Computer Basics

    This chapter helps you get started with your new computer by:

Providing an introduction to your computer features
Describing the basic operation of your computer
Introducing you to Windows® 98
Providing an overview of sources for more extensive information

Controls

    The following illustrations show the controls and features on the micro-tower, mid-tower, and tower computer, desktop computer front panels and 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

Desktop front panel

Desktop to tower conversion

    You can convert your computer from a desktop to a tower configuration. Use the plastic base included with your system to support your computer as a tower.

To convert your computer to a tower

    1. Turn off the computer and disconnect the power cord and all cables connected to the back.

    2. Place the plastic base where you plan to keep your computer.

    3. Turn your computer on its side with the front of the computer toward you.

    4. Place the computer into the plastic base, making sure the tab on the base fits into the groove on the bezel.
    1. Reconnect the power cord and cables you disconnected.

Keyboard features

    Your system comes with the standard keyboard or the 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 the one shown on the following pages.

Standard keyboard

Function keys perform program functions. Refer to the software documentation to find out more about the function key actions. Each program uses different function keys for different purposes.
Additional keys move the cursor up the page, down the 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 open the Windows Start menu.
Application key opens a menu for the current program.
Directional keys move the cursor up, down, right, or left.
Numeric keypad types numbers when Num Lock is activated.

Multi-function keyboard

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 program.
Shortcut launches the program of your choice.
Sleep starts or stops the sleep mode.

Starting your computer

To start your computer:

    1. Connect the cables to your computer using the setup poster.

    2. Press the power button.

    3. Turn on any peripherals (speakers, printers, scanners, etc.). When the computer is finished starting, the Windows desktop screen appears.

    4. If you are starting your computer for the first time, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your computer.

    If your computer seems not to be running when you come back to it after being away for a while (the screen is dark and the indicator light is amber) and you know that you didn't shut it down, it may have entered Standby mode.

    To "wake" the computer, press one of the mouse buttons or press a key on the keyboard. For detailed information about using and customizing the Standby mode, see "Using Standby mode".

Turning off your computer

To turn off your computer:

    1. Click Start, then select Shut Down. The Shut Down Windows dialog box opens.

    2. Select Shut Down.
    1. Click OK. Windows shuts down your computer.
      If for some reason you cannot use the Shut down option in Windows to shut down your computer, press the power button for about five seconds.

        Warning

        When you shut down your computer the power turns off, but some electrical current still flows through the computer. To avoid possible injury from electrical shock, unplug the power cable and modem cable from the wall outlets.

    Protecting from power source problems

      During a power surge, the voltage of electricity coming into your computer can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system damage. Protect your computer and peripherals by connecting them to a surge suppressor, which will absorb voltage surges and prevent them from reaching your computer.

        Warning

        High voltages can enter your computer through the phone line connected to the modem. Protect your computer by plugging the telephone line into a surge suppressor with a modem connection. During an electrical storm, unplug both the surge suppressor from the power outlet and the telephone line from the phone jack.

        During a power failure, an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) supplies battery power to your computer. Although you cannot run your computer for an extended period of time with a UPS, a UPS lets you run your computer long enough to save your work and shut your computer down normally.

      Using the mouse

        The mouse is a device that controls the pointer and cursor movement on screen. This illustration shows the standard Gateway mouse.

        As you move the mouse, the pointer (arrow) on the screen moves in the same direction.

        The pointer turns into a cursor (I-bar) when you type information in a word processing program or enter text from the keyboard.

        You can use the left and right buttons on your mouse to select objects on the screen.

        You can use the scroll wheel on the mouse to move through a document. This feature is not available in all programs. For more information on using special features of your mouse and changing mouse settings, see the documentation that came with your mouse.

        To... Do this...

        Move the pointer on the screen

        Move the mouse around on the mouse pad. If you run out of space on your mouse pad and need to move the pointer farther, pick up the mouse, set it down in the middle of the mouse pad, then continue moving the mouse.

        Select an object on the screen

        Position the pointer over the object. Quickly press and release the left mouse button once. This action is called clicking.

        Start a program or open a file folder

        Position the pointer over the object. Quickly press and release the left mouse button twice. This action is called double-clicking.

        Access a shortcut menu or find more information about an object on the screen.

        Position the pointer over the object. Quickly press and release the right mouse once. This action is called right-clicking.

        Move an object on the screen.

        Position the pointer over the object. Press the left mouse button and hold it down. Move (drag) the object to the appropriate part of the screen, then release the button.

