The document provides step-by-step instructions for basic computer operations including turning on a computer, using a mouse and keyboard, and turning off a computer properly. It explains how to find and press the power button, log into an account, and describes the functions of common mouse buttons and keys. The instructions emphasize holding down modifier keys like Ctrl and Alt in combination with other keys to perform shortcuts. It advises letting the computer shut down processes properly rather than abruptly powering off.
The document provides step-by-step instructions for basic computer operations including turning on a computer, using a mouse and keyboard, and turning off a computer properly. It explains how to find and press the power button, log into an account, and describes the functions of common mouse buttons and keys. The instructions emphasize holding down modifier keys like Ctrl and Alt in combination with other keys to perform shortcuts. It advises letting the computer shut down processes properly rather than abruptly powering off.
The document provides step-by-step instructions for basic computer operations including turning on a computer, using a mouse and keyboard, and turning off a computer properly. It explains how to find and press the power button, log into an account, and describes the functions of common mouse buttons and keys. The instructions emphasize holding down modifier keys like Ctrl and Alt in combination with other keys to perform shortcuts. It advises letting the computer shut down processes properly rather than abruptly powering off.
The document provides step-by-step instructions for basic computer operations including turning on a computer, using a mouse and keyboard, and turning off a computer properly. It explains how to find and press the power button, log into an account, and describes the functions of common mouse buttons and keys. The instructions emphasize holding down modifier keys like Ctrl and Alt in combination with other keys to perform shortcuts. It advises letting the computer shut down processes properly rather than abruptly powering off.
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Module 1.
Basic Computer Concepts
Introductory Chapter: First Steps in Using a PC Follow these step-by-step instructions to help you turn on your computer. Step 1: Find the on button. It probably looks like this (but might be square or oblong): Step 2: Push the button. On some computers, the button lights up when the computer is on. On laptops, theres often a light on the front that comes on. You may have to keep pushing for a couple of seconds to make this happen. If nothing happens, there are a few things you can check easily: If youre using a laptop, the battery might be flat. So plug in the charger, plug the charger into the mains and let the laptop recharge. If you have a PC, make sure that the plug or any of the other wires havent become disconnected. Ensure that the monitor is turned on. Most PC monitors have an on/off button on the bottom corner of the screen. The button often lights up green when the monitor is on.
Step 3: Now you need to log in.
If youre the only user of your computer, once its turned on it may go straight to the desktop.
If youre using a public computer for example, in a library youll be given
instruction on how to log in.
If youre sharing your computer with
other people, each one will usually have their own account. When you turn on the computer, the screen will look something like this:
When you click the icon above your name, youll be asked for a password. The main user or administrator should set this up for you before you begin. Type in your password and click the arrow.
How to use a mouse
Your computer mouse lets you move the cursor (pointer) round the screen and then click to start a program or begin writing in a particular place or open a menu to see what choices you have. All desktop computers come with a mouse, and you can use one on a laptop if you dont like the touchpad thats built into it. 1
Invented in 1963 by Douglas Engelbart, the computer mouse has developed over the years and now comes in a variety of designs. Its called mouse because it has a basic mouse shape and the cable that attaches it to the computer looks like a tail. When referring to the device in the plural, both mice and mouses are acceptable, according to the Oxford English Dictionary. Mice were first made with two gear wheels to define direction and then with a trackball, all of which moved in contact with a surface. Today optical mice that use light to detect direction are more common. Mice can also be cordless, making them easier to move. Follow these step-by-step instructions to help you get to know your mouse Step 1: Pick up your mouse and have a look at it. At the front (which points away from you), there are two buttons left and right. You press or, more correctly, click these to make things happen. Most mice also have a wheel in between the buttons that you roll to move up and down the screen technically called scrolling. Step 2: Learn to hold your mouse comfortably. Its normally held between your thumb and little finger like this:
Step 3: Have a click. Use your index finger to click the left button and your middle finger to click the right button: If youre left-handed, you can use the opposite fingers. However, you can also usually change the preferences on your computer to swap which buttons what.
do
Step 4: Try a double-click. This is done quite often on the
left button. You have to click twice, as quickly as possible. The first click tells the computer that you are in a particular window, and the second click tells it that youre selecting a button or link or whatever to do something in that window. If you click too slowly, the computer just thinks youre telling it where you are again and again, so do click quickly. Step 5: Now try a right-click. Just click the right button, paying no attention where the cursor is on the screen. A menu will appear, giving you options. Whenever you right-click, it opens a menu. If you move your cursor off the menu and left-click, the menu will close.
