INTRO

This Video is a Beginner’s Guide /Introduction to Computer and Windows Operating

System (XP). In this presentation I tried to cover the basics aspect of Computer and
Windows XP while intentionally omitting some part (due to some factors). Note that this
will not teach you the computer but at least you will just give you idea of what computer
is. But if want to be more Knowledgeable you need special class.

NOTICE
This media is not for commercial purpose(s) but it is solely produced to aid the learning
of SICT students Plus. So unauthorized or commercial duplicate is prohibited
what is a computer?
Computer is an Electronic machine capable of performing calculations and other
manipulations of various types of data, under the control of a stored set of instructions.

Several definitions have been given to describe computer. But originally, the term
"computer" is referred to a person who performed numerical calculations (a human
computer), often with the aid of a mechanical calculating device.

PARTS OF COMPUTER
If you use a desktop computer, you might already know that there isn't any single part
called the "computer." A computer is really a system of many parts working together.
The physical parts, which you can see and touch, are collectively called Hardware, and
Software which on the other hand, refers to the instructions, or programs, that tell the
hardware what to do.

The illustration below shows the most common hardware in a desktop computer system.
Your system may look a little different, but it probably has most of these parts. A laptop
computer has similar parts but combines them into a single notebook-sized package.

System Unit

The system unit is the core of a computer system. Usually it's a rectangular box placed on
or underneath your desk. Inside this box are many electronic components that process
information. The most important of these components is the central processing unit
(CPU), or microprocessor, which acts as the "brain" of your computer. Another
component is random access memory (RAM), which temporarily stores information that
the CPU uses while the computer is on. The information stored in RAM is erased when
the computer is turned off.

Almost every other part of your computer connects to the system unit using cables. The
cables plug into specific ports (openings), typically on the back of the system unit.
Hardware that is not part of the system unit is sometimes called a Peripheral Device or
Computer Peripheral

HARDWARE:
A personal computer is made up of multiple physical components of computer hardware,
upon which can be installed an operating system and a multitude of software to perform
the operator's desired functions. The physical parts, which you can see and touch, are
collectively called hardware. the hardware of a computer system can be grouped into four
basic units, namely: input unit, output unit, secondary storage unit, and system unit as shown in
Figure 1 below.

Figure 1: A Computer Model Showing the Hardware Component Units

Input Unit
The input unit contains hardware devices that allow data/information and computer
program to be entered into the computer for processing. The most popular and frequently
used input unit in computer systems is a keyboard. The keyboard consists of keys similar
to those of a typewriter. Other input devices are light pen, scanner, magnetic ink
character readers, optical character readers, optical mark readers, bar code readers, point-
of-sale terminals, etc.

Output Unit
This is the unit that contains the hardware devices that are used to present information (or
results of processing carried out by a computer) in a form intelligible to the outside
world. It can show any amount of information or any kind of information; for instance:
sound, data, images, etc. The output of a computer can be provided in two categories: soft
copy (i.e. not tangible) and hard copy (i.e. printed on a paper). Common soft copy output
devices are monitors, speakers, earphones, projectors, synthesized speech units etc.
Common hard copy output devices are printers, graph and map plotters, etc.

Secondary Storage Unit

The secondary storage unit consists of hardware devices for storing large quantities of
data/information permanently. These devices are also known as auxiliary or external
storage devices, made of magnetic or optical materials or flash memories. They are not
directly accessible to the central processing unit. Therefore, they usually store data that is
not in active use. Secondary storage devices are usually slower than the computer’s main
memory (discussed later), but almost always has higher storage capacity and is non-
volatile, which makes it perfect for the preservation of stored information in an event of
power loss. Data/information is usually stored on them from the main memory and data
from secondary storage devices must be transferred to the main memory before the CPU
can operate on it. Some secondary storage devices are CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, hard
disk drive, floppy disk (diskette), flash drive, zip disk, external hard drive and magnetic
tape.

SOFTWARE:
This is an application package, which enables you to perform certain tasks, which
manipulates any number of variables, hardware or data. Microsoft Word is a software
program that enables word processing facilities.

