Introduction to Windows PC Components

Introduction to windows
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What is computer?
A computer is an electronic device, which accepts input, manipulate the inputs and generate
meaningful output, or a computer is an electronic machine that is fed with data or information,
processes or works on the data, and give out information. The data or information fed into the
computer is referred to as the input, and the result or information is the output. The data is
handled in the computer by a combination of systems that either process it directly or serve as
accompanying storage systems. A computer can store vast amounts of information, which could
fill thousands of pages, and can find any of that information in fractions of a second. It can
perform calculations that would take a person weeks or even years to do. But, unlike a person it
cannot think for itself, it has to be told what to do. This is done by giving the computer a list of
instructions called a program.
Basic computer
A basic computer consists of three major components:
o CPU (Central Processing Unit)
o IO (Input/Output)
o Memory
Data comes through input and the CPU process the data based on a program which is in memory.
The result returned to memory or is presented to the user.
Basic computer
The computer is ensemble of different machines that you will be using to get your job done. A
computer is primarily made of the Central Processing Unit (usually referred to as the computer),
INPUT CPU OUTPUT
STORAGE

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the Monitor, the Keyboard, and the Mouse. Other pieces of hardware, commonly referred to as
peripherals, can enhance or improve your experience with the computer.
Types of computers
There are three (3) types of computer namely:
o Digital Computer
o Analogue Computer (Analog)
o Hybrid Computer
Digital Computer
A digital computer is designed to solve mathematical problems or to count precisely. An
example is a money – counting machine, a calculator etc.
Analogue Computer
An analogue computer is designed to, or measure quantities such as speed, pressure, temperature,
voltage etc an e.g. is an automobile speedometer.
Hybrid Computer
A Hybrid computer is designed to perform the functions of both Analogue computer and Digital
computer an example is a Personal Computer (PC).
Classes of computer
Computers can be generally classified by size and power as follows, though there is considerable
overlap:
Supercomput
ers
Minicomput
ers
MainframesWorkstationsPersonal Computers
Least powerful Most powerful

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 Personal computer:
Personal computer can support only one monitor, keyboard and other peripherals at a
time. It is designed for independent use and has a low storage capacity and a low
processing speed as compared to the other classes
Workstation:
A powerful, single-user computer. A workstation is like a personal computer, but it has a
more powerful microprocessor and, in general, a higher-quality monitor.
 Minicomputer:
Minicomputers are smaller in size as compared to mainframe computer. It has a large
storage capacity and a high processing speed. It can also support more than one printer
and monitor and other peripherals at a time.
A multi-user computer capable of supporting up to hundreds of users simultaneously.
 Mainframe:
Mainframe Computers are the largest computer. It also has a very large storage capacity
and a high processing speed. It can support two or more monitors, keyboards and other
peripherals at a time. It can also process numerous programs concurrently and can be
used by many people at a time.
.
 Supercomputer:
Super Computers are the most powerful computers. It has a very high processing speed
and storage capacity. It is usually used by large organization for research purposes like
oil exploration and weather forecasting.
Personal computer
It can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive computer designed for an individual user.
Businesses use personal computers for word processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for
running spreadsheet and database management applications. At home, the most popular use for

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personal computers is for playing games and recently for surfing the Internet.
Personal computers first appeared in the late 1970s. One of the first and most popular personal
computers was the Apple II, introduced in 1977 by Apple Computer. During the late 1970s and
early 1980s, new models and competing operating systems seemed to appear daily. Then, in
1981, IBM entered the fray with its first personal computer, known as the IBM PC. The IBM PC
quickly became the personal computer of choice, and most other personal computer
manufacturers fell by the wayside. P.C. is short for personal computer or IBM PC. However, in
recent years, the term PC has become more and more difficult to pin down. In general, though, it
applies to any personal computer based on an Intel microprocessor, or on an Intel-compatible
microprocessor. For nearly every other component, including the operating system, there are
several options, all of which fall under the rubric of PC
Personal Computer Types
Actual personal computers can be generally classified by size and chassis / case. The chassis or
case is the metal frame that serves as the structural support for electronic components. Every
computer system requires at least one chassis to house the circuit boards and wiring. The chassis
also contains slots for expansion boards. If you want to insert more boards than there are slots,
you will need an expansion chassis, which provides additional slots. There are two basic flavors
of chassis designs–desktop models and tower models–but there are many variations on these two
basic types. Then come the portable computers that are computers small enough to carry.
Portable computers include notebook and subnotebook computers, hand-held computers,
palmtops, and PDAs.
Tower model
The term refers to a computer in which the power supply, motherboard, and mass storage devices
are stacked on top of each other in a cabinet. This is in contrast to desktop models, in which
these components are housed in a more compact box. The main advantage of tower models is
that there are fewer space constraints, which makes installation of additional storage devices
easier.

