. That machine shipped with either one or two floppy
drives and had a port for a cassette drive in the back. The original release of the PC did not
include support for adding a hard drive to the system. As Intel processors increased in power
and as the PC became a more advanced platform, DOS was extended to take advantage of
the new features and capabilities.
MS-DOS includes three core programs that are required to make a drive or floppy disk
bootable and load the operating system into memory:
[Link]. The interface between the hardware and the operating system code
[Link]. The main operating system code
[Link]. The interface between the user and the operating system code
MS-DOS used two optional startup files to process custom commands required by the user,
hardware devices, or applications. These files were the following:
[Link]. Loads extra hardware and device drivers not built into [Link]
[Link]. Loads TSR programs selected by the user and sets up
environment variables such as TEMP and PATH
Windows uses a boot process that is quite similar to DOS (we look at it later), and some
versions can actually use the [Link] and [Link] files. Booting the system
is a term that originated in the early days of computer operations, coming from the saying
"pulling yourself up by the bootstraps." Here is a summary of the steps involved and how the
core files described work.
1. When power is first applied to the system, the computer performs the POST, a series
of self-checks stored in permanent read-only memory. The POST code includes
instructions that cause the machine to locate and invoke an operating system if it
exists.
2. The ROM BIOS (read-only memory basic input/output system) on the motherboard
looks for an operating system. It checks for the presence of [Link] and
[Link]. The locations to be checked are defined in the CMOS (complementary
metal-oxide semiconductor) and usually involve first searching the A (floppy disk)
drive and then the C drive.
3. The operating system processes the [Link] file (if present on the boot drive).
[Link] contains information to configure the system environment, including
special memory management overlays and hardware drivers.
4. [Link] is loaded.
5. The operating system processes the [Link] file (if present).
[Link] loads programs and user-defined settings.
6. If no programs (such as Windows) are invoked by [Link],
[Link] presents the active-drive prompt and waits for a command.
The process of starting from a no-power condition is called a cold boot. Occasionally, a
system might require a reset—for instance, when the computer locks up or runs out of
memory. Resetting can be accomplished without turning off the computer by pressing the
Ctrl, Alt, and Del keys at the same time. This is called a warm boot.
Like all electronic devices, the computer has an ON-OFF switch to bring power into
it. You will find either a pushbutton switch located on the front of the CPU housing,
or a toggle switch located on the back of the CPU housing.
1. Check the computer parts and peripherals if they are connected then set the
advance computer stabilizer (POWERPLUS) switch ON.
Power Switch
1 – ON
0 - OFF
Switch ON (CPU)
In the first portion of this procedure, you will start the system up and observe its operations under
normal conditions. Each time a PC system is started, it automatically performs a series of self tests
and initialization steps on itself. These steps may take up to 60 seconds to perform. For this
procedure, the system should be fully operational. If an error is detected by the startup routine, the
system should display an error message on the screen, or through a set of beep tones. If the system
is functioning normally, windows desktop should appear on the screen.
When the PC is turned ON, the entire system is reset to a predetermined starting condition. From this
state, the system begins carrying out software instructions from the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)
program. This small program is permanently stored in the ROM memory IC located on the system
board. The information stored in this IC is all the intelligence that the system has to begin with. During
the execution of the BIOS program, three major operations are performed. First, the BIOS performs a
series of tests on the system to verify that its hardware is working properly. These built-in tests are
called POSTs for Power-On Self-Tests. If anything in the system is malfunctioning, these tests will
cause an ERROR message to be displayed on the monitor’s screen and/or a tone to be produced
from the speaker. Second, the BIOS program places starting values in the system’s various intelligent
devices. These devices regulate the operation of the different portions of the computer’s hardware.
This process is called “Initialization.” Finally, the BIOS checks the system’s disk drives for a special
program called the “Boot Record.” The Boot Record program contains information that allows the
system to load a much more powerful control program, called the Disk Operating System into RAM
memory. Once the Operating System has been loaded into the computer’s memory, the BIOS gives it
control over the system. From this point, the Operating System will oversee the operation of the
system. Traditionally, the BIOS program searches for the boot record in floppy disk drive A. If the
record is not found there, then it will they search for it in the first hard disk drive (drive C). If the “boot”
program is found, the system will load the operating system and “beep” at you and display the DOS
“prompt” (A:\ > or C:\ >) on the screen. In DOS and Windows 3.x systems, the computer is now
waiting for you to do something, such as using it to run programs from the other two software
categories. Windows units do not stop at a DOS prompt or command line. Instead, the GUI is loaded
and the user begins operation from the Desktop display. The steps outlined in PROCEDURE 1 describe
the normal events of a cold bootup procedure. In a warm boot situation, only steps 5 through 9 are
executed.
PROCEDURE 2
Assessment Criteria:
1. Data are entered into the computer using appropriate program/application in
accordance with company procedures.
2. Accuracy of information is checked and information is saved in accordance with
standard operating procedures.
3. Inputted data is stored in storage media according to requirements.
4. Work is performed within ergonomic guidelines.
Definition of Terms :
1. BIOS (basic input/output system) Software that includes the initialization programs
stored on ROM (read-only memory) chips. Used during the startup routine to check
out the system and prepare to run the hardware.
2. byte A group of 8 bits that represents 1 character of information (for instance,
pressing one key on the keyboard). A byte is the standard unit for measuring
memory in a microprocessor. Memory size is measured in terms of kilobytes (KB) or
megabytes (MB). 1 KB of RAM is 1024 bytes; 1 MB is approximately one million
bytes.
3. CPU (central processing unit) The part of a computer that controls the arithmetic and
logical operations and decoding and executing instructions.
6. IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) The most common standard for interfacing hard
disk and CD-ROM drives in the PC environment. Much of the actual work of
controlling the hard disk drive is handled by the system BIOS. This reduces
hardware cost but introduces an overall system performance penalty during I/O
(input/output) operations.
8. keyboard A primary input device much like a typewriter, used for entering text and
command function shortcuts into a computer
10. mouse Device used with graphical environments to point and select objects on the
system's monitor. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
11. operating system The program that controls a PC and makes it possible for users
to run their own applications. The operating system provides the built-in routines that
allow the computer to recognize commands, manage files, connect devices, and
perform I/O (input/output) operations.
13. power The strength or force actually put forth by electricity. Electrical power is
measured in watts, which is measured by multiplying voltage by current.
14. power supply Takes alternating current (AC) power from a local source (a wall
outlet) and converts it to direct current (DC) for on-board electronics use.
15. printer A peripheral device that transfers computer output to paper or other form of
hard copy.
16. RAM (random access memory) The main memory where a computer temporarily
stores data.
17. ROM (read-only memory) Computer memory that contains instructions that do not
need to be changed, such as operating system startup instructions. The computer
can access data from ROM but cannot put new data into it.
