STARTERGUIDE ® 8511772_GW GSG.
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. 8511772_GW GSG.
Contents Getting started with Windows ............................................... 4 Internet ........................................................................................... 8 E-mail ............................................................................................... 9 Playing CDs and DVDs .............................................................10 Creating CDs and DVDs...........................................................11 System recovery.................................
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 can 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, or change settings on your system, the Start menu is where it all begins. Click here to access the Internet, e-mail, and your most frequently used programs Click here to find a file or folder, to change settings on your computer, or to get help.
maintaining order Managing files and folders starts with My Computer. From there, you can see everything on your computer. To get to My Computer, click the Start button, then click My Computer. To save something right away, use the My Documents folder that has already been set up for you. To access that folder, click the Start button, then click My Documents. My Documents Already created for you, this folder is ready for immediate use My Computer Look here to see what’s on your computer 6 8511772_GW GSG.
improving performance Keep your computer in top running condition with regular maintenance. Click Start, Control Panel, then click Performance and Maintenance. Select an option and follow the instructions. Do this regularly and you’ll have a smoother-running system. Clean it up Click here to eliminate performance and hard drive space problems Speed it up Click here to help programs run faster and to open files more quickly For more information, see “Performance and maintenance” under Help and Support.
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) like America Online. To get to the Internet, click Start, then click Internet Explorer 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 New 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 the Windows Media Player icon on your Windows desktop. Put the CD or DVD 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 the Windows Media Player icon on your Windows desktop. Put a music CD in the CD drive on your computer. Make sure the song or songs you want to create MP3s of are checked, then click Rip.
recovering your system In the unlikely event that you experience software problems, tools for recovering your computer have been included. You can: • Return your computer to a previously working condition. • Reinstall individual programs or device drivers from recovery discs. • Reinstall the complete operating system and return your computer to its factory condition.
backing up a bit Take a trip back in time Microsoft System Restore lets you roll back your computer to a previous state when everything worked right. Every time you install new software, and every 24 hours (while your computer is turned on), Microsoft System Restore takes a snapshot of your system settings and saves it as a restore point. In most cases of hard-to-resolve software problems, you can return to one of these restore points to get your computer running again.
back to basics Reinstalling software If you know which application (program) or device driver is causing problems, you can fix it by using the recovery discs you created. 1 Click Start, All Programs, System Recovery, then click Application & Driver Recovery. 2 Click the driver or application you want to install, then click Next. When the installation is finished, click Yes to install more drivers or applications, or click Quit to exit.
back to basics, continued... 4 Continue to follow the on-screen instructions, and click one of the following system recovery options when prompted: • Full System Restore (Destructive) reformats the hard drive and restores the system software as it was when you purchased your computer. This process deletes your data files. • Full System Restore with Backup (recommended) moves the contents of the hard drive to the C:\ My Backup folder and installs a new copy of Windows XP.
keeping your computer safe Your Gateway computer comes with hardware and software features that let you use your computer safely and securely. Use these tools regularly to improve the security of personal information stored on your computer.
playing it safe McAfee SecurityCenter McAfee SecurityCenter helps protect your computer from viruses, hackers, and privacy threats. At the same time it helps prevent e-mail fraud and keep confidential information safe. 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.
safe and sound Windows Update If a hacker finds a way to bypass the security features built into Windows XP, 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. You can schedule automatic updates with Windows Update 18 8511772_GW GSG.
maintaining security 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.
no more wires You can use your computer wherever you like. With wireless networking, you can check e-mail, surf the ‘net, work on that important paper, even use your printer, all from the comforts of the sofa, the kitchen, the patio—anywhere you want! You can set a network up in your home by purchasing an access point and either purchasing or renting a cable or DSL modem (see your Internet service provider for more information).
going wireless Despite what you might think, wireless networks are not just for notebooks. You can also connect your desktop computer to your wireless network with a wireless PCI card or USB adapter. Check out accessories.gateway.com for these and other wireless supplies. What about printing? You can print from every computer on your network even if you have only one printer.
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 support.gateway.com. • Help and Support—This collection of 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 it, 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 the side or bottom of your desktop or notebook computer.
MAN GW DT/PTB GET STARTED R2 9/06 8511772_GW GSG.
