Gateway profile 4 User Manual

Download

your Gateway Profile

™

user'sguide

Customizing

Troubleshooting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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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.

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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

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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.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Profile

Right side

PC Card slot

PC Card eject button

IEEE 1394 ports

USB ports

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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.

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Setting up your computer desk and chair

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

■ Select a flat surface for your computer desk.

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

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

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

and keeps your body relaxed.

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

elbow. This position lets your shoulders relax while you type.

■ Adjust the chair height, adjust the forward tilt of the 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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

power button for about five seconds, then release it.

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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)

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Special-function buttons

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

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.

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Multifunction keyboard

Special-function buttons

Shopping cart Open an Internet shopping site. You can customize this

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

Help Open online help. You can customize this button to open

Internet Open your Web browser. You can customize this button

Icons Press to...

button to open another program. For instructions, see “Programming the multifunction keyboard” on page 135.

another program. For instructions, see “Programming the multifunction keyboard” on page 135.

to open another program. For instructions, see “Programming the multifunction keyboard” on page 135.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

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 c a n use th e scroll wheel on the mouse to move through a document. This feature is not available in all programs.

Scroll wheel

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Using the mouse

To... Do this...

Mouse

Move the pointer on the computer display

Select an object on 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

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 to move the pointer farther, pick up the mouse, set it down in the middle of the mouse pad, then continue moving the 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 and release the right 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) the object to the appropriate part of the computer display. Release the button to drop the object where you want it.

For instructions on how to adjust the double-click speed, pointer speed, right-hand or left-hand configuration, and other mouse settings, see “Changing the mouse settings” on page 133.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Computer display

You can adjust your computer display image by using external controls (located near the display itself) and software controls (accessible in Windows). For more information about software controls, see “Adjusting the screen and desktop settings” on page 122.

External controls

The computer display features an on-screen display (OSD) that lets you adjust and save contrast, brightness, and other settings for the display. Your computer saves changes you make to the settings, even if you turn off the display.

AUTO

button

■ Auto.

Press the clock, and phase.

■ Menu/Select.

Press to view the OSD. Press again to select OSD options.

■ – and +.

OSD active: Press to move through menu screens and adjust OSD options. OSD inactive: Press the

■ Exit.

Press to deselect a menu screen. Press again to exit the OSD.

AUTO button to automatically optimize the display’s position,

MENU/

SELECT

button

– and + buttons to adjust the brightness.

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–

button

EXIT

button

OSD options

To adjust the OSD settings:

1 Press the MENU/SELECT button. The OSD menu opens. 2 Use the – and + buttons to highlight a control, then press the

MENU/SELECT button.

3 Use the – and + buttons to adjust the control to the desired level. 4 When you have finished making adjustments, press the EXIT button to

return to the main menu screen.

5 If you want to adjust additional ODS options, repeat Step 2 through Step 4

until all adjustments are made.

6 Press the EXIT button again to exit the OSD.

OSD menus

You can access any of these menus in the OSD:

Computer display

OSD Adjust Description

Brightness. Adjusts the brightness of the computer display. Use the lowest brightness setting you are comfortable with to maximize the life of the monitor backlights.

You may need to readjust brightness after the computer display has warmed up.

Contrast. Adjusts the contrast of the computer display.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

OSD Adjust Description

Preset. Adjusts the color temperature. 9300K is bluish white. 6500K is reddish white (default).

Red, Green, Blue. Customize the color levels.

Vertical position. Moves the image up and down.

Horizontal position. Moves the image left and right.

You can also use the Auto function to configure the vertical and horizontal position automatically. For more information on the Auto function, see “External controls” on page 26.

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OSD Adjust Description

Clock. Minimizes any vertical bars or stripes visible on the computer display background. The horizontal display size will also change.

Phase. Removes any horizontal distortion and clear or sharpen the image of characters.

Language. Changes the OSD language setting.

OSD Position. Adjusts the OSD window position on the display.

Computer display

To adjust the color depth and screen resolution using software controls, see “Adjusting the screen and desktop settings” on page 122.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

Important

Your computer has two IEEE 1394 ports, six Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, one serial port, and one parallel port. These ports are used for connecting peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras to your computer. For more information about port locations, see “Checking Out Your Gateway Profile” on page 1.

IEEE 1394 and USB ports support plug-and-play and hot swapping, which means that your computer will usually recognize such a device whenever you plug it into the appropriate port. When you use 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.

Help and

Support

Before installing any printer, scanner, or other peripheral device, see the device documentation for detailed information and installation instructions.

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

Type the keyword installing devices in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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Getting Help

This chapter tells you about additional information resources available to help you use your computer. Read this chapter to learn how to access:

■ HelpSpot™

■ Online help

■ Gateway Web site

Chapter 3: Getting Help

HelpSpot

Your computer may include HelpSpot, an easily accessible collection of help information, troubleshooters, instructional videos, and automated support. Use HelpSpot to answer questions about Windows and to help you quickly discover and use the many features of your Gateway computer. HelpSpot also has an area called Contact Gateway that helps you find the right resource at Gateway to answer your questions or help solve your problems.