Software, by definition, is the collection of computer programs, procedures and

documentation that performs different tasks on a computer system.. The processor
instructions change the state of computer hardware in a predefined sequence. Briefly,
computer software is the language in which a computer speaks. There are different types
of computer software. What are their major types? Let us see Major Types of Software

Programming Software: This is one of the most commonly known and popularly used
forms of computer software. These softwares come in forms of tools that assist a
programmer in writing computer programs. Computer programs are sets of logical
instructions that make a computer system perform certain tasks. The tools that help the
programmers in instructing a computer system include text editors, compilers and
interpreters.

System Software: It helps in running the computer hardware and the computer system.
System software is a collection of operating systems; devise drivers, servers, windowing
systems and utilities. System software helps an application programmer in abstracting
away from hardware, memory and other internal complexities of a computer.
Application Software: It enables the end users to accomplish certain specific tasks.
Business software, databases and educational software are some forms of application
software. Different word processors, which are dedicated for specialized tasks to be
performed by the user, are other examples of application software.

What can you do with computers?

In the workplace, many people use computers to keep records, analyze data, do research,
and manage projects. At home, you can use computers to find information, store pictures
and music, track finances, play games, and communicate with others—and those are just
a few of the possibilities.

You can also use your computer to connect to the Internet, a network that links computers
around the world. Internet access is available for a monthly fee in most urban areas, and
increasingly, in less populated areas. With Internet access, you can communicate with
people all over the world and find a vast amount of information.

THE BASIC
Nowadays there is great variety of operating systems, such as Windows Vista, Windows
XP, Windows NT, Linux, etc. We are going to work with Microsoft’s Windows XP and
Vista operating systems. The operating system is indispensable for the computer;
without it the computer could not work. The main function of any operating system is
being an intermediary between us and the physical parts of the computer (screen,
keyboard, hard disk, printer), making it easier to handle. For example, there is no need
for us to know exactly in what part of the hard disk we have saved a certain document we
created, the operating systems takes care of it.

Let Turn if On
All computers will have devices (peripherals) attached to it that should
be switched on before you switch the Base Unit on. You should
switch these on first so that the system will recognize them as it
progresses through the “Booting Process”. Usually these peripheral
include monitor, printer, scanners, etc.
The Power Button is usually
have the logo as this >>

Note: NEVER just turn the power switch OFF on base unit. You must do the proper
“Shut-Down” from the Windows Start Menu. We will cover this in the Windows
section.
THE KEYBOARD

The arrangement of characters on a QWERTY keyboard was designed in 1868 by

Christopher Sholes, the inventor of the typewriter. According to popular myth, Sholes
arranged the keys in their odd fashion to prevent jamming on mechanical typewriters by
separating commonly used letter combinations.

Basic Keys
Enter – completes and action or creates a new paragraph in text editing.
Move the cursor down one line to add extra space between paragraphs.
Confirm entry into a test form.
Space Bar – blank spaces
Caps Lock – lock the keyboard in upper case letters.
Shift – Upper case letter or symbols (! @#$%^&*()_+)

Arrow Keys – Moves the cursor up, down, left or right in text editing mode. There are
two sets of arrows. The second sets is on the numeric keypad when Num
Lock is off.

Numeric Keypad
When Num Lock is on, this act as a numeric key pad for inputting numbers.
When Num Lock is off, the keypad move the text cursor.
Home – move the cursor to the beginning of the line.
End – move the cursor to the end of line.
PgUp – moves the page up.
PgDn – moves the page down.
DEL or DELETE - Deletes the character at cursor and/or characters to the right of the
cursor and all highlighted (or selected) text.

BKSP or BACKSPACE - Deletes the character to the left of cursor and all highlighted
text.

TAB - Moves the cursor five spaces to the right (number of spaces are
usually adjustable). Tab moves to the next field in a form or table (Shift-Tab
for previous field).

ARROW KEYS - Moves the cursor around document without changing text

Control Key
Ctrl – control key is used in conjunction with other keys to perform a special operation.

Window Key – Window shortcuts

Displays the Start Menu

+ E – opens Windows Explorer (Computer)
+ D – toggles between minimize and restore.

