Quanta Computer 1200015318 User Manual

Contents

1 Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Identifying your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

2Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Connecting the AC adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Starting your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Waking up your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Turning off your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

System key combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Using the EZ Pad touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Using the touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Using the rocker switch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Connecting the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Connecting to an Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Broadband Internet connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

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

3Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

HelpSpot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

HelpSpot Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

4 Windows Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

About the Windows environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Desktop items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Window items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Using the Start menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

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Working with files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

About drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

About folders and files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Copying and moving files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Deleting files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Browsing for files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Searching for files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Using the Windows Search utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Working with documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Creating a new document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Saving a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Opening a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Printing a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Transferring software and hardware from your old computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Transferring files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Transferring Internet settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Reinstalling your old printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Reinstalling your old programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

5 Using the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Learning about the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Setting up an Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Accessing your Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Using the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Connecting to a Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Downloading files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Using e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Sending e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Checking your e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

6 Using Multimedia. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Using Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Using diskettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Using the CD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Listening to music CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Recording and playing audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .88

Playing audio and video files with Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Using MusicMatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Playing CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Creating music files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Editing track information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

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Building a music library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Changing the music library display settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Listening to Internet radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Using advanced features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

7 Sending and Receiving Faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Setting up your cover page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Sending a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Faxing from programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Receiving and viewing a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

8 Managing Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Monitoring the battery charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Recharging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Changing batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Extending battery life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Conserving battery power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Using alternate power sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Changing power modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Changing automatic power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

9 Travel Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Radio frequency wireless connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

10 Customizing Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Adjusting the screen and desktop settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Adjusting the color depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Adjusting the screen area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Applying a color scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Changing the desktop background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Selecting a screen saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Changing the touchpad settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Programming the multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Allocating system memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

11 Upgrading Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Adding a PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

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Installing memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Replacing the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

12 Networking Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Using a network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Sharing a single Internet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Sharing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Sharing peripherals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Streaming audio and video files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Playing multi-player games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Introducing the Gateway Connected Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Components of a Gateway Connected Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Selecting a network connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Wired connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Wireless connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

Assessing your connection needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

Comparing data transfer speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

Network shopping list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

HPNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Wireless Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162

13 Maintaining Your Notebook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163

Caring for your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163

Creating an emergency startup diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Protecting your computer from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167

Managing hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Checking hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Using Disk Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Scanning the hard drive for errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Defragmenting the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173

Backing up files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175

Using Maintenance Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176

Recalibrating the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178

Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178

Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Cleaning the screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Cleaning the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

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14 Reinstalling Device Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Reinstalling device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Updating device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

15 Restoring Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Reinstalling Windows Me . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

Reinstalling programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

16 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Software support tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

CD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Device installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195

Diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

LCD panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

ScanDisk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

Before calling Gateway Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

Telephone numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212

Tutoring and training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

Tutoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214

v

A Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231

vi

Checking Out
Your Gateway
Solo 1200

Tips & Tricks To access the contents of this manual while you are

traveling, download an electronic copy from
www.gateway.com/support/manlib/.

1

www.gateway.com

1

Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway Solo 1200

Front

Cover release latch

Component Description

Cover release latch Open notebook cover by pressing the release latch.

2

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Left

Left

PC Card
eject button

Component Icon Description

PC Card eject button Press the eject button to remove a PCCard from the

PC Card slot Insert one Type I, II, or III PC Card into this slot. For

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

Diskette drive eject button Press the eject button to remove a diskette from the

PC Card slot Diskette drive Diskette drive

eject button

PC Card slot.

more information, see “Adding a PC Card” on page 138.

more information, see “Using diskettes” on page 82.

drive.

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3

Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway Solo 1200

Right

CD drive

CD drive
indicator

Component Icon Description

CD drive Insert CDs into this drive. For more infor mation, see

CD drive eject
button

“Using the CD drive” on page 83.

Microphone
jack

Modem
jack

Headphone
jack

Power
indicator

Battery
charge
indicator

CD drive indicator Lights up when the comp ute r is a cces sing the CDdrive.
CD drive eject button Press the eject button to eject the disc tray from the

drive.

Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack.

Headphone jack Plug headphones or amplified speakers into this jack.

Modem jack Plug a telephone cord into this jack.

Battery charge indicator The LED shows the battery activity and status.

■

Green – battery is fully charged.

■

Orange – battery is being charged.

■

Red – battery is low.

■

Blinking and red – battery is ver y low.

■

Blinking and orange – battery is malfunctioning.

4

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Component Icon Description

Power indicator Lights up when the notebook is turned on and shows

notebook power status:

■

LED on – notebook is ON.

■

LED off – notebook is OFF or in Hibernate.

■

LED flashing – notebook is in Standby.

Right

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5

Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway Solo 1200

Back

USB por ts Parallel por t

Fan

Monitor port

Kensington
lock slot

Power
connector

Ethernet
jack

Component Icon Description

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

USB Iomega™ Zip™ drive , printer , scanner , or c amera)
into these ports.

Parallel port Plug a parallel printer into this port.
Fan Helps cool in t ernal comp on en t s. Do n ot block o r i nsert

objects int o these sl ots.

Monitor port Plug an external (VGA) monitor into this port.

Kensington™ lock slot Secure your computer to an object by connecting a

Kensington cable l ock to this s lot.

Ethernet jack (optional) Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cab le into thi s jack. F or

more informa tion, se e “Connec ting to an E thern et
network” on page 30 and “Networking Your Computer”
on page 147.

Power connector Plug the ACadapter cable into this connector.

6

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Bottom

Hard drive
assembly

Certificate of
authenticity
label

Memory
bay

Battery
release
latch

Battery

Bottom

System
identification
label

Component Icon Description

Hard dri ve assembly Remove this asse mbly to replac e the har d drive.
Certificate of Authenticity

label
Memory bay Install a memory module in this bay.
Battery release latch Slide to release the battery.

Battery Insert the battery into this bay.
System identification

label

Find the registrat ion ke y for the o perating sys tem on this
label.

