Gateway 9310, B-330, B-530, FX400, FX400MC User Manual

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Gateway Computer

User Guide

Contents

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

Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Using eSupport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Help and Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Searching for a topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

BigFix . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Using Your Computer guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Gateway contact information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2 Checking Out Your Gateway Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Desktop PC Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Desktop PC Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Identifying your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Gateway model and serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Finding your specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

3Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Working safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Reducing eye strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Setting up your computer desk and chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Setting up your computer and computer accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Sitting at your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Checking the voltage selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Starting your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Waking up your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Turning off your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Restarting (rebooting) your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Keyboard features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Using the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Configuring the audio jacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Connecting the dial-up modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Connecting to a cable or DSL modem or to a wired Ether net network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

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4 Using Drives and Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Using the diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Using the memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Memory card types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Inserting a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Using the CD or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Identifying drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Inserting a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Playing a CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Playing a DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Creating CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

5 Maintaining Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Caring for your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Updating Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Protecting your computer from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Cleaning the computer display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Cleaning the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Cleaning CDs or DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Restoring your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Opening the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Removing the side panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Removing the front bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Closing the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Replacing the side panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Replacing the front bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Installing memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Replacing the system battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 56

6 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Add-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 1

CD or DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

Diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63

DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

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Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Modem (dial-up) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72

Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Before calling Gateway Customer Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Telephone numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Tutoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80

7 Networking Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Introduction to networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Using a network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Selecting a network connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Creating an Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Installing Ethernet cards and drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Making sure your broadband connection works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Naming the computers and the workgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Configuring the TCP/IP protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Setting up a wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Setting up a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Configuring your router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Testing your network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Sharing your resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Sharing an Internet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Sharing drives and printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Using the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Connecting to hotspots . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Troubleshooting Your Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

A Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

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iii

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Chapte r 1

Getting Help

• Using the Gatewa y Web site

• Using Help and Support

• Using BigFix

• Using Y our Computer guide

• Using Do More With Gatewa y

• Using online help

• Contacting Gatewa y

Chapter 1: Getting Help

Thank y ou for purchasing our computer!

You have made an excellent decision choosing Gateway. We are sure that you will be pleased with the outstanding quality, reliability, and performance of your new computer. Each and every Gateway computer uses the latest technology and passes through the most stringent quality control tests to ensure that you are provided with the best product possible.

Please read this manual carefully to familiarize yourself with our range of services and support. We have highlighted some basic care and safety information to help you keep your computer in good operating condition.

Gateway stands behind our value proposition to our custom ers — to provide best-of-cla ss service and support in addition to high-quality, brand-name components at affordable prices. If you ever have a problem, our knowledgeable, dedicated customer ser vice department will provide you with fast, considerate service.

We sincerely hope that you will receive the utmost satisfaction and enjoyment from your new Gateway computer for years to come.

Thanks again, from all of us at Gateway.

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Gateway Web site

Gatewa y W eb site

Gateway's online support is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and provides the most current drivers, product specifications, tutorial s, and personalized information a bout your computer. Visit the Gateway eSupport Web site at support.gateway.com

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Chapter 1: Getting Help

Using eSupport

The eSupport site is divided into six major areas:

■ Support Home

■ Product Support

■ Downloads

■ Contact Us

■ Account Info

■ PC Tools

Each of these areas is represented by a menu across the top of the Web page.

Support Home

Click Suppor t Home, then click All Support Documents to access product documentation, specifications, and guides. You can also browse through the reference area to locate an article specific to the question you have.

Support Home, then click General Tutorials to access an extensive library of how-to

Click articles and videos on top ics, such as making au dio CDs and installing a hard drive.

Product Support

Click Product Support to view a list of all the products that Gateway supports.

Downloads

Click Downloads, then click My Downloads to get the latest software updates for BIOS and driver upgrades. By entering your serial number you get drivers specific to your computer. Click

All Downloads to walk through a step-by-step wizard to locate your drivers.

Contact Us

Click Contact Us to access links to technical support with a live technician, including chat and e-mail. Click support. For more information, see “Telephone support” on page 78.

Call Us to get a list of Gateway telephone numbers for both sales and

Account Info

Click Account Info to access support for non-technical issues, such as the status of your order or changing your accoun t address.

PC T ools

Click PC Tools to access utilities to help you manage your computer.

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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 op ens.

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

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Chapter 1: Getting Help

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 located in Help and Support and are relevant

to your search topic.

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

the words you entered in the

■ Microsoft Knowledge Base - These topics are located on the Microsoft W eb 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, clic k the top ic name in the

Search Result s list.

BigFix

BigFix monitors your computer for problems and conflicts. It automatically gathers information about the latest bugs, security alerts, and updates from BigFix sites on the Internet. Whenever BigFix detects a problem, it alerts you by flashing the blue taskbar icon. To fix the problem, click on that icon to open BigFix.

