STARTERGUIDE ®
Thank you! Thank you for your purchase! We want to make your experience a satisfying one, so we’ve put together tips to help you get started with your Gateway computer.
Contents Getting started with Windows ............................................... 4 Windows Welcome Center ....................................................... 7 Getting help .................................................................................. 8 Internet .........................................................................................10 E-mail .............................................................................................11 Using CDs and DVDs ......................
we do Windows After you start your computer and complete the Windows® setup, the first thing you’ll see on your screen is the Windows desktop. The desktop includes a taskbar, Start button ( ), and Recycle Bin icon. Other icons may be added depending on your computer’s configuration.
getting things started The Start menu is the command center of your computer. Whether you want to start a program, find a file, change settings, or even shut down your system, the Start menu is where it all begins.
maintaining order Managing files and folders starts with the Computer folder. From there, you can see everything on your computer. To get there, click (Start), then click Computer. To save something right away, use the Documents folder that has already been set up for you. To access that folder, click (Start), then click Documents.
welcome to the Welcome Center! The Welcome Center offers a wealth of options for getting more information about your computer, as well as links to special deals from Gateway partners! To access the Welcome Center, click (Start), Control Panel, then click System and Maintenance. Click Welcome Center and select an option.
need additional help? If you need a little extra help with something on your computer, Gateway offers several options designed to meet your needs: • Gateway Web support—Available 24/7, Gateway’s online support provides current drivers, product specifications, tutorials, and personalized information about your computer. Visit us at www.support.gateway.com. • Help and Support—This collection of Windows help and troubleshooting information, along with automated support, is easily accessible.
help, continued... • User guide—For clear, yet comprehensive, information on everything from basic definitions to more complex tasks, see the User Guide installed on your computer. To open, click (Start), All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation. • Tech support—For help and advice you can trust, talk to people who know computers. You can find the number on the label that’s on your desktop or notebook computer.
surfing the ’net Explore the World Wide Web with an Internet connection. Just connect your computer to a telephone line, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or cable TV line and sign up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP). To get to the Internet, click (Start), then click Internet or the ISP you’ve connected with. Type in an Internet address, such as www.gateway.com, click Go, and you’re on your way.
welcome to e-mail! Staying in touch with family and friends is easy with e-mail and is usually free with your Internet account. To send e-mail, connect to your ISP, click (Start), then click E-mail. When your default e-mail program opens, complete any setup required, then click Create Mail and type the e-mail address of the person that you want to send a message to in the To box. Add a description in the Subject box, type the e-mail message, then click Send.
for your listening and viewing pleasure... Enjoy listening to favorite music CDs or watching DVDs with software already installed on your new Gateway computer. To listen to a music CD or watch a movie on DVD, click (Start), All Programs, then click Windows Media Player. Put the disk into the CD or DVD drive on your computer, then click the Play button ( ). You can control how the music CD or video DVD plays from Windows Media Player.
rip, burn, play Create a custom music CD with MP3s you rip yourself, or create a video DVD of home movies or special videos. If your computer came with a DVD burner, you can do it all with easy-to-use software already installed on your Gateway computer. Create an MP3 music file To create an MP3, click (Start), All Programs, then click Windows Media Player. Put a music CD in the disc drive on your computer, then click Rip.
keeping your computer safe Your Gateway computer comes with hardware and software features that can help you keep your computer secure and up-to-date.
securing the perimeter Windows Vista provides built-in security features designed to protect you, your family, and your computers. To view or change Windows Vista security settings, click (Start), Control Panel, Security, then click Security Center. Guard against spyware, pop-ups, and other unwanted software Select and control the type and level of protection you want for your computer For more information on security, see “Protecting Your Computer” in your online user guide.
up-to-date security Windows Update If a hacker finds a way to bypass the security features built into Windows Vista, Microsoft creates a high-priority Windows update to fix the problem. You should update Windows regularly to keep your computer secure. To run Windows Update, click (Start), All Programs, then click Windows Update. Click Express to download high-priority updates, including those that are security related.
virus-free with McAfee McAfee SecurityCenter McAfee SecurityCenter helps protect your computer from viruses, hackers, and privacy threats. To run McAfee SecurityCenter, click (Start), All Programs, McAfee, then click McAfee SecurityCenter. Your computer came with McAfee VirusScan, Personal Firewall, and Spamkiller turned on. McAfee Privacy Service is turned off. To turn on that service and keep the other ones on as well, connect to the Internet and register McAfee SecurityCenter when prompted.
secure with Big Fix BigFix Your computer may include BigFix. BigFix monitors your computer for problems and conflicts. It automatically gathers information about the latest bugs, security alerts, and updates from BigFix sites on the Internet. Whenever BigFix detects a problem, it alerts you by flashing the blue taskbar icon ( ). To fix the problem, click that icon and BigFix will open.
improving performance Keep your computer in top running condition with regular maintenance. Click (Start), Control Panel, then click System and Maintenance. Select an option and follow the instructions. Do this regularly and you’ll have a smoother running system.
backing up a bit – restoring your computer In the unlikely event that you experience software problems, the Windows Vista Backup and Restore Center lets you roll back your computer to a previous state when everything worked right. Vista takes regular snapshots of your system, called Restore Points. You can return to one of these Restore Points to get your computer running again.
prepare to recover When you first get your computer, it is a good idea to make a backup of the software that came with your system. Before you create this “recovery disc,” make sure that your computer has a recordable drive and that you have blank discs ready. Depending on the type of recordable drive you use, you’ll need either several CD-R discs or one DVD-R or DVD+R disc. CD-RW, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW discs will not work.
reinstalling the operating system A backup copy of your hard drive’s original factory-installed contents is saved on a hidden area of your hard drive. This lets you restore your computer to its original factory settings. 1 Turn on or restart your computer, then press the F8 key on your keyboard repeatedly while your computer is starting. When the Advanced Boot Options screen appears, click Repair Your Computer. 2 Pick your keyboard country, then click Next. Log on as an Administrator, then click OK.
6 7 Click Next, then click Yes. Recovery starts. When recovery is complete, click Finish. Your computer will restart and Windows will finish its setup and installation. IMPORTANT • • If your hard drive has failed and you can’t restore the software from the hard drive, contact Gateway Customer Care for help. After you restore your computer, it will appear with the same files and programs it had when it shipped from the factory.
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