BASIC COMPUTER

OPERATION

OUTLINE

Computer Hardware
Operating systems
Terms
Disk capacities
Viruses
Applications and Documents
Installation/reinstallation
Internet Applications

Computer Hardware

Case
Power switch
Reset switch
Hard drive
Floppy
CD/DVD
Serial ports
Parallel port
USB port

Keyboard/mouse
Network card
Modem
Sound card
Video card
RAM
Motherboard
Fan
Cables

The basic system including

keyboard, mouse and monitor.

What is in the box?

Motherboard

Typical parts of a
motherboard.

ABIT SE6

Cablin
g

For items in or attached

to a system to work
properly they must be
securely connected.

Operating systems

All computer systems have an

operating system. Currently, there
are three dominate typical user
operating systems.
Macintosh OS,
Microsoft Windows OS,
Linux.

Terms

A: Floppy disk

C: Local disk D: Local disk

RAM = Random Access Memory. The thinking space available

to a computer to use while performing operations. The space is
emptied out when the computer is turned off.

DIRECTORY = An organizational structure on disks to file

management easier. Directories also become a local region for
the computer to hunt for other files related to the current file.

DOCUMENT = A file created using an application. The file is

only useful using the application that created it or a similar
application that can convert it.

APPLICATION = A program that allows a computer to perform a

certain function.

(partition)

Disk capacities

Floppy:

1.4 MB

Hard disk:

160 GB 2 TB

CD

700 - 800 MB

DVD

4.7 GB
18 GB

1 KB = 1024 BYTE
1 MB = 1024 KB
1 GB = 1024 MB
1 TB = 1024 PB
1 PB = 1024 EB

CDs, DVDs

Backup

Identify and use icons,

windows, menus

Point, click, double-click, drag & drop

Minimize and maximize a window
Use pull-down menus
Select, open, and move an icon
Select, open, move, and close a window
Resize a window
Scroll a window
Activate and de-activate a window
Start an application and create a document

Name, save, retrieve, revise

a document

Name a document (!)

Save a document
Retrieve a document from floppy disk
Retrieve a document from hard disk
Re-name a document
Edit and re-save a document
Print a document
Create and name folders
Save, open, and place documents inside
folders

Applications

Open and work with more than one

application at a time

To switch between them for Windows:

click on the application at the
"TASKBAR" down on the screen

Alt &TAB button

Install/reinstall and update

system software and drivers

Internet Applications
BROWSERS

Mozilla

Internet Explorer
http: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
edu: Education (gov, org, com, ...)

http://www.vfu.bg

FTP (File Transfer

Protocol)

The simplest and most secure way to exchange

files over the Internet.

FTP Client is the software that is designed to

transfer files back-and-forth between two
computers over the Internet. It needs to be
installed on the computer and can only be used
with a live connection to the Internet. (Browsers,
WS-Ftp, SSH, Cute-Ftp,...)
PC

ARF

Viruses

Viruses are programs that reproduce themselves into the files

of your computer

Anti-virus software and automatic update

Mcafee Virus Scan

Configuration of Automatic Mcafee Virus Update via FTP

http://www.math.metu.edu.tr/department/doc/virus/virus_update.html

Current security patches applied to operating system and

applications.

Do not open any unexpected attachments that are e-mailed to

you. (Particularly .exe files.)

REFERENCES

Computer Fundamentals for Teachers , Major

Competencies

Basic Computer Operation and Troubleshooting