The disks, documentation, and receipts that came with your computer are very important. Gather this information in a large envelope or small box. Computer specifications may be needed when calling a computer manufacturer or a computer professional for technical support. This information is also valuable when upgrading and/or repairing your computer.

Also be sure to save the original program disks and serial numbers for any software that you purchase. If you download software, create a CD or DVD with the program files and label it with the serial number for the program.

Keep everything together in a safe place.

Windows Vista: The Vista Welcome Center gives you pertinent information about your operating system at the top of the Welcome window. If the Welcome Center is not on your screen when you start the computer, you can access it by clicking the Welcome Center icon in the Control Panel. (Choose Start, then Control Panel to access the Control Panel. 

Macs: All Apple computers use the Mac Operating System. To determine which version you are using, just click on the Apple menu and choose About This Computer.

Windows 95/98/Me: Hold down the ALT key and double-click on My Computer. The System Properties window appears. The name and version of the operating system will be listed in the System area of that window.

To get to the calculator built into Windows. Click on Start - All Programs - Accessories. Then choose Calculator. A small calculator will pop up. You can use your mouse to click the numbers and functions or you can use the numbers and/or number pad on your keyboard. To use the numeric keypad to type numbers and operators, be sure to press the NUM LOCK key first.

The Windows calculator works like a regular handheld calculator for addition, subtraction, and other mathematical functions. It even has functions like logarithms and factorials that are found in scientific calculators.

If you think you will use the Calculator often, when you see it on the list in the Accessories you can right-click it and choose Send To. Then choose To Desktop (create shortcut).

Remember that the calculator is a Window. So if you are using the calculator and click on another document or file, that calculator window will still be open, but may be beneath the other Window.

Wireless mice and keyboards offer you the ability to move around without being tethered by wires. Most work by radio frequency. You plug the transmitter into the USB port on your computer, add batteries in the keyboard and the mouse and the new devices will be active.

Remember that the batteries will eventually wear out. If you have been using the wireless keyboard and mouse for a few months, and they start to act erratic, the first thing to do is to change the batteries.

If you have any questions or comments you would like to make about this or any other article on our Web Site, please visit us on our message boards where you can post your questions and get the answers you need.  This is a place where you will learn and be able to get information about computers from other computer users in the community.