COMPUTER HANDOUT

WECOME TO
MICROSOFT
WINDOW
 OPERATING SYSTEM
Operating systems are major software required by every computer. There are
a set of programmes designed to efficiently manage the function of the
computer resources such as keyboard, hard disk, monitor, etc. And also to
control the flow of data in a computer. A computer can not function without
an operating system. When you switch on your computer the operating
system must first be loaded into the computer memory before you can run
any other programme.
Microsoft window is an example of an operating system.
FILE: this is an item that holds information in a computer system. A computer
file is mainly divided into two which include:
1. Programme file
2. Data file
PROGRAMME FILE: These are file that hold information in an application
software use to work with a computer system
DATA FILE: these are file that are created and used by the human ware or
users of the computer system.
FUNCTION OF OPEARTING SYSTEM
1) Operating system as a complex programme control input and output in the
computer system.
2) It allocate resources to the various parts of the computer system.
3) It manage file which include programme and data file.
4) System management.
5) It allow the installation of further application.
6) Communication control between hardware, software and human ware
7) System security.
TYPES OF OPERATING SYSTEM
Operating system was the major programmes which is mainly divided into
two which include:
1) Single user/tasking operating system: This is an operating system that
serve small microcomputer, it allows one person or user at a time and also
perform a single activities at a time e.g PC DOS (Personal Computer Disk
Operating System).
2) Multi user/time sharing operating system: this is an operating system
that serve several microcomputer and allow minicomputer to be connected
in the network. It allow many users and perform serveral activities at a
 time e.g PC WOS (Personal Computer Window Operation System) MS WOS
(Micro Soft Window Operating System)
CLASSES OF OPERATING SYSTEM
Operating system as a programme is mainly classified into two include:
1) WOS (Window Operating System)
2) DOS (Disk Operating System)

Window Operating System (WOS): This is an operating system that serve as

a mediator between the hard ware and other applications and enable users to
easily create, store, retrieve, manage and maintain both programme and data
file. Example include Window 95, 9st, 97, 98, 99, 200, XP, 2007, 2008 etc.

Disk Operating System (DOS) : This is an operating system which is single

user oriented that allows user interact with the microcomputer, central
processing unit and manage all utilities to create and maintain files in the
computer system and create backup for files for in disc and restore files
deleted from the recycle bin. Dos as an operating system comes with
command which are classified into two which include:
1) Internal command: This are command that comes with computer
system from the manufacturers.
2) External command: This are command that are created and used by
users of the computer system when working with DOS.

WINDOW
This is a programme with the characteristic of an operating system, that
serve as a mediator to other application and enable them run smoothly.

WHY WE NEED INDOW

We need window because it makes the operation of the computer very
easy. Window working environment is the desktop which contains
properties and enable users to create item, rename item, delete item,
restore item, and move item around the environment and also switch
between applications.

SYSTEM UNIT
This is the brain behind changing of data into information and also
storage of information in a computer system. The system units are
connected to, which means that without the system unit there is no
computer or the computer is not performing. The system unit comes in
different sizes which include the desktop and the rower system etc.
 MONITOR
This is a TV like device that display the result of processed data in soft
copy. That is, you can see it but you cannot touch it. The monitor is the
hardware peripheral device I.e it can be seen, touch and is connected to
the system unit and used in displaying the result of processed data.

TYPES OF MONITOR
The computer monitor is divided into two types which include:
1) Monochrome monitor
2) Coloured monitor

1. Monochrome monitor: These are monitor that display the result of

processed data in black and white.
2. Coloured monitor: these are monitors that display the result of
processed data depending on the reformation designed. The coloured
monitor is classified into three which include:
1) Coloured graphic adapter
2) Enhance graphic adapter
3) Video graphic adapter
4) SVGA (Super VGA) The monitor is also known as VDU (Visual display
unit)

KEYBOARD
This a flat terminal like device that is used to send in data into the computer
system for processing. The keyboard is the hardware peripheral input device
because it is the component of the computer that can be seen, touch and that
is connected to the system unit and it’s used by the human ware to key in data
into the computer system for processing.
TYPES OF KEYBOARD
The computer keyboard is divided into four type which include:
1) standard keyboard which has $$keys
2) enhance keyboard with the minimum of 101 keys
3) window keyboard
4) XT keyboard
FUNCTIONS AND DIVISION OF THE KEYBOARD
The computer keyboard is mainly divided into five which include:
1) Functional keys ranging from f1 to f12
2) Alpha numeric key ranging from A to Z 1 to 0 and some symbol
3) Numeric keys ranging 1 to 0
4) Dedicated curser keys home, end, pageup, page down, and the four
arrow keys that is the left, right, up, down key.
5) Computer keys: Print screen, screw lock, pause, break, insert, delete,
control, go to, shift, cap lock, alt.
 MOUSE
This is a device or it is a hand held device that let you point to object on the
screen clicks on them and move them. The mouse is an input device because it
is used to send in signal into computer system for processing.
TYPES OF MOUSE
The computer mouse is divided into two types which include
1) General design mouse
2) Special design mouse

1) General design mouse: These are computer mouse that comes with
two mouse button, the left and the right mouse button
2) Special design mouse: These are mouse that comes with three mouse
button. The left, center, scroll ball and right button

