PC Basics Guide
The information in this document is subject to change without notice. ® Hewlett-Packard Company makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. HP shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
Table of Contents Introducing the PC .......................................................................... 1 Protecting Your PC ........................................................................................2 Using a Power Surge Suppressor ................................................................2 Using Virus Protection Programs .................................................................3 Using Windows Update ........................................................................
Using Media Drives .................................................................................... 17 Using Your CD and DVD Drives................................................................ 17 Handling CDs and DVDs ......................................................................... 17 Inserting and Removing CDs and DVDs..................................................... 17 Using a Diskette (Floppy) Drive.....................................................................
Improving PC Performance........................................................... 37 Increasing Available Hard Disk Drive Space ..................................................37 Emptying the Recycle Bin .........................................................................38 Uninstalling Programs..............................................................................38 Cleaning Up Your Hard Disk Drive............................................................
vi PC Basics Guide
Introducing the PC NOTE: This guide contains details on options that may not be included with your PC. Your PC may look different from the illustrations in this guide. The monitor and the speakers are sold separately. Speakers may be included with the monitor (select models only). This section describes the PC by listing its internal and external components. It also gives you useful information on using the mouse, the keyboard, the monitor, speakers, a microphone, the media drives, and a printer.
Additional PC Base Components The PC base box may have other components, such as: • Optical drives that play or record (burn) CD or DVD discs, depending on the drive model. • A memory card reader that reads or records the memory cards used in digital cameras and other devices. • A diskette (floppy) drive. • A modem that connects the PC to a telephone line for a dial-up connection to the Internet. • An Ethernet connector that connects the PC to a network, such as a local area network (LAN).
Using Virus Protection Programs HP provides a virus-scanning software program to help protect your PC (select models only). A PC virus can destroy information on the hard disk drive. You can get a virus from infected files that you open from: • • • • An e-mail message or attachment. A file downloaded from the Internet. A diskette (floppy disk). A CD or DVD disc.
Turning Off the PC NOTE: For information about the Start button, see “Using the Start Menu” on page 23. For best results, turn off the PC using Windows without pressing any buttons on the PC chassis. 1 Close any open software programs. To close programs, click the X at the upper-right corner of each program window. 2 Click Start on the taskbar. 3 Click Turn Off Computer, at the bottom of the menu. 4 Click Turn Off. 5 Turn off the monitor.
If the PC does not work properly when you wake it from standby, restart the PC: 1 Press and hold the On button on the front of the PC for approximately 5 seconds until the PC turns off. NOTE: Using the On button to restart the PC is not recommended and should be used only as a last resort. Instead, click Start, click Turn Off Computer, and then click Restart. 2 Turn on the PC again.
6 If you changed the Enable hibernation check box, click Apply. 7 Click the Power Schemes tab to set the timers for standby and hibernation. In the Power Schemes box, select a power scheme from the drop-down list. Choose the settings. • To turn on automatic standby for the PC, click the time to elapse before standby (such as After 20 mins) in the System standby list.
A wireless mouse (select models only) is an optical mouse that uses a receiver/transmitter, instead of a connector cable, to communicate with your PC. A light on the receiver indicates receiver activity. NOTE: The wireless mouse goes into a sleep or suspend mode after 20 minutes of inactivity. Click a button on the mouse to wake it. (Moving the wireless mouse does not wake it.
Autoscrolling 1 Place the cursor anywhere in the text, and press the scroll wheel button once. An autoscroll icon appears. 2 Move the mouse in the direction you want to scroll. The farther you move the mouse from the starting point, the faster the document scrolls. 3 To stop autoscrolling, press the scroll wheel button again. NOTE: Autoscrolling does not work with some software programs. Panning 1 Press and hold down the center scroll wheel button. 2 Slowly move the mouse in the direction you want to pan.
Using the Keyboard The keyboard is the primary way you enter text and commands for the PC. The keyboard may connect directly to your PC or may be wireless. Your keyboard has an arrangement of standard keys, indicator lights, and special buttons (select models only). Your keyboard may vary from the illustrations. Some keyboards do not have the Internet buttons shown here at the top of the keyboard, and some use a different layout on the top right.