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Desktop model
A computer designed to fit comfortably on top of a desk, typically with the monitor sitting on top
of the computer. Desktop model computers are broad and low, whereas tower model computers
are narrow and tall. Because of their shape, desktop model computers are generally limited to
three internal mass storage devices. Desktop models designed to be very small are sometimes
referred to as slimline models.
Parts of a personal computer
Main hardware parts of a personal computer
Your PC (Personal Computer) is a system, consisting of many components. Some of those
components, like Windows XP, and all your other programs, are software. The stuff you can
actually see and touch, and would likely break if you threw it out a fifth-story window, is
hardware.
Not everybody has exactly the same hardware. But those of you who have a desktop system, like
the example shown above, probably have most of the components shown above. Those of you
with notebook computers probably have most of the same components. Only in your case the
components are all integrated into a single book-sized portable unit.
Monitor
Keyboard
System Unit
Mouse

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But there are four (4) main hardware components of a personal computer are as follows:
 Mouse
 Keyboard
 Monitor
 System Unit
Mouse
A mouse is a hand-held device that controls the movement of a pointer on your screen. You use
your mouse to perform task on your computer. As you move the mouse, a mouse pointer moves
on your screen. When you position the pointer over an object, you can press (click or double-
click) the mouse button performs different action on the object. For example, you can Click to
select files, Double-click to open and Click-and Drag to move files. In fact, you‘ll probably use
your mouse for most tasks. The pointer usually appears as an arrow. But it can change shape
depending on where it finds itself.
Parts of a mouse
Plastic Case (Body)
Primary Button
(Left)
Cord
PS/2 Mouth
Secondary Button
(Right)

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Mouse Pad
The mouse pad put a stop to dirt from getting the mouse ball and enables the mouse ball to move
without stinting
Mouse Pointer
An icon, typically an arrow that appears on your screen and is controlled by the movement of the
mouse. You use the mouse pointer to work with Menus, Icons, Links and other screen objects.
Action of the mouse
1) Pointing
2) Clicking
3) Double Clicking
4) Dragging
5) Right Clicking
6) Right Dragging
The following sections explain the actions you can perform with your mouse.
Pointing
You perform most of the tasks on you computer by pointing at an object on your screen, and then
clicking a mouse button. To point to an object, move the mouse until the tip of the mouse pointer
is over the item or area you want.
Clicking
Press and release the left mouse button once.
Double Clicking
Quickly press and release the left mouse button twice.

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Dragging
This is done by pressing and holding down the left mouse button as you move the mouse and this
reposition an icon or highlight or select a text or picture.
Right Clicking
Press and release the right mouse button once. A shortcut menu appears.
Right Dragging
Right-drag: Point to an item, then hold down the right mouse button as you move the mouse. To
drop the item, release the right mouse button.
Holding a mouse
Before you can hold a mouse you need to memorize the name of each of your fingers. All your
fingers have their various names just like how all human beings have their various names. The
names of your fingers are as follow:
1) Thumb finger
2) Index finger
3) Middle finger
4) Ring finger
5) Little finger
Thumb fingerIndex finger
Ring finger
Little finger
Middle finger

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Keyboard
The keyboard is the primary input device for entering data and executing commands. Most of the
keys on the keyboard are laid out like the keys on a typewriter. But there are some special keys
like Esc (Escape), Ctrl (Control), and Alt (Alternate). Computer keyboard vary in design, but all
have the same type of keys.
Types of keyboard
There are two (2) types of computer keyboards namely:
1) Standard Keyboard
2) Multimedia Keyboard
Standard Keyboard (QWERTY)
A standard computer keyboard is called a QWERTY keyboard because of the layout of its typing
area. This keyboard is named after the first six leftmost letters on the top alphabetic line of the
keyboard. A QWERTY keyboard might limit your typing speed.

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Multimedia Keyboard
A multimedia keyboard is designed to make it one-touch simple for the user to access often-used
programs. There are special keys used to access the Internet, music, and other frequently used
programs such as email. A typical multimedia keyboard contains buttons that control various
computer processes, such as turning on the computer's power, putting the CPU to sleep, and
waking it up again. Multimedia keyboards come in various connection formats, including PS/2,
USB, and wireless. Depending on the manufacturer
Parts of a keyboard

