Gateway Tower User manual

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Contents

1 Checking Out Your Gateway Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Identifying your computer case style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Gateway Tower Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Gateway Tower Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Gateway Mid Tower Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Gateway Mid Tower Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Gateway Micro Tower Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Gateway Micro Tower Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Desktop to tower conversion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Identifying your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Gateway model number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Gateway serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Finding your specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

2Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Working safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Reducing eye strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Setting up your computer desk and chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Setting up your computer and computer accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Sitting at your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Starting your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Turning off your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Restarting (rebooting) your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Multifunction keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Special-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Using the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

3Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

HelpSpot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Searching for a topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

HelpSpot videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

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Using eSupport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

4 Windows Basics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

About the Windows environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Using the desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Using the Start menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

Adding icons to the desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Identifying window items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Working with files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Viewing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Creating folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Copying and moving files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Deleting files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Browsing for files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Searching for files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Using the Windows Search utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Working with documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Creating a new document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Saving a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Opening a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Printing a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

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

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

Setting up an Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

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

Using the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Connecting to a Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Downloading files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Using e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Sending e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Checking your e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

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

Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Adjusting the volume in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .82

Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85

Recording and playing audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87

Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Using the diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Using the CD or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94

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Identifying drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Inserting a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Listening to CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Listening to CDs in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Listening to CDs in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Using MusicMatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Playing CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Creating MP3 music files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Editing track information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Building a music library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Changing the music library display settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Listening to Internet radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Using advanced features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Playing a DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Using a recordable drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Creating data CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Creating video DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Creating music CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Copying CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

7 Using PhoneTools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Using telephone features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Making a telephone call . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Using Quick Dial memory keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Using telephone book entries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Using voice mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

Recording a greeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Sending and receiving faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Setting up your cover page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Sending a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Faxing from programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

Receiving and viewing a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142

8 Customizing Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 143

Adjusting the screen and desktop settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Adjusting the color depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144

Adjusting the screen resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 146

Changing the colors on your Windows desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Changing the desktop background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Selecting a screen saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Changing the mouse settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 155

Programming the multifunction keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156

Adding and modifying user accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158

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Power management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Using power saving modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Changing power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162

Changing the power scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162

Changing advanced power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .164

Activating and using Hibernate mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Setting up an uninterruptible power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166

9 Networking Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Benefits of networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Sharing a single Internet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Sharing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Sharing peripheral devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Streaming audio and video files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Playing multi-player games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Selecting a network connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Using a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173

Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173

Example wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174

Equipment you need for a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175

Using a wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176

Example access point wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177

Equipment you need for an access point wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . .178

Example peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .179

Equipment you need for a peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . .180

For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

10 Moving from Your Old Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .181

Using the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .182

Transferring files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

Finding your files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .183

Transferring Internet settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185

Setting up your ISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .185

Transferring your e-mail and address book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

Transferring your Internet shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

Installing your old printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

Installing a USB printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .186

Installing a parallel port printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .187

Installing your old programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .188

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11 Maintaining Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Caring for your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Creating an emergency startup diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Protecting your computer from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Managing hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Checking hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Using Disk Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

Checking the hard drive for errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Defragmenting the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Backing up files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

Using the Scheduled Task Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

Cleaning the computer screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206

Cleaning the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

12 Restoring Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

Using the Restoration CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210

Reinstalling device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211

Updating device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

Reinstalling programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214

Reinstalling Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216

13 Upgrading Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Selecting a place to work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220

Gathering the tools you need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220

Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

Identifying the computer case style . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222

Upgrading the Gateway Tower and Mid Tower cases . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223

Opening the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223

Closing the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226

Adding or replacing a diskette, CD, or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 228

Adding or replacing a hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230

Adding or replacing add-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

Replacing the power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235

Replacing the system board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238

Upgrading the Gateway Micro Tower Case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

Opening the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

Closing the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246

Adding or replacing a diskette, CD, or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248

Adding or replacing a hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251

vi

Adding or replacing add-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .254

Replacing the power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .256

Replacing the system board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .259

Installing memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .261

Installing or replacing DIMM memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .262

Installing or replacing RIMM memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264

Replacing the system battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268

Using the BIOS Setup utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270

14 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273

Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274

First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274

Software support tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .275

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

Add-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

CD, DVD, or recordable drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .276

Cleaning CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278

Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278

Diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280

Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .281

Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .283

Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285

Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285

Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .291

Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .292

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293

Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .293

Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .296

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297

Before calling Gateway Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .297

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .298

Tutoring and training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299

Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299

Tutoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .299

Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .300

A Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .301

Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 309

1

Checking Out

Your Gateway

Computer

This chapter introduces you to the basic features of your

Gateway computer. Read this chapter to learn:

■ How to identify your computer case style

■ How to identify the features of your computer

■ How to locate your computer’s model and serial

number

■ How to locate the Microsoft Certificate of

Authenticity

■ How to locate the specifications for your computer

■ What accessories are available for your computer

2

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Computer

www.gateway.com

Identifying your computer case

style

Use the following descriptions to identify the style of your computer case.

Gateway Tower Gateway Mid Tower Gateway Micro Tower

The Gateway Tower does not

have an access door on the

front.

For information on the Gateway

Tower case, see “Gateway

Tower Front” on page 3.

The Gateway Mid Tower

case has an access door on

the front that covers the

drive bays and other

components.

For information on the

Gateway Mid Tower case,

see “Gateway Mid Tower

Front” on page 8.

The Gateway Micro Tower can

be set vertically into its

removable base, or set

horizontally on its rubber feet.

For information on the Gateway

Micro Tower case, see

“Gateway Micro Tower Front”

on page 13.

3

Gateway Tower Front

www.gateway.com

Gateway Tower Front

Your computer may contain any of the following components.

3.5-inch drive bay

cover

CD/DVD/Recordable

drive

CD/DVD eject

button

Diskette eject

button

Diskette drive

Power button

USB ports

IEEE 1394 port

(optional)

5.25-inch drive bay

cover

5.25-inch drive bay

cover

4

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Computer

www.gateway.com

Component Icon Description

CD/DVD/Recordable

drive

Use this drive to listen to audio CDs, install games and

programs, watch DVDs, and store large files onto recordable

CDs and DVDs (depending on drive type). For more

information, see “Using the CD or DVD drive” on page 94.

This drive may be a CD, CD-RW, DVD, DVD/CD-RW, or

DVD-RAM/-R/-RW/CD-RW drive. To identify your drive type

and for more information about your drive, see “Identifying

drive types” on page 94.

5.25-inch drive bay

cover

Remove this cover to install an additional 5.25-inch drive.

Diskette drive Use this drive to store smaller files on diskettes. For more

information, see “Using the diskette drive” on page 91.

IEEE 1394 port

(optional)

Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire

®

or i.Link

®

)

device (such as a digital video camera) into this 4-pin

IEEE 1394 port. For more information, see “Installing a

printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 38.

Power button Press this button to turn the power on or off. You can also

configure the power button to operate in Standby/Resume

mode or Hibernate mode. For more information on changing

the power button setting, see “Changing the power scheme”

on page 162.

CD/DVD eject button Press this button to open the CD or DVD drive tray. For more

information, see “Using the CD or DVD drive” on page 94.

Diskette eject button Press this button to eject an inserted diskette. For more

information, see “Using the diskette drive” on page 91.

USB ports USB 1.1

USB 2.0

Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB

Iomega™ Zip™ drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or

mouse) into these ports. For more information, see “Installing

a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 38.

The front USB ports are USB v2.0.

Any USB device will work in any USB port.

3.5-inch drive bay

cover

Remove this cover to install an additional 3.5-inch drive.

5

Gateway Tower Back

www.gateway.com

Gateway Tower Back

Your computer may contain any of the following components.

