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Transferring files
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Finding your files
Many programs automatically save your personal data files in the 
My Documents folder. Look in your old computer’s My Documents folder for 
personal data files. Use Windows Find or Search to locate other personal data 
files. For more information, see “To find files using Find or Search:” on 
page 222, or “Searching for files” on page 60.
To find files in the My Documents folder:
1In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Documents. The My Documents 
window opens and displays many of your saved personal data files. Go to 
Step 4.
- OR -
In Windows 98, Windows Me, or Windows 2000, double-click the 
My Computer icon on the desktop. Go to the next step.
2Double-click the C:\ drive icon.
3Double-click the My Documents folder. The My Documents window opens 
and displays many of your saved personal data files.
4Copy your personal data files to removable media or to another computer 
on your network.
You can often identify different data file types by looking at the file’s extension 
(the part of the file name following the last period). For example, a document 
file might have a .DOC extension and a spreadsheet file might have an .XLS 
extension.
File type File usually ends in...
Documents .DOC, .TXT, .RTF, .HTM, .HTML, .DOT
Spreadsheets .XLS, .XLT, .TXT
Pictures .JPG, .BMP, .GIF, .PDF, .PCT, .TIF, .PNG, .EPS
Movies .MPEG, .MPG, .AVI, .GIF, .MOV
Sound and Music .WAV, .CDA, .MP3, .MID, .MIDI, .WMA 
						

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To find files using Find or Search:
1In Windows XP, click Start, then click Search. The Search Results window 
opens.
- OR -
In Windows 98, Windows Me, or Windows 2000, click 
Start, Find or Search, 
then click 
For Files or Folders. The Search Results window opens.
2Use Windows Find or Search to locate data files by file name or file type. 
For help on finding files, click 
Help, then click Help and Support Center or 
Help Topics. For more information, see “Searching for files” on page 60.
Transferring Internet settings
You can use different methods to transfer your Internet account from your old 
computer to your new one.
Setting up your ISP
■If your current Internet service provider (ISP) software came preinstalled 
on your new notebook, run that setup program. If it asks to set up a new 
account or an existing one, choose to set up an existing account.
■If your current ISP software is not preinstalled on your new notebook, 
locate the original Internet setup program provided by your local ISP, or 
contact your ISP to see if they have an updated version of their software, 
and install it on your new notebook.
■If you use MSN as your ISP, or if you know your ISP settings, use the 
Windows Internet Connection Wizard.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about finding files in Windows XP, 
click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword searching for files in the Search box 
, click the arrow, then click the 
Full-text Search Matches button. 
						

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Installing your old printer or scanner
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To use the Internet Connection Wizard:
1Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, then click New 
Connection Wizard
. The New Connection wizard opens.
2Configure your Internet settings by following the on-screen instructions.
Transferring your e-mail and address book
See your old e-mail program’s online help for information on exporting and 
importing e-mail messages and the address book. You can often export all of 
your old e-mail messages or address book to recordable media, then import 
them into your new notebook’s e-mail program. You may also want to consider 
printing the old information or using your old computer to send the e-mail 
messages to yourself, then using your new notebook to retrieve the e-mail 
messages.
Transferring your Internet shortcuts
You can export and import your old Netscape Navigator bookmarks or 
Microsoft Internet Explorer favorites. For more information, see your Internet 
browser program’s online help.
Installing your old printer or 
scanner
Windows may have built-in support for older printers, scanners, or other 
peripheral devices. This means you do not need any additional software. Newer 
devices, however, usually require your original software installation CDs or 
diskettes.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about setting up an Internet 
connection in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and 
Support.
Type the keyword Internet connection in the Search 
box  , then click the arrow. 
						

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If you have trouble after you install the software for your old devices, you can 
use System Restore to restore your notebook’s previous settings.
Installing a USB printer or scanner
USB devices may have special installation instructions. See your USB device’s 
installation guide.
Installing a parallel port printer
You can usually install parallel port printers by following these steps.
To install your old printer:
1Shut down and turn off your notebook.
2Connect your parallel port printer.
3Turn on your printer, then turn on your notebook.
4If Windows detects your printer, install your printer by following the 
on-screen instructions. You are finished.
- OR -
If Windows does not detect the printer, go to the next step.
5In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel 
window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click 
Printers 
and Other Hardware
.
- OR -
In Windows 2000, click 
Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control 
Panel window opens.
6Click/Double-click the Printers and Faxes or Printers icon, then click Add a 
printer
 or Add Printer. The Add Printer wizard opens.
Help and 
SupportFor information about restoring your notebook’s previous 
settings in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and 
Support.
Type the keyword System Restore in the Search box 
, then click the arrow. 
						

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Installing your old programs
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7Install your printer by following the on-screen instructions.
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.
Installing your old programs
You probably use some programs that did not come installed on your new 
notebook, 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 notebook. 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 
notebook’s previous settings using System Restore.
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 Search box 
, then click the arrow.
Tips & TricksIf your new notebook 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 notebook’s 
previous settings in Windows XP, click Start, then click 
Help and Support.
Type the keyword System Restore in the Search box 
, then click the arrow. 
						

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Chapter 12: Moving From Your Old Computer
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							13
227
Maintaining Your
Gateway M675
This chapter provides basic information about maintaining 
your notebook hardware and software. Read this chapter 
to learn how to:
■Care for your notebook
■Protect your notebook from viruses
■Manage hard drive space
■Back up files
■Clean your notebook 
						

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Caring for your notebook
To extend the life of your notebook:
■Be careful not to bump or drop your notebook, and do not put any objects 
on top of it. The case, although strong, is not made to support extra weight.
■When transporting your notebook, we recommend that you put it in a 
carrying case.
■Keep diskettes, modular drives, and your notebook away from magnetic 
fields. Magnetic fields can erase data on both diskettes and hard drives.
■Never turn off your notebook when the hard drive light is on because data 
on the hard drive could be lost or corrupted.
■Avoid subjecting your notebook 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 notebook is safest 
at temperatures that are comfortable for you.
■Keep all liquids away from your notebook. When spilled onto notebook 
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.
■Do not block the ventilation fan.
■When storing your notebook for an extended period of time, unplug AC 
power and remove the battery after discharging it partway. 
						

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Caring for your notebook
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Maintenance schedule
Use the following table to set up a regular maintenance schedule.
Maintenance task Monthly When needed See...
Check for viruses X Xpage 230
Manage hard drive space Xpage 233
Clean up hard drives X Xpage 234
Scan hard drive for errors X Xpage 235
Defragment hard drive X Xpage 237
Back up files X Xpage 239
Recalibrate the battery Xpage 170
Clean notebook case Xpage 241
Clean keyboard Xpage 242
Clean notebook screen Xpage 242
Clean mouse Xpage 242 
						

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Protecting your notebook 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 notebook 
to malfunction. Some viruses go undetected for a period of time because they 
are activated on a certain date.
Protect your notebook 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 notebook 
against viruses in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help 
and Support.
Type the keyword viruses in the Search box 
, then click the arrow.