Windows Xp

Windows:

    Windows is a computer operating system and graphical user interface (GUI), which enables us to work with a wide variety of programs on your computer, often simultaneously. Windows is itself a special computer program that communicates your instructions to the actual computer hardware, and displays the results.

OBJECTIVES:

After going through this lesson, you would be able to:

• ·        Explain the basics of operating system
• ·        Describe XP desktop elements
• ·        Create file or folder in XP
• ·        Change system settings
• ·        Work on windows explorer

XP Desktop Elements:

Task Bar:

     When you start the computer system, then start and task bar appears on the bottom of the screen and by default remains visible when Windows is running. Whenever a program is run or a window is opened, an icon representing the program appears on the taskbar. To switch between windows or program, click on the icon representing the window on the task bar. When the program or window is closed, the icon disappears from the task bar.

Start Menu:

     When clicked on the start button, menu as follows appears on the screen giving all the available options to start using the Windows.

Task	Description
All Programs	Displays a list of installed program, which a user can start or use.
My Documents	Displays a list of document used by the current user.
My Recent Documents	Displays a list of recently used document by the current user.
My Picture	Displays a list of picture/photos used by the current user.
My Music	Displays a list of music/songs used by the current user.
Control Panel	Displays a list of utility configure the computer system and install software and hardware.
Help and Support	Start the XP help and support program to find how to do a task in windows.
Search	Helps the user to find Displays a list of document used by the current user files, folder, and other networked computer and shared resources.
Run	Start a application program or execute a DOS command.
Log Off	Log off the currently logged in user of the system.
Turn Off Computer	Close currently opened program, log of the current user and switch off the computer system.

The Desktop:

The Desktop

    Desktop gives you access to everything you need in Windows XP. It occupies the entire screen, and unlike a window, it can’t be reduced in size. The desktop consists of a patterned background, containing small pictures called Icons that represent programs or data stores. Double-clicking on an icon opens the corresponding program or file inside a window.

The icons

    Icons are visible on your desktop depend on choices made at installation. In the UCT labs, you will usually see icons for y My Computer (the gateway to your computer’s drives, or data storage areas), Recycle Bin (a temporary “trashcan” that holds files you want to delete).

The Taskbar

     Taskbar lies across the bottom edge of your screen. The Start button on the left provides access to all the programs, data files, and other features available on your computer. When you open a program or file, a corresponding rectangular icon will be displayed on your taskbar even if the program has been minimized and is no longer visible on your screen. To access that program, you just need to click its icon on the taskbar.

The Start menu

     Start menu When you click on the Start button, a set of menu options is displayed. The contents will vary depending on your computer setup and most frequently accessed programs. If you click on the All Programs option, you’ll see a list of all the programs installed on your computer even those that don’t have icons on the desktop. Press the Esc (escape) key to close the menu.

THE CONTROL PANEL:

    In Vista this was known as the Control Panel Home view versus the Classic view. In Windows 7, this view is known as the Category view. This can be change by clicking on the right of the View by category in the upper right corner of the windows.

     The new Control Panel organizes all functions into easy to find categories If you are familiar with previous versions of Windows (XP,2000, Windows Me) and their predecessors, the “Icon View” should be easier to navigate. This is the best way to easily see all components of the Control Panel When you open your Control Panel window, you will notice the many icons that are available for adding, removing and changing.

     We have gone through many of the icons shown above, such as Add/Remove Programs, Date/Time, Display, Fonts, Mouse, Scheduled Tasks and System. Something that you might want to do is to change the sound or music that you hear when the computer speakers are on. See what you can do with the sound by opening Sounds and Audio Devices.

     As we can see, the computer can be set to your pleasure that is why it is called a PC (Personal Computer). You are now looking under the hood of Windows. In this window you can make many changes to your computer. There are some settings that you shouldn't play with until you have gain a better understanding of your machine. We will deal with options that you may want to use.