Find the product model number and serial number on
this label .

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7

Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway Solo 1200

Identifying y our model

The label on the bottom of your computer contains informa tion that

identifies your notebook model. Gateway Technical Support will need this

information if you call for assistance. Label information varies by model.

Gateway
model
number

Gateway
serial
number

Revision
code and
display
type/
processor
size

Internal
wireless
devices

Gateway part
number

8

www.gateway.com

Accessories

Gateway offers accessories that can help you make the most of using your
notebook.

Batteries and automobile/airplane power adapt ers

If you run your notebook on battery power for extended periods, you may
want to buy an additional battery so that you can swap batteries when
necessary.

With an automobile/airplane power adapter, you can save battery power by
plugging your notebook into an automobile cigarette lighter or an airplane
in-flight power receptacle.

Carrying cases

Gateway has large-capacity carrying cases if you need additional space for
accessories or supplies.

External devices

Y ou can attach external devices suc h as a keyboard, mouse, printer, o r monitor
to your notebook.

Accessories

Memory

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

Printers

You can attach many types of printers to your computer. The most common
types are inkjet and laser printers, which print in color or black and white.

Inkjet printers and cartridges are relatively inexpensive, but usually they are
slower than laser printers. Using an inkjet color printer, you ca n print pictures,
banners, 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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9

Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway Solo 1200

10

www.gateway.com

Getting Started

This chapter provides basic information about your Gateway notebook. Read

this chapter to find out:

■ How to connect the AC adapter

■ How to start and turn off your notebook

■ How to use the keyboard

■ How to use the EZ Pa d™ touch pad

■ How to connect the modem

■ How to con nect to a networ k

■ How to install peripheral devi ces

Warning Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere

with equipment on commercial aircraft. Current aviation
regulations require w irel ess devices to be turned off while
traveling in an airplane. IEEE 802.11b (also known as
wireless Ethernet or Wifi) and Bluetooth communication
devices are examples of devices that provide wireless
communication.

2

Important If your system came equipped with an internal radio

frequency wi reless device, se e “Safety, Regulatory, and
Legal Information” on page 215 for general wireless
regulatory and safety guidelin es. To find out if y our syste m
has an internal wireless device, check the label (see
“Identifying your model” on page 8.

www.gateway.com

11

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Connecting the A C adapter

Y ou can run y our notebook using an AC adapter or the notebook battery . The

battery was shipped to you partially charged. You should use the AC adapter

right away to fully charge the battery. Allow 24 hours for the battery to fully

charge.

Important If the battery is not fully charged before you use your

notebook on battery pow er f or the first tim e, the battery lif e
may be much shorter than you expect. If the battery life
seems short even after being charged for 24 hours, the
battery may need to be recalibrated. For information on
recalibrating the b attery , se e “Recalibr ating the battery” on
page 177.

To connect the AC adapter:

1 Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.

12

Warning Replace the power cord if it becomes damaged. The

replacement cord must be of the same type and voltage
rating as the original cord or the notebook may be
damaged.

www.gateway.com

Connecting the AC adapter

2 Connect the AC adapter to your notebook’s power connector.

3 Plug the power cord into an AC power outlet.

The battery charging indicator light turns on. If the battery charging
indicator light does not turn on, disconnect the adapter from your
notebook and repeat Step 2.

4 When you finish using your notebook the first time, turn the notebook

off and leave the notebook connected to AC power for at least 24 hours.

Warning Do not attempt to disassemble the AC adapter. The

AC adapter has no user-replaceable or user-serviceable
parts inside. The A C adapter has dangerous vo ltages that
can cause serious injury or dea th. Contact G ate wa y about
returning defective AC adapters.

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13

Chapter 2: Getting Started

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 peripherals by connecting them to a surge

protector, which will absorb voltage surges and prevent them from reaching

your computer.

Warning High voltages can enter your computer through both the

power cord and the modem connection. Protect your
computer by using a surge protector. If you 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.

14

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Starting your notebook

To start the notebook:

1 Open your notebook by pressing the latch on the front of your notebook

and lifting the LCD panel.

2 Press the power button located above the keyboard.

Starting your notebook

Power button

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15

Chapter 2: Getting Started

The power button is preset to On/Off mode. However, you can also set
it to function in Standby/Resume mode. For instructions on changing
the power button mode, see “Changing automatic power settings” on
page 113.

3 If you are starting your computer for the first time, follow the on-screen

instructions to set up your computer.

W aking up your notebook

When you have not used your notebook for several minutes, it will go into

a power-saving mode ca lled Standby. While in Standby, the power indicator

light flashes.

If your notebook has gone into Standby mode, “wake” it up by pressing the

power button. For more information on changing power-saving settings, see

“Managing Power” on page 107.

16

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Turning off y our notebook

To turn off your notebook:

1 Click Start, then select Shut Down. The Shut Down Windows dialog box

opens.

2 Select Shut down.
3 Click OK. Windows shuts down and turns off your notebook.

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

in Windows to turn off your notebook, press and hold the
power button for about five seconds.

Turning off your notebo ok

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17

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Status indicators

Caps lock

Pad lo ck

Diskette
drive

Scroll lock

Hard
drive

CD drive

18

www.gateway.com

Status indicators

This light turns
on...

1

When...

Caps Lock is turned on.

Pad Lock is turned on.

Scroll Lock is turned on.

The notebook is accessing the diskette drive.

The notebook is accessing the hard drive.

The notebook is accessing the CD drive.

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19

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Using the keyboar d

Your notebook features a full-size keyboard that has the full functionality of

a desktop computer keyboard. Many of the keys have been assigned alternate

functions, including shortcut keys for Windows, function keys for specific

system operations, and the Pad Lock keys for the numeric keypad.

You can attach an external keyboard to the notebook using a USB port. You

do not need to shut down the notebook to connect a USB keyboard.

