Computer Basics:

Hardware

Example of a Laptop Computer

Example of a Desktop Computer
 Computer Basics:
Desktop Hardware
Monitor
CD/DVD Drive

System Unit/Tower

Keyboard
Mouse
 Computer Basics:
Laptop Hardware
Monitor

Keyboard

Mousepad (sometimes known as

Trackpad)
Common Computer Questions:
What’s the Difference Between…
…hardware and software?
Hardware: basic components of the computer – essentially, anything you can physically touch. Your monitor:
hardware. Your keyboard: hardware. Your mouse: hardware. Your printer: hardware. Even something as small as
a thumb/flash/USB drive: hardware.

Software: programs that can be installed onto your computer to control essential functions of the hardware. If
you have a printer connected to your computer by a cable, for example, that printer cannot be used until you add
software that communicates between your computer and the printer. For more information about Software, see
Slide #9!

… a PC and a Mac?
PC simply stands for “personal computer,” which means a desktop computer, a laptop computer, or a netbook.
Mac refers to computers, both desktop and laptop, that are manufactured by the Apple company. PCs typically
run on Microsoft Windows operating software, such as Windows XP, or 7, or now 8. Macs typically operate on a
different operating system – OS X, Snow Leopard, Mountain Lion. You can immediately tell whether a computer
Is running on a Windows or a Mac OS system, by their different desktop and icon appearances. The Mac even has
slightly different keyboard features.

…left-click, right-click, and double-click?

See the next two slides for information on mouse clicks!
 Computer Basics:
The Mouse

Wheel: Scroll
Right button:
“Right click”
Right button:
“Right click”

Left button:
Left button: “Left click”
“Click”
 Computer Basics:
The Mouse
Do this! But how do I… And why?
Click (Left-click or Press the left button of your This allows you to select an icon or
single click) mouse once. Let go. an object.

Double-click Press the left button of your Select and open/activate

mouse twice very rapidly. simultaneously
Let go.

Right-click Press the right button of Access a shortcut menu, tailored to

your mouse once. Let go. the object you have selected

Drag Hold down the left button Move your selections: text, an image,
of your mouse, as you move or another object
the mouse. When the
mouse is in a chosen
location, let go.

Quick Tip! Is your cursor off screen? Are you pulling the mouse over the edge of your desk? Don’t get frustrated! Just lift the mouse off
the desktop, and reposition it further from the edge so that you have sufficient room to move it around.
Computer Basics:
The Cursor
Cursors indicate which tasks are appropriate
for which selections.
Arrow: The arrow, or the pointer, is the default cursor. Use it to follow the movements of
your mouse across the screen. If it appears over an icon or object, that icon or object is
capable of being selected, with one click, and opened, with two clicks.

Pointing finger: The hand with the pointing finger indicates a web link, either in
the form of text or in the form of an icon. It only takes one click to activate a link.

Hourglass: The hourglass, or circle, indicates that the computer is busy completing a
task. PLEASE let the computer finish its task. Trying to work ahead of the computer, or
clicking on an object multiple times, only delays the process.

I-Beam Pointer: The I-beam or I-cursor indicates text fields. If you want to select
and highlight text, position your mouse over the area you want to select and use the drag
option (one click, hold down, and move the mouse ). If you would like to enter text into a
field, such as a search box, a text box, or an address bar, click once. This will activate the
blinking cursor, which indicates where you can enter text.
Computer Basics:
What is Software?
Two Basic Types

System Software: Keeps your computer functioning, and asks your computer to
carry out basic tasks. For example, Windows (whether it is Vista, XP, 7, or 8) is
operating system software.

Application Software: Helps you perform certain tasks

 Ex.: Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, and Powerpoint

 Allow you to create, store, and print word processing
documents, spreadsheets, and presentations

 Ex.: Internet Explorer:

 Connects you to and allows you to browse the Internet, or World Wide
Web – hence the term web browser
Computer Basics:
The Desktop
Icon: Recycle Bin Background, or Wallpaper

Icon: Program (Software)

Icon: Folder (Files)

Icon: File

What’s
this?
Start Button

Taskbar
 The Desktop:
Taskbar

Start Button
Quick Start
Software Program Icons

Notification Options Date &

Time
 The Desktop Taskbar:
Start Menu
1. Click the Start Button.
2. View your most frequently
used programs on the left.
3. Click on the small arrows: these
display a list of the files most
recently opened in that
particular program.
4. On the right are listed common
file directories: the main
storage folders for this
computer.
Computer Basics:
The Window (Sample - Word)
Title Bar Minimize, Maximize, and Close

Menu Bar
Scroll Bar

Insertion Point
 Computer Basics:
The Window (Sample - Internet)
New Tab Minimize, Maximize, and Close

Current Tab
Address Bar Scroll Bar

Title Bar
 Computer Basics:
Shut Down
Simple Shut Down*

1. Start Button
2. Shut Down

That’s it!

*Turning off your CPU by pressing its power button WILL shut
down your computer, but it is strongly discouraged. You can
lose unsaved work, but you can also damage your computer’s
system unit in the long run. Instead, follow the proper
shutdown procedure: Start Button > Shut Down / Turn Off
Computer. The computer will provide prompts if you have any
programs running as you try to shutdown; follow these
prompts to close unsaved work.