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Gateway DX442XP User Manual

8512979 - gateway computer user guide (for computers with windows xp)
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GATEWAY COMPUTER
USERGUIDE
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Summary of Contents for Gateway DX442XP

  • Page 1 GATEWAY COMPUTER USERGUIDE ®...

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    Contents Chapter 1: Getting Help ......... . 1 Thank you for purchasing our computer! .
  • Page 4 Contents Faxing from programs ..........27 Faxing a scanned document .
  • Page 5 www.gateway.com Adjusting the color depth ......... . . 56 Adjusting the screen resolution .
  • Page 6 Contents...

  • Page 7: Chapter 1 Getting Help

    CHAPTER Getting Help • Using the Gateway Web site • Using your Reference Guide • Using Help and Support • Getting technical support • Using online help • Getting technical support...

  • Page 8: Thank You For Purchasing Our Computer

    Chapter 1: Getting Help Thank you for purchasing our computer! You have made an excellent decision choosing Gateway. We are sure that you will be pleased with the outstanding quality, reliability, and performance of your new computer. Each and every Gateway computer uses the latest technology and passes through the most stringent quality control tests to ensure that you are provided with the best product possible.

  • Page 9: Searching For A Topic

    www.gateway.com Searching for a topic To search for a topic in Help and Support: Type a word or phrase (keyword) in the box located at the top of any Help and Support Search screen, then press E NTER For each search, you receive the following search result types: •...

  • Page 10: Getting Technical Support

    Chapter 1: Getting Help Getting technical support For more information on contacting Customer Care (technical support), see the “Troubleshooting” chapter in your Reference Guide or see the Customer Care label on your computer. Finding your model and serial number The label on the top, side, or bottom of your computer case includes your computer serial number. Gateway Customer Care will need this information if you call for assistance.

  • Page 11: Chapter 2: Using Windows Xp

    CHAPTER Using Windows XP • Using the Windows desktop • Working with files and folders • Searching for files • Working with documents • Shortcuts...

  • Page 12: Using The Windows Desktop

    Chapter 2: Using Windows XP Using the Windows desktop 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.

  • Page 13: Using The Start Menu

    www.gateway.com Using the Start menu Help For more information about the Windows Start menu, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type Windows Start menu in the Search box, then press E NTER You can start programs, open files, customize your system, get help, search for files and folders, and more using the Start menu.

  • Page 14: Identifying Window Items

    Chapter 2: Using Windows XP Identifying window items Help For more information about windows, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type window in the Search box, then press E NTER 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.

  • Page 15: Working With Files And Folders

    www.gateway.com 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.

  • Page 16: Creating Folders

    Chapter 2: Using Windows XP 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. Folders Files To create a folder:...

  • Page 17: Deleting Files And Folders

    www.gateway.com To copy a file or folder to another folder: Help For more information about copying or moving files and folders, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type copying files and folders or moving files and folders in the Search box, then press E NTER Locate the file or folder you want to copy.

  • Page 18: Searching For Files

    Chapter 2: Using Windows XP To empty the Recycle Bin: Caution Emptying the Recycle Bin permanently erases any files or folders in the bin. These files cannot be restored. Help For more information about emptying the Recycle Bin, click Start, then click Help and Support.

  • Page 19: Using The Windows Search Utility

    www.gateway.com Using the Windows Search utility Help For more information about searching for files and folders, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type searching in the Search box, then press E NTER To find files and folders using the Search utility: Click Start, then click Search.

  • Page 20: Browsing For Files And Folders

    Chapter 2: Using Windows XP Using advanced search options Search can find files meeting more criteria than file name. You can narrow your search by selecting the search options that you want. You can search by the: • Date the file was created or modified. •...

  • Page 21: Working With Documents

    www.gateway.com Working with documents Computer documents include word processing files, spreadsheet files, or other similar files. The basic methods of creating, saving, opening, and printing a document apply to most of these types of files. ® The following examples show how to create, save, open, and print a document using Microsoft WordPad.

  • Page 22: Saving A Document

    Chapter 2: Using Windows XP Saving a document Help For more information about saving documents, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type saving in the Search box, then press E NTER After you create a document, you need to save it if you want to use it later. To save a document: Click File, then click Save.

  • Page 23: Printing A Document

    www.gateway.com Click the arrow button to open the Look in list, then click the folder you want to open. If you do not see the folder you want, browse through the folders listed below the Look in list. Look in list Double-click the document file name.

