TECHNICAL - VOCATIONAL

LIVELIHOOD (TVL)
Information and Communication
Technology (ICT)

COMPUTER SYSTEM
SERVICES
1st Semester 1st Quarter
Module 5
CSS115 GRADE 11
 Module 5: Performing Computer Operations
Introduction

Technology has become the integral part of modernization in our society. It opens
door to information that will be needed by people who seeks knowledge through the
use of computer. Using computer, people can search and gain information by simply
accessing the internet. Just a click away, the information is being presented.

The things that are presented in the computer is simply coming from people who puts
information using computer. It is through the use of different programs/ applications
software that could process the data being inputted by the person.
In this lesson, you will learn more about how a computer works.

TOPIC 1: Accessing Information using a computer

Information access is the freedom or ability to identify, obtain and make use of database
or information effectively. There are various research efforts in information access for
which the objective is to simplify and make it more effective for human users to access
and further process large and unwieldy amounts of data and information.

DESKTOP FUNDAMENTALS
THE DESKTOP (Overview)
The desktop is the main screen area that you see after you turn on your computer and
log on to Windows. Like the top of an actual desk, it serves as a surface of your work.
When you open programs or folders, they appear on the desktop. You can also put
things on the desktop, such as files and folders, and arrange them however you want.

The desktop is sometimes defined more broadly to include the taskbar and Windows
Sidebar. The taskbar sits at the bottom of your screen. It shows you which programs
are running and allows you to switch between them. It also contains the start button,
which you can use to access programs, folders and computer settings. On the other
side of the screen, Sidebar contains small programs called gadgets.

Where did my desktop go?

Because programs run on top of the desktop, the desktop itself is often partially or
completely hidden. But it’s still there, underneath everything. To see the while desktop
without closing any of your open programs or windows, click the Show Desktop
button on the taskbar. The desktop is revealed. Click the icon again and restore all of
your windows to the way they were.

Working with desktop icons

Icons are small pictures that represents files, programs and other items. When you
first start Windows, you’ll see at least one icon in your desktop: the Recycle Bin (more
on that later). Your computer manufacturer might have added other icons on the
desktop. Some examples of desktop icons are shown below.

Icons
Adding and removing icons from the desktop
You can choose which icons appear on the desktop – you can add or remove an icon
anytime. Some people like a clean, uncluttered desktop with few or no icons. Others
place dozens of icons on their desktop to give them quick access to frequently used
programs, files and folders.
If you want easy access from the desktop to your favorite files or programs, create
shortcuts to them. A shortcut is an icon that represents a link to an item, rather than
the item itself. When you double click a shortcut, the item opens. If you delete a
shortcut, only the shortcut is removed, not the original item. You can identify shortcuts
by the arrow on their icon.
1. Locate the item that you want to create a shortcut for.
2. Right click the item, click Send To, and the click Desktop. The shortcut icon
appears on your desktop.

Moving icons around

Windows stacks icons in columns on the left side of the desktop. But you’re not stuck
with that arrangement. You can move icon by dragging it to a new place on the
desktop.

Selecting multiple icons

To move or delete a bunch of icons at once, you must first select all of them. Click an
empty area of the desktop and drag the mouse. Surround the icons that you want to
select with the rectangle that appears. Then release the mouse button. Now you can
drag the icons as a group or delete them.

Hiding desktop icons

If you want to temporarily hide all of your desktop icons without actually removing
them, right click an empty part of your desktop, click View and then click Show
Desktop Icons to clear the check mark from that option. Now no icons are displayed on
the desktop. You can get them back by clicking Show Desktop Icon again.

THE START MENU (Overview)

The start menu is the main gateway to your computer’s programs, folders and settings.
It’s called a menu because it provides a list of choices, just as a restaurant menu does. And
as “Start” implies, it’s often the place that you’ll go to start or open things.
Use the Start menu to do these common activities:
1. Start programs
2. Open commonly used folders
3. Search for files, folders and programs
4. Adjust computer settings
5. Get help with the Windows operating system
6. Turn off the computer
7. Log off from windows or switch to a different user account
The Start menu is divided into three basic parts:
a. The large pane shows a short list of programs on your computer. Your computer
manufacturer can customize this list, so its exact appearance will vary. Clicking All
Programs displays a complete list of programs.
b. In the lower left corner is the search box, which allows to look for the programs and
files on your computer by typing in search terms.
c. The right pane provides access to commonly used folders, files, settings and features.
It’s also where you go to log off from windows or turn off your computer.

