A COMPUTER is an electronic device. Every computer performs 4 general operations: 1. Input 2. Process 3. Output 4. Storage

The four primary components of the computer CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT INPUT DEVICES STORAGE DEVICES OUTPUT DEVICES MEMORY RAM keyboard mouse screen printer Floppy disks (A) Hard disk(C) CD (D)

SYSTEM SOFTWARE APPLICATION SOFTWARE An example is the Windows Operating System. An example is Microsoft Office which includes word processing, spreadsheets, databases and presentation software.

 A network is a collection of computers and devices connected together via communications media and devices such as cables, telephone lines, modems  A network allows the users to share resources  In Middletown we use Network Interface Cards and a cable connection  The world’s largest network is the Internet, world wide collections of networks that links millions of computers

 Set up the computer in a well designed work area, with adequate workspace around the computer. Be sure to allow for proper ventilation.  While working at your computer be aware of health issues. (Lighting, proper keyboard and monitor height, etc.)  The temperature should be between 60 and 80 degrees.  Keep the computer area clean. Avoid eating and drinking near the computer.

 Back up important files and data  Protect your system from computer viruses and keep anti-virus software current  Keep the system tuned (for example defragmenting)  Use the system diagnostic tools (for example scan disk)  Keep sources of magnetic fields away from the computer

There are 2 types of error messages: 1. Numerical (possible hardware) 2. Textual (dos and application operations errors)

NON-SYSTEM DISK attempting to boot with a non-boot diskette in drive A- remove the disk from the drive DISK ERROR REPLACE removed the disk before the program was finished or put in the wrong disk - replace with correct disk ERROR READING/WRITING DRIVE the disk may contain bad sectors or may not be formatted- run scan disk or anti-virus software COMMON ERROR MESSAGES

DRIVE NOT READY may have requested the data on a drive before it had read the disk or disk is not inserted properly-wait then check disk WRITE PROTECTION ERROR disk may be write protected or tab may be loose-check the tab on the diskette or drive may be bad COMMON ERROR MESSAGES continued

 Power failures  Network down time  Hard drives and diskettes do go bad  A student has changed the desktop, and you can’t find the program anymore  Files were accidentally deleted  Your computer froze

1. Turn PC off, wait 30 seconds then turn back on - problem may go away 2. Narrow down your problem - what were you working on and which components are associated with the problem? 3. Make sure everything is plugged in and turned on 4. Check all cable connections and switch settings 5. Try to use the CTRL-ALT-DEL keys.

Using CONTROL-ALT-DELETE When your computer is frozen you may want to try Ctrl-Alt-Del. The resulting task window will show you what is running. If you see NOT RESPONDING next to any program, select it and choose END TASK. If this fails, try this again only press Ctrl-Alt-Del twice to re-boot the computer * If you are still stuck you will have to power off/on the computer

SCAN DISK AFTER AN IMPROPER SHUTDOWN If a computer has locked up or hung and you have no choice but to turn it off (or the previous user did not shut down correctly), Scan disk will run automatically when the computer is turned back on. If you get an error message when the scandisk program runs:  Select YES to fix the problem  If there is a message about any corrupted data select DELETE  If it asks you for an UNDO DISK, select SKIP UNDO

Your classroom computer’s maintenance is not only your responsibility. If you have exhausted all of your troubleshooting skills, you should then request your local tech support person look at the problem. Currently, you should submit an online problem support request form to do this.