Compaq reference guide deskpro 4000 and deskpro 6000 series of personal computers (234 pages)
Summary of Contents for Compaq 233789-371
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My Presario - Getting Started 233789-371 www.compaq.com...
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All other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. Compaq shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
RESARIO ETTING TARTED Congratulations! As the owner of a new Compaq Internet PC, you have joined the world-wide community of Presario computer users. Once your computer is set-up and connected to the Internet, you can explore vast regions of information, entertainment, and online services.
Who Should Read This Guide? This guide is designed for both beginners and experienced computer users.You can read from cover to cover to learn basic information about your computer or scan the guide for information on a specific topic. The Glossary, in the back of this guide, has brief definitions of computer terms in everyday language.
Caution: Failure to follow directions may result in damage to equipment or loss of data. Computer Illustrations and Features The computer illustrations shown and the features described in this guide may differ slightly from your Compaq Presario Internet PC. Failure to follow directions may result in bodily harm or loss of life.
Warranty Certificate The warranty details Compaq’s commitment to repair or replace parts during the warranty period, and it lists important Compaq telephone numbers. In the event of a mechanical problem, contact Compaq, not the retailer that sold you the computer.
Safety Your computer is an electrical device. Treat it with care to avoid personal injury and damage to the equipment. Warning To reduce the risk of electric shock and damage to the equipment, read the Safety and Comfort guide on the My Presario—Learning More CD before performing any procedures involving the...
➜ Advanced features of your computer ➜ Solving computer problems ➜ Safety and comfort ➜ Compaq service and support ➜ Upgrading your computer ➜ Government regulatory information Did you know ... Electronic documents often have hyperlinks to help you find information quickly.
It also walks you through the process of registering your computer and setting up an Internet Service Provider (ISP) account. The remaining chapters of this guide show you how easy it is to use your Compaq Presario. Note: Illustrations and features shown may differ slightly from your Computer.
Your Computer at a Glance Before you begin, you’ll want to become familiar with the components of your Compaq Presario. Some components have colour-coded connectors that match the ports on the back of your computer. 2-2 S ETTING OMPUTER Your Computer at a Glance What’s in Front? (5000 Series)
—G RESARIO ETTING TARTED What’s in Front? (3200 Series) 1 Power On button 2 CD-ROM, CD-RW, or DVD-ROM drive 3 Disk drive 4 Two universal serial bus (USB) ports for connecting peripheral devices, such as gamepads, joysticks, and video cameras What’s in Back? (3200 Series) 1 Modem port for connecting to a phone line...
Plug In and Go! If a cable is disconnected or you move your computer to another location, this topic helps you to quickly set up again. It’s a good idea to purchase a surge protector to protect your computer from electrical spikes and power surges.
—G RESARIO ETTING TARTED Setting Up Your Computer (3200 Series) Note: Do not set up the printer until your computer has been set up. 1. Connect the monitor according to the colour coding, icons, and the instructions from the monitor manufacturer.
Setup, Login, Setup, Login, and Passwords and Passwords 2-6 S ETTING OMPUTER Setting up Microsoft Windows 2000 Note: When you first start your computer, you may see a startup routine before the Setup Wizard appears. This may take several minutes, so do not restart the computer during this process.
Setup, Login,and Passwords (continued) —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED Note: You can change your computer name later using the System icon on the Control Panel. ➜ Type and Administrator password in order to keep your computer secure. Click Next. IMPORTANT! You can leave this password blank if you do not want to set your PC up for multiple users with controlled access.
To register your new Presario Internet PC with Compaq, complete the enclosed pre-addressed postcard with your name, address, and other personal information and return it to Compaq. Registering with Microsoft The next step is to register with Microsoft. You can open the Getting Started with Windows 2000 screen at any time by clicking on Start, then Run.
Registration (continued) —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED ➜ Follow the on-screen instructions until registration is complete. ➜ You will be returned to the Getting Started screen. Make a selection from the menu to learn more about Windows or connecting to the Internet. You can also click Exit to return to the desktop.
Printer Setup After setting up and registering your computer, you are ready to set up your printer. A printer allows you to print any document from your My Presario— Learning More CD, your e-mail, and Web sites. Did you know ... Most new computers have a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port for a new printer that...
—G RESARIO ETTING TARTED Setting Up Your Printer (3200 Series) 1. Complete Plug In and Go! and Registration first (described on previous pages). 2. Set up the printer according to the printer manufacturer’s instructions. 3. Connect the printer to the back of your computer according to the icons.