Start Menu

The Search box

It is one of the most convenient ways to find thins on your computer. The exact
location of the items doesn’t matter – the Search box will scour your programs and all
of the folders in your personal folder (which includes Documents, Pictures, Music,
desktop, and other common locations). It will also search your e-mail messages, saved
instant messages, appointments and contacts.

To use the Search box, open the Start menu and start typing. You don’t need to click inside
the box first. As you type, the search results appear above the Search box in the left pane
of the Start menu. A program, file or folder will appear as a result if:
a. Any word in its title matches or begins with your search terms.
b. Any text in the actual contents of the file – such as the text in a word-processing
document – matches or begins with your search term.
c. Any word in a property of the file, such as the author, matches or begins with your
search term.
The Recycle Bin
When you delete a file or folder, it doesn’t actually get deleted right away – it goes to
the Recycle Bin. That’s a good thing, because if you ever change your mind and decide
you need a deleted file, you can get it back.
The recycle bin when empty (left) and full (right).
If you’re sure that you won’t need the deleted items again, you can empty the Recycle
Bin that will permanently delete the items and reclaim any disk space they were using.

Topic 2: USING THE KEYBOARD

Whether you’re writing a letter or entering numerical data, the keyboard is the main way
to enter information into the computer. But did you know you can also use the keyboard
to control your computer? Learning just a few simple keyboard commands (instructions
to your computer) can help you work efficiently.

How the keys are organized

The keys on the keyboard can be divided into several groups based on function:
a. Typing (alphanumeric) keys. These keys include the same letter, number,
punctuation, and symbol keys found in a traditional typewriter.
b. Control keys. These keys are used alone or in combination with other keys to
perform certain actions. The most frequently used control keys are CTRL, ALT, the
Windows logo key and ESC.
c. Function keys. The function keys are used to perform specific tasks. Theys are
labeled as F1, F2, F3 and so on up to F12.the functionality of these keys differ from
program to program.
d. Navigation keys. These keys are used for moving around in documents or
webpages and editing text. They include the arrow keys, HOME, END, PAGE UP, PAGE
DOWN, DELETE and INSERT.
e. Numeric keypad. The numeric keypad is handy for entering numbers quickly. The
keys are grouped together in a block like a conventional calculator or adding machine.

Typing Text
Whenever you need to type something in a program, e-mail message or text box, you’ll
see a blinking vertical line (l). That’s the cursor, also called insertion point. It shows
where the text that you type will begin. You can move the cursor by clicking in the
desired location with the mouse, or by using the navigation keys.

In addition to letters, numerals, punctuation marks, and symbols, the typing keys
include SHIFT, CAPS LOCK, the TAB key, ENTER, the SPACEBAR and BACKSPACE.
Key name How to use it
SHIFT Press SHIFT in combination with a letter to type an uppercase letter.
Press SHIFT in combination with another key to type the symbol
shown on the upper part of that key.
CAPS LOCK Press CAPS LOCK once to type all letters as uppercase. Press CAPS LOCK
again to turn this function off. Your keyboard may have alight indicating
whether CAPS LOCK is on.
TAB Press the TAB key to move the cursor several spaces forward. You can
also press the TAB key to move to the next text box on a form.
ENTER Press ENTER to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line. In a
dialog, press ENTER to select the highlighted button.
SPACEBAR Press the SPACEBAR to move the cursor one space forward.
BACKSPACE Press BACKSPACE to delete the character before the cursor, or the
selected text.

Choose menus, commands and options

You can open menus and choose commands and other options using your keyboard.
When you press ALT in a program with menus, one letter in each of the menu names
become underlined. Press an underlined letter to open the corresponding menu. Press the
underlined letter in a menu item to choose that command.

Press ALT+F to open the File menu, then press P to choose the Print command. This trick
works in dialog boxes too. Whenever you see an underlined letter attached to an option in
a dialog box, it means you can press ALT plus that letter to choose that option.