System
keys

Numeric
keypad

System
keys

Navigation
keys

20

F

N key Windows

key

Windows
key

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Application
key

Arrow
keys

Keys

Component Icon Description

Function keys Press these keys label ed F1 to F12 to perf orm action s

in programs. F or e xam ple, pr essing F1 ma y op en help .
Each program uses differen t function ke ys f or diff erent

purposes. Refer to the prog ram document ati on to fi nd
out more about the function key actions.

Numeric keypad Use these ke ys to type num bers when n umeric keyp ad

is tur ned on. Pr ess
numeric keypad.

System keys Press these green or bl ue-colored ke ys in combination

with the F

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.

N key Pres s th e FN key in combination with a green or

F

blue-colored system key (such as S
to perform a specific action.

N key to perform a specific action.

FN+PAD LOCK to turn on the

TANDBY, or PAUSE)

Using the keyboard

Windows key Press to ope n the Wi ndows Star t menu. These keys

can also be used in combination with other keys to
open utilities like F (Search utility), R (Run utility), and
E (Explorer utility).

Application key Press for quick access to shortcut menus and help

assistants in Windows.

Arrow keys Press these keys to move the cursor up, down, right,

or left.

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21

Chapter 2: Getting Started

System key combinations

When you press the FN key and a system key at the same time, the notebook

performs an action identified by the green or blue text on the key.

Press and hold F

N while

pressing this system key...

To...

Display the power status box in the upper left corner of your
screen. The menu shows the battery charge level, the BIOS
version, and wh ether th e A Cadapter is being used. Press the
key combination again to close this box.

Toggle the notebook screen between the LCD, an external
monitor , or bo th at the same time. A m oni tor m us t b e p lug ged
into the monitor port on the notebook.

Enter Standby mode . Press the pow er button to lea ve Standb y
mode.

Turn on Pad Lock so you can use the numeric keypad. Press
this key co mbina tion agai n to turn off P adLock. The P ad Lock
status indicator lights up while this function is turned on.

Pause the text scrolling in a DOS screen. The Scroll Lock
status indicator appears when this function is turned on. Press
the key combi nation aga in to contin ue scrol ling. (This function
is only available in some programs. )

Pause execution of a DOS program. (This function is only
available in some programs.)

22

Stop the currently running DOS prog ram. (Thi s function is onl y
available in some programs.)

Increase the volume.

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Using the keyboard

Press and hold FN while
pressing this system key...

To...

Decrease the volume.

Mute the volume.

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23

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Multi-function buttons

E-mail

Internet Help

User-defined
shortcut

Button Icon Press to...

E-mail Open your e-mail program.

Internet Open your Web browser.

24

www.gateway.com

Button Icon Press to...

Help Open online help.

User-defined shortcut Open the program you assign to this key.

Using the keyboard

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25

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Using the EZ P ad touchpad

The EZ Pad™ consists of a touchpad, two buttons, and a rocker switch.

Touchpad

26

Left
touchpad
button

When you move your finger on the touchpad, the pointer (arrow) on the screen

moves in the sam e directi on.

You can use the EZ-Pad left and right buttons below the touchpad to select

objects. Yo u can scroll, zoom, autoscroll, and pan using the rocker switch

between the touchpad buttons. Scrolling capabilities are available in some

Windows applications, including Microsoft Office.

Rocker
switch

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Right
touchpad
button

Using the touchpad

To ... Do this...

Using the EZ Pad touchpad

Move the poin ter
on the screen.

Select an object
on the screen.

Start a program
or open a file or
folder.

Move y our finger around on the
touchpad. If you run out of
space on your t ouchpad an d
need to move the pointer
farther, lift your finger, move it
to the middle of the touchpad,
then continue moving your
finger.

Position the point er over the
object. Press the left button
below the touc hpad o nce . This
action is called clicking.

Position the point er over the
object. Press the left button
below the touchpad twice in
rapid succession. This action is
called double-clicking.

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

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Position the point er over the
object. Quickly press and
release the right button once.
This action is called
right-clicking.

27

Chapter 2: Getting Started

To . . . D o t h is . . .

Move an object
on the screen.

then drag

Position the point er over the
object. Press the left button
and hold it down, then use the
touchpad to move (drag) the
object to the appropriate part of
the screen. Release the b utton
to drop the object where you
want it.

Using the roc ker switch

To ... Do this...

Scroll up/down Press forward or backward on the rocker switch to scroll through documents.
Zoom in/out Press and hold the C
Data zoom Press and hold the S

return to previous Web sites using Internet Explorer, or expand or collapse
menu trees in W indows Expl orer.

Autoscroll Click both s ides of the ro ck er swi tch and let g o once. Th e document continues

flowing until you use a keyst roke, mouse c lick, or addit ional rocker actio n to
quit scrolling.

TRL key as you appl y pr essu re t o th e rocke r swit ch.

HIFT key as you r ock t he switc h to jum p to a hype rl in k,

Pan Hol d down bot h sides or the middle of the rock er s witch and s wi pe your fin ger

across the Touchpad to scroll quic kly, either vertically or horizon tally. Lift your
finger from the touchpad to quit scrolling.

28

www.gateway.com

Connecting the modem

If your notebook has a modem jack, the notebook has a built-in V.92 56K
modem.

Caution To reduce the risk of fire , use onl y a No. 26 AWG or larger

telecommunications line cord.

To connect the modem:

1 Insert one en d of the telephone cord into th e modem jack on the

right side of the notebook.

Connecting the modem

2 Insert the other end of the telephone cord into a telephone wall jack.

The modem will not work with digital or PBX telephone lines.

3 Start your notebook, then start your communications software.

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29

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Connecting to an Ethernet netw ork

If your notebook has a network j ack, y ou c an conne c t it to a 10/100 Ethernet

network.

To connect to a network:

1 Insert one end of the network cable into the network jack on the

back of the notebook.

30

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

your network administrator to help you select the correct network jack.

Your notebook is now physically connected to the network. Your network

administrator can help you log onto your network.