Function Keys The function keys, located above the main keys, are labeled F1 through F12. • Pressing F1 displays a Help window for the software program being used. • Pressing F3 displays a search window. F1 and F3 are available at all times. Other function key operations vary by software program. Edit Keys The edit keys are Insert, Home, Page Up, Delete, End, and Page Down. Use these keys to insert and delete text and to quickly move the cursor on your screen.
Arrow Keys The arrow keys are controls for up, down, right, and left. You can use these keys instead of the mouse to move the cursor for navigation in a Web page, in a document, or in a game. Numeric Keys Press the Num Lock key to lock and unlock the numeric key functions: • When the Num Lock light on the keyboard is on, the numeric keys work in the same way as the number keys and arithmetic functions found on a basic calculator.
Special Keyboard Buttons There are special buttons (select models only) at the top of the keyboard. (Some models have some of these special buttons on the left side of the main keys.) These buttons operate a CD or DVD player, control speaker volume, connect you to the Internet, or provide quick access to specific functions. Volume Control The Volume knob increases speaker volume when turned clockwise and decreases volume when turned counterclockwise.
Adjusting the Monitor To change the screen resolution: 1 Right-click an empty area of the desktop and click Properties. 2 On the Settings tab, adjust the screen resolution. • Moving the slide toward Less increases the size of text on your screen. • Moving the slide toward More decreases the size of text. 3 Click Apply. 4 Click Yes, if it is present. 5 Click OK. NOTE: You can connect more than one display device (CRT monitor, flat panel monitor, TV, and so on) to the PC (select models only).
Using Speakers Speakers are included with the monitor (select models only), or are sold separately. For details on connecting stereo speakers to the PC, see the quick setup poster. NOTE: Speakers may be passive (no power button and no power cord) or active (power button or power cord). Your PC supports only active (powered) speaker systems; the speaker system must have its own power cord. A stereo speaker set is a left-right, two-channel speaker system.
The two ways to use the Volume icon are: 1 Click the Volume icon on the taskbar. 2 Adjust the volume. 3 When you are satisfied with the sound level, click outside the Volume window to close this window. Or 1 Double-click the Volume icon on the taskbar. The Volume Control settings window opens. 2 Adjust the volume. 3 When you are satisfied with the sound level, click the Close box (the X in the upper-right corner) to close this window.
5 Click OK. 6 Click the Advanced button in the Microphone column. If you do not see the Advanced button, select Options from the Recording Control window, and then click Advanced Controls. 7 Place a check in the Alternate Microphone check box. (This box may be labeled Mic2 Select or 1 Mic Boost.) 8 Click Close. 9 Click the X (Close) at the upper-right corner of the Recording Control window.
Using Media Drives Using Your CD and DVD Drives Your PC can come with several types of CD or DVD drives that allow you to do different tasks. What you can do depends on what kind of drive you have. Allows you to: Read data from CDs Play music CDs Read DVDs CD-ROM • • Record (burn) data or music to discs Play DVD movies CD-RW • • DVD-ROM • • • DVD+RW/+R • • • • • • • • Record (burn) DVD movies The combination (combo) drive is available on select models only.
3 Gently place the disc in the tray with the label facing up. NOTE: On a double-sided DVD, read the text around the center hole to determine which side (A versus B or Standard versus Widescreen) to play. Place the disc in the tray with the label facing up for the side you want to play. 4 Close the disc tray by: • Gently pushing the tray into the PC. Or • Clicking the open/close button on the control panel for the program that controls the drive.
Using a Diskette (Floppy) Drive The diskette (floppy) drive is available on select model PCs. If your PC does not already have a diskette drive, you cannot add one to the PC chassis as an internal drive. Instead, purchase an external USB diskette drive or other external storage device to suit your needs. If your PC has a diskette drive (select models only), you can use a 3.
20 PC Basics Guide
Introducing the Software The operation of your PC is controlled by two kinds of software: • The Microsoft Windows XP operating system, which displays the desktop on the monitor and controls your PC’s hardware, peripherals, and software applications. • Software programs that perform specific functions, such as a word processing program. Software programs included with the PC may vary by model and by country/region.
Removing Desktop Icons You can remove most desktop icons by either deleting them or moving them to an unused icons folder. CAUTION: Do not delete unfamiliar desktop icons. Instead, follow the steps to move unfamiliar desktop icons to the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder. Delete a desktop icon by right-clicking the icon and then selecting Delete. To move a desktop icon to the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder: 1 Click Start. 2 Click Control Panel. 3 Click Appearance and Themes, if it is present.
Using the Start Menu Click the Start button to open the start menu and: • • • • • A Start button on the taskbar B Log Off button C Turn Off Computer button D All Programs Select programs or documents. Open the Help and Support Center. Start a search. Run a program. Open the Control Panel to view or change settings. D A B C The Start menu also displays the buttons Log Off and Turn Off Computer: • Click the Log Off button to end your current PC session and to switch between users.
To change the name of an item: 1 Right-click the item. 2 Select Rename. 3 Type the new name, and press Enter on the keyboard. 4 Click Yes in the message box. To move an item by using the drag-and-drop technique: 1 Left-click an item in All Programs or in a folder, and hold down the mouse button. 2 Move the mouse pointer to where you want the item, and then release the mouse button. (If you have problems dropping the item into a folder, drag it to your desktop, and then drag it to the folder.
Resizing Windows All windows have some buttons in the upper-right corner. The middle button is either the Maximize button or the Restore Down button. Feature Name Description Minimize Collapses the window to the task bar (but does not close it). The window is still accessible. To bring the window back up, click the button with the name of the window on the task bar. Maximize Expands the window to the full screen. Restore Down Reduces the window from full-screen to covering a portion of the screen.
Working with Digital Images You can connect a digital image source, such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, directly to the PC or through a docking station. Digital picture files you copy or download from the device appear in the My Pictures folder. You can copy digital picture files from the memory cards used by digital cameras and other digital imaging devices by using the memory card reader (select models only).
Managing Files A file is any unit of information that is named and stored on your PC hard disk drive or other electronic storage, such as a CD, floppy diskette, or even in a digital camera. A file can be an application program, a picture, music or sounds, a document, or data. Almost everything you do on your PC involves working with files. The PC can copy files to other storage media within component drives, such as diskettes, memory cards, CDs or DVDs, or to output devices, such as a printer.
Creating Folders Using My Computer: 1 Click Start on the taskbar and click My Computer. 2 Navigate to the location where you want the new folder. 3 Under File and Folder Tasks, click Make a new folder. 4 Type a name for the folder, and then press Enter. Using Windows Explorer: 1 Right-click Start on the taskbar and click Explore. 2 Navigate to the location where you want the new folder, and select the folder or device that will contain the new folder.
Copying Files Using My Computer: 1 Click Start on the taskbar and click My Computer. 2 Find the file you want to copy and select it by clicking the file. 3 Under File and Folder Tasks, click Copy this file. 4 In the Copy Items window, open the folder where you want to put the file copy. 5 Click Copy. Using Windows Explorer: 1 Right-click Start on the taskbar and click Explore. 2 Find the file you want to copy and select it by clicking the file. 3 Click the Edit menu and click Copy.
Renaming Files 1 Find the file you want to rename and select it by clicking the file. 2 Click the File menu and click Rename. NOTE: Do not change the filename extension (the last three characters after the period in a filename). Changing the extension could make the file unrecognizable to the PC. 3 Type the new filename and press Enter. NOTE: Another way to rename a file is to right-click the file and then click Rename. Deleting Files CAUTION: Do not delete any file that is part of an installed program.
Using the Internet This chapter describes connecting to the Internet and using the Internet, including how to use a browser and e-mail. Use the Internet to search for and to find information or services on the Web, or to use an e-mail program to get, read, or send electronic mail messages. Connecting to the Internet Hardware and software programs provided on your PC may vary.
Setting Up the Ethernet Connection The Ethernet connection (may be called a network interface adapter, a Network Interface Card, or a NIC ) provides a high-speed, or broadband, connection to an Ethernet (10BaseT ) or Fast Ethernet (100BaseT ) network. After this interface is connected to a network such as a LAN (local area network ), you can connect to the Internet through the LAN. This network connection also allows you to share printers, data, and other devices among your PCs.
The World Wide Web (WWW), also called the Web, is a public part of the Internet used by individuals, companies, governments, and organizations. These individuals and groups have created millions of Web pages in support of their activities. A Web page is a file or group of files that a user can access by entering the Web page’s file location, or URL. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) identifies a Web site location, typically in the form http://www.name.extension (for example, http://www.hp.com).
The Windows search feature includes direct use of the Internet Explorer Search. (If your ISP provides the browser, you may not be able to use Internet Explorer to search the Internet.) To begin a search: 1 Click Start on the taskbar. 2 Click Search. 3 Click Search the Internet. (You may have to scroll down in the list to see this option.) 4 Type a word or question into the Search box. 5 Click Search. The PC connects to the Internet (if needed), performs the search, and displays the results.
7 Repeat step 6 for each category you want to limit. 8 Click Apply, and then click OK. 9 Type a password into the Password box and the Confirm password box, and then click OK. NOTE: If you want to change the settings after the initial setup, click Settings in the Content Adviser area instead of Enable. The Enable button works as a toggle to turn the Content Advisor on and off.
2 Click the Create Mail icon. 3 Type in, or select from an address book, the address of each recipient. NOTE: E-mail addresses contain no spaces and have a period after the server name. Dashes and underscores are sometimes used. Capital letters may be required. 4 Type your message in the New Message window. 5 Type the message title in the Subject box. 6 Click the Send button on the toolbar when you are finished.
Improving PC Performance Over time, the availability of system resources on your PC can decrease, slowing down the performance of the PC. To improve the performance of your PC, try: • Closing program windows; keep only one version of a program open at a time. • Restarting the PC; click Start, click Turn Off Computer, and then click Restart. • • • • Increasing memory by adding or upgrading memory modules in the chassis. Increasing available hard disk drive space.
Emptying the Recycle Bin When you delete a file from the hard disk drive, it goes to the Recycle Bin on your Windows desktop. You can retrieve files from the Recycle Bin until you empty it. When you empty the Recycle Bin, the files are permanently deleted. 1 Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your Windows desktop. 2 On the File menu, click Empty Recycle Bin to delete all files. 3 Click Yes to confirm the deletion. Uninstalling Programs CAUTION: Do not uninstall an unfamiliar program.
Consolidating Scattered Files and Folders Over time, as you add, move, and remove files and folders on your PC, the bits of data become scattered over the hard disk drive. This can slow down the performance of the PC. With the Disk Defragmenter program, you can gather these bits of data together. This improves PC performance. Gathering your files and folders with the Disk Defragmenter does not affect the way you have them organized on your PC.
Fixing Hard Disk Drive Errors The Microsoft ScanDisk program searches your hard disk drive for errors and is able to fix some errors. Fixing hard disk drive errors can improve PC performance. NOTE: Using ScanDisk to check for hard disk drive errors may take a long time to complete. 1 Click the Start button and then click My Computer. 2 Right-click the icon for the hard disk drive (usually labeled C:). 3 Click Properties, and then click the Tools tab. 4 Click Check Now.
Index 5.1 speakers, 14 A adjusting microphone volume, 16 adjusting speaker volume, 14 ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line), 32 All Programs menu, 23 autoscrolling, mouse, 8 available hard disk drive space increasing, 37 B browsing the Internet, 34 buttons mouse, 7 mouse scroll wheel, 7 Mute, 12 Off.
floppy disk.
R receiving e-mails, 35 recording volume, adjusting microphone, 16 recycle bin emptying, 38 getting files out of the recycle bin, 30 removing desktop icons, 22 removing unneeded software, 38 resizing a window, 25 resolution, monitor, 13 restricting Internet content, 34 S saving electricity, 4, 5 ScanDisk, 40 scrolling mouse, 7 searching for files or folders, 23 the Internet, 33 selecting programs or documents, 23 sending an e-mail, 35 settings viewing or changing, 23 Volume Control, 15 shortcut icons, 21 s
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