Introducing Basic Computer Concepts

Introducing Basic Computer

ConceptsComputer Essentials

Aparicio-Levy Technical Center

What do you

know about personal computers?

Laptop orNotebook

DesktopPersonal

Computer

“The Hardware”Computer Components

DesktopMonitor

Central Processing

Unit “CPU”

KeyboardMouse

Speakers

Peripherals

Other hardware items outside the system unit boxKeyboard Mouse Speakers/HeadsetsMonitor Printer

Inside the CPU

The System Board

Expansion slots

Video expansion slot

Microprocessor slot

RAM modules plug in here

Hard drive and CD drive connection

The Microprocessor

• A computer on a single silicon chip

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

Cutaway view of the System Unit

Examples of PortsA. PS/2B. USB portsC. ParallelD. FirewireE. VideoF. MiniplugsG. Phone jackH. Ethernet

Data Drives

• Drive Types– Hard Drive– USB Flash– CD/CDRW– DVD/DVD-RW– Blu-Ray– External Hard Drive– Floppy

Random Access MemoryYour computer’s “workbench”

• Also called volatile memory• How much do you need?

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.

Defining Units of Measure

• Bits/Bytes8 bits in

a byte

Computer Software

• The logical component of a computer system• Most software is distributed via CD and

downloads from the Internet

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

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

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

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

My Computer

Start Button

Shortcut icon

Quick-Sizing ButtonsMinimize

Maximize

Restore

Close

Restore button appears when a window is maximized

Maximize button appears when a window is restored

Restore button reappears when a window is maximized again

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.

Start Button Menus (Win XP)

All Programs menu

Office Suite menu

Small trianglesindicate sub-menus

Recently used programs list

Pinned programs

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.

What is a network?What is a server?

4

1

41 is down again? No problem, the files are on the server which is backed up on tape.

1

Assign one folder on Server to each person

Solving our Problems

4

1

4

Internet

There is also a firewall installed. Your mail can be read.

1

A place for everythingand

Everything in its place!

Where are files

stored?

Drive: Letter:Floppy 3 ½Removable

A

Local Disk Drive C

CD RomRemovable

D

Removable DiskRemovable

F

Network Any letter but ones above

S, G, Z

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

Browsing Through Files

• Windows helps you store, locate, and manage user files on various disk drives and folders

Win XP Win Vista

File Organization• Windows stores files in a flexible hierarchy

with three basic levels Level Definition Examples

Drive Physical place to store files Floppy disk Hard drive

Folder Electronic place to store files Folder for files of an application program

Folder for all letters related to a project

File Collection of computer data with a common purpose

A letter A picture

File Identification

• File and folder names– Meaningful to you– Easily recognized by others

Bad - resume.docBetter – Clasen Professinal Resume.doc

• 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.

• 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?

File nameRay James Mr Smith cust servTECO Ms Jones SalesSDHC Ms Clasen teacherCity of Tampa tax officeCity of Tampa water and wasteKinkos Mr JacksonPublix cashier Ms Brown 813-555-5555

Why not name them like this?

The My Computer Window(Win XP)

Menu bar

ToolbarAddress

bar

Shortcuts to useful tasks and places

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 XPWin Vista

Sorting Files• Sort your view of files in

various ways – By Name– By Size– By Type– By Modified (Date)Sort Bar – Win Vista

Sort Menu – Win Vista

Sort Menu – Win XP

Renaming Files and Folders

• You can Rename a file or folder after you have created it

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.

A right-click on any filename displays the Rename command

What you see on the C Drive

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.

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