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Function Key
Along the top of your keyboard is a row of keys numbered F1 to F10 or F12. Even though you
may never use them, they do have function. In fact, the F stands for Function and they are called
Function keys.
Below is a list of what each key does. After the list is a trick that you can use Function keys for.
Most of the items on the list below apply only to Windows and Windows' programs, especially
Windows
Some programs have their own set of functions that they have assigned to the Function keys.
You can find these in the menu of the program. The menu items which are assigned a function
key have the corresponding function key designated after the item name. If you press that
function key, you can perform that function without using the menu or buttons. The program's
help or manual should also tell which functions are assigned to the function keys. You might
want to try each one of these as you read through them.
Function Keys for Windows
* F1 – Opens Help for the currently displayed program (this does not work on all programs).
* Windows Logo key and F1 – Opens Windows' Help.
* F2 – Highlights the name of a selected object for renaming in Windows Explorer, desktop, and
some other Windows' programs. First, you need to select an item that can be renamed (like, a file
or shortcut). After pressing F2, you can then type what you want to rename the object to.
* F3 – Brings up Search in Windows Explorer.
* F4 – Drops down the Address bar in Internet Explorer showing your previous locations. This
allows you to scroll down and select one.
* Alt and F4 – Closes the currently displayed program.
* F5 – Refreshes the view in Windows Explorer, Internet Explorer (in other words, it looks at the
source again and reloads the contents), and other programs. In MailWasher it checks the mail
(which I guess would be a kind of refresh).
* F6 – moves the cursor around the structure of a program. Pressing it may cycle you from
window to window or from place to place within the program. In Windows Explorer it moves
you from the left pane to the right pane and back. This is similar to what the Tab key does.

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* Alt and F6 – Switches between multiple windows in the same program (for example, when the
Notepad Find dialog box is displayed, ALT+F6 switches between the Find dialog box and the
main Notepad window).
* F7 – does not have any functionality in Windows. It may be used in individual programs.
* F8 – accesses Safe Mode if pressed at the right time while the computer is starting. Safe Mode
is a trouble-shooting mode, which will start the computer with minimal drivers.
* F9 – does not have any functionality in Windows. It may be used in individual programs.
* F10 – Changes the focus to and from the menu. Pressing the Alt key will also do this. Once the
focus is on the menu items, you can use the arrow keys to navigate to an item and the Enter key
to select it.
* Shift and F10 – brings up the popup menu in Windows Explorer much like right clicking on
an item does.
* F11 – Switches between regular screen mode and full screen mode. Full screen mode is like a
maximized screen but with more screen space and less toolbar controls
* F12 – does not have any functionality in Windows. It may be used in individual programs. E.g.
in MS Word F12 is for Save As.
You may have noticed that some of the Function keys are not used (F7, F9, F12) in Windows.
That doesn't mean that they can't be used. You can assign them or any other key combination to
quickly run programs that you frequently use. Here are instructions for doing that.
Locate the shortcut of that program. The Start menu is a good place to find shortcuts
(every icon in the Start menu is a shortcut). If the program doesn't have a shortcut, create
one.
Right click on the shortcut and select the Properties item from the popup menu.
The Properties dialog will open. Go to the Shortcut tab.
Monitor
This is a display unit. It helps you to view the content of the System Unit. Monitor look like a
television screen. Both a television and a monitor contain a Cathode Ray Tube, and work in a
similar way. The image or picture quality is measured in term of the resolution of the screen.

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The computer communicates to the user through the monitor. It also displays instructions sent to
the computer by the user as well as results/information sent from the computer back to the user,
relays programme message to the user.
Types of monitor
There are two (2) main type of monitor. These are:
Cathode Ray Tube
The CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) monitor. This is of various screen sizes which ranges from 14–
inch to 21–inch
Liquid Crystal Display
The LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). This is also called Flat screen. It has the following
advantages over the CRT:
Takes up less space
Lighter in weight
Uses less power
System Unit
The system unit contain all the components that makeup the computer. E.g. Hard Disk, Memory,
Processor, CD Rom, Motherboard, Floppy Drive and so on. A system unit, also known as a base
unit, is the main body of a desktop computer, typically consisting of a plastic enclosure
Liquid Crystal Display Monitor

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containing the motherboard, power supply, cooling fans, memory models and expansion cards
that are plugged into the motherboard, such as video and network cards
Component of the system unit
All the components below are found inside the system unit
System Unit Inside System Unit
CD-ROM Drive
Memory CPU Heat Sink
Cooling Fan
Ribbon Cable
Power Supply
Cmos Battery
Hard Disk

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Motherboard
The motherboard is the main circuit board inside your PC. Every components at some point
communicates through the motherboard, either by directly plugging into it or by communicating
through one of the motherboards ports. The motherboard is one big communication highway. Its
purpose inside your PC is to provide a platform for all the other components and peripherals to
talk to each other.
Ribbon cable
These are the common ribbon cables used internally in a PC to connect hard disk, CD and
floppy. For external connections, round-shaped cables are preferred over ribbon ones.
Master
Slave
Motherboard or IDE
Controller Card
Motherboard

