Basic Computer Components

Computers come in different shapes and sizes. However, there are several parts on
a computer that are universal to all computers.

Hardware vs. Software

Hardware includes the parts of the computer system that you actually can touch
(like the keyboard, mouse, monitor, or CPU).

Software refers to the programs that you use on your computer (like a
word-processing program) or the programs that make your computer work
(you physically cannot touch these). Programs are also called applications.

CPU (Central Processing Unit): This box is the brain of a

computer system. It processes, stores, and communicates
information. Wires connect your CPU to your monitor
and other devices. Computers are somewhat similar to
people. They have memories just like us. The memory on
a computer is stored in data on disks. Disks look like small
heavy old style records. Disks function similarly like
records. As the disk spins inside the computer, the data
on the disk is accessed. The programs that you use (such
as word-processing) and the program that runs your
computer (the operating system) are stored on the CPU’s
hard disk.

Monitor: This part of the computer system visually

communicates with the user. It is somewhat like a
television. Almost all information communicated from
the computer to the user is through the monitor. (The
monitor is also referred to as “the screen”)
On most computer systems, both the CPU
and the monitor have a power switch that
turns them on and off. Most power switches
have this symbol.

Printer: This device takes information

(usually text and pictures) from the computer
and prints it on paper.

Keyboard: The keyboard is an important tool

that allows a user to communicate with the
computer. It is composed of “keys” that send
a signal to the computer that the computer
recognizes and uses to carry out processes
and programs. Keyboards come in various
shapes and sizes, but serve generally the
same purpose. We’ll go over the specific keys
in another part of this guide.

Mouse: Similar to the keyboard, the mouse is

used to communicate with the computer. The
mouse is like a remote control to a TV. It is a
tool that drives the computer. The mouse is
considered as your direct connection into the
computer world. We’ll go over how to use the
mouse later in the guide.
Welcome to the Computer
The first thing to understand is that it’s difficult to “break” a computer. They are
designed to recover from most things a user does to them with a few clicks.

If you experience a problem

that you can’t fix, you can:

 Ignore the problem

 Just turn off the computer
until you can get help

MANY NEW COMPUTER USERS

ARE MORE CONCERNED ABOUT
BREAKING THEIR COMPUTER THAN
IS WARRANTED. So relax!

Computers come in many different

shapes, sizes, colors, and speeds,
but all essentially perform the same tasks. Most computers and mice are very
similar; but sometimes a computer might have an extra button or two.

Also, within a computer, there are many ways to do the same task.

Lastly, the important hint to keep in mind when you’re using a computer is to
be patient. Sometimes the computer has to “think” too!

Keyboard and Mouse

The keyboard and mouse are the two most common ways that users
communicate with a computer – or tell the computer what they want it to do.
First, we’ll look at a keyboard and show you that it’s somewhat like a
typewriter that has some fancy tools to help you more effectively
communicate with the computer. A mouse is a little bit like a television
remote – and also helps you tell the computer what to do.

Keys on the Keyboard

Caps Lock The caps lock key activates a feature that affects only the letter Key
keys. Pressing on the caps lock button causes all letter keys to type in upper-
case. All other keys will act the same as if caps lock is off. To deactivate caps
lock, press the caps lock key again.
Shift Key The shift key is used in combination with a second key. The shift key is
used primarily to capitalize letters. Shift differs from caps lock
because you have to hold the shift key down while simultaneously
pressing another key to capitalize a letter, where you only press the
caps lock key once. Holding down the shift key also is used to type
the characters and symbols above the numbers on the number keys.
Tab Key The tab key is used to move from one position on the screen to
another. It also creates a “tab stop” (right 1/2 inch) indentation for
your paragraphs. This is very similar to a typewriter.
Enter Key When working with text (words), pressing on the enter key moves the
cursor down to the next line. Otherwise, pressing the enter key will
activate anything that you have selected.
Escape Key The escape key is used to cancel the current operation or can be
used to exit a program.
Space Bar Pressing the space bar while the cursor is positioned within text will
cause a space (one character wide) to be placed at the position of
the cursor (like on a typewriter).
 Note:
The Cursor is a
blinking line
when typing a
letter that lets
you know where
you will start
typing. (It moves
as you type and
looks like “|”)