19. system bus Supports the CPU (central processing unit), RAM (random access
memory), and other motherboard components that provide the controlling element to
the computer. It is responsible for coordinating the operation of the individual system
components and central to the communications system of a computer. Also called
the control bus.
20. USB (universal serial bus) A new external expansion bus that is popular for use with
low-speed mass storage devices such as Zip drives, modems, and printers.
Resources:
1. Instructional Slide Shows
2. CD ROM on Operate Word Processing Application
A modern computer looks like a complicated device. On one level this is true, and it
is the beneficiary of much development in electronics technology. It is constructed of many
hardware components connected with what seem to be miles of interwoven wires. Despite
this apparent complexity, however, a computer, just like a calculator, handles information in
three stages: input, processing, and output (see Figure 1). Each piece of hardware can be
classified as working in one (and sometimes two) of these three stages. We can also use
these three stages to classify any aspect of a computer's operation or the function of any of
its components. During the troubleshooting phase of a repair job, it is often useful to
categorize a problem according to which of the three stages it occurs in.
Input
Input is the first stage of computing, referring to any means that moves data (information)
from the outside world into the processor—or from one component of the computer to
another.
Processing
Processing is the second stage of computing. This is the actual manipulation of data by the
computer.
Output
Output is the third stage of computing. All the input and processing in the world won't do us
any good unless we can get the information back from the computer in a comprehensible
and usable form.
COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER
As you might expect, the components of a computer reflect the function of the machine—
specifically, the three stages of computing, as outlined in 1.1.1 The three stages of
computing.” Let's examine the components.
Input
The following table lists some examples of devices that are used to put information into a
computer.
Device Description
Keyboard The primary input device for a
computer, allowing users to type
information just as they once did on
a typewriter.
Mouse Used with graphical interface
environments to point to and select
objects on the system's monitor.
Can be purchased in a variety of
sizes, shapes, and configurations.
Scanner Converts printed or photographic
information to digital information that
can be used by the computer.
Works similar to the scanning
process of a photocopy machine.
Processing
The central processing unit (CPU) is the heart and brain of the computer. This one
component, or "chip," is responsible for all primary number crunching and data
management. It is truly the centerpiece of any computer. It is so important that whole
generations of computer technology are based and measured on each "new and improved"
version of the CPU.
When we refer to the CPU, we are usually speaking of the processor. However, the CPU
requires several other components that support it with the management of data to operate.
These components, when working in harmony, make up the primary elements of the PC we
know today. The following table lists these fundamental support components.
Output
The following table lists some common devices, known as peripherals, used exclusively for
output.
Some devices handle both input and output functions. These devices are called input/output
(I/O) devices, a term you will encounter quite often.
Through the 1980s, the most popular microcomputer operating system, MS_DOS,
was strictly text-based, command driven software that required strict adherence to
command syntax. For example, if a user wished to issue a command to copy a word
processing document from one disk to another a command will be entered as:
C:\>copy c:\[Link] a:\[Link].
All modern operating systems have adopted the (Graphical User Interface (GUI)
concept. GUI users interact with the operating system and other software packages
by using a pointing device, a mouse on a desktop PCs or a track pad on notebook
PCs, and a keyboard to issue commands. Rather than enter a command directly,
options displayed on the screen are chosen. The equivalent of a syntax-sensitive
Date Document No.
Computer Issued by:
Developed:
Hardware Servicing October 2010
NLPC NC II
QA Performing
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Developed by:
SYSTEM Computer
John M. Parra
Operations
Revision # 00
operating system command is entered by pointing to and choosing one or more
options from menus or by pointing to and choosing a graphics image, called an icon.
An icon is a picture that represents a processing activity or a file.
The keys on your keyboard can be divided into several groups based on function:
Typing (alphanumeric) keys. These keys include the same letter, number,
punctuation, and symbol keys found on a traditional typewriter.
Control keys. These keys are used alone or in combination with other keys to
perform certain actions. The most frequently used control keys are CTRL, ALT, the
Windows logo key , and ESC.
Function keys. The function keys are used to perform specific tasks. They are
labeled as F1, F2, F3, and so on, up to F12. The functionality of these keys differs
from program to program.
Navigation keys. These keys are used for moving around in documents or
webpages and editing text. They include the arrow keys, HOME, END, PAGE UP,
PAGE DOWN, DELETE, and INSERT.
Numeric keypad. The numeric keypad is handy for entering numbers quickly. The
keys are grouped together in a block like a conventional calculator or adding
machine.
The following illustration shows how these keys are arranged on a typical keyboard.
Your keyboard layout may differ.
Typing text
Whenever you need to type something in a program, e-mail message, or text box,
you'll see a blinking vertical line. That's the cursor, also called the insertion point. It
shows where the text that you type will begin. You can move the cursor by clicking in
the desired location with the mouse, or by using the navigation keys (see the "Using
navigation keys" section of this article).
In addition to letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and symbols, the typing keys
also include SHIFT, CAPS LOCK, the TAB key, ENTER, the SPACEBAR, and
BACKSPACE.
TAB Press the TAB key to move the cursor several spaces
forward. You can also press the TAB key to move to the
next text box on a form.
In Help topics, a plus sign (+) between two or more keys indicates that those keys
should be pressed in combination. For example, CTRL+A means to press and hold
CTRL and then press A. CTRL+SHIFT+A means to press and hold CTRL and SHIFT
and then press A.
You can do things in most programs by using the keyboard. To see which
commands have keyboard shortcuts, open a menu. The shortcuts (if available) are
shown next to the menu items.
You can open menus and choose commands and other options using your
keyboard. When you press ALT in a program with menus, one letter in each of the
menu names becomes underlined. Press an underlined letter to open the
corresponding menu. Press the underlined letter in a menu item to choose that
command.
This trick works in dialog boxes too. Whenever you see an underlined letter attached
to an option in a dialog box, it means you can press ALT plus that letter to choose
that option.
Useful shortcuts
The following table lists some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts.
The navigation keys allow you to move the cursor, move around in documents and
WebPages, and edit text. The following table lists some common functions of these keys.
The numeric keypad arranges the numerals 0 though 9, the arithmetic operators +
(addition), - (subtraction), * (multiplication), and / (division), and the decimal point as
they would appear on a calculator or adding machine. These characters are
duplicated elsewhere on the keyboard, of course, but the keypad arrangement
allows you to rapidly enter numerical data or mathematical operations with one hand.
To use the numeric keypad to enter numbers, press NUM LOCK. Most keyboards
have a light that indicates whether NUM LOCK is on or off. When NUM LOCK is off,
the numeric keypad functions as a second set of navigation keys (these functions
are printed on the keys next to the numerals or symbols).
You can use your numeric keypad to perform simple calculations with Calculator.
