Basic Computer Operation

and
Troubleshooting
September 18, 2001
Fran Randall
frandall@unca.edu
http://www.unca.edu/education/edtech/workshops/
 Basic Computer Operation and
Troubleshooting Workshop Outline
• Introduction to computer hardware
• Cabling
• Basic operations
• Troubleshooting
• Stuff
 Introduction to Computer Hardware
• Case • Keyboard/mouse
• Power switch • Network card
• Reset switch • Modem
• Hard drive • Sound card
• Floppy • Video card
• CD/DVD • RAM
• Zip drive • Motherboard
• Serial ports • Bus
• Parallel port • Fan
• USB port • Cables
The case…
What is in the box?

Motherboard
ABIT KT7 RAID
and…
and…
Typical parts of a motherboard.

ABIT SE6
Cabling
 For items in or attached to a
system to work properly they
must be securely connected.

Be sure to carefully connect

the cables.
 Basic operations
• Power cord plugged in.
(If plugged into a power strip, turn it on. Includes peripherals.)

• Cables to peripherals secure.

• Power on peripherals.
• Power on the system.

• Observe the system for proper operation.

The basic system including keyboard,
mouse and monitor.
 Operating systems
• All computer systems have an operating
system. Currently (09/01), there are three
dominate typical user operating systems.
(Macintosh OS, Microsoft Windows OS
and Linux.)
 FYI: Disk capacities
• Floppy
(Double Sided, Double Density) • 1.4 MB
• Zip cartridge • 100 MB – 250 MB
• CD • 650 MB
• DVD
(Single Sided, Single Layered) • 4.7 GB
(Double Sided, Double Layered)
• 17 GB

1 GB = 1000 MB
Floppies,
zips, CDs
and
DVDs,
Oh my!
 Three most important
words in computing.
1. Backup
2. Backup
3. Backup
• You should backup when you do not want to reenter
everything you have entered since your last backup.
(Schedules can range from every item to months.)
• You should regularly check that your backups work.
• Multiple backups and off-site backups are often
required.
 Other good ideas.
• Anti-virus software.
• Regularly updated virus definitions for the anti-
virus software. (Automated if available.)
• Current security patches applied to operating
system and applications.
• Scrutinize any unexpected attachments that are e-
mailed to you. (Particularly “.vbs” and “.exe”
files.)
Fast and Furious Troubleshooting
“Before you call…”
• “Is it plugged in? Is it turned on?”
(Also, “Is the power on in your building?”, etc…)
• “Have you tried rebooting the system.”
(Exiting correctly and physically powering down
the entire system including peripherals.)
• Can you reproduce the problem on-demand?

Computer Troubleshooting and Maintenance Tutorial

 Resources
• Computer Troubleshooting and Maintenance Tutorial
(UNCA DOE)
• EdTech Workshop Resource Archive
(UNCA DOE)
• Basic Educational Technology Online Course
(UNCA DOE)
• Getting Help With Basic Technology Skills
(UNCA DOE)
• Computer Fundamentals for Teachers
(NC A&T School of Education)