Control The control key (Ctrl) is usually used with another key. Holding the
Key control key in addition to another key or keys will start a function.
Slowly and gradually, you will learn some control key functions
that deal with word processing.
Alt Key The alternate key (Alt), similar to the control key, and is used in
combination with other keys.
Arrow Keys The four arrow keys are located on several keys to the right of the
spacebar at the bottom of the keyboard. Pressing one of these keys
will cause some type of screen movement in the direction of the
arrow on the key. These keys are frequently used when correcting
mistakes in documents and allow users to “go back” and fix mistakes
instead of erasing all of the work since the mistake was made.
Backspace Pressing the backspace key while the cursor is positioned within text
Key will delete the character (or space) immediately to the left of the
cursor.
Delete Key Pressing the delete key while the cursor is positioned within text will
delete the character (or space) immediately to the right of the cursor.

Keyboarding tips:
 When typing, you only have to quickly press the key
to make it appear on the screen. If you hold it down
too long, multiple same letters will appear (rrrr).
 When the caps locks is activated, a light appears
on the keyboard.
 When typing, remember to press on the space bar
after typing each word in a sentence. If you forget,
your sentences will appear as one long word.
Using the Mouse
1. Let your hand rest comfortably on top
of the mouse. Most people are right-
handed and therefore, the mouse is
usually on the right side of the
computer. All left-handed folks don’t
have to worry because millions of
“lefties” use computers. Some left-
handed people simply move the

mouse over to their left side of the computer and use it there. Others use
their right hand and soon become ambidextrous! It’s most important to
remember to “do what’s most comfortable for you!” For teaching
purposes, we will now continue using the right hand terminology.
2. Fit the palm of your hand around the mouse, with your index finger resting
on the left (the primary) mouse button and your middle finger resting on
the right (the secondary) mouse button. Let the heel of your hand rest on
the desk or table.
3. As you move the mouse, the mouse pointer (the cursor on the screen)
will move in the same direction as your hand.

Positions
of hands
on mice
Mouse Tips:
 Pressing the mouse buttons is easy and takes a slight amount of pressure.
 As a beginning computer user, avoid pressing or clicking with the right
mouse button. It’s for additional options that advanced users typically use
and since you don’t need to use it as a beginner - best avoid it for now!

Mouse Cursors
The arrow/cursor/pointer is the visual cue that
points, moves, and selects things on monitor. You can
remember this as your “electronic finger” that points
to things on your computer screen (monitor).

The mouse pointer is somewhat like your virtual finger

inside the computer. It may change shapes as you move it around the screen –
which gives you a visual cue that the function of the pointer has changed.

The mouse pointer is in the shape of an arrow as you point to icons, menu
choices, toolbar buttons, etc.

The mouse pointer will change

to an I-beam shape (cursor)
when it is over text (words). You
can continue to use the mouse
to move the I-beam until it is
positioned at the place where
you would like to work with the
text (e.g. where you would like
to insert a word or letter). Then
click the left mouse button to
actually position the cursor at
that point, and enter the word or letter.
Mouse Techniques
Because the mouse is a critical component of the computer, we’ll examine
some mouse techniques that will be used.

The mouse can be used in many different ways. There are primarily the two
mouse buttons, known as the left and right button. The left button is primarily
used. Some mouse techniques include:

Click: This is the easiest of the techniques, however it is very important that you
do it properly. To click, you press down one of the mouse buttons. As you click it,
it makes a “clicking” noise. The most important skill to learn when clicking is that
it only takes a very light, short tap to click a mouse button. Don’t click the mouse
too hard since this tends to slow you down. Once you have mastered clicking, you
will be ready to move on to the next most essential practice, pointing.

