Utilities

• Formatting a diskette

Formatting a disk is like putting lines on a blank sheet of paper, so that you can write on that paper. when you format a disk, you divide the dis into areas called tracks and sectors.You can buy already formatted diskettes or unformatted diskettes which you would need to format yourself. when you format a disk, all data on the disk would be areas so don't forget to make a backup [ a second copy] of the diskette before you start formatting

 

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• So what are the steps to format a disk you might ask, well here are the 11 steps how to format a disk  

1. Insert the disk into the floppy drive.
2. Double click on MY COMPUTER
3. Right click on the drive you want to format
4. Select format from the menu.
5. Choose the full option. you may choose quick on a disk that has already been used, but it does not check the disk for errors and so is not generally recommended.
6. Enter a label for your disk if you wish. you may use up to 11 letters and/or numbers.
7. If this disk will be used to boot your PC, check the box marked 'COPY SYSTEM FILES' to format the disk as bootable.
8. Click the start button.
9. view results to make sure the disk was properly formatted.
10. Click the close button on the results window.
11. Click the close button on the format window.

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•   Scandisk

Scandisk is another handy utility. It usually comes into action automatically when you shut down your PC improperly or when there is a power failure and so your PC was switched off abruptly without you managing to perform the proper shutdown procedure. Scan disk checks your disk for any errors or faults-faults in file system and physical faults in the disk itself and it either fixes these faults in the disk itself and it either fixes these fault or it emarginates the faulty sectors so that they are not used anymore. to do this so is :

 

1. Go to start button
2. Click on programs
3. Click on accessories
4. Click on scan disk
5. Chosse through for a surface test too- it will check for physical defects in your hard disk

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• Defragmentation

A file that is too large for a single location on a disk is fragmented and stored in any free space on the disk. You can use fragmented files, but your computer takes longer to access them. The disk defragmenter [defrag] rearranges the files and free space on your disk so that files are opened more quickly becuase they are stored in adjacent units and free space is consolidated.

 

To start Defrag :

1. Click start button
2. Point to programs
3. point to accessories
4. Point to system tools
5. Click Disk Defragmenter
6. Choose the drive you want to apply disk defragmenter on.
7. you can STOP, PAUSE and even SHOW MORE DETAILS while the disk defragmenter is working.

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• WinZip/ Compressed Folders

Folders that are compressed using the compressed [zipped] folders feature use less space and can be transferred to other computers more quickly. Once you have created a compressed folder, you can compress files, programs, or other folders by dragging them into it. Compressed folders can be moved to any drive or folder on your computer . You can protect zipped comprassed folders by a password. This protects your data if you save it in a shared network folder, attach it to an e-mail message or move it between work / home/ floppy disk

 

To create a zipped compressed folder :

 

1. Open My Computer
2. Double-click a drive or folder
3. On the FILE menu, point to NEW, and then click COMPRESSED [ zipped] folder.
4. Type a name for the new folder, and then press Enter

 

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• Virus and Antivirus

What is a computer virus ?

 

it is a program that disrupts the normal operation of a computer. it is created intentionally to cause harm and it is not a bug or mistake. Viruses can infect your computer from incoming modem transmissions like email or Internet browsing and also trough infected floppy disk or trough

 a network connection.

 

What is an Antivirus ?

 

This is a software serves to protect your computer from viruses. the most common antivirus is Norton antivirus and MacAfee.

 

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                    The Computer System

• Data and Information

    In day-to- day language, the words "DATA" and " INFORMATION" may   
    mean the same thing. But in computer jargon they do not.

  For example lets take the numbers 290781, it can be an I.D. card number   
  or a date or either a passport number, so when this number cannot be  
  determined for sure we say that it's a DATA. Now if the same number is 
  shown as 29/07/81 then one can recognises this, as a date so it becomes   
  information. A quick way to remeber it is :

                 DATA + STRUCTURE = INFORMATION
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• A Computer

A digtal computer is a machine that can be programed to accept data [ input] and process it into information [ output] and where necessary the computer may also use storage devices to store information.
                      
                        INPUT -> PROCESS -> OUTPUT

A computer is a device that accepts input,

process data, stores data and produces output.

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    Here are some words that are important to learn an be able to distinguish 

                                       from one an another :)

• Basic Functions of a Computer

Input : Entering of data into a computer

Output : Getting processed data out of the computer

Processing: Transform data into meaningful information

Storage : Saving the data in the computer for later use

Retrieval : Data is fetched from the computer and read

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Hardcopy is when you send data to a printer or plotter to make a paper copy.

Softcopy is when the computer display the data on a monitor screen.

Storage devices is used to hold data permanently, so you can save it and retrieve it later

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  Examples of INPUT, OUTPUT, STORAGE DEVICES

Input:

    keybored                                                       Mouse

 

Output:

Monitor
                                                                             

   

                                                                                                    Printer  

                   

   

  Storage Devices :

Hard Disk                                  CD'S

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Here is a video to show you different kinds of computers :

There are also two more types of computers which are :  

 Supercomputers : supercomputers are very powerful computers, which occupy special air-conditioned rooms, and are often used for research.

Embedded Computers : are a vast number of modern devices contain some form of built-in computer, [camera, washing machines, telephones, hi-fi system] etc.

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Hardware and Software

 A computer is divided into two categories :

1. Hardware 
2. Software  

(1) Hardware, are the physical units that make up a computer system, in 

     other words, all those untis that can be seen and touched. 

(2) Software, is another word for programas. There are two main types:

1. Application software 
2. System software

(1) Application software is the kind of software that people use to preform a general-purpose task, such as word processing software.

(2) System Software is the software that the computer uses to manage its own internal activites and run application software. The Operating System (OS)is the most important software.  

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Main Components of a Computer   

1. CPU [ processor] : this is the brain of the computer it's speed is measured in Mhz or Ghz
2. Main Memory [primary storage] : is part of a computer system where data amd insturctions are held for use by the CPU and where the CPU puts results it generates.
3. Backing Storage : is a means of storing large amounts of data outside the main storage.
4. Bus : is a data roadway along which data and commands travel.

In a computer there are three different types of buses :

• The address bus
• The data bus
• The control bus

                            

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Well thats all for today i hope it helped you :) BYE.