Session # 1:
Introduction to Basic Computers
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Learning Tasks
By the end of this session students are expected to be
able to:
Define the Term ‘Computer’
Classify Types of Computers
Explain the History of the Personal Computers
Explain the Uses of Computer
Identify Computer Parts and Connect Parts
Explain Keyboard Layout
Perform Turn on and Shut Down of Computer
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Meaning of Computer
Computer
An electronic device that can follow instruction to
accept input, process that input and produce
information
It can also simply be defined as an electronic machine
that takes data, stores it, processes that data and
produces information.
Data can be defined as unprocessed facts and
processing data gives information 3
Meaning of Computer…
The Two Principal Characteristics of a
Computer
Responds to a specific set of instructions in a
well-defined manner
Can execute a pre-recorded list of instructions
(a program)
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Types of Computers
Computers can be classified by using Size and Power
as follows:
Workstation computers
A powerful, single-user computer
A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a more
powerful microprocessor and a higher-quality monitor
Minicomputer
A multi-user computer capable of supporting from 10 to
hundreds of users simultaneously
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Types of Computers…
Mainframe computer
A powerful multi-user computer capable of supporting many
hundreds or thousands of users simultaneously
Supercomputer
An extremely fast computer that can perform hundreds of
millions of instructions per second
Personal Computer
Personal computer (PC) is a small, relatively inexpensive
computer designed for an individual user
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Personal Computers
Computers Classified by size and portability
Desktop Computers
Laptops or notebooks
Personal Digital Assistants
Portable Computers
Tablet Computers
Wearable Computers
Cell Phones
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Personal Computers…
All are based on the microprocessor technology that
enables manufacturers to put an entire Central
Processing Unit (CPU) on one chip
The principal characteristics of personal computers
are that they are single-user systems and are based on
microprocessors
Although personal computers are designed as single-
user systems, it is common to link them together to
form a network
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History of the Personal Computers
Personal computers first appeared in the late 1970s
One of the first and most popular personal computers
was the Apple II
During the late 1970s and early 1980s, new models and
competing operating systems seemed to appear
constantly
In 1981 a new standard was established in the micro-
computer industry with the debut of the IBM PC
The IBM PC quickly became the personal computer of
choice, and most other personal computer manufacturers
fell by the wayside
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History of the Personal Computers…
In order to survive, other companies adjusted to IBM's
dominance by building IBM clones, computers that were
internally almost the same as the IBM PC, but that cost
less
Because IBM clones used the same microprocessors as
IBM PCs, they were capable of running the same software
Since then, hundreds of millions of PC-compatible
systems have been sold as the original PC has grown into
an enormous family of computers
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History of the Personal Computers…
More software has been written for this computer
family than for any other system on the market
Apple computer did survive and to date it remains a
major player in the personal computer marketplace
Today, the world of personal computers is basically
divided between Apple Macintoshes and PCs
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Uses of Computer
There are two uses of computer, these are:
1. General purpose computer is design to solve
wide variety of problems.
Examples of general purpose computer are
School computers
Hospital computers
Office computers
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Uses of Computer
2. Special purpose computer is designed for
particular job only to solve problem of
restricted nature.
Examples of special purpose computer are
Petroleum pumps
Traffic lights
Programmable pocket calculator
Weapons guidance system
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Computer Parts and Connect Parts
Computer parts include the following:-
Keyboard
Mouse
Monitor(Screen)
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
System unit
Random Access Memory(RAM)
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Computer Parts and Connect Parts…
Connecting Computer Parts
Connecting a computer includes the following
steps:-
Connect monitor and system unit together.
Connect keyboard.
Connect mouse
Connect computer to electrical power.
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Keyboard Layout
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Keyboard Layout
The keyboard has the following keys:
Enter or Return - Moves the cursor down one line and to the left
margin. Enter also process commands such as choosing an option
in a dialog (message) boxes and submitting a form
DEL or Delete - Deletes the character at cursor and/or characters
to the right of the cursor and all highlighted (or selected) text
BKSP or Backspace - Deletes the character to the left of cursor
and all highlighted text
Space Bar - Moves the cursor one space at a time to the right
Shift Key - Use the shift keys to type capital letters and to type
the upper character on keys with two characters on them
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Keyboard Layout…
Caps Lock - Locks the keyboard so it types capital letters (a light goes
on when caps lock is on)
Tab - Moves the cursor five spaces to the right (number of spaces are
usually adjustable). Tab moves to the next field in a form or table
(Shift-Tab for previous field).
ESC or Escape - Cancels a menu or dialog box
Arrow Keys - Moves the cursor around document without changing
text
Function Keys or F keys - Access commands by themselves or in
combination with the three command keys; CTRL, SHIFT, and ALT
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Keyboard Layout…
Command or Special Keys
Command keys normally do nothing on their own but
work in combination with other keys
Each piece of software uses the command keys
differently though there is a move to standardize some
functions
The Control key or Ctrl is often used to access
commands
The Alternative key or Alt is often used to access
menus
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Keyboard Layout…
Command or Special Keys
The Shift key is used to type CAPITAL LETTERS
The command keys are all used to move through
documents and edit text faster and easier
Many computers have special keys designed specifically
for the particular computer
Apple computers have the Apple keys and Macs have
Command keys
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Keyboard Layout…
Command or Special Keys
Many older computers also have special keys used for a
variety of different functions
Some laptop keys are left out because of space
limitations and they usually have a special function key
which allows other keys to double for the missing ones
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Turn on and Shut Down of Computer
Computer is like other electronic equipment
like Television or radio. It has on/off button.
When switch on computer you just press the
button and it will start automatic. The process is
called booting
Turning off is different from other devices
because you have to follow procedures.
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Turn on and Shut Down of Computer
Start button
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Turn on and Shut Down of Computer
Turn Off button
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Key Points
Computer is an electronic device that can follow instruction
to accept and process that input to produce information
Personal computers first appeared in late 1970s and early
1980s; new models and competing operating systems
appeared rapidly
Computers are used for general purpose example in School,
Hospitals, or Office but can also are used in special purposes
for particular job only to solve problem of restricted nature.
Examples are Petroleum pumps or traffic lights
It is important to know the symbols and terms used in
keyboard
Before connecting computer it’s important to make sure that
all parts are available
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Evaluation
What does the term ‘computer’ mean?
What is the history of personal computer
What are the computer parts?
What are the features of keyboard?
What are the procedures used in switching
computer ON and OFF.
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