How to type chinese characters?

How to type chinese characters?
I have something wrong with my computer.I don't know how to open the program of chinese character.I want to type chinese characters,but I can't.When I open turn on the computer,I can't find the little icon on the screen.Whatever I press 'Shif' and 'Ctril' at the same time,it doesn't work.What can I do?Please help me.
ctrl+空格 那只能治标不治本.以前这种情况重启可以.但是现在重启半点用处都没有.还有,请用中文回答、看英文比较累.我当初也是迫不得已.