PC and Windows Basics Workshop

Transcription

1 PC and Windows Basics Workshop A personal computer, or PC, is a system of interrelated parts. In this workshop we will discuss the main parts of the PC system. Once we have an overall understanding of these parts, or hardware, that make up the PC, we will address the Windows operating system software that enables us to use the PC via the graphic user interface, or Desktop. PC Components Processor At the heart of every PC is the central processing unit, or CPU. The CPU plugs into a motherboard which has a lot of other chips and electronics on it. These are the guts of the computer. The CPU and other components work together to schedule, compute and control everything that happens. For example, the slogan, 'Intel Inside' appears in many computer ads. They are referring to the Intel CPU, which usually contains a Pentium processor. Memory Memory is temporary storage used by the CPU to store results of calculations or files brought in from the hard drive. Memory is very fast and volatile which means it loses its information when power is removed. The memory cells are housed in integrated circuits or chips. The amount of memory is measured in units of Random Access Memory, or RAM (512MB, 1GB ) Storage Storage devices retain information magnetically (i.e. Hard Disk Drive, Floppy Disks, Zip Drives, and USB Drives) or optically (i.e. CD, DVD). They are not as fast as memory but can store much more data. They are also much more stable and do not lose their information when power is removed. Most people simply save their files to the hard drive, which is the computer s primary storage device. Peripherals There are two kinds of peripherals for your computer. Input devices allow you to direct the action of the PC. For example, the keyboard and mouse enable you to control the computer by giving it directions. Output devices display or produce results for you. The video monitor, speakers, and printer are your primary output devices. Software These are collections of instructions that the CPU follows. Software is to the CPU, as knowledge is to our human brains. Software is also known as programs or code. The CPU and software work very closely together and each by itself is useless. Only when they work properly together can they direct and execute activities in a productive way. Examples of popular software include Microsoft Windows, Word, Excel, Explorer, etc. PC and Windows Basics 1 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.

2 Operating System The most common piece of software that all PC users must have is an operating system. Most of you probably use a version of Microsoft Windows. Oftentimes, users do not even realize that this software is what allows them to use their PC. The operating system is what allows you to interface with your machine. It creates the desktop and the other user-interface features that we all take for granted. Before the advent of these user-friendly graphic user interfaces (GUI), computer users had to do everything using a complicated, text-only interface called DOS. Hardware Overview This chart shows the components we've talked about, grouped together functionally. Arrows show how they interconnect. File Sizes File sizes are an important thing to understand since they allow you to know the relative size of any files or programs you use on your computer. The measurement system follows the metric base of ten. PC and Windows Basics 2 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.

3 The smallest basic unit is the byte. This is a tiny amount of information. Next is the Kilobyte (KB). This is 1000 times the size of a byte. For example, a short Word document is about 30KB. Next is a Megabyte (MB) which is 1000 times larger than a Kilobyte. For example, a typical MP3 music file is about 4MB. Finally we have the Gigabyte (GB). This is huge. It is 1000 times bigger than a Megabyte. The entire hard drive of your computer is probably between 20 and 80 Gigabytes in size. Gigabyte (GB) Megabyte (MB) Kilobyte (KB) Byte 1 1,000 1,000,000 1,000,000,000 Mouse Terminology Click Press and release the left mouse button once. Note that unless you are specifically instructed to use the right mouse button (as in right-click or right-drag-and-drop) you always use the left button. Clicking is useful for highlighting (selecting) an object on the desktop or in a window, activating buttons, selecting items from menus, etc. Right-click Press and release the right mouse button once. Right-clicking often gives you access to special advanced shortcut menus relevant to the current activity. Double-click Press and release the left mouse button twice in rapid succession. Make sure you don t move the mouse at all between clicks. Double-clicking an object lets you open it. Drag-and-drop Depress the left mouse button and, while keeping it depressed, move the mouse pointer to another location, then release the mouse button. Drag-and-drop is used to move items about on the Desktop or within programs, for copying or moving files, and for placing one object onto another. You can tell when you have the dragged object correctly positioned over the target because the target becomes highlighted. Once the target is highlighted you then release the mouse button to drop the object in place. Right drag-and-drop Same as drag-and-drop, but using the right mouse button. Right dragging-and-dropping an object pops up a menu of options that let you choose what to do with the object when it reaches its destination. Your choices are usually Copy the object to the destination, Move the object to the destination, or Create a Shortcut to the dragged object at the destination. Select (Left) click an object once to select it. Open (Left) double-click an object to open it. PC and Windows Basics 3 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.