To start BigFix:

■ Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then click BigFix.

To learn more about using BigFix:

■ From the BigFix program, click Help, then click Tutorial.

www.gateway.com

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.

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

Help menu or by clicking a Help button.

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.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 1: Getting Help

Gateway c ontact information

To help you locate Gateway contact information, you can find the Gateway Web site, Online Support, and technical support contact information on the label located on the side of your computer case.

Website: gateway.com Online Support: support.gateway.com Tech Support Phone: 1.800.846.2301 (toll free) Tech Support Hours: 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week

Website:

9003702

Online Support: Tech Support Phone: Tech Support Hours:

Online Support:

Model:

Tech Support Phone:

S/No:

9003702

www.gateway.com

Chapte r 2

Checking Out Your Gateway Computer

• Identifying features

• Locating your computer model and serial

number

• Locating the Microsoft Certificate of

Authenticity

• Locating the specifications for your

computer

• Purchasing accessories

Chapter 2: Checking Ou t Your Gateway Computer

Desktop PC F ront

Your computer includes the following components.

Important Your computer hardware options and port locations may vary from

the illustration below.

DVD / C D d r i v e

USB port (optional)

D VD/CD d rive (optional)

Diskette driv e (optional)

Memory card reader (optional)

Power button/ Pow er i n di c a t or

IEEE 1394 ports

Headphone jack Microphone jack

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Desktop PC Front

Component Icon Description

DV D/CD drive Use this drive to listen to aud io CDs , instal l games and prog r ams , 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 you r drive ty pe and f o r more inf ormation ab out y our driv e, see

“Identifying drive types” on page 37.

USB port (optional) Plug a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device (such as a USB Iomega™

Zip™ drive, printer, scanner, camera, k ey board , or m ouse) into t his p ort. For more information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other

peripheral device” on page 32.

Diskette drive (optional)

Memory card reader (optional)

Power button / Powe r i nd i ca to r

IEEE 1394 ports Plug IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire

Headphone jack Plug powered, analog front speakers, an external amplifier, or

Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack. This jack is color-coded red or pink.

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

Insert a memory card from a digital camera, MP3 player, PDA, cellular telephone, or other devices into the memory card reader.

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.

or i.Link®) devices (such as a digital camcorder) into these 4-pin IEEE 1394 ports. For more information, s ee “In stalling a printer , scann er , or oth er peripheral dev ice”

on page 32.

headphones into this jack. This jack is color-coded orange.

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Chapter 2: Checking Ou t Your Gateway Computer

Desktop PC Back

Your computer includes the following components.

Important Your computer hardware options and port locations may vary from

the illustration below.

Power connector

Cover release lever

Case cover

thumbscrew

Rear spea ker j ack

(optional)

Ethern et (networ k) jack

Voltage switch

Audio in/side speaker jack Headphone/front speaker jack

Microphone jack Center/subwoofer jack

(optional) USB ports

Parallel port

S-Video out jack

(optional)

Component Icon Description

Power connector Plug the power cord into this connector. Cover release lever Lift this lever to open the computer cover.

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Monitor port

Serial port

PS/2 keyboard port PS/2 mouse port

Monitor port (optional)

Modem jack

Component Icon Description

Desktop PC Back

Case cover

Remove this screw before opening the case.

thumbscrew Rear s pea ker j ack

(black plug) (optional)

Ethern et (n etwor k) jack

Plug your rear right and left speakers into this optional jack. For information on configuring this jack, se e “C onf igu ring the aud io ja cks”

on page 30.

Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable or a device (such as a DSL or cable modem for a broadband Internet connection) into this jack.

For more information, see “Learning about the Internet” in

Computer

which has been included on your hard drive. To access this

Using Your

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

Parallel port Plug a parallel device (such as a printer) into this port. For more

information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device”

on page 32.

S-Video (TV) out jack

Plug a standard S-Video cable into this optional jack. Plug the other end of the cable into an S-Video jack on a television.

(optional) V oltage switch Before turning on your co mputer , make sure th at this switc h is in the correct

position for t he c orre ct power av ai lable. The switch is preset at th e factory with the correct voltage 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 m oved to 230.

Audio input (Li ne in) jack (blue plug)

-ORSide spea ker j ack

If the back of your computer has five audio jacks, this jack is user configurable for one of the following:

■

Stereo in: plug an external audio input source (such as a stereo) into this jack so you can record sound on your computer (Default).

■

Stereo out: plug your side left and right speakers into this jack.

If the back of your computer has three audio jacks, this jack is the audio input (line in) jack. Plug an external audio input source (such as a stereo) into this jack so you can record sound on your computer.

