Maintaining Your Computer

This chapter provides basic information about maintaining your computer hardware and software.

Use the following table to set up the best maintenance schedule.

Maintenance task	Immediately after purchase	Monthly	When needed
Create an emergency diskette	X
Back up files		X	X
Scan hard drive		X	X
Defragment hard drive		X	X
Check for viruses		X	X
Manage hard drive space			X
Clean computer case			X
Clean keyboard			X
Clean screen			X
Clean mouse			X

Creating an emergency startup diskette

An emergency startup diskette is a diskette that contains critical information that you need to start your computer if Windows fails to start. You should create a startup diskette as soon as you get your computer.

To create an emergency startup diskette:

1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel opens.

2. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon. The Add/Remove Programs Properties dialog box opens.

3. Click the Startup Disk tab.

4. Place a blank diskette into the diskette drive.

5. Click Create Disk. A message box opens telling you to insert a new diskette.

6. Click OK. Windows copies files to the emergency startup diskette.

7. When Windows finishes copying files, remove the diskette from the diskette drive.

8. Label the diskette "Emergency startup diskette."

9. If you want to write-protect the diskette, which will prevent the diskette from being erased or infected by viruses, slide the tab that is at the top of the diskette to the up position.

10. Store your emergency startup diskette in a safe place and away from magnetic fields.

Scanning the hard drive for errors

The ScanDisk utility examines the hard drive for surface errors and file and folder problems. ScanDisk corrects these problems so that Windows and other programs run efficiently.

To run ScanDisk:

1. Double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer window opens.

2. Right-click the hard drive that you want to check for errors, then select Properties. The System Properties dialog box opens.

3. Click the Tools tab.

4. Click Check Now. The ScanDisk dialog box opens.

5. Select the options to use, then click Start. ScanDisk checks the drive for errors. This process may take several minutes.

6. Correct any problems that are found by following the on-screen instructions. After ScanDisk has finished checking the drive for errors, it provides a summary of the problems that it found.

7. Click Close.

Defragmenting the hard drive

Sometimes Windows divides files on your hard drive into pieces and stores them in different places. Although this fragmentation is normal, when the drive accesses the file, it must search for the pieces and put them back together, slowing hard drive performance.

The Disk Defragmenter utility organizes the data on the drive so that each file is stored as one unit rather than as pieces scattered across the hard drive, improving hard drive performance.

Do not use your keyboard or mouse while the Disk Defragmenter utility is running. Also, if you are connected to a network, log off before starting the utility.

To run Disk Defragmenter:

1. Double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer window opens.

2. Right-click the hard drive that you want to defragment, then select Properties. The System Properties dialog box opens.

3. Click the Tools tab.

4. Click Defragment Now. If Disk Defragmenter does not start automatically, click Start or Defragment.

Disk Defragmenter shows its progress on the screen. When finished, Disk Defragmenter ask if you want to quit the utility.

5. If you want to defragment another drive, click No then follow the on-screen instructions.

- OR -

If you do not want to defragment another drive, click Yes.

Protecting your computer from viruses

A virus is a program that attaches itself to a program or data file on a computer and then spreads from one computer to another. Viruses can damage data, cause computers to malfunction, and can display annoying or offensive messages. Some viruses can go unnoticed for long periods of time because they are activated on a certain date or time.

Protect your computer from a virus by:

Using Norton® AntiVirus to check files and programs that are on diskettes, attached to e-mail messages, or downloaded from the Internet

Getting all software from reputable sources and checking the software for viruses before installing it

Disabling macros on suspicious Microsoft Word and Excel files. These programs will warn you if a document that you are opening contains a macro that might have a virus.

The Norton AntiVirus scanning program is located in the Start menu. If you need help using the program, select Help in the menu bar.

Important

You should periodically update Norton AntiVirus software to protect against the latest viruses.

To remove a virus:

1. Find and remove the virus immediately using Norton AntiVirus.

2. Turn off your computer and leave it off for at least 30 seconds.

3. Turn on the computer and re-scan for the virus.

If the virus cannot be removed or has damaged your files, use Gateway GoBack (available on selected systems) to return your computer to its previous working condition. For more information, see "Using Gateway GoBack".

Managing hard drive space

By deleting unnecessary files from your hard drive you can help manage the hard drive space.

Checking hard drive space

In Windows, you can see a chart of the available hard drive space.

To check hard drive space:

1. Double-click on the My Computer icon. The My Computer window opens.

2. Right-click the hard drive that you want to check for available file space, then select Properties. The System Properties dialog box opens showing available space on the drive.

Backing up files

Backing up files and removing them from the hard drive frees space for new files. It also protects you from losing important information if you accidentally delete files or if the hard drive fails.

You should back up your files regularly on diskettes, writable CDs, or other backup media. Use diskettes to do a partial back up of files or folders 1.4 MB or smaller. Use a backup device such as a tape drive or other high capacity backup device to do a complete hard drive backup.

Windows includes a program that lets you backup your files. The following instructions describe how to use the backup program. See Windows Help for more information about using the backup program.

Gateway GoBack also provides file recovery features for files that have been lost in the last few days. For more information about restoring files, see "Using Gateway GoBack".

To run the Windows backup program:

1. Double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer window opens.

2. Right-click the hard drive you want to back up, then select Properties. The System Properties dialog box opens.

3. Click the Tools tab.

4. Click Backup Now. The Backup program starts.

5. Follow the on-screen instructions.

Deleting unnecessary files

Deleting unnecessary files from the hard drive frees space. Use the Windows Disk Cleanup utility to delete temporary Windows files, delete temporary Internet files, empty the Recycle Bin, and delete other files.

To use Windows Disk Cleanup program:

1. Click Start, then select Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then Disk Cleanup. The Select Drive dialog box opens.

2. Select the drive you want to clean up, then click OK. The Disk Cleanup dialog box opens.

3. Select the check box beside each file type you want to delete. For more information about file types you can delete, read the descriptions in the Disk Cleanup dialog box.

4. Click OK, then click Yes. The selected files are deleted.

Using the Maintenance Wizard

The Maintenance Wizard lets you schedule maintenance tasks such as running Disk Defragmenter and ScanDisk and deleting unnecessary files.

To start the Maintenance wizard:

1. Click Start, then select Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then Maintenance Wizard. The Maintenance Wizard dialog box opens.

2. Select the Maintenance Wizard options that you prefer. Remember that your computer must be on for scheduled maintenance tasks to run.

Cleaning your computer

Keeping your computer clean and the vents free from dust helps keep your system performing at its best. You may want to gather these items and put together a computer cleaning kit:

A soft cloth

Window cleaner (not for use on LCD panels)

An aerosol can of air that has a narrow, straw-like extension

Isopropyl alcohol

Cotton swabs

A CD/DVD drive cleaning kit

Cleaning the keyboard

You should clean the keyboard occasionally to free it of dust and lint trapped under the keys. The easiest way to do this is to blow dirt from under the keys using an aerosol can of air with a narrow, straw-like extension.

If you spill liquid on the keyboard, turn off the computer and turn the unit upside down. Let the liquid drain, then let the keyboard dry before trying to use it again. If the keyboard does not work after it dries, you may need to replace it.

Cleaning the screen

If your computer screen is an LCD panel, use a soft cloth and water to clean the screen. Squirt a little water on the cloth (never directly on the screen), and wipe the screen with the cloth.

Caution

An LCD screen is made of specially coated glass and can be scratched or damaged by abrasive or ammonia-based window cleaners.

- OR -

If your computer screen is not an LCD panel, use a soft cloth and window cleaner to clean the monitor screen. Squirt a little cleaner on the cloth (never directly on the screen), and wipe the screen with the cloth.

Cleaning the exterior

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.

Always turn off the computer and other peripherals before cleaning any components.

Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean the computer and other parts of your system. Do not use abrasive or solvent cleaners because they can damage the finish on your components.

Your computer is cooled by air drawn in through the vents on the chassis and blown out through the power supply exhaust fan so keep the vents free of dust. With the computer turned off and unplugged, brush the dust away from the vents with a damp cloth. Be careful not to drip any water into the vents. Do not attempt to clean dust from the inside the computer.

Cleaning the mouse

If you have a mouse and the mouse pointer begins moving erratically across the screen or becomes difficult to control precisely, then cleaning the mouse will likely improve the mouse accuracy.

To clean your mouse:

1. Turn the mouse upside down.

2. Rotate the retaining ring on the bottom of the mouse counter-clockwise.

3. Remove the retaining ring and mouse ball.

4. Remove any dust, lint, or dirt from the mouse ball with a soft cloth.

5. Clean the mouse rollers with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.

6. Replace the mouse ball and lock the retaining ring into place.

Handling and cleaning CD/DVDs

Follow these guidelines when handling or cleaning CD/DVDs:

Do not expose CD/DVDs to sun or other strong light for long periods. Also, avoid high heat or humidity.

Handle CD/DVDs carefully to avoid scratching them, especially on the label side, which only has a thin layer of lacquer protecting the surface.

Do not use alcohol-based pens, ballpoint pens, or pencils to write on CD/DVDs. The ink may eventually eat through the lacquer surface and damage the data. Instead use felt tip pens.

When using recordable CD/DVDs, only use labels designed expressly for that purpose.

Store and ship CD/DVDs in their jewel cases or other protective containers.

Do not stack CD/DVDs together. They may stick to each other, causing the lacquer surface to peel off.

Avoid putting fingerprints on the bottom (recorded side) of the CD/DVD.

Clean CD/DVDs by wiping from the center to the edge, not around in a circle, using a product made especially for the purpose.