Left Clicking: This is the primary

“click” that you will use. This is
clicking on the left mouse button.
When someone says, “click here,”
that usually means to left click.

Right Clicking: This is used to

change options or perform
specific functions that aren’t
usually necessary for
beginner.

Point: Use the mouse to move the mouse pointer so that it hovers over the top
of an icon or word on the screen. Sometimes, this is all that you need to do in
order to prompt a response from the computer (as an example, the shape of your
cursor may change).

Point and click: Move the mouse pointer over the top of an item (such as an icon)
on your screen and then (while holding your hand still) gently press and release
the left button on the mouse. This technique is often used to make a selection.
Double-click: While hovering the mouse pointer over an item on the screen,
quickly press the left mouse button two times. This may take some practice but it
is a very useful and important skill. If you are having problems double clicking, it’s
most likely because you’re moving the mouse slightly when double clicking. Try to
steady your hand and try it again. By double clicking, you are usually prompting
the computer to take an action on the item you selected (double clicking on an
icon on your computer desktop may open or start a program).

Click and drag: Press and hold down a mouse button (usually the left button). As
you hold down the button, move the mouse in any direction. Click and drag is a
method used when “highlighting” or “selecting” text. To do this to text, click at
the beginning of the text that you want to select, hold down the left mouse
button, and move your mouse to the end of where you want to highlight.

The Right Mouse Button (Uh-Oh!): What happens if you accidentally press the
right mouse button? A menu pops up— and it’s not a problem, but it can make
the computer do something that you don’t expect if you then click on the menu.
For now, avoid “confusing” the computer. If you accidentally right click and open
a box, left click in an open space (see picture) and the box will close.
Windows Basics
The Microsoft Windows Operating System

Microsoft Windows is the operating system that is installed on most computers.

An operating system is the software that runs your computer and makes it think.
Application software (a.k.a. programs) such as a word processing, spreadsheet
programs, or games runs on top of the operating
system. The first screen you see on the monitor when
the computer starts up is called the desktop. It is
sometimes referred to as The Desktop Environment (as a
whole). This is where you will do everything—write
letters, send emails, browse the Internet, and so forth.
The Desktop Environment
The desktop environment is made up of several parts including:

 Desktop Icons
 The Task Bar
 The Clock
 The Start Button

Desktop icons, sometimes called shortcuts, are quick ways to access different
programs. To use shortcut icons on the desktop environment to open programs,
use the mouse to point to the desktop icon that represents the program that
you want to open. Double click on the icon and the program will open or start.

The task bar is the area at the very bottom of the computer screen. You will soon
be able to multitask and do several things at once. The task bar is there to help
you keep things organized and become even more efficient.
 Remember: When
There is a clock that conveniently tells you the time.
double-clicking, do so
quickly or the computer
will get “confused.”
The Start Button
The start button is located on the lower left hand corner of your screen – on the
taskbar. It’s used to access all of the programs on the computer so you can
“start” them.

To use the start menu to open programs:

1. Point and click the mouse pointer at the button at the lower left corner of
the Windows desktop (the screen that appears when you first start up your
computer). This activates a pop-up menu.
2. Slide the mouse pointer up the menu to Programs. The menu selection will
be highlighted in blue and a sub-menu will be activated.
3. Slide the mouse pointer straight to the right onto the sub-menu.
4. Slide the pointer straight up or down to highlight the program group that
you would like to use and then click on the program you want to open.
Turning the Computer On and Off
On a desktop computer, there will be a button to turn on the computer. Similarly,
there will usually be a button on the monitor to turn on the monitor. These buttons
are usually on the front of the computer and the monitor. The computer goes
through a number of internal tasks when starting up. It may take a few minutes for
it to complete these tasks. Patience, as you will learn, is used a lot when working
with a computer. After the computer stops making what almost sounds like a
grinding noise (this is normal – it’s the hard drive being accessed) and the picture on
the screen stops changing, it is probably ready for you to use!