For information on configuring this jack, se e “C onf igu ring the aud io ja cks”

on page 30.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 2: Checking Ou t Your Gateway Computer

Component Icon Description

Headphone/analog speakers jack (green plug)

-ORFront spea kers jack

If the back of your computer has five audio jacks, this jack is user configurable for one of the following:

■

Headphone: plug headphones or amplified speakers into this jack (Default).

■

Stereo out: plug your front left and right speakers into this jack.

If the back of your computer has three audio jacks, this jack is the headphone/analog speaker (line out) jack. Plug powered speakers, an external amplifier, or headphones into this jack.

For information on configuring this jack, se e “C onf igu ring the aud io ja cks”

on page 30.

Microphon e jack

Plug a microphone into this jack.

(pink plug)

Center/subwoofer jack (orange plug ) (optional)

Plug your center speaker and subwoofer into this optional jack. For information on configuring this jack, se e “C onf igu ring the aud io ja cks”

on page 30.

USB ports Plug USB (Univers alSerial Bus) devices (suc h as a USB Io me ga™ Zip™

drive, printer, scanner, camera, ke yboard, or mouse) into these ports. F or more information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral

device” on page32.

Monitor port Plug a monitor into this port.

Serial po rt Plu g a serial device (suc h as a digi tal camera ) into thi s por t. For more

information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device”

on page 32.

PS/2 keyboard port Plug a Personal System/2

(PS/2) keyboard into this port.

PS/2 mouse p or t Plug a PS/ 2 mouse in to this po rt.

Modem jack Plug a modem cable into this jack.

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Identifying your mo del

Identifying your model

Important The labels sh own in th is sec t ion ar e for infor m ati on a l pu rposes only.

Label information varies by model, features ordered, and location.

Gatewa y model and serial number

The label on the side of your computer case contains information that identifies your computer model and serial number . Gateway T echnical Support will need this information if you call for assistance.

Website: gateway.com Online Support: support.gateway.com Tech Support Phone: 1.800.846.2301 (toll fr Tech Support Hours: 24 hours a day/ 7 days a

ee)

week

9003702

Website: Online Support: Tech Support Phone: Tech Support Hours:

Online Support:

Model:

Tech Support Phone:

S/No:

9003702

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.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 2: Checking Ou t Your Gateway Computer

Finding y our specifications

For more information abo ut your computer, such as memo ry size, memo ry type, a nd hard drive size, visit Gateway’s eSupport page at support.gateway.com has links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications. For more information, see “Using eSup port” on page 4.

. The eSupport page also

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.

www.gateway.com

Accessories

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 32 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. Dual layer writable DVDs hold as much as 8500 MB of data. For more information about using recordable drives, see “Creating CDs and DVDs” on page 39.

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.

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.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 2: Checking Ou t Your Gateway Computer

www.gateway.com

Chapte r 3

Getting Started

• Using your computer safely

• Protecting your computer from power source problems

• T urning your computer on and off

• Adjusting the volume

• Using the keyboard and the mouse

• Using the computer display

• Installing peripheral devices

Chapter 3: Getting St arted

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 are

parallel to

the floor

your line of sight

Feet are flat on the floor

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 your work area. Do not use your computer in a dark

room.

■ 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.

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.

www.gateway.com

Working safely

■ Select a flat surface for your c omputer 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 com fortable, distributes your wei ght 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 seat, 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 monitor controls

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

■ Place your keyboard and mouse at a com fortable 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, ar ching, 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.

A voiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain

■ Vary yo ur activi ties to avo id excess ive repeti tion.

■ 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.

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Chapter 3: Getting St arted

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 c omputer.

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 jack. During an electrical storm, un plug 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 v ol tage selection sw itc h in co rrec tly, your system will 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.

www.gateway.com

Starting your com puter

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 posit ion.

Voltage

selection

switch

Starting your computer

To start your computer:

1 Connect the cables to your computer. See the setup poster. 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 increa se in th e 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 scanners, and see the

documentation that came with the device for setup instructions.

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Chapter 3: Getting St arted

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.

To turn off your computer:

1 Click Start, then click Turn Off Computer. The Tu r n O ff C o m pu t e r dialog box opens. 2 Click Turn Off. 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 (reboo ting) your comput er

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 your 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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Chapter 3: Getting St arted

Using the ke yboard

Function keys

Editing buttons Internet buttons

Windows keys Applicati on

Audio pla yback buttons

key

Navigation keys

Directional keys

Indicators

Internet buttons

Numeric keypad

Ke yboard featur es

The keyboard has several different types of keys and buttons. Your keyboard also has status indicators that show which keyboard feature is active.

Feature Icon Description

Editing buttons Press these buttons to copy, cut, and paste. Function keys Press these k eys to sta rt program actions . Each progr am uses diff erent functio n

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

Internet buttons Press these buttons to launch your Internet home page, search, or e-mail

programs.