Useful shortcuts
The following table lists some of the most useful keyboard shortcuts.
Press this To do this
Windows logo key Open the start menu
ALT+TAB Switch between open programs or windows
ALT+F4 Close the active item or exit the active program
CTRL+S Save the current file or document (works in most programs)
CTRL+C Copy the selected item
CTRL+X Cut the selected item
CTRL+V Paste the selected item
CTRL+Z Undo an action
CTRL+A Select all items in a document or window
F1 Display Help for a program or Windows
Windows logo key +F1 Display Windows Help and Support
ESC Cancel the current task
Application key Open a menu of commands related to a selection in a program.
Equivalent to right clicking the selection.
Using navigation keys
The navigation keys allow you to move the cursor, move around in documents and
webpages and edit text. The following table lists some common functions of these keys.
Press this To do this
LEFT ARROW, RIGHT ARROW, Move the cursor or selection one space or line the
UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW direction of the arrow, or scroll a webpage in the
direction of the arrow.
HOME Move the cursor to the beginning of a line or move to
the top of a webpage.
END Move the cursor to the end of a line or move to the
bottom of a webpage.
CTRL+HOME Move to the top of a document.
CTRL+END Move to the bottom of a document
PAGE UP Move the cursor or page up one screen
PAGE DOWN Move the cursor or page down one screen
DELETE Delete the character after the cursor or the selected
text; in Windows, delete the selected item and move it
to the Recycle Bin.
INSERT Turn Insert mode off or on. When Insert mode is on,
text that you type is inserted at the cursor. When
Insert mode is off, text that you type replaces existing
characters.

Using the numeric keypad

The numeric keypad arranges the numerals 0 through 9, the arithmetic operators +
(addition), - (subtraction), * (multiplication) and / (division), and the decimal point as
they would appear on a calculator or adding machine. These characters are duplicated
elsewhere on the keyboard, of course, but the keypad arrangement allows you to rapidly
enter numerical data or mathematical operations with one hand.

To use the numeric keypad to enter numbers, press NUM LOCK. Most keyboards have
light that indicates whether NUM LOCK is on or off. When NUM LOCK is off, the numeric
keypad functions as a second navigation keys (these functions are printed on the keys
next to the numerals or symbols).
You can use your numeric keypad to perform simple calculations with Calculator.

Tips for using your keyboard safely

Using your keyboard properly can help avoid soreness or injury to your wrists, hands and
arms, particularly if you use your computer for long periods of time. Here are some tips to
help you avoid problems:
1. Place your keyboard at elbow level. Your upper arms should be relaxed at your
sides.
 2. Center your keyboard in front of you. If your keyboard has a numeric keypad, you
can use the space bar as the centering point.
3. Type with your hands and wrist floating above the keyboard, so that you can use
your whole arm to reach distant keys instead of stretching your fingers.
4. Avoid resting your palms or wrists in any type of surface while typing. If your
keyboard has a palm rest, use it only during breaks from typing.
5. While typing, use a light touch and keep your wrists straight.
6. When you’re not typing, relax your arms and hands.
7. Take short breaks from computer use every 15 to 20minutes.

Cleaning the Keyboard

A dirty keyboard doesn't look nice, and can cause your keyboard to not work properly.
Dust, food, liquid, or other particles can get stuck underneath the keys, which can cause
them not to work. Check your owner's manual to see if the manufacturer has provided
you with instructions for your specific keyboard. If so, you should follow them. If not, the
following steps are basic cleaning tips that will help you keep your keyboard clean:
1. Unplug the keyboard from the USB or PS/2 port. If the keyboard is plugged into the
PS/2 port, you will need to shut down the computer before unplugging it.
2. Turn the keyboard upside down and gently shake it to remove dirt and dust.
3. Use a can of compressed air to clean between the keys.
4. Moisten a cotton cloth or paper towel with rubbing alcohol, and use it to clean the
tops of the keys. Do not pour alcohol (or any other liquid) directly onto the keys.
5. Reconnect the keyboard to the computer once it is dry. If you are connecting it to a
PS/2 port, you will need to connect it before turning the computer on.

