There are an increasing number of people with computers and I believe that anything we can do to help people get to grips with their high tech device could be beneficial to many.

Before I begin, however, I must clarify one thing - I use an IBM compatible computer and apart from a brief introduction to computers using a cheap Acorn

Electron back in the mid to late 80s, I always have done. As a result, What I have to say will relate to such computers (referred to as PCs from now on). I apologise to those with MAC computers but that is life. After all you can't guide anyone in using what you don't know yourself. This also applies to the operating system. Jim and I are still using Windows 98 Second Edition. It is a version of Windows that we are happy with and apart from the fact that we are wary about upgrading to Windows XP or ME or 2000Professional, we don't see the need just yet.

So what should be included? PCs by their very nature are complex devices and it is very difficult to know exactly where to start. There is so much that I have learned about them over the years that I could write a book - a big book at that! As such there are a few things I shall have to assume you are already aware of. However, it may be that a series of tips and tricks may be of more benefit to you. Please let me know what you would prefer. Of course, you know how to switch the PC on - don't you? If not then its return to Start. But what happens when you switch your PC on, what is the PC doing whilst it is running up and loading Windows?

Switching On - starting
First of all, as you have probably found, make sure all floppy disks have been removed from the floppy drive. It won't do any damage if a disk is inserted but unless it is a system disk it won't run up your PC and load Windows; even if it is a system disk it won't load Windows! What it will do is display a message to the effect that the disk is not a system disk and tell you to replace the disk and then press any key. If you get this message, eject the disk and just press any key. The PC will then continue running up from the hard disk within your PC - but what is it doing?

Very briefly it is loading the Operating System, i.e. Windows (most people use one of the versions of Microsoft Windows although there are other operating systems available for the PC). However, in loading the operating system it is loading a whole mass of vital software without which the PC would not work.

I don't know everything that is loaded on my machine and although there are many common files loaded in all PCs, each PC will load different files dependent on the equipment you have fitted into your PC. Such software includes drivers for the different parts of your PC. For example, all PCs have a video driver without which you would not get any display on your monitor. Jim and I have a mini-network at home which requires the use of a network board to be installed in the PC. However, without the drivers that come with the board, we'd have no possible chance of completing the board's installation and so we could not use the network. All CD ROM drives require drivers and although a driver disk may not be supplied with the drive, it still uses drivers installed when Windows is installed; these are called generic drivers. Printers also require drivers although these are loaded as and when needed. Another example is sound cards which need a driver; even hard disks require drivers.

The operating system also loads several other files it needs that are very important to the operation of the PC. Two files in particular are important as they contain information on how the PC should be configured and hence they should not be touched unless you are instructed to do so by someone in technical support. Two other very important files comprise the registry but these are so vital to the PCs operation you do NOT touch them at all. Damage these files and you're propably looking at reinstalling Windows AND all the programs you use!!! The PC also checks the state and amount of memory your PC has and these days that would generally be something between 32Mb and 256Mb.

If for any reason Windows doesn't fully run up and you get "the blue screen of death" (if you've got this at any time and you probably have so you'll almost certainly know what I mean) - DON'T PANIC. Believe me what appears in this window often means so little to me that its not really worth taking notice of. You'll likely have little option but to reboot ('boot' is a term used to describe the process of running up your PC) and sometimes, perhaps most times, you'll have to press Reset on the front of your PC (we have recently come across a breed of PCs without a reset button so I assume you have to turn them of and back on again to simulate the act of pressing the reset button).

In the process of rebooting you may now get a menu appear giving you the option of how to reboot. However, this depends on how far the process got the first time around. If you get this menu, and its only there for maximum of 30 seconds, press 1 to reboot to Windows. If you fail to do this and wait the 30 seconds for the PC to take the default action it will boot into Safe Mode meaning it will not load any drivers or a whole load of other data and you'll have to reboot yet again. If this still doesn't work, it could be worth just switching off your PC for at least five minutes and then trying again.

Switching Off your computer
This may seem obvious but no that is not the case. Do not switch the machine off at the mains switch without having carried out the 'shut down' procedure unless an emergency exists. Instead use the shut down procedure which, in typical Microsoft tradition can be found on the task bar as 'Start'. Click on the 'Start' button and then select the Shut Down operation. This will, or should' shut down the computer in an orderly manner ensuring that everything is 'safe' and all files etc in a state where they will be available for use next time you turn the machine on. I am sorry if this is teaching you to 'suck eggs' but you would be surprised how many people are unaware of this shutdown routine and wonder why they have problems with getting their computer to run up properly.