  • Page 24: Shortcuts

    Chapter 2: Using Windows XP Shortcuts Help For more information about keyboard shortcuts, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type Windows keyboard shortcuts in the Search box, then press E NTER The following table shows a few shortcuts that you can use in Windows and almost all programs that run in Windows.

  • Page 25: Chapter 3: Using The Internet And Faxing

    CHAPTER Using the Internet and Faxing • Learning about the Internet • Setting up an Internet account • Using the World Wide Web • Using e-mail • Installing and configuring Microsoft Fax • Sending a fax • Receiving and viewing a fax...

  • Page 26: Learning About The Internet

    Chapter 3: Using the Internet and Faxing Learning about the Internet The Internet is a worldwide network of computers linked together to provide information to people everywhere. The two most popular services on the Internet are e-mail and the World Wide Web. You can access this network by connecting your computer to a telephone, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), or cable television line and signing up with an Internet service provider (ISP).

  • Page 27: Accessing Your Internet Account

    www.gateway.com Accessing your Internet account Help For general information about using Internet accounts, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type ISP in the Search box, then press E NTER The method you use to access your Internet account varies from ISP to ISP. Contact your ISP for the correct procedure.

  • Page 28: Downloading Files

    Chapter 3: Using the Internet and Faxing Downloading files Caution To protect your computer against viruses, make sure that you scan the files you download. For more information, see “Protecting your computer from viruses” on page Downloading is the process of transferring files from a computer on the Internet to your computer. To download files or programs from a Web site: Connect to your Internet account.

  • Page 29: Sending E-Mail

    www.gateway.com Sending e-mail To send e-mail using Outlook or Outlook Express: Connect to your Internet service provider. Click Start, then click E-Mail. Your default e-mail program opens. Click New. Type the e-mail address of the recipient you want to send e-mail to in the box.

  • Page 30: Configuring Microsoft Fax

    Chapter 3: Using the Internet and Faxing Click Fax Services, then click Next. Click Finish to exit the Windows Components Wizard. Click Exit to close the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP dialog box. -OR- Click Close to close the Add or Remove Programs dialog box. Configuring Microsoft Fax Important The first time you run the Fax Configuration Wizard, you may need to provide...
  • Page 31 www.gateway.com Type the transmitting fax identifier information. This identifier information is required by law. You can type as many as 20 characters in the text box. We suggest using eight characters for your identifier name, followed by 12 characters for your telephone number. Click Next.

  • Page 32: Setting Up Your Cover Page Template

    Chapter 3: Using the Internet and Faxing Setting up your cover page template You can create your own cover page template that you can use in place of the cover page templates that Microsoft Fax provides for you. To create a cover page template, you use the Fax Cover Page Editor.

  • Page 33: Faxing From Programs

    www.gateway.com If you want to send your fax to more than one recipient, click Add and type the name and fax number of the next recipient. When you have added all your recipients, click Next. The Preparing the Cover Page screen opens.

  • Page 34: Automatically Retry Sending A Fax

    Chapter 3: Using the Internet and Faxing Automatically retry sending a fax You can set up Fax so it continues to try sending your fax if the receiving fax machine is busy. Fax is automatically set up to retry three times at ten minute intervals. To automatically retry sending a fax: Click Start, then click Control Panel.

  • Page 35: Receiving And Viewing A Fax

    www.gateway.com Receiving and viewing a fax To receive and view a fax: Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, Fax, then click . The Fax Console Fax Console opens. When the Fax Console is open, it detects incoming faxes and stores them in the Inbox.
  • Page 36 Chapter 3: Using the Internet and Faxing...

  • Page 37: Chapter 4: Playing And Creating Media Files

    CHAPTER Playing and Creating Media Files • Playing music and movies • Creating audio files and music libraries • Creating and editing videos • Creating music CDs and video DVDs • Creating data CDs and DVDs...

  • Page 38: Playing Music And Movies

    Chapter 4: Playing and Creating Media Files Playing music and movies Playing WAV audio files Sound Recorder is a simple Windows program that lets you record and play WAV files. WAV is the most common audio file format used for your Windows system sounds. To play a WAV audio file in Sound Recorder: Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click Sound Recorder.

  • Page 39: Playing Audio And Video Files

    www.gateway.com Playing audio and video files Windows Media Player can play several types of audio and video files, including WAV, MIDI, MP3, AU, AVI, and MPEG formats. For more information about using Windows Media Player, click Help To play a file using Windows Media Player: Click Start, All Programs, then click Windows Media Player.
  • Page 40 Chapter 4: Playing and Creating Media Files If a dialog box opens with a list of CD players or DVD players, click Windows Media Player. Windows Media Player opens. - OR - If a dialog box does not open with a list of CD players or DVD players, click Start, All Programs, then click Windows Media Player.

