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Basic Hardware Components
INPUT/OUTPUT
No matter how powerful the components inside your computer are, you need a
way to interact with them. This interaction is called input/output (I/O).
The most common types of I/O in PCs are:
- Monitor - The monitor is the primary device for displaying
information from the computer.
- Keyboard - The keyboard is the primary device for entering
information into the computer.
- Mouse - The mouse is the primary device for navigating and
interacting with the computer
- Removable storage - Removable storage devices allow you to add new
information to your computer very easily, as well as save information that you
want to carry to a different location.
- Floppy disk - The most common form of removable storage, floppy disks
are extremely inexpensive and easy to save information to.
- CD-ROM - CD-ROM (compact disc, read-only memory) is a popular form of
distribution of commercial software. Many systems now offer CD-R
(recordable) and CD-RW (rewritable), which can also record.
- Flash memory - Based on a type of ROM called electrically erasable
programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), Flash memory provides fast,
permanent storage. CompactFlash, SmartMedia and PCMCIA cards are all types
of Flash memory.
- DVD-ROM - DVD-ROM (digital versatile disc, read-only memory) is similar
to CD-ROM but is capable of holding much more information
PORTS
- Parallel - This port is commonly used to connect a printer.
- Serial - This port is typically used to connect an external
modem or in old PC's a mouse.
- Universal Serial Bus (USB) - Quickly becoming the most popular external
connection, USB ports offer power and versatility and are incredibly easy to
use.
- FireWire (IEEE 1394) - FireWire is a very popular method of connecting
digital-video devices, such as camcorders or digital cameras, to your
computer.
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Resource
Centre
LAN
Setup
LAN Setup
The Resource center uses a 5-port 10/100 Mbps Ethernet
switch to link the workstations.
The three workstations use Windows XP home operating system, and all the user's
have accounts on each of the workstations. One of the computers will act as a
"dummy server" to store files. A shared folder called 'CENTRAL FILES'
has been created on the Celeron computer
to store files that user's want accessed over the network or backed up. Under
this folder a sub directory for each user has been created. You will notice a
subdirectory called EMAIL has been created under each user's name. This folder
will be used to store email messages for each user. This arrangement will enable
users to access files or emails messages from any work station.
We are using a windows workgroup and the name of the workgroup is kristus_png.
Each of the the workstation will have a unique name (identifier). The naming
convention used will be the order in which they where bought, so the HP computer
will be kristus_01, the next computer bought after that will be kristus_02 etc...
A sticker will be placed in front of each work station identifying the
computer's name.
Internet Access
The Internet access is through a dial-up service to the
ISP, Datec (PNG). All three computers have internal modems, However the
one closest to the phone line will share its modem so that others can connect to
the internet using Internet Connection Sharing (ICS).
To connect to a shared modem the host computer must be put on first (logical, it
has to be on to share its modem). The person using the host computer must not
switch the computer off if others are using the internet. This computer is also
the one that stores the shared folder for other user's.
There are several ways
to connect to the web using dial-up connections.
The picture
below shows how you can connect to the Web using Dial-up modem.
- Click
Start
- Connect to
- Select
Datec (PNG) Ltd. This is the connection name
Note: If you
had more than one dial-up connection you would see a list, and you
would
select the appropriate one for
you.
If you didn’t
see step 2 above, you would proceed as follows:
- Click
Start button
- My Network
places
- View
Network connections
-
Double-click on Datec(PNG) Ltd
Note: The
show all connections lets you see all your connections including Local Area
Network (LAN) connections.
Each work station has a 600VA Un-interruptible Power
Supply Unit (UPS). This UPS should only cater for one computer and its
peripherals, meaning you shouldn't connect two computers from one 600VA UPS
unit.
In the event of a power cut, save your work and shut the workstation
immediately. It may take up to 30 minutes for the UPS to shut down after the mains
is shut, depending on the battery level of the UPS at the time of Power
cut.
Icons
Icons are small images displayed on the screen to
represent an object, that can be manipulated by a user by clicking on the icon
and right-clicking.
Icons provide a convenient way for the user to control certain computer actions
without having to remember commands or type them at the keyboard.
Status Bar
A line of information related to the current program. The status bar is usually
located at the bottom of a window. Not all windows have a status bar. A status
bar for Microsoft word is shown below.
Task Bar
The task bar contains the Start button and appears by default at the bottom
of the desktop. You can click the taskbar buttons to switch between programs.
You can also hide the taskbar, move it to the sides or top of the desktop, and
customize it in other ways.
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Use Of
the Start Button
The start button
When application programs are installed an Icon may be
placed on the desktop. To access the installed program you double-click that
icon to invoke the program.
However, almost all the programs installed can be accessed by following these
steps
- Click on the Start button of the task bar
- All programs
- Select the program you want to use from the list
My Documents
A folder that provides you with a convenient place to
store documents, graphics, or other files you want to access quickly. When you
save a file in a program such as Microsoft Word or Excel, the file is
automatically saved in My Documents, unless you choose a different folder.
My Recent Documents shows you the most recent files you opened. A
convenient way to retrieve recently opened files. Some applications will also
show the most recently opened documents usually from the File menu of the
application for example in Microsoft word .
My Computer shows the various drives or network drives you have on your
system.
To see the properties of a particular drive
- Right-click the drive
- Click properties
You will see details like the file system, and the amount
of disk space you have left on that system.
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Windows Explorer
File Organization
Files can be placed in folders similar to the way single
sheets of paper can be placed into folders in a file cabinet. Folders can be
created on the hard drive or nested inside each other any way the computer user
desires. Give meaningful folder or directory names to store your files. For
instance to store personal files, you would create a folder called folder
"PERSONAL".
Copying or Moving Files
You can copy, move, delete or do other operations with in
the windows explorer.
To copy a file
- Locate the folder were source file is located
- Right-click the source file
- Select Copy
- Go to the destination folder
- Right-click inside the folder and select paste
If a file of the same type and name exists, you will be warned if you want to
overwrite that file.
Similar steps can be followed for moving a file, but
instead of doing the copy function, you do a cut and paste.
Finding Files with Search
If you don't know where your files are located you can do a search within
windows explorer.
- Click the Magnifying glass icon
- Select All files and folders
- Give partial or full name of the file. For instance,
say you called a file "Time table for Computer Usage", and you
can't remember the exact name when you are searching. You could just type
"Time table". The computer will search and return any file name
that contains "Time table". Other names containing "Time
table" will be returned including "Time table for computer
usage"
If you know some of the words or phrases in the file you are looking for
include those.
To speed up search you could also select the Look in option if you
know where your files are located.
The results will be returned as the search
continues so that you can stop the search when your file is found.
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