Saturday, May 16, 2009
18. CLEANING YOUR MOUSE
See the 'Easy Tips' section of the ComputerHelpAtoZ.com for complete instructions.
20. USE CUT, COPY AND PASTE TO MAKE FILE EDITING EASY
See the 'Easy Tips' section of the ComputerHelpAtoZ.com for complete instructions.
21. USE NOTEPAD TO CREATE SIMPLE TEXT FILES
Notepad is a limited word processor that comes with Windows. It allows you to create simple text documents with black only fonts. You can search for text strings in a document. All Notepad files have a text (.txt) file type.
To open Notepad, go to 'Start', then 'Programs' then 'Accessories'. Single click the Notepad icon and it opens with a blank document.
To open Notepad, go to 'Start', then 'Programs' then 'Accessories'. Single click the Notepad icon and it opens with a blank document.
22. USE WORDPAD TO CREATE SIMPLE WORD DOCUMENTS
Wordpad is a word processor that comes with Windows. It has all the features of Notepad plus more, like colored fonts, text alignment/formatting, and support for Word documents (.doc). A ruler is available to gauge text line lengths.
To open Wordpad, go to 'Start', then 'Programs' then 'Accessories' and single click the Wordpad Icon. Wordpad is a word processor that comes with Windows.
To open Wordpad, go to 'Start', then 'Programs' then 'Accessories' and single click the Wordpad Icon. Wordpad is a word processor that comes with Windows.
Tips 23-26 show how to change the view of running programs.
Tips 23-26 show how to change the view of running programs.
23. CONTROL THE VIEWS OF RUNNING PROGRAMS
Every running program is contained in a window on the desktop. In the upper right corner of each window there are usually three small control boxes that are used to control how the window is displayed.
24.. MINIMIZE A WINDOW
The left most control box has a minus [-] sign in it.
If you put the cursor over this box and click your mouse the application is 'minimized' and placed on the task bar as a small block.
To expand the minimized program, click it and it expands to become the active program on your desktop.
If you put the cursor over this box and click your mouse the application is 'minimized' and placed on the task bar as a small block.
To expand the minimized program, click it and it expands to become the active program on your desktop.
25. MAXIMIZE A WINDOW
The control box in the center has a square [ ] in it.
If you put the cursor over this box and click your mouse the application is 'maximized' and takes up the entire screen.
When maximized this control box changes to show one square in front of another square. Clicking this control box again restores the window back to about half size.
If you put the cursor over this box and click your mouse the application is 'maximized' and takes up the entire screen.
When maximized this control box changes to show one square in front of another square. Clicking this control box again restores the window back to about half size.
26. CLOSE AN ACTIVE WINDOW
The control box on the right has an [x] in it. If you
put the cursor over this box and click your mouse the application terminates.
To open it again you must click the program icon for it.
put the cursor over this box and click your mouse the application terminates.
To open it again you must click the program icon for it.
27. HOW TO ADD SHORTCUTS TO THE DESKTOP
A shortcut is an icon on the desktop that you click to open an application. This saves you from having to navigate the path to the actual location of the file. It's easy to add a shortcut:
* Right-click anywhere on the desktop. A pop-up menu appears. Select 'New', then 'Shortcut' and a 'Create Shortcut' window opens.
* Use the 'Browse' button to find the path to the application or program.
* Select the icon of the program you want and the path to it appears in the 'command line' box.
* Click 'next' and a 'Select a Title' box appears where you are asked to enter a name for the shortcut.
* Enter a name and then click 'finish'. The new shortcut appears on the desktop. Drag the shortcut icon to where you want it on the desktop.
* Right-click anywhere on the desktop. A pop-up menu appears. Select 'New', then 'Shortcut' and a 'Create Shortcut' window opens.
* Use the 'Browse' button to find the path to the application or program.
* Select the icon of the program you want and the path to it appears in the 'command line' box.