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2-12 S —G ETTING OMPUTER RESARIO ETTING TARTED...
Windows Basics In This Chapter Features of the Windows Desktop, 3-2 Help, 3-4 See also ... For more information on the Windows desktop, refer to the Getting Started: Microsoft Windows manual that came with your computer. —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED Microsoft Windows is the operating system that runs on your computer.
Features of the Windows Desktop Although computers vary based on specific hardware and software, the Windows desktop has many standard features. In this section, you are introduced to the major components of the desktop: ➜ Icons ➜ Taskbar ➜ Start menu ➜...
When you click the Start button, a menu is displayed that allows you to select tasks, such as: ➜ Starting a programme ➜ Finding or opening a document ➜ Changing your computer settings ➜ Shutting down the computer Did you know ... You should always turn off your computer by selecting Shut Down from the Start...
Help Microsoft Windows includes online documentation to help answer your questions about how the computer operating system works. Did you know ... If you are not familiar with the features of Microsoft Windows, several tutorials are available through Microsoft’s online Help file. The Microsoft Web site, at www.microsoft.com, offers numerous tools and...
Using Your Computer In This Chapter Keyboard Basics, 4-2 Keyboard Buttons, 4-3 Scroll Mouse, 4-9 Speakers, 4-11 Diskette, Hard Drive, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, and Zip Drives, 4-12 Internet Video Camera, 4-22 —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED In this chapter, you learn about the following exciting, easy-to-use features of your computer: ➜...
Keyboard Basics The standard keys perform the following functions: ➜ Main keys are the typewriter-style keys. ➜ Function keys are the F1 through F12 keys. Two of these keys are active even without a programme running. F1 allows you to get help on Windows-related topics.
Keyboard Buttons The keyboard buttons make it easier and faster to get on the Internet, use your favourite software, or listen to your favourite CD. You might even want to watch a movie or send an e-mail. The CD/DVD control buttons provide a quick and easy way to play a CD or a DVD movie at the touch of...
Web page filled with local weather, news, sports and financial information. My Presario is your instant connection to Compaq for getting the most out of your computer and the Internet. Learn about the top Internet Zones or adventure into your favourite Activity centres to get creative using the Web.
You can access your favourite programme, Web site, or document by pressing the Quick Launch Web buttons. These are the Help and My programme D buttons. See also ... “ Refer to Preventive ” Maintenance on the My Presario—Learning More CD for additional information on service and support.
After you assign the My programme D button settings, pressing the button automatically opens your selected software, Web site, or document. See also ... Instructions for reassigning this button are found on the My Presario—Learning More The Volume Control buttons allow you to control the volume of your computer.
If you’re going to be away from your computer but want to leave the power on, you can let your computer go to sleep. This process allows you to run programmes while your computer goes into a low- power state, which saves energy.
E-mail indicates when you have e-mail waiting to be read. Note: This light only works with POP3 Internet services such as Compaq.NET powered by MSN. The light does not work with proprietary Internet services such as AOL. Sleep indicates the computer is in the sleep mode.
Scroll Mouse Your computer comes with a scroll mouse. The scroll mouse directs a cursor on the Windows desktop. You use the mouse to move quickly and easily through a document or Web site. Instead of using the scroll bar to display pages, move the scroll wheel on your mouse forward or backward through a...
AutoScroll allows you to move forward and backward through a document without having to move the mouse or mouse wheel continuously. Did you know ... The scroll mouse can be customised for a left-handed user from the Mouse Properties dialog box. (Open the Control Panel and right-click the mouse icon.) 4-10 U...
Speaker options depend on which model you purchase. However, the JBL Platinum Series are the standard speakers that come with most new Compaq Presario monitors. You can use the speakers freestanding or mount them to the side of the monitor. For more...
Diskette, Hard Drive, CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, and Zip Drives Your computer may have one or more drives depending on the model you purchased: ➜ Diskette drive ➜ Hard drive ➜ CD-ROM drive ➜ CD-RW drive ➜ DVD-ROM drive ➜ Zip drive Each drive has different size capacities for storing information.
—G RESARIO ETTING TARTED 2. To remove a diskette, press the Eject button 2 on the diskette drive. Caution: Wait until the diskette-drive activity is complete (the activity light stops glowing) before removing a diskette. Removing a diskette when the drive is reading from or writing to the diskette can damage the diskette or the information stored on it.
The CD-ROM drive allows you to read data from a CD or listen to a music CD. The CD-RW drive allows you to read and write data to a disc(s) for storage, and allows you to listen to music or read data CDs. The DVD-ROM drive allows you to view your favourite movies, listen to...
—G RESARIO ETTING TARTED CD-ROM, CD-RW, or DVD-ROM Drive (3200 Series) Note: Your computer must be turned on before you can insert or remove a disc. To insert a CD into an optical drive, follow these steps: 1. Press the Load/Eject button to open the drive door.
A CD-ROM drive reads CDs, CD-R, and CD-RW media. A DVD-ROM drive reads all CD media, plus DVD discs. When you have finished listening to the CD, store the disc in the storage compartment on the front of your computer or in its protective case.
—G RESARIO ETTING TARTED 2. If, after a few seconds, the disc does not automatically start playing, press the Play/Pause ® button on the keyboard. 3. Perform the following tasks using your Internet keyboard as needed: Click the Pause à button to pause play. ➜...
Did you know ... When attempting to play a DVD that does not match the drive’s region setting, you will see the message, “The disk region is different from the region of the drive … Do you wish to change the drive region?”...
The CD-RW drive allows you to create your own CDs. You can buy two types of media: CD-R and CD-RW. CD-R media can be played on most of the newer CD players, CD-ROM, and DVD-ROM drives. CD-R media can be written to only once.
The Zip drive makes organising, copying, storing, and transporting large files easy. The Zip drive uses a Zip disk, which gives you more storage space than a diskette. A Zip disk offers extra space for the following types of tasks: ➜...
Logitech Spotlife Web site which includes 15MB of free Web space for: ➜ Video broadcasting live over the Internet ➜ Chatting directly with viewers using text or audio Visit the Spotlife Web site at www.compaq.com/go/spotlife —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED...
Welcome to the Web In This Chapter Basic Concepts, 5-2 Internet Connection, 5-3 Web Searches, 5-4 E-mail, 5-5 Content Advisor, 5-8 My Presario Web Site, 5-10 —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED In just a few moments, you will be on the World Wide Web. It is estimated that thousands of new users will be joining you to connect to the Internet for the very first time! In this chapter, you begin to explore the endless possibilities of...
Basic Concepts Internet, Web, URL, hyperlinks, cyberspace— sound confusing? The Internet definitely has its own terminology. Take a few moments to understand some basic concepts that will help you start surfing the Web. To begin surfing, you need to establish an Internet Service Provider (ISP) account.
Internet Connection Web pages are viewed with a Web browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer . A Web browser is a program that lets you view and explore information on the Web. Common features of a Web browser include: ➜ Home page—your starting point for exploring the Web...
Web Searches One way to find what you’re looking for on the Web is to use a search engine—your personal guide to the Web. A search engine takes information that is scattered on Web sites all around the world and lists it for easy viewing and printing.
E-mail E-mail (electronic mail) is very similar to the mail the postal carrier delivers to your home or office— except much faster. You can send letters, pictures, postcards—even music and video clips—to friends, family, and co-workers in an instant. Outlook Express is an e-mail program that comes with your computer.
To send and receive e-mail, you need an e-mail address so that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) will know where to “pick up” and “deliver” mail. See also ... The My Presario—Learning More CD has information on finding e-mail addresses. Did you know ...
Now that you’ve connected to an ISP, set up Outlook Express, and have an Internet address, it’s time to write your first e-mail message. E-mail addresses are written in a very specific way. Be sure the e-mail address you enter contains no spaces and has a period after the server name.
Content Advisor You receive e-mail messages automatically, even when your computer is shut down! Your ISP stores these messages until you decide to open your e-mail program and read them. Note: Button functions may vary by model and by region. 5-8 W ELCOME TO THE Reading Your Outlook Express...
The Internet provides you with access to a wide variety ofinformation, but some information may not be suitable for every viewer. With Content Advisor, you can: ➜ Control Internet access. ➜ Set up a password. ➜ Set up a list of Web sites that people who use your computer cannot view.
5-10 W ELCOME TO THE Checking Your Registration My Presario Web Site 1. Press the D on the Internet keyboard. The Compaq My Presario Web site is displayed. 2. Click customise My Presario. 3. Verify that your personal information is correct.
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Common Tasks In This Chapter Print Basics, 6-2 Digital Audio Files, 6-3 Games, 6-3 Software, 6-4 —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED In this chapter, you learn how to perform some of the more common activities with your new Internet PC. More details about these and other everyday activities can be found on the My Presario—Learning More CD.
Print Basics To print one or more pages from a document file or Web page, you have to connect your printer and install the necessary software. These procedures are detailed in the “Setting Up Your Computer” chapter in this guide. To see what the document will look like when printed, select the Print Preview...
Games Your new Internet PC is not only a powerful tool for surfing the Internet and running software, it also allows you to play some games. Before purchasing a game, check the computer requirements (listed on the outside of the game box) to make sure that your computer is configured correctly for the game you...
Software You may want to purchase and install additional software. Software can be installed from a CD, DVD, or diskette, and it can be downloaded from a Web site. The installation process automatically begins when you insert the CD in the disc drive.
If you download software from a Web site, follow the installation instructions that are usually displayed on the Web page. If installation instructions are not available, complete the steps listed here. Did you know ... Before downloading files of any kind from the Internet, make sure that call-waiting is disabled, and that your anti-virus utility is running.
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6-6 C —G OMMON ASKS RESARIO ETTING TARTED...
Computer Upgrades In This Chapter Internal Components, 7-2 Upgrading Components, Adding Components, 7-6 —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED In this chapter, you learn how to access the internal parts of the computer and how to perform basic upgrades. Many components of the computer are replaceable and upgradable.
Internal Components Your Computer is constructed with an Easy Access panel. This design makes accessing the internal parts easy. Warning Failure to disconnect the power from the computer may result in personal injury. L L L L Caution: Before working with the components inside the computer, you must ground yourself and the...
Upgrading Components The CD-ROM, CD-RW, and DVD-ROM drives are often called optical drives because they use light to read and write information. Your CD-ROM drive reads data from a CD. They are a popular choice for software and data distribution due to the combination of large storage capacity and high quality performance.
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The upper front panel door was designed with finger holes to make opening the door easy. The drive data cable has a colour pull tab to help you identify the cable. The drive rails snap on and off the drive(s). Save the drive rails that came with your computer.
Memory is the workspace for your computer. Data and instructions are stored temporarily in memory. The most powerful processor and the fastest hard drive will not perform well without the workroom to keep the programme and data close at hand. There are several different types of memory modules.
Adding Components The hard drive is used to store information permanently inside your computer. Did you know ... Did you know ... You need a screw and a data (ribbon) cable to install an optional hard drive. The empty bracket for the optional hard drive already exists in your computer chassis.
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—G RESARIO ETTING TARTED 4. Line up the hard drive data cable with the pins on the hard drive. Make sure you do not bend the pins. Connect the hard drive data cable 1 and power cable 2 to the new hard drive.
Adding Components (continued) An expansion card is a circuit board that fits into a computer expansion slot to add a certain function such as a modem, sound or audio card, Network Interface Card (NIC), or Small Computer System Interface (SCSI) adapter. This topic shows you how to add or replace expansion and option cards in your...
Need Some Help? In This Chapter Helpful Hints, 8-2 QuickRestore CD, 8-3 Compaq Support, 8-4 Troubleshooting, 8-5 —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED This chapter provides information on how to identify and fix common problems that may occur with your computer. Without contacting a technician, you can easily diagnose and fix many computer problems on your own.
F10 key (on most models, this is when the cursor is blinking in the upper right corner of the display with the word COMPAQ displayed in red on a black background). L L L L Caution: The BIOS setup is for advanced users.
QuickRestore The QuickRestore CD can reinstall the software to the state it was in when you purchased the computer. You also have the option of restoring your computer to the way it was when you performed the last User Backup. User Backup creates USER.PQI files.
➜ Visit the Compaq Web Site at: www.compaq.com ➜ Contact Compaq Technical Support at the telephone number listed in your Certificate of Warranty. —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED...
Troubleshooting If a solution does not fix your problem, try all solutions for the symptom or try the solution a second time. Before contacting Technical Support, keep in mind that the information needed to correct the problem may be at your fingertips.
Symptom CD-ROM, CD-RW, or DVD-ROM drive cannot read a disc or takes too long to start. Recording audio CDs is difficult or impossible. 8-6 N CD-ROM, CD-RW, or DVD-ROM Problem CD has been inserted Reinsert the CD with the label facing up. upside down.
Enter key. The following message is displayed: SYSTEM TRANSFERRED. This task will restore the system files to the hard disk. 4. Restart your computer. Hard drive has failed. Call Compaq Technical Support. Refer to your Certificate of Warranty for details. Solution icon on ? 8-7...
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Symptom Diskette drive light stays on. Diskette drive cannot save information to diskette. 8-8 N Problem Diskette has been Remove the diskette and reinsert it as follows: improperly inserted. Insert the edge with the sliding cover into the drive, face up, and push all the way in until the diskette stops.
Screen is blank. —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED Problem Diskette drive has Call Compaq Technical Support. Refer to your failed. Certificate of Warranty for details. Diskette is not To format the diskette: formatted. 1. On the Windows desktop, double-click the My Computer 2.
System Tools, and then click Maintenance Wizard. 3. Select Perform maintenance now. 4. Click OK. Part of hard drive has Call Compaq Technical Support. Refer to your potential to fail or Certificate of Warranty for details. could already have failed.
Symptom Cannot connect to the Internet. Cannot automatically launch Internet programmes. Internet takes too long to download Web sites. —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED Internet Access Problem Internet Service Verify Internet settings or contact your ISP for Provider (ISP) account assistance. is not set up properly.
Refer to the preceding problem “Mouse commands. connector is not properly connected” for details on how to shut down using the keyboard. Mouse needs repair. Call Compaq Technical Support. See your Certificate of Warranty for details. Solution —G RESARIO ETTING...
Symptom Insufficient memory message is displayed. —G RESARIO ETTING TARTED Memory Problem All memory in To avoid Windows automatically running computer is being unnecessary programmes at startup: used by open 1. From the Windows desktop, click the Start programmes, and button.
Problem Line voltage selection Set the line voltage selection switch to the switch is not in the correct setting for your region, or call Compaq proper position for Technical Support for assistance. Refer to your your region (115V/ Certificate of Warranty for details.
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Glossary This Glossary defines commonly used terms to help new users understand computer concepts. Some of the terms are used in this guide. An extensive Glossary is provided on the My Presario—Learning More CD. 1394 port A new type of connector for plugging in peripherals with extremely fast data transfer rates, such as video cameras.
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e-mail (electronic mail) Messages sent over the Internet. fax modem A modem that allows your computer to transmit and receive faxes. file extension A period and three characters after a file name that indicate the programme in which the file was created.
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minimise To shrink a running programme window into a button on the Windows taskbar by clicking the Minimise button—the button with the minus sign in the upper-right corner of a window. Click the button on the taskbar to view the window again.
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Internet. LOSSARY URL (uniform resource locator) The address of a Web site, such as www.compaq.com. USB port (universal serial bus port) A connector for plugging in multiple, ultra-high-speed peripherals. USB ports are gradually replacing serial ports and parallel ports and eliminating the need for so many connectors and cables.
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Index Symbols @ sign 2-2, 2-3 AC power port Adaptec Easy CD Creator 4-20 creating CDs Add/Remove Programmes connecting with searching Application and Web buttons Help My Programme arrow keys audio 4-16 playing a CD port speaker port 4-10 autoscrolling —G RESARIO ETTING...
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4-14, 4-16 removing a disc CD-RW drive 4-20 backup disc 4-15 inserting into drive Compaq 2-4, 2-5 registration Web site Compaq Support computer changing settings set up computer problems NDEX connector colour coding Content Advisor password desktop features...
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Hotmail hyperlink defined icons New Mail Message install downloaded files software Instant E-mail internal components upgrading Internet defined direct link to Compaq hyperlink parental controls password problems with restricting content searching Internet buttons Activity E-mail Entertainment Instant Internet 4-20 8-14...
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My Presario Retail/Affinity Central Search setting Internet Service Provider See also ISP 4-4 Internet Video Camera 4-22 features 5-2, 5-6, 5-7, 5-8 problems with account server name user name 4-20 Jewel Case Creator keyboard arrow keys function keys F1 through F12 main keys numeric keys log off...
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2-2, 2-10 parallel 2-2, 2-3 power serial 2-2, 2-10 ports 1394, illustrated for connecting joysticks, gamepads, video controllers monitor parallel serial power 2-2, 2-3 port 8-14 problems with Power On button Power On button, illustrated printer 2-10, 2-11 setting up printing documents from the Internet...
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Warning notices defined warranty See also Internet accessing favourite sites browser Compaq Store site downloading files My Presario site site Windows desktop Help operating system World Wide Web See also Internet Zip drive or Zip disk...
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