Using Your Computer

    This chapter describes how to perform a few basic tasks with your computer. It describes how to use multimedia features like playing a CD and recording audio and it describes how to create, save, open, and print documents.

Using the diskette drive

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

      To use a diskette, insert the diskette into the diskette drive with the label side up.
      To remove the diskette, press the eject button. To prevent diskette damage, make sure the activity light is off before removing the diskette.

Using the CD/DVD drive and multimedia features

    Your computer has many options for using audio and video (multimedia) in your CD/DVD drive. You can use the CD/DVD drive to load programs, listen to audio, or listen to music CDs.

Inserting a CD/DVD

To insert a CD/DVD:

    1. Press the eject button next to the CD/DVD drive. The CD/DVD drive tray opens.
    2. Insert the CD/DVD in the tray with the label side up.
    1. Press the eject button again. The CD/DVD drive tray closes.

Listening to music

    Use the CD/DVD drive and the Windows CD Player to listen to music. When you insert your music CD into the drive, the CD begins playing and the CD Player displays on the screen. Use the CD Player to play, pause, fast-forward, rewind, or go to the next or previous track.

    If you do not hear the audio or you want to increase or decrease the volume, see Adjusting the volume. When you are through listening to the CD click Eject to open the CD drive tray.

    If the CD Player does not open automatically when you insert your music CD, you can open it from the Start menu. Click Start , then select Programs , Accessories , Entertainment , then CD Player . When the CD Player opens, click the play button.

Installing software or using multimedia CDs

    To install software or use other multimedia CDs (such as games and education CDs), insert the software CD into the CD drive and wait for the CD to autostart. Follow the on-screen instructions.

    If the CD does not autostart, you can browse for setup files such as setup.exe or install.exe using My Computer. For more information about browsing for files, see Browsing and searching for files.

    If you do not hear the audio or you want to increase or decrease the volume, see Adjusting the volume.

Adjusting the volume

    You can use the volume controls, located on the front of your speakers to control the speaker or headphone volume. You can also adjust your speaker and headphone volume using Windows.

To adjust the volume settings:

    1. Double-click the speaker icon in the right corner of the task bar.
      The Volume control dialog box opens.
    1. If the device you want to adjust appears in the Volume Control dialog box, go to Step 4.
      - OR -
      If the device does not appear in the Volume Control dialog box, go to Step 3.
    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 controls, select Help in the Volume Control dialog box.
    1. When you finish adjusting the sound settings, click X .

Recording and playing audio

    Use the instructions below to make an audio recording by talking into the microphone, included with selected computers.

To make an audio recording:

    1. Click Start , then select Programs , Accessories , Entertainment , then Sound Recorder .
      The Sound Recorder opens.
    1. Click the record button.
    2. Speak into the microphone.
    3. When you finish recording, click the stop button.
    4. Select File , then Save As .
      The Save As dialog box opens.
    1. 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.
    1. Select the file you want to play back, then click Open .
    2. Play the file by clicking the play button, then stop playing the file by clicking the stop button.

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. If your computer has a DVD drive, you can play DVDs on the DVD Player.

      Important

      You should disable your system screen saver and standby timers to prevent interruption while playing a DVD movie.

    To play a DVD:

      1. Make sure that the speakers are turned on or headphones plugged in and that the volume is turned up.
      2. Click Start , then select Programs , DVD Player , then DVD Player .
        The DVD Player video screen and control panel open.
      1. Place a DVD, label side up, in the DVD drive, then click the play button.
        The DVD plays.

    Using the DVD Player control panel

      The DVD Player control panel provides functions that may or may not be available depending on the content of a specific DVD. See the disc packaging for information on features that are available on your disc.

      1. Close panel control
      2. Eject DVD
      3. Resume playback Root or Title menu
      4. Navigate up in Root or Title menu
      5. Select current menu item in Root or Title menu
      6. Jump to Title menu
      7. Play or pause video
      8. Stop playback
      9. Rewind video
      10. Fast forward if playing; Single frame advance if paused
      11. Toggle slow motion speed
      12. Open Angle Control window
      13. Adjust audio volume
      14. Toggle the LED display (elapsed, remaining, total)
      15. Navigate left in Root or Title menu
      16. Navigate down in Root or Title menu
      17. Navigate right in Root or Title menu
      18. Jump to Root menu
      19. Rewind to start of current chapter
      20. Navigate back one level within Root or Title menu structure
      21. Jump back one chapter
      22. Jump forward one chapter
      23. Open subtitle settings window
      24. Open spoken language settings window

    Selecting languages

    To select the language you want to hear:

      1. On the DVD control panel, click the open spoken language settings window button.
        The audio language menu opens.
      1. Select the language you want to hear.

