Odds and EndsOdds and EndsRAM and ROMRAM and ROM

Required Skills andRequired Skills and

TerminologyTerminology

Starting a ComputerStarting a Computer

Locate the Start button or switchLocate the Start button or switch

Press or switch the buttonPress or switch the button

Be patient, let the computer “boot”Be patient, let the computer “boot”Do not try to operate the computer until Do not try to operate the computer until the cursor “hour-glass” is no longer the cursor “hour-glass” is no longer displayeddisplayed

BOOT or Booting UpBOOT or Booting Up

The term boot comes from an old term,The term boot comes from an old term,“pull up by the boot-straps”“pull up by the boot-straps”

This means to start from nothing, load This means to start from nothing, load everything fresheverything fresh

Often, booting a machine will solve earlier Often, booting a machine will solve earlier problems and make it work betterproblems and make it work better

ROMROM

When a computer first starts it uses ROM orWhen a computer first starts it uses ROM orREAD ONLY MEMORYREAD ONLY MEMORY

ROM is memory that cannot be changed by ROM is memory that cannot be changed by the userthe user

ROM controls the most basic functions of a ROM controls the most basic functions of a computer system, even before the OS computer system, even before the OS takes controltakes control

RAMRAM

After a computer boots, many functions are After a computer boots, many functions are kept in kept in RANDON ACCESS MEMORYRANDON ACCESS MEMORY

RAM is volatile, it is not retained when the RAM is volatile, it is not retained when the computer is restarted or shut-downcomputer is restarted or shut-down

RAM allows the computer to do several things RAM allows the computer to do several things at once, and remember what it has just at once, and remember what it has just completed and not yet savedcompleted and not yet saved

StorageStorage

Primary StoragePrimary Storage is storage that is is storage that is available only to computer, examples are available only to computer, examples are RAM, CDs, and cacheRAM, CDs, and cache

Secondary StorageSecondary Storage is storage accessible is storage accessible by the user, examples are floppy disks, by the user, examples are floppy disks, CD-RW, disk drives, network drivesCD-RW, disk drives, network drives

Storage and SavingStorage and Saving

Work completed by a user before it is Work completed by a user before it is saved is held in saved is held in primary storageprimary storage (RAM) (RAM) and is lost if not saved before exiting the and is lost if not saved before exiting the program or CPUprogram or CPU

After it is saved, it is held in After it is saved, it is held in secondary secondary storagestorage, no matter the media, no matter the media

Changes are held in RAM, until savedChanges are held in RAM, until saved

Hardware vs. SoftwareHardware vs. Software

Hardware is a components that can be Hardware is a components that can be touched, even if it is inside the CPUtouched, even if it is inside the CPU

Software is the programming packages Software is the programming packages that operate the softwarethat operate the software

Firmware is software that is stored in Firmware is software that is stored in ROM, it controls the most basic activities ROM, it controls the most basic activities of the computerof the computer

Starting an ApplicationStarting an Application

If an icon is on the desktop, double-clickIf an icon is on the desktop, double-click

If an icon is in the Quick Launch, click only If an icon is in the Quick Launch, click only once once (double-clicking may cause an error)(double-clicking may cause an error)

In a menu, such as the START menu or In a menu, such as the START menu or the All Programs menu, click only oncethe All Programs menu, click only once

Opening a FolderOpening a Folder

If an icon is on the desktop, double-clickIf an icon is on the desktop, double-click

If the icon is in another opened folder, If the icon is in another opened folder, such as My Computer or My documents, such as My Computer or My documents, double-clickdouble-click

If the folder is in the All Programs menu, If the folder is in the All Programs menu, just point to the folder, no click necessaryjust point to the folder, no click necessary

Shutting DownShutting Down

A computer should A computer should NEVERNEVER be shut down be shut down using the button or switch unless it is using the button or switch unless it is locked up and there is no other choicelocked up and there is no other choice

Select the Select the STARTSTART button and the button and theShut DownShut Down option option

RestartRestart may be an option, look closely may be an option, look closely and select wiselyand select wisely

Practice what you have learned Practice what you have learned thus far.thus far.

Tomorrow is your first project.Tomorrow is your first project.