Gateway ProfileTM 5 User Manual

your Gateway Profile
5
user'sguide
Customizing
Troubleshooting

Contents

1 Checking Out Your Gateway Profile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Right side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Identifying your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Gateway model number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Gateway serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Finding your specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
2Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Working safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Reducing eye strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Setting up your computer desk and chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Setting up your computer and computer accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Sitting at your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Starting your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Turning off your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Restarting (rebooting) your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Using the cord cover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Locking your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Standard keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Multifunction keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Special-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Wireless keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Using the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Computer display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
External controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
OSD options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
3Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Help and Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Searching for a topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Using eSupport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Accessing your Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Using the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
Connecting to a Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68
Downloading files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
Using e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Sending e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70
Checking your e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71
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
ii
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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Editing track information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Building a music library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96
Changing the music library display settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Listening to Internet radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Using advanced features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Creating CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Copying a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Creating a data CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Copying music tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Creating a music CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111
Advanced features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
Connecting a digital camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Connecting a digital video camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Creating video DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
7 Sending and Receiving Faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Installing and configuring Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Installing Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Configuring Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Sending a simple fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Setting up your cover page template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125
Faxing from programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Faxing a scanned document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Receiving and viewing a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Canceling a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Automatically retry sending a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Automatically cancelling a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
8 Customizing Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Adjusting the screen and desktop settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Adjusting the color depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
Adjusting the screen resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Changing the colors on your Windows desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
iii
Changing the desktop background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138
Selecting a screen saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141
Changing the mouse settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143
Adding and modifying user accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145
Power management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147
Using power saving modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Changing power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148
Changing the power scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149
Changing advanced power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150
Activating and using Hibernate mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152
Setting up an uninterruptible power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154
9 Networking Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157
Benefits of networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
Sharing a single Internet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
Sharing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158
Sharing peripheral devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
Streaming audio and video files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
Playing multi-player games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159
Selecting a network connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160
Using a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Example wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162
Equipment you need for a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163
Using a wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
Example access point wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164
Equipment you need fo r an access point wireles s Ethernet network . . . . . . .165
Example peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167
Equipment you need fo r a peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . .168
Installing and configuring your notebook for Ethernet networking . . . . . . . . .168
Turning your wireless Ethernet emitter on or off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168
For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169
10 Moving from Your Old Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171
Using the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172
Transferring files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Finding your files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173
Transferring Internet settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
Setting up your ISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175
Transferring your e-mail and address book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
Transferring your Internet shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176
iv
Installing your old printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Installing a USB printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Installing a parallel port printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177
Installing your old programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179
11 Maintaining Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
Caring for your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Creating an emergency startup diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184
Protecting your computer from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186
Managing hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Checking hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189
Using Disk Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Checking the hard drive for errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191
Defragmenting the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193
Backing up files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195
Using the Scheduled Task Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196
Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198
Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Cleaning the computer display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
Cleaning the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199
12 Restoring Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201
Using the Restoration CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Reinstalling device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203
Updating device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Reinstalling programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Reinstalling Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
13 Upgrading Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211
Adding and removing PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Adding a PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Removing a PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213
Selecting a place to work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Gathering the tools you need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214
Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215
Opening the computer case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216
Closing the computer case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218
Replacing the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219
Installing or replacing DIMM memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
Using the BIOS Setup utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226
v
14 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227
Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228
First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229
Software support tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
CD, DVD, or recordable drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231
Cleaning CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .233
Computer display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234
Diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235
File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236
Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237
Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238
Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240
Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241
Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247
Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .250
Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
Before calling Gateway Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251
Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252
Tutoring and training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
Tutoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253
Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254
A Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .255
vi
Checking Out
Your Gateway
Profile
This chapter introduces you to the basic features of your computer. Read this chapter to learn:
How to identify the features of your Gateway Profile
computer
How to locate your co mputer’s model and serial
number
How to locate the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity
How to locate the specifications for your computer
What accessories are ava ilable for your computer
1
1
Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway Profile

Front

Display controls
Speaker
2
Microphone jack
Headphone jack
Diskette drive
Vol u me c o n tr o l buttons
www.gateway.com
CD/DVD/ Recordable drive
Power button
Speaker
Component Icon Description
Speakers Provide stereo audio output when headphones or amplified
speakers are not plugged in.
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.
Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack to record sound.
Front
Volume control buttons
CD/DVD/Recordable drive
Power button Press this button to turn the power on or off. You can also
Display controls Use these controls t o enter th e OSD (on-s creen d isplay) a nd
Press these buttons to adjust speaker volume.
Use this drive to listen to audio CDs, install games and programs, watch DV Ds, and store la rge fil es onto record able CDs or DVDs. For more information, see “Using the CD or
DVD drive” on page 76 and “Creating CDs and DVDs” on page 100.
This drive may be a CD, DVD/CD-RW, or DVD-RW drive. To identify your drive type and for more information about your drive, see “Identifying drive types” on page 76.
configure the power button to operate in Standby/Resume mode or Hibernate mode. For mo re information on changing the power button setting, see “Changing the power scheme”
on page 149.
adjust the computer display settings. For more information about the computer d isplay and OSD , see “Computer display”
on page 27.
www.gateway.com
3
Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway Profile
PS/2

