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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:
1Insert a blank diskette labeled Startup into the optional 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 the optional diskette drive. If you do 
not have a diskette drive in your computer, you can 
purchase an external diskette drive from the Gateway 
Accessories Store at accessories.gateway.com
. 
						

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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 
						

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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. 
						

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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 
						

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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. 
						

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Managing hard drive space
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Managing hard drive space
Windows provides several utilities you can use to manage your hard drive.
Checking hard drive space
To check hard drive space:
1Click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens.
2Right-click the drive that you want to check for available file space, then 
click 
Properties. Drive space information appears. 
						

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Using Disk Cleanup
Delete unnecessary files, such as temporary Windows files, to free hard drive 
space.
To use the Windows Disk Cleanup program:
1Click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens.
2Right-click the hard drive that you want to delete files from, for example 
Local Disk (C:), then click 
Properties. The Properties dialog box opens at the 
General tab.
3Click Disk Cleanup. The Disk Cleanup dialog box opens.
4Make sure that the check box beside each file type you want to delete is 
selected. For more information about file types you can delete, read the 
descriptions in the Disk Cleanup dialog box.
5Click OK, then click Ye s. 
						

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Checking the hard drive for errors
The Error-checking program examines the hard drive for physical flaws and file 
and folder problems. This program corrects file and folder problems 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 your computer less frequently, once a 
month may be adequate. Also use Error-checking if you encounter hard drive 
problems.
To check the hard drive for errors:
1Click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens.
2Right-click the hard drive that you want to check for errors, for example 
Local Disk (C:), then click 
Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about keeping the hard drive space 
free of unnecessary files in Windows XP, click Start, then 
click Help and Support.
Type the keyword disk cleanup in the HelpSpot Search 
box  , then click the arrow. 
						

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3Click the To o l s tab.
4Click Check Now.
5Click the options you want to use, then click Start. For help, press F1. 
Windows checks the drive for errors. This process may take several minutes. 
After Windows has finished checking the drive for errors, it provides a 
summary of the problems that it found.
6Correct any problems that are found by following the on-screen 
instructions.
7Click OK.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about checking the hard drive for 
errors in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and 
Support.
Type the keyword checking for disk errors in the 
HelpSpot Search box  , then click 
the arrow. 
						

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Defragmenting the hard drive
When working with files, sometimes Windows divides the file information into 
pieces and stores them in different places on the hard drive. This is called 
fragmentation, and it is normal. In order for your computer to use a file, 
Windows must search for the pieces of the file and put them back together. 
This process slows the hard drive performance.
The Disk Defragmenter program organizes the data on the drive so each file is 
stored as one unit rather than as multiple pieces scattered across different areas 
of the drive. Defragmenting the information stored on the drive can improve 
hard drive performance.
While the Disk Defragmenter program is running, do not use your keyboard 
or touchpad 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 communication may stop the 
defragmentation process and cause it to start over.
To run Disk Defragmenter:
1Click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens.
2Right-click the hard drive that you want to defragment, for example Local 
Disk (C:), then click 
Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.