1. Windows XP Basics By Jane Maringer-Cantu CSIS 572

2. Jane Maringer-Cantu What is a Computer? n A computer is composed of 2 main parts. n Hardware n Software n Refers to the programs, or applications, that a computer uses to perform tasks. n instructions that tell your computer what to do.

3. Jane Maringer-Cantu Parts of a Computer CPU (Central Processing Unit) Monitor Mouse Printer Floppy Disks CD-ROM CD Drive Keyboard Zip Drive Flash Drive

4. Jane Maringer-Cantu Bytes n Bytes are used to measure the amount of information a device can store. n One byte is one character. n A character can be a number, letter or symbol. n One byte consists of 8 bits (binary digits). n A bit is the smallest unit of information a computer can process.

5. Jane Maringer-Cantu Bytes (continued) n Kilobyte (K)=1,024 characters. This is approximately equal to one page of double-spaced text. n Megabyte (MB)=1,048,576 characters. This is approximately equal to one novel.

6. Jane Maringer-Cantu Bytes (continued) n Gigabyte (GB)=1,073,741,824 characters. This is approximately equal to 1000 novels. n Terabyte (TB)= 1,099,511,627,776 characters. This is approximately equal to 1,000,000 novels.

7. Jane Maringer-Cantu Bytes (continued) 1 Bit = Binary Digit 8 Bits = 1 Byte 1024 Bytes = 1 Kilobyte 1024 Kilobytes = 1 Megabyte 1024 Megabytes = 1 Gigabyte 1024 Gigabytes = 1 Terabyte

8. Jane Maringer-Cantu Hard Drive vs. Memory n Y our hard drive can be considered a large bookshelf. Just as you store books and papers on that shelf, you store applications on the hard drive. n (The larger the bookshelf you have, the more items you can fit onto it.)

9. Jane Maringer-Cantu Hard Drive vs. Memory n We can think of random access memory (RAM) as the surface of a desk. This is where you actively work with items from the bookshelf. n (The bigger your desk, the more books you can open at one time.)

10. Jane Maringer-Cantu Can you talk to your computer? n There are 2 ways in which you can communicate with your computer. n Using the keyboard (Typing information into the computer) n Using a pointing device such as a mouse (Selecting & moving items)

11. Jane Maringer-Cantu Windows XP n is an operating system, which is software that helps the computer carry out operating tasks, such as: n displaying information on the computer screen, and n saving data on disks.

12. Jane Maringer-Cantu Windows XP n Provides you with access to all the parts of your computing environment. n Documents n Files n Applications or Programs n Lets you set up & use printers n Provides you access to network servers

13. Jane Maringer-Cantu Windows n Windows XP environment is centered around windows. n A window is a rectangular area onscreen that presents information. n You can open, close, maximize, minimize, move & resize windows.

14. Jane Maringer-Cantu ICONS n Windows XP uses small graphical icons, or pictures, to represent objects. n Most icons also have text labels.

15. Jane Maringer-Cantu Using a Mouse n 4 Basic Actions n Pointing- Using the mouse as an extension of your hand. n Clicking- Pressing and releasing the mouse button one time. n Double-clicking- pressing and releasing the mouse button two times quickly. n Dragging- pressing and holding the left mouse button over the object, move the mouse to desired place and release.

16. Jane Maringer-Cantu Selecting Objects n You can select an object in several ways. n If the object is not a menu selection, you click the object: n Move the mouse cursor onto the icon and press the left mouse button once. n A selected icon is highlighted; its label is darkened and has a dotted line.

17. Jane Maringer-Cantu Choosing an Object n You choose an object to activate its associated command by double-clicking its icon n move the mouse cursor onto the icon and press the left mouse button rapidly twice. n If the object is a menu selection or command button, you choose it with a single click. n For example, the command button cancel.

18. Jane Maringer-Cantu Moving an Object n To drag and drop an object onto another object, move the mouse cursor onto the icon of the object to be dragged. n Press and hold the left mouse button while you move the mouse cursor to the destination object’s icon. n Then release the mouse button.

19. Jane Maringer-Cantu Context Menu n If you move the mouse over an object on the desktop or in a window and click the right mouse button, Windows XP displays a menu called a context menu, or right- click menu, with the object’s common commands.

20. Jane Maringer-Cantu Any Questions?