Gateway profile 4 User Manual
your Gateway Profile
™
4
user'sguide
Customizing
Troubleshooting
Contents
1 Checking Out Your Gateway Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Right side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Identifying your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Gateway model number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Gateway serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Finding your specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
2Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Working safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Reducing eye strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Setting up your computer desk and chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Setting up your computer and computer accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Sitting at your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Starting your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Turning off your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Restarting (rebooting) your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Multifunction keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Special-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Using the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Computer display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
External controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
OSD options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
3Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
HelpSpot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Searching for a topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
HelpSpot videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Using eSupport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
i
4 Windows Basics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
About the Windows environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Using the desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Using the Start menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Adding icons to the desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Identifying window items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Working with files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Viewing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46
Creating folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Copying and moving files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Deleting files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Browsing for files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Searching for files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Using the Windows Search utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Working with documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Creating a new document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Saving a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Opening a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Printing a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
5 Using the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
Learning about the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Setting up an Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Accessing your Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Using the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Connecting to a Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Downloading files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Using e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Sending e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
Checking your e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
6 Using Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73
Using the diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
Using the CD or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Identifying drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Inserting a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Adjusting the volume in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79
Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82
Listening to CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
Listening to CDs in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84
ii
Listening to CDs in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Recording and playing audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Playing a DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Using MusicMatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Playing CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Creating MP3 music files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Editing track information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Building a music library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Changing the music library display settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Listening to Internet radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Using advanced features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Using a recordable drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Creating data CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Creating music CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Copying CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
7 Using PhoneTools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113
Sending and receiving faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Setting up your cover page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Sending a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Faxing from programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Receiving and viewing a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
8 Customizing Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Adjusting the screen and desktop settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Adjusting the color depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122
Adjusting the screen resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Changing the colors on your Windows desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Changing the desktop background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Selecting a screen saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Changing the mouse settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Programming the multifunction keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Adding and modifying user accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Power management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Using power saving modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Changing power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Changing the power scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Changing advanced power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143
Activating and using Hibernate mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Setting up an uninterruptible power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
iii
9 Networking Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Benefits of networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Sharing a single Internet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Sharing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Sharing peripheral devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Streaming audio and video files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Playing multi-player games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151
Selecting a network connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) network . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Using a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153
Example wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
Equipment you need for a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155
Using a wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156
Example access point wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 157
Equipment you need for an access point wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . .158
Example peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
Equipment you need for a peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . .160
For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
10 Moving from Your Old Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Using the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Transferring files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Finding your files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Transferring Internet settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Setting up your ISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165
Transferring your e-mail and address book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Transferring your Internet shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Installing your old printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Installing a USB printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166
Installing a parallel port printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
Installing your old programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
11 Maintaining Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
Caring for your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Creating an emergency startup diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Protecting your computer from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174
Managing hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Checking hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177
Using Disk Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178
Checking the hard drive for errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179
iv
Defragmenting the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Backing up files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Using the Scheduled Task Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183
Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185
Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Cleaning the computer display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Cleaning the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
12 Restoring Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187
Using the Restoration CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
Reinstalling device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Updating device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Reinstalling programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192
Reinstalling Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194
13 Upgrading Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197
Adding PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Selecting a place to work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Gathering the tools you need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200
Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Opening the computer case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Closing the computer case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Replacing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Replacing the removable drive pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Replacing the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210
Replacing the Mini PCI card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Installing or replacing DIMM memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Using the BIOS Setup utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222
14 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 225
Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Software support tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
CD, DVD, or recordable drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228
Cleaning CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230
Computer display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231
Diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 232
File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233
Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 234
v
Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235
Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237
Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238
Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 244
Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
Before calling Gateway Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249
Tutoring and training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250
Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 250
Tutoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250
Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
A Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261
vi
Checking Out
Your Gateway
Profile
This chapter introduces you to the basic features of your
computer. Read this chapter to learn:
■ How to identify the features of your Gateway Profile
computer
■ How to locate your computer’s model and serial
number
■ How to locate the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity
■ How to locate the specifications for your computer
■ What accessories are available for your computer
1
Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Profile
Front
Diskette
drive
Headphone
jack
Speaker
Microphone
jack
CD/DVD/
Recordable
drive
Computer
display
controls
Diskette
eject
button
Speaker
Power
button
CD/DVD
eject
button
2
www.gateway.com
Component Icon Description
Diskette drive Use this drive to store smaller files on diskettes. For more
information, see “Using the diskette drive” on page 74.
