1. Introduction to Computers
Getting started

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

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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.

7. (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)

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

9. Power Supply
External device connections to motherboard

10. Hard drive and empty slot
Fan
CD Drive
Floppy Drive

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

12. 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.

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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.

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. 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

25. 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.

26. 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

27. 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

28. Handling the text
Insert
Overwrite
Delete
Backspace key
Delete key