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Cmos battery
This is a tiny device on the motherboard but able to create a computer system to run smoothly.
CMOS battery is a battery that is located on the motherboard body, such as a battery of your
general battery watch, but has a wider dimension.
Cmos battery is entitled to keep the computer date and time up till date.
Central processing unit (CPU)
A computer CPU is the brain that runs a computer. CPU (Central Processing Unit) is the core
chip to a computer. It is the processing unit of a computer. It performs the actual processing of
data to information which is then outputted to the user.
Another name for a CPU is Processor
Cmos Battery
Central Processing Unit

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Cooling fan
The process of removing excess heat from the processor. Computer components - especially the
CPU - produce a ton of heat. CPU overheating: left alone, your CPU will quickly burn itself out,
causing a lot of heartache, and costing you a lot of money.
The cooling fan produces air to cool the heat sink so it can absorb more heat from the processor
(CPU)
Hard disk
The hard disk or hard drive is the main primarily storage location for the computer system that
stores all your data and files. The hard drive is sometimes referred to as the "C drive" due to the
fact that Microsoft Windows assigns the "C" drive letter to the primary partition on the primary
hard drive in a computer by default.
Hard Disk
Cooling Fan

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CD-ROM Drive
A drive that is connected to a computer and on which a CD-ROM can be ‗played‘ (computer
science) a device that writes data onto or reads data from a storage medium
Floppy disk drive
Place to insert floppy disk (removable plastic information storage disk) This is the smaller drive
that takes those little plastic square shaped disks. They are rarely used now as they are no longer
needed for a boot disk if you have a cd rom or DVD burner. In fact most new computers are sold
without a floppy disk drive as they are obsolete (out of date).
Floppy diskette
A floppy disk is a disk storage medium composed of a disk of thin and flexible magnetic storage
medium, sealed in a rectangular plastic carrier lined with fabric that removes dust particles. They
are read and written by a floppy disk drive (FDD). This is also a magnetic disc with a microfilm
and capable of storing information depending on the density. It is slotted into the diskette drive
(Drive A: B:) computer to access the information stored on it.
DVD Multi Recorder Drive
CD-ROM Drive
Inside Floppy Disk Drive
Floppy Disk Drive

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Types of floppy diskette
There are two (2) types of floppy diskette as follow:
 3½ floppy diskette
 5¼ floppy diskette
3½ floppy diskette
This is also a magnetic disc with a microfilm and capable of
storing information depending on the density. It is slotted
into the diskette drive (Drive A:) computer to access the
information stored on it. Despite their small size,
microfloppies have a larger storage capacity than their
cousins -- from 400K to 1.4MB of data. The most common
sizes for PCs are 720K (double-density) and 1.44MB (high-
density). Macintoshes support disks of 400K, 800K, and
1.2MB.
5¼ floppy diskette
This is also a magnetic disc with a microfilm and capable
of storing information depending on the density. It is
slotted into the diskette drive (Drive B:) computer to
access the information stored on it. This type of floppy is
generally capable of storing between 100K and 1.2MB
(megabytes) of data. The most common sizes are 360K
and 1.2MB.
3½ Floppy Diskette
5¼ floppy diskette

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Memory
The computer memory is a temporary storage area. It holds the data and instructions that the
Central Processing Unit (CPU) needs. Before a program can be run, the program is loaded from
some storage medium into the memory. This allows the CPU direct access to the program.
Memory is a necessity for any computer.
Types of memory
There are two (2) main types of computer memory as follow:
 Read Only Memory (ROM)
 Random Access Memory (RAM)
Read only memory (ROM)
This is the permanent memory which is used to store important control programs and systems
software to perform a variety of functions, such as booting up or starting up programs. ROM is
non-volatile. That means the contents are not lost when the power is switched off. Its contents
are permanently written at the time of manufacture.
Random Access Memory
Read Only Memory
Read Only Memory

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Random Access Memory (RAM)
RAM is used as the working memory of a computer system. It stores input data, intermediate
results, programs, and other information temporarily. It can be read and written. It is volatile, that
is all data will be erased when the power is turned off.
Power supply (Power Pack)
A power supply is the main power component of the computer system unit that supplies
electrical energy to other component in the system unit.
Video card (VGA)
The video card is responsible for what you see on the monitor. If you like playing graphic-
intense games on the computer, a good video card is important to you. The main function of the
video card is to generate and output images to the computer screen. Better graphics card equals
better performance when playing games or working on a high resolution monitor.
Random Access Memory
Powersupply
Inside Power supply