Topic 3: TRANSFER DATA TO OTHER DEVICES

Transfer Files and Data

There are several ways on how to transfer files and data between compatible systems
using computer software, hardware and peripherals devices. You need to know the
following:
1. Files such as documents, pictures, music and email.
2. Peripherals or hardware this is where you can transfer from one device to another just
like computer to flash disk or vice versa, cellphone to cellphone, computer to computer
and so on.

Ways to transfer Files and Data

1. Computer to computer
In this way, you will use a local connection or router either wired or wireless connections
where the computers are connected to the same network to meet and can transfer files to
each other. Some are using third party to install and use in transferring files from each
other like Zinstall Winwin. You can download the software in this website
http://www.zinstall.com/download-zinstall-winwin.
2. Computer to External storage device
Here, you need of course an external storage just like flash disk or memory card where
you can transfer files from computer to external storage or vice versa.
How to transfer?
1. Make sure you have wire connectors if you want to transfer files from mobile phone
and external hard drive to computer and vice versa.

3. Mobile Phone to Mobile Phone

In these two same devices, Bluetooth connection should be turned on in order to transfer
files from each other. Others prefer to use the ShareIt applications because it is very fast
and easy to install.
Others are preferred to use a third party software called ShareIt.

4. Computer, Cellphone, Laptop to Online Storage

You can transfer files from computers and cellphones or vice versa easily using cloud
storage services like OneDrive, Dropbox or Google drive.
How to transfer files?
1. When transferring files from different devices to online storage, make sure you are
connected to the internet.
2. Internet access is needed when saving and transferring files.
3. Applications are available to download and install for easy access of the online storage.

Topic 4: USING WWW BROWSER TO LOCATE INFORMATION

World Wide Web

Sir Tim Berners-Lee is a British computer scientist. He invented the World Wide Web in
October 1990. He wrote the first web page editor/browser which is WorldWideWeb.app
and the first server which httpd. The first web page was served on the open internet by
the end of 1990.

It was in the year 1993 that CERN, a European Organization for Nuclear Research, where
Sir Tim was working, to announced the global wave of creativity, collaboration and
innovation.

In 1994, Sir Tim moved to Massachusetts Institute of Technology to found the World Wide
Web Consortium (W3C), an international community devoted to developing open web
standards. He remains the Director of W3C to this day.

Parts of Web browser:

• HyperText Markup Language (HTML) - this is the markup or format language for the
web.
• Uniform Resource Identifier (URI)- a kind of “address” that is unique and used to
identify to each resource on the web. It is also commonly called a URL.
• Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) - allows for the retrieval of linked resources from
across the web.

Topic 5: BASIC COMPUTER MAINTENANCE

Maintenance of Computer System

Perhaps you have handpicked the finest computer with the selected fastest processor and
graphic card and with a few gigabytes of memory. So, you thought to yourself that your
machine is probably going to sustain you for the next five (5) years.

But little did you discover that some six months down the road, your computer is
behaving like a Pentium computer, perpetually flustering you with its choppy images,
frustrating pop-ups and tremendously slow disk access. Gradually, your computer crashes
and all your data is lost on one fine afternoon.

One thing you have probably missed out is the need for system maintenance. The basic
routine maintenance comprises of the 3 basic processes.
3 Basic Processes
1. Data Backup
Backing up basically means creating a redundant copy of a data so that in case
anything happens to the original data, you have a spare copy. This is typically a simple
thing to do.
What data should I back up?
In general, you should back up any work or data that cannot be replaced easily. Some
examples are word processing documents, spreadsheets, databases (for financial data),
customer data, and personal files such as pictures, music files, emails, etc.

2. Malware Maintenance
Malware refers to any kind of malicious codes, objects or content that infiltrates your
computer, resulting in damage and causing your system to act in an undesirable
manner. Commonly, these include viruses, spyware, worms, trojan horses, spams
and many more. When you are infected, you can lose your privacy, confidential data,
and access to your system when software and hardware are damaged. Fortunately,
there are a couple of preventive measures you can take to protect yourself from
malware.

3. Disk or File Maintenance

Did anyone tell you that your hard disk is a tricky machine? When you first installed
your operating system, you may be pleased to know how smooth and efficient your
software applications are running. But gradually, it slows down and this bothers you.

Uninstall any unnecessary software and defragment your disk. Typically, your system
performance will decline when the amount of data in your hard disk starts to grow.