Gateway 200 series User Manual
Have a look at the manual Gateway 200 series User Manual online for free. It’s possible to download the document as PDF or print. UserManuals.tech offer 54 Gateway manuals and user’s guides for free. Share the user manual or guide on Facebook, Twitter or Google+.
201 Installing your old printer or scanner www.gateway.com Installing a USB printer or scanner USB devices may have special installation instructions. See your USB device’s installation guide. See your peripheral device’s user guide for installation information and tips. Because most installation software is periodically updated, you should also check the manufacturer’s Web site for software updates. Help and SupportFor more information about installing a printer in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword installing a printer in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.
202 Chapter 12: Moving from Your Old Computer www.gateway.com Installing your old programs You probably use some programs that did not come installed on your new computer, such as personal finance software, graphics programs, or games. Spend some time going through your old computer’s Start and Programs menus, making note of any programs you want to install on your new computer. Locate your original program installation CDs and installation guides. Your original CDs and guides should contain any serial numbers or product ID keys that may be required for program installation and registration. Remember to check the publisher’s Web site for important program updates. If you have trouble after installing your old programs, you can restore your computer’s previous settings using System Restore. Tips & TricksIf your new computer comes with a newer version of a program, it is usually better to use the newer version than to reinstall the old one. Help and SupportFor more information about restoring your computer’s previous settings in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword System Restore in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.
13 203 Maintaining Your Computer This chapter provides basic information about maintaining your computer hardware and software. Read this chapter to learn how to: ■Care for your computer ■Create an emergency startup diskette ■Protect your computer from viruses ■Manage hard drive space ■Back up files ■Clean your computer
204 Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Computer www.gateway.com Caring for your computer To extend the life of your system: ■Be careful not to bump or drop your computer, and do not put any objects on top of it. The case, although strong, is not made to support extra weight. ■When transporting your computer, we recommend that you put it in a carrying case. ■Keep diskettes and your computer away from magnetic fields. Magnetic fields can erase data on both diskettes and hard drives. ■Never turn off your computer when the hard drive light is on because data on the hard drive could be lost or corrupted. ■Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperature changes. The case and LCD panel can become brittle and 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 that are comfortable for you. ■Keep all liquids away from your computer. When spilled onto computer components, almost any liquid can result in extremely expensive repairs that are not covered under your warranty. ■Avoid dusty or dirty work environments. Dust and dirt can clog the internal mechanisms. Use the following table to set up a regular maintenance schedule. Maintenance task Immediately after purchaseMonthly When needed See... Create an emergency diskette X page 206 Check for viruses X X page 208 Manage hard drive space X page 211 Clean up hard drives X X page 212 Scan hard drive for errors X X page 213 Defragment hard drive X X page 215 Back up files X X page 217
205 Caring for your computer www.gateway.com Recalibrate the battery X page 144 Clean computer case X page 219 Clean keyboard X page 219 Clean computer screen X page 220 Clean mouse X page 220 Maintenance task Immediately after purchaseMonthly When needed See...
206 Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Computer www.gateway.com Creating an emergency startup diskette An emergency startup diskette is a diskette that contains critical information that you need to start your computer if Windows fails to start. You should create a startup diskette as soon as you get your computer. To create an emergency startup diskette in Windows XP: 1Insert a blank diskette labeled Startup into the diskette drive. 2Click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens. 3Right-click 3½ Floppy (A:), then click Format. The Format 3½ Floppy (A:) dialog box opens. ImportantThis procedure uses a diskette drive. If you do not have a diskette drive, you can purchase a drive from the Gateway Accessories Store at accessories.gateway.com .
207 Creating an emergency startup diskette www.gateway.com 4Click to select the Create an MS-DOS startup disk check box, then click Start. A message warns you that any information on the diskette will be erased. 5When you see the warning message, click OK. Windows copies files to the emergency startup diskette. 6When Windows finishes copying files, remove the diskette from the diskette drive. 7Slide the write-protect tab up to prevent the diskette from being erased or infected by viruses. 8Store your emergency startup diskette in a safe place with your other backup software media. Not write- protectedWrite- protected
208 Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Computer www.gateway.com Protecting your computer from viruses A virus is a program that attaches itself to a file on a computer, then spreads from one computer to another. Viruses can damage data or cause your computer to malfunction. Some viruses go undetected for a period of time because they are activated on a certain date. Protect your computer from a virus by: ■Using the Norton® AntiVirus program to check files and programs that are on diskettes, attached to e-mail messages, or downloaded from the Internet. ■Checking all programs for viruses before installing them. ■Disabling macros on suspicious Microsoft Word and Excel files. These programs will warn you if a document that you are opening contains a macro that might have a virus. ■Periodically updating the Norton AntiVirus program to protect against the latest viruses. Help and SupportFor more information about protecting your computer against viruses in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword viruses in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.
209 Protecting your computer from viruses www.gateway.com To scan for viruses: 1Click Start, All Programs, Norton AntiVirus, then click Norton AntiVirus 2003. Norton AntiVirus opens. 2Click Scan for Viruses. 3Click the type of scan you want to make in the Scan for Viruses area, then under Actions, click Scan. Scan for viruses Scan
210 Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Computer www.gateway.com To remove a virus: 1If Norton AntiVirus finds a virus, follow all on-screen instructions to remove the virus. 2Turn off your computer and leave it off for at least 30 seconds. 3Turn on your computer and rescan for the virus. To update Norton AntiVirus: 1Make sure that you are connected to the Internet. 2Click Start, All Programs, Norton AntiVirus, then click LiveUpdate - Norton AntiVirus . The LiveUpdate wizard opens. 3Follow the on-screen instructions to update your Norton AntiVirus program with the latest virus protection files. 4When the program has finished, click Finish.