TUJIFUNZE KOMPYUTA

JIFUNZE KOMPYUTA KUPITIA MTANDAO WETU

........................................................................................................................................................

CHAPTER ONE

                                                INTRODUCTION

This manual with familiarize you with what a Personal Computer is.  Nearly everyone has a rough idea of what a computer is. In scholarly terms. It is simply a device that accepts data a user, performs arithmetic or logical operations that manipulate or change the data, and finally produces new results from that data. It also stores the data instructions used in processing and also the information produced.¹

According to this definition, there are many types of computer. The most common three types are:

- The mainframe computer,

- The mini-computer and

- The microcomputer, respectively as their size, power and capacity decreases. However, the portables (Laptop, Notebooks and Palmtops) are becoming more common.

In most information technology relevant areas, the microcomputer is a powerful enough tool to automate the required tasks. It has therefore developed into what we now call the Personal Computer (PC), because it s the computer that you and I will think of buying for our own personal needs. Due to recent technological advices, especially in the are of processing capability, these personal computers have become powerful enough even for the information processing needs of the average organization.

The following sections will therefore be devoted mainly to providing a basic understanding of the features available in today’s personal computer.

1.1  OBJECTIVE OF THE COURSE.

• Allow you to familiarize yourself with the fascinating World of Computer Screen Information Technology.
• Provide an orientation to the concept of personal computing.
• Enable you to acquire hands on experience and easily navigate the Windows Screen.

1.2  COMPUTER HARDWARE AND SOFTWARE.

A computer system comprises three distinct elements, hardware, software and users.

1. Hardware simply refers to the tangible of physical parts of a computer, which you can see or touch. They include:²

-    Input devices – which provide a means for the entry of the user’s data into the system.

-    The Central Processing Unit – which works on the input data according to use specifications.

-    Output devices – which provide a channel through which processed data can reach to the user and

- Backing storage device – which are used to store the resultant data in an electronic format, which is more durable, cheep and efficient than paper storage.

2. Software, on the other hand, refers to instructions that tell the computer hardware what to do. They are evidently of various kinds and levels. We have.

- The Operating System, e.g. Windows 2000, which manages the computer hardware for other applications programs and interacts directly with the computer. The Operating System is specific to the computer.

- The Utility Software that assists the Operating System in file management tasks. Such include antivirus software, disk-scan and editors.

- Application packages such as text processors, spreadsheets, graphics software, database management software, etc.

3. User ware (also known as the Human Resource or Org ware) are the people who work with computer – Computer Programmers. System Analysts. Computer Managers and other users. User ware also includes Polices, Rules and Standards adhered to in the organization.

1.3  ORIENTATION TO PERSONAL COMPUTER

Personal computers are simply the computers you find yourself working with most of the time. They normally consist of a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Screen (VDU) and a keyboard. In addition, most personal computer systems will include a mouse for easier data input . a printer is also a necessity where you need to print the output. Also, one must have some forms of backing storage for permanent storage of electronic files. This will normally be by means of a hard disk (include the CPU) and/ or Floppy Disks (used in conjunction with a diskette drive)

The computer in front of you is a Personal Computer. This means that it is suitable for you personal needs. All the information you need can be accessed this medium. It will be the object of our next lessons.

1.4  ORIENTATION TO THE CONCEPT OF NETWORKING

Personal computers have one disadvantage: you use the to effectively share you data or your system resources with other users.  For any use to utilities your personal computer, he/ she must use your computer personally. However, in many organizational settings, one piece of data is used by very many persons, e.g. by several cashiers, an accountant and a manager.

To share such data, one must connect his computers by means of special computer cables called network cables. By using the right software. One can get information to flow from one computer to the other and can thus allow what is stored in one computer to be accessed by several people

Resources such as printers, which are expensive, can also shared, which means that you need have much fewer printers than you would otherwise have had.

1.5  COMPUTER VIRUSES AND SECURITY ISSUES

In IT, security in one key issues that all users must familiarize themselves with. This is because there is an increasingly greater danger of your data being accessed without authorization or being damaged, either voluntarily or by mistake.⁴

1.5.1        WHAT IS VIRUSES?

Computer Viruses are simply errant software codes whose function is to make your work difficult or impossible. Most Viruses are written intentionally. They can damage your work, delete it, or simply make it difficult for you to do your ordinary processing tasks. In extreme cases, they can destroy all the data in your hard disk. Viruses get transmitted through networks or use of already infected diskettes.

Infected files must be isolated and disinfected. You should, as a standard security measure, have an antivirus utility installed in all computers you use. This utility should be frequently update to counter recent viruses in the open. It can also be a idea to install a TSR (Terminate and Stay Resident program to guard your computer from viruses. Such TSR programs include V shield and Win Guard.

