Gateway GM5688E Reference Manual Download

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CHAPTER 5: Maintaining Your Computer

Setting up a maintenance
schedule

Use the following table to set up a regular maintenance
schedule.

Maintenance task

Weekly

Monthly

When

needed

Check for viruses

Run Windows Update

Manage hard drive space

Clean up hard drives

Scan hard drive for errors

Defragment hard drive

Back up files

Clean computer case and
peripheral devices

8512418.book Page 58 Friday, May 11, 2007 11:44 AM

Summary of Contents for GM5688E

Page 1: ...REFERENCEGUIDE 8512418 book Page a Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 2: ...8512418 book Page b Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 3: ...om repetitive strain 14 Preparing power connections 14 Protecting from power source problems 14 Checking the voltage selection 15 Connecting to a broadband modem or network 15 Connecting a dial up mod...

Page 4: ...the side panel 37 Replacing the color panel 38 Installing memory 40 Adding or replacing an optical disc drive 43 Replacing the memory card reader 45 Adding or replacing a hard drive 46 Replacing the...

Page 5: ...gs automatically 68 Transferring files and settings manually 69 Chapter 6 Troubleshooting 71 Safety guidelines 72 First steps 72 Troubleshooting 73 Add in cards 73 Audio 73 CD or DVD drives 73 Diskett...

Page 6: ...rosoft System Restore 99 Recovering your system to its factory condition 102 Recovering your system using the Windows DVD 103 Telephone support 104 Before calling Gateway Customer Care 104 Telephone n...

Page 7: ...1 About This Reference About this guide Accessing the online User Guide Gateway contact information Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity For more information 8512418 book Page 1 Friday May 11 2007 1...

Page 8: ...ddress shown on your computer s label The Support page also has links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications Accessing the online User Guide In addition to this guide your Use...

Page 9: ...call for assistance 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 sy...

Page 10: ...CHAPTER 1 About This Reference 4 8512418 book Page 4 Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 11: ...CHAPTER2 5 Checking Out Your Computer Front Back 8512418 book Page 5 Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 12: ...Microphone jack Power button power indicator DVD CD drive optional Headphone jack IEEE 1394 FireWire port USB ports Video jack optional Audio left jack optional Audio right jack optional Diskette or r...

Page 13: ...r removable hard drive optional Use this drive to read from and write to 3 5 diskettes or use this bay to connect a removable hard drive Headphone jack Plug powered analog front speakers an external a...

Page 14: ...keyboard port Plug a PS 2 keyboard into this port PS 2 mouse port PS 2 keyboard port Voltage switch Power connector Ethernet network jack Audio in side speaker jack Case cover thumbscrew Headphone fr...

Page 15: ...ntenna optional and connectors Connect this antenna to your wireless network antenna card optional Case cover thumbscrew Remove this screw before opening the case PS 2 mouse port Plug a PS 2 mouse int...

Page 16: ...ide left and right speakers into this jack For more information see Configuring the audio jacks on page 31 Video card optional Plug a VGA blue connector or DVI white connector monitor into a port on t...

Page 17: ...g a dial up modem Starting your computer Turning off your computer Restarting rebooting your computer Using the keyboard Using the mouse Using optical drives Using the memory card reader Using the dis...

Page 18: ...allel to the floor Adjust the screen so it is perpendicular to your line of sight and the top of the screen is no higher than eye level Place your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest Keep ventilat...

Page 19: ...k is the appropriate height and the chair helps you maintain good posture Select a flat surface for your computer desk Adjust the height of the computer desk so your hands and arms are positioned para...

Page 20: ...to your computer can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system damage Protect your computer and peripheral devices by connecting them to a surge protector which absorbs voltage...

Page 21: ...to a wired Ethernet network To connect to a broadband modem or to an Ethernet network 1 Insert one end of the network cable into the network jack on the back of your computer 2 Insert the other end of...

Page 22: ...onnections 3 If you are starting your computer for the first time follow the on screen instructions to select the language and time zone and to create your first user account 4 Attach and turn on any...

