Chapter 1. Computer Environment

Start the computer

Press the On/Off switch on front of the computer.

This will initiate the boot process. During this process the start-up routines that are stored in the ROM of the computer will take control of the computer. One of the things these routines do is to read certain areas of the hard drive to search for the operating system. The start-up routines will then load the operating system into the RAM of the computer and pass over control to it.

Depending on how the computer has been configured, one of three things will happen:

The operating system will automatically load the GUI (Graphical user interface) and start this for a default user. The system will be available for immediate use.
The operating system will automatically load the GUI, but you will be prompted to enter a username and password. These will be given to you by who ever installed the system.
Only the text based operating system will load. In this case you will need to logon and then start the GUI. In this case you will see a black screen on which the prompt Logon: appears.

Suppose you have been given the username GenUser and password V2wTkN7. Remember that passwords are case sensitive. If you are given a password, you must enter it exactly as given.

Logon to the GUI

When the logon window appears, type in your username and password exactly as given. When you type the password, for example V2wTkN7, a series of stars ****** will appear in the password window. This is so that no-one can read your password by looking over your shoulder.
Click the Session Type window and select KDE.
Click the GO button.

Logon to the text based interface and then load the GUI

Type your username (for example, GenUser)after the logon prompt. Press Enter.
When asked for your password (for example, V2wTkN7), type it in. Press Enter.
Type startx and press Enter. This command will load the GUI after you have logged on.

	Note
	Unless you have a valid username and password, you will not be able to log on to the system. Speak to the administrator of your system if you cannot log on.

	Note
	In Linux, there is a special user logon called root which has complete access to the system. When a user logs on as root, he or she can do anything on the machine. Even if you know the root password, do not log on as this user unless you are carrying out special administrative activities. For ordinary use, use a username that has more restricted access.

Shut down the computer

Click the Start Applications icon at the bottom left of the screen.
Click Logout on the main menu .
Click the Turn off computer radio button in the dialogue which appears and click OK.

	Warning
	Never just shutdown the computer by pressing the On/Off switch.

Restart the computer

The appropriate routine

Follow the same method as for shutting down the computer except for the last step in which you select Restart computer.

Shut down a non-responding application

It may happen that an application freezes and will not respond to mouse clicks or keyboard commands.

	Note
	For simplicity a sequence of menu options such as the above will be indicated as: Start Application->Applications->Monitoring->KDE System Guard

Give the application a while. It sometimes happens that a non-responding application wakes up.
Click on the Start Applications icon.
Click the following in sequence: Applications then Monitoring then KDE System Guard.
Click the Process tab.
Select All Processes.
Highlight the non-responding application.
Click the Kill icon to shut down the application.
When done, File->Quit or press Ctrl-Q or click the Close icon in the top right of the screen.

What to do if the entire system freezes

	Note
	If the entire system freezes, do not immediately switch of the system with the power switch. This could cause serious damage to the entire system. This is only a final resort. The most likely cause of a frozen system lies with the GUI.

Wait a while. The system may wake up of its own accord.
Press Ctrl+Alt+Backspace.

	Note
	This will cause you to loose all unsaved work, but it will preserve the system itself.


ICDL Module 2		Basic Information and Operations