1.5.2        HOW DO YOU MAKE YOUR WORK SECURE?

Many people have learnt the hard way that is pays authenticate users in their systems. You must ensure that sensitive work is not exposed to casual users of your system. Just in the same that you would use locks and keys in your office, you must learn to use passwords and user verification techniques in computing. 

.....................................................................................................................

CHAPTER: 2

THE WINDOWS 2000 ENVIRONMENT

           

This chapter introduces you to the Windows 2000 Environment. It shows you how to start Windows 2000 and helps you make your way through the desktop features.

2.1              STARTING WINDOWS 2000

Windows 2000 is a Graphical user Interface (GUI). This means that it shows you what you want to see by using many graphical devices such as icons and menus. In addition, it is an operating system and it can therefore manage information for you.

In the next few pagers, you shall learn how to make you way with ease through the Windows 2000 desktop.

2.1.1        WHAT IS AN OPERATING SYSTEM

Windows 2000, unlike lower versions of the Microsoft family, is a complete Operating System. This means that it is intelligent enough to provide instructions to the hardware, which can be used to allow you to carry out and information processing tasks. As you shall know, all application software runs on the Operating System platform, which acts as an intermediary between the other software and the tangible parts of the computer. Thus for instance what your application program wants to retrieve some data from the Computer’s storage device, it must provide an instruction of the Operating System which than translates that message into Computer Language that the hardware can implement.

An Operating System is not only a platform on which other programs run. It also provides the Computer user with various facilities that automate commonly done tasks, such as changing the directory structure of your machine adding new directories/ folders renaming the folders, etc.

2.1.2        TO START WINDOWS 2000

In this activity, you will start the Windows 2000 Operating System

·        Rename any CD or Floppy Disks from the Computer’s Floppy disk drives and CD room drives. 

·        Turn on the Computer (and the screen if necessary). Pay close attention to the Computer screen as Windows 2000 initializes the hardware on your computer. The first task of an Operating system is to set up the platform on which other programs will operate. It will detect any items of hardware connected to your Computer, such as the type screen, the size of hard disk, the presence of keyboard, etc.

·        Observe carefully the appearance of the computer screen. After a few seconds, you’ll see the Windows 2000 start-up logo. There will be some more action on your screen. Windows 2000 is loading onto your RAM (random Access Memory)

The Windows sign on dialog box may appear, and task to type in your user name and password. 

·        Enter your username and a password. The password should be easily to remember.

At the some time, it should be different for others to guess.

It will protect your working on the desktop and will save desktop settings so that they appear on future Windows 2000 working sessions. Then click Ok (by positioning the mouse printer above the Ok button and then clicking the left mouse button) or press Enter. 

Your desktop will appear more or less as follows (Graphical)

The main features on the Windows 2000 desktop are: -

(a)    The desktop. It is your overall work-area while in Windows. It is called the Desktop because Windows uses and organizers the screen area in the same way you would use and organize your work desk. The Windows desktop contains various elements or items that you can manipulate

(b)   Screen Icon. They are small symbols with names under tem. Icon are used to represent folders, documents and programs when not currently open running. The motif chosen for each screen icon is designed to provide a suitable idea of what it represents.

(c)    Minimized Windows. They are rectangular boxes that are shown on the Task Bar. They represent open programs whose Windows have been reduced to the bare minimum.

(d)   Folders. They are directories that are used to store your documents. Each program stores into fits and documents in different directories. Folders appear your desktop easer to handle. In the windows 2000 start-up screen, folders appear as graphical icons. To open a folder one double-clicks on it. An open folder appears as a window with the contents displayed therein.

(e)    The Task Bar. It is normally found at the button of the screen. It indicates the current status of your desktop. It is certain essential features, the start Button and the click (on the extreme right of the task Bar).

(f)     The start Button. It is an important feature of the windows 2000 desktop. It gives the user access to a hierarchical menu that can be used to start.

(g)    The Indicator Bar. It displays the time of the system click. Right clicking on this clock allows you to change the time setting of your Computer.

2.2              WORKING WITH WINDOWS

Each screen icon hides some program files or documents. We will begin by viewing the contents of the “My Computer’ icon currently on the top left of your screen.

2.2.1        TO OPEN A WINDOW

To view the contents of the My Computer icon, you can:

Double-click on the My Computer icon         or

·        Right-click on the My Computer icon, a pull-down menu appears.

·        Then click on the Open menu option. A Window will appear on your screen.