3. Using the numeric keypad, type the first number in the calculation.
So far, we've discussed almost every key you're likely to use. But for the truly
inquisitive, let's explore the three most mysterious keys on the keyboard: PRINT
SCREEN, SCROLL LOCK, and PAUSE/BREAK.
A long time ago, this key actually did what it says—it sent the current screen of text
to your printer. Nowadays, pressing PRINT SCREEN captures an image of your
entire screen (a "screen shot") and copies it to the Clipboard in your computer's
Date Document No.
Computer Issued by:
Developed:
Hardware Servicing October 2010
NLPC NC II
QA Performing
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Developed by:
SYSTEM Computer
John M. Parra
Operations
Revision # 00
memory. From there you can paste it (CTRL+V) into Microsoft Paint or another
program and, if you want, print it from that program.
More obscure is SYS RQ, which shares the key with PRINT SCREEN on some
keyboards. Historically, SYS RQ was designed to be a "system request," but this
command is not enabled in Windows.
Press ALT+PRINT SCREEN to capture an image of just the active window, instead
of the entire screen.
In most programs, pressing SCROLL LOCK has no effect. In a few programs, pressing
SCROLL LOCK changes the behavior of the arrow keys and the PAGE UP and PAGE
DOWN keys; pressing these keys causes the document to scroll without changing the
position of the cursor or selection. Your keyboard might have a light indicating whether
SCROLL LOCK is on.
PAUSE/BREAK
This key is rarely used. In some older programs, pressing this key pauses the program or, in
combination with CTRL, stops it from running.
Other keys
Some modern keyboards come with "hot keys" or buttons that give you quick, one-press
access to programs, files, or commands. Other models have volume controls, scroll wheels,
zoom wheels, and other gadgets. For details about these features, check the information
that came with your keyboard or computer, or go to the manufacturer's website.
Using your keyboard properly can help avoid soreness or injury to your wrists, hands, and
arms, particularly if you use your computer for long periods of time. Here are some tips to
help you avoid problems:
Place your keyboard at elbow level. Your upper arms should be relaxed at your sides.
Center your keyboard in front of you. If your keyboard has a numeric keypad, you can use
the spacebar as the centering point.
Type with your hands and wrists floating above the keyboard, so that you can use your
whole arm to reach for distant keys instead of stretching your fingers.
Avoid resting your palms or wrists on any type of surface while typing. If your keyboard has
a palm rest, use it only during breaks from typing.
Just as you would use your hands to interact with objects in the physical world, you can use
your mouse to interact with items on your computer screen. You can move objects, open
them, change them, throw them away, and perform other actions, all by pointing and clicking
with your mouse.
Basic parts
A mouse typically has two buttons: a primary button (usually the left button) and a secondary
button (usually the right button). The primary button is the one you will use most often. Most
mice also include a scroll wheel between the buttons to help you scroll through documents
and webpages more easily. On some mice, the scroll wheel can be pressed to act as a third
button. Advanced mice might have additional buttons that can perform other functions.
Pointing to an item on the screen means moving your mouse so the pointer appears to be
touching the item. When you point to something, a small box often appears that describes
the item. For example, when you point to the Recycle Bin on the desktop, a box appears
with this information: "Contains the files and folders that you have deleted."
The pointer can change depending on what you're pointing to. For example, when you point
to a link in your web browser, the pointer changes from an arrow to a hand with a pointing
finger .
Most mouse actions combine pointing with pressing one of the mouse buttons. There are
four basic ways to use your mouse buttons: clicking, double-clicking, right-clicking, and
dragging.
Clicking (single-clicking)
To click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release the primary
button (usually the left button).
Clicking is most often used to select (mark) an item or open a menu. This is sometimes
called single-clicking or left-clicking.
Double-clicking
To double-click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then click twice quickly. If the
two clicks are spaced too far apart, they might be interpreted as two individual clicks rather
than as one double-click.
Double-clicking is most often used to open items on your desktop. For example, you can
start a program or open a folder by double-clicking its icon on the desktop.
Right-clicking
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Developed:
Hardware Servicing October 2010
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QA Performing
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Developed by:
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John M. Parra
Operations
Revision # 00
To right-click an item, point to the item on the screen, and then press and release the
secondary button (usually the right button).
Right-clicking an item usually displays a list of things you can do with the item. For example,
when you right-click the Recycle Bin on your desktop, Windows displays a menu allowing
you to open it, empty it, delete it, or see its properties. If you're ever unsure of what to do
with something, right-click it.
Dragging
You can move items around your screen by dragging them. To drag an object, point to the
object on the screen, press and hold the primary button, move the object to a new location,
and then release the primary button.
Dragging (sometimes called dragging and dropping) is most often used to move files and
folders to a different location and to move windows and icons around on your screen.
If your mouse has a scroll wheel, you can use it to scroll through documents and webpages.
To scroll down, roll the wheel backward (toward you). To scroll up, roll the wheel forward
(away from you).
You can change your mouse settings to suit your personal preferences. For example, you
can change how fast your mouse pointer moves around the screen, or change the pointer's
appearance. If you're left-handed, you can switch the primary button to be the right button.
For more information, see Change mouse settings.
Holding and moving your mouse properly can help you avoid soreness or injury to your
wrists, hands, and arms, particularly if you use your computer for long periods of time. Here
are some tips to help you avoid problems:
Place your mouse at elbow level. Your upper arms should fall relaxed at your sides.
Don't squeeze or grip your mouse tightly. Hold it lightly.
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
_______________________________________________
______ 1. The main memory where a computer temporarily stores data. A. motherboar
d
______ 2. Low-capacity magnetic removable storage drive. B. keyboard
______ 3. A primary input device much like a typewriter, used for entering C. floppy disk
text and command function shortcuts into a computer drive
______ 4. D. RAM
it is the large circuit board found inside the computer. For all (random
practical purposes, it is the computer. It contains the following access
items: chip set, data bus, address bus, expansion slots, clock, memory)
battery, and memory.
______ 5. E. IDE
Device used with graphical environments to point and select (Integrated
objects on the system's monitor. They come in a variety of Device
shapes and sizes. Electronics)
______ 6. The most common standard for interfacing hard disk and CD- F. mouse
ROM drives in the PC environment. Much of the actual work of
controlling the hard disk drive is handled by the system BIOS.
This reduces hardware cost but introduces an overall system
performance penalty during I/O (input/output) operations.
______ 7. Computer memory that contains instructions that do not need to G. integrated
be changed, such as operating system startup instructions. The circuit (IC)
computer can access data from ROM but cannot put new data
into it.
______ 8. An electronic device consisting of many miniature transistors H. ROM (read-
and other circuit elements (resistors, capacitors, and so forth). only
memory)
______ 9. An external device connected to a computer such as a printer, I. printer
scanner, modem, or joystick
______ 10. J. peripheral
A peripheral device that transfers computer output to paper or
other form of hard copy.
