Gateway E-2300 User Manual

User Guide

Gateway E-2300

1Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Help and Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Searching for a topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Using Your Computer guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Gateway contact information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

2 Checking Out Your Gateway Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Desktop to tower conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Locating your serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Finding your specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

3Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Working safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Reducing eye strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Setting up your computer desk and chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Setting up your computer and computer accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Sitting at your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Checking the voltage selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Starting your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Waking up your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Turning off your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Restarting (rebooting) your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Standard keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Multifunction keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Connecting the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Connecting to a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

4 Using Drives and Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Using the diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Using the Zip drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Using the memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

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Memory card types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Inserting a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Using the CD or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Identifying drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Inserting a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Playing a CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Playing a DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Creating CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

5 Maintaining Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Caring for your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Updating Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Protecting your computer from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Cleaning the monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Cleaning the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Cleaning CDs or DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Restoring your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Opening the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Closing the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Installing memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Replacing the system battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

6 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Add-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

CD or DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62

Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Modem (dial-up) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

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Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

7 Networking Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Introduction to networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Using a network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76

Selecting a network connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Creating an Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Installing Ethernet cards and drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Making sure your broadband connection works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Naming the computers and the workgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Configuring the TCP/IP protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Setting up a wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Setting up a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Configuring your router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Testing your network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Sharing your resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Sharing an Internet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Sharing drives and printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Using the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Connecting to hotspots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Troubleshooting Your Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

A Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

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iii

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Chapter 1

Getting Help

■ Using the Gateway W eb site

■ Using Help and Support

■ Using Y our Computer guide

■ Using Do More With Ga teway

■ Using online help

■ Contacting Gateway

Help and Support

Your computer includes Help and Support, an easily accessible collection of help information, troubleshooters, and automated support. Use Help and Support to answer questions about Windows and to help you quickly discover and use the many features of your Gateway computer.

To start Help and Support:

■ Click Start, then click Help and Support. Help and Support opens.

You can find help information by clicking a link, performing a search, or browsing the index.

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Searching for a topic

To search for a topic in He lp an d Supp ort, ty pe a word or phra se ( keywor d) in th e Search box located at the top of any Help and Support screen, then click the arrow button.

For each search, you receive the following search result types:

■ Suggested Topics - These topics are locate d in Help and Support and are relevant to

your search topic.

■ Full-text Search Matches - These topics are located in Help and Support and contain

the words you entered in the

■ Microsoft Knowledge Base - These topics are located on the Microsoft Web site and

contain the words you entered in the Internet to search for and acces s these topics.

To view a list of your search results, click the results header for the type of results you want to view.

Search box.

Search box. You must be connected to the

To view a topic, click the topic name in the

Search Result s list.

Using Your Computer guide

In addition to this guide, the Using Your Computer guide has been included on your hard drive. This guide includes information on using Windows, using the Internet, sending a fax, and changing power-saving settings as well as other topics.

To access the Using Your Computer guide:

■ Click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

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Online help

Many programs provide information online so you can research a topic or learn ho w to perform a task while you are using the program. You can access most online help information by selecting a topic from a

Y ou can search for information by viewing the help contents, checking the index, searching for a topic or keyword, or browsing through the online help.

Help menu or by clicking a Help button.

Gateway c ontact information

For Technical Support, see the Gateway Business Service Plans guide that came with your system.

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Chapter 2

Checking Out Your

Gateway Computer

■ Identifying features

■ Locating your compu ter serial number

■ Locating the Microsoft Certificate of

Authenticity

■ Locating the specifications for your

computer

■ Purchasing accessories

Front

Your computer includes the following components.

CD/DVD/Recordable drive

Power button/ power indicator

CD/DVD eject button

Zip drive eject button

Zip drive or

memory ca rd

reader (optional)

Diskette drive

Diskette eject button

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USB ports

Microphone jack

Headphone jack

Component Icon Description

CD/D VD eject button Press this button to open the CD o r D VD driv e tra y. For more information,

see “Using the CD or DVD drive” on page 34.

CD/DVD/Recordable drive

Zip drive eject button Press this button to eject an inserted Zip disk. Zip drive (optional) Use this drive to store larger files on Zip disks. For more information,

Memory card reader (optional)

Diskette drive Insert a standard 3.5-inch diskette into the optional diskette drive. For

Diskette eject button Press this button to ej ect an inse rted diske tte . F or m ore in f ormation, s ee

Power button/ Power indicator

USB ports Plug a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device (such as a printer, scanner,

Use this drive to liste n to audio CDs , insta ll game s and prog ra ms , w atch DVDs, and store large files onto recordable discs (depending on drive type).

This drive may be a CD, recordable CD, DVD, or recordable DVD drive. To identify your drive type an d f or more inf ormation a bout y our driv e, se e

“Identifying drive types” on page 34.

see “Using the Zip drive” on page 31. Insert a memory card from a digital camera, MP3 player, PDA, cellular

telephone, or other devices into the memory card reader. For more information, see “Using the memory card reader” on page32.

more information, see “Using the dis kette dr ive” on page 30.

“Using the diskette drive” on page 30.

Press this button to turn the power on or off. You can also configure the power button to operate in Standby/Resume mode or Hibernate mode.

The button lights when the computer is turned on.

camera, keyboar d, or mouse) into th is por t. For more in formation, see

“Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on page27.

Microphone jack (red or pink)

Headphone jack (green)

Plug a microphone into this jack.

Plug powered, analog front speakers, an external amplifier, or headphones into this jack.

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Back

Your computer includes the following components:

PS/2 keyboard port

USB ports

Serial port

Monitor port

USB ports

Microphone jack

Telephone jack

(optional)

PS/2 mouse port

Kensington lock slot

Case cover shipping thumbscrew

Parallel port

Ethernet (Network) jack

Audio input (Line in) jack

Headphone/Speakers (Line out) jack

Monitor port (optional)

Modem jack (optional)

Power connector

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Voltage switch

Component Icon Description

PS/2 keyboard port Plug a Personal System/2® (PS/2) keyboar d into th is por t.

USB ports Plug USB (UniversalSerial Bus) devices (such as a printer,

scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse) into these ports. For more information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other

periphe ral device” on p age 27.

Serial port Plug a serial device (such as a digital camera) into this port.

For more inf ormation, see “Installi ng a printer , scanner , or oth er

periphe ral device” on p age 27.

Monitor port Plug a monitor into this port.

Microphone jack (red or pink)

Telephone jack (optional)

Power connector Plug the power cord into this connector. PS/2 mouse port Plug a PS/2 mouse into this port.

Kensington™ lock slot

Case cover shipping thumbscrew

Paralle l port Plug a parallel d evice (suc h as a printer) into t his port. For more

Etherne t (n etwor k) jack

Plug a microphone into this jack.

If your modem has a telephone jack, plug the cable for a telephone into this jack.

Secure your comp uter to an object b y connec ting a K ensington cable lock to this slot.

Remove this screw before opening the case.

information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other

periphe ral device” on p age 27.

Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable or a device (such as a DSL or cable modem f or a broadba nd Internet con nection) into this jack.

For more information, see “Networking Your Computer” on

page 75, or see “Learning about the Internet” in

Computer

access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

which has been included on your hard drive. To

Using Your

Audio input (Line in) jack (blue)

Plug an external audio input s ource (such as a stereo) into this jack so you can record sound on your computer.

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Component Icon Description

Headphone/ speakers (line out) jack (green)

Modem jack (optional)

Voltage switch Before turning on your computer, make sure that this switch is

Plug powered speakers, an external amplifier, or headphones into this jack.

Plug a modem cable into this jack.

in the correct position fo r the correct power available. The switch is pres et at t he fact ory with t h e co r re ct volt age for your area.

In the United States, the utility power is supplied at a nominal 115 volts at 60 Hz. The power supply should always be set to this when your computer is operating in the United States. In other areas of the world, such as Europe, the utility power is supplied at 230 volts at 50 Hz. If your computer is operating in an environment such as this, the voltage switch should be moved to 230.

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Desktop to tower conversion

You can convert your case from desktop to tower configuration using the rotating foot included with your system.

Locating y our serial number

The label on the side of your computer case contains information that identifies your computer serial number. Ga teway Technical Support will need this information if you call for assistance.

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Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

The Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity label found on the back or side of your computer includes the product key code for your operating system.

Finding y our specifications

For more information abo ut your computer, such as memory size, memory type, and hard drive size, visit Gateway’s eSupport page at support.gateway.com has links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications.

. The eSupport page also

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Accessories

To order accessories, visit the Accessory Store at accessories.gateway.com.

Memory

Large programs, such as multimedia games or graphics programs, use a lot of memory. If your programs are running more slowly than you think they should, try adding more memory.

Printers

You can attach almost any type of printer to your computer. The most common types are inkjet and laser printers, which print in color or black and white. See “Installing a printer,

scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 27 for more information about attaching a

printer. Inkjet printers and cartridges are relatively inexpensive, but they are slower than laser

printers. Using an inkjet color prin ter, you can print pictures, banners, and greeting cards, as well as documents.

Laser printers and cartridges are more expens ive, but they print much faster than inkjet printers. Laser printers are better than inkjet printers when you are printing large documents.

Storage Devices

If you need additional storage space or you want to back up your files, you can add storage devices to you computer.

With a recordable CD or DVD drive, you can free up hard drive space by backing up files, then removing them from your hard drive. Writable CDs can hold as much as 700 MB of data. Single layer writable DVD s can hold as much as 4700 MB of data. Dua l layer writable DVDs hold as much as 8500MB of data. For more information about using recordable drives, see “Creating CDs and DVDs” on page 36.

If you need to back up your entire system, you probably need a tape backup (TBU) drive. TBU drives, like tape recorders, use magnetic tape cartridges to store data. Tape drive cartridges can store 2 GB, 20 GB, 40 GB, 130 GB, or more of data.

If you want to increase your internal storage space, try replacing your existing hard drive with a larger drive.

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USB flash drive

Use a USB flash drive for storing files or transferring files to another computer.

