ICAICT201A USE COMPUTER OPERATING SYSTEM

USING THE CONTROL PANEL The Control Panel contains many options for configuring your computer, including: adding or removing programs date and time settings folder settings internet settings keyboard and mouse settings taskbar and Start menu user Accounts. 2

MANAGING USER ACCOUNTS User account types are either Administrator (full access) or Limited (restricted access). Certain configurations can only be completed by the Administrator. To add, modify or remove user accounts, open the User Accounts icon in the Control Panel. 3

CONFIGURING THE TASKBAR AND START MENU  The taskbar and Start menu can be configured to suit user needs and preferences, such as enabling quick access to frequently-used programs.  The Taskbar and Start Menu Properties can be accessed as follows:  Open Taskbar and Start Menu Properties in the Control Panel.  Right-click on a blank area of the taskbar. 4

ABOUT AUTOMATIC UPDATES  Microsoft make updates available for Windows XP on their website.  Updates include added features ‘fixes’ for known bugs and security improvements.  You can manage the way your computer receives updates in the Automatic Updates option via the Control Panel. 5

ABOUT AUTOMATIC UPDATES  Options range from automatic downloading and installing, to automatic download and notifying you, or disabling Automatic Updates.  The option you choose will depend on your needs and preferences, as well as the organisation. 6

BACKING UP YOUR DATA  The importance of a backup plan for your files cannot be stressed enough! The Backup Tool is accessed via System Tools in the Accessories menu.  Windows XP provides various options for backing up your data, including:  Backing up the contents of My Documents, for example, as well as your personal settings.  Backing up your entire hard disk (C:).  Backing up specific files and folders.  You can also schedule backups to occur automatically in the Scheduled Tasks tool via the Control Panel. 7

USING DOS TO CONFIGURE WINDOWS  Before Windows and the GUI, users executed commands (such as running programs and opening files) using DOS (Disk Operating System).  Users typed text commands into a command-line interface. 8

USING DOS TO CONFIGURE WINDOWS  There are times when it may be useful (or faster) to use the command- line interface to complete tasks.  Executing commands using DOS can be done using the Command Prompt program. 9

USING DOS TO CONFIGURE WINDOWS  Some common DOS commands include:  DATE: to set the correct date.  LABEL: to change the disk drive label.  VER: to identify the current version of Windows. 10

INSTALLING SOFTWARE  Only administrators can install and uninstall software.  Software can be downloaded and installed from the internet. (fast internet connection recommended)  Software can be installed from a CD-ROM  Software can be: – ‘trialware’ (try before you buy) – ‘freeware’ (free to use) – or the fully licensed version. 11

INSTALLING SOFTWARE (2)  A list of installed software can be viewed in the Add or Remove Programs option  It is important to scan downloaded files for viruses before you open them.  The InstallShield Wizard will guide you through the installation process.  You may need to upgrade your software from time to time to use the latest features and functions of that software. 12

UNINSTALLING SOFTWARE  You may need to uninstall software:  If the evaluation time of trialware has expired.  When you upgrade your existing software.  When you no longer require software.  Software can be uninstalled via the Add or Remove Programs 13

OPTIMISING WINDOWS XP  Windows can be optimised for improved performance by:  Preventing software from loading at startup:  closing programs in the notification area  removing programs from the Startup folder  removing startup programs via the System Configuration Utility.  Disabling the computer’s visual effects via System > Advanced > Performance. 14

OPTIMISING WINDOWS XP (2)  Cleaning up your hard disk:  Disk Cleanup Wizard to remove temporary and unnecessary files.  Disk Defragmenter: to rearrange data on your hard disk end to end (contiguously).  Scanning for and fixing errors: using the error-checking tool in C: drive Properties. 15

CUSTOMISING THE GUI  The GUI, or Windows environment, can be customised in many ways, such as:  changing the desktop background  changing the colour scheme  applying a screen saver.  Each of these changes can be made in Control Panel > Display. 16

 Input devices:  Keyboard  Mouse  Scanner  Digital Camera 17 Type of input / output (I/O) devices Output devices: –Monitor –Printer –Sound card

VIEWING INSTALLED DEVICES  Details about each installed device can be viewed by going to the properties for each device:  right-click on My Computer  > Manage > Device Manager  > select a Device Category  > right-click on the device > Properties. 18

VIEWING INSTALLED DEVICES  Device properties allow you to:  View details of a device.  Update the driver for a device.  Uninstall a driver.  Roll back the driver. 19

INSTALLING DEVICES 1. Connect the device 2. Install the device 3. Test the device 20

1. CONNECTING THE DEVICE  Connect the device by plugging it into the rear of the system unit.  For cards that need to be inserted inside the system unit, seek the help of an experienced colleague or friend. 21

2. INSTALLING THE DEVICE  Plug and play devices are automatically detected and installed by Windows with little or no user assistance.  Non-plug and play devices will need to be installed manually by the user via the Control Panel > Add Hardware option. 22

3. TESTING THE DEVICE  Make sure the device is working properly, such as:  printing a test page  uploading photos to the computer  using the mouse or keyboard  adjusting the volume for a new sound card. 23

MANUALLY INSTALLING DEVICES  Connect the device to the computer.  Restart the computer to see if Windows recognises the hardware.  Load the driver (CD-ROM or download from manufacturer’s website).  Run the Add Hardware wizard (via the Control Panel), and follow the prompts. 24

TROUBLESHOOTING DEVICES  View the properties of the device (via the Device Manager).  Use Windows Help and Support Troubleshooter to diagnose and fix the issue  Reinstall the driver (via the device properties). 25

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