Chapter 6. PC and its operations

Chapter 6. PC and its operations

Hardware and software configuration of standard PC

• Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo 3.06 GHZ
• Motherboard: Intel 915GSL (Onboard Graphics, Network, sound card. With Serial port,                   Parallel port, USB port)
• RAM: 4GB (2X2GB) DDR2 800MHz SDRAM Memory
• Hard Disk: 360 GB Seagate SATA
• Cabinet: ATX
• Monitor: 17” LCD
• Key board: 108 key Multimedia
• Mouse: Optical
• Disk drive: DVD writer
• Modem: 56 KBps
• Speaker: 800 watts
• Microphone with Head set: Normal
• UPS: 500 VA

• Operating system: Windows 7 / Vista / XP
• Application software: MS Office, Adobe Photoshop, PageMaker, Skype, Yahoo messenger, Google talk etc.

Types of interfaces

The user interfaces means, in an operating system interacts the user with the computer system. They are classified in to two.

1.    CUI (Command line User Interface)

2.    GUI (Graphical User Interface)

CUI (Command line User Interface)

Here user interacts with the computer by using commands through the key board. Example for CUI operating system is DOS (Disk Operating System). Here each operation is carried out by corresponding commands. To display time and date the user type ‘TIME’, ‘DATE respectively. To display the folders the command is DIR and so on.

GUI (Graphical User Interface)

          Here the user interacts with the computer by using graphics, images, pictures to represents various operations and components. On that object the user can click or double-click and easily use the system. It includes buttons, icons, bars, boxes etc. Example for GUI operating system is Windows XP, Vista, Linux etc. Thus they are easy to use, provides multi tasking environment.

Creation and manipulations of files and folders

To create a new folder

Double click on my computer icon on desk top. Open a drive by double click on it. Right click on the window, and then select ‘new’ from the popup menu, then select ‘Folder’ from the sub menu, then enter a suitable name for that folder.

To create a file

Double click on my computer icon on desk top. Open a drive by double click on it. Right click on the window, and then select ‘new’ from the popup menu, then select a type of file from the sub menu, then enter a suitable name for that file.

Renaming a file or folder

Right click on that file or folder then select ‘Rename’ then enter a new name.

Delete a file or folder

Select the file you want to delete. Then press delete key on key board. Then click on ‘Yes’ button on the message box. The file or folder deleted now temporarily. It will see on recycle bin. To delete it permanently, again delete it from the recycle bin. To reuse this file or folder, right click on the file or folder then click ‘Restore’.

Searching for a file or a folder

Click on start button then select search. Select a searching option from it. Then enter a part of file or folder name and select the drive. Then click search. Lists of files or folders are listed according to the name if it exists.

Proprietary and free software

They are two types of software. Its comparisons are given below.

Proprietary software	Free software
They are made by a private organization.	They are made by a group of software engineers.
It is only buying through money.	It is freely distributed.
Their source codes are not given to users.	Their source codes are given to users.
To update the software again spend money.	Download and update the new versions available on internet.
It is based on business	It is based on freely giving knowledge.
MS windows, office s/w and Adobe S/W are examples.	Linux and Unix are examples.