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Broadband Internet connections

You can use your computer’s Ethernet jack for more than just networking.
Many broadband Internet connections, such as cable modems and DSL
modems, connect to your computer’s Ethernet jack. For more information,
see “Using the Internet” on page 71 and “Networking Your Computer” on
page 147.

Connecting to an Ethernet ne twork

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31

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Installing a printer , scanner , or other
peripheral device

Your computer has two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports and a parallel printer

port. These ports are used for connecting peripheral devices such as printers,

scanners, and digital cameras to your computer.

USB por ts support plug-and-play and hot swapping, which means that your

computer will usually recognize such a device whenever you plug it into the

appropriate port. When you use a USB device for the first time, your computer

will prompt you to install any software the device needs. After doing this,

you can disconnect and reconnect the device at any time.

Parallel devices are not plug-and-play. Refer to the device documentation for

detailed information and installation instructions.

32

www.gateway.com

Getting Help

This chapter tells you about additional information resources ava ilable to help

you use your computer. It includes the following topics:

■ HelpSpot

■

Online help

■ Gateway Web site

Tips & Tricks To access the contents of this manual while you are

™

traveling, download an electronic copy from
www.gateway.com/support/manlib/.

3

www.gateway.com

33

Chapter 3: Getting Help

HelpSpot

HelpSpot is an easily accessible collection of Help information,

troubleshooters, instructional videos, and automated support. Use HelpS pot

to answer questions about Windows and to help you quickly discover and

use the many features of your Gateway computer.

To start HelpSpot:

■ Click Start, then select Help.

-OR­Double-click the

HelpSpot opens.

Gateway Help and Support desktop icon.

34

If this is the first time you have started HelpSpot on your computer, you
will experience a brief wait while HelpSpot builds the help database, then
HelpSpot will display an introductory video.

www.gateway.com

You can find help information by clicking a link, performing a search, or
browsing the index. To learn about how to work with documents and
programs, use your mouse, and other topics, click the

Getting Started link on

the HelpSpot main page.

HelpSpot

www.gateway.com

35

Chapter 3: Getting Help

HelpSpot Videos

HelpSpot contains several short v ideos to help introduc e you to new concepts

or show you how to perform various tasks.

To play a HelpSpot video:

■ To watch a video in HelpSpot, click Videos on the HelpSpot navigation

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

36

www.gateway.com

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. Most online
help information can be accessed by selecting a topic from a
by clicking a

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 button.

Online help

Help menu or

www.gateway.com

37

Chapter 3: Getting Help

Gatewa y Web site

Gateway provides a variety of information on its Web site to help you use

your computer.

38

Visit the Gateway Web site at www.gateway.c om for:

■ Technical documentation and product manuals

■ Technical tips and support

■ Hardware drivers

■ A glossary of computer terms

■ Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

For more information about connecting to the Internet, see “Learning about

the Internet” on page 72.

www.gateway.com

You can access the following resources through the Gateway Web site or
through HelpSpot:

Resource Service description Location

Gateway Web site

Gateway
Update Utility

Chat with
Gateway
CoPilot

Chat with
Search
Assistant

E-mail Tech
Support

E-mail a Frie nd Send a link for the Web pa ge you ar e cu r r ent l y

This utility automatically finds, downloads, and
installs the latest drivers for your
Gateway-supplied hardware.

Use this remote-help utility that allows Gateway
to deliver li ve person-to- person c omputer
support to you. Any time you engage in a live
chat session, a Ga tewa y support representa tive
has the ability to resolve your in-warranty
technical issue in real time. This is done by
simultaneously viewing your desktop,
controlling the mouse and keyboard, and
chatting with you.

Engage in a l ive Inter net chat s ession to help
you find data on the Gateway.com technical
support Web site . If the as sistant s cannot direct
you to the solutio n on the techn ical support site,
they will ref er you to the area or department that
can.

Get the answers to your technical inquiries by
e-mail from a Gateway Technical Support
representative.

viewing on the Gateway Web site to anyone in
the world with an e-mail address.

www.gateway.com/
support/index.shtml

www.gateway.com/
support/index.shtml

-OR­HelpSpot

www.gateway.com/
support/index.shtml

-OR­HelpSpot

www.gateway.com/
support/index.shtml

www.gateway.com/
support/index.shtml

Frequently
Asked
Questions

Chat with
Customer
Service

E-mail
Customer
Service

Get the answers to many of our most common
customer service-related questions.

Engage in a live Internet chat session with a
Gateway Customer Service Assistant about a
non-techni cal issue.

Get the answers to your non-technical inquiries
by e-mail from a Gateway Customer Service
Assistant.

www.gateway.com

www.gateway.com/
support/index.shtml

www.gateway.com/
support/index.shtml

-OR­HelpSpot

www.gateway.com/
support/index.shtml

39

Chapter 3: Getting Help

Resource Service description Location

Chat with
eSales Advisor

Order Status Get information on whe ther your order has been

Get a personalized look at what system is best
suited for y our o wn individual needs. To use thi s
service, fill out the eSales Advisor
Questionnaire. The eSales Advisor will contact
you by telephone and discuss the Gateway
solution that best fits your needs.

received, is in pr oduction , or has been sh ipped.
You will also be given an estimated or actual
shipping date, depending on the status. This
information is updated daily and is available 24
to 36 hours after an order is placed.

www.gateway.com

-OR­HelpSpot

www.gateway.com

40

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Windows
Basics

Read this chapter to get basic information on how to:

■ Work on the Windows desktop

■ Manage files and folders

■ Wo r k w i t h d ocum e n t s

■ Use shortcuts

■ Transfer software from your old computer

HelpSpot For more information on using Windows, double-click the

4

HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

About the Windows en viro nment

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.

Y our deskto p may be different from the example shown below , depending on

how your computer is set up.

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Desktop item s

Icons are graphic representations of objects on the desktop that you select and
open, such as a drive, folder, file, or program. Buttons are graphic
representations of controls tha t you use to open window s or apply changes.