Uninterruptible power supplies

A standby, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) protects your computer from data loss during a total power failure. A UPS uses a battery to keep your computer running temporarily during a power failure so you can save your work and shut down your computer correctly. A UPS may also provide protection from power surges.

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Chapter 3

Getting Started

■ Using your computer safely

■ Protecting your computer from power

source problems

■ T urning your computer on and off

■ Adjusting the volume

■ Connecting the modem and network

■ Installing peripheral devices

W orking safely

Before using your computer , read the following recommendations for setting up a safe and comfortable work area and avoiding discomfor t and strain.

Top of screen is not higher than eye level

Screen is perpen dicular to

Hands and

arms ar e

parallel to

the floor

Feet are flat on the floor

your line of sight

Reducing eye strain

Sunlight or bright indoor lighting should not reflect on the monitor screen or shine directly into your eyes.

■ Position the computer desk and monitor so you can avoid glare on your screen and

light shining directly into your eyes. Reduce glare by installing shades or curtains on windows, and by installing a glare screen filter on your monitor.

■ Use soft, indirect lighting in yo ur work area. Do not use your computer in a dark ro om.

■ Avoid focusing your eyes on your computer screen for long periods of time. Look away

from your computer occasionally, and try to focus on distant objects.

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Setting up your computer desk and chair

When you are setting up your computer desk and chair, make sure that the desk is the appropriate height and the chair helps you maintain good posture.

■ Select a flat surface for your computer desk.

■ Adjust the height of the computer desk so your hands and arms are positioned parallel

to the floor when you use the keyboard and mouse. If the desk is not adjustable or is too tall, consider using a keyboard drawer.

■ Use an adjustable chair that is comfortable, distributes your weight evenly , and keeps

your body relaxed.

■ Position your chair so the keyboard is at or slightly below the level of your elbow.

This position lets your shoulders relax while you type.

■ Adjust the chair height, adjust the forward tilt of the s eat, or use a footrest to distribute

your weight evenly on the chair and relieve pressure on the back of your thighs.

■ Adjust the back of the chair so it supports the lower curve of your spine. You can use

a pillow or cushion to provide extra back support.

Setting up your computer and computer accessories

■ Set up the monitor so the top is no higher than eye level, the m onitor controls are

within reach, and the screen is tilted to be perpendicular to your line of sight.

■ Place your keyboard and mouse at a comfortable distance. You should be able to reach

them without stretching.

■ Set paper holders at the same height and distance as the monitor.

Sitting at your computer

■ Avoid bending, arching, or angling your wrists. Make sure that they are in a relaxed

position when you type.

■ Do not slouch forward or lean far back. Sit with your back straight so your knees,

hips, and elbows form right angles when you work.

■ Take breaks to stand and stretch your legs.

■ Avoid twisting your torso or neck.

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A voiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain

■ Vary your acti vities to a void exces sive repe tition.

■ Take breaks to change your position, stretch your muscles, and relieve your eyes.

■ Find ways to break up the work day, and schedule a variety of tasks.

Protecting from pow er source pr oblems

During a power surge, the voltage level of electricity coming into your computer can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system damage. Protect yo ur computer and peripheral devices by connecting them to a surge protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from reaching your computer.

Warning High voltages can enter your computer through both the power cord

and the modem connection. Protect your computer by using a surge protector . If you ha v e a telep hone mod em, us e a su rge prot ector th at has a modem jac k. If y ou ha ve a c able modem, u se a surge pro tector that has an antenn a/cable TV jac k. During an electrical sto rm, unplug both the surge protector and the modem.

An uninterruptible power su pply (UPS) supplies battery power to your computer during a power failure. Although you cannot run your computer for an extended period of time with a UPS, a UPS lets you run your computer long enough to save your work and shut down your computer normally.

Checking the voltage selection

A power supply is integrated into your computer to provide power to the system board, add-in cards, and peripheral devices. The voltage selection for your location is typically set at the factory. Use the power selection switch on the back of your computer to set the power supply to 115V or 230V. To verify that your system has the correct setting for your environment, check the voltage selection switch.

Caution If you set the voltage selection switch inco rrec tly, your system w il l be

damaged. Make sure this switch is set correctly for your location before turning on your computer.

In the United States, the utility power is supplied at a nominal 115 volts at 60 Hz. The power supply should always be set to this when your computer is oper atin g in the U nited Sta tes . In other a reas of the world, such as Europe, the utility power is supplied at 230 volts at 50 Hz. If your computer is operating in an environment such as this, the voltage switch should be moved to 230.

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To set the voltage selection switch:

■ Use a tool such as an opened paper clip to slide the voltage selection switch to the

correct voltage position.

Voltage switch

Starting your computer

To start your computer:

1 Connect the cables to your computer. See the setup poster for setup instructions. 2 Turn on your computer. 3 If you are starting your computer for the first time, follow the on-screen instructions

to set up your computer.

Important Your computer has a built-in variable speed fan. In addition, your

computer uses a powerful processor which produces heat. Both the system fan and processor can run at different speeds at times to ensure proper syst em co oli ng. You may notice an in crea se in the fan noise when the fan is running at high speed and a decrease in the fan noise when it switches to normal speed.

4 Turn on any peripheral devices, such as printers or scan ners, and see the

documentation that came with the device for setup instructions.

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W aking up your c omputer

When you have not used your computer for several minutes or have not turned off your computer, it may enter a power-saving mode called Standby. While in Standby, the power indicator flashes.

If your computer is in Standby mode, move the mouse or press the power button to “wake” it up.

Tips & Tricks For more information about changing the power button mode, see

“Changing Po wer-Saving Setting s” in been included on your hard drive. To access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

Using Y o ur Computer

which has

T urning off your c omputer

Warning When you turn off your computer, certain components in the power

supply and system board remain energized. In order to remove all electrical power from your computer, unplug the power cord and modem cable from the w all outlets. We recommend disconnecting the power cord and modem cable when your computer will not be used for long periods.

For more information about changing the power button mode, see “Changing Po wer-Saving Setting s” in been included on your hard drive. To access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

Using Y o ur Computer

which has

To turn off your computer:

1 Click Start, then click Turn Off Computer. The Tu r n O f f C om p u t er dialog box opens. 2 Click Tur n O ff. Windows shuts down and turns off your computer.

Important If for some reason you cannot use the Turn Off Computer option in

Windows to turn off your computer, press and hold the power button for about five seconds, then release it.

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Restarting (rebooting) your co mputer

If your computer does not respond to keyboard or mouse input, you may have to close programs that are not responding. If closing unresponsive programs does not restore your computer to normal operation, you may have to restart (reboot) your computer.

To close unresponsive programs and restart y our computer:

1 Press CTRL+ALT+DEL. The Task Manager window opens. 2 Click the Applications tab, then click the program that is not responding. 3 Click End Task. 4 Click X in the top-right corner of the Windows Task Manager dialog box. 5 If your computer does not respond, turn it off, wait ten seconds, then turn it on again.

Important If your computer does not turn off, press and hold the power button

for about five seconds, then release it.

As a part of the regular startup process, a program to check the disk status runs automatically. When the checks are finished, Windows starts.

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Using the ke yboard

Standard keyboard

This keyboard is the basic model of keyboard available with your computer.

Function keys Navigation keys Indicators

Windows keys Applicatio n

Press these keys... To...

Function keys Start program actions. Each program uses different function keys for

different purposes. See the program documentation to find out more about the function key actions.

Navigation keys Press these keys to move the cursor to the beginning of a line, to the

end of a line, up the page, down the page, to the beginning of a document, or to the end of a document.

Indicators Show if your

activated. Press the corresponding key to activate the function.

Windows keys Press one of these keys to open the Windows Start menu. These keys

can also be used in combination with other keys to open utilities like

F (Search utility), R (Run utility), and E (Explorer utility).

Application key Access shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows. Directional keys Move the cursor up, down, right, or left. Numeric keypad Use these keys to type numbers when the numeric keypad (

is turned on.

NUM LOCK, CAPS LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK key s are

key

Directional keys

Numeric keypad

NUM LOCK)

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Multifunction keyboard

This keyboard is the full-featured model available with your computer.

Function keys Navigation keys Indicators

Press these

Windows keys Applicatio n

key

To...

Directional keys

Numeric keypad

keys...

Function keys Start program actions . Each progr am uses diff erent funct ion ke ys for di fferent

purposes. See the program’s help to learn more about function key actions.

Navigation keys Press these keys to move the cursor to the beginning of a line, to the end

of a line, up the page, down the page, to the beginning of a document, or to the end of a document.

Indicators Show if your NUM LOCK, CAPS LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK keys are activ ated.

Press the corresponding key to activate the function.

Windows keys Press this key to open the Windows Start menu. This key can also be used

in combination wi th o ther keys to open u til iti es like

utility), and Application key Access shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows. Directional keys Move the cursor up, down, right, or left. Numeric keypad Use these keys to type numbers when the numeric keypad (

turned on.

E (Explorer utility).

F (Search utility), R(Run

NUM LOCK) is

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Special-function button s

Play/Pause

Volume down

Volu me up

Special-function buttons

Previous Return to the previous CD track or DVD chapter. Play/Pause Start or pause the play of the CD or DVD.

Stop Stop the play o f CD or DVD. Next Move to the next CD track or DVD chapter.

Icons Press to...

Mute

My Documents

Stop

Help

InternetE-mail

Volume down Decrease th e volume.

Volume up Increase th e volume.

Mute Turn off all sound.

My Documents Opens the My Documents folder . You can customize this

button to open another program.

Help Open online he lp . You can custom ize thi s bu tton to open

another program.

E-mail Open your e-mail program. You can customize this

button to open another program.

Search Open online search. You can customize this button to

open another program.

Internet Open your Web browser. You can customize this button

to open another program.

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Adjusting the v olume

You c an use the volume controls to adjust the over all volume and the volume of specific sound devices in your computer.

To adjust the overall volume level using hardware controls:

■ If you are using external speakers, turn the knob on the front of the speakers.

-ORUse the mute and volume control buttons on the keyboard.

