Using Your Computer

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

Use the diskette drive
Use the CD/DVD drive
Listen to music CDs
Record and play audio files
Watch DVD movies
Create, save, and print documents
Make and receive phone calls
Send and receive faxes

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/DVD drive and multimedia features

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

    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 up.
    .

      Important

      When you place a single-sided DVD in the tray, make sure that the label side is facing up. If the disc has two playable sides, place the disc so that the name of the side you want to play is facing up.

        1. Press the eject button again. The CD/DVD drive tray closes.

      Adjusting the volume

        You can use the volume controls to adjust the overall volume and the volume of specific sound devices in your computer. Depending on the sound hardware installed in your computer, you may have additional volume controls available on the Start menu and on the taskbar.

      To adjust overall volume level:

      Open the volume control pop-up by clicking the speaker icon on the taskbar, then drag the slider to change the volume or click to select the Mute check box to mute all audio.
          - OR-
          Turn the volume control knob on the front of your external speakers.

      To adjust volume levels for specific devices:

        1. Double-click the speaker icon on the taskbar. The Volume Control dialog box opens.
          If the device does not appear in the Volume Control dialog box, select Options, Properties, select the audio device you want to appear, then click OK.
        1. Drag the volume level and balance sliders for the device you want to adjust, then close the window. For more information about the volume controls, select Help in the Volume Control dialog box.

      Listening to music CDs

        Use the CD/DVD 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/DVD drive. The CD Player 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/DVD drive tray.

      Recording and playing audio

      To make an audio recording:

        1. Plug a microphone into the Microphone port on your computer.

        2. 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.

      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 with the DVD Player program.

      To play a DVD:

        1. Make sure that the speakers are turned on or headphones are plugged in and that the volume is turned up.

        2. Disable your system screen saver and standby timers.

        3. Click Start, then select Programs, DVD Player, then DVD Player. The DVD Player video screen and control panel open.
        1. Insert a DVD into the DVD drive, then click (play). 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. Closes the panel control
        2. Ejects the DVD
        3. Resumes playback in the Root or Title menu
        4. Navigates up in the Root or Title menu
        5. Selects the current menu item in the Root or Title menu
        6. Jumps to the Title menu
        7. Plays or pauses video
        8. Stops playback
        9. Rewinds the video
        10. Fast forwards if playing, or advances a single-frame if paused
        11. Toggles slow motion speed
        12. Opens the Angle Control window
        13. Adjusts audio volume
        14. Changes the time display between elapsed time, remaining time, and total time
        15. Navigates left in the Root or Title menu
        16. Navigates down in the Root or Title menu
        17. Navigates right in the Root or Title menu
        18. Jumps to the Root menu
        19. Rewinds to the start of the current chapter
        20. Navigates back one level in the Root or Title menu
        21. Jumps back one chapter
        22. Jumps forward one chapter
        23. Opens the subtitle language window
        24. Opens the spoken language window

      Selecting languages

      To select the language you want to hear:

        1. On the DVD control panel, click the spoken language button. The audio language menu opens.

        2. 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.

        2. 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 a DVD movie is playing, click (stop). Parental controls cannot be set while a movie is playing.

        2. Make sure the DVD Player video screen and control panel are open.

        3. Right-click on the control panel, then select Settings. The Settings dialog box opens.

        4. Click the Parental tab, then select the rating level you want. The Password dialog box opens.

        5. Enter a password, then click OK.

        6. Click (play). If the DVD supports parental controls and the DVD rating exceeds the set viewing level, the movie does not play.

      Searching for chapters

        DVD movies are often divided into chapters which are main scenes in the movie. If the DVD case contains a list of chapter names and numbers, use the list as a guide in selecting which chapter to play.

      To search for a chapter:

        1. Make sure the DVD Player video screen and control panel are open.

        2. Right-click on the control panel, then select Chapter/Title Search. A Chapter/Title window opens.

        3. Select the chapter you want to play. The movie begins playing at that chapter.

      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 concepts of 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, select Help on its 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.

      Using PhoneTools

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

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

        Using 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 speaker phone 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 (hang up).

      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 speaker phone 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.

        3. Select Delete.

        4. 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 (phone book).

        3. Click New.

        4. Type the name and mailing information for the phone book entry.

        5. Click the Communication tab.

        6. Type the phone number information for the phone book entry.

        7. Click Save.

      To call a phone book entry:

        1. If PhoneTools is not open, double-click the PhoneTools icon, then click Phone.

        2. Click (phone book).

        3. Double-click the entry that you want to call.

        4. If you have more than one phone number associated with the entry, double-click the number you want to dial.

        5. 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. To activate the answering machine, open PhoneTools and leave your computer on.

        When PhoneTools is opened with the Voice Mail controls 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.

        3. Select Delete.

        4. 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 from the pop-up menu. The General Configuration window opens with the Voice tab on top.

        3. Click Modify/Create Greetings. The Modify/Create Greetings window opens.

        1. Click the record button.

        2. Create a new greeting by clicking Create.
          - OR -
          Replace an 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 using the modem in your computer.

        Before you send a fax, you need to set up your fax cover sheet. Make sure the cover sheet contains your name and fax number, 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 box. You can enter as many as 20 characters in the text box.

        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 logo then click the clear button.
          - OR -
          If you want to replace the PhoneTools logo with one of your own choice, click the Import button, then select a picture for the logo. (The logo 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 click Fax, then 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. 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.

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

        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. PhoneTools dials the fax number and sends your fax. A message asks you to confirm that you want to send the fax.

        5. Click Send.

      To fax a document directly from a program:

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

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

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

      To receive and view a fax

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

        2. To view a fax, select the fax to view, then click the View button. The fax viewer opens, where you can view and manipulate the fax.