Desktop icons, buttons, and elements Description

The My Computer icon provides access to drives
and other computer co ntrols. Doub le-click the My
Computer icon to vie w th e dri ves and fo lde rs on
your computer.

My Documents is a folder where you store your
personal f iles. You can creat e other folders to
save files in, but My Docum ents is easy t o find
because it is on the desktop . D oub le-clic k the My
Documents icon to view your personal files and
folders.

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 y ou r comp uter. For instructions
on how to use the Rec ycle Bin, see “Deletin g files
and folders” on page 53.

About the Windows environment

Microsoft Internet Explorer is a program called a
browser that lets you view Web sites and Web
pages on the Internet. Double-click the Internet
Explorer icon to open the browser.

The America Online Included icon lets you
connect to the America Online ISP (Internet
Service Provider).

Double-click the America Online Included icon
to dial the service.

Gateway has provided an easily accessible
interactive guide called HelpSpot. This guide is
designed to provide help information and let you
quickly discover and use the features of your
computer. Double-click the HelpSpot icon to
begin.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

Desktop icons, buttons, and elements Description

The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of the screen. It contains 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 Star t button provides access t o programs,
files, help for Windows and other programs, and
computer tools and utilities.

Click the Start button, then op en a file or prog ram
by cli cki ng ( selecting) an item on t he menu t hat
opens.

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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
opens after double-clicking the
window.

About the Windows environment

Local Disk (C:) window, which

Local Disk (C:) icon in the My Computer

Title bar

Menu bar

Close
button
Maximize
button

Minimize
button

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

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 ba r is the horizontal bar at the top of
a window that shows the name of the program.

Clicking t he minimize button reduces the active
window to a but ton on the ta skbar. Clicking the
program button in the taskbar opens the
window again .

Clicking the maximize button expands the
active window to fit the entire screen. Clicking
the maximize button agai n restores t he windo w
to its former s ize.

Clicking the close button closes the active
window or pr ogram.

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

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Using the Start menu

Yo u can sta rt progra ms, open files, c ustomize your sys tem, get h elp, sea rch
for files and folders, and more using the

To open the Start menu:

■ Click the Start but ton on t he lower left of t he Win dows des ktop. Th e Start

menu opens showing you the first level of menu items.

When you move the mouse pointer ov er any menu item that has an arrow
next to it, another menu, or submenu, opens and reveals related files,
programs, or commands. Click a file or program to open it.

Using the Start menu

Start menu.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

W orking with files and f olders

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.

HelpSpot For more information on working with files and folders,

double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

About 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

Disk (C:)

also have more drives such as a CD drive.

To view the drives on your computer:

for the hard drive and 3½ Floppy (A:) for the diskette drive. You may

■ Double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop.

Local

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Drives

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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

View the entire contents of this drive.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

About folders and files

Folders are much like the folders in a file cabinet. They 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

To create a folder:

1 Doubl e-click the My Compute r icon on the desktop. The My Computer
2 Double-click the drive or folder, for example 3½ Floppy (A:) or Local

3 Select File, then New, then Folder. The new folder is created.
4 Type a name for the folder, then press ENTER. The new folder name

50

window opens.

Disk (C:)

The drive or folder window opens. If you do not see the contents of the
drive or folder, click

appears under the folder.

, where you want to put the new folder.

View the entire contents of [this drive or this folder].

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Working with files and folders

Copying and moving files and f olders

The skills you need to copy and move files are copying, cutting, and pasting.
When you copy and paste a selection, you place a copy of the file you selected

on the Windows clipboard, which stores it. Then, when you decide what folder
you want the copy to go in (the destination folder), you paste it there.

When you cut and paste a selection, you remove the file from its folder and
place the file on the Windows clipboard. When you decide where you want
the file 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
into more than one place, but as soon as you copy or cut
a file again, the old file is deleted from the clipboard.

To copy a file or folder to another folder:

1 Right-click the file or folder that you want to copy. A menu opens on

the desktop.

2 Select Copy from the menu.
3 Open the destination folder.
4 With the pointer inside the destination folder, press the right mouse

button.

5 Select Paste. A copy of the file or folder appears in the new location.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

To move a file or folder to another folder:

1 Right-click the file or folder that you want to move. A menu opens on

the desktop.

2 Select Cut from the menu.
3 Open the destination folder.
4 With the pointer inside the destination folder, press the right mouse

button.

5 Select Paste. The file or folder you moved appears in its new location and

is removed from its old location.

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Deleting files and f olders

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
Windows trash can, the Recycle Bin, where they remain until you decide to
empty the bin.

You ca n recover any file in the Recy cle Bin as long as the bin has not been
emptied.

To delete files or folders:

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

want to delete. For instructions on how to select multiple files and folders,
see “Shortcuts” on page 64.

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

Recycle Bin.

Working with files and folders

To recov er files or folders from the Recycle Bin:

1 Doubl e-click the Recycle Bin icon. The Recycle Bin window opens listing

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

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

how to select multiple files and folders, see “Shortcuts” on page 64. Select

File, then Restore. Windows returns the deleted files or folders to their

original locations.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

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 Empty Recycle Bin.

Windows asks you if you are sure that you want to empty the bin.

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

folders in the bin. These files cannot be restored.

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Bro wsing for fil es and folder s

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 Doubl e-click the My Compute r icon on the desktop.
2 Double-click the drive or folder that you think contains the file or folder

that you want to find.

Working with files and folders

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

file or folder you want. (If you do not see the contents of a folder, click

View the entire contents of this folder.)

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

Searc hing 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 in W indows 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 ca n also combine sea rch criteria to refine se arches.

Files and folders found using these utilities can be opened, copied, cut,

renamed, or deleted directly from the list in the results window.

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Using the Window s Search u tility

To find files and folders using the Search utility:

1 Click Start, then select Search, then For Files or F olde r s. The search dialog

box opens.

Searching for files

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

file or fo lder na me in t he
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.

