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Get Going with Windows® XP 
- Author: Johann-Christian Hanke
- Ref: eW-1 876638 20 6
- AU$14.99 for hard copy book
- AU$ 8.00 for e-Book/PDF
- 92 pages plus cover
- Get Going with Windows® XP helps the reader to understand and enjoy the benefits of the features introduced with the "XP" version of Windows®.
- As a bonus the book provides a general introduction to the PC and as such is equally suitable for beginners and those with some experience in how to use Windows®.
- The reader will find that this book is packed with useful exercises, tips and tricks that make it so indispensable.
- Read one of the many industry reviews of Get Going with Windows® XP.
- Please click here for Table of Contents.
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Table of Contents:
Welcome to our basic computer course!,
Hard- or software? Your computer in an overview!,
What is Hardware?
Maybe even more important: Software,
A program for every task,
Windows is the operating system,
The package: Computer, Components and Attachments,
The grey box: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) ,
Connections to the CPU ,
Keyboard and mouse: The PS/2 sockets ,
USB-, COM- and the Parallel-Port ,
Good for printers: Parallel Port,
Classic: The COM Port ,
The Printer ,
Optimal: Laser Printer ,
Inkjet printers ,
Indispensable for colour printing ,
The mouse – a quick overview,
The right way to hold the mouse ,
Keep the tracking ball of the mouse clean,
Keyboard and Monitor,
Monitors: Flat Panel or CRT,
Resolution and Dynamic Range,
Where to connect the monitor ,
The Notebook computer is also a PC! ,
Connect other equipment to your Notebook computer ,
Play and have fun with Multimedia,
Mini Loudspeakers, a must! ,
Switch on the Computer: Hard Disk and RAM memory,
The very first time ,
Start the Windows: Booting,
The Hard Disk, your data storage ,
Computer memory for current applications and processes (RAM) ,
Installation of Windows ,
Activate the Legitimate copy ,
Move, Point, Click: The first exercise with the Mouse ,
Try to move the mouse ,
Point and Click,
Select the Recycle Bin,
Meadow with Clouds: Important recommendation for beginners! ,
The new Layout: For and against ,
Windows in the office environment ,
Start Menu: „XP“ or Classic?,
Select the „Classic“ Start Menu! ,
Activate the Quick Launch feature!
,The Classic Desktop,
The Classic versus the new Windows layout ,
You may apply the known Layout ,
The Windows Desktop,
Overview of the Windows Desktop,
The Double-Click: Open [MY DOCUMENTS]!,
Double-Click with the Mouse,
Problems with the Double-Click ! ,
Escape! ,
The folder containing [MY DOCUMENTS]: An overview,
Windows exercise: Minimize, Maximize, Slide ,
Minimize your window,
Re-open your window ,
Maximize your window,
Restore your windows,
Practice makes perfect! ,
Individual size changes to the window ,
Switch on the Status Bar,
Move just one side,
Again: Practice makes perfect! ,
Shift the window,
Close the windows and only then turn off the PC,
Close the windows,
Switch off the PC ,
Stand By ,
EXERCISE A: General questions about the PC ,
My Computer: Hard Disk, Diskette- and CD/DVD drives,
Practice makes perfect! ,
My Computer ,
Juggling: Work with multiple windows ,
Several windows simultaneously,
Change by Using the Taskbar,
Practice makes perfect! ,
Minimize all windows! ,
Tips and Tricks for those with some experience ,
Double-click the Header,
Change quickly between Tasks,
Minimize all windows ,
Exercise B: How to Manage windows,
Clean-up and re-arrange the Desktop to your taste ,
Move icons,
Tidy up again ,
Align according to the Grid,
Individual background ,
Appearance ,
Dialogue window effects ,
Time and Sounds: The Notification Area of the Taskbar ,
Date and time ,
The loudspeaker icon,
At your fingertip: How to use the „help“ function ,
The Direct Assistance,
F1 activates Full-scale Assistance ,
Easy: Adjust the Double-click,
How to set up your Screen Saver ,
Important: Screen Resolution and Dynamic Range ,
800 x 600 or 1024 x 768?.,
Adjust Monitor Parameters,
Tips and Tricks for advanced users,
Hide the Taskbar ,
Activate both options,
Auto-hide the Taskbar,
Energy Saving Functions ,
More than one user ,
Screen Saver with Password ,
Own Background Image,
Monitor may not flicker,
Exercise C: Desktop Options and Help Functions ,
How to start an application program in Windows XP ,
Save is easy: Store your Data on the Hard Disk,
Save for the first time,
Reminder to save,
The speciality of Save As,
Save on a Diskette with the instruction Save As,
Switch off the Writing Protection ,
START menu by the [WIN] key,
Exercise D: Open and Save a Document ,
How to open your files ,
Open a Document from the Desktop and the Document Menu ,
Open from the Desktop,
My Recent Documents,
File Format , Document-extension and the Relationship ,
Different file formats,
Extra: Tips and Tricks for experienced PC users ,
More Information from the Opening Menu,
Explore Start files (for those with computer experience),
Exercise E: Exercises in the opening and different file types,
Windows Explorer as the Universal File Manager,
Structure of the Hard Disk and the path to the files,
Structure of the Hard Disk,
Why not [MY DOCUMENTS]? ,
Create your own folders in Windows ,
Copy, delete and move files and folders,
Exercise: Explore the Recycle Bin ,
Select and move batches of files in Windows Explorer,
Random selection of files,
Select a list of files,
Move several files in one go,
Views: Thumbnails and tiles,
It is so easy: Save in sub-folders ,
A clever detail: Save files direct in subfolders,
Extra: Tips and tricks for experienced PC users ,
Quick change of name of a file,
Quick deletion of files ,
Properties of the Recycle Bin,
Copy the folder and its contents,
Copy a diskette ,
Format a diskette,
Writing protection to save files ,
Drag and Drop in Windows Explorer ,
Storage capacity of the Hard Disk,
Create a link to your folder ,
View the Notification Area: ,
Exercise F: Create, copy and shift folders ,
An invitation to use the word processor ,
Important basic information,
Create an invitation ,
So easy: Add text. ,
Correct errors,
Also easy: move text,
Make a drawing: Tips and tricks with the program Paint ,
Overview of the program Paint ,
Line drawing and airbrush: Trunk and crown,
Copy the tree ,
Intermediate memory: Copy your drawing onto your letter ,
Print a document,
Retrieve: This is how you search for a document ,
The simple and easy search ,
Impressive search trick ,
Exercise G: The final „examination“,
If a program fails to work,
Application switches itself off ,
The famous ,
Last resort: Press reset ,
A little extra for the friends of Windows,
System control ,
Maintenance of the Hard Disk ,
Installation of hardware,
Installation of software ,
Virus protection,
What is the next step with the computer,
Get on to the Internet and surf ,
e-Mail with Outlook Express,
Your own Web Page (Homepage) ,
MS Office: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint ,
Index:
Activate Windows
Legitimate program, 15
Application programs, 45
Assistance
full scale, 37
Attachments
Components, 7
Booting your PC
Getting ready to work, 14
Cable connections
COM port, 8
Parallel port, 8
PS/2 socket, 7
USB, Universal Serial Bus, 8
CD & DVD drives, 28
COM cable connection
Traditional cable connection, 8
CPU
Central Processing Unit, 7
Cursor
pointer, 16
Data Storage
Hard disk, 14
Desktop
background, 33
background image, 42
clean-up, 32
customize to your taste, 17
Overview with icons, 20
properties, 33
Direct Assistant, 37
Diskette, 28
how to format & copy, 70
Display properties, 39
Document
open from Desktop, 55
Documents
recently used, 55
search & retrieve, 83
Drag & Drop
moving files & folders, 71
Drawings
use the program Paint, 80
Drivers, 87
Dynamic range, monitor, 40
Energy saving, 41
Escape function
the Escape key, 21
Failure
when the program fails, 85
Fast
key strokes, 58
Files
documents and programs, 57
format & file extension, 56
how to open, 53
save in sub-folders, 69
Files & Folders
batch moving, 66
copy, delete & move, 65
quick change of name, 70
quick deletion, 70
sorting, 66
Folders
create, 63
delete, 63
My Documents, 22
name & rename, 63
Hard Disk
drive, 28
filing structure, 61
maintenance, 86
Propereties, 72
save data, 46
Hardware or Software, 6
Help function, 37
Installation
software, 87
Key strokes
the fast way, 58
Link to Desktop, 50
Links
create, model & delete, 51
Loudspeakers
Listen to your recordings, 13
Mail order form, 92
Microphone
Recording, 13
Mini- and maximize windows
sizing of windows, 23
Monitor
CRT or flat panel, 11
Dynamic range, 12
parameters, 40
Mouse
how to hold & operate, 10
mouse malfunctioning & cleaning, 11
Mouse, double click, 37
how to click with the mouse, 21
Multiple users
sharing a PC, 41
Multiple windows, 29
My computer, 28
My Document
Folder for my documents, 21
Next step...
application programs, 89
Notebook
Lab Top computer, 12
Notification Area, 72
Notification Area of taskbar, 35
Opening menu, 58
Operating System
Windows, 6
Over-write text, 77
Paint
background & foreground, 81
lines & airbrush, 81
the application program, 45
Parallel Port connection
Cable connection, 8
Path to the file or folder, 61
PC drives, 28
PCMCIA
connecting your lab top, 13
Print, 82
Printers
Laser or Ink Jet, 9
Protection
Virus, 88
Protection of data
read only, 71
Quick Launch
activate programs quickly, 18
RAM memory
processing memory, 15
Recycle Bin
how to empty, 70
properties, 70
Run
Start codes, 50
the quick start feature, 50
Save
the filing structure, 64
Save or Save As, 47
Screen resolution, 40
Screen Saver, 39
Screen saver, password, 42
Scroll Bar, 22, 25
Short-cuts, 72
Sliding of windows, 23
Software
installation, 87
Sound
Record and play, 13
Stand-by mode, 26
Start menu
XP or Classic, 17
Status Bar, 24
Switch on
Start your computer, 14
System control, 86
Task Manager, 85
Taskbar, 29
hide, 41
The Escape function
The Escape key, 21
Time and sound, 35
Title Bar, 22
Titlebar
useful information, 64
Titles
e-Ways books, 90
Turn off your PC, 26
Use the mouse with ease
Mouse exercises, 16
VGA
Connect your monitor, 12
VGA, monitor
resolution, 40
View, details of file, 67
Virus, 62
WIN key, 50
Windows
close all, 26
mini-, maximize & close, 23
minimize all, 29, 30
re-open, 23
restore size, 23
scroll, 53
shift & slide, 25
stepless re-sizing, 24
Windows Explorer
the universal file manager, 60
Windows, quick change, 30
Word processing, 75
correct errors, 77
format text, 79
how to use WordPad, 82
mark words & sentences, 78
move & format text, 76
Writing protection, diskette, 49
Australian edition, 1st printing, February 2004.
Published under licence by e-Ways Pty Limited
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Concept
The world is
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telephone, a
television and a
computer in every
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mention all the other gadgets. So much to learn
but where to start?
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Disclaimer
This book is designed for the purpose of self-tuition, training and leisure and is by no means a complete guide to all the features in the
Windows® XP program. This book is sold as is, without warranty of any kind. Although every care has been taken to ensure that the
information contained in this book is correct at the time of publication, neither the author, the publisher nor e-Ways Pty Limited accept
responsibility for any inaccuracies nor shall be responsible or liable to the purchaser or any other person or entity with respect to any liability,
loss, or damage caused or alleged to have been caused directly or indirectly by the information or any instructions contained in this book or
the software or hardware products described in it.
Trademarks
Windows® is a registered trademark of the Microsoft® Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All trademarks used in this
book are properties of their respective owners and are acknowledged. Instead of inserting the trademark icon at every occurrence of a
trademarked name, trademarked names are used in this book in a referential fashion only and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no
intention of infringement of the trademark.
Table of Contents
3
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ...............................................3
Welcome to our basic computer course! ............5
Hard- or software? Your computer in an
overview!.............................................................6
What is Hardware?........................................................... 6
Maybe even more important: Software ............................ 6
A program for every task .................................................. 6
Windows is the operating system..................................... 6
The package: Computer, Components and
Attachments........................................................7
The grey box: The Central Processing Unit (CPU) .......... 7
Connections to the CPU................................................... 7
Keyboard and mouse: The PS/2 sockets......................... 7
USB-, COM- and the Parallel-Port ................................... 8
Good for printers: Parallel Port......................................... 8
Classic: The COM Port..................................................... 8
The Printer........................................................................ 9
Optimal: Laser Printer ...................................................... 9
Inkjet printers.................................................................... 9
Indispensable for colour printing ...................................... 9
The mouse – a quick overview....................................... 10
The right way to hold the mouse .................................... 11
Keep the tracking ball of the mouse clean ..................... 11
Keyboard and Monitor .................................................... 11
Monitors: Flat Panel or CRT........................................... 11
Resolution and Dynamic Range..................................... 12
Where to connect the monitor ........................................ 12
The Notebook computer is also a PC!............................ 12
Connect other equipment to your Notebook computer... 12
Play and have fun with Multimedia................................. 13
Mini Loudspeakers, a must! ........................................... 13
Switch on the Computer: Hard Disk and
RAM memory....................................................14
The very first time........................................................... 14
Start the Windows: Booting ............................................ 14
The Hard Disk, your data storage .................................. 14
Computer memory for current applications and processes
(RAM)............................................................................. 15
Installation of Windows .................................................. 15
Activate the Legitimate copy .......................................... 15
Move, Point, Click: The first exercise with
the Mouse.........................................................16
Try to move the mouse................................................... 16
Point and Click ............................................................... 16
Select the Recycle Bin ................................................... 16
Meadow with Clouds: Important
recommendation for beginners!........................17
The new Layout: For and against................................... 17
Windows in the office environment ................................ 17
Start Menu: „XP“ or Classic?.......................................... 17
Select the „Classic“ Start Menu!..................................... 17
Activate the Quick Launch feature!……………… ……18
The Classic Desktop ...................................................... 18
The Classic versus the new Windows layout ................. 18
You may apply the known Layout................................... 19
The Windows Desktop ................................................... 19
Overview of the Windows Desktop...................20
The Double-Click: Open [MY
DOCUMENTS]!.................................................20
Double-Click with the Mouse.......................................... 21
Problems with the Double-Click ! ................................... 21
Escape!...........................................................................21
The folder containing [MY DOCUMENTS]:
An overview ......................................................22
Windows exercise: Minimize, Maximize,
Slide ..................................................................23
Minimize your window ....................................................23
Re-open your window.....................................................23
Maximize your window ...................................................23
Restore your windows ....................................................23
Practice makes perfect!..................................................23
Individual size changes to the window ...........................24
Switch on the Status Bar ................................................24
Move just one side .........................................................24
Again: Practice makes perfect!.......................................25
Shift the window .............................................................25
Close the windows and only then turn off the
PC.....................................................................26
Close the windows..........................................................26
Switch off the PC ............................................................26
Stand By.........................................................................26
EXERCISE A: General questions about the PC
..........................................................................27
My Computer: Hard Disk, Diskette- and
CD/DVD drives .................................................28
Practice makes perfect!..................................................28
My Computer ..................................................................28
Juggling: Work with multiple windows ..............29
Several windows simultaneously....................................29
Change by Using the Taskbar........................................29
Practice makes perfect!..................................................29
Minimize all windows!.....................................................29
Tips and Tricks for those with some
experience ........................................................30
Double-click the Header .................................................30
Change quickly between Tasks......................................30
Minimize all windows......................................................30
Exercise B: How to Manage windows ..............31
Clean-up and re-arrange the Desktop to
your taste ..........................................................32
Move icons .....................................................................32
Tidy up again ..................................................................32
Align according to the Grid .............................................33
Individual background ....................................................33
Appearance ....................................................................34
Dialogue window effects.................................................34
Time and Sounds: The Notification Area of
the Taskbar.......................................................35
Date and time .................................................................35
The loudspeaker icon .....................................................35
At your fingertip: How to use the „help“
function .............................................................37
The Direct Assistance ....................................................37
F1 activates Full-scale Assistance .................................37
Easy: Adjust the Double-click.........................................37
How to set up your Screen Saver.....................39
Important: Screen Resolution and Dynamic
Range ...............................................................40
800 x 600 or 1024 x 768?...............................................40
Adjust Monitor Parameters.............................................40
Table of Contents
Get Going with Windows XP
4
Tips and Tricks for advanced users .................41
Hide the Taskbar............................................................ 41
Activate both options...................................................... 41
Auto-hide the Taskbar.................................................... 41
Energy Saving Functions ............................................... 41
More than one user ........................................................ 41
Screen Saver with Password ......................................... 42
Own Background Image................................................. 42
Monitor may not flicker ................................................... 43
Exercise C: Desktop Options and Help
Functions ..........................................................44
How to start an application program in
Windows XP .....................................................45
Save is easy: Store your Data on the Hard
Disk...................................................................46
Save for the first time ..................................................... 46
Reminder to save ........................................................... 48
The speciality of Save As............................................... 48
Save on a Diskette with the instruction Save
As......................................................................49
Switch off the Writing Protection .................................... 49
START menu by the [WIN] key ...................................... 50
Exercise D: Open and Save a Document.........52
How to open your files ......................................53
Open a Document from the Desktop and the
Document Menu ...............................................55
Open from the Desktop .................................................. 55
My Recent Documents................................................... 55
File Format , Document-extension and the
Relationship ......................................................56
Different file formats ....................................................... 57
Extra: Tips and Tricks for experienced PC
users .................................................................58
More Information from the Opening Menu ..................... 58
Explore Start files (for those with computer experience) 58
Exercise E: Exercises in the opening and
different file types..............................................59
Windows Explorer as the Universal File
Manager............................................................60
Structure of the Hard Disk and the path to
the files .............................................................61
Structure of the Hard Disk .............................................. 61
Why not [MY DOCUMENTS]?........................................ 62
Create your own folders in Windows................63
Copy, delete and move files and folders ..........65
Exercise: Explore the Recycle Bin ................................. 65
Select and move batches of files in Windows
Explorer ............................................................66
Random selection of files ............................................... 66
Select a list of files ......................................................... 67
Move several files in one go........................................... 67
Views: Thumbnails and tiles...........................................67
It is so easy: Save in sub-folders......................68
A clever detail: Save files direct in subfolders
...............................................................69
Extra: Tips and tricks for experienced PC
users .................................................................70
Quick change of name of a file.......................................70
Quick deletion of files ……………… ……………….70
Properties of the Recycle Bin .........................................70
Copy the folder and its contents .....................................70
Copy a diskette...............................................................70
Format a diskette............................................................71
Writing protection to save files .......................................71
Drag and Drop in Windows Explorer ..............................71
Storage capacity of the Hard Disk ..................................72
Create a link to your folder .............................................72
View the Notification Area: .............................................72
Exercise F: Create, copy and shift folders......73
An invitation to use the word processor ...........75
Important basic information ............................................75
Create an invitation.........................................................75
So easy: Add text. ..........................................................77
Correct errors .................................................................77
Also easy: move text ......................................................78
Make a drawing: Tips and tricks with the
program Paint ...................................................80
Overview of the program Paint .......................................80
Line drawing and airbrush: Trunk and crown .................81
Copy the tree ..................................................................81
Intermediate memory: Copy your drawing
onto your letter..................................................82
Print a document ............................................................82
Retrieve: This is how you search for a
document ..........................................................83
The simple and easy search...........................................83
Impressive search trick...................................................83
Exercise G: The final „examination“ ................84
If a program fails to work... ...............................85
Application switches itself off..........................................85
The famous ………… .....................................................85
Last resort: Press reset ..................................................85
A little extra for the friends of Windows... .........86
System control................................................................86
Maintenance of the Hard Disk ........................................86
Installation of hardware ..................................................87
Installation of software....................................................87
Virus protection...............................................................88
What is the next step with the computer...........89
Get on to the Internet and surf........................................89
e-Mail with Outlook Express ...........................................89
Your own Web Page (Homepage) .................................89
MS Office: Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint ................89
Introduction
Get Going with Windows® XP
5
Welcome to our basic computer course!
I am pleased to have been given the opportunity
to write this book on Windows XP. And I am
even more pleased that you are reading it!
What will you be able to learn?
I shall be teaching you how to use the Windows
XP program, the nucleus program of your
computer! You will learn step by step, how to
make the best from your personal computer.
The book is ideal for you even if you have little
or no computer experience. The book has been
written for beginners to acquire basic PC
knowledge!
The book contains some sections intended for
more experienced computer users where you
will find the tricks and ideas that will make a
difference. I might be able to teach you
something that you will find beneficial!
The following is a quick overview of the
contents of this book:
• Get to know your computer (hardward and
software)
• Exercises in how to use the mouse and
Windows
• Select your Screen Saver and Desktop
background colour
• Save and open documents
• How to use Windows Explorer
• Folders for saving of documents
• Copy and move files
• Document Administration: How to work
efficiently with folders and files
• Introduction to word processing
• Introduction in how to use the computer to
make drawings
Examples and exercises
Do you find the computer complicated to use?
Difficult to understand? Only for people with
experience?
No, this is not correct!
You only need a little courage and fantasy. And
some patience, because you may experience that
it takes a couple of practice rounds before you
can get it right the first time.
We shall proceed slowly, step by step!
This book was developed as course material. In
quite some detail I will show you step by step
and through examples that handling of the
computer is not so difficult after all.
And to help you better remember what you have
learned, the examples are packed with exercises.
Originally I wrote this book as course material
for a highschool in Germany.
e-Ways
The concept behind the e-Ways books is to
provide knowledge about computers and their
usage in an easy-to-understand format and at a
reasonable price.
The e-Ways books are published in Australia
mainly for the Australian and New Zealand
markets based on a licence agreement with the
European publishing house KnowWare.
I have personally written a number of the books
that are published by e-Ways. Currently the
following of my books are available from
e-Ways:
• Get Going with Window XP
• Get Going with Word 2000
• Get Going with Outlook Express
• Get Going with Web Pages
• Get Going with Web Pages XHTML
I wish you lots of fun and pleasure with your
PC.
Johann-Christian Hanke
Hard- or Software?
Get Going with Windows® XP
6
Hard- or software? Your PC in an overview!
I remember all to well my own first experience
with the PC. It was back in 1992 when I got a
student job in an office.
I knew how to use a typewriter, so the keyboard
appeared familiar. Everyting else was howevere
completely new to me. I had trouble to switch on
the PC as I did not know where to look for the
switch which at that time were still hidden on
the back of the computer.
When I was told that my text had been saved on
the Hard Disk, I was very impressed. Wow, I
imagined a fixed plate installed in the
computer……...
What is Hardware?
When you bought your computer it most
probably came in a box: The monitor, the
keyboard, the central processing unit (CPU) and
maybe even a printer?
Voilà, these are the hardware components.
You can touch Hardware!
Even a diskette, the connecting cables or the
computer mouse rank among the hardware. And
naturally "built-in“ components like the Hard
Disk.
Maybe even more important:
Software
The hardware alone is fine and good, but
without software the PC cannot run. Imagine a
car without a driver. The car goes nowhere
without someone to drive it. The same goes for
the computer:
Software are the programs that drive the
computer
A program for every task
This is where the fun begins. The programs
allow your computer to undertake a task. The
software programs are driving the computer.
There are software programs developed for
many different applicatons. One such type of
software program has been developed to conduct
word processing on your computer. Perhaps the
most well-known word processing program
comes from Microsoft and is called Word.
Another type of program allows you to surf the
Internet and is called an Internet browser, for
example the Internet Explorer. You will need
other dedicated software (computer software) to
perform such tasks as making drawings, copy
(burn) music on CD discs or for the task of
doing calculations on a spreadsheet.
