Activity Handout One: Windows - Basic Operations

1. Getting Started

Turning Your Computer On and Off (Shutdown)

 On: Turning your computer on is done in the usual manner.Push the larger button on the front of the box encasing the computer.  If the monitor screen shows a “Signal Missing” message, it means that although the monitor has been turned on, the CPU power has not yet been turned on; simply turn it on. Your computer may take a few minutes to complete the "booting" up of power to build the "desktop" that shows you icons or symbols of what is on your computer.

 Off: Do not simply turn the CPU (central processing unit - your computer) off. The CPU is the engine or brain of the computer. The shut down function is vital, especially if you are on a network. Before you turn off the power and screen, click on Start - a button in the lower left corner of the screen. Using the mouse, slide the pointer to highlight the words, "Shut Down" and left click. The Shut Down Windows dialogue box outlining four choices will appear. Click on the button for the option you want, then click on the Yes button.

2. What is Windows?

 Windows is Microsoft’s operating system for IBM compatible personal computers (PC’s) which simply means that it is the interface between you and the software programs you use; such as word processing (Claris Works, Microsoft Word or Corel Word Perfect), spreadsheets (Excel or Lotus), database (FoxPro, Endnote, or FileMakerPro), Internet connection software (Telnet, FTP). It is a graphic user interface, requiring the use of a mouse.

 Your PC’s Windows operating system has many built-in utilities, such as disk and file management; and handles many internal functions, such as memory allocation. Windows also comes with several built-in accessory programs (or little applications-“applets”); a basic word processor (Word Pad), a ClipArt gallery, and a simple drawing program (Paint), to name a few.

3. The Screen

 There are three main visible parts to the screen: The Desktop, Icons, Taskbar.
 Desktop: Large open area of your computer screen comparable to your physical desk; when you have mastered the basics, you can organize the Windows desktop to suit your needs.
 Icons: Pictures or graphic symbols which represent actions or files. Three of the icons you will see on Windows systems are: My Computer, Network Neighborhood, and Recycle Bin.
 Taskbar: At the bottom of the screen, with Start in the left corner and other icons in the right corner, this bar displays all programs currently running.

4. The Mouse and the Pointer

 Windows assumes that you are right-handed and uses the mouse device to select, activate, move, de-select or otherwise manipulate its components. (If you are left-handed, you can switch the left and right mouse buttons via the Control Panel). As you move the mouse around on the mouse pad, notice how the pointer moves on the screen. If you run out of room, pick up the mouse and place it on another spot on your mouse pad.

 There are five basic actions you can perform using the mouse: point, left click, left double click, drag and drop, and right click.
 1. Point: Slide the mouse until the tip of the pointer is on the item you want to point to.
 2. Left Click: Press and release the left mouse button once (also Select).
 3. Left Double Click: Leaving the pointer on the item, quickly press and release the left mouse button twice (also Open).
 4. Drag and Drop: Point to the object to be dragged, press and hold down the left or right mouse button; keeping the button pressed, slide the mouse (dragging the item along) until the item (or window border) is at its new location; now release the mouse button.
 5. Right Click: Point and click with the right mouse button.

 At a very slightly advanced level, the mouse and control key (Ctrl) on the keyboard can be used to select multiple items, either one by one or by drawing a box around them.

Note: Clicking on an item is also called selecting; to de-select, move the mouse so that the pointer is on an empty area of the desk top and left click once.


5. Dialogue Boxes
 Dialogue boxes are presented by the system and require you to make a selection. You may be prompted to a click in a check box, to type in some information, or to choose from a drop down list. To process your choice, click on the OK button (or press the enter key); to return to where you were without making any choice, click on the Cancel button. Note that dialogue boxes are really monologue boxes--you have to read and understand the information presented in the box, then make choices.

Exercise: Try the Shut Down function, but click on Cancel in the Dialogue Box.
Exercise: Identify and find the following parts of your computer:
Hard drive
Floppy drive
CD ROM Drive
Power button
Restart button.
When the computer has been turned on and you can see small icons or symbols on the monitor screen - identify the
Desktop and the icons for the following:
Programs
Recycle bin
A browser,


6. Accessories:

Your computer has a number of items that may be helpful to you. They are found in a sectin of the computer called Accessories.
Take a tour by going to Start - Programs - Accessories. You will find the items listed by categories like Communications, Entertainment and Games. If there is an arrowhead beside the item, click on it to see an extended menu.

Exercise: Using the Calculator

Go to the Start button in the lower left corner of your desktop.
Go to Programs/Accessories/Calculator - a calculator will appear on the desktop.
Add the following numbers:

352+673

Subtract these numbers

987-42

Multiply these numbers

14 X 33

Close the calculator


7. Computer Time and Date

Your computer has a built in calendar and clock.  This is uasually set when you get your computer and you will receive alerts when the time is changing for daylight savings time. There is a small battery inside the hard drive case running this utility. You may need to reset the time or date. You will find this item by clicking your right mouse button on the time shown in the lower right corner of the desktop.

Exercise: Changing the time on your computer

Go to the right corner of the desktop and click the right mouse pointer over the time shown there.
Select Adjust time/date from the menu
Set the clock to the correct time.
Find the correct date on the calendar.
Click Apply and OK


8. Creating shortcuts - this is a way to createan icon on the desktop representing a program on your hard drive. Rather than having to go into Start and Programs, you can simply click on the shortcut icon on the desktop.

Exercise: Create a Shortcut to the Windows Accessory, NotePad.

  1. Go to Start/Programs and Accessories
  2. Find the NotePad
  3. Right mouse click on the NotePad
  4. Select the menu item, create shortcut
  5. Hold down the mouse pointer over the new icon (notepad2) and drag it onto the desktop
  6. Right mouse click on the icon and select Rename from the menu
  7. Rename the icon simply NotePad -
  8. Using the mouse, hold down the left button over the icon and drag it to where you want the icon to rest on the desktop.

9. Help
 The main thing to know about help at present is how to open the various help files. As you become more familiar with the terminology associated with the system and the software you are using, you will be able to access Help more successfully. For instance, if you forget how to open a new folder, you can left click on Start, slide to Help, click it open, choose the Index tab, type folders in the slot on the dialogue box and click Display. Notice the Options menu item; if the instructions seem lengthy (more than 3 or 4 steps) and you have an attached printer, you can print the Help item you have displayed and then follow the steps.

Exercise: Use Help.
Go to Start and click on the Help option.
Click on the link "How to Use Help" on the Contents tab.
Next, click on "Find a Topic" and read the instructions in the right hand section of this window.
Now click on the tab for Index and scroll through the topics listed there. Try typing "printing" into the keyword find box.
Scroll through the items listed on printing.
Choose an item you want to know more about.
Read what the help program tells you about this item.


 

In Accessories go to games. Open solitaire.


Locate the FirstClass icon
Login to your email account.


Go to Start. Select shut down and restart your computer.

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