Audio playback buttons

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

Press these buttons to play your audio files and to adjust the volume.

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

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Using the keyboard

Feature Icon Description

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

Press the corresponding key to activate the function.

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

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

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

utility),

Application key Press this key to access shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows.

Directional keys Press these keys to move the cursor up, down, right, or left.

F (Search

Numeric keypad Press these keys to type numbers when the numeric keypad (

turned on.

NUM LOCK) is

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Chapter 3: Getting St arted

Using the mouse

The mouse is a device that controls the pointer movement on the computer display. This illustration shows the standard mouse.

Right button

Left button

As you move the mouse, the pointer (arrow) on the display moves in the same direction.

You can use the left and right buttons on the mouse to select objects on the display. You can use the scroll wheel on the mouse to move through a document. This feature is

not avai lable in a ll progr ams.

Scroll wheel

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To... Do this...

Adjusting the volume

Move the pointer on the compu ter display

Select an object o n the computer display

Start a program or open a file or folder

Access a shortcut menu or find more information about an object on the computer display.

Move an object on the computer display.

click

(hold)

click

click,

click, click

click

and drag

click

Move the mouse around on the mouse pad. If you run out of space on your mouse pad and need t o move th e pointer farther , pic k up the mous e, set it do wn in the middle of the mouse pad, then continue moving t he mouse.

Position the pointer over the object. Quickly press and release the left mouse button once. This action is called

clicking

Position the pointer over the object. Quickly press and release the left mouse button twice. This action is called

double-clicking

Position the pointer over the object. Quickly press an d release t he rig ht mouse button once. This action is called

right-clicking

Position the pointer over the object. Press the left mouse button and hold it down. Move (drag) t he objec t to the appropriate part of the computer di spla y. Release th e button to dr op the ob ject where you want it.

Tips & Tricks For more information about how to adjust the double-click speed,

pointer speed, right- hand or left-ha nd configur ation, an d other mouse settings, see “Changing the mouse or touchpad settings” in

Your Computer

access thi s guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.

which has been included on your hard drive. To

Using

For instructions on how to clean the mouse, see “Cleaning the mouse” on page 46.

Adjusting the v olume

You can use the volume controls to adjust the overall volume and the volume of specific sound devices in your computer.

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Chapter 3: Getting St arted

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. For more information,

see “Using the keyboard” on page 26.

Tips & Tricks For instructi ons on how to adjust the 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 Computer

which has been

Configuring the audio jacks

If the back of your computer has five audio jacks, they are universal jacks. This means that they can be used for more than one purpose. For example, the blue jack on the computer can be a stereo in jack or a stereo out jack. F or more information on how eac h jack can be used, see “Desktop PC Back” on page 12. To use the audio jacks for something other than the default audio device, you need to configure the audio jacks.

To configure the audio jacks:

1 Connect your audio devi ce(s) to the computer audio jack(s). 2 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control

Panel is in Category View, click

Sounds and Audio Devices, then click Advanced under Speaker Settings. The Advanced

Audio Properties dialog box opens.

-ORIf your computer has the Realtek Sound Effect Manager installed, double-click the

Sound Effect Manager icon on the taskbar. The Realtek dialog box opens.

Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices. Click/Double-click

3 Configure the audio jacks for your speaker setup.

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Connecting the dial-u p modem

Connecting the dial-up modem

Your computer has a built-in 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 cable or DSL modem or to a wired Ethernet network

Your computer has a network jack that you can use to connect to a cable or DSL modem or to a 10/100 wired Ethernet network.

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

For inf ormation about setti ng up a wired or w ireless Ethernet netw ork, see “Networking Your Computer” on page 81.

To connect to a cable or DSL modem or to an 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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Chapter 3: Getting St arted

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.

Y our c omputer has one or mo re of the following ports: IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire® or i.Link peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras to your computer. For more information about port locations, see “Checking Out Your Gateway Computer” on

page 9.

IEEE 1394 and USB ports support plug-and-play and hot-swapp ing, wh ich me ans that your computer will usually recognize such a device whenever you plug it into the appropriate port. When you use an IEEE 1394 or 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.

), Universal Serial Bus (USB), serial, and parallel. You use these ports to connect

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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Chapte r 4

Using Drives and Ports

• Using the diskette drive

• Using the memory card reader

• Using CD or D VD drives

Chapter 4: Using Drives and P orts

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.

Drive

activity light

Eject butto nDiskette 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

diskette 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 memory card read er

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 telephone.

Memory card reader slots

Activity indicator

Memory card types

The memory card reader supports the following card types:

Card Type Slot Insert

Secure Digital MultiMediaCard SM (SmartMedia™) left Label facing down (gold

Memory Sti ck Memory Sti ck PRO CompactFlash IBM Microdr ive

Each slot is assigned a different drive letter (for example, the E: and F: drives) so data can be transferred from one memory card type to another.