The central processing unit (CPU) is the heart and brain of the computer. This one
component or "chip" does all the number crunching and data management.
The three stages of computing are input, processing, and output. Input receives
data from outside the current process, or the machine. Processing is the phase
where the data received from input is operated on by the application code. Output
is the result of the process. The output may actually be the input for another
process.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA :
1. Correct program/application is selected based on job requirements.
2. Program/application containing the information required is accessed according to
company procedures.
3. Desktop icons are correctly selected, opened and closed for navigation purposes.
4. Keyboard techniques are carried out in line with OH & S requirements for safe use of
keyboards.
Definition of Terms :
1. BIOS (basic input/output system) Software that includes the initialization programs
stored on ROM (read-only memory) chips. Used during the startup routine to check out
the system and prepare to run the hardware.
2. byte A group of 8 bits that represents 1 character of information (for instance, pressing
one key on the keyboard). A byte is the standard unit for measuring memory in a
microprocessor. Memory size is measured in terms of kilobytes (KB) or megabytes
(MB). 1 KB of RAM is 1024 bytes; 1 MB is approximately one million bytes.
3. CPU (central processing unit) The part of a computer that controls the arithmetic and
logical operations and decoding and executing instructions.
6. IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) The most common standard for interfacing hard disk
and CD-ROM drives in the PC environment. Much of the actual work of controlling the
hard disk drive is handled by the system BIOS. This reduces hardware cost but
introduces an overall system performance penalty during I/O (input/output) operations.
7. integrated circuit (IC) An electronic device consisting of many miniature transistors and
other circuit elements (resistors, capacitors, and so forth).
9. motherboard Also known as a PWB or printed wiring board, it is the large circuit board
found inside the computer. For all practical purposes, it is the computer. It contains the
following items: chip set, data bus, address bus, expansion slots, clock, battery, and
memory.
10. mouse Device used with graphical environments to point and select objects on the
system's monitor. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
11. operating system The program that controls a PC and makes it possible for users to
run their own applications. The operating system provides the built-in routines that allow
the computer to recognize commands, manage files, connect devices, and perform I/O
(input/output) operations.
13. power The strength or force actually put forth by electricity. Electrical power is
measured in watts, which is measured by multiplying voltage by current.
14. power supply Takes alternating current (AC) power from a local source (a wall outlet)
and converts it to direct current (DC) for on-board electronics use.
15. printer A peripheral device that transfers computer output to paper or other form of hard
copy.
16. RAM (random access memory) The main memory where a computer temporarily stores
data.
17. ROM (read-only memory) Computer memory that contains instructions that do not need
to be changed, such as operating system startup instructions. The computer can access
data from ROM but cannot put new data into it.
19. system bus Supports the CPU (central processing unit), RAM (random access
memory), and other motherboard components that provide the controlling element to the
computer. It is responsible for coordinating the operation of the individual system
components and central to the communications system of a computer. Also called the
control bus.
20. USB (universal serial bus) A new external expansion bus that is popular for use with
low-speed mass storage devices such as Zip drives, modems, and printers.
Date Document No.
Computer Hardware Developed: Issued by:
Servicing NC II October 2010
NLPC
QA
Performing Page 45 of 89
Computer Developed by:
SYSTEM
Operations John M. Parra
Revision # 00
Resources:
1. Instructional Slide Shows
2. CD ROM on Operate Word Processing Application
Documents and Settings. This folder contains a subfolder for each user profile—each user
who has logged on to the computer or who has logged on to a network domain through
the computer. Windows XP may create multiple profiles for one person if that person
logs on in different ways. For example, you might have one folder for when you are
logged on to the domain and another folder for when you are not logged on to the
domain.
Program Files. This is the folder where most programs install the files they need in order to
run. When you install a new program, you are generally given the opportunity to change
the installation folder; if you accept the default, the program is installed in this location.
temp. The operating system and various other programs might store temporary files in this
folder.
WINDOWS or WINNT. Most of the critical operating system files are stored in this folder. You
can look, but unless you really know what you are doing, don’t touch!
Within each profile subfolder in the Documents and Settings folder, Windows XP creates three
folders:
My Documents. This folder is a convenient place to store documents, spreadsheets, and
other files you want to access quickly.
My Pictures. This subfolder of My Documents has special capabilities for handling picture
files.
My Music. This subfolder of My Documents has special capabilities for handling music files.
You shouldn’t ever need or want to touch the folders used and created by your programs, but
knowing how to organize the files you create is essential if you want to be able to use your
computer efficiently.
In this lesson, you’re introduced to ways to view and manage your files and folders. You learn
how to open and close files and folders, how to create and delete them, and how to organize
them.
To complete the exercises in this lesson, you will need to use the Part II, Lesson02 folder in the
Computer Fundamentals Practice folder and some of the files it contains: CL Clients, Adventure
Brochure Text, AW What’s New, Pic00005, Staff, Main Building, and To Do List.
The two most popular ways to navigate through folders are to use My Computer or Windows
Explorer. My Computer displays all the available resources on your computer, including icons
for disk drives and the network. Windows Explorer displays the files and folders on your
computer and network.
In Windows, My Computer and Windows Explorer are almost identical. The major difference is
that the Folders pane appears by default in Windows Explorer and not in My Computer.
However, you can easily add the Folders pane to My Computer by clicking the Folders button
on the Standard Buttons toolbar. You can open My Computer by double-clicking the My
Computer icon on the desktop. You can open Windows Explorer by clicking the Start button,
Date Document No.
Computer Hardware Developed: Issued by:
Servicing NC II October 2010
NLPC
QA
Performing Page 48 of 89
Computer Developed by:
SYSTEM
Operations John M. Parra
Revision # 00
pointing to All Programs, pointing to Accessories, and then clicking Windows Explorer on the
Accessories submenu. It’s a matter of personal preference whether you use My Computer or
Windows Explorer to view files, folders, and other resources.
When Windows Explorer is first opened, the left side of the window displays the Folders pane.
The right side of the window displays the contents of the folder that is selected in the Folders
pane. By default, the My Documents folder is selected when you open Windows Explorer.
To open a folder, double-click it in the Folders pane. When you double-click a folder, its
contents appear in the right pane, replacing the contents of the folder you selected previously. If
the new folder contains a subfolder (a folder within a folder), you can double-click the subfolder
and continue navigating through the lower-level folders until you find the file or folder you’re
looking for. To return to a higher-level folder, click the Up button on the Standard Buttons
toolbar. To return to other previously opened folders, click the Back button on the Standard
Buttons toolbar.
