Using Application Programs

Once the operating system is loaded into the computer's main memory, we can remove the DOS disk and load the application program. In most dual floppy disk systems the application is loaded from the program disk that is inserted into the A drive, and the data disk (where our files are stored) is inserted into the В drive. On a hard disk drive system, both the program and data files may be stored on the hard disk or С drive. Alternately, programs may be stored on the С drive and data files on a disk in the A drive. Many application programs allow you to create separate directories, one for the program and one for the data files, which often makes it more convenient to find your files.

Ending a Work Session

Learning how to properly end a work session with your personal computer is as important as knowing how to begin one. If you are working with an application, you must properly save your files before exiting the program. To save a file means to store the data you have created on a disk so that you can work with it again at another time.

The first and most important step in ending a work session is to make protective copies of your work. The process of making extra, or duplicate, copies of your programs and files for safekeeping is called backup. The backup disk becomes your working copy that you use every day; put the original away for safekeeping.

Whether you are working in DOS or an application, your floppy disks should be removed from the drives before turning off the power. Make sure the disk drive indicator light is on, assuring that the disk is not in use. If the light is on, you run the risk of harming the disk or corrupting the data stored there. If your personal computer has a hard disk drive, there is a special DOS program you can use to safely shut down the system. Just as we powered up when we began our work session, shutting the power off is often called powering down.

Troubleshooting.

At the beginning you learned that the two most important things about working with a computer are to (1) take your time and (2) do things carefully. But as someone named Murphy once said, things can go wrong. What most commonly goes wrong when working with a personal computer?

According to computer service and repair technicians, the most common hardware problem people encounter with their personal computers is an unplugged power cord. Often, the plug has wiggled loose from the wall socket or from the socket on the back of the computer. Next most common is circuits that have been burned up by a power surge or electricity brownout. Service and repair technicians advise everyone to buy a high-quality surge protector and line filter power strip that the personal computer, monitor, and printer can all be plugged into. The most common software problems are (1) the disk is inserted into the drive upside down and (2) the disk is inserted but the drive door latch is not locked in place. As you can see, the two rules of computing clearly overcome the most common problems.

KNOWLEDGE CHECK

1. What does the term DOS stand for?

2. What is the term used for loading the operating

instructions into the personal computer to awaken it?

3. What is the primary unit of data storage in DOS

computers?

4. Describe how a filename is organized and how many characters it contains.

5. How are the primary units of data storage organized in

DOS?

6. Name the device that tells you where you can type the

next character. Name the area where they both appear on

the screen.

7. What are the names commonly used for the two types of

floppy disks used with an application program?

8. What steps should you always take before powering

down?