Lab # 01

Items Description
Course Title Introduction to Computing
Lab Title Introduction to Computers, Windows OS and
how to use internet
Duration 3 Hours
Operating Windows / Internet
System
/Tool/Language
Objective Understanding of Computer System,
Hardware and Software, basic skills required
to use computer / internet
Understanding of basic internet sites, Email formation and
usage, Browsing

Lab 1 – Introduction to Computers, Windows OS and its Basic

Usage

1. Objectives
Understanding of Computer System, Hardware and Software, basic skills
required to use a desktop computer.
2. Outcome
Students will become comfortable with the usage of computer, become
aware of main parts of a computer system.
3. Introduction
Computer Basics introduces general computer use and terminology. It
describes the basic hardware components of a PC and introduces basic
skills for using software programs in a windows environment. This course
will address hardware and peripheral components of the computer and
how to use them correctly.
A computer is an electronic device that has the ability to store, retrieve,
and process data, and can be programmed with instructions that it
remembers. The physical parts that make up a computer (the central
processing unit, input, output, and memory) are called hardware.
Programs that tell a computer what to do are called software. A set of
instructions that perform a particular task is called a program, software
program, or software. Peripherals are any hardware device connected to a
computer, any part of the computer outside the CPU and working
memory. Some examples of peripherals are keyboards, the mouse,
monitors, printers, scanners, disk and tape drives, microphones, speakers,
joysticks, plotters, and cameras.

4. Examples:
Below we will discuss some major components of the computer system.
4.1 Monitor
The computer monitor is an output device that displays input on a screen
and is very similar to a television monitor. When the computer wants to
display something, it calculates how it needs to change the color and
brightness of the different pixels, and changes the values in the video
memory.
Monitor Resolution refers to the number of dots on the screen or pixels. It
is expressed as a pair of numbers that give the number of dots on a line
(horizontal) and the number of lines (vertical).
Four resolutions commonly used today
▪ 640 x 480 PIXELS (VGA) (SVGA) -- images are larger for visually
impaired students.
▪ 800 x 600 PIXELS (SVGA) – most web sites are designed to be viewed at
this setting.
▪ 1024 x 768 PIXELS (SVGA)
▪ 1280 x 1024 PIXELS (SVGA)-- images are smaller, but more information
can be displayed.
The smaller the pixels, the clearer and sharper the picture appears on the
monitor. Most monitors come with a .28 dot pitch. This is the standard for
monitors. Do not buy a monitor if the dot pitch is more than .28. The
smaller the dot pitch, the better the monitor.
4.2 Computer
The computer is a machine that processes data according to a set of
instructions that are stored internally either temporarily or permanently.
The computer has either external or internal peripherals attached to it.
The picture below displays two internal devices—the floppy disk drive and
CD ROM drive.

1. POWER SWITCH -- Turns the computer on and off. Whenever the

computer is turned off, always wait at least 60 seconds before turning it
back on again.
2. POWER INDICATOR -- Located in the center of the power switch. A
green light indicates the computer is on.
3. RESET BUTTON -- Allows you to reboot (restart) your system without
having to power down the entire computer. Rebooting the system in this
manner reduces stress on the system components. This button is used
ONLY when the computer has “frozen” and will not accept any commands.

4. HARD DISK DRIVE ACCESS INDICATOR -- Turns green when the

computer is accessing your hard drive, either retrieving or storing
information.
5. DISKETTE DRIVE INDICATOR -- Turns green when the computer is
accessing your floppy disk drive, either retrieving or storing information. If
this light is green, you should NEVER attempt to eject the floppy disk.

6. FLOPPY DISK DRIVE -- Storage device that holds, reads and writes to
floppy disks, usually called Drive A.
7. CD-DRIVE -- Player or reader that reads data from a CD ROM disk.