    To select the language for subtitles:

      1. On the DVD control panel, click the subtitles language button.
        The subtitle language menu opens.
      1. Select the language you want for subtitles.

    Setting parental controls

      Parental controls let you set viewing limits for a DVD, based on its rating. Not all DVDs support this feature, so be aware that parental controls are not an absolute method for determining whether a particular movie can be played.

    To set the parental controls:

      1. If you have a movie playing, stop it. Parental controls cannot be set while a movie is playing.
      2. Make sure the DVD Player video screen and control panel are open.
      3. Press the right mouse button.
        A menu appears.
      1. Click Settings .
        The Settings dialog box appears.
      1. Click the Parental tab.
      2. Select the rating level you want.
        The Password dialog box opens.
      1. Enter a password, then click OK .
      2. Click play.
        If the DVD supports parental controls and the DVD rating exceeds the set viewing level, the movie will not play.

    Searching for chapters

      DVD movies are often divided into chapters which are main scenes in the movie. The DVD case may contain a list of chapter names and numbers. The DVD Player lets you start playing the movie at any chapter.

    To search for a chapter:

      1. Make sure the DVD Player video screen and control panel are open.
      2. Press the right mouse button.
        A menu list appears.
      1. Select Chapter/Title Search.
        A Chapter/Title window appears.
      1. Select the chapter you want to view.
      2. The movie begins playing at that chapter.

    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.
      1. Select the file you want to play, then click Open .
      2. Play the file by clicking the play button, then stop playing the file by clicking the stop button.

      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 , or file. The basic methods of creating, saving, opening, and printing a document apply to most programs.

      The following examples illustrate how to work with a document using Microsoft Works. Even though the following example uses Microsoft Works, similar procedures apply in other programs such as Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Publisher, or Microsoft Word.

    Creating a new document

      The following example uses Microsoft Works to create, save, open, and print a document.

    To create a new document:

      1. Click Start , select Programs , then Microsoft Works .
        The Works Task Launcher window opens.
      1. Select the task you want to begin and follow the on-screen instructions.
        On the right side of the window, Works provides on-screen help.

    Saving a document

      If you want to work on a document at a later time, you need to save it. You can save documents to the hard drive, a diskette, a network drive, or other media.

    To save a document in Microsoft Works:

      1. Select File , then Save .
        If you are resaving an existing file, the file is automatically saved with its original file name and location.
        - OR -
        If you are saving the document for the first time, in the Save As dialog box, type the file name and select the folder to save the document in, then click Save .

    Opening a document

      To view, revise, or print a saved document, you need to open it. One way to open a document is from the program from which it was created.

    To open a document in Microsoft Works:

      1. Click Start , then select Programs , then Microsoft Works .
        The Works Task Launcher window opens.
      1. Click the Works Tools tab.
      2. Click the Word Processor button.
      3. Select File , then Open .
        The Open dialog box opens.
      1. Locate the file you want to open, then double-click the document file name. The document opens.

    Printing a document

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

      Use the following instructions to print a document. Although this procedure uses Microsoft Works, most programs use a similar procedure to print a document.

    To print a document in Microsoft Works:

      1. Make sure that the printer is turned on and is loaded with paper.
      2. Start Microsoft Works and open the document.
      3. Select File , then Print .
        The Print dialog box opens.
      1. Select your printing options, then click OK . The document prints.

    Using PhoneTools

      With PhoneTools you can make and receive phone calls, send and receive faxes, and use your computer as an answering machine. To use your computer as an answering machine, open PhoneTools and leave your computer on.

      When PhoneTools is opened with the Phone controls on top, you see this window:

      From the Phone controls, you can:

    Make phone calls
    Set up and use Quick Dial memory keys
    Set up and use phone book entries

    Making a phone call

    To make a phone call:

      1. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon, then click Phone .
      2. Click the number keys in the PhoneTools dialer for the phone number that you want to dial.
        - OR -
        Type the phone number using the keyboard.
      1. Make the call on the speakerphone by clicking Speaker . You must have external speakers and a microphone.
        - OR -
        Make the call on the telephone handset by pressing Enter , picking up the handset, then clicking OK . You must have a telephone connected to your computer.
      1. End the call by clicking the hang-up icon.

    Using Quick Dial memory keys

      You can assign frequently called phone numbers to Quick Dial memory keys.

    To set up a Quick Dial memory key:

      1. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon, then click Phone .
      2. Click a memory entry. If all the memory entries on the current page are in use, click a memory page button to see more entries.
      3. In the Identifier box, type the name you want to see in the Quick Dial memory entries list.
      4. In the Name box, type the name of the person associated with this memory entry.
      5. In the Number box, type the phone number associated with this memory entry.
      6. Click OK . The entry you created appears in the memory entries list.

