PERSONAL COMPUTER OPERATION TRAINING MODULE

DAY 1- WHAT IS ICT TRAINING PROJECT ABOUT?

1. The ICT Project of NONESCOST

ICT covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form.

The nature of information (the "I" in ICT); this covers topics such as the meaning and value of information; how information is controlled; the limitations of ICT; legal considerations

- Management of information - this covers how data is captured, verified and stored for effective use; the manipulation, processing and distribution of information; keeping information secure; designing networks to share information

- Information systems strategy - this considers how ICT can be used within a business or organization as part of achieving goals and objectives

The C part of ICT refers to the communication of data by electronic means, usually over some distance. This is often achieved via networks of sending and receiving equipment, wires and satellite links. The technologies involved in communication tend to be complex. You certainly don't need to understand them for your ICT course. However, there are aspects of digital communications that you needs to be aware of. These relate primarily to the types of network and the ways of connecting to the Internet.

Goal: the goal of this technology skills training is to impart skills to selected high school students for training opportunities and to enhance their innate talents and abilities in handling computer as well as their dream of learning how computer works.

2. Basic PC shortcut keys

The below basic shortcut keys are a listing of shortcut keys that will work with almost all IBM compatible computers and software programs. It is highly recommended that all users keep a good reference of the below short cut keys and/or try to memorize the below keys. Doing so will dramatically increase your productivity.

Shortcut Keys	Description
Alt + F	File menu options in current program.
Alt + E	Edit options in current program
F1	Universal Help in almost every Windows program.
Ctrl + A	Select all text.
Ctrl + X	Cut selected item.
Shift + Del	Cut selected item.
Ctrl + C	Copy selected item.
Ctrl + Ins	Copy selected item
Ctrl + V	Paste
Shift + Ins	Paste
Home	Goes to beginning of current line.
Ctrl + Home	Goes to beginning of document.
End	Goes to end of current line.
Ctrl + End	Goes to end of document.
Shift + Home	Highlights from current position to beginning of line.
Shift + End	Highlights from current position to end of line.
Ctrl + Left arrow	Moves one word to the left at a time.
Ctrl + Right arrow	Moves one word to the right at a time.

CTRL+ALT+DEL--reboots the computer

SHIFT+CTRL+RIGHT ARROW select the whole word.

3. Open/Close Application Programs

Open and Close Applications

There aren't too many things more boring than a computer without any programs. XP comes with some basic programs that are installed by default with the operating system. The included programs are basic at best but they will get you started until others are added.

Start Menu

The most common way to launch a program is to use the Start Menu. On the left side there are shortcuts to some of the basic programs that come with XP. The shortcuts above the gray horizontal line, in this case Internet Explorer and Outlook Express are 'pinned' to the Start Menu, meaning that they will remain there unless you take specific steps to remove them. The program shortcuts below the gray horizontal line change based on which programs you've run most recently. The right side of the Start Menu consists of shortcuts to system folders and other locations that some system designer felt you'll want to access frequently.

Chances are pretty good, at least when you first set up XP and install some applications, that the ones you are looking for aren't going to be on the first screen of the Start Menu. Move and pause the cursor over the All Programs selection and another list of programs will be displayed. Click the program you want or keep moving the cursor over the right pointing arrows to dig deeper into the subfolders and more possibilities.

Quick Launch

For some unknown reason the Quick Launch toolbar isn't displayed by default in a new XP installation in spite of the fact it's one of the easiest, most convenient ways to launch an application. A single click on an item will launch the associated application. To activate Quick Launch, right click the Taskbar (makes sure Lock the Taskbar is unchecked) and click Properties. On the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties dialog box select the Taskbar tab and check the Show Quick Launch option. You can add shortcuts to the Quick Launch area for as may programs as you'd like and the bar can be resized so it incorporates a pop-up toolbar rather than extending across the taskbar area.

Windows Explorer

Although it's not overly practical or convenient, applications can also be launched by navigating to where the application is located in Windows Explorer and double clicking the executable file that launchs the program. In the example below, double clicking the NOTEPAD.EXE entry in the right pane will launch the Notepad application.