* Click 'next' and a 'Select a Title' box appears where you are asked to enter a name for the shortcut.
* Enter a name and then click 'finish'. The new shortcut appears on the desktop. Drag the shortcut icon to where you want it on the desktop.
28. USING THE CONTROL PANEL
The Control Panel is utility that lets you configure just about everything in your PC. To open the Control Panel:
* Go to 'Start', then 'Settings'.
* Select 'Control Panel' and the Control Panel Window appears on the desktop with many icons inside it.
* Go to 'Start', then 'Settings'.
* Select 'Control Panel' and the Control Panel Window appears on the desktop with many icons inside it.
28. USING THE CONTROL PANEL The Control Panel is utility that lets you configure just about everything in your PC. To open the Control Panel: *
28. USING THE CONTROL PANEL
The Control Panel is utility that lets you configure just about everything in your PC. To open the Control Panel:
* Go to 'Start', then 'Settings'.
* Select 'Control Panel' and the Control Panel Window appears on the desktop with many icons inside it.
The Control Panel is utility that lets you configure just about everything in your PC. To open the Control Panel:
* Go to 'Start', then 'Settings'.
* Select 'Control Panel' and the Control Panel Window appears on the desktop with many icons inside it.
29. ADD AND REMOVE INSTALLED PROGRAMS (Windows 98)
Double click the Add/Remove programs icon in the control panel and the 'Add/Remove Programs' window appears.
The top portion of the window allows you to install programs. When you install programs from a CD or floppy, the installation doesn't open the 'Add/Remove Programs' window and proceeds without it.
Removing Programs:
The bottom portion of the window shows all user installed programs loaded on the PC and allows you to remove them.
To remove a program, select it and then click the 'Add/Remove' button. You will be asked again if you want to proceed. Clicking 'yes' removes all the components of the selected program.
The top portion of the window allows you to install programs. When you install programs from a CD or floppy, the installation doesn't open the 'Add/Remove Programs' window and proceeds without it.
Removing Programs:
The bottom portion of the window shows all user installed programs loaded on the PC and allows you to remove them.
To remove a program, select it and then click the 'Add/Remove' button. You will be asked again if you want to proceed. Clicking 'yes' removes all the components of the selected program.
30. SET POWER USAGE OPTIONS
Double click the Power Options icon in the control panel and a window appears with a number of tabs across the top labeled:
Power Schemes, Alarms, Power Meter, Advanced and Hibernate. There may be variances in these options depending on which Windows operating system you have.
Power schemes is very useful, especially if you leave your PC on all the time. Double click on it to open it.
Two of the selections allow you to automatically turn off your monitor and hard drive(s) a selectable amount of time since the last keystroke or mouse movement. This saves your hard drive life by not having it continuously spin when it is not in use. You also save power by not having your display on when it is not in use.
To set the amount of time the hard drive runs before shutting down, select the time you want from the drop down menu next to 'Turn off hard disks'. The monitor shutdown time is set similarly in the 'Turn off monitor' drop down box.
The hard drive and monitor wake up when you initiate any activity that requires them.
Power Schemes, Alarms, Power Meter, Advanced and Hibernate. There may be variances in these options depending on which Windows operating system you have.
Power schemes is very useful, especially if you leave your PC on all the time. Double click on it to open it.
Two of the selections allow you to automatically turn off your monitor and hard drive(s) a selectable amount of time since the last keystroke or mouse movement. This saves your hard drive life by not having it continuously spin when it is not in use. You also save power by not having your display on when it is not in use.
To set the amount of time the hard drive runs before shutting down, select the time you want from the drop down menu next to 'Turn off hard disks'. The monitor shutdown time is set similarly in the 'Turn off monitor' drop down box.
The hard drive and monitor wake up when you initiate any activity that requires them.
31. SET YOUR MODEM'S MAX SPEED
* Double click the Modem icon in the control panel. The 'Modem Options' window appears. Two tabs should appear, 'General' and 'Diagnostics'.
