Using Your Computer

    This chapter provides basic information about your Gateway computer. Read this chapter to find out how to:

Work safely
Use the diskette drive
Use the CD drive
Listen to music CDs
Record and play audio files
Create, save, and print documents
Send and receive faxes

Working safely

    Before using your computer, read the following recommendations for setting up a safe and comfortable work area and avoiding discomfort and strain.

Improving monitor legibility and reducing eye strain

    Sunlight or bright indoor lighting should not reflect off the screen of the computer monitor or shine directly into your eyes.

Position the computer desk and computer so that you can avoid glare on your screen and light shining directly into your eyes.
Reduce bright light by installing shades or curtains on windows.
Use soft, indirect lighting in your work area. Do not work on your computer in a dark room.
Avoid focusing your eyes on your computer screen for long periods of time. Look away from your computer occasionally, perhaps focusing on a distant object.

Positioning your computer table and chair

    Make sure that you use a computer table that is the appropriate height and use a chair that helps you maintain good posture, distributes your weight evenly, and keeps your body relaxed.

Select a flat surface for your computer table.
Adjust the height of the computer table so that your hands and arms are positioned parallel to the floor when you use the keyboard and mouse.
Position your chair so that the keyboard is at or slightly below the level of your elbow, letting your shoulders relax while you type.
Adjust the height of your chair so that your knees are slightly higher than your hips. You can use a foot rest to adjust the height of your knees and remove the pressure on the back of your thighs.
Adjust the back of the chair so that it supports the lower curve of your spine. You can also use a pillow or cushion to provide extra back support.

Positioning your computer and computer accessories

Place your keyboard and mouse at a comfortable distance. You should be able to reach them without stretching.
Set paper holders at the same height and distance as the computer screen.

Sitting at your computer

Avoid bending, arching, or angling your wrists. Make sure that they are in a relaxed position when you type.
Do not slouch forward or lean back too far.
Sit with your back straight so that your knees, hips, and elbows form approximately 90 degree angles when you work.
Avoid twisting your torso or neck.

Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain

Vary your activities to avoid excessive repetition.
Take breaks to change your position, stretch your muscles, and relax your eyes.
Find ways to break up the work day, scheduling a variety of tasks.

Using diskettes

    The diskette drive uses 3.5-inch diskettes (sometimes called floppies or floppy disks). Diskettes are useful for saving files for archive purposes or to use on another computer.

      Warning

      Do not expose diskettes to water or magnetic fields. Exposure could damage the data on the diskette.

    To use a diskette:

      1. Insert the diskette into the diskette drive with the label facing up.

      1. To access a file on the diskette, use a program to open drive  A: (the diskette drive), then locate and open the file.

      2. To remove the diskette, make sure the drive activity light is off, then press the diskette eject button.

    Using the CD drive and multimedia features

      You can use your computer to enjoy a wide variety of multimedia features, such as making recordings and listening to audio CDs.

    Inserting a CD

    To insert a CD:

      1. Press the eject button next to the CD drive. The CD drive tray opens.

      2. Insert the CD in the tray with the label up.
      1. Press the eject button again. The CD drive tray closes.

    Adjusting the volume

      Use the Screen and Sound Controls, or Quick Controls, located on the taskbar to control the speaker or headphone volume.

    Volume increases or decreases the speaker volume.
    Mute turns the sound off.
    Advanced Controls (Sound) controls the system volume, microphone volume, modem volume, and other advanced volume settings.

    To adjust the volume settings:

      1. Double-click the Screen and Sound Controls icon in the task tray. The Quick Controls open.

      2. Adjust the monitor Volume by clicking the up or down arrow.
        - OR -
        Turn off the sound by clicking Mute.

    To adjust advanced volume settings:

      1. Double-click the Screen and Sound Controls icon in the taskbar. The Quick Controls open.

      2. Click Sound in the Advanced Controls options. The Volume Control dialog box opens.
      1. If the device you want to adjust appears in the Volume Control dialog box, go to Step 6.
        - OR -
        If the device does not appear in the Volume Control dialog box, go to Step 4.
      1. Select Options, then Properties. The Audio Properties dialog box opens.

      1. Select the audio device you want to appear in the Volume Control dialog box, then click OK.

      2. Move the slider up or down to change the volume level or move the balance slider left or right to adjust the balance.
        For more information about the volume control, select Help in the Volume Control dialog box.
      1. When you finish adjusting the sound settings, click X.

    Listening to music CDs

      Use the CD drive and the Windows CD Player to play, pause, fast-forward, rewind, or go to the next or previous track on any audio CD.

    To play a CD:

    Insert a CD into the CD drive. The CD Player program opens and the CD plays.
        If the CD Player does not open automatically when you insert the CD, open it from the Start menu by clicking Start, then selecting Programs, Accessories, Entertainment or Multimedia, then CD Player. When the CD Player opens, click (play).

      If you do not hear the audio or you want to increase or decrease the volume, see "Adjusting the volume." When you finish listening to the CD, click the eject button to open the CD drive tray.

    Recording and playing audio

      Use the instructions below to make an audio recording by speaking into the microphone.

