To turn on a PC
 , there is an external
switch (or pair of switches that must be activated) in order to power
up the computer. The rear switch, if included, provides the physical
connection between the house power (via the wall outlet) and the
computer power supply. This switch must be on prior to turning on the
front switch. If the PC only has a single switch, then this is
activated to provide power.
The monitor will also have a power switch in most cases. Usually
this is in the front or lower right portion of the display case.
Switches can be push-on, push-off, or rocker switches.
Starting a computer is also referred to as booting the system. A "cold boot" is performed when the PC is turned on using the power button. Usually, at the end of this process, a single beep tone will sound and the Windows operating system desktop will be displayed. Restarting a PC that has already been powered up is referred to as a "warm boot". This can be achieved by pressing the reset button on the front panel. The concepts of "warm boot" and "cold boot" are discussed more thoroughly in Chapter 2, "How Computers Work". To shut down the PC, click on the Start button on the lower
left corner of the Windows Taskbar and select Shut Down.
Do not turn the computer off until a message displays indicating that it is safe to do so. Important data that is stored in memory while the system is running needs to be written to the hard disk before turning off the computer. Newer computers will automatically turn off power when the shutdown process is complete.
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They are manufactured to withstand thousands of on/off cycles,
typically outlasting the PC itself.
Alternatively, press Ctrl+Alt+Delete,
and click Shut Down from the menu that displays.