PC Basics Guide
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Table of Contents Introducing the PC ......................................................................... 1 Protecting Your PC ........................................................................................3 Using a Power Surge Suppressor................................................................3 Using Virus Protection Programs .................................................................3 Using Windows Update ..........................................................................
Using a Microphone ................................................................................... 15 Adjusting Microphone Volume ................................................................. 16 Using Media Drives .................................................................................... 17 Using Your CD and DVD Drives................................................................ 17 Handling CDs and DVDs .........................................................................
Improving PC Performance .......................................................... 39 Increasing Available Hard Disk Drive Space ..................................................39 Emptying the Recycle Bin .........................................................................40 Uninstalling Programs..............................................................................40 Cleaning Up Your Hard Disk Drive............................................................
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Introducing the PC NOTE: This guide contains details on options that may not be included with your PC. Your PC may look different from the illustrations in this guide. The monitor and the speakers are sold separately. Speakers may be included with the monitor (select models only). This section describes the PC by listing its internal and external components. It also gives you useful information on using the mouse, the keyboard, the monitor, speakers, a microphone, the media drives, and a printer.
PC Operation The user operates the PC by using a keyboard to enter text and commands, a mouse to point and select items, and a display monitor. For example, the PC shows the Windows desktop on the display screen, and when you move the mouse, the PC causes the cursor to move across the Windows desktop on the screen. The minimum items required to operate your personal computer are the PC base box, the keyboard, the mouse, and the monitor.
Protecting Your PC Using a Power Surge Suppressor Power surges, for example, voltage spikes, power outages or blackouts may cause software problems. Symptoms of voltage spikes include a flickering video display, unexpected PC startups and the PC not responding to your commands. A voltage spike can occasionally corrupt or destroy files. Because of this, you should: • Consistently make backup copies of your data files.
Using Windows Update The Microsoft Windows XP operating system has a Windows Update software program that scans your PC, identifies necessary updates, and helps you to download them. Install critical updates to maintain your PC security and operation. To open Windows Update, click Start on the taskbar, click Help and Support, and then click Windows Update. Your PC must be connected to the Internet to display the Windows Update home page.
To put the PC in standby mode manually: 1 Press the Standby button on the keyboard, if it is present. The screen goes dark, and the PC goes into standby mode. 2 When you want to use the PC again, press the Esc key on the keyboard, or press the Standby button. The screen display reappears just as you left it. Another way to put the PC into standby mode is to: 1 2 3 4 Click Start on the taskbar. Click Turn Off Computer. Click Stand By.
If the PC does not work properly when you wake it from hibernation, follow these steps to restart the PC: 1 Click Start on the taskbar. 2 Click Turn Off Computer. 3 Click Restart. Automatic Standby or Hibernation You can set your PC to go into standby or hibernation mode automatically when it is idle for some number of minutes. To put the PC into standby or hibernation mode automatically, modify the power management settings: 1 2 3 4 5 Click Start on the taskbar. Click Control Panel.
If the PC stops responding, use the Windows Task Manager to close any programs not responding or to restart the PC: 1 Press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys on the keyboard at the same time. 2 Select the program that is not responding, and click End Task. Or Click Shut Down, and then click Restart. If this does not work, press the On button for 5 or more seconds to turn off the PC. Then, press the On button.
A Left button B Scroll wheel button (scrolling mouse only) C Right button Click means to press the left button on the mouse once. Double-click means to press the left button on the mouse two times in a row. To double-click, you click the button (press it and then release it), and then quickly click it again. B A Right-click means to press the right button on the mouse once. To select an item, click the item.
Panning 1 Press and hold down the centre scroll wheel button. 2 Slowly move the mouse in the direction you want to pan. The farther you move the pointer from the starting point, the faster the document pans. 3 To stop panning, release the scroll wheel button. NOTE: Panning only works if the window’s horizontal scroll bar is active. Panning does not work with some software programs.
Keyboard Shortcuts Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keys that you press simultaneously to do specific actions. For example, from the Windows desktop, press the Alt (alternate) key, the Ctrl (control) key and the S key (the letter s), to display support information for the PC (including model number, serial number, and service ID). You will see this combination of keys represented as Alt+Ctrl+S.
