DADIMOS BUSINESS AND TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE

Dep’t of Accounting Level IV

Unit of Competence: Develop and Use Complex
Spreadsheet
Introduction to computer

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  Information Sheet 1: Checking Peripheral device connections
 Computer
 An electronic device that can store, retrieve and process data, and can be programmed with instructions that it
remembers.
 The physical parts that make up a computer (the central processing unit, input, output and memory) are called
“hardware”. Programs that tell a computer what to do are called “software”.

INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

The computing concept

 A computer (also referred to as a PC) can be used for various functions, eg word processing, spreadsheets,
databases, business accounting, desktop publishing, accessing the Internet, sending email, playing games,
movies, music, etc.
 Computer can also be defined by its ability to accept input data, process data, and store data and produce
output according to set of instructions from a compute r program.
 A computer is a machine that is controlled by internally stored programs and that can perform operations
without human intervention.
 A computer is electronic device that can store, prepared
retrieve, and process data.
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 Characteristics of computers
 Characteristics of computers
 Using computers in our day-to-day activities has the following advantages
 i) Speed: The speed o f a computer in processing information is increasing from time to
time and computers can calculate at very high speed.
ii) Accuracy: The accuracy of a computer system is very high provided that the data and
the program given to it are accurate. Error in computer data processing is mostly human
factor. The program may be wrongly coded or the data may be wrongly entered.\
ii) Storage: Computers can store large amount of data using their memory unit
iv)Versatility/flexibility: Computers can be programmed and applied for different
purposes. People can use computers for different applications.
v. Diligence/consistency: The computer does the same thing repeatedly without saying “I
am tired or I am bored”.

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 Application of Computers
 The following are some of the capabilities and potential of Computers, which are reasons for using
Computers.
 Store and process large amount of information with high speed and accuracy;
 Transmit information across continents via communication channels;
 Simulate events;
 Perform complex mathematical computations and make comparisons;
 Monitor ongoing industrial operations;
 Perform repetitive processes with great ease, speed, and reliability.
 Making simple and complex calculation
 To make statistical chars
 For research purposes
 Listening music
 For diagnostic Purposes
 For weather forecasts
 For drawing purposes
 For watching movies, Etc.
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 Therefore, computers are applicable for any functions, task or process that requires these abilities.
 History of Computer
Probably the first computer was designed by Charles
Babbage in 1822. He devised a machine called the
difference engine. In 1834, Babbage proposed a more
elaborate computing machine, called the analytical
engine..

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computers hardware
 Computer hard ware is the physical part of the computer system .
 it is simply visible and touched part of the computer.
 Example: - mouse, keyboard, monitor, system unit …..
 Based on the information processing computer hard ware is divided into four:-
1. Input device: - is a device used to enter/insert data, information, instructions or
commands into the computer.
 An input device is any hardware device that sends data to a computer, allowing you to
interact with and control it. ...
Example:- mouse, keyboard, ,scanner, digital camera

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 Example Of Input Device
 Mouse (pointing Device)
 Keyboard
 Microphone
 Touch screen
 Scanner
 Webcam
 Graphics
 Tablets
 Touchpads
 Camera
 Video Capture
 Hardware.
 Microphone
 Barcode
 Reader
 Digital camera
 Gamepad
 Electronic Whiteboard
A. Mouse: - is a hand operated devices that used to control the movement of the cursor and
pointer around a display screen.
The mouse has three main buttons;
 Left button or left click:- used to select text, drag and drop.
 Middle button:- used to scrolling the page( this button sometimes missed)
 Right click or right button:- used to get options
Depending on the task you are doing, the mouse symbol could look like any of the
following.
A mouse pointer: means you can click on an item, such as a folder icon, to select it or
move it.
A timer: means the computer is busy processing a task so you need to wait until the computer
finishes the task and the symbol changes back.
Flashing insertion point: When you click the mouse the insertion point will flash if text
can be entered or deleted.

I I-beam: This shows you where your mouse is when it is hovering over text
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 Keyboard

 B. Keyboard: - is contains asset of keys that enables ones person enter/insert

data, information, instruction or commands into the computer using keys.

 The key on the keyboard are often classified as;

 Alpha Numeric key:- it consists of letters (A-Z) and numbers(0-9)
 Punctuation keys: - it contains like comma, semicolon, full stop, slash, question mark
etc.
 function keys(F1-F12),
 Special keys:- control keys, arrow keys, caps lock, shift, tab ,alt etc
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 2.Output devices
 Output devices an output device is any piece of computer hardware
equipment used to communicate the results of data processing carried
out by an information processing system (such as a computer) which
converts the electronically generated information into human Readable
from.
The input and output devices flow chart
3. CPU (central processing unit):- it is known as the brain of the computer.
 It process and control all over activities of the computer system.
4. Storage devices: - these devices are used to store your computer data / information either permanently or
temporarily.
 Ex:- Ram, hard disk, cd. Dvd etc
 Computer software
 Computer software is asset of instructions, commands or programs that are used to manage the hardware
components of a computer. In other words it is a series of instructions that tell the hardware. Computer
software is divided into two.
1. System software: - consist of instruction or programs that are used to manage hardware component of the
computer.
 Ex: - operating system (w-7, w-xp, w-vista etc)
2. Application software:-consisting of a programs or instructions that use to accomplish a specific task.
I. Word processing:- used to produce documents with in picture, chart , drawings, photos etc
 Ex:-Ms-word, word processing