4 The Windows Desktop The Windows desktop is a metaphor for your real world desktop. The desktop is highly customizable, so no two Windows desktops look exactly the same. Windows XP is the latest in the line of Microsoft operating systems. If you re using any of Windows XP s predecessors your desktop will look a little different, but all the key features and functions are basically the same. The desktop is the medium you use to navigate and control your PC. Once you become comfortable with the desktop s features, you will feel more confident using your PC. The image below shows a generic Windows desktop with each of the major features labeled. A. Start Button This button is the primary method of accessing all files and programs stored on the computer. It is used to display the Start Menu, start a program, open a file, change settings and shut down the computer. PC and Windows Basics 4 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.

5 B. Start Menu The Start Menu provides access to all your programs and Windows settings, a Help and Support guide, a Search function for locating documents and other items on your computer, and several other options. Notice how some menu items have a small black arrow to the right of their name. Selecting any of these options will display a sub-menu, or cascading menu of related items. Selecting any item without an arrow beside it will immediately activate that item. C. Icons The little pictures you see are called icons. Each icon represents a function, program, folder, or document on your computer. To open an icon, double-click it. You can move icons around the desktop by dragging and dropping them with the mouse. You can usually discover an icon s purpose by letting the mouse pointer linger on top of it; after a few seconds, an info box will pop up telling you its purpose. D. Recycle Bin This is the equivalent of the trash bin in your office. Dump unwanted documents and programs in here either by dragging and dropping them with the mouse or by selecting them and then pressing the Delete key on your keyboard. This icon will hold all files and programs that have been deleted. As long as they remain in the Recycle Bin, they can still be restored. If you accidentally delete a file, you can undelete it by opening the Recycle Bin, selecting the item and choosing Restore from the File Menu. E. My Documents The icon that looks like a folder bulging with documents provides central storage for all the documents you create or store on your computer. Think of it as a huge filing cabinet, which you can fill with documents neatly sorted into their own folders for easy retrieval. F. My Computer This is an icon on the desktop that can be used as a means of accessing the files and programs on your computer. My Computer stores information about your computer system. It contains icons which give you access to your disk drives, removable storage devices, network, etc. It also provides access to the Control Panel (also accessible via the Start Menu), where you can adjust settings for your system. G. Desktop The vast expanse of space you see on your screen is the desktop itself. You can rearrange the items on the desktop by dragging the icons to new positions, and you can change the look of the desktop by adding a background image, called desktop wallpaper. You can also change the desktop s color. To see some of the options for changing the desktop, right-click any vacant space on the desktop; you ll see a pop-up menu displayed. Choose Properties from the menu and a Display Properties dialog box (an information box which requires feedback or input from you) will appear containing settings. Once you ve finished with the Display Properties box, click the OK button at the bottom of the box to close it. PC and Windows Basics 5 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.