MOUSE PARTS
Mouse pad: This is s device which is advisable for all users to have so that the
mouse can be place on it to avoid dust from entering into the mouse pod and
to make operation easier and faster.
Mouse cable: this is a device used for connecting the mouse to the system
unit. They comes with different port which include PX2 USB.
Left mouse button: This button is used to click, delete, open and also move
item around the environment.
Centre or scroll ball: This button is a shortcut button in opening item and
also for application packages but when the right mouse button is used the left
mouse button is also used to select that item properly.
Mouse ball: This is a ball like-shape that is found inside the mouse and when
been used the mouse pointer on the screen is also used. It is advisable for
users to prevent dust from entering into mouse ball because if it does it will
not move flexible anymore which means that operation will be slower.
Mouse case: This is a handle where users are advise to place their hand when
operating the computer system.
Mouse pointer: This is arrow like shape that display on the window working
environment that move whenever the mouse is been used. It is used to select
item or point shape when it is on a working environment in any application
package.
Proper use of the mouse
1) Use your right hand, place your thumb on the desk or table top on the
left side of the mouse.
2) Your index (pointer) finger should rest on the left button of the mouse
3) Place your middle finger on the right button on the mouse
4) Your ring finger and little finger should rest on the right side of the
mouse.
 5) The base of your wrist should rest on the mouse pad for stability.

DESKTOP
This is the first area that display when the system has finished booting in
windows operating system. It comprises of icon and the taskbar.
To know that the system is waiting for use, it will display the desktop
with
it’s taskbar and it’s icons with a mouse pointer.
Icon: These are picture representatives of programs or commands and they
serve as shortcut to those programs.
Common icons found on the computer desktop
1) My computer
2) My document
3) My network place
4) Recycle bin
5) Internet explorer

My computer: These icon display a window containing all desk drive in a

computer system and give way for users to work with them. It also contains
files and options used in changing the setting of a computer system.
Properties
1) Local/hard disk
2) Floppy disk
3) Removable disk/flash drive
4) CD ROM Drive/Disk
5) Control panel

My document: These are window that contain all saved files in the computer
system and enable users to open or access them
Recycle bin: This icon display a window that store all deleted files and folder
in the computer system.
My network places : These icon contains all computers connected to the
same network and enable users to share files or information among the
computer, if the system has network access.
Internet explorer: These are browser software that is used to get
information that is connected to the network.
Properties of desktop
Taskbar: It is located at the bottom of the desktop, it is a role bar that display
the names of the package(s) that has been opened and enable users switch
between packages. It contains the system tray and start.
System tray: This is located at the right end of the taskbar, it contains list of
icons which serves as shortcut to some programs. Icons found on the system
tray depend on the programs installed in the computer system. Examples of
icon found on the system tray includes: Data and time, system volume,
window security centre, deep freeze, anti-virus program etc.
Start: it is located at the left end of the taskbar, it display a list of menu and
enable users to begin any program of choice. In window XP upward the start
menu is divided into two which includes:

FOLDER
This is an organized storage device used in organizing files stored in disk,
they are used in saving files in the computer system.

Steps on how to create a folder

i. Right click on an empty space on the desktop
ii. From the pull out menu, point to “new”
iii. From the sub list of “new” click “folder”
iv. A folder display on the desktop, press the backspace key and type in the
name of the folder then drag to the position where you want to place the
folder.
Steps on how to rename a folder
i. Right click on the folder you want to rename.
ii. From the pull out menu “Rename”
iii. Press the backspace key and type in the new name for the folder.
iv. Press “Enter key”
Steps on how to delete a folder
I. Right click on the folder you want to delete.
II. From the pull menu, click “Delete”
III. A confirmation dialog box will display asking you if you want to delete
and send the folder to the “Recycle bin”
IV. Click yes/ok
Steps on how to restore a folder
i. Double click on recycle bin on the desktop or right click and left click
“open”
ii. Recycle bin window display, select the folder you want to restore from
the list provided,
iii. Right click on it and left click “Restore”
OR
I. Click “restore” this item at the left side of the window
II. Click close.

Steps on how to save files in a folder

i. The file can be created with any application of choice
ii. After creating the file at the menu bar of the application environment,
click “file menu”
iii. From the dropdown list click “Save” or Save As
iv. A dialog box display, were you have “save in” click the down facing
arrow select the folder you want to save the file into,
v. Type in the file name in the space provided,
vi. Click “Save”

WALL PAPER
These are pictures or graphics that displayed on the desktop. It is also
known as “Background”
Steps on how to apply Wallpaper
i) Right click on an empty space on the desktop, from pull out menu,
click “properties”
ii) Display properties dialog box display, select “Background/Desktop”
iii) From the background tab, select any picture or design of choice,
iv) Click “Browse” if you want to use your own image as background. A
dialog box will display, select the location of the picture and click OK,
v) Select the position/pattern either the center or stretch,
vi) Select the colour, if necessary
vii) Click “Apply”
viii) Click “OK”
THEME
It is used to change the appearance of window working environment and
others applications.
Steps on how to apply theme
1. Right click on an empty space on the desktop,
2. From the dropdown list, click properties, Display dialog box, display
click “theme”
3. From the theme tab, select any theme of choice, click Apply,
4. Click OK.

SCREEN SAVER
These are text, pictures or images that display on the desktop when the
system is not in use depending on the time apply
Steps on how to apply Screen Saver
1. Right click on an empty space of the desktop,
2. From the pullout menu, click properties, Display properties dialog box,
select any screen saver tab,
3. Click preview to see how it look like, when you apply it,
4. Type in the waiting minute, click Apply
5. Click OK.
Steps on how to use text as screen saver
1) From the screen saver tab, select 3D text,
2) Click setting, A dialog box will display where you have custom text, type
in your text in the space provided,
3) Click choose font, a dialog box will display for