Gateway m520 User Manual

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Cleaning your notebook
Keeping your notebook clean and the vents free from dust helps keep 
your notebook performing at its best. You may want to gather these items 
and put together a notebook cleaning kit:
■A soft, lint-free cloth
■An aerosol can of air that has a narrow, straw-like extension
■Cotton swabs
■A DVD drive cleaning kit
Cleaning the exterior
Always turn off your notebook and other peripherals before cleaning any 
components. Also, remove the battery before cleaning any components.
Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean your notebook and other parts of 
your system. Do not use household abrasive or solvent cleaners because 
they can damage the finish on components.
Your notebook is cooled by air circulated through the vents on the case, 
so keep the vents free of dust. With your notebook turned off and 
unplugged, brush the dust away from the vents with a damp cloth. Be 
careful not to drip any water into the vents. Do not attempt to clean dust 
from the inside of your notebook.
Cleaning the keyboard
You should clean the keyboard occasionally by using an aerosol can of 
air with a narrow, straw-like extension to remove dust and lint trapped 
under the keys.
WarningWhen you shut down your notebook, the power 
turns off, but some electrical current still flows 
through your notebook. To avoid possible injury 
from electrical shock, unplug the power cord and 
modem cable from the wall outlets. 
						

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If you spill liquid on the keyboard, turn off your notebook and turn the 
notebook upside down. Let the liquid drain, then let the keyboard dry 
before trying to use it again. If the keyboard does not work after it dries, 
you may need to replace it.
Cleaning the notebook screen
To clean a notebook LCD screen, use a soft cloth and water to clean the 
LCD screen. Squirt a little water on the cloth (never directly on the 
screen), and wipe the screen with the cloth.
Cleaning CDs or DVDs
Wipe from the center to the edge, not around in a circle, using a product 
made especially for the purpose.
CautionA notebook LCD screen is made of specially 
coated glass and can be scratched or damaged by 
abrasive or ammonia-based glass cleaners. 
						

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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:
■Registering your copy of Norton AntiVirus and subscribing to the 
virus definition update service. You received a free limited time 
subscription to the Norton AntiVirus service when you purchased 
your notebook.
■Using the Norton® AntiVirus program to check files and programs 
that are 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, click Start, then click 
Help and Support.
Type the keyword viruses in the Search box 
, then click the arrow. 
						

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To scan for viruses:
1Click Start, All Programs, Norton AntiVirus, then click Norton 
AntiVirus 2004
. 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.
ImportantYou received a free limited time subscription to the 
Norton AntiVirus service when you purchased your 
notebook. To update Norton AntiVirus after the free 
subscription period, you must extend your 
subscription. 
						

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Updating Windows
Windows Update is the online extension of Windows that helps you to 
keep your computer up-to-date. Use Windows Update to choose updates 
for your computer’s operating system, software, and hardware. New 
content is added to the site regularly, so you can 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 apply only to the software and 
hardware on your computer.
To run Windows Update:
1Connect to the Internet.
2Click Start, All Programs, then click Windows Update.
3Click Scan for Available Updates.
Restoring your system
If you need to restore your computer to its original configuration, use 
the Restore DVD that was shipped with your computer. The Restore DVD 
contains a copy of all programs that were preinstalled on your computer. 
Instructions for using the Restore DVD are included with the DVD.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about Windows Update in 
Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and 
Support.
Type the keyword Windows Update in the 
HelpSpot Search box  , then 
click the arrow. 
						

							Chapter 8
81
 

■Troubleshooting typical hardware and 
software problems
■Getting telephone support
■Using automated troubleshooting 
systems 
						

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Safety guidelines
While troubleshooting your notebook, follow these safety guidelines:
■Never remove the memory bay cover or hard drive while your 
notebook is turned on, while the battery is installed, and while the 
modem cable, network cable, and AC power adapter are connected 
to your notebook.
■Make sure that you are correctly grounded before accessing internal 
components. For more information about preventing damage from 
static electricity, see “Preventing static electricity discharge” on 
page 66.
■After you complete any maintenance tasks where you remove the 
memory bay cover or hard drive kit, make sure that you replace the 
cover or hard drive kit, reinstall any screws, then replace the battery 
before you start your notebook.
WarningDo not try to troubleshoot your problem if power 
cords or plugs are damaged, if your notebook was 
dropped, or if the case was damaged. Instead, 
unplug your notebook and contact a qualified 
computer technician. 
						

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First steps
If you have problems with your notebook, try these things first:
■Make sure that the AC power adapter is connected to your notebook 
and an AC outlet and that the AC outlet is supplying power.
■If you use a power strip or surge protector, make sure that it is turned 
on.
■If a peripheral device (such as a keyboard or mouse) does not work, 
make sure that all connections are secure.
■Make sure that your hard drive is not full.
■If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact 
message. The message may help Gateway Customer Care in 
diagnosing and fixing the problem.
■If you added or removed peripheral devices, review the installation 
procedures you performed and make sure that you followed each 
instruction.
■If an error occurs in a program, see the program’s printed 
documentation or the online help.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about troubleshooting, click 
Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword troubleshooting in the Search 
box  , then click the arrow. 
						

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Troubleshooting
Troubleshooting topics are listed in alphabetical order.
Audio
Audio troubleshooting is covered under “Sound” on page 100.
Battery
Battery troubleshooting is covered under “Power” on page 98.
CD drives
CD drive troubleshooting is covered under “DVD drives” on page 86.
Device installation
You have computer problems after adding a new device
Sometimes a new device, such as a PC Card, can cause a system resource 
(IRQ) conflict. Check IRQ usage to determine if there is an IRQ conflict.
To check IRQ usage:
1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window 
opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click 
Performance and Maintenance.
2Click/Double-click System, click the Hardware tab, then click 
Device Manager. The Device Manager window opens.
3Click View, then click Resources by type. Double-click Interrupt 
request (IRQ)
. All IRQs and their hardware assignments are 
displayed.