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USER GUIDE
Gateway Computer
8511629.book Page a Wednesday, July 19, 2006 9:38 AM
8511629.book Page b Wednesday, July 19, 2006 9:38 AM
Contents
www.gateway.com
i
Contents
Chapter 1: Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Thank you for purchasing our computer! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Using the Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Using Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Using Help and Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Searching for a topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Using Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Finding your model and serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Finding the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Chapter 2: Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Working safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Reducing eye strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Setting up your computer desk and chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Setting up your computer and computer accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Sitting at your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Checking the voltage selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Starting your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Waking up your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Turning off your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Restarting your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Premium multimedia keyboard features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Elite multimedia keyboard features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Standard keyboard features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Using the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Connecting the dial-up modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Connecting to a cable or DSL modem or to an Ethernet network . . . . . . . . 22
Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Chapter 3: Using Windows XP. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Using the Windows desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Using the Start menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Adding icons to the desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Identifying window items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Working with files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Viewing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Creating folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
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Copying and moving files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .28
Deleting files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Searching for files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30
Using the Windows Search utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31
Browsing for files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .32
Working with documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Creating a new document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33
Saving a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Opening a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .34
Printing a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35
Using Windows shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .36
Chapter 4: Using the Internet. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
Learning about the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38
Setting up an Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Accessing your Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Using the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
Connecting to a Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40
Downloading files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Using e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Sending e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Checking your e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Chapter 5: Sending and Receiving Faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Installing and configuring Microsoft Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Installing Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Configuring Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
Setting up your cover page template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
Sending a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Sending a quick fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Faxing from programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Faxing a scanned document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Automatically retry sending a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49
Canceling a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Receiving and viewing a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Chapter 6: Using Your Hardware. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51
Using the diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Using the CD or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Identifying drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Inserting a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Using the memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Memory card types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Using a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Configuring the audio jacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Connecting a projector or monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
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Connecting a video camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Installing an uninterruptible power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Chapter 7: Using Your Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Playing music and movies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Playing WAV audio files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Playing audio and video files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Playing CDs or DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63
Creating audio files and music libraries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Creating music files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Building a music library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Editing music file information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Creating and editing videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Editing videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69
Transferring your video to your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Editing your video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Saving your video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Creating music CDs and video DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Creating a music CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72
Creating a video DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
Creating and copying data CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Creating a data CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Copying a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Using advanced multimedia features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Recording audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Chapter 8: Customizing Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Adjusting the screen and desktop settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Adjusting the color depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Adjusting the screen resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Changing the colors on your Windows desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88
Changing the desktop background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89
Selecting a screen saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Changing the mouse settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Using an extended desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
Adjusting power-saving settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Changing the power scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93
Changing advanced settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Activating and using Hibernate mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Chapter 9: Networking Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Introducing networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Using a router . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98
Creating an Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Installing Ethernet cards and drivers 99
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Making sure your broadband connection works . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Naming your computers and workgroup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Configuring the TCP/IP protocol . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Setting up an Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Testing your network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Sharing resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Sharing drives and printers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104
Using the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Viewing shared drives and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106
Mapping a network drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Opening files across the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Copying files across the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107
Printing files across the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Adding a printer to your network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
Chapter 10: Protecting Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109
Securing your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Using the Kensington lock slot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Securing your data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Using startup and hard drive passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Using Windows user accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Setting limits with user accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Protecting your computer from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112
Using Windows XP Security Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114
Updating Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
Chapter 11: Recovering Your System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117
Understanding system recovery options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Recovering your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Recovering specific files and software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119
Recovering your system using Microsoft System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . 120
Recovering your system from the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121
Chapter 12: Maintaining Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123
Caring for your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
Managing hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Checking hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Deleting unnecessary files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127
Checking the hard drive for errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128
Defragmenting the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129
Backing up files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Scheduling maintenance tasks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130
Moving from your old computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131
Transferring files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
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Contents
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v
Transferring Internet settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133
Installing your old printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Installing your old programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Chapter 13: Adding and Replacing Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137
Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Opening the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Removing the side panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138
Removing the front bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139
Closing the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Replacing the front bezel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Replacing the side panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
Installing memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 141
Replacing the system battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Replacing a CD, DVD, or Diskette Drive, or a Memory Card Reader . . . . . 143
Adding or replacing a hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145
Replacing the front fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147
Replacing the rear fan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
Replacing the power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149
Replacing the heat sink and processor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Replacing the I/O board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152
Adding or replacing an expansion card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153
Replacing the system board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154
Chapter 14: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 159
Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 160
Solving problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Add-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161
CD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161
Diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 162
DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163
File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 165
Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Modem (cable or DSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Modem (dial-up) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167
Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169
Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170
Networks 170
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Contents www.gateway.com
vi
Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Before calling Gateway Customer Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173
Telephone numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Appendix A: Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181
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CHAPTER 1: Getting Help www.gateway.com
2
Thank you for purchasing our computer!
You have made an excellent decision choosing Gateway. We are sure that you
will be pleased with the outstanding quality, reliability, and performance of your
new computer. Each and every Gateway computer uses the latest technology
and passes through the most stringent quality control tests to ensure that you
are provided with the best product possible.
Please read this manual carefully to familiarize yourself with our range of
services and support. We have highlighted some basic care and safety
information to help you keep your computer in good operating condition.
Gateway stands behind our value proposition to our customers — to provide
best-of-class service and support in addition to high-quality, brand-name
components at affordable prices. If you ever have a problem, our
knowledgeable, dedicated customer service department will provide you with
fast, considerate service.
We sincerely hope that you will receive the utmost satisfaction and enjoyment
from your new Gateway computer for years to come.
Thanks again, from all of us at Gateway.
Using the Gateway Web site
Gateway's online support is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, and
provides the most current drivers, product specifications, tutorials, and
personalized information about your computer. Visit the Gateway Web support
site at www.gateway.com/support
.
8511629.book Page 2 Wednesday, July 19, 2006 9:38 AM
Using the Gateway Web site
www.gateway.com
3
Using Support
The Support site is divided into seven major areas:
■ Support Home
■ Product Support
■ Downloads
■ Customer Service
■ Upgrade Center
■ Resources
■ Contact Us
Support Home
Click Support Home, then click Desktops. To view support documents for your
computer, type your serial number in the Serial Number box, then click Submit.
Click the arrow button to open the Select Your Computer Product box, then
click Desktop Computers to access product documentation, specifications, and
guides for all Gateway computers.
Product Support
Click Product Support to view a list of all the products that Gateway supports.
Downloads
Click Downloads to get the latest software updates for BIOS and driver
upgrades. By entering your serial number you get drivers specific to your
computer. Click Browse All Downloads to walk through a step-by-step wizard
to locate your drivers.
Customer Service
Click Customer Service to view information about your account and general
information about warranties and special offers.
Upgrade Center
Click Upgrade Center to view and purchase upgrades for your computer.
Resources
Click Resources to access utilities to help you manage your computer.
Contact Us
Click Contact Us to access links to customer care with a live technician,
including chat and e-mail. Click Call Us to get a list of Gateway telephone
numbers for both sales and support. For more information, see “Telephone
support” on page 173.
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CHAPTER 1: Getting Help www.gateway.com
4
Using Help and Support
Your computer includes Help and Support, an easily accessible collection of help
information, troubleshooters, and automated support. Use Help and Support
to answer questions about Windows and to help you quickly discover and use
the many features of your Gateway computer.
To start Help and Support:
■ Click Start, then click Help and Support. Help and Support opens.
Using Help and Support, you can find help information by clicking a link,
performing a search, or browsing the index.
Searching for a topic
To search for a topic in Help and Support, type a word or phrase (keyword) in
the Search box located at the top of any Help and Support screen, then click
the arrow button.
For each search, you receive the following search result types:
■ Suggested Topics—These topics are located in Help and Support and are
relevant to your search topic.
■ Full-text Search Matches—These topics are located in Help and Support
and contain the words you entered in the Search box.
■ Microsoft Knowledge Base—These topics are located on the Microsoft
Web site and contain the words you entered in the Search box. You must
be connected to the Internet to search for and access these topics.
To view a list of your search results, click the results header for the type of results
you want to view.
To view a topic, click the topic name in the Search Results list.
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Using Online help
www.gateway.com
5
Using Online help
Many programs provide information online so you can research a topic or learn
how to perform a task while you are using the program. You can access most
online help information by selecting a topic from a Help menu or by clicking a
Help button.
Finding your model and serial number
Important
The labels shown in this section are for
informational purposes only. Label
information varies by model, features
ordered, and location.
The label on the side of your computer case includes your computer serial
number. Gateway Technical Support will need this information if you call for
assistance.
Finding the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity
The Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity label found on the back or side of your
computer includes the product key code for your operating system.
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CHAPTER 2
7
Getting Started
•Front
•Back
•Working safely
•Starting your computer
• Turning off your computer
• Restarting your computer
•Using the keyboard
•Using the mouse
• Connecting the dial-up modem
• Connecting to a cable or DSL modem or to an Ethernet
network
• Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device
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CHAPTER 2: Getting Started www.gateway.com
8
Front
Your computer includes the following components (your computer may differ
from the computer shown below).
DVD/CD drive
Headphone jack
Power button/power
indicator
Diskette drive
(optional)
USB ports
Microphone jack
Hard drive activity
indicator
8511629.book Page 8 Wednesday, July 19, 2006 9:38 AM
Front
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9
Component Icon Description
DVD/CD drive Use this drive to listen to audio CDs, install games and programs, watch DVDs, and store large files onto
recordable discs (depending on drive type).
This drive may be a CD, recordable CD, DVD, or recordable DVD drive. To identify your drive type and for
more information about your drive, see “Identifying drive types” on page 53.
Diskette drive
(optional)
Insert a standard 3.5-inch diskette into the optional diskette drive. For more information, see “Using the
diskette drive” on page 52.
USB ports Plug a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device (such as a printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse) into this
port. For more information, see “Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 22.
Power
button/Power
indicator
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.
The button lights when the computer is turned on.
Hard drive activity
indicator
Lights when the hard drive is active.
Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack. This jack is color-coded red or pink.
Headphone jack Plug powered, analog front speakers, an external amplifier, or headphones into this jack. This jack is
color-coded green.
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CHAPTER 2: Getting Started www.gateway.com
10
Back
Your computer includes the following components (your computer may differ
from the computer shown below).
PS/2 keyboard port
PS/2 mouse port
Voltage switch
Power connector
Ethernet (network)
jack
DVI monitor port
Audio in jack
Case cover
thumbscrew
Headphone jack
USB ports
Cover release lever
Case cover
thumbscrew
Modem jack
(optional)
Microphone jack
VGA monitor port
Telephone jack
(optional)
8511629.book Page 10 Wednesday, July 19, 2006 9:38 AM
Back
www.gateway.com
11
Component Icon Description
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.
Power connector Plug the power cord into this connector.
Case cover
thumbscrew
Remove this screw before opening the case.
Cover release lever Press toward the side of the case to open the computer cover.
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.
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 “Networking Your Computer” on page 97.
PS/2 mouse port Plug a PS/2 mouse into this port.
VGA monitor port Plug a VGA monitor into this port.
Telephone jack
(optional)
After connecting the modem jack into a wall jack, connect a telephone to
this jack.
Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack.
Headphone/analog
speakers jack
Plug powered speakers, an external amplifier, or headphones into this jack.
USB ports Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a printer, scanner, camera,
keyboard, or mouse) into these ports. For more information, see “Installing
a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 22.
PS/2 keyboard port Plug a PS/2 keyboard into this port.
DVI monitor port Plug a DVI monitor into this port.
Modem jack (optional) After connecting the modem jack into a wall jack, connect a telephone to
this jack.
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CHAPTER 2: Getting Started www.gateway.com
12
Working safely
Before using your computer, read the following recommendations for setting
up a safe and comfortable work area and avoiding discomfort and strain.
Reducing eye strain
Sunlight or bright indoor lighting should not reflect on the monitor screen or
shine directly into your eyes.
■ Position the computer desk and monitor so you can avoid glare on your
screen and light shining directly into your eyes. Reduce glare by installing
shades or curtains on windows, and by installing a glare screen filter on
your monitor.
■ Use soft, indirect lighting in your work area. Do not use your computer in
a dark room.
■ Avoid focusing your eyes on your computer screen for long periods of
time. Look away from your computer occasionally, and try to focus on
distant objects.
Top of screen is not
higher than eye level
Feet are flat on the floor
Hands and
arms are
parallel to the
floor
Screen is perpendicular
to your line of sight
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