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. (If you have a desktop case configured as a tower, the label should face to the left.)

      1. To access a file on the diskette, double-click the My Computer icon, double-click the drive letter (drive A: for the standard 1.44 MB diskette drive module or drive D: for the LS-120 drive module), then double-click 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 CD/DVD drive eject button. The CD/DVD drive tray opens. (If the model of drive in your computer is one that pops open when you press the eject button, but does not open fully, gently pull the tray all the way out.)

      2. Insert the CD/DVD in the tray with the label up. (If you have a desktop case configured as a tower, the label should face to the left.)

      Important

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

        1. Press the eject button again. The CD/DVD drive tray closes. If your model CD/DVD player does not automatically close when you push the eject button, push the tray in until it is closed.

      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 through the Start menu.

      To adjust overall volume level:

      Click the speaker icon on the taskbar, then drag the slider to change the volume or click to select the Mute check box.
          - OR -
          If you have external speakers, turn the volume control on the front of the speakers.

      To adjust specific volume levels:

        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.

      Using Windows Media Player

        The Windows Media Player is a center for playing and organizing multimedia on your computer and from the Internet. Use the player to listen to radio stations all over the world, play and copy your CDs, look for movies that are available on the Internet, and create customized lists of all media on your computer. For more information about the using the Windows Media Player, click Help.

      To listen to a CD in the Windows Media Player:

      Insert a CD into the CD/DVD drive. The Windows Media Player opens and the CD plays.
          If the Windows Media Player does not open automatically when you insert the CD, open it from the Start menu by clicking Start, then selecting Programs, then Windows Media Player. When the media player opens,
          click (play).

      Recording and playing audio

        Use the instructions below to make an audio recording by speaking into the microphone.

      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).

      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. See the DVD help for more information about using the DVD player.

      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. Insert a DVD into the CD/DVD drive. The DVD Player automatically opens.
          If the DVD Player does not open automatically, click Start, then select Programs, DVD Player, then DVD Player. The DVD Player video screen and control panel open.
        1. Click (play).

      Using MusicMatch

        Using the MusicMatchTM program, you can:

      Play music CDs
      Create MP3 music files from your music CDs
      Build a music library
      Enter music track information
      Listen to Internet Radio

      Playing CDs

        Your computer uses the MusicMatch program to play music CDs.

      To play a music CD:

        1. Double-click the MusicMatch icon on your desktop. MusicMatch opens.
        1. Place the music CD into the CD/DVD drive on your computer. The names of the music tracks appear in the playlist area.
        1. Click Play.

      Creating music files

        Using the MusicMatch program, you can copy the tracks from a music CD to your computer hard drive as MP3 files.

        Here are some terms that you need to know before you get started:

      Bit rate is the number of bits required to store one second of music. CD quality is 128 kilobits (128,000) per second. A high bit rate gives you better sound quality but the file size is also larger. For information about changing the sound quality settings, see the online help in MusicMatch.
      MP3 (MPEG Layer 3) is a standard for digitally compressing high-fidelity music into compact files without noticeably sacrificing quality. MP3 files end in the file extension .mp3.
      Ripping is the process of copying a music track from a music CD and storing it on your hard drive.

      To create (rip) MP3 files:

        1. Double-click the MusicMatch icon.

        2. Place a CD into the CD/DVD drive on your computer. The CD tracks appear in the playlist with checkmarks next to them.

        3. If you do not want to record a track, remove the checkmark.

        4. Click REC. The recorder window opens.
        1. Click REC in the Recorder window. The tracks are copied as MP3 files to your hard drive.

      Building a music library

        Use MusicMatch to build a music library. You can organize your music tracks by categories, find a track quickly by using the sort features, and add information to a song file.

        You can add music tracks to your music library by:

      Creating MP3 files - When you create MP3 files from the tracks on your music CD, MusicMatch automatically adds these files to your music library.
      Dragging and Dropping - Drag and drop files from Windows Explorer or your desktop to the music library.
      Downloading files from the Internet - When you are connected to the Internet, MP3 files that you download are automatically added to your music library.

      Changing the music library display settings

      To change the music library display settings:

        1. Double-click the MusicMatch icon.

        2. Select Options, then Settings. The Settings window opens.

        3. Click the Music Library tab.

        1. