Basic Computer Operation and Troubleshooting

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Basic Computer Operation

and

Troubleshooting

September 18, 2001

Fran Randall

frandall@unca.edu

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Basic Computer Operation and

Troubleshooting Workshop Outline

• Introduction to computer hardware

• Cabling

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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

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What is in the box?

Motherboard

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Typical parts of a motherboard.

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For items in or attached to a

system to work properly they

must be securely connected.

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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.

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Operating systems

• All computer systems have an operating

system. Currently

(09/01)

, there are three

dominate typical user operating systems.

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FYI: Disk capacities

• Floppy

(Double Sided, Double Density)

• Zip cartridge • CD

• DVD

(Single Sided, Single Layered) (Double Sided, Double Layered)

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Floppies, zips, CDs and

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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

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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”

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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?

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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}