* Select the 'General' tab, then select 'Properties'. which opens and has a 'Maximum Speed' box about half way down.
* Open the box and select 115,200, then 'OK'.
If you have a 56kb/s modem this setting won't hurt it, but a setting of 9600 could slow it down.
* Select the 'General' tab, then select 'Properties'. which opens and has a 'Maximum Speed' box about half way down.
* Open the box and select 115,200, then 'OK'.
If you have a 56kb/s modem this setting won't hurt it, but a setting of 9600 could slow it down.
32. ADD PROGRAM ICONS TO QUICK LAUNCH TOOLBAR
The Quick Launch toolbar can be opened on the task bar. It is used to hold the icons of programs you use most frequently. They are always visible and accessible on the toolbar.
To add a program icon from the desktop to the toolbar, drag it from the desktop to the end of the task bar near the 'Start' button. A copy of the program icon appears on the toolbar.
You can also add an icon by copying it to the Quick Launch folder which is found at:
C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch.
To add a program icon from the desktop to the toolbar, drag it from the desktop to the end of the task bar near the 'Start' button. A copy of the program icon appears on the toolbar.
You can also add an icon by copying it to the Quick Launch folder which is found at:
C:\Windows\Application Data\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Quick Launch.
33. ADD PROGRAM ICONS TO THE START MENU
When you click 'Start' there is an area above the 'Programs' folder where you can store program icons that you use fairly often. To add an icon here:
* Click 'Start', then 'Settings', then 'Taskbar and Start Menu'. The 'Taskbar and Start Menu' properties box opens.
* Click the 'advanced' tab, then select 'add'. A 'Create Shortcut' window opens where you select the path to the program icon.
* Select the icon and a 'Select Program' folder appears.
* Select the 'Start' folder, and a 'Select a Title' Folder appears where you can rename the icon if you wish.
* Click 'Finish' and the icon is added.
* Click 'Start', then 'Settings', then 'Taskbar and Start Menu'. The 'Taskbar and Start Menu' properties box opens.
* Click the 'advanced' tab, then select 'add'. A 'Create Shortcut' window opens where you select the path to the program icon.
* Select the icon and a 'Select Program' folder appears.
* Select the 'Start' folder, and a 'Select a Title' Folder appears where you can rename the icon if you wish.
* Click 'Finish' and the icon is added.
34. ADD WEB LINKS TO YOUR FAVORITES LIST
While viewing an Internet web page with your Internet Explorer browser press 'Alt' and 'D' together, and the link for the page is added to your favorites list.
If you get a message that says 'Are you sure you want to remove folder xxxx', it means you favorites window is active.
Click anywhere on the web page itself and try again. The web page link is stored even if your favorites list is not displayed.
To display your favorites, click the 'Favorites' button on the standard toolbar and they on the left side of your browser.
If you get a message that says 'Are you sure you want to remove folder xxxx', it means you favorites window is active.
Click anywhere on the web page itself and try again. The web page link is stored even if your favorites list is not displayed.
To display your favorites, click the 'Favorites' button on the standard toolbar and they on the left side of your browser.
35. PROTECT YOUR PC WITH A SURGE PROTECTOR
This is an area that is critical to the continued operation of your PC. Power surges and lightning strikes can sometimes get coupled onto your PC through the power or phone line. These surges can damage your PC.
Surge protected power strips have snubber circuits that filter out these potentially dangerous power line transients.
In addition to AC line protection many surge protectors also have protected phone line connectors. Use these to protect your PC's modem:
a) Plug a standard telephone cable between the phone wall connector and the 'In' connector on the surge protector.
b) Use a second cable to connect your modem to the 'Out' connector.
Your modem and PC are now protected from dangerous phone line transients.
Surge protectors with these features cost around $20 dollars and are well worth every bit of it!
Surge protected power strips have snubber circuits that filter out these potentially dangerous power line transients.
