Computer Features and Customization

    Your PC basic operation is controlled through the front panel, keyboard, and mouse. This chapter lists the various controls and describes how to customize your system's features.

Controls

    The following illustrations show the controls and features on the micro-tower, mid-tower, and tower computer front panels, as well as on keyboards.

    These illustrations show typical computer systems. Your computer system may not look exactly the same.

Micro-tower front panel

Mid-tower front panel

Tower front panel

Standard keyboard



Function keys perform application functions
Additional keys move the cursor up a page, down a page, to the beginning (home), or to the end of a document.
Indicator lights show if your Num Lock , Caps Lock , or Scroll Lock keys
are activated.
Windows keys activate the Windows Start menu.
Application key activates a menu.
Directional keys move the cursor up, down, right or left.
Numeric keypad is used to type numbers when Num Lock is activated or to perform alternate functions (as labeled) when Num Lock is not activated.

Multi-function keyboard

    If you purchased the multi-function keyboard with your Gateway computer, look for the additional function buttons that are located above the standard function keys. Your multi-function keyboard may vary from this illustration.

Previous returns you to the previous CD track or DVD chapter.
Play/Pause starts or pauses the play of the CD or DVD.
Stop ends the play of CD or DVD.
Next moves you to the pervious CD track or DVD chapter.
Volume adjusts the audio level up or down.
Mute turns the audio off.
Help starts online help.
Internet launches your web browser.
E-mail launches your e-mail application.
Shortcut launches the application of your choice.
Sleep starts or stops the sleep mode.

Customizing your system's features

    This section describes how to customize some of your system's features using Windows control panels.

Programming your multi-function keyboard

    All of the multi-function buttons on the Gateway multi-function keyboard are programmed to perform certain functions such as playing a CD or DVD or opening your web browser. The Shortcut button does not perform a function until you program it using the Multi-function keyboard utility. You can also use this utility to change the functions of some of the other buttons.

To program your multi-function keyboard buttons:

    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
      The Control Panel window opens.
    1. Double-click the Multi-function keyboard icon.
      The Gateway Multi-function Keyboard dialog box opens.
    1. Click the tabs to change the functions of your Multi-function keyboard buttons:
CD/DVD. You can program this button to activate a CD Player application.
Help. If you do not want to use the Help button to open online help, you can program the button to open a different application.
Internet. You can change the web address that is opened when you first launch your web browser. If you do not want to use the Internet button to open your web browser, you can program the button to open a different application.
E-mail. If you do not want to use the E-mail button to open your E-mail application, you can program the button to open a different application.
Shortcut. You can program this button to open a application.

Changing your mouse settings

To change your mouse settings:

    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
      The Control Panel window opens.
    1. Double-click the Mouse icon.
      The Mouse Properties dialog box opens.
    1. Click one of the following tabs to change your mouse settings:
Buttons lets you change the button configuration and the double-click speed.
Pointers lets you customize the look of your cursor and pointer.
Motion lets you set your pointer speed and pointer trails.

Changing your display properties

    Use the Display Properties dialog box to customize the features of your desktop display.

Appearance lets you change the color scheme for your desktop.
Background lets you change the desktop wallpaper, or image displayed on your desktop.
Screen Saver lets you set a screen saver for your system.
Effects lets you change icons and visual effects.
Web lets you activate the Active Desktop setting so that your desktop functions like a web page.
Settings lets you change the screen resolution and color depth of your desktop display.

Opening the Display Properties dialog box

To open the Display Properties dialog box:

    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
      The Control Panel window opens.
    1. Double-click the Display icon.
      The Display Properties dialog box opens
    1. Click on one of tabs to change the desktop appearance.

Changing screen resolution and color depth

To change the color depth and screen resolution:

    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
      The Control Panel window opens.
    1. Double-click the Display icon.
      The Display Properties window opens.
    1. Click the Settings tab.
    1. Select the color depth from the Colors drop-down list.
    2. Drag the Screen area slider to select the screen resolution.
    3. Click OK.

Selecting a color scheme

To select a color scheme:

    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
      The Control Panel window opens.
    1. Double-click the Display icon.
      The Display Properties window opens.
    1. Click the Appearance tab.
      The dialog box appears.
    1. Select a preset color scheme from the Schemes drop-down menu.
      - OR -
      Select different desktop items from the Item drop-down menu and customize each item. Make sure that you save the custom scheme after you have finished selecting your items.
    1. Click OK.

Selecting a background

To select a background:

    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
      The Control Panel window opens.
    1. Double-click the Display icon.
      The Display Properties window opens.
    1. Click the Background tab.
      The dialog box appears.
    1. Select a design from the Wallpaper list. If you want the design you selected to cover the entire screen, select Tile from the Display drop-down menu.
    2. If you want to change the solid color behind your wallpaper image, click Pattern, select a pattern from the Pattern list, then click OK.
      If you selected Tile from the Display drop-down menu, the Pattern button is unavailable.
    1. Click OK.
      The new wallpaper is now the background image for your desktop.

Selecting a screen saver

To select a screen saver:

    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
      The Control Panel window opens.
    1. Double-click the Display icon.
      The Display Properties window opens.
    1. Click the Screen Saver tab.
      The dialog box appears.
    1. Select a screen saver from the Screen Saver drop-down menu.
      A preview of the screen saver displays.
    1. If you want to customize screen saver settings, click Settings.
      If the Settings button is not available, you cannot customize the screen saver you selected.
    1. Click OK.

Using Standby mode

    You may not always want to shut down your computer each time you are away from the system, particularly if you plan to be away for just a short time. To conserve energy and reduce wear on your computer and monitor, you can manually select the Standby mode or have your computer automatically go into the Standby mode after a specified amount of time.

    Remember to always save your work before leaving the computer. When the computer is in Standby, information in the computer memory is not saved on the hard disk. If there is an interruption in power, information in memory is lost.

To set up automatic Standby power managements options:

    Select the power management and standby mode options in the Power Management Properties dialog box by clicking Start, then select Settings, click Control Panel, and double-click Power Management.

To put your computer in Standby mode:

    1. Save and close any open files to prevent data loss in the event of a power outage.
    2. Click Start, then select Shut Down, then Standby.
      - OR-
      Press the Sleep button on the optional Multi-function Keyboard.
      The sleep indicator lights on the multi-function keyboard, the monitor light turns amber, and the monitor screen becomes dark.

To wake your computer from Standby mode:

    1. Move the mouse or press any key on the keyboard.
      - OR -
      Press the Sleep button on the optional multi-function keyboard.
      The sleep indicator light on the multi-function keyboard turns green, the monitor display brightens, and the monitor indicator light turns green indicating that the computer is awakened from sleep mode.