1. Chapter 1 Getting Started
Practical PC, 4e
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2. Getting Started In this Chapter, you will learn:
How to power up the computer
How to start the computer
What to do if prompted for a password
How to use the mouse and keyboard
How to turn the computer off
About different types of hardware
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3. Where’s the power switch?
Your PC (Personal Computer) is a system unit consisting of:
Physical Hardware
A brain or microprocessor to carry out commands
RAM (Random Access Memory) for temporary storage
Storage media (hard disk, floppy disk, CD, etc.)
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4. Where’s the power switch?
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5. Where’s the power switch?
Your PC is a system unit consisting of (cont):
Software programs to perform tasks
An operating system (I.e. Microsoft Windows)
Application software (such as Word or Excel)
A computer is turned on by a power switch on the system unit
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6. Starting the PC Booting up your PC
Make sure the floppy drive is empty and turn the PC on to allow the PC to “boot up.”
The operating system is stored on the hard drive and normally boots from there.
The PC boot process will also check that the systems components are functioning correctly.
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7. Starting the PC Booting up your PC (cont)
If you leave a disk in the floppy drive by mistake, the system will stop the boot process with a “non-system disk” message.
If you have problems with the operating system stored on the hard drive, you can boot the PC from the floppy drive using a system disk to correct the problem.
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8. The Windows Desktop after a successful boot of the PC
Starting the PC
The Windows Desktop after a successful boot of the PC
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9. Using a User Id and Password
Booting up your PC (cont)
Your PC may be an individual (stand alone) PC or it may be connected to others on a network.
If your PC is on a network, you may be asked to identify yourself with a user ID and password.
A user ID identifies you individually
A password provides security and ensures that only authorized people access the network.
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10. The Mouse and the Keyboard
You will use both a mouse and a keyboard to input information to the PC.
Normally the keyboard is used to enter text, but can also be used to select tasks.
The mouse allows you to point at and select objects.
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11. The Mouse and the Keyboard
A Two-button Mouse
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12. The Mouse and the Keyboard
A Standard Keyboard
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13. Turning off the PC Shutting Down the PC
Your PC may go into sleep mode if unused for a while, but it is still on.
To properly turn off the computer, use the Shut Down Windows command.
Turning off the power abruptly doesn’t allow Windows to save settings and close down properly.
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14. Turning off the PC Shutting Down the PC (cont)
Shutting down properly saves your work and cleans out temporary “scratchpad” areas.
If the computer freezes, pressing the Ctrl, Alt and Del keys at the same time, may release it and allow for proper shutdown.
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15. The Turn off computer command dialog box
Turning off the PC
The Turn off computer command dialog box
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16. Hardware Types
There are several configurations you can select for your PC The basic types to consider are:
A Desktop Computer which can be bought in either traditional desktop or in a tower style
Less expensive, but not easy to move
Most computing power per dollar
Available for about $1000
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17. A traditional desktop configuration
Hardware Types
A traditional desktop configuration
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18. Hardware Types There are several PC configurations (cont):
A Notebook (laptop) Computer
More expensive, but portable
Uses an LCD (liquid crystal display) screen instead of a monitor
Limited number of internal devices
Can use PC cards to connect to phone lines or a network
Typically costs between $1000 and $4000 with about the same power as the desktop model
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19. Hardware Types A Notebook computer illustrating it’s major components
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20. Hardware Types There are several PC configurations (cont):
A PDA (personal digital assistant)
Basic level computer, but hand held
No hard drive, software hard-wired
Links to a PC for data exchange
Uses simplified operating system (Palm OS or Windows CE)
Costs about $300
Documents stored in flash memory (no constant power source)
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21. Hardware Types
A PDA
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22. Unpacking & Setting up your PC
When you buy a new PC, you need to be able to:
Identify each of the hardware components
Connect each of the components to the correct port
Connect the components to power using a surge strip
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23. Unpacking & Setting up your PC
The back of your PC and the different types of ports
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24. What do you think? Computer “haves” and “have-nots”
Do you own a computer?
Do you believe that not having a computer at home is likely to limit a person’s chances to improve his or her economic status?
Do you favor spending tax dollars to make computers available in public libraries?
Would you favor allowing college students to spend their financial aid money on computers?
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25. Chapter Summary You should now be able to: Unpack and set up your PC
Find the various hardware components
Boot up your PC system
Identify the different types of systems
Use a user ID and password
Know when to use a mouse and a keyboard
Shut down your PC
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