Alt key – another command modifier similar to the Ctrl key.

Ctrl + Home – go to the beginning of the document
Ctrl + End – go to the end of the document
Alt + F4 – close a windows

THE MOUSE
The standard mouse for Windows XP is a 3 button mouse. For the right-handed person,
the left button is the main button. This can be reversed to for the left-handed individuals.

The left button

Is the most used because with it we select objects, drag and drop, open, close programs,
etc.

The middle button

Is the scroll wheel is used to scroll up and down. Sometimes for it to take effect we need
to click on what we want to scroll up and down.

The right button Is used to open the shortcut or alternate menu, depending on what you
click on, the functions of the menu displayed varies.

Pointing the Mouse

When you point with the mouse, you should always remember that
the tip of the arrow is the spot at which you are pointing.
COMMON MOUSE OPERATION

Dragging
Dragging is used to select several objects at the same time. To Drag, you simply hold
down left button down while you are move the mouse pointer. When you let go of the
mouse button, this is called a Drop. Thus the term, “Drag and Drop”. This is an
important concept you muse master in performing many Windows task.

Double-click
This is used to execute the desired programs associated with the icons. Mouse Over:
Sometime additional information about the button or icon will appear simply by
positioning the mouse over it with no clicking.

Right Button
Additional option menu will appear. This is context sensitive which means a different
menu will appear based on what you click on.

Scroll Wheel/Button
The middle scroll button functions in two ways. As a wheel you can scroll up and down a
page by rolling to button up or down. The second method is to click on it like a button.
This will create the Anchor on your page. Click the Scroll Button the place the anchor on
the page. Move the mouse up or down away from the Anchor will cause the page to
scroll up or down.

Mouse Tip for Seniors

Rest the heel of your hand on the table in front of the mouse. Hold the mouse between
thumb and ring and little fingers. Use only the thumb and the fourth fingers to move the
body of the mouse.

Double-Click = Open
Double-Clicking on the Icon is the most popular way to open a window.
Please take the time to master this skill.
ORIENTEATION TO DESKTOP
Desktop is the environment (after the Boot and Logon Screen) to work with in which the
user will see after booting process of the Computer. It is the background behind all your
windows, menus, and dialog boxes (That is when you minimize everything the desktop is
what you will see). You can change the look of your desktop by applying different
properties to it through your control panel.

Icons - An Icon represent a programs or files. When you install a new program, an Icons
it created on the desktop. Icons can also be created by the user as a “Shortcut” to
programs, folders or files.
Types of Icons:
.
Logo
Folder icons: are used to keep related
documents or applications together.
Often you have folders within folders
Application icons: Application (a.k.a.
program) icons represent the executable
programs (software) available on your
computer. For example: Word, PowerPoint,
Photoshop, Excel, and Dreamweaver.
Document icons: Document icons represent
the files that you create using software.
Generally, document icons resemble the
program icon that created the file. For example,
a Word document has part of the same logo as
the Word application in which it was created.
Original icons: The icons that typically
display when you first access your Windows
desktop are My Computer, My Network
Places, the Recycle Bin, and Internet Explorer.

Start Button – The Start Button is the starting point for launching almost every
pr0ogram on your computer.

System Tray – The system tray allows you to set preferences to commonly accessed task
and programs on your computer. Besides showing the clock, utilities type programs
(Anti-Virus, Firewall, etc) usually shows up in the System Tray.

Taskbar – The bar show all active applications running on your system. It can be used to
launch and monitor all of applications. This concept was first introduced on Windows 95.
Clock
A clock displays on the right end of your Taskbar. If you simply hold your mouse
pointer over the clock, the current date displays.

The Start Menu: The Start Menu is a pop out menu that will appear when you click on
the Start Button. On the left hand side, you see icons for the Internet and E-mail (you
can change these to your browser or favorite email program), and a list of the most
recently used applications, then the "All Programs" menu, which used to be your
Programs menu. On the right hand side, you see the icons which you previously accessed
through desktop icons, some settings, and other commands from the former Start Menu.