Edit Keys The edit keys are Insert, Home, Page Up, Delete, End, and Page Down. Use these keys to insert and delete text and to quickly move the cursor on your screen. They function differently with some software programs. Arrow Keys The arrow keys are controls for up, down, right, and left. You can use these keys instead of the mouse to move the cursor for navigation in a Web page, in a document, or in a game.
Keyboard Indicators Each keyboard indicator is a light labelled with the name or icon for its status: Icon Name Description Num Lock Numeric keys are locked as numbers keys and arithmetic functions. Caps Lock Alphanumeric keys are locked to uppercase. Scroll Lock Scroll function is locked. Special Keyboard Buttons There are special buttons (select models only) at the top of the keyboard. (Some models have some of these special buttons on the left side of the main keys.
Media Control Keys a Open and close disc tray(s) b Record c Play or pause d Stop e Skip to the previous track f Skip to the next track a a d b c e f NOTE: The number, location, and labelling of buttons vary by keyboard model. Adjusting the Monitor To change the screen resolution: 1 Right-click an empty area of the desktop and click Properties. 2 On the Settings tab, adjust the screen resolution. • Moving the slide toward Less increases the size of text on your screen.
Using a TV as a Monitor Your PC may have TV-out (select models only) capability, which means you can connect it to a television to view the computer image on a TV screen. With the TV-out feature, you can view the computer image, watch DVD movies (if you have a DVD player), or play games using your TV. Cables You May Need To connect a TV to the PC, you may need a video cable and an audio cable (not provided; purchase separately).
Adjusting Speaker Volume Use the Volume icon on the taskbar to set speaker volume. Then you can adjust the volume using: • The Volume knob or buttons on the keyboard (select models only). • The Volume knob on the speakers (select models only). NOTE: If you do not see this Volume icon on the taskbar, click Start, choose Control Panel, click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, if it is present, and then double-click Sounds and Audio Devices to open the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties window.
1 Double-click the Volume icon on the taskbar. The Volume Control settings window opens. NOTE: If you do not see this Volume icon, click Start, click Control Panel, click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, if it is present, and then double-click Sounds and Audio Devices to open the Sounds and Audio Devices Properties window. On the Volume tab, place a tick in the Place volume icon in the taskbar tick box. Click Apply, and then click OK. The Volume icon appears in the taskbar.
Using Media Drives Using Your CD and DVD Drives Your PC can come with several types of CD or DVD drives that allow you to do different tasks. What you can do depends on what kind of drive you have. Allows you to: CD-ROM CD-RW DVD-ROM DVD+RW/+R Read data from CDs • • • • Play music CDs • • • • • • Read DVDs Record (burn) data or music to discs • Play DVD movies • • • • Record (burn) DVD movies The combination (combo) drive is available on select models only.
3 Gently place the disc in the tray with the label facing up. NOTE: On a double-sided DVD, read the text around the centre hole to determine which side (A versus B or Standard versus Widescreen) to play. Place the disc in the tray, with the label facing up for the side you want to play. 4 Close the disc tray by: • Gently pushing the tray into the PC. Or • Clicking the open/close button on the control panel for the program that controls the drive.
Using a Diskette (Floppy) Drive The diskette (floppy) drive is available on select model PCs. If your PC does not already have a diskette drive, you cannot add one to the PC chassis as an internal drive. Instead, purchase an external USB diskette drive or other external storage device to suit your needs. If your PC has a diskette drive (select models only), you can use a 3.
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Introducing the Software The operation of your PC is controlled by two kinds of software: • The Microsoft Windows XP operating system, which displays the desktop on the monitor and controls your PC’s hardware, peripherals, and software applications. • Software programs that perform specific functions, such as a word processing program. Software programs included with the PC may vary by model and by country/region.
Removing Desktop Icons You can remove most desktop icons by either deleting them or moving them to an unused icons folder. CAUTION: Do not delete unfamiliar desktop icons. Instead, follow the steps to move unfamiliar desktop icons to the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder. Delete a desktop icon by right-clicking the icon and then selecting Delete. To move a desktop icon to the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Click Start. Click Control Panel. Click Appearance and Themes, if it is present.
