Computer Basics & Beyond

(Quick Links)
1. Lesson #1: Booting Your System
2. Lesson #2: The Desktop Icon
3. Lesson #3: Add/Delete a Desktop Icon

Introduction:

Hello, my name is Vince Underwood. Welcome to the wonderful world of computing! Each and everyday that you work with your new computer you will learn so much so fast. I remember when I got my first computer I couldn't wait to get to be as good as my neighbor who helped me set it up. Then, I just had to learn how to play music in that chat room! Or, I wanted to be able to type as fast as that friend I just met over in Japan. It was all so fascinating to me. Every new thing that I learned gave me a new set of goals. It really seemed endless and it really IS endless!

The main thing I would like you to keep in mind as you wander around your computer system is that they are not as fragile as you may think. There really isn't anything that you can do to them that can't be reversed. So don't be frightened, go ahead, explorer. If you get in trouble, you can call on your 10 year old neighbor kid for help. I know that sounds funny, but it is very true (in a lot of cases). Kids these days are very savvy when it comes to computers!

When I say that your computer is not fragile, I of course DON'T mean that you can pick it up and drop it on the ground or toss your keyboard out the window. They are, in fact, pretty fragile in that respect. But, if you just sit down and start exploring your computer system, it is going to be difficult to cause any permanent damage to the operating system. There are "fail safe" devices these days that can help you get your system back to a normal state in no time. With that said, please use ordinary common sense, don't start deleting everything in sight! <smile>.

In these series of Lessons, I will provide instructions using both the Windows XP and Windows Vista operating systems. When-ever there is a difference, I will point this out to you.

I suppose the first thing we should discuss is Starting Your Computer. Also known as "Booting Your System". Let's go over to Lesson #1 to learn more, shall we?

Lesson #1: Booting Your System

OK, so you have your new computer system all hooked up. Are you ready to dive in and have a look around? Good, so go ahead and press the power button on the front of your computer system. Once the power button is pressed, your Windows operating system will begin what is called; the "Boot Process". Hence the term; "booting your system".

Basically, what happens is; the power hits the Motherboard. The Motherboard wakes up all of the devices (eg: cd-rom, floppy drive, video card). If all of these devices are communicating well with the Motherboard you will then normally see a Windows Logo screen. After that is shown, the Operating System will take control and begin waking up all of your installed programs, folders, files...etc. Once all of these are ready for you to view, the computer will stop loading and will end at what is called; the "Desktop". This is the area where all of your Desktop Icons are displayed.

These icons are simply little square graphical shortcuts to the program that it represents. If you hold your mouse arrow over one of the Icons and then double left click it with your mouse, it will start that program. Would you like to learn a little more about your Desktop Icons? OK, then off we go to Lesson #2.
 

Lesson #2: The Desktop Icon:

 

Remember when I called these icons little square graphical shortcuts? Well, the reason that these icons are called "shortcuts" is because it saves you time from having to go down to the "Start" button, left clicking the Start button, left clicking "All Programs". Then, searching the "All Programs" list for the program that you would like to open. Once you find the program you're searching for, you have to double left click it for it to start. Well, I hope you get the point, it is much quicker and easier to click the Desktop Icon than to go searching for the program via the 'Start' button.

This doesn't mean that you should have all of your programs displayed on the Desktop. It's really is best to have only those program icons that you use pretty frequently showing on your Desktop. It just keeps the clutter down. Think of your "Desktop" as an ordinary desktop and the programs as regular items you would see on your desk. Do you want 3 kinds of staplers, 2 coffee mugs, a can of ginger ale and a couple of cokes on your desktop? No, just one of each is fine, right?. Now, my neighbor Jennifer works for a law firm, so she has to be able to type very quickly. Well, to keep her at her best, she has about 8 different typing programs on her desktop. So, it's all a matter of priority!<smile>. Would you like to learn how to add an icon and delete an icon from your desktop? Alright, then we're off to Lesson #3.

Lesson #3: Add/Delete a Desktop Icon

OK, so I've mentioned left clicking the mouse before. Well, unless you are left handed, left clicking the mouse is considered a common function of the mouse. So, from here on out, unless I tell you to "right click" the mouse, please assume that I mean for you to "left" click. So, to get to know what the "right click" can do; go ahead and hover your mouse arrow over any of the Desktop Icons. Now, right click the Icon once. A little popup menu will appear. Depending on which icon you've chosen, it may have many listed items in the right click menu. Go ahead and right click a few other icons so you can see the difference for yourself. If any of these listed options catches your interest, go ahead and click them to find out more. Once you're done exploring, come on back and we'll continue.

Hey, welcome back! Now that you are familiar with the "right click" menu, I'm sure that you noticed the "Delete" option in there. Yes, that's right, by right clicking the Desktop Icon and clicking the "Delete" option, this will send the icon to the "Recycle Bin". By deleting this Desktop Icon, you are merely deleting the "shortcut", not the actual program. Deleting the icon from your desktop is certainly not permanent. I'll teach you how to get that out of the Recycle Bin and restore it back to your desktop in the next lesson.

Next, let me show you an easy method of placing one of your favorite program shortcuts on to your desktop. OK, click the button that says "Start" situated at the bottom left of your screen. Now, click the "All Programs" button. Locate the program that you would like to place as a shortcut icon on your desktop. Now, pay attention here, we're going to use a quick method called; "Drag and Drop". Here are really simple instructions on how this is done:

1. Hold your mouse arrow over the programs title in the All Programs menu.
2. Click your mouse once (yes, left click <smile>) and keep that click held in the down position.
3. Now, drag your mouse in the direction of your "Desktop" area outside the "All Programs" menu area.
4. Once your mouse arrow is over your Desktop area, release the mouse button. Your program shortcut icon will now drop on to your desktop. Hence the term; Drag and Drop. Easy enough right?

Well, since I had you delete one of your desktop icons, let me show you how you can get it out of the Recycle Bin. Onward to Lesson #4...(coming soon!)