    To make an audio recording:

      1. Click Start, then select Programs, Accessories, Entertainment or Multimedia, then Sound Recorder. The Sound Recorder opens.

      1. Click  (record), then speak into the microphone.

      2. When you finish recording, click  (stop).

      3. Select File, then Save As. The Save As dialog box opens.

      4. Name the recording, specify the path, then click Save. The recording is saved.

    To play an audio recording in the Sound Recorder:

      1. Open the Sound Recorder.

      2. Select File, then Open. The Open dialog box opens.

      3. Select the file you want to play back, then click Open.

      4. Play the file by clicking  (play), then stop playing the file by clicking  (stop).

    Using the Media Player

      The Media Player can play several types of audio and video files, including WAV, MIDI, MP3, AU, AVI, MPEG, and MOV formats.

    To play a file using the Media Player:

      1. Click Start, then select Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then Media Player. The Media Player opens.

      1. Select File, then Open. The Open dialog box opens.

      2. Select the file you want to play, then click Open.

      3. Play the file by clicking  (play), then stop playing the file by clicking  (stop).

      For more information about the Media Player, click Help.

    Working with documents

      Whether you are creating a spreadsheet, writing a letter, or drawing a picture, you are working with a document (file). The basic methods of creating, saving, opening, and printing a document apply to most programs.

      The following examples illustrate the concepts for creating, saving, opening, and printing a document in Microsoft® Word. Though the examples use Microsoft Word, similar procedures apply to other programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Works, and Microsoft Publisher.

      For more information about using a program, click Help on the menu bar.

    Creating a new document

    To create a new document:

      1. Click Start, then select Programs, then Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word starts and a blank document opens.

      2. Click File, then select New. The document templates dialog box opens.
      1. Click a tab for the type of document you want to create, select a document template style, then click OK. The document template opens.
      2. Begin composing your document. Use the menus and toolbar buttons at the top of the window to format the document.

    Saving a document

      After you create a document, you need to save it if you want to use it later.

    To save a document in Microsoft Word:

      1. Select File, then Save. The Save As dialog box opens.

      2. Select the folder from the Save in drop-down box, type the new file name, then click Save.

    Opening a document

      To view, revise, or print an existing document, you need to open it. Open the document from the program it was created in.

    To open a document in Microsoft Word:

      1. Click Start, then select Programs, then Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word starts and a blank document opens.

      2. Select File, then Open.

      3. Find the file you want to open in the Look in drop-down box.
      1. Double-click the document file name. The document opens.

    Printing a document

      To print a document, you must have a printer connected to your computer or have access to a network printer. For more information about installing or using your printer, refer to the printer documentation.

    To print a document in Microsoft Word:

      1. Make sure that the printer is turned on and loaded with paper.

      2. Start Microsoft Word and open a document.

      3. Select File, then Print. The Print dialog box opens.

      4. Select the print options, then click OK. The document prints.

    Sending and receiving faxes

      PhoneTools lets you send and receive faxes using the modem in your computer.

      Before you send your first fax, you need to set up your user information. Your fax cover sheets and fax headers will contain this information, which is required by law.

    To set up your fax cover page:

      1. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

      1. Click Configure, then select General Configuration from the pop-up menu. The General Configuration dialog box opens.

      2. Click the Customize tab, then type your personal information in the User boxes.

      3. Click the Fax tab, then enter your name and fax number in the Identifier text box. This identifier information is required by law. You can enter up to 20 characters in the text box. We suggest using eight characters for your identifier name, followed by 12 characters for your telephone number.

      4. Click OK.

      5. If you want to change the logo that appears on the cover page, click Configure, then select Logo Management from the pop-up menu. The Logo Management dialog box opens.
      1. If you do not want the PhoneTools logo on your cover page, click the picture then click the clear button.
        - OR -
        If you want to replace the PhoneTools logo with one of your own, click the import button then select a picture for the logo. The picture must be small enough to fit in the logo box.
      1. Click OK.

    To send a fax:

      1. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

      2. Click Fax, then click Send Fax. The Send Fax Wizard opens.
      1. Enter the recipient's name, company (if applicable), and fax number, then click Next. The next wizard dialog box opens.

      1. Type the message text in the Message Text area.

      2. Select a cover page template from the Template drop-down list, then click Next. If you typed a message in the Message Text area, you must select a cover page.

      3. If you want to attach a file, make sure the file is not open, then click (browse), select the file, then click Open.

      4. Click Next, then click Finish. The Confirm Transmissions dialog box opens.

      5. Click Send. PhoneTools dials the fax number and sends your fax.

    To fax a document directly from most programs:

      1. In the program with the document open, click File, then select Print. The Print dialog box opens.

      2. Select the printer Capture fax BVRP, then click OK. The Send Fax Wizard opens.

      3. Complete the wizard as instructed in "To send a fax:".

    To receive and view a fax:

      1. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens. When PhoneTools is open, it detects incoming faxes and stores them in the In Box.

      2. To view a fax, click Fax, click Fax Inbox, then double-click the fax you want to view. The fax viewer opens, where you can view and print the fax.