Introduction to Personal Computers
Fourth Edition
Frequently asked questions and instructor notes
All our courses assume that each student has a personal computer to use during the class. Our hands-on approach to learning requires they do. This topic gives information on how to set up the classroom to teach this course. It includes minimum requirements for the students’ personal computers, setup information for the first time you teach the class, and setup information for each time that you teach after the first time you set up the classroom.
Student computer requirements
Each student’s personal computer should have:
· A keyboard and a mouse
· Pentium 233 MHz processor (or higher)
· At least 128 MB RAM
· At least 1.5 GB available hard disk space
· CD-ROM drive
· 3½ inch floppy disk drive
· 1.44 MB high-density 3½-inch floppy disk
· XGA monitor (800×600 minimum resolution support)
· A printer driver (An actual printer is not required, but students will not be able to complete Unit 6, Topic C unless a driver is installed)
· Internet access, if you want students to complete the activities in Unit 7, Topic C, and for downloading the latest updates and service packs from www.windowsupdate.com
First-time setup instructions
The first time you teach this course, you’ll need to perform the following steps to set up each student computer.
1 Install Windows XP Professional on an NTFS partition according to the software manufacturer’s instructions. Typical installation of the software is required. Then, install the latest critical updates and service packs from www.windowsupdate.com.
2 If the Getting Started with Windows XP screen appears, clear Show this screen at startup. Click Exit.
3 Adjust the computer’s display properties as follows:
a Right-click anywhere on the desktop to display a shortcut menu.
b From the shortcut menu, choose Properties to open the Display Properties dialog box.
c Activate the Themes tab, if necessary.
d Under Theme, verify Windows XP is selected.
e Activate the Settings tab.
f Change the Screen resolution to 1024 by 768 pixels, and the Color quality setting to High (24 bit) or higher.
g Click OK. If you are prompted to accept the new settings, click OK and click Yes. Then, if necessary, close the Display Properties dialog box.
4 Create a user account for each student (You may skip this step if the current user account will be used in class. However, verify that the account is a member of the Administrators group - otherwise, Activity C-3 in Unit 6 will not work.)
a Open the Control Panel, and double-click User Accounts
b Create a new account, and name it using the format Student##, where ## represents a unique student number. Ex: Student01. Click Next.
c Verify that Computer administrator is selected as the account type, and click Create Account.
d Close User Accounts and the Control Panel (a password is not required for the new account)
e Log on to Windows XP using the student account.
5 Display the My Computer, My Network Places and Internet Explorer icons on the desktop. If they are not there already, use the following steps:
a Right-click anywhere on the desktop.
b From the shortcut menu, choose Properties.
c In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Desktop tab.
d Click Customize Desktop to open the Desktop Items dialog box.
e Under Desktop icons, check My Computer, My Network Places and Internet Explorer, and clear My Documents.
f Click OK to close the Desktop Items dialog box.
g Click OK to close the Display Properties dialog box.
6 Display the Quick Launch toolbar on the taskbar by right-clicking the taskbar and choosing Toolbars, Quick Launch.
7 Adjust the computer’s Internet settings as follows:
a On the desktop, right-click the Internet Explorer icon and choose Properties to open the Internet Properties dialog box.
b On the General tab, click Use Blank, and click Apply.
c On the Connections tab, click Setup to start the Internet Connection Wizard (sometimes shown as New Connection Wizard).
d Click Cancel. A message box might appear.
e Check “Do not show the Internet Connection Wizard in the future,” and then click Yes to close the message box.
8 In Windows Explorer, display the full path in the Address bar as follows:
a Right-click Start and then choose Explore to start Windows Explorer.
b In Windows Explorer, choose Tools, Folder Options.
c Activate the View tab, if necessary.
d Under Advanced settings, check Display the full path in the address bar, if necessary.
e Click OK.
f Close Windows Explorer.
9 On each computer, start Outlook Express. The New Connection Wizard starts (sometimes shown as Internet Connection Wizard). A fully functional e-mail account is not necessary for this course. Follow the on-screen prompts in the New Connection Wizard as follows:
a Click Cancel. A message box appears to verify that you wish to cancel
b Click Yes to close the wizard.
c Close Outlook Express.
10 Shut down the machine.
Setup instructions for every class
Every time you teach this course, you will need to perform the following steps to set up each student computer.
1 If necessary, reset any defaults that have been changed in previous classes.
a Set the Desktop Theme to Windows XP.
b Delete the files and folders that students have created.
c Delete links from the Favorites list in Internet Explorer.
2 Delete any files and folders created in previous classes.
Downloading the PowerPoint presentations
You can download the presentation files directly to your instructor workstation, or to a central location on your own network.
1 Connect to www.courseilt.com/instructor_tools.html.
2 Click the link for Computer Concepts to display a page of course listings, and then click the link for Introduction to Personal Computers, Fourth Edition.
3 Click the link for downloading the PowerPoint presentations, and follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
Topic B: Frequently asked questions
There are no frequently asked questions for this course at this time.
Topic C: Course notes
There are no notes for this course at this time.
Topic D: Additional information
There is no additional information for this course at this time.