To start HelpSpot:

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

If this is the first time you have started HelpSpot, you may experience a brief wait while HelpSpot builds the help database, then HelpSpot displays an introductory video.

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HelpSpot

You can find help information by clicking a link, performing a search, or browsing the index. To learn about using your Gateway computer, your mouse, and other tasks, click the

Using your computer link on the HelpSpot main page.

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Chapter 3: Getting Help

Searching for a topic

To search for a topic in HelpSpot, type a word or phrase (keyword) in the Search box located at the top of any HelpSpot screen, then click the arrow button.

Search box

Search results

header

headers

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

■ Suggested Topics - These topics are located in HelpSpot and are relevant

to your search topic.

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

the words you entered in the

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

site and contain the words you entered in the

Search box.

Search box. You must be

connected to the Internet to search for and access these topics.

■ Gateway.com Search - These topics are located on the Gateway Web site

and contain the words you entered in the

Search box. You must be

connected to the Internet to search for and access these topics.

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

To view a topic, click the topic name in the

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Search Results list.

HelpSpot videos

HelpSpot contains several short videos to help introduce you to new concepts or show you how to perform various tasks.

To play a HelpSpot video:

■ To watch a video in HelpSpot, click Video Tutorials on the HelpSpot home

page, then click a video title. The video plays.

HelpSpot

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Chapter 3: Getting Help

Online help

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

Help button.

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

Help menu or by clicking

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Gateway Web site

Gateway's online support is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and provides the most current drivers, product specifications, tutorials, and personalized information about your system. Visit the Gateway eSupport Web site a t support.gateway.com the Internet, see “Using the Internet” on page 63.

. For more information about connecting to

Gateway Web site

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Chapter 3: Getting Help

Using eSupport

The eSupport site is divided into four major areas:

■ Support Home

■ Downloads

■ Contact Us

■ Account Info

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

Support Home tab

To get specific information about your computer, type your serial number into the My System Information box, then click

for me

. For more information, see “Finding your specifications” on page 9.

The Support Information link lets you access product documentation, specifications, and guides. By entering your serial number, you get specific documents related to your system. You can also browse through the reference area to locate an article specific to the question you have.

GO, or click Look up my serial number

The Tuto rials link lets you access an extensive library of how-to articles and videos on topics such as making audio CDs and installing a hard drive.

Downloads tab

The Downloads tab provides the latest software updates for BIOS and driver upgrades. By entering your serial number you get drivers specific to your system.

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

Click

Contact Us tab

The Contact Us tab contains links to technical support with a live technician, including chat and e-mail. Click numbers for both sales and support. For more information, see “Telephone support” on page 248.

Call Us to get a list of Gateway telephone

Account Info tab

The Account Info tab contains support for non-technical issues, like the status of your order or changing your account address.

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Windows Basics

Read this chapter to learn how to:

■ Use the Windows desktop

■ Manage files and folders

■ Work wi t h d oc u me n ts

■ Use shortcuts

Chapter 4: Windows Basics

About the Windows environment

After your computer starts, the first screen you see is the Windows desktop. The desktop is like the top of a real desk. Think of the desktop as your personalized work space where you open programs and perform other tasks.

Your desktop may be different from this example, depending on how your computer is set up.

Help and

Support

For more information about the Windows XP desktop, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Windows desktop in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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Using the desktop

The desktop contains the taskbar, the Start button, and the Recycle Bin icon.

Desktop elements Description

The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of the computer display containing the Start button on the left and a clock on the right. Other buttons on the taskbar represent programs that are running.

Click a program’s button on the taskbar to open the program’s window.

The Start button provides access to programs, files, help for Windows and other programs, and computer tools and utilities.

Click the Start button, then open a file or program by clicking an item on the menu that opens.

The Recycle Bin is where files, folders, and programs that you discarded are stored. You must empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete them from your computer. For instructions on how to use the Recycle Bin, see “Deleting files and folders” on page 51.

Using the desktop

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Using the Start menu

You can start programs, open files, customize your system, get help, search for files and folders, and more using the Start menu.

To use the Start menu:

1 Click the Start button on the lower left of the Windows desktop. The Start

menu opens showing you the first level of menu items.

2 In Windows XP, click All Programs to see all programs and files in the Start

menu. When you move the mouse pointer over any menu item that has an arrow next to it, another menu, called a submenu, opens and reveals related files, programs, or commands.

3 Click a file or program to open it.

Help and

Support

For more information about the Windows XP Start menu, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Windows Start menu in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

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Adding icons to the desktop

You may want to add an icon (shortcut) to the desktop for a program that you use frequently.

To add icons to the desktop:

1 Click Start, then click All Programs. 2 Right-click (press the right mouse button) the program that you want to

add to the desktop.

