Basic Computer Operation and Troubleshooting

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Basic Computer OperationandTroubleshooting

• February 27, 2003
• Fran Randall
• frandall_at_unca.edu
• http//www.unca.edu/education/edtech/workshops/

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Basic Computer Operation and Troubleshooting
Workshop Outline

• Introduction to computer hardware
• Cabling
• Basic operations
• Troubleshooting
• Stuff

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Introduction to Computer Hardware

• Case
• Power switch
• Reset switch
• Hard drive
• Floppy
• CD/DVD
• Zip drive
• Serial ports
• Parallel port
• USB port

• Keyboard/mouse
• Network card
• Modem
• Sound card
• Video card
• RAM
• Motherboard
• Bus
• Fan
• Cables

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The case(PC)
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What is in the box?
Motherboard ABIT KT7 RAID
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and
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and
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Typical parts of a motherboard.
ABIT SE6
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An example
Gateway E1800 ASUS motherboard
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Specifications
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Cabling (PC)
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The case(iMAC)
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iMAC side and back
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What is in the box?
iMAC motherboard topand bottom.
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and
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and
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and
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and
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Cabling (iMAC)
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For items in or attached to a system to work
properly they must be securely connected.Be
sure to carefully connect the cables.
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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.

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The basic system including keyboard, mouse and
monitor (PC).
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The basic system including keyboard, mouse and
monitor (iMAC).
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Operating systems

• All computer systems have an operating system.
  Currently (02/03), there are three dominate
  typical user operating systems. (Macintosh OS,
  Microsoft Windows OS and Linux.)

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FYI Disk capacities

• Floppy(Double Sided, Double Density)
• Zip cartridge
• CD
• DVD(Single Sided, Single Layered) (Double
  Sided, Double Layered)

• 1.4 MB
• 100 MB 750 MB
• 650 MB
• 4.7 GB
• 17 GB

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FYI Disk capacities abbreviations

• 1 GB 1000 MB
• 1 MB 1000 KB
• 1 KB 1000 bytes (actually 1,024 (210) bytes)

Bit A fundamental unit of information having just
two possible values, as either of the binary
digits 0 or 1.
Byte A sequence of adjacent bits, usually eight,
operated on as a unit by a computer.
Definitions of bit and byte from http//www.dictio
nary.com.
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Floppies, zips, CDs and DVDs,Oh my!
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Three most importantwords in computing.

• Backup
• Backup
• 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.

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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.)
• MACs can propagate viruses.

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Fast and Furious TroubleshootingBefore 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

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Lab-in-a-box
Specifically relating to the laptops in the
portable carts. Alwaysdo a shutdown of the
system when you are through. ImportantBe sure
to let the system finish shutting
downbeforeclosing the case.
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If you have a problem

• Try to solve the problem locally.
• Refer to troubleshooting notebook(s) or
  troubleshooting web page(s).
• Contact technical support with the information
  you have gathered.
• Problem would then be solved at that level of
  support or escalated.

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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 AT School
  of Education)

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Do you have any problems/questions?
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Thank you.
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In memory ofFred McFeely RogersMr. Rogers
March 20, 1928 February 27, 2003
Thank you for being my neighbor
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