Launch Application via Associated File

Files are associated with certain applications via their extension. For example, the file Text Document.txt located on the desktop in the screen capture below uses the .txt extension. By default, files with the .txt extension open with Notepad so double clicking the file on the desktop will cause it to open using Notepad. Rather than double clicking the file you can also use a single right click to open the context menu. Clicking Open will also open Notepad and load the file. Selecting Open With will display other available program options for opening the file; in this case WordPad being and additional program option. Choose Program... can also be selected to open a window that will display additional programs that 'might' be capable of opening the file.

Close Programs

One day a few years back it was nearing the end of a day when anything and everything had already gone wrong and I was working with someone that set a new standard for being computer illiterate. The final straw was when he asked me how to close and get out of an application. I'd had it and grabbed the mouse and said;

· You can click File > Exit on the File menu.

· You can click the X in the red square in the upper right corner of the application window.

FIVE different methods in closing a Program Application Window

1. For demonstration purposes, double click on the My Computer icon on the Desktop to open it.

2. Now close this window by clicking on the X box located in the upper right corner of the window.

3. The Window will close and this is one method you can use to close any program window.

OK, now double click again on the My Computer icon on the Desktop to open it.
Then click on the word File, which is contained in your top tool bar area.
This will pull down a menu for you to now click on Close.
The Window will close and this is another method you can use to close any program window.

OK, now double click again on the My Computer icon on the Desktop to open it.
Now quickly double click your mouse in the upper left hand corner just above the word File.
The Window will close and this is another method you can use to close any program window.

OK, now double click again on the My Computer icon on the Desktop to open it.
Notice how the Taskbar now contains a reference to the My Computer window being opened.
Now right click directly upon the My Computer rectangular reference icon in the Taskbar.
This will launch a menu of choices for you to now click on Close.
The Window will close and this is another method you can use to close any program window.

OK, now double click again on the My Computer icon on the Desktop to open it.
Now press the ALT key along with the F4 key on your keyboard. This is known as ALT + F4.
Once again the Window will close and this is another method you can use to close any window.

Note: This Technical Brief Will Work for All Operating Systems Including Windows XP.

Source: http://www.real-knowledge.com/closewin.htm

 4. How to add/ change  or remove programs

 The Currently installed programs list in the Add or Remove Programs tool lists all of the Windows-compatible programs that have an uninstall program or feature. Occasionally, a program may not be removed completely, and the registry key that is used to display the program in the currently installed programs list remains. In this situation, you may need to manually remove the program from the currently installed programs list in Add or Remove Programs. To do this, follow these steps.

Click Start, and then click Run.
In the Open box, type regedt32, and then click OK.
In Registry Editor, locate the following registry key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall

In the left pane, click the Uninstall registry key, and then click Export on the File menu.
In the Export Registry File dialog box that appears, click Desktop in the Save in list, type uninstall in the File name box, and then click Save.
Each key listed under Uninstall in the left pane of Registry Editor represents a program that is displayed in the currently installed programs list of the Add or Remove Programs tool. To determine which program that each key represents, click the key, and then view the following values in the details pane on the right:

DisplayName: The value data for the DisplayName key is the name that is listed in Add or Remove Programs.
-and-
UninstallString: The value data for the UninstallString key is the program that is used to uninstall the program.

After you identify the registry key that represents the program that you removed but which is still displayed in the Currently installed programs list of Add or Remove Programs, right-click the key in the left pane of the Registry Editor window, and then click Delete.
Click Yes in response to the "Are you sure you want to delete this key and all of its subkeys?" message.
On the File menu, click Exit to quit Registry Editor.
Click Start, click Control Panel, and then click Add or Remove Programs.

In the Currently installed programs list, verify that the program whose registry key you deleted is no longer listed.
Do one of the following:

If the program list is not correct in Add or Remove Programs, double-click the Uninstall.reg file that you saved to your desktop in step 5 to restore the original list of programs in the registry. –or-
If the program list is correct in Add or Remove Programs, right-click the Uninstall.reg file on your desktop, and then click Delete.

Source: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314481

Note: A simple way to remove program

Steps to remove programs

Click on the Start button.
Open the Control Panel.
Double-click on the Add/Remove Programs icon. Here, you can find any program that has been installed to your computer.
Highlight the program that you wish to remove from your computer.
Select Remove. This will run the software's uninstallation process.
Confirm uninstallation of the appropriate software.
Close the Add/Remove Programs window when you are finished.

Source: http://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Programs-%28Windows%29

How to change an installed program
You can use this feature to change the installation of Windows Installer-based programs such as Microsoft Office XP. Windows Installer-based programs include a Maintenance Mode option. With this option, you can add or remove features, change the installation state of the program or of individual components, or repair and restore the installation.