6 H. Notification Area This section of the desktop not only houses the time and date function, it also contains icons for handy little programs which run all the time your computer is on. As you install more applications on your computer, you ll find the Notification Area filling up with more icons. Right-click or double-click an icon to display its functions. I. Taskbar This is the long blue strip at the bottom of the screen which contains the Start button, Quick Launch bar and Notification Area. The Taskbar displays the icon and title of all programs or folders that are currently active. Since you can run multiple programs on your computer simultaneously, the taskbar helps you keep track of which programs you are currently running. The Taskbar lets you quickly switch between any programs you have running. So, if you have a Web browser and a word processor open at the same time and the word processor window is currently obscuring your view of the Web browser, you can click the Web browser s button in the Taskbar to have it come to the top and thus into view. J. Quick Launch bar The Quick Launch bar provides a quick way to start programs you use frequently, such as your Web browser and program. You can drag shortcuts to other programs into the Quick Launch bar to gain quick access to them as well. The icon that looks like a desk blotter with a writing pad and pen on top is a little different. It s called the Show Desktop icon, and clicking it quickly hides all open program windows so you can get a clear view of your desktop. Customizing Desktop Icons The Windows desktop is designed so that it may be tailored to your needs. In other words, you can make all sorts of changes to it, both cosmetic and functional. The purpose of desktop icons is to give you quick access to programs, documents and important functions. This can be made easier by organizing your icons into logical groups. First, right click on any empty spot on the desktop. A pop-up menu will appear. Select Arrange Icons By to display a sub-menu. In the sub-menu, make sure there is no checkmark beside the Auto Arrange option. If there is, select the Auto Arrange option to remove the checkmark. Now, right-click on any empty spot on the desktop again. Select Arrange Icons By and then select Align To Grid (unless there is already a checkmark beside that option, in which case you can leave it as is). Now you are ready to arrange your desktop icons as you please. My Computer You always want the My Computer icon to appear on your desktop, ideally in the upper lefthand corner of the screen. If the My Computer icon is not currently displayed on your desktop, you can display it by clicking the Start Button, right-clicking My Computer in the Start Menu and selecting Show On Desktop. PC and Windows Basics 6 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.

7 Recycle Bin The Recycle Bin is where you dump unwanted items; it makes sense to get it away from a crowded area, so you don t accidentally delete something you wish to keep. I place mine in the lower-right corner of the screen. To move the Recycle Bin, drag-and-drop it to its new location. Other Icons You can move all other icons to more useful positions as well. For instance, you may want to group folders and files in one section of the desktop, put shortcuts to programs in another section, and leave special items such as My Documents, My Computer, etc. in the upper lefthand corner. When moving icons, be sure you don t cover one icon with another; only move icons to vacant areas of your desktop. Remember: You can also create whatever additional desktop shortcuts you like, as shown in the next section. Creating Desktop Shortcuts A shortcut is a quick way to start a program or open a file or folder without having to search for its exact location on your computer. A shortcut is an icon that has a tiny black arrow in the bottom-left corner. Each shortcut points to the location of a file, folder, drive or program. There are several ways to create a desktop shortcut: 1. Open the folder which contains the item to which you want to create a shortcut. 2. Locate the item in the folder and right-drag-and-drop the item onto a vacant spot on the desktop. A pop-up menu will appear asking what you want to do. Choose Create Shortcut Here. OR 1. Right-click on the item you want. 2. Choose Send To and Desktop (create Shortcut). OR 1. Right-click on the item you want. 2. Select Create Shortcut (if available). It is important to distinguish between shortcuts and the objects they represent. The shortcut is not the same as the file, folder, or program to which it points; rather it is just a representation that leads to the real thing. If you delete a shortcut, the file or program it points to remains on your computer. However, if you delete the file or program itself, not only will it be gone for good but any existing shortcuts to it will no longer work. Renaming Shortcuts You can rename shortcuts without affecting the objects they point to. This means you can give shortcuts highly descriptive names. To rename a shortcut, right-click it and choose Rename from the pop-up menu, then type in the new name and press Enter. PC and Windows Basics 7 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.

