COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

LABORATORY MANUAL
 Computer Fundamentals

Hardware
1. Monitor

2. System Unit

3. Mouse

4. Keyboard

5. Automatic Voltage Regulator

Software
1. Operating System – Microsoft Windows 2000 (SP 2 or Higher), XP, or Vista or any Linux OS
distributions.

2. Pentium compatible PC (Pentium III or Athlon recommended)

3. 256 MB RAM (512 MB RAM recommended)

4. 370 MB available hard disk space

5. 1024x768 resolution (higher resolution recommended), at least 256 colors

Students
1. The laboratory is intended to be used for educational purposes only.

2. NO GAMES allowed.

3. No food, drinks or tobacco inside the laboratory.

4. You must log-in to your respective computer account and log it off after use.

5. Students are NOT PERMITTED to install any software on any computer units in the laboratory.

6. All bags must be left at the indicated place.

7. Workspace must be clean and tidy all the time. Trash can is available near the door.

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 Computer Fundamentals
8. Lab sessions must be completed within the given time.

9. All equipment (chairs, mouse, and mouse pads) must be RETURNED to their original place after use.

10. Students are strictly prohibited from taking out any item from the laboratory.

11. Students are NOT ALLOWED to work alone in the laboratory without any instructor.

12. Respect the privacy of others by refraining from accessing their files.

13. Handle all equipments with care.

14. Should there be any concerns; refer to the faculty in-charge.

15. The above rules and regulation will be strictly implemented.

Faculty
1. Log-In to the IT LAB log book every time the laboratory will be use.

2. Settle schedule of laboratory classes to the faculty in- charge (to avoid conflicts).

3. Computer Units are to be used for educational purposes only.

4. NO GAMES allowed.

5. No food, drinks or tobacco inside the laboratory.

6. You must log-in to your respective computer account and log it off after use.

7. Workspace must be clean and tidy all the time. Trash can is available near the door.

8. Lab sessions must be completed within the given time.

9. All equipment (chairs, mouse, and mouse pads) must be RETURNED to their original place after use.

10. Faculty is allowed to use the computer units only if classes are not being conducted.

11. Handle all equipments with care.

12. Should there be any concerns; refer to the faculty in-charge.

13. The above rules and regulation will be strictly implemented.

Laboratory Manual Page

 Computer Fundamentals

Identify the different parts of a computer system

Know how each and every parts of a computer system works
Learn how each and every parts of the computers work together to produce a good output

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 Computer Fundamentals
I. Mouse - A mouse is a palm-sized device used to control the movement of an object on the
computer screen called the cursor, or pointer.

Right - Button
Left - Button

Scroll Wheel

Cursor - The cursor is an arrow or other symbol on the screen that moves as you move the
mouse. It is usually an arrow, but its appearance will vary depending on whether it is over
text, blank space, an image or a website link.

>arrow shape, pointing finger, I-beam, blinking vertical line

Mouse and Cursor - To interact with objects on the screen, the cursor is moved over the
object by moving the mouse and a button on the mouse (usually the left button) is
depressed or "clicked".

Most mice have two buttons, while some may have additional buttons, or even a wheel
between the buttons for scrolling up and down through the information on the screen.

Clicking and dragging - "Clicking and dragging" is a way to move certain objects on the
screen and to hi-light text or images. To move an object, place the cursor over it, press and
hold down the left mouse button, then move the mouse while still holding down the left
mouse button. When you have "dragged" the object to the location you want, let go of the
mouse button.

Right clicking - Clicking the right button of the mouse opens up what is called a 'context
menu.' If you accidentally open a context menu, you can close it again by moving the mouse
cursor off of the grey menu box and then clicking the left mouse button.

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Using the scroll wheel – Most mice today have a wheel located between the left and right
mouse button. This is the scroll wheel. As the name implies, it is used to scroll up or down
pages that don’t fit in one window.

