... Basic Computer Skills ... Beginner's Course - Introduction
The course is oriented for the use of IBM compatible personal computers (PC's), and the use of the Microsoft Windows 98 operating system; Windows 95 users will find some very minor differences in some of the operations described, but it's all right, I'll try to help if it's possible ... Email ... that right, just click it and write.
I arranged the links so that you can return here after each section; Buddy is so thoughtful. You can also use your browser's Back button to return to this page.
You've waited patiently for your new computer to arrive and it's finally here. You can't wait to tear the boxes open, set everything up, and power it to life. But don't hit the tempting "on" switch just yet. Computer systems just don't fall together by accident--in fact, they usually need a little a TLC before you plug anything into anything. So crack your knuckles, sweep up those Styrofoam peanuts, and get ready to give your new system a thorough once-over. Once you've done all of that, plug in all of the power cords. When you're ready to turn on the juice, power up everything but your computer. Do that last. And when it's time to power down the system, do the same thing but in reverse--power off your computer first. Why? Transient voltage can spike through the data cables when you power on a device--bad news for your PC if it happens to be on. Your computer (and everything inside it) has a better (okay, excellent) chance of survival if it's not powered up at the time. Double-click the name of your graphics card and click the Driver tab from the Properties box. Check the updates you want (make careful note of the size of the files and their download times so you know what you're getting into) and click the Download button. You can repeat this every two or three months to keep your copy of Windows up-to-date. You can also keep your drivers current with help from CNET CatchUp, a new service that automatically finds what you need to keep your PC up-to-date.
BREAKING IN YOUR NEW PC
Whether your computer has traveled halfway across the country or just around the corner, it's probably been shaken, stirred, jostled, and jounced. So the first thing you should do, before you start assembling parts or plugging in cables, is open up the case and check to see if anything has shaken loose inside.
As you start piling the parts in their correct places, don't attach any power cords just yet. Make all of the data connections first: Monitor to computer, printer to computer, modem to wall jack, speakers to sound card, and anything else that needs to be connected.
DMA access allows your hard drive and CD-ROM drive to work at top performance levels. Most drives currently available are DMA-capable, but that doesn't necessarily mean the feature is enabled on your PC. Follow these steps to check out the situation.
You've gone through all the preliminary setup steps, you've connected everything correctly, and now you're sitting there with your system purring the way it should. Or is it? The graphics side of computing moves so quickly that it's entirely possible to end up with old graphics drivers on an otherwise new system. Here's an easy way to see if that's the case.
Almost as easy as breathing, Windows can search Microsoft's site for its own updates. Establish an online connection, minimize Internet Explorer, click the Start button, and--at the top of the menu bar that springs up--click Windows Update. Depending on the type of connection you have (standard, cable, DSL, etc.), you'll soon be greeted by the correct Microsoft Web page.