8 Controlling Window Views Every program, task or folder/file list is contained in a window that you view from the desktop. In the upper right corner of the window there are usually three small control boxes that are used to control how the window is displayed. Minimizing a Window The left control box has a minus [-] sign in it. If you put the cursor over it and click the mouse, the application is 'minimized' and placed on the task bar as a block. To expand the minimized program, click the block and it expands to become the active program on your desktop. Maximizing a Window The control box in the center has a square [ ] in it. If you put the cursor over this box and click your mouse the application is 'maximized' and takes up the entire screen. When maximized, this control box changes to show one square in front of another square. Clicking this control box again restores the window back to about half size. Closing an Active Window The control box on the right has an [x] in it. If you put the cursor over this box and click your mouse the application terminates. To open it again you must click the program icon for it. Manually Resizing a Window By manipulating either the top/bottom or the left/right side of a window, you can change its shape. You can also reshape a window diagonally by manipulating its lower left corner. Display Properties Options Wallpaper Windows comes supplied with a selection of desktop wallpapers or you can add your own images to use as wallpaper instead. You can also download images from many sites on the Internet. For example, offers a great choice of free wallpapers. Alternatively, you can choose to simply have a solid color background for your desktop. To change your wallpaper: 1. Right-click in a vacant spot on the desktop and choose Properties from the pop-up menu to show the Display Properties dialog box. 2. Click the Desktop tab. 3. Scroll through the Background list and click each of the offerings until you find something you want. Click Apply to see that background applied to your desktop; click OK once you re satisfied with your choice. 4. If you decide to choose no background (by selecting None at the top of the Background list) you can select a color instead by clicking the down-arrow in the Color box and then clicking one of the colors. PC and Windows Basics 8 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.

9 Themes A desktop theme is a background plus a set of sounds, icons, etc. that may be used to personalize your computer with a single click. To change your theme: 1. Right-click in a vacant spot on the desktop and choose Properties from the pop-up menu to show the Display Properties dialog box. 2. Click the Themes tab. 3. Pick a theme of your choice from the available options. You can also purchase alternative themes online. 4. If you are happy with the theme you ve chosen, click Apply and then OK. Screensaver You can also choose your computer s screensaver and associated settings in the Display Properties box. Windows provides many choices to choose from and you can also use your own third-party screensavers as well. In addition to choosing your screensaver, you can also set the amount of time your computer waits until it initiates use of the screensaver here. Appearance You also have choices as to how your Windows buttons, color scheme, and font size appear on your desktop. Use the Appearance tab within Display Properties to alter these attributes. Settings Finally, you can change the screen resolution of your display under Settings within Display Properties. Depending on the size of your monitor (and your eyesight!), you can choose the screen resolution that you prefer. Managing Files and Folders Everything you work with on your computer is stored in the form of files. Most are stored on your hard disk unless you choose another storage medium such as a floppy disk or USB drive. Think of a traditional office filing cabinet as an analogy. Your hard disk is the filing cabinet. It is filled with folders, and within the folders are your files, such as Word document, images, etc. On your PC you can even store folders within folders. This is a great system, but you most likely have so many files that it becomes hard to keep track of them all. That is why it is imperative that you devise a logical system of keeping track of your files and that you stay consistent with it. Creating Folders To create a new folder on your desktop, or within any existing folder, simply right-click and select Folder from the menu. A new folder will be created. (See Adding a New Folder below.) File Paths As you navigate through folders to the location of a specific file, you are following a path. A path always begins with the hard drive letter (usually C: ) and then lists in order the nested folders you go through to get to the file. File paths are often long and PC and Windows Basics 9 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.

