KAMPALA Western Campus

INTERNATIONAL P.O Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda

E-mail: kiu@[Link]
UNIVERSITY

SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING AND APPLIED SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL, TELECOMMUNICATION

AND COMPUTER ENGINEERING

PROGRAM: ALL

COURSE UNIT: COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS (UCC1100)

YEAR: ONE

SEMESTER: ONE

MODULE 4: USER ACCOUNTS

4.1.0 User Accounts
A user account defines the actions a user can perform in Windows. On a stand-alone
computer or a computer that is a member of a workgroup, a user account establishes the
privileges assigned to each user. On a computer that is part of a network domain, a user must
be a member of at least one group. The permissions and rights granted to a group are assigned
to its members.

You must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the Administrators group to use

User Accounts in Control Panel.

User Accounts allows you to add users to your computer and to add users to a group In
Windows, permissions and user rights usually are granted to groups. By adding a user to a
group, you give the user all the permissions and user rights assigned to that group.

For instance, a member of the Users group can perform most of the tasks necessary to do
his or her job, such as logging on to the computer, creating files and folders, running
programs, and saving changes to files. However, only a member of the Administrators
group can add users to groups, change user passwords, or modify most system settings.

User Accounts lets you create or change the password for local user accounts, which is useful
when creating a new user account or if a user forgets a password. A local user account is an
account created by this computer. If the computer is part of a network, you can add network
user accounts to groups on your computer, and those users can use their network passwords
to log on. You cannot change the password of a network user.

Mr. Enerst Edozie, Tel: +256752302619 / +256788897621, email: [Link]@[Link]

 KAMPALA Western Campus
INTERNATIONAL P.O Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
E-mail: kiu@[Link]
UNIVERSITY
Note

•You cannot create groups using User Accounts. Use Local Users and Groups for that
purpose.

•In User Accounts, you can place a user in only one group. Usually you can find a group with
the combination of permissions needed by any user. If you need to add a user to more than
one group, use Local Users and Groups.

•To improve the security of a password, it should contain at least two of these elements:
uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and numbers. The more random the sequence of
characters, the more secures the password.

•If you want to set up other password requirements such as minimum length, expiration time,
or uniqueness, open Group Policy and go to Password Policy.

User Accounts on a computer that is a member of a workgroup or is a stand-alone computer

There are two types of user accounts available on your computer: computer administrator and
limited. The guest account is available for users with no assigned account on the computer.

Computer administrator account

The computer administrator account is intended for someone who can make system wide
changes to the computer, install programs, and access all files on the computer. Only a user
with computer administrator account has full access to other user accounts on the computer.
This user:

•Can create and delete user accounts on the computer.

•Can create account passwords for other user accounts on the computer.

•Can change other people's account names, pictures, passwords, and account types.

•Cannot change his or her own account type to a limited account type unless there is at least
one other user with a computer administrator account type on the computer. This ensures that
there is always at least one user with a computer administrator account on the computer.

Limited account

The limited account is intended for someone who should be prohibited from changing most
computer settings and deleting important files. A user with a limited account:

Mr. Enerst Edozie, Tel: +256752302619 / +256788897621, email: [Link]@[Link]

 KAMPALA Western Campus
INTERNATIONAL P.O Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
E-mail: kiu@[Link]
UNIVERSITY
•Cannot install software or hardware, but can access programs that have already been
installed on the computer.

•Can change his or her account picture and can also create, change, or delete his or her
password.

•Cannot change his or her account name or account type. A user with a computer
administrator account must make these kinds of changes.

Note

•Some programs might not work properly for users with limited accounts. If so, change the
user's account type to computer administrator, either temporarily or permanently.

Guest account

The guest account is intended for use by someone who has no user account on the computer.
There is no password for the guest account, so the user can log on quickly to check e-mail or
browse the Internet. A user logged on to the guest account:

•Cannot install software or hardware, but can access programs that have already been
installed on the computer.

•Cannot change the guest account type.

•Can change the guest account picture.

4.2.1 Computer Safety Precautions

What safety precautions should be undertaken in order to protect your computer from
frequent break down?

i) Never use the computer in a dusty environment

ii) Water or moisture should be avoided near computers or in a computer room.
iii) Never eat or drink in a computer room. Liquids might splash on the machines.
iv) Do not smoke near computers.
v) Do not block the ventilation holes on a computer when it is hot.
vi) Use a dry, clean cloth to clean not a wet cloth.
vii) Computer rooms must be well ventilated. Computers hate heat or stuff atmosphere.
viii) Do not allow or bring diskettes from outside. They may have viruses.
ix) Do not switch the computer on and off abruptly or irresponsibly.
x) Protect the machines using UPS and stabilizers.
xi) When In Doubt? Please Ask An Expert.

Mr. Enerst Edozie, Tel: +256752302619 / +256788897621, email: [Link]@[Link]

 KAMPALA Western Campus
INTERNATIONAL P.O Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
E-mail: kiu@[Link]
UNIVERSITY

Protect yourself: computer Health and Safety issues

The information in this guide will help you to develop good working practices when using a
personal computer or workstation.
If you learn good habits now, it saves you from experiencing problems in the future.

Adopt a good posture

A good working posture is one which can be sustained with the minimum of static muscular
effort. In general, a varied working position is better than a fixed working posture.
However, a working position which is static and relaxed is better than one which is static and
tense.

Your upper body is most comfortable when:

 Your back is supported.
 Your head is up.
 Your upper arms are relaxed.

Your hands and wrists are most comfortable when:

 Your forearm is nearly at a right angle to your upper arm.
 Your wrist is in a straight line with your hand and forearm.

Adjust your seating position

In order to improve your posture, adjust your chair so that:
 Your lower back is supported.
 Your knees are level with your hips.
 Your feet are flat on the floor.
 Your eye level is just above the top of the screen. Tilt your screen if necessary.
 The screen is directly in front of you, not at an angle.

Type using both hands ... or better still, learn to touch type
If your arms are raised or your wrists are bent for long periods of keyboarding, tendon and
nerve disorders can result.
It is worth learning to touch type because typing encourages the correct positioning of your
hand and wrist so you will not overstrain your forefingers.
Remember that using the mouse a great deal can put a strain on your hand and wrist muscles.

Repetitive Strain Injury - RSI

Keyboard-induced RSI is caused by a combination of rapid keyboard movements, by arms in
a static position, over a long period of time.
There are several factors that can lead to keyboard-related RSI.
These include:

Mr. Enerst Edozie, Tel: +256752302619 / +256788897621, email: [Link]@[Link]

 KAMPALA Western Campus
INTERNATIONAL P.O Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
E-mail: kiu@[Link]
UNIVERSITY
 Rapid, repetitive movements.
 An awkward working position.
 An excessive work- load.
 Tight deadlines.
 Inadequate rest breaks.
To prevent the symptoms of RSI, watch your posture, work at a steady rate and take regular
breaks from the screen.

Eyes right
According to medical evidence, computer use is not associated with damage to your eyes or
eyesight; nor does it make existing defects worse.
However, eye muscles that shift focus between your source document and a screen for a long
period of time can tire.
The symptoms of eye strain include:
 Headaches
 Itching eyes
 Burning eyes
 Blurring
 Nausea
 Fatigue.
If you wear contact lenses you may experience the sensation of dry eyes whilst using a
computer. This is because you may blink less often than usual.

Radiation
The Health and Safety Executive state that there is no evidence that electromagnetic radiation
emitted from computers causes miscarriages, cataracts or skin diseases.

Take a break
To prevent the onset of fatigue, you should have a break, or change of activity, for about 10
minutes after every uninterrupted 60 minutes of computer work.

Short, frequent breaks are more satisfactory than occasional, longer breaks.
If possible, breaks should be taken away from the screen.
In between breaks, look into the distance and stretch occasionally.

Your safety in the computer lab.

 Please refrain from eating and drinking in the labs.
 Avoid obstructing gangways with your bags, coats or belongings.
 Remove your printout from the printers before you leave the lab.

Mr. Enerst Edozie, Tel: +256752302619 / +256788897621, email: [Link]@[Link]

 KAMPALA Western Campus
INTERNATIONAL P.O Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
E-mail: kiu@[Link]
UNIVERSITY

4.3.1. Data Loss Causes and Prevention

Viruses, hackers, and natural catastrophes can all attack your computer data. During any
given year, over 5% of PCs will have some type of data loss, and almost a third of PC users
have experienced the loss of all of their data at some point in their lives.

Many people take their hard disk drives for granted, and don't think about their reliability
much. While the technology that hard disks use is very advanced, and reliability today is
much better than it has ever been before, the nature of hard drives is that every one will fail
some day. It is important to understand that hard drives fail and why as well as understand the
other ways in which your data may be at risk and how to take measures to prevent data loss.
This chart lists the 5 types of data loss incidents and how to prevent a data loss catastrophe
for each kind of incident.

Data Loss from Hardware or System Malfunctions (44% of all data loss)
Symptoms * Error message stating the device is not recognized
* Previously accessible data suddenly gone
* Scraping, rattling, or vibrating noise
* Error message stating that file cannot be read
* Computer shuts off suddenly without warning
* Error message asking if you want to format the disk
* Computer reboots unexpectedly multiple times
* Computer won't turn on
* BIOS install program appears when computer is booted
Common Causes * Electrical failure (power supply dead)
* Electrical power surge or brownout
* Hard drive stylus head hits disk (head crash)
* Hard disk controller failure
* Too much dust in computer and on components
* CPU overheating due to case fans not working
* Writing to a bad area of a hard disk(bad disk)
* Hard disk completely full
* Newly installed hardware incompatibility
How To Prevent * Keep computers in a dry, shaded, dust-free area
Data Loss * Plug computers into an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) to protect
against power surges and brownouts.
* Do not move or jar computer while it is running
* Replace fans when they become noisy before they fail
* For desktop computers open the case and use canned air to clean the dust
from all the components in the case.
* Uninstall recently installed hardware
* Scan and defrag the disk periodically
* If your computer is 3 plus years old consider replacing it.(Don't upgrade