4.3 Internal Components Of A Computer

Figure 1.3

4.4 Back Panel And Cables

The ports that connect the peripherals to the computer are located on the
back panel of the computer. Newer computers have ports that are color-
coded with their appropriate cables. Speaker cables plug into headphone
jacks on the back panel and are also color-coded. The back panel may
have small icons on the ports showing the correct cables (example --
monitor for monitor cable). It is important that all cables are inserted
completely and securely in their port (pins screwed in all the way) or the
peripheral will not function properly. Once all peripherals have been
connected to the computer, it may be useful to label each cable and it's
appropriate port. When the computer is stored for the summer it will be
very easy to reconnect cables in the fall. Two successful methods used to
code cables and ports include

Figure 1.4

colored dots using nail polish (red mouse cable, red dot on mouse port,
pink printer cable, pink dot on printer port, etc.) and numbering cables
and ports (1 & 1, 2 & 2, etc.).

When attaching or removing cables from the computer it is important to

be very careful. The cables are connected with "pins" that can easily be
bent or broken. Don't try to remove cables by "wiggling" from side to side.
Pull cables directly out to avoid damaging the pins.

4.5 Storage Devices

When working on the computer, all work is entered into the computer's
memory. In order to store your work for future retrieval, you must “save”
your work to a storage device before turning the computer off. When your
work is saved it creates a computer “file”. The most common storage
devices are hard

USB/Flash Drive (Jump/Thumb Drive) - is a plug-and-play portable

storage device that uses flash memory and is lightweight enough to
attach to a key chain. A keychain drive can be used in place of a floppy
disk, Zip drive disk, or CD. When the user plugs the device into their USB
port, the computer's operating system recognizes the device as a
removable drive. Unlike most removable drives, a keychain drive does not
require rebooting after it's attached, does not require batteries or an
external power supply, and is not platform dependent. Several keychain
drive manufacturers offer additional features such as password protection,
and downloadable drivers that allow the keychain drive to be compatible
with older systems that do not have USB ports. Keychain drives are
available in capacities ranging from 8 MB to 2 gigabytes, depending on
manufacturer, in a corresponding range of prices.

Figure 1.5

4.6 Input Devices

1. Mouse – The mouse is a pointing device attached to the computer that
controls the movement of the cursor on the screen. It allows the user to
execute commands using point & click and click & drag techniques. As the
user moves the mouse across the pad, the cursor moves across the
screen. The mouse should always be used with a mouse pad to provide a
smooth surface for mouse movement and to help keep the mouse from
damage. If you "run out of room" on the pad, simply pick up the mouse
and move it to the opposite edge and continue movement

Figure 1.6

The PC mouse has two buttons (left and right) and newer mice have a
scroll wheel between the two. Mouse commands are executed by
"clicking". The term “click” refers to the left mouse button.

2. Keyboard -- The computer receives most of its input from the user via
the keyboard that is very similar to the typewriter keyboard. The keyboard
is connected by a cable to the keyboard port on the back of the computer.
There are extra keys on the computer's keyboard that are not found on a
normal typewriter. Following is an explanation of the function of these
keys. The exact manner in which the keys function depends on the
software program.
 Figure 1.7