Turning a computer off takes more practice. You should follow the procedure
below that allows the computer to properly store files. Avoid unplugging the
computer or holding down the power button, unless the computer freezes.

1. Click on the start button at the bottom left of the

screen.
2. From the start menu choose Shut down.
3. In the dialog box that opens,
select Shut down (if it isn't
already pre-selected).
4. Click on the OK button.
5. Wait until the monitor turns
black and the computer is no
longer making a humming noise.
Lastly, turn off the computer
monitor by pressing the power
button on the monitor.
Remember: You will not
see anything on the Important: Shutting down
monitor screen unless both sometimes takes a long time.
the computer and the
monitor are turned on.
To Open Notepad
1. First click start
2. Move up to Programs
3. Go to Accessories
4. Click Notepad

How to switch between

applications using the
minimize feature and the
Taskbar.
You can open more than one
program at a time on your
computer. This is called
The minimize button is on the left.
Click on this button to cause the
window to become a button on the bar.
multitasking. There is a simple
and easy way to organize all the
tasks (or all of the programs that
are running). There are basically four different buttons that you’ll use to organize tasks.
The first button is the programs’ buttons is on the taskbar. The Taskbar, again, is all the
way at the bottom of your screen. It usually is grey, but it can also be blue, green, red,
and almost any other color you want it to be.

The maximize/restore button is the middle button. This button actually toggles
between two different buttons. Click on the maximize button to make the
window its largest size. Click on the restore button to return the window to its
original (medium) size.
The close button is on the right. Click on this button to close the window.
This closes whatever program or document was in the window!
Notice how the
“Calculator” program is in
focus. You can tell because
it has a blue title bar while
the “Notepad” program is
unfocused because it is
grayish. Also, in the
taskbar, the program in
focus always has its button
pressed inward.

Multitasking Exercise
1. First open a program
(try notepad). Notice
how the name of the
program is displayed in
a button on the taskbar.
(This is true for most
programs, however
certain programs
(commonly intense full-
screen games) will take
up the entire screen and
hide the taskbar.

2. Next press the minimize

button at the top. See
how the program
disappears on your screen, but its button with its name is still in the taskbar.

3. Now open another program (try calculator). Minimize that program also. See
how it also is still in the Taskbar. The Taskbar always shows you what you have
 opened, even if you have minimized it and it is no longer on the screen. You
can open as many programs as you want. To make the program reappear, left
click its name and it will pop up.

4. Try clicking on the other program on the taskbar. See how that program comes
up too (probably over the other one). Now click on the other program’s
window. It will come to the front. When you are done with a task/program,
just simply click on the “X” button and it will close.

Using Scroll Bars

The screen may have as many as two scroll bars available. The scroll bars allow
you to bring new information into view on the screen. The scroll bars have a
black arrow at each end and a square or rectangle in the area between the
two arrows. The vertical scroll bar is located on the right edge of the screen.
The horizontal scroll bar is located toward the bottom of the screen.

Use the vertical scrollbar to:

 Move up or down a line at a

time (or a small distance), click
once on the up or down arrow.
 Move up or down several lines
at a time, click and hold the
up or down arrow.
 Move up or down a portion of
the screen, click and drag the
scroll box (the square or
rectangle in the middle of the
arrows) up or down.
 Move up or down a screen at a
time, click in the light gray area
above or below the scroll box.
To use the horizontal scrollbar to:

 Move left or right a small distance, click once on the left or right arrow.
 Scroll left or right a larger distance, click and hold the left or right arrow.
 Move left or right a portion of the screen, click and drag the scroll box left
or right.
 Move left or right a screen at a time, click to the left or right of the scroll
box.

“Pull Down” Menus

“Pull Down” Menus are in many different applications. They offer a neat,
organized way to perform functions. Inside the “Pull Down” Menu, there are
different features and functions that can be accessed, depending on the type of
program that you are using. “Pull Down” Menus are grouped by categories,
depending on their function. Most
programs have certain categories
such as “File,” “Edit,” and “Help.”
The File “Pull Down” Menu provides
features that deal with the program
and how it operates. As an example,
in Notepad, you can save a
document, open a file, print a
document or exit Notepad by using
“Pull Down” menu.