In addition to AC line protection many surge protectors also have protected phone line connectors. Use these to protect your PC's modem:
a) Plug a standard telephone cable between the phone wall connector and the 'In' connector on the surge protector.
b) Use a second cable to connect your modem to the 'Out' connector.
Your modem and PC are now protected from dangerous phone line transients.
Surge protectors with these features cost around $20 dollars and are well worth every bit of it!
36. DEFRAGMENT YOUR HARD DRIVE
A heavily fragmented drive can slow down your PC. Running this maintenance task can help keep your PC running at top speed.
See the 'Easy Tips' section of the ComputerHelpAtoZ.com for complete instructions.
See the 'Easy Tips' section of the ComputerHelpAtoZ.com for complete instructions.
37. HOW TO CLOSE RUNNING PROGRAMS (Windows 98)
Your PC can get hung up when applications get lost or stalled. With 'Close Program' you can usually identify and close the errant program.
All Windows operating systems beyond Windows 95 have a 'Close Program' box that lets you see all running programs. To close a running program:
* Open 'Close Program' by simultaneously pressing the 'Ctrl-Alt-Delete' keys. Usually the program that is hung up says (not responding) next to it.
* To close it or any other program, select it and then press the 'End Task' button.
If the program remains hung up, repeat these two steps until it closes. In some cases, depending on type of error, it is necessary to reset the PC.
All Windows operating systems beyond Windows 95 have a 'Close Program' box that lets you see all running programs. To close a running program:
* Open 'Close Program' by simultaneously pressing the 'Ctrl-Alt-Delete' keys. Usually the program that is hung up says (not responding) next to it.
* To close it or any other program, select it and then press the 'End Task' button.
If the program remains hung up, repeat these two steps until it closes. In some cases, depending on type of error, it is necessary to reset the PC.
38. ADJUST TEXT SIZE IN YOUR INTERNET EXPLORER
38. ADJUST TEXT SIZE IN YOUR INTERNET EXPLORER
When viewing web pages in your browser the text size may not be suitable for you. This is easily changed.
* Select 'View' on the menu bar found at the top of the browser. From the drop-down menu select 'Text Size' and another menu opens.
* This menu has five options: largest, larger,medium, smaller and smallest. One of them is identified as the current option.
* Select a size that moves the text size in the direction you desire and all body text on the current web page is accordingly adjusted.
Text that is explicitly set in the web page may not change size.
When viewing web pages in your browser the text size may not be suitable for you. This is easily changed.
* Select 'View' on the menu bar found at the top of the browser. From the drop-down menu select 'Text Size' and another menu opens.
* This menu has five options: largest, larger,medium, smaller and smallest. One of them is identified as the current option.
* Select a size that moves the text size in the direction you desire and all body text on the current web page is accordingly adjusted.
Text that is explicitly set in the web page may not change size.
Internal storage
Hardware that keeps data inside the computer for later use and remains persistent even when the computer has no power.
* Hard disk - for medium-term storage of data.
* Solid-state drive - a device similar to hard disk, but containing no moving parts and stores data in a digital format.
* RAID array controller - a device to manage several internal or external hard disks and optionally some peripherals in order to achieve performance or reliability improvement in what is called a RAID array.
[edit] Sound card
Main article: Sound card
Enables the computer to output sound to audio devices, as well as accept input from a microphone. Most modern computers have sound cards built-in to the motherboard, though it is common for a user to install a separate sound card as an upgrade. Most sound cards, either built-in or added, have surround sound capabilities.
* Hard disk - for medium-term storage of data.
* Solid-state drive - a device similar to hard disk, but containing no moving parts and stores data in a digital format.
* RAID array controller - a device to manage several internal or external hard disks and optionally some peripherals in order to achieve performance or reliability improvement in what is called a RAID array.
