This document provides an introduction to computers and the Microsoft Windows XP operating system. It discusses the basic elements of a computer system including hardware, software, and liveware. It describes the different types of personal computers and defines the core components of hardware like the CPU and different peripheral devices. The document also explains the two main types of software - system software and application software. Finally, it provides an overview of how Windows XP organizes information using drives, folders and files and demonstrates some basic file and folder management tasks in Windows Explorer.

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INRODUCTION TO COMPUTERS
& MICROSOFT WINDOWS XP
S.N. MBURU
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Introduction
A Computer is an electronic device that processes
raw data to meaningful information.
The most common type of computer is the
Microcomputer also referred to as a Personal
computer (PC). The figures below shows different
types of PCs.
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Types of PCs
Desktop PC
Notebook PC
Pocket PC
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Elements of a computer system:
A computer system consists of three main elements.
 Hardware
 Software
 Liveware
HARDWARE
Physical parts such as the system unit and peripheral devices. Peripheral devices
connect to the system unit. They include:
•Input devices - Keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, digital cameras etc.
•Output devices – Monitors, Speakers, LCD projectors, printers etc.
•Storage device – Floppy disk, flash disks, memory cards, hard disks, CDs,
DVDs etc.
•Central processing unit (CPU) – This is the brain of the computer located
inside the system unit. Examples of CPUs are Intel Pentium, Intel Celeron
(Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Cyrix Processors.
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5. Elements of a computer system cont….
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SOFTWARE
Software also referred to as programs is a set of
instructions that directs a computer what to do.
Software adds live to the hardware components.
The two main types of computer software are:
•System software
•Application software
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Elements of a computer system cont….
System software
Does fundamental tasks such as computer boot up and
maintenance. Examples are operating system ( Windows,
Linux, Macintosh), Networking software and Antivirus
programs.
Application software
They are used to perform specific user tasks such
as typing, calculations, publishing, drawing,
presentation etc. Examples are word processors,
spreadsheets, Databases, Presentation, Accounting
software etc.
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Introduction to Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is the most common type of operating system.
Other operating systems include Linux, Macintosh, Unix, Novell etc
There are various versions of Windows. They include Ms Windows 98,
2000 (2k), Millennium (Me), XP, 2003 and currently Vista.
Basically all these Versions have common features and with knowledge
in one, you can easily learn and use any other version.
Starting Windows
Once you switch on the computer, it undergoes a process referred to as boot up.
This involves checking on whether all the basic input/output devices are
working properly and then loads the operating system.
Windows Desktop
Once Windows in successfully loaded, a login dialog box may be displayed.
You enter your user name (ID) and password in order to access the desktop
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Windows desktop features
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Desktop features cont….
The main features of the desktop are:
• Icons – Graphical objects that represents commands and
applications
• Taskbar – The strip mainly located at the bottom and consists of:
– Start button,
– Task manager where running tasks buttons are placed
– System tray where applications running in the background
are placed.
• Background – This is the empty screen where the icons and
running applications spread.
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10. UoNHow Windows organizes information
Windows organizes information into:
1. Drives
2. Folders/Directories
3. Files
Drives
Storage devices are treated as drives and given labels from
A to Z as follows:
 Drive A & B – Floppy disks
 Drive C – Hard disk
 Drives D, E, F – Extra hard disks and/or CD/ DVD
drives.
 Drives …. To Z – More physical and logical drives.
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My computer window
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How Windows organizes information cont….
Folders
A folder also referred to as a directory in some operating systems is a
named storage location used to organize files for easy access . Folders
are mostly in yellow and resembles a typical manual folder . A folder
inside a folder is called a sub-folder. The figure below shows folders of
drive C:
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How Windows organizes information cont..
Files
A computer file is a collection of data or information stored
for future use. Files aremainly created using application
programs. A file has a unique name and an extension. For
example
 Report.doc - Word document file
 Budget.xls – Excel spreadsheet file
 Students.mdb – An Access database file
 ICT Workshop.ppt – A PowerPoint presentation fill
Therefore it is possible to know the type of file by looking at
the extension and its icon.
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14. UoN Managing folders and files
To manage folders and files, you need to display the
Windows explorer using My Computer or Start menu.
Using My Computer
3.Right click My Computer
4.Click Explore
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Managing folders and files
Using the Start menu
2. Click Start, Point to Programs then Accessories
3. Click Windows Explorer
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Creating folders
In the Explorer Window:
2. Open the drive where the folder is to be created
3. Click File menu, Point to New
4. Click Folder
5. Replace the Temporary New Folder name with your
choice
6. Press Enter.
NB:
To create a sub-folder, first open the folder where the subfolder is to be
created and proceed with steps 2 to 5.
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17. Creating folders
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Creating files
You create files from Programs menu but you can first create files from
the Windows Explorer.
In the Explorer Window:
• Open the drive where the file is to be created
• Click File menu, Point to New
• Choose a file type from List of files types below the seperation line.
• Replace the Temporary file name with your choice
• Press Enter.
• Double click the New file Icon to Lauch the application.
• Add information to the file then from File menu, click Save.
• From File menu of the application window, click Close then Exit.
NB:
To create a file from Start menu: Click Start, point to Programs then select the
Application Program from the sidekick menu.
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Renaming files and folders
In the Explorer Window:
2. Open the drive where the folder is located
3. Right click the file or folder to be renamed
4. From the Shortcut menu, click Rename
5. Replace the current folder name with a different name
6. Press Enter.
NB:
To Rename folder using File menu, Click File then Rename. Proceed with
steps 4 & 5.
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Deleting files and folders
In the Explorer Window:
2. Open the drive where the folder is located
3. Right click the file or folder to be deleted
4. From the Shortcut menu, click Delete
5. A Message is displayed asking you to confirm the
deletion
6. Click Yes.
7. Files & folders deleted from the hard disk are sent to the
Recycle Bin
NB:
Files and folders deleted from removable drives ie diskettes, flash disks are not
held in the recycle bin but are completely lost.
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Copying and moving files & folders
To copy is to create a duplicate while to move is to transfer a file or folder to a
new location.
To copy a file or folder:
• Right click the file or folder
• From the Shortcut menu, click Copy
• Open the Drive or folder where you want to place a copy
• Right click an empty space, then click Paste.
To move a file or folder:
• Right click the file or folder
• From the Shortcut menu, click Cut
• Open the Drive or folder where you want to move the file/folder
• Right click an empty space, then click Paste.
NB:
You can use Edit menu to Copy and Move files and folders.. 21