The Edit “Pull Down” Menu allows

one to modify text, find objects and
words, and so on. Select the Help “Pull Down” Menu provides help when you
have questions, whether it’s in a manual, strategy guide, troubleshooting tips, a
wizard, or any other application.
To operate a “Pull Down” Menu, just left click the name of the menu, for
instance, File, and then click on the entry that you desire on the list and the
operation will be executed, or carried out.
Troubleshooting is a wonderful process, similar to problem solving. You hear it often with
computer problems. Essentially, you are looking at all the common problems and trying to find
a simple solution.

A wizard is a step by step program that guides you through another program that is more
complicated. There are wizards to help install programs on your computer, because it is very
difficult to do so “manually.” Other wizards include wizards for making cards, making letters,
and organizing data.

Working With Text

Working with text is also known as word processing. Word processors include
Microsoft Word, WordPerfect, Microsoft Works, Word Pad, and Notepad. Word
processors work nearly the same as a typewriter. The flexibility of a word
processor is its true value. With a typewriter, if you make an error on a
document, you would probably
need to retype the entire paper or
use the special white tape. Using
word processor, you can add,
remove, and replace text
anywhere without needing to
retype anything. The word
processor will automatically space
and format your paper. You can
make multiple copies of a paper
without needing to go to a copier.

In a word processor, when the

mouse pointer is within text, the
pointer will be in the shape of an I-beam. When you click the mouse to position
the cursor in the text, the cursor will change to a blinking vertical bar that
indicates the insertion point.
Inserting Text
Use the mouse or arrow keys to place the insertion point within the text at the
point where the text is to be inserted.

Type the desired text.

Printing
Often, you might want a printed version (a hard copy) of your letter or document
to take with you. Most word processing programs make it easy to print.

First, make sure you have a printer hooked up. If you don’t have a printer, ask a
trusted technology-savvy person to help you get one.

To print an open file using printing

options:

1. From the FILE menu, choose PRINT.

2. In the dialog box that opens

(similar to the one on the right),
select the printing options that
you want to apply.

3. Click on the OK button (or Cancel

button if you are not ready to
print).

To print an open file using DEFAULT printing options, most programs include a
Print button on the toolbar. It may look something like this: . (In most
programs, using the toolbar Print button will automatically print all of the pages
of the file).

The End
 Practical
Overview of the Basic Components of computer (monitor/display, computer case,
CD/DVD ROM, keyboard, mouse, speaker etc.)
How to turn a computer on and off
Desktop properties
How to change or set computer brightness
How to make, rename and hide a folder
Copy, cut, paste, delete options
How to restore a deleted file from Recycle bin.
Basic Window instructions (title bar, menu bar, tool bar, horizontal/vertical scroll
bar, status bar, minimize, maximize/resize, close button, resize corner etc.)
Overview of Task bar (start button, quick launch bar, tray, clock etc.)
Overview of the Start menu
Control Panel (mouse properties, date & time, display, add or remove user
account etc.)
Paint program
Working with Note Pad leading to Word Pad
How to save and save as a file, their difference
Introduction of the Keyboard (function keys, typing/alpha numeric keys, numeric
keypad, arrow/cursor keys. Some basic & important shortcut keys e.g. Ctrl + C, Ctrl
+ V, Ctrl + X, Alt + F4 etc.)
Partition of drives through windows/ allocating space from one to another drive
Extending the capacity of RAM without any cost/ by plugging USB
How to fix windows password when forgotten
How to change the typing from English to Urdu. (introducing Pakurdu installer)
Developing typing skill by any typing program e.g. typing master etc.
How to set password for a file by WinRAR archiver
Important CMD commands
Important keyboard shortcuts