For each application there is a dedicated type of
software application program!
Windows is the operating system
However beside the individual application
programs your computer needs another software
program, the operating system.
The operating system is the nucleus
program of the computer
The operating system for our computers comes
from Microsoft and is called Windows which in
its present form is the XP version. Previous
versions were Windows ME (ME = Millenium)
and Windows 2000 (year of design: 2000). Also
Windows 98 is still quite common.
Connect the Computer and its Components
Get Going with Windows® XP
7
The package: Computer, Components and Attachments
Before we focus on the Windows operating
system we should have another look at the
computer hardware and its components.
The grey box: The Central
Processing Unit (CPU)
The core of your PC is the grey (or
multicolored) box which is know as the CPU
(Cental Processing Unit).
As the name implies this is where all the
processing of the data takes place. The CPU is
placed under or on the table. If the CPU stands
under the table, one speaks of the "tower". The
alternative is to place the CPU on the desk. In
the latter case you will often find the monitor
placed on the top of the CPU.
The tower CPU is very common
Connections to the CPU
Have a look on the back of the CPU! Have all
your computer components already been
connected? If that is the case it probably looks
somewhat similar to this picture:
Your eye may first catch the round ventilation
grill. It usually makes some noise but this is
normal. Its purpose is to ensure that the internal
ventilator can get rid of heated air as it cools the
components of the CPU. Further you find a
number of cables with completely different
plugs.
Let‘s have a look at those sockets and plugs.
This may also help you in case you have not yet
fully assembled your computer?
Keyboard and mouse: The PS/2
sockets
Modern computers come with two PS/2 sockets.
These are small and round. The PS/2 sockets are
used to connect you keyboard and mouse to the
CPU.
Easy to recognize: Icons for the keyboard and the
mouse
All you need is a mouse and a keyboard, both
with PS/2 plugs.
Ventilation grill
Monitor connection
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8
USB-, COM- and the Parallel-Port
USB is the abbreviation for Universal Serial Bus
and is a modern interface system developed by
the company Intel.
The USB sockets often are in the proximity of
the PS/2 sockets. With some computers there
may be further USB socket at the front of the
CPU. In addition you can buy USB distributor
boxes to enable you connect one USB socket on
you CPU to several (up to more than 127) pieces
of accessory equipment with USB plugs.
Presently USB is the most common
interface system to connect accessory
equipment to your PC!
Connectors on the back of the CPU
But we are still also using the excellent, longserving
oblong connectors. Usually the computer
comes with two COM Ports and a Parallel Port.
See illustration above.
COM Ports come in the form of plugs, the
contact pins stick out. The Parallel Port on the
other hand is an oblong socket.
Good for printers: Parallel Port
With the Parallel Port (often also called LPT)
you can achieve very fast data transmission and
you will find that many printers in the past
always connected to the Parallel Port.
Traditionally printers have been connected
to the Parallel Port
Also older scanners may some times be
connected to the Parallel Port.
Nowadays printers come with the choice of
either a Parallel or a USB connection and
scanners usually come with a USB connection.
An increasing number of devices are prepared
for a USB connection to your PC.
The Parallel cable is fitted with a Parallel plug
that looks as follows:
Plug for the Parallel Port (printer, scanner)
It is no problem should you have both a scanner
and a printer for the Parallel Port!
The scanner often comes with an extra Parallel
Port connection where you can connect the
printer.
Remember: connect the plug and tighten the side
screws well!
Besides you can also connect two PCs with a
Parallel cable so that they can exchange data. I
shall not cover this subject further in this book.
My Epson colour printer has the option of both
connections. To me this is useful: It enables me
to operate the printer from two computers. I have
connected one PC with a Parallel printer cable,
the other PC with a USB cord.
Classic: The COM Port
Also the serial COM Port is an inheritance of the
past. The slow COM Port is meant for older
devices. (slow, because the data is not
transmitted parallel, but in series. For modems,
ISDN devises or the mouse the transmission
speed of the COM Port is usually sufficient).
However the modern mouse is connected to the
PS/2 socket and newer models connect to the PC
via the USB.
1 x Parallel-Port (long)
2 x COM-Port
2 x USB-socket
PS/2-socket
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9
Classic mouse and/or modem COM plug
The COM plug is easily recognized by its
narrow format.
The Printer
Under the subject heading of the Parallel Port we
have discussed how to connect your printer i.e.
either by Parallel cable via the Parallel Port or
over the modern USB connection. Or both.
(PS: For the installation and choice of
connection of the printer please use the printer
driver software provided together with the
printer. Drivers are mini programs, without
which a hardware component cannot work. See
also page 87.)
But now to the hardware. Which type of printer
have you chosen?
Optimal: Laser Printer
For good black-and-white printing in sharp
quality in my opinion nothing beats a laser
printer! Period.
If you do a fair amount of printing the higher
initial purchase price of a laser printer compared
to e.g. the inkjet type of printers is quickly
justified by the lower running costs of the laser
printer. Besides the price of laser printers are
coming down and there are some very attractive
deals on the market.
Inkjet printers
The inkjet printers are relatively cheap to
purchase, reliable and a reasonable choice for
many with the need for a low volume printing
solution either in black/white or colour.
In addition they often have a small „footprint“
and take up little space.
However their running costs are comparatively
high and uneconomical for higher volume
printing needs. This is the cause of the price of
the printing ink cartriges and the number of
copies that each cartrige is able to print.
The often very low equipment purchase
price is in contrast to the high operating
costs
Another minus with a number of the inkjet
printers is their inability to print close to the
bottom edge of the printing paper. This means
that parts of your texts and/or photos may be cut
off at the bottom!
Indispensable for colour printing
My second printer is a colour inkjet printer of
the more expensive models. I use it exclusively
for colour printing, and often printing of photos
from my digital camera. For this purpose this
printer is excellent.
Even cheaper inkjet colour printers often deliver
surprisingly good colour printing.
A good color ink jet printer often delivers photo
quality printing
Apart from the fact that
• the inkjet printer often needs quite some time
to warm up before it is ready to print
• most inkjet colour printers have no separate
ink cartridge for each colour and hence when
one of the colours has been used up, the
entire cartridge must be replaced
• often the printed image has stripes because
the print-head may be dirty
• you will only achieve good quality colour
print on special papers which are rather
costly
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10
• when set to the highest resolution/print
quality the printing often takes several
minutes
I am quite content, because even if all these
hurdles are taken, the photos actually turn out
sharp and brilliant.
Even expensive laser color printers rarely reach
this color brilliance.
The mouse – a quick overview
The computer mouse is attached to a cord with a
USB or PS/2 plug at the other end, or a COM
plug if the mouse is an older model.
The mouse itself has two or three keys and
possibly a small wheel. At its belly the mouse
has a tracking ball. If you push the mouse back
and forth, the ball turns. The mouse converts the
rotating motion of the ball into electrical signals.
These signals are passed on to the computer
through the cord. In order for the mouse to roll
particularly well, it is best to run it on a soft
mousepad!
Easy: Click with the left mouse button
It is important to know how to click on the
mouse, either on the right button or the left
button (some times referred to as a right-click
respectively a left-click).
The most common button to use on the
mouse is the left one. We call it the primary
button. In this book you will be informed
when the right button needs to be clicked!
The right button is also called the secondary
button.
The primary button on the mouse is the one most
frequently used. For simplicity reasons you will
merely be asked to click when using it instead of
having to write left-click every time. The right
button or the secondary button on the mouse is
used more rarely and to distinguish between the
two we shall write right-click every time you
shall click on the secondary button.
Should you be left-handed it is possible to
switch the primary and secondary buttons on the
mouse to better suit you when operating the
mouse with your left hand. By doing so the right
button becomes the primary button and the left
button becomes the secondary button.
Configuring of the mouse is easy once you have
the menu for Mouse Properties in front of you
Click with the mouse on the start button and up
comes a menu. Select Control Panel and you
will see a new menu asking you to Pick a
category.
Click on Printers and Other Hardware. A new
menu appears. Click the mouse icon under the
heading „or pick a Control Panel icon“ and the
above illustration appears.
By ticking the box in the Button configuration
section you can switch the primary and
secondary buttons of the mouse depending on
whether you are right or left handed.
There are other options once you are into Mouse
Properties as indicated by the flags at the top
edge of the menu. Have a look if you wish. It is
so easy!
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11
The right way to hold the mouse
How is the best way to hold the mouse? Quite
easy: Put your hand on the mouse. The wrist
thereby "rests on the Desktop". Hold the mouse
between your thumb and ringfinger. Now you
move the mouse with these two fingers, directly
from the wrist. Push it loosely around. The index
finger should always rest on the mouse ready to
click on the left mouse button. Your position it
correct if you do not have to raise the wrist in
order to move the mouse!
Keep the tracking ball of the
mouse clean
After longer use it can happen that the pointer of
the mouse does not follow your movements
correctly any longer. Do not worry, usually it is
caused by dirt in the mechanism that transfers
the rotating motion of the tracking ball situated
under the belly of the mouse.
Open: Turn the collar in the direction of the
arrows
Turn the mouse upside down and open the small
collar around the tracking ball by turning it in
the direction indicated by the arrows. That is
easy. Now you can take out the ball.
I suggest that you clean the ball and driver
rollers with a clean piece of cloth and some
methylated spirit. Re-insert the ball and twist the
collar back in position.
Keyboard and Monitor
Next to the mouse the keyboard is the most
important input device. In connection with the
section dealing with text processing (page 75)
we shall have a closer look at the keyboard.
What can I say about the monitor?
Workstation with mouse, keyboard and monitor
Monitors: Flat Panel or CRT
It cannot be questioned: The flat panel monitors
offer the best and sharpest display. Thus you do
your eyes a big favour by chosing a flat panel
monitor.
In addition you save space, because flat
screens do not have "depth".
However there is also an economic consideration
in chosing your monitor because the flat panel
monitors are still dearer than the traditional CRT
based monitors. Some experts are also of the
opinion that the CRT based monitors are better
at showing „correct“ colours. It is my
recommendation, however, to buy the flat panel
type of monitors
even though they
are more
expensive
yet….and prices
are coming down
as the flat panel
monitors gain
increasing sales
volume.
CRT monitors are "deep" and take up space
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12
Resolution and Dynamic Range
Other important aspects in the choice of a
suitable monitor include the degree of screen
resolution (fine as opposed to coarse images)
and the dynamic range of the colours that the
monitor is able to project. I shall address these
issues in some detail on page 40.
Where to connect the monitor
We have spent some time discussing the pros
and cons of the new flat panel monitor as against
the traditional CRT monitor. The pleasing
discovery is that whichever we select the
connecting plug to the CPU has remained the
same!
The typical VGA socket for the monitor
The monitor connection to the computer did not
change.
Do not forget to tighten the side screws of the plug
when connecting to the back of the CPU
It is all the same whether you have a CRT or a
flat panel monitor. They both use the VGA
connection.
The Notebook computer is also a
PC!
Monitor, central processing unit (CPU),
keyboard... is everything too large on your
Desktop computer?
Would you rather prefer a lab-top computer, also
known as a Notebook? Yes, why not!
A Notebook is a fully fledged PC!
The major advantage: Everything is much
smaller and leighter and the entire system can
comfortably be carried along for your next
meeting or assignment. The excellenet flat
screen is fully integrated.
The disadvantage: The keyboard is usually not
as good as with traditional Desktop computers,
though improving rapidly. Additionally the
purchase price of a lab-top remains relatively
higher even though the gap is narrowing.
A further disappointment is the „life“ of the
battery which restricts the usage of a lab-top.
Even though the batteries used in Notebook
computers get better and better, they need to be
re-charged ever so often.
Notebook with mouse (and a coffee mug)
The built-in mouse on the lab-top computer may
also create some problems. Different vendors
have different and improving solutions to the
matter.
Personally I have attached a normal Desktop
mouse to the COM Port of my lab-top computer
and this has solved my problem.
Connect other equipment to your
Notebook computer
You can attach such equipment as a printer, a
scanner, a modem etc. to your Notebook. A
Notebook usually possesses the same cable
connections as the „large“ PC.
On a Notebook computer there are some
accessory equipment such as modems or ISDN
cards that connect through a PCMCIA card. The
PCMCIA is an adapter interfacing with a special
card slot on Notebook computers. The PCMCIA
standard was developed specifically for
Connect the Computer and its Components
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13
Notebook computers due to size constraints on
the Notebooks.
A modem in the PCMCIA format
Please note you do not necessarily need to invest
in expensive PCMCIA components. If you want
to save money, you can also attach a Desktopsize
modem to the Notebook.
Play and have fun with Multimedia
Please do not forget: The most important thing is
to have fun. And so that the work on the
computer also makes joy, you can even make
your "digital friend" create sounds.
Computers usually come with a sound card
integrated with the motherboard or as a
separate built-in sound card
Your PC offers the opportunity to attach
loudspeakers, a set of headphones and a
microphone. Use the 3.5 mm sockets on the back
of your CPU for the connections, just like you
may know those sockets and plugs from a
Walkman or from smaller stereo equipment.
Some times you may also find a socket where to
connect a Joystick or perhaps a „mini“ keyboard.
Connections for headphones, microphone and
joystick
Mini Loudspeakers: a must !
You will find that in most cases the sockets to
connect sound equipment are present at the back
of the CPU unit. However the loudspeakers,
headphones and a microphone are not normally
part of the standard computer configuration.
Often they must be purchased separately or at
least paid for extra when purchasing a computer.
Pure fun: Loudspeaker, microphone and
headphone
However I can only recommend that you buy
those accessories. The loudspeakers make it
really fun to play with, because the computer
accompanies your mouse and keyboard actions
with funny sound effects.
Switch on the Computer: Hard Disk and RAM memory
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14
Switch on the Computer: Hard Disk and RAM memory
Off we go! I am going to show you how to start
the computer really fast. Are you ready!
The very first time
Have you connected all devices correctly? First
and foremost the monitor, the mouse and the
keyboard? Excellent!
Usually new PCs do not have a genuine power
switch
Once you have connected all your cables it is
time to switch on the power circuit breaker.
Peripheral equipment such as a printer and a
scanner should likewise be connected to the
power supply and switched on. By doing so they
are more easily recognized by the computer.
Only now should you activate the start switch on
your computer
While formerly the computers were equipped
with a real circuit breaker, today you will usually
only find a pushbutton which merely serves to
switches on the computer.
It is possible to switch off the computer again by
holding in this pushbutton for a few seconds.
However this cannot be recommended and in
any case with modern computers it should
generally not be necessary: Switching off the
computer usually takes place automatically by
the Windows program when you press „start“
and select „turn off computer“!
But this procedure does not disconnect the
computer completely from the power circuit.
And this is the reason why it is my
recommendation to switch off at the power
socket when you have finished using your
computer for the day or for some longer period
of time and after you have clicked the TURN
OFF button and closed down Windows. And
please do not forget to switch off your monitor,
priner, scanner etc. as well.
Start the Windows: Booting
After being switched on, the computer starts.
One speaks of the boot procedure. The operating
system (your nucleus program: Windows) is
being loaded from the Hard Disk into the main
memory, the RAM. That can take a little while.
The Hard Disk, your data storage
Hard Disk? Now it becomes interesting! The
Hard Disk is your permanent storage devise built
into your computer for storing of your data.
The Hard Disk consists of spinning magnetic
disks, which are positioned one on top of the
other and centred on one axle in a hermetically
sealed housing. Here data are written and
retrieved with special reading and recording
heads.
On the Hard Disk all the programs reside that
have been installed on your computer.
In addition, your own data are stored on the
Hard Disk!
Typical Hard Disk with data cable and power
connection
Imagine the Hard Disk as your personal filing
cabinet! It is always being opened when the
computer is being switched on. If you turn off
your computer, the door of the filing cabinet
closes again. The following is important:
All data on the Hard Disk remain durable
also after switching off the PC!
You can delete folders and files from the Hard
Disk should you no longer wish to store certain
documents. When removing program files I
strongly recommend that you only use the add
or remove function: Click [START] and select
Control Panel. In the new menu Right-click the
Switch on the Computer: Hard Disk and RAM memory
Get Going with Windows® XP
15
icon Add or Remove Programs. A new window
shows all programs installed. Select the program
that you wish to remove and click [REMOVE].
Memory for current applications
and processes (RAM)
The Windows operating system is being loaded
from the Hard Disk into the RAM memory. But
why? In order for the computer to "work" with
the data, it must be available in the RAM
memory. The RAM memory is an extremely fast
memory in contrast to the relatively slow
working Hard Disk!
Typical RAM memory chips inside the PC
However the RAM memory also possesses some
disadvantages. These include:
• Data in the RAM disappear in case of a
power failure and when you switch off the
PC
RAM stands for Random Access Memory. The
data in the RAM can be constantly accessed at
will by your computer. Modern computers have
at least 256 MegaByte of RAM, and often much
more; generally the more, the better. RAM chips
are available from computer stores and are
relatively easily installed should you wish to
have the RAM capacity of your computer
expanded for better processing speed.
Installation of Windows
I have mentioned that the Windows operating
system (program) must be installed on the Hard
Disk. And installing programs is no little thing.
If your Windows is not yet installed, I would
suggest that you should leave this task to an
"experienced computer friend". But do not fear.
Usually Windows has been pre-installed at the
factory or by the computer dealer before
delivery to you.
Windows is pre-installed
I am assuming that Windows has been installed
on your PC and works perfect! The very first
time you start Windows an informative on-line
show will provide guidance to you .
Activate the Legitimate copy
As a measure to protect their copyright the
company Microsoft have built into the Windows
program an automatic function that prompts you
to activate/register your program within 30 days
of switching on for the first time. In case your
PC is connected to the Internet this registration
will happen that way.
Without due activation Windows ceases to
work after 30 days
You are also given the choice to activate your
equipment by telephone through an appropriate
dialogue window.
In response you are given a confirmation code
which you must key into the space provided.
Click [Next] to complete the registration.
A change and/or modification to the computer
such as the installation of a new Hard Disk and a
new memory chip or card etc.. can cause that the
Windows must be activated again in order to
function properly.
The first exercise with the Mouse
Get Going with Windows® XP
16
Move, Point, Click: The first exercise with the Mouse
I have already introduced you to the mouse: The
cheeky "small box" with a tail and ball in the
belly.
Think particularly of my references to the
handling: Relax the wrist on the mouse pad and
hold the mouse loosely between you thumb and
ringfinger. Place the index finger on top of the
left mouse button ready to click.
The index finger lies on the left mouse button
The mouse is led not by the arm, but by the wrist
and particularly by the finger joints! This is the
best way to move the mouse around and position
the curser where you want it on the Desktop. In
Windows the curser is called a pointer.
Try to move the mouse
Try to move the mouse around while observing
the pointer on the Desktop.
The pointer follows the movements of the mouse
Hoppla, are you caught at the edge of the mouse
pad? Don‘t worry. Simply lift the mouse and
place it on the centre of the mouse pad, and
move the mouse in the desired direction. You
will see how the pointer follows the exact
movements of the mouse.
Point and Click
You will use the mouse to point at an object on
the Desktop and click to activate the object that
you have chosen.
Point to select !
Note: Normally when I talk about clicking, it
means a single click on the left mouse button!
Select the Recycle Bin
And that is what we shall practice now!
1. Place the pointer of the mouse over the icon
Recycle Bin. The icon links to the data
memory for deleted files.
2. Click once briefly on the left mouse button!
3. You have now selected the Recycle Bin.
You will recognize it by the destinct
background colour to the words
Recycle Bin.
Don‘t be surprised: Often a yellow information
flag emerges when you leave your pointer
briefly on an icon.
Try it out by the example of the Recycle Bin!
The yellow information flag gives a better
description of the function of the icon that you
have chosen.
Important: The Windows configuration
Get Going with Windows® XP
17
Meadow with Clouds: Important recommendation for beginners!
The new Layout: For and against
The new Windows divides the computer friends
in two camps. The new layout and the new
control concept is rejected by one camp. The
others are pleased about the colour scheme and
the user-friendliness of the controls.
Obviously the appearance of Windows XP has
been changed a lot compared to the previous
versions of Windows. People that are very
familiar with previous versions through their
work or from training may find it difficult to
adjust to the „XP“ layout. What happened to the
icons on the Desktop? How are programs
started? Everything appears different!
My opinion? I did not make friends with the new
appearance so easily. In the meantime however I
have become familiar with the „XP“ and
appreciate the product improvements that
Microsoft have put into the product.
In the standard set-up of Windows XP you may
see e.g. a meadow with clouds and the Recycle
Bin. You may ask yourself: Where are the „Tele
Tubbies“? That does not seem to be enough for
working, because many useful icons of the
preceding versions have been hidden.
Windows in the office environment
It is my objective that you should be able to take
advantage of your Windows knowledge also in a
job situation (and perhaps that becomes your
edge?!).
It seems however that business customers may
only change over to the „XP“ with some dalay
as previous Windows versions are well
introduced and very functional, and have cost a
lot of money. Besides staff may prefer the
familiar look.
In view of this in this book we shall make a
compromise by changing Windows to its
"Classic" option!
Some options will be mandatory while others I
shall leave it to you to decide. This will be quite
risk free and will be explained in detail.
Voila, let us proceed with the big ‚selection of
options‘ tour! We shall do this together.
Start Menu: „XP“ or Classic?
Click with the left mouse button once on the
[START] button. You will find it in the left lower
corner on the Taskbar at the bottom of the
screen. The start menu appears:
This is how the new [ START] menu looks
Select the „Classic“ Start Menu!
Those with experience from privious Windows
versions will be pleased to find the long-known
icons in the "right column" such as [MY
COMPUTER] and [MY DOCUMENTS] etc.
These are the icons which formerly appeared on
the Desktop and were visible immediately. And
as it was so shall it become!
Important: The Windows configuration
Get Going with Windows® XP
18
Let us activate the ‚Classic‘ Start Menu. Let‘s
go!
1. Do you see the bar at the lower edge of
screen, the so-called Taskbar? Right-click
on a section of the Taskbar with no text.
Correctly read, this time you must
exeptionally use the right mouse button.
2. Now an object menu appears. The bottom
item is Properties.
3. From now on again please use the left
mouse button, okay? Click with the mouse
button on Properties.
4. A new menu appears. Click on the flag that
says Start Menu!
5. When the Start Menu appears click the
option Classic Starting menu and then click
the [APPLY] button.
Now you will see in the background, how all
your icons re-appear on the Desktop.
But that is not all, the selection continues. We
would also like to...
Activate the Quick Launch feature!
6. The Quick Launch is a practical feature to
the right of the [START] button for faster
starting of specific programs. It is activated
by Right-clicking the TASKBAR and
selecting PROPERTIES. Have a look….
7. Look for Show Quick Launch, check the box
next to the text. Click [APPLY ] to activate
the selected option and [OK] to close the
window.
Click [ APPLY ] to activate your selection
and [OK] to close the window
This is how Quick Launch looks:
So far you will see three icons. Which are they?
Try to find out yourself!
You will remember the trick to let the Pointer of
the mouse rest on the icon?!
Later I shall show you how to include programs
of your own choice in the Quick Launch feature.
The Classic Desktop
You can now enjoy the look of the traditional
icons on the Desktop. You have activated the
„classic“ Start Menu and the practical Quick
Launch. Congratulations!
Till now the options have been mandatory. From
now on I shall leave the choice to your taste.
The Classic versus the new
Windows XP layout
The next item on the agenda is the layout of the
Windows and Taskbar. (Options and selections
will be shown to you in windows). First you
should view a part of a „Windows classic“ :
Important: The Windows configuration
19
So far everything was angular and practical.
Grey and blue with three-dimensional registers
and buttons. Industry standard. Stop.