Page 23: ...and saves your desktop layout so the next time you restore power the programs are laid out just as you left them Waking your computer from a Sleep state is much faster than turning on your computer af...

Page 24: ...ervicing internal components also disconnect the power cord Restarting rebooting your computer If your computer does not respond to keyboard or mouse input you may need to restart reboot your computer...

Page 25: ...ress these buttons to launch your Internet home page or search or e mail programs Audio playback buttons Press these buttons to play your audio files and to adjust the volume Navigation keys Press the...

Page 26: ...other keys to open utilities like F Find Search R Run and E Computer Application key Press this key to access shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows Directional keys Press these keys to move th...

Page 27: ...or SCROLL LOCK keys are activated Press the corresponding key to activate the function Windows keys Press one of these keys to open the Windows Start menu These keys can also be used in combination wi...

Page 28: ...the computer display This illustration shows the standard mouse As you move the mouse the pointer arrow on the display moves in the same direction You can use the left and right buttons on the mouse...

Page 29: ...elect an object on the computer display Position the pointer over the object Quickly press and release the left mouse button This is called clicking Start a program or open a file or folder Position t...

Page 30: ...ical disc drive 2 Place the disc in the tray with the label facing up 3 Press the eject button to close the tray Important When you place a single sided disc in the tray make sure that the label side...

Page 31: ...ms playing audio CDs playing DVDs and accessing data DVD RW Installing programs playing audio CDs playing DVDs accessing data and recording video and data to CDs and DVD R or DVD RW discs DVD R RW Ins...

Page 32: ...s playing audio CDs playing DVDs accessing data and recording video and data to CDs and DVD RAM DVD R or DVD RW discs Blu ray Disc Installing programs playing audio CDs playing DVDs playing Blu ray Di...

Page 33: ...ray Discs see your online User Guide Playing an HD DVD HD DVD is a high capacity optical disc that can store much more data than a DVD A dual layer HD DVD can hold 30 GB of files about 14 hours of sta...

Page 34: ...r may look different Memory card types The memory card reader supports several memory card types To determine which types are supported by your card reader and the slots to use for each type of card e...

Page 35: ...the diskette into the diskette drive with the label facing up 2 To access a file on the diskette click Start then click Computer Double click the diskette drive letter for example the A drive then dou...

Page 36: ...you are using external speakers turn the knob on the front of the speakers OR Use the mute and volume control buttons on the keyboard For more information see Using the keyboard on page 19 To adjust t...

Page 37: ...corner of the window to close it Tip Adjust the Windows Sounds slider to change system sounds volume independently of general volume such as the volume used for music and game sounds Help For more inf...

Page 38: ...computer has the Realtek Sound Effect Manager installed double click the Sound Effect Manager icon on the taskbar The Realtek dialog box opens 4 Follow the on screen instructions to configure the aud...

Page 39: ...prompt you to install any software the device needs After doing this you can disconnect and reconnect the device at any time Parallel and serial port devices are not plug and play See the device docu...

Page 40: ...CHAPTER 3 Setting Up and Getting Started 34 8512418 book Page 34 Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 41: ...he color panel Installing memory Adding or replacing an optical disc drive Replacing the memory card reader Adding or replacing a hard drive Replacing the heat sink and processor Adding or replacing a...

Page 42: ...ntistatic bags only when you are ready to use them Do not lay components on the outside of antistatic bags because only the inside of the bags provide electrostatic protection Always hold expansion ca...

Page 43: ...ral device cables 3 Press the power button for ten seconds to drain any residual power from your computer 4 Loosen the two captive thumbscrews on the back edge of the side panel These screws cannot be...

Page 44: ...e front bezel 1 Remove the side panel by following the instructions in Removing the side panel on page 35 2 Press the three bezel retention tabs then swing the left side of the bezel away from the com...

Page 45: ...ezel into the slots on the right side of the computer 2 Swing the left side of the bezel in to insert the release tabs on the left side of the bezel into the slots on the left side of the computer 3 P...

Page 46: ...en the two thumbscrews on the back edge of the side panel then reconnect the cables and power cord Replacing the color panel To replace the color panel on the front bezel 1 Find the panel release leve...

