Computer Basic Notes
What is a computer?
A Computer is an electronic device that
manipulates information, or data.
Ability to store, retrieve, and process data.
Use a computer to type documents, send email,
play games, and browse the Web.
Laptop computer Tablets computer
Desktop computer
Hardware vs Software
Hardware – physical structure (Keyboard, Mouse)
Software – set of instructions that tell the hardware
what to do and how to do it. (Web browser,
Microsoft)
An Operating System
User
Application (Examples-Google, Facebook,
Instagram)
operating system
hardware
The Basic Parts of Computer
desktop computer
Computer case
Mouse
Monitor
Keyboard
Screen
Inside Computer:
Motherboard - Main circuit board
- Thin plate that holds CPU, memory,
connectors for the hard drive
- Connects directly and indirectly to the
computer
CPU - The central processing unit (also called
processor)
Located inside the computer case on the
motherboard.
- Sometimes called brain of the computer,
carry out commands.
- When you press a key, you’re sending
instructions to the CPU.
RAM - Short-term memory
- Short-term memory disappears when
the computer is turned off.
- RAM is measured in (megabytes) MB
or gigabytes (GB).
Hard drive - Where your software, documents
and other files
are stored.
- Long-termed storage.
- Faster the hard drive, the faster your
computer start up and load program
Power supply unit – converts the power from the
wall outlet to
the type of power need by the
computer.
Video card – responsible for what you see on the
monitor
GPU (graphic processing unit)
Sound card – responsible for what you hear in the
speakers or
headphones
Network card – communicate over a network and
access the
Internet.
- Connect with an Ethernet cable or
through wireless connection (often
call Wi-Fi)
Minimize – hide the window
Maximize – make the window filled the entire
screen.
Restore – just click it to window to its original
size.
Close – close the window
How to change the size of the display
-Right click on an empty space
-Select Display setting
-Move the slider
How to change the Icon Size (window 10)
-Right-click on the empty space
-Selected View
-Select either large icon, medium icon, or small
icon
File Explorer
-called window explorer(Window 7)
What is file?
-many types of files
-Example: Microsoft word documents, digital
photos, music
-represented by icon.
How to change Screen Resolution(window10)
-Click the start bottom.
-Select the Settings icon.
-Select System.
-Click on the menu under Resolutions.
-Select the option you want.
-Use the “choose a fit” drop down menu, select
the fit that best suits the images: Fill, Fit, Stretch,
Center, Span
Enable dark or light modes
-Open Settings.
-Click on personalization.
-Click on color.
-Use the “Choose your color” drop down menu
and select the light or Dark Mode.
Pinning and unpinning titles
-Find and right-click the desired app, then select
Pin to start.
-The app will be pinned to the Start menu. You
can remove any title by right-clicking, then Unpin
from Start.
Change taskbar Settings
-Open settings.
-Click on Personalization
-Click on Taskbar.
-Use the taskbar location on screen drop-down
menu and select the location: Left, top, right,
bottom
Shutting down your computer
-Click the start button, then choose Power and
shut down.
Excel
Elements of the excel interface’
Excel program launch cont’d
Click on the entry of the excel.
Select blank workbook or Press Ctrl+N.
Click on the blank workbook button to create
a new excel workbook.
You can find other templates and use search
pane.
Arithmetic Operator
Arithmetic meaning Example Result
operator
+ addition 5+7 12
- Subtract 7-5 2
negation -2 -2
* Multiplicati 5*2 10
on
/ division 6/3 3
% percentage 20% 0.2
^ power 5^2 25
Operator cont’d
Compariso Meaning Examples Result
n operator
= Equal to 5=3 False
> Greater 5>3 True
than
< Less than 5<3 False
>= Greater 5>=3 True
than or
equal to
<= Less than 5<=3 False
or equal to
<> Different 5<>3 True
from
& concatenat “Hello” & Hello
ion “everyone everyone
”
Function
Sum (), Average (), Count (), Max (), Min ()
SUM: This function adds the values.
AVERAGE: This function determines the
average of the values.
COUNT: This function counts the number of
cells.
MAX: This function determines the highest
cell value.
MIN: This function determines the lowest cell
value.
AND: This function determines (logical 1,
logical 2, …...)
OR: This function determines (logical 1,
logical 2, ……)
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link]
[Link] & MIN
[Link] Conditional Formats
POWER POINT