Introduction to PCs

							                                                                        Mercer County Library System
WINDOWS 1                                                             Brian M. Hughes, County Executive
2008

                                          Intro to PCs
 A. The Equipment

 1. Monitor, Screen, Display,- Visual output device
 2. Central Processing Unit, CPU, - Computer

       Microprocessor Chip, Processor- Brains
       Random Access Memory, RAM- A type of physical memory used in most personal
        computers.
       Hard Disk, Drive C:- Bolted-in magnetic storage
       Floppy Disk, Diskette, 3-1/2" Drive A- Removable magnetic storage
       CD, CDROM, DVD, Drive D:- Removable Optical Memory
       Ports, Outlets- Places for plugging devices such as:
           a. Power cord
           b. Keyboard
           c. Mouse
           d. Monitor
           e. Printer -Parallel Port
           f. External Modem -Serial Port
           g. Sound -Speaker, Microphone
           h. SCSI -Thick cable for scanner or external tape drive
           i. USB -Universal Serial Bus


 3. Mouse- Input device

       Right Mouse Button used to display menus
       Left Mouse Button selects with one press or click
       Left Mouse Button activates (starts) with double click

 4. Keyboard- Input Device

       Keyboard keys like typewriter
       ESC- Escapes from menus
       Tab- Inserts a set number of spaces
       Caps Lock- All alphabetic keys are capitalized without holding the shift key
       Shift- Shifts key to uppercase
       Ctrl- Control key, struck with alphabetic key to bring up shortcuts
       Microsoft Window (flag)- Start menu key
       Alt- Alternate key, struck to select active window menu choices
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      Function keys F1, F2, F3 ... F12- Use not standardized
      Backspace- Typing correction key, erases text just typed
      Enter- Typewriter's Return key; tells the computer to act as directed
      Cursor (Arrow) Keys- Moves insertion point when in text mode
      Delete- Erases selected item

5. Printer -Output Device

      Impact- Dot-matrix or typing element for multi-part forms
      Laser- Expensive equipment uses photocopier technology for large print volumes
      Inkjet- Sprays ink from a cartridge easily provides color; cost-effective for single pages

6. Modem- Device computer needs to communicate with other computers

      Modems have a maximum rated transmission speed (28.8K, 32K, 56K)
      Actual transmission speed is limited by line condition and the other modem
      Modems can be internal (inside the CPU case) or external

B. Manipulating Windows and Dialog Boxes

1. Microsoft Windows uses the term "desktop" for the on-screen area.

      The icons or buttons on the screen are linked to tasks (programs) or documents on your
       computer.
      Double-clicking with the left-mouse button with the mouse cursor over an icon opens a
       document or starts a task.
      "My Computer" and "Recycle Bin" icons come with all Windows computers.

2. The Start Menu is the most powerful tool for controlling the Windows Desktop. The Start
button is found at the lower left end of the blue Task Bar. (You can also use the "Window" keys
between the "Ctrl" and "Alt" key). When you click on the Start button, a menu appears.
           "All Programs” is the full list of programs on your PC. You decide what programs
             should have an icon on the desktop. The rest can be reached through this menu.
           “My documents” is the name of a special folder on the computer's hard drive that
             is commonly used to store a user's documents, music, pictures, and other files.
           "My Recent Documents" lists recently created documents. This is a quick way to
             open the file you worked on yesterday or recently.
           “My computer” will lead you to a list of all the drives and several important folders,
             allowing you to go wherever you need inside the PC.
           "Control Panel” will allow you to view and manipulate basic system settings and
             controls, such as adding hardware, adding and removing software, controlling user
             accounts, and changing accessibility options.
           "Help & Support" provides access to Microsoft's tutorial.

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             "Search" is a tool for finding documents or programs by name. You can search
              every folder and file inside your PC for a file you can’t find.
             "Run" is used to start system utilities or to install new software from disk or CD-
              ROM.

3. Common Features of Microsoft Windows software.

      The document title appears in a "title bar" at the top.
      If the window is "active"(subject to manipulation), the title bar will be a dark color
       (normally blue).
      At the extreme right of the title bar are three buttons that control when the program
       runs minimized, in a maximized window, or if the program is to be exited (turned off).
      Below the title bar are program menu options such as File, Edit, View Help. The menus
       give the full range of options that the software offers, and are accessible using either
       the keyboard or the mouse.
      Under the menu options are icons on toolbars for common program tasks. These require
       use of the mouse.
      Your program may include a ruler or grid, which assists in laying-out the document in the
       window below.

4. Selecting choices on menus

      One can select which menu item to act upon by clicking the left mouse button when the
       mouse cursor is on the item.
      Text menus allow you to select one choice.
      Radio buttons allow you to select one choice.
      Dialog boxes allow you to type your own text.
      Check-boxes allow you to select multiple answers.
      Hitting the "Enter" key or left-clicking on "OK" will initiate the action;

C. Printing and Saving

1. In order to print:

      Left-clicking on a printer icon provides immediate gratification but offers minimum
       control of printing. In some programs you have no control over the output -- text just
       spews out of the printer until all pages are printed.
      Activate the File menu (near the upper left of the program Window) by putting your
       cursor on File and then clicking on the left button of the mouse. Using the File menu to
       initiate printing provides maximum output control -- it is possible to limit the pages
       printed and the number of copies printed.

2. Previewing print layout.
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      Many programs have a "Print preview" option on the File menu. This shows you how many
       pages the documents will be, and can be enlarged to show page breaks.
      Print preview is highly recommended when using library computers, where printing
       charges are often 10¢ per page.

3. Print menu defaults to printing one copy of all pages. You may select a page range and number
of copies to print of each page.

4. Saving files to 3-1/2" floppy, flash drive or hard disk C:

When saving a new file for the first time the "Save As" menu box appears, as the computer
wants to know where you want to save the file and what name you want to assign it. Using the
"Save As" menu box, verify the "Save In" location is correct. Save to "3-1/2" Floppy (A:) or
flash drive when using public computers.

      Use an identifiable "File name" such as "Taxes2006" not "document1"
      If you use the "Save" icon (it looks like a floppy disk on the toolbar) on a newly created
       file you will get the "Save As" menu box, but once the file is named, the "Save" icon only
       updates the pre-existing file.

5. You can open files by:

      Left-clicking on a toolbar icon that looks like a folder.
      Selecting "Open" from the File menu.

Any of these methods will bring up a menu listing available disks and folders which might contain
the file you want to open.

6. To create a second "new" document:

      Left-click on a toolbar icon that looks like a piece of paper.
      Select "New" from the File menu.

Any of these methods will allow you to open a new document.

7. In order to organize your work files by creating new folders or moving, renaming, and
deleting work, use the "Windows Explorer" program which can be accessed from the “Start”
menu. Click on the Start button, and then Click on “All Programs, click on “Accessories” and then
click on "Windows Explorer."



Source: Stow-Monroe Falls Public Library, Ohio.


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