Gateway E4500d Manual

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Chapter 4: Using Drives and Ports
Playing a CD
Use the music program or Windows Media Player on your computer to:
■Play music CDs
■Create MP3 music files from your music CDs
■Edit music track information
■Use your music files to build a music library
Playing a DVD
A Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) is similar to a standard CD but has greater data capacity. 
Because of this increased capacity, full-length movies, several albums of music, or several 
gigabytes of data can fit on a single disc. You can play DVDs with the DVD program or 
Windows Media Player on your computer.
Creating CDs and DVDs
You can use the CD and DVD burning program on your computer to copy tracks from a 
music CD to your hard drive, copy or create data CDs and DVDs, create music CDs, create 
video DVDs, and more.
Tips & Tricks For more information about playing CDs, see “Playing CDs” in Using 
Your Computer 
which has been included on your hard drive. To 
access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway 
Documentation.
Tips & Tricks For more information about playing DVDs, see “Playing DVDs” in 
Using Your Computer which has been included on your hard drive. 
To access this guide, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway 
Documentation.
Tips & Tricks For more information about creating CDs and DVDs, see “Creating 
CDs and DVDs” in 
Using Your Computer which has been included 
on your hard drive. To access this guide, click Start, All Programs, 
then click Gateway Documentation.
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							Chapter 5
37
Maintaining Your Computer
 Caring for your computer
 Updating Windows
 Protecting your computer from viruses
 Cleaning your computer
 Restoring your system
 Opening the computer case
 Adding memory and replacing the battery
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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer
Caring for your computer
To extend the life of your computer:
■When transporting your computer, we recommend that you put it in the original 
packaging materials.
■Keep diskettes and your computer away from magnetic fields. Magnetic fields can 
erase data on both diskettes and hard drives.
■Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperature changes.
■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.
■Do not block the ventilation fan.
■When storing your computer for an extended period of time, unplug AC power.
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Updating Windows
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.
Help and Support For more information about Windows Update, click Start, then click 
Help and Support.
Type the keyword Windows Update in the HelpSpot Search box 
, then click the arrow.
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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer
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® Internet Security and subscribing to the virus 
definition update service. You received a free limited time subscription to the Norton 
Internet Security service when you purchased your computer.
■Using the Norton Internet Security 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 Internet Security program to protect against the 
latest viruses.
■Making sure the Windows Security Center is configured to provide you with the 
highest level of protection.
Tips & Tricks For more information about modifying security settings, see 
“Modifying Security Settings” in Using Your Computer which has been 
included on your hard drive. To access this guide, click Start, 
All Programs, then click Gateway Documentation.
Help and Support For 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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Protecting your computer from viruses
To scan for viruses:
1Click Start, All Programs, Norton Internet Security, then click Norton Internet Security. 
Norton Internet Security opens.
2Click Norton AntiVirus.
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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer
3Click Scan for Viruses.
4Click the type of scan you want to make in the Scan for Viruses area.
To remove a virus:
1If Norton Internet Security 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 Internet Security:
1Make sure that you are connected to the Internet.
2Click Start, All Programs, Norton Internet Security, then click Norton Internet Security. 
Norton Internet Security opens.
3Click LiveUpdate. The LiveUpdate wizard opens.
Important You received a free limited time subscription to the Norton Internet 
Security service when you purchased your computer. To update 
Norton Internet Security after the free subscription period, you must 
extend your subscription.
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Protecting your computer from viruses
4Follow the on-screen instructions to update your Norton Internet Security program 
with the latest virus protection files.
5When the program has finished, click Finish.
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Chapter 5: Maintaining Your Computer
Cleaning your computer
Keeping your computer clean and the vents free from dust helps keep your computer 
performing at its best. You may want to gather these items and put together a computer 
cleaning kit:
■A soft, lint-free cloth
■An aerosol can of air that has a narrow, straw-like extension
■Cotton swabs
■A CD or DVD drive cleaning kit
Cleaning the exterior
Always turn off your computer and other peripherals before cleaning any components. 
Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean your computer and other parts of your system. Do 
not use abrasive or solvent cleaners because they can damage the finish on components.
Your computer is cooled by air circulated through the vents on the case, so keep the vents 
free of dust. With your computer 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 computer.
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.
If you spill liquid on the keyboard, turn off your computer and turn the keyboard 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.
Wa rn i n g When you shut down your computer, the power turns off, but some 
electrical current still flows through your computer. To avoid possible 
injury from electrical shock, unplug the power cord and modem cable 
from the wall outlets.
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Cleaning your computer
Cleaning the monitor 
To clean an LCD or flat panel display monitor, 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.
To clean a CRT monitor, use a soft cloth and glass cleaner to clean the monitor screen. 
Squirt a little cleaner on the cloth (never directly on the screen), and wipe the screen with 
the cloth.
Cleaning the mouse
If the mouse pointer begins moving erratically across the computer screen or becomes 
difficult to control precisely, cleaning the mouse will likely improve its accuracy.
To clean your optical mouse:
■Wipe the bottom of the mouse with a damp lint-free cloth
 To clean your trackball mouse:
1Turn the mouse upside down.
Caution A flat panel display or 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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