    To make a call using a Quick Dial memory key entry:

      1. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon, then click Phone .
      2. Click the memory key next to the memory entry that you want to call.
      3. Make the call on the speakerphone by clicking Speaker . You must have external speakers and a microphone.
        - OR -
        Make the call on the telephone handset by pressing Enter , picking up the handset, then clicking OK . You must have a telephone connected to your computer.

    To remove a Quick Dial memory key entry:

      1. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon, then click Phone .
      2. Right-click the memory entry that you want to remove.
        A pop-up menu opens.
      1. Select Delete .
      2. Click OK .

    Using phone book entries

      PhoneTools comes with a phone book you can use to store information about the people or companies you call regularly.

    To create a phone book entry:

      1. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon, then click Phone .
      2. Click the phone book button.
      1. Click New .
      2. Type the name and mailing information for the phone book entry.
      3. Click the Communication tab.
      4. Type the phone number information for the phone book entry.
      5. Click Save .

    To call a phone book entry:

      1. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon, then click Phone .
      2. Click the phone book button.
      1. Double-click the entry that you want to call.
      2. If you have more than one phone number associated with the entry, double-click the number you want to dial.
      3. Make the call on the speakerphone by clicking Speaker . You must have external speakers and a microphone.
        - OR -
        Make the call on the telephone handset by pressing Enter , picking up the handset, then clicking OK . You must have a telephone connected to your computer.

    Listening to voice messages

      PhoneTools lets you use your computer as an answering machine. When the Voice Mail controls are on top, you see this window:

    To listen to a voice mail message:

      1. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon, then click Voice Mail .
      2. In the Received Voice Messages list, double-click the message that you want to hear.
        The message plays.

    To delete a voice mail message:

      1. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon, then click Voice Mail .
      2. In the Received Voice Messages list, right-click the message that you want to delete.
        A pop-up menu opens.
      1. Select Delete .
      2. Click OK .

    Recording a greeting

      PhoneTools comes with two pre-recorded greetings: Greeting Only and Greeting & Record. If you do not want to use the pre-recorded greetings, you can record your own greeting.

    To record a greeting:

      1. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon on the desktop.
      2. Click Configure , then select Answering Machine Setup .
        The General Configuration window opens with the Voice tab on top.
      1. Click Modify/Create Greeting .
        The Modify/Create Greetings window opens.
      1. Click the record button.
      2. Create a new greeting by clicking Create .
        - OR -
        Replace the existing greeting by clicking Replace .
      1. Speak into the microphone.
      2. Click the stop button when your have completed your recording.
      3. Type a name for the greeting in the Description box, then click OK .
      4. To listen to your greeting, click the greeting in the Greeting Description list, then click the play button.

      To enable your greeting, close the Modify/Create Greeting window, then select your greeting from the Play Greeting & Record and Play Greeting, No Record drop-down lists.

    Sending and receiving faxes

      PhoneTools lets you send and receive faxes. When the Fax controls are on top, you see this window:

    To set up your fax cover page:

      1. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon on the desktop.
      2. Click Configure , then select General Configuration from the pop-up menu.
      3. Click the Customize tab.
      4. Type your personal information in the User boxes.
      5. Click OK .
      6. If you want to change the logo that appears on your 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 a logo on your cover page, click the picture then click the delete button.
        - OR -
        If you want to replace the logo on your cover page, 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. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon, then click Fax .
      2. Click Send Fax .
        The Send Fax window opens.
      1. Type the recipient information in the Recipient(s) boxes, then click the add button.
        The recipient appears in the Recipient list .
      1. Repeat Step 3 for each recipient you want to send the fax to.
      2. If you want to attach a file, click the select document button and select the file.
        The name of the attached file appears in the Attached document box.
      1. If you want to send the fax at a later time, click the Date/Time button, then enter the date and time.
      2. Select a cover page type from the Template drop-down list.
      3. If you want a message to appear on the cover page, type it in the Message text area.
      4. Click Send , then click Send again.

    To send a fax document directly from a program:

      1. In the program with the document open, click File, then select Print .
        The Print dialog box opens.
      1. Select the printer Capture fax BVRP , then click OK .
        The Send Fax window opens.
      1. Complete the recipient information as instructed in To send a fax:.

    To receive and view a fax:

      1. Click Inbox .
        PhoneTools detects incoming faxes and stores them in the In Box.
      1. To view a fax, double-click the fax to view.
        The fax viewer opens, where you can view and manipulate the fax.