Page 47: ...bezel You should press the two points against the computer until you hear or feel a click which is the sound of the panel s internal locking tabs unlocking 3 Swing the bottom of the panel away from t...

Page 48: ...tabs You should press the two points against the computer until you hear or feel a click which is the sound of the panel s internal locking tabs locking the panel partially into place 6 While pressing...

Page 49: ...2 For more stability place your computer on its side To avoid scratching the case place it on a towel or other non abrasive surface 3 Find the memory module banks on your system board 4 If you are re...

Page 50: ...the module is secure you hear a click 6 Replace the side panel by following the instructions in Replacing the side panel on page 37 7 Return your computer to its upright position 8 Reconnect the cabl...

Page 51: ...to Step 8 For the location of the screws see the photo in Step 6 4 If you are replacing an existing drive disconnect the cables from the drive noting their locations and orientation You will reconnec...

Page 52: ...s on the drive then replace the two drive retention screws 9 Reconnect the drive cables using your notes from Step 4 or according to the manufacturer s instructions 10 Replace the front bezel by follo...

Page 53: ...the front bezel on page 35 3 Slide the top bezel toward the front of the computer about 3 4 inch then remove it from your computer 4 Remove the two screws that secure the card reader to the computer...

Page 54: ...moved previously 7 Plug the cable into the card reader 8 Place the top bezel on top of the computer then slide bezel toward the back of the computer until it clicks into place 9 Reinstall the bezel by...

Page 55: ...side panel on page 35 2 Disconnect and label all hard drive cables noting their locations and orientation You will reconnect the cables after you install the new drive 3 Disconnect the hard drive cag...

Page 56: ...he cage 7 If you are replacing a drive note any jumper settings on the old drive and set the jumper on the new drive to be the same OR If you are adding a new drive set the jumper as instructed by the...

Page 57: ...g the new hard drive as your primary drive install Windows using the operating system DVD that came with your computer For more information on restoring your system see Recovering your system on page...

Page 58: ...r release lever down lift it completely up then lift the processor retention bracket 6 Remove the processor from the system board 7 Install the new processor onto the system board Make sure that Pin 1...

Page 59: ...t to the system board 10 Connect the heat sink fan cable to the system board 11 Replace the side panel by following the instructions in Replacing the side panel on page 37 Adding or replacing an expan...

Page 60: ...ck into place 8 Replace the side panel by following the instructions in Replacing the side panel on page 37 Replacing the system battery If the computer clock does not keep time or the settings in the...

Page 61: ...computer on its side To avoid scratching the case place it on a towel or other non abrasive surface 7 Locate the old battery on the system board and note its orientation You will need to install the...

Page 62: ...ve all your settings and exit the BIOS Setup utility Replacing the system board To replace the system board 1 Remove the side panel by following the instructions in Removing the side panel on page 35...

Page 63: ...processor on page 49 then install it and the heat sink into the new system board by following the directions in the same procedure 10 Slide the power supply back into the case then install the four s...

Page 64: ...CHAPTER 4 Upgrading Your Computer 56 8512418 book Page 56 Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 65: ...ing up a maintenance schedule Caring for your computer Cleaning your computer Updating Windows Using BigFix Managing hard drive space Scheduling maintenance tasks Moving from your old computer 8512418...

Page 66: ...nce schedule Maintenance task Weekly Monthly When needed Check for viruses X X X Run Windows Update X X Manage hard drive space X Clean up hard drives X X Scan hard drive for errors X X Defragment har...

Page 67: ...d easy to break in cold temperatures and can melt or warp in high temperatures Damage due to either extreme is not covered by your warranty As a general rule your computer is safest at temperatures th...

Page 68: ...cause they can damage the finish on components Your computer is cooled by air circulated through the vents on the case so keep the vents free of dust With your computer turned off and unplugged brush...

Page 69: ...screen with the cloth To clean a CRT monitor use a soft cloth and glass cleaner to clean the monitor screen Squirt a little cleaner on the cloth never directly on the screen then wipe the screen with...

