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Installing your old printer or scanner
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Installing a USB printer or scanner
USB devices may have special installation instructions. See your USB device’s 
installation guide.
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.
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 HelpSpot 
Search box  , then click the arrow. 
						

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Chapter 12: Moving from Your Old Computer
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Installing your old programs
You probably use some programs that did not come installed on your new 
computer, 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 computer. 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 
computer’s previous settings using System Restore.
Tips & TricksIf your new computer 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 computer’s 
previous settings in Windows XP, click Start, then click 
Help and Support.
Type the keyword System Restore in the HelpSpot 
Search box  , then click the arrow. 
						

							13
203
Maintaining Your
Computer
This chapter provides basic information about maintaining 
your computer hardware and software. Read this chapter 
to learn how to:
■Care for your computer
■Create an emergency startup diskette
■Protect your computer from viruses
■Manage hard drive space
■Back up files
■Clean your computer 
						

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Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Computer
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Caring for your computer
To extend the life of your system:
■Be careful not to bump or drop your computer, and do not put any objects 
on top of it. The case, although strong, is not made to support extra weight.
■When transporting your computer, we recommend that you put it in a 
carrying case.
■Keep diskettes and your computer away from magnetic fields. Magnetic 
fields can erase data on both diskettes and hard drives.
■Never turn off your computer when the hard drive light is on because data 
on the hard drive could be lost or corrupted.
■Avoid subjecting your computer 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 computer is safest 
at temperatures that are comfortable for you.
■Keep all liquids away from your computer. When spilled onto computer 
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.
Use the following table to set up a regular maintenance schedule.
Maintenance task Immediately 
after purchaseMonthly When needed See...
Create an emergency diskette X page 206
Check for viruses X X page 208
Manage hard drive space X page 211
Clean up hard drives X X page 212
Scan hard drive for errors X X page 213
Defragment hard drive X X page 215
Back up files X X page 217 
						

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Caring for your computer
www.gateway.com Recalibrate the battery X page 144
Clean computer case X page 219
Clean keyboard X page 219
Clean computer screen X page 220
Clean mouse X page 220
Maintenance task Immediately 
after purchaseMonthly When needed See... 
						

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Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Computer
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Creating an emergency startup 
diskette
An emergency startup diskette is a diskette that contains critical information that 
you need to start your computer if Windows fails to start. You should create 
a startup diskette as soon as you get your computer.
To create an emergency startup diskette in Windows XP:
1Insert a blank diskette labeled Startup into the diskette drive.
2Click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens.
3Right-click 3½ Floppy (A:), then click Format. The Format 3½ Floppy (A:) 
dialog box opens.
ImportantThis procedure uses a diskette drive. If you do not have 
a diskette drive, you can purchase a drive from the 
Gateway Accessories Store at accessories.gateway.com
. 
						

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Creating an emergency startup diskette
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4Click to select the Create an MS-DOS startup disk check box, then click Start. 
A message warns you that any information on the diskette will be erased.
5When you see the warning message, click OK. Windows copies files to the 
emergency startup diskette.
6When Windows finishes copying files, remove the diskette from the 
diskette drive.
7Slide the write-protect tab up to prevent the diskette from being erased or 
infected by viruses.
8Store your emergency startup diskette in a safe place with your other 
backup software media.
Not write-
protectedWrite-
protected 
						

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Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Computer
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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:
■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 computer 
against viruses in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help 
and Support.
Type the keyword viruses in the HelpSpot Search box 
, then click the arrow. 
						

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Protecting your computer from viruses
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To scan for viruses:
1Click Start, All Programs, Norton AntiVirus, then click Norton AntiVirus 2003. 
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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Chapter 13: Maintaining Your Computer
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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.