Headphone jack Plug headphones into this jack.
Speakers Provide stereo audio output when headphones or amplified
speakers are not plugged in.
Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack to record sound.
Front
CD/DVD/Recordable
drive
Computer display
controls
Diskette eject button Press this button to eject an inserted diskette. For more
Power button Press this button to turn the power on or off. You can also
CD/DVD eject button Press this button to open the CD or DVD drive tray. For more
Use this drive to listen to audio CDs, install games and
programs, watch DVDs, and store large files onto recordable
CDs. For more information, see “Using the CD or DVD drive”
on page 76 and “Using a recordable drive” on page 100.
This drive may be a CD, CD-RW, DVD, or DVD/CD-RW drive.
To identify your drive type and for more information about your
drive, see “Identifying drive types” on page 76.
Use these controls to enter the OSD (on-screen display) and
adjust the computer display settings. For more information
about the computer display and OSD, see “Computer display”
on page 26.
information, see “Using the diskette drive” on page 74.
configure the power button to operate in Standby/Resume
mode or Hibernate mode. For more information on changing
the power button setting, see “Changing the power scheme”
on page 142.
information, see “Using the CD or DVD drive” on page 76.
www.gateway.com
3
Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Profile
Back
Parallel
port
Modem
jack
PS/2
mouse port
PS/2
Keyboard
port
Monitor
port
Serial
port
Audio output
jack
Kensington
lock slot
Audio input
jack
Microphone
jack
Power
connector
Ethernet
jack
USB ports
Microsoft
Certificate of
Authenticity
4
www.gateway.com
Component Icon Description
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 30.
Modem jack Plug a modem cable into this jack (optional feature).
®
PS/2 mouse port Plug a Personal System/2
PS/2 keyboard port Plug a PS/2 keyboard into this port.
Monitor port Plug an additional monitor into this port.
Serial port Plug a serial device (such as a digital camera) into this port.
For more information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other
peripheral device” on page 30.
(PS/2) mouse into this port.
Back
Audio output
jack
Kensington™
lock slot
Audio input
jack
Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack to record sound.
Power connector Plug the power cable into this connector.
Ethernet jack Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable or a device (such as a
USB ports Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB
Microsoft
Certificate of
Authenticity
Line out. Plug an external audio output source (such as
external speakers) into this jack.
Secure your computer to an object by connecting a Kensington
cable lock to this slot.
Line in. Plug an external audio input source (such as a stereo)
into this jack so you can record sound on your computer.
DSL or cable modem for a broadband Internet connection) into
this jack. For more information, see “Learning about the
Internet” on page 64.
Iomega™ Zip™ drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or
mouse) into these por ts. For more information, see “Installing
a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 30.
Contains your Windows product key. For more information, see
“Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity” on page 8.
www.gateway.com
5
Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Profile
Right side
PC Card slot
PC Card eject button
IEEE 1394 ports
USB ports
6
www.gateway.com
Component Icon Description
PC Card slot Insert a Type I and Type II PC Card into this slot. For more
information, see “Adding PC Cards” on page 198
Right side
PC Card eject
button
IEEE 1394 ports Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire
USB ports Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB
Press the eject button to remove a PC Card from the PC Card
slot. For more information, see “To remove a PC Card:” on
page 199
®
or i.Link®) device
(such as a digital video camera) into this 4-pin IEEE 1394 port.
For more information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other
peripheral device” on page 30.
Iomega™ Zip™ drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or
mouse) into these ports. For more information, see “Installing
a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 30.
www.gateway.com
7
Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Profile
Identifying your model
Important The labels shown in this section are for informational
purposes only. Label information varies by model, features
ordered, and location.
Gateway model number
The label located on the computer case beneath the speakers contains
information that identifies your computer model. Gateway Technical Support
will need this information if you call for assistance.
Gateway serial number
You can locate the Gateway serial number:
■ Printed on the black system label located on the computer case beneath
the speakers.
■ Printed on the customer invoice that came with your computer. The
invoice will also contain your customer ID number.
■ Displayed in HelpSpot in Windows XP. Click Start, Help and Support, then
View product serial number.
click
Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity
The Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity label found on the back of your
computer includes the product key code for your operating system.
8
www.gateway.com
Finding your specifications
Finding your specifications
For more information about your computer, such as memory size, memory type,
and hard drive size, go to the
eSupport page at support.gateway.com
additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications.