Tips & Tricks For instructi ons on how to adjust th e volume in Wind ows, see

“Adjusting the Volume” in included on your hard drive. To access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

Using Your Comp uter

which has been

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Connecting the modem

Y our computer may have an optional 56K modem that you can use to connect to a standard telephone line.

Warning To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger

telecommunications line cord.

To connect the modem:

1 Insert one end of the modem cable into the modem jack on the back of your

computer.

2 Insert the other end of the modem cable into a telephone wall jack. The modem will

not work with digital or PBX telephone lines.

3 Start your computer, then start your communications program.

Connecting to a wir ed Ethernet network

Your computer has a network ja ck t hat you c an use to conne c t to a 10/ 100 wired Etherne t network.

Important Your computer is equipped with a built-in Ethernet port.

For inf ormation about setti ng up a wired or wi reless Ethernet netw ork, see “Networking Your Computer” on page 75.

To connect to a wired Ethernet network:

1 Insert one end of the network cable into the network ja ck on the back of your

computer.

2 Insert the other end of the network cable into a network jack.

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Tips & Tricks You can use your computer’s Ethernet jack for more than just

networking. Many broadband Internet connections, such as cable modems and DSL modems, connect to your computer’s Ethernet jack. For more information, see “Using the Internet” in

Computer

guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

which has been includ ed on your hard driv e. To access this

Using Yo ur

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral devic e

Important Before you install a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device, see

the device doc umentation and instal lation in structi ons.

Your computer has one or more of the following ports: Universal Serial Bus (USB), serial, and parallel. You use these ports to connect peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras to your computer. For more information about port locations,

“Checking Out Your Gateway Computer” on page 5.

USB ports support plug-and-play and hot-swapping, which means that your computer will usually recognize such a device whenever you plug it into the appropriate port. When you use a USB device for the first time, your computer will prompt you to install any software the device needs. After doing this, you can disconnect and reconnect the device at any time.

Parallel and serial port devices are not plug-and-play. See the device documentation for detailed information and installation instructions.

Help and

Support

For more information about installing peripheral devices, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword installing devices in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Chapter 4

Using Drives and Ports

■ Using the diskette drive

■ Using the Zip drive

■ Using the memory card re ader

■ Using CD or DVD drives

Using the disk ette drive

The optional diskette drive uses 3.5-inch diskettes (sometimes called floppy disks). Diskettes are useful for storing files or transferring files to another computer.

Eject button

Activity indicator

Diskette slot

To use a diskette:

1 Insert the diskette into the diskette drive with the label facing up. 2 To access a file on the diskette, click Start, then click My Computer. Double-click the

drive letter (for example, the A: drive), then double-click the file name.

3 To remove the diskette, make sure that the drive activity light is off, then press the

diskette eject button.

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Using the Zip driv e

Iomega Zip drives, like diskette drives, use disks to store data. Zip disks can store 100 MB, 250 MB, or 750 MB of data. You can use a Zip drive to back up files you do not use so you can remove them from your hard drive. Zip drives also provide an easy way to transfer files between computers (if both computers have internal Zip drives or if you have one external, portable Zip drive).

Eject button

Disk slot

To use a Zip disk:

1 Insert the Zip disk into the Zip drive with the label facing up. 2 To access a file on the Zip disk, click Start, then click My Computer. Double-click the

drive letter (for example, the B: drive), then double-click the file name.

3 To remove the Zip disk, press the eject button.

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Using the memory card reader

You can use the optional memory card reader to transfer pictures from a digital camera to your computer. You can also use the memory card reader to transfer data between your computer and a device that uses memory cards, such as a PDA, MP3 player, or cellular phone. Each slot is assigned a different drive letter (for exam ple, the E: and F: d rives) so data can be transferred from one m edia type to another.

See the additional documentation that came with your computer for specific information on supported memory car d types.

Memory card types

The optional memory car d reader supports some or all of the following card types:

■ Secure Digit al™

■ MultiMediaCard™

■ SM (SmartMedi a™)

■ Memory Stick®

■ Memory Stick PRO™

■ CompactFlash®

■ IBM Microdrive™

Inserting a memory card

Caution To avoid memory card damage or errors while usi ng a memo ry card,

insert only one memory card in a slot at a time.

To use a memory card:

1 Insert the memory card into the app ropriate memory card slot. 2 To access a file on the memory card, click Start, then click My Computer. Double-click

the drive letter (for example, the E: drive), then double-click the file name.

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To remove a memory card:

■ Wait for the media reader access indicator to stop blinking, then pull the card out of

the slot.

Caution Do not remove the card or turn off the computer whi le the card reader

access indicator is blinking. You could lose data. Also, remove the card from the reader before you turn off the computer.

Important Do not use the remove hardware icon in the taskbar to remove

the memory card. If you use the remove hardware icon, your computer will not reco gnize y our memory card reader u ntil you restart the computer.

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Using the CD or D VD drive

You can use your co mputer to enjoy a wide variety of multimedia features.

Identifying drive types

Your G ateway c omputer may contain one of the following drive types. Look on the front of the drive for one or more of the following logos:

If your drive has this logo... This is your drive type... Use your drive for...

CD drive

CD-RW drive

DVD/CD-RW drive

DVD drive

DVD+RW

DVD R/RW drive

Installing programs, playing audio CDs, and accessing data.

Installing programs, playing audio CDs, accessing data, and creating CDs.

Installing programs, playing audio CDs, accessing data, creating CDs, and playing DVDs.

Installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, and accessing data.

Installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, accessing data, and recording vide o and data to DVD+R or DVD + R W d i s c s.

Installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, accessing data, and recording vide o and data to DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, and DVD - R W d i s c s .

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Inserting a CD or DVD

Disc tray

Important Some music CDs hav e cop y protect ion softwa re. You ma y not be able

to play these CD s on your comp uter.

To insert a CD or DVD:

1 Press the eject button on the CD or DVD drive. 2 Place the disc in the tray with the label facing up.

Important When you place a single-sided disc in the tray, make sure that the

label side is facing up. If the disc has two playable sides, place the disc so the name of the side you want to play is facing up.

3 Press the eject button to close the tray.

Eject button

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Playing a CD

Use the music program or Windows Media Player on your computer to:

■ Play music CDs

■ Create MP3 music files from your music CDs

■ Edit music track information

■ Use your music files to build a music library

■ Listen to Internet Radio

Tips & Tricks For more inf ormation a bou t playing CDs, see “Playing CDs” in

Your Computer

access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

which has been included on your hard drive. To

Using

Playing a DVD

A Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) is similar to a standard CD but has greater data capacity. Because of this increased capacity, full-length movies, several albums of music, or several gigabytes of data can fit on a single disc. You can play DVDs with the DVD program or Windows Media Player on your computer.

Tips & Tricks For more information about playing DVDs, see “Playing DVDs” in

Using Your Computer

To access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

which has been included on your hard drive.

Creating CDs and DVDs

You can use the CD and DVD burning program on your computer to copy tracks from a music CD to your hard drive, copy or create data CDs and DVDs, create music CDs, create video DVDs, and more.

Tips & Tricks For more infor mation about creating CDs and DVDs, see “Creating

CDs and DVDs” in on your hard drive. To access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

Using Your Computer

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which has been included

Chapter 5

Maintaining Your Computer

■ Caring for your computer

■ Updating Windows

■ Protecting your computer from viruses

■ Cleaning your computer

■ Restoring your system

■ Opening the computer case

■ Adding memory and replacing the

battery

Caring for y our computer

To extend the life of your computer:

■ When transporting your computer, we recommend that you put it in the original

packaging ma terials.

■ Keep diskettes and your computer away from magnetic fields. Magnetic fields can erase

data on both diskettes and hard drives.

■ Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperature changes.

■ Keep all liquids away from your computer . When spilled onto computer components,

almost any liquid can result in extremely expensive repairs that are not covered under your warranty.

■ Avoid dusty or dirty work environments. Dust and dirt can clog the int ernal

mechanisms.

■ Do not block the ventilation fan.

■ When storing your computer for an extended period of time, unplug AC power.

Updating Windo ws

Windows Update is the online extension of Windows that helps yo u to keep your computer up-to-date. Use Windows Up date to choose up dates for your computer’s operating system, software, and hardware. New content is added to the site regularly, so you can always get the most recent updates and fixes to protect your computer and keep it running smoothly. Windows Update scans your computer and provides you with a tailored selection of updates that apply only to the software and hardware on your computer.

To run Windows Update:

1 Connect to the Internet. 2 Click Start, All Programs, then click Windows Update. 3 Click Scan for Available Updates.

Help and

Support

For more informa tion about W indows U pdate, c lick Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Windows Update in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Protecting your computer from viruses

A virus is a program that attaches itself to a fil e on a computer, then spreads from one computer to another. Viruses can damage data or cause your computer to malfunction. Some viruses go undetected for a period of time because they are activated on a certain date.

Protect your computer from a virus by:

■ Registering and subscribing to Norton AntiVirus. You received a free, limited-time

subscription to the Norton AntiVirus service when you purchased your computer.

■ Using the Norton

diskettes, attached to e-mail messages, or downloaded from the Internet.

■ Checking all programs for viruses before installing them.

■ Disabling macros on suspicious Microsoft Word and Excel files. These programs will

warn you if a document that you are opening contains a macro that might have a virus.

■ Periodically updating the Norton AntiVirus program to protect against the latest

viruses.

AntiVirus program to check files and programs that are on

Help and

Support

For more inf ormation about protecting y our computer aga inst viruses, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword viruses in the Search box , then click the arrow.

To scan for viruses:

1 Click Start, All Programs, Norton AntiVirus, then click Norton AntiVirus 2004. Norton

AntiVirus opens.

Scan for

viruses

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2 Click Scan for Viruses.

Scan

3 Click the type of scan you want to make in the Scan for Viruses area, then under

Actions, click

Scan.

To remove a virus:

1 If Norton AntiVirus finds a virus, follow all on-s creen instructions to remove the virus. 2 Turn off your computer and leave it off for at least 30 seconds. 3 Turn on your computer and rescan for the virus.

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To update Norton AntiVirus:

Tips & Tricks You received a free, l im ite d-ti me su bs criptio n t o the Norton AntiVirus

service when you purchased your computer. To update Norton AntiVirus after the free subscription period, you must extend your subscription.

