Week 3 - Basic Computer Operations

EXCELLENT LEADERS SECONDARY SCHOOL
17, Oredola Street, Gudugba Bus Stop, Ishaga, Lagos State
E-mail: excellent_leaders@yahoo.com
E-NOTE
SUBJECT: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY
TOPIC: BASIC COMPUTER OPERATIONS
CLASS: SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL 1
WEEK: THREE
Lesson Objective:
At the end of the lesson students should be able to
a) Describe the booting process
b) List the types of booting
c) Identify the components on the desktop
d) Run an application program
e) Shutdown a computer
CONTENT:
TER OPERATION
Booting is the initial set of operations that a computer system performs when electrical power
to the C.P.U is switched on.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BOOTING PROCESS
When the computer’s power is first turned on, the C.P.U initializes itself to look for the system’s
ROM BIOS (Read Only Memory Basic Input Output System) which is the first program that runs
every time the computer is turned on. The BIOS performs the Power-On Self-Test (POST),
which begins by checking the BIOS chip and then testing the CMOS (Complementary Metal
Oxide Semi-Conductor) R.A.M. If the POST does not detect a battery failure, it then continues to
initialize the CPU (Central Processing Unit), checking the hardware devices to ensure they are
functioning properly. Once the POST has determined that all components are functioning
properly and the CPU has successfully initialized the BIOS looks to the CMOS chip to tell it
where to find the Operating System (OS), which on most personal computers (PCs), the OS
loads from the C: drive.
In summary, for a computer to successfully boot, its BIOS, Operating System and Hardware
components must all be working properly; failure of any one of these three elements will likely
result in a failed boot sequence.
Types of Booting
(1) COLD Booting
Cold booting is also known as Hard booting. This is the process of turning the computer system
ON by pressing the power of the system unit and the monitor.
(2) WARM BOOTING
Warm booting is also known as Soft booting. This is the process when the operating system
alone is restarted (without being switched off) after a system crash or freeze. On PCs, warm
booting is done by pressing the Control, Alt, and Delete keys simultaneously.
Both types of booting clear out (for the time being) the bugs, bombs, memory conflicts, and
other idiosyncrasies (peculiarities) of the operating system.
REBOOTING
Rebooting is the process by which a running computer system is restarted either intentionally
or unintentionally. Rebooting can either be hard whereby the power to the system is physically
turned off and on again causing an initial boot of the machine or soft where the system restarts
without the need to interrupt the power.
HARD REBOOT
A hard reboot also known as cold reboot, or cold start involves power cycling a computer or
otherwise forcibly resetting the state of its hardware. This can be done by disconnecting a
power chord or battery, through the power switch or a reset button. It can be caused by power
failure.
SOFT REBOOT
A soft reboot, also known as warm reboot involves restarting a computer normally under
software control.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN COLD BOOTING AND WARM BOOTING
Cold (Hard) Booting Warm (Soft) Booting
 Use of power-switch is involved It involves short cut keys e.g (CTRL+ALT+DEL)
 It is done when the system It is done when the system is ON
is already OFF
 CPU stops working CPU continuous running
 Memory and BIOS are reset Memory and BIOS are not reset
The computer may not necessarily It is necessary when a program encounters an
have a program error before it is performed error from which it cannot recover
Windows Desktop
Windows desktop is the graphical user interface (GUI) of the Windows Operating System. The
desktop is what is displayed when you log in on most operating systems. It provides a platform
for the user to interface with or operate the computer by pointing and clicking the mouse
button on graphical symbols to send data and instructions to the computer and get out of it.
NOTE: There is a difference between Window and Windows in computer. Whenever a program
is started in windows it occupies a certain space on the screen in which it runs. That frame or
box is called a window. While windows is an Operating System (OS) from Microsoft
Corperation
Elements of Windows Desktop
a. Mouse pointer: The mouse pointer indicates the current position of the mouse
b. Icons: Icons are the shortcut to folders, files programs and other items
c. Desktop: The launch pad for application and workspace
d. Taskbar: The taskbar is located at the bottom of the screen.
Components of the Taskbar
i. Start menu: Gives quick access to computer settings and computer programs
ii. Quick launch Toolbar: The quick launch toolbar is a section of your taskbar near the Start
menu where you can add shortcuts to programs. The Quick Launch toolbar always stays
visible, even when you have a window open, for easy access to your shortcuts.
iii. System tray: The system tray is a notification area on the operating system taskbar.
Running an Application Program
To run an application program,
1. Click the start button, and the start menu appears.
2. Click on all programs or All apps.
3. Navigate through the various categories or submenus that appear until you find the program
intended to start.
4. Click on the application to start the application
NOTE: If the icon of the application is on the desktop, double-click on it.
Shutting Down Windows
There are many methods of shutting down windows. Some are examined below.
Method I
i. Close all running applications, making sure that any documents you’re currently working on
are saved.
ii. Select Start > Turn Off Computer.
iii. Click on Turn Off.
Method II
i. Close all running applications
ii. Press ALT and F4 keys Simultaneously
iii. Click on Shutdown

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EXCELLENT LEADERS SECONDARY SCHOOL

17, Oredola Street, Gudugba Bus Stop, Ishaga, Lagos State

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