Introduction to Computers Getting started

The System Unit This is the computer. Everything else is a ‘peripheral’. The case contains a lot of equipment

Inside the Computer The processor or CPU = Central Processing Unit does all the work. e.g. Pentium III, Pentium IV, Celeron The motherboard enables all other parts of the computer to communicate ROM – read only memory (BIOS) holds important information when the computer is switched off. RAM – random access memory used to hold information whilst the computer is working. The hard disc holds information both whilst the computer is running and when it is turned off. All documents, photos, spreadsheets etc will be on it.

Inside the Computer PCI Slots (or PCMCIA cards for latptops) for the installation of special cards for other equipment such as additional network cards, or wireless access cards. (PCI = Peripheral Component Interconnect; PCMCIA =Personal Computer Memory Card International Assocation. Power supply supplies electrical power to all components Fan keeps everything at a working temperature

Fixed in the System Unit case A CD or DVD drive Always use the buttons to open and close the drive and make sure the CD is fitted correctly before closing the tray. For our computers this drive is used to install software, to make a backup copy of programmes or data, or to use learning CDs. With the correct software it will play music and video CDs or DVDs; do not use University machines for this purpose. CD-ROM A CD which you can only read – CD-ROM or CD-RW drive CD-R A CD which you can write to once – if your CD drive will write – a CD-RW drive CD-RW A CD which you can write to many times

Fixed in the CPU case A floppy drive These were the original forms of getting information in and out of computers. They tend to be unreliable and can fail very easily. They are not recommended. Zip drive This is a high capacity removable drive which is not often seen now.

(1,048,576 bytes or characters = 1 book) Size of Memory Everything in the computer is held as 1 or 0 = On or Off. This is a bit. 1 byte = 8 bits. This will hold a character. 1 Kb (Kilobyte) = 1024 bytes (= a short letter) 1 Mb (Megabyte) = 1024 K (1,048,576 bytes or characters = 1 book) 1 Gb (Gigabyte) = 1024 Mb (1,073,714,824 bytes or characters)

Power supply CD Drive Floppy Drive Motherboard, including ROM RAM Fan Processor Hard disk PCI slots

Power Supply External device connections to motherboard

Hard drive and empty slot Fan CD Drive Floppy Drive

Connections to the CPU for Peripherals Monitor Serial – on our computers connects to the UPS for controlled shutdown

Connections to the CPU for Peripherals Parallel – traditionally used for printers Network – an RJ45 (Registered Jack 45) connection, looks like a phone connection Headphones Microphone Speakers USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports – many devices now connect through a USB port.

Older Connections to the CPU Traditional Mouse and Keyboard connections PS/2 mouse and keyboard connections DO NOT EVEN TRY TO PUT A PLUG INTO A SOCKET OF A DIFFERENT SHAPE. ASK IF YOU ARE UNSURE.

Communicating with the CPU – the Peripherals Essential Keyboard (traditional, PS/2 or USB) Mouse (traditional, PS/2 or USB) Monitor (RGB socket) Other Printer (USB, parallel or serial) Network connection (RJ45) Flash drive – memory stick….(USB) Scanner (USB, serial) Speakers Digital Camera (USB) and many more.

Printers Printers will be set up to be shared. Where possible, and that depends on the printer, they will be connected directly to the network. Otherwise they will be attached to a print server. No one should attempt to make any changes to printers other than to add more paper. Paper jams or other problems should be reported to ICT staff. There are three main types of printer : Dot matrix Black ink only. Noisy with limited print styles, not very good for pictures. Reliable, cheap to maintain, cheap to run. Bubble Jet Black or Colour. Cheap to buy. Quiet with lots of print styles, good for pictures. Expensive to repair, expensive to run. Laser Black or Colour. Expensive to buy, especially colour. Quiet with lots of print styles, excellent for pictures. Reliable but expensive to repair. Economical to run.

Supplying power UPS (Uninterruptible Power Supply) Gives time to shut down and It has a battery inside it and will allow time to shut down the computer correctly if there is a power cut. It also protects the computer when power is low (brown outs). It is very important that all computers are connected through a UPS, which is tested regularly. Surge Protector To protect against spikes in power If there is a power cut – shut down the computer and switch the UPS OFF BEFORE the power comes back on to protect the computer equipment against surges as the power is restored.

Turning on the computer Make sure that all peripherals are securely plugged in. Remove any floppy discs from the computer. Turn on the mains supply and surge protector. Turn on the UPS. Turn on any peripherals with their own power supply. Turn on the computer.

Computer Start up The computer performs the following: Checks everything that is attached to it. Loads the operating system plus services that will continuously run on your computer. Waits for you to Log in. NOTE If you left a floppy disc in the drive then you will get the message Invalid System Disc – Insert disc with system files and press any key Remove the disk and press any key for the computer to continue loading the Operating System from the hard disk. You may get a similar message if you left a CD in the CD drive. If the computer was not shut down correctly then you will be told that the disk will be scanned for errors, allow it to do this and report any problems to the ICT department. If there are no problems the computer will continue to start up as normal.

Access to the computer Whichever Operating System your computer is running you will need to log in. Only ever use your own user name and password. NEVER give your password to anyone else.

The Desktop The opening screen is your desk top. In addition to the background picture there will be a number of small pictures or icons for the applications which you will most regularly use. Double click on any one you wish to use. At the top or bottom of the screen is the task bar

Mouse icons Different applications will use different icons for the mouse. The following are examples This means BUSY, the computer is not ready for you to start. This means WAIT, the computer is working on something. The computer is now ready for you to logon or start. Where text is to be entered this is the position at which it will be entered

Word processing Microsoft Word Open Office (Text document) – should be set up to read and write documents which can be handled by Microsoft Word – consult the IT department

Word Processing Document the actual information that you are using the Word Processor to write. File the area on the disc where your document is put. Page a part of the document or file which corresponds to a printed page Paragraph a piece of text which stays together, starting on a new line

Word Processing Normal text with nothing special about it. Italics sloping text Underline text with a line underneath Bold text which is darker than the other text

Starting the Microsft Word Click Start button on the task bar. Select All programs. Select Microsoft Office A small ‘drop down menu’ will appear Click Microsoft Office word 2003.

Menus in word processing File Looking after the document or file Edit Making changes to the text View Different ways of looking at the text Insert Put something into the document Format Change the way the text appears Help Get more information

Basics in Word Processing New - to create a new document Open - to open an existing document Save - to save the current document to its own file Save as - to save to a specified file Close - to close the current file Exit - to close the Word Processor

Handling the text Insert Overwrite Delete Backspace key Delete key