This document provides an overview of basic computer operation, including hardware components, operating systems, disk capacities, viruses, applications, installation and internet applications. It describes common computer parts like the motherboard, hard drive, RAM and cables. It also outlines operating systems like Windows, MacOS and Linux and defines terms like directories, documents and applications. Backup methods, using icons and windows, installing software and using internet applications like browsers and FTP are also summarized.

1. BASIC COMPUTER
OPERATION
Gülçin Sağdıçoğlu Celep
gulcin@metu.edu.tr
Department of Mathematics
METU
2003

2. OUTLINE
 Computer Hardware
 Operating systems
 Terms
 Disk capacities
 Viruses
 Applications and Documents
 Installation/reinstallation
 Internet Applications

3. Computer Hardware
 Case  Keyboard/mouse
 Power switch  Network card
 Reset switch  Modem
 Hard drive  Sound card
 Floppy  Video card
 CD/DVD  RAM
 Serial ports  Motherboard
 Parallel port  Fan
 USB port  Cables

4. The basic system including keyboard,
mouse and monitor.

5. What is in the box?
Motherboard

7. Typical parts of a motherboard.
ABIT SE6

8. Cabling
For items in or attached
to a system to work
properly they must be
securely connected.

9. Operating systems
 All computer systems have an
operating system. Currently, there
are three dominate typical user
operating systems.
 Macintosh OS,
 Microsoft Windows OS,
 Linux.

10. Terms
 A: Floppy disk C: Local disk D: Local disk (partition)
 RAM = Random Access Memory. The thinking space available to
a computer to use while performing operations. The space is
emptied out when the computer is turned off.
 DIRECTORY = An organizational structure on disks to file
management easier. Directories also become a local region for
the computer to hunt for other files related to the current file.
 DOCUMENT = A file created using an application. The file is only
useful using the application that created it or a similar application
that can convert it.
 APPLICATION = A program that allows a computer to perform a
certain function.

11. Disk capacities
 Floppy: 1.4 MB
 Hard disk: 20 GB – 160 GB
 CD 700 - 800 MB
 DVD 4.7 GB
17 GB
1 KILOBYTE = 1000 BYTE
1 MEGABYTE = 1000 KB
1 GIGABYTE = 1000 MB

12. Backup
Floppies, CDs

13. Identify and use icons,
windows, menus
 Point, click, double-click, drag & drop
 Minimize and maximize a window
 Use pull-down menus
 Select, open, and move an icon
 Select, open, move, and close a window
 Resize a window
 Scroll a window
 Activate and de-activate a window
 Start an application and create a document

14. Name, save, retrieve, revise a
document
 Name a document (!)
 Save a document
 Retrieve a document from floppy disk
 Retrieve a document from hard disk
 Re-name a document
 Edit and re-save a document
 Print a document
 Create and name folders
 Save, open, and place documents inside folders

15. Applications
 Open and work with more than one
application at a time
 To switch between them for Windows:
click on the application at the "TASKBAR"
down on the screen
 Alt &TAB button

16. Install/reinstall and update system
software and drivers

17. Internet Applications
BROWSERS
 Netscape
 Internet Explorer
http: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
edu: Education (gov, org, com, ...)
http://www.math.metu.edu.tr

18. FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
 The simplest and most secure way to exchange files
over the Internet.
 FTP Client is the software that is designed to transfer
files back-and-forth between two computers over the
Internet. It needs to be installed on the computer and
can only be used with a live connection to the Internet.
(Browsers, WS-Ftp, SSH, Cute-Ftp,...)
PC ARF

19. Viruses
 Viruses are programs that reproduce themselves into the files of
your computer
 Anti-virus software and automatic update
 Mcafee Virus Scan
Configuration of Automatic Mcafee Virus Update via FTP
http://www.math.metu.edu.tr/department/doc/virus/virus_update.html
 Current security patches applied to operating system and
applications.
 Do not open any unexpected attachments that are e-mailed to
you. (Particularly “.exe” files.)

20. REFERENCES
 Computer Fundamentals for Teachers
 Basic Computer Operation and Troubleshooting
 FTP New User Guide