The structure of folders and subfolders might be quite extensive, but you see only the top level
of folders when you start navigating through the Folders pane. Click the plus sign to the left of a
folder icon to view all of its subfolders. Once a folder is expanded, the plus sign changes to a
minus sign. Click the minus sign to collapse the list of subfolders so that only the higher-level
folder appears. You can also double-click a folder to expand it. Double-clicking the folder not
only expands the folder in the left pane of the window, it also displays all of the files and lower-
level folders in the right pane of the window.
On the right side of the Windows Explorer window, you can view your files and folders in several
different ways. You can view thumbnails or slideshows of graphic files, display file and folder
types as tiles or icons, or view a detailed or not-so-detailed file list. The view options for each
folder are available on that folder window’s toolbar, and they vary depending on the contents of
the folder. Available views include the following:
Details view displays a list of files or folders and their properties. The properties shown by
default for each file or folder are Name, Size, Type, and Date Modified. For pictures, the
defaults also include Date Picture Taken and Dimensions. You can display a variety of
other properties that might be pertinent to specific types of files, including Date Created,
Data Accessed, Attributes, Status, Owner, Author, Title, Subject, Category, Pages,
Comments, Copyright, Artist, Album Title, Year, Track Number, Genre, Duration, Bit
Rate, Protected, Camera Model, Company, Description, File Version, Product Name,
and Product Version.
Filmstrip view displays the currently selected picture at the top of the window above a single
row of smaller versions of all the pictures in the current folder. This option is available
only for the My Pictures folder and its subfolders.
Icons view displays the icon and file name for each file or folder in the current folder.
List view displays a list of the files and folders in the current folder, with no additional
information other than the file name and a small icon representing the file type.
Thumbnails view displays up to four miniature representations of the files contained in each
folder. These thumbnails are displayed on top of a folder icon that is about an inch and a
half square. Thumbnails of individual files display a miniature of the file if it is an
appropriate type (such as a graphic), or an icon representing the type of file. The file or
folder name is displayed below the thumbnail.
Date Document No.
Computer Hardware Developed: Issued by:
Servicing NC II October 2010
NLPC
QA
Performing Page 49 of 89
Computer Developed by:
SYSTEM
Operations John M. Parra
Revision # 00
Tiles view displays a large file type icon or folder icon, the file or folder name, and up to two
additional pieces of information for each file in the current folder. The additional
information varies depending on the type of file.
Folder Types
As you examine different folders in Windows Explorer, you might notice that some of them look
like plain manila folders, while others have a symbol embossed on them. In many cases, a
folder with an embossed symbol represents a Windows component, such as Control Panel.
However, three other common folder types have special meaning.
An open folder with a sheet of paper sticking out of it and a cable connection beneath the folder
represents a network folder, which is a folder shared from another computer over the network. A
hand holding a folder represents a shared folder, which is a folder shared from your computer
over the network.
Windows XP has a variety of special folder types. Storing files of the corresponding type in one
of these folders enables you to use features that are desirable for that type, such as playing
music clips or viewing photographs. Folder types include:
Documents
Pictures
Photo Album
Music
Music Artist
Music Album
Videos
In this exercise, you navigate through folders in Windows Explorer and open the Computer
Fundamentals Practice folder.
1 Click the Start button, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, and then click
Windows Explorer.
Windows Explorer opens.
6 In the right pane of the Windows Explorer window, double-click the Staff file.
This is an HTML file, so your default browser starts, and the Staff file appears in the
browser window.
Printing a File
Sorting Files
As you work with larger numbers of files, you’ll need to find the files you want quickly and
efficiently. One way to find a file easily is to group folder contents by a certain characteristic, like
date. Then if you know the date when you saved the file, you can find the file easily.
There are several ways to view files in Windows Explorer—as large or small icons, in a list of file
names, in a list with file details (such as when each file was last modified), or as file names with
thumbnails (small representations of pictures; in this case, the icon representing the file). When
you sort files, it’s a good idea to display them in Details view. Details view lists each file on a line
by itself, with columns for the name of the file, the amount of storage space it takes, the type of
file it is, and the date when it was last saved. In Details view, you can click a column heading to
sort files by that column.
In this exercise you view files in Details view, and you sort them by size and the date they were
most recently modified.
1 If necessary, open the Computer Fundamentals Practice folder in Windows Explorer,
and click the Folders button on the Standard Buttons toolbar to close the Folders pane.
You don’t need the Folders pane open right now, because you will be working only with
the files in the Computer Fundamentals Practice folder.
Tip
When the Folders view is turned off, the File and Folder Tasks pane appears on the left side of
the window where the Folders pane was previously. This task pane contains options to perform
many types of file operation, such as renaming files, copying or moving files, deleting files, and
other options.
Folders are easy to create in Windows Explorer, and there is no limit to the number you can
have. So it’s a good idea to think about the way you want to organize your folders. You might
create a folder for each major project, or for each client, or for the months of the year—it
depends on how you prefer to organize your storage space. For example, the marketing director
at Contoso, Ltd created a separate folder for Adventure Works. In that folder, there is a
subfolder for graphics and another for Web pages.
You can also create files in Windows Explorer. When you create files, you create a placeholder
for a particular type of content, like a graphic or text file, by giving it a name. Then you fill in the
content later. This process is the opposite of the more typical way to create files, which involves
starting a program like Notepad, entering data, and then saving the data as a file.
Creating a file in Windows Explorer has certain benefits over creating a file in a program. It’s
faster because you don’t have to run the program, and it creates structure for the file by
predetermining its name and the program that will be used to work with it. A few months ago,
the marketing director at Contoso, Ltd hired a contractor to write some advertising copy. Before
the contractor started the project, the marketing director created the necessary files so that she
wouldn’t have to search for them after the contractor completed his job. The few minutes the
marketing director spent to create the files beforehand saved her valuable time later in the
project.
In this exercise, you create two folders, one for Adventure Works and one for a freelance
copywriter. In the copywriter’s directory, you create shells of the files he is to write.
1 If the Folders window isn’t visible, click the Folders button on the toolbar.
The Folders window appears.
Tip
You can also create a folder by right-clicking a blank area in the Computer Fundamentals
Practice folder pane, pointing to New on the shortcut menu, and clicking Folder.
6 Repeat steps 2 through 5 to create a folder named Freelance Copy.
The window should look similar to the following illustration.
Just as you occasionally need to reorganize the space in your closets and drawers, you’ll find
that you need to reorganize your files and folders. You might, for example, want to move files
from their current folder to a new folder you’ve made, or copy a folder so that you have an
original version of all its contents and a duplicate to experiment with. You might need to rename
a file or folder to better reflect its contents.
You can move and copy files or folders using the Move To Folder and Copy To Folder
commands on the Edit menu in Windows Explorer, or you can simply drag a file or folder from
one place to another. If you drag a file or folder from place to place on the same disk, Windows
moves the item. If you drag a file or folder from one disk to another disk, Windows copies the
item.