™

left Label facing up left Label facing up

left Label facing up

™

left Label facing up right Label facing up right Label facing up

contact area facing up)

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Chapter 4: Using Drives and P orts

Inserting a memory card

Caution To avoi d memory card dama ge or errors whil e using a me mo 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 memory card slot as indicated in the previous table. 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.

To remove a memory card:

■ Wait for the memory card reader access indicator to stop blinking, then pull the

memory card out of the slot.

Caution Do not remove the memory card or turn off the computer while the

memory card reader access in dicator is b linking . You could lose data. Also, remove the memory card from the reader before you turn off the computer.

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

the memor y card.

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Using the CD or DVD drive

Using the CD or D VD drive

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

Identifying drive types

Your Gateway computer 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

Double layer DVD+RW

Installing programs, playing audio CDs, and accessing dat a.

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 video and data to DVD+R or DVD+RW discs.

Installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, accessing data, and recording video and data to DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD-R, and DVD-RW discs.

Installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, accessing data, and recording video and data to double layer DVD+R discs.

Note: To use the double layer capability of the double layer recordable DVD drive, the blank DVDs you purchase must state Double Layer, Dual Layer, or DL. Using ot her t ype s of blank media will result in less capacity.

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Chapter 4: Using Drives and P orts

Inserting a CD or DVD

Activity indicator (location varies)

Important Some music CDs hav e cop y protect ion softwa re. You may not be ab le

to play these CD s on your comp uter.

Manual eject hole (location varies)

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

Playing a CD

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

Your Computer

access thi s 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 Play er 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 Gate way 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 information 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 4: Using Drives and P orts

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Chapte r 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

Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer

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 mate rials.

■ 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 repair s that are not covered under your warranty.

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

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 Follow the on-screen instructions.

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 compute r from viruses

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 a nd Excel files. These programs

will warn you if a docum ent that you are opening c ontains a macro that m ight 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 2005. Norton

AntiVirus opens.

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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer

2 Click Scan for Viruses.

3 Click the type of scan you want to make in the Scan for Viruses area.

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.

To update Norton AntiVirus:

Tips & Tricks You received a free, limited-ti me su bs cri ptio n t o th e No rton 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 Program s, Norton AntiVirus, then click LiveUpdate. The LiveUpdate wizard

opens.

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Cleaning your com puter

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. Yo u 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. Your computer is cooled by air circulated through the vents on th e case, so keep the 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 vents. D o 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.

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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer

Cleaning the computer displa y

To clean a computer LCD screen or flat panel display, 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 computer 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 mouse:

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

Cleaning CDs or DVDs

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

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Restoring your system

All programs that were preinstalled on your computer are available for restoration in a hidden area of the hard drive. If you need to restore your computer to the original configuration, follow the instructions in the recovery help manual. To access the manual,

Start, All Programs, System Recovery, then click Recovery Help Manual.

click

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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer

Pre venting static electricity discharge

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

Warning To avoid e xposure to dangerous e lectrical v oltages and mov ing 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 ele ctric 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 such as c arpeted floors, plastic, 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 comp onents on the cards. Never slide expansion cards or components over any surface.

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Opening the ca se

Opening the case

Your computer case provides easy access to internal components.

Warning To avoid e xposure to dangerous e lectrical v oltages and mov ing parts,

turn off your computer, then unplug the power cord, modem cable, and network cable before opening the case.

Removing the side panel

To remove the side panel:

1 Follow the instructions in “Preventing static electricity discharge” on page 48. 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 Remove the thumbscrew from the side panel cover. For the location of the

thumbscrew, see “Desktop PC Back” on page 12.

5 Lift the cover release lever.

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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer

6 Swing the side panel away from the computer, then lift the panel away from the

computer.

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Opening the case

Removing the front bezel

To remove the front bezel:

1 Remove the side panel. 2 Press on the three spring tabs while pulling the right side of the bezel away from the

computer.

3 Swing the bezel toward the left, then remove the bezel from the computer.

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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer

Closing the case

Replacing the side panel

To replace the side panel:

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 panel tabs into the bottom case notches, then swing the side panel toward

the top of the computer to secure it into place.

3 Replace the side panel thumbscrew. 4 Reconnect the cables and power cord.

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Replacing the front bezel

To replace the front bezel:

1 Align the latch pins with the computer latch holes.

Closing the case

2 Press the bezel firmly into place.

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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer

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 memory.

To install or replace DIMM memory:

1 Remove the side panel by following the instructions in “Removing the side panel”

on page 49.

2 For more stability, place your computer on its side. To avoid scratching the case, place

it on a towel or other non-abrasive surface.

3 Find the memory module ba nks on your system board.

4 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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Installing memor y

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.

6 Replace the side panel by following the instructions in “Replacing the side panel” on

page 52.