(a)    Control Button

(b)   Window Name

(c)    Menu Bar

(d)   Title Bar

(e)    Minimize Button

(f)     Maximize Button

(g)    Close Button

(h)    Window border

(i)      Vertical Scroll Bar

(j)     Status Bar

(a)    Control Button. It is a small icon found on the top-left side of a title bar. It is two functions

1 – It opens the control Menu when clicked once. The control Menu lets you control the size and positioning of your Window or close the Window.

2 – When you double click it, it automatically closes the window (terminating the program or closing the document).

(b)   Window Name. It is the name of the folder or application that is currently open. It is found on the title bar.

(c)    Menu bar. It is a row of words that appears just below the title. (It appears only on application Windows). If you click on one of the option on the menu bar, called a menu name, a menu opens up, displaying a series of options that you can choose from.  

(d)   Title Bar. It is found topmost of any window. It contains the Window name.

(e)    Minimize, Maximize and close Buttons. They are small buttons at the right and of the title bar, which are used to change the size of your active desktop window.

(f)     Window border. The farthest extent of the Window. It can be manually dragged and used to resize the active window.

(g)    Scroll bars. They allow you to view more of your active window that is not currently captured on screen.

(h)    Status Bar. It contains some instant status details for the particular application.

2.2.2        TO SIZE WINDOW

You can work with multiple windows open on your desktop. This makes it easy to switch from one application to another or to perform operations between different applications.

Perform the following operations:

·        Click on the Minimize button on the ‘My Computer’ icon.

The window will be minimized into a rectangular bar on the taskbar.

·        Now click on the minimized My Computer window on the taskbar. The window will be restored on the screen. Alternatively, you can restore the screen by right clicking the Minimized Window to bring up the Control Menu and then selecting Restore as appropriate.

·        Now maximize the screen by clicking on the Maximize Button. The window will now fill the entire screen. A Restore button will now replace the Maximize button on the top right on the screen.

·        Click on the Restore button to restore the window to its original size.

Finally, click on the Close button to close the application.

Re-open the ‘My Computer’ folder and repeat the above operations using the Control Menu. 

Note: Begin to click the control button on the top-left of your active window access the Control Menu. When the window is minimized, you can access the control menu using the right mouse button.

·        To manually adjust the Normal size of your active window:

1 – Position the mouse pointer any where on the border you want to adjust.

      It will change shape into a double-ended arrow.

2 – Click and drag the mouse to size the screen to the extent that you want.

2.2.3        TO SCROLL THROUGH A WINDOW

To do this exercise, open the ‘My Computer’ icon by double clicking on it. Us the techniques you have I cant to adjust the size of your window so that only a few if the icons under it can seen on the screen if a window open on the desktop is too small to display its contents, then a scroll bar will appear. This may be a vertical or horizontal scroll bar, as shown below in the two sample windows.

You will now carry out some scrolling operations:

·        Click on the scroll button on the Vertical Scroll Bar and pan the active window downward to see the other contents of the window. Scroll the window in all directions using the buttons on the vertical and horizontal scroll bars.

·        Click and drag the scroll Box to repeat the above operation. (Using the scroll Box is a much faster operation when the window has several contents).

Click within the vertical Bar on either side of the Scroll box. Each click scrolls the window up or down a bit.

2.3              WORKING WITH MENUS

Menus are one of the interesting features of windows 2000. They are very easy to work with. All you do is click on the menu item you want to expand and a pop up menu appears. You repeat this procedure until you get to the pop up menu you want. You click on it and will out which operation it is meant to.

2.3.1        THE MENU

The Start Menu is accessed by clicking on the Start Button at the button right of your taskbar. It gives you access to the applications, documents and control settings of your computer.

Click on the Start Button it will reveal a hierarchical menu cascading sub menus as follows:

Under the start Button are various sub items:

a)      PROGRAMS it lists all the installed application in your computer. To run an application, simply click the program you want to run. As you should be able to see on your desktop, programs are indicated by having their corresponding icons beside them.

b)      DOCUMENTS it lists the most recently used you have stored in your ‘My Document’ directory.

c)      SETTINGS this option allows you to automatically install at start-up, etc.

d)      FIND it allows searching for any file that is stored in your computer.

e)      HELP it takes you to windows Help File that can provide you with instructions on how to handle common windows procedures.

f)        RUN you can also turn applications by entering their full directory structure and filename!

g)      SHUTDOWN it allows you to shut down your computer safely without losing any changes you have made to your documents or you desktop. You should always Shutdown Windows 2000 prior to switching off your computer.

2.3.2        THE CONTEXT (SHORTCUT MENU)

This menu item is a powerful tool in carrying out most of windows commands. It is a context sensitive menu (which means the sub menu items are click on it using the right mouse button.

·        Select the ‘My Computer’ icon. Then right click on it to see what displayed on the Shortcut menu is.