However just as other items in the daily life are
increasingly being affected by design also
Windows XP has become the subject of these
trends. This is how the new Windows XP variant
looks:
The new windows feature playful roundnesses
and colours.
You may apply the known Layout
I personally decided in favour of the proven
classic layout. That is more pleasant to me and I
find it somewhat faster to work with.
I shall leave it to you to decide whether you
like the „new“ or the „classic“ look
Note: I shall be providing most of the
illustrations on the following pages in the
„classic“ layout. You are welcome to remain
with the „new“ XP layout!
This is how you apply the Classic layout:
1. Right-click on a free spot on the Desktop
(the meadow with clouds).
2. When the object menu appears select
PROPERTIES.
3. Make sure that you are in the menu:
Display Properties . Select Themes (see
illustration).
4. Do you see the folding-down menu?
WINDOWS XP has been pre-selected.
Click first on the arrow (1), so that the menu
folds down. Select then the option
WINDOWS - CLASSIC (2) and click
[SAVE AS...].
Do not forget to click [APPLY] to confirm the
change and [OK] to exit the window.
The Windows Desktop
We shall dedicate ourselves to the Desktop, the
Windows surface. Here you will see different
elements also called icons.
Usually you can start functions of your computer
by clicking these icons. Which are they? Simply
turn the page! On the next page I have provided
an illustration of the Desktop with a few icons in
a "large format".
Overview of the Windows Desktop
20
Overview of the Windows Desktop
The Desktop is practically your "virtual desk". Let us have a closer look at this Desktop and its
elements once more! I shall be showing you everything in the "Classic“ option:
Here is an overview of the most important symbols and icons:
• The [START] button in the left lower corner is the most important one. It activates the start menu where
you select and launch programs.
• On the right side of the [START] button you will find the Quick Launch icons. Programs shown here let
themselves start by simply clicking once on their respective icons.
• The entire lower bar is called the Taskbar. When you start a program, it will show as a button on the
Taskbar. In the illustration the programs WordPad (a writing program) and Paint (a colour „painting“
program) are open.
• The right hand side of the Taskbar is called the Notification Area (formerly know as the System Tray). Here
you can read for example the time. The loudspeaker icon (if visibly) permits the audio gain control and
more.
• On the Desktop you will find different icons: The [MY COMPUTER] for example will provide a good
overview of your Hard Disk and removable disks. The contents of the [MY DOCUMENTS] is selfexplanatory
and the Recycle Bin contains deleted files. The other icons do not interest us at this stage.
My Documents
My Network Place
My Computer
Multimedia Program
Taskbar, (shows programs that are open)
Opens Menu for Start & Stop
Recycle Bin
Sound icon, Clock
The Internet Browser: Internet Explorer
Quick Launch Bar
Double Click
21
The Double-Click: Open [MY DOCUMENTS]!
The buttons on the mouse can be operated with a
single or double clicks causing different results.
Double-Click with the Mouse
In this example we will open the folder [MY
DOCUMENTS].
1. Lead the pointer of the mouse across the
appropriate icon [MY DOCUMENTS].
2. Double-click briefly and in quick
succession on the left mouse button!
3. By this double-click the contents in the
folder [MY DOCUMENTS] will appear on
your screen.
Problems with the Double-Click !
I know, for most the double-clicking is really
simply. But if it does not work for you please do
not be frustrated, rather try again.
Frequently people are clicking too slowly. Your
computer does not interpret that as one doubleclick,
but rather as two separate single clicks.
Escape!
Any further attempt to double-click only leads to
chaos! The following is my suggestion: Press the
[ESC] key.
The [ESC] key is in the upper left corner of the
keyboard
Try once more with a double-click.
The [Esc] key saves you in difficult
situations !
Should you continue to fail the double-click
command I would suggest that you click once
and then press [ ENTER ] on the keyboard. The [
ENTER ] key is the large "carriage return key"
in the right range, with the "90-degree arrow".
Later on I shall give you some tips in an exercise
on how to adjust the double-clicking speed!
Window overview
22
The folder containing [MY DOCUMENTS]: An overview
I believe that you have now managed the double-click. Congratulations! In front of you the contents of the folder
[MY DOCUMENTS] has appeared. Just a reminder: What you see is the folder containing your personal files.
And another important thing: You have opened a window!
In the following we shall have a close look at the most important elements of such a window. If your window
should look differently, the reason is probably because you did not change over to the „classic“ option (page
17). However that is only an optical "problem", no more.
• Each window has a Titlebar. Here you can read the title of the window. Often that is the name of the
document or folder, which is shown in the window.
• The buttons to the right on the Titlebar are used to (reading from left to right) (1) minimize, (2) maximize or
(3) close the window. Later there will be an exercise on how to use this function!
• The Menubar allows you to „pull down“ sub-menus. Click on one and see what happens.
• The name of the Toolbar speaks for itself. The tools that are available to you are shown as icons.
• Most windows can be changed in size e.g. by pulling or pushing on a corner. Place your mouse pointer in
the corner of the window while holding down the button on the mouse and you can now push or pull to
change the size of the window.
At the bottom of the window you will find the Status Bar which provides useful information about the selected
element (file, folder, image etc.). In case the Status Bar does not show on your screen when in [MY
DOCUMENTS] or [MY COMPUTER] please click on VIEW in the Menubar and tick STATUS BAR in the
pull-down menu. That should do the trick.
Some times the contents of the window do not fit within the frame of our monitor. If that is the case you can use
the Scroll Bars which you will find both to the right and at the bottom of the window. By clicking on the small
arrows you can roll you contents back and forth, up and down.
Titlebar Buttons to mini, maximize or close
Toolbar
Menubar
Pull or push changes size of Window
Contents
Windows exercise: Minimize, Maximize, Slide
23
Windows exercise: Minimize, Maximize, Slide
Would you like a little exercise? Let‘s do the
windows!
I will show you (1) how you minimize a
window, (2) restore the window and (3) even
maximize the window.
Minimize your window
I have previously made mention of the Taskbar.
Take a look at the lower edge of the screen:
The button is imprinted
Here you find a button for the window [MY
DOCUMENTS]. You have commenced a "task".
We shall now minimize the window and move it
to the Taskbar!
2. Look in the right upper corner of the
window [MY DOCUMENTS]. Place the
pointer of the mouse over the button
[MINIMIZE ]. It is the one with a short
horizontal line at the buttom.
2. Click with the left mouse button
3. Hoppla! The window moves instantly. It
„shrinks“ itself onto the Taskbar. Have a
look for yourself.
You have successfully minimized the window
containing the task [MY DOCUMENTS].
Re-open your window
Would you know how to open‘ your window
again? It is really so simple!
Click on the button in the Taskbar
All you have to to is to click on the button on the
Taskbar. And your window emerges swiftly
again.
The button is a kind of a switch: Another
click on the button minimizes the window
again.
Maximize your window
Maximizing of the window is so easy and
without any effort of force.
This is how it is done:
1. Look this time to the middle button. It
looks like a box with a thick bar at the top
It is the [MAXIMIZE] button.
2. Click on it: You will see how the window
‚stretches‘ and fills the entire screen.
By using the maximizing feature the window
becomes the frame. It stretches the entire
Desktop. You have more room for working, but
the Desktop is completely covered. Only the
Taskbar is visible.
Restore your windows
Has the window been maximized? And would
you like to restore the window to its previous
size? When the window was maximized the
[MAXIMIZE ] button transformed itself into a
[RESTORE WINDOWS ] button. Click on it!
[RESTORE WINDOW] changes it to its original
size
If you have been searching in vain for the button
[ MAXIMIZE ], the window has perhaps already
been maximized; -)
It is quite logic: Only a maximized window can
be restored. And only if the window does not
already fill the entire screen, can it be
maximized.
Practice makes perfect!
Try a few times (1) to minimize, (2) to maximize
and (3) to restore the window.
Windows exercise: Minimize, Maximize, Slide
24
I would also suggest that you try a few times to
click on the [MY DOCUMENTS] button in the
Taskbar.
Individual size changes to the
window
You have probably gained some experience by
now in using the mouse? In that case we shall
now practice how to change the window
completely individually in the size! To do this
we shall be using the mouse technique of
clicking and pulling!
In the next exercise the window may not be
maximized!
Ahead we go with the change of the window to
the size of our preference:
1. I would recommend that you pull the
pointer of the mouse over the right lower
corner of the window.
2. Easy to recognize: The pointer transforms
itself into a double arrow.
3. Click and keep pressing down the mouse
button!
4. Pull the mouse in
the desired
direction while
keeping down the
left mouse button.
If you pull "to the
right down", the window is increased. If you
push against it "to the left above", you will
reduce the size of the window!
5. After completion of this mouse movement
simply releases the left mouse button.
You are not rerstricted to the right lower corner.
You can "pull" or „push“ any of the 4 corners of
the window.
However the right lower corner is often easier to
"get a grip on": When the Status Bar is visible
you will see a few diagonal lines in right lower
corner which offer an easy „grip“ for the pointer.
Switch on the Status Bar
With some „standard“ configurations of
Windows XP the very useful Status Bar may not
show when you are in (a) [MY DOCUMENTS] ,
(b) [MY COMPUTER] and (c) WINDOWS
EXPLORER.
I believe you are still in [MY DOCUMENTS]?
If that is the case simply select VIEW from the
Menubar and tick Status Bar.
The illustration above shows the Status Bar. You
can now also see the "grip" diagonal lines in the
right lower corner.
Move just one side
When you pull or push at the corner of your
window it changes size in two directions in one
operation. This is why I recommend to re-size at
a corner.
However should you so wish it is also possible
individually to manipulate only one side. In this
example we shall widen the window by pulling
on the right edge.
1. Move the pointer carefully over the
appropriate side of the window. The pointer
must transform into a double arrow.
2. Click and pull or push the pointer in the
desired direction while keeping the button
down.
3. Once you have changed the position of the
side of the window as desired, simply
releases the mouse button.
Windows exercise: Minimize, Maximize, Slide
25
I admit that it takes some practice to master this
technique with the mouse. It can be difficult to
‚hit‘ the exact location where the pointer
becomes the double arrow.
Again: Practice makes perfect!
Try to change the size of the window of [MY
DOCUMENTS] so that the Scroll Bars fade
away.
Here the vertical Scroll Bar is still visible
Thereafter please re-size the window so that the
Scroll Bars re-emerges.
Scroll Bars appear to the right and/or at the
bottom of the window when there is more
information in the file than can be shown at once
in the window.
Try to roll the window back and forth a few
times by clicking on one of the arrow buttons as
indicated by the pointer.
Thereafter please try to roll the contents of the
window by pulling on the „drag to scroll fast“
slide bar in the centre as indicated by the arrow.
To achieve this you must click on the slide bar
and pull or push while holding down the mouse
button!
We shall now restore the original window size by
pulling at the lower right corner with the pointer.
Remember to keep the left mouse button down.
Shift the window
Let us do something spectacular. Let us shift the
window by sliding the window frame!
Place the pointer on the Titlebar, click and keep
the button pressed.
1. Pull the pointer in the desired direction and
remember to keep the mouse button
pressed.
2. Once the window has been shifted to the
desired position please release the mouse
button..
Shifting of the window is only possible provided
you have not maximized it. That should be
obvious, or? With a maximized window you
would have nowhere to shift to.
This exercise with the mouse that we have just
completed is called drag & drop.
Drag & drop is one of the important mouse
techniques besides (1) clicking, (2) pulling and
(3) double clicking!
Close all windows, turn off PC
26
Close all windows and only then turn off the PC
Please close the Windows, there is a draught
coming through!! Let us stop working on the PC
for a moment.
It is quite simple. All you need is one cross!
Before you switch off your PC any open
window must be closed.
Close the windows
This is how you close a window and terminate
the task:
Close window
1. Look into the right upper window corner.
Place the pointer on the button with the
cross, it is the [CLOSE WINDOW] button.
2. Click on this button. The window closes.
3. Check that it has happened by looking at
the Taskbar: You will notice that the task
has disappeared from the Taskbar!
It is really quite simple: Clic the cross button
and the window will always close.
Switch off the PC
Stop! You should not simply switch off the
computer at the circuit breaker.
It can be done of course, however, in the longer
run there is the risk that such an act may cause
loss of data. Should you make it your bad habit
of just switching off the computer please do not
be surprised if your computer should suddenly
fail to work.
Before you can enjoy a well-deserved „end of
workday“, you must put your computer to bed
"peacefully".
This is how you should turn off your computer:
1. Look into the left lower corner of the
screen. Click on the key [ START ].
2. The Start Menu appears. However only the
[TURN OFF COMPUTER] switch should
catch your attention. Click on it!
3. The window TURN OFF COMPUTER
appears. Click on the switch TURN OFF.
Modern computers will now „drive down“ and
switch themselves off. That is ideal.
Stand By
Did you notice the button [ STAND BY ]? By
clicking on this button the computer goes into
the stand by mode and in this „idling“ position
uses less electricity. Besides it starts faster from
the stand by mode than from being completely
turned off.
Do you have a Notebook? Most Notebook
computers have a special feature in combination
with the stand by mode. This feature ensures the
following:
When the Notebook is switched on from a stand
by mode, the computer will commence reading
data from the position on the Hard Disk where it
went into stand by mode and thus makes it easy
straight away to continue a specific task that
may have been interrupted.
The safest way to close down any PC or
Notebook is by using the [TURN OFF]
button in the START menu
EXERCISE A: General questions about the PC
27
EXERCISE A: General questions about the PC
You have now learned
• what is hardware and software
• about auxiliary equipment and where they should be connected
• how to use the mouse and windows
• how to switch on and off the PC
Questions about the PC
This is a good opportunity to answer a few questions about the computer. Some questions may have
more than one answer! Please tick all the right answers. In case you should you be able to read
German you may wish to visit the web site www.jchanke.de/windows where you should be able to
find all the questions and the answers as an interactive program!
1. Which program is needed by every computer? 2. Which components are hardware?
[a] The text processing software: Microsoft Word [a] Monitor
[b] The operating system, in this case Windows (XP) [b] Modem
[c] Windows 97 [c] Windows
[d] Keyboard, CPU and monitor [d] RAM memory
3. Where is the computer mouse connected ? 4. Where is the monitor connected?
[a] Parallel Port (LPT) [a] USB socket
[b] COM Port [b] Power Supply
[c] PS/2 Port [c] Parallel Port (LPT)
[d] Game Port [d] VGA socket
5. What is the meaning of drage & drop? 6. Select characteristics of the Hard Disk?
[a] Pulling and „let go“ [a] Extremely fast memory
[b] The left mouse button [b] Volatile memory, data are lost
[c] The double-click [c] Firmly built into the computer
[d] A refined mouse pulling technique [d] Data become durably secured
7. What ranks among the software?
8. What is this connection used for?
[a] Text processing such as Word for Windows [a] COM Port (serial connection)
[b] PCMCIA plug-in card for the Notebook [b] USB-socket
[c] Drawing program such as Corel Draw [c] Parallel Port
[d] Mini loudspeaker system for the PC [d] PS/2 Port
My Computer
28
My Computer: Hard Disk, Diskette- and CD/DVD drives
I agree, the questions in Exercise A were quite
simple and easy. Let us try a few more practical
exercises!
I shall show you how to work on several tasks
simultaneously! And we shall use the
opportunity to have another look at the Hard
Disk.
Practice makes perfect!
Please start the PC again, if you have not already
done so. Open the folder [MY DOCUMENTS].
Then please minimize this window and, voila, it
„jumps“ down on the Taskbar.
My Computer
Next we shall focus on the icon [MY
COMPUTER]. It will give you an overview of
the drive assemblies of your computer.
1. Double-click on the icon [MY
COMPUTER].
2. Here the drive assemblies of your computer
are clearly listed. There are icons for your
Hard Disk drive, the floppy disk drive, and
usually the CD and/or DVD drive
assemblies.
3. Let us have a closer look at the Hard Disk.
Double-click on the appropriate icon.
You will notice the message: These files are
hidden. If you click on SHOW THE
CONTENTS OF THIS FOLDER all the
folders and files will appear.
The contents of the Hard Disk will show
a long list of yellow folder icons and file
icons. In order to be able to view the full
list, you will probably have to use the
scroll bars.
4. Do you see the heading DOCUMENTS
AND SETTINGS? Here you will find the
names of the users of the computer. Doubleclick
e.g. on a folder with a user name. A
new window
emerges, more
detailed of the
foldes and files
stored by the
subject user.
Should you wish
to return to the original window please click
on the [UP] arrow on the Toolbar:
Juggling multiple windows
29
Juggling: Work with multiple windows
You have now opened the window [MY
COMPUTER]. For the next exercise reduce the
window in size by pushing at the right lower
corner! Ready? Good! You will remember that
we have previously „parked“ the window [MY
DOCUMENTS] on the Taskbar. Have a look:
(In case the window [MY DOCUMENTS] has
been closed, simply open it again by doubleclicking
on the appropriate icon.)
What am I leading you to! Well, in Windows
you can work on several tasks at the same time.
The Windows operating system is multitasking!
We shall now see how Windows manages with
ease several windows simultaneously!
Several windows simultaneously
Which of the two windows do you find in the
foreground? You will recognize it by the
imprinted button on the Taskbar. By me it is
[MY COMPUTER]:
1. Click on the button [MY DOCUMENTS]
on the Taskbar.
2. Now the second window [MY
DOCUMENTS] unfolds in the foreground.
The other window [MY COMPUTER] is at
least partly covered.
The active Window is in the foreground,
recognized by the dark coloured header.
3. And now try to click once on the header of
the window [MY COMPUTER]. You will
see how the two windows change position
and [MY COMPUTER] moves to the
foreground while [MY DOCUMENTS] is
pushed into the background.
Click on the header and the window slips into the
foreground
Change by using the Taskbar
I would recommend that the easiest way to
change between windows is by using the buttons
on the Taskbar!
Back and forth: Changing by Taskbar
Practice makes perfect!
Which is the active window? maximize it! Now
move the window behind it to the foreground.
Maximize also this window. Change now
between the windows back and forth by using
the buttons on the Taskbar.
Minimize all windows!
Are you multitasking? Have you maximized all
windows? Would you now like to have a quick
look at the Desktop hidden in the background
behind all your active windows?
Minimize all windows in one action!
Simply Click the button [SHOW DESKTOP].
You find it at the Quick Launch section of the
Taskbar next to the [START] button. Voila - all
windows are minimized! A new click on the
[SHOW DESKTOP] button reverses the action
and all your windows are back! Quite smart,
don‘t you think so?
Tips and Tricks
30
Tips and Tricks for those with some experience
In this section I shall offer some tips and tricks
particularly for those who are interested in the
more advanced features of Windows XP.
Should you find it difficult to comprehend the
basics of Windows XP you may perhaps chose
to skip this section for the time being as its
contents are not essential for the general
understanding of Windows XP.
You can always revert to this section at a later
stage!
Double-click the Header
This is how you maximize a window or restore a
maximized window quickly to its previous size.
Simply double-click the header of the subject
window. Voila, it happens instantly!
Change between frame and window mode
You can double-click the header instead of
clicking on [MAXIMIZE] and/or [RESTORE].
Change quickly between Tasks
When you have several windows running there is
an easy and quick way to change between them.
Normally you would click on the appropriate
button on the Taskbar.
The true professionals rather prefer to use quick
key strokes and let the mouse rest.
This is what you can do. Use the following
combination of keys:
Hold the [ALT] key down and tap the [TAB] key
once
Hold the [ALT] key down. ([ALT] stands for
alternative function). Tap now once briefly on
the [TAB] key and the following box appears:
The icon [MY COMPUTER] is highlighted
Here all tasks running are listed. Each further tap
on [TAB] moves the curser to the next task.
You may have located a specific task. Keep
tapping on [TAB], until this specific task is
highlighted by the black frame.
Now you can release the [ALT] and [TAB] keys,
and the window associated with the specific task
appears in the foreground on your screen.
Close a window with key strokes
Should you wish to close down a window this
can also be done by quick key strokes. Instead of
the clicking with the pointer on the cross button
in the upper left corner, simply hold down the
[ALT] key while tapping briefly once on the [F4]
function key.
Minimize all windows
Should you wish to minimize all windows in one
action please hold down the [WIN] key while
tapping once on the „M“ key (for minimize) on
the keyboard. The [WIN] key stands for
Windows.
You will find the [WIN] key on all newer keyboards
EXERCISE B: How to manage windows
31
EXERCISE B: How to manage windows
Now you know:
• How to open a window and change its size
• How to change between several windows
• The drive assembly of the Hard Disk in the window [MY COMPUTER]
• How to maximize and minimize windows
• How to close windows
Starting position for the exercises: The computer is on, all windows are closed. This exercise is for
those with some experience and may be skipped if it appears too difficult.
Exercise B1: Open [MY COMPUTER] and look at the Hard Disk drive assembly
How do you proceed to find out what is stored on your Hard Disk?
Exercise B2: Explore sub-folders containing software PROGRAMS
On your Hard Disk there are other programs beside the Windows operating system. These are usually
stored in a folder named PROGRAM FILES. Open the folder briefly. How do you mange to close the
folder again?
Exercise B3: Move up one level in the filing hierarchy
By double-clicking on this [PROGRAM FILES] you have gone one level down in the filing hierarchy.
Please go back up one level to the [PROGRAM FILES].
Exercise B4: The folder [MY DOCUMENTS]
You would now like to have a close look at the contents of the folder [MY DOCUMENTS]. Please
double-click on the icon [MY DOCUMENTS] which you will find on your Desktop. You now have
two windows on the screen.
Exercise B5: Change between windows
Please try to change back from the window [MY DOCUMENTS] to the window [MY COMPUTER].
The window [MY COMPUTER] should become the active window.
Exercise B6: Maximize the windows
You need more space to show the contents of the two folders. Please therefore maximize the window
of the [MY COMPUTER] folder. Thereafter you should maximize the window of the [MY
DOCUMENTS] folder.
Exercise B7: A quick view of the Desktop
You would like to have a quick view of the Desktop. How do you do that?
Exercise B8: Re-establish the original size of the windows
Please re-establish the original size of the two open windows.
Exercise B9: Close the windows
Please close in succession the two open windows. There should be no more active tasks.
Exercise B10: In the window roll
Please open once more the folder [MY COMPUTER]. Size the window so that the two scroll bars
appear. Scroll back and forth a few times, and then close the window again.
Clean-up and re-arrange the Desktop
32
Clean-up and re-arrange the Desktop to your taste
We shall now dedicate ourselves to your
Desktop, your virtual desk. Move the icons
around to suit your taste and needs. Activate the
Screen Saver and a background image. In
addition this will give you some extra practice in
how to Right-click with the mouse.
Move icons
You are already familiar with the mouse feature
Drag and Drop. Did you know that you can
move around the icons on your Desktop?
Anyway, let us try to give it a
go with the icon [MY
COMPUTER]. Move it
somewhat to the right.
1. Move the pointer over the icon, which you
would like to re-position.
2. Click and hold down the left mouse button.
3. Drag the icon to the desired place while holding
down the button.
4. Release the mouse button and drop the
icon.You have now
shifted the icon to a
new position!
Huch, are you unable to relocate the icon? Does
the icon continue to move back to its original
position as soon as you release the mouse
button? In that case please continue to read the
next page on how to arrange the icons
automatically.
Practice makes perfect!
Now let us do a little exercise! Please move the
icons [MY COMPUTER], [RECYCLE BIN],
[MY DOCUMENTS] and [MY NETWORK
PLACE] into the center of the screen. Arrange
the icons in accordance with the following:
Icons can be re-positioned individually
Tidy up again
Are the icons in disorder? What a mess!
However you can tidy up the icons completely
automatically. The Windows program provides a
feature to help you in such circumstances. In
order to call up the object menu for the Desktop
where this feature appears you will exeptionally
need to click.....