Back

Monitor out port
Modem jack
Ethernet jack
USB ports
Audio input jack
Microphone jack
Audio output jack
mouse port
PS/2 keyboard port
Parallel port
Serial port
Monitor in port
Power connector
4
www.gateway.com
Component Icon Description
Back
Monitor (VGA) out port
Ethernet jack Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable or a device (such as a
Audio line in jack Plug an external a udio inpu t source (suc h as a stereo ) into this
PS/2 mouse port Plug a Personal System/2
Parallel port Plug a parallel device (s uch as a printer) into this port . For more
Modem jack Plug a modem cable into this jack.
USB ports Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB
Audio line out jack Line out. Plug an external audio output source (such as
Plug an additional monitor into this port.
DSL or cable modem for a broadba nd Internet co nnection) int o this jack. For more information, see “Using the Internet” on
page 63.
jack so you can record sound on your computer.
®
(PS/2) mou se into t his port.
information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other
peripheral device” on page 31.
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 page31.
external sp eakers ) into thi s jack.
Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack to record sound.
®
PS/2 keyboard port Plug a Personal System/2
Serial port Plug a serial device (such as a digital camera) into this port.
For more information, see “Ins talling a printer , scanner , or other
peripheral device” on page 31.
Monitor (VGA) in port
Power connector Plug the power cable into this connector.
Plug an external video source into this port.
www.gateway.com
(PS/2) key board in to this po rt.
5
Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway Profile
t
t

Right side

PC Card slot
IEEE 1394 por (4-pin)
IEEE 1394 por (6-pin)
USB ports
Component Icon Description
PC C ard slot Insert a Type I or Type II PC Card into this slot. For more
information, see “Adding and removing PC Cards” on page 212
IEEE 1394 ports Plug IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire
(such as a digital video camera) into these 4-pin and 6-pin IEEE 1394 ports. For more information, see “Installing a printer ,
scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 31.
USB ports Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB
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 page31.
6
www.gateway.com
®
or i.Link®) devices

Identifying your model

Important The labels shown in this section are for informational
purposes only . Label information varie s by model, featur es ordered, and location.

Gateway model number

The label located underneath the computer case 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 n umber:
Printed on the system label located underneath the computer case.
Identifying your mo del
Printed on the customer invoice that came with your computer. The
invoice will also contain your customer ID number.

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.
www.gateway.com
7
Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway Profile

Finding your specifications

For more information about your computer , such as memory size, memory type , and hard drive size, go to the Gateway’s eSupport page at support.gateway.com links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications. For more information, see “Using eSupport” on page 36.
My Computer Info link in Help and Support or visit
. The eSupport page also has
8
www.gateway.com

Accessories

Gateway offers accessories that can help you make the most of using your computer. To order accessories, visit the Accessory Superstore at
accessories.gateway.com

Home networking kit

With a home networking kit, you can network, or “link”, two or more computers in your home. After you have set up a home network, you can access the files, drives, and printers on linked computers, play multiplayer games, and even share one Internet connection.
Two types of home networking kits are available. Wireless home networking kits use radio frequency to link your computers wirelessly. Ethernet home networking kits use network cabling to link your computers.

Imaging equipment

A digital camera lets you take pictures that you can view and edit on your computer.
A digital video camera lets you take movies that you can view and edit on your computer and save to a CD- RW disc.
.
Accessories
A scanner copies an image, such as a graphic or document, then stores the copy in a file.
You can 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 31 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 inkj et color print er, you can print pictures, banners, and greeting cards, as well as documents.
Laser printers and cartridges are more expensive, but usually they print much faster than inkjet printers. Laser printers are better than inkjet printers when you are printing large documents.
www.gateway.com
9
Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur 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 comput er.
With a CD-ReWritable (CD-RW) drive, you can free up hard drive space by backing up files, then removing them from your h ard drive. The inexpe nsive 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 “Creatin g CDs and DVDs” 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 219 .

Memory

Large programs, such as multimedia games or graphics programs, use a lot of memory . If your programs a re running more slo wly than you think they sho uld, try adding more memory. For more information, see “Installing or replacing
DIMM memor y” on page 223.

