Introducing Basic Computer Concepts

1. Introducing Basic Computer Concepts Computer Essentials Aparicio-Levy Technical Center

2. What do you know about personal computers? Laptop or Notebook Desktop Personal Computer

3. “The Hardware”Computer Components Desktop Monitor Central Processing Unit “CPU” Speakers Keyboard Mouse

4. Peripherals • Other hardware items outside the system unit box • Keyboard Mouse Speakers/Headsets • Monitor Printer

5. Inside the CPU

6. The System Board Video expansion slot Expansion slots Microprocessor slot RAM modules plug in here Hard drive and CD drive connection

7. The Microprocessor • A computer on a single silicon chip

8. Hard Drive • Stores information • Operating system, programs and your files • Preserves data, programs and your operating system even while the computer is off • Hard drive platters spin at speeds ranging from 5,400 RPM to 15,000 RPM. • Measure the performance of a hard disk by the: • Data transfer rate - the number of bytes per second that the drive can deliver to the CPU • Seek time - the amount of time between when the CPU requests a file and when the first byte of the file is sent to the CPU http://www.onlinecomputertips.com/hardware/harddrive_works.html

9. Cutaway view of the System Unit

10. Examples of Ports • PS/2 • USB ports • Parallel • Firewire • Video • Miniplugs • Phone jack • Ethernet

11. Data Drives • Drive Types • Hard Drive • USB Flash • CD/CDRW • DVD/DVD-RW • Blu-Ray • External Hard Drive • Floppy

12. Random Access Memory Your computer’s “workbench” • Also called volatile memory • How much do you need?

13. Need more zip?? Add RAM • RAM is used by your computer to store all data that has to be processed by the central processing unit (CPU). • Since data contained in documents, spreadsheets, graphics or any type of file must be stored in RAM before the processor can process that data, the amount of available RAM affects how quickly your computer can perform tasks.

14. Defining Units of Measure 8 bits in a byte • Bits/Bytes

15. Computer Software • The logical component of a computer system • Most software is distributed via CD and downloads from the Internet

16. Software Application Programs • Software that helps you get work done • Word Writing and editing • Excel Electronic spreadsheet • Outlook Email • Access Electronic filing cabinet • PowerPoint Graphic communication • Publisher Page layout/desktop publishing • Photoshop Image editing • Quicken Personal finance • TurboTax Tax preparation • Rosetta Stone Learn a foreign language • Sim City Gaming software

17. Researching Software • Research software first • Before shopping for hardware, research the software you wish to run on the computer • Every application program has requirements for the hardware and operating system that it needs to function properly • If your computer does not meet these requirements, the application program will not run

18. Antivirus Software • Watches all activity on your system and can detect many viruses as they try to infect the system • As new viruses are identified, antivirus software vendors update their software • Obtain updates on the web

19. Using the Computer Mouse • Mouse cursor is your “virtual finger” • Primary/Left Button:The left mouse button is used most frequently; most commands are issued with this button • Opens • Selects • Secondary/Right Button:The right, or secondary,mouse button brings up specialpop-up menus • Opens other menu options

20. Shortcut icon My Computer Start Button

21. Quick-Sizing Buttons Restore button appears when a window is maximized Minimize Maximize Maximize button appears when a window is restored Restore Restore button reappears when a window is maximized again Close

22. Multitasking • Running multiple programs lets you switch quickly and use the best program for each task Each running program/document has its own button on the Windows taskbar Use [Alt]+[Tab] to switch quickly between program windows.

23. Start Button Menus (Win XP) All Programs menu Small trianglesindicate sub-menus Pinned programs Office Suite menu Recently used programs list

24. What is a network?What is a server? 1 4 “Peer to peer network” or simple file sharing over a Local Area Network or LAN. If we share files over the Internet we call it a Wide Area Network or WAN.

25. Solving our Problems Assign one folder on Server to each person 1 1 is down again? No problem, the files are on the server which is backed up on tape. 4 4 1

26. Internet 1 There is also a firewall installed. Your mail can be read. 4 4 1

27. A place for everything and Everything in its place!

28. Where are files stored?

29. Working with Folders • Folders are electronic locations to store groups of related files • Create new folders whenever at any time • Windows automatically creates a My Documents folder

30. Browsing Through Files • Windows helps you store, locate, and manage user files on various disk drives and folders Win Vista Win XP

31. My Music My Documents My Pictures Portfolio Cover letters Job leads Resumes Electronic Resume Draft Ideas Mail resume

32. File Organization • Windows stores files in a flexible hierarchy with three basic levels

33. File Identification • File and folder names • Meaningful to you • Easily recognized by others Bad - resume.doc Better – Clasen Professinal Resume.doc

34. File or document names used to be limited to 8 characters. • Names were shortened to: • Apps - Applications • Ltrsmiva - Letter to Mr. Smith vacation • Saldat99 - Sales data, 1999 • Now days file names can be up to 255 characters.

35. You just got a call from the SDHC. • They want to do a phone interview. • Quick, which resume did you send to them? • What was the interviewer’s name?

36. File name • Ray James Mr Smith custserv • TECO Ms Jones Sales • SDHC Ms Clasen teacher • City of Tampa tax office • City of Tampa water and waste • KinkosMr Jackson • Publix cashier Ms Brown 813-555-5555 Why not name them like this?

37. The My Computer Window(Win XP) Menu bar Toolbar Addressbar Shortcuts to useful tasks and places

38. Creating Folders • You can create new folders to build your own file system • You can create folders in the Documents folder, on a USB flash drive, etc. Win XP Win Vista

39. Sorting Files • Sort your view of files in various ways • By Name • By Size • By Type • By Modified (Date) Sort Menu – Win XP Sort Bar – Win Vista Sort Menu – Win Vista

40. Renaming Files and Folders • You can Rename a file or folder after you have created it A right-click on any filename displays the Rename command You can also rename a file by clicking the name once, waiting about one second, and clicking again to select the name. You can then type a new name.

41. What you see on the C Drive

42. Deleting Files • Deleted files and folders from hard disks are placed in the Recycle Bin located on the desktop • Retrieve files and folders from the Recycle Bin to "undelete" them. Files and folders deleted from USB flash drives and floppy disks are not placed in the Recycle Bin! They are deleted permanently.

43. Shutting Down Windows • If you want to turn off the computer, use the shut down command (not Log Off) • It is important to shut down Windows properly before you turn off the computer Win XP Win Vista