To change a program, follow these steps:

Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add or Remove Programs.
In the Currently installed programs box, click the program that you want to remove, and then click Change or Change/Remove.
Follow the instructions that appear on the screen to make the changes that you want.

How to remove an installed program

To remove a program that is installed on your computer, follow these steps:

Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Add or Remove Programs.
In the Currently installed programs box, click the program that you want to remove, and then click Remove.
If you are prompted to confirm the removal of the program, click Yes.

DAY 2: TROUBLE SHOOTING

TROUBLE SHOOTING- Is a form of problem-solving most often applied to system repair. It is a logical, systematic search for the source of a problem so that it can be solved, and so the system can be made operational again.

The mouse doesn't work?

Check to make sure the mouse is still properly computer. If the mouse has been disconnected, you may have to reboot your computer.

Like the keyboard, the mouse pad is sitting in the open most of the time getting dusty, wet, slimed, or anything else that happens on you desktop. The mouse then rolls over whatever has collected on the mouse pad and gets inside, gumming up the works. To clean the mouse pad, wipe it off occasionally with a damp cloth or get a new one.

You also need to clean your mouse regularly, as often as twice a week. If you turn your mouse over, you’ll notice a round ball with a cover over it. This cover can be twisted off and the ball will come out. Roll the ball on a clean, lint free cloth. Then take a look at the rollers inside the mouse. Take tweezers, a screwdriver, or even your fingernail to scratch the dirt and lint off the rods. Next, you should look inside the mouse and clean out any other dirt or lint that is hiding in there. Finally, replace the ball and twist back on the cover.

2. The keyboard doesn't work?

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Del (all three keys at the same time) to bring up the Task List. Select any program that says "Not responding" and click the End Task button. Repeat until all tasks are ended. Check periodically to see if the keyboard will work.

2. Check to make sure the keyboard is still properly connected to the computer. If the keyboard has been disconnected, you may have to reboot your computer.

3. If all else fails, then turn the power off. Wait a couple of minutes before turning the computer back on.

Special Note

One of the dirtiest parts of your computer is the keyboard. Regular cleaning will help keep the keyboard working properly. First, blow compressed air through the spaces in between the keys to remove dust and lint. If you shake your keyboard upside-down this will also remove some of the particles.

Another keyboard problem that could occur is when you turn your computer on and you get a message that no keyboard was detected or you get into Windows but are not able to type. Remove the keyboard connector for the CPU, examine the pins in the connector to ensure they are straight, and then reinsert the connector. Also, check and make sure the mouse and keyboard connectors have not been switched. If the keyboard still doesn’t work try connecting, another keyboard that you know is working. This will determine if you need a new keyboard or if you have a CPU problem.

3. The computer locks up and/or is acting weird?

1. If the computer is frozen and will not respond to any commands, it may be necessary to press Ctrl + Alt + Del (all three keys at the same time) to bring up the Task List. Select any program that says "Not responding" and click the End Task button. Repeat until all tasks are ended. If this does not work, turn the computer off, wait several seconds, turn the computer back on, and let the computer run the Scandisk.

2. Reboot it. A majority of problems that occur while you are using your computer can be fixed by rebooting. Applications sometimes don’t release memory like they should when they are finished. The end result is your computer locks up or acts really weird. When you reboot, memory registers are cleared and most everything is reset. This fixes a lot of problems.

Special Note

It doesn't hurt a computer to leave it running all the time. However, using the computer for long periods of time causes small problems that can build into larger ones. When Windows reboots, it fixes most of these small problems. Therefore, restarting the computer periodically while working can help reduce the risk of glitches.

The computer starts up in "safe mode"?

At times your computer could develop a problem which causes you machine to boot up in what is called "safe mode". The easiest way to try and solve this problem is to run a "scandisk".

1. Click on Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and Scandisk.

2. Place a check on "Automatically fix errors".

3. When Scandisk finishes, reboot your computer to see if this fixed the problem.

4. If the computer still boots up in the Safe Mode, click on Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and Disk Defragmenter. If you receive the message "You don't need to defragment this drive now", continue with the process anyway.

