Digital Literacy —Computer Basics

Understanding Your Computer

Understanding the hardware of your computer is key to making it work efficiently for your remote-work needs. Here's an overview of some essential components:

• CPU (Central Processing Unit): Often referred to as the brain of your computer, the CPU processes instructions from programs and applications. The faster your CPU, the quicker your computer can handle tasks like multitasking or running complex applications.

• RAM (Random Access Memory): RAM is your computer’s short-term memory. It holds data that the CPU needs immediate access to while running applications. More RAM means better multitasking abilities.

• Storage (Hard Drive or SSD): Your computer’s storage is where all your files, programs, and data are kept. SSDs (Solid State Drives) are faster than traditional hard drives (HDDs) and can improve overall system speed.

• Input/Output Devices: These include your mouse, keyboard, touchscreen (if applicable), and peripherals like printers or external drives. They allow you to interact with your computer.

Activity: Practice with the tasks below. You will be asked to report on these tasks in the weekly self-evaluation. 

Task 1: Open your system settings and find your computer’s specifications (RAM, processor, storage). 

1. Click on the Start Menu (Windows icon) in the lower-left corner or bottom center of screen.

2. Type “System Information” in the search bar and press Enter.

3. In the System Information window, you will see details about your computer’s processor (CPU), installed RAM, and storage (Hard Drive or SSD).

4. Write down the following details so that you can report them in the self-evaluation. 

• • Processor (CPU): Example: Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 5

  • Installed RAM: Example: 8 GB

  • OS (Operating System) Name Example: Microsoft Windows 11

Task 2: Open the Task Manager (Windows). Review the running processes to see what applications are using the most system resources. Consider closing programs you don’t need to free up space.

1. Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc to open Task Manager.

2. In Task Manager, go to the Performance tab. Here you can see real-time information about your CPU, memory (RAM), disk usage, and network activity.

3. Take note of the CPU usage and memory usage. If these numbers are consistently high, it could mean your computer is running too many applications at once, or it needs more memory to handle larger tasks.

Computer Maintenance & Troubleshooting

Maintaining your computer and troubleshooting problems ensures your device remains efficient and secure.

• Updates: Regularly check for and install updates for your operating system and software to ensure your computer is protected against security vulnerabilities.

• Performance Issues: If your computer feels slow, check the Task Manager or Activity Monitor to identify programs that are using a lot of resources. Closing unused applications can free up memory.

• Disk Cleanup: Over time, your computer can accumulate unnecessary files that slow it down. Running a disk cleanup tool can help remove temporary files and free up space.

Activity: Practice with the tasks below. You will be asked to report on these tasks in the weekly self-evaluation.

Task 1: Check Programs Running at Startup

Objective:
To identify and disable unnecessary startup programs that may slow down your computer’s performance during boot-up.

1. Open Task Manager:

   • Right-click on the Taskbar (at the bottom of your screen) and select Task Manager.

   • Alternatively, you can press Ctrl + Shift + Esc or Ctrl + Alt + Del and select Task Manager.

2. Go to the Startup Tab:

   • In Task Manager, click the Startup tab. This will show a list of programs that run automatically when your computer starts.

3. Review and Disable Unnecessary Programs:

   • Look through the list of programs and identify any that you do not use regularly or that you recognize as unnecessary. For example, if you have programs like music players, games, or social media tools listed, you can disable them to speed up startup time.

   • Right-click on a program you want to disable and select Disable. This will prevent it from starting automatically when you turn on your computer.

4. Close Task Manager:

   • Once you have disabled unnecessary programs, close Task Manager. Your changes will take effect the next time you restart your computer.

Task 2: Run a Disk Cleanup or Review Storage Usage

Objective:
To free up space on your computer by removing unnecessary files, which will improve system performance.

Instructions for Windows:

1. Open Disk Cleanup:

   • Press the Windows key and type Disk Cleanup in the search bar, then press Enter.

2. Select a Drive to Clean:

   • When the Disk Cleanup window appears, select the drive you want to clean (typically, C:, where the operating system is installed) and click OK.

3. Choose Files to Delete:

   • The tool will calculate how much space can be freed. Once complete, it will display a list of file types (e.g., system files, temporary files, Recycle Bin).

   • Check the boxes next to the file categories you want to delete (e.g., Temporary Files, Downloaded Program Files, System Error Memory Dump Files).

4. Run Cleanup:

   • Click OK, and then select Delete Files to confirm. The cleanup process will begin, removing unnecessary files and freeing up space.

5. Optional: Review Storage Usage:

   • To see your overall storage usage, open Settings > System > Storage to view which categories (e.g., apps, documents, pictures) are taking up the most space.