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PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.0

1. Using a figure, explain how an abacus is used to represent numbers, e.g., 5910.
2. What is the reason behind development of better counting devices?

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.1

1). Using one of the computers in the computer laboratory, identify the visible parts of a
computer and write down the following details:
(a) The brand of the computer.
(b) The type of computer whether desktop, laptop, etc.
(c) The number of buttons on the mouse.
(d) The number of keys on the keyboard.
(e) Draw a diagram of the keyboard layout.
(f) Identify the power button on the system unit and the monitor.
(g) Use the buttons on the monitor to adjust its brightness.

2). Sketch a well labeled keyboard indicating the five major categories of keys.
3). In groups, carefully study the computer laboratory and its arrangement. Note down the
following:
(a) The safety precautions in place to protect users and computers.
(b) The safety precautions that are missing and need to be introduced.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.2

With the help of the teacher, identify the name of the processors and the clock speeds of the
computers in the computer laboratory. Use the following method
1. Switch on the computer. When the computer starts booting, hold down the Pause key.
2. Read the clock speed displayed on the screen.
3. Read the name of the processor written on the screen.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.3

With the help of the teacher, find out the following:
1. The type of processor in one of the computers in the computer laboratory.
2. The clock speeds of all the computers in the computer laboratory.
3. What is the size of RAM in MB of the computer you are currently using?

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.4

Using a floppy disk provided by the teacher:
1. Draw and label all the parts of a diskette.
2. Remove the protective plastic casing to expose the disk platter.
(a) How flexible is the platter?
(b) What is the texture and colour of the surface?

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(c) Is it possible to see the tracks and sectors?

(d) Assuming the tracks and sectors are visible, draw a diagram to illustrate how they would
look like.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.5

1). Using a sample motherboard provided by the teacher, identify the following:
(a) Hard disk and optical drives connection sockets.
(b) Floppy drive connection socket.
(c) The processor or processor socket.
(d) RAM or RAM socket.
2). Using the guidance of the teacher, do the following:
(a) Switch off the computer and disconnect it from the power source.
(b) Disconnect all the external peripheral devices from the system unit.
(c) Reconnect the peripheral devices accordingly and see whether the computer will boot up.
If it does not, write down the reasons why.
3). Write a detailed requisition form to the school principal, describing the type of a computer
system suitable for your school’s computer laboratory.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.6

1. With the help of the teacher, the learner should identify the type(s) and versions of operating
system(s) installed in the computers.
2. Study the Start menu, and identify the menu items that display other sub-menus when the
mouse pointer points at them.
3. Right-click My Computer icon and list down the commands displayed on the shortcut menu.
4. Click the Start button. Explain the importance of each of start menu items displayed.
5. From the Start menu, explain how you can start the CD or Media Player.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.7

1. Using the Explorer window:
(a) Create three folders RICE, FRUITS and VEGETABLES in the root of your floppy drive
A:
(b) In the FRUITS folder, create two subfolders, ORANGES and MANGOES.
(c) In FRUITS folder, create a WordPad file called SALES with the following details:
During this season, fruit sales have gone down due to the prevailing weather conditions.
I hope the situation will improve otherwise people are going to experience health problem
since fruits are very important in providing body protection.
2. Using a program called Paint in Windows, draw a well labeled block diagram of the
arrangement of the computers in the laboratory.
3. On a floppy disk, create a

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(a) Folder called SCHOOL,

(b) In the School folder, create two subfolders, STAFF and PUPILS,
(c) In the PUPILS subfolder, create a file of your favourite poem.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.8

A school organizes its work in folders. The folder WP contains the word processing files. The
folder SP contains the spreadsheet files. The folder DB contains the database files. The folder
PROG is contained in the OTHERS folder. The folder WP also contains the PERSONAL folder.
Given that the folder STUDENT contains folders SP, DB, WP and OTHERS.
(a) On the Windows desktop, create the parent folder STUDENT and within it create
subfolders that will be used to store files unique to the school functions. (7 marks)
(b) Copy the parent folder STUDENT to the floppy disk. (3 marks)

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.9

(a) Create a folder named EDUCATION, and copy all the files with .Doc extension to the new
folder that you have created. (4 marks)
(b) Under Education, make another folder named SCHOOL, and copy all the files in Education
to the new folder. (4 marks)
(c) Rename the folder Education as Elimu. (2 marks)
(d) Create two other folders under Elimu named MATHS and KISWAHILI. (4 marks)

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.10

Study one operating system in the computer lab and research on the following issues:
(a) When it was first released.
(b) Type according to number of users, tasks and interface.
(c) Cost.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.11

1. Strictly with the help of the teacher, find out the following from either the Microsoft manuals
that come with an original copy of the operating system or from a special file called
Readme.txt found in the Windows folder on the hard disk.
(a) The minimum requirements for installing the operating system you are using.
(b) Using a new diskette, create a Windows Startup disk and label it Windows_ _ System Disk
(The dashes represent the version of Windows you are using).
(c) Install a copy of Windows on one of the computers that has no operating systems in the
computer room.
2. Give a detailed account of the installation process.

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PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.12

1. Start the Microsoft Word and Windows Explorer programs.
2. Switch to Microsoft Word, create a new document, and type the following text:
To pass the Windows exam, you have to attain a score of 80% and above. Read and
understand the instructions carefully before attempting any question.
3. Maximize the Explorer window, and create the following folders and subfolders starting at
the root of C:\

C:\
Exam Preparation

Notes
Questions
Past papers
Answers
Others

4. Save the file created earlier in Microsoft Word as Exam requirements in the folder
C:\Exam Preparation\Others
5. Close the Microsoft Word program.
6. Copy the folder C:\Exam Preparation and its contents to A:\
7. Write down the following properties of the folder A:\Exam Preparation.
Type:
Location:
Size:
Date created:
8. Rename the file Questions to Frequently Asked Questions.
9. Check the properties of the Frequently Asked Questions, and write down the file type.
10. Use the Run command to open the file Frequently Asked Questions from the folder
C:\Exam Preparation\Others.
11. Close the Windows Explorer.
12. Delete the folder Exam Preparation and all its contents from both A:\ and C:\.

PRACTICAL EXERCISE 1.13

You are employed in an organization as a computer operator in the Accounts department. The
following are some of the tasks you are supposed to perform:
(a) Data entry.
(b) Ensure that data entered in the computer is stored in a well-organized manner.
(c) Backup data.
(d) Monitor hard disk space of all computers in the department.
1. What is used in Microsoft Windows to store programs and files in a well-organized manner?
2. The Accounts department deals with the following: Petty Cash, Salaries, Advances,
Overdrafts, and Revenue.
Create the parent folder Accounts and within it create subfolders that will be used to store
files unique to the departments functions.
3. Under the Revenue folder, create Cash and Cheque subfolders.

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4. Copy the parent folder Accounts to a floppy disk.

5. Write down the Used space and Free space of drive A:\
6. Delete the Accounts folder and all its contents from drive C:
7. Access the Windows folder from the Explorer window, locate the file Wininit.txt and check
its properties. Write down the following:
File type:
Location:
Size:
Attributes:
8. Double-click the Wininit.txt file icon. Write down the following:
(a) What program was loaded and why?
(b) The path to where Wininit.txt is stored.
9. Close all the running programs.