At a library you often get 45 minutes. People lose the first ten to a screen that looks broken and is not. Knowing the parts and the start-up steps means your time goes on the work.
A desktop computer has two power buttons: one on the screen and one on the box. A laptop has one. If the screen is black but a light is on somewhere, the computer is probably running and only the screen is off.
After it starts you will see a login screen asking for a username and password. At a library or an internet cafe, the staff give you these. At work, they are yours and you keep them private.
You press the power button and the screen stays black.
What happens: Usually nothing is wrong. You lose your slot and someone else sits down at a working computer.
What happens: This fixes it most of the time. The computer was already on and only the screen was off.
How long should it take to start?
Anything from thirty seconds to three minutes, and older shared computers are slower. A spinning circle means it is working. Pressing the power button again during this will switch it off and you start over, so wait.
It is asking for a username and password and I do not have one
Ask the person on duty. At libraries and internet cafes this is normal and they expect the question. You are not supposed to know it already.
Before you move on
- Learn the two power buttons on a desktop
- Know that a black screen usually means the screen, not the computer
- Ask staff for the login before your time starts
Check what you know
2 questions. Have a look at what this lesson asks.
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