PURCHASING, INSTALLING, AND MAINTAINING A

PERSONAL COMPUTER

Considerations When Purchasing a Computer

Desktop, laptop, or notebook

Processing speed Storage size and types Monitor Battery life Software

INSTALLING A COMPUTER Read the installation manuals before installing equipment Set up your computer in a well-designed work area where

you can control the temperature and humidity Set up your space near an electrical outlet and telephone

outlet or cable connection Save all the paperwork that comes with your computer Record the serial numbers of all equipment and software

INSTALLING A COMPUTER Complete and mail your equipment and software

registration cards or register online Keep the shipping containers and packing

materials for all your equipment Identify device connectors Keep your computer area clean Make sure your home or renter’s insurance policy

covers the computer

How to Maintain a Personal Computer

Start a notebook that includes information on your computer

Keep all original disks, CDs, books, etc. Before you work inside your computer, turn off

the power and disconnect the equipment from the power source

Keep the area surrounding your computer dirt and dust free

How to Maintain a Personal Computer

Back up important files and data Protect your computer from viruses Keep your computer tuned—It is important to use

the disk defragmenter (In Windows…Start..Programs..Accessories..

System Tools..Disk Defragmenter Learn to use diagnostic tools Conserve energy wherever possible

TERMSTERMSOperating System – coordinates the activities of your computerServer – a computer that controls access to the hardware and software on a networkWorkstation – A computer connected to a serverGraphical User Interface - a user interface that displays graphics in addition to text when communicating with the userWindow – a rectangular area on the screen, sometimes the whole screen, that is used to display files, documents, or programs. Each window contains a border, title bar, and window title.

SAVING FILES When the power to the computer is turned off,

a file will be lost if it is not saved to: A floppy disk – a: The hard drive – c: A compact disk (CD) – d: Flash drive – e: Personal network file at CSCC – u:

CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory) a storage device from which you can only read and open files

MORE TERMS Control panel Icons Mouse

Primary mouse button Secondary mouse button Wheel

Taskbar Scroll bar

Properties Object Menu/menu bar Command Maximize Minimize Close

THE START BUTTON

Start programsSet up a printerGet “Help”Shut down your

computer

USING COMMON ELEMENTS IN OFFICE

Application – refers to one of the parts of the Office suite Program – a set of specific computer instructions that is

designed to allow you to accomplish a particular task Major strengths of Microsoft Office:

The consistency of the programs and the way they work together

The capability to save files in a format that can be read on the World Wide Web

WORKING ON THE WEB Internet World Wide Web Web page – each individual screen Web site – a collection of related pages at a

particular location Home page – the primary (starting) page at

a Web site Hyperlinks Browsers Intranet – a special type of WEB available

only to users of a particular type of network

WINDOWS EXPLORER Folders pane Hierarchical structure Plus and minus signs Status bar File Management

Copying Moving Renaming Deleting

Source and destination folders and drives

Navigation toolbar Windows Update System Restore Tools

MICROSOFT APPLICATION SOFTWARE

Microsoft WordMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft AccessMicrosoft

PowerPoint

Microsoft Publisher

Microsoft Front Page

Microsoft Outlook

THE END