Newdell Computer Solutions - Course 1- Basic Introduction

During this first course we will cover the following:
• Identify your computers bits and pieces
• Identify the components and connections of an ADSL router
• Learn how to configure and email account using outlook express
• Learn how to manipulate the windows environment to meet your preferences
• Learn how to send emails and attachments (photos and documents)
• Learn how to use Windows Live Messenger including using a webcam
• Learn how to use Microsoft word or Open Office Writer
• Learn how to save documents and images
• Identify where documents and images are stored on a computer
• Learn how to use Google and the features available
• Learn how to use Internet explorer and the features available
• Learn how delete documents and Internet surfing history
• Learn how to back up Data to an external storage device
• Learn the importance of Anti-Virus Software and security

Identify your computers bits and pieces
There are two types of computer one being a laptop computer and the other being a desktop computer (which is what we will be using during this course) laptop computers are a single stand alone unit, Desktop computers comprise of a tower, Screen, keyboard and mouse – the main difference between as far as I am concerned is as follows: Laptops have a certain degree of portability however modern laptops will not run for much longer than an hour or so on the battery – Modern Desktop computers generally offer higher levels of performance and are generally much easier and cheaper to both upgrade and repair. Connecting your desktop computer together is fairly straight forward as most of the connections on the rear of the machine are mostly all colour coded (see diagram below) adding external peripherals (printers, camera’s, scanners, webcams etc) to your computer is very easy and not something that you should be overly concerned about, all modern computers predominantly use a universal serial bus connection (see below) to connect your peripherals to, this is a simple universal push fit connection
 

Below is an image of a standard desktop computer

Above is an image of a standard desktop computer very similar the one used during the computer course, fundamentally all desktop computers follow the above format even though they may look a little different.
Some companies build computers that look very aesthetically pleasing to the eye, whilst others build computers to just simply do the job, however the most important rule is not to be duped into thinking that because a computer looks shiny and sleek it does not mean that the computer will be a fast machine, speed and performance comes solely from the components installed inside the computer tower, the general rule of thumb is simple the more you pay for your computer systems specification the better performance you will get from it and as such the quicker you will get things done.
Also a good point to remember when deciding on your computers specification is try not to make the mistake of over staking your machines specification as there is no point in having a machine that’s too fast for the things that your going to be using it for and in view of the fact that computers outdate so quickly this could prove to be a waste of your hard earned money.

Introduction to an ADSL Modem Router

Ordinarily most people who purchase a computer do so with the intention of using the internet, the best and by far most efficient way of doing this is signing up to an Internet Service Providers Broadband package, which Internet Service Provider (ISP) you choose is totally at your discretion. Once you have chosen your Internet Service Provider you will ordinarily receive an ADSL modem router through the post or via courier. We have found that a lot of people struggle setting up their own router and some feel a little intimidated by the gadgets and gizmos in the box, Don’t worry nothing in that box is going to drive you mad (see below), especially since most (but not all) routers are pre configured so all that required is for you to do is plug the router into your mains plug, BT telephone socket and to your computer, power the unit up and within a minute or two you should be up and running online.

This is a rear view of a typical ADSL Modem Router – This particular model also incorporates wireless access (note the antenna) which is ideal for laptops, note on the rear there a few ports to connect cables to

This is the front view of the ADSL Modem Router usually this is the side that will visible once the unit is installed and working, We get a lot of phone calls from customers who feel a little intimidated by the thought of setting up there router when in reality its reasonably straight forward, and well worth having a go yourself.

When you open your ADSL Modem box you will find a few things in there that you need
1. ADSL Modem Router (pictured above)
2. A Power adapter (pictured below) - (pictured below)
3. ADSL Filter (you may get a few of these) - (pictured below)
4. A ADSL Cable - (pictured below)
5. A Network Cable- (pictured below)
6. A CD or DVD

Setting up your ADSL Modem is very easy; most modems come with a quick start guide normally included in most modem packages you’ll be up and running in no time at all, if you note the diagram below shows the rear of a standard ADSL Modem
 

There are several email programs that are available to use, the most common are Microsoft’s Outlook Express, Microsoft Outlook and Windows mail, Outlook Express comes preinstalled on computers running all of the variations of Microsoft Windows XP (Home, Professional and Media Edition) Microsoft Outlook is a more feature packed email client that normally comes with Microsoft Office, Windows Mail comes installed on computers installed with Microsoft Windows Vista (all variations i.e. Home Basic, Home Premium, Business, Business Ultimate) other Non Microsoft email clients are available like thunderbird and incredimail however for the purpose of this exercise we will be using Microsoft’s outlook express.
Although it is not necessary to use an email client as your email can be viewed online for the purpose of finding your way around a computer for the first time setting up and using outlook express is by far the easiest way to introduce you to using ‘wizards, check boxes, radio buttons and input fields’. Outlook express is by no means an easy feat to set up, especially for a beginner but once you manage to configure outlook express to send and receive emails you can give yourself a big pat on the back because you have just achieved probably the hardest thing you’re ever going to do with a computer.

To set up outlook express follow the following diagram:

Open outlook express from the start menu and you should be presented with the same image as below

Then click on tools and scroll down and select ‘Accounts’

Then we need to click the ‘Add’ button and then select ‘Mail’ which will open another window which will be the email wizard

Once the wizard opens we need to fill in the information that is requested step by step – The first wizard page as below ask for your name, once you have completed this move onto the next page of the wizard by press the next button at the bottom right of the window

The next page presented by the wizard asks for your email address this will normally be provided by your internet service provider, but for the purpose of this exercise please refer to the letter we gave you for the required information, once you have completed the required information move on to the next screen by clicking the next button

The next screen that you are presented with is the most common area where people fall over and tend to give up with outlook express as the information required to fill this area generally does not come in your welcome letter from your internet service provider, the quickest and easiest method of obtaining this information is to ‘Google’ for it (we will demonstrate how to do this) Once you have obtained this information and entered it into the required fields click the next button at the bottom
Note: Always pay particular attention to the punctuation and spelling as even the smallest typo will result in the program not working properly notice here that we have missed the full stop and it should read pop1.and1.co.uk this in itself is enough to stop the program from working correctly

The next wizard screen asks for your account name or username and password, this information will be on your welcome letter from your internet service provider, once you’re done click next.

Congratulations are in order you have completed the outlook express set up

If only things were that simple unfortunately there is still one more step that is required to make outlook express function correctly

Click on finish and it will bring you back to this window but we did to do the following click on tools then accounts (remember we have done this before)

This time we need to click on the pop1.and1.co.uk mail line then we need to click on the properties button on left

In this window we have to click on the severs tab running across the top indicated below, this is a good point to check that the information that you entered earlier

This is the final step (Hooray!) if you look toward the bottom of this my window you should see a small box with the text ‘My server requires authentication’ next to it, place your mouse over the small square and click once with your mouse to place a tick in the check box, then click on the ‘ok’ button, then close the internet accounts window by clicking on the close button, which should then bring you back to the main outlook express window.

That’s it your done, just to make sure that everything is working fine click on the send/receive icon at the top of outlook express

Give yourselves a congratulatory pat on the back as you have just achieved the hardest thing you will ever do on a computer, from this point on everything gets easier and nothing is any harder than setting up outlook express.