HOW TO USE A DESKTOP COMPUTER

1. SETUP COMPUTER
Computer hardware must be present. These include the AVR or UPS, system
unit, monitor, keyboard, mouse and speakers. Connect all cables and other
peripherals if needed. Desktop computer should be positioned properly on the
desk.

2. PLUGIN POWER SUPPLY

The AVR or UPS should be plugged into the power supply unit. After plugging
in, you can now turn on the computer by locating and pressing the switch
button in the system unit. The button should be like the picture shown at the
top of this page. Turning on the computer boots the operating system; for
example, Microsoft Windows.

3. KEYBOARD AND MOUSE BASICS

3.1 MOUSE
3.1.1 Familiarizing Yourself with the Mouse
Today's computer mouse consists of two buttons and a mouse wheel as shown in the
picture (right side). By default, the left button acts as the left-click and is the default
mouse button you use for most actions on the mouse. The right mouse button
performs the right-click and gives you a menu or other options. As far as the mouse
wheel, it is used to scroll up and down.

3.1.2 Holding the Mouse

To hold the mouse, keep your thumb on the side of the mouse, index finger on the
left button, and middle finger on the mouse wheel. While holding the mouse relax
your hand and make sure your hand is straight with your arm. You should never have your wrist at an angle while using the
mouse. To move the mouse, use either your ring finger and pinky to push and move left and your thumb to move right. All
up and down movement is done by gently gripping the mouse and pushing or pulling the mouse.

3.1.3 Moving the Mouse Pointer

Using your right or left hand, pick up the mouse and move it to the center of the mouse pad. Once in position, drag the
mouse up, down, left, or right to move the mouse pointer on the screen. If you reach the edge of your mouse pad, pick up
the mouse and move it to the opposite side of the mouse pad. Then, continue dragging the mouse in the direction you
want the mouse pointer to move.

3.2 KEYBOARD
A computer keyboard is an input device used with all types of computers. Newer devices like a smartphone and tablet even
still use an on-screen keyboard.

3.2.1 Alphanumeric Keyboard (Numeric & Normal Keys)

The alphanumeric keyboard is the primary portion of the keyboard with letters, numbers, punctuation, and
some symbol keys. Today, most users use QWERTY keyboards, as shown in the illustrations. You can tell if you are using a
QWERTY keyboard by looking at the first six letters to see if they spell "QWERTY."

3.2.2 Function Keys

The function keys or F1 through F12 or F19 keys are used in programs as shortcut keys to performed frequently performed
tasks. For example, the F1 key is the key to open the online help for most programs.
 3.2.3 Special Keys/ Control Keys
The control keys or toggle keys give the user additional control over text manipulation and cursor placement. They may
also be used as shortcut keys in many programs.

3.2.4 Numeric Keypad

The numeric keypad gives the user quick access to numbers and math functions such as plus, divide, times, and subtract.

3.2.5 Arrow Keys/Direction Keys

The arrow keys are four directional keys that allow you to move the cursor or change a highlighted selection.

START TYPING AND HOW TO POSITION HANDS

Before typing, place your hands in the proper position, with your
fingers on the home row keys. When you are typing, glance at your
fingers to ensure that each finger is pressing the correct key.

Tip: There are small bumps (homing bars) on the "F" and "J" keys that
help you find the proper position without looking at the keyboard.
Your index fingers on both hands should be able to feel these bumps.
Below is a picture to help illustrate where each finger should be
positioned and the home row keys. Your left-hand fingers should be
positioned over A, S, D, and F keys, and your right hand should be
positioned over the J, K, L, and; keys. Also, each color helps illustrate
what fingers are responsible for what key.

If you have never learned how to type properly, I strongly encourage

you to visit https://www.typingtest.com/. Not only does this improve your typing efficiency, but it also reduces the strain
you may encounter from having to look down at the keyboard.

