Gateway GT5694 Reference Manual Download

Page: 57 / 126

CHAPTER

Maintaining Your

Computer

•

Setting 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

8513027.book Page 51 Friday, April 25, 2008 5:27 PM

Summary of Contents for GT5694

Page 1: ...REFERENCEGUIDE 8513027 book Page a Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 2: ...8513027 book Page b Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 3: ...and injury from 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...

Page 4: ...panel 40 Installing memory 41 Adding or replacing an optical disc drive 43 Replacing the memory card reader 45 Adding or replacing a hard drive 47 Adding or replacing an expansion card 48 Chapter 5 M...

Page 5: ...net and networking 72 Internet 72 Modem cable or DSL 73 Modem dial up 74 Networking 76 Power 77 Display 77 Printing 78 Optical discs 79 Memory card reader 80 Mouse 80 Keyboard 81 Files 81 Memory 83 Au...

Page 6: ...Contents iv Before calling Gateway Customer Care 99 Calling Customer Care 99 Appendix A Legal Notices 101 Index 111 8513027 book Page iv Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 7: ...1 About This Reference About this guide Accessing the online User Guide Gateway contact information Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity For more information 8513027 book Page 1 Friday April 25 2008...

Page 8: ...ccessing the online User Guide In addition to this guide your User Guide has been included on your hard drive Your User Guide is an in depth easy to read manual that includes information on the follow...

Page 9: ...of Authenticity label found on the back or side of your computer includes the product key code for your operating system If you ever reinstall Windows from the installation DVD you will need to enter...

Page 10: ...CHAPTER 1 About This Reference 4 8513027 book Page 4 Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 11: ...CHAPTER2 5 Checking Out Your Computer Front Back 8513027 book Page 5 Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 12: ...al disc drive Microphone jack Copy button Optical disc drive optional Video in jack optional IEEE 1394 FireWire port USB ports Power button Audio left in jack optional Audio right in jack optional Hea...

Page 13: ...EEE 1394 port Plug IEEE 1394 also known as Firewire devices such as a digital camcorder into this 6 pin IEEE 1394 port Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack Headphone jack Plug powered anal...

Page 14: ...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 front speaker jack Microph...

Page 15: ...his jack for digital sound Microphone jack pink plug Plug a microphone into this jack Headphone analog speakers jack green plug OR Front speakers jack This jack is user configurable for one of the fol...

Page 16: ...Line in jack blue plug OR Side speaker jack This jack is user configurable for one of the following Stereo in Plug an external audio input source such as a stereo into this jack so you can record soun...

Page 17: ...rk Connecting 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 A...

Page 18: ...llel 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 ventilati...

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: ...puter to a cable or DSL modem or 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 c...

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: ...t does turn off or slow down most system operations to save power 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...

Page 24: ...ter 1 Click Start click the arrow next to the lock icon then click Shut Down The computer turns off 2 To completely disconnect all power such as for servicing internal components also disconnect the p...

Page 25: ...sesdifferentfunctionkeysfordifferent purposes See the program documentation to find out more about the function key actions Audio playback keys Press these keys to play your audio files and to adjust...

Page 26: ...e Application key Press this key to access shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows Navigation keys Press these keys to move the cursor and to copy cut and paste objects Numeric keypad Press thes...

Page 27: ...Move the mouse around If you reach the edge of your mouse pad and need to move the mouse farther lift the mouse and place it in the middle of the mouse pad then continue moving the mouse Select an ob...

Page 28: ...cut menu or find more information about an object on the display Position the pointer over the object Quickly press and release the right mouse button once This is called right clicking Move an object...

Page 29: ...e drive s eject button then look on the front of the drive s disc tray for one or more of the following logos Important When you place a single sided disc in the tray make sure that the label side is...

Page 30: ...aying DVDs accessing data and recording video and data to CDs and double layer DVD R discs Note To use the double layer capability of the double layer recordable DVD drive the blank DVDs you purchase...

Page 31: ...several albums of music or several gigabytes of data can fit on a single disc DVDs can be played on a DVD player or a DVD drive equipped computer For more information about playing DVDs see your onli...