3 Click Send To, then click Desktop (create shortcut). A shortcut icon for that

program appears on the desktop.

Using the desktop

Help and

Support

For more information about desktop icons in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword desktop icons in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Identifying window items

When you double-click the icon for a drive, folder, file, or program, a window opens on the desktop. This example shows the Local Disk (C:) window, which opens after you double-click the

Local Disk (C:) icon in the My Computer window.

Title bar

Menu bar

Maximize

Minimize

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Identifying window items

Every program window looks a little different because each has its own menus, icons, and controls. Most windows include these items:

Window item Description

The title bar is the horizontal bar at the top of a window that shows the window title.

Clicking the minimize button reduces the active window to a button on the taskbar. Clicking the program button in the taskbar opens the window again.

Clicking the maximize button expands the active window to fit the entire computer display. Clicking the maximize button again restores the window to its former size.

Clicking the close button closes the active window or program.

Clicking an item on the menu bar starts an action such as Print or Save.

Help and

Support

For more information about windows in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword window in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Working with files and folders

You can organize your files and programs to suit your preferences much like you would store information in a file cabinet. You can store these files in folders and copy, move, and delete the information just as you would reorganize and throw away information in a file cabinet.

Viewing drives

Drives are like file cabinets because they hold files and folders. A computer almost always has more than one drive. Each drive has a letter, usually Local Disk (C:) for the hard drive and 3½ Floppy (A:) for the diskette drive. You may also have more drives such as a CD, DVD, or recordable drive.

To view the drives on your computer:

■ In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer on the Start menu.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, double-click the

Drives

My Computer icon on the desktop.

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Working with files and folders

To see the files and folders on a drive:

■ Double-click the drive icon. If you do not see the contents of a drive after

you double-click its icon, click

Show the contents of this drive.

Help and

Support

For more information about files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword files and folders in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

Creating folders

Folders are much like the folders in a file cabinet. They can contain files and other folders.

Files are much like paper documents—letters, spreadsheets, and pictures—that you keep on your computer. In fact, all information on a computer is stored in files.

Folders

Files

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

To create a folder:

1 In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer on the Start menu.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, double-click the

My Computer icon on the desktop.

2 Double-click the drive where you want to put the new folder. Typically,

Local Disk (C:) is your hard drive and 3½ Floppy (A:) is your diskette drive. If you do not see the contents of the drive, click

drive

Show the contents of this

3 If you want to create a new folder inside an existing folder, double-click

the existing folder. If you do not see the contents of the drive or folder,

Show the contents of this drive or Show the contents of this folder.

click

4 Click File, New, then click Folder. The new folder is created. 5 Type a name for the folder, then press ENTER. The new folder name appears

by the folder icon.

Help and

Support

For information about renaming folders, see “Shortcuts” on page 61.

For more information about creating files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword creating files and folders in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

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Working with files and folders

Copying and moving files and folders

The skills you need to copy and move files are called copying, cutting, and pasting.

When you copy and paste a file or folder, you place a copy of the file or folder on the Windows clipboard, which temporarily stores it. Then, when you decide what fol der you want the cop y to go in (t he destination folder), you paste it there.

When you cut and paste a file or folder, you remove the file or folder from its original location and place the file or folder on the Windows clipboard. When you decide where you want the file or folder to go, you paste it there.

Important The clipboard stores whatever you cut or copy until you cut

or copy again. Then the clipboard contains the new information only. Therefore, you can paste copies of a file or folder into more than one place, but as soon as you copy or cut a different file or folder, the original file or folder is deleted from the clipboard.

To copy a file or folder to another folder:

1 Locate the file or folder you want to copy. For more information, see

“Viewing drives” on page 46 and “Searching for files” on page 54.

2 Right-click (press the right mouse button) the file or folder that you want

to copy. A pop-up menu opens on the desktop.

3 Click Copy on the pop-up menu. 4 Open the destination folder. 5 With the pointer inside the destination folder, right-click. 6 Click Paste. A copy of the file or folder appears in the new location.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

To move a file or folder to another folder:

1 Locate the file or folder you want to move. For more information, see

“Viewing drives” on page 46 and “Searching for files” on page 54.

2 Right-click (press the right mouse button) the file or folder that you want

to move. A pop-up menu opens on the desktop.

3 Click Cut on the pop-up menu. 4 Open the destination folder. 5 With the pointer inside the destination folder, right-click. 6 Click Paste. The file or folder you moved appears in its new location and

is removed from its old location.

Help and

Support

For more information about copying files and folders or moving files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword copying files and folders or moving files and folders in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Working with files and folders

Deleting files and folders

When you throw away paper files and folders, you take them from the file cabinet and put them in a trash can. Eventually the trash can is emptied.

In Windows, you throw away files and folders by first moving them to the Windows trash can, called the Recycle Bin, where they remain until you decide to empty the bin.