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 compute r correctly. A UPS also provides protection from power surges. For more information, see “Setting up an uninterruptible power
supply” on page 154.
10
www.gateway.com

Getting Started

Read this chapter to find out how to:
Use your computer safely
Protect your computer from power source problems
Start and turn off your computer
Use the keyboard
Use the mouse
Use the computer display
Install peripheral devices
2
11
Chapter 2: Getting Started
Top of display is not

Working safely

Before using your computer, read the following recommendations for setting up a safe and comfortable work area and avoiding disco mfort and strain.
Hands and
arms are
parallel to the
floor
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 compute r 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.
12
www.gateway.com

Setting up your compu ter 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 slightl y below the level o f 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 cur ve 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 keybo ard and mou se at a comfort able di stance . You should be
able to reach them without stretching.
Set paper holders at the same height and distance as the computer display.
www.gateway.com
13
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.

A voiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain

Vary your activities to avoid excessive repetition.
T ake 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.
14
www.gateway.com

Protecting from power source problems

Protecting from power source problems
During a power surge, the voltage level of electricity coming into your computer can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system damage. Protect your computer and peripheral devices by connecting them to a surge protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from reaching your computer.
Warning High voltages can enter your computer through both the
power cord and the modem connection. Protect your computer by using a s urge prot ector. 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 uninterruptible power supply” on page 154.
www.gateway.com
15
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.
16
Power button
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.
www.gateway.com

T urning off your computer

Tips & Tricks When you tur n off your co mputer, certai n compone nts in
the power supply and sy stem 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 recom mend disc onnecting the power cord and modem cable when your co mputer will not be used fo r long periods.
To turn off your computer in Windows XP:
1 Click Start, then click Tur n 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 com puter
To turn off your computer in Windows 2000:
1 Click Start, then click Shut Down . The Shut Down Windo ws dialog box opens .
2 Click the arrow button to open the What do you want your computer to do
list, then click
Shut down.
3 Click OK. Windows shuts down and turns off your computer.
Important If for some reason you cannot use the Shut Down option
in Windows to turn off your computer, press and hold the power button for about five seconds, then release it.
www.gateway.com
17
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 clos ing 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 Ta s k M an ager windo w
opens.
2 Click the Applications tab, then click the program that is not responding. 3 Click End Task. 4 If your computer does not respond, turn it off, wait ten seconds and turn
it on again.
18
Important If your computer does not turn off, press and hold the
power button for about five seconds, then release it.
www.gateway.com

Using the cord cover

After you have the power and peripheral device cords connected to your computer, install the cord cover to make your computer look less cluttered.

To install the cord cover:

Align the tabs on the top of the cover with the slots above the back ports,
then swing the cord cover’s bottom tabs into the slots on the bottom of the computer (view shown from below for clarity).
Using the cord cover
Tips & Tricks If you have diffic ulty sliding the cover’s bottom tabs into
the computer slots, press the bottom corners of the cord cover inward while pressing the cord cover into place.

To remove t he cord cover:

Press the cord cover’s bottom tabs inward, then rotate the cord cover away
from the computer.
www.gateway.com
19
Chapter 2: Getting Started

Locking your computer

Y ou can install a Kensington™ c able lock to prevent the theft of your computer or its internal components. While the cable lock is installed, the computer’s back panel cannot be removed.

To lock your c omputer:

Install a cable lock into the Kensington lock slot on the back of your
computer.
20
Kensington lock slot
www.gateway.com

Standard keyboard

This keyboard is the basic model of keyboard available with your computer.
Function keys Navigation keys Indicators
Standard keyboard
Windows keys Application
key
Directional keys
Numeric keypad
Press these keys... To...
Function keys Start program actions. Each program uses different function keys for
different purposes. See the program documentation to find out more about the function key actions.
Navigation keys Press these keys to move the cursor to the beginning of a li ne, to the
end of a line, up the page, down the page, to the beginning of a document, or to the end of a document.
Indicators Show if your
activated. Press the corresponding key to activate the function.
Windows keys Press one of these keys to open the Windows Start menu. These keys
can also be used in combination with other keys to open utilities like
NUM LOCK, CAPS LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK keys are
F (Search utility), R(Run utility), and E (Explorer utility).
Application key Access shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows. Directional keys Move the cursor up, down, right, or left. Numeric keypad Use these keys to type numbers whe n the numeric keypa d (
is turned o n.
NUM LOCK)
www.gateway.com
21
Chapter 2: Getting Started

Multifunction keyboard

This keyboard is the full-featured model available with your computer.
Function keys Navigation keys Indicators
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’s help to learn more about function key actions.
Navigation keys Press these keys to move the cursor to the beginning of a line, to the end
of a line, up the page, down the page, to the beginning of a document, or to the end of a document.
Indicators Show if your
Press the corresponding key to activate the function.
Windows keys Press this key to open the Windows Start menu. This key can also be used
in combination w it h o ther 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 (
turned on.
NUM LOCK, CAPS LOCK, or SCROLL LOCK keys are activated.
F (Search utility), R (Run
E (Explorer utility).
NUM LOCK) is
22
www.gateway.com
Loading...
+ 262 hidden pages