Essential Tech Troubleshooting & Computer Fundamentals

Common Device Issues & Quick Fixes

• The TV remote control is fine; its battery just needs replacing.
• The car won't start because its battery is flat; it needs charging.
• No wonder the air conditioning makes you feel ill; its filter needs changing.
• It's no surprise your television picture is so bad; the aerial needs adjusting.
• The DVD player won't work like that; it needs connecting properly.
• My printer isn't working; it needs jammed paper cleared.
• Our website is down; the server is currently offline.
• The printer doesn't work because I forgot to switch it on.
• The set wouldn't work because there was a faulty connection.
• Can you lend me your cell phone? Mine is dead.

Understanding Basic Electronics & Power

• This computer is fitted with a three-point plug.
• Don't touch that wire! It's live.
• This iPod runs on batteries.
• The appliance is powered by a small electric motor.

Digital Storage Solutions Explained

• With a rewritable CD, you can burn your files to it, then erase them and reuse the disk repeatedly.
• USB flash drives offer significant advantages over other portable storage devices, especially floppy disks.

Navigating Your Computer & Online World

• Click on the link to visit our website.
• Close all programs before you shut down your computer.
• You can scan your photos and email them to your friends.
• You'll need a password to log in.
• A teenager managed to hack the bank's main database.
• I hope the computer doesn't crash again, or I'll never finish this work.
• Scroll down the page until you find the items you want.

Computer Fundamentals: True or False?

Let's clarify some common misconceptions about computers and operating systems:

• The kernel controls all of a computer's resources, such as memory or file systems. (True)
• The GUI (Graphical User Interface) is the operating system that makes a computer easy to use. (False) The GUI is a component of the operating system, not the OS itself.
• An operating system is the software that allows you to carry out basic tasks on your computer. (True)
• The GUI only allows experts to run programs, manage databases, or access the internet. (False) GUIs are designed for ease of use by any user.
• All applications you can download from the internet are freeware. (False) Many applications are commercial or shareware.
• Designing an operating system is very easy. (False) It's a complex and challenging task.
• The structure of operating systems is based on layers. (True)
• WIMP stands for Windows, Icons, Menus, and Pointers. (True)
• WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) means that some operating systems have graphics and fonts. (True) It refers to the display matching the output.
• A common operating system normally has a kernel, a GUI, and an application layer. (True)
• GUI stands for Graphical User Interface. (True)