This document provides an overview of basic computer operation, including hardware components, operating systems, common file types and capacities, internet applications, viruses, and installation/reinstallation. It describes the typical parts of a computer including the case, power and reset switches, hard drive, floppy drive, CD/DVD drive, ports, keyboard, mouse, network card, modem, and other components. It also outlines operating systems like Windows, Mac OS, and Linux and defines common terms like RAM, directories, documents, and applications.

1. BASIC COMPUTER
OPERATION

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

3. Computer Hardware
 Case
 Power switch
 Reset switch
 Hard drive
 Floppy
 CD/DVD
 Serial ports
 Parallel port
 USB port
 Keyboard/mouse
 Network card
 Modem
 Sound card
 Video card
 RAM
 Motherboard
 Fan
 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: 160 GB – 2 TB
 CD 700 - 800 MB
 DVD 4.7 GB
18 GB
1 KB = 1024 BYTE
1 MB = 1024 KB
1 GB = 1024 MB
1 TB = 1024 PB
1 PB = 1024 EB

12. CDs, DVDs Backup

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
 Mozilla
 Internet Explorer
http://www.vfu.bg
http: Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
edu: Education (gov, org, com, ...)

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 , Major Competencies
 Basic Computer Operation and Troubleshooting