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Screw hole: The small hole where a screw attaches the video card to the computer case.
Monitor port: Where the monitor cable plugs in.
Metal bracket: The metal piece attached to a video card that contains the monitor port and
screw hole.
Gold contacts: The part of the video card that actually connects to the motherboard and gets
inserted into the slot.
Video cards
Peripheral devices
Peripheral devices are other parts of the computer, with or without them the computer can
function. Peripheral devices are the computer devices that are connected to the computer
externally such as printer, scanner, projector, light pen, tape device, microphone and external
modem. Peripheral devices can be classified according to their functions
Printer
Scanner
Microphone Sound
Speakers
Plotter
AGP Video Card
PCI Express Video Card
PCI Video Card

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Printer
This device is used to print a report or hardcopy, after data or information has been processes.
Printers are designed to print in any colour, but some, just one colour i.e. Black. A print out from
the printer is term as hardcopy.
Scanner
A scanner is a device that is able to transfer images or pictures in to the computer to be store,
such images or pictures are usually not found in the computer; thus the need to be scan.
Web Cam Projector
Light pen Wireless Router
HP Laser Jet 2055
Prints only black
Canon Selphy DS810
Prints any colour
HP Scanjet 3670
HP Scanjet 4370

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Input devices
Input devices are the type of the computer devices that are used to provide the control signals to
the computer. Keyboard and the Mouse are the examples of the input devices
Light pen
The light pen consists of a highest-sensitive pen-like device that enters commands into a special
display screen when the users touches the screen with the pen
Output devices
Output devices are the devices that are used to display the results. Printer, scanner, speaker and
the monitor are the examples of the output devices.
Microphone
Keyboard
Mouse
Scanner Web Cam
Light Pen
Light Pen

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Plotter
A plotter is an output device used to produce a hardcopy. By using line drawings to form an
image on a paper. Plotters were the first type of printer that could print with colour and render
graphics and full-size engineering drawing. But plotters are much more expensive than printers.
Projector
A Projector is an output device that project and display video, images or computer data on a
screen or other flat form.
Monitor Plotter
Projector
Sound Speaker
Printer
Plotter
Projector

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Sound speaker
Sound Speakers enable the computer user (liveware) to hear sound that is been played inside the
computer externally.
Input/output devices
Alternatively referred to as a IO device, an input/output device is a hardware device that
accepts inputted information and also has the capability of outputting that information.
Sound card
A sound card also known as an audio card is an internal computer expansion card that facilitates
the input and output of audio signals to and from a computer
Sound Speaker
Touch Screen
Network Card
Photocopier
Wireless Card
Sound Care Modem
Wireless Router
Sound Care

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Touch Screen
A touch screen is a special type of computer display screen
that allows commands to be entered by the user's touching by
the screen boxes on the screen display choices available to
the user. Touch screens are generally used in the locations
such as airports and hotels to display certain type of menu.
Storage devices
A storage device is a device that is used to store the information such as hard disk drive, flash
drive, floppy disk and the tape drive.
Touch Screen
Hard Disk Secure Digital
Card
Pen Drive Floppy Diskette
Digital Versatile Disc
or
Digital Video Disc
Blu-ray Disc
Zip disk
Compact Disc
PC Card
Secure Digital
Card

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Hard Disk
A hard disk drive (HDD; also hard drive or hard disk) is a non-volatile, random access digital
magnetic data storage device.
Blu-ray DVD
Blu-ray Disc (official abbreviation BD) is an optical disc storage medium designed to supersede
the DVD format. The plastic disc is 120 mm in diameter and 1.2 mm thick, the same size as
DVDs and CDs. Blu-ray Discs contain 25 GB (23.31 GiB) per layer, with dual layer discs (50
GB) being the norm for feature-length video discs. Triple layer discs (100 GB) and quadruple
layers (128 GB) are available for BD-XL Blu-ray re-writer drives
Zip Drive
A zip disk is a computer hardware device that stores data. A zip disk drive is somewhat like
floppy disk drive, only that the size of disks inserted into the devices are different. Where a
normal floppy disk can hold about 1.44 megabytes of data, a zip disk can hold around 100
megabytes of data.
LG-XD4-External-Hard-Disk
This new Hard Disk Drive is said to
have a unique cooling system to make
sure these mini HDD dont get over
heated and create problems which can
range upto data loss. One of the most
important feature of these hard disks is
that they are going to feature a one
button back-up feature which can help
you in saving all the information of
your computer super quickly and
restore the same easily. These drives
are going to be available in 500Gb,
750Gb & 1Tb models
MDT Hard Disk Drive
Philips Double Layer 50GB