Page 32: ...create video files from home video For more information see your online User Guide Copying optical discs You can copy optical discs to make backups of your data For more information see your online Us...

Page 33: ...ropriate memory card slot 2 To access a file on the memory card click Start then click Computer Double click the drive letter for example the E drive then double click the file name To remove a memory...

Page 34: ...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 35: ...orner 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 info...

Page 36: ...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 37: ...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 docum...

Page 38: ...CHAPTER 3 Setting Up and Getting Started 32 8513027 book Page 32 Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 39: ...Opening the case Closing the case Replacing the color panel Installing memory Adding or replacing an optical disc drive Replacing the memory card reader Adding or replacing a hard drive Adding or rep...

Page 40: ...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 41: ...all peripheral device cables 3 Press the power button for ten seconds to drain any residual power from your computer 4 Remove the two thumbscrews on the back edge of the left side panel 5 Slide the si...

Page 42: ...n page 35 2 Remove the two Phillips screws on the back edge of the right side panel 3 Slide the side panel toward the back of your computer then pull the panel away from your computer Warning To avoid...

Page 43: ...ight side panel on page 36 2 Press the three bezel release tabs on the left side of the computer then swing the left side of the bezel slightly away from the computer Tip The bezel is the front face p...

Page 44: ...ide the tabs on the bezel into the slots on the front of the computer until the tabs snap into place 2 Replace the side panels that you removed previously by following the instructions in Replacing th...

Page 45: ...omputer 2 Slide the side panels toward the front of the computer until the backs of the side panels are flush with the back of the computer 3 Secure the right side panel with the two Phillips screws y...

Page 46: ...he front bezel 1 Remove the front bezel by following the instructions in Removing the front bezel on page 37 2 Press the lower panel release tabs up and press the upper panel release tabs inward The c...

Page 47: ...mory make sure that you install the correct type of memory module for your computer Your computer uses DIMM memory To install or replace a memory module 1 Remove the left side panel by following the i...

Page 48: ...the memory slot and press the module firmly into the slot The tabs on the sides of the memory slot should secure the memory module automatically 6 Replace the side panel by following the instructions...

Page 49: ...the photo in Step 5 3 If you are replacing an existing drive disconnect the cables from the drive noting their locations and orientation You will reconnect the cables after you install the new drive 4...

Page 50: ...anufacturer s instructions 9 Replace the front bezel by following the instructions in Replacing the front bezel on page 38 10 Replace the side panels by following the instructions in Replacing the sid...

Page 51: ...f the case between the power supply and the optical drive 3 Slide the top bezel toward the back of the computer about 3 4 inch then remove it from your computer Tools You need a Phillips screwdriver t...

Page 52: ...into place then secure it with the screw you removed previously 7 Plug the appropriate cables into the card reader 8 Place the top bezel on top of the computer then slide the bezel toward the front of...

Page 53: ...ables noting their locations and orientation You will reconnect the cables after you install the new drive 3 If you are replacing a drive remove the screws that secure the hard drive to the hard drive...

Page 54: ...n Replacing the side panels on page 39 8 Reconnect all external cables and the power cord 9 Turn on your computer 10 If you are using the new hard drive as your primary drive install Windows using the...

Page 55: ...end the card sideways 6 If you have just replaced an expansion card reconnect the expansion card cables if any using your notes from Step 2 If you have added a new expansion card connect its cables ac...

Page 56: ...CHAPTER 4 Upgrading Your Computer 50 8513027 book Page 50 Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 57: ...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 8513027...

Page 58: ...ions see Preparing for software and device driver recovery on page 89 Maintenance task Weekly Monthly When needed Create system recovery discs As soon as possible one time only Check for viruses X X X...

Page 59: ...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 60: ...int free cloth to clean your computer and other parts of your system Do not use household abrasive or solvent cleaners because they can damage the finish on components Your computer is cooled by air c...

Page 61: ...use a soft cloth and water to clean the screen Dampen the cloth never apply liquid directly to the screen then wipe the screen with the cloth To clean a CRT monitor use a soft cloth and glass cleaner...

