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 detailed information on using your Gateway computer, see the provided Reference Guide or online User Guide. To access the online guide, 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 setup poster that came with your 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 disc 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 and download high-priority updates.
virus-free with Norton 360 Norton 360 Norton 360 helps protect your computer from viruses, hackers, and privacy threats. To run Norton 360, click (Start), All Programs, Norton 360, then click Norton 360. Your computer came with virus, spyware, firewall, and phishing protection turned on. Keep virus definitions current to ensure up-to-date protection. You need to extend your subscription to update Norton 360 after the complimentary trial period ends.
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, System and Maintenance, then click Performance Information and Tools. Select a task 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. Windows 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 these “recovery discs,” make sure that you have blank discs ready. To create discs, click (Start), All Programs, Gateway, then click Gateway Recovery Management.
restoring to factory condition If you can run Windows... 1 Click (Start), All Programs, Gateway, then click Gateway Recovery Management. Gateway Recovery Management opens. 2 Click the Restore tab, then click Restore system to factory default. The Confirm Restoration dialog box opens. 3 22 Follow the on-screen instructions to finish.
If you cannot run Windows... 1 Restart your computer, then press the ALT+F10 keys during startup. 2 Follow the on-screen instructions to finish. IMPORTANT • • If your hard drive has failed and you can’t restore the software from the hard drive or recovery discs, 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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