You can recover any file in the Recycle Bin as long as the bin has not been emptied.

To delete files or folders:

1 In My Computer or Windows Explorer, click the files or folders that you

want to delete. For instructions on how to select multiple files and folders, see “Shortcuts” on page 61.

If you cannot find the file you want to delete, see “Searching for files” on page 54.

2 Click File, then click Delete. Windows moves the files and folders to the

Recycle Bin.

Help and

Support

For more information about deleting files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword deleting files and folders in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

To recover files or folders from the Recycle Bin:

1 Double-click the Recycle Bin icon. The Recycle Bin window opens and lists

the files and folders you have thrown away since you last emptied it.

2 Click the files or folders that you want to restore. For instructions on how

to select multiple files and folders, see “Shortcuts” on page 61.

3 Click File, then click Restore. Windows returns the deleted files or folders

to their original locations.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

To empty the Recycle Bin:

Caution Emptying the Recycle Bin permanently erases any files or

1 Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. The Recycle Bin window

opens.

2 Click File, then click Empty Recycle Bin. Windows asks you if you are sure

that you want to empty the bin.

3 Click Ye s. Windows permanently deletes all files in the Recycle Bin.

folders in the bin. These files cannot be restored.

Help and

Support

For more information about emptying the Recycle Bin in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword emptying Recycle Bin in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

Browsing for files and folders

A file or folder that you need is rarely right on top of your Windows desktop. It is usually on a drive inside a folder that may be inside yet another folder, and so on.

Windows drives, folders, and files are organized in the same way as a real file cabinet in that they may have many levels (usually many more levels than a file cabinet, in fact). So you usually will have to search through levels of folders to find the file or folder that you need. This is called browsing.

To browse for a file:

1 In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer

window opens.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer window opens.

My Computer icon on the desktop. The

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Working with files and folders

2 Double-click the drive or folder that you think contains the file or folder

that you want to find. If you do not see the contents of a folder, click

the contents of this drive

or Show the contents of this folder.

Show

3 Continue double-clicking folders and their subfolders until you find the

file or folder you want.

Help and

Support

For more information about browsing for files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword files and folders in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Searching for files

If you are looking for a particular file or folder or a set of files or folders that have characteristics in common, but you do not remember where they are stored on your hard drive, you can use the Search utility to search by:

■ Name or part of a name

■ Creation date

■ Modification date

■ File type

■ Text contained in the file

■ Time period in which it was created or modified

You can also combine search criteria to refine searches.

Files and folders found using this utility can be opened, copied, cut, renamed, or deleted directly from the list in the results window.

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Using the Windows Search utility

To find files and folders using the Search utility:

1 In Windows XP, click Start, then click Search. The Search Results window

opens. Click

- OR -

All files and folders.

Searching for files

In Windows 2000, click Search Results window opens.

Start, Search, then click For Files or Folders. The

2 If you want to search by file or folder name, type in all or part of the file

or folder name in the name box in the left pane of the window.

■ If you type all of the name, Search will list all files and folders of that

name.

■ If you type part of the name, Search will list all of the file and folder

names containing the letters you typed.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

3 Click Search or Search Now. When the search is completed, Windows lists

the files and folders whose names contain the text that you searched for.

4 Open a file, folder, or program by double-clicking the name in the list.

Help and

Support

For more information about searching for files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword searching in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

Using advanced search options

Search can find files meeting more criteria than file name. You can narrow your search by selecting the search options that you want. You can search by the:

■ Date the file was created or modified.

■ Size of the file.

■ Type of file, such as a program or a text document.

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Working with documents

Computer documents include word processing files, spreadsheet files, or other similar files. The basic methods of creating, saving, opening, and printing a document apply to most of these types of files.

The following examples show how to create, save, open, and print a document using Microsoft as WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.

For more information about using a program, click

WordPad. Similar procedures apply to other programs such

Help on its menu bar.

Creating a new document

To create a new document:

1 Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, then click Word Pad . Microsoft

WordPad starts and a blank document opens.

2 Begin composing your document. Use the menus and toolbar buttons at

the top of the window to format the document.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Saving a document

After you create a document, you need to save it if you want to use it later.

To save a document:

1 Click File, then click Save. The Save As dialog box opens.

Save in

list

File

name

2 Click the arrow button to open the Save in list, then click the folder where

you want to save the file. If you do not see the folder you want, browse through the folders listed below the Save in list.

3 Type a new file name in the File name box. 4 Click Save.

Help and

Support

For more information about saving documents in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword saving in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Working with documents

Opening a document

To view, revise, or print an existing document, first you need to open it. Open the document in the program that it was created in.

To open a document:

1 Start the program. 2 Click File, then click Open. 3 Click the arrow button to open the Look in list, then click the folder you

want to open. If you do not see the folder you want, browse through the folders listed below the Look in list.

