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Learning the Basics
Using the keyboard
❖ Use Error-checking and Disk Defragmenter regularly to check
and optimize disk space and improve performance.
❖ Scan all new files for viruses.
This precaution is especially important for files you receive via
external media, email, or download from the Internet.
❖ Take frequent breaks to avoid repetitive-motion injuries and
eyestrain.
❖ Do not turn off the computer if a drive indicator light indicates
a drive is active.
Turning off the computer while it is reading from or writing to
a disk may damage the disk, the drive, or both.
The Windows
®
operating system records information, such as your
desktop setup, during its shutdown procedure. If you do not let the
Windows
®
operating system shut down normally, details such as
new icon positions may be lost.
Using the keyboard
Your computer’s keyboard contains character keys, control keys,
function keys, and special Windows
®
keys.
(Sample Illustration) Keyboard
Character keys
Typing with the character keys is very much like typing on a
typewriter, except that:
❖ The space bar creates a space character instead of just passing
over an area of the page.
❖ The lowercase letter l (el) and the number 1 are not
interchangeable.
NOTE