1 Make sure that you are connected to the Internet. 2 Click Start, All Programs, Norton AntiVirus, then click LiveUpdate - Norton AntiVirus. The

LiveUpdate wizard opens.

3 Follow the on-screen instructions to update your Norton AntiV irus p rogram with the

latest virus protection files.

4 When the program has finished, click Finish.

Cleaning your c omputer

Keeping your computer clean and the vents free from dust helps keep your computer performing at its best. You may want to gather these items and put together a computer cleaning kit:

■ A soft, lint-free cloth

■ An aerosol can of air that has a narrow, straw-like extension

■ Cotton swabs

■ A CD or DVD drive cleaning kit

Cleaning the exterior

Warning When you shut down your computer, the power turns off, but some

electrical current still flows through your computer. To avoid possible injury from electrical shoc k, unplu g the po wer cor d and mo dem cab le from the wall outlets.

Always turn off your computer and other peripherals before cleaning any components. Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean your computer and other parts of your system. Do

not use abrasive or solvent cleaners because they can damage the finish on components.

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Your computer is cooled by air circulated through the vents on th e case, so keep th e vents free of dust. With your computer turned off and unplugged, brush the dust away from the vents with a damp cloth. B e careful not to drip any water into the ven ts. Do not attempt to clean dust from the inside of your computer.

Cleaning the keyboard

You should clean the keyboard occasionally by using an aerosol can of air with a narrow, straw-like extension to remove dust and lint trapped under the keys.

If you spill liquid on the keyboard, turn off your computer and turn the keyboard upside down. Let the liquid drain, then let the keyboard dry before trying to use it again. If the keyboard does not work after it dries, you may need to replace it.

Cleaning the monitor

To clean an LCD or flat panel displa y monitor, use a soft cloth and water to clean the LCD screen. Squirt a little water on the cloth (never directly on the screen), and wipe the screen with the cloth.

Caution A flat panel display or LCD screen is made of specially coated glass

and can be scratched or damaged by abrasive or ammonia-based glass cleaners.

To clean a CRT monitor, use a soft cloth and glass cleaner to clean the monitor screen. Squirt a little cleaner on the cloth (never directly on the screen), and wipe the screen with the cloth.

Cleaning the mouse

If the mouse pointer begins moving erratically across the computer screen or becomes difficult to control precisely, cleaning the mouse will likely improve its accuracy.

To clean your optical mouse:

■ Wipe the bottom of the mouse with a damp lint-free cloth

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To clean your trackball mouse:

1 Turn the mouse upside down. 2 Rotate the retaining ring on the bottom of the mouse counter-clockwise, then remove

the retaining ring and mouse ball.

3 Remove any dust, lint, or dirt from the mouse ball with a soft cloth. 4 Clean the mouse rollers with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.

Mouse rollers

5 Replace the mouse ball and lock the retaining ring into place.

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Cleaning CDs or DVDs

Wipe from the center to the edge, not around in a circle, using a product made especially for the purpose.

Restoring your sy stem

All programs that were preinstalled on your computer are available on the backup Restore CDs or DVDs that you created, the Restore CDs or D VD that shipped with your comp uter, or they are available on the hard drive. If you need to restore your computer to the original configuration, you can restore from the backup Restore CDs or DVDs or you can restore from the backup files located on the hard drive.

The instructions to use the Restore CDs or DVDs or hard drive backup files are included with the blank CDs or DVDs that came with your computer.

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Pre venting static electricity discharge

The components inside your computer are extremely sensitive to static electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Warning T o av oid e xposure to dangerous e lectrical v oltages and movin g parts,

turn off your computer and unplug the power cord and modem and network cables before opening the case.

Caution ESD can permanently damage electrostatic discharge-sensitive

components in your computer. Prevent ESD damage by following ESD guidelines every time you open the computer case.

Before opening the computer case, follow these guidelines:

■ Turn off your computer.

■ Wear a grounding wrist strap (available at most electronics stores) and attach it to a

bare metal part of your computer.

Warning To prevent risk of electric shock , do not inse rt any object into the ven t

holes of the power supply.

■ Touch a bare metal surface on the back of the computer.

■ Unplug the power cord and the modem and network cables.

Before working with computer components, follow these guidelines:

■ Avoid static-causing surfaces su ch as carpeted floors, pl astic, and packing foam .

■ Remove components from their antistatic bags only when you are ready to use them.

Do not lay components on the outside of antistatic bags because only the inside of the bags provide electrostatic protection.

■ Always hold expansion cards by their edges or their metal mounting brackets. Avoid

touching the edge connectors and components on the cards. Never slide expansion cards or components over an y surface.

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Opening the case

Warning To avoid exposure to dangerou s electrical vol tages and mo ving parts,

turn off your comp uter, then unplug the power c ord an d modem cab le before openi ng the cas e.

To open the case:

1 Follow the instructions in “Preventing static electricity discharge” on page 45. 2 Shut down your computer, then disconnect the power cord and modem, network,

and all peripheral device cables.

3 Press the power button to drain any residual power from your computer. 4 If your case cover has a case cover shipping screw installed on the back of the case,

remove the screw. For information about the location of the screw, see “Back” on

page 8.

5 For more stability, place your computer on its side with the rubber feet resting on

your workspace.

6 Pull up on the cover release handle.

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7 Lift the side panel up.

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8 Lift the side panel away from the case.

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Closing the case

To close the case:

1 Make sure that all of the internal cables are arranged inside the case so they will not

be pinched when you close the case.

2 Align the door tabs into the case notches.

Case notches

3 Swing the side panel toward the case until the release handle locks. 4 If you removed the case cover shipping screw, replace the screw. 5 Reconnect the cables and power cord.

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Installing memory

When you upgrade the computer memory, make sure that you install the correct type of memory module for your computer. Your computer uses DIMM memor y.

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To install or replace DIMM memory:

1 Open the case by following the instructions in “Opening the case” on pag e 46. 2 Find the memory module ba nks on your system board.

3 If you are removing a DIMM from the memory module bank, gently pull the plastic

tabs away from the sides of the memory modu le and remove it.

- OR If you are adding a DIMM to an empty memory module bank, gently pull the plastic

tabs away from the sides of the memory module bank.

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4 If your system board has single-channel memory, fill the DIMM 0 memory slot first.

When adding memory, fill the

DIMM 1 memory slot.

DIMM 0

DIMM 1

- OR -

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If your system board has dual-channel memory, fill both the Channel A/ DIMM 0 memory slot and the Channel B/DIMM0 memory slot with matching DIMMs. Matching DIMMs are the same size, density, and technology. W hen adding memory, fill both the Channel A/DIMM 1 memory slot and the Channel B/DIMM 1 memory slot with matching DIMMs.

Channel A/DIMM 0 Channel A/DIMM 1

Channel B/DIMM 0 Channel B/DIMM 1

5 Align the notches on the new DIMM with the notches on the memory module bank

and press the module firmly into the bank. The tabs on the sides of the memory module should secure the memory mo dule automatically. When the module is secure, you hear a click.

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6 Close the case by following the instructions in “Closing the case” on page 4 9. 7 Reconnect the cable s and the power cord. 8 Turn on your computer. Windows starts and the Windows desktop appears. 9 Click Start, Control Panel, then click Performa nce and Mainte nance (if in Category view).

Click/Double-click bottom of the System Properties dialog box in the General tab.

System. The amount of memory in your computer is sho wn a t the

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Replacing the system battery

If the computer clock does not keep time or the settings in the BIOS Setup utility are not saved when you turn off your computer, replace the system battery. Use a battery of the same size and voltage as the original battery that was in your computer.

Warning Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced.

Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispos e o f us ed b at t e r ie s followin g th e ma nufactur e r’s instructions.

To replace the battery:

1 Shut down your computer. 2 Open the case by following the instructions in “Opening the case” on pag e 46. 3 Locate the old battery on the system board and note its orientation. You will need

to install the new battery the same way.

4 While pushing down on the battery release tab, place the edge of a small flat-head

screwdriver under the battery and lift the battery up until it pops out of the socket.

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5 Make sure that the positive (+) side of the new battery is facing up, then press the

battery into the socket until it snaps into place.

6 Close the case by following the instructions in “Closing the case” on page 4 9. 7 Reconnect all external cables and the po wer cord. 8 Turn on your computer.

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Chapter 6

Troubleshooting

■ T roubleshooting typical hardware and

software problems

Safety guidelines

While troubleshooting your computer, follow these safety guidelines:

■ Never remove your computer case cover while your computer is turned on and while

the modem cable and the power cord are connected.

■ Make sure that you are correctly grounded before accessing internal components. For

more information about preventing damage from static electricity, see “Preventing

static electricity discharge” on page 45 .

Warning To avoid bodily injury, do not attempt to troubleshoot your computer

problem if:

■

Power cords or plugs are damaged

■

Liquid has been spilled into your computer

■

Your computer was dropped

■

The case was damaged

Instead, unplug your computer and contact a qualified computer technician.

First steps

If you have problems with your computer, try these things first:

■ Make sure that the AC power adapter is connected to your computer and an AC outlet

and that the AC outlet is supplying power.

■ If you use a power strip or surge protector, make sure that it is turned on.

■ If a peripheral device (such as a keyboard or mouse) does not work, make sure that

all connections are secure.

■ Make sure that your hard drive is not full.

■ If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. The message

may help Gateway Custo mer Care in diagnosing and fixing th e problem.

■ If you added or removed peripheral device s, review the installation procedures you

performed and make sure that you followed each instruction.

■ If an error occurs in a program, see the program’s printed documentation or the online

help.

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Troubleshooting

Add-in cards

The computer does not recognize an add-in card

■ Shut down and restart your computer.

■ Make sure that you have installed the required software. For more information, see

the documentation that came with your add-in card.

Audio

See “Sound” on pa ge 73.

Battery

See “Power” on pa ge 71.

CD or DVD drives

The computer does not recognize a disc or the CD or DVD drive

■ Make sure that the disc label is facing up, then try again.