My Computer Info link in HelpSpot or visit Gateway’s
. The eSupport page also has links to
In Windows XP, click
your computer’s serial number. Click
See your PC’s configuration to check your computer’s specifications.
Start, Help and Support, then click My Computer Info to view
Start, Help and Support, then click
www.gateway.com
9
Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Profile
You can also find out more about your computer at the Gateway eSupport site.
Visit support.gateway.com
page 38.
. For more information, see “Using eSupport” on
10
www.gateway.com
Accessories
Gateway offers accessories that can help you make the most of using your
computer. To order accessories, visit the Accessory Superstore at
accessories.gateway.com
Home networking kit
With a home networking kit, you can network, or “link”, two or more
computers in your home. After you have set up a home network, you can access
the files, drives, and printers on linked computers, play multiplayer games, and
even share one Internet connection.
Two types of home networking kits are available. Wireless home networking
kits use radio frequency to link your computers wirelessly. Ethernet home
networking kits use network cabling to link your computers.
Imaging equipment
A digital camera lets you take pictures that you can view and edit on your
computer.
A digital video camera lets you take movies that you can view and edit on your
computer and save to a CD-RW disc.
.
Accessories
A scanner copies an image, such as a graphic or document, then stores the copy
in a file. You can view and edit scanner files on your computer.
You can attach your digital photographs or scanned images to e-mail messages
or post them on a Web site.
Printers
You can attach many types of printers 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 30 for more
information about attaching a printer to your computer.
Inkjet printers and cartridges are relatively inexpensive, but usually they are
slower than laser printers. Using an inkjet color printer, you can print pictures,
banners, and greeting cards, as well as documents.
Laser printers and cartridges are more expensive, but usually they print much
faster than inkjet printers. Laser printers are better than inkjet printers when
you are printing large documents.
www.gateway.com
11
Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Profile
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 CD-ReWritable (CD-RW) drive, you can free up hard drive space by
backing up files, then removing them from your hard drive. The inexpensive
discs for CD-RW drives can hold as much as 700 MB of data. CD-RW drives
can write to either CD-R or CD-RW discs. You can write to CD-R discs just one
time. You can write to and erase CD-RW discs multiple times. For more
information, see “Using a recordable drive” on page 100.
Iomega Zip drives, like diskette drives, use disks to store data. Zip disks can store
100 MB, 250 MB, or 750 MB of data. You can use a Zip drive to back up files
you do not use so you can remove them from your hard drive. Zip drives also
provide an easy way to transfer files between computers.
If 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, or even 130 GB or
more of data.
If you want to increase your internal storage space, replace your existing hard
drive with a larger drive. For more information, see “Replacing the hard drive”
on page 210.
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. For more information, see “Installing or replacing
DIMM memory” on page 219.
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 also provides protection from
power surges. For more information, see “Setting up an uninterruptible power
supply” on page 147.
12
www.gateway.com
Getting Started
Read this chapter to find out how to:
■ Use your computer safely
■ Protect your computer from power source problems
■ Start and turn off your computer
■ Use the keyboard
■ Use the mouse
■ Use the computer display
■ Install peripheral devices
13
Chapter 2: Getting Started
Working safely
Before using your computer, read the following recommendations for setting
up a safe and comfortable work area and avoiding discomfort and strain.
Hands and
arms are
parallel to the
floor
Top of display is not
higher than eye level
Screen is
perpendicular to
your line of sight
Feet are flat on the floor
Reducing eye strain
Sunlight or bright indoor lighting should not reflect on the computer display
or shine directly into your eyes.
■ Position the computer desk and computer so you can avoid glare on your
computer display 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 computer display.
■ Use soft, indirect lighting in your work area. Do not use your computer
in a dark room.
■ Avoid focusing your eyes on your computer display for long periods of
time. Look away from your display occasionally, and try to focus on distant
objects.
14
www.gateway.com
Setting up your computer desk and chair
When you are setting up your computer desk and chair, make sure that the
desk is the appropriate height and the chair helps you maintain good posture.
■ Select a flat surface for your computer desk.
■ Adjust the height of the computer desk so your hands and arms are
positioned parallel to the floor when you use the keyboard and mouse. If
the desk is not adjustable or is too tall, consider using a keyboard drawer.
■ Use an adjustable chair that is comfortable, distributes your weight evenly,
and keeps your body relaxed.
■ Position your chair so the keyboard is at or slightly below the level of your
elbow. This position lets your shoulders relax while you type.