Look in

list

4 Double-click the document file name. The document opens.

Help and

Support

For more information about opening documents in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword opening files in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Printing a document

To print a document, you must have a printer connected to your computer or have access to a network printer. For more information about installing or using your printer, see the printer documentation.

To print a document:

1 Make sure that the printer is turned on and loaded with paper. 2 Start the program and open the document. 3 Click File, then click Print. The Print dialog box opens. 4 Set the print options, then click OK. The document prints.

Help and

Support

For more information about printing documents in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword printing in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Shortcuts

The following table shows a few shortcuts that you can use in Windows and almost all programs that run in Windows. For more information on shortcuts, see your Windows or program documentation.

To... Do this...

Copy a file, folder, text, or graphic Click the item, then press CTRL + C.

Cut a file, folder, text, or graphic Click the item, then press CTRL + X.

Paste a file, folder, text, or graphic Click inside the folder or window where you want to paste

the object, then press

CTRL + V.

Shortcuts

Select multiple items in a list or window Click the first item, press and hold down the

then click each of the remaining items.

Select multiple adjacent items in a list or window

Permanently delete a file or folder Click the file or folder, then press

Rename a file or folder Click the file or folder, press F2, type the new name, then

Close the active window or program Press ALT + F4.

Switch to a different file, folder, or running program

Help and

Support

For more information about Windows keyboard shortcuts in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Windows keyboard shortcuts in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Click the first item in the list, press and hold down the

SHIFT key, then click the last item in the list.

SHIFT + DELETE. The

file or folder is permanently deleted. The file or folder is not stored in the Recycle Bin.

press

ENTER.

ALT +TAB.

Press

CTRL key,

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

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Using the Internet

This chapter provides information about the Internet and the World Wide Web. Read this chapter to learn how to:

■ Set up and access an Internet account using

America Online

■

Connect to a Web site using a browser

■ Download files from the Internet

■ Send and receive e-mail using America Online

Chapter 5: Using the Internet

Learning about the Internet

The Internet is a worldwide network of computers linked together to provide information to people everywhere. The two most popular services on the Internet are e-mail and the World Wide Web. You can access this network by connecting your computer to a telephone, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), or cable line and signing up with an Internet service provider (ISP).

Cable and DSL modems, a connection known as broadband, use your TV cable or special telephone lines to connect to your ISP and access the Internet. Cable and DSL modems connect to your computer through an Ethernet jack and provide a faster connection speed than a standard telephone modem.

Important To locate the Ethernet jack on your computer, see “Back”

on page 4.

Internet Servers

store information so other computers can access it from the Internet.

Your computer connects to the Internet through an ISP.

ISP Servers

let you connect to the Internet and access your e-mail messages.

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Learning about the Internet

If you want to access the Internet you need:

■ A modem – a device that connects your computer to other computers or

servers using a telephone, DSL, or cable line.

■ An Internet service provider – a company that provides access to the

Internet through an ISP server. When you connect to an ISP, the ISP server lets you access the Internet and your e-mail messages.

■ A Web browser – a program that displays information from the World Wide

Web.

■ An e-mail program – a program that lets you create, send, and receive

e-mail messages over the Internet.

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Chapter 5: Using the Internet

Setting up an Internet account

Before you can view the information on the World Wide Web, you need to set up an Internet account with an Internet service provider (ISP). If you have chosen America Online as an ISP, follow these instructions to set up and connect to your account. To set up a different ISP service or to transfer an existing account to this computer, contact the ISP directly.

If you set up an account with America Online, an Internet e-mail address is created for you. After completing the setup, you are ready to access the Internet.

To set up an Internet account with America Online:

1 Click Start, All Programs, then click America Online. 2 Follow the on-screen instructions. After setting up your account, you can

connect to the Internet and access your e-mail services.

Accessing your Internet account

To connect to your America Online Internet account:

1 Click Start, All Programs, then click America Online. 2 Complete the member name and password information, then click

Connect. Your computer dials the Internet account telephone number. After

connecting, the Wel com e window opens.

If you are using a service other than America Online, check with your ISP for the correct procedure for connecting.

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Setting up an Internet account

To disconnect from your America Online Internet account:

■ Click X in the top-right corner of the America Online window. Your

computer disconnects from the Internet.

Important Make sure that your computer disconnects correctly from

your Internet account. If you do not have an “unlimited hours” ISP account, you may have to pay for the time that you are connected, even if you are not at your computer.

If you are using a service other than America Online, check with your ISP for the correct procedure for disconnecting.

Help and

Support

For general information about using Internet accounts in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword ISP in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Chapter 5: Using the Internet

Using the World Wide Web

The World Wide Web is a multimedia window to the Internet that gives you access to millions of information sources.

Information on the Web comes to you on Web p ag es , which are electronic documents that you view using a Web page display program called a browser. You can use any of the commercially available Web browsers, like Microsoft Internet Explorer (which comes installed on your new computer), Netscape Navigator, or the browser built into America Online.

Web pages can contain text, animations, music, and other multimedia features. A group of related Web pages is called a Web si te . You can access Web sites to shop, track investments, read the news, download programs, and much more.

You can explore a Web site or visit other Web sites by clicking areas on a Web page called links or hyperlinks. A link may be colored or underlined text, a picture, or an animated image. You can identify a link by moving the mouse pointer over it. If the pointer changes to a hand, the item is a link.

To learn more about using the Web browser features, click

Link

Web

page

Linked Web

page

Help in the menu bar.

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Using the World Wide Web

Connecting to a Web site

After you set up an account with an Internet service provider (ISP) such as America Online, you can access the many information sources on the World Wide Web.

To connect to a Web site:

1 Connect to your Internet account. After your computer connects, a default

opening page or welcome screen opens.

2 To go to a different Web site, type the address (called a URL for “Universal

Resource Locator”) in the browser address bar (for example www.gateway.com), then click

- OR -

On the current Web page, click a link to a Web site.

The Web browser locates the server computer on the Internet, downloads (transfers) data to your computer, and displays the page on the site that you requested.

GO on the browser address bar.

Help and

Support

Sometimes Web pages display slowly. The speed that a Web page displays on your screen depends on the complexity of the Web page and other Internet conditions. Additionally, the speed of your connection will determine how fast Web pages display.

For more information about connecting to a Web site in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword connecting to Web site in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 5: Using the Internet

Downloading files

Downloading is the process of transferring files from a computer on the Internet to your computer.

To protect your computer against viruses, make sure that you scan the files you download. For more information, see “Protecting your computer from viruses” on page 174.

To download files or programs from a Web site:

1 Connect to your Internet account. 2 In the address bar, type the address of the Web site that contains the file

or program you want to download, then click bar.

- OR -

Click a link on a Web page to navigate to the Web site containing the file that you want to download.

3 Create or locate the folder where you want to store the file on your

computer. For more information, see “Working with files and folders” on page 46.

GO on the browser address

4 Click the link on the Web page for the file that you want to download. 5 Follow the on-screen instructions for saving the file in the folder that you

want. A copy of the file is downloaded to your computer. The time that it takes to transfer the file to your computer depends on file size and Internet conditions.

6 Open the folder that you created. 7 Install or view the downloaded file by double-clicking it. If applicable,

follow the instructions provided on the Web site to run or install the program.

Help and

Support

For more information about downloading files in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword downloading files in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Using e-mail

E-mail (electronic mail) lets you send messages to anyone who has an Internet connection and e-mail address. E-mail is usually a free service of your Internet account.

The Internet never closes, so you can send e-mail messages at any time. Your e-mail messages arrive at most e-mail addresses in minutes.

An e-mail address consists of a user name, the @ symbol, and the Internet domain name of the Internet service provider (ISP) or company that “hosts” that user. Your e-mail address is assigned when you sign up for an account with an ISP. For example, a person with an account with America Online might have an e-mail address that is similar to this one:

jdoe@aol.com

User name Internet domain name

Using e-mail

Sending e-mail

To send e-mail using America Online:

1 Connect to your America Online account. 2 Click Write. 3 Type the e-mail address of the recipient you want to send e-mail to in the

Send To box.

4 Type the subject of your e-mail in the Subject box. 5 Type the e-mail message. 6 When finished, click Send Now. Your e-mail is sent over the Internet to the

e-mail address you specified.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 5: Using the Internet

Checking your e-mail

To check your e-mail using America Online:

1 Connect to your America Online account. 2 Click Read. 3 Double-click the message you want to read.

For more information about managing and organizing your e-mail messages, see the online help in your e-mail program.

Help and

Support

For general information about using e-mail in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword e-mail in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Using Multimedia

This chapter provides information on using the multimedia features of your computer. Read this chapter to learn how to:

■ Use the diskette drive

■ Use the CD or DVD drive

■ Adjust the volume

■ Play CDs and DVDs

■ Record and play audio files

■ Use Windows Media Player

■ Use MusicMatch

■ Use a recordable drive to create CDs

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Using the diskette drive

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

Warning Do not expose diskettes to water or magnetic fields.

Exposure could damage the data on the diskette.

Diskette eject button

Diskette drive

activity light

Diskette drive

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Using the diskette drive

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 in Windows XP, click Start, then click My

Computer

double-click the file name.

- OR -

To access a file on the diskette in Windows 2000, double-click the

Computer

the file name.

. Double-click the drive letter (for example, the A: drive), then

icon, the drive letter (for example, the A: drive), then double-click

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

press the diskette eject button.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Using the CD or DVD 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 of the following logos:

CD drive

CD-RW drive

DVD drive

Combination DVD/CD-RW drive

Use a CD drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, and accessing data.

You cannot use this drive to create CDs or play DVDs.

Use a CD-RW drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, accessing data, and creating CDs.

You cannot use this drive to play DVDs.