…the right mouse button!
Let‘s get started:
2. The object menu for the Desktop appears.
From now on you will again need the left
mouse button!
3. Point to the task [ARRANGE ICONS BY].
1. Right-click on a free
spot on the Desktop.
(free spot meant that
you should click not
on but between the
icons)
Clean-up and re-arrange the Desktop
33
4. Click on the entry [NAME] and you will see
that the icons on the Desktop re-arrange
themselves alphabetically starting from the
upper left corner.
Align according to the Grid
Imagine that the screen on your monitor consists
of an invisible grid. Do your icons align
according to a certain pattern and cannot be
placed completely freely on the Desktop?
Try to call up the object menu for the Desktop
and check whether there is a tick at the ALIGN
TO GRID command. You can remove the tick by
clicking on the command. If there is no tick a
click will insert a tick.
The tick is taken away or inserted by clicking
Make sure that there is no tick against the
command AUTO ARRANGE as this will
prevent you from re-arranging the icons with the
pointer!
Individual background
You should feel „at home“ on your Desktop!
Adjust the colors and
background
completely according
to your own taste.
You do this by
changing the
PROPERTIES of
your Desktop.
1. Right-click on a
free spot on the Desktop. Select the
command PROPERTIES.
2. The window DISPLAY PROPERTIES
appears. Select DESKTOP by clicking on
the appropriate „flag“.
3. A selection of files appear containing a
number of
background
images that will
show on the preview
screen as
you click these
files. Select one image to your taste.
4. To the right of the box that
shows the list of files of
images there is a button.
Here you can select the
POSITION of your image.
Click on the arrow and
select to taste
5. See how it looks by clicking [APPLY].
For most images the option STRETCH is
suitable. If the image does not look good with
that choice, you should try another POSITION.
By selecting the CENTER option the image will
show with a frame if it does not cover the entire
Desktop.
Clean-up and re-arrange the Desktop
34
Appearance
The changing of the background image alone
represents a significant modification. But should
you so wish it is also possible to change the
entire layout of all the windows!
1. In stead of selecting the DESKTOP you should
click on the APPEARANCE button on the menu
DISPLAY PROPERTIES.
2. There are 3 parameters that you can change:
(1) WINDOWS AND BUTTONS, (2)
COLOUR SCHEME and (3) FONT SIZE.
In the first field you have a choice between
the WINDOWS CLASSIC style and the
new WINDOWS XP style. Click on the
arrow and make your selection. (Please
remember that I have chosen the
WINDOWS CLASSIC style!)
Next go to the parameter COLOR
SCHEME and click on the arrow.
3. Pick your choice of COLOR SCHEME.
With the WINDOWS CLASSIC style there
are particularly many color variations to
select from. There is a pre-view in the
window.
4. Let us now turn to the third parameter:
FONT SIZE. Click on the arrow and three
options emerge: (1) NORMAL, (2)
LARGE and (3) EXTRA LARGE.
5. Are you satisfield with your selections?
Then simply click on [APPLY] and you
have changed the appearance of the Active
Window, the Inactive Window and the
Message Box to suit your taste.
Should you wish to revert to the original colors
simple select WINDOWS CLASSIC style and
the color scheme WINDOWS STANDARD.
Dialogue window effects
I assume that you are still in the DISPLAY
PROPERTIES window and have selected
APPEARANCE. To the right in the lower part of
that window you will see the button
[EFFECTS..] Here you can switch on and off
some special effects.
Increase the size of the Icons
You can decide for or against some transition
effects for menus and information flags. Try
them out for yourself.
These options are cosmetic of nature and a
matter of taste
Time and sound icons
35
Time and Sounds: The Notification Area of the Taskbar
We shall now focus on the Taskbar. Look at the
right side of the Taskbar!
Lead the mouse pointer across the time
This is the Notification Area of the Taskbar.
Here you will find at least the time and also a
loudspeaker icon and perhaps other icons. On
my PC the Notification Area also shows icons
for my anti-virus software, for my network
connection with other computers, for my
Internet connection etc.
Date and time
The system clock in your PC may not always be
adjusted to show the correct timing. Would you
like to change that? No problem! On the same
occasion we shall also check whether the date is
correct!
1. Double-click on the
time in the Taskbar.
The dialogue window
appears for adjusting
Date and Time
Properties.
2. Right-click on the „flag“ Date & Time. Is
the day correct? Click on the calendar to
make the correction
of the date. The
month is selected by
clicking on the
arrow and a pulldown
menu appears.
To the right you will
see the year which
can be adjusted with
up and down arrows
next to it!
3. The clock is adjusted in the following way.
If you want to change the minutes please
click on the minutes in the digital time
display and make the corrections by
clicking on the up or down arrows to its
right. Similarly for hours and seconds.
Once you have made your adjustments
please click the [APPLY] button.
While still in Date and Time Properties try to
click on the „flag“ INTERNET TIME. If there is
a tick at the option Automatically symchronize
with an Internet time server, your PC clock is
synchronized weekly over the Internet provided
of course that you are connected to the Internet.
You can de-activate this option by clicking the
tick thereby removing it, should you so perfer.
4. Confirm your choice and close the menu by
clicking first on tbe button [APPLY] and
subsequently on the button [OK].
The loudspeaker icon
Does your computer have an in-built sound
card? Have you got loudspeakers attached? Then
let us adjust the sound to your taste.
1. Double-click the
loudspeaker icon.
2. The dialogue window PLAYBACK
CONTROL appears. Here you can adjust or
switch off the volume for each individual
sound source.
The main volume controle (PLAY BACK) is
located to the left , easily identified. LINE-IN
controls the attached microphone. CD AUDIO is
the volume control for your CD drive (you can
play music CDs on your computer). MIDI
Time and sound icons
36
controls the sounds crearted/composed on the
PC and WAVE/MP3 is the controller e.g. for
funny sounds appearing when you click
commands on the PC and for MP3 sound.
Is your loudspeaker icon missing?
Is your loudspeaker icon missing on the Task
Bar, although sound is coming out of the
loudspeakers? Click on the key [ START ] and
select CONTROL PANEL.
If you are in the WINDOWS XP set-up the new
window will ask you to select a category. Here
you should select the SOUND AND AUDIO
DEVISES option and then click VOLUME in
the new menu. Set a tick mark in the box
PLACE VOLUME ICON IN THE TASKBAR.
Click [APPLY] and then [OK].
In the WINDOWS CLASSIC set-up a click on
the CONTROL PANEL brings you straight to a
window with all the icons of the CONTROL
PANEL. Double-click the SOUND AND
AUDIO DEVISES icon and then click
VOLUME in the new menu. Set a tick mark in
the box PLACE VOLUME ICON IN THE
TASKBAR. Click [APPLY] and then [OK].
The „help“ functions
37
At your finger tip: How to use the „help“ function
Windows has dozens of tick marks and buttons
which for most are self-explanatory. In the
following I shall therefore limit myself to those
that in my opinion are the most important ones.
The Direct Assistance
However you may be interested in another
option that I may not have covered in this book.
It may not always be the best solution simply to
click on such an „unfamiliar“ options.
There is a feature in Windows, which gives good
explanations of all options that you may wish to
explore.
Use the „direct“ assistance
This is how you activate the „direct“ assistance.
I assume in this example that you are still in the
window DISPLAY PROPERTIES (Right-click
on the Desktop and select PROPERTIES). Select
APPEARANCE and click on the button
[EFFECTS]. (you may turn back a couple of
pages in case you are lost).
1. Look in the right
upper corner. Next to
the cross icon you will
discover a small question mark. Click on it!
This question mark icon indicates that the direct
assistance is activated in this dialogue window.
2. The pointer has become a question mark.
Drag the question mark across the subject
that you wish to investigate.
3. Click! You will now find that Windows
provides practical information specifically
regarding this option without activating it.
Have you finished reading? Well. How do you
get rid of this questionmark (the „direct“
assistance) again? Simply tap the [ESC]function
key on your keyboard.
[Esc] is the abbreviation for escape. This
key often works to disengage a function.
Decide now on the basis the information
provided by the „direct“ assistance whether or
not you wish to apply this option.
Unfortunately the „direct“ assistance is not
available in all dialogue windows.
F1 activates Full-scale Assistance
Please close the window that you are working
with and rever to the Desktop.
You would probably expect that the Windows
program will offer on-line a „full-scale“ help
function in addition to the handy „direct“
assistance that you have now
been introduced to.
The function key [F1] activates
the on-line ful-scale help program
If you are in need of the fullscale
on-line help function all you have to do is
to tap once on the function key [F1]. You will
find it on your keyboard in the upper row,
second from left.
Alternatively click the [START] button and then
select HELP AND SUPPORT on the start menu.
Easy: Adjust the Double-click
To assist in remembering this important help
function we shall now practice how to use it!
Do you remember our exercises with the mouse?
Perhaps you may still experience some problems
with the double-click? To help you we can
simply reduce the double clicking speed.
Let us see whether there is assistance available
on this subject!
The „help“ functions
38
If you have not done so already please tap [F1 ]
to activate the „full scale“ on-line assistance. A
window appears:
1. The window calls itself Help and Support
Center. It is usually fairly large and looks
like an Internet side. The appropriate
explanations are faded in by pointing at a
topic.
Wouldn‘t it be convenient and useful with some
explanations and help in relation to the subject
of music, video, plays and photo? Whenever you
are stuck simply click [F1] when on the Desktop
and select a topic!
2. Stay tuned, keep the Help and Support
Center active. We shall now have to deal
with the double clicking speed. It is my
favorite on how to use this help function.
3. Type the word mouse in the SEACH field
and tap the key [ ENTER ] alterntively click
on the white arrow in the green square to
the right of the search field. Now a list of
sub-topics appears.
4. At the top of the list of the Search Results
you will find the subject Adjust the doubleclick
speed for your mouse. Click this
option.
5. To the right in the window you will now see
a full explanation what to do. By clicking
the highlighted text the Windows program
will take you to the appropriate place!
Adjust now the double-clicking speed
accordingly to these instructions. When you
have completed the task click [OK] and the
menu closes.
Screen Saver
39
How to set up your Screen Saver
Screen Saver? In the early days of the PC this
feature was meaningful. The screen should be
protected against burning. With modern screens
the phenomenon of burning screens is however
unknown. Nevertheless the Screen Saver enjoys
unbroken popularity: As a kind of a decoration
or a fill-in on the screen.
This is how we set it up:
1. Right-click on a free spot on the Desktop. Select
the object menu feature PROPERTIES and click
on the SCREEN SAVER flag.
2. Click on the
arrow and a
pull-down
menu reveals
a range of
options. For
this exercise I
would
suggest that we select 3D-TEXT.
Most Screen Savers can be
fine-tuned. Click [SETTINGS]
3. As an example you can insert your own short
individual text in the CUSTOM TEXT field.
Write for example your name alternatively
„Windows is easy“ or „Summer is beautiful“.
You can change the font style and size should
you so wish. And it is
possible to change the
speed and the motion of
the text on the screen etc! Have a play!
4. Try to click on [CHOOSE FONT]. In the
SAMPLE section of the window you can get a
quick idea of how the font that you have chosen
will look on the screen. Try to chose between
the font styles (1) Regular, (2) Italic, (3) Bold
and (4) Bold Italic. Do not forget to secure your
selection by clicking on the [OK] button in both
windows.
5. Now that you are back in the DISPLAY
PROPERTY window you should try to preview
your new Screen Saver by clicking the
[PREVIEW]button.
You are activating the Screen Saver by clicking
the [OK] button in the DISPLAY PROPERTY
window. However as you may be aware the
Screen Saver will only appear after a specified
period of time
when the PC has
been inactive. In my case I have set the time
lapse at 10 minutes of inactivity.
Please go back to the DISPLAY PROPERTY
window (Right-click on a free place on the
Desktop. Select the object menu instruction
feature PROPERTIES and click on the SCREEN
SAVER flag). Here you will see that the WAIT
time can be adjusted by using the up or down
arrows or by clicking on the „digital clock“ and
type another number. This new number instructs
the PC how many minutes it shall remain
inactive before showing the Screen Saver.
By moving the mouse or any key on the
keyboard you will again „arouse the computer to
life“.
Screen Resolution and Dynamic Range
40
Important: Screen Resolution and Dynamic Range
On each computer system the icons look
somewhat different. One reason is the quality
level of the computer equipment. A good quality
monitor obviously possesses better
representation capabilities than a cheaper
version.
The parameters Screen Resolution and Dynamic
Range play other important roles!
The minimum: VGA resolution
The absolute minimum resolution not long ago
was 640 x 480 pixels. One spoke of the VGA
resolution. Today this level of resolution is
considered insufficient for most applications.
800 x 600 or 1024 x 768?
The recommended minimum level of resolution
has increased to 800 x 600 Pixels and appears to
be increasing further. At this level the buttons
and icons are quite large, however, leaving little
space for text information.
Imagine that you open a window and minimize it
so that you can hardly read the contents.
Would you like a good monitor? I would
recommend a screen resolution of 1024 x 768
pixels.
Higher resolution means more pixels per square
surface of the monitor. At 800 x 600 that means
800 pixels in the width and 600 pixels in the
height.
It is however not always true that the higher
number of pixels will give you a better picture
on the monitor. It is just as important that your
monitor is capable of showing the sharpness of
the image.
You should also know that with a higher
resolution the icons and text will appear smaller.
Also important: Dynamic Range
Older monitors could show only 16 different
colors. For graphic images that is far too little.
Today modern monitors are capable of up to
16,7 million colors.
I would recommend that you select the highest
possible number of colors, so that also photos
and games appear in good quality on the
monitor.
Adjust Monitor Parameters
This is how you select the resolution and color
dynamic range on your monitor.
1. Right-click on the Desktop, select
PROPERTIES and click SETTINGS flag.
2. You select the dynamic range in the COLOR
QUALITY box.
Click on the arrow
and you will be
shown a choice. I
recommend to select HIGHEST (32 BIT).
32 Bits stands for „True Color.“ Here 16.7
million colors will be projected at the screen and
particularly photos and other images are shown
so much better with 16.7 million colors.
3. The sliding control in the field SCREEN
RESOLUTION is used to adjust the number
of pixels. Please observe the preview of the
changes in the upper window area during
pulling of the leaver with the mouse pointer.
You will note the changes as you increase
or decrease the resolution (number of
pixels).
4. Confirm your changes by clicking the [OK]
button alternatively select [CANCEL]
should you have made no changes.
Have you made changes? And then an additional
dialogue window appears?
Some times you will be requested by Windows
to restart the computer. As you may know it is a
requirement of the Windows program that you
restart the computer in order for some changes to
the set-up to become effective.
Tips and Tricks
41
Tips and Tricks for advanced users
On this page I am again providing information,
tips and tricks for those with some experience!
You can elect to read it, skim through it or
initially ignore it at your choice.
Hide the Taskbar
Do you have a very small monitor? If that is the
case you may be disturbed by the space taken up
by the Taskbar at the bottom of your screen?
You can elect the Taskbar to appear only
when wanted
Right-click on a free section of the Taskbar.
Select the instruction PROPERTIES and the
dialogue window TASKBAR AND START
MENU PROPERTIES appears. In this exercise
only the following two small control boxes are
of interest:
These two options control the Taskbar. In the
standard installation of Windows the choice
Keep the Taskbar on top of other windows is
pre-selected. The Taskbar always remains
visible. In addition you have the following
choices:
Activate both options
When you have activated both options the
Taskbar will only appear when the pointer
approaches the bottom schreen edge.
Auto-hide the Taskbar
Should you have activated this option the
Taskbar will only appear on the Desktop, and
only when the pointer approaches the bottom
edge of the screen.
De-activate both options
With this option the Taskbar will only appear
and remain visible on the Desktop.
Energy Saving Functions
Select „time-out“ for your monitor and Hard
Disk. It saves energy and makes fun:
Right-click on the Desktop, select PROPERTIES
and go to [SCREEN SAVER]. Click the button
[POWER…]and in the new window POWER
OPTIONS PROPERTIES select Power schemes.
Select the desired Power scheme
Click on the arrow and a new menu will prosent
you with a selection of options. If you are using
a desk top computer, you select for example
HOME/OFFICE DESK and confirm by clicking
the [APPLY] button. The computer screen and
the Hard Disk will now switch off after a certain
number of minutes of computer inactivity as
determined by yourself by making the
appropriate selections for TURN OFF
MONITOR and TURN OFF HARD DISK in the
same POWER OPTIONS PROPERTIES
window.
More than one user
Did you know that in Windows
each user of the same computer is
assigned an account which is
activated by your own password
for identificatin purposes
In the pre-setting of the Windows program the
password protection is usually not active. It
gives only one user account. You can however
assign yourself a unique password and similarly
for other users of the same computer.
Go to STAR/CONTROL PANEL and doubleclick
on the icon USER ACCOUNTS. What can
you do here?
Assign a password to your own account:
Select CHANGE AN ACCOUNT and when the
new window shows all the accounts created on
your computer please click on the account that
you wish to change. For the exercise try to select
you own account. Would you like to assign a
Tips and Tricks
42
password to your account? Then click the option
CREATE A PASSWORD.Type your password as
instructed in the new window. In case you are
afraid to forget your password there is also the
option to type a password hint to help you
remember your password at a later stage. This
hint will be accessible to all users of your
computer but only you may know the meaning
of the hint and aid you to rememebr your
password. Have you finished typing your
password? Then click the button [CREATE
PASSWORD].
Assign a new account:
In Windows XP it is very easy to establish a new
account. Would you like your son Tom to use
your computer? Would you like him to have
only restricted use to your computer? What you
do is to assign him his own account.
Go to STAR/CONTROL PANEL and doubleclick
on the icon USER ACCOUNTS. Select
CREATE A NEW ACCOUNT and follow the
instructions in the new window: Type a name for
the new account and click on [NEXT]. Select the
account type LIMITED. Click on [CREATE
ACCOUNT].
So easy: The user administration
Should you so wish you can also select a new
picture for the account or its name and type.
However please understand that even users with
a LIMITED account normally will have access
to all files on the PC.
Nevertheless there are some useful functions,
which were not available on previous Windows
versions.
Quick change-over:
You can easily switch from one account to
another and back again. Select START... LOG
OFF. Click on SWITCH USER. In the new
window you simply select another user account.
The Windows system provides for each user
account to set up a unique Desktop configuration
according to the preferences of the user. With
each change of the user account the
configuration of the Desktop adjusts itself
automatically.
Screen Saver with Password
It is possible to provide your Screen Saver with a
password. This is useful if you wish to prevent
others from having access to your computer
while you may be away from your desk for a
brief moment.
The Screen Saver password option is only
available provided you have assigned a
password to your User Account.
This is how you create a Screen Saver password:
Right-click on the Desktop, select PROPERTIES
and click on the SCREEN SAVER flag. Tick the
box ON RESUME PASSWORD
PROTECTION. Your Screen Saver and User
Account passwords are the same.
Own Background Image
Would you like to use one of your own photos as
a background image on your screen? There are
two ways to do this:
1) Scan a photo:
Scan a photo or a picture alternatively uplift a
picture from your digital camera. In the example
we are naming the scanned image
Background.gif and store it in the file [MY
DOCUMENTS]. Right-click then on the
Desktop, select PROPERTIES and click on the
DESKTOP flag. Click on the [BROWSE..]
button and a new window emerges. Select the
Look in location by clicking the arrow and
selecting [MY DOCUMENTS] where we have
stored the image to be used. Click on the file
Background.gif. Confirm by clicking the
button [OK].
Tips and Tricks
43
2) Image from the program Paint:
Start the computer drawing program Paint (more
about Paint later!). Make your own
picture/drawing. Name it e.g. Drawing.gif
and save it in the file [MY DOCUMENTS].
You can now call it up on the Desktop in the
same fashion as used above for the scanned
photos.
Monitor may not flicker
Conventional television sets, in particular older
models, may appear to flicker. They operate with
a picture repeating rate of 50 cycles per second
and this is simply not enough to outwit the eye.
Modern monitors operate with repeating rates of
60, 75, 100 or 120 cycles per second. From 60
cycles per second there is practically no more
flickering. In my opinion the optimal cycle is
about 75 cycles per second.
The question is whether the picture repeating
rate is optimally adjusted to you?! Look at it! If
your screen is flickering you can change the
picture repeating rate in the following way:
Right-click on the Desktop, select PROPERTIES
and click on the SETTINGS flag. In the new
window you should click the button
[ADVANCED] which you will find in the lower
right corner of the window. In the PLAY AND
PLUG MONITOR….. window select the flag
MONITOR and a new window offers a choice of
monitor settings. If you click on the arrow a
choice of settings appear. In order to eliminate
the flickering of the monitor you can select a
higher repeating rate.
Before you make a selection I would recommend
that you tick the box Hide modes that this
monitor cannot display.
Exercise C: Desktop Options and Help Functions
44
Exercise C: Desktop Options and Help Functions
Now you know how to:
• arrange the Desktop and uses the object menu
• use the Help function
• select background and colour pattern
• activate the Screen Saver
• change monitor resolution and the dynamic range
Exercise C1: Background and color pattern put back
Have you created yourself an interesting monitor background? Please restore the original values. Makes sure
that you select the Desktop background NONE. Likewise the color scheme should be Windows Standard (this
exercise is important!)
Exercise C2: Install the Starfield screen saver
Activate the Screen Saver which shows the „Starfield“. Stars are to fly in slow motion acros the screen. Test the
Screen Saver and set it to start after 10 minutes of inactivity on the computer.
Exercise C3: Find out the System properties
Would you be interested in investigating the system properties of your computer? You can do that by
Right-clicking the MY COMPUTER icon on the Desktop. Select PROPERTIES in the context menu
and the new window SYSTEM PROPERTIES emerges. Which interesting PC characteristics can you
find out when clicking the GENERAL flag?
Exercise C4: Explore the capacity of the computer
Would you like to know, which operating system is installed on your computer? How much RAM (processing
storage) are installed? What is the type and name of the processor?
Hint: Right-click the icon MY COMPUTER on the Desktop and select PROPERTIES in the context menu
Exercise C5: Activate the „automatic update“ feature
When you are on the Interent Microsoft offers a free service to monitor your computer and they will send you
automatically over the Internet relevant software updates to the Windows system. Are you still in the window
System Properties (exercise C3 and C4)? Select the flag: AUTOMATIC UPDATES and become involved in the
automatic updating process should you so wish. Presumably there is already a tick at the feature KEEP MY
COMPUTER UP TO DATE…. You can now chose between 3 settings, (1) Notify me before downloading any
updates……, (2) Download …and notify me when they are ready to be installed, and (3) Automatically
download…..and install. This third settling allows you to schedule when these Automatic downloads and
installatios are to take place. Click the respective arrows in the settings to schedule the date and the timing.
Exercise C6: Test the functions of the buttons
Presumably you are still in the System Properties window. Select the flag ADVANCED. Here you will find
different buttons such as [SETTINGS], [ENVIRONMENT VARIABLES] and [ERROR REPORTING]. Do you
know the functions of these buttons? Try to find it out! Do you find it meaningful to select these buttons?
Exercise C7: The Media Player (for those with some experience)
Windows XP offers the new Media Player feature for playing of audio and video files. The program is good,
however, passes on (without asking) over thee Internet user data and therefore is also a designated Spyware.
Would you like to know more about the Media Player? The search word in the help function reads Media
Player (in two words). Has Microsoft informed you which data the Media Player passes on? (Should you be
able to read German the web site www.jchanke.de/windows offers suggestions on which options in Media
Players to switch off!)
Start an Application Program
45
How to start an application program in Windows XP
What is going on! We are already on page 45
and you have still not opened one single
application program! Very disappointing.