Mr. Enerst Edozie, Tel: +256752302619 / +256788897621, email: [Link]@[Link]

 KAMPALA Western Campus
INTERNATIONAL P.O Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
E-mail: kiu@[Link]
UNIVERSITY
as upgrading will cost you more than a new computer and will be less
effective)
* Backup your data regularly by uploading it to [Link] or save to
other reliable media
Data Loss from Human Error (32% of all data loss)
Symptoms * Previously accessible data suddenly gone
* "File Not Found" message
* File is there but has only partial data
* File is there but is corrupted and unreadable
Common Causes * Accidental deletion of file or drive format
* Disk trauma caused by dropping or jarring computer
* User neglected to save file after last change
* Computer turned off while file was open
* Saved file to wrong filename and overwrote good file
* Saved file to unknown drive or directory
How To Prevent * Don't randomly delete files
Data Loss * Don't turn off your computer until you have closed all programs
* Always make note of the drive and directory where you have saved your
files by clicking "File" and "Save As"
* When you are making changes to data be sure to save those changes
regularly
* Add the date to your file name each day as you save it.
* Don't unplug your Flash drive without ejecting it first
* Don't move or jar your computer while it is running
* Backup your data regularly by uploading it to [Link] or save to
other reliable media
Data Loss from Software Corruption (14% of all data loss)
Symptoms * System messages about memory errors appear
* Software program won't start when icon is clicked
* Error message stating data is corrupted or inaccessible
* Error message says the file is "Read-Only"
Common Causes * Program corruption caused by diagnostic or repair tools
* Computer was turned off while program was still running.
* Another program install has changed computer configurations
* Recent printer install causes program to crash before data is saved.
* Attaching hardware device while computer is running
* File is being accessed by another program
How To Prevent * Before installing programs or hardware be sure to shut down all
Data Loss programs
* Always turn off your computer before plugging in a hardware device like

Mr. Enerst Edozie, Tel: +256752302619 / +256788897621, email: [Link]@[Link]

 KAMPALA Western Campus
INTERNATIONAL P.O Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
E-mail: kiu@[Link]
UNIVERSITY
a monitor or an external DVD drive (Exception:Flash drives can be
plugged in anytime)
* Use diagnostic utilities with caution
* Keep your install disks and documentation ready in case you need to
reinstall the program
* Backup your data regularly by uploading to [Link] or save to
other reliable media
Data Loss from Computer Viruses (7% of all data loss)
Symptoms * Blank screen
* Strange and unpredictable behavior from programs
* Error messages or ads are constantly popping up
* Your browser won't let you change its default homepage
* Your desktop icons keep moving around the desktop
* You can't control your mouse
* Your computer reboots without warning when you start your browser
* Your computer starts operating very very slowly
* You see constant activity occurring over the network
* Error message stating Windows Explorer can't be found
* Your email files or other files start to disappear
* Windows Explorer often terminates unexpectedly
Common Causes * Infections from boot sector viruses
* Infections with file infecting viruses
* Infection of polymorphic viruses
* Spyware and Adware programs taking over your computer
* Email worms trying to take over your email client
* Malware scripts from websites
How To Prevent * Use a good anti-virus software
Data Loss * Don't click "OK or Cancel" on popup warnings or ads, click the X in the
upper right corner instead
* Don't click unknown files attached to emails(especially don't click any
file with a .exe, .pif, .bat or .dll extension)
* Obtain software from reputable sources
* Scan all incoming data, including packaged software, for viruses
* Do a virus scan on portable media that is used on your computer (floppy
& zip disks, DVDs,CDs, flash drives)
* Consider installing a firewall
* Consider using a different email client not MSOutlook
* Consider using a different browser not IE (Try Firefox)
* Backup your data regularly by uploading it to [Link] or save to
other reliable media
Data Loss from Natural Disasters (3% of all data loss)

Mr. Enerst Edozie, Tel: +256752302619 / +256788897621, email: [Link]@[Link]

 KAMPALA Western Campus
INTERNATIONAL P.O Box 71, Bushenyi, Uganda
E-mail: kiu@[Link]
UNIVERSITY
Symptoms * Submersion in water from flooding
* Power surges from lightning strikes
* Power slumps and spikes from brownouts
* Heat damage from fires
Common Causes * Fires
* Floods
* Brownouts
* Lightening storms
How To Prevent * Backup your data regularly in an offsite location like [Link] or
Data Loss save to other reliable media
* Plug computers into an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) and check
the batteries regularly
* Don't store critical data in a flood plain
* Turn off computer at the first sound of a thunder storm

Mr. Enerst Edozie, Tel: +256752302619 / +256788897621, email: [Link]@[Link]