HIBBs is a program of the Global Health Informatics Partnership

KRISTEN ZWICK & CALLIE ARCHIBALDFEBRUARY 2011

INDIANA UNIVERSITY – PURDUE UNIVERSITY – INDIANAPOLIS

SCHOOL OF INFORMATICS

Introduction to Computers

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What Will Be Covered

This will be a general overview of the basic usage of computers for windows operating system based computers

Physical ComponentsInput DevicesBasic Computer FunctionsTypes of Media File SystemsPrintersClosing

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Physical Components

Desktop Monitor Tower Keyboard Mouse VGA Ethernet USB

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Laptop Monitor Keyboard Mouse

Pad Button/ Nub

VGA Ethernet Wireless USB

Monitor

A monitor is the visual component of your computer; it is how you interact with your computer by seeing a visual representation of what you are doing.

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Tower

The tower is where all the processing goes on in a computer; it is the brains of the computer.

The tower is connected via a cord to the monitor so you can see what the tower is doing on the monitor.

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Keyboard

The keyboard is also connected to the tower and it is used primarily to enter information into the computer.

This information entering is done by typing.

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Mouse

The mouse is the primary tool used to navigate the user interface that is displayed on the monitor.

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VGA

VGA stands for Video Graphics Array. A VGA connector is very important, as it is used to connect the computer tower to the monitor.

The VGA connector allows the monitor to display a graphical representation of what is going on in the computer.

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VGA cont.

This is a standard VGA cable. One side plugs in to the monitor, the other side will connect to the computer tower.

9

Ethernet

An ethernet cable is used to physically connect the computer to the internet.

The internet is worldwide and it is a system of interconnected computer networks.

Using these networks, people are able to share information worldwide, and an ethernet cable allows you to connect your computer into this worldwide network.

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Wireless

Another option to connect to the internet is through a wireless card.

Many newer computers have a built in wireless card, meaning they can detect nearby routers and you can connect to these routers if you have the proper permissions/ passwords to join them.

A router is a device that can send out a wireless internet computer to many computers, allowing them to access the internet.

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USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is universal connector to enable many different devices to connect to your computer.

In the past, there were different connectors for almost everything to connect to your computer (mouse, keyboard, printer, etc.), and many of these are being replaced with USB connectors.

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USB cont.

This is a standard USB cable. The end that connects to your computer tower will always be the same size.

The size of the connector on the other side may differ depending on the device you are connecting to.

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Laptops

Laptops are very similar to tower computers except the monitor, processing components, mouse, and keyboard are all one unit on a laptop instead of being separate.

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Tower Backside

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Input Devices

How to power on Types of buttons Check Power Cord Toggle switch

How to move mouse Regular Pad Button/ Nub

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Logging On Intro to Keyboard

Numbers Letters Symbols Functions

How to Power OnYou turn on the computer by pushing the

power button, which is usually located on the front of the tower.

You briefly push the button and then let go – you don’t want to hold down on the power button.

The computer will then take a few minutes to power up and be ready to use.

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How to Move a Mouse

There is a pointer icon on the screen that you move by physically moving the mouse.

By clicking the buttons on the mouse, you can interact with various programs on the computer.

You will physically move the mouse whatever direction you want the pointer to move on the screen – move it up to move the mouse up, left to move it left, etc.

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Logging On

When you first turn the computer on, you will usually see a log on screen after the computer has finished powering on.

There will be a menu showing an icon and name for each user that has an account on the computer.

Some of these accounts may be password protected and so you will need to know the proper password to access these accounts.

You will select the correct name for your account, enter the password if one is required, and then you will be logged in to the computer.

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Introduction to Keyboards

Keyboards are the main tool available to enter text into the computer.

If you wanted to type a letter, you would open a word processing program, such as wordpad, notepad, or Microsoft Word.

Using wordpad, you can type your letter just as you would write it on paper. However, instead of using pen and paper, you will press on the letters on the keyboard that correspond to the letters you wish to type.

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Basics Computer Functions

How to open a program. Functions of left and right clicks Ctrl+C, Ctrl+Alt+Delete, and other key

combinations Basic programs

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How to Open a Program

To open a program you will usually double click on the program name if you are selecting it from the desktop by using the left mouse button to click.

If you are selecting the program from the start menu you will usually only need to click on the program name once, again using the left mouse button.

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Left and Right Clicks

When using a mouse, there are typically two buttons – a left button and a right button.

The left mouse button is usually used to open up programs and folders.

The left mouse button is also used when interacting with the various tools inside an open program.

The right mouse button is used more to view information about things such as files and folders.

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Important Keystrokes

CTRL+C (Copy) CTRL+X (Cut) CTRL+V (Paste) CTRL+Z (Undo) CTRL+ALT+DELETE (if computer freezes this

will give you access to end the program)

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Basic Programs

Some examples of basic programs that come preinstalled on computers are word processing programs and picture editing programs.

Notepad is a basic text editing program where you can input text and then save it as a file.

Paint is a basic picture editing program where you can use some simple tools to draw new pictures or edit preexisting pictures.

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Types of Media

CD drive USB Speakers/ Headphones

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CD

Find eject button on CD drive sometimes the button will be label with this symbol:

Insert CD into CD tray with the shiny side facing down.

The label should be visible and face upPress the eject button again to close the CD

tray.CD should begin to run in a few seconds

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CD cont.This is the underside of a cd. This side will be

placed facing the cd tray when you want to insert a cd into the computer.

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USBFind USB portInsert USB connector into port

USBs can only be inserted one way Be gentle in the USB insertion because force may

break the port

A pop up should come up in a few seconds.Click view files.When finished go down to the status barIn the lower right hand corner there should be

an USB symbol.Left click symbol then right click “eject”.Then remove USB connector

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Speakers and Headphones

Headphones and speakers will usually be connected via RCA cable or USB.

Find a small circular hole.Insert metal RCA cable into portVolume can be controlled by left clicking the

volume icon in the taskbar at the bottom right of the screen.

You can then adjust the volume up or down as needed

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Speakers and Headphones cont.

File System

Hard DriveFoldersFilesZips

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Hard Drive

The hard drive is where all of the files are stored.

It will usually be named with a letter like C:\ or D:\

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Folders

Folders are where files are stored.They can have any name that you can

imagine. To create a new folder: Right click, find new

then left click folder.To get into a folder select then double left

click to open.

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Files

There are many different types of filesWord Documents, Note pad documents,

pictures, music files, etc.Double left click file to open.

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Zip

Sometimes files will need to be compressed so they can be easily transferred.

This is particularly useful with email.To create a zip file right click, select new, then

left-click zip or archive.Then copy files to the new zip file.

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Printers

Connect Add Paper Print

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Connect

There are many different varieties of printers but most of them will be connected to your computer in the same way.

There is usually a power cord for the printer that will need to be plugged into the outlet.

There will be a USB cord as well; one end plugs in to the printer and the other end will plug in to your computer tower.

After connecting the power & USB cable, there is usually a power button to turn on.

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Add Paper

After turning on the printer, you will want to fully extend the tray, if there is one. This is to try and deter the paper from jamming.

You will then place paper into the correct slot. Make sure not to overfill the slot, as this can

lead to problems when printing.

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Print

After connecting the printer and loading it with paper, you are ready to print.

From most basic programs such as notepad, there is a menu option to select file -> print.

If there is only one printer connected in your computer network, this should be selected as the default printer.

If there are multiple printers in your computer network, you may have to be sure to select the correct printer to print to.

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Warnings

Don’t eat or drink near computer Keyboards and other parts are sensitive to spills

Remember to Save Sometimes a computer will crash remember to save often

Don’t over heat Avoid having a computer near a heater or any hot objects

Don’t plug too much into one outlet Electrical problems can mess up many computer

components. This can be expensive to fix. CD/DVD-drive is for CDs or DVDs only

Do not put cups in a CD drive

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Trial and Error

Trial and Error is the most efficient way to learn how to use a computer.

If it can’t be solved with trial and error, then try an internet search

If IT is available ask for helpDon’t be intimidated, it’s like learning to ride

a bike; you may fall but that’s how you learn.

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Shutting Down

Find the toolbarLeft click the windows iconFind “Shut Down”Left Click to shut down computer

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prohibited.

HIBBs is a program of the Global Health Informatics Partnershipwww.ghip.net

This HIBB was created as part of the Computing for a Case class in the School of Informatics at Indiana University – Purdue University – Indianapolis.