7 Return your computer to its upright position. 8 Reconnect the cable s and the power cord. 9 Turn on your computer. Windows starts and the Windows desktop appears.

10 Click Start, Control Panel, then click Perf or mance and Maintenance (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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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer

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. Dispose of used batteries following the manufacturer’s instructions.

To replace the battery:

1 Restart your computer. 2 During the restart, press and hold the F1 key . The main menu of the BIOS Setup utility

opens.

3 Write down all the values in the menus and submenus, then exit from the utility. 4 Shut down your computer. 5 Remove the side panel by following the instructions in “Removing the side panel”

on page 49.

6 For more stability, place your computer on its side. To avoid scratching the case, place

it on a towel or other non-abrasive surface.

7 Locate the old battery on the system board and note its orientation. You will need

to install the new battery the same way.

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Replacing the system ba ttery

8 Push the battery release tab. The battery pops out of the socket.

9 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.

10 Replace the side panel by following the instructions in “Replacing the side panel” on

page 52.

11 Reconnect all external cables and the po wer cord. 12 Turn on your computer. 13 Open the BIOS Setup utility. 14 In the BIOS Setup utility, restore any settings that you wrote down in Step 3. 15 Save all your settings and exit the BIOS Setup utility.

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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer

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Chapte r 6

Troubleshooting

• T roubleshooting typical hardware and software problems

• Getting telephone support

• Using automated troubleshooting systems

• Getting tutoring and training

Chapter 6: Troubleshooti ng

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, network cable, and power cord are co nnected.

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

For more information about preventing damage from sta tic electricity, see

“Preventing static electricity discharge” on page 48.

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 Customer Care in diagnosing and fixing the problem.

■ If you added or removed peripheral devices, 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.

Help and

Support

For more information about troubleshooting, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword troubleshooting in the Search box , then click the arrow.

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Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting topics are listed in alphabetical order.

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 77 .

Battery

See “Power” on pa ge 75 .

Troubleshooting

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 37.

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

down and restart your computer.

■ Some music CDs have co py protection s oftware. 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 46.

■ Restart your computer, then enter the BIOS Setup utility by pressing and holding

F1 while your computer restarts. Make sure that the IDE controllers are enabled.

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

the drive documentation.

■ Reinstall the device driver.

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Chapter 6: Troubleshooti ng

Audio CD does not produce sound

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

■ Some music CDs have co py protection s oftware. 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 29.

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

“Adjusting the volume” on page 29.

■ 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 46.

■ 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 37.

■ 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 46.

■ Reinstall the device driver.

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

■ DVDs and DVD drives contain regional codes 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 pow er source and your

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 (unprot ected).

■ Delete unnecessary files on the diskette and try again.

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

■ Try a different disk ette. Occasionally dis kettes are flawed and cann ot be read by

the diskette drive.

Troubleshooting

■ 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

Documentation

Start, All Programs, then click Gateway

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

You see a “A cc ess Denied” o r “W rite pr otect” err or messa ge

■ 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. Occasionall y diskettes are flawed and cannot be read by

the diskette drive.

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Chapter 6: Troubleshooti ng

You see a “Disk is full” error message

■ Delete unnecessary files on the diskette.

■ Try a different disket te. Occasionally diskett es are flawed and cannot be rea d 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

Documentation

Start, All Programs, then click Gateway

You see a “Non-system disk” o r “Disk e rror” erro r 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 dri ves” on page 61.

File management

A file was accidentally deleted

If a file was deleted at a DOS prompt or in Windows 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.

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Troubleshooting

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.

Hard drive

You see an “Insufficient disk space ” err or message

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

on deleting unnecessary files, see “Using Disk Cleanup” in Using Yo ur Computer which has been included on your hard drive. To access this guide, click

Programs

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

Recy cle B in

Caution All delet ed files will 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

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

, then click Gateway Documentation.

Start, All

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 error” mess age

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 sta tic electricity or physical sho ck, you may

need to reinstall the operating system.

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Chapter 6: Troubleshooti ng

You see a “Non-system disk” o r “ d isk err or” error me ssage

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

Internet

See also “Modem (dial-up)” on page 68.

You cannot connect to the Internet

■ If you are using a dial- up modem, ma ke sure that the mo dem cable is plugged into

the modem jack and not the Ethernet network jack. See “Desktop PC Back” on

page 12 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 “Desktop PC Back” on

page 12 to make sure that the connections have been made correctly.

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

correctly. Contact your ISP technical support for help.

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

information, “Modem (dial-up )” on page 68.

Help and

Support

For more information about troubleshooting Internet connections, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword troubleshooting connecti ons in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

You see an “Unable to loca te host” m essage and ar e unab le to br owse the In ternet

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:

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■ 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 W eb browsers open, performi ng 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.