Using the Start Menu Click the Start button to open the start menu and: • • • • • A Start button on the taskbar B Log Off button C Turn Off Computer button D All Programs Select programs or documents. Open the Help and Support Center. Start a search. Run a program. Open the Control Panel to view or change settings. D A B C The Start menu also displays the buttons Log Off and Turn Off Computer: • Click the Log Off button to end your current PC session and to switch between users.
To move an item by using the drag-and-drop technique: 1 Left-click an item in All Programs or in a folder, and hold down the mouse button. 2 Move the mouse pointer to where you want the item, and then release the mouse button. (If you have problems dropping the item into a folder, drag it to your desktop, and then drag it to the folder.) To copy an item: 1 Right-click the item. 2 Select Create Shortcut. A copy of the item (shortcut) appears in the folder.
Resizing Windows All windows have some buttons in the upper-right corner. The middle button is either the Maximise button or the Restore Down button. Feature Name Description Minimise Collapses the window to the task bar (but does not close it). The window is still accessible. To bring the window back up, click the button with the name of the window on the task bar. Expands the window to the full screen. Maximise Restore Down Reduces the window from full-screen to covering a portion of the screen.
Working with Digital Images You can connect a digital image source, such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, directly to the PC or through a docking station. Digital picture files you copy or download from the device appear in the My Pictures folder. You can copy digital picture files from the memory cards, used by digital cameras and other digital imaging devices, by using the memory card reader (select models only).
Managing Files A file is any unit of information that is named and stored on your PC hard disk drive or other electronic storage, such as a CD, floppy diskette, or even in a digital camera. A file can be an application program, a picture, music or sounds, a document or data. Almost everything you do on your PC involves working with files. The PC can copy files to other storage media within component drives, such as diskettes, memory cards, CDs or DVDs, or to output devices, such as a printer.
Creating Folders Using My Computer: 1 2 3 4 Click Start on the taskbar and click My Computer. Navigate to the location where you want the new folder. Under File and Folder Tasks, click Make a new folder. Type a name for the folder, and then press Enter. Using Windows Explorer: 1 Right-click Start on the taskbar and click Explore. 2 Navigate to the location where you want the new folder, and select the folder or device that will contain the new folder.
Copying Files Using My Computer: 1 2 3 4 5 Click Start on the taskbar and click My Computer. Find the file you want to copy and select it by clicking the file. Under File and Folder Tasks, click Copy this file. In the Copy Items window, open the folder where you want to put the file copy. Click Copy. Using Windows Explorer: 1 2 3 4 5 Right-click Start on the taskbar and click Explore. Find the file you want to copy and select it by clicking the file. Click the Edit menu and click Copy.
Renaming Files 1 Find the file you want to rename and select it by clicking the file. 2 Click the File menu and click Rename. NOTE: Do not change the filename extension (the last three characters after the period in a filename). Changing the extension could make the file unrecognisable to the PC. 3 Type the new filename and press Enter. NOTE: Another way to rename a file is to right-click the file and then click Rename. Deleting Files CAUTION: Do not delete any file that is part of an installed program.
Using the Internet This chapter describes connecting to the Internet, and using the Internet, including how to use a browser and e-mail. Use the Internet to search for and to find information or services on the Web, or to use an e-mail program to get, read or send electronic mail messages. Connecting to the Internet Hardware and software programs provided on your PC may vary.
Setting Up the Ethernet Connection The Ethernet connection (may be called a network interface adapter, a Network Interface Card, or a NIC ) provides a high-speed, or broadband, connection to an Ethernet (10BaseT) or Fast Ethernet (100BaseT) network. After this interface is connected to a network, such as a LAN (local area network), you can connect to the Internet through the LAN. This network connection also allows you to share printers, data and other devices among your PCs.
The World Wide Web (WWW), also called the Web, is a public part of the Internet used by individuals, companies, governments and organisations. These individuals and groups have created millions of Web pages in support of their activities. A Web page is a file or group of files that a user can access by entering the Web page’s file location, or URL. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) identifies a Web site location, typically in the form http://www.name.extension (for example, http://www.hp.com).