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User Interface
User interface is the space where interaction between the user and the computer occurs.
Types of user interface
There are two types of user interfaces between a computer application and the user. They are:
 Graphical User Interface (GUI)
 Character User Interface (CUI) or Command Line Interface (CLI)
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Graphical User Interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with the
computer, using icons, windows and menus, with the help of a pointing device, such as a mouse.
In GUI more task can run simultaneously very user friendly interface.
Application: Windows
Character User Interface
Character user interface is a type of user interface that allows users to interact with the computer,
using codes (text), with the help of a keyboard. In CUI one task run at a time. Anther name for
Character user interface is Command Line Interface (CLI)
Application: MS Dos

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Booting
Computer geeks won‘t tell you to start your computer; the‘ll tell you to boot it. However, this
doesn‘t mean you should punt your monitor across the room. The term booting come form the
phrase ―pulling oneself up by one‘s won bootstraps,‖ which refers to the fact that your computer
can load everything it needs to operate properly without any help from the likes of you and me.
Booting is the process of starting the computer. When you boot a computer it check all it
components to make sure that all are function in other before it take you to the desktop.
Types of booting
There are two types of booting namely:
o Cool Booting
o Warm Booting
 Cool booting is the process of putting the switch of the system unit and the monitor on.
 Warm booting is the process of restarting the compute
Process of booting
In computing, booting (also known as booting up) is a process that starts operating systems
when the user turns on a computer system. A boot sequence is the initial set of operations that
System
unit
Power
Monitor
Power
Switch

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the computer performs when power is switched on. The boot loader typically loads the main
operating system for the computer.
Desktop
The Desktop is a graphical user interface which serves as a communication link between the
computer and the user (live ware). Desktop environments are the most popular alternative to the
older command-line interface (CLI) which today is generally limited in use to computer
professionals. A desktop environment typically consists of icons, windows, toolbars, folders,
wallpapers, and desktop widgets.
After you start window, the first thing you see is the desktop. Think of the desktop as your
personalized workspace. Several icons, or small pictures, are located on the left side of your
desktop. Each icon represents an object, such as a folder or a program. Depending on how your
computer is set up, your icons may be different from those in the illustration.
Information about computer Checking components Type of operating system
Welcome Screen Desktop

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Active Desktop
A feature you use to make web pages your desktop wallpaper.
To start a program
Click Start, and then click the program you want to open. To open a program you do not
see on the Start menu, point to All Programs, and then navigate through the menus to
the program you want and click it. When you open the program, Windows automatically
displays it on the Start menu.
After you start a program, a button representing the program appears on the taskbar. To
switch from one running program to another, click its taskbar button.
If a program does not appear on the Start menu or one of its submenus, you can perform
a search for it.
Background of the Desktop
1) Open the Display properties dialog box.
2) Right click on your Desktop, choose properties
3) In Desktop tab, click the background you want to use or click browse to choose a
background of your choice.
4) Click Apply to see the changes before you close the dialog box, or click OK to accept the
changes.
Monitor displays
1) Open the Display properties dialog box
2) Right click on your Desktop, choose properties
3) In the Settings tab, go to Color quality.
4) In the Color quality, lick the number of colors that you want your monitor to display.
5) Click Apply to see the changes or OK to accept the changes.

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Screen area
2) Right click on your Desktop, choose properties.
3) In the Setting tab, go to Screen Resolution.
4) In the Screen Resolution area, click the desktop size.
5) Click Apply to see the changes or Ok to accept the changes.
Change Desktop items look
2) Right click on your Desktop, choose properties.
3) In the Appearance tab, go to Windows and buttons choose a style of your choice, go to
Color Scheme choose a color scheme of your choice and go to Font Size and choose a
font size of your choice.
4) If you want to change the appearance of only one screen element, on Advanced click that
element in item, and then change the Size and Color for the item and it Font.
Visual setting for your desktop
2) Right click on your Desktop, choose Properties.
3) In the Appearance tab, click on Effects a dialog box pop up.
4) Choose the effects you want.
5) Click Apply to see the changes or OK to accept the changes.
Default desktop icon
1) Open the Display properties dialog box
2) Right click on your Desktop, choose Properties.
3) In the Desktop tab, click Customize Desktop a dialog box pop up.
4) On the General tab, choose a desktop icon and click on Change icon and pick an
icon for the item.
5) Click Apply to see the changes

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6) Now click on the Restore Default.
The Task Bar
This shows the name of the Application, Document, Directory and filename. If more than one
window is open, the window that we are working with (Active Window) has a color or intensity
different from the other title bar.
Windows 95 Taskbar
Windows Me Taskbar
Windows XP Taskbar
Windows Vista Taskbar
The taskbar is the long horizontal bar at the bottom of your screen. Unlike the desktop, which
can get obscured by the windows on top of it, the taskbar is visible almost all the time. It has
four main sections:
 The Start button, which opens the Start menu. See The Start menu (overview)
 The Quick Launch toolbar, which lets you start programs with one click.
 The middle section, which shows you which programs and documents you have open
and allows you to quickly switch between them.