■ 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.

Troubleshooting

■ Clean the keyboard by using an aer osol can of air with a nar row, 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 drain it. Let th e keyboard d ry before using it again. If the keyboard does not work after it dries, you may need to replace it.

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Chapter 6: Troubleshooti ng

Memory

You see a “Memory error” mess age

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

failing.

You see a “Not enough memory” erro r 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.

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)

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

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 , then click the

arrow.

Using Your

The com puter i s runnin g but th ere i s no pictu re

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

on, the p ower LED s hould 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.

www.gateway.com

Troubleshooting

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 monitor.

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

light, metal shelf, or laser printer.

■ You 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 d ocumentation) 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

in To access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gate way Documentation.

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

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

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

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

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Troubleshooti ng

Mouse

The mouse does no t work

■ 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.

Clean the mouse by wiping the bottom with a clean, damp cloth. Make sure that the optical sensor is clean and free of debris.

Networks

You cannot connect to your company network

Every ne twork is u nique. Co ntact you r company computer departm ent or netw ork administrator for help. For more information about setting up a network in your home, see “Networking Your Computer” on page 81.

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.

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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 da maged

cables.

Printer

The printer will not turn on

■ Make sure that the printer is online. Many printers have an online/offline button

that you may need to press.

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

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.

Troubleshooting

■ Make sure that the printer is online. Many printers have an online/offline button

that 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 and 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.

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Chapter 6: Troubleshooti ng

■ 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.

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 “Printer is out of pa per” error message

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.

www.gateway.com

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 29.

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

the volume” on page 29.

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

connections.

■ Make sure that the universal jacks are configured correctly. For more information,

see “Configuring the audio jacks” on page 30.

Troubleshooting

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.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Troubleshooti ng

Telephone support

Before calling Gateway C ustomer Care

If you have a technical problem with your computer, follow these recommendations before contacting Gateway Customer Care:

■ Make sure that your computer is connected correctly to a grounded AC outlet that

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

■ If a peripheral device, such as a keyboard or mouse, does not appear to work, make

sure that all cables are plugged in securely.

■ If you have recently installed hardware or software, make sure that you have

installed it according to the instructions provided with it. If you did not purchase the hardware or software from Gateway, see the manufac turer’s documentation and technical support resources.

■ If you have “how to” questions about using a program, see:

■ Online Help

■ Printed documentation

■ The Microsoft Windows documentation

■ The software publisher’s Web site

■ See the troubleshooting section of this chapter.

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.

■ Have your customer ID, serial number, and order number available, along with a

detailed description of your problem, including the exact text of any error messages, and the steps you have taken.

■ Make sure that your computer is nearby at the time of your call. The technician

may have you follow troubleshooting steps.

www.gateway.com

Telephone suppor t

Telephone numbers

Gateway offers a wide range of customer service, Customer Care, and information services.

Automat ed tro ubleshooti ng sy stem

Service description How to reach

Use an automated menu system and your telep hone keypad to find answers to common problems.

800-846-2118 (US and Canada)

T elep hone numbers

You can access the following services through your telephone to get answers to your questions:

Resource Service description How to reach

Answers by Gateway

Gateway Customer Ca re

Sales, accounting, and warranty

Get tutorial assistance for hardware and s oftw are issues.

Talk to a Gateway Customer Care representative about a non-tutorial technical support question. (See “Before c all in g Gateway C us tom er Care ” o n

page 78 before calling)

TDD Customer Care (for hearing impaired) is available:

Weekdays 8:00 a.m. - 10:00 p.m. Pacific Time Weekends 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Pac if ic T im e Get information about available systems, pricing,

orders, billing statements, warranty service, or other non-technical issues.

www.gateway.com/answers

Gateway Customer Care telep hon e numbers vary by country or region. See the label on the front of your computer . For more inf ormation, see

“Identifying y our mode l” on page 15.

800-846-1778 (US) 605-232-2191

(all other countries)

800-846-2000 (US) 888-387-7752 (Canada)

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Troubleshooti ng

Self-help

If you have how-to questions about using your Gateway-supplied hardware or software, see the following resources:

■ The printe d or on line docu men tati on th at c ame wi th yo ur ha rdwa re o r sof twar e.

In many cases, additional produc t information and online documentation for Gateway-supplied hardware can be found in our W eb site's Documentation Library .

■ This user guide and the Using Your Computer guide.

■ The software publisher's Web site.

Help and

Support

For more how-to information about Windows, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword practice in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

Tutoring

Answers by GatewaySM is a telephone service that provides answers to all of your “How do I” questions on Gateway computers. For m ore information, go to

www.gateway.com/answers

Training

Gateway provides the following computer-based training:

Resource Service description For more information

Gateway Learning Libraries

Online Training from Learn With Gateway

A variety of courses and tutorials are available on CD. Select from several easy-to-use learning libraries.