You can only write to a CD-R disc once. You can write to and erase CD-RW discs multiple times. For more information, see “Using a recordable drive” on page 100.

Use a DVD drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, and accessing data.

You cannot use this drive to create CDs.

Use a combination DVD/CD-RW drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, accessing data, and recording music and data to CD-R or CD-RW discs. For more information, see “Using a recordable drive” on page 100.

www.gateway.com

Inserting a CD or DVD

Using the CD or DVD drive

Activity light

Eject button

Important Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may

not be able to play these CDs on your computer.

Emergency eject

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Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

To insert a CD or DVD:

1 Press the eject button on the CD or DVD drive. After the tray opens slightly,

pull the disc tray completely open.

2 Place the disc in the tray with the label facing up, then press down carefully

on the disc until it snaps into place.

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 Push the tray in until it is closed.

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Adjusting the volume

Adjusting the volume in Windows XP

You can use the volume controls to adjust the overall volume and the volume of specific sound devices in your computer. Depending on the sound hardware installed in your computer, you may have additional volume controls available through the Start menu.

To adjust the overall volume level using hardware controls:

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

speakers.

-OR-

Use the volume control buttons on the keyboard. See “Special-function buttons” on page 22 for more information.

To adjust the overall volume level from Windows:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel wi ndo w o pen s . If yo u r

Control Panel is in Category View, click

Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices.

2 Click/Double-click the Adjust the system volume or Sounds and Audio

Devices

. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box opens.

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Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

3 Click the Vol ume tab.

4 Drag the Device Volume slider to change the volume or click to select the

Mute check box, then click OK.

Help and

Support

For more information about adjusting volume in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword adjusting volume in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

To adjust specific volume levels:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel wi ndo w o pen s . If yo u r

Control Panel is in Category View, click

2 Click/Double-click the Adjust the system volume or Sounds and Audio

Devices

. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box opens.

Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices.

www.gateway.com

3 Click the Vol ume tab.

4 Click Advanced in the Device volume area.

Adjusting the volume

If the device you want to adjust does not appear in the window, click

Options, Properties, the check box next to the audio device you want to

adjust, then click

OK.

5 Drag the volume level and balance sliders for the device you want to adjust.

For more information about the volume controls, click

Help in the window.

6 Click X in the top-right corner of the window to close it.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000

To adjust overall volume level using hardware controls:

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

speakers.

-OR-

Use the volume control buttons on the keyboard. See “Special-function buttons” on page 22 for more information.

To adjust overall volume level from Windows:

■ Click the speaker icon on the taskbar, then drag the slider to change

the volume or click to select the

Mute check box.

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Adjusting the volume

To adjust specific volume levels:

1 Double-click the speaker icon on the taskbar. The Volu m e Co nt rol

window opens.

If the device you want to adjust does not appear in the Vol u me Co ntro l window, click

OK.

click

Options, Properties, the audio device you want to adjust, then

2 Drag the volume level and balance sliders for the device you want to adjust.

For more information about the volume controls, click Control window.

Help in the Volu me

3 Click X in the top-right corner of the window to close it.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Listening to CDs

You can use the CD or DVD drive on your computer to listen to music CDs.

Important Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may

not be able to play these CDs on your computer.

Listening to CDs in Windows XP

Use the Windows Media Player to listen to CDs in Windows XP. For more information about the using the Windows Media Player, click use MusicMatch to listen to CDs. For more information, see “Using MusicMatch” on page 92.

You can use the special-function buttons on the Multifunction keyboard to control how you play your CDs. For more information, see “Special-function buttons” on page 22.

Help. You can also

To play a CD:

1 Insert a CD into the CD or DVD drive. 2 If a dialog box opens with a list of CD players, click Windows Media Player.

The Windows Media Player opens.

- OR -

If a dialog box does not open with a list of CD players, click

Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

click

www.gateway.com

Start, then

3 When the media player opens, click (play).

Play

Listening to CDs

Stop

Volume

Mute

If you do not hear sound or you want to change the volume, see “Adjusting the volume in Windows XP” on page 79.

Help and

Support

For more information about playing CDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword playing CDs in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Listening to CDs in Windows 2000

Use the Windows CD Player to play an audio CD. You can also use MusicMatch to listen to CDs. For more information, see “Using MusicMatch” on page 92.

You can use the special-function buttons on the Multifunction keyboard to control how you play your CDs. For more information, see “Special-function buttons” on page 22.

To play a CD:

■ Insert a CD into the CD or DVD drive. The CD Player opens and the CD

plays.

- OR -

If the CD does not start playing automatically, click Start, Programs,

Accessories, Entertainment, then click CD Player. When the CD Player opens,

click (play).

Stop

Play

Eject CD

Rewind

If you do not hear sound or you want to change the volume, see “Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000” on page 82.

Skip Forward

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Recording and playing audio

Use the following instructions to make an audio recording by speaking into a microphone.

