Instruction Manual

Chapter 2
Learning the Basics
This chapter provides basic information on care for your computer, formatting diskettes, handling
CD-ROMs, and other general tasks related tocomputer care and usage.
Precautions
q Do not spill liquids into the computer.
If aliquid gets into any part of the computer, turn it off, unplug it from the AC power source,
and let it dry completely before turning it onagain.
q Do not turn off the computer if adrive indicator light indicates the drive is active.
Turning off the computer while it is reading from or writing toadisk may damage the disk,
the drive, or both.
q Keep the computer and disks away from objects that generate magnetic fields, such as large
stereo speakers.
Information ondisks is stored magnetically. Getting amagnet too close toadisk can erase
important files.
q Scan all new files for viruses.
This precaution is especially important for files you receive informally via diskette,
CD-ROM, email, or downloads from the Internet. Occasionally, even new programs you buy
from asupplier may contain acomputer virus. Anumber of good virus- scan programs are
available commercially.
Computing tips
Do not be afraid touse the computer, because it is only amachine. If you follow directions, you
are unlikely todothe computer any harm. So use it and have fun.
Some helpful tips are:
q Save your work frequently.
Your work stays in the computer's temporary memory until you save it todisk. If the network
you are using goes down and you must restart the computer toreconnect, or apower failure
occurs, you will lose all the work done since you last saved.
To save your work, choose Save from the File menu of the program you are using.
Some programs have an automatic- save feature which you can turn on. This feature saves your
file at preset intervals. See your software documentation for details.
q Back up your files todiskettes (or other removable media) onaregular basis, unless your
files reside only onanetwork drive. Label the backup copies clearly and store them in asafe
place.
It is easy toput off backing up because it takes time. However, if your hard disk suddenly
fails, you will lose all the data onit unless you have aseparate backup copy.
q Take frequent breaks toavoid repetitive- motion injuries and eyestrain.
q Before turning off the computer, always follow your operating system's procedure for