However, I shall make up for that now, double
and more. But first I shall ask you: Which
programs would you like to start?
The text processing program for heart-tearing
love letters? The spreadsheet for the household
budget gap? The graphic program for the
painting of your „castle in Spain“? The Internet
browser to surf the World Wide Web?
The Windows program is the operating system,
the nucleus program of the computer. In addition
the Microsoft software company have bundled
with Windows some smaller application
programs for specific tasks. WordPad is such a
„sweet“ small text processing program and Paint
for drawings and „painting“ has also been
included together with the video editing program
Moviemaker for video amateurs.
Start the program Paint
I shall now show you how to start the program
Paint. You will find it in a group of programs
named ACCESSORIES.
1. Click the button [START] in the left lower
screen corner.
2. The start menu shoots up. Place the pointer on
the arrow All Programs and a new window
appears.
Please stop short of clicking on the arrow
All Programs!
3. The program Paint is in the Accessories. Place
the pointer on ACCESSORIES. Click on the
Paint program.
Do the windows disappear as quickly as they
emerged and before you have had the time to
have a closer look? To avoid this you should
always pull the mouse straight, not diagonally.
Make sure you do not activate a neighbouring
menu option by a mistake.
Has Paint started? Here you will see the tools
that are at your disposal. Are you ready to
proceed with your drawing and painting
creativity?
Practice makes perfect!
Let‘s get started: Have a look at the group
Accessories. Which other programs are there?
Place the pointer for a while on the window
to keep it open, should you wish to know
more.
Start the WordPad text processing program.
(Paint is still open.) You will notice that this can
easily be done because the button [ START]
remains visible.
Make sure that both windows are maximized.
Try to change between both program windows
and then close both windows!
If you have only been testing click [NO]!
If the above menu appears when you try to close
a window simply click on the button [NO]. We
do not want to save anything for the time being
as we have only been testing!
Save on the Hard Disk
46
Save is easy: Store your Data on the Hard Disk
Start the program WordPad. Write:
My first text!
Are you inexperienced in typing? A few quick
comments!
The cursor (flashing line) waits for your input
Where the cursor appears you can start typing !
Capital Letters
Please press the [SHIFT ] key
should you wish to type a
capital letter
Should you wish to type full
words, sentences or more in capital letters it is
easier to tap the [CAPS LOCK] key once.
Thereafter all typing will be in capital letters till
you tap the [CAPS LOCK] key again.
Please proceed to type the letters that you wish
to be in capital.
There are two [SHIFT] keys on the keyboard
You will find a [SHIFT] key both on the left and
the right side of your keyboard
Deletion
In case you have typed an error
you may use the [BACKSPACE]
key to eraze those letters that
were wrongly typed. The
[BACKSPACE] key erazes key strokes to the
left of the cursor.
You will find the [BACKSPACE] key on the
upper right side of the keyboard, easily
recognized by the arrow pointing to the left.
Save for the first time
Have you completed your text? With this
certainty the saving of your document is straight
forward.
Beware: The text remains in the temporary
memory of the PC till you have saved it !
In case of a power failure any text still in the
temporary memory of the PC (the RAM
memory) would be lost. This is why we want to
save our work on the Hard Disk. We shall save
the text in the popular folder [MY
DOCUMENTS]!
Saving means copying your text to the Hard
Disk.
I shall show you how to save your text:
1. For saving you should simply click the [SAVE]
button. It is the button on the Toolbar with an
icon like a diskette.
Important note: In some programs (as for
example in Paint) this [SAVE] button is missing.
There you should select the instruction SAVE in
the menu FILE which you will find on the left of
Save on the Hard Disk
47
the Menubar. Click on FILE and the menu
comes down. Click on SAVE! (notice: For each
icon there is usually also the appropriate menu
instruction.)
You can also change the location for saving and
the name of the document by clicking the
command SAVE AS.
2. A dialogue window appears. Please do not click
anywhere! Simply look in the lower range of the
window, where you will find the field FILE
NAME. Windows has pre-selected in the
background a file name extension (e.g. .doc
in Word) depending on the program that you are
currently using.
If you over-write the file name in the FILE
NAME field it is gone forever from the memory
and will
have to be
keyed in
again,
alternatively the document will have to be given
another file name.
3. For the purpose of this exercise please designate
your file the name SuperText. Since the pointer
is already in the field FILE NAME, all you will
need to do is to type the new file name:
SuperText.
4. Look now in the upper range of the dialogue
window where you will find the field SAVE IN.
Here you will see the name of the folder, that
has been selected for your file to be saved in. In
the example it is the folder [MY
DOCUMENTS]
Are you ready? Then click
on the [SAVE] button!
Congratulations! You
have now secured a copy of your text on the
Hard Disk! The name of the document reads
SuperText, the location is the folder [MY
DOCUMENTS].
The Titlebar will show the name of your file
It is interesting that the name of the file appears
in the Titlebar. In addition you can read the
name of the program, in this case WordPad.
It is recommended that you save
regularly!
Your task: Continue to write some words and
expand your text. And now I have an important
request to you. Save your document at regular
intervals.
Click every few minutes on the [SAVE]
button (the diskette icon) on the Toolbar or
chose the save function from the FILE menu
on the Menubar.
Why? Do not forget: The text that you are typing
sits in the working memory (RAM). Only when
you save the text will it be copied securly onto
the Hard Disk. Should you forget to save
regularly your work would be lost in case of a
power failure!
Formats of files
A piece of technical information about the types
of files: Each program saves the files in their
unique format.
WordPad uses Rich Text Format (RTF)
RTF is the universal format for text files in
Windows. The RTF format can be read by
practically all text processing programs.
WordPad dokumente are marvelously
compatible for transfer to Word at a later stage!
Save on the Hard Disk
48
Reminder to save
Did you forget to save? Or did you type and/or
draw yet another detail and then wanted to close
the window briefly?
The program "thinks"! You are being warned.
Forgotten to save? This is your last chance!
A dialogue window appears and reminds you of
your first citizen obligation (saving).
Click on [OK], if you wish to secure your lastest
changes to the document. If you have only been
viewing without making any changes, you may
click [NO]. With the button [CANCEL] you will
revert to the document.
Practice to gain experience
Open the program Paint. Draw a picture. Save it
on the Hard Disk under the name SuperPicture.
In Windows Paint automatically saves the file in
the folder MY PICTURES.
In PAINT you will find both pencil and rubber
A question for the experienced user
Which type of format does the program Paint
use by default ? Where do you change that ? (the
illustration below gives some assistance.)
Save or Save As?
Let us remain with Paint. Please go on to add a
few lines to the SuperPicture. And you also
know how to save. Because we are working in
the program Paint there is no [DISKETTE] icon
for saving in the Toolbar and you will have to
select the save function in the FILE menu from
the Menu Bar. But hoppla, do you know what
will happen when you use the instruction SAVE
AS? Do you need it?
Save As is not used often
Normally you would only select the SAVE
instruction. The first time you do so when in a
new document the dialogue window appears.
You must specify file name and folder.
With all further saving procedures for the same
document you select likewise FILE/SAVE.
Starting from the second time on the same
document that you use the saving command,
Windows will proceed to save without a
dialogue with you. After all, the names of the
folder and the file had already been determined
and Windows were information. You see, SAVE
AS is not really required.
The speciality of Save As
When you wish to save for the first time you
could also apply SAVE AS. The result would
actually be the same: The SAVE dialogue
window appears. Every time you use the SAVE
AS instruction the dialogue window appears.
This allows you again to specify the names of
the file and folder locations. This does not seem
sensible when the simple instruction SAVE
siffices.
Or would it make sense in certain instances?
Turn the page and have a look!
Save on a Diskette
49
Save on a Diskette with the instruction Save As
I shall not spend many words on the diskette
because these historical magnet disks have
(nearly) retired. The storage capacity of 1,44
MB is also a joke. If you have a good digital
camera, you will find that in the best case only
one photo image can be stored on the "data
Oldie".
Nowadays you will burn your data on a CD or a
DVD alternatively store data on ZIP disks.
(alone one 100 MB Zip disk holds as much data
as 70 conventional diskettes, a CD stores up to
700 MB and a DVD even more!!!)
Nevertheless disks are quite useful should you
need to quickly save a document and take it to
another computer. Simple text processing
documents are usually not very large files.
Switch off the Writing Protection
Would you like to save a file on the diskette?
Then make sure that the writing protection is
switched off.
Hold the diskette with the label facing you and
turn the diskette upside down.
On the reverse is a small slide lock
With the diskette turned upside down you will
find at the upper edge two openings, one to the
left and the other to the right.
The right opening must be closed! On the back
you find a small slide lock. The writing
protection is active if you can look through both
openings.
Slide the lock so that you can look through the
opening. This will prevent any writing on the
diskette and your saved data will be protected
from any over-writing.
Alternatively slide the lock and close the
opening so that you will be able again to write
on the diskette.
A write protected diskette would produce an
error message on your computer screen when
attempting to save on it.
Save on Diskette
But now to saving your file on the diskette.
Please select FILE/SAVE. Now you have copied
the current version safely onto the Hard Disk.
And now we want to copy the same file on to the
diskette.
1. Slide the diskette into the floppy disk drive.
2. Select FILE and then SAVE AS. The wellknown
SAVE dialog window appears.
3. Click on the arrow right next to the SAVE IN
field.
4. Select from the list the entry 3½ FLOPPY (A:).
This is the
location for
the drive
where you
have loaded
the diskette.
5. Click on
[SAVE]
The file has now been saved on the diskette. For
every subsequent SAVE instruction the computer
will copy this current document onto the diskette
and not to the Hard Disk.
Remove the Diskette
Important note: Remove the diskette, after you
have closed the program.
Writing Protection
Tips and Tricks: Start Menu and Links
50
Extra Tips and Tricks for experienced users
Speedy opening of Programs
People that work a fair amount of time on the
computer have realised how quick it is to start a
program by using the RUN feature in the START
menu. All it takes is knowledge of the start code
for the program that you wish to use.
I shall show you by example how quickly you
can start the PAINT program. Later on I shall
give you a list of the start codes for some of the
common Windows and other programs in the
Microsoft Office family.
1. Click START and select RUN in the start menu.
It goes even faster if you use the key
combination [WIN] + [ R ]!
2. The RUN dialogue window jumps right up on
the screen, ready for your instructions!
3. Type the start code, in this case wordpad and
click on [OK] alternatively press [ENTER] on
the keyboard. Voila, the WordPad program
starts instantly.
In the following you will see a list of start codes
for some common programs:
Start Code Opens the following programs:
wordpad WordPad
mspaint Paint
notepad Windows-Editor
wab Windows-Address Book
calc Windows-Calculator
explorer Windows-Explorer
iexplore Internet-Explorer (Surf Program)
control Control Panel
mplay32 Medie playing
dvdplay DVD playing
winword Microsoft Word
excel Microsoft Excel
outlook Microsoft Outlook
powerpnt Microsoft PowerPoint
START menu by the [WIN] key
You can open the START menu even faster by
pressing the [WIN] key on the keyboard.
The [WIN] key was introduced with Windows 95
Quick saving
Yes, you know that you must save every few
minutes! And you are also doing it! However
you should know that you can do it even faster
by key strokes.
Use the key combination [CTRL] + [ S ]. Keep
the [CTRL] down and type "S" for save. It
cannot be easier.
Link to the Desktop
Would you like to know how to start a program
really fast? You should then create a link to the
Desktop. In this example we will be creating a
link to the program Paint:
1. Open the start menu and select ALL
PROGRAMS/ACCESSORIES, in the
example is it Paint.
2. Right-click on Paint and keep the button
down.
3. Drag the icon to a free spot on the Desktop.
4. As you release the
right button to drop
the icon a context
menu appears asking
whether you wish to
(1) COPY HERE, (2)
MOVE HERE or (3) CANCEL the action.
In this case you should select the option
COPY HERE and click.
Tips and Tricks: Start Menu and Links
51
5. The link has now been established from the
icon to the Paint start code in the
program folder. You can now
start Paint (or any other program
where you have established a
link to the Desktop) by a simple
double-click on the appropriate icon.
Links are probably the most refined way to
quickly and efficiently start a program!
A note of caution. When dropping the icon on
the Desktop you should always use the option
COPY HERE. Under no circumstances should
you use the option MOVE HERE as this would
remove the start code from the START MENU.
Re-model and delete Links
Of course you can modify and even delete your
links according to taste and needs.
Try the context menu, which you open with
a right-click on the Desktop
Right-click on the links. Here a number of
options appear. The following two are of
particular interest:
• RENAME: This option allows you to rename
the icon according to taste and convenience.
The current name is Paint and you could
change it to such names as e.g. Paint Box or
Drawing Workshop. As soon as you click on
RENAME a frame is shown around the
current name of the icon and you can
overwrite it.
• If you click on the option DELETE the link
disppears completely from the Desktop. This
option is relevant if your need for this
particular program diminishes.
Notice: With the deletion of the link the
appropriate program is not deleted!
Links to Quick Launch
Have you tried to use the Quick Launch feature?
It is right next to the [START] button on the
Taskbar (see also page 18!)
Here you will find icons representing links to
start selected programs.
The good thing about this feature is that it takes
only one click to start a program from the Quick
Launch.
The range can be extended by pulling
You can add further program links to the Quick
Launch . Right-click on a free spot on the
Taskbar. Remove the tick from the option LOCK
THE TASKBAR by clicking on it. Use the
pointer to extend the range of the Quick Launch
as shown on the above illustration.
Now you can establish a link by dragging the
icon from the START menu and copying it to the
Quick Launch just as you did when creating a
link to the Desktop.
Go for example to MY COMPUTER on the
START menu.
Create a link to the Quick Launch
Right-click the icon and keep the button down.
Drag the icon to a free spot on the Quick
Launch. When you release the mouse button a
dialogue window offers two options i.e. (1)
CREATE SHORTCUTS HERE, or (2)
CANCEL., the latter in case you should change
your mind.
Select CREATE SHORTCUTS HERE and click.
You can now start your program quickly from
the Quick Launch.
Exercise D: Open and Save a Document
52
Exercise D: Open and Save a Document
Now you also know:
• How to open a program with the START menu
• How to write and delete a text in WordPad
• Copy and secure a file onto the Hard Disk
• Copy and secure a file onto a diskette
Exercisse D1: Start the Calculator in the Windows program
Please start the Windows CALCULATOR. Attempt to maximize the CALCULATOR. Is this possible?
Exercise D2: Explore the capabilities of the Calculator
The Windows CALCULATOR is a quite simple program easy to use. Explore it first-hand. Try to find
out how you can switch between the standard opinion and the scientific opinion?
Exercise D3: Write and save text with WordPad
Start WordPad. Write two short sentences, inviting your best friend for breakfast. Save the document
in the folder [MY DOCUMENTS] and name the file Invitation.
Exercise D4: Store files on a Diskette
Save the document Invitation on a Diskette. Close WordPad.
Exercise D5: Autostart programs (exercise for experienced users)
In your opinion what is the purpose of the AUTOSTART group of programs in the START menu?
How do you think that you can find out ?
Exercise D6: Links to the Desktop (exercise for experienced users)
You would like to start the Windows CALCULATOR fast. Establish a link from this program to the
Desktop. In addition you should also establish a link to the program named WINDOWS EXPLORER.
(we will later be needing the WINDOWS EXPLORER quite frequently.)
Exercise D7: Link to the Quick Launch (exercise for experienced users)
Create the link in the Quick Launch to start the WordPad program.
Exercise D8: Practice how to use the mouse, and learn the Solitaire
rules
You may not have realised that Windows hides some games ready
or you enjoy. Start the program SOLITAIRE and play with it.
This game is an excellent means to practice how to use the many
mouse features.
If you don‘t know how to play SOLITAIRE then learn the rules.
Where would you find the rules? (Hint: Before you give up, try to
use the appropriate F1 help key.)
How to open Files
53
How to open your files
Saving is simple and easy. But how do you gain
access to your file again? Very easy! Open it.
But there are several ways to open a file. And
each method may have its own problems. Well,
let us have a closer look at the matter!
Open a file in WordPad
Leet us begin with the traditional method. In this
example we want to open your document named
SuperText from a while ago.
Start WordPad. (the following sequence applies
in general to all other programs as well.)
1. Click the button [ OPEN ]. The icon looks
like a small file, which has been opened. It
is normally the second button from left on
the Toolbar.
If the program does not offer such a button
(as is the case for the program Paint), select
instead the OPEN… option in the FILE
menu on the Menubar
1. The OPEN dialogue window appears. Select
[MY DOCUMENT] in the LOOK IN menu by
clicking the arrow.
2. Double-click the file SuperText which
should be listed there. By double-clicking the
document opens itself.
Problems when opening a file...
solved!
Hoppla, do you face difficulties when
endeavouring to open a file? Doesn‘t it work? Or
are you unable to find the file?
Let us try to find out what the problem is and a
suitable solution.
Double-click causes me problems!
Do you continue to have problems with the
double-click? Don‘t worry.
You can also use the button [OPEN]
It suffices to mark the file, i.e. one click on the
file name. Thereafter select the [OPEN] button
in the right upper corner of the window. When
you click the [OPEN] button the file opens.
File is not found
Can‘t you find the file? Although you know for
sure that you had saved it, but where? This
problem is somewhat more difficult to tackle,
but I have some suggestion to look at.
Too many entries in the window? Try
to Scroll the window!
Perhaps you do not see the file, because there are
more entries in the window than can be shown at
once on the screen. The folder is simply already
quite full.
Let me remind you of the Scroll Bars. Try to
scroll until you see the SuperText file.
If necessary you must scroll the window
Click and pull down on the scroll bar so that the
contents of the window rolls upward.
The folders and files are usually listed
alphabetically. At the top the folders are listed
and the files follow thereunder.
How to open Files
54
Correct folder?
You should also make sure that the LOOK IN
location is correctly selected. In this case it
should be [MY DOCUMENTS].
Select the correct folder in the option LOOK IN
If necessary you must click on the arrow button
and a list of options appear. Click on [MY
DOCUMENTS] and once it has opened you will
see a list of files including your SuperText
document.
Should you wish to open the SuperText
document from a diskette simply select the
location 3½ FLOPPY (A:) . Wait for the contents
of the diskette to appear in the window. Select
SuperText Click to open document.
Correct type of file?
Another problem may be the type of file. Look
once in the field FILES OF TYPE which offers a
selection when clicking on the arrow button. If
you select ALL FILES each and every document
in the folder will appear. Should you have
selected as an example MICROSOFT EXCEL
WORKSHEET the window will only show files
that have been created in Excel. (Some programs
can read more than one file type.)
Here Rich Text Format has been selected
If you select the title format of text documents (*
txt) in WordPad, only text documents will be
shown , if any are available. The files in the rtf
format are merciless hidden in the background.
Should you continue to fail with these tips
please refer to the SEARCH FUNCTION on
page 83.
More tricks on how to open…
I had promised to tell you a couple of other
tricks on how to open a document. Here is a
clever way.
Many good programs (also Paint and WordPad)
provide a list of the last few opened files. With
this list the opening of a file is really very easy.
Here is what you do. If I remember correct then
the last time you opened your document
SuperText it was in the program WordPad? If
yes, then please close WordPad quickly and
open it again.
1. Click on the option FILE on the Menubar
and it folds down.
2. Have a look at the lower range of this
dialogue menu. Here you will find a
marvelous list of files that you have
recently worked on in WordPad. There is
link between those file names and the
respective saved documents.
3. Click the file name SuperText and the
document opens instantly!
Desktop and the Document Menu
55
Open a Document from the Desktop and the Document Menu
There are still further options available on how
to open a document. You will be astonished to
find how many other ways there are!
Open from the Desktop
Start MY COMPUTER. Double-click the folder,
in which the file has been saved. If on a diskette,
you should double-click the floppy disk drive (
location 3½ FLOPPY (A:).
Maybe your file has been saved in the folder MY
DOCUMENTS? Then you can also click this
icon on the
Desktop. (Files
created in Paint are
saved
automatically in
MY PICTURES, a
sub-folder to MY
DOCUMENT ).
A double-click opens the file
Opening of a file is very easy: All you have to
do is double-click on the file name or file icon.
My Recent Documents
You can also open a file from MY RECENT
DOCUMENTS.
A quick way to open a document
However first we have to activate this option.
Right-click on [START] and select Properties.
The window TASKBAR AND START MENU
PROPERTIES emerges. Select the flag START
MENU and then click the [CUSTOMIZE..]
button. Select the flag ADVANCED in the
CUSTOMIZE START MENU and tick LIST
MY MOST RECENTLY OPENED
DOCUMENTS. You will find this option at the
buttom of this menu. Click [OK] and then
[APPLY] and [OK]. You are now set to go….
Click [ START]. Point to MY RECENT
DOCUMENTS. A marvelous alpahbetic list
appears to the right. Look for your document
SuperText .Click it and it opens instantly!
Hoppla, wrong program!
There can be difficulties with this way of
opening a file before its program has been
started as there are a number of programs that
can read the same file formats.
Editor is started instead of WordPad
Your document SuperText was created in
WordPad and saved in the text format and not in
the usual rtf format. When opening this
WordPad document it starts the Editor program!
The programs Editor and WordPad use the
same file format
Graphic Program formats
We assume that you have installed an additional
graphic program on your PC, e.g. a program that
enables you to manipulate digital images from
your camera or scanner! You will often find that
such programs are „stronger“ that the simple
Paint program. When you click the document it
may open in the new camera/scanner program
even though it was created in Paint.
Often this behavior is meaningful as the new
graphic program is more powerful and has more
features than Paint. But some times it
annoys.This is when the new „super-duper”
graphic program takes its time to start up and all
that I want to do is to make a simple correction
to the document by using Paint because this
program can be opened instantly.
How do I handle such a situation? Turn the page
and have a look!
Format, extension and the relationship
56
File Format , Document-extension and the Relationship
Now time has come that I shall tell you the full
truth about the files and formats. There it more
to it than these multi-colored icons!
Files and their extension
All programs extend the file name with a file
format code when saving a document. A
document created in Paint is automatically
provided with the extension bmp to its file name.
In this case the document file name becomes
SuperPicture.bmp. The extension bmp
stands for bit-map. WordPad provides all file
names with the extension rtf (Rich Text Format),
Microsoft Word uses the extension doc for
document.
The extension is a kind of a „family“ name for
the files created in a particular program. You will
notice that there is a „full-stop“ i.e.
SuperPicture.bmp typed between the file
name and its extention. I shall show you some
typical progam extensions in the following list.
(in the examples the asterisk stands as a
substitute icons for the file name.)
Extension Type of file
*.txt A simple text document
*.rtf Rich Text Format (WordPad)
*.doc Word document
*.wpd WordPertect document
*.xls Excel spreadsheet
*.bmp Illustrations in Bitmap format
*.wmf Vector graphics in Microsoft format
*.mid Midi file (sound, music)
*.mp3 Sound in MP3 format (Internet)
*.wav Wave file (sounds of various kinds)
*.bak / *.sik Security copy, mostly automatically created
And now comes the challenge. In Windows
these file extensions are being hidden in the
background out of your sight. You see only the
first part of the file name.
Since Windows‘95 the file extension of most file
names are no longer visible. This is probably so
in order not to confuse the user of the computer.
Nevertheless the extension to a file name is an
important distinguishing feature.
Fortunately for us it is very easy to change the
configuration of the computer to allow for the
extensions to re-appear!
Each file name has an extension!
Fade in the File Extension
By the standard pre-setting of Windows XP
these extensions are not visible. If this is the case
on your computer the following shows how you
can fade in the file extensions.
1. Click on [START] and select CONTROL
PANEL
2. Double-click FOLDER OPTIONS and select the
flag: VIEW. A new dialogue menu will give you
a selection of options.
