Introduction to Computers I

A presentation of the

Elmhurst Public Library

What are we going to learn in this class?

• The basic parts of a computer

• How to use the keyboard and mouse

• What is Windows?

• Understanding software and file icons

• How to turn the computer off and on, and sign in at the library

The basic parts of a computer

• Every computer has at least 5 important parts:

The monitor

The CPU

The storage device (on the CPU)

The keyboard

The mouse

Using the mouse• Your mouse moves an

arrow around on the screen. The mouse also has 2 buttons and a wheel.

• The left button lets you “click” on something specific.

• The right button has special uses for experienced users.

• The wheel is used for scrolling up and down.

The Start Menu

• Always in the lower left-hand corner of your screen

• You can do almost everything from here

• Turns the computer off…see the “Shut Down” button?

What is Windows?

• A computer “thinks” in 1s and 0s (called code).• “Windows” is an operating system. Think of operating

systems as translators. They translate computer code into words we can understand.

• Instead of using only words, Windows often uses pictures (usually called icons). These icons can represent software or files. Here are some examples of icons:

The Windows XP Desktop• Icon for the

Internet

• Icons for programs

• Folder icons

• Start button

• The taskbar

Using the mouse, continued

• To do a lot of things in Windows, you also have to know how to double-click.

• To double-click, rapidly press the left mouse button twice with your finger.

• Hint- when you double-click on

a Windows icon, click on the

picture and not the words!

Understanding windows on the Desktop

• Double-click on icons or files to open a “window” on the screen and view the contents

• For example, try double-clicking on “My Computer.” You should see a window like this open:

Using windows- an example

You see this storage device we talked about earlier. These are the removable storage devices.

Removable Storage Devices

• Files can be saved on removable storage devices such as USB flash drives.

• These flash drives are inserted into a USB port and then you can see the files just by double-clicking on this icon:

Using windows, continued

• IMPORTANT: In the upper right-hand corner of every window, you’ll see these 3 buttons

• The left-most button minimizes the window, making it smaller, but leaving it open

• The middle button maximizes the window, so it takes up the full screen

• The right-most button closes the window

What is a file?

• A file is a piece of information, such as a letter, a picture, or a video clip.

• Files can be stored in folders, which are usually shaped something like this:

• Like all other icons, double-clicking on a file or folder will “open” it in a window on the screen, displaying the contents.

What is a file? (continued)

• Some folders hold other folders, which in turn hold other folders…

• The important thing to remember is that the file that you want may be several layers down from the main folder. ?

(Very) basic Internet…

• On the desktop, find the Internet Explorer icon

• Double-click (click twice) on the icon

• Your browser window will open, and you will be able to see Internet sites

Your final test!

1. Close all windows2. Shut off the computer- wait 5 seconds3. Turn on the computer4. Log into SAM5. On the Desktop, open (double-click on)

the “My Computer” icon6. Minimize the “My Computer” window

(do not close it)7. Open (double-click on) the Internet icon