[edit] Sound card
Main article: Sound card
Enables the computer to output sound to audio devices, as well as accept input from a microphone. Most modern computers have sound cards built-in to the motherboard, though it is common for a user to install a separate sound card as an upgrade. Most sound cards, either built-in or added, have surround sound capabilities.
Power supply
Main article: Power supply unit (computer)
Includes power cord, switch, and cooling fan. Supplies power at appropriate voltages to the motherboard and internal disk drives.
[edit] Video display controller
Main article: Graphics card
Produces the output for the visual display unit. This will either be built into the motherboard or attached in its own separate slot (PCI, PCI-E, PCI-E 2.0, or AGP), in the form of a graphics card.
[edit] Removable media devices
Main article: Computer storage
* CD (compact disc) - the most common type of removable media, suitable for music and data.
o CD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a CD.
o CD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a CD.
* DVD (digital versatile disc) - a popular type of removable media that is the same dimensions as a CD but stores up to 12 times as much information. It is the most common way of transferring digital video, and is popular for data storage.
o DVD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a DVD.
o DVD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a DVD.
o DVD-RAM Drive - a device used for rapid writing and reading of data from a special type of DVD.
* Blu-ray Disc - a high-density optical disc format for data and high-definition video. Can store 70 times as much information as a CD.
o BD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a Blu-ray disc.
o BD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a Blu-ray disc.
* HD DVD - a discontinued competitor to the Blu-ray format.
* Floppy disk - an outdated storage device consisting of a thin disk of a flexible magnetic storage medium. Used today mainly for loading RAID drivers.
* Zip drive - an outdated medium-capacity removable disk storage system, first introduced by Iomega in 1994.
* USB flash drive - a flash memory data storage device integrated with a USB interface, typically small, lightweight, removable, and rewritable. Capacities vary, from hundreds of megabytes (in the same ballpark as CDs) to tens of gigabytes (surpassing, at great expense, Blu-ray discs).
* Tape drive - a device that reads and writes data on a magnetic tape, used for long term storage and backups.
Includes power cord, switch, and cooling fan. Supplies power at appropriate voltages to the motherboard and internal disk drives.
[edit] Video display controller
Main article: Graphics card
Produces the output for the visual display unit. This will either be built into the motherboard or attached in its own separate slot (PCI, PCI-E, PCI-E 2.0, or AGP), in the form of a graphics card.
[edit] Removable media devices
Main article: Computer storage
* CD (compact disc) - the most common type of removable media, suitable for music and data.
o CD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a CD.
o CD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a CD.
* DVD (digital versatile disc) - a popular type of removable media that is the same dimensions as a CD but stores up to 12 times as much information. It is the most common way of transferring digital video, and is popular for data storage.
o DVD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a DVD.
o DVD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a DVD.
o DVD-RAM Drive - a device used for rapid writing and reading of data from a special type of DVD.
* Blu-ray Disc - a high-density optical disc format for data and high-definition video. Can store 70 times as much information as a CD.
o BD-ROM Drive - a device used for reading data from a Blu-ray disc.
o BD Writer - a device used for both reading and writing data to and from a Blu-ray disc.
* HD DVD - a discontinued competitor to the Blu-ray format.
* Floppy disk - an outdated storage device consisting of a thin disk of a flexible magnetic storage medium. Used today mainly for loading RAID drivers.
* Zip drive - an outdated medium-capacity removable disk storage system, first introduced by Iomega in 1994.
* USB flash drive - a flash memory data storage device integrated with a USB interface, typically small, lightweight, removable, and rewritable. Capacities vary, from hundreds of megabytes (in the same ballpark as CDs) to tens of gigabytes (surpassing, at great expense, Blu-ray discs).
* Tape drive - a device that reads and writes data on a magnetic tape, used for long term storage and backups.
Motherboard
Motherboard
The motherboard is the "body"[citation needed] of the computer. Components directly attached to the motherboard include:
* The central processing unit (CPU) performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, and is sometimes referred to as the "brain" of the computer. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan.
