Learning objectives in this Article: Steps in Computer Connections and Start-Up, means of Graphical User Interface (GUI), File and Folder, The Process of File Management, and lastly Steps of Transferring File from Computer to Removable Disks.
Steps in Computer Connections and Start-Up
When connecting a computer you need to have all required components and accessories for the computer:-
- VGA(Video graphic array), Monitor, mouse, CPU, UPS (Uninterrupted Power Supply) Keyboard, Power cables to connect monitor, UPS, and CPU to power and including other accessories like speakers, printers, and scanners.
- Plug the VGA on the monitor's and on the appropriate slot on the back of the computer respectively
- Plug the keyboard and mouse into the appropriate slots on your computer (USB),
- Connect the power cable from the monitor and CPU into the UPS
- Plug the UPS power cable into the power source.
- Then press the power button to switch on the computer
Graphical User Interface (GUI
A graphical user interface (GUI) is a pictorial interface to a program. A graphical user interface allows users to interact with a program visually gives a program a distinctive look and feel by providing different applications with a consistent set of intuitive user interface components.
In a Graphical User Interface, the various commands and options are represented on the screen in the form of small images called ‘Icons’.
GUI for Window 10 image overview
File and Folder
A File
Is an item that contains information, for example, text or images or music. When opened, a file can look very much like a text document or a picture that you might find on someone's desk or in a filing cabinet.
On a computer, files are represented with icons; this makes it easy to recognize a type of file by looking at its icon.
A file is the common storage unit in the computer
All program and data are contained in a file
The computer reads and writes the file
File extension enables the user to recognize the file.
It normally has a three-letter sequence
Some of the more common file extensions are as follows:
- Microsoft Word.doc
- Microsoft Excel.xls
- Microsoft PowerPoint.ppt
- Images .gif or .jpg
- Video.mov or .mpg
- Sound or Audio .mp3 or .wav
A folder
Is a container you can use to store files in.
If you had thousands of paper files on your desk, it would be nearly impossible to find any particular file when you needed it.
That's why people often store paper files in folders inside a filing cabinet. On a computer, folders work the same way as a filing cabinet.
Here are some typical folder icons.
A folder holds one or more files, and it can be empty with just a name.
Folders provide a method for organizing files similar to a manila file folder containing paper documents in a file cabinet.
The Process of File Management
Before creating a new folder, the user must first decide where they want the folder to be created.
- For example, if the document is decided as a place to create our new folder then:-
- Go to the Menu bar at the top of the screen and click on ‘File’.
- This opens a drop menu; Select ‘New’ and another drop menu will open.
- Click on ‘Folder’, instantly a new folder will be created in the ‘document’
- Then select file with any extension such as (Microsoft Word .doc, MicrosoftExcel.xls, Microsoft PowerPoint.ppt, Images .gif or .jpg, Video.mov or .mpg, Soundor Audio .mp3 or .wav)
- Copy and paste the selected file in the created folder
Renaming a Folder
You can return to a folder at any stage and rename it without causing any problems in Windows.
It is sometimes necessary to rename a folder to make it more descriptive or understandable to other users.
Other times you may wish to restructure your folders – rather than delete unwanted folders you can simply rename them and recycle them.
To rename a folder;
- Click once on the folder name in the right pane, then click again to place the name in edit mode.
- Type the new name and press enter
Renaming a File
There will be many times when you will find it handy to
rename files.
If you have an old file that is similar to a new document that you need to produce, you could just rename the old file to a more appropriate name and then modify it as desired.
Renaming files in Windows Explorer is a cinch.
However, you must ensure that you do not alter the file
extension during the renaming.
To rename a file in Windows Explorer:
- Click on the desired file in the right pane
- Select File > Rename
- Type the new filename (including the correct extension) and press
- Selecting Files
Before you can do anything with a file you need to tell Windows which file you want to do something to.
This is done by selecting the file.
When you select a file it appears highlighted in the reverse colors of the screen. This is sometimes known as reverse video. You can select a file simply by clicking on it.
To select a file in Windows Explorer:
- Display the appropriate folder
- Click on the file to select it
Copying a Folder
You can also make duplicates of folders in your system.
For example, if you need to duplicate a sub-hierarchy in another location the copying process is far easier than creating the folders again.
The copying process is essentially the same as for the move process except that you copy the selected folders rather than cut them.
To copy a folder:
- Click on the folder in the right pane
- Select Edit > Copy
- Select the location for the folder
- Select Edit > Paste
Copying Files
Windows allows you to duplicate files. Files are duplicated by copying them from one folder into another.
This is particularly useful for making backup copies of your data files– a backup copy is an exact replica of a file at a particular point in time.
While there are many ways to create backup files, the easiest way is simply to copy them– and that is why the copying process is so important.
To copy a file:
- Click on the file to select it
- Select Edit > Copy
- Click on the location where the files will be copied
- Select Edit > Paste
Deleting a Folder
Folders can be deleted by selecting them and then using one of the appropriate deletion options – either the menu system or pressing the key.
When you attempt to delete a folder you will be prompted for confirmation to ensure that you haven't accidentally chosen the wrong folder.
To delete a folder
- Click on the folder in either the right or left pane to select it
- Select File > Delete
- Click on [Yes]
Deleting files
Files can be deleted by selecting them and then using one
of the deletion options.
When you delete a file you will be prompted for confirmation to ensure that you haven't accidentally chosen the wrong file.
When you delete a file it is placed into the Recycle Bin – a temporary storage area.
Providing you are quick enough you can generally recover a deleted file from here if necessary.
To delete a file:
- Select the file or files to delete
- Select File > Delete
- Click on [Yes] to confirm the deletion
Steps of Transferring File from Computer to Removable Disks
A removable disk is a type of disk drive system in which a hard disk is enclosed in plastic or metal cartridges so that can be removed like floppy disks. The removable drive can be a USB flash, an external hard disc drive, etc.
To transfer files from a computer to a removable
drive you need to:-
- Insert the removable drive into any available USB port on your computer
- If the removable drive is being used for the first time, Windows may need extra time to install the hardware necessary for the removable drive to function properly.
- You will know your flash drive is ready for use when you see a message by the clock stating: “Your new hardware has been installed and is ready for use.”
- Locate the file or folder on your computer that you would like to copy to the removable drive
- Right-click the file
- Highlight “Send to”
- Select “Removable Disk (“Drive letter”)
- Double-click the Remove hardware icon by the clock
- In the Safely Remove Hardware window, Double-click on the “USB Mass Storage Device” if you inserted USB flash
- In the Stop, a Hardware device window, click on your USB flash drive (most likely indicated by the title “Generic volume – (Drive letter)”)
- Click OK
- After seeing the “Safe” statement, you can remove the flash drive from your
- machine.
image overview of proper of remove disk from the computer