Page 62: ...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 63: ...dates 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 on that icon to open BigFix To start BigFix 1 Click S...

Page 64: ...n use to check hard drive space delete unnecessary files defragment files and back up files Checking hard drive space To check hard drive space 1 Click Start then click Computer The Computer window op...

Page 65: ...y files Delete unnecessary files such as temporaryfiles and files in the Recycle Bin to free hard drive space To delete unnecessary files 1 Click Start All Programs Accessories System Tools then click...

Page 66: ...and marks flawed areas on the hard drive so Windows does not use them If you use your computer several hours every day you probably want to run Error checking once a week If you use yourcomputer less...

Page 67: ...ation stored on the drive can improve hard drive performance While Disk Defragmenter is running do not use your keyboard or mouse because using them may continuously stop and restart the defragmenting...

Page 68: ...removing them from the hard drive frees space for new files on the hard drive It also protects you from losing important information if the hard drive fails or you accidentally delete files You shoul...

Page 69: ...ick the Tools tab 3 Click Backup Now then click Run a file backup now 4 Follow the on screen instructions to select a backup storage location and the files and folders to back up Help For more informa...

Page 70: ...cheduler dialog box opens 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 Impo...

Page 71: ...rams 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 Programs Accessori...

Page 72: ...Start then 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 ope...

Page 73: ...ick 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 Start Find...

Page 74: ...CHAPTER 5 Maintaining Your Computer 68 8513027 book Page 68 Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 75: ...tworking Power Display Printing Optical discs Memory card reader Mouse Keyboard Files Memory Audio Passwords Expansion cards Media Center Checking for device problems Recovering your system Technical...

Page 76: ...your computer Your computer was dropped The case was damaged Instead unplug your computer and contact a qualified computer technician Warning Never open your computer case while your computer is turn...

Page 77: ...e on page 82 Operating system not found See You get an Operating system not found error message on page 82 Unable to locate host See You see an Unable to locate host message and are unable to browse t...

Page 78: ...our ISP technical support to determine whether the Internet outage is widespread a problem they are trying to solve You see an Unable to locate host message and are unable to browse the Internet You m...

Page 79: ...id e mail address consists of a user name the symbol and the Internet domain name of the Internet service provider ISP or company that hosts that user E mail addresses never contain spaces and are not...

Page 80: ...operties 1 Click Start type modem then press ENTER 2 If the Location Information dialog box opens enter the information for your area then click OK 3 Click the Dialing Rules tab click the location fro...

Page 81: ...dem connection Restart your computer Run Windows modem diagnostics To run modem diagnostics 1 Click Start type modem then press ENTER 2 Click the Modems tab then click Properties 3 Click the Diagnosti...

Page 82: ...s make sure that all computers have different IP addresses For home networks IP addresses should be 192 168 N N where N is a number you assign between 0 and 254 The first N should be the same for all...

Page 83: ...uide The computer is on but there is no picture Make sure that the computer is not in Standby power saving mode Make sure that the monitor is connected to a power outlet and to a video port on your co...

Page 84: ...plugged into an AC power source The printer is on but will not print Make sure that the Print to file box is not checked in the Print dialog box If the printer you want to print to is not the default...

Page 85: ...For instructions see Checking for device problems on page 87 Your computer may be experiencing some temporary memory problems Restart your computer An audio disc does not produce sound Make sure that...

Page 86: ...ve been temporarily uninstalled using the Remove Hardware icon in the system tray Restart your computer and it will recognize the card reader again Mouse The mouse does not work Make sure that the mou...

Page 87: ...fore using it again If the keyboard does not work after it dries you may need to replace it Files You get an Insufficient disk space error message Delete unnecessary files from the hard drive using Di...

Page 88: ...ected to static electricity or physical shock you may need to reinstall the operating system See Recovering your system on page 87 You get an Operating system not found error message Your computer is...