In the „XP“ view
(as opposed to the
„Classic“ view)
you should select
the category
Appearance and Themes in the CONTROL
PANEL window and then click FOLDER
OPTIONS. The rest is the same as described
below.
2. Scroll down the list of Advanced Settings till
you come to the item: Hide extension for known
file types.
Click the option Hide extension for known file
types to remove the tick if it is there.
Format, extension and the relationship
57
In addition it is a useful feature to Display the
full path in the Titlebar. I would suggest that you
tick this option if not already done.
Also you should tick Display the full path in the
Addess Bar.
Click [APPLY] and [OK] to secure your changes
and then close the CONTROL PANEL window.
You have now made the changes. The file
extensions will appear and you will be able to
see the paths in the Titlebar and the Address
Bar!
Different file formats
Following this bomardment there is a bit more to
come!
There are two types of files!
Your are already familiar with one of the file
types – the document file – which you have been
saving.
Document files
Everything that you create in a PC program, can
be saved as file. A letter is saved as text file, a
picture as bitmap file, a piece of music as a
sound file. Those are typical „document“ files
that you can create.
Program files
Program files are in a class of their own. For you
they are probably completely uninteresting.
These files normally contain the binary codes for
your programs. They are stored in special
folders, separately from your document files.
Program files often come with cryptic endings
such as ini, dll, drv, cfg, or exe.
Please do leave the program files alone
should you see one! Promise?
File formats and connection
Previously we have discussed that different
programs can read and write the same file
formats. We established: The stronger program
takes over. In plain language: The stronger
program does „reserve“ a certain type of file
format for itself. You can however make a
change to this „habit“. Open your folder [MY
DOCUMENTS]. and I shall show you how to
open a text document in WordPad.
I would suggest that you try to practice this a
few times!
Save files in text format
Are you completely confident on how to save
documents? In the next exercise I would like you
to create a file in WordPad and name it
SimpleText. Open WordPad and write two
words as this is enough for the exercise. Click on
the button [SAVE].
Type the name SimpleText in the field FILE
NAME. In this exercise you must select Text
Documents in the field SAVE AS TYPE.
Click [SAVE] and confirm by clicking the button
[YES] in the WordPad dialogue window that
warns you: „…..Text-Only format, which will
remove all formatting ……“.
You have now created the document
SimpleText.txt in clean text format.
(Extension txt added automatically). Please
close WordPad and click MY DOCUMENTS in
the Start Menu.
1. Right-click your document
SimpelText.txt.
2. A context menu appears. Place the pointer on
OPEN WITH and a further menu folds to the
side. Select the program with which you would
like to open the file, e.g. WordPad...
3. Is WordPad not listed, or would you prefer to
change to another program? Then simply select
the option CHOOSE PROGRAM… and click.
The new dialogue window OPEN WITH will
recommend programs that can open your
SimpleText document.
Select and do not forget to click [OK]!
Tips and Tricks
58
Extra: Tips and Tricks for experienced PC users
Faster by key strokes
Correct, the OPEN dialogue window is activated
by clicking the corresponding icon (second from
left on the Toolbar), or you may decide for
FILE/OPEN. However it goes even faster with
the key combination of [CTRL] + [ O ]. The "O"
stands for „open“.
More Information from the
Opening Menu
There are quite interesting information that can
be obtained from the opening menu! Here are
the most refined options:
1. Start the opening menu for MY
DOCUMENTS. One way is to
click the icon on the Desktop.
Thereafter click the arrow on
the button [VIEWS ].
2. A selection menu folds down.
The selected option has been
marked with a black dot. Try
to click DETAILS.
3. In the option DETAILS you
can see all file characteristics such as name, size,
type and the date of creation/modification. It is
possible to sort the files in a descenting or
ascenting order by clicking on one of the column
headings depending on which column you wish
to sort by.
1. The
THUMBNAILS
option can be
particularly
useful as a preview
of graphic
files.
Entries in the Document Menu
Would you like to remove the documents in the
menu MY RECENT DOCUMENTS? I assume
that you are still in the „Classic“ start menu as
shown on page 17? No problem! Right-click
[START] and select PROPERTIES. Click the
flag START MENU and tick the option Classic
Start Menu in the new dialogue window Taskbar
and Start Menu Properties. To the right there is a
[CUSTOMIZE..] button which you should click.
A new dialogue window Customize Classic Start
Menu appears.
Delete all process lists
You will see the button [CLEAR]. A click and it
serves To remove records of recently accessed
documents, programs, and Web sites… The
menu closes by clicking [OK].
Explore Start files (for those with
computer experience)
Normally program files are uninteresting. But
there is an exception. It is the file that starts the
particular program, recognized by the extension
exe (stands for the word: execute). Files with
the extension exe usually serve to start a
program. Thus the file Calc.exe starts the
Windows Calculator. And mplay32.exe starts the
normally used audio/video program on the PC.
Have a look under the Hard Disk (C:) , folder
WINDOWS program. In its sub-folder
SYSTEM32 you will see a number of those files
with the extention: exe. Important: Please do
not delete any!
Double-click starts the program
Exercise E: The opening and different file types
59
Exercise E: Exercises in the opening and different file types
Now you also know:
• how to open files via FILE/OPEN in the Menubar
• how to solve problems associated with the opening of a file
• how to open documents from the Desktop and the MY DOCUMENTS menu
• the different file extensions
• why specific file formats (extension) are registered by certain programs
Exercise E1: Open a file in the program Paint
You would like to continue working on your document SuperPicture. Start the program Paint.
Open the file SuperPicture by the use of FILE/OPEN in the Menubar. Make additions to the
document and do not forget to save the document regularly.
Exercise E2: The extension completes the file name
Do you know the full file name of your document SuperPicture ? What does the extension mean?
Exercise E3: Open the document from the MY DOCUMENT menu
Open the file SuperText.rtf from the MY DOCUMENT menu. If you should not find it here,
please try using the Desktop. WordPad closes again.
Exercise E4: Open a document with a special program
Please revert to the Desktop. Open the file SimpleText.txt. Make sure this time to open the
document in WordPad. How do you proceed?
Exercise E5: Quick saving and opening of files
Open Paint and draw a rabbit. Save the document under the name Hasi.bmp. Close the program
Paint and take approx. ½ minute break. How can you open the file very quickly from Paint? Try it out!
Add to your drawing and save the document again.
Exercise E6: Read all document with the program WordPad
WordPad is a very „talented“ program, which can read many file formats. This includes the universal
standard rtf (Rich Text Format, a smallest common denominator of many text processing programs) or
txt (Simple Text Format). Open WordPad and click the open icon in the toolbar (second from left).
How do you ensure that WordPad lists all formats and not only rtf or txt files?
Exercise E7: Analyse the characteristics of a picture document with the
program Paint (for those with some computer experience)
Start Paint and look in your folder OWN PICTURES with the open instruction FILE/OPEN. How do
you establish the exact file characteristics? Sort according to date, with the newest picture file at the
top. Do a mini (Thumbnail) preview. Open one of the files.
Exercise E8: Try to find the start file for Paint (for those with some
computer experience)
Do you know the name of the start file for Paint? Try to find out, look for it (carefully) in the folder
SYSTEM32, which is a sub-folder to the folder WINDOWS. Start Paint by a double-click on this file.
Windows Explorer
60
Windows Explorer as the Universal File Manager
Now you already know a lot. You can save and
open files and have gained some knowledge
about MY COMPUTER. And the secrets about
the file extensions. But how are these files
administered on the Hard Disk? Where do you
get the overview? For this purpose we have the
special program by the name Windows Explorer.
Let us have a look.
Please start Windows Explorer
Windows Explorer is the
universal file manager. Here
you will enjoy a full overview
and complete administration of
all folders and files. Start this fantastic program!
Please hold down the [WIN] key on the
keyboard while keying „e“
You can also start the Windows Explorer by
clicking [START] and selecting ALL
PROGRAMS / ACCESSORIES. Here you will
find a list of programs including Windows
Explorer. I find that the Windows Explorer is
superior to the job of providing a complete
overview and managing all those folders and
files. To the right in the Windows Explorer
window you will see the folders and files.
A click on the plus sign „+“ opens sub-folders
To the left you will recognize the tree-like filing
structure of the folders, sub-foldes and files. The
plus sign in the front of a folder indicates that it
contains sub-folders and files. If a folder has
been opened (or folded out) to show its subfolders
and files the plus sign transforms into a
minus sign and vise-versa.You open (or fold out)
a folder by clicking on it or on its plus sign. You
close the folder by clicking on its minus sign.
Explore
Did you manage to open the Windows Explorer
successfully? Then have a look around!
1. In the left side of the window please click on
Local Disk (C:) . This is the location for your
Hard Disk. A number of sub- foldes and files
automatically fold down. Here you will see the
folder DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS, a
folder named PROGRAM FILES (do not touch
this folder!) and a folder named WINDOWS
(which is normally likewise taboo).
2. Would you like to see the contents of a folder?
Click DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS.
Instantly you will see the contents of the folder
on the right side of the window as it un-folds.
Here you will also find a folder with your user
name.
3. Click the folder with your user name and the
folder MY DOCUMENTS shows up. Click on it
and it reveals your „treasured“ documents!
4. Sub-folders of MY DOCUMENTS such as MY
MUSIC and MY PICTURES as well as files in
the folder MY DOCUMENTS will appear to the
right.
5. Folders are
distinguished
by yellow
icons. The files
are identified
by icons relating to the programs in which they
were created. Word documents are idenfied by
an icon with a big brightly coloured „W“ and
Excel documents with a likewise coloured „X“.
The path to the file
61
Structure of the Hard Disk and the paths to the files
After this trip to the „soul“ of your Hard Disk
some theory follows on how to become better
acquainted with the principles of the folders and
files!
Structure of the Hard Disk
Imagine your Hard Disk or a diskette as a filing
cabinet. First on the Hard Disk you will find
folders.
To start with folders are empty data
containers!
In these folders you will find files with the data
or sub-foldes depending on the depth of your
filing hierarchy structure. We have already
discussed the difference between program files
and document files. Folders with document files
are those of interest to us. You know at least one
folder already: MY DOCUMENTS. A folder
contains files, but may also contain sub-folders.
A structure like a tree
These folders do not sit „scattered“ at random on
the Hard Disk. They are tree-like organizes.
Master or root folder
Trunk and branches: The tree structure of the
Hard Disk
The sub-folders and files are the „branches“ of
the tree. The folders and files are hierarchically
arranged: They stand either next to each other or
are folded into one another. Or they do both.
Confused?
Master or root folder
The highest folder in the hierarchy corresponds
to the respective drive assembly letter, for
example C: for the Hard Disk, A: for the Floppy
Disk drive or D: for your CD ROM respectively
DVD drive. The colon is part of the address!
The highest folder in the hierarchy carries
the drive assembly letter. This folder is
called the master and/or root folder.
Next follow an infinite number of sub-folders.
You can access these by clicking on the plus sign
in front of the folder name. This "folding
mechanism" is a kind of a „knot“. The structure
can be expressed schematically as follows, I
have highlighted the „knots“as black dots:
Folders: Side by side or „below“ each other
Good to know: The folders lie side by side
and/or under each other. At the very top you will
find the master folder, this is the root. The
individual hierarchy levels are separated by
„knots“.
The path to the file
Have another look at the illustration opposite
that shows the tree structure of the Hard Disk. In
the illustration above a folder on the Hard Disk
is named GRUNDKURS. (German for basic
course) It contains two sub-folders. The folder
The path to the file
62
GRUNDKURS itself is a sub-folder of the root
folder C: and is placed next to a number of other
sub-folders however they do not interest us at
the moment. We shall now look deeper in the
hierarchy and discover the contents of the subfolder
GRUNDKURS!
Here you see the two sub-folders BILDER
(German for pictures) and TEXTE (German for
text). BILDER and TEXTE are co-ordinated. We
shall disregard BILDER for the time being. In
the sub-folder TEXTE you will find the file
Einladung.rtf (German for invitation).
Can you define the path to this file?
All you have to do is to describe the direct
route, the path!
You will have to start at the very top of the
hierarchy, with the drive assembly (the root), in
this case C: (do not forget the colon). The drive
assembly is the folder on the first level. From
here you proceed to the second level of folders
on the path to the file. In this case it is the subfolder
GRUNDKURS. (the other co-ordinated
sub-folders do not interest us in this exercise!)
From here you continue to the third level of
folders on the path. In the example the subfolder
TEXTE comes next.
In the sub-folder TEXTE you will find two files,
one of which is the file Einladung.rtf.
Thus the complete path reads:
C:\Grundkurs\Texte\Einladung.rtf
When describing the path the backslash ( \ ) is
used to separate the folders and files.
Summarized: In the master (the root) folder C:
there is a sub-folder named GRUNDKURS. This
sub-folder contains another sub-folder named
TEXTE in which you will find the file
Einladung.rtf
Why not [MY DOCUMENTS]?
Why should you create your own folders
knowing that Windows comes with the precreated
folder MY DOCUMENTS?
The folder MY DOCUMENTS has been pre-set
by the Windows program but I would suggest
that it should not be your first choice.
In my opinion MY DOCUMENTS has some
disadvantages:
One only file is inadequate
One folder alone is surely not enough for all
your documents. After all even in professional
offices they use different folders and files for
each different subject matter instead of filing
everything together.
Admitted, the Windows pre-created folder MY
DOCUMENTS comes with some topic-specific
sub-folders such as MY PICTURES and MY
MUSIC. It is my view that they are only of a
makeshift nature.
There may be more than one folder
by the name MY DOCUMENTS!
There can be several folders by the name MY
DOCUMENTS on your Hard Disk.
Normally you will find MY DOCUMENTS as
an icon on your Desktop. To understand the
magnitude of the problem you can imagine a
multiplication of the folder MY DOCUMENTS
by the number of users with own account on
your computer, each with its own icon.
So you will understand that there can be several
folders named MY DOCUMENTS. And the
contents of these folders will most likely be
quite different according to the usage by the
individual users of the computer. Each user gets
his or her own Desktop and MY DOCUMENTS.
It is obvious that there is the risk of confusion as
the folder names are not distinguishable!
Exposure to Virus!
In addition documents in the folder MY
DOCUMENTS are exposed. We have seen that
computer viruses have contaminated this folder
and been programmed to select documents from
the folder MY DOCUMENTS and send them to
other computers via the internet without the
knowledge of the owner.
I generally advise against the use of the folder
MY DOCUMENTS and recommend that you
should create your own folders.
Create your own folders
63
Create your own folders in Windows
Keep your documents in order. It makes the
work much easier. Let us create a folder by the
name BASIC COURSE and place it in the
master folder C:. Here we should place two subfolders
by the names PICTURES and TEXT. It
is in these two sub-folders we shall be saving
our documents. But wait, one at a time!
Create Folders
The creation of folders is really very easy. And if
something goes wrong do not worry. It is easily
corrected! You have got the Windows Explorer
right in front of you, or?
Look at the left side:
1. Click first on the folder
in which you would
like to establish the
new sub-folder. Our
folder shall appear directly under the master
folder C:. Therefore click on Local Disk (C:).
2. Click FILE on the Menubar and select NEW.
On the new menu that appears to the right you
should click
FOLDER .
3. A new folder
appears at the
right side with the substitute icon designation of
New Folder. This substitute icon name has a
darkly coloured background. Do not click
however anywhere yet! Notice:
The substitute icon name can
be changed by typing a new
name in the box. Place the
pointer on the substitute name
and start typing.
4. Type the selected name, in the
example please write Basic
Course.
Confirm the change of the name by the
[ENTER] key on the keyboard.
The folder just created will also appear in the
left side of the window after a little while.
Should the file not show up in the left side it
often helps to press the [F5] function key.
Click the new folder in the left side of the
window. It is still empty. In this example we
shall save only two documents in the sub-folder
BASIC COURSE.
Problems with the new Folder
You may experience some problems with the
creation of new folders. Often the re-naming
does not happen correctly. Had you perhaps by a
mistake clicked? In that case the substitute icon
name of the new folder has been „confirmed“.
The name must appear as per the illustration to
step 3 above. A frame and a dark background
shows that the folder name is "open" waiting to
be „confirmed“ or changed!
Change the name of a folder
Would you like to rename an established folder?
The context menu helps! Mark the folder with
the pointer. Right-click and select the instruction
RENAME. Type the desired name and press the
[ENTER] key.
Delete Folders
Would you like to delete one or more folders that
may not be required or have been wrongly
created? Point at the folder and use the context
menu!!! Right-click and select the DELETE
instruction!
A dialogue menu will ask: „Are you sure……“.
Click YES.
When you delete a folder also all of its contents
(if any) will be removed to the RECYCLE BIN.
Create Sub-Folders
Let us create the two sub-folders!
Created in Windows Explorer: The new folders
Create your own folders
64
In principle you should proceed in the same way
as when you created the first folder.
It is important that you point and click at the
folder BASIC COURSE that you see in the left
side of the Windows Explorer window! Now you
select again FILE/NEW/FOLDER and create the
new folder. Re-name it PICTURES in the
already well-known way.
Pay attention when creating the next sub-folder,
TEXT! It is not uncommon to forget pointing at
the super-ordinate folder BASIC COURSE. The
result is that the new folder becomes a subfolder
of the folder PICTURES and not of the
folder BASIC COURSE. The two folders TEXT
and PICTURES are to appear co-ordinated!
For a start always click the super-ordinate
folder in the left side of the window.
Useful: Path in the Titlebar
Have a look at the illustration. The Titlebar of
the folder BASIC COURSE shows the path as
C:\BASIC COURSE.
Now you will know why on page 56 we ticked
this option.
It is also possible to show the Address on the
Taskbar. If it does not show and you would like
to see it, right-click a free spot on the Taskbar.
Select TOOLBARS on the menu and then tick
ADDRESS on the next menu that appears to the
right.
Filing structure
Let us practice creating folders and sub-folders!
Let us assume that we work at a commercial
office. First the project begins very small. One
folder is adequate. Then the "filing structure"
grows as illustrated:
A simple practice: A complex filing structure
Your task: Create this filing structure for the
projects of an architect's office. The first folder
is named after the type of building projects:
RENOVATION PROJECTS. Sub-folders build
on to this project folder. The folder
RENOVATION PROJECTS is placed directly
under C: Next you should create the folder
SUNSHINE HOUSE as a sub-folder to the
project folder RENOVATION PROJECTS.
(Imagine a similar structure under the folder
HIGH ROCK CASTLE which is also a subfolder
to the project folder RENOVATION
PROJECTS as shown in the illustration.)
Suggestions on how to proceed
Proceed hierarchically. Click on C: and start by
creating the folder RENOVATION PROJECTS.
Click the folder RENOVATION PROJECTS in
the left side of the window and create the two
sub-folders SUNSHINE HOUSE and HIGH
ROCK CASTLE.
Click the folder SUNSHINE HOUSE in the left
side of the window and create the three subfolders
(1) DRAWINGS AND PLANS, (2)
REPORTS and (3) CORRESPONDENCE. It is
noted that these three files are co-ordinated.
Try to create the other sub-folders as shown on
the illustration.
Copy, delete and move
65
Copy, delete and move files
We have already created the folder BASIC
COURSE together with its sub-folders. Great!
But the folders are still empty. Hoppsala.
It is high time that we save some files
(documents) in these folders. We shall take some
of the existing documents on your computer!
You can easily copy and move files!
Copy files
Copying of files is very easy. Again the practical
context menu is of help also in this situation!
Have you opened the Windows Explorer
program? Let us proceed!
1. Go to the folder from which you would like to
copy a file. We have chosen the folder MY
DOCUMENTS. Click on it and the folder
opens.
2. To the right you will see the contents of the
folder. Right-click the file which you wish to
copy. We have chosen SuperText rtf. The
context menu appears.
3. Select COPY. Nothing seems to happen. In
reality however a copy of the file is saved
(invisibly) in a Windows temporary folder.
4. Select the folder where you would like to save a
copy of the file SuperText rtf. Click on the
folder TEXT (sub-folder of BASIC COURSE).
5. Right-click the folder TEXT. Select the
instruction PASTE in the context menu. The file
will now be copied (pasted) to your folder
TEXT.
This is how easy it is to create an identical copy
of your document and save it in another folder.
Exercise: Explore the Recycle Bin
Please have another look in the folder MY
DOCUMENTS. There you will still find the
origianl file (document) SuperText.rtf.
Delete it. Which context menu instruction should
you use to delete a file? Where does the file end
up?
Explore the [RECYCLE BIN]. You will find it in
Windows Explorer or you can open it on the
Desktop
How do you recover a deleted file?
Hint: Think again of the context menu!
Restore the file SuperText.rtf by rightclicking
the document in the folder Recycle Bin
and click RESTORE in the context menu.
Check whether the file has actually been
restored in the folder MY DOCUMENTS.
Exercise: Move a file
After the copying exercise we shall now simply
move (relocate) a file. We shall move the file
SuperPicture.bmp from the folder MY
PICTURES to its sub-folder NEW PICTURES.
If you do not have the folder NEW PICTURES
please create it as a sub-folder of MY
PICTURES.
How do you proceed to move a file? Quite
simple: The context menu helps!
Right-click the file SuperPicture.bmp in
MY PICTURES and the context menu appears.
Select the instruction CUT. Now the file is saved
in an intermediate folder, and its icon appears
somewhat „weaker“.
Right-click on the destination folder NEW
PICTURES and select the instruction PASTE!
The file lands in the destination folder NEW
PICTURES and has been removed from the
source folder MY PICTURES.
Select and move files
66
Select and move batches of files in Windows Explorer
It is marvelous to be able to copy and move files
and folders. It can be cumbersome to copy and
insert each file individually if there are many to
be shifted. I suppose you would not like to go
through such an exercise? Then read on!
Practice to perfect
In this example all WordPad files shall be moved
from the folder MY DOCUMENTS to the folder
TEXT. If you only have one WordPad file in MY
DOCUMENTS please create another one
quickly! Open WordPad. Create and save a file
named Projectfile.rtf (there is no need
to write a novel, one word will suffice!).
Create a new file by clicking on the button
[NEW] (first icon to the left on the Toolbar).
Select the extension rtf (Rich Text Document).
Type a new document. Name it Loveletter
and yet another one named Summerparty.
Draw with Paint a picture and save it under the
name Paintbox.bmp. Save the picture
exeptionally not in MY PICTURES, but likewise
in MY DOCUMENTS. Now we have enough
files for our experiment!
The appearance of the files
Normally the icons of the files are fairly large in
Windows Explorer. If this is the case only a few
files can be seen at the same time in the window.
1. Select MY DOCUMENTS in Windows
Explorer. Then you should select [VIEW]
on the Menubar and the option DETAILS!
2. The right side of the window transforms
into a table with headings. Here each file is
listed with (1) Name, (2) Size, (3) Type and
(4) Date modified (or saved).
Refined sorting
I love this detailed listing of files and folders and
this is where I save (nearly) all my files. Do you
know why? Because here you can sort your files
so easily by a simple click with the mouse.
The pre-configured sequence of sorting is
according to file name. Sub-folders appear
before the files
Should you wish to know which file is the
biggest ? Or which file is the newest. Easy:
1. By a click on a column head you can
change the sorting sequence. In the example
we shall sort ccording to the following file
criteria: Date modified (or saved). A click
on this column head re-arranges the files so
that those modified or saved last will appear
at the top of the list.
2. A new click reverses the sequence of
sorting. With a click of the mouse you can
have your files listed in descenting or
ascenting order. Isn‘t that ingenious?!
Random selection of files
In my opinion the DETAILS opinion is the
absolute King. Fullstop.
But in our exercise the files with the rtf
extension are not listed next to each other. The
file Paintbox.bmp is between them. Would
you like to know how to select a range of files
that are not listed next to each other?