Double clicking – Double clicking is used to open applications that are represented by icons
on your computer screen. Icons appear on "the desktop" -- the area that you see on the
screen when the computer is on.

Remember, do not move the mouse between clicks-- the application will not open if the
mouse moves. Double-click quickly -- about as fast as you can say "clickclick".
Practice double-clicking the Internet Explorer icon

Closing an Application – One way to close an application is by clicking the “X” button
found in the upper right corner of the application window. This is usually accompanied by
the – and buttons, which are “minimize” and “maximize”, respectively.

II. System Unit – This contains the central processing unit of your computer. This part of
your computer unit is considered to be the most important.

Front Panel Rear Panel

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 Computer Fundamentals
III. AVR ( Automatic Voltage Regulator) – Regulates the power consumption of your computer unit.

IV. Keyboard – The keyboard is mainly used for typing text but it can be used for various functions
as well.

Using the Arrows on the Keyboard - To move down the page, press the downward
pointing arrow on the keyboard. Each time you press the key, the document will scroll a
small increment. To return to the top of the document, click on the up arrow. Try opening a
document and using the keyboard arrows to scroll up and down.

SUMMARY OF KEYS

Escape key – used for “escaping” programs, usually - Ex. SHIFT+2 = @

when we encounter problems Main body – composed of the letters A-Z
Function keys – composed of F1-F12 keys - Small letters by default
- Every key has a different function - Pressing SHIFT+letter will produce CAPITAL
- Ex. F1 – help, F12 – save letters
Print Screen, Scroll Lock, Break Backspace – in typing, it deletes characters to the
Ctrl, Shift, and Alt – used on their own or with left of the flashing cursor
conjunction with other keys - In other programs, it is an alternative for
- Using with other keys produces different the Back button (Ex. In Internet Explorer)
effects Spacebar – used to put spaces between words and
Number Keys – composed of the numbers 0-9 sentences
- Pressing SHIFT+number will produce the Caps Lock keys – pressing it once will make every
symbols at the top of the numbers letter print UPPER CASE

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 Computer Fundamentals
- Pressing it a second time returns the key to - Home – takes you to the beginning of the
normal line or document(CTRL+Home)
Tabulation “tab” key – used for indention or - End – takes you to the end of the line or
“pushing” text along the line in specified distances document (CTRL+End)
Enter Key – executes a command - Page up/Page Down – similar to scrolling
- Comparable to a double-click of the mouse Arrow Keys – moves the cursor to the direction of
- In word processing, it is used to make the arrow
another line Number pad – designed to function as a small
Special Keys – composed of INSERT, HOME, PAGE calculator
UP, DELETE, END, PAGE DOWN - Num Lock – turns on the Num Pad
- Delete – erases characters to the right of Indicators – lights up when Num Lock, Caps Lock, or
the blinking cursor Scroll Lock is turned on

V. Monitor – the screen which enables you to see all manipulations that you do to your computer.

VI. Desktop – is the large area at the upper part of the screen. The desktop’s main purpose is to
hold shortcut icons that will help you work efficiently.

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 Computer Fundamentals
VII. Start menu – clicking the start menu brings up a list of shortcuts to your programs.

VIII. Taskbar – The taskbar’s main job is to show what applications/programs are currently running. The
taskbar holds the Start menu button at the far left and the notification area in the far right. The currently
running programs are displayed as buttons which you can click to open them.

IX.Icons
1. Document icons – These are files that are stored as part of the desktop. These icons
represent actual documents rather than shortcuts. Deleting them will also delete the
actual document
2. Shortcut icon – This is an icon that represents a shortcut to a program or document
and can be stored on the desktop. It is usually distinguished from other icons by the
arrow at the bottom left corner of the icon. Deleting the shortcut icon will not delete the
actual document.
3. Desktop Icons – These are the icons that are found in your desktop. This usually
includes My Computer, Recycle Bin, and Network Places.

Desktop Icon Document Icon Shortcut Icon

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