5. When Disk Defragmenter is finished, reboot your computer to see if this fixed the problem.

6. If the computer still starts up in safe mode, you need to contact a computer technician.

Day3- PC Assembly

A PC computer is a modular type of computer, it can be assembled using hardware components made by different manufacturers, so as to have a custom built computer according to one's specific needs.

The following components are available when building a computer:

The casing: metal casing which houses the internal components of the computer. The casing usually comes with it's own power supply and a set of screws, connectors and cables.
The motherboard: a large printed circuit board used to connect the processor, RAM, hard drives and CD/DVD drives, and comes with its own set of riser connectors.
The processor: the computer's main integrated circuit, the true brain of the computer, performing all the main calculations.
RAM modules.
Storage devices such as hard drives, CD-ROM and DVD-ROM drives and burners, and the floppy disk drive.<
Expansion cards are used to upgrade computer functionality and performance.

The motherboard is the main card, in the form of a large printed circuit board with connectors for the processor, RAM modules and expansion cards.

Installing the processor

The processor is the computer's key integrated circuit which performs the main calculations. Processors come in various formats which can be grouped into two families:

Socket processors
Slot processors

ZIF socket

When installing a processor of the ZIF Socket (Zero Insertion Force) type, make sure the small lever on the side of the socket is raised, then gently insert the processor, making sure the "alignment marking" on one corner of the processor lines up with the corresponding marking on the socket (consult your motherboard documentation for details).

Slot

Installing a CPU into a Slot is just as easy: the single edge contact cartridge that comes with the processor must be installed first. The processor is simply inserted into the slot, just like an expansion card (it only fits in one way).

Installing an active heat sink

ZIF socket processors need a heat sink as well as a fan, these items don't always come with the processor. Both items usually come together in a single unit known as an "active heat sink".

Without a heat sink, the processor will overheat in a couple of seconds after the power has been switched on.

We recommend applying a thin layer of thermal paste (silicon compound) on the surface of the processor that comes into contact with the heat sink, this will increase the contact surface area between the processor and the heat sink improving heat transfer from the processor. Most active heat sinks already come with a thin layer of thermal paste, so you may not need to apply more.

Click one of the heat sink clips onto the nub on the ZIF socket, then gently click the second one into place. The heat sink must be centered correctly and make contact with the entire surface of the processor. It is very important to observe the orientation of the heatsink when installing: the step on the underside of the heat sink should be level with the protruding edge of the socket. Be careful not to apply too much force as the central part of the processor (silicon) is fragile and the slightest crack will cause irreparable damage.

Finally, connect the fan power cable to the designated power connector on the motherboard. It is a good idea to arrange the fan power cable so that it will not interfere with the fan's rotating blades.

There are other alternatives to active heat sinks, which some consider noisy:

Phase-change coolers: very effective but expensive.
Peltier effect coolers: silent but unstable.
Water cooling kits: stable, efficient and silent. Water cooling kit comprise of a water reservoir, a pump, a heat exchanger and a waterblock which absorbs the heat from the processor.

There are also software solutions which deactivate unused processor instructions in order to gain a couple of degrees.

PC assembly - Inserting memory modules

Inserting RAM modules

There are various types of random access memory. The latest motherboards are equipped with DDR2 or DDR memory. Some are even equipped with RAMBus memory. The oldest ones actually have SDRAM connectors, or even EDO RAM connectors.

DDR, SDRAM or RAMBus

DDR, SDRAM or RAMBus memory modules can be inserted in memory slots one at a time. It is not recommended to insert memory modules of different types (and brands), for the following reasons:

they may be incompatible;
the computer is forced to run at the speed of the slowest memory module.

To insert DDR, RAMBus or SDRAM,memory modules just pull open the clips located at each end of the slot, place the memory module straight down into the slot, making sure it is in the correct position (one or more notches between the pins prevent the module from being inserted the wrong way around). Press down firmly without forcing. The two clips at each end should close by themselves.

Installing the motherboard

The motherboard-The motherboard is screwed into the casing. Small risers, called spacers or mounting screws, come with the motherboard and are used to keep a space between the motherboard and the case. These risers are plastic points which "clip" into to the case or into metal supports that have been screwed into place.

Once the motherboard is aligned on the risers, and the inputs and outputs are aligned with the holes in the case the motherboard should then be screwed into place at the bottom of the case.

The motherboard is then connected to the PC power supply. Inside the case a 12 or 24 pin female plug-in connector (or 2 x 6 pin connectors) comes out of the power supply. This connector should be plugged into the matching socket connector on the motherboard (see manual), make sure that the 4 central wires are black (ground).