■ Adjust the chair height, adjust the forward tilt of the 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.
Working safely
Setting up your computer and computer accessories
■ Set up your computer so the display is no higher than eye level, the display
controls are within reach, and the display is tilted to be perpendicular to
your line of sight.
■ Place your keyboard and mouse at a comfortable distance. You should be
able to reach them without stretching.
■ Set paper holders at the same height and distance as the computer display.
www.gateway.com
15
Chapter 2: Getting Started
Sitting at your computer
■ Avoid bending, arching, or angling your wrists. Make sure that they are
in a relaxed position when you type.
■ Do not slouch forward or lean far back. Sit with your back straight so your
knees, hips, and elbows form right angles when you work.
■ Take breaks to stand and stretch your legs.
■ Avoid twisting your torso or neck.
Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain
■ Vary your activities to avoid excessive repetition.
■ 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.
16
www.gateway.com
Protecting from power source problems
Protecting from power source
problems
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 your computer and peripheral devices by connecting them to a surge
protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from reaching your
computer.
Warning High voltages can enter your computer through the power
cord, the modem, and network connections. Protect your
computer by using a surge protector. If you have a
telephone modem, use a surge protector that has a
modem jack. If you have a cable modem, use a surge
protector that has an antenna/cable TV jack. During an
electrical storm, unplug both the surge protector and the
modem.
An uninterruptible power supply (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. For more
information, see “Setting up an uninterruptable power supply” on page 155.
www.gateway.com
17
Chapter 2: Getting Started
Starting your computer
To start your computer:
1 Connect the cables to your computer using 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.
4 Turn on any peripheral devices, such as printers or scanners, and see the
documentation that came with the device for setup instructions.
18
www.gateway.com
Turning off your computer
Tips & Tricks 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 wall
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 in Windows XP:
1 Click Start, then click Turn Off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box
opens.
2 Click Tu r n O f f. 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.
Turning off your computer
To turn off your computer in Windows 2000:
1 Click Start, then click Shut Down. The Shut Down Windows dialog box opens. 2 Click the arrow button to open the What do you want your computer to do
list, then click
Shut down.
3 Click OK. Windows shuts down and turns off your computer.
Important If for some reason you cannot use the Shut Down option
in Windows to turn off your computer, press and hold the
power button for about five seconds, then release it.
www.gateway.com
19
Chapter 2: Getting Started
Restarting (rebooting) your computer
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, then click Task Manager. The Task Manager window
opens.
2 Click the Applications tab, then click the program that is not responding. 3 Close the program by clicking End Task. 4 If your computer does not respond, turn it off, wait ten seconds and turn
it on again.
20
Important If your computer does not turn off, press and hold the
power button for about five seconds, then release it.
www.gateway.com
Multifunction keyboard
Function keys Navigation keys Indicators
Multifunction keyboard
Press these
Windows keys Application
key
To...
Directional
keys
Numeric
keypad
keys...
Function keys Start program actions. Each program uses different function keys for
different purposes. See the program documentation to find out more
about the function key actions.
Navigation keys Press these keys to move the cursor to the beginning of a line, to the
end of a line, up the page, down the page, to the beginning of a
document, or to the end of a document.
Indicators Show if your
activated. Press the corresponding key to activate the function.
Windows keys Open the Windows Start menu. These keys can also be used in
combination with other keys to open utilities like
utility), and
Application key Access shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows.
Directional keys Move the cursor up, down, right, or left.
Numeric keypad Use these keys to type numbers when the numeric keypad (
is turned on.
NUM LOCK, CAPS LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK keys are
F (Search utility), R (Run
E (Explorer utility).
NUM LOCK)
www.gateway.com
21
Chapter 2: Getting Started
Special-function buttons
Previous
Play/Pause
Volume dow n
Vol um e up
Special-function buttons
Previous Return to the previous CD track or DVD chapter.
Play/Pause Start or pause the play of the CD or DVD.
Stop Stop the play of CD or DVD.
Mute Shopping cart
Shortcut InternetE-mail
Icons Press to...
Stop
Next
Help
Next Move to the next CD track or DVD chapter.
Volume down Decrease the volume.
Volume up Increase the volume.
Mute Turn off all sound.
Shortcut Open the program you assign to this button (by default
it is set to open the My Documents folder). For
instructions on how to customize this programmable
button, see “Programming the multifunction keyboard” on
page 135.
22
www.gateway.com
Loading...