Let’s Exercise!
Identify the following statement.
______ 1. It is the primary portion of the keyboard with letters, numbers, punctuation, and some symbol keys.
______ 2. Movement that has to be done by gently gripping the mouse and pushing or pulling the mouse.
______ 3. It gives the user quick access to numbers and math functions such as plus, divide, times, and subtract.
______ 4. This allows you to move the cursor or change a highlighted selection.
______ 5. It gives the user additional control over text manipulation and cursor placement.
______ 6. These are used in programs as shortcut keys to performed frequently performed tasks.
______ 7. It is an input device used with all types of computers. Newer devices like a smartphone and tablet even
still use this.
______ 8. It acts as the left-click and is the default mouse button you use for most actions on the mouse.
______ 9. It is used to scroll up and down.
______ 10. It performs the right-click and gives you a menu or other options.
 MICROSOFT WINDOWS 10
Microsoft Windows 10 is one of the operating systems that we will use in our examples throughout this text. Windows 10
is the industry standard in many offices, organizations, and workplaces. Windows has a long and storied history. Some
versions are better than others. Windows 10 is generally considered to be the last version of Windows as Microsoft has
opted to transition to what’s called a “rolling release” model.

1. THE MAIN INTERFACE

1.1 DESKTOP
The large main area of the screen is your actual desktop. This is your workspace. Any
apps that you open will be contained in “windows” in this space. The desktop is
designed so that many apps can be open at a time and they can “stack” on top of each
other. You can move windows behind and in front of each other, resize them as
needed, and manipulate them in other ways within this space. Often, there are also
icons on the desktop as well. Typically, the Recycle Bin is located on the desktop for
easy access. Any file that you delete will be moved here first so that if you accidentally
delete a file that you needed, you can recover it easily. Do not use the recycle bin to
store files.
Try this:
a) Left-Click and hold on the top bar of a window (this browser window, for example).
b) Drag your mouse all the way to the right until you see a ghost of a box fill half the screen
c) Release the left mouse and observe what happens.
Using this trick, you can split a screen into halves with two windows each taking exactly half the screen. A great way to
have a web browser with some research up on one half and a note-taking app or word processor document on the other
half.

1.2 SEARCH BAR

The search bar is a handy tool which can make navigating your computer much more intuitive and faster. Simply click inside
the search bar and begin typing something. If it doesn’t find a file or app on your computer which matches the search, it
will, instead, make a web search instead using the Edge browser and the Bing search engine.
Try this:
a) Click inside the Search Bar.
b) Type “Paint”
c) See what results pop up.
d) The top result should be the Paint app; simply hit the Enter key and the Paint app will load.

1.3 TASK BAR

The Windows Task Bar is the strip of icons that runs almost always along the bottom of the screen. It is possible to move it
to any edge of the screen, but by convention and habit it’s usually on the bottom. This is a central piece of the interface of
the Windows user experience. Even when they tried to get rid of the start button (more on this in a bit) in Windows 8, the
task bar was still there. It has several primary functions. First, it shows you what applications are currently open and ready
to use. They are typically highlighted and you can switch back and forth between them by left-clicking on their icons on the
task bar.

The task bar can also be customized with icons for apps that you like to use a lot. To do this, simply click and drag the icon
for an app onto the task bar and release. There are a few icons that are there by default and some of the most important
ones we’ll go through together later in this section. But first, we need to talk about two other things on the task bar, the
System Tray, and the Start Button.

1.4 SYSTEM TRAY

The system tray is a catchall dumping ground for lots of information about the current state of your system. The most
obvious information that it contains is the current date and time. But there’s also other information here too.

It will supply information about network connections, volume controls, and also have information about apps running on
your computer that don’t necessarily have a window associated with them, like a real-time virus scanner. Go ahead and
click on whatever you see there. Try both right-clicking and left-clicking on everything you see and observe what happens.

1.5 START BUTTON

This button is the gateway to your computer. This is a very important interface feature on the Windows 10 desktop.
Clicking on it brings up the Start Menu.
 1.6 START MENU
The Start Menu contains links to every app installed on your computer. It is extremely
important that you know where this is and what all you can find here. As you read this, make
sure you are looking at your own computer’s start menu to verify that things look the same,
or identify differences.

The first thing you should notice is that it is divided into three main sections. Along the left
edge are a series of buttons that give you quick access to important parts of the system. At
the very top, the hamburger icon expands the left bar so you can see what all of these
buttons do. For example, the button at the bottom gives you the option to turn off or restart the computer. You’ll also find
buttons which will take you directly to your documents folder or your downloads folder.