To rename a file or folder, right-click it, and click Rename on the shortcut menu. The name of
the file is selected. Type the new name, and press Enter. The file is renamed.
To be able to choose whether to copy or move a file or folder that you drag, right-click to drag it.
When you release the mouse button to drop the item, a shortcut menu appears. On the shortcut
menu, click either Copy Here or Move Here.
In this exercise, you drag a file to the Adventure Works folder you created in the previous
exercise. Then you copy a file to the folder using the Copy button on the Standard Buttons
toolbar. Finally you change a file’s name to better describe its content. You must have
completed the previous exercise before you can complete this one.
1 In the Part II, Lesson02 folder, click the Adventure Brochure Text file, and drag it on top
of the Adventure Works folder.
After a brief pause, the file disappears from the Lesson02 folder.
2 Double-click the Adventure Works folder.
The Adventure Brochure Text file appears.
3 Click the Back button on the Standard Buttons toolbar.
The Lesson02 folder appears.
6 Browse to the Adventure Works folder, click it, and then click Copy.
The Copy Items dialog box closes. Because you copied the file, there is no change in
the Lesson02 folder.
7 Double-click the Adventure Works folder.
The Adventure Works folder now contains two files.
8 Click the Back button on the Standard Buttons toolbar.
The Lesson02 folder reappears.
9 Right-click the Pic00005 file, and on the shortcut menu, click Rename.
The file name is selected.
10 Type Fall Countryside, and press Enter.
The file is renamed.
Copy a file
Note You can also select more than one file to copy at a time.
How?
Tip
If you select a file you don't want, hold down CTRL and click the file again.
Move a file
Note You can also select more than one file to move at a time.
How?
Tip
If you select a file you don't want, hold down CTRL and click the file again.
Rename a file
1. On the Standard toolbar (toolbar: A bar with buttons and options that you use to carry
out commands. To display a toolbar, click Customize on the Tools menu, and then click
Although disk space has become remarkably inexpensive, it’s still a finite quantity. Just like any
other finite resource, it needs to be conserved by deleting unnecessary files and folders.
Deleting a file or folder doesn’t erase it from the disk the way an eraser removes pencil marks.
It’s more like tossing something into a junk drawer. Eventually, the drawer gets full, and you
empty it out. Sometimes, things get tossed into the drawer by mistake, and you need to take
them out and put them back where they belong.
In Windows, this “junk drawer” is called the Recycle Bin. To send a file or folder to the Recycle
Bin, select the item, and press the Delete key on the keyboard. Click Yes to confirm the
deletion. You can also send a file or folder to the Recycle Bin by clicking the file or folder to
select it, then right-clicking, then clicking the Delete option on the shortcut menu. To view the
contents of the Recycle Bin, double-click its icon on the desktop. To remove an item from the
Recycle Bin and move it back to its original location on disk, click the item to select it, and then
click the Restore this item option on the left side of the Recycle Bin window. To permanently
delete an item in the bin, click the item, and then click the Delete option on the File menu. (you
can also right-click the item and select Delete from the menu that appears.) Click Yes to confirm
the deletion. To permanently delete everything in the bin, click
the Empty the Recycle Bin option on the left side of the Recycle Bin window.
Important
Permanently deleting a file or folder from the Recycle Bin can’t be undone. Use caution,
therefore, when you empty the Recycle Bin. You should also know that files and folders deleted
from a floppy disk or a network are permanently deleted—they are not sent to the Recycle Bin.
In this exercise, you delete a file and a folder, and you restore the deleted folder from the
Recycle Bin to its previous place.
1 If necessary, open the folder.
2 Click the file named To Do List, and clicks the Delete key on your keyboard.
The Confirm File Delete dialog box appears.
3 Click yes to confirm the deletion.
The file is deleted from the Lesson02 Practice folder.
4 Click the Freelance Copy folder, click the Delete key on your keyboard, and then click
Yes to confirm the deletion.
The Freelance Copy folder is deleted from the Lesson02 folder.
5 Click the Show Desktop button on the Quick Launch bar.
Date Document No.
Computer Hardware Developed: Issued by:
Servicing NC II October 2010
NLPC
QA
Performing Page 63 of 89
Computer Developed by:
SYSTEM
Operations John M. Parra
Revision # 00
The desktop appears.
6 On the desktop, double-click the Recycle Bin icon.
The Recycle Bin appears.
7 Click the Freelance Copy folder.
The folder is selected, and information about it appears in the Details section on the left
side of the Recycle Bin window.
8 In the left side of the window, click the Restore this item option.
After a brief pause, the Freelance Copy folder disappears from the Recycle Bin.
9 Click the Close button in the upper-right corner of the Recycle Bin window.
The Recycle Bin closes.
10 Click the Lesson02 button on the taskbar.
The Lesson02 window reappears, and the Freelance Copy folder is back in it.
11 Double-click the Freelance Copy folder.
The files in the folder, which were deleted along with it, are restored intact.
12 Click the Close button in the upper-right corner of the Freelance Copy window.
The window closes, and the desktop reappears.
Delete a file
Note You can also select more than one file to delete at a time.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA :
Definition of Terms :
1. BIOS (basic input/output system) Software that includes the initialization programs
stored on ROM (read-only memory) chips. Used during the startup routine to check out
the system and prepare to run the hardware.
2. byte A group of 8 bits that represents 1 character of information (for instance, pressing
one key on the keyboard). A byte is the standard unit for measuring memory in a
microprocessor. Memory size is measured in terms of kilobytes (KB) or megabytes
(MB). 1 KB of RAM is 1024 bytes; 1 MB is approximately one million bytes.
3. CPU (central processing unit) The part of a computer that controls the arithmetic and
logical operations and decoding and executing instructions.
5. IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) The most common standard for interfacing hard disk
and CD-ROM drives in the PC environment. Much of the actual work of controlling the
hard disk drive is handled by the system BIOS. This reduces hardware cost but
introduces an overall system performance penalty during I/O (input/output) operations.
6. integrated circuit (IC) An electronic device consisting of many miniature transistors and
other circuit elements (resistors, capacitors, and so forth).
7. keyboard A primary input device much like a typewriter, used for entering text and
command function shortcuts into a computer
10. power The strength or force actually put forth by electricity. Electrical power is
measured in watts, which is measured by multiplying voltage by current.
11. power supply Takes alternating current (AC) power from a local source (a wall outlet)
and converts it to direct current (DC) for on-board electronics use.
12. printer A peripheral device that transfers computer output to paper or other form of hard
copy.
13. USB (universal serial bus) A new external expansion bus that is popular for use with
low-speed mass storage devices such as Zip drives, modems, and printers.
Resources:
1. Instructional Slide Shows
2. CD ROM on Operate Word Processing Application
A printer transfers data from a computer onto paper. You don't need a printer to use your
computer, but having one allows you to print e-mail, cards, invitations, announcements, and
other materials. Many people also like being able to print their own photos at home.