Modem jack

Rear out

(Line out 2) jack

Monitor port

Parallel port

Serial port

USB 1.1 ports

PS/2 keyboard port

PS/2 mouse port

Voltage switch

Power connector

Audio input

(Line in) jack

Microphone jack

Headphone/analog

speakers (Line out 1)

jack

Case cover

shipping screw

USB 2.0 ports

Ethernet

(network) jack

Add-in card

retention

thumbscrew

Digital speakers

(Digital out) jack

IEEE 1394 port

(optional)

Kensington lock

slot

TV out jack

(optional)

System label

Microsoft

Certificate of

Authenticity

6

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Computer

www.gateway.com

Component Icon Description

System label Includes your computer’s model and serial number. For more

information, see “Identifying your model” on page 19.

Power connector Plug the power cable into this connector.

Voltage switch Before turning on your computer, make sure that this switch is

in the correct position for the correct power available. The

switch is preset at the factory with the correct voltage for your

area.

In the United States, the utility power is supplied at a nominal

115 volts at 60 Hz. The power supply should always be set to

this when your computer is operating in the United States. In

other areas of the world, such as Europe, the utility power is

supplied at 230 volts at 50 Hz. If your computer is operating

in an environment such as this, the voltage switch should be

moved to 230.

Microsoft

Certificate of

Authenticity

Contains your Windows product key. For more information, see

“Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity” on page 20.

PS/2 mouse port Plug a Personal System/2

®

(PS/2) mouse into this port.

PS/2 keyboard port Plug a PS/2 keyboard into this port.

USB ports USB 1.1

USB 2.0

Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB

Iomega™ Zip™ drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or

mouse) into these ports. For more information, see “Installing

a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 38.

The rear USB ports may be USB v1.1 or USB v2.0.

Any USB device will work in any USB port.

Serial port Plug a serial device (such as a digital camera) into this port.

For more information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other

peripheral device” on page 38.

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

information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other

peripheral device” on page 38.

TV out jack

(optional)

Plug a television into this jack so you can view your display on

a television using NTSC composite video.

7

Gateway Tower Back

www.gateway.com

Modem jack Plug a modem cable into this jack.

Telephone jack

(optional)

If your modem has a telephone jack, plug the cable for a

telephone into this jack.

Headphone/analog

speakers

(Line out 1) jack

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

headphones into this jack. This jack is color-coded lime green.

IEEE 1394 port

(optional)

Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire or i.Link) device

(such as a digital video camera) into this 6-pin IEEE 1394 port.

For more information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other

peripheral device” on page 38.

Rear out (Line out

2) jack

Plug powered, analog rear speakers or an external amplifier

into this jack. This jack is color-coded black.

Kensington™

lock slot

Secure your computer to an object by connecting a Kensington

cable lock to this slot.

Case cover

shipping screw

Remove this screw before opening the case.

Ethernet (network)

jack

Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable or a device (such as a

DSL or cable modem for a broadband Internet connection) into

this jack. For more information, see “Learning about the

Internet” on page 72.

Monitor port Plug a monitor into this port.

Add-in card

retention

thumbscrew

Remove this screw when adding or replacing add-in cards.

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

or pink.

Digital speakers

(Digital out) jack

Plug digital speakers into this jack. You can also use this jack

for an analog center speaker and subwoofer. This jack is

color-coded orange.

Audio input (Line

in) jack

Plug an external audio input source (such as a stereo) into this

jack so you can record sound on your computer. This jack is

color-coded blue.

Component Icon Description

8

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Computer

www.gateway.com

Gateway Mid Tower Front

Your computer may contain any of the following components.

3.5-inch drive bay cover

Access door

CD/DVD/Recordable drive

CD/DVD eject button

Diskette eject button

Diskette drive

Power button

USB ports

IEEE 1394 port (optional)

5.25-inch drive bay cover

9

Gateway Mid Tower Front

www.gateway.com

Component Icon Description

Access door Open this door to access your drives and other components.

5.25-inch drive bay cover Remove this cover to install an additional 5.25-inch drive.

CD/DVD/Recordable

drive

Use this drive to listen to audio CDs, install games and

programs, watch DVDs, and store large files onto recordable

CDs and DVDs (depending on drive type). For more

information, see “Using the CD or DVD drive” on page 94.