·        Now try to get the Shortcut menu of the taskbar.

Include: In cases where clicking on an object will not only activate that object but will perform a different operation. (E.g. just open a menu list), after simply move your mouse pointer to that mouse pointer and without selecting it, right click on the object.

·        Also active the shortcut menu of the Start Button; This shortcut menu can be used to do a quick search of your computer for a required file.

2.4              THE MOUSE AND ITS SETTINGS

The mouse is one of the highly used input devices of Windows 2000. it allows real time interaction between you and what is on your desktop. You can also customize it to satisfy your personal requirements.

2.4.1        TO CUSTOMIZE YOUR MOUSE

·        From the Start Menu, select settings – Control Panel

·        Click on the Mouse icon in the Window that appears.

·        The current (default) settings of your buttons will be displayed. These settings will be ideal for a right-handed person. If you want to change your settings to suit the needs of a left handed person, click on the left-hand check box on the right side of the screen. 

You will notice that in Windows 2000, we have a drop-down menu from where you select the action you want the computer to perform. Other option in the include Log Off (your name) i.e. the person who currently logged onto the computer, the Restart option that does exactly that-restart the computer Click Ok when the pop-up window above appear

Reminder: The option Restart is useful if you want to start again your computer, such as when you want to reinitialize the memory configuration. The option Restart in MS DOS mode is beneficial for those ld guards who would rather work in the DOS environment that they are familiar with from previous versions of MS DOS. 

..............................................................................................................................................................

CHAPTER: 3

THE DESKTOP

This chapter introduces you to the windows 2000 desktop and to some of its most common features explain the features of Windows 2000 better, it will be appropriate to start with a short explanation of the basic organization of files and folders in your computer.

3.1              WHAT EXACTLY ARE FILES AND FOLDERS?

There are various kinds of files: Document files and Program files.

·        DOCUMENT FILES are simply electronic documents that you create to store information. They are created when you run any application, and are therefore of different types: text files, picture files, data files etc. most application gives their files specific extensions, e.g. ’text’ ‘etc.

·        PROGRAM FILES on the other hand are the files that contain information that will enable your application to run.

All these files are stored on your computer’s backing storage device. However, if were all just dumped there without any organization, accessing your work would become a lengthy procedure. The operating system therefore organized them into different directories or folders. Each folder now store only specific information. In addition, one may further organize each folder into successive sub-folder it access your work your will therefore need to know which folder and subfolder it falls into. Windows 2000 provides you with a utility that allows you to gain access into each and all parts of your computer. This s the ‘My Computer’ icon which is found on the top left of your desktop.

3.2              THE “MY COMPUTER’ FOLDER

My Computer provides quick access to all the resources on your PC including your disk drives, your printers and remote disks mapped to your PC. My Computer also allows you to manage your files and folders. We shall now explore the features of the ‘My Computer’ folder.

3.2.1        TO ACCESS APPLICATION AND FILES

Open the ‘My Computer’ folder (by double clicking on it). Maximize the ‘My Computer’ window to make work easier.

..............................................................................................................................

CHAPTER: 4

RUNNING A PROGRAM

You have now familiarized yourself with the windows 2000 environment. In this chapter, we are going to get down to business by running the application programs that rely on the Windows 2000 Operating system.

4.1              USING HELP

One of the most useful features of Windows 2000 its Help facilities. This facility allows you to troubleshoot for any difficulties or problems that you find on your desktop without needing to have an expert around. In the next activity, we are going to learn how to use the Help facility.

4.1.1        TO RUN HELP

In this activity, we will use Help to learn how to determine how much space in on disk.

·        From the Start Menu select Help

·        Select the Index Tab

·        Type the first few letters of the words “available disk space” in the text box provided

·        Click the index entry you want and read about how to find out how much space you have your diskette

·        Carry out the instruction you have read about

4.1.2        EXERCISE

Use Help to find how to personalize your Windows environment.

4.2              CREATE A DOCUMENT BY USING A WORDPAD

You have already learnt how to create a document by using the Notepad. Now we will create a text document by using the WordPad application, which has better text editing features.

4.2.1        CREATE A WORDPAD DOCUMENT

·        Open the Start Menu. Select Programs-Accessories – WordPad as appropriate. The WordPad application should appear.

.............................................................................................................................

  

INPORTANT NOTE

1)      New

2)      Open

3)      Save

4)      Print Preview

5)      Print

6)      Find

7)      Cut

8)      Copy

9)      Paste

10)  Undo

11)  Date/ Time

12)  Bold

13)  Italic

14)  Underline

15)  Align left

16)  Centre

17)  Align Right

18)  Justify