■ Try a different disc. Occasionally discs are flawed or become scratched and cannot be

read by the CD or DVD drive.

■ If you are trying to play a DVD, make sure that you have a DVD drive. To identify

your drive type, see “Identifying drive type s” on page 34.

■ Your computer may be experiencing some temporary memory problems. Shut down

and restart your computer.

■ Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may not be able to play these

CDs on your computer.

■ Clean the disc. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs or DVDs” on page 44.

■ Make sure that the drive is configured correctly by following the instructions in the

drive documentation.

■ Reinstall the device driver.

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Audio CD does not produce sound

■ Make sure that the disc label is facing up, then try again.

■ Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may not be able to play these

CDs on your computer.

■ Make sure that the volume controls are turned up. For more information, see

“Adjusting the volume” on page 25.

■ Make sure that the mute controls are turned off. For more information, see “Adjusting

the volume” on page 25.

■ Make sure that the speaker cables are connected correctly and securely.

■ Shut down and restart your computer.

■ Clean the disc. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs or DVDs” on page 44.

■ Reinstall the audio device drivers.

A DVD movie will not play

■ Make sure that you have a DVD drive. To identify your drive type, see “Identifying

drive types” on page 34.

■ Make sure that the disc label is facing up, then try again.

■ Try a different disc. Occasionally discs are flawed or become scratched and cannot be

read by the DVD drive.

■ Shut down and restart your computer.

■ Clean the disc. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs or DVDs” on page 44.

■ Reinstall the device driver.

■ Make sure that the DVD program has been installed on your computer.

■ DVDs and DVD drives c on tain re gi onal code s that help control DVD title exports and

help reduce illegal disc distribution. To be able to play a DVD, the disc’s regional code and your DVD drive’s regional code must match.

The regional code on your DVD drive is determined by your computer’s delivery address. The regional code for the United States and Canada is 1 . The regional code for Mexico is 4. Your DVD drive’s regional code must match the regional code for the disc. The regional code for the disc is on the disc, disc do cumentation, or disc packaging.

If the DVD movie does not play, the disc’s regional code and your DVD drive’s regional code may not match.

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Computer

The computer will not start

■ Make sure that the power cord is connected to an AC power source and yo ur computer

is turned on.

Diskette drive

The diskette drive is not recognized

■ Shut down and restart your computer.

You cannot save a file to diskette or you see the message “disk is full or write-protected”

■ Make sure that the write-protection tab on the upper-right corner of the diskette is

down (unpr otected).

■ Delete unnecessary files on the diskette and try again.

■ Make sure that the diskette you are using is IBM-compatible.

■ Try a different diskette. Occasionally diskettes are flawed and cannot be read by the

diskette drive.

■ Run Error-checking on the diskette. For more information, see “Checking the hard

drive for errors” in Using Your Computer which has been included on your hard drive. To access this guide, click

Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

If errors are detected and corrected, try using the diskette again.

You see a “ A ccess De nied” or “Wri te pr otect” erro r message

■ Move the write-protection tab in the upper-right corner of the diskette down

(unprotected).

■ The diskette may be full. Delete unnecessary files on the diskette and try again.

■ Make sure that the diskette you are using is IBM-compatible.

■ Try a different diskette. Occasionally diskettes are flawed and cannot be read by the

diskette drive.

You see a “Disk is full” error message

■ Delete unnecessary files on the diskette.

■ Try a different diskette. Occasionally diskettes are flawed and cannot be read by the

diskette drive.

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■ Run Error checking on the diskette. For more information, see “Checking the hard

drive for errors” in Using Your Computer which has been included on your hard drive. To access this guide, click

Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

You see a “Non-syst em disk” or “Di sk err or” error message

■ Eject the diskette from the diskette drive, then press ENTER.

■ Make sure that the diskette you are using is IBM-compatible.

The diskette drive LED is lit continuously

■ Remove the diskette from the drive. If the light stays on, try restarting your computer.

DVD drives

See “CD or DVD drives” on page 59.

File management

A file was accidentally deleted

If a file was deleted while holding down the SHIFT key, the file cannot be restored.

To restore deleted files:

1 Double-click the Recycle Bin icon. 2 Right-click the file you want to restore, then click Restore. The file is restored to

the place where it was originally deleted from. If the Recycle Bin was emptied before you try to restore a file, the file cannot be

restored.

Help and

Support

For more information about restoring deleted files, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword System Restore in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Hard drive

You see an “Insufficien t disk spac e ” error message

■ Delete unnecessary files from the hard drive using Disk Cleanup. For instructions on

deleting unnecessary files, see “Using Disk Cleanup” in Using Your Comput er which has been included on your hard drive. To access this guide, click then click

■ Empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking the Recycle B in icon, then clicking Empty

Recy cle B in

Caution A ll delete d files w ill be los t when you empt y the Recyc le Bin.

■ Save your files to another drive. If the hard drive is full, copy any files not regularly

Gateway Documentation.

used to backup media, then delete them from the hard drive.

Start, All Programs,

Help and

Support

For more information about file management, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword file management in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

You see a “Data err or” messag e

This may be the result of a defective area on the hard drive. To fix hard drive problems, run the Error checking program. For instructions on fixing hard drive problems, see “Checking the hard drive for errors” in Using Your Computer which has been included on your hard drive. To access this guide, click

Documentation

Start, All Programs, then click Gateway

The hard driv e canno t be acc essed , or y ou see a “ Gener al f ailur e read ing dri ve C” erro r message

■ If a diskette is in the diskette drive, eject it and restart your computer.

■ Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart your computer.

■ If your computer has been subjected to static electricity or physical shock, you may

need to reinstall the operating system.

You see a “Non-syst em disk” or “disk error” error messa ge

■ Eject the diskette from the diskette drive, then press ENTER.

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Internet

You cannot connect to the Internet

■ If you are using a dial-up modem, make sure that the modem cable is plugged into

the modem jack and not the Ethernet network jack. See “Back” on page 8 to make sure that the connections have been made correctly.

- OR If you are using a cable or DSL modem, make sure that the modem cable is plugged

into the Ethernet network jack and not the modem jack. See “Back” on page 8 to make sure that the connections have been made correctly.

■ Make sure that you do not have a problem with your modem. For more information,

“Modem (dial-up)” on pa ge 66.

■ Make sure that your account with your Internet service provider (ISP) is set up

correctly. Contact your ISP technical support for help.

Help and

Support

For more information about troubleshooting Internet connections, click Start, then click Help and Support.

T ype the keyword troubleshooting connections in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

You see an “Unable t o locat e host” mes sage an d are unable t o bro wse t he Inte rnet

This problem can occur when you have typed a URL (Web address) incorrectly, you have lost your Internet connection, or your ISP is having technical difficulties.

Double-check the URL or try a different URL. If the error message still appears, disconnect from the ISP connection and close your browse r, then reconnect and open the browser. If you still get the error, your ISP may be having technical difficulties.

Connecting to a Web site takes too long

Many factors can affect Int ernet performance:

■ The condition of the telephone lines in your residence or at your local telephone

service

■ The condition of the Internet computers to which you connect and the number of

users accessing those computers

■ The complexity of graphics and multimedia on Web pages

■ Having multiple Web browsers open, performing multiple downloads, and having

multiple programs open on your computer

People are sending you e-mail messages, but you have not received any mail

■ Click the receive button in your e-mail program.

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■ Make sure that your account with your Internet service provider (ISP) is set up

correctly. Contact your ISP for technical support.

Keyboard

The keyboard does not work

■ Make sure that the keyboard cable is plugged in correctly. For more information, see

the poster that came with your computer.

■ Remove all extension cables and switch boxes.

■ Clean the keyboard by using an aerosol can of air with a narrow, straw-like extension

to remove dust and lint trapped under the keys.

■ Try a keyboard that you know works to make sure that the keyboard port works.

■ Reinstall the keyboard device driver.

A keyboard character keeps repeating or you see a “keyboard stuck” or “key failure” error message

■ Make sure that nothing is resting on the keyboard.

■ Make sure that a key is not stuck. Press each key to loosen a key that might be stuck,

then restart your computer.

Liquid spilled in the keyboard

■ If you spilled liquid in the keyboard, turn off your computer and unplug the keyboard.

Clean the keyboard and turn it upside down to dra in it. Let the keyboard dr y before using it again. If the keyboard does not work after it dries, you may need to replace it.

Memory

You see a “Memory err or” message

■ Use a third-party diagnostic program to help determine if a memory module is failing.

You see a “Not enough memory” error message

■ Close all programs, then restart your computer.

Help and

Support

For more information about troubleshooting memory errors, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword memory error in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Memory card reader

Drive let ters for th e memory car d slot s do not appear in the My C ompu ter win dow

■ Reboot your computer.

Modem (dial-up)

Your modem does not dial or does not connect

■ Make sure that the modem cable is p lugged into the modem jac k and not the Ethernet

network jack. See “Back” on pag e 8 to make sure that the connections have been made correctly.

■ Make sure that your computer is connected to the telephone line and the telephone

line has a dial tone.

■ Make sure that the modem cable is less than 6 feet (1.8 meters) long.

■ Remove any line splitters or surge protectors from your teleph one line, then check

for a dial tone by plugging a working telephone into the telephone wall jack.

■ If you have additional telephone services such as call waiting, call messaging, or voice

mail, make sure that all messages are cleared and call waiting is disabled before using the modem. Contact your telephone service to get the correct code to temporarily disable the service. Also make sure that the modem dialing properties are set correctly .

To check the dialing properties:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your

Control Panel is in Category View, click

Printers and Other Hardware.

2 Click/Double-click the Phone and Modem Opti ons icon, th en click th e Dialing Rules

tab.

3 Click the location from which you are dialing, then click Edit. 4 Make sure that all settings are correct.

Help and

Support

■ Disconnect any answering machine, fax machine, or printer that is on the same line

as the modem. Do not connect these devices t o the same telephone line as the modem.

For more information about dialing properties, click Start, then click Help and Support.

T ype the keyword dialing in the Search box , then click the arrow.

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■ Make sure that you are not using a digital, rollover, or PBX line. These lines do not

work with your modem.