After that, several other components must be connected to the mother board. The row of pins on the motherboard is used to wire the front panel on the case (pc speaker, power button, light indicators, etc.).

We recommend referring to the motherboard manual to find where they go, even if the names are marked on the board (SPK-speaker, etc.). Here is a non-exhaustive list of components:

Component	Number of pins	Abbreviation
Speaker	4	SPK
Reset button	2	RESET SW or RST SW
Power light	5	POWER LED or PW LED
Hard drive access light	2	HDD LED
Power button	6	POWER SW ou PWR BTN
Fan	2/3	FAN
Infrared	4	IR
Suspend	2	SUSPEND

Inserting expansion cards

Expansion cards are plugged into expansion slots. There are several types of slots:

ISA slots run at 16 bits. Few computers still use this type of slot as the bus runs at a relatively slow speed.
PCI slots run at 32 bits. This slot is used for most types of expansion cards with the exception of the latest generation of graphic cards.
AGP slots run at 32 bits. This fast bus is exclusively used for graphic cards and is generally distinguished by its brown colour.
PCI Express slots run at 32 bits. This is a very fast bus, used for graphic cards, and spotted by its brown colour.

There is no need to be afraid of inserting the wrong card in the wrong slot as this is impossible because each card type has its own slot size.

Hard drive installation

Hard drives, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM drives and floppy drive

The motherboard usually has two IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) connectors:

The first connector is known as the primary device controller;
The second is known as the secondary device controller.

Each connector can take two IDE devices connected with a single ribbon cable, making a total of 4 IDE devices (two devices per ribbon cable connected to the motherboard). To overcome this limit of 4 IDE devices, additional devices can be connected using an IDE controller expansion card or a SCSI controller.

Where two devices are connected to the same IDE ribbon cable (the cable which connects one or two IDE devices to the motherboard), we must tell the computer which of the two has priority, or more precisely which is the master and which is the slave, abbreviated to SL. To do this, the devices must be configured using jumpers located at the rear of the device (beside the IDE connector). There is normally a small diagram on the device depicting the jumper positions for master (M) or slave (SL).

Note that you may also see the abbreviation CS (for cable select) which means that the master and slave disks are determined automatically if both disks have this option and it is supported by the motherboard.

It is also recommended to connect devices of the same type using the same ribbon cable as the bus transfer speed adapts to the slowest device on the cable. It is therefore recommended to put disks drives on one cable and CD-ROM and CD burners on the second (a CD burner is installed in exactly the same way as a CD-ROM drive).

As we have seen, there are 2 IDE channels, where a maximum of two disks can be connected to each IDE channel.

By default the computer will boot up using the first hard drive located on the primary IDE channel. Order of priority is as follows:

IDE1 - Master,
IDE1 - Slave,
IDE2 - Master,
IDE2 - Slave.

Recommended configuration is as follows:

IDE1	IDE1	IDE2	IDE2
master disk
master disk	slave disk
master disk	slave disk	master disk
master disk	slave disk	master disk	slave disk
master disk		master CD-ROM
master disk	slave disk	master CD-ROM
master disk		master CD-ROM	slave CD-ROM
master disk	slave disk	master disk	slave CD-ROM
master disk	slave disk	master CD-ROM	slave CD-ROM

When connecting IDE devices it is important to check that the red line on the ribbon cable is lined up with pin 1.

on the motherboard:

on the hard drive(s) (usually beside the power connector):

Other IDE devices (CD-ROM / DVD-ROM drives or burners) are connected in the same way.

For further information check the IDE/ATA bus section.

Serial ATA- If the motherboard has Serial ATA (SATA) connectors, it is recommended

For further information check the serial ATA section.

SCSI Drives-For SCSI hard drives or CD-ROM drives a SCSI controller must be installed first, or use the integrated controller on the motherboard if necessary.

Next the IDs must be assigned to each device in the chain. Jumpers on the disks can be used to set the number.

For further information check the SCSI section.

Floppy disk drives-Floppy disk drives (FDC, for Floppy Disk Controller) are connected using a ribbon cable, which is narrower than an IDE cable, and is connected to the floppy disk connector on the motherboard.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR RURAL DEVELOPMENT

2/17/09

BATO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL

1/23/09

Training Module