Searching the Internet Most browser programs include a search feature. You may need to click a button or select from a menu to display the search feature, depending on the type of browser program. Type a question or a word that describes the information you want to find into the Search box, and then press Enter. The Windows search feature includes direct use of the Internet Explorer Search. (If your ISP provides the browser, you may not be able to use Internet Explorer to search the Internet.
To use Content Advisor: 1 2 3 4 5 6 Click Start on the taskbar, and then click Control Panel. Click Network and Internet Connections, if it is present. Double-click Internet Options. Click the Content tab. In the Content Advisor area, click Enable. On the Ratings tab, click a category in the list, and then click and drag the slider bar until the rating level is set to the limit you want to use. 7 Repeat step 6 for each category you want to limit. 8 Click Apply, and then click OK.
If Using Outlook Express The first time you start Outlook Express, the Internet Connection Wizard window opens if you are not already connected to the Internet. The Wizard will ask for connection information such as an account name and password and the names of an incoming and an outgoing mail server. If you need help with any of this information, contact your ISP. After the first time you sign up and connect through an ISP, you can run Outlook Express from the Start menu.
Receiving E-Mail Messages with Outlook Express Your ISP receives e-mail messages for you automatically, even when your PC is turned off. The ISP then stores your messages until you connect to the Internet and open your e-mail program to read them. 1 Start Outlook Express. 2 If necessary, click the Send/Recv tool on the toolbar to have your e-mail program get the new messages from all listed e-mail accounts. 3 Click the Inbox folder to view the list of incoming messages.
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Improving PC Performance Over time, the availability of system resources on your PC can decrease, slowing down the performance of the PC. To improve the performance of your PC try: • Closing program windows; keep only one version of a program open at a time. • Restarting the PC; click Start, click Turn Off Computer, and then click • • • • Restart. Increasing memory by adding or upgrading memory modules in the chassis. Increasing available hard disk drive space.
Emptying the Recycle Bin When you delete a file from the hard disk drive, it goes to the Recycle Bin on your Windows desktop. You can retrieve files from the Recycle Bin until you empty it. When you empty the Recycle Bin, the files are permanently deleted. 1 Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your Windows desktop. 2 On the File menu, click Empty Recycle Bin to delete all files. 3 Click Yes to confirm the deletion. Uninstalling Programs CAUTION: Do not uninstall an unfamiliar program.
Consolidating Scattered Files and Folders Over time, as you add, move and remove files and folders on your PC, the bits of data become scattered over the hard disk drive. This can slow down the performance of the PC. With the Disk Defragmenter program you can gather these bits of data together. This improves PC performance. Gathering your files and folders with the Disk Defragmenter does not affect the way you have them organised on your PC.
Fixing Hard Disk Drive Errors The Microsoft ScanDisk program searches your hard disk drive for errors and is able to fix some errors. Fixing hard disk drive errors can improve PC performance. NOTE: Using ScanDisk to check for hard disk drive errors may take a long time to complete. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Click the Start button and then click My Computer. Right-click the icon for the hard disk drive (usually labelled C:). Click Properties, and then click the Tools tab. Click Check Now.
Index 5.1 speakers, 14 A adjusting microphone volume, 16 adjusting speaker volume, 15 ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line), 32 All Programs menu, 23 autoscrolling, mouse, 8 available hard disk drive space increasing, 39 B browsing the Internet, 34 buttons mouse, 7 mouse scroll wheel, 7 Mute, 12 Off.
floppy disk.
R receiving e-mails, 35 recording volume, adjusting microphone, 16 recycle bin emptying, 40 getting files out of the recycle bin, 30 removing desktop icons, 22 removing unneeded software, 40 resizing a window, 25 resolution, monitor, 13 restricting Internet content, 34 S saving electricity, 4, 5 ScanDisk, 42 scrolling mouse, 8 searching for files or folders, 23 the Internet, 34 selecting programs or documents, 23 sending an e-mail, 35 settings viewing or changing, 23 Volume Control, 15 shortcut icons, 21 s
