Turning your computer on

Switching on your computer isn’t always easy. The on button on some computers may not be in an obvious place. It might be placed flat on the front of a case or on the side of a laptop. The location can vary depending on the make of your computer. The image below shows what a computer’s on button or launch icon may look like, but this can vary.

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A blue-lit start button

Look out for this orb. Once you press the start button, the icon may light up. You may have to press and hold the on button for a few seconds, but you’ll soon get to know how your computer works.

Troubleshooting

If nothing happens when you press the on button, there are a few things you can check.

If you are using a personal computer (PC), make sure it is plugged in and that the monitor is turned on. Most PC monitors have a separate on button at the bottom of the screen. The button lights up when the monitor is on.

If you’re using a laptop, make sure the battery is not flat. Plug the laptop into the mains and let it recharge. You can continue to use the laptop while it is charging.

Once your computer or laptop is turned on, you may be asked for a password. Newer devices may have Windows Hello which allows you to use a fingerprint, facial recognition or a PIN number instead of a password. Macbooks and iPads have the option of Touch ID so you can use a fingerprint to access them. Once you have entered your password, the desktop view will open. This is the main part of your computer screen where you can view your documents and files.

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A monitor displaying the desktop view.

Activity: Using your computer or device

Timing: Allow about 15 minutes

Learn My Way is a website to help you learn digital skills. They have produced an interactive guide to using your computer or device [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] . Follow the link and then click ‘Watch the video’.

If you feel you would like to explore the different hardware we have looked at in this section, have a look at their guides to using a keyboard, mouse, touchscreen and computer.

If you prefer a visual guide to the different parts of a computer, DigitalLearn.org offer ‘What is a computer?’ You can turn on captions by clicking on the subtitles icon in the bottom left corner of the video. A transcript is also available.

More computer peripherals

Adjusting your set-up