  • Page 41: Creating Audio Files And Music Libraries

    www.gateway.com Creating audio files and music libraries Creating music files Help For more information about making or playing an audio recording, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type recording audio or playing audio in the Search box, then press E NTER You can create several types of audio files for your listening enjoyment, including WAV, MP3, and WMA files.
  • Page 42 Chapter 4: Playing and Creating Media Files Creating WMA and MP3 music files Important Some music CDs have copy protection software. You cannot copy tracks from these CDs. Using Windows Media Player, you can copy the tracks from a music CD to your computer’s hard drive as WMA or MP3 files.

  • Page 43: Building A Music Library

    www.gateway.com Building a music library Use Windows Media Player to build a music library. You can organize your music tracks (individual MP3 or WMA audio files) by categories, find a track quickly by sorting, and add information to a music file. You can add music tracks to your music library by: •...

  • Page 44: Creating And Editing Videos

    Chapter 4: Playing and Creating Media Files Creating and editing videos If your home video camera supports it, it can be connected to your computer so that you can download video from the camera as data files. You can also create video from a Web cam attached to your computer.

  • Page 45: Editing Your Video

    www.gateway.com If the wizard does not open, click Capture From Video Device. Complete the screens in the Video Capture Wizard, clicking Next after each one. Caution Video files may require a significant amount of free hard drive space depending on your settings. A one hour tape may require more than 10 GB of hard drive space for storage with additional space required for editing.

  • Page 46: Creating Music Cds And Video Dvds

    Chapter 4: Playing and Creating Media Files Creating music CDs and video DVDs Creating a music CD If your computer has a recordable CD drive, you can create (burn) music CDs from your music files. Important We recommend that you do not use your computer for other tasks while creating CDs or DVDs.

  • Page 47: Creating Data Cds And Dvds

    www.gateway.com Click Edit Playlist. The Edit Playlist dialog box opens. Click songs in the left column to add them to the playlist. After all the songs are added to your list, click OK. Click Start Burn. Creating data CDs and DVDs If your computer has a recordable CD drive, you can create (burn) your files onto a recordable disc.
  • Page 48 Chapter 4: Playing and Creating Media Files...

  • Page 49: Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer

    CHAPTER Networking Your Computer • Introduction to Networking • Creating an Ethernet network • Testing your network • Sharing resources • Using the network • Adding a printer to your network...

  • Page 50: Introduction To Networking

    Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer Introduction to Networking An 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.
  • Page 51 www.gateway.com Attached to the router are all of your computers or Ethernet-ready devices. Also connected to the router is a cable or DSL modem that provides access to the Internet. Cable/DSL modem Router Equipment you need for a router-based Ethernet network Important For best results, all Ethernet components should be either standard Ethernet (10 Mbps), Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps or 10/100), or Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps or 10/100/1000).

  • Page 52: Creating An Ethernet Network

    Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer Creating an Ethernet network Installing Ethernet cards and drivers After you have determined the type of Ethernet you are using for your network, you need to install Ethernet cards and drivers on the computers that do not have Ethernet already installed. Use the documentation that comes with your Ethernet cards for instructions on installing the card and any required drivers.

  • Page 53: Configuring The Tcp/Ip Protocol

    www.gateway.com Configuring the TCP/IP protocol A networking protocol is a language computers use to talk to each other. One of several available protocols must be set up on each computer you plan to use on your network. We recommend you use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), which is widely accepted and compatible for local area networks (LANs), as well as for Internet communications.

  • Page 54: Setting Up An Ethernet Network

    Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer Click the General tab. Click Obtain an IP address automatically. Click OK to close the Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) Properties dialog box. Click OK to close the Local Area Connection Properties dialog box. Click × to close the Network Connections window. Repeat this procedure for every computer on your network.

  • Page 55: Configuring Your Router

    www.gateway.com Setting up a network using a router If you are setting up a network for more than two computers and you will be connecting your network to a high-speed Broadband Internet connection (cable or DSL modem), we recommend the use of a router. A router lets you access the Internet connection from any network computer. The router can assign IP addresses to the computers on the network and can provide firewall protection for your network as well.

  • Page 56: Testing Your Network

    Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer Testing your network Now that your home network is set up, log onto one of your computers and access a favorite Internet Web site. If you are unable to connect to the Internet: • Run the New Connection Wizard (for more information, see “Setting up an Internet account”...
  • Page 57 www.gateway.com Click the Sharing tab. If this is the first time you have shared a drive or folder, click Network Setup Wizard to enable remote access, then follow the on-screen instructions. - OR - If you have previously enabled remote file access and you want to share a drive or folder with others on the network (network sharing), click to select the Share this folder on the network check box, type a shared name in the Shared name box.

  • Page 58: Using The Network

    Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer Using the network After the drives and printers on each network computer are shared, you can: • View shared drives and folders • Map a network drive • Open and copy files stored on other network computers •...

  • Page 59: Copying Files Across The Network

    www.gateway.com Copying files across the network To copy files across the network: Click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens. Browse to the network drive that contains the file you want to copy. Browse to the file you want to copy. Click the file.
  • Page 60 Chapter 5: Networking Your Computer...

  • Page 61: Chapter 6: Customizing Windows

    CHAPTER Customizing Windows • Adjusting the screen and desktop settings • Using a second monitor • Viewing the display on a television • Changing the mouse settings • Adding and modifying user accounts • Changing power-saving settings...

  • Page 62: Adjusting The Screen And Desktop Settings

    Chapter 6: Customizing Windows Adjusting the screen and desktop settings If you are using a monitor, you can adjust the screen settings for brightness, contrast, and horizontal and vertical image position using the controls on the front of your monitor. For more information about these adjustments, see your monitor’s user guide.

  • Page 63: Adjusting The Screen Resolution

    www.gateway.com Adjusting the screen resolution Help For more information about adjusting screen resolution, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type changing screen resolution in the Search Help box, then press NTER You can increase the screen resolution to fit more icons on your desktop, or you can decrease the resolution to make reading the display easier.

  • Page 64: Changing The Desktop Background

    Chapter 6: Customizing Windows Click the Appearance tab. Click the arrow button to open the Color scheme list, click the color scheme you want, then click OK. The new colors appear on your desktop. - OR - If you want to create a new color scheme as part of a desktop theme, see the following procedure.

  • Page 65: Selecting A Screen Saver

    www.gateway.com Click the Desktop tab. Click a background picture in the Background list. - OR - Click Browse to select a background picture from another location. If you want the picture you chose to cover the entire screen, click the arrow button to open the Position list, then click Stretch or Tile.
  • Page 66 Chapter 6: Customizing Windows Click the Screen Saver tab. Click the arrow button to open the Screen Saver list, then click the screen saver you want. Windows previews the screen saver. • If you want to customize the screen saver, click Settings, then make your changes the Settings button is not available, you cannot customize the screen saver you selected.

  • Page 67: Using An Extended Desktop

    www.gateway.com Using an extended desktop If your computer supports dual monitors (it must have multiple monitor ports), you can use a second monitor to roughly double the size of your Windows desktop. You can use the additional desktop space to accommodate additional windows. To turn on extended desktop: Right-click any empty space on the desktop, then click Properties.

  • Page 68: Viewing The Display On A Television

    Chapter 6: Customizing Windows Plug the projector’s or monitor’s power cord into an AC power outlet, then turn it on. Windows recognizes the new hardware and searches for its driver. You may need to install the driver from the disc supplied by the manufacturer or download the driver from the manufacturer’s Web site.
  • Page 69 www.gateway.com Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Appearance and Themes. Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens. Click the Settings tab. Click Advanced. The Multiple Monitors Properties dialog box opens. (Your dialog box may look different.) Click the Displays tab.

  • Page 70: Modifying Television Settings

    Chapter 6: Customizing Windows Click the Enable TV button if it is not already enabled, then click Apply. Important If the Enable TV and TV buttons are grayed out, your computer has not detected the television. Make sure that the television is turned on and connected correctly.

  • Page 71: Changing The Mouse Settings

    www.gateway.com Changing the mouse settings Help For more information about changing mouse settings, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type mouse settings in the Search Help box, then press E NTER You can adjust the double-click speed, pointer speed, left-hand or right-hand configuration, and other mouse settings.
  • Page 72 Chapter 6: Customizing Windows To add, delete, or modify user accounts: Click Start, then click Control Panel. Click/Double-click the User Accounts icon. The User Accounts window opens. Help For more information about user accounts, click Start, then click Help and Support.