To make an audio recording:

1 Plug a microphone into one of the Microphone jacks on your computer.

For the location of the Microphone jacks, see “Front” on page 2, and “Back” on page 4.

2 Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click Sound

Recorder

. The Sound Recorder opens.

Rewind

Fast Forwa rd

Play

Record

Stop

3 Click (record), then speak into the microphone. 4 When you finish recording, click (stop). 5 Click File, then click Save As. The Save As dialog box opens. 6 Name the recording, specify the location where you want to save the

recording, then click

Save. The recording is saved.

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Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

To play an audio recording in Sound Recorder:

1 Open the Sound Recorder. 2 Click File, then click Open. The Open dialog box opens. 3 Click the file you want to play, then click Open. 4 Play the file by clicking (play), then stop playing the file by

clicking (stop).

Help and

Support

For more information about making or playing an audio recording in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword recording audio or playing audio in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player

The Windows Media Player can play several types of audio and video files, including WAV, MIDI, MP3, AU, AVI, and MPEG formats. For more information about the using the Windows Media Player, click

To play a file using the Windows Media Player:

1 In Windows XP, click Start, All Programs, then click Windows Media Player.

The Windows Media Player opens.

- OR -

Help.

In Windows 2000, click

Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

click

Play

Stop

Start, Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then

Video file information

Video screen

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Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

2 Click File, then click Open. The Open dialog box opens.

Important If the menu bar does not appear, click the show menu

3 Click the file you want to play, then click Open. 4 Play the file by clicking (play), then stop playing the file by

clicking (stop).

bar button.

Help and

Support

For more information about playing audio and video using the Windows Media Player in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Media Player in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

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. If your computer has a DVD drive, you can play DVDs with the InterVideo DVD Player program or Windows Media Player. For more information about playing DVDs, click in the DVD player program.

To play a DVD:

1 Make sure that the speakers are turned on or headphones are plugged in

and that the volume is turned up.

2 Turn off your screen saver and standby timers.

Help

www.gateway.com

Playing a DVD

3 To play a DVD using InterVideo DVD, click Start, All Programs, DVD, then

DVD Player. The InterVideo DVD Player video screen and control panel

click open.

-OR-

To play a DVD using Windows Media Player in Windows XP, click

All Programs, then click Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player

Start,

opens.

- OR -

To play a DVD using Windows Media Player in Windows 2000, click

Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click Windows Media Player. The

Start,

Windows Media Player opens.

Important If the InterVideo DVD player is not on your Start menu, or

if Windows Media Player cannot play a DVD, you will need to install the InterVideo DVD program. To install the InterVideo program, insert the InterVideo DVD Software disc into your DVD drive and follow the on-screen instructions.

4 Insert a DVD into the DVD drive, then click (play). The DVD plays. Use

the volume controls in the DVD player to adjust the volume.

Help and

Support

For more information about playing DVDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword playing DVDs in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Using MusicMatch

Using MusicMatch™, you can:

■ Play music CDs

■ Create MP3 music files from your music CDs

■ Edit music track information

■ Use your music files to build a music library

■ Listen to Internet Radio

For more information on using MusicMatch, see its online help.

Playing CDs

You can use the MusicMatch program to play music CDs.

Important Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may

not be able to play these CDs on your computer.

www.gateway.com

Gateway profile 4 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Front

Back

Right side

Identifying your model

Important The labels shown in this section are for informational

Gateway model number

Gateway serial number

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

Finding your specifications

Accessories

Home networking kit

Imaging equipment

Printers

Storage Devices

Memory

Uninterruptible power supplies

Getting Started

Working safely

Reducing eye strain

Setting up your computer desk and chair

Setting up your computer and computer accessories

Sitting at your computer

Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain

Protecting from power source problems

Warning High voltages can enter your computer through the power

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

Turning off your computer

Tips & Tricks When you turn off your computer, certain components in

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

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

3 Click OK. Windows shuts down and turns off your computer.

Important If for some reason you cannot use the Shut Down option

Restarting (rebooting) your computer

To close unresponsive programs and restart your computer:

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

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

Multifunction keyboard

Special-function buttons

Special-function buttons

Mouse

Using the mouse

Computer display

External controls

OSD options

To adjust the OSD settings:

1 Press the MENU/SELECT button. The OSD menu opens. 2 Use the – and + buttons to highlight a control, then press the

6 Press the EXIT button again to exit the OSD.

OSD menus

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

Important

Getting Help

HelpSpot

To start HelpSpot:

Searching for a topic

HelpSpot videos

To play a HelpSpot video:

Online help

Gateway Web site

Using eSupport

Support Home tab

Downloads tab

Contact Us tab

Account Info tab

Windows Basics

About the Windows environment

For more information about the Windows XP desktop, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Using the desktop

Using the Start menu

To use the Start menu:

3 Click a file or program to open it.

For more information about the Windows XP Start menu, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Adding icons to the desktop