■ Check for line noise (scratchy , crackling, or popping sounds). Line noise is a common

problem that can cause the modem to connect at a slower rate, abort downloads, or even disconnect. The faster the modem, the less line noise it can tolerate and still work correctly.

Listen to the line using your telephone. Dial a single number (such as 1). When the dial tone stops, listen for line noise. Wiggle the modem cable to see if that makes a difference. Make sure that the connectors are free from corrosion and all screws in the wall or telephone wall jack are secure.

Y ou can also call your telephone service and have the telephone line checked for noise or low line levels.

■ Try another telephone line (either a different telephone number in your house or a

telephone line at a different location). If you can connect on this line, call your telephone service.

■ Try connec ting with the modem at a l ower conne ction speed. If reduci ng the co nnect

speed lets you connect, call your telephone service. The telephone line may be too noisy.

You cannot connect to the Internet

■ The ISP may be having technical difficulties. Contact your ISP for technical support.

■ See if the modem works with a differen t communications pro gram. The problem ma y

be with just one program.

■ Review the troubleshooting information under “Internet” on page 64.

Your 56K modem does not connect at 56K

■ Current FCC regulations restrict actual data transfer rates over public telephone lines

to 53K. Other factors, such as line noise, telephone service provid er equipment, or ISP limitations, may lower the speed even further.

If your computer has a v.90 modem, the speed at which you can upload (send) data is limited to 33.6K. If your computer has a v.92 modem, the speed at which you can upload data is limited to 48K. Your ISP may not support 48K uploads.

Your fax communications program only sends and receives faxes at 14,400bps when you have a 56K modem

Current fax technology only supports a maximum send and receive rate of 14,400 bps.

The modem is not recognized by your computer

■ Make sure that the line connected to the modem is working and plugged into the

appropriate port on your computer. See “Back” on page 8 to make sure that the connections have b een made correctly.

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■ If the modem shares the telephone line with another device, make sure that the

telephone line is not in use (for example, some one is on the telephone, or another modem is in use).

■ Use the modem cable that came with your computer. Some telephone cables do not

meet required cable standards and may cause problems with the modem conn ection.

■ Shut down and restart your computer.

■ Run Windows modem diagnostics.

To run modem diagnostics:

1 Close all open programs. 2 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your

Control Panel is in Category View, click

Printers and Other Hardware.

3 Click/Double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon, then click the Modems tab. 4 Click your modem, then click Properties. The Modem Properties dialog box opens. 5 Click the Diagnostic tab, then click Query Modem. If information about the modem

appears, the modem passed diagnostics. If no modem information is available, a white screen appears with no data, or if you get an error such as port already open or the modem has failed to respond, the modem did not pass diagnostics.

Help and

Support

For more inf ormation about modem troub leshoo ting, clic k Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword modem troubleshooting in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

The modem is noisy when it dials and connects

When your modem tries to connect to another modem, it begins handshaking. Handshaking is a digital “getting acquainted” conversation between the two modems that establishes connection speeds and communic ation protocols. You may hear unusual handshaking sounds when the modems first connect. If the handshaking sounds are too loud, you can turn down the modem volume.

To turn down the modem volume:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your

Control Panel is in Category View, click

Printers and Other Hardware.

2 Click/Double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon, then click the Modems tab.

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3 Click the modem you want to adjust, then click Properties. 4 Click the Modem tab, then adjust the Speaker volume control. 5 Click OK twice to close the Phone and Modem Options dialog box.

Monitor

The screen resolution is not correct

Change the screen resolution from the Display Properties dialog box.

Tips & Tricks For more information, see “Adjusting the color depth” in

which has been includ ed on your hard driv e. To access this

, then click the arrow.

Help and

Support

Computer

guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

For more information about changing the screen resolution, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword screen resolution in the Search box

Using Your

The computer is running but there is no picture

■ Make sure that the monitor is plugged in and turned on. If the monitor is turned on,

the power LED should be lit.

■ Adjust the brightness and contrast controls to the center position.

■ Make sure that the monitor cable is connected to the video port on the back of your

computer.

■ Check the cable for bent or damaged pins.

■ Reinstall the device driver.

■ Connect a monitor that you know works to your computer.

The color is not uniform

Make sure that the monitor warms up for at least 30 minutes before making a final judgment about color uniformity.

Make sure that:

■ Non-shielded speakers are not placed too close to the mon itor.

■ The monitor is not positioned too close to another monitor, electric fan, fluorescent

light, metal shelf, or laser printer.

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■ Y ou demagnetize the screen using the monitor’ s degauss feature. For more information

on degauss, see your monitor’s documentation.

Why is there a horizontal line or wire visible across the monitor screen?

Your monitor may use a thin damper wire, located approximately 1/3 of the way down from the upper screen edge and 1/3 of the way up from the lower screen edge, to stabilize the internal aperture grille. These wires are most obvious when the monitor displays a white background. The aperture grille allows more light to pass through the screen for brighter colors and greater luminescence. The damper wire is a critical part of the overall monitor design and does not negatively affect the monitor's function.

The text on the display is dim or difficult to read

■ Adjust the brightness and contrast controls.

■ Use the monitor degauss feature (see your monitor documentation) or turn off your

computer and monitor, leave them off for at least a half hour, then restart your computer.

■ Change the display settings.

Tips & Tricks For more information, see “Adjusting the screen and desktop settings”

Using Your Computer

To access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

which has been incl ude d on y our hard driv e .

■ Move the monitor away from sources of electrical interference, such as televisions,

unshielded speakers, microwaves, fluorescent lights, and metal beams or shelves.

For more information about display ty pes, see your monitor and video card documentation.

Mouse

The mouse do es not w ork

■ Make sure that the mouse cable is plugged in correctly.

■ Shut down and restart your computer.

■ Remove all extension cables and switch boxes.

■ Try a mouse you know is working to make sure that the mouse port works.

The mous e wor ks er ra tica lly

If the mouse pointer begins moving erratically across the computer display or becomes difficult to control precisely, cleaning the mouse will likely improve its accuracy.

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If you have an optical mouse, clean the mouse by wiping the bottom with a clean, damp cloth. Make sure that the optical sensor is clean and fre e of debris.

If you have a trackball mouse, see “Cleaning the mouse” on page 42.

Networks

You cannot connect to your company network

Every ne twork is u nique. Contact y our compa ny comp uter depa rtment o r network administrator for help. For more information about setting up a network in your home, see “Networking Your Computer” on page 75, or see “Troubleshooting Your Ethernet

network” on page 109 .

Help and

Support

For more inf ormation about network trou bleshoo ting, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword network troubleshooting in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

Passwords

Your computer does not accept your password

Make sure that CAPS LOCK is turned off, then retype the password.

Power

Your computer will not turn on

■ Make sure that your power cord is connected correctly to your computer.

■ If your computer is plugged into a surge protector, make sure that the surge protector

is connected securely to an electrical outlet, turned on, and working correctly. To test the outlet, plug a working device, such as a lamp, into the outlet and turn it on.

■ Make sure that the power cord is free from cuts or damage. Replace any damaged

cables.

Printer

The printer will not turn on

■ Make sure that the printer is online. Many p rinters have an online/offlin e button tha t

you may need to press.

■ Make sure that the power cable is plugged into an AC power source.

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The printer is on but will not print

■ Check the cable between the printer and your computer. Make sure that it is connected

to the correct port.

■ Make sure that the printer is online. Many p rinters have an online/o ffline button tha t

you may need to press so the printer can start printing. Press the button to put the printer online.

■ Check the cable for bent or broken pins.

■ If the printer you want to print to is not the default printer, make sure that you have

selected it in the printer setup.

To set a default printer:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your

Control Panel is in Category View, click

Printers and Other Hardware.

2 Click/Double-click the Printers a nd Faxes icon. The Printers and Faxes window

opens.

3 Right-click the name of the printer you want to be the default printer, then click

Set as Default Printer.

■ Reinstall the printer driver. See the guide that came with your printer for instructions

on installing the printer driver.

You see a “Printer queue is full” error message

■ Make sure that the printer is not set to work offline.

To make sure that the printer is not set to work offline:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your

Control Panel is in Category View, click

2 Click/Double-click the Printers a nd Faxes icon. The Printers and Faxes window

opens.

3 Right-click the name of the printer you want to use. If the menu shows a check

mark next to

Use Printer Offline, click Use Printer Offline to clear the check mark.

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Printers and Other Hardware.

Help and

Support

■ Wait until files have been printed before sending additional files to the printer.

■ If you print large files or many files at one time, you may want to add additional

For more information about printer troubleshooting, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword printer troubleshooter in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

memory to the printer. See the printer documentation for instructions for adding additional memory.

You see a “Print er is out of paper” err or messa ge

After adding paper, make sure that the printer is online. Most printers have an online/offline button that you need to press after adding paper.

Sound

You are not getting sound from the speakers

■ Make sure that the speakers are turned on.

■ Make sure that the volume controls are turned up. For more information, see

“Adjusting the volume” on page 25.

■ Make sure that mute controls are turned off. For more information, see “Adjusting

the volume” on page 25.

■ If you are using external speakers, see the speaker setup poster to check your speake r

connections.

Help and

Support

For more information about sound troubleshooting, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword sound troubleshooter in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Chapter 7

Networking Your Computer

■ Introducing networking

■ Creating an Ethernet network

■ T esting your network

■ Sharing your resources

■ T roubleshooting your Ethernet network

Introduction to networking

A network is a collection of computers and other devices that communicate with each other.

Using a network

A network lets you:

■ Share a single Internet connection

■ Share computer drives

■ Share peripheral device s

■ Stream audio and video files

■ Play multi-player games

Sharing a single Internet c onnection

Each computer connected to the network can share the same broadband connection or modem and telephone line to access the Internet at the same time. This saves on the cost of installing another telephone line for your second computer and paying for a second Internet service provider (ISP) account.

Sharing driv es

With a network, you can copy files from computer to computer by copying and pasting or dragging and dropping. You will no longer waste your time transferring files by using recordable media. In addition, you can map a drive on a networked comp uter to a nother computer, and access the files as if they were located on the hard drive of the computer you are using.