More than 450 online courses are available from Learn With Gatewa y . All you have to do i s go online and log in. You select the subject matter, and the learning format (self-paced tutorials or virtual classrooms), all from the comfort of your computer.

www.gateway.com/training

www.learnwithgateway.com

www.gateway.com

Chapte r 7

Networking Your Computer

• Introducing networking

• Creating an Ethernet network

• T esting your network

• Sharing your resources

• T roubleshooting your Ethernet network

Chapter 7: Networking Your Computer

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 devices

■ 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.

www.gateway.com

Introduction to ne tworking

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 race in competin g

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 thes e keywords in th e 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 are looking for an alternative to installing cable for connectivity

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

■ Your computer 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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Chapter 7: Networking Your Computer

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 page86.

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 i n air port s, college campuses, and businesses

■

Compatible with IEEE 802.11g networks

■

Longer range (100 to 150 fee t) than IEEE 802.11a

IEEE 802.11g 54 Mbps 2.4 GHz

■

Compatible with IEEE 802.11b networks

■

Longer range (100 to 150 fee t) than IEEE 802.11a

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 obstructions such as walls, floors, and doors.

■

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 f rom cordless telephones and microwaves

■

Not compatible with IEEE 802.11a networks

■

Possible interference f rom cordless telephones and microwaves

■

Not compatible with IEEE 802.11a networks

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Introduction to ne tworking

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.

Cable/DSL modem

Access point

USB wireless

adapter

Tips & Tricks To add the ability to ac cess a wired Ethernet netwo rk to you r wirele ss

Ethernet network, connect an ac cess 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 ac cess ing a wired Ethernet, see “Using a wired Ethernet network” on page 87.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 7: Networking Your Computer

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)

Important IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g 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 IEEE 802.11g components will notwork. Some wireless devices can broadcast and receive signals on both frequencies.

A mixture of IEEE 802.11b and IEEE 802.11g components will result 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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Introduction to ne tworking

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 cab le

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 wired Ethernet network

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 municipality 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.

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 th e router is a cable or DSL modem that provides access to the Internet.

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Chapter 7: Networking Your Computer

Cable/DSL modem

Router

Tips & Tricks To add the ab ility to access a w ireless Eth ernet network to you r wired

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 wireless Ethernet, see “Using a wireless Ethernet

network” on page 83.

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 (o ptional)

■ Ethernet cables connecting all of the network equipment

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 10/100/10 00). A mixture of compon ents rated at different speeds will result in your network running at the speed of the slowest rated component.

www.gateway.com

Creating an Ethernet ne twork

Tips & Tricks When buying y our router, be sure the mod el 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

Determinin g if wired Etherne t is already installed on your compu ters

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.

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Chapter 7: Networking Your Computer

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 Com puter 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 Comp uter Name Changes dialog box.

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Creating an Ethernet ne twork

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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Chapter 7: Networking Your Computer

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 In ternet Protocol (TCP/ IP) Properties dialog box opens.

www.gateway.com

6 Click the General tab.

7 Click Obtain an IP address automatically.

Creating an Ethernet ne twork

8 Click OK to close the Intern et Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box.

9 Click OK to close the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box. 10 Click X to close 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 93.

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

page 101.

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.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 7: Networking Your Computer

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 network 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 po int or be available 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 101, 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.

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.

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Gateway 9310, B-330, B-530, FX400, FX400MC User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Getting Help

Gateway Web site

Using eSupport

Support Home

Product Support

Downloads

Contact Us

Account Info

PC T ools

Help and Support

To start Help and Support:

Searching for a topic

BigFix

To start BigFix:

To learn more about using BigFix:

Using Your Computer guide

To access the Using Your Computer guide:

Online help

Gateway c ontact information

Desktop PC F ront

Desktop PC Back

Identifying your mo del

Gatewa y model and 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 com puter

To set the voltage selection switch:

To start your computer:

W aking up your c omputer

T urning off your c omputer

To turn off your computer:

Restarting (reboo ting) your comput er

To close unresponsive programs and restart your computer:

Using the ke yboard

Ke yboard featur es

Using the mouse

Adjusting the volume

To adjust the overall volume level using hardware controls:

Configuring the audio jacks

To configure the audio jacks:

Connecting the dial-u p modem

To connect the modem:

Connecting to a cable or DSL modem or to a wired Ethernet network

To connect to a cable or DSL modem or to an Ethernet network:

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral devic e

Using Drives and Ports

Using the disk ette drive

To use a diskette:

Using the memory card read er

Memory card types

Inserting a memory card

To use a memory card:

To remove a memory card:

Using the CD or DVD drive

Identifying drive types

Inserting a CD or DVD

To insert 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

To run Windows Update:

Protecting your compute r from viruses

To scan for viruses: