Computer Virus

In the pas few years, a new processing crimes has gained the attention of compute users all over the world. Some people have found a way to create programs that silently replicate themselves on storage media without the computer users realizing it. These programmers are referred to as computer viruses. A computer virus is a program that literally infects other programs and databases upon contact. When the program is loaded into the computer, the virus attaches itself to other programs that are residing in the system. When some one inserts an infected disk into a computer, the files in computer's memory become infected. The reverse is also true, that is a disk used in an infected computer becomes infected. Computer can be infected when a hacker creates a virus and sends it over the phone lines to a network. Since network is connected to thousands of computer, the infection is carried to all the connected computers. Running a program or accessing the network or infected disk activities the virus without the user's knowledge.
There are many types of viruses. Some act quickly by erasing user programs and files on disk. Other grow like a cancer, destroying small parts of a file each day. Some acts like a time bomb. They lay dormant for days or months and all of a sudden becomes active, attacking on any software on the system at a particular time. When the virus at a computer, it performs the activities assigned to it for which it was created.

Windows Desktop

Windows "Desktop" is like a working surface of a desk. Desktop is where your applications, folders and shortcuts are located. Desktop contains the following items.
1. Icons
2. Taskbar
3. Start Button
The function of these desktop items is given below:


Icon

An icon is a small colourful graphical picture that represents an object like a file, folder, program or any hardware components of the computer. Every icon has a lable, which identifies it. The labels can be changed.
Windows operating system uses different icons to represent files, folders and applications. Icons found on the desktop are normally left aligned. Icons of the Desktop. The icons provided by windows are:
1. My Documents
2. My Computer
3. My Network Places
4. Recycle Bin
5. Internet Explorer


Task Bar


The task bar is at the bottom of the desktop but you can move it to the top or either side of the screen by clicking and dragging it to the new location. Buttons representing programs currently running on your computer appears on the task bar. At the very left of the task bar is the start button. At the right side is an area called the system tray? Here you will find graphical representation of various background operations. It also shows the system clock.


Start Button

Start button is found at the lower left corner of the screen. Click once on the start button to open a menu of choices. Through this button we can open the programs, installed on your computer and access all the utilities available in the windows environment.
We can shutdown, restart and/or standby the computer by using the start button.
Start menu displays a menu of choices:
1. Programs
2. Favorites
3. Documents
4. Settings
5. Find
6. Help
7. Run
8. Shutdown

Programs

Place the mouse pointer to the programs entry and a sub menu will open, showing all programs or applications currently installed. To open a program, which has been installed on your computer, click on it and the program will open.


Favorites

Favorites menu present a list of the Internet addresses that you have added to your Internet Explorer Favorite List.


Documents

The Documents menu lists the files you have recently worked on. You can open the most recently used document directly from here. To open a document from this list, simply click on it and the document will open.


Settings

This menu provides the facility to change or configure the hardware or software settings of the computer. This menu leads to several choices.
The individual icons in the Control Panel refer to a variety of tools to control the way of your computer, its components presents information, as well as the tools to control the behaviour and appearance of the Windows interface.


The Find/Search

This option of the start menu helps in locating files or folders stored on the hard disk or network. This command is very helpful in case we forget the exact location of a file or folder that we want to access. The search option present different ways for finding a file or folder. These options include search based on name, type, size, and date and storage location of the file or folder. It opens a dialog box, where the user can type a name of the file or folder to search for. The procedure of using this command is given below:
1. Click on Find option of the start menu, the Find dialog box will appear.
2. Enter the name of the file or folder in the Named text box.
3. From the Look in drop down list box choose the location where you imagine that your desired file or folder may be present.
4. Click on the Find now button to start search.
5. If find dialog box successfully searches the location of the desired file or folder, it will display it in the window below this dialog box.


Help

To access the Help system of windows, you can select Help from the start menu. Help option helps us how to use the commands and menus and in case of problems how to trouble shoot the windows operating system.


Run

This command is used to execute a command or program directly instead of using the icon or program menu. Press the "Browse" button to locate the program you want to open through Run command.


Shut Down

Shutdown is a process in which computer closes all programs currently running and disconnects the devices connected with it and turns it self off. Following step are followed to shutdown the computer.
1. Click on the start button to open the Start Menu.
2. Click on the Shut Down.
3. Shut down dialog box will appear.
4. Choose the shut down option from the list nd click the "OK" button.

Data Processing

 Data processing often referred as D.P is a process of collecting the data together and converting the data into information. The method used for collecting the data may be manual, mechanical or electronic.
Data processing is a term mostly associated with business and commercial work. Since computers are being used in the processing of data the term “electronic data processing” may also be used.

Elements of EDP

There are five basic elements in a processing system which uses a computer for processing data. These are hardware, software, user program, procedure and personnels.
1. HARDWARE

All the physical parts which makes up a computer system called hardware i.e. all the devices or peripherals which performs the data processing operations.
2. SOFTWARE

Software consists of programs and routines whose purpose is to make the computer useable for the user. These software normally supplied by computer manufacturers or software manufacturers.
3. USER PROGRAM

A program consist of a related instructions to perform operations. A data processing job may require a number of programs.
4. PROCEDURE

The operations of data processing system requires procedure for use, in preparing data, for operating the computer and distributing the output after processing.
5. PERSONNELS

E.D.P basically needs three kinds of skilled personnels.
a) System Analyst
b) Progammer
c) Operator
a) SYSTEM ANALYST

System Analyst studies information needs and data processing requirements, design a data processing system and prepare specification.
b) PROGRAMMER

A Programmer writes a programmer on specification by System Analyst.
c) OPERATOR

An Operator is a person who operates the computer system.

Data Processing

Data processing often referred as D.P is a process of collecting the data together and converting the data into information. The method used for collecting the data may be manual, mechanical or electronic.
Data processing is a term mostly associated with business and commercial work. Since computers are being used in the processing of data the term “electronic data processing” may also be used.

Memory Unit

Memory unit is the place where the computer program and data are stored during processing. It is the area, through which all the data which is input into or output of the CPU must pass. It is monitored by OU which keeps track of every thing in the storage. It is a random access device, which consists of thousands upon thousands of storage locations, each of which can be directly reached by the CU. Each storage location is distinguished by the address.


Types of Memory Unit

It is divided into two parts:

1. Read Only Memory (ROM)

2. Random Access Memory (RAM)


Read Only Memory (ROM)

This part of memory contains permanently stored information. When the power is switched off. ROM does not wash away. This information is available to a computer to read and process but not to be changed is kept on ROM. This information is stored on small pieces of memory chips, before the computer is assembled.


Random Access Memory (RAM)

This part of memory consists of blank chips and hence the computer can use it to store and retrieve (write and read) information during its processing. The information stored in RAM is volatile, that is, when the computer is shut down the stored information is lost.

PC Troubleshooting

These are some help files to help troubleshoot a Windows PC. DO NOT e-mail me or phone me to troubleshoot your computer. These are basic troubleshooting steps to help you identify your software or hardware problems.

Five Troubleshooting Steps:

Symptom Recognition - recognize the symptoms of your problem.


Symptom Elaboration - elaborate on your problems.


Action Plan - develop an action plan and list all possible causes.


Isolate Fault - is it hardware or software. Review all possible software issues before jumping to any conclusions. Employ binary search method or process of elimination.


Repair, Functionality and Logging - repair the problem, verify the functionality of your computer, log exactly what the symptons were and what you did to co