● BACKSPACE KEY-- Deletes the character just to the left of the

cursor (or insertion point) and moves the cursor to that position.
● DELETE KEY-- Sometimes labeled Del, deletes the character at the
current cursor position or to the right of the insertion point, or deletes the
selected object, but does not move the cursor.
● ARROW KEYS -- four arrow keys for moving the cursor or insertion
point right, left, up, or down. Moving the arrow keys does not delete any
characters on the screen.
● CAPS LOCK KEY -- A toggle key that, when activated, causes all
alphabetic characters to be uppercase.
● HOME -- moves the cursor to the top left corner of the screen or to
the beginning of the file, but it can have other meanings depending on
which program is running.
● END -- moves the cursor to the end of the line, the end of the page,
or the end of the file depending where the cursor is located on the page
and on which program is running.
● ENTER -- Used to enter commands or to move the cursor to the
beginning of the next line. Sometimes labeled Return instead of Enter.
● RETURN KEY -- Another name for the Enter key.
● ESC -- Short for Escape, this key is used to send special codes to
devices and to exit (or escape) from programs and tasks.
● FUNCTION KEYS -- Special keys labeled F1 to Fx, x being the
number of function keys on the keyboard. These keys have different
meanings depending on which program is running.
● CTRL KEY -- Short for Control, this key is used in conjunction with
other keys to produce control characters. The meaning of each control
character depends on which program is running.
● ALT KEY -- Short for Alternate, this key is like a second Control key
● PAGE UP and PAGE DOWN -- moves the cursor up or down a set
number of lines usually one page or screen at a time. Often abbreviated
PgUp and PgDn.
● NUMERIC KEYPAD -- A separate set of keys on some keyboards
that contain the numbers 0 through 9 and a decimal point arranged as on
an adding machine. Numeric keypads make it easier to enter large
amounts of numeric data. For the keypad to function as numbers, the
NUM LOCK must be on (Num Lock light is green).
● INSERT -- Changes between insert mode and overstrike mode in
word processing programs. In insert mode, all characters typed are placed
at the cursor position (or to the right of the insertion point). With each
new insertion, characters to the right of the cursor are pushed to the right
of the insertion point to make room for the new characters. If insert mode
is turned off, typing then overwrites existing characters instead of
inserting the new ones before the old ones. This is often called overwrite
mode. Most PC keyboards have an Ins or Insert key that lets you switch
back and forth between insert and overwrite modes.
4.7 Output Devices
Output devices are computer devices that display or output information.
The monitor is a common example of an output device. Other output
devices are:
▪ Printers—take information from the CPU and transfer it to paper,
provides a hard copy. There are a number of different printer technologies
available: Dot Matrix, Ink Jet, Laser.
▪ Plotters—produces high-quality line drawing graphic output (used for
blueprints).
▪ Video projector, Scan Converter or LCD overhead projector—
projects the image onto a wall screen for greater view by large groups.
▪ Speaker(s)—provides output of sound or speech.
5. Lab Tasks
5.1 Under the supervision of instructor have a look inside the system box,
understand the role and usage of ports present at the back panel.
5.2 Make yourself familiar with Windows and its Components
The main components of Windows when you start your computer are the
Desktop, My Computer, Recycle Bin, Start Button, Taskbar, and shortcuts
to applications. After opening an application, you will also have a window
with an active application which will appear in your desktop and taskbar
5.3 Use Windows Explorer to understand the directory structure of
different drives present.
5.4 Practice making new folders, copy/ cut pasting of files.
5.5 Learn how to set new password for Login.
5.6 Try to change the wallpaper and screen saver.
5.7 Explore various applications installed in the Accessories tab present in
the start menu/ button.
 Figure 1.8
6. Tasks
6.1. Try to search and download application of your choice from the
internet.
6.2. Install the downloaded application.
6.3. Try to remove newly installed application, from add/ remove
applications option present in the control panel.
6.4. Swap the left and right mouse button, try to change the sensitivity of
mouse pointer and double click speed.
6.5. Change the picture used for Login purpose.
6.6. Place multiple copies of a file in various folders/ subfolders and then
use search option to search the file present at all locations.
6.7. Delete some file and try to restore from the recycle bin.
6.8. If you have a printer available at home, try to add the printer and
make a test print.
6.9. Learn how to create another user (another Login) for the same
computer. What are the options you can set for the new user?

TASKS:

● Create an email account, If have then get familiar from it.

● Send and receive an email from your friend.
● How many types of internet browsers are installed on your PC?
Which you like most to use and why.
● Create a Google drive and get aware of usage of it.
● Internet surfing and Searching

CLO 1 Task:

Acquire the knowledge by practicing the following Windows common

shortcuts
CLO 2 Task:

Report the lab tasks in standard format.