OPERATE A PERSONAL COMPUTER WINDOWS 7 OFFICE 2010
WORKBOOK
ISBN 978-1-921971-99-0
ICAICT101A
Operate a Personal Computer This workbook supports ICAICT101A Operate a personal computer in the ICA11 Training Package. © Millbank Investments Ltd, 2012 Software Publications writing team
ISBN 978-1-921971-99-0
Disclaimer All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, scanning, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from Millbank Investments Ltd or Software Publications Pty Ltd. No patent liability is assumed with respect to the use of the information contained herein. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this book, the publisher and authors assume no responsibility for errors or omissions. Neither is any liability assumed for damages resulting from the use of the information contained herein.
Software Publications Pty Ltd (ABN 75 078 026 150) Head Office Unit 10 171 Gibbes Street Chatswood NSW 2067 Published and printed in Australia
2
© Millbank Investments Ltd, 2012
Tablets A tablet is a single panel digital device with a touch screen. Tablets are thin, lightweight and very portable. The design concept behind tablets is to provide all the functions of a computer and more in an ultra-portable format giving users the ability to work on the move. The user interfaces with the tablet using a touch screen – moving and selecting items with their fingers.
Networks Computer networks link several computers together. A network may use cables, telephone lines, radio, infra-red or microwave signals as methods of connecting network devices (computers, printers) together. Computers connected together can:
send and receive files, letters, email, photos, spreadsheets
connect to a printer
use a common internet connection
share input from devices such as DVD players, webcams or scanners
access data from a single database.
OR
Local area network A LAN (local area network) is where computers are networked together in a local environment, such as a home or an office.
28
© Millbank Investments Ltd, 2012
Section 2
SECTION 2: HARDWARE Inside the system unit The system unit contains the power supply, central processing unit, motherboard, memory, CD/DVD/Blu-ray device and other internal hardware. It also contains the hard drive for storing information and ports to allow external devices to be connected.
Power supply unit
CD/DVD/Blu-ray drives
Hard drive(s) Central processing unit
Random access memory
Motherboard
Power supply The power supply unit (PSU) delivers power to all the hardware components of the PC. The computer power cable plugs into the back of the power supply providing it with electrical current. The power supply converts this current into a form which can be used by the computer components. Cables connect the power supply to the motherboard and its components and to all the drives.
Central processing unit (CPU) The CPU (usually referred to as the processor) is the brain of the computer. It is a chip which is slotted into a port on the motherboard. It allows the computer to interpret and process information and relays messages to and from the keyboard, monitor, disk and printer. Different processors will work at different speeds. Processor speed is measured in megahertz or MHz (1 million cycles per second) or gigahertz GHz (1 billion cycles per second). The higher the MHz or GHz number the faster the chip will calculate. A multicore CPU contains two or more processors combined into one chip. This increases the processing speed of the machine when more than one task is being undertaken.
© Millbank Investments Ltd, 2012
31
32-bit and 64-bit Computer processors can either be 32-bit or 64-bit. This refers to the way in which data is processed – a 64-bit processor works with large amounts of RAM more efficiently than a 32bit processor.
Motherboard The motherboard is the core circuit board in the computer. All of the hardware inside the system unit is connected to the motherboard and the arrangement of the motherboard determines the internal layout of the system unit. Some of the motherboard components are permanently fixed onto the motherboard. Other components such as the CPU, the RAM and cards performing various input/output functions are plugged into the motherboard using different shaped sockets and slots. This allows the computer to be tailored to suit individual requirements.
RAM (random access memory) RAM is a set of memory chips that is used by the computer to temporarily store data so that it can be accessed easily by the CPU. When you start the computer, the operating system is loaded into RAM. When a software program is started or a file opened, it is copied into RAM so it can be used.
All data held in RAM is lost when the computer is turned off. If you want to keep a file you have been working on it must be saved to a permanent storage device such as the hard disk. This explains why if you are working on a document and the computer crashes (shuts down unexpectedly) unsaved work will be lost.
Peripheral devices Hardware devices which are attached to the system unit are referred to as peripherals. Some peripherals are vital to the basic functions of the personal computer such as the mouse, the keyboard and the monitor. Other peripherals are not essential to the computer’s basic functioning, such as a printer or scanner.
32
© Millbank Investments Ltd, 2012
Modems A modem (modulator-demodulator) is required if you are connecting to the internet using telephone lines. The modem translates the digital data from the computer into a form that can be transmitted via the telephone network. Modems can be internal (inside the system unit) or external. Some modems will only connect to one computer, whereas others allow multiple computers to be plugged in.