      Windows 98 basics

        This section discusses some basic Windows 98 concepts. To find out more about Windows 98, see the "Getting Started Microsoft Windows 98" guide.

      The Windows desktop

        Once you have your computer running and have completed all the setup screens, the first screen you see is the Windows desktop. The desktop is the area on the screen where you work. Think of the desktop as your personalized work space where you open programs and perform other tasks.

        Your desktop may be different from the example shown below, depending on how your computer is set up.

        The table below describes some of the icons, buttons, and other elements on the desktop.

        Icons are graphic representations of objects on the desktop that you select and open, such as a drive, disk, folder, document, or program.

        Buttons are graphic representations of controls that you use to change the state of desktop elements such as the window size.

        Desktop icons, buttons, and elements Description

        The My Computer icon provides access to drives and other computer controls on your computer. Double-click My Computer to view the drives and folders on your computer.

        The My Documents icon is a folder that was created for you to store your personal files. You can create other folders to save files in, but My Documents is a folder that is easy to find and is accessible from the desktop. Double-click My Documents to view your files, folders, and drives.

        The Recycle Bin is where files, folders, and programs that you delete are stored until you decide to permanently delete them. You must empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete these items from your computer. Double-click Recycle Bin and follow the instructions on the left of the window to do various file maintenance activities such as restoring deleted files.

        The drive icons represent different drives on your computer, such as the diskette drive, hard drive, CD drive, and others. Double-click a drive to view files and folders located in the drive.

        Microsoft Internet Explorer is a program that lets you view Web sites and Web pages on the Internet.

        Gateway has provided an easily accessible interactive guide called QuickANSWERS, designed to provide help information and let you quickly discover and use the many features of your computer. Double-click QuickAnswers to get started.

        The Gateway.net and AOL icons let you connect to the Gateway.net or America Online ISP (Internet Service Provider).

        Double-click the Gateway.net or AOL icon to dial-up the service.

        The Start button opens programs and files, gets help, searches for files on your computer, and more.

        Click the Start button to access the menu for starting programs. Click on a file or program name to open it.

        The taskbar is the gray area at the bottom of the screen that contains the Start button on the left and a clock on the right. You may also see other buttons on the taskbar that represent programs that are running.

        Click a program's taskbar button to activate its window.

      Working with windows

        When you double-click on the icon for a drive, disk, folder, document, or program a window opens on the desktop. This example shows System (C:) in My Computer after double-clicking the System (C:) icon.

        Every program window looks a little different because each has its own menus, icons, and controls.

        The table below describes how to control a window. To find out more about controlling a window see the "Getting Started Microsoft Windows 98" guide.

        Window element Description

        The title bar is the horizontal bar at the top of a window that shows the name of the program and document.

        Click the Minimize button to reduce the active window to a button on the taskbar. Click the program button in the taskbar to open the window again.

        Click the Maximize button to expand the active window to fit the full screen. Click the maximize button again to restore the window to the smaller size.

        Click the Close button to close the active window or program.

        Click a menu bar item to invoke a command in a program.

      Starting a program using the Start menu

        You can start programs, open documents, customize your system, get help, search for files and folders, and more using the Start menu.

        To open the Start menu, click the Start button on the lower left of the Windows desktop. The Start menu opens showing you the first level of menu items.

        When you move the mouse pointer over any menu item that has an arrow next to it, another menu, or submenu, opens and reveals related files, programs, or commands. Click on a file or program to open it.

      Managing files and folders

        In Windows, you can organize your documents and programs to suit your preferences much like you would store information in a file cabinet. You can store these files in folders and copy, move, and delete the information just as you would reorganize and throw away information in a file cabinet.

      Using files, folders, and drives

        Drives are like filing cabinets because they hold many files and folders. A computer almost always has more than one drive. Each drive has a letter, usually System (C:) for the main drive and Floppy (A:) for the diskette drive. Depending on your system, you may also have more drives and drive types such as CD/DVD or Zip drives. Each drive has its own letter.

        Files are very much like paper documents--letters, spread sheets, and instructions--that you keep on your computer. In fact, all information on a computer is stored in files.

        Folders are very much like the folders in a file cabinet. They store files and other folders.

      To create a folder:

        1. Double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop. The My Computer dialog box opens.

        2. Double-click the drive or folder, for example System (C:), where you want to put the new folder. The drive or folder dialog box opens.