1. Tap the [CTRL] key on your keyboard and
keep the key down.
Select and move files
67
1. Click now one by one the files which you
would like to select (keep the CTRL key
down).
2. In this way you can pick and select files at
random. After you have picked and selected
your files you may now release the [CTRL]
key.
Select a list of files
Stop! In the example there are too many rtf
files saved in the folder MY DOCUMENT.
Before continuing I should ask you: Is it
meaningful for our purposes to make an
individual selection from a long list of files? No!
But we need only the files with the rtf
extension!
Waive the previous individual selection by
clicking beside a file and you will see the
selection disappearing. We would like to select
all the rtf files in one go! Do you know how
this can be done?
1. First you should sort the
files according to TYPE
by clicking on the
respective column head!
Now you will see clustered together all the files
with the same extension. So easy!
2. Click the top file in the rtf list to select it
3. Tap the [SHIFT] key and keep
it down. While you do this click
on the last in the list of rtf files
that you wish to select.
4. You will see that all the files between the first
and the last of the selected files will be
highlighted. They have all been selected. You
may now release the [SHIFT] key.
Move several files in one go
Fantastic! You have selected all files with the
rtf extension.
Congratulations.
How do you
think that you
can shift „the
whole luggages“
in one
operation?
Think of the
context menu!
When cutting data the context menu helps
Right-click within one of the selected files and
the context menu appears. Select the option CUT
and move the pointer to the destination folder.
Right-click the destination folder: TEXT and the
context menu appears. Select the option PASTE
and wupti all the seleced files will now appear in
the TEXT folder!
Views: Thumbnails and tiles
Try to explore the [VIEWS] menu. Have you
already discovered the THUMBNAILS view of
the files?
This is how a preview in Thumbnails looks
Often the option TILES has been pre-set.
Save in sub-folders
68
It is so easy: Save in sub-folders
The use of sub-folders is certainly very good.
But what do you do when you wish to save a
new document in the folder C:\Basic
Course\Text ?
Do you save it in MY DOCUMENTS and then
shift the document to the TEXT folder?
Nonsense! From now on you save directly in the
correct folder!
Save in sub-folders
Write in WordPad a short message on what you
did last week.. For the exercise 3 sentences is
enough.
1. Select the SAVE command, either
through FILE and SAVE, or by
clicking direct on the SAVE icon
2. Type the name that you have given to the
document in the field FILE NAME, type
weekend in the example.
The fullstop and the extension (here rtf) are
added automatically. You do not have to write it!
3. In the field SAVE IN the folder MY
DOCUMENTS is pre-set. Work your way to the
address C:\Basic Course\Text by clicking on the
arrow next to the SAVE IN field.
4. First you click the Local Disk (C:). That is
the hierarchy at the highest lying folder.
5. The next folder on our way is called BASIC
COURSE. Double-click on BASIC
COURSE.
6. In the SAVE IN field the folder name
BASIC COURS appears and in the list
underneath you will find all sub-folders of
the BASIC COURSE including TEXT.
Double-click TEXT.
7. Now the folder name TEXT appears in the
SAVE IN field. Pay attention!
8. Check once again the name of the folder
(here: TEXT) and the name of the file (here:
Weekend). If everything is correct you
may click on [SAVE].
You have now saved a file named
Weekend.rtf in the folder C:\Basic
Course\Text.
Save in sub-folders
69
A clever detail: Save files direct in sub-folders
Yes, I know…... saving in a sub-folder is not at
all so easy at the beginning. And how do I find
the correct folder quickly and easily in the
hierarchy of folders and sub-folders?
A simple and premature click and the file
disappears in the Bermuda triangle.
Stressful. Do you still find problems in
managing the click? Do you find it too difficult
to save documents in sub-folders? And would
you like to be released of the pre-set
„guardianship of MY DOCUMENTS"?
Save directly in the sub-folder!
In the example we are going to create an
illustration in the BIT-MAP format and name it
Ghost Picture.bmp. Later this file shall be
saved in the folder PICTURES which is a subfolder
of BASIC COURSE.
1. Open the program Windows Explorer and
find the folder PICTURES. Click on the
folder which you will find on the left side of
the window.
2. Right-click on a free spot on the right side
of the window and the context menu
appears. Point to NEW and a menu appears
to the rights. Click in the example the BITMAP
(bmp) entry.
Because I have installed a „strong“ program
on my computer to handle images from my
digital camera the entry PhotoSuite
Image.bmp is the choice that I am getting.
You may get either Paint or BIT-MAP or
just bmp to choose from.
3. Right-click and an icon with the designation
New PhotoSuite Image.bmp
appears on my screen.
Open the
file name and over-write it. This is done by
pointing and right-clicking, and then
selecting RENAME (do not click anywhere
yet!).
4. Type the desired name. In this example you
should write Ghost Picture.bmp.
Confirm by the [ENTER] key.
5. Double-click on the still empty file. Now
the text program linked with this type of
document starts.
Create your drawing and do not forget to save at
regular intervals. Saving happens without any
comments or questions. The save dialogue does
not appear. Why? Because folders and file name
have been selected already.
What is this? Did your computer start the wrong
program? Think of the topic "File formats and
connection" on page 57.
Did you remember how I showed you to select
the program that you wish to use to open a
particular file!?
Tips and tricks: Recycle Bin, diskette, links ...
70
Extra: Tips and tricks for experienced PC users
Quick change of name of a file
You know by now how to change the name of a
file or a folder. The context menu helps.
It can be done faster. Point the name and press
the function key [F2]. The name felt appears.
The previous name of the file was Ghost
Picture.bmp. Change it to: Ghost.bmp and
press [ENTER]. That’s all.
Quick deletion of files
Should you wish to delete a file or a folder all
you have to do is to click the respective file or
folder and press the delete key [DEL] on the
keyboard. It works the same way as the context
menu instruction DELETE.
Empty your Recycle Bin
If you delete files and folders, these are
transferrred to the RECYCLE BIN. When the
RECYCLE BIN exceeds its capacity the data
will disappear completely.
You can also empty the RECYCLE BIN
manually. Right-click the RECYCLE BIN icon.
The files are being deleted completely
Select EMPTY RECYCLE BIN. and the files
and folder will be completely wiped out.
Properties of the Recycle Bin
Should you wish to know the PROPERTIES of
the RECYCLE BIN just right-click on the icon
and select the instruction PROPERTIES.
Here you can define the storage capacity of the
RECYCLE BIN.
Select all files
Would you like to know how to select all files in
a folder? Simply use the key combination
[CTRL ] + [ A ] and you have selected in one
quick operation all the files stores in a folder.
Attention: This feature will include both files
and sub-folders.
Copy the folder and its contents
Should you wish to copy or move a folder with
its complete contents of files and sub-folders?
This is how it is done:
Simply right-click the
appropriate folder and
select the option: COPY
in the context menu.
Move the pointer to the
destination folder and
select PASTE in the
context menu.
Copy the entire folders
with files and sub-folders
Copy a diskette
Would you like to copy a diskette 1:1? Formerly
this was done quite frequently. The need does
not seem to be significant any longer.
Tips and tricks: Recycle Bin, diskette, links ...
71
Open either MY COMPUTER or the program
Windows Explorer. Load the diskette to be
copied in the drive assembly. Right-click on the
3½ Floppy (A:) drive and the context menu
appears!. Select the instruction COPY DISK and
click [START] in the dialogue window that
appears.
Not so common any more: Duplication of disks
The source diskette is being copied, you
recognize it by the progress bar. The bar goes up
to the half mark. Follow the prompts and
exchange the source diskette in the diskette drive
with an empty diskette that you want to copy the
data onto.
Format a diskette
Would you like to erase the entire contents of a
diskette? Then you should format it. When
formatting a diskette all the magnetic particles
are being completely aligned and the data
disappear. Note: Diskettes are often sold unformatted
and you will have to do the formatting
before the diskettes can be used for data storage!
Formatting erases all data
Open either MY COMPUTER or the program
Windows Explorer. Load the diskette to be
formatted in the drive assembly. Right-click on
the 3½ Floppy (A:) drive and the context menu
appears!. Select the instruction FORMAT.
Writing protection to save files
Would you like to protect a file on your Hard
Disk from being erased or over-written and at
the same time ensure that it can continue to be
read? Then activate the writing protection!
Right-click the file and the context menu
appears.
Prevent over-writing of your file
Select PROPERTIES and click on the
GENERAL flag. Tick the attribute READONLY
and click [APPLY] and [OK ]. The file
can now still be opened for reading, but no more
editing is possible and no other file can be givne
the same name. Should you wish that the file
should not be visible to other users of your
computer you can even tick the attribute
HIDDEN before you click [APPLY] and [OK].
Drag and Drop in Windows
Explorer
We are quite good by now! Actualy really good!
We know how to work with the context menu
and to use the occasional combination of keys
commands. It is quite safe. But there are many
other options in Windows: You have learned
how to shift and copy files and folders almost
unlimited in Windows Explorer with the help of
the mouse. Drag and Drop is another game that
we have been playing!
Play safe with the right mouse
button!
Use the right mouse button to drag. Because
then a context menu will always appear.
Drag while keeping the right mouse botton down
Then you can decide whether you wish to shift,
copy, create a link or one of the other options.
Tips and tricks: Recycle Bin, diskette, links ...
72
Personally I use the left mouse button only for
opening of files. I drag and drop the file onto the
open program window with my righ mouse
button
Storage capacity of the Hard Disk
Would you like to know the storage capacity of
your Hard Disk? How much free space is left?
Right-click on its icon and select PROPERTIES.
The register GENERAL is very informative!
Create a link to your folder
Your hierarchy is well organized. But how about
if you should suddenly need a file or a folder
that is well placed away at the bottom of the
structure? Do we need to explore the unknow
buttom of Windows Explorer in order to find it?
No! You can be spared the trouble. Simply create
a link from the folder to the Desktop.
A link is a shortcut!
In this example we shall create a link to the
folder TEXT.
1. Reduce the size of the Windows Explorer
window so that you can see a part of the
Desktop. Work your way down to the
appropriate folder.
2. Right-click the folder and keep the button down.
3. Drag the folder (mouse button kept down) to a
free spot on the
Desktop.
4. Release the
mouse button
and a choice of
options appear.
Select CREATE
SHORTCUT HERE.
5. An icon appears with the designation
SHORTCUT TO TEXT
Do the words disturb you? Press [F2 ] and delete
or change the text
at your choice.
Now you will
have instant access to this folder at any time by a
simple double-click!
View the Notification Area:
Let us have another quick look at the
Notification Area on the right hand side of the
Taskbar. This is where you will find information
about the time of the day, an icon for volume
control and
other icons.
Often the
option has been selected for certain icons not to
appear in the Notification Area. Right-click the
double-arrow in the Notification Area and select
CUSTOMIZE NOTIFICATIONS on the menu.
A new menu appears and you will see that for
each possible icon a
choice has been
made in the
BEHAVIOR
column. Click on each icon and then again on
the arrow in the BEHAVIOR column and select
your preferences.
Remember to click [OK] after you have made
your selection and then [APPLY] and again
[OK] to close the menu.
Exercise F: Create, copy and shift folders
73
Exercise F: Create, copy and shift folders
Now you also know:
• how to create sub-folders in Windows Explorer
• how to shift and copy files
• change names and delete
• save files direct in sub-folders and how quickly to open those files direct from
the sub-folders
Exercise F1: How to copy a file
Copy the file Paintbox.bmp from MY DOCUMENTS. Go to the folder PICTURES, which you
will find as a sub-folder to BASIC COURSE. Delete the file at the place of origin. (In case this file is
missing, you can also use another file.)
Exercise F2: Shift several files
Select all bit-map files in MY DOCUMENTS and/or MY PICTURES files. Shift these files in one
operation to the folder PICTURES. Take a preview of the pictures in the VIEWS opinion. Hint: Select
the FILMSTRIP or the THUMBSNAIL option.
Exercise F3: Save files in sub-folders
Draw a picture of a person in the program Paint. Save the file Cartoon.bmp in the folder
PICTURES. Close the Paint program.
Exercise F4: Open files from sub-folders
Open the file Cartoon.bmp in Windows Explorer !
Exercise F5: Create folders
Open Windows Explorer. You would like to organize your correspondence better.
Create two co-ordinated sub-folders to the folder TEXT. Name those two new folders
PRIVATE and COMPANY. Why does the folder COMPANY appear first?
Exercise F6: How to save a letter in the PRIVATE folder
Write a short letter to aunt Clara. Save the file as Trudel.rtf in the file PRIVATE. See if you can
describe the complete path for this file? Write it down here:
Exercise F7: Create new files
Create a new file in WordPad in the Rich Text Document
format (rtf). How can that be done? Open WordPad and
click on the button [NEW] in the left upper corner. Select
Rich Text Document and click [OK].
Exercise F8: Write „minutes“
Write „Minutes of Meeting“ (a few points will suffice). Save the file as Protokol57.rtf in the
sub-folder COMPANY. Hint: In order to be able to see the folder COMPANY, you must first go to its
super-ordinate folder.
Exercise F: Create, copy and shift folders
74
Exercise F9: How to save: test A
Do you remember the extensive filing hierarchy of the
architect's office? To the left you will see the structure.
It concerns the renovation project for the house
„Sunshine House“. Type in WordPad a short report (2
sentences). Save it as ReportA.rtf in the sub-folder
REPORTS.
Exercise F10: How to save: test B
Click in WordPad on the button [NEW] and select the
Rich Text Document (rtf) format. Write a short reminder
(2 sentences). Save this as Remidner2-01.rtf in the
folder REMINDERS. Close WordPad. Create a simple
sketch in Paint. Save the sketch as PlanB.bmp in the
folder HOUSE ARCHITECT. Close Paint.
Exercise F11: Change the name of a file
Change the name of the file Reminder2-01.rtf to the new name ReminderMeier2-01.rtf.
Exercise F12: Open the file by the name Reminder
Open the file named ReminderMeier2-01.rtf. Make some changes to the document and save the
file again.
Exercise F13: Create a link (for experienced users)
You realize that you will probably be needing the folder REMINDERS quite frequently. Create a link
to this folder on your Desktop.
Exercise F14: Apply writing protection on files (for experienced users)
The file ReminderMeier2-01.rtf is so important that you would like to activate the writing
protection for this file. You should be able to continue reading the file but at the same time prevent it
from being overwritten by a mistake. Activate the writing protection for this file!
Exercise F15: Copy the filing hierarchy (for experienced users)
You will need the folder SUNSHINE HOUSE and all its sub-folders for another purpose. Copy the
filing structure on a diskette!
Exercise F16: Duplicate a diskette (for experienced users)
Copy the contents of a diskette 1:1 onto another diskette.
The word processor
75
An invitation to use the word processor
Bill Gates of Microsoft calls the text processing
a „killer application", because of its significant
contribution to the popularity of the PC.
The Windows program comes with such a
"killer". It is the program WordPad, a nice and
easy to use representative of the word processing
programs. In the following I shall use WordPad
to give you an introduction to the fundamentals
of word processing. With WordPad it is a piece
of cake!
Important basic information
And you
are well
aware that you can proceed writing where you
see the flashing line (cursor) on your screen. On
page 46 you were informed how to write capital
letters. However there are a few things that you
may not yet be familiar with.
Do not use the key [ENTER] after
each line of typing
You should only use the
[ENTER] key when you wish
to start a new paragraph or
when you wish to leave some
open space between paragraphs
or lines. With longer flows of
text you simply continue to write, even if the
end of the line is approaching!
The program automatically breaks the text into
two or more lines when the text that you are
typing fills more than one line.
You will find 2 [ENTER] keys on your keyboard
The breaking up of text in two or more lines
happens automatically on modern word
processors!
Remember to use the space bar
Important to remember: After each use of a
punctuation mark (fullstop, comma, colon etc..)
you must tap the space bar. The space bar is the
long key on the buttom row of your keyboard.
If you do not tap the space bar the program sees
the entire text as one long word.
Create an invitation
Enough comments for now. Let us get on with
the writing. We shall be writing an invitation to
uncle Herbert to join us collecting mushrooms.
1. Type the words: Dear uncle Herbert!
2. Thereafter please press twice on the key
[ENTER]. By doing this you have inserted an
extra „empty“ line of space in the document.
3. Do not forget to save as you go along. Give
your text the following file name Mushrooms.rtf
and save it in the folder by the name TEXT
which which you will finder as a sub-folder to
the folder BASIC COURSE.
4. Please continue to type the following text
without touching the key [ENTER]:
Today is a special day. The sun
shines and the children on the
road are laughing. Besides today
I am writing for the first time
with the text processor WordPad.
We would like to invite you:
Would you be able to come to the
forest on Sunday to collect
mushrooms?
Important: Remember to save regularly
You already know how to start
WordPad: Select START/ALL
PROGRAMS/ACESSORIES and
then click on WORDPAD
The word processor
76
Move around in the text
Did you manage to write the text without using
the [ENTER] key? Well done. After all the word
processor is more than a mere typewriter.We
shall now practice to move the cursor around the
text. The cursor is some times also call the
„insertion pointer“. In this books we shall
continue to use the word cursor.
Till now the cursor has remained at the end of the
written text
You can move the cursor everywhere you may
wish. This can be done with the keyboard (and
with the mouse pointer).
Move the cursor using the keyboard
In order to move the cursor with the keyboard
you will need ……the keyboard, of course.
Have a look at the cursor keys.
Cursor keys
Particularly important are the four arrow keys as
shown. Try them out.
It can be a challenge to position the cursor either
at the beginning or at the end of a document.
However the keyboard offers two keys that
manage those tasks brilliantly!
The keyboard key [HOME] places the cursor at
the beginning of the text line
The keyboard key [END] places the cursor at
the end of the text line
Take big steps
Should you wish to take big steps? Then the
[PAGE UP] and [PAGE DOWN] keys are you
answer.
The keyboard key [PAGE UP] moves the cursor
to the top of the screen picture
The keyboard key [PAGE DOWN] moves the
cursor to the bottom of the screen picture
There are yet another two very useful key
strokes that I wish to share with you. Do you
wish to bring the cursor to the very beginning of
the document? Select the following combination
of keys [ CTRL ] + [ HOME ].
With [ CTRL ] + [ END ] you jump right to the
end of your documenet.
Use the mouse to move the cursor
Naturally you can also use your mouse poiner to
move the cursor. It is really very easy: Place the
pointer where you wish to position the cursor
and click. Next you will find the cursor exactly
where you pointed.
Practice to gain experience
Try once to move the cursor with the keyboard:
Jump the cursor to the very beginning of the
document. Go now to the end of the third line.
Move to the beginning of the last line, and then
to the end of the last line.
Divide text
As said earlier, when entering (keying in) a flow
of text the key [ENTER] is taboo. But otherwise
you are free to use the [ENTER] key as you
please. Would you like to divide the text?!
Are you at the end of the last flow text passage?
Well! Tap twice the key [ ENTER ]. Thereafter
write the following paragraph:
You must disembark at the bus
station Waldkatze and run for 10
minutes. We shall meet you at
8:00 o'clock at the little
forest house.
moves the cursor one step to the left
moves the cursor one step to the right
moves the cursor one step up
moves the cursor one step down
The word processor
77
Tap again twice the key [ENTER] and finish the
letter as follows:
Yours sincerely
Frank
Do not forget to save ever so often!
So easy: add text
Have you forgotten some text in the middle of a
sentence? Did you want to add some words? Not
a problem! In the example
Besides today I am writing for the first time with
the text processor WordPad.
should be changed to
Besides today I am writing for the first time a
letter with the text processor WordPad.
1. Place the cursor where you wish to insert
the text. In this case please place the cursor
after the word time and before the word
with.
2. Now you can key in the extra words, in this
case the two words: a letter.
3. Automatically the original text makes room
for the additional words. You will also
notice that line changes and section breaks
adjust automatically to allow for the
enlarged text.
That is the ingenious of the text processing
program. Supplement text at will.
Is the original text being overwritten?
Does it happen to you that the original text is not
making way for the additional words but rather
is being owerwritten?
When the INSERT mode is engaged the word
processer will overwrite keystroke for keystroke.
The problem is easily solved.
Press once the key [INS]. By doing so the word
processor will be changed back to the normal
mode where the original text makes room for
additional text.
Correct errors
You are already familiar
with the [BACKSPACE]
key. It can be used to
delete all key entries to the
left of the cursor.
However this is not all. There is also a useful
key that deletes enties to the right of the cursor.
Try once the key [DEL] (it stands for delete). By
this key you can delete entries to the right of the
cursor
Let us try how this works: In the letter to uncle
Herbert please change the bus station to train
station:
1. Place the cursor where you would like to
delete something. In the example place the
cursor before bus station.
2. Tap 3 times on the [DEL] key and you will
see the word bus disappear.
3. In the place where the word bus has
disappeared please type in the 5 letter word
train
You will notice that in some cases the key
[DEL] may be faster to use that the key
[BACKSPACE]!
The word processor
78
Let‘s continue to practice
Besides the name of the station is Waldkater and
not Waldkatze. Correct this mistake by the use of
the [BACKSPACE] key to delete the wrong
letters and then key in the correct letters.
How to select a text
One of the most important techniques in text
processing is marking, in other words selecting.
You already practiced it with files and folders. It
is almost the same when marking text.
How to select the entire text of a
document
Do you need to mark the entire document? Use
the following key combination: [CTRL] + [A].
How to mark a single word
On the other hand should you wish to mark just
a single word in a text simply double-click the
word and you will see it clearly marked.
How to mark a single sentence or a
string of sentences
It is somewhat more difficult to mark a sentence,
a paragraph or a longer string of words. In this
example we shall be marking a complete
sentence and have chosen the following: Let us
meet at 8:00 o'clock at the little house in the
forest.
1. Place the cursor exactly where you want to
start the marking of the text.
2. Press the key [SHIFT]
and keep it down.
3. While you keep the
[SHIFT] key down
please click at the end of the text to be
marked. Voila, the entire text has been
marked.
4. You may now release the [SHIFT] key.
Also easy: move text
The mouse „exercises“: Drag and Drop and Cut
and Paste should be peanuts for you by now.
It works the same way with text as you have
done it with files and folders. In the following
exercise we shall try to change the sequence of
the text in our letter to uncle Herbert.
The letter continues:
… You must disembark at the
bus station Waldkatze and run
for 10 minutes. We shall meet
you at 8:00 o'clock at the
little forest house.
The sentence:
We shall meet …etc.
should come before the sentence:
You must disembark …etc.
As we have already marked this sentence we
should use this situation to our advantage! Do I
have to refresh your memory about the context
menu!
1. Right-click the marked text that you wish to
copy or move. In this example select CUT
2. The selected text will now disappear and be
kept in the computer‘s invisible
intermediate memory.
Position the cursor where the sentence is to be
inserted in the text and Right-click. Select the
instruction PASTE.
The word processor
79
Immediately the sentence is being inserted in the
correct place. If it appears that the „blank space“
before and/or after the pasted text has not been
copied over, all you have to do is to place your
cursor where the „blank space“ should have
been and then tap your „space“ key on the
keyboard. If by a mistake a double „space“
appears simply use the [DEL] key to remove
one of them.
Format text as desired
You have successfully completed this adventure.
To crown the work you should now try to format
your text by changing fonts and sizes. You are
already mastering the marking of text.
Select the font type and size from the Toolbar
Mark the entire text that you wish to change.
Select carefully another font type and change the
size too.
Mark individual
sentences. Decide
whether you would like
to change the font to
Bold, Italic or
Underlined.
Drawing with the program Paint
80
Make a drawing: Tips and tricks with the program Paint
Start Paint, you can conveniently leave WordPad
open in the background! We shall make a
drawing to help uncle Herbert find the direction
to the little forest house!