The three main types of printers are inkjet printers, laser printers, Dot Matrix. Inkjet printers are
the most popular printers for the home. They can print in black and white or in full color and can
produce high-quality photographs when used with special paper. Laser printers are faster and
generally better able to handle heavy use. Dot Matrix print in black ribbon only.
Connecting a printer
Some printers allow you to print without using your computer—for example, to print photos
directly from a digital camera's memory card. However, connecting a printer to your computer
allows you to print documents, files, pictures, WebPages, and more. For more information about
how to connect a printer.
When you add a printer, Windows will automatically install the software that allows it to work
with your computer. You can add a printer using either a wired or wireless connection.
What is DPI?
DPI, or dots per inch, is a measure of a printer's resolution. DPI determines how clear and
detailed your print results will be compared to what you see on the screen.
Wired printers
A wired printer is any printer that connects to a computer using a cable and a port on the
computer. Most printers use a universal serial bus (USB) cable. When you connect a wired
printer to your computer and power it on, Windows will automatically try to install the printer for
you. If Windows can't detect the printer, you can find and add the printer manually.
A wireless printer is any printer that connects to a computer using either Bluetooth or another wireless
technology, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, or 802.11g.
Bluetooth technology uses radio transmissions to enable a printer to communicate with your computer
over a short distance. To connect a Bluetooth printer, you need to add a Bluetooth adapter to your
computer. Most Bluetooth adapters plug into a USB port on your computer. When you plug in the adapter
and turn on the Bluetooth printer, Windows will try to install it automatically, or prompt you to install it. If
Windows can't detect the printer, you can find and add it manually.
To connect a printer using a wireless technology other than Bluetooth, both your computer and the printer
must first be connected to a wireless network. Check the information that came with your printer to see if
it has a wireless network adapter. If not, you need to add one before you can connect the printer to your
wireless network. To prevent interference between a wireless printer and your computer, try not to locate
cordless phones or other wireless appliances near the printer. For more information, see Wireless
networking: frequently asked questions.
If more than one printer is connected to your computer, you can choose one to use by default. Choose
the printer you will use most often. That way, when you print using Windows or your programs, you won't
have to select a printer each time. You can change the default printer at any time and you can still select
other printers for occasional print jobs.
To print, you need to connect a printer directly to your computer (when it is connected in this way, it's
referred to as a local printer), or create a connection to a network or shared printer.
To add a local printer First, connect the printer to your computer following the manufacturer's instructions.
Windows will attempt to automatically install the printer. If Windows can't automatically install it, or if
you've previously removed the printer and want to add it again, follow these steps:
1. Open Printers by clicking the Start button , clicking Control Panel, clicking Hardware and Sound,
and then clicking Printers.
2. Click Add a printer.
3. In the Add Printer Wizard, select Add a local printer.
4. On the Choose a printer port page, make sure that the Use an existing port option button and the
recommended printer port are selected, and then click Next
5. On the Install the printer driver page, select the printer manufacturer and model, and then click
Next.
If your printer is not listed but you have the manufacturer's installation CD, click Have
disk, and then browse to the folder where the printer driver is stored. For help, refer to
the manufacturer's instructions.
If you don't have the installation CD, click Windows Update, and then wait while
Windows checks for available drivers.
6. Complete the additional steps in the wizard, and then click Finish.
It's a good idea to print a test page to check if the printer is working correctly. For more
information, see Print a test page.
If you have added a printer but are unable to use it, your printer driver might not be
compatible with Windows Vista. Check the printer manufacturer's website for the latest
compatibility information and driver updates. For more information, see Find and install
printer drivers
Once you know exactly what you are going to print, you can decide between printing copies or
printing to a file.
Print a copy. If you purchased the printer, plugged it in to the computer, or installed it on a
network, the odds are good that you already know which features the printer offers. You
probably know, for example, if it prints in color or black ink, or both. You might know all the
sheet sizes of paper that you can use in the printer, or if you can staple copies as they are
printed. These are common printer features that can be easy to check by looking at the printer
itself.
To see if other features such as watermarks, separator pages, and image control options such
as resolution and light-dark contrast are available, you might need to refer to the information
that came with the printer or contact the person who installed the printer on your computer or
network.
If you've added more than one printer to the computer, your default printer is automatically
selected when you want to print a document or file. Depending on the type of documents you
print most often and how you prefer to print, you can select a printer each time or change your
default printer. For more information, see Change your default printer.
NoteIf you are printing personal or confidential information, you might want to select a printer
Print to a file. Windows offers two additional printer drivers that are displayed as printers in
Control Panel and in your programs. These printers allow you to print to a file instead of printing
to paper. You can print to a file when you want to send, share, or publish a document, or when
you want to print it using another computer or a commercial printer.
Printing to a file is useful when you want to send a print job to a commercial printer, control how
a document will appear in print, online, or on another computer, or add security features to a
document before sending it or sharing it with other people. For more information about the
printers that come with Windows, see these topics:
Many print options depend on the printer. After you select one, you can choose more options for
printing the document.
Frequently used print options This table describes some frequently used print options.
How each option is referred to can vary depending on the software publisher and the
printer manufacturer.
Printing
preference Description
Double-sided
printing Also referred to as duplex or two-sided printing, this option allows you
to print on both sides of the paper, regardless of paper orientation or
source
Orientation Also referred to as the paper layout, this option allows you to position
content on a vertical or horizontally placed sheet of paper, depending
on how you intend it to be viewed.
Page range
You typically have four options for choosing the pages you want to
print, including all pages in a document. To select individual pages or a
sequence of pages, called a range, you can type the page numbers
separated by commas or hyphens. For example, if you type 1,4,5-7,
only pages 1 and 4, and then pages 5 through 7, will be [Link]
Selection option prints only text or graphics that you have already
selected in a document. The option Current or Current page prints
Date Document No.
Computer Hardware Developed: Issued by:
Servicing NC II October 2010
NLPC
QA
Performing Page 71 of 89
Computer Developed by:
SYSTEM
Operations John M. Parra
Revision # 00
only the page that you are viewing when you choose to print the
document.
Staples
If your printer can staple copies as they are printed, you can typically find the
stapling option in the advanced printing preferences. You might also be able
to choose staples as a default printing preference. To see how, refer to the
information that came with the printer.
Paper size
(sheet size) In many cases, if your printer has more than one paper tray or if it can print on
more than one size of paper using a single tray, you can select the paper size
that you want to use. After you choose the paper size but before you print,
make sure that you load the correct sheets of paper in the printer tray, and
then print the document. If you printer supports multiple paper trays, you
might need to choose an output option or paper source.
Output or
paper source Also referred to as output destination or paper tray, this option allows you to
choose paper from a specific tray in the printer on which you want to print.
