Fundamentals of Computer
What is a Computer?
A computer is an electronic device that processes information or data.
OR
A modern computer is a programmable machine that operates under a set of instructions.
It:
- Automatically accepts data (input)
- Processes it
- Produces results (output) at high speed
Thus, a computer is an automatic, reprogrammable data processor.
Parts of a Computer System
Mouse (Input Device)
• Scroll Ball Mouse
• Optical Mouse
• Wireless Mouse
Keyboard (Input Device)
• Standard Keyboard
• Multimedia Keyboard
• Wireless Keyboard
Monitor (Output Device – Soft Copy)
• VDU (Visual Display Unit)
• CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)
• LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)
• LED (Light Emitting Diode)
Hard Disk (Secondary Storage)
• Stores large amounts of data permanently. Measured in GB or TB.
RAM (Random Access Memory) (Primary Memory)
• Temporarily stores data during processing. Measured in MB or GB.
CPU (Central Processing Unit) (Processor)
• Brain of the computer; it performs all calculations and control operations. Speed is
measured in MHz or GHz.
ROM (Read Only Memory) (Primary Memory - Non-Volatile)
• Permanently stores startup and system instructions.
Printer (Output Device – Hard Copy)
• Produces printed documents on paper.
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is an operating system developed by Microsoft Corporation, USA. It
manages:
- Hardware
- Software
- User interactions
• Popular Versions:
• Windows 3.1
• Windows 95
• Windows 98
• Windows XP
• Windows 7
• Windows 8
• Windows 10
Basic Windows Interface Terms
Desktop: Main background screen showing icons and windows.
Taskbar: Bar (usually at bottom) displaying open applications.
Icon: Small graphic representing a file, folder, or application.
Folder: Container for organizing files or other folders.
File: A saved unit of data (e.g., notes.docx, image.jpg).
Basic File and Folder Operations
To Create a Folder
1. Right-click on desktop or inside any folder
2. Select New > Folder
3. Type a name and press Enter
To Create a File
4. Right-click on desktop or folder
5. Select New > choose file type (e.g., Text Document)
6. Type name and press Enter
To Open a File/Folder
7. Double-click
8. OR Right-click > Open
9. OR Select and press Enter
To Rename a File/Folder
10. Right-click the item
11. Select Rename
12. Type new name and press Enter
To Delete a File/Folder
13. Right-click the item
14. Click Delete
15. Confirm (Moves to Recycle Bin)
To Restore from Recycle Bin
16. Open Recycle Bin
17. Right-click item > Click Restore
To Copy a File/Folder
18. Right-click > Click Copy
19. Go to destination folder
20. Right-click > Paste
To Cut and Paste a File/Folder
21. Right-click > Click Cut
22. Navigate to destination
23. Right-click > Paste
Personalization Options
Wallpaper
The background image on your desktop.
Screen Saver
A program that changes your display after inactivity. Useful for hiding confidential work.
To Change Wallpaper
24. Right-click on the desktop.
25. Select Properties or Personalize.
26. Choose a wallpaper > Apply > OK.
To Change Screen Saver
27. Right-click on the desktop.
28. Click Properties or Personalize.
29. Go to Screen Saver tab.
30. Choose a screen saver, set timing > Apply > OK.
File/Folder Visibility Options
To Hide a File/Folder
31. Right-click the item > Click Properties.
32. Check Hidden > Click Apply > OK.
33. Open Control Panel > Folder Options > View Tab.
34. Select Do not show hidden files > Apply > OK.
To Unhide a File/Folder
35. Go to Control Panel > Folder Options > View Tab.
36. Select Show hidden files > Apply > OK.
To Remove Hidden Attribute
37. Right-click the hidden item > Properties.
38. Uncheck Hidden > Apply > OK.
Searching for Files and Folders
To Search Files/Folders
39. Click Start > Search > For Files or Folders.
40. Enter name or use file type pattern (e.g. *.jpg, *.docx).
Common File Type Patterns:
• *.jpg, *.gif: Pictures
• *.dat: Video files
• *.mp3: Audio files
• *.docx: Word documents
• *.xlsx: Excel files
• *.pptx: PowerPoint files
• *.bmp: Paint files
Accessing Common Windows Applications
Windows Media Player
41. Start > Programs > Accessories > Entertainment > Windows Media Player
42. OR Start > All Programs > Windows Media Player
MS Paint
43. Start > Programs > Accessories > Paint
44. OR Start > Run > Type MSPAINT > OK
Notepad
45. Start > Programs > Accessories > Notepad
46. OR Start > Run > Type NOTEPAD > OK
WordPad
47. Start > Programs > Accessories > WordPad
48. OR Start > Run > Type WORDPAD > OK
Calculator
49. Start > Programs > Accessories > Calculator
50. OR Start > Run > Type CALC > OK
Saving and Opening Files
To Save a File
51. Click File menu > Save.
52. Type file name > Click Save.
To Open a File
53. Click File menu > Open.
54. Select the file > Click Open.