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II. Spread sheet: - used to organize, manipulate numerical data.
 Ex: - Ms-Excel
III. Presentation Software: - used to create professional presentation that that could in meeting.
 Ex: - Ms-power point
IV. Desktop publishing:- used to produce banners, business card, new letters, broachers, colanders etc
 Ex: - Ms-publisher
V. Data Base Management System (DBMS):- used to organize data in database.
 Ex: - Ms-access, SQL, Oracle
 Parts of a computer
 Internal and External parts
 External parts of Computer

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 Internal Computer Hardware Components
 Computer fan: It is attached to the CPU and is used to lower the temperature of a computer. There are several fans
in the computer case, which help maintain a constant flow of air to the computer system.
 Motherboard: It is the central printed circuit board, abbreviated as PCB, which forms the complex electronic
system of a computer. A motherboard provides the computer system with all the electrical connections, the basic
circuitry and components required for its functioning.
Power Supply: This component is responsible for supplying power to the computer. It converts the AC power from
the mains to low voltage DC power for the internal components of a computer. AT is one of the commonly used
power supplies.
RAM: Short for random access memory, RAM is the physical memory of a computer. It is used to store the
currently running programs and is attached to the motherboard.
Sound Card: It is a computer expansion card that enables the input and output of audio signals to and from a
computer. Sound cards provide multimedia applications with the audio components.
 Before you start the Computer
 Before starting your computer for the first time, take a moment to check the computer parts connected and seated
properly
 In case of our country Ethiopia the correct power setting is 220-240.
 Plug the power cord into the power supply, and the other end into a divider and then to a surge-protected AC
power source or a battery backup or UPS or Voltage regulators (stabilizers).
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 Powering on and off the computer
 We need to plug in your PC and devices such as keyboard, monitor, and mouse to their appropriate
connectors.
 To turn on the computer
 Press the power button of the system unit
 And then press the power button of the monitor if it does not turn on by itself when you turn on the system
unit.
Overloaded Power Sockets
 Plugging too many power cables into a socket can result in the socket being overloaded, overheating, and a
fire starting
 Solution: Never plug too many cables into a socket. Always make sure there are fire extinguisher nearby

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Basic workplace hazards
 The most common hazards are from chemicals, fires, repetitive motion,
electricity and fall related injuries. Keeping your employees safe can
ensure a happier, more productive workplace. Build safety policies that
address the specific hazards in your workplace.

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 Health problems
There are a number of health problems that you can suffer if you use ICT
devices incorrectly or for too long. The main ones are:
Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI)
Back and Neck Strain
Eye Strain and Headaches

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  Safety Issues
 There are a number of safety issues that can arise from using ICT devices.
Some of these safety issues include:
 Electrocution
 Tripping over wires
 Heavy equipment falling on you
 Fire risks
 Trailing Cables
Computer equipment is often connected to lots of cables: power, network,
etc. If these cables are laying on the floor, they can cause people to trip over
them
Solution: Place cables inside cable ducts, or under the carpet / flooring
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 Spilt Drinks or Food
If any liquids are spilt on electrical equipment, such a s a computer, it can
result in damage to the equipment, or an electric shock to the user.
Solution: Keep drinks and food away from computer.

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 Overloaded Power Sockets
Plugging too many power cables into a socket can result in the socket being
overloaded, overheating, and a fire starting.

 Solution: Never plug too many cables into a socket. Always make sure there
are fire extinguishers nearby

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 Information Sheet 3 : Checking Input voltage
 Description
 Power supply is an important component of the system, and there is no computer that
will be able to work without it. It provides all the consumers inside computer case with the
required electrical energy, while converting the AC voltage that comes from the electric
socket into a constant one. Choosing a power supply for a computer, you need to be guided
by its power, based on the number of consumers that will be connected to it. If the power
supply fails, the entire computer will not be able to operate.
 Steps to check the computer power supply voltage
Plug the power supply into the wall.
Find the big 24-ish pin connector that connects to the motherboard.
Connect the GREEN wire with the adjacent BLACK wire.
The power supply's fan should start up. If it doesn't then it's dead.
If the fan starts up, then it could be the motherboard that's dead.
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  Starting a computer running
Starting your computer is also known as booting the computer. It is important to switch
your computer on in the correct way because the computer will check the peripheral
devices on start up. Starting the computer will also start the operating system.

Figure 1: If the power switch on the system unit is off (no light), then you need to turn on
the computer parts in the correct sequence

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 Sequence for starting a computer
1. Check peripheral device connections.
2. Turn on power at the power outlet.
3. If the monitor has a separate switch, turn it on.
4.Switch on the printer.
5. Check to see if there is a floppy disk in the floppy disk drive if your computer has
one. Eject the disk to ensure the computer starts from the hard drive.
6. Switch on the system unit. If using a desktop PC, the power switch is usually a
button on the front or side of the system unit. If using a laptop, the power switch is
usually at the top of the keyboard.
7. The computer will perform a start-up routine. When the start-up routine has
completed then the operating system will start.

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 Sequence for shutting down a computer
1. Follow this sequence if you do not have to log off first.
2. Close all files (remember to save your latest work if necessary).
3. Close all software programs.
4. Remove floppy disks or other storage media from drives if necessary.
5. Click on Start on the taskbar. Select Turn Off computer from the Start menu.
5. Check that Turn off is selected.
6. Click on OK to confirm. Your computer may automatically turn the power off but
if not you will get a message like ‘It is now safe to turn off your computer.’
7. Switch off the computer and the power outlet.

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“GOOD, BETTER, BEST NEVER LET IT REST
TILL THE GOOD IS BETTER AND THE BETTER IS BEST”

Thank you

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