Wireless routers A wireless router provides the same function as a modem – converting data to a form that can be transmitted along a telephone line. Multiple devices can use the router to access the internet wirelessly, e.g. a desktop computer, tablet and smartphone can share the same internet connection. The router can also act as a hub; a network connection point. All devices connected to the router/hub can communicate with each other, sharing files and printers. Wireless routers use WiFi, which is a technology used for wireless connection within a network. They also contain network ports which can be used to connect wired devices to the network.
Bluetooth devices Bluetooth is a technology which transfers data wirelessly over short distances. Many portable devices have Bluetooth built in and Bluetooth adapters can be added to PCs. Bluetooth is also used to connect computer mice and keyboards. One popular use of Bluetooth is for wireless telephone headsets – the headset communicates with the phone using Bluetooth.
38
© Millbank Investments Ltd, 2012
Section 2
Network interface card A network interface card (NIC) is an integrated peripheral designed to convert the data from your computer into a form that can be sent over a network. A NIC can use wireless technology rather than having to be directly wired to the network.
Storage devices Storage devices are used to hold computer programs and data either in the system unit (internal storage) or outside it (external storage).
Hard drive (internal) The main storage device in a computer is the hard drive (also known as a hard disk drive or HDD). The hard drive is the most basic form of permanent storage included in every computer. The storage capacity is measured in gigabytes or terabytes. Without its outer metal case, the hard disk would look like a platter of disks.
On most computers the hard drive is referred to as the C: drive. Some computers can have more than one hard disk and other drive letters will be used to identify them.
© Millbank Investments Ltd, 2012
39
External hard drive An external hard disk drive is connected to a computer via a cable and sits next to the computer in a protective case. The data transfer rate to the external hard disk is usually slower than to an internal disk drive. External hard drives can be used to back up computer data because the drive can be disconnected from the computer and removed for separate safekeeping.
USB memory stick A USB memory stick, also known as a flash drive, jump drive or USB drive, is a small hard drive which plugs into a USB port. Because of their small size these drives are extremely portable. They can plug into any computer and are easy to use. Storage capacities start from 2 GB.
Optical drives A PC may have one or more optical drive types. They may be included as an integrated peripheral or attached externally. Optical drive
Function
CD-ROM
Reads CD discs.
CD-R
Reads and writes to CD discs.
DVD drive
Reads CD and DVD discs.
DVD writer
Reads and writes to CD and DVD discs.
Blu-ray drive
Reads CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs. Writes to DVD and CD discs.
Blu-ray writer
Reads CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs. Writes to CD, DVD and Blu-ray discs.
Read means ‘access data from’.
Write means ‘add data to or edit data currently stored on a disk’.
Disk versus disc
Disc with a ‘c’ is used for optical discs – shiny backed discs such as CDs and DVDs.
Disk with a ‘k’ is used for hardware such as USB disks and hard disks.
40
© Millbank Investments Ltd, 2012
Uninterruptible power supply (UPS) An uninterruptable power supply contains a battery which continues to supply power to the computer in the event of a power outage. A sudden power outage can damage computer hardware and result in loss of data. The UPS will supply power to the computer long enough for the user to save files and shut down correctly. The computer is plugged into the UPS which is then plugged into the wall socket.
Exercise 1 Place a tick in the appropriate check box that describes the primary purpose of each hardware item listed below. The first item has been done for you. Hardware item Mouse USB memory stick Keyboard Hard drive Scanner Monitor
42
Input
Output
Storage
© Millbank Investments Ltd, 2012
Section 2
Connecting cables Connecting power leads The system unit and the monitor require separate power supplies. 1.
Check that the power is switched off at the wall socket before plugging in any equipment.
2.
Plug the correct ends of the cables into the power supply or wall socket.
3.
Plug one of the cables into the power supply port at the back of the system unit.
4.
Plug the other into the power supply port at the back of the monitor.
Power supply end
Computer end
Note If you are using a UPS, plug the computer power cord into the UPS, then plug the UPS cord into the power supply.
Connecting the monitor The monitor is plugged into the video port at the back of the system unit with a video cable. The images below show the connection being made to the VGA port. 1.
Check the data cable plug is the correct way up to fit in the port.
2.
Insert the plug.
3.
Sometimes the plug will have screws on either side to securely anchor the plug into the port. Turn these screws clockwise to tighten them.
© Millbank Investments Ltd, 2012
45