Sharing peripher al devic es

Each computer that is connected to the network can share the same peripher al devices, such as a printer. Select print from the computer you are currently using and your file is automatically printed on your printer no matter where it is located on your network.

Streaming audio and vid eo files

With a network, you can store audio files (such as the popular .MP3 files) and video files on any networked compu ter, then play them on any of the other compute rs or devices connected to your network. This process is called streaming.

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Playing multi-player game s

With a home network, you ca n play m ulti- pla yer gam es. Lo ad a ga me l ike Micr osoft Racing Madness 2 on your computers, and in minutes, you and your friends can rac e in competing

cars or on competing motorcycles .

Help and

Support

For more information about using a network, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type one of these keywords in the Search box

, then click the arrow:

■

internet sharing

■

sharing network drives

■

streaming

■

network games

Selecting a network connection

The biggest decision you need to make when creating your network is what type of connection you will use. Gateway products support wired and wireless Ethernet networks. Use the following criteria as a guide when selecting a network connection.

Wireless Ethernet network

A wireless Ethernet network is created by using radio emitters that may be embedded into your computer or plugged into it. Create a wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, or IEEE 802.11g) network if:

■ You ar e looking for an alternative to installing cable for connectivity

■ The ability to move about with your computer is as important as network speed

■ Your c omputer has wireless Ethernet for networking

Using a wireless Ethernet network

A wireless Ethernet network is ideal for creating a home or office network or adding mobility to an existing wired Ethernet network. A wireless Ethernet network lets you move about your home or office with your notebook or tablet PC. For example, you can take your notebook or tablet PC from your home office to your patio without having an Ethernet jack available.

Warning Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere with

equipment on commercial aircraft. Current aviation regulations require wireless de vices to be turned off while tra veling i n an airplane. IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, and IEEE 802.11g communication devices are examples of devices that provide wireless communication.

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Important If your computer came equipped with an internal radio frequency

wireless device, see “Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information” in your user’s guide for general wireless regulatory and safety guidelines. To find out if your computer has an internal wireless device, check the device manager. For more information, see

“Determining if wireless Ethernet is already installed on your computers” on page81.

Important Note any antenna placement constraints in the user guide of each

type of wireless device in your network.

Wireless Ethernet speed and frequency

Wireless Ethernet is available at two different speeds and at two different frequencies. The following table compares the various wireless Ethernet network types.

Network Type Speed Frequency Advantages Disadvantages

IEEE 802.11a 54 Mbps 5 GHz Less possible

interference than IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g

IEEE 802.11b 11 Mbps 2.4 GHz

■

Large number of access points already exist in airports, college campuses, and businesses

■

Compatible with IEEE 802.11g networks

■

Longer range (100 to 150 feet) th an IEEE 802.11a

■

Shorter range (25 to 75 feet) than IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g

■

Not compatible with IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11g networks

■

Possible interference from cordless telephones and microwaves

■

Not compatible with IEEE 802.11a networks

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Network Type Speed Frequency Advantages Disadvantages

IEEE 802.11g 54 Mbps 2.4 GHz

■

Compatible with IEEE 802.11b networks

■

Longer range (100 to 150 feet) than IEEE 802.11a

■

Possible interference from cordless telephones and microwaves

■

Not compatible with IEEE 802.11a networks

Important The speed of a wireless network is related to signal strength. Signal

strength is affected by the distance between your wireless network devices, by radio interference, and by interference from natural obstruc tions such as walls, flo ors, and door s.

The most common way to set up a wireless Ethernet network is Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) using a wireless access point router.

A DHCP network configuration uses

an access point router to automatically assign IP addresses to each computer or network device.

Example access point router wireless Ethernet network

By using an access p oint, you can join a wireless Ethernet network and access a wired Ethernet network.

The following is an example of an access point wireless Ethernet network that shows how an access point also lets you access the Internet. The network is made up o f an access point, a cable or DSL modem, and your computers. The access point is the central control point for the network. Attached to the access point is the cable or DSL modem that provides access to the Internet. Each of the computers or Ethernet-ready devices communicate with the access point using radio waves. If your computer does not have a built-in wireless Ethernet emitter, you need to add a wireless PCI card (desktop), PC card (notebook), or USB adapter.

www.gateway.com

Cable/DSL modem

Access point

USB wireless adapter

Tips & Tricks To add the ability to access a wi red Ethernet netw ork to y our wirel ess

Ethernet network, connect an access point to the router or use a router that has a built-in access point, such as the Linksys wireless access point router with 4-port switch. For more information about accessing a wired Ethernet, see “Using a wired Ethernet network”

on page 82.

Equipment you need for an access point wireless Ethernet network

For an access point wireless Ethernet network you need:

■ Two or more computers with wireless Ethernet emitters

■ One access point

■ One broadband Internet conn ection (optional)

www.gateway.com

Important IEEE 802.11b and IEEE802.11g use the same radio frequency.

IEEE 802.11a uses a different radio frequency than IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g. All wireless Ethernet components must use the same frequency. A combination of IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11b or IEEE 802.11a and I EEE 802.11g components will not work. Some wireless devices can broadcast and receive signals on both frequencies.

A mixture of IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g componen ts wil l resu lt in your network running at the speed of the slower IEEE 802.11b components.

Tips & Tricks When buying your access point, be sure the model includes

everything your network needs, including:

■

802.11g support - for next-generation, high-speed wireless communications

■

Internet security features - such as a firew all to protect y our network from unwanted intruders

■

Wireless security features - such as 128-bit WEP encryption

■

4-port switch - to elimin ate the need f or addi tional netw ork hardware

■

DHCP server/dynamic IP address assignment - to automatically configure network and IP addresses

Determining if wireless Ethernet is already installed on your computers

To determine if wireless Ethernet is already installed on your computer:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control

Panel is in Category View, click

Performance and Maintenance.

2 Click/Double-click System, click the Hardware tab, then click Device Manager. The Device

Manager window opens.

3 Click the plus (+) in front of Network adapters. The wireless Ethernet device installed

in your computer is listed. If one is not listed, you must install one.

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Wired Ethernet network

Create a wired Ethernet network by using special wires to connect all the computers and devices on your network. Wired Ethernet networks are typically faster than other network types. Create a wired Ethernet network if:

■ You are building a new home or your existing home already has Ethernet cable

installed in each room that has a device you want to connect

■ You are creating a network in an office or business where network speed is more

important than moving about with your computer

■ Your computer has an Ethernet jack for connecting to the network

Using a wire d Ethe rnet netwo rk

A wired Ethernet network consists of two or more computers connected together through an Ethernet cable. This connection type is commonly used in offices around the world and can be used to build computer networks in the home.

Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet

Ethernet is available at three different speeds. Standard Ethernet runs at 10 Mbps, Fast Ethernet runs at 100 Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet runs at 1000 Mbps. Most home networks are built using Standard or Fast Ethernet components. B usiness networks are typically buil t using Fast or Gigabit Ethernet components.

To create a wired Ethernet network, you or your electrician must install special Ethernet cables in your home or office.

Important Check local code requirements before installing Ethernet cable or

other wiring in your home or office . Your municipal ity ma y requi re you to obtain a permit and hire a licensed installer.

The most common way to set up a wired Ethernet network is Dynamic Host Control Protocol (DHCP) using a router. A DHCP network configuration uses a router to automatically assign IP addresses to each computer or network device.

www.gateway.com

Example router-based wired Ethernet network

The following is an example of a wired Ethernet network. The network is made up of a router, a cable or DSL modem, your computers, and cables connecting each of these components. The router is the central control point for the network. Attached to th e router are all of your computers or Ethernet-ready devices. Also connected to the router is a cable or DSL modem that provides access to the Internet.

Cable/DSL modem

Router

Tips & Tricks To add the ability to access a wi reless Eth ernet network to y our w ired

network” on page 77.

Equipment you need for a router-based wired Ethernet network

For a wired Ethernet network you need:

■ Two or more computers with Ethernet jacks

■ One router

■ One broadband Internet connection (optional)

■ Ethernet cables connecting all of the network equipment

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Important For best results, all Ethernet components should be either standard

Ethernet (10 Mbps), Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps or 10/100), or Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps or 10 /100/1000). A mixture of c omponents rated at different speeds will result in your network running at the speed of the slowest rated component.

Tips & Tricks When buying y our router, be sure the model includes ev erything y our

network needs, including:

■

Internet security features - such as a firew all to protect y our network from unwanted intruders

■

4-port switch - to elimin ate the need f or addi tional netw ork hardware

■

DHCP server/dynamic IP address assignment - to automatically configure network and IP addresses

Determining i f wired Etherne t is already installed on your c ompute rs

To determine if wired Ethernet is already installed on your computer:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control

Panel is in Category View, click

Performance and Maintenance.

2 Click/Double-click System, click the Hardware tab, then click Device Manager . The Device

Manager window opens.

3 Click the plus (+) in front of Network adapters. The wired Ethernet device installed in

your computer is listed. If one is not listed, you must install one.

Creating an Ethernet network

Installing Ethernet cards and driv ers

After you have determined the type of Ethernet you are using for your network, you need to install Ethernet cards and drivers on the computers that do not have Ethernet already installed. To order wired or wireless Ethernet PCI or PC cards, visit the Accessories Store at accessories.gateway.com

Use the documentation that comes with your Ethernet cards for instructions on i nstalling the card and any required drivers.

www.gateway.com

Making sure your broadband c onnection works

Before you change anything about your home setup, make sure that your broadband connection is working correctly. To test the connection, log onto the Internet using your current setup. If the connection is not working, contact your Internet service provider.

Important If you do not have a broadband connection already installed, make

the necessary arrangements with your ISP. Be sure to find out how soon after the installation the line will be activated.

Important Broadband Internet settings will differ from ISP to ISP. Before you

begin setting up your network, you should contact your ISP for any specific instructions they have for setting up a network.

Naming the computers and the workgr oup

Important You must give each computer on the network a unique Computer

Name and the same Workgroup Name.

To identify this computer on the network:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control

Panel is in Category View, click Maintenance window opens.

