Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, January 19, 1993 TAG: 9301190217
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: 1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MONTA ELKINS SPECIAL TO THE ROANOKE TIMES & WORLD-NEWS
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
SO YOU GOT A COMPUTER FOR CHRISTMAS.
So you got a computer for Christmas. Everybody talks about how wonderful they are, and they look so pretty in the store. But now what?Well, first let's get it unpacked. Find a place with plenty of room to get started. Open all the boxes carefully and remove their contents. Fill out the warranty/registration card and send it in. It identifies you as a legitimate customer, worthy of technical support by phone if you need it. They also may use the information to notify you of upgrades, updates and new products.
What's `IBM compatible'? We'll focus on the "IBM compatible" computers, sometimes referred to as ISA, which stands for "industry standard architecture." How do you know if your computer is "compatible"? Here are some clues: Look for the numbers "80386" or "80486" describing the microprocessor (sometimes abbreviated "386" and "486"). Look for "DOS" or "Windows" somewhere in the documentation. Finally if it says "Apple," it is NOT a "compatible."
Setup
Read the setup instructions for your machine. They should describe everything in detail. Unfortunately, they may describe everything in so much detail that they are hard to understand.
Here is a translation of what they are trying to say: Plug the keyboard into the computer. Connect the mouse if you have one. (A mouse looks about like a bar of soap with a cord sticking out one end.) Connect the monitor (the TV-looking thing) to the computer with its odd-shaped plug that has many pins in it. Plug the electrical cords of both the monitor and computer into a wall outlet.
Turning it on
Now you're ready for the big event. Make sure there are NO disks in the floppy drives. Most machines come with software already installed on the hard drive, not like a couple years ago when the users had to install everything.
Turn on the computer and the monitor (it has a switch of its own). The computer should execute a Power On Self Test (POST for short) to make sure that things are operating and connected correctly.
You may see numbers going by as the computer checks its RAM (Random Access Memory). There will be a few messages displayed as the computer checks and identifies its systems. If there is an error displayed, or nothing displayed at all, there is something wrong. Probably something is connected improperly. Turn the power off on the computer, then the monitor. Recheck all the connections. If that doesn't work, then consider this piece of folklore: "When all else fails, read the directions."
Look for a trouble-shooting guide in the setup manual. It may describe your problem and what to do about it. If you still can't figure out what the problem is, call your dealer or look for the technical support number in the manual and let them earn their keep.
If you call technical support make sure you know the make and model computer you have. It usually is written on the front. If at all possible make the call from a location where you can type on your computer while talking on the phone. Move the computer if necessary. Be patient and do exactly what they say. They should be able to help. If not, return the computer and find a dealer who can help.
DOS or Windows?
Now that the computer is up and running, it is at your command.
First you need to know what operating system you are using. Most likely it is either DOS 5.0 or Windows 3.1 If your computer displays a line at the bottom of the screen that looks like "C:>" then you are running DOS as your operating system.
If it says something like "MS-DOS DOSSHELL" at the top of the screen you are running DOS.
If, instead, you see a window with multicolored window panes, or the word "Program Manager" in a colored bar at the top of the screen, then you are running Windows.
A novice computer user may find Windows much easier to use and understand than DOS. Windows comes installed on most machines these days. DOS users may purchase Microsoft Windows to run on their computers. Contact your local computer store for details, or if you are a little more ambitious, purchase it from a mail order company. The mail-order price is about $90.
If you are running DOS you can read the following Windows section; you might find it interesting, or skip to "What Software to Buy."
Windows
While it is possible to run Windows without a mouse, it is not recommended. If you have a computer running Windows, but no mouse, run - don't walk - to the nearest computer store and buy one. The cheaper ones are less than $50.
When running Windows, on the screen somewhere is a little arrow called the mouse pointer. As you move the mouse, the mouse pointer will move on your Windows desktop.
To help you coordinate your mouse pointer movement, make sure that the mouse is "square" on the desktop. The tail of the mouse should point the same direction you are facing. If you run out of space to push your mouse on your desk before the pointer gets where it is going on the screen, pick the mouse up and move it back to the center of the space you've cleared for it. Then try it again.
On the mouse are two or three buttons. It doesn't really matter because for now you are most concerned with the left-most button.
Pressing this button once is called "clicking." Pressing the button twice in rapid succession is called "double-clicking." Pressing the mouse button and holding it down while you are moving the mouse is called "click and drag." You'll use all of these techniques to run Windows.
The small pictures on the screen are called icons. With Windows you click or double-click on these icons or menus, to make things happen. If you have never used a mouse, double-clicking can be a little tricky. After a little practice it will become second nature.
Windows tutorials
For extra help learning to use the mouse and Windows, Microsoft has included a couple of tutorials. Set aside a half-hour or so to try them.
To start the tutorials from the Windows Program Manager, hold the ALT key and press H. A drop down menu will appear. Let off the ALT key and press W to select the "Windows Tutorial" option. From there you will be given the option of running two tutorials.
If using a mouse seems foreign to you press M to run the mouse tutorial. If you've got a handle on basic mousing, press W to run the Windows tutorial.
One of the nice things about Windows is that it includes everything you need to get some simple work done. Windows comes with a basic word processor called "Write," an electronic index card filing system called "Cardfile," a simple scheduling program called "Calendar" and more.
No spreadsheet or database is included though. (Are you listening Microsoft?) To write a letter, double click on the "Accessories" folder. In that folder is Write. Its icon looks like a fountain pen. Double-click on the fountain pen to use it. You can even pick from several typefaces and character sizes to use.
What software to buy?
If you want to do more than these simple applications will allow, you'll need to purchase software. If you have a limited budget, try Microsoft Works for Windows. For about $130 (mail order), Works gives you a word processor that does spell checking, a spreadsheet program for number crunching and a simple database program.
If you'd like to make some simple greeting cards, calendars or fliers, look for a program called The New Printshop for about $50.
Deciding what software to buy can be tricky. Here are a few quick hints.
If there are PCs where you work, buy the same software for your home computer if you can. It will make it easier to take to work what you've learned at home to show off at the office and get more done. It also will make it easier for you to take work home if you decide to. Having the same software is all but a necessity for trading files between home and work.
For more suggestions about software, talk to your friends and co-workers and listen to their suggestions. Find out what software they use and what they like or dislike about it. Talk to the folks at your local computer store or if you like to "do it yourself," try mail order. Finally, look at current reviews in newspapers and magazines. There is a lot to choose from, and it is getting better all the time.
The best way to learn about computer technology is to play with it. Set aside some time to sit down with your machine and try things.
Start out simple. When you think "there's gotta be a better way" of doing something on your computer, there probably is. Take some time to look it up in the manual and try it out.
The investment will pay out the next hundred times you need to do the same thing. And don't forget, the kids will love it too. Disney publishes some educational software for kids as young as 2!
Monta Elkins of Blacksburg is a programmer and student at Virginia Tech.