22. UoN Practical Exercise
Create the following folders on drive A:
2. Tutors
3. Students
4. Support Staff
In the Students folder, create the following subfolders:
1. Exams
2. Fees
3. Accommodation
Create a word processor file named Exams
Reports.doc in the Exams subfolder
Copy Exams Reports.doc to Students folder 22

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Searching for files and folders
In case you are not sure where you created or the name you
gave a file or folder, use the search menu.
1. Click Start, poit to Search then click For Files or Folders
2. In the Search window/dialog box, specify the search
criteria.
3. Click the search button. See the figure below.
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Searching for files and folders
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Managing storage media
Managing storage media involves formatting disks, scanning
for errors and virus and creating backups.
Formatting disks
Before you use a new disk, you must first format it. Formatting checks for back
areas on the disk and erases any existing data.
To format a disk:
•Double click My Computer icon
•Right click the drive to format
•From the Shortcut menu, click Format…
•In the Format dialog box, specify the capacity and volume label
•Click start
Warning!!!!!:
Never TRY to format Drive C or any other drive holding system files 25

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Formatting a disk
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27. UoN Scanning for problems
Scanning
A disk may develop some problems such as physical
damage. You need to check for problems before you use it.
To scan a disk:
• In My Computer, right click the drive
• From the Shortcut menu, click properties
• In the Properties dialog box, click Tools tab
• Click Check Now button the check options
• Click start
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Scanning a disk
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29. UoN Scanning for viruses
A virus is a malicious program that causes a computer to
malfunction. The three types of malicious programs are the
viruses, Trojans and worms. A computer must be installed
with the latest antivirus program such as Norton, McAfee,
AVG etc.
To scan for viruses:
• In My Computer, right click the drive
• From the Shortcut menu, click Scan With……
• The Scan process is initialized
• Heal, delete or quarantine the infected files.
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Scanning for viruses
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31. UoN Backing up files
Data and should be backed up information stored on the
hard disk regularly.
To backup a disk:
•In My Computer, right click the hard drive
•From the Shortcut menu, click properties
•In the Properties dialog box, click Tools tab
•Click Backup Now.
•The backup wizard guides you through the process.
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Backup wizard
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33. UoN Practical Exercise
Perform the following operations:
2. Format your USB/Flash disk
3. Scan for viruses on the disk
4. Backup some selected files from drive C into a
USB/Flash disk.
END
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