35
 The notification area, which includes a clock and icons (small pictures) that
communicate the status of certain programs and computer settings.
Setting Taskbar Options
Like everything else in Windows XP, you can customize the taskbar to your liking. To do so,
right-click the Start button and choose Properties. In the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties
dialog box that opens, click on the Taskbar tab. As shown below.
Lock the taskbar: If selected, hides all sizing handles on the taskbar so you can't
accidentally move or resize it (as discussed below).

36
Auto-hide the taskbar: If you select this option, the taskbar will be hidden most of
the time so as to not take up any space on the screen. To make it visible, move the mouse
pointer to the very bottom of your screen.
Keep the taskbar on top of other windows: If selected, makes sure the
taskbar is visible at all times, even when large maximized program windows are covering
the rest of the screen.
Group similar taskbar buttons: If selected, allows multiple taskbar buttons to
collapse into a single button so the buttons don't become too small to see on the taskbar.
Show Quick Launch: If selected, displayed the optional Quick Launch toolbar to the
right of the Start button.
You'll find articles on the Quick Launch toolbar and Notification area after you finish this article
and click Back to return to the precious page.
Moving and Sizing the Taskbar
Windows XP is very flexible. You can size, color, and position anything to your liking. But you
can only move and size things on the taskbar when the taskbar is unlocked. In addition to the
option shown back in Figure 3, you can quickly lock, or unlock the taskbar at any time by right-
clicking the current time in the lower right corner of your screen and choosing Lock the
Taskbar from the shortcut menu that appears. You can tell when the taskbar is unlocked,
because sizing handles are invisible, and Lock the Taskbar on the shortcut menu isn't checked,

37
When the taskbar is locked, the sizing handles aren't visible, and the Lock the Taskbar option on
the shortcut menu is selected (checked), as in Figure 5.
It's best to keep the taskbar locked when you're not intentionally trying to move or size it. That
way, you won't accidentally move or size the taskbar while you're whipping around the screen
with the mouse pointer. But just so you know, when the taskbar is unlocked, you can change its
height as follows:
1. Move the mouse pointer to the thin bar that appears along the top strip of the taskbar,
until the mouse pointer turns to a two-headed arrow.
2. Hold down the left mouse button and drag that top edge up or down until the taskbar is
the width you want, then release the mouse button.
Tip: If the taskbar seems "stuck" between double-height, and no
height, drag one of the dotted vertical sizing handles up to the row
above it. Then drag the top edge of the taskbar down a notch.
To move the entire unlocked taskbar to another edge of the screen, move the mouse pointer to
some empty spot on the taskbar (not on a button or icon). Then hold down the left mouse button,

38
drag the taskbar to any edge of the screen, and release the mouse button. Figure 6 shows
examples of sizing and moving an unlocked taskbar.
The taskbar is located at the bottom of your screen. You're likely to use the middle section of the
taskbar the most, so we'll discuss that first.
Functions/features of the Taskbar
 Keep track of your windows
 Minimize and restore windows
 How the taskbar groups similar items
 See previews of your open windows
 The Quick Launch toolbar
 The notification area
 Customize the taskbar

39
Keep track of your windows
If you open more than one program or document at a time, you can quickly start piling up
windows on your desktop. Because windows often cover each other or take up the whole screen,
it's sometimes hard to see what else is underneath or remember what you've already opened.
That's where the taskbar comes in handy. Whenever you open a program, folder, or document,
Windows creates a button on the taskbar corresponding to that item. The button shows the icon
and name of the item. In the picture below, two programs are open—Calculator and
Minesweeper—and each has its own button on the taskbar.
Minimize and restore windows
When a window is active (its taskbar button appears pressed down), clicking its taskbar button
minimizes the window. That means that the window disappears from the desktop. Minimizing a
window doesn't close it or delete its contents—it merely removes it from the desktop
temporarily. In the picture below, Calculator has been minimized, but not closed. You can tell
it's still running because it has a button on the taskbar.