Search for files or folders named box in the left

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

3 Click 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.

Using advanced search options

Search can find files meeting more criteria than file name. You can select

options to narrow your search by clicking

options t hat you w ant:

■ Date searches for files that were created o r modified on a specific date or

during a specific period.

■ Size searches for files of a specific size.

■ Type searches for files of a specific type, such as a program or a text

document.

■ Advanced Options give you access to further search options.

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Search Options and selecting the

W orking with documents

Documents are commonly 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.

Working with documents

The following examples illustrate the concepts for creating, saving, opening,
and printing a document in Microsoft
Microsoft W ord, similar procedures apply to other programs such as Microsoft
Excel, Microsoft Works, and Mic rosoft Publisher.

For more information about using a program, select

®

Word. Though these examples use

Help on the menu bar.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

Creating a ne w document

HelpSpot For more inf ormation on creating a document, d ouble-c lick

the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

To create a new doc ument:

1 Click Start, then select Programs, then Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word

starts and a blank docu ment opens.

2 Select File, then select New. The New dialog box opens.

60

3 Click a tab for the type of document you want to create, select a

documen t templ ate styl e, then click

OK. The document template opens.

4 Begin composing your document. Use the me nu s and toolbar buttons at

the top of the window to format the document.

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Saving a document

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

HelpSpot For more infor mation on saving a document, double-click

the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

To save a document in Microsoft Word:

1 Select File, then Save. The Save As dialog box opens.
2 Select the folder in which you plan to save the file from the Save in list .
3 Type the new file name.

File

folder

Working with documents

File

name

4 Click Save.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

Opening a document

To view, revise, or print an existing document, yo u need to open it. Open

the document in the program it was created in.

HelpSpot For more inf ormation on opening a document, d ouble-clic k

To open a document in Microsoft Word:

1 Click Start, then select Programs, then Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word

starts and a blank docu ment opens.

2 Select File, then Open.
3 Find the folder that contains the file you want to open in the Look in list.

File

folder

File

name

the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

62

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

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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, re fer to the printer documentation.

HelpSpot For more inf ormation on printing a docum ent, do ub le-cl ick

the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

To print a document in Microsoft Word:

1 Make sure that the printer is turned on and loaded with paper.
2 Star t Microsoft Word and open a document.
3 Select File, then Print. The Print dialog box opens.
4 Select the print options, then click OK. The document prints.

Working with documents

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

Shortcuts

The following table shows a fe w shortc uts tha t yo u ca n use in Windows and

almost all programs that run in W indows. For more information on W indows

shortcuts, see your Windows or program documentation.

To ... Do this...

Copy a file, folder, text, or graphic Select the item, then press CTRL + C.
Cut a file, folder, text, or graphic Select the item, then press C
Paste a file, folder, text, or graphic Select the item, then press C
Select multiple icons on the desktop Click the first icon, press and hold down the C

TRL + X.
TRL + V.

TRL key,

then click ea ch of t he r emaini ng ic ons tha t you want to
select.

Select multiple items in a list or in an
Explorer window

Click the first item, press and hold down the C
then click each of the remaining items.

TRL key,

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

S

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

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

HIFT + DELETE. The

file is permanently deleted and is not stored in the
Recycle Bin.

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

then press E
Close the active window o r program Pre ss A
Switch to a different file, folder, or

Press A

NTER.
LT + F4.
LT + TAB.

running program

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Transferring softwar e and hardware from you r old computer

T ransf erring software and hard ware
from y our old computer

If your new computer is replacing an old computer, you may have personal
data files, Internet settings, a printer or other peripheral devices, and other
unique computer settings that you want to move from your old computer to
your new one.

Gateway Data Move r Plus kit

If both your old and new computers have USB ports, you can use the
Gateway Data Mover Plus kit to automatically transfer customized computer
settings, such as Desktop settings, sound schemes, Internet and e-mail
settings, as well as personal data files, such as documents, spreadsheets, and
photographs. This program, with its special USB cable, helps you do this
quickly and efficiently. To order the Gateway Data Mover Plus kit, visit the
Gateway Accessory Store at www.gateway.com.

T ransf erring files

Finding your files

Many programs automatically save your personal data files in the
My Documents folder. Look in your old computer’s My Documents folder for
personal data files. Use Windows Search to locate other personal data files.

You can manually transfer your personal data files by
copying them to removable media, such as a diskette, CD,
or Zip disk, or by using a home network. For more
information, see “Networking Your Computer” on
page 147.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

To find files in the My Documents folder:

1 Doubl e-click the My Computer icon on your desktop. The My Computer

window opens.

2 Doubl e-click the C:\ drive icon. The C:\ window o pens.
3 Double-click the My Documents folder . The My Documents window opens

and displays many of your saved personal da ta files.

Y ou can often identify different data file type s by looking at the file’ s extension
(the part of the file name following the last period). For example, a document
file might have a .DOC extension and a spreadsheet file might have an .XLS
extension.

File type File usually ends in...

Documents .DOC, .TXT, .RTF, .HTM, .HTML, .DOT
Spreadsheets .XLS, .XLT, .TXT
Pictures .JPG, .BMP, .GIF, .PDF, .PCT, .TIF, .PNG
Movies .MPEG, .MPG, .AVI, .GIF, .MOV
Sound and Music .WAV, .CDA, .MP3, .MID, .MIDI

To find files using Search:

1 Click Start, then select Search, then For Files or Folders. The Search Results

window opens.

2 Use Windows Search to locate data files by file name or file type. For help

on findin g files , click

66

Help, then select Help Topics.

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Transferring softwar e and hardware from you r old computer

T ransf erring Internet settings

You can use different methods to transfer your Internet
account from your old computer to your new one.

Setting up your ISP

■ If your current Internet Service Provider (ISP) software came preinstalled

on your new computer, run that setup program. If it asks to set up a new
account or an existing one, choose to reconnect to an existing account.

■ If your current ISP software is not preinstalled on your new computer,

locate the original Internet setup program provided by your local ISP, or
contact your ISP to see if they have an updated version of their software,
and install it on your new computer.