Page 70: ...an always get the most recent updates and fixes to protect your computer and keep it running smoothly Windows Update scans your computer and provides you with a tailored selection of updates that appl...

Page 71: ...erts you by flashing the blue taskbar icon To fix the problem click on that icon to open BigFix To start BigFix 1 Click Start All Programs Accessories System Tools then click BigFix 2 To learn more ab...

Page 72: ...e 1 Click Start then click Computer The Computer window opens 2 Right click the drive that you want to check for available file space then click Properties Drive space information appears Shortcut Sta...

Page 73: ...folders for the currently logged in user Files from all users on this computer cleans all folders The Disk Cleanup dilalog box opens 3 Click to select the types of files you want to delete then click...

Page 74: ...then click Computer The Computer window opens 2 Right click the drive that you want to check for errors click Properties then click the Tools tab 3 Click Check Now then click Start Your drive is chec...

Page 75: ...use your keyboard or mouse because using them may continuously stop and restart the defragmenting process Also if you are connected to a network log off before starting Disk Defragmenter Network comm...

Page 76: ...recordable drive Use a backup device such as a recordable disc drive to do a complete hard drive backup If you do not have a high capacity backup device and you want to purchase one you can visit the...

Page 77: ...2 Click Create Basic Task for basic tasks or click Create Task for more complex tasks then follow the on screen instructions to finish setting up and scheduling the task Help For more information abou...

Page 78: ...those programs on the new computer before running Windows Easy Transfer Windows Easy Transfer copies only the software s settings not the software itself to the new computer 2 Click Start All Program...

Page 79: ...en click Documents The Documents folder opens and displays many of your saved personal data files Go to Step 4 OR In Windows XP click Start then click My Documents The My Documents window opens and di...

Page 80: ...s Vista click Start then click Search The Search Results window opens OR In Windows XP click Start then click Search The Search Results window opens OR In Windows 98 Windows Me or Windows 2000 click S...

Page 81: ...CHAPTER6 71 Troubleshooting Safety guidelines First steps Troubleshooting Recovering your system Telephone support 8512418 book Page 71 Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 82: ...you followed each instruction If an error occurs in a program see the program s printed documentation or the online help Warning Never open your computer case while your computer is turned on and whil...

Page 83: ...ntify your drive type see Identifying optical drive types on page 24 Your computer may be experiencing some temporary memory problems Shut down and restart your computer Some music CDs have copy prote...

Page 84: ...re that the disc label is facing up then try again Try a different disc Occasionally discs are flawed or become scratched and cannot be read by the DVD drive Clean the disc For more information see Cl...

Page 85: ...see an Access Denied or Write protect error message Move the write protection tab in the upper right corner of the diskette down unprotected The diskette may be full Delete unnecessary files on the d...

Page 86: ...sure that the video cable is connected to the video port on your computer Connect an external display that you know works to your computer Reinstall the device driver The color is not uniform Make sur...

Page 87: ...on your network have the same workgroup name Make sure that all computers are using the same Subnet Mask If you assigned IP addressesto the computers make sure that all computers have different IP ad...

Page 88: ...mation see the documentation that came with your expansion card Reseat the card File management A file was accidentally deleted If a file was deleted while holding down the SHIFT key the file cannot b...

Page 89: ...For instructions on fixing hard drive problems see Checking the hard drive for errors on page 64 The hard drive cannot be accessed or you see a General failure reading drive C error message If a disk...

Page 90: ...al support for help Make sure that you do not have a problem with your modem For more information Modem dial up on page 85 You see an Unable to locate host message and are unable to browse the Interne...

Page 91: ...Internet service provider ISP is set up correctly Contact your ISP for technical support Keyboard The keyboard does not work Make sure that the keyboard cable is plugged in correctly For more informa...

Page 92: ...sed quality ofvideo cables display device screen resolution size of TV age of the TV or the type of TV interlaced or progressive scan can affect the video quality significantly Display type The Media...

Page 93: ...solution Many TVs cannot display the high resolution that your computer s video signal uses and may shift scramble or scroll the picture For a better picture on a TV display you may need to lower the...