How to use a computer keyboard
Whenever you use a computer, youll probably use a keyboard. The most common kind is referred to as a QWERTY keyboard after the keys on the top row of letters. It was invented by C L Scholes in the 1860s when he was working out the best place to put the keys on a manual typewriter.
Follow these step-by-step instructions to help you get to know what your keyboard can do So that you can carry out the simple exercises below, youll need a document open to type into. Step 1: Have a good look at your keyboard. The most important keys are labelled on the diagram below: 2
Some keyboards, especially those on laptops, will have a slightly different layout. For example, yours might not have a number pad or the delete key may be in a different place. But virtually all keyboards will have these important keys somewhere. Step 2: The main keys are the letter keys. When you type just using these, you get lowercase print. However, if you hold down a shift key (there are two to choose from) at the same time as you type, youll get UPPER-CASE letters. Try typing your name, including capitals (UPPER-CASE) and spaces. The space bar (which you press briefly to make a space) is the wide key at the bottom of the keyboard. Step 3: If you make a mistake in your typing, theres always a remedy. To delete a letter, place your cursor (mouse pointer) just after the letter and click. Then press Backspace briefly. (Always press briefly otherwise, youll get repeated deletions, spaces, letters or whatever.) Or place your cursor just before the letter, click and press Delete. Step 4: Now try typing a
sentence:
This is a good sentence to practise because it contains most of the letters of the alphabet. Step 5: You can move the cursor along this sentence without deleting anything by using the arrow keys: Try moving the cursor backwards and forwards through your sentence. Step 6: Now try using the number pad, if you have one. To use this to type numbers, you have to press the Num Lock key. There may be an indicator light at the top of the keyboard or on the Num Lock key itself to show that its on. Step 7: You can also type using the numbers on the main keyboard. Youll find them on the row of keys above the top line of letters. Above these numbers are various symbols, which include , &, !. To use these, hold down the Shift key while you type. So if you press 7 on its own, you get 7, but if you press 7 while you hold down the Shift key, you get &. Try
typing:
Youll find similar extra symbols elsewhere on the keyboard:
They operate in exactly the same way as the ones above the numbers. Step 8: If you want everything to appear in upper case, press the Caps Lock key and then type: Again, an indicator light may come on to show that your capitals are locked. Dont forget to press this key again when youre finished to turn Caps Lock off. Step 9: The Windows key comes in a number of different designs, such as the example to the right. It does exactly the same thing as the Windows button on the taskbar on your computer screen. You can choose to open the Start menu by pressing this key or by clicking the button on the taskbar with your mouse. Step 10: There are a number of ways that you can move round a web page. Try using the keys below to see where they take you: Step 11: Youll be told to use the Control (Ctrl) and Alternate (Alt) keys for some operations. When you do so, keep holding down one or the other key or both keys while you press any other keys. For example, if you press Ctrl, Alt and Delete all at the same time, a menu will open. To make it disappear, press the Escape (Esc) key in the top lefthand corner of the keyboard. Step 12: Some of the things that you use the mouse for can be done with keyboard shortcuts. These require you to hold down one key while pressing another, and often involve using the Ctrl and/or Alt keys. Some people prefer using them to using the mouse. How to turn off a computer Unlike most electrical appliances, a computer shouldnt be turned off by pressing the same button that you pressed to turn it on. If you do that, you can actually lose data or damage some of the processes in the machine. Think of turning off the computer properly as letting it fall asleep just pushing the on button or unplugging the computer would be like knocking it out with a punch! Follow these step-by-step instructions to help you turn off your computer These instructions are for Windows 7, but earlier versions are very similar. Step 1: Click the Windows button at the bottom left-hand corner of your screen. Step 2: Click Shut down.
Step 3: If youve left any
programs running or documents open, youll get a message similar to this:
You have two options now:
Click Cancel and then close everything that had
been listed in the message, saving when necessary. Then try closing again.
Click Force shut down. The computer will
automatically close all your documents, programs and so on without saving anything. As a result, you may lose some data.
or
Prepared by: Engr. Maricris M. Ediza Instructor
References: 1. Parker, Stephen B. How to Use a Computer Keyboard. Retrieved at www.digitalunite.com. June 19, 2015. 2. Parker, Stephen B. How to Use a Mouse. Retrieved at www.digitalunite.com. June 19, 2015. 3. Parker, Stephen B. How to Turn On a Computer. Retrieved at www.digitalunite.com. June 19, 2015. 4. Parker, Stephen B. How to Turn Off a Computer. Retrieved at www.digitalunite.com. June 19, 2015.