Performance and Maintenance. The Performance and

2 Click/Double-click System. The System Properties dialog box opens. 3 Click Computer Name. 4 Click Change. The Computer Name Changes dialog box opens. 5 Type a unique computer name in the Computer name box. This name identifies the

computer to other users on the network. Use a computer name of up to 15 c har acters with no blank spaces. Each computer name must be unique on your network. All-numeric computer names are not allowed. Names must contain some letters.

6 Type a name for your workgroup in the Workgroup box. Use a workgroup name of up

to 15 characters with no blank spaces. The workgroup name must be the same for all computers in your network workgroup, and the name must be different than any computer name on your network.

7 Click OK to close the Computer Name Changes dialog box.

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Configuring the T CP/IP protoc ol

A networking protocol is a language computers use to talk to each other. One of several available protocols must be set up on each computer you plan to use on your network. We recommend you use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), which is widely accepted and compatible for local area networks (LANs), as well as for Internet communications.

When networking is set up in Windows XP, TCP/IP is automatically installed as the default protocol.

T erms you should know

DHCP - Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) lets a router temporarily assign an IP address to a computer on the network.

IP Address - Internet Protocol (IP) address is a number that uniquely identifies a computer on the network.

Subnet Mask - Subnet mask is a number that identifies what subnetwork the computer is located on. This number will be the same on all computers on a home network.

Using a DHCP server

In order to use the TCP/IP protocol on each computer with a router or access point router, you must set the protocol to “Obtain an IP address from a DHCP server.”

To use a DHCP server

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control

Panel is in Category View, click Internet Connections window opens.

Network and Internet Connections. The Network and

2 Click/Double-click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens.

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3 Right-click Local Area Connection, then click Properties. The Local Area Connection

Properties dialog box opens.

- OR If you do not have a LAN connection setup, click

the instructions in the New Connection Wizard.

Create a new connection and follow

4 Click to select the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) check box in the This connection uses the

following items

list. If you do not see TCP/IP, drag the scroll bar to see more choices.

5 Click Properties. The Inter net Protocol (TCP/IP) Prop erties dialog box opens.

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6 Click the General tab.

7 Click Obtain an IP address automatically. 8 Click OK to close the Inter net Protocol (TC P/IP) Properti es dialog box.

9 Click OK to close the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box. 10 Click X to c lose the Network Connections window. 11 Repeat this procedure for every computer on your network.

Where to go from h ere

If you are setting up a wireless Ethernet, go to “Setting up a wireless Ethernet network”

on page 89 .

-ORIf you are setting up a wired Ethernet, go to “Setting up a wired Ethernet network” on

page 96.

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Setting up a wireless Ethernet network

See the instructions that came with your access point or wireless access point router for initial setup. How you set up your access point varies depending on the features of the access point and your networking situation.

Mounting the acce ss point

When selecting a place to mount your access point, consider the following guidelines:

■ Mount your access point as high as possible (to avoid interference from natural

obstacles and appliances).

■ Mount your access point in a location where you can run an Ethernet cable from the

access point to either your wired Ethernet netw ork or your cable or DSL modem.

Configur ing the acc ess point

Important The follo wing configur ation informat ion applies to t he Linksys wirel ess

access point router with 4-port switch. For any other brand or model of access point, see the manufacturer’s documentation, which may accompany the acces s point or be availab le from the ma n ufacturer’s Web si te.

To configure the Linksys wireless access point router with 4-port switch:

1 If you are connecting any wired devices to your wireless access point router, follow

the instructions in “Setting up a network using a router” on page 96, then go to Step 7.

-ORIf you are not connecting any wired devices to your wireless access point router, go

to Step 2.

2 Plug one end of a straight-through cable into the WAN port on the wireless access

point router and the other end into the DSL or cable modem.

3 Plug one end of the power adapter into the AC connector on the router and the other

end into a grounded, 110V electrical outlet.

4 Turn on the DSL or cable modem. 5 Press the reset button on the wireless access point router. 6 Temporarily connect a computer to the wireless access point router using a

straight-through cable and turn the computer on.

7 From one of the computers plugged into your wireless access point router, open your

Web browser.

www.gateway.com

8 In the browser’s Address box, type http://192.168.1.1, then press ENTER.

9 When prompted for a username and password, leave the usern ame box empty and

type admin in the password box, then click

OK. The setup page opens.

10 Enter the following values in the appropriate fields:

■ Host Name and Domain Name - Check with your ISP to see if entries are required in

these fields and, if so, what entries are required.

■ Enable/Disable wireless - Click Enable to turn on the wireless functions of your access

point router.

■ SSID - Type a unique name for your wireless access point.

■ Allow Broadcast SSID to associate - Clicking Yes lets you automatically see the SSID

in the

page 91). Clicking

(see “Adding an access point” on page 94). Clicking more secure because intruders will not be able to connect to your network without knowing the name of your access point.

Tips & Tricks If you live in an apartment buildin g or dormitory , y ou ma y want to click

■ Channel - In the United States, you can specify any channel between 1 and 11.

Available Networks list (see “Connecting to an access point netwo rk” on

No means that y ou w ill need to man ually add t he access poin t

No makes your wireless network

No to prevent your neighbors from discovering and accessing your

network.

■ WEP - To use WEP (wired equivalent privacy) encr yption, select Mandatory. If you

use WEP encryption, all computers on your network must use the same WEP encryption. See the documentation that came with your access point on how to use WEP encryption.

■ WAN Conn ec t i o n Type - If your ISP assigns you a different IP address each time you

log on, click click

Static IP, then type the values provided by your ISP.

Obtain an IP Address A utomatically. If your ISP requires a fixed IP address,

11 Click Apply, then click Continue to save the settings. 12 If you temporarily connected a computer to the access point router in Step 6,

disconnect it.

13 Reset the power on your cable or DSL modem. 14 Restart all of your computers on the network. 15 To connect to the access point, see “Connecting to an access point network” on

page 91.

www.gateway.com

Connecting to a n access point network

After you have set up your wireless access point, you need to set up the network connection on your computers.

To connect to an access point wireless Ethernet network:

1 Before connecting to an access point, you must turn on the wireless Ethernet emitter

by clicking Control Panel is in Category View, click and Internet Connections window opens.

Start, then clicking Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your

Network and Internet Connections . The Network

2 Click/Double-click Network Connections. The Network Connections window opens. 3 Right-click the Wireless Network Connection icon, then click View avail able wir ele ss

networks

. The Choose a wireless network window opens.

4 Click the network you created in the Choose a wireless network list, then click Connect.

Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the wireless network connection.

-ORIf you are unable to connect to the network in the Choose a wireless network list,

click the

Learn about wireless networking topic located in the Related Tasks area.

www.gateway.com

Help and

Support

For more information about connecting to a wireless network, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Ty pe t he keyword conne cting to wire less net work in the Search box , then click the arrow.

Config uring c omputer s ettings f or an acc ess poin t

If you are unable to connect to an access point in the Choose a wireless network list, the most likely cause is that the access point is using WEP security. Y ou need to configure your network settings to use the same WEP security settings as those used by the access point.

T o configure computer settings with WEP security for an access point wireless Ethernet network:

1 Wit h th e Wireless Network Connection window open, click Change advanced settings.

The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box opens.

2 Click the Wireless Networks tab.

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3 Click to select the access point network in the Preferred networks box, then click

Properties. The network properties dialog box opens. The name of the network already

appears in the

Network name (SSID) box.

4 Click the arrow button to open the Data encryption list, then click WEP. 5 If the WEP network key is not provided automatically , click to clear The key is provided

for me automatically

and

Confirm network key boxes to match those set on the access point.

- OR If the WEP network key is provid ed automatical ly, then leave the check mark selected

The key is p rovided for me aut omatical ly check box.

check box, then type the network key settings in the Network key

6 Make sure that the This is a computer-to-com puter (ad hoc) netw ork; wireless acces s points

are not use d

check box is not se lected.

7 Click OK to close the Wireless Network Prop erties dialog box. Your network should be

running. Go to “Testing your network” on page 99.

Help and

Support

For more information about configuring a wireless network, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword wireless network in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Adding an acces s point

If an access point does not appear in the Available networks list, and you know the access point is turned on, you need to add it manually. This typically happens when you set the access point’s

“Configuring the access point” on page 89.

Allow Broadcast SS ID to assoc iate to No. For more information, see

To manually add an access point wireless Ethernet network:

1 Wit h th e Wireless Network Connection window open, click Change order of preferred

networks

. The Wireless Network Connection Properties dialog box opens.

2 Click the Wireless Networks tab.

www.gateway.com

Gateway E-2300 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Getting Help

Help and Support

Searching for a topic

Using Your Computer guide

Online help

Gateway c ontact information

Front

Back

Desktop to tower conversion

Locating y our serial number

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

Finding y our specifications

Accessories

Getting Started

W orking safely

Reducing eye strain

Setting up your computer desk and chair

Setting up your computer and computer accessories

Sitting at your computer

A voiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain

Protecting from pow er source pr oblems

Checking the voltage selection

Starting your computer

W aking up your c omputer

T urning off your c omputer

Restarting (rebooting) your co mputer

Using the ke yboard

Standard keyboard

Multifunction keyboard

Special-function button s

Adjusting the v olume

Connecting the modem

Connecting to a wir ed Ethernet network

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral devic e

Using Drives and Ports

Using the disk ette drive

Using the Zip driv e

Using the memory card reader

Memory card types

Inserting a memory card

Using the CD or D VD drive

Identifying drive types

Inserting a CD or DVD

Playing a CD

Playing a DVD

Creating CDs and DVDs

Maintaining Your Computer

Caring for y our computer

Updating Windo ws

Protecting your computer from viruses

Cleaning your c omputer

Cleaning the exterior

Cleaning the keyboard

Cleaning the monitor

Cleaning the mouse

Cleaning CDs or DVDs

Restoring your sy stem

Pre venting static electricity discharge

Opening the case

Closing the case

Installing memory

Replacing the system battery

Troubleshooting

Safety guidelines

First steps

Troubleshooting

Add-in cards

Audio

Battery

CD or DVD drives

Computer

Diskette drive

DVD drives

File management

Hard drive