        3. Select File, then New, then Folder. The new folder is created.

        4. Type a name for the folder, then press Enter. The new folder name appears under the folder.

      Copying, moving, and deleting files

        As you work with files and folders, you will need to copy them, move them, and delete them. The basic skills you need to copy and move files are called copying, cutting, and pasting.

        When you copy and paste a selection, you place a copy of the file you selected on the Windows clipboard, which stores it. Then, when you decide what folder you want the copy to go in, you paste it there.

        When you cut and paste a selection, you remove the file from its folder and place the file on the Windows clipboard. When you decide where you want the file to go, you paste it there.

        The clipboard stores whatever you cut or copy until you cut or copy again. Then the clipboard contains the new information only. Therefore, you can paste copies of a file into more than one place, but as soon as you copy or cut a file again, the old file is deleted from the clipboard.

      To copy a file to another folder:

        1. Right-click the file you want to copy. A menu opens on the desktop.

        2. Select Copy from the menu.

        3. Open the folder where you want to put a copy of the file.

        4. With the pointer inside the folder, right-click the mouse button.

        5. Select Paste. A copy of the file appears in the new location.

      To move a file to another folder:

        1. Right-click the file you want to copy. A menu opens on the desktop.

        2. Select Cut from the menu.

        3. Open the folder where you want to move the file to.

        4. With the pointer inside the folder, right-click the mouse button.

        5. Select Paste. The file appears in its new location and is removed from its old folder.

      Browsing and searching for files

        Just as in a filing cabinet, a file that you might need is rarely right on top. It is usually inside a folder and sometimes even inside a folder inside a folder. Windows drives, folders, and files are organized in the same way--they may have many levels (usually many more levels than a filing cabinet, in fact) so you usually will have to search through levels of folders to find the file you need. This is called browsing.

      To browse for a file:

        1. Double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.

        2. Double-click the drive or folder you want to open.
        1. Continue double-clicking folders stored in other folders until you find the file or folder you want.

        If you cannot remember where you put a file or folder, you can find it using the Find program in Windows.

      To find files and folders using the Find program:

        1. Click Start, then select Find, then Files or Folders. The Find dialog box opens.
        1. In the appropriate boxes, type in whatever you know about the file. For example:
      All or part of the file name
      Text that is inside the file
      The date it was created or modified
      A time period it was created or modified in
        1. Click Find Now. The computer begins the search.
          When your system is finished searching, you see a list of the files and folders containing the text that you searched for or satisfying the criteria that you entered. For example, if you need to find a file name that has the word "system" in it, but you do not know the exact file name, you type in the word "system" and click Find Now.
          After the system searches, all the files and folders that contain the word "system" appear in a list in the Find dialog box along with their file locations and other details. You can open a file, folder, or program by double-clicking the name in the list.

      For more information . . .

        Gateway has provided these additional documentation resources to help you get the most out of your Gateway PC.

      Microsoft Windows guide

        Use this guide to find information about using the operating system, getting help, organizing your files, using programs, troubleshooting, and learning about other advanced features such as connecting to a network.

      Welcome to Windows

        Use the interactive Windows® tutorial, "Discovering Windows 98", to become more familiar with Windows features and learn more about using and getting the most out of your computer.

        Start the program by clicking Start, then selecting Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then Welcome to Windows. The Windows tutorial starts.

      Online help

        Many programs provide information online so you can research a topic or learn how to perform a task while you are using the software. This online information is organized so that you can find the information you need quickly. Most online help information can be accessed by selecting a topic from a Help menu or by clicking a Help button.

        Usually you can search for information by looking for a keyword, browsing through the contents of the online help, or searching for a topic.

      QuickANSWERS

        QuickANSWERS is an easily accessible interactive guide designed to help you quickly discover and use the many features of your Gateway computer.

        Double-click the QuickAnswers icon to get help with everything from finding a file to backing up your hard drive.

      Gateway Web site

        Gateway provides a variety of information on its Web site to help you use your computer.

      Technical documentation and product manuals
      Technical tips and support
      Hardware drivers
      A glossary of computer terms
      Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

      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 monitor 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.

      Setting up your computer table and chair

        When you are setting up 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 comfortably.
      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.

      Setting up your computer and computer accessories

      Set up the monitor so that the top is no higher than eye level.
      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 monitor.

      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 so that you can change your position, stretch your muscles, and relieve your eyes.
      Find ways to break up the work day, scheduling a variety of tasks.