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Chapter 3: Getting Help
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Using eSupport
The eSupport site is divided into four major areas:

Support Home

Downloads

Contact Us

Account Info
Each of these areas is represented by a tab across the top of the Web page.
Support Home tab
To get specific information about your computer, type your serial number into 
the My System Information box, then click 
GO, or click Look up my serial number 
for me
. For more information, see “Finding your specifications” on page 12.
The Support Information link lets you access product documentation, 
specifications, and manuals. By entering your serial number, you get specific 
documents related to your system. You can also browse through the reference 
area to locate an article specific to the question you have.
The Tu t o r i a l s link lets you access an extensive library of how-to articles and 
videos on topics such as making audio CDs and installing a hard drive.
Downloads tab
The Downloads tab provides the latest software updates for BIOS and driver 
upgrades. By entering your serial number you get drivers specific to your system. 
Click 
All Downloads to walk through a step-by-step wizard to locate your drivers.
Contact Us tab
The Contact Us tab contains links to technical support with a live technician, 
including chat and e-mail. Click 
Call Us to get a list of Gateway telephone 
numbers for both sales and support. For more information, see “Telephone 
numbers” on page 246.
Account Info tab
The Account Info tab contains support for non-technical issues, like the status 
of your order or changing your account address. 
						

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Windows Basics
Read this chapter to learn how to:

Use the Windows desktop

Manage files and folders

Wo r k  w i t h  d o c u m e n t s

Use shortcuts 
						

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics
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About the Windows environment
After your computer starts, the first screen you see is the Windows desktop. The 
desktop is like the top of a real desk. Think of the desktop as your personalized 
work space where you open programs and perform other tasks.
Your desktop may be different from this example, depending on how your 
computer is set up.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about the Windows XP desktop, click 
Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword Windows desktop in the HelpSpot 
Search box  , then click the arrow. 
						

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Using the desktop
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Using the desktop
The desktop contains the taskbar, the Start button, and the Recycle Bin icon.
Using the Start menu
You can start programs, open files, customize your system, get help, search for 
files and folders, and more using the Start menu.
To use the Start menu:
1Click the Start button on the lower left of the Windows desktop. The Start 
menu opens showing you the first level of menu items.
2Click All Programs to see all programs and files in the Start menu. When 
you move the mouse pointer over any menu item that has an arrow next 
to it, another menu, called a submenu, opens and reveals related files, 
programs, or commands. Desktop elements Description
The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of the computer display containing the 
Start button on the left and a clock on the right. Other buttons on the taskbar 
represent programs that are running.
Click a program’s button on the taskbar to open the program’s window.
The Start button provides access to programs, files, help for Windows and 
other programs, and computer tools and utilities.
Click the Start button, then open a file or program by clicking an item on 
the menu that opens.
The Recycle Bin is where files, folders, and programs that you discarded 
are stored. You must empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete them from 
your computer. For instructions on how to use the Recycle Bin, see “Deleting 
files and folders” on page 53. 
						

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3Click a file or program to open it.
Adding icons to the desktop
You may want to add an icon (shortcut) to the desktop for a program that you 
use frequently.
To add icons to the desktop:
1Click Start, then click All Programs.
2Right-click (press the right touchpad button) the program that you want 
to add to the desktop.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about the Windows XP Start menu, 
click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword Windows Start menu in the HelpSpot 
Search box  , then click the arrow. 
						

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Identifying window items
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3Click Send To, then click Desktop (create shortcut). A shortcut icon for that 
program appears on the desktop.
Identifying window items
When you double-click the icon for a drive, folder, file, or program, a window 
opens on the desktop. This example shows the Local Disk (C:) window, which 
opens after you double-click the 
Local Disk (C:) icon in the My Computer window.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about desktop icons in Windows XP, 
click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword desktop icons in the HelpSpot Search 
box  , then click the arrow.
Minimize MaximizeClose Title bar
Menu bar 
						

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Every program window looks a little different because each has its own menus, 
icons, and controls. Most windows include these items:
Window item Description
The title bar is the horizontal bar at the top 
of a window that shows the window title.
Clicking the minimize button reduces the 
active window to a button on the taskbar. 
Clicking the program button in the taskbar 
opens the window again.
Clicking the maximize button expands the 
active window to fit the entire computer 
display. Clicking the maximize button again 
restores the window to its former size.
Clicking the close button closes the active 
window or program.
Clicking an item on the menu bar starts an 
action such as Print or Save.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about windows in Windows XP, click 
Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword window in the HelpSpot Search box 
, then click the arrow. 
						

							49
Working with files and folders
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Working with files and folders
You can organize your files and programs to suit your preferences much like 
you would store information in a file cabinet. You can store these files in folders 
and copy, move, and delete the information just as you would reorganize and 
throw away information in a file cabinet.
Viewing drives
Drives are like file cabinets because they hold files and folders. A computer 
almost always has more than one drive. Each drive has a letter, usually Local 
Disk (C:) for the hard drive and 3½ Floppy (A:) for the optional diskette drive. 
You may also have more drives such as a DVD or DVD/CD-RW drive, or a 
memory card reader.
To view the drives on your computer:

Click Start, then click My Computer on the Start menu.
Drives 
						

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To see the files and folders on a drive:

Double-click the drive icon. If you do not see the contents of a drive after 
you double-click its icon, click 
Show the contents of this drive.
Creating folders
Folders are much like the folders in a file cabinet. They can contain files and 
other folders.
Files are much like paper documents—letters, spreadsheets, and pictures—that 
you keep on your computer. In fact, all information on a computer is stored 
in files.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about files and folders in 
Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword files and folders in the HelpSpot 
Search box  , then click the arrow.
Folders
Files 
						

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Working with files and folders
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To create a folder:
1Click Start, then click My Computer on the Start menu.
2Double-click the drive where you want to put the new folder. Typically, 
Local Disk (C:) is your hard drive and 3½ Floppy (A:) is your optional 
diskette drive. If you do not see the contents of the drive, click 
Show the 
contents of this drive
.
3If you want to create a new folder inside an existing folder, double-click 
the existing folder. If you do not see the contents of the folder, click 
Show 
the contents of this drive
 or Show the contents of this folder.
4Click File, New, then click Folder. The new folder is created.
5Type a name for the folder, then press ENTER. The new folder name appears 
by the folder icon.
For information about renaming folders, see “Shortcuts” on page 63.
Copying and moving files and folders
The skills you need to copy and move files are called copying, cutting, and pasting.
When you copy and paste a file or folder, you place a copy of the file or folder 
on the Windows clipboard, which temporarily stores it. Then, when you decide 
w h a t  f o l d e r  y o u  w a n t  t h e  c o p y  to  g o  i n  ( t h e  destination folder), you paste it there.
When you cut and paste a file or folder, you remove the file or folder from its 
original location and place the file or folder on the Windows clipboard. When 
you decide where you want the file or folder to go, you paste it there.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about creating files and folders in 
Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword creating files and folders in the 
HelpSpot Search box  , then click 
the arrow.