Windows XP BasicsWindows XP BasicsBy Jane Maringer-CantuBy Jane Maringer-Cantu

CSIS 572CSIS 572

Jane Maringer-Cantu

What is a Computer?What is a Computer? A computer is composed of 2 main A computer is composed of 2 main

parts.parts. HardwareHardware SoftwareSoftware

Refers to the Refers to the programsprograms, or , or applicationsapplications, that a computer uses to , that a computer uses to perform tasks.perform tasks.

instructions that tell your computer instructions that tell your computer what to do.what to do.

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Parts of a ComputerParts of a Computer

CPU(Central Processing Unit)

Monitor

Mouse

PrinterFloppy Disks

CD-ROM

CD Drive

KeyboardZip Drive

Flash Drive

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BytesBytes BytesBytes are used to measure the amount of are used to measure the amount of

information a device can store.information a device can store. One One bytebyte is one is one charactercharacter. . A A charactercharacter can be a number, letter or can be a number, letter or

symbol.symbol. One One bytebyte consists of 8 consists of 8 bitsbits (binary digits). (binary digits). A A bitbit is the smallest unit of information a is the smallest unit of information a

computer can process.computer can process.

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Bytes (continued)Bytes (continued)

Kilobyte (K)=1,024 characters. This is Kilobyte (K)=1,024 characters. This is approximately equal to one page of approximately equal to one page of double-spaced text.double-spaced text.

Megabyte (MB)=1,048,576 characters. Megabyte (MB)=1,048,576 characters. This is approximately equal to one This is approximately equal to one novel.novel.

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Bytes (continued)Bytes (continued) Gigabyte (GB)=1,073,741,824 Gigabyte (GB)=1,073,741,824

characters. This is approximately equal characters. This is approximately equal to 1000 novels.to 1000 novels.

Terabyte (TB)=Terabyte (TB)=1,099,511,627,776 1,099,511,627,776 characters. This is approximately equal to characters. This is approximately equal to 1,000,000 novels.1,000,000 novels.

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Bytes (continued)Bytes (continued)

1 Bit = Binary Digit8 Bits = 1 Byte

1024 Bytes = 1 Kilobyte

1024 Kilobytes = 1 Megabyte

1024 Megabytes = 1 Gigabyte

1024 Gigabytes = 1 Terabyte

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Hard Drive vs. MemoryHard Drive vs. Memory

YYour our hard drive hard drive can be considered a can be considered a large bookshelf. Just as you store books large bookshelf. Just as you store books and papers on that shelf, you store and papers on that shelf, you store applications on the hard drive.applications on the hard drive. (The larger the bookshelf you have, the more (The larger the bookshelf you have, the more

items you can fit onto it.)items you can fit onto it.)

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Hard Drive vs. MemoryHard Drive vs. Memory

We can think of We can think of random access random access memory (RAM)memory (RAM) as the surface of a as the surface of a desk. This is where you actively work desk. This is where you actively work with items from the bookshelf. with items from the bookshelf. (The bigger your desk, the more books you (The bigger your desk, the more books you

can open at one time.)can open at one time.)

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Can you talk to your Can you talk to your computer?computer?

There are 2 ways in which you can There are 2 ways in which you can communicate with your computer.communicate with your computer. Using the keyboardUsing the keyboard

(Typing information into the (Typing information into the computer)computer)

Using a pointing device such as a Using a pointing device such as a mousemouse(Selecting & moving items)(Selecting & moving items)

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Windows XPWindows XP

is an is an operating systemoperating system, which is , which is software that helps the computer software that helps the computer carry out operating tasks, such as:carry out operating tasks, such as: displaying information on the displaying information on the

computer screen, andcomputer screen, and saving data on disks.saving data on disks.

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Windows XPWindows XP Provides you with access to all the Provides you with access to all the

parts of your computing environment.parts of your computing environment. DocumentsDocuments FilesFiles Applications or ProgramsApplications or Programs

Lets you set up & use printersLets you set up & use printers Provides you access to network Provides you access to network

serversservers

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WindowsWindows

Windows XP environment is centered Windows XP environment is centered around around windowswindows..

A A windowwindow is a rectangular area is a rectangular area onscreen that presents information.onscreen that presents information. You can open, close, maximize, You can open, close, maximize,

minimize, move & resize windows.minimize, move & resize windows.

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ICONSICONS

Windows XP uses small graphical Windows XP uses small graphical iconsicons, or , or picturespictures, to represent objects., to represent objects.

Most icons also have text labels.Most icons also have text labels.

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Using a MouseUsing a Mouse 4 Basic Actions4 Basic Actions

Pointing-Pointing-Using the mouse as an extension of your Using the mouse as an extension of your hand.hand.

Clicking- Clicking- Pressing and releasing the mouse button Pressing and releasing the mouse button one time.one time.

Double-clicking-Double-clicking-pressing and releasing the pressing and releasing the mouse button two times quickly.mouse button two times quickly.

Dragging-Dragging-pressing and holding the left mouse pressing and holding the left mouse button over the object, move the mouse to desired place button over the object, move the mouse to desired place and release.and release.

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Selecting ObjectsSelecting Objects

You can select an object in several ways.You can select an object in several ways. If the object is not a menu selection, you If the object is not a menu selection, you clickclick

the object:the object: Move the mouse cursor onto the icon and Move the mouse cursor onto the icon and

press the left mouse button once. press the left mouse button once. A selected icon is A selected icon is highlightedhighlighted; its label is ; its label is

darkened and has a dotted line.darkened and has a dotted line.

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Choosing an ObjectChoosing an Object

You You choosechoose an object to activate its an object to activate its associated command by associated command by double-clickingdouble-clicking its its iconicon move the mouse cursor onto the icon and move the mouse cursor onto the icon and

press the left mouse button rapidly twice.press the left mouse button rapidly twice. If the object is a menu selection or command If the object is a menu selection or command

button, you choose it with a button, you choose it with a single click.single click. For example, the command button cancel.For example, the command button cancel.

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Moving an ObjectMoving an Object

To To drag and dropdrag and drop an object onto another an object onto another object, move the mouse cursor onto the icon object, move the mouse cursor onto the icon of the object to be dragged. of the object to be dragged. Press and hold the left mouse button while Press and hold the left mouse button while

you move the mouse cursor to the you move the mouse cursor to the destination object’s icon. destination object’s icon.

Then release the mouse button.Then release the mouse button.

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Context MenuContext Menu If you move the mouse over an object on If you move the mouse over an object on

the desktop or in a window and click the the desktop or in a window and click the right mouse buttonright mouse button, Windows XP displays a , Windows XP displays a menu called a menu called a context menucontext menu, or , or right-click right-click menumenu, with the object’s common , with the object’s common commands.commands.

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Any Questions?Any Questions?