Maintaining Your Notebook

This chapter provides basic information about maintaining your computer hardware and software.

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, modular drives, 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 indicator is on because data on the hard drive could be lost or corrupted.

Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperature changes. The case or LCD can become very 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.

Set up a regular maintenance schedule according to the table below to keep your computer running at its best.

Maintenance task	Immediately after purchase	Monthly	When needed	See...
Create an emergency diskette	X			"Creating an emergency startup diskette"
Check for viruses		X	X	"Protecting your computer from viruses"
Manage hard drive space			X	"Managing hard drive space"
Clean up hard drives		X	X	"Using Disk Cleanup"
Scan hard drive for errors		X	X	"Checking the hard drive for errors"
Defragment hard drive		X	X	"Defragmenting the hard drive"
Back up files		X	X	"Backing up files"
Recalibrate the battery			X	"Recalibrating the battery"
Clean computer case			X	"Cleaning the exterior"
Clean keyboard			X	"Cleaning the keyboard"
Clean screen			X	"Cleaning the screen"
Clean mouse			X	"Cleaning the mouse"

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.

Help and Support

For more information on creating an emergency startup diskette, click Start, then select Help and Support.

To create an emergency startup diskette:

1. Place a blank diskette labeled Startup into the diskette drive.

2. Click Start, then select My Computer. The My Computer window opens.

3. Right-click 3½ Floppy (A:), then select Format. The Format 3½ Floppy (A:) dialog box opens.

4. Select Create an MS-DOS Startup Disk, then click Start. Windows copies files to the emergency startup diskette.

5. When Windows finishes copying files, remove the diskette from the diskette drive.

6. To prevent the diskette from being erased or infected by viruses, you should write-protect it by sliding the write-protect tab up.

7. Store your emergency startup diskette in a safe place with your other backup software media.

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 your 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 your Norton AntiVirus program to protect against the latest viruses.

Help and Support

For more information on protecting your computer from viruses, click Start, then select Help and Support.

To scan for viruses:

1. Click Start, then select All Programs, Norton AntiVirus, then Norton AntiVirus 2002. Norton AntiVirus opens.

2. Click Scan for Viruses.

3. Select the type of scan you want to make in the Scan area, then under Actions, click Scan.

To remove a virus:

1. Find and remove the virus immediately using Norton AntiVirus.

2. Turn off your computer and leave it off for at least 30 seconds.

3. Turn on the computer and rescan for the virus.

To update Norton AntiVirus:

1. Click Start, then select All Programs, Norton AntiVirus, then LiveUpdate - Norton AntiVirus. The LiveUpdate wizard opens.

2. Follow the on-screen instructions to update your Norton AntiVirus program with the latest virus protection files.

3. When the program has finished updating, click Finish.

Managing hard drive space

Windows provides several utilities you can use to manage your hard drive.

Checking hard drive space

Help and Support

For more information on checking hard drive space, click Start, then select Help and Support.

To check hard drive space:

1. Click Start, then select My Computer.

2. Right-click the drive that you want to check for available file space, then select Properties. Drive space information appears.

Using Disk Cleanup

Delete unneeded files such as temporary Windows files to free hard drive space.

Help and Support

For more information on using Disk Cleanup, click Start, then select Help and Support.

To use the Windows Disk Cleanup program:

1. Click Start, then select My Computer. The My Computer window opens.

2. Right-click the hard drive that you want to delete files from, then select Properties. The System Properties dialog box opens at the General tab.

3. Click Disk Cleanup. The Disk Cleanup dialog box opens.

4. Select the check box beside each file type you want to delete. For more information about file types you can delete, read the descriptions in the Disk Cleanup dialog box.

5. Click OK, then click Yes.

Checking the hard drive for errors

The Error-checking program examines the hard drive for physical flaws and file and folder problems. This program corrects file and folder problems and marks flawed areas on the hard drive so that Windows does not use them.

If you use your computer several hours every day, you probably want to run Error-checking once a week. If you use your computer less frequently, once a month may be adequate. Also use Error-checking if you encounter hard drive problems.

Help and Support

For more information on checking the hard drive for errors, click Start, then select Help and Support.

To check the hard drive for errors:

1. Click Start, then select My Computer.

2. Right-click the hard drive that you want to check for errors, then select Properties. The System Properties dialog box opens.