Next to this bar, the left panel of the Start Menu has an alphabetical listing of all apps installed on the system. This is less
useful than it seems since you’ll have to scroll pretty far to find many apps. It’s much easier to type the name of the app in
the search bar at the bottom. But some people might prefer to scroll through this list.

Finally, on the right is an app panel designed after Microsoft’s Metro UI. It’s a useful place to pin buttons for apps that you
like to use a lot. I have never found it immensely useful unless you’re using a tablet or other device with a touch screen
(such as a Microsoft Surface), in which case, you’ll definitely want to customize this with your favorite apps.

Built into almost all modern keyboards is a key with a logo on it. For keyboards that are
typically used with Windows systems, this is typically a Windows logo. It’s often called the
Windows Key or the Win Key. Occasionally, you’ll see it referred to as the Super Key. In the
Windows operating system, it has the same effect as clicking on the Start Button, that is, it
opens the Start Menu.

Thus, a quick way to open an app without having to hunt for it with the mouse is simply to press the Win Key and then start
typing, the text will automatically appear in the search bar of the Start Menu and the app list will automatically filter to
your search.

2. FILE EXPLORER
Alternatively referred to as Windows Explorer, File Explorer is a file browser found in every
version of Microsoft Windows since Windows 95. It is used to navigate and manage the drives,
folders, and files on your computer. The image (right side) shows File Explorer in Windows 10.

2.1 FILE EXPLORER SECTIONS

On the right side is a diagram of the different sections of File Explorer, with brief
explanations of each.
2.1.1 Toolbar - A quick menu for navigating around File Explorer. You can
customize what is shown here by clicking Customize Quick Access Toolbar.
2.1.2 Ribbon - Each section of the Ribbon, Home, Share, and View, has
multiple options for accessing features and executing actions in File Explorer. For
example, Home has standard features like copy and paste, and adding a new folder.
2.1.3 Back, Forward, Up - Pressing Back takes you to the last folder you were
viewing. Pressing Forward, moves to the next folder. Pressing Up takes you to the drive or folder location of the object
you're viewing, or to the Desktop folder, depending on your location in File Explorer.
2.1.4 Left Pane - Shows all the main devices and drives that are connected to your computer. It also shows the
network your computer is connected to, if any.
2.1.5 Status Bar - Shows the number of files or folders in each location and each file or folder's size.
2.1.6 Address Bar - Shows your current location in File Explorer. You can also use this to type a drive or file you want
to access.
2.1.7 Search Bar - Allows you to search for a drive, folder, or file name.
2.1.8 File List - Displays the current list of files in the selected drive or folder.

References:
https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001688.htm
https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000306.htm
https://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch001693.htm
https://itech.erickuha.com/book/ch1-computer-basics/6_windows_10.html
https://www.computerhope.com/jargon/e/explorer.htm
Let’s Exercise!
Read and Match. Match the terms in column A and the letter of its correct definition in column B.

Column A Column B
A. It is a handy tool which can make navigating your computer
____ 1. System Tray much more intuitive and faster.

____ 2. Desktop B. Displays the current list of files in the selected drive or folder.

____ 3. Search Bar C. It is a file browser found in every version of Microsoft Windows
since Windows 95.
____ 4. Tool Bar
D. It is the gateway to your computer.
____ 5. The Left Panel of the
Start Menu E. It is designed so that many apps can be open at a time and they
can “stack” on top of each other.
____ 6. File List
F. A quick menu for navigating around File Explorer.
____ 7. Task Bar
G. It has an alphabetical listing of all apps installed on the system.
____ 8. Win Key
H. It is the industry standard in many offices, organizations, and
____ 9. Start Button workplaces and is one of the operating systems that we will use in
our examples throughout this text.
____ 10. File Explorer
I. It is possible to move it to any edge of the screen, but by
convention and habit it’s usually on the bottom.

J. Built into almost all modern keyboards is a key with a logo on it.
For keyboards that are typically used with Windows systems.

K. Shows the number of files or folders in each location and each

file or folder's size.

L. It will supply information about network connections, volume

controls, and also have information about apps running on your
computer that don’t necessarily have a window associated with
them, like a real-time virus scanner.