IC3 BASICS, Internet and Computing Core Certification

1
IC3 BASICS, Internet and Computing Core
Certification

• Computing Fundamentals
• Lesson 8
• Introduction toWindows XP Professional

2
Objectives

• Describe the general features of Windows XP.
• Start Windows.
• Examine the elements of the Windows opening
  screen.
• Use a mouse to move around the desktop.
• Shut down Windows.

3
The Windows World

• Graphical User Interface
• Users interact with the computer by manipulating
  graphic icons.
• Multitasking
• Run multiple applications at the same time.
• Linking features
• Transfer data among programs and update data
  automatically.

4
Windows XP An Easy Transition

• Easier, faster, and more powerful ways to work
  with applications
• Greater reliability
• Enhanced versions of desktop tools
• Upgraded support for multimedia
• Easy, automated access to information
• Scheduled delivery of information to the World
  Wide Web
• Advanced capabilities for Internet Explorer

5
Starting Windows Log In
This figure shows a Win-dows log-in screen. Not
all installations will require you to log in.
Windows XP allows multiple user ac-counts to be
set up, and each user can set their own set-up
and desktop preferences. When they log in through
this screen, they will see the desktop they have
defined. A pass-word may also be required in some
installations.
6
Starting Windows The Desktop

• This figure shows a typical Windows desktop with
• An icon in the top left corner.
• The Quick Launch toolbar at the lower right.
• The taskbar across the bottom of the window.
• The Start button at lower left.

7
The Windows Opening Screen

• The desktop provides the overall work area on the
  screen.
• The taskbar displays the Start menu and allows
  you to switch among currently running programs.
• The mouse pointer allows you to select and move
  items on your desktop.

8
The Start Menu
These options appear on the Start menu, shown at
the right.

• Control Panel
• Printers and Faxes
• Help and Support
• Search
• Run
• Log Off
• Turn Off Computer

• All Programs
• My Documents
• My Recent Documents
• My Pictures
• My Music
• My Computer

9
Introducing the Mouse

• The mouse is an input device that allows you to
  use and manipulate items on your desktop.
• Your mouse area should be at least one square
  foot on your computer desk.
• The mouse pointer can take various shapes,
  depending on the task in which Windows is engaged.

10
Mouse Pointer Shapes

• When working with text, the mouse pointer will
  look like an I-beam.
• When Windows is performing some function and does
  not want to accept new input or commands, the
  pointer will appear as an hourglass.
• If an arrow is attached to the hourglass, you can
  still select and move objects while Windows
  processes the function it is working on.
• If the pointer turns into a circle with an arrow
  through it, you have attempted an action that is
  not allowed.

11
Mouse Buttons

• Mouse buttons allow you to move windows, select
  options, and run various programs
• Primary button
• This button is used most often for clicking
  objects, selecting objects, and dragging objects.
• Shortcut menu button
• This is usually the right mouse button, but
  settings can be changed for left-handed people to
  make it the left button.
• Right-clicking
• Clicking the shortcut menu button to bring up a
  small menu of choices is referred to as
  right-clicking, no matter which mouse button is
  set up for this task.

12
Operating the Mouse
The column on the left in the table below shows
operations you can perform with the mouse, and
the column on the right shows what happens with
each of those operations.
13
Shutting Down Windows

• Shut down Windows using the Start button. You
  will be given two shut-down choices
• Log Off
• This keeps the computer running, but logs you off
  so someone else can log on.
• You may be asked if you want to Switch Users or
  Log Off.
• Turn Off Computer (Shut Down)
• You will be given three options
• Stand By, Turn Off, or Restart.

14
Shutting Down Windows

• The figure on top shows the Log Off option
  screen. The Switch User option keeps your open
  applications running, but allows a new user to
  log on.
• The figure on the bottom shows the Turn Off
  options
• Stand By saves energy, but keeps open programs
  running.
• Turn Off shuts down Windows and perhaps also your
  computer.
• Restart quits Windows and restarts your computer.

15
Summary

• Windows XP Professional allows multitasking and
  linking of data.
• The opening screen on the standard desktop
  contains the Recycle Bin icon and others added by
  users.
• Most Windows activity takes place on the desktop.
• Windows opening screen contains the desktop, the
  taskbar, the Quick Launch toolbar, the Start
  Button, the mouse pointer, and one or more
  desktop icons.

16
Summary (continued)

• The taskbar opens programs and documents and
  switches back and forth between running programs.
• The Start menu options let you launch programs,
  open recently used files, change your systems
  settings, find files or folders, access Help
  topics, and close and shut down Windows.
• The mouse controls an on-screen pointer. The
  shape of the pointer will change depending on
  what you are doing.

17
Summary (continued)

• Selections are made by clicking, right-clicking,
  and double-clicking mouse buttons.
• The mouse lets you move objects.
• To shut down Windows, either select the Log Off
  or Turn Off Computer option from the Start menu.