3. Click the Tools tab.

4. Click Check Now.

5. Select the options to use, then click Start. For help, press F1. Windows checks the drive for errors. This process may take several minutes.

6. Correct any problems that are found by following the on-screen instructions. After Windows has finished checking the drive for errors, it provides a summary of the problems that it found.

7. Click OK.

Defragmenting the hard drive

When working with files, sometimes Windows divides the file information into pieces and stores them in different places on the hard drive. This is called fragmentation, and it is normal. In order for the computer to use a file, Windows must search for the pieces of the file and put them back together. This process slows the hard drive performance.

The Disk Defragmenter program organizes the data on the drive so that each file is stored as one unit rather than as multiple pieces scattered across different areas of the drive. Defragmenting the information stored on the drive can improve hard drive performance.

While the Disk Defragmenter program is running, do not use your keyboard or mouse because using them may continuously stop and restart the defragmenting process. Also, if you are connected to a network, log off before starting Disk Defragmenter. Network communication may stop the defragmentation process and cause it to start over.

Help and Support

For more information on defragmenting your hard drive, click Start, then select Help and Support.

To run Disk Defragmenter:

1. Click Start, then select My Computer.

2. Right-click the hard drive that you want to defragment, then select Properties. The System Properties dialog box opens.

3. Click the Tools tab.

4. Click Defragment Now.

5. If Disk Defragmenter does not start automatically, click Defragment.

Disk Defragmenter shows its progress on the screen. When finished, Disk Defragmenter asks if you want to quit the program.

6. Click Close.

Backing up files

Backing up files and removing them from the hard drive frees space for new files on the hard drive. It also protects you from losing important information if the hard drive fails or you accidentally delete files.

You should back up your files regularly to a writable CD (if you have a CD-R or CD-RW drive) or to diskettes. Use a backup device, such as a CD-R, CD-RW, or Zip drive, to do a complete hard drive backup. If you do not have a high-capacity backup device and you want to purchase one, you can contact Gateway's Add-on Sales department or visit our Web site at www.gateway.com.

Help and Support

For more information on backing up files, click Start, then select Help and Support.

Using the Scheduled Task Wizard

The Scheduled Task Wizard lets you schedule maintenance tasks such as running Disk Defragmenter and Error-checking.

Help and Support

For more information on using the Scheduled Task Wizard, click Start, then select Help and Support.

To start the Scheduled Task Wizard:

1. Click Start, then select All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then Scheduled Tasks. The Scheduled Tasks window opens.

2. Double-click Add Scheduled Task. The Scheduled Tasks Wizard opens.

3. Click Next, then select the Scheduled Task Wizard option you want to create and follow the screen prompts to customize the task.

Important

Your computer must be on during scheduled tasks.

Cleaning your computer

Keeping your computer clean and the vents free from dust helps keep your system performing at its best. You may want to gather these items and put together a computer cleaning kit:

A soft cloth

An aerosol can of air that has a narrow, straw-like extension

Isopropyl alcohol

Cotton swabs

A CD/DVD drive cleaning kit

Cleaning the exterior

Warning

When you shut down your computer, the power turns off, but some electrical current still flows through the computer. To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts, turn off your computer, remove the battery, and unplug the power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

Always turn off the computer and other peripheral devices, and remove the battery, before cleaning any components.

Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean the 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 the 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 inside the 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 the computer and turn the unit 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.

Cleaning the screen

Use a soft cloth and water to clean the screen. Squirt a little water on the cloth (never directly on the screen), and wipe the screen with the cloth.

Caution

An LCD screen is made of specially coated glass and can be scratched or damaged by abrasive or ammonia-based window cleaners.

Cleaning the mouse

If you have a mouse and the mouse pointer begins moving erratically across the screen or becomes difficult to control precisely, then cleaning the mouse will likely improve its accuracy.

Help and Support

For a video demonstration on cleaning the mouse, click Start, then select Help and Support.

To clean your mouse:

1. Turn the mouse upside down.

2. Rotate the retaining ring on the bottom of the mouse counter-clockwise.

3. Remove the retaining ring and mouse ball.

4. Remove any dust, lint, or dirt from the mouse ball with a soft cloth.

5. Clean the mouse rollers with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.

6. Replace the mouse ball and lock the retaining ring into place.