BASIC COMPUTER
OPERATION
OUTLINE
Computer Hardware
Operating systems
Terms
Disk capacities
Viruses
Applications and Documents
Installation/reinstallation
Internet Applications
Computer Hardware
Case Keyboard/mouse
Power switch Network card
Reset switch Modem
Hard drive Sound card
Floppy Video card
CD/DVD RAM
Serial ports Motherboard
Parallel port Fan
USB port Cables
The basic system including keyboard,
mouse and monitor.
What is in the box?
Motherboard
Typical parts of a motherboard.
ABIT SE6
Cabling
For items in or attached
to a system to work
properly they must be
securely connected.
Operating systems
All computer systems have an operating system.
Currently, there are three dominate typical user
operating systems.
Macintosh OS,
Microsoft Windows OS,
Linux.
Terms
A: Floppy disk C: Local disk D: Local disk (partition)
RAM = Random Access Memory. The thinking space available to a computer to
use while performing operations. The space is emptied out when the computer is
turned off.
DIRECTORY = An organizational structure on disks to file management easier.
Directories also become a local region for the computer to hunt for other files
related to the current file.
DOCUMENT = A file created using an application. The file is only useful using
the application that created it or a similar application that can convert it.
APPLICATION = A program that allows a computer to perform a certain
function.
Disk capacities
Floppy: 1.4 MB
Hard disk: 160 GB – 2 TB
CD 700 - 800 MB
DVD 4.7 GB
18 GB
1 KB = 1024 BYTE
1 MB = 1024 KB
1 GB = 1024 MB
1 TB = 1024 PB
1 PB = 1024 EB
CDs, DVDs Backup
Identify and use icons,
windows, menus
Point, click, double-click, drag & drop
Minimize and maximize a window
Use pull-down menus
Select, open, and move an icon
Select, open, move, and close a window
Resize a window
Scroll a window
Activate and de-activate a window
Start an application and create a document
Name, save, retrieve, revise a
document
Name a document (!)
Save a document
Retrieve a document from floppy disk
Retrieve a document from hard disk
Re-name a document
Edit and re-save a document
Print a document
Create and name folders
Save, open, and place documents inside folders
Applications
Open and work with more than one application
at a time
To switch between them for Windows: click on the
application at the "TASKBAR" down on the screen
Alt &TAB button
Install/reinstall and update system
software and drivers
Internet Applications
BROWSERS
Mozilla
Internet Explorer
http: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
edu: Education (gov, org, com, ...)
[Link]
FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
The simplest and most secure way to exchange files over the
Internet.
FTP Client is the software that is designed to transfer files back-
and-forth between two computers over the Internet. It needs to
be installed on the computer and can only be used with a live
connection to the Internet. (Browsers, WS-Ftp, SSH, Cute-
Ftp,...)
PC ARF
Viruses
Viruses are programs that reproduce themselves into the files of your computer
Anti-virus software and automatic update
Mcafee Virus Scan
Configuration of Automatic Mcafee Virus Update via FTP
[Link]
Current security patches applied to operating system and applications.
Do not open any unexpected attachments that are e-mailed to you. (Particularly
“.exe” files.)
REFERENCES
Computer Fundamentals for Teachers , Major Competencies
Basic Computer Operation and Troubleshooting