Introduction to Computers

Prepared for HEART/NTA

Junction, St. Elizabeth
By: S. Butler
Equipment is powered up correctly
 Starting the Computer
❑ Initiating the computer system is also known as
“Booting Up.”
✔ Cold Boot
✔ Warm Boot
❑ First, make sure everything appears in order
⚫ No loose wires
⚫ Keyboard and mouse clear of obstructions.
 Starting the Computer Cont’d
❑ Second, Turn on System Unit
n
Power Butto

❑ Third, Turn on Monitor

Power Button
 Starting Windows XP on the desktop
Computer
✔ Windows XP automatically starts when you turn on
your computer.
✔ You will see this message.

✔ Hit the CTRL, ALT and DEL keys together

 Logging In
⚫ You will be asked to enter your username and password

jstudent
Welcome99
STUDENT-HEART

⚫ For the Lab the user name is – jstudent

⚫ The password is Welcome99
 The Windows XP Desktop
❖ You will now see the Windows Desktop.
 Shutting Down Windows XP
⚫ You should always shut down Windows XP
before you turn off your computer
⚫ The Log Off option on the Start menu logs you
off of Windows XP but leaves the computer on
⚫ To shut down Windows XP:
Click the Start button
Click Turn Off Computer
Click the Turn Off button
INTERFACE
 Interface
The means by which the
user and a computer
system interact, in
particular the use of input
devices and software.
 Graphical User Interface
A visual way of interacting with a computer using
items
such as windows icons, and menus, used by most
modern
operating systems.
 Menu Driven
A menu-driven interface lists menu choices
that a user can select to navigate from one
place to
another within a website or software
program.
 Command-line interface
⚫ A command line interface is a program that accepts
text (input) in order to execute operating system
functions.
Today, with graphical user interfaces (GUI), most users
never use command-line interfaces (CLI). However, CLI
is still used by software developers and system
administrators to configure computers, install software,
and access features that are not available in the graphical
interface.
 Software

System Software
 What is a Software
A
software
is a set of There
instruction are two
s that tells System Application
the
types of Software Software
computer Softwar
how to e:
work or
operate.
Types of System Software
❖ Operating Systems
❖ Utilities
❖ Application platforms
❖ End user applications
What is the operating system
The Operating system provides the main
interface between the user and the
computer.
⚫ It enables users to
⚫ Run programs
⚫ Store and retrieve files of information
⚫ Manage hardware devices
Internal
Peripheral
 Types of Operating System
⚫ Windows
⚫ Mac
⚫ Unix
⚫ Linux
 Multi Tasking Operating Systems
⚫ A Multitasking Operating System is
required to:
⚫ Manage job scheduling
⚫ Make sure programs does not interfere
with each other
⚫ Share resources, printers plotters etc.
 Multi-tasking
❑ As computers have increased in speed it became
possible, and necessary, for the OS to handle
several jobs (tasks) at once.

❑ This is multitasking, and is archived by directing

the CPU to perform small parts of larger jobs in a
rapid sequence.

❑ When the CPU is waiting for input for one job it

can perform operations for another job.
 Utilities
⚫ Working closely with the Operating
System are Utility programs.
⚫ These are programs that are used to
“look after” the system.
⚫ They do not perform “end-user” tasks,
such as word processing or accounting.
Examples of Utilities
❑ Anti virus programs
❑ Anti spam, spy ware programs
❑ System maintenance tools
⚫ Install hardware and software
⚫ Disk cleanup, defrag
❑ Copying and backup tools
 System Utilities
⚫ System utilities are used to manage
the Operating system, hardware and
software.
⚫ As a system is used the disk can
accumulate unwanted files, and
become “fragmented.”
⚫ Files and disks need to be backed up.
⚫ Security settings need to be
configured
Windows System Utilities
 Software Cont'd

Application
Software
Application Programs/Software
⚫ Application program or application
software is a computer program
designed to help people perform an
activity.
Examples of Application Software
Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word,
Microsoft PowerPoint.
Internet browsers: Firefox, Safari, and
Chrome.
End User Applications
• A program that is written to perform a
specific task is often referred to as an
“End-User” application.
• This means that the user is actually
using the software to carry out his
business, or operations
• The software specifically designed for
this task and cannot be used for any
other purpose.
End User Application Examples
• Project Management
• Payroll system
• Point of sale (POS)
• Automated teller machine (ATM)
• Airline or hotel reservation system
• Computer aided manufacturing/design
(CAD/CAM)
 Computer Memory

Computer memory is any

physical device capable of storing
information temporarily or
permanently.
Memory vs. Storage
The computer uses different types of
memory to manage its various
operations; however, there is a
distinction between memory and
storage.
Memory-refers to data stored in the form
of electronic chips while, Storage
refers to memory on tapes or disk
ROM and RAM
There is one major difference between a ROM and a
RAM
chip. A ROM chip is non-volatile storage and does not
require
a constant source of power to retain information stored
on it.
When power is lost or turned off, a ROM chip will keep
the
information stored on it. In contrast, a RAM chip
is volatile and requires a constant source of power to
retain
information. When power is lost or turned off, a RAM
chip will