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BASIC COMPUTER OPERATION
WEEK FOUR
BASIC COMPUTER OPERATION
BOOTING
Booting is known as starting a computer and putting it into a state of readiness for operation. In other words, it is the process of getting the computer system ready for work. When you boot a computer, the processor looks for instructions in the system (ROM) and executes them. Booting normally ‘wake up’ the computer peripherals and get them ready for work.
Types of Booting
There are two main types of booting namely: Cold booting and Warm booting.
Cold booting: This is the process of starting a computer from shutdown or a powerless state and setting it to normal working condition.
Warm booting: This is also the process of restarting a computer. It is often refer to as soft booting. Warm booting is faster than cold booting because the computer does not carry out certain checks before warm booting.
Stages in booting process
When the computer is booting, it pass through several stages before it is ready for use. The stages are as follows:
- Power on Self Test (POST): POST is located within the BIOS (Basic Input/output System) chip of the computer. It usually runs a check on the computer to make sure every component up and doing. If not, this program displays an error message indicating the problem.
- The CPU compares the result of the POST with the System settings stored in the CMOS. The CPU directs the BIOS to locate the boot program and load this into RAM. Usually the BIOS checks the drives first then the hard disk.
- The boot program executes, and loads the operating system into the memory. The operating system is usually installed in the C drive.
- The operating system loads the system’s configuration which is located in the registry file.
- The operating system loads specific device drivers for each hardware device such as sound card, CD ROM drive etc.
6 The rest of the operating system is loaded, and the system is ready for use.
Precautions When Booting a System
- Make sure that the monitor; keyboard, mouse, and other peripheral
devices are firmly connected to the system.
- When the computer is booting don’t strike the keyboard, or turn off
the power button.
- Remove all disks in the drives.
WINDOWS BASICS
In Windows, the computer screen is referred to as the desktop and functions the same way as the physical top of the desk. You can have a calculator, calendar, clock, notepad, and multiple documents all on your computer desktop at the same as you may have on a physical desk top.
The difference between a physical desk top and your Windows desktop is that on the computer screen, all of your utilities and documents are displayed as icons.
Icons are pictorial representations of programs, documents, shortcuts, and other items that can be accessed through Windows resident in desktop.
To open an icon, place the mouse pointer on it and click the [LEFT] mouse button twice in quick succession (double-clicking).
Startup/logging on
Since Windows is designed to be used by multiple users, you will need to log on under your user account. By having different user accounts, each person can keep their programs and files separate - even though they are using the same computer.
When you start your computer, you will be asked to Log On to the system
Diagram
To log on, follow the steps outlined below:
Practice 1 Logging onto Windows
Step 1 Click on your assigned user name.
Step 2 In the box provided, enter your password.
After entering your password, press the Enter Key to accept.
The Windows Screen
Once you log on, the Windows desktop will be displayed, as shown below:
Diagram
Along the bottom of the Desktop is the taskbar which contains the Start menu; opened applications, and the notification area.
The Taskbar
Along the bottom of the screen is the Taskbar which is used to quickly access programs, documents, help screens, and Windows settings, it also displays currently running programs so that you can quickly switch between opened applications. The far right side of the bar displays various information and alerts.
The taskbar typically consists of the following parts:
Table
Taskbar Buttons
These buttons represent currently r inning applications. To quickly switch to any opened application click on its corresponding button
Running Programs
The Start menu (located on the taskbar along the bottom of the Desktop) accesses all of the programs available on your system. By default, Windows will have installed a standard set of applications, accessories, and utilities that you can access from this menu. This menu can also be used to locate files and is a quick way of obtaining help.
- Shutting Down the System
While working with Windows, there may be many system and data files open. You should never physically turn your computer off without first allowing Windows to update, save and close all of the necessary system files. Doing so, can cause Windows to be damaged to the point where you cannot work with your computer. Therefore, you should always let Windows shut down your system.
Practice 3 Shutting Down the System Step 1 Click on the
button a pop-up menu appears
Diagram
Step 2 Select a—from the menu. A dialogue box will be displayed:
Step 3 Select one of the three options
Diagram
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