* The chipset mediates communication between the CPU and the other components of the system, including main memory.
* RAM Stores all running processes (applications) and the current running OS. RAM Stands for Random Access Memory
* The BIOS includes boot firmware and power management. The Basic Input Output System tasks are handled by operating system drivers.
* Internal Buses connect the CPU to various internal components and to expansion cards for graphics and sound.
o Current
+ The northbridge memory controller, for RAM and PCI Express
# PCI Express, for graphics cards
+ PCI, for other expansion cards
+ SATA, for disk drives
o Obsolete
+ ATA (superseded by SATA)
+ AGP (superseded by PCI Express)
+ VLB VESA Local Bus (superseded by AGP)
+ ISA (expansion card slot format obsolete in PCs, but still used in industrial computers)
* External Bus Controllers support ports for external peripherals. These ports may be controlled directly by the southbridge I/O controller or based on expansion cards attached to the motherboard through the PCI bus.
o USB
o FireWire
o eSATA
The motherboard is the "body"[citation needed] of the computer. Components directly attached to the motherboard include:
* The central processing unit (CPU) performs most of the calculations which enable a computer to function, and is sometimes referred to as the "brain" of the computer. It is usually cooled by a heat sink and fan.
* The chipset mediates communication between the CPU and the other components of the system, including main memory.
* RAM Stores all running processes (applications) and the current running OS. RAM Stands for Random Access Memory
* The BIOS includes boot firmware and power management. The Basic Input Output System tasks are handled by operating system drivers.
* Internal Buses connect the CPU to various internal components and to expansion cards for graphics and sound.
o Current
+ The northbridge memory controller, for RAM and PCI Express
# PCI Express, for graphics cards
+ PCI, for other expansion cards
+ SATA, for disk drives
o Obsolete
+ ATA (superseded by SATA)
+ AGP (superseded by PCI Express)
+ VLB VESA Local Bus (superseded by AGP)
+ ISA (expansion card slot format obsolete in PCs, but still used in industrial computers)
* External Bus Controllers support ports for external peripherals. These ports may be controlled directly by the southbridge I/O controller or based on expansion cards attached to the motherboard through the PCI bus.
o USB
o FireWire
o eSATA
PC Case by John Anthony
PC Case
by John Anthony
The PC case is a thin sheet metal enclosure that houses the motherboard, power supply and various drives (HDD, FDD, CD, DVD).
* Cases are offered in two styles, desktop and tower. Today the tower type is predominant. It stands upright and is much taller than it is wide. It is usually placed on the floor next to, or under a desk. The desktop has a pizza box profile and usually sits on the desktop.
* Tower cases are offered in two basic sizes, one that can fit ATX (12" wide) motherboards and one that can accommodate ATX mini (8.5" wide) motherboards. The number of drive bays offered also varies depending on manufacturer.
* The motherboard and power supply mount to the floor at the rear of the case. The drives (hard, floppy and CD/DVD) mount in enclosures called drive bays at the front of the case.
* Cases run from $20 to $70 depending on size (ATX or ATX mini), number of drive bays and the wattage of the power supply.
by John Anthony
The PC case is a thin sheet metal enclosure that houses the motherboard, power supply and various drives (HDD, FDD, CD, DVD).
* Cases are offered in two styles, desktop and tower. Today the tower type is predominant. It stands upright and is much taller than it is wide. It is usually placed on the floor next to, or under a desk. The desktop has a pizza box profile and usually sits on the desktop.
* Tower cases are offered in two basic sizes, one that can fit ATX (12" wide) motherboards and one that can accommodate ATX mini (8.5" wide) motherboards. The number of drive bays offered also varies depending on manufacturer.
* The motherboard and power supply mount to the floor at the rear of the case. The drives (hard, floppy and CD/DVD) mount in enclosures called drive bays at the front of the case.
* Cases run from $20 to $70 depending on size (ATX or ATX mini), number of drive bays and the wattage of the power supply.
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