Windows
A window displays your program or document when it is open. You can have several
windows open on your desktop at the same time, and you can reposition and resize them.
Windows can overlap, creating the appearance of being stacked on top of one another on
the desktop, just like papers on a real desktop. New windows are created when disks,
folders, programs, and documents are opened; closing a window removes it from the
desktop. Generally, Windows remembers the size and location of your windows when
they are closed. When you open the window again, it displays in the same location and
size that it was when you last closed it. There are three major window types: program,
document, and folder.

Windows Explorer: Windows Explorer is the program that allows you to see file,
folder and devices on the computer. (ie Floppy Disk, Hard Disk, Flash Drive, SD
Memory Card, etc.) Each physical device is assign a Drive letter name (A:, B:,
C:, etc).

Parts of a window
Since all windows have essentially the same parts, once you learn to work with one
window you are able to work with all windows.
• Program windows are those that contain an application that you are running such as
Word, Photoshop, or Netscape Navigator.
• Document windows open within a program window. For example, within Microsoft
Excel, you can have several documents open at the same time.
• A folder window displays the contents of a folder, including program icons, document
icons, or other folder icons.

Title Bar
The title bar is at the top of the window. It displays the document, program, or folder
name, along with the name of the application that is open (in program windows only).
The title bar also tells you which window is “active.” The title bar of the active window
on your desktop is highlighted; all other windows will have grayed-out title bars. Even
though you may have more than one window open on your desktop, you can only work
with one at a time. The one you are working with is the “active” window. You can make
a window “active” by clicking any place on the window.
Window buttons
The title bar also displays three small buttons on the right of the title bar, which change
the display of the window: minimize, maximize/restore, and close buttons.

Minimize button
When you click the minimize button (on the left), the window disappears and is
represented by a button on the Taskbar. When a window is minimized, you display it
again by clicking the window button on the Taskbar.
Maximize button
When you click the maximize button (in the center), the window is enlarged to take up
the entire Desktop if it is an application or folder window. When you maximize a
document icon, the window takes up the entire application window.
Restore button
When you maximize a window, the restore button replaces the maximize button.
Clicking the restore button displays the window in its previous size and location.
Tip: Double-clicking the window’s taskbar will maximize or restore the
window.

Close button
The close button (on the right) closes the window. Click the close button once to
completely close the document, application, or folder window.
The Menu bar
The Menu bar appears just below the Title bar and displays additional options when you
click the menu name. The commands and features that you access on the menu bar tell
Windows and the Windows program what actions to carry out.

Scroll Bars
Use the scroll bars to move around within a window. Often a window will actually
contain more than can be displayed in it at its current size, so that the window only shows
part of its contents at any one time. Scrolling the window’s display area moves its field
of view to reveal other contents. Click the scroll arrows in the scroll bars, which are
located on the right and bottom edges of the window, to move up, down, left or right.
Each click moves the view through the window contents a little at a time, or you can click
and hold to scroll continuously. The scroll box moves through the scroll bar as you
scroll, indicating the relative location of the view within the total contents of the window;
you can also drag this scroll box directly to scroll to another part of the window. Finally,
you can click in the gray bar on either side of the scroll box to scroll by the windowful.
Note: When a window is large enough that it displays its entire contents at once
—no contents are beyond its borders—its scroll bars are disabled. The horizontal
and vertical scroll bars can be enabled and disabled independently.

Resizing a window
Placing your mouse on any window border or corner may alter the window size. When
the pointer changes into a double-headed arrow, hold down the left mouse button, and
drag the mouse to alter the dimensions of the window.
Note: You cannot resize a window when it is displayed in full screen
(maximized).

Moving a window
To change the window placement, place your mouse on the Title Bar and click and drag
to reposition the window.

Arranging all open windows

Right-click an empty area on the taskbar and select Cascade Windows to see all the open
windows at once. Windows that are reduced to taskbar buttons will not be displayed.
Right-click an empty area on the taskbar and click Undo Cascade to change it back.

My Document (XP)
By Default, your My Document folder is on C: drive. Everything you create, word
processing, spreadsheet, picture, video, etc is in this folder. In Windows Vista, the My
Document folder is replaced by your user’s logon name.

WORKING WITH FILES AND FOLDER