Circuit Analysis Lab

Lab 1

COMPUTER BASICS AND WINDOWS ESSENTIAL

OBJECTIVES

Educational Objectives:

1. Understand the essential components of a computer system.

2. Learn common functions and operations in the Windows operating system.
3. Gain confidence in using the computer for basic tasks.

MAJOR COMPONENTS OF COMPUTER

1. Hardware:
The primary components of computer include the following:

CPU (Central Processing Unit): The CPU is the brain of the computer. It performs all the
arithmetic and logical operations required by the software programs. The CPU consists of two
major components - the Control Unit (CU) and the Arithmetic and Logic Unit (ALU).

Memory: Memory is where the computer stores data and instructions for processing. There are
two types of memory - Primary Memory (RAM) and Secondary Memory (Hard Disk Drive, Solid
State Drive, etc.).

Byte = One character typed in plain text editor e.g., Text files
Kilobyte = 1,024 byes e.g., Web pages, Office documents
Megabytes = 1,024 kilobytes e.g., MP3 files, videos, large software, RAM
Gigabytes = 1,024 megabytes e.g., Hard drives, RAM

Input/Output Devices: These devices allow data to enter and leave the computer. Examples
include keyboards, mice, printers, and monitors.

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2. Software
A set of instructions is called a program and a set of programs is called software. Software used on
computers may be of different types: (1) Application Software (2) System Software

Application Software

Software suited for specific applications is called as application software e.g., word
processing software, PowerPoint, spreadsheet, web browsers, emails etc

System Software

Programs that control and direct the operations of the computer hardware are called as
system software e.g., Operating systems viz. DOS, UNIX, and Windows, etc.

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Common Functions of Windows

Moving and Sizing a Window

• To Move a Window

– Click and drag the title bar

• To Size a Window

– Click and drag a corner to change the length and width in proportion with one
another

– Click and drag a border to change just the length or the width 8

Toolbars

• Contain icons that execute tasks when clicked.

• In Microsoft Office, you have to click the double down arrows to show each
toolbar on its own row.

• You can also right click on a toolbar to hide it or to show additional toolbars.

Menu Bars

• Hierarchical lists of commands. If you click a menu bar in Office, you won’t see
the full list of commands unless you wait a few seconds or click the double down
arrows at the bottom of the menu bar.

• Options that aren’t currently available are greyed out.

Title Bars

On the far right of the title bar there are three buttons found in most Windows
applications:

Minimize

Eliminate the window, but leave the program open. The program icon will still
appear on the task bar.

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Restore down or maximize

If the window is as large as possible, meaning it is maximized, the restore down

button will be visible. Clicking the restore down button will return the window to
the size it was before it was maximized. The size it returns to might have been set
in a previous Windows session. If the Window is not maximized, the maximize
button will appear instead

Log Off and Shut down

Log off logs who ever that is on the computer out and the shutdown turns the
computer completely off if it is already programmed to do that by its self. That
does not mean that you can just hit the power switch to turn the computer off. It
means that if you hit this shut down icon, the computer will begin it shut down
sequence.

Run

Run is used for multiple tasks. Some programs that auto-run won’t work for this Run will,
hopefully. This will help also if you’re searching for a program that won’t run through start.

Display Properties

A theme is a background plus a set of sounds, icons that will help you personalize your
computer. And you can do this from here with one click. And you can also save your selection
here too.

Moving Files

• Select file(s)

• Click and drag to a different folder on the same drive.

• Edit, Cut and Edit, Paste from the Menu Bar.

• Cut and Paste buttons from the Toolbar.

• Shortcut Menu (right click), Cut and Paste.

Copying Files

• Select file(s)

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• Click and drag from one drive to another

• Edit, Copy and Edit, Paste from the Menu Bar

• Copy and Paste buttons from the Toolbar

• Shortcut Menu (right click), Copy and Paste

Deleting a File

• Select the file(s) and Press the Del key

• From the menu = select File then Delete

• Shortcut Menu (right click)

Renaming a File

• Select file(s)

• From the menu select File then Rename

• Shortcut Menu (right click)

• Type the new file name

• Warning! Do not change or delete the 3- character extension

File type

• Determined by application used to create it.

• 3-character extension appended to file name, such as .doc, .xls, .ppt

• icon shown next to file name.

Folder

• Used to organize files on disk like a file cabinet

• Can contain program files, data files or other folders (called subordinate folders).

To create a folder

• Select drive where folder will go and Use Menu Bar and go to File, New Folder

• Key in name of folder and Press [enter] key

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• Can also use shortcut menu (right-click)

To create a subordinate folder

• Select folder where subfolder will go and Use Menu Bar and go to File, New Folder

• Key in name of folder and Press [enter] key

• Can also use shortcut menu (right-click)

Common Shortcuts:

1. Ctrl (Control) + C: Copy the selected text or item.

2. Ctrl (Control) + X: Cut the selected text or item.

3. Ctrl (Control) + V: Paste the copied or cut text or item.

4. Ctrl (Control) + Z: Undo the last action.

5. Ctrl (Control) + Y: Redo an undone action.

6. Ctrl (Control) + S: Save the current document or file.

7. Ctrl (Control) + F: Open the Find dialog to search for text.

8. Ctrl (Control) + P: Print the current document or page.

9. Alt (Option) + Tab: Switch between open applications.

10. Ctrl (Control) + N: Open a new document or window.

11. Ctrl (Control) + W: Close the current document or tab.

12. Ctrl (Control) + A: Select all text or items.

13. Ctrl (Control) + Arrow Keys: Navigate through text or items.

14. Ctrl (Control) + Shift + Esc: Open Task Manager (Windows) or Force Quit Applications
(macOS).

15. Ctrl (Control) + Alt + Delete: Open the Task Manager (Windows) or the Force Quit
Applications window (macOS).

Please note that some shortcuts may vary depending on the specific application or operating system
version. Additionally, there are many more shortcuts available for specialized functions in various

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software and operating systems. Learning and using these shortcuts can significantly enhance your
productivity when using a computer.

Lab Tasks

Task 1: Setting Up Your Computer Workspace

Computer Check-up: Examine your computer or a provided computer to identify the essential
hardware components. List and briefly describe each component, including the CPU, memory,
and input/output devices. If you're unsure about the components, use built-in tools (e.g., System
Information) or physical inspection.

Personalization: Personalize your Windows desktop by changing the desktop background,

screen saver, and sound settings. Document the steps you took to personalize your computer.

Creating a Folder: Create a folder on your desktop and name it "My ICT Workspace." This
folder will be used for organizing files in the next part of the assignment.

Task 2: File Management

File Organization: Organize the "My ICT Workspace" folder with the following subfolders:

 "Documents"

 "Pictures"

 "Downloads"

 "Assignments"

File Operations:

 Copy: Locate a file on your computer (e.g., a document or image) and copy it to the
"Downloads" folder within "My ICT Workspace."

 Move: Move the copied file from "Downloads" to the "Documents" folder.

 Rename: Rename the file in the "Documents" folder to something different from its
original name.

 Delete: Delete the file in the "Downloads" folder.

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Screenshots: Take screenshots of your computer's personalized desktop and the "My ICT
Workspace" folder structure after completing the file operations.

Task 3: Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcut Challenge: Practice using some common keyboard shortcuts related to copying,
pasting, and undoing. Try to copy and paste text from a text document into a new document. If
possible, undo the paste operation.