Handout used for Introduction to Computers class at the Westerville Public Library. Provides an introduction to the different hardware and software parts of a computer as well as functions such as using the mouse, navigating between windows, etc. (Information based on Microsoft Windows XP Professional operating system.)
1. WESTERVILLE PUBLIC LIBRARY
Introduction to
Computers
[This handout is based on the use of Windows
XP Professional]
2010
126 SOUTH STATE STREET WESTERVILLE OH 43081
2. Hardware
Computer hardware is a computer item you can physically see or touch.
Software
Software refers to the programs and data that operate the computer system.
Word processing programs and Internet browsers are examples of software.
Types of Computers
Desktop PC (Personal Computer) Laptop
Main Parts of a Laptop
Monitor and Keyboard Touch Pad
Main Parts of a PC (Personal Computer)
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3. Monitor
Mouse
Keyboard Tower
Front of tower Back of tower
Disc Drive
Power
Button
Headphones USB Ports
and
Microphones
Disks and Drives
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4. Hard Drive: The hard drive is the main storage medium in desktop and laptop computers.
This is also known as the C: drive.
Disc Drive: a drive that uses CDs or DVDs in order to store or access information. This is
also known as the D: drive.
Eject button
Disc drive Recordable disc
USB drive: a portable drive that is often the size of your thumb. It connects to the
computer’s USB port in order to store or access information. This is currently the easiest
and most reliable way to save information, other than your computer’s hard drive.
Port USB Flash Drive
Floppy Disk Drive: An older form of portable storage. Uses square disks with a hard case in
order to store and access information. This form of storage is no longer recommended, as
the disks store very little information, and are not as reliable as other storage formats.
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5.
Mouse Basics
Floppy Disks
External Floppy Drive
How to hold a mouse The Left Button
Single Clicking:
• Clicking the left mouse button one time
• Usually used to select items on screen
• Also used when accessing websites
Right Handed
Double Clicking:
Left Handed
• Clicking the left mouse button quickly
two times in a row
Most Common types of mice:
• Used to open programs and view files
• Optical Mouse: Plugs into the computer, best
• Can also be done by single clicking, and
with a smooth, non‐reflective surface for
then using the Enter button on the
smooth cursor movement. keyboard
Click and Drag (or Drag and Drop)
• Click and hold the left mouse button to
drag and drop an object
• Click and drag is used to move objects or
Optical mouse Wireless mouse
resize windows
The Right Button
• Wireless Mouse: Does not use a cord to
connect to the computer. Instead, uses a Right Click:
receiver to communicate with the computer. • Clicking the right mouse button one time
• Opens up an options menu, or context
The Wheel menu. The menu will change according
• Some mice have this in addition to the to where the right click was performed.
left and right mouse buttons
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• Use the wheel to scroll up and down in
windows
6. Keyboard Basics
Example of a Context Menu
The ESC key can help you close a program that is not responding.
The CTRL key is used with other keys to
perform specific tasks. The ALT key is a helper
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7. key as well.
Both the Caps Lock key and the Shift key are used to make capital
letters. If the Caps Lock key is pressed, all letters typed will be CAPITALIZED
until the Caps Lock key is pressed again. To capitalize just one letter, hold
down the Shift Key while you type the letter(s) you would like capitalized.
The Shift key is also used to access any of the secondary
functions displayed on the keys. For example, to type the number
1, just press the 1 key. To type the exclamation point, hold down
the Shift key while pressing the 1 key.
The arrow keys help you move around the screen.
The Delete key is used to remove text to the right of the
cursor. It can also be used to send selected items to the Recycle
bin.
The Home key will send your cursor to the beginning of the
line. The End key sends the cursor to the end of the line.
Page Up and Page Down move the cursor through a document
page by page
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8.
The Enter key will move your cursor to a new line when you
are typing. It can also act like a left mouse click.
The Backspace key will remove text that is to the left of the
cursor.
Parts of the desktop
Shortcut
Icons
Taskbar System Tray
Start button
Icons: A small picture representing a program or file.
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11. (located on either side of the spacebar)
In Windows Vista, the Start button looks like this
• Programs: lists all of the programs available on
your computer.
• Documents: shows recently opened documents.
• Settings: shows options for customizing your PC
• Search: locate files on your computer
• Help and Support: Microsoft’s searchable index
of Help topics.
• Shutdown: Logoff or shutdown the computer
safely.
Placing your mouse over an item with a
black arrow to the right will open a menu
with more options.
Parts of a window
Title bar
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12. Command
Menu bar buttons
Scroll bar
Minimize will remove your
program from view, but keep it
running. You will not lose any
work by minimizing a window.
Maximize will expand your
Minimize window to fit the entire screen
Close Close will exit out of the
program. You will lose any
Maximize
unsaved changes to your work.
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