10 complicated. Thus, it is much easier to use the Start menu or a desktop icon to access the program of file you want rather than type it out. Naming Files The nicely organized folder/file structure that Windows provides is useful, but only if you name your files and folders in clearly identifiable ways, so you can locate what you want when you want. Each file on your computer has a filename which uniquely identifies it. There are a few characters that you can t use in Windows filenames. They are: / \ : *? " < >. Apart from these excluded characters, you can name your files however you like. However, you should try to avoid very long filenames and you should establish a consistent approach to naming files with descriptive terms. It is important that you develop a system for naming your folders and files. Consistency is key, so that you can always find what you are looking for on your computer. For example: I might label a folder Tests. Within that folder I would place the files of my individual tests. If I have multiple tests, then I would create subfolders within Tests perhaps called, Week_1, Week_2 and so on. In these subfolders I would place the various versions of each test. I might label these files, Week_1_Test_v.01, Week_1_Test_v.02, etc. so as not to confuse them. Selecting Files and Folders Selecting files and folders is something that is common when using Windows. An item must be selected before you can move, copy, or delete it. To select a file or folder, put your cursor over the item and then left-click your mouse. The item is highlighted to indicate you've successfully selected it. Likewise, double clicking the item opens it. Moving Files Using the left mouse button, select the file or folder you wish to move. Continue holding down the button and drag the item until it is over the destination folder. Release the button and the item is moved. Note: When you move a folder all folders and files under it are also moved. Copying Files Place the cursor over the file or folder you want to copy, and right-click your mouse. Select copy from the menu that appears. Place your cursor over the destination folder and again right-click your mouse. Select paste from the menu and the item is copied to the destination folder. Note: When you copy a folder all folders and files under it are also copied. Adding a New Folder Within any folder, go to the 'File' command on the menu bar at the top left of the screen. A drop down menu appears. Select 'New' and another menu appears. Select 'Folder' and a new folder icon appears within the selected folder with the name 'new folder' highlighted. Type the name you want for the new folder and it overwrites the highlighted text. Click your mouse or hit the 'enter' key and the new name is stored. Renaming a Folder Select the folder, wait a moment and then click again on its name. The name of the folder becomes highlighted. Type the name you want for the new folder and it overwrites the highlighted text. Click your mouse or hit the 'enter' key and the new name PC and Windows Basics 10 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.

11 is stored. You can also just right-click it and choose Rename from the pop-up menu, then type in the new name and press Enter. Searching for Files Sometimes you lose track of a file or folder on your computer. If this happens to you, do not despair, you can find it using the Windows search utility. To use Search, do the following: 1. Click Start, then Search to open the Search Results window. 2. On the left side of the window, click All Files and Folders, three fill-in boxes are displayed in the window. 3. In the box labeled All or part of the file name type in the full or partial file name you want to locate. You can optionally search for text within each file by entering the text you want to search for in the box labeled A word or phrase in the file. 4. Click the arrow at the right side of the box labeled Look In and in the drop-down list that opens, select the drive(s) you want to search in. 5. Click the 'Search' button and all files and folders matching your search conditions appear in a list. The path of each folder and file is also displayed. There are also other options available to help you better define your search criteria such as modification date, size of file, etc. Common File Name Extensions A computer file extension is usually a three- or four-character suffix that follows the name of a file. This extension helps your computer identify what program to associate a file with and how to properly open the file. Here is a list of the most common file name extensions you will encounter:.dat.doc.exe.gif.bmp.htm.html.jpg.mpg.mp3.pdf.ppt.txt.wmv Data file (often a simple text document) MS Word Document (and some other documents) Executable file or program Graphics Interchange Format for Images Graphical Bit Mapped File for Images Web page files containing HTML found on the Internet. Web page files containing HTML found on the Internet. Graphic capable of being opened by most image editors. MPEG movie file. Audio file generally used to record and store audio tracks Adobe Acrobat Reader file. MS PowerPoint presentation. Simple text file that can be read from Windows Windows Media Video File PC and Windows Basics 11 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.

12 .XLS.ZIP Microsoft Excel File. A compressed file that is extracted with various compression utilities. Unhiding Filename Extensions On most computers, Microsoft has hidden these file extensions from the users view for simplicity s sake. If you want to show all the filename extensions on your computer, do the following: 1. Click Start My Computer. 2. In the My Computer window, select Folder Options from the Tools Menu. 3. In the Folder Options dialog box, click the View tab at the top. 4. In the list of settings, locate the option Hide Extensions For Known File Types and, if it s checked, remove the checkmark by clicking it. 5. Click OK and close the My Computer window. Adapted from: Computer Help A to Z ( Computer Hope ( and Geek Girl s Plain English Computing ( PC and Windows Basics 12 Joshua Stern, Ph.D.