Overview of the program Paint
Yes, you have already made some drawings with
Paint. For this particular task we shall look for
some specific tools in the Paint program!
Paint: colours in front and behind
The tools to the left are important. Interesting is
also that there are front and a background
colours! And there is more!
Size of the „canvas“
First we shall select the dimensions of the
picture. Click IMAGE and then ATTRIBUTES.
There is a choice for the dimensions to be set in
inches, centimeters or in pixels.
Select the dimension values and click [ OK ]
Select the one that you are most comfortable
with I would suggest 600 pixels wide and 400
pixels high.
Lines and rectangles
Let‘s get going. To the right on the canvas we
shall draw the line and the railway station.
1. Click on the button [LINE]. When a choice
appears select the thickest line strength by
clicking on it.
2. Now move the pointer as
if you are using a pencil
to draw on a piece of
paper. The pointer looks
like two crossed lines.
Move the pointer to the
place, where you would
like to start the railroad
line, in the example to the
right above.
3. Click and pull the mouse
downwards. Hint: Keep
the [SHIFT] key pressed to
achieve a straight line.
4. Release the mouse button
when you have finished
drawing the railroad line.
The railway station is still
missing...
5. Click the button
[RECTANGLE] and select the lower option.
You can now produce a rectangle, which is
filled with the foreground color.
6. Draw now with the left mouse button pressed a
rectangle up. Voila, this is
your railway station.
Stop. Before you continue
drawing I would
recommend that you save
your work of art!
I suggest that you should use
the following name for the file:
Forest House.bmp. Save
your file in the folder
PICTURES which is a sub-folder of BASIC
COURSE! And save regularly thereafter!
Drawing with the program Paint
81
Background and foreground color
Are you unable to see the forest due to large
trees? Doesn‘t matter. We shall start with just
one tree. We shall then clone this tree till we
have a complete forest! However first we shall
select the background and foreground colours.
For the trunk you need an earthy brown colour.
The trunk is in the background. To select a
colour for the background you simply click on it.
The crown is in the foreground of the picture. To
select a colour for the foreground you simply
right-click on it. Select a dark green colour for
the crown of the tree.
Adjust back- and foreground colours
The two colour squares to the left of the colour
scale will show you which colours you have
selected.
Line drawing and airbrush: Trunk
and crown
And now you shall draw a
tree by using the line
drawing and airbrush
techniques!
1. Draw a thin, brown line
for the trunk. It is the
same technique you
used when you were
drawing the railroad line
previously. Keep the left
mouse button down
throughout.
2. Click the button
[AIRBRUSH] and select
in the new window one of the illustrated three
density levels of the airbrush spray.
3. The medium level is
probably the best choice.
The right-click activates the
dark green colour to be used
to airbrush the crown!
4. Right-click and keep the
button down in order to
spray the dark green colour to immitate the
crown of the tree.
Unsuccessful? Paint allows you to reverse
up to three steps. Select EDIT and UNDO!
Copy the tree
The next step is to copy (clone) the tree that we
have drawn. It is quite simple! First you must
mark the section of the picture that you wish to
copy for duplication.
1. Click on the button [SELECT] (the dotted
rectangular box).
2. By holding down your
left mouse button your
pointer can now be used
to draw a rectangular
box around the tree. Try
again if unsuccessful.
3. Tap the [CTRL] key on
your keyboard and hold it down. Click within
the selected area and the pointer becomes a
four-fold arrow
4. Hold down the [CTRL] key and you can now
use the pointer to drag a copy of your tree. On
each spot you let go of the left mouse botton
you drop a copy of the tree.
You have now copied your tree! Continue
copying till you have created a whole forest.
Practice to gain experience
Now you should draw the road and the little
forest house to complete your map! Do not
forget to save at regular intervals!
Intermediate memory
82
Intermediate memory: Copy your drawing onto your letter
How do you get your drawing incorporated with
the written invitation to uncle Herbert? Would
you paste it in with some glue? That was how
you would do it not so long ago. Today we shall
do it electronically by using the temporary
memory function of the computer.
The concept of the intermediate or temporary
memory is a refined concept to exchange data.
The intermediate memory applies to many
Windows programs, all the same whether they
are from Microsoft or not. You can cut out, copy,
insert and paste between several programs,. A
drawing created in Corel Draw can be integrated
without any problem in Microsoft Word. Even
tables from Excel or illustrations from
PowerPoint can easily be pasted into Paint or
Word and/or WordPad.
In our example the drawing created in Paint is to
be pasted into the invitation preprared in
WordPad. The principle applies generally to all
programs. It takes however that the appropriate
application programs have been started.
1. Mark the object which you wish to copy, in the
example it is the complete drawing created in
Paint. Click EDIT and SELECT ALL.
Alternatively you can use the button with the
icon of the dotted triangle [SELECT] and then
draw a dotted box around the total objects
which you
wish to be
copied.
2. Rightclick
on
the image
and select
the
instructio
n COPY. (in some programs there is also a
[COPY] botton.
3. The object has now been copied to the
intermediate memory! Change now to the
document, into which you would like to insert
the image and PASTE. Use the context menu.
Introduction to WordPad
Before we proceed to PASTE into WordPad
place your pointer in the document and click.
Tap the key combination [CTRL] + [END] so
that the cursor jumps to the end of the
document. Tap twice on [ENTER] in order to
create extra space for the drawing.
So easy: Right-click and PASTE
You may now right-click and select the
instruction PASTE. The drawing has now been
copied in the desired position in the WordPad
document.
Print a document
The whole exercise falls short of just one step.
Surely you do not want uncle Herbert to bring
along a computer in order to be able to read the
invitation and the map drawn to help him find
the way.
Important: The [ PRINT] button
Finally print the document! Click on the
[PRINT] button and the letter comes out of your
printer.By clicking the [PRINT] button the
document is being printed immediately. Should
you wish to determine e.g. how many copies to
be printed and other details then you will need to
use the command FILE and select PRINT! A
dialogue window will then offer a selection of
choices depending on the sophistication of the
printer that you are using.
Lost and found: Search
83
Retrieve: This is how you search for a document
Where is my document? The animated Windows
search function will help you finding your
document even if it was saved quite a long time
ago and you may have forgotten its name!
The simple and easy search
The ideal case: You will remember the whole or
a meaningful part of the file name! We shall
search for the mushroom related document, you
know, this invitation. You have forgotten the full
file name and where the document was saved.
1. The SEARCH function is in the START menu.
Click START and select SEARC. Under the
options What do you wan to search for? click
ALL FILES AND FOLDERS.
2. The SEARCH dialogue window appears. In the
field All or part of
the file name: you
should type in this
example the word
mushroom.
3. Make sure that you have selected the right
location in the choice LOOK IN. Click the
arrow to see your
options. In this
exercise we shall
search your LOCAL
HARD DRIVES (C:).
4. Click the [SEARCH]
button. The PC will
now scan the entire
contents of your
Local Hard Drive and list all data files and
folders that meet the search criteria set by
yourself.
5. You can open the files one by one direct from
the search window by a double-click. Exactly as
in Windows Explorer or MY COMPUTER!
Impressive search trick
Do you remember certain text passages from the
document? Fill out the field „A WORD OR A
PHRASE IN THE FILE:“ This is how you can
focus your seach even better. Now you have
supplemented the seach criteria with a full text
search in the scanning of your files.
Wildcard character search
Still no luck? Then refine the search, by using a
wildcard character. (an asterisk (*) or a question
mark (?) that is used to substitute one or more
characters in a file or folder name that you have
forgotten, or to avoid typing the entire name).
Use the asterisk as a substitute for zero or more
characters. If you are looking for a file and all
that you remember is that it starts with "gloss"
then type the following: gloss*.
This locates all files of any type that begin with
"gloss" including Glossary.txt, Glossed.doc, and
Glossy.doc. To narrow the search to a specific
type of file, type: gloss*.doc
This locates all files that begin with "gloss" but
have the file name extension .doc, such as
Glossary.doc and Glossy.doc.
Use the question mark as a substitute for a single
character in a name. For example, if you type
gloss?.doc, you will locate the file Glossy.doc or
Gloss1.doc but not Glossary.doc.
*.rtf identifies all rtf (WordPad) documents
???e.* identifies all documents which have been given a
name composed of only 4 letters of which the last
letter is an “e” i.e. Vase.rtf, Dose.bmp oder
Move.exe
Search according to the date
Another possibility exists to search the database
according to the date. You can quite easity find a
bmp file created in the past two weeks.
Select ALL FILES AND FOLDERS and click
WHEN WAS IT MODIFIED and you will have
a number of options to choose from: (1) Don‘t
remember, (2) Within the last week, etc. You can
even specify dates.
You should also look at your remaining search
options offered by the „search assistant“!
Exercise G: The final „examination“
84
Exercise G: The final „examination“
Dear computer friend. You have done the full mile! This is the final exercise! I
hope you have had fun with the computer. And when it gets a little hectic some
times ………do not forget:
• There are more important things in life than computers !
Best regards
Johann-Christian Hanke ?
Exercise G1: Create a filing hierarchy
I know that you enjoy writing letters. Create under the master file C: the following
filing hierarchy as illustrated to the left.
Exercise G2: Write a letter using WordPad
Use WordPad to write a letter to your best friend Christine. Name the file Christine.rtf. Save it
in the correct file FRIENDS which is a sub-folder of MAIL/PRIVATE. How does the path read to this
file?
Exercise G3: Change the name of a file
So do you intend to marry Christine? Congratulations! Change the designation of the file from
Christine.rtf to the new name Partner.rtf.
Exercise G4: Move files
The file is no longer saved in the correct folder. Your friend became your wife! Move the file into the
suitable folder.
Exercise G5: Open a file and add to the text
You would now like to add some text to your letter. Open the file Partner.rtf! Add the following
closing sentence to your letter: I love you! Save the document again.
Exercise G6: Save the file on a diskette
Play it safe. The letter for Christine (Partner.rtf) is so precious to you that it is important for you
to create a back-up copy on a diskette. Save a copy of the document on a diskette.
Exercise G7: Search for a file
Search for all the rtf files that you have written within the past 7 days.
Exercise G8: Multimedia orientation
Windows is packed with even more fun and intertainment. Explore the keyword Multimedia. How can
you play your CDs? How can you adjust sound? Which function explains everything that you may still
wish to know on the subject matter?
If a program fails...
85
If a program fails to work...
….please don‘t panic. Windows XP is very
stable, however it does happen that an
application program no longer responds to
instructions via the the keyboard or the mouse.
The application program does not follow
your keyboard or mouse instructions
It may not always be a matter of an operational
mistake on your part. Causes could be hardware
components that may not be stable and program
errors (also called „bugs“) that cause the
computer to „hang“ again and again.
Application switches itself off
An application program "switches itself off".
You can continue working however because
Windows will generally remain stable. Simply
attempt to start the application program again.
The famous …………
If everything „freezes“ (or you would simply
like to know what happened to this program that
is no longer reacting) it helps to perform the
famous „monkey“ key strokes. The left hand
holds down the keys [CTRL] + [ALT ]. and the
right hand presses once only on the key [DEL].
The famous …..: [CTRL] + [ALT] + [DEL]
The Task Manager menu will appear listing the
APPLICATIONS on your computer. It shows all
the current tasks (=application programs) and
their status. Normally the STATUS should read
RUNNING.. If the status says that the program
DOES NOT RESPOND or words to that effect
you can try to close down the program.
Simply mark the inactive program. Click on it
and then click the button [END TASK] and wait
for a little moment.
Task Manager shows all "running" applications
Usually you can close down the inactive
application program with the [END TASK]
button. The menu closes. You can now try to
start the program again.
Start again
If the computers should become completely
unstable (rarely happens) you should start it
again. Before you do so you should endeavour to
save all open files and close all running
application programs.
You can close all running application programs
in the Task Manager menu (you remember:
[CTRL] + [ALT ] and then only one tap on the
key [DEL]). On the Task Manager menu click
SHUT DOWN and select the option RESTART.
Last resort: Press reset
In rare occasions you may not be able to activate
the Task Manager to close the programs because
the computer may be completely „frozen“.
Then there is only one solution: the reset-switch
(also known as the power button) situated on
your CPU (Central Processing Unit).
The switch carries the following label:
By switching off the computer with
the reset-switch you will lose all data that has
not been saved !
System control, maintenance of the Hard Disk and installation
86
A little extra for the friends of Windows...
System control
You are already familiar with the Control Panel.
Click START and CONTROL PANEL. I would
suggest that you select the „Classic“ option.
Here you find lots of icons with which you can
configure your computer individually. Some you
have already tried.
As you know, „all roads lead to Rome“. Some of
the options that you have been selecting have
been reached through other „roads“. For instance
the icon DISPLAY can be used to change and
customize a combination of the „theme“ (i.e.
„Classic“ or the new „XP“), the Desktop, the
Screen Saver, the Appearance and the display
Settings of the screen resolution and the colour
dynamic range. The icon DATE AND TIME
opens the menu for you to adjust the time on
your computer clock. The icon FONTS opens a
window listing each and every font available on
your computer. The icon SOUNDS AND
AUDIO DEVICES opens the menu that lets you
customize sound effects etc. There are also icons
for the KEYBOARD and the MOUSE opening
menus offering you the option to change the
settings of those components. And you will find
a number of other icons.
It is my suggestion that you try all of the icons in
the CONTROL PANEL to explore the menus
and options available to you in Windows XP.
Maintenance of the Hard Disk
Test your Hard Disk regularly. As the Hard Disk
is your most important drive assembly you
should ensure that it remains „error-free“ and in
perfect condition at all times.
To help you in these maintenance tasks Windows
offers a special utility program. It finds errors in
the file system of your Hard Disk or diskette and
corrects these automatically when desired.
This special utility program is indispensable if
the computer "misbehaves", or if you did not
switch off the computer according to the correct
procedure.
This is how it works: Right-click on the icon of
the drive assembly that you would like to test. In
the example it is the Hard Disk which is named
LOCAL DISK (C:). (Use MY COMPUTER or
Windows Explorer to get to it). Select in the
context menu the instruction PROPERTIES. In
the dialogue window you should select the
option TOOLS.
In order to start the error check, you should click
[CHECK NOW ] in the section ERROR
CHECKING…..
Normally the preset standard test is sufficient:
AUTOMATICALLY FIX FILE SYSTEM
ERRORS. Should you so wish you may also
select the option: SCAN FOR AND ATTEMPT
RECOVERY OF BAD SECTORS. Click
[START ] once you have selected your choice
and [OK] to close the menu once the scan has
been completed. The window will tell you.
Note: With the option „ SCAN FOR AND
ATTEMPT RECOVERY…….“ the test is only
implemented after a restart of the computer!
Practice frequently to test your folders and files
for errors.
After the completion of a test run you will see a
summary of the inspection results and the
reassuring sentence to the effect that no errors
have been detected.
If your Hard Disk is rather old then I would
recommend the option: SCAN FOR AND
ATTEMPT RECOVERY OF BAD SECTORS.
Here the physical characteristics of the data
medium surface (the Hard Disk or the diskette)
are examined and corrected more intensively.
I shall not bore you with too much technicality.
However you can probably understand that the
more data you save and/or delete, the more
programs you install, the more busy it looks on
your Hard Disk: The level of fragmentation
increases of the magnetic surface of the Hard
System control, maintenance of the Hard Disk and installation
87
Disk. This inevitably result is that the time your
computer takes to access and save data
increases.
Optimize therefore your Local Disk drive
assembly (the Hard Disk) by defragmenting the
data from time to time! Click on the button
[DEFRAGMENT NOW]. This is the option on
the TOOLS menu that you will find beneath the
ERROR CHECKING option.
By clicking [DEFRAGMENT NOW] the
computer analyses the Hard Disk and will let
you know whether it is time to DEFRAGMENT
or not.You can either skip the
DEFRAGMENTATION or proceed at your
choice. Depending on size of the drive assembly
and the degree of fragmentation the process may
be completed in a relative short time or in the
extreme case take an hour or longer.
Installation of hardware
Your computer is an open system. Let it grow
with your requirements. What would you like to
install? The new printer, the modem or Zip drive
assembly? The powerful sound board or the new
video card?
Let us briefly touch upon this „advanced“
subject!
Plug & Play means automatic recognition by the
computer
The following always applies: Follow the
instructions of the manufacturer. Build in the
equipment or attach it. And the only switch on
the computer.
Many devices are recognized automatically by
the computer. Often Windows will install the
required driver without your help and
interference. Some times you will be requested
to perform certain actions such as inserting a
program CD and confirm in dialogue windows.
But stop, what is a driver?
A Driver is needed!
Each hardware component needs a driver.
Drivers are small supplementary programs for
the control of the respective equipment: Each
printer, each graphic print card, each modem etc.
needs its own special driver.
Windows comes fully equipped with most of
the drivers that you will ever need
Some hardware components use a standard or a
universal driver. If your component and/or
equipment is supplied with its own special
driver please select it in order for your computer
to achieve the best performance results.
As already mentions: Most hardware
components are delivered with its own dedicated
driver on a CD or diskette. You will often find
that the suppliers update these drivers from time
to time and make the updates available over the
internet for free downloading.
Hardware Wizard
You can use the Hardware Wizard to help you
install drivers from a CD or diskette. Click
[START] and select CONTROL PANEL.
Double-click the icon ADD HARDWARE and
follow the steps in the dialogue Wizard. Pick the
correct type of hardware, the respective
manufacturer and the correct model of the
equipment.
Installation of software
The installation of large programs is usually
very simple and easy. Insert for example the
Microsoft Office CD. The installation menu or
Wizard usually appears automatically. The
following steps are self-explanatory.
With some programs it may however not be so
simply. Hint: Search for a file such as
Setup.exe or Install.exe. The
installation routine is usually started by the
clicking of such a file.
Should you like to know how to down-load
programs from the internet you can read about it
„Get Going with the Internet“ from e-Ways.
There we also discuss the ZIP format.
System control, maintenance of the Hard Disk and installation
88
Virus protection
You have probably heard a lot about viruses that
may attach your computer. Viruses are programs
that can cause a lot of trouble to your computer.
There are however also rather harmless viruses
that make your computer play a music theme at a
certain time, show pictures on your screen or do
other silly things.
Some viruses may cause your computer to
malfunction or even delete data from your Hard
Disk.
There are lots of different sorts of viruses!
Recently the "e-Mail worms" have been
pestering the computer environment.
Hint: Install a current anti-virus scanner from
one of the leading brands. I persoally have good
experience with products from Norton or
Symantec. You would set up those anti-virus
programs so that all incoming and outgoing email
traffic is scanned including their
attachments before they are opened.
It is equally important to scan all files from other
people‘s computers with your anti-virus
program. The scanning of the files must take
place before you are opening the files from a
diskette or other media. Your Hard Disk should
be scanned according to a set schedule. The antivirus
programs have the facility to select a daily
or weekly time for the anti-virus program to scan
the entire computer completely automatically.
Select a time when it does not interfere with
your working on the computer e.g. perhaps late
in the evening or during the night. Remember to
leave the computer switched on as otherwise no
scanning will take place.
The anti-virus program should be kept
completely updated at all times. Normally there
is a facility to download updates over the
internet often as frequently as once a week in
order to be able to privide protection against all
the new viruses that emerge continuously.
Follow the instructions of the manufacturer of
the anti-virus program with regard to updating.
……….and what now!
89
What is the next step with the computer..?
…..you will be quite right in asking. Because we
have just started and we are no way near the
end!
Explore the the world of text processing, surf the
Internet, sends e-mails, digitize etc. Even
creating a Web Page (also known as a
Homepage) is quite easy!
Now that you are able to use the Windows
operating program I would recommend that you
have a look at the other books on application
programs available from e-Ways Pty Limited:
93
Activate Windows
Legitimate program, 15
Application programs, 45
Assistance
full scale, 37
Attachments
Components, 7
Booting your PC
Getting ready to work, 14
Cable connections
COM port, 8
Parallel port, 8
PS/2 socket, 7
USB, Universal Serial Bus, 8
CD & DVD drives, 28
COM cable connection
Traditional cable connection, 8
CPU
Central Processing Unit, 7
Cursor
pointer, 16
Data Storage
Hard disk, 14
Desktop
background, 33
background image, 42
clean-up, 32
customize to your taste, 17
Overview with icons, 20
properties, 33
Direct Assistant, 37
Diskette, 28
how to format & copy, 70
Display properties, 39
Document
open from Desktop, 55
Documents
recently used, 55
search & retrieve, 83
Drag & Drop
moving files & folders, 71
Drawings
use the program Paint, 80
Drivers, 87
Dynamic range, monitor, 40
Energy saving, 41
Escape function
the Escape key, 21
Failure
when the program fails, 85
Fast
key strokes, 58
Files
documents and programs, 57
format & file extension, 56
how to open, 53
save in sub-folders, 69
Files & Folders
batch moving, 66
copy, delete & move, 65
quick change of name, 70
quick deletion, 70
sorting, 66
Folders
create, 63
delete, 63
My Documents, 22
name & rename, 63
Hard Disk
drive, 28
filing structure, 61
maintenance, 86
Propereties, 72
save data, 46
Hardware or Software, 6
Help function, 37
Installation
software, 87
Key strokes
the fast way, 58
Link to Desktop, 50
Links
create, model & delete, 51
Loudspeakers
Listen to your recordings, 13
Mail order form, 92
Microphone
Recording, 13
Mini- and maximize windows
sizing of windows, 23
Monitor
CRT or flat panel, 11
Dynamic range, 12
parameters, 40
Mouse
how to hold & operate, 10
mouse malfunctioning & cleaning, 11
Mouse, double click, 37
how to click with the mouse, 21
Multiple users
sharing a PC, 41
Multiple windows, 29
My computer, 28
My Document
Folder for my documents, 21
Next step...
application programs, 89
Notebook
Lab Top computer, 12
Notification Area, 72
Notification Area of taskbar, 35
Opening menu, 58
Operating System
Windows, 6
Over-write text, 77
Paint
background & foreground, 81
lines & airbrush, 81
the application program, 45
Parallel Port connection
Cable connection, 8
Path to the file or folder, 61
PC drives, 28
PCMCIA
connecting your lab top, 13
Print, 82
Printers
Laser or Ink Jet, 9
Protection
Virus, 88
Protection of data
read only, 71
Quick Launch
activate programs quickly, 18
RAM memory
processing memory, 15
Recycle Bin
how to empty, 70
properties, 70
Run
Start codes, 50
the quick start feature, 50
Save
the filing structure, 64
Save or Save As, 47
Screen resolution, 40
Screen Saver, 39
Screen saver, password, 42
Scroll Bar, 22, 25
Short-cuts, 72
Sliding of windows, 23
Software
installation, 87
Sound
Record and play, 13
Stand-by mode, 26
Start menu
XP or Classic, 17
Status Bar, 24
Switch on
Start your computer, 14
System control, 86
Task Manager, 85
Taskbar, 29
hide, 41
The Escape function
The Escape key, 21
Time and sound, 35
Title Bar, 22
Titlebar
useful information, 64
Titles
e-Ways books, 90
Turn off your PC, 26
Use the mouse with ease
Mouse exercises, 16
VGA
Connect your monitor, 12
VGA, monitor
resolution, 40
View, details of file, 67
Virus, 62
WIN key, 50
Windows
close all, 26
mini-, maximize & close, 23
minimize all, 29, 30
re-open, 23
restore size, 23
scroll, 53
shift & slide, 25
stepless re-sizing, 24
Windows Explorer
the universal file manager, 60
Windows, quick change, 30
Word processing, 75
correct errors, 77
format text, 79
how to use WordPad, 82
mark words & sentences, 78
move & format text, 76
Writing protection, diskette, 49
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