■ If you use MSN as your ISP, or if you know your ISP settings, use the

Windows Internet Connection Wizard.

To use the Internet Connection Wizard:

1 Click Start, then select Programs, Accessories, Communications, then

Internet Connection Wizard. The Internet Connection Wizard window

opens.

2 Configure your Internet settings by following the on-screen instructions.

T ransferring y our e-mail and address book

Refer to your old e-mail program’s online help for information on exporting
and importing e-mail messages and the address book. You can often export all
of your old e-mail messages or address book to a disket te, then import them
from the diskette into your new computer’ s e-mail program. Alternatively , you
may want to consider simply printing the old information or e-mailing it to
yourself.

T ransferring y our Internet shortcuts

You can export and imp ort your old bookmarks (Netscape Navigator) or
favorites (Microsoft Internet Explorer). Fo r more information, refer to your
Internet browser program’s online help.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

Reinstalling your old printer or scanner

Older printers, scanners, or other peripheral devices may
have Windows support integrated (built in), which means
you do not need any additional software. Newer devices,
however, usually require your original software
installation CDs or diskettes.

Reinstalling a USB printer or scanner

USB devices may have special installation instructions. Refer to your USB
device’s installation guide.

Reinstalling a parallel port printer

You can usually install parallel port printers by following these steps.

To reinstall your old printer:

1 Exit Windows and turn off your computer.
2 Connect your parallel port printer.
3 Turn on your printer, then your computer.

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4 If Windows detects your printer, install your printer by following the

on-screen instructions. You are finished.

- OR ­If Windows does not detect the printer, go to the next step.

5 Click Start, then select Settings, then Printers. The Printers window opens.
6 Double-click the Add Printer icon. The Add Printer Wizard window opens.
7 Install your printer by following the on-screen instructions.

Refer to your peripheral device’s user guide for installation information and
tips. Because most installation software is periodically updated, you should
also check the publisher’s Web site for driver updates.

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Transferring softwar e and hardware from you r old computer

Reinstalling your old programs

You probably use some programs that did not come
installed on your new computer, such as personal finance
software, graphics programs, or games.

Spend some time going through your old computer’s
menus, making note of any programs you want to install on your new
computer. Locate your original program installation CDs and installation
guides. Your original CDs and guides should contain any serial numbers or
product ID keys that may be req uired for program installation and
registration. Remember to check the publisher’s Web site for important
program upda tes.

Tips & Tricks If your new computer comes with a newer version of a

program, it is usually best to use the newer version than
to reinstall the old one.

Start and Programs

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

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Using the
Internet

This chapter provides information about the Internet and the World Wide
W eb, and tells you how to set up the America Online
you can send and receive e-mail and access other Internet resources.

5

®

Internet service so that

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Chapter 5: Using the Inter net

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, or cable line and signing up
with an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Internet Ser vers

store infor mation so other
computers can access it
from the Internet.

Yo u r com p u ter
connects to the
Internet through
an ISP.

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

If you want to access the Internet you need:

■ A modem – a device that connects your computer, using a telephone,

DSL, or cable line, to other computers or servers.

■ An I nternet 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 yo ur 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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Setting up an Internet acc ount

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 establish 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.

HelpSpot For more information on setting up an Internet account,

double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

To set up an Internet acc ount with America Online:

1 Doubl e-click the America Online Included icon. If the icon is not on the

Windows desktop, look for the
Online Services folder on the Windows desktop.

America Online Incl uded icon located in the

2 Follow the on-screen instructions. After setting up your account, you can

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

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Chapter 5: Using the Inter net

Accessing your Internet account

HelpSpot For more information on accessing your Internet account,

double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

To connect to y our America Online Internet account:

1 Doubl e-click the America Online Included icon. The Connect dialog box

opens.

2 Complete the member name and password information, then click

Connect. The computer dials the Internet account telephone number.

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

After connecting, the W eb browser window opens. For information about the
We b and the Web brow ser, see “Using the World Wide Web” on page 75.

To disconnect from your America Online Internet acc ount:

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

computer disconnects from the Internet.
If you are using a service other than America Online, check with your

ISP for the correct procedure for disconnecting.

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 the computer.

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Using the W orld Wide W eb

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 We b pa g e s , 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.

We b pages can contain not only text, but animations, music, and other
multimedia features.

A group of related Web p ages is called a Web s it e. 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 the
W eb page called links, or hyperlinks. A link may be colored or underlined text,
a picture, or an animated image. Y o u can identify a link by moving the mouse
pointer over it. If the pointer changes to a hand, the item is a link.

Using the World Wide Web

To learn more about using the Web browser features, select
bar.

Link

Web

page

Linked W eb page

Help in the menu

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Chapter 5: Using the Inter net

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 .

HelpSpot For more information on connecting to a Web site,

double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

To connect to a Web site:

1 Connect to your Internet account. After the 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

GO on the browser address bar.

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- 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.

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.

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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 167.

HelpSpot For more inf ormation on downloading fil es, double-clic k the

HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

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 -

Using the World Wide Web

GO on the browser address

Click on links 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.

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 created.
A copy of the file is downloaded to your comp uter. 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.

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Chapter 5: Using the Inter net

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 the America Online
ISP might have an e-mail address that is similar to this one:

[e-mail]

User name Internet domain name

Sending e-mail

HelpSpot For more infor mation on sending e-mail, double-click the

HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

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.

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Checking y our e-mail

HelpSpot For more inf ormation on ch ecking y our e-mail, dou ble-clic k

the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

To check your e-mail using America Online:

1 Connect to your America Online account.
2 Click Read.

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

Using e-mail

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Using
Multimedia

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

■ Use the diskette drive

■ Use the CD drive

■ Play CDs

■ Record and play audio files

■ Use Windows Media Player

■ Use MusicMatch

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Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

Using Drives

This section explains how to use the diskette and CD drives.

Using diskettes

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

Caution Do not expose diskettes to water or magnetic fields.