Page 94: ...t the odd even interlacing This results in a fuller sharper picture and better display quality for viewing and using the computer functions The progressive scan picture is also brighter and easier on...

Page 95: ...ide see your online User Guide Memory You see a Memory error message Use the Memory Diagnostic Tool to inspect your system memory To run the Memory Diagnostic Tool Click Start type Memory Diagnostic T...

Page 96: ...lephone line then check for a dial tone by plugging a working telephone into the telephone wall jack If you have additional telephone services such as call waiting call messaging or voice mail make su...

Page 97: ...ake sure that the connectors are free from corrosion and all screws in the telephone wall jack are secure You can also call your telephone service and have the telephone line checked for noise or low...

Page 98: ...ppropriate port on your computer To make sure that the connections have been made correctly see your setup poster or Connecting a dial up modem on page 16 If the modem shares the telephone line with a...

Page 99: ...ar unusual handshaking sounds when the modems first connect If the handshaking sounds are too loud you can turn down the modem volume To turn down the modem volume 1 Click Start then click Control Pan...

Page 100: ...ebris The mouse pad may have a printed or fabric pattern on it that interferes with your mouse Try a different mouse pad Networks You cannot connect to your company network Every network is unique Con...

Page 101: ...ed to press Make sure that the power cable is plugged into an AC power source The printer is on but will not print Check the cable between the printer and your computer Make sure that it is connected...

Page 102: ...to use If the menu shows a check mark next to Use Printer Offline click Use Printer Offline to clear the check mark Wait until files have been printed before sending additional files to the printer I...

Page 103: ...problems by following the information in Troubleshooting on page 73or in the technical support pages at www gateway com Problem solving may also involve re installing some or all of the computer s sof...

Page 104: ...rive or if your hard drive is completely erased or corrupted your only option for system recovery may be to reinstall Windows from the Windows DVD then recover your pre installed software and device d...

Page 105: ...vers in case you need to use them later for a complete system recovery Your computer must have a recordable disc drive to perform this procedure To create discs for recovering pre installed software a...

Page 106: ...completed 6 If multiple discs are required insert the additional blank disks when prompted 7 When the process is finished the Congratulations window opens 8 Click Finish 9 Remove your final disc then...

Page 107: ...Application recovery OR To recover device drivers that were pre installed click Hardware then click Device driver recovery Important If you have recently reinstalled Windows or installed a new hard dr...

Page 108: ...disc does not offer the software or driver you need to recover try another disc To recover software and drivers using recovery discs 1 Insert a software and driver recovery disc into a CD or DVD driv...

Page 109: ...recover pre installed device drivers click Device driver recovery then click the type of driver you want to recover 3 Click Next 4 If the software or driver is not shown on the list and you have a mul...

Page 110: ...h day and also each time you install software or device drivers You can also create a restore point manually For instructions see Manually creating a restore point on page 101 To restore using Microso...

Page 111: ...A confirmation message box appears 4 Click Yes Your system is restored using the restore point you specified This process may take several minutes and may restart your computer Manually creating a res...

Page 112: ...The restore point is created 5 Click OK Recovering your system to its factory condition If your computer s problems are not solved by any of the other recovery options you may need to recover its hard...

Page 113: ...alog box opens 4 Select a language and keyboard layout then click Next 5 Click the User name box to select a Windows user account click in the Password box and type the user account s password if any...

Page 114: ...ice drivers To completely re install Windows 1 If you can still run Windows back up your personal files and create a set of software and driver recovery discs if you have not already done so For instr...

Page 115: ...s documentation and technical support resources If you have how to questions about using a program see Online Help Printed documentation The Microsoft Windows documentation The software publisher s W...

Page 116: ...nd software issues www gateway com answers Gateway Customer Care Talk to a Gateway Customer Care representative about a non tutorial technical support question See Before calling Gateway Customer Care...

Page 117: ...o www gateway com answers Training Gateway provides the following computer based training Help For more how to information about Windows click Start then click Help and Support Type the keyword practi...

Page 118: ...CHAPTER 6 Troubleshooting 108 8512418 book Page 108 Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 119: ...APPENDIXA 109 Legal Notices Important safety information Regulatory compliance statements Environmental information Notices 8512418 book Page 109 Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 120: ...ngs Make sure you provide adequate space at least 6 inches 15 cm around the system for ventilation when you set up your work area Never insert objects of any kind into the computer ventilation opening...

Page 121: ...ts United States of America FederalCommunicationsCommission FCC UnintentionalemitterperFCCPart 15 This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device pursuant...

Page 122: ...e telephone network or premises wiring using a compatible modular jack which is Part 68 compliant See installation instructions for details The Ringer Equivalence Number REN is used to determine the n...

Page 123: ...protective operation and safety requirements The Department does not guarantee the equipment will operate to the users satisfaction Before installing this equipment users should make sure that it is p...

Page 124: ...to an antenna discharge unit size of grounding conductors location of antenna discharge unit connection to grounding electrodes and requirements for the grounding electrode Cable distribution system...

Page 125: ...n to keep from touching such power lines or circuits Contact with them could be fatal Reference Grounding component 1 Electric service equipment 2 Power service grounding electrode system NEC Art 250...

Page 126: ...tandingand using the energy saving features of this product where applicable recycling the inner and outer packaging including shipping containers this product was delivered in and by disposing of or...

Page 127: ...egistered trademarks of their respective companies Macrovisionstatement If your computer has a DVD compatible drive and an analog TV Out port the following paragraph applies This product incorporates...

Page 128: ...APPENDIX A Legal Notices 118 8512418 book Page 118 Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 129: ...s 19 21 B backing up files 66 battery replacing 52 bezel removing 35 replacing 37 BigFix 62 Blu ray playing 27 recording 27 Blu ray drive locating drive 7 broadband connection 15 modem 15 broadband co...

Page 130: ...5 PS 2 keyboard 8 PS 2 mouse 9 to Ethernet network 9 15 to Internet 9 to network 9 15 connections analog speakers 9 audio in 10 cable modem 15 center speaker 9 dial up modem 10 16 digital camera 7 9 3...

Page 131: ...uide 2 double clicking 23 dragging 23 drivers recovery discs 94 97 re installing 93 94 drives backing up files 66 CD 25 checking for errors 64 checking for free space 63 defragmenting 65 diskette 29 D...

Page 132: ...g for free space 63 defragmenting 65 deleting files and folders 64 removable 7 replacing 46 scanning for errors 64 troubleshooting 79 HD DVD drive locating 7 HD DVD playing 27 recording 27 headphone j...

Page 133: ...2 cleaning case 60 cleaning CD 61 cleaning computer display 60 cleaning computer screen 60 cleaning DVD 61 cleaning keyboard 60 cleaning monitor 60 cleaning mouse 61 cleaning optical disc 61 defragmen...

Page 134: ...avigation keys 19 21 network jack 9 15 troubleshooting 77 90 non technical support Accounting 106 Sales 106 Warranty 106 numeric keypad 20 21 indicator 19 21 O opening computer case 34 files 23 folder...

Page 135: ...g 94 drivers 94 97 programs 94 97 software 94 97 using 97 re installing defaults 102 drivers 93 94 programs 93 94 software 93 94 Windows 93 with Gateway Recovery Center 96 with Windows DVD 103 with Wi...

Page 136: ...enter 9 rear 10 side 10 speakers configuring 31 Standby mode 7 starting computer 7 16 programs 23 static electricity 34 surge protector 14 system battery replacing 52 system board replacing 54 system...

Page 137: ...turning off computer 7 17 18 turning on computer 7 16 tutoring fee based 106 TV tuner card 10 U uninterruptible power supply UPS 14 updating Windows 62 UPS 14 USB port 7 9 32 V video playing 26 27 vid...

Page 138: ...128 Index 8512418 book Page 128 Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 139: ...8512418 book Page 129 Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

Page 140: ...MAN GERSHWIN HW REF GDE R3 5 07 8512418 book Page 130 Friday May 11 2007 11 44 AM...

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