Computer Basics

Link to Hands On! 11 - Hands On: Info?

Link to Home - Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101


When you ask someone to help you with a computer problem, you will probably be asked some standard questions about your system and programs. Be prepared and have the info ready.

Who? What? When? Where? Why? How?


Questions for You

Kind of computerMore than the brand name. What kind of processor and speed, like - Pentium 700 MHz or Cyrix 166+.
Memory and free hard disk space? in MB (megabytes)
Operating system?The exact version, like Windows 98, Windows 2000, Windows XP SP2, System X...?
Program?Exact version number and (for company tech support) registration code.
Other software?If there are known conflicts with other software, you may be asked if you are running those other programs.
Description of problemWhat the symptoms are and how you can reproduce the problem. Details are important here. Be a good research scientist before you ask for technical support.


Where you are:
JegsWorks > Lessons > Computer Basics


  1. Computer TypesArrow: Subtopics
  2. ApplicationsArrow: Subtopics   
  3. InputArrow: Subtopics
  4. ProcessingArrow: Subtopics  
  5. OutputArrow: Subtopics
  6. StorageArrow: Subtopics
  7. Computer to ComputerArrow: Subtopics
  8. System SoftwareArrow: Subtopics
  9. ProgrammingArrow: Subtopics

  10. What You SeeArrow: Subtopics
Link to Hands On! 11. Hands On! Arrow: Subtopics list open
    Get Started
    Files
    Directories/Folders
    Printing
    Networked
    Help!
    Info?
    Quiz
  12. On Your OwnArrow: Subtopics

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Glossary

Appendix


Where to find such info?

The registration code might be on the CD box, on a separate paper or registration card. You should write these down somewhere safe. Corel registration card

DOS icon In DOS look at your boot screens for processor and speed and memory info.

From the command line type mem /p and you will get memory information. Look especially at Total Memory.

Results of mem command in DOS

The command msd will start Microsoft Diagnostics which will give even more info. The operating system version is shown. Look at Disk Drives for free space on each drive.


Win95 iconIn Win95/98/XP go to Start Menu | Control Panel | System and look at the General tab. You'll see your Windows version, registration code, processor type, and memory.

Win95 Systems tab

The Device Manager tab shows your devices and what drivers they are using. This can be useful if the problem is related to a device

Win95 Device Manager

For free disk space, in Win95/98/XP open My Computer and select the drive. In the Status bar you will see Free Space. You may have to enlarge the window to see.

Win95 My Computer window

For version number go to the program's Help menu and choose About... You'll get some kind of window that shows the program's name, version number, author, and shows how creative the authors' can be with such dry information. Some will even play music for you! It is rather amazing how varied such About... displays are.

Collage of About... windows


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~~  1 Cor. 10:31 ...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.  ~~


Last updated: 22 Jan 2008