  • Page 73: Changing Power-Saving Settings

    www.gateway.com Changing power-saving settings Changing the power scheme Help For more information about changing the power scheme, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type power scheme in the Search Help box, then press E NTER Power schemes (groups of power settings) let you change power saving options such as when the monitor or hard drive is automatically turned off.

  • Page 74: Changing Advanced Power Settings

    Chapter 6: Customizing Windows Changing advanced power settings Help For more information about changing the power management settings, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type power management in the Search Help box, then press E NTER Advanced power settings let you assign different power saving modes to the power button. To change advanced power management settings: Click Start, then click Control Panel.

  • Page 75: Installing An Uninterruptible Power Supply

    www.gateway.com Click the Hibernate tab. Click the Enable hibernation check box, then click Apply. Hibernate mode is now an option you can select in the Power Schemes and Advanced tabs and in the Shut Down Windows dialog box. Click OK. To use Hibernate mode: •...
  • Page 76 Chapter 6: Customizing Windows Click the UPS tab. Click Select. The UPS Selection dialog box opens. Click the manufacturer and model of the UPS device, then click the serial port where the UPS device is attached. Click Finish, then click OK.

  • Page 77: Chapter 7: Protecting Your Computer

    CHAPTER Protecting Your Computer • Hardware security • Data security • Security updates...

  • Page 78: Hardware Security

    Chapter 7: Protecting Your Computer Hardware security Although you may be able to replace your computer with a call to your insurance agent, you cannot replace the information stored on your computer. Take steps to prevent theft of your computer. Kensington lock slot The first step in computer security is preventing your computer from being stolen.

  • Page 79: About Windows Xp User Accounts

    www.gateway.com About Windows XP user accounts Windows lets you set up a user account for each person who uses your computer. When you set up user accounts, Windows sets up a My Documents folder for each account. You can assign a password to each account so only the account owner can access files in the My Documents folder.

  • Page 80: Using Norton Internet Security

    Chapter 7: Protecting Your Computer Using Norton Internet Security Norton Internet Security helps protect your computer from viruses, spyware, and identity theft. To learn more about these features, including how to schedule system scans and security updates, click Learn More on the right side of the screen. For additional help and technical support, click Help &...

  • Page 81: Using Windows Xp Security Center

    www.gateway.com Updating your virus and spyware definitions You should update your virus definitions frequently so Norton Internet Security can recognize the latest threats. To update your virus and spyware definitions: Make sure that you are connected to the Internet. Click (Start), All Programs, Norton Internet Security, then click Norton Internet Security.
  • Page 82 Chapter 7: Protecting Your Computer Modifying security settings To modify security settings: Click Start, Control Panel, then double-click Security Center. The Windows Security Center dialog box opens. Click Internet Options or Windows Firewall. For more information about the Windows Security Center, click Get help about Security Center.

  • Page 83: Security Updates

    www.gateway.com Security updates To keep your computer secure, you need to keep Windows XP and your computer’s system software up to date. Windows Update If a hacker finds a way to bypass the security features built into Windows XP, Microsoft creates a high-priority Windows update to fix the problem.

  • Page 84: Bigfix

    Chapter 7: Protecting Your Computer Windows XP Security Center Use the Windows XP Security Center to schedule automatic updates. Windows can routinely check for the latest important updates for your computer and install them automatically. To schedule automatic updates: Click Start, Control Panel, then double-click Security Center. Click Automatic Updates.

  • Page 85: Index

    Index configuring using screen saver router documentation accessing TCP/IP protocol Gateway Web site shared drives connecting help shared files external monitor Help and Support shared folders projector online help accounts television documents Internet to Internet creating to Web site opening user connections printing...
  • Page 86 Index sending scanned image cable setting up cover page dial-up i.Link port template IEEE 1394 port files monitor installing copying adding external cutting changing resolution Internet deleting color quality account downloading controls connecting to finding display properties downloading files moving multiple requirements to access opening...
  • Page 87 www.gateway.com files across network router support folders configuring using programs S-Video (TV) out jack saving pasting documents files and folders video taskbar text and graphics screen TCP/IP protocol playing adjusting settings configuring audio CD changing color depth telephone audio file changing number of colors automatically canceling fax Media Player file...
  • Page 88 Index editing editing track information playing playing saving Wordpad transferring to computer workgroup Video Capture Wizard naming viewing World Wide Web (WWW) shared drives downloading files shared folders virus protecting against removing WAV file Web browser Web page Web site connecting to downloading files Gateway...
  • Page 90 MAN GERSHWIN XP USR GDE R0 3/08...

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