40
You can also minimize a window by clicking the Minimize button, in the upper-right corner of
the window.
To restore a minimized window (make it show up again on the desktop), click its taskbar button.
How the taskbar groups similar items
As you open more windows, you'll see existing taskbar buttons shrink in width to let new buttons
squeeze in. However, if the taskbar becomes too crowded with buttons, then the buttons for the
same program will be grouped into a single button.
To see how this works, suppose you have many folders open on the desktop. If the taskbar has
enough room, it displays the folders as separate buttons:

41
But if you have many programs and documents open, the taskbar collapses these four buttons
into a single button that shows the name of the group (folders) and the number of items in the
group (4). Clicking the button displays a menu listing the folders in the group, as shown above.
Clicking one of the items in the menu activates its window so you can see it. To close all of the
items in the group, right-click the group's taskbar button, and then click Close Group
See previews of your open windows
When you move your mouse pointer to a taskbar button, a small picture appears that shows you a
miniature version of the corresponding window. This preview, also called a thumbnail, is
especially useful if you can't identify a window by its title alone. And if one of your windows has
video or animation playing, you'll see it playing in the preview.
Pointing to a window's taskbar button displays a preview of the window. When you point to a
grouped taskbar button, you'll see a stack of previews, but only the topmost preview will be
visible.

42
Note: Taskbar window previews won't work unless your computer is running Windows Aero,
the premium visual experience of Windows Vista. Aero is not available in
Windows Vista Starter or Windows Vista Home Basic.
The Quick Launch toolbar
To the immediate right of the Start button is the Quick Launch toolbar. As its name implies, it
lets you launch (start) programs with a single click. For example, click the Internet Explorer icon
to start Internet Explorer. The Quick Launch toolbar sits to the right of the Start button
You can customize the Quick Launch toolbar by adding your favorite programs to it. Locate the
program in the Start menu, right-click it, and then click Add to Quick Launch. (If you don't see
this option, you can also drag the program's icon to the Quick Launch toolbar.) The program's
icon now appears in the toolbar. To remove an icon from the Quick Launch toolbar, right-click
it, click Delete, and then click Yes.
By default, the Quick Launch toolbar also contains two special buttons. Click the Show Desktop
button to temporarily hide all open windows and show the desktop; click the button again to
show all windows again. Click the Switch between windows button to switch between open
windows using Windows Flip 3D.
If your computer isn't running Windows Aero, clicking the Switch between windows button
won't open Flip 3D. Instead, you'll see the same window as you would if you pressed ALT+TAB
on your keyboard.
If you don't see icons that you've added to the Quick Launch toolbar, and you see double
chevrons instead, it means that the icons won't fit in the toolbar. You can click the double
chevrons to access the hidden toolbar programs, but it's better to resize the toolbar to preserve
one-click access to them.

43
To resize the Quick Launch toolbar
 Right-click an empty area of the taskbar, and then click Lock the Taskbar to clear
the check mark and unlock the taskbar.
 Move the toolbar sizing handle to the right until you see all of your icons.
 Drag the handle to resize the Quick Launch toolbar
The notification area
The notification area, on the far right side of the taskbar, includes a clock and a group of icons. It
looks like this:
These icons communicate the status of something on your computer or provide access to certain
settings. The set of icons you see depends on which programs or services you have installed and
how your computer manufacturer set up your computer.
When you move your pointer to a particular icon, you will see that icon's name or the status of a
setting. For example, pointing to the volume icon shows the current volume level of your
computer. Pointing to the network icon displays information about whether you are connected to
a network, the connection speed, and the signal strength.
Double-clicking an icon in the notification area usually opens the program or setting associated
with it. For example, double-clicking the volume icon opens the volume controls. Double-
clicking the network icon opens Network and Sharing Center.
Occasionally, an icon in the notification area will display a small pop-up window (called a
notification) to notify you about something. For example, after adding a new hardware device to
your computer, you might see this:

44
Click the Close button in the upper-right corner of the notification to dismiss it. If you don't do
anything, the notification will fade away on its own after a few seconds.
To reduce clutter, Windows hides icons in the notification area when you haven't used them in a
while. If icons become hidden, click the Show hidden icons button to temporarily display the
hidden icons.
In Windows, what is the Start menu?
The Start menu is a feature of Windows 95, 98, Me, NT, 2000, and XP that provides a quick
way to perform many common tasks, such as launching programs or using control panels. The
Start menu appears when you click the Start button, which is located at one end of the
Taskbar, typically at the lower left corner of the desktop.
Note: The Windows XP default desktop view and Start menu are different from the Windows
Classic View (e.g., in Windows 2000). Therefore, navigating to certain items can be different. In
the interest of broad applicability, most Knowledge Base instructions assume you are using
Classic View.
The Start menu includes options for:
Running programs, either by selecting from a menu (which you can customize) or
by entering text in a dialog box
Accessing recently used documents
Accessing control panels
Finding files, folders, or computers
Getting help
Shutting down or logging out of the computer

Introduction to Windows PC Components

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