This drive may be a CD, CD-RW, DVD, DVD/CD-RW, or

DVD-RAM/-R/-RW/CD-RW drive. To identify your drive type

and for more information about your drive, see “Identifying

drive types” on page 94.

CD/DVD eject button Press this button to open the CD or DVD drive tray. For more

information, see “Using the CD or DVD drive” on page 94.

3.5-inch drive bay cover Remove this cover to install an additional 3.5-inch drive.

IEEE 1394 port (optional) Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire

®

or i.Link

®

)

device (such as a digital video camera) into this 4-pin

IEEE 1394 port. For more information, see “Installing a

printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 38.

Diskette drive Use this drive to store smaller files on diskettes. For more

information, see “Using the diskette drive” on page 91.

Diskette eject button Press this button to eject an inserted diskette. For more

information, see “Using the diskette drive” on page 91.

Power button Press this button to turn the power on or off. You can also

configure the power button to operate in Standby/Resume

mode or Hibernate mode. For more information on changing

the power button setting, see “Changing the power scheme”

on page 162.

USB ports USB

1.1

USB

2.0

Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB

Iomega™ Zip™ drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard,

or mouse) into these ports. For more information, see

“Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on

page 38.

The front USB ports are USB v2.0.

Any USB device will work in any USB port.

10

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Computer

www.gateway.com

Gateway Mid Tower Back

Your computer may contain any of the following components.

Modem jack (optional)

Monitor port

Parallel port

Serial port

USB ports

PS/2 keyboard port

PS/2 mouse port

Voltage switch

Power connector

Audio input (Line in) jack

Microphone jack

Headphone/speakers (Line out) jack

Case cover shipping screw

USB ports

Ethernet (network) jack

Add-in card retention thumbscrew

Kensington lock slot

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

Telephone jack (optional)

System label

11

Gateway Mid Tower Back

www.gateway.com

Component Icon Description

System label Includes your computer’s model and serial number. For

more information, see “Identifying your model” on

page 19.

Power connector Plug the power cable into this connector.

Voltage switch Before turning on your computer, make sure that this

switch is in the correct position for the correct power

available. The switch is preset at the factory with the

correct voltage for your area.

In the United States, the utility power is supplied at a

nominal 115 volts at 60 Hz. The power supply should

always be set to this when your computer is operating

in the United States. In other areas of the world, such

as Europe, the utility power is supplied at 230 volts at

50 Hz. If your computer is operating in an environment

such as this, the voltage switch should be moved to 230.

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

Kensington cable lock to this slot.

Case cover shipping

screw

Remove this screw before opening the case.

Microsoft Certificate of

Authenticity

Contains your Windows product key. For more

information, see “Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity” on

page 20.

PS/2 mouse port Plug a Personal System/2

®

(PS/2) mouse into this port.

PS/2 keyboard port Plug a PS/2 keyboard into this port.

USB ports USB 1.1

USB 2.0

Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB

Iomega™ Zip™ drive, printer, scanner, camera,

keyboard, or mouse) into these ports. For more

information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other

peripheral device” on page 38.

The rear USB ports may be USB v1.1 or USB v2.0.

Any USB device will work in any USB port.

Serial port Plug a serial device (such as a digital camera) into this

port. For more information, see “Installing a printer,

scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 38.

12

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Computer

www.gateway.com

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

For more information, see “Installing a printer, scanner,

or other peripheral device” on page 38.

Monitor port Plug a monitor into this port.

Ethernet (network) jack Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable or a device (such

as a DSL or cable modem for a broadband Internet

connection) into this jack. For more information, see

“Learning about the Internet” on page 72.

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

red or pink.

Headphone/analog

speakers (Line out 1) jack

Plug powered, analog front speakers, an external

amplifier, or headphones into this jack. This jack is

color-coded lime green.

Audio input (Line in) jack Plug an external audio input source (such as a stereo)

into this jack so you can record sound on your computer.

This jack is color-coded blue.

Telephone jack (optional) If your modem has a telephone jack, plug the cable for

a telephone into this jack.

Modem jack Plug a modem cable into this jack.

Add-in card retention

thumbscrew

Remove this screw when adding or replacing add-in

cards.

Component Icon Description

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