Introduction to Computers
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This document serves as an introductory guide to computers, focusing on hardware and software definitions, types of computers, and key components like monitors, keyboards, and storage devices. It also covers basic mouse and keyboard functions, desktop elements, and navigation within the Windows operating system. Overall, it provides foundational knowledge necessary for understanding and using computers effectively.
![WESTERVILLE
PUBLIC
LIBRARY
Introduction
to
Computers
[This
handout
is
based
on
the
use
of
Windows
XP
Professional]
2010
126
SOUTH
STATE
STREET
WESTERVILLE
OH
43081](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/computers-100512171701-phpapp02/85/Introduction-to-Computers-1-320.jpg)
Introduction to Computers
- 1. WESTERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY Introduction to Computers [This handout is based on the use of Windows XP Professional] 2010 126 SOUTH STATE STREET WESTERVILLE OH 43081
- 2. Hardware Computer hardware is a computer item you can physically see or touch. Software Software refers to the programs and data that operate the computer system. Word processing programs and Internet browsers are examples of software. Types of Computers Desktop PC (Personal Computer) Laptop Main Parts of a Laptop Monitor and Keyboard Touch Pad Main Parts of a PC (Personal Computer) 2
- 3. Monitor Mouse Keyboard Tower Front of tower Back of tower Disc Drive Power Button Headphones USB Ports and Microphones Disks and Drives 3
- 4. Hard Drive: The hard drive is the main storage medium in desktop and laptop computers. This is also known as the C: drive. Disc Drive: a drive that uses CDs or DVDs in order to store or access information. This is also known as the D: drive. Eject button Disc drive Recordable disc USB drive: a portable drive that is often the size of your thumb. It connects to the computer’s USB port in order to store or access information. This is currently the easiest and most reliable way to save information, other than your computer’s hard drive. Port USB Flash Drive Floppy Disk Drive: An older form of portable storage. Uses square disks with a hard case in order to store and access information. This form of storage is no longer recommended, as the disks store very little information, and are not as reliable as other storage formats. 4
- 5. Mouse Basics Floppy Disks External Floppy Drive How to hold a mouse The Left Button Single Clicking: • Clicking the left mouse button one time • Usually used to select items on screen • Also used when accessing websites Right Handed Double Clicking: Left Handed • Clicking the left mouse button quickly two times in a row Most Common types of mice: • Used to open programs and view files • Optical Mouse: Plugs into the computer, best • Can also be done by single clicking, and with a smooth, non‐reflective surface for then using the Enter button on the smooth cursor movement. keyboard Click and Drag (or Drag and Drop) • Click and hold the left mouse button to drag and drop an object • Click and drag is used to move objects or Optical mouse Wireless mouse resize windows The Right Button • Wireless Mouse: Does not use a cord to connect to the computer. Instead, uses a Right Click: receiver to communicate with the computer. • Clicking the right mouse button one time • Opens up an options menu, or context The Wheel menu. The menu will change according • Some mice have this in addition to the to where the right click was performed. left and right mouse buttons 5 • Use the wheel to scroll up and down in windows
- 6. Keyboard Basics Example of a Context Menu The ESC key can help you close a program that is not responding. The CTRL key is used with other keys to perform specific tasks. The ALT key is a helper 6
- 7. key as well. Both the Caps Lock key and the Shift key are used to make capital letters. If the Caps Lock key is pressed, all letters typed will be CAPITALIZED until the Caps Lock key is pressed again. To capitalize just one letter, hold down the Shift Key while you type the letter(s) you would like capitalized. The Shift key is also used to access any of the secondary functions displayed on the keys. For example, to type the number 1, just press the 1 key. To type the exclamation point, hold down the Shift key while pressing the 1 key. The arrow keys help you move around the screen. The Delete key is used to remove text to the right of the cursor. It can also be used to send selected items to the Recycle bin. The Home key will send your cursor to the beginning of the line. The End key sends the cursor to the end of the line. Page Up and Page Down move the cursor through a document page by page 7
- 8. The Enter key will move your cursor to a new line when you are typing. It can also act like a left mouse click. The Backspace key will remove text that is to the left of the cursor. Parts of the desktop Shortcut Icons Taskbar System Tray Start button Icons: A small picture representing a program or file. 8
- 9. Shortcut: a type of icon that is created by the user Taskbar: located at the bottom of the Windows desktop and displays the programs that are currently running. When a program is minimized, it will appear in the taskbar as a button. Simply click the button to reopen the program window. System Tray: located in the bottom right corner of the screen, along with the computer’s clock. The System Tray displays many of the programs that are running in the background. 9
- 10. Start Button: Allows users to access their computer programs and files. Can also be reached by pressing the Windows key on the keyboard 10
- 11. (located on either side of the spacebar) In Windows Vista, the Start button looks like this • Programs: lists all of the programs available on your computer. • Documents: shows recently opened documents. • Settings: shows options for customizing your PC • Search: locate files on your computer • Help and Support: Microsoft’s searchable index of Help topics. • Shutdown: Logoff or shutdown the computer safely. Placing your mouse over an item with a black arrow to the right will open a menu with more options. Parts of a window Title bar 11
- 12. Command Menu bar buttons Scroll bar Minimize will remove your program from view, but keep it running. You will not lose any work by minimizing a window. Maximize will expand your Minimize window to fit the entire screen Close Close will exit out of the program. You will lose any Maximize unsaved changes to your work. 12