Gateway 400 series User Manual
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152 Chapter 10: Customizing Your Computer www.gateway.com Changing the touchpad settings You can adjust the double-click speed, pointer speed, left-hand or right-hand configuration, and other touchpad settings. To change your touchpad settings: 1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel w i n d o w o p e n s . I f y o u r Control Panel is in Category View, click Printers and Other Hardware. 2Click/Double-click the Mouse icon. The Mouse Properties dialog box opens.
153 Changing the touchpad settings www.gateway.com 3Click the Advanced Features tab, then click Settings to change your touchpad settings. 4To modify a touchpad setting, click the + in front of a setting, then modify the setting. 5To assign a function to the rocker switch, click the + in front of Buttons, click the up or down button, then click the action you want. 6Click OK to save changes. Help and SupportFor more information about changing mouse settings in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword mouse settings in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.
154 Chapter 10: Customizing Your Computer www.gateway.com Adding and modifying user accounts You can create and customize a user account for each person who uses your computer. You can also switch (change) user accounts without turning off your computer. User account tips If you want to create an account for someone, but you do not want that user to have full access to your computer, be sure to make that account limited. Remember that limited accounts may not be able to install some older programs. If a program or peripheral device is installed in one account, it may not be available in other accounts. If this happens, install the program or device in the accounts that need it. Files created in one account are not accessible from other accounts unless the files are stored in the Shared Documents folder. The Shared Documents folder is accessible from all accounts on that computer and from other computers on the network. To add, delete, or modify user accounts: 1Click Start, then click Control Panel. 2Click/Double-click the User Accounts icon. The User Accounts window opens. 3Follow the on-screen instructions to add, delete, or modify a user account. Help and SupportFor more information about user accounts in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword user accounts in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.
155 Adding and modifying user accounts www.gateway.com To switch user accounts: 1Click Start, then click Log Off. The Log Off Windows dialog box opens. 2Click Switch User. The Windows We l c o m e screen opens. 3Click the user account that you want to use. When you switch between user accounts, any programs that were running for the previous user continue to run.
156 Chapter 10: Customizing Your Computer www.gateway.com
11 157 Networking Your Computer Connecting your home, small office, or home office computers lets you share drives, printers, and a single Internet connection among the connected computers. Read this chapter to learn about: Benefits of using a network in your home, small office, or home office Types of network connections Purchasing additional network equipment Installing and configuring your notebook for Ethernet networking Turning wireless Ethernet on and off
158 Chapter 11: Networking Your Computer www.gateway.com Benefits of networking A network lets you: Share a single Internet connection Share computer drives Share peripheral devices Stream audio and video files Play multi-player games Sharing a single Internet connection Each computer that is connected to the network can share the same broadband connection or modem and telephone line and access the Internet at the same time. This saves on the cost of installing another telephone line for your second computer and paying for a second Internet service provider (ISP) account. Sharing drives With a network, you can copy files from computer to computer by copying and pasting or dragging and dropping. You will no longer waste your time transferring files by using diskettes. In addition, you can map a drive on a networked computer to another computer, and access the files as if they were located on the hard drive of the computer you are using. Help and SupportFor more information about sharing an Internet connection in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword internet sharing in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow. Help and SupportFor more information about sharing network drives in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword sharing network drives in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.
159 Benefits of networking www.gateway.com Sharing peripheral devices Each computer that is connected to the network can share the same peripheral devices, such as a printer. Select print from the computer you are currently using and your file is automatically printed on your printer no matter where it is located on your network. Streaming audio and video files With a network, you can store audio files (such as the popular .MP3 files) and video files on any networked computer, then play them on any of the other computers or devices connected to your network. This process is called streaming. Playing multi-player games With a home network, you can play multi-player games. Load a game like Microsoft Midtown Madness 2 on your computers, and in minutes, you and your friends can race in competing cars through the streets of San Francisco. Help and SupportFor more information about sharing network devices in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword sharing in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow. Help and SupportFor more information about streaming files in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword streaming in the HelpSpot Search box box , then click the arrow. Help and SupportFor more information about playing multi-player games in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword games or network games in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.
160 Chapter 11: Networking Your Computer www.gateway.com Selecting a network connection The biggest decision you need to make when creating your network is what type of connection you will use. Gateway supports both wired and wireless Ethernet networks. Use the following criteria as a guide when selecting a network connection. Wired Ethernet network Create a wired Ethernet network if: You are building a new home or your existing home already has Ethernet cable installed in each room that has a device you want to connect You are creating a network in an office or business where network speed is more important than moving about with your computer Your computer has an Ethernet jack for connecting to the network Wireless Ethernet network Create a wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) network if: You are looking for an alternative to installing cable for connectivity The ability to move about with your computer is as important as network speed Your computer has wireless Ethernet for networking Help and SupportFor more information about selecting network connections in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword networks or network types in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.
161 Using a wired Ethernet network www.gateway.com Using a wired Ethernet network A wired Ethernet network consists of two or more computers connected together through an Ethernet cable. This connection type is commonly used in offices around the world and can be used to build computer networks in the home. Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet Ethernet is available at three different speeds. Standard Ethernet runs at 10 Mbps, Fast Ethernet runs at 100 Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet runs at 1000 Mbps. Most home networks are built using Standard or Fast Ethernet components. Business networks are typically built using Fast or Gigabit Ethernet components. To create a wired Ethernet network, you or your electrician must: Install special Ethernet cables in your home or office Install an Ethernet card in each of your desktop computers (if your computers do not already have built-in Ethernet jacks) Install an Ethernet PC Card in each of your notebooks (if your notebooks do not already have built-in Ethernet jacks) Install an Ethernet router, switch, or hub ImportantCheck local code requirements before installing Ethernet cable or other wiring in your home or office. Your municipality may require you to obtain a permit and hire a licensed installer. Tips & TricksIf you are connecting just two computers, you can eliminate the router, switch, or hub and use a special crossover cable.