Many printers allow you store different sheet sizes, or different colors or types
of paper, in individual trays. For example, you might load sheets of paper with
customized stationery, a letterhead, or a watermark in one tray and load
unmarked paper sheets of the same size in another tray. When you want to
print on stationery, for example, you can choose the paper source, or tray,
containing that paper.
Using Windows, you can view the print queue to keep track of your print jobs. The print queue
displays information about documents that are waiting to print, such as the printing status,
document owner, and number of pages to print. You can use the print queue to view, pause,
resume, restart, and cancel print jobs.
You can print a file if you have installed a printer. These instructions should
work for most applications.
Instructions
Step One
To print a document, first open the file in the appropriate software
application.
Step Two
Use the keyboard commands Control+P (Windows) or Command+P (Mac).
Alternatively, you can use your mouse to open the File menu, then click on
Print. If you are using an application such as Notepad, your printing job will
start immediately. If you are using a more robust application, you will see a
Print dialog box first.
Step Three
If you want to use a different printer than the one listed, choose it from the
Printer Name menu.
Step Four
Under Print Range, click on All if you want to print the entire document.
Step Five
If you want to print only one page, or if you want to print a range of pages,
click on Pages and enter the page range. If you want to print only page 3, for
example, you would enter 3 as both the beginning and end of the range.
Step Six
Enter the number of copies to be printed in the Copy box. Click Collate if you
want the copies collated.
Step Seven
Click OK or Print when you are ready to print.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA :
Definition of Terms :
1. operating system The program that controls a PC and makes it possible for
users to run their own applications. The operating system provides the built-in
routines that allow the computer to recognize commands, manage files,
connect devices, and perform I/O (input/output) operations.
2. peripheral An external device connected to a computer such as a printer,
scanner, modem, or joystick.
3. power The strength or force actually put forth by electricity. Electrical power
is measured in watts, which is measured by multiplying voltage by current.
4. power supply Takes alternating current (AC) power from a local source (a
wall outlet) and converts it to direct current (DC) for on-board electronics use.
Resources:
1. Instructional Slide Shows
2. CD ROM on Operate Word Processing Application
Is a software application that enables a user to display and interact with text,
images, and other information typically located on a Web page at a website
on the World Wide Web or a local area network. Text and images on a Web
page can contain hyperlinks to other Web pages at the same or different
website. Web browsers allow a user to quickly and easily access information
provided on many Web pages at many websites by traversing these links.
Web browsers format HTML information for display, so the appearance of a
Web page may differ between browsers.
Some of the Web browsers available for personal computers include Internet
Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, Opera, and Netscape in order of descending
popularity (as of August 2006).[1] Web browsers are the most commonly used
type of HTTP user agent. Although browsers are typically used to access the
World Wide Web, they can also be used to access information provided by
Web servers in private networks or content in file systems.
ASSESSMENT CRITERIA :
Definition of Terms :
4. keyboard A primary input device much like a typewriter, used for entering
text and command function shortcuts into a computer
5. operating system The program that controls a PC and makes it possible for
users to run their own applications. The operating system provides the built-in
routines that allow the computer to recognize commands, manage files,
connect devices, and perform I/O (input/output) operations.
7. power The strength or force actually put forth by electricity. Electrical power
is measured in watts, which is measured by multiplying voltage by current.
8. power supply Takes alternating current (AC) power from a local source (a
wall outlet) and converts it to direct current (DC) for on-board electronics use.
If you’re done with all your work, you close your computer. It is very important
to close your computer properly. You just don’t press the switch of your computer to
shut it off. Your must shut down Windows first before you turn off your computer.
1. First, close all open applications and save any documents. Click “Start Button”.
Then Select “Shut Down” option, Click OK.
2. Watch the computer system's main monitor. When the computer screen
displays the message 'Safe to turn off computer', or 'System shutdown
completed” it will be safe for you to turn off the hardware.
Power Switch
1 – ON
0 - OFF
3. Proceed to turn off the hardware. It is best to turn off the main computer unit
first, then any auxiliary equipment, such as printers and tape drives.
Always follow the proper shutdown procedure! You can severely damage the file
system if you do not shut down the machine properly.
1. Click the start button, Click shut down and select shut down
from the options, Click OK.
2. Press CTRL +ALT+F4.
3. Click File Menu, then Click CLOSE
Questioning
Portfolio
The Evidence must show that the candidate:
Candidate name:
Assessor name:
Unit of Competency PERFORM COMPUTER OPERATIONS
Competency standards COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II
Oral /interview questions Satisfactory
response
Yes No
Examples of OH & S guidelines and procedures that are strictly
followed?
How to check Accuracy of information is checked and information
is saved in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Examples of input devices?
What are ergonomic guidelines?
How to access Program/application containing the information
How to select Desktop icons to be opened and closed for
navigation purposes.
How to maintain Keyboard and other peripherals?
What is software?
How to print a file using computer?
How to save a file?
Feedback to candidate:
Candidate name:
Assessor name:
Unit of Competency PERFORM COMPUTER OPERATIONS
Competency standards COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II
Date of Assessment
Time of Assessment
Instructions for demonstration
1. Demonstrate the candidate Terminate and Connect Electrical Wiring and
Electronics Circuit
2. Describe the assessment activity and the date on which it was undertaken.
3. Place a tick in the box sow that the candidate completed each aspect of the
activity to the standard expected in the enterprise
4. Complete the feedback sections of the form.
Candidate name:
Assessor name:
Assessment Centre
Competency Standards COMPUTER HARDWARE SERVICING NC II
Unit of Competency PERFORM COMPUTER OPERATIONS
Instructions for the assessor:
1. Observe the candidate Terminate and Connect Electrical Wiring and Electronics Circuit
2. Describe the assessment activity and the date on which it was undertaken.
3. Place a tick in the box sow that the candidate completed each aspect of the activity to the
standard expected in the enterprise
4. Complete the feedback sections of the form.
Date of observation
Description of assessment activity
Location of assessment activity
The Candidate….. If yes, thick the box
Task is planned to ensure that OH & S guidelines and procedures are
followed.
Required data security guidelines are applied in accordance with existing
procedures.
Accuracy of information is checked and information is saved in
accordance with standard operating procedures.
Inputted data is stored in storage media according to requirements.
Work is performed within ergonomic guidelines
Program/application containing the information required is accessed
according to company procedures.
Desktop icons are correctly selected, opened and closed for navigation
purposes.
Keyboard techniques are carried out in line with OH & S requirements for
safe use of keyboards
Entered data are processed using appropriate software commands.
Data are printed out as required using computer hardware /peripheral
devices in accordance with standard operating procedures.
Files and data are transferred between compatible systems using
computer software, hardware/peripheral devices in accordance with
standard operating procedures.
Yes No
Feedback to candidate:
Assessor : Date: