COMPUTER LITERACY

WHAT IS A COMPUTER
An electronic device for storing and processing data...according to instructions. Or, an electronic
device that stores, retrieves, and processes data, and can be programmed with instructions. A
computer is composed of hardware and software, and can exist in a variety of sizes and
configurations. They are broadly divided into hardware and software.

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

SOFTWARE
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.

TYPES OF COMPUTERS
Computers can be broadly classified by their speed and computing power

1. PC (Personal Computer).A PC can be defined as a small, relatively inexpensive

computer designed for an individual user. Businesses use personal computers for word
processing, accounting, desktop publishing, and for running spreadsheet and database
management applications. At home, the most popular use for personal computers is
playing games and surfing the Internet.
2. Workstation. Workstation is a computer used for engineering applications (CAD/CAM),
desktop publishing, software development, and other such types of applications which
require a moderate amount of computing power and relatively high quality graphics
capabilities. Workstations generally come with a large, high-resolution graphics screen,
large amount of RAM, inbuilt network support, and a graphical user interface.
 3. Minicomputer. It is a midsize multi-processing system capable supporting up to 250
users simultaneously.
4. Mainframe. It is very large in size and is an expensive computer capable of supporting
hundreds or even thousands of users simultaneously. Mainframe executes many
programs concurrently and supports many simultaneous execution of programs.
5. Supercomputer. Supercomputers are one of the fastest computers currently available.
Supercomputers are very expensive and are employed for specialized applications that
require immense amount of mathematical calculations (number crunching).

TURNING ON AND OFF A COMPUTER

1. Press the power button. Look for the symbol which looks like a fused zero and one both on
the PC and the Monitor.
2. Wait until you see the log in screen. It should look like a small picture with a name on it.
3. Click the Picture. Now you are in the desktop of the computer.
4. To turn off a computer , first you exit any running program
5. Next you open the start menu
6. Click Shut down in the lower left corner
7. Wait for the computer to turn off
8. Do NOT press the power button. This could harm your computer if it is not ready to turn
off.

BASIC COMPUTER COMPONENTS

 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 that 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”)
 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.
 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 that can
be used “away from the computer;” though the mouse is considered your direct
connection into the computer world.
 Speakers. A computer speaker is a hardware device that connects to a computer to
generate sound. The signal used to produce the sound that comes from a computer
speaker is created by the computer's sound card.

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. While working with computers requires some flexibility and
adaptation to different computer designs, you will find this easy to learn. 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!

BASIC COMPUTER TERMINOLOGIES

DESKTOP.
Refers to the desktop environment, which is a Graphical User Interface metaphor that allows for
interaction between the user and the operating system. It is a system of organization of icons on a
screen. The Microsoft Windows Desktop was first introduced with Microsoft Windows 95 and
has been included with every version of Windows since then.
MOUSE.
Mouse is the most popular pointing device. It is0 a very famous cursor-control device having a
small palm size box with a round ball at its base, which senses the movement of the mouse and
sends corresponding signals to the CPU when the mouse buttons are pressed. Generally, it has
two buttons called the left and the right button and a wheel is present between the buttons. A
mouse can be used to control the position of the cursor on the screen, but it cannot be used to
enter text into the computer.

KEYBOARD.
Keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps to input data to the
computer. The layout of the keyboard is like that of traditional typewriter, although there are
some additional keys provided for performing additional functions. Keyboards are generally
plugged into the rear of the CPU, on the motherboard, using a purple PS/2 connector, or on USB
port.

START MENU.
An application that can be used to start other programs. Click, press the left mouse button
(unless stated otherwise). Click the Windows button at the bottom left corner of the monitor to
open the Start Menu. Now you will find a small search box at the bottom, there you can search
any installed programs in your computer.

TASKBAR
A bar located at the bottom of the screen first introduced with Microsoft Windows 95 and found
in all the versions of Windows that followed. The taskbar allows you to locate and launch
programs through the Start button or view any program that is currently open. It also allows them
to check the date and time, items running in the background through the Notification Area, and
with early versions of Windows access to the Quick Launch.

WINDOWS
When referring to an operating system, Windows or win is an operating environment created by
Microsoft that provides an interface, known as a Graphical User Interface (GUI), for computers.
Windows eliminates the need to memorize commands for the command line (MS-DOS) by using
a mouse to navigate through menus, dialog boxes, buttons, tabs, and icons. The term window is
also used to describe the visual square area of a program. See the window definition for
additional information about this term.

MAXIMISE
Nearly all open windows in a graphical user interface (GUI) have resizing options. Maximize
allows the user to enlarge a window, usually making it fill the entire screen or the program
window in which it is contained.

MINIMISE
Alternatively referred to as the Minimize box or Minimize button, Minimize is an action in all
GUI operating systems that hides a window, but keeps the application running and accessible.

EXIT
Is a command or option used to close a program or file. The method of exiting from a program or
file varies depending upon the computer or program being used.

SCROLL BAR
A vertical or horizontal bar commonly located on the far right or bottom of a window that allows
you to move the window viewing area up, down, left, or right. Most people today are familiar
with scroll bars because of the need to scroll up and down in almost every Internet web page.
Below is an image of a Microsoft Windows window with a vertical and horizontal scroll bar.

APPLICATIONS
It can also be known as a program, a command interpreter or a Web browser is an example of an
interactive program. A program that computes and prints out a company payroll is an example of
a batch program

USB PORT
Short for Universal Serial Bus, USB is a plug-and-play interface that allows a computer to
communicate with peripheral and other devices. USB-connected devices cover a broad range;
anything from keyboards and mice, to music players and flash drives. For more information on
these devices, see our USB devices section.

HARDWARE PORT
Any place on the computer where devices can be plugged in
CD-DRIVE
Short for Compact Disc-Read Only Memory, a CD-ROM (shown right) is an optical disc which
contains audio or software data whose memory is read only. A CD-ROM Drive or optical drive
is the device used to read them.

ICON
An icon is a small graphical representation of a program or file. When you double-click an icon,
the associated file or program will be opened. For example, if you were to double-click on the
My Computer icon, it would open Windows Explorer. Icons help users quickly identify the type
of file represented by the icon.

SHORTCUT
In Microsoft Windows, a shortcut is a link that points to a program on the computer. Shortcuts
allow you to create links to programs in any folder, Start bar, Taskbar, Desktop or other locations
on the computer. A shortcut in Windows has a small arrow in the bottom left corner of the icon
and are files that end with a file extension of .lnk.

FOLDER
A folder, also called a directory, is a special type of file on your computer's file system which
contains other files and folders. When you are browsing the files on your computer using a File
Manager, such as Windows Explorer, the icon for a folder will typically look similar to the
image at the right.

FILE
A file is an object on a computer that stores data, information, settings, or commands used with a
computer program. In a graphical user interface (GUI) such as Microsoft Windows, files display
as icons that relate to the program that opens the file. For example, the picture is an icon
associated with Adobe Acrobat PDF files. If this file was on your computer, double-clicking the
icon in Windows would open that file in Adobe Acrobat or the PDF reader installed on the
computer.

DIALOG BOX
A dialog box (also spelled dialogue box, also called a dialog) is a common type of window in the
GUI of an operating system. It displays information, and asks a user for input.
TOOLBAR
Sometimes referred to as a bar, the toolbar is a row of boxes, often at the top of an application
window that control various functions of the software. The boxes often contain images that
correspond with the function they control.

MAJOR HARDWARE COMPONENTS OF A COMPUTER

INPUT DEVICES

An input device is any hardware device that sends data to a computer, allowing you to interact
with and control the computer. The most commonly used or primary input devices on a computer
are the keyboard and mouse. However, there are dozens of other devices that can also be used to
input data into the computer. Below is a list of computer input devices that can be utilized with a
computer or a computing device.

THE MOUSE
The mouse is a pointing device. You use it to move a graphical pointer on the screen. The mouse
can be used to issue commands, draw, and perform other types of input tasks.

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.
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.

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: 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.

THE KEYBOARD
As mentioned above, Keyboard is the most common and very popular input device which helps
to input data to the computer. Keyboards are of two sizes 84 keys or 101/102 keys, but now
keyboards with 104 keys or 108 keys are also available for Windows and Internet. Keys on the
keyboard are divided into various groups,

Groups of the Keyboard

1. Typing Keys: These keys include the letter keys (A-Z) and digit keys (0-9) which
generally give the same layout as that of typewriters.
2. Numeric Keypad: It is used to enter the numeric data or cursor movement. Generally, it
consists of a set of 17 keys that are laid out in the same configuration used by most
adding machines and calculators.
3. Function Keys: The twelve function keys are present on the keyboard which are arranged
in a row at the top of the keyboard. Each function key has a unique meaning and is used
for some specific purpose.
4. Control keys: These keys provide cursor and screen control. It includes four directional
arrow keys. Control keys also include Home, End, Insert, Delete, Page Up, Page Down,
Control(Ctrl), Alternate(Alt), Escape(Esc).
5. Special Purpose Keys: Keyboard also contains some special purpose keys such as Enter,
Shift, Caps Lock, Num Lock, Space bar, Tab, and Print Screen.
Now we will continue by explaining the function of the various keys located on the
keyboard
 Control Key. The control key (Ctrl) is usually used with another key. Holding
the control key in addition to another key or keys will start a function. Later on,
we will teach you some control key functions that deal with word processing
 Alternate 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 Key. Pressing the backspace key while the cursor is positioned
within text 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. It can
also be used to delete files and folders on the computer.
  Caps Lock Key. The caps lock key activates a feature that affects only the letter
keys. Pressing on the caps lock button causes all letter keys to type in
uppercase. 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 and is very effective for
paragraphs when you’re working on an MS word document.
 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 “|” )

What is Keyboarding? The ability to enter text by using the correct fingers without looking at
the keys (also known as touch typing).Having adequate keyboarding skills to enable you to use
the computer more effectively and be more productive.

Different types of a keyboard today. Wireless, Corded, Laptop, Gaming (Xbox,Ps3, Etc),
Thumb-Size (Phones, PDA’s, Etc.), Numeric, Virtual, Touch screens
Windows Keys Combinations
 F1: Help

 CTRL+ESC: Open Start menu

 ALT+TAB: Switch between open programs

 ALT+F4: Quit program

 SHIFT+DELETE: Delete item permanently

 Windows Logo+L: Lock the computer (without using CTRL+ALT+DELETE)

Windows Program Combination

 CTRL+C: Copy

 CTRL+X: Cut

 CTRL+V: Paste

 CTRL+Z: Undo

 CTRL+B: Bold

 CTRL+U: Underline

 CTRL+I: Italic

General Keyboard only commands

 F1: Starts Windows Help

 F10: Activates menu bar options

 SHIFT+F10 Opens a shortcut menu for the selected item (this is the same as right-
clicking an object

 CTRL+ESC: Opens the Start menu (use the ARROW keys to select an item)
 CTRL+ESC or ESC: Selects the Start button (press TAB to select the taskbar, or press
SHIFT+F10 for a context menu)

 CTRL+SHIFT+ESC: Opens Windows Task Manager

 ALT+DOWNARROW: Opens a drop-down list box

 ALT+TAB: Switch to another running program (hold down the ALT key and then press
the TAB key to view the task-switching window)

 SHIFT: Press and hold down the SHIFT key while you insert a CD-ROM to bypass the
automatic-run feature

 ALT+SPACE: Displays the main window's System menu (from the System menu, you
can restore, move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the window)

 ALT+- (ALT+hyphen): Displays the Multiple Document Interface (MDI) child

window's System menu (from the MDI child window's System menu, you can restore,
move, resize, minimize, maximize, or close the child window)

 CTRL+TAB: Switch to the next child window of a Multiple Document Interface (MDI)
program

 ALT+Underlined letter in menu: Opens the menu

 ALT+F4: Closes the current window

 CTRL+F4: Closes the current Multiple Document Interface (MDI) window

 ALT+F6: Switch between multiple windows in the same program (for example, when
the Notepad Find dialog box is displayed, ALT+F6 switches between the Find dialog
box and the main Notepad window)

 F4: Selects the Go To A Different Folder box and moves down the entries in the box (if
the toolbar is active in Windows Explorer)

 F5: Refreshes the current window.

  F6: Moves among panes in Windows Explorer

 CTRL+Z: Undo the last command

 CTRL+A: Select all the items in the current window

 BACKSPACE: Switch to the parent folder

 SHIFT+click+Close button: For folders, close the current folder plus all parent folders

TRACKBALLS
Track ball is an input device that is mostly used in notebook or laptop computer, instead of a
mouse. This is a ball which is half inserted and by moving fingers on the ball, the pointer can be
moved. Since the whole device is not moved, a track ball requires less space than a mouse. A
track ball comes in various shapes like a ball, a button, or a square.

SCANNERS
Scanner is an input device, which works more like a photocopy machine. It is used when some
information is available on paper and it is to be transferred to the hard disk of the computer for
further manipulation. Scanner captures images from the source which are then converted into a
digital form that can be stored on the disk. These images can be edited before they are printed.

MICROPHONES
Microphone is an input device to input sound that is then stored in a digital form. The
microphone is used for various applications such as adding sound to a multimedia presentation or
for mixing music.

LIGHT PADS
Light pen is a pointing device similar to a pen. It is used to select a displayed menu item or draw
pictures on the monitor screen. It consists of a photocell and an optical system placed in a small
tube. When the tip of a light pen is moved over the monitor screen and the pen button is pressed,
its photocell sensing element detects the screen location and sends the corresponding signal to
the CPU.
JOY STICKS
Joystick is also a pointing device, which is used to move the cursor position on a monitor screen.
It is a stick having a spherical ball at its both lower and upper ends. The lower spherical ball
moves in a socket. The joystick can be moved in all four directions. The function of the joystick
is similar to that of a mouse. It is mainly used in Computer Aided Designing (CAD) and playing
computer games.

OUTPUT DEVICES
An output device is any peripheral that receives data from a computer, usually for display,
projection, or physical reproduction. For example, the image shows an inkjet printer, an output
device that can make a hard copy of any information shown on your monitor, which is another
example of an output device. Monitors and printers are two of the most common output devices
used with a computer.

MONITORS (VDU)
Monitors, commonly called as Visual Display Unit (VDU), are the main output device of a
computer. It forms images from tiny dots, called pixels that are arranged in a rectangular form.
The sharpness of the image depends upon the number of pixels.

PRINTERS
A printer is a peripheral device which makes a persistent human-readable representation of
graphics or text on paper.

NB: A peripheral is "an ancillary device used to put information into and get information out of
the computer

SPEAKERS
A computer speaker is a device that connects to a computer to generate sound. The signal used to
produce the sound that comes from a computer speaker is created by the computer's sound card.

Aside from the input and output devices of a computer, there are some very important hardware
components in the computer which include
HARD DISKS
This type of memory is also known as external memory or non-volatile. It is slower than the
main memory. These are used for storing data/information permanently. CPU directly does not
access these memories, instead they are accessed via input-output routines. The contents of
secondary memories are first transferred to the main memory, and then the CPU can access it.

RAM
RAM (Random Access Memory) is the internal memory of the CPU for storing data, program,
and program result. It is a read/write memory which stores data until the machine is working. As
soon as the machine is switched off, data is erased. Access time in RAM is independent of the
address, that is, each storage location inside the memory is as easy to reach as other locations and
takes the same amount of time.

CMOS
CMOS is an on-board, battery powered semiconductor chip inside computers that stores
information. This information ranges from the system time and date to system hardware settings
for your computer.

CPU
Alternately referred to as a processor, central processor, or microprocessor, the CPU
(pronounced sea-pea-you) is the Central Processing Unit of the computer. A computer's CPU
handles all instructions it receives from hardware and software running on the computer. The
CPU is often referred to as the brain of the computer. However, it is more appropriate to refer to
software as the brain and the CPU as a very efficient calculator. A CPU is really good with
numbers, but if it wasn't for the software it wouldn't know how to do anything else.

PRACTICAL LESSONS
 Learning how to locate and move files
 Identify parts of a computer
 Save the same file in multiple locations (flash drive, My Documents, network folders)
 Create folders to organize files
 Rename and Delete Files
 Open and close applications
  Open, save and close files
 Print documents
 Use input device
 Recognize and use icons to perform computer and software functions
 Use special function keys
o Escape
o Backspace
o Multi-key functions (CTRL/Alt/Del)
o Caps Lock
o Delete
o Shift
o Arrow keys
o Space
o Return/enter
 Use/Adjust volume controls
 Insert and eject media input devices (CD/DVD)
 Use peripheral devices such as scanners, digital cameras, and projection devices
 Multitask by using Task Bar and or minimize/maximize command
 Use special function keys
o Page up/down
o Home/end
 View file properties to determine memory size
 Save a compressed file (.zip)

Troubleshoot common technology problems

Whether you’re dealing with a decade-old computer or your own custom-built gaming
rig, troubleshooting PC problems is a part of everyday life. Before you make that support
call, though, try your hand at homebrew tech support.
Try this first
I know it sounds like a no-brainer, but before you do anything else, restart your computer. While
you’re at it, make sure that your operating system is fully updated by running Windows Update.
Neglecting updates could deprive you of important bug and performance fixes. If you’re having
problems with a peripheral, try switching it on and off. If that doesn’t work, try disconnecting
and reconnecting the device. As a last resort, download the latest drivers and perform a full
reinstall.
My computer is too slow
The first step to fixing a slow computer is to verify that your machine is the actual source of the
problem. Videos that seem to buffer forever, and websites that take ages to load, may not be your
computer’s fault.
 If the problem is your PC, check whether you have plenty of free space on the hard drive
holding your operating system. Windows needs room to create files while your system is
running. If your hard drive is maxed out, performance suffers.
 Microsoft’s System Configuration tool is your next-best bet for tackling slow
performance. Many applications launch automatically when your machine boots up,
which can stretch out boot time—especially on older, slower PCs. Make a habit of
trimming the startup items. Open the tool by pressing Windows-R, typing msconfig, and
pressing the Enter key.
 Checking the Startup Item and Manufacturer columns is the best way to figure out which
potential performance-killers you can safely disable. Avoid messing with any of the
services and programs that have Microsoft Corporation listed as the manufacturer.
My machine keeps restarting
 Hardware problems are hard to diagnose and solve. First, confirm that you aren’t just
getting the latest wave of Windows updates, which can automatically restart your
computer during installation. Then work on updating all of your critical system drivers.
Your graphics card, motherboard, and network card drivers are crucial.
 Is your computer making weird noises? If you’re lucky all you’ll need to do is give the
machine a thorough cleaning. Modern computers have safeguards that shut down the
system if a component is overheating, which can be the cause of frequent restarts when
you’re running resource-intensive programs or video games.
 Sometimes it can be viruses, sometimes it can be adware, sometimes it can be
overheating, and sometimes it can be something as simple as making sure your video
card is updated
My Wi-Fi keeps disconnecting
Confirm that your computer is within range of your wireless router. Weak signals mean weak
connections. Next, make sure your PC’s wireless card has the latest drivers. Try letting Windows
troubleshoot for you by right-clicking the Wi-Fi icon in the taskbar and selecting Troubleshoot
problems. Windows Network Diagnostics may not always solve your problem, but it will usually
point you in the right direction.

My printer won’t print

Let’s assume that your printer’s drivers are up-to-date, and that it has enough paper and ink or
toner to print. Try turning the printer off and on. Unplug the printer and plug it back in. Check
your printer’s print queue by looking for the printer icon in the system tray and double-clicking
it. The print queue shows you the status of each job as well as the general status of your printer.
Ensure that ‘Use Printer Offline’ isn’t checked. Sometimes, printing while your printer is turned
off can cause Windows to set your printer to work offline, and that can stall jobs sent later.

My favorite program isn’t working on my new PC

Before you call tech support, make sure that the software you’re trying to run is compatible with
your operating system. Older software might not function on Windows 8, and an app created for
Mac OS X definitely won’t run on your Windows PC. A 32-bit program might run on your 64-
bit operating system, but it doesn’t work the other way around.

When to throw in the towel

When in doubt, it’s better to steer clear of voiding a warranty or potentially damaging your
system. Being aware of your own skill set and limitations is important, because it’s often easy to
make matters worse. If you think the problem is too complicated, call up a more knowledgeable
friend, or bite the bullet and work with a professional