To use a disk ette:

1 Insert the diskette into the diskette drive with the label facing up.

Exposure could damage the data on the diskette.

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2 To access a file on the diskette, double-click the My Computer icon, the

drive letter, then the file.

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

the diskette eject button.

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Using the CD drive

You can use your computer to enjoy a wide variety of multimedia features,
such as playing games and listening to audio CDs.

To insert a CD:

1 Press the eject button on the CD drive, then pull the disc tray completely

open.

Using Drives

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Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

2 Place the CD in the tray with the label up, then press down carefully on

the disc until it snaps into place.

3 Push the tray in until it is closed.

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Adjusting the volume

Y ou c an use the volume controls to a djust the overall volume and the vo lume
of specific sound devices in your computer.

HelpSpot For more inf ormation on adj usting vo lume, doub le-clic k the

HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

To adjust overall volume level:

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

volume or click to select the

Mute check box.

Adjusting the volume

-OR­On the keyboard, press the F

the volume, or press F

N+HOME keys to turn off (mute) all sound.

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N+PAGE UP or PAGE DOWN keys to change

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Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

To adjust specific volume levels:

1 Double-click the speaker icon on the taskbar . Th e Volume Control dialog

box opens.

If the device you want to adjust does not appear in the Volume Control
dialog box, select
want to adjust, then click

Options, then Properties. Select the audio device you

OK.

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

adjust, then close the window. For more information about the volume
controls, select

Help in the Volume Con trol dial og box.

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Listening to music CDs

The Windows Media Player turns your computer into a multimedia center.
Use the player to listen to Internet radio stations, play and copy your CDs,
look for Internet movies, and create lists of all media on your computer. For
more information about using the Windows Media Player, select

To listen to a CD in the Windows Media Player:

■ Insert a CD into the CD drive. The Windows Media Player opens and the

CD plays.
If the Windows Media Player does not op en automatically when you

insert the CD, open it from the Start menu by clicking

Programs, then Windows Media Player . When the media player opens, click

(play).

Listening to music CDs

Help.

Start, then selecting

Play/
Pause

Stop

Sound
Controls

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Track
Controls

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Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

Recording and pla ying audio

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

HelpSpot For more information on recording and playing audio,

double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

To make an audio rec ording:

1 Plug a microphone into the microphone jack. For the location of the jack,

see “Right” on page 4

2 Click Start, then s elec t Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then Sound

Recorder

. The Sound Recorder opens.

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Rewind Fast

Forward

Play Stop

Record

3 Click (record), then speak into the microphone.
4 When you finish recording, click (stop).
5 Select File, then Save As. The Save As dialog box opens.
6 Name the recording, specify the path, then click Save. The recording is

saved.

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Recording and playing au dio

To play an audio rec ording in Sound Recorder:

1 Open the S ound Recorder.
2 Select File, then Open. The Open dialog box open s.
3 Select the file you want to play, then click Open.
4 Play the file by clicking (play), then stop playing the file by clicking

(stop).

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Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

Playing audio and vi deo files with
Windows Media Pla yer

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

To play a file using the Windows Media Player:

1 Click Start, then select Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then

Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

Help.

Video file

information

Video

screen

90

Play/Pause

Stop

2 Select File, then Open. The Open dialog box ope ns.
3 Select the file you want to play, then click Open.
4 Play the file by clicking (play), then stop playing the file by clicking

(stop).

For more information about the Windows Media Player, select

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Help.

Using MusicMatch

Using the MusicMatch™ program, you can:

■ Play music CDs

■ Create MP3 music files from your music CDs

■ Use your music files to build a music library

■ Enter music track information

■ Listen to Internet Radio

HelpSpot For more info rmation on using MusicMatch, double-click

the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

Playing CDs

You ca n use the MusicMatch program to play mus ic CDs.

Using MusicMatch

To play a music CD:

1 Double-click the musicmatch JUKEBOX icon on your desktop. MusicMatch

opens.

2 Insert the music CD into the CD drive on your computer, then click the

CD tab. The names of the music tracks appear in the playlist area.

3 Click (play).

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Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

Creating music files

Using MusicMatch, you can copy the tracks from a music CD to your
computer’s hard drive as MP3 files.

Here are some terms that you need to know before you get started:

■ Bit rate is the number of bits required to store one second of music.

CD quality is 128 kilobits per second. A high bit rate gives you better
sound quality but the file size is also larger. For information about
changing the sound quality settings, see the online help in MusicMatch.

■ MP3 (MPEG Layer 3) is a standard for digitally co mpressing high-fidelity

music into compact files without noticeably sacrif icing quality. MP3 files
end in the file extension .MP3.

■ Ripping is t he process of copying a music track from a music CD and

storing it on your computer’s hard drive.

To create (r ip) MP3 files:

1 Doubl e-click the musicm atch JUKEBOX icon.
2 Insert a CD into the CD d rive, then click (record). The Recorder

window opens.

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3 In the Reco rder window, select the tracks you want to record, then

click (record). The tracks that you selected are copied as MP3 files to
your computer’s hard drive.

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Editing track in formation

After you add a CD track as an MP3 file to your music library, y ou can edit
the track’s information.

To edit track information:

1 In MusicMatch, click Music Library. The Music Library window op ens.
2 In the Music Library window, right-click the file, then select Edit Track

Tag

. The Edit Track Tag dialog box opens.

Using MusicMatch

3 Enter information such as track title, lead artist, album, and genre.
4 Click OK. The new track information is displayed in the MusicMatch

playlist, music library, and rec order.

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Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

Building a m usic library

Use MusicMatch to build a music library. You can organize your music tracks
by categories, find a track quickly by using the sort features, and add
information to a music file.

You can add music tracks to your music library by:

■ Creating MP3 files – When you create MP3 files from the tracks on your

music CD, MusicMatch automatically adds these files to your music
library.

■ Dragging and Dro pping – Drag and drop files from Windows Explorer

or your desktop to the music library.

■ Downloading files from the Internet – When you are connected to the

Internet, MP3 files that you download are automatically added to your
music library.

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