Computer Basics and Care

1. Computer Basics and Care

2. Turning Computer On and Off • Turning on: • Power Button: press the button at the top-center of the keyboard to turn computer on • Turning Off: • Click start > shut off • Stand-by: • A low power state, where turning your computer fully on is almost immediate • Click Start > Turn off computer > Stand-by • Hibernate: • A non-battery draining state, where turning your computer fully on is done more quickly than turning the computer fully off and fully back on again • When computer is in stand-by mode, and does not have enough battery power to stay on, it will automatically go into Hibernate mode • If the computer freezes: • Press and hold Ctrl, Alt, then Delete, in that order, all at the same time to open the Task Manager • Once here, you can exit any program that is giving you trouble

3. Mouse • Single click (left button) – highlights object • Double click (left button) – selects/opens object • Right click – opens a menu of options for the object • Buying a separate USB or wireless mouse is a choice • UBS optical mouse: $9.99 – 29.99 • Wireless optical mouse $24.99+ • Laptop mouse: • The area in the center and below the keyboard • Use your finger to move the curser around • The two buttons are the same as on a regular mouse

4. Power Cord • Use the power cord whenever possible • Be sure to bring your power cord to every meeting • If the power cord breaks, it is $70 to replace it, so handle them with care • Use a surge protector when possible to protect the computer when a voltage surge occurs • When storing, fold the cable and hold it in place with the Velcro strap on the power supply • Be sure to charge the computer every night before PROFIT meetings

5. LCD Screen • Do not touch • Opening: Lift lid carefully, using the plastic parts around the edge and do not touch the LCD screen • Do not expose to extreme temperatures • Do not leave in the sun, near open flame, near the stove/oven, or any high-heat area • Do not lift the laptop by the screen • Do not allow magnets to come near the screen • Do not drop • Do not over-open

6. Cleaning • Use a dry, microfiber cloth to gently wipe dust off the screen • Do not use water, alcohol, or Windex to clean the screen • Office supply stores sell LCD cleaning kits • Use a dry cloth to clean all the other parts of the computer • Use compressed air to clean dust out from under the keyboard keys • A parent will need to purchase compressed air and observe while you use it

7. Carrying and Storing • We recommend a well padded laptop carrying case to put the laptop in • When not in use and not traveling, you should still store the laptop in its well padded case • When storing, make sure that the computer is off, and not in stand-by or hibernate mode • When carrying the computer make sure the lid is closed

8. Potential Hazards • Food and Drink: Do not eat or drink near your laptop • Spilling anything on these computers will damage them, and most of the time, beyond repair • Value: These laptops, with the software installed, are worth $1,000. If lost or damaged it will not be replaced

9. The Desktop and Start Menu • Desktop: • The desktop is the main screen on your computer where icons to various programs, files and folders are for easy access to them • Start Menu: • the central launching point for application and tasks

10. Accessing the Internet • Look on your Desktop for the Internet Explorer icon: • Double click on this icon • While you are on the University of Central Florida’s campus, a screen will appear that is titled “Wireless Guest Access”, scroll down to the bottom and click “I Agree”

11. Accessing the Internet • To go to the PROFIT website: • Go to Favorites • Click on “Pictures Represent Opportunities For Inspiration in Technology • Click on the link that says “Computing Content Summer 2009” • Click the link to Computer Care and Basics

12. Accessing the Internet • To Save: • Click on the Desktop icon and then click the Save button

13. Defining Folders and Files • Files: • Documents: used to write things down • Music: used to listen songs • Image: used to see pictures • Folders: • You put files into folders • Folders are used to keep your computer organized • My Documents: • Technically, My Documents is a folder, but because you will be storing a lot of things in it, you can consider it to be a filing cabinet

14. My Documents Click Start > My Documents

15. My Documents • Change the view to your personal favorite • In My Documents, click the icon on the far right side as shown • Choose from: Thumbnails, Tiles, Icons, List, Details

16. Creating Folders • Create a new folder: • Click File > New > Folder • Click anywhere on the screen except the blue highlighted area, to unselect the file name • By default, this folder will be named New Folder • To open this folder, double click on it

17. Folders Options • To close: press the button at the top right of the window • To minimize: press the button at the top right of the window • To expand: press the button at the top right of the window

18. Folder Options • By right clicking any folder (or file) you have many options: • Copy: this option allows you to “paste” the object somewhere else and still have the same copy at its current location • Cut: this option allows you to “paste” the object somewhere else, and delete it from the current location • Paste: when the computer is “holding” an object from either you copying or cutting, this option allows you to put that object where you want

19. Renaming Folders • Renaming: • Go to My Documents and right click on New Folder • Click rename and type whatever you want your folder to be named

20. Creating and Opening Files • Create a new file: • Click Start > All Programs > Microsoft Office • To save this file : • Click File > Save> My Documents > your folder • Name this document something meaningful • To open this file: • Go to My Documents > your folder • Double click on your file

21. File Extensions • Go to the PROFIT folder, and set the view to “details” • You will notice that the end of the file you created says .docx; this is the file’s extension • File extensions help the computer recognize what program should be used to open the file

22. File Information • Go to the PROFIT folder, and right click on the document you made earlier, and click properties • Notice, the screen that pops up has the file size, what program is used to open it, when it was made, etc. • Click OK to close the window

23. Creating a Shortcut • Minimize all windows • Click Start • Right click on any program you use often • Click Create Shortcut • Click and drag the shortcut onto the Desktop

24. Automatic Updates • Sometimes you will get pop-ups indicating you need to update one of your programs • Windows normally updates by itself, but might ask you to restart the computer • Updates that are safe to accept: Adobe, Java, QuickTime, AVG • Note: Microsoft Antivirus is not a real program, do not download it.

25. Security • These computers are the property of The University of Central Florida • These computers are not to be used for anything other than activities related to PROFIT meetings and school work • Unless your teacher tells you otherwise, do not bring these computers to school • These computers are not to be used by anyone else other than you and us • This means keeping your friends, siblings, and parents from using it

26. File Sharing Websites Do not download unauthorized files and/or software from the internet. This includes: Limewire, Kazaa, Songbird, etc.

27. Unauthorized Websites • Do not go to unauthorized websites • Just by going to these websites your computer will get at least one virus

28. Anti Virus • AVG Anti Virus software is already installed on the computer. • Do not uninstall, turn off, or otherwise disable this software • Always leave the firewall, the pop-up blocker, and the phishing filter turned on • Update the AVG software as much as possible:

29. Security Checks We will be performing regular checks on the computers to insure you are not doing anything inappropriate with them.

30. Installing Operating Systems For those of you know how, do not install things like other operating systems on these computers. When the computer is yours after an year, then you can install anything you like