On/Off

Turning the computer on and off seems almost too basic to bother reading about, but you'd be surprised at the number of people who don't get it right. And not getting it right can eventually lead to major problems.

Turning the computer on

At the top right of the keyboard, behind the End key, is a small oblong button for turning the computer on. To the left of this button is a circular symbol with a line through the top (as above), the universal power button symbol. Press this button down for about a second before releasing to turn the computer on. If battery power is sufficient or if the computer is connected to electricity with its power cord, a green light should appear around the edge of the button indicating the computer is on.

Give your computer time to make its way through its startup routine. Your operating system is new and state of the art, but the computer, being older, needs time. Eventually the login screen appears.

Type in your password and then the Enter key. Wait for the desktop to load.

Turning the computer off

At the far left of the panel, the very bottom left of the screen, is the menu icon. On our computers it looks like a ball. (Actually a temari, a traditional Japanese toy) Clicking on this icon will open up the system menu, giving you access to various system functions. For shutdown, the one we are interested in is titled "Leave", with the power off icon at its left.

Move the cursor above "Leave", highlighting it. The Leave menu will appear. Here you can logout, restart, or shutdown the computer. Move the cursor above "Shutdown" and click on it. A confirmation message should appear on the screen asking if you really want to shutdown the computer. If you do, click "Yes". The computer will proceed with its shutdown routine.

You can know the computer has successfully shut down when the green light around the on/off button has disappeared, the screen is completely blank, and all sound has been shut off. At the final point of shutdown you can also hear a single clicking sound. (Note: There may still be a green led light at the front side of the computer. This light means that you are connected to an electrical power source. If this light is on when you are not connected, then the computer has not completely shut down.)

The green light around the on/off button will disappear when the computer has completely shut down.

Turning the computer off -- Emergency measures

If the computer screen has completely frozen and you can do nothing, you may have no choice but to hold down the power on button for a number of seconds. Release the botton when the computer has shut down. (See above)
This method is only for emergency measures, when there is no other way to turn off the computer. DO NOT use it for a routine shutdown. This may eventually create problems for your operating system.

Turning the computer off -- Advanced possibilities

For those who feel courageous or like to learn new things, simultaneously hold down Ctrl + Alt + F2 keys (or, if that doesn't work, Ctrl + Fn + Alt + F2). If the screen turns black with nothing but "friend@pono" and the "$" sign, you are in luck.

Type "sudo shutdown -h now" after the "$" sign, then "Enter".
You will be prompted for your password. Enter it carefully as you will not see any letters appear as you type, not even dots. If you have entered your password correctly, the computer will shutdown in its usual proper manner.