Page 89: ...tions 5 Click OK Memory You see a Memory error message Run the Memory Diagnostic Tool Click Start type Memory Diagnostic Tool then press ENTER Click Restart now and check for problems Your computer re...

Page 90: ...eck the speaker connections See your speakers user guide for more troubleshooting tips Make sure that your computer suniversal audiojacks are configured correctly For more information see Configuring...

Page 91: ...can lower video quality Check all cable connections Display type The Media Center is best viewed on computer displays Other types of display devices including TVs may provide lower quality video Type...

Page 92: ...y s user guide You need to burn programs that were recorded with your computer to a DVD using Media Center Media Center saves recorded programs in the DVR MS format You can burn a DVR MS file to a DVD...

Page 93: ...dated driver software and follow the on screen prompts OR To check for specific problems right click the device then click Properties and examine the information within each of the tabs Write down thi...

Page 94: ...ive 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 dr...

Page 95: ...ers 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 an...

Page 96: ...ompleted 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 l...

Page 97: ...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 98: ...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 drive...

Page 99: ...ecover 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 mult...

Page 100: ...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 95 To restore using Microsof...

Page 101: ...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 rest...

Page 102: ...he 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 103: ...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 104: ...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 105: ...ftware from Gateway see the manufacturer s documentation and technical support resources If you have how to questions about using a program see Its online Help Its printed documentation Its publisher...

Page 106: ...CHAPTER 6 Troubleshooting 100 8513027 book Page 100 Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 107: ...APPENDIXA 101 Legal Notices Important safety information Regulatory compliance statements Environmental information Notices 8513027 book Page 101 Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 108: ...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 109: ...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 110: ...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 111: ...rotective 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 pe...

Page 112: ...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 s...

Page 113: ...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 114: ...andingand 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 r...

Page 115: ...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 116: ...APPENDIX A Legal Notices 110 8513027 book Page 110 Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 117: ...cating drive 7 broadband connection 15 modem 15 broadband connection connecting 10 C cable modem 15 connecting 10 troubleshooting 73 card reader 7 cards adding expansion 48 inserting memory card 27 in...

Page 118: ...10 15 external audio 9 10 external speakers 9 Firewire 7 9 30 front speaker 9 headphone 7 9 i Link 7 9 IEEE 1394 7 9 31 keyboard 7 8 9 line in 9 10 line out 9 microphone 7 9 modem 9 mouse 7 9 network...

Page 119: ...26 troubleshooting 79 DVD drive adding 43 identifying 24 replacing 43 See also optical drive troubleshooting 79 E electrostatic discharge ESD 34 ergonomics 12 Error checking 60 83 Ethernet jack 10 Et...

Page 120: ...udio left 7 audio right 7 See connections video 7 K keyboard buttons 19 cleaning 55 features 19 PS 2 port 8 troubleshooting 81 USB port 7 9 keys and buttons application 20 audio playback 19 Fn 19 func...

Page 121: ...5 clicking 21 double clicking 21 moving pointer 20 21 moving screen objects 22 opening files folders and programs 21 pointer 21 PS 2 port 9 right clicking 22 scroll wheel 21 selecting screen objects 2...

Page 122: ...discs 89 92 re installing 88 PS 2 port keyboard 8 mouse 9 R RAM See memory rebooting computer 18 recordable drive 7 recording audio files 26 optical discs 26 recovering defaults 96 drivers 88 programs...

Page 123: ...s 102 settings transferring 65 66 shortcut menus accessing 22 shortcuts opening menu 22 shutting down computer 17 18 side panel removing 35 36 replacing 35 36 sleep mode 17 using 18 software recovery...

Page 124: ...77 technical support 99 telephone support 99 turning off computer 7 17 18 turning on computer 7 16 TV tuner card 10 U uninterruptible power supply UPS 14 updating Windows 56 UPS 14 USB port 7 9 30 V v...

Page 125: ...8513027 book Page 119 Friday April 25 2008 5 27 PM...

Page 126: ...MAN GERSHWIN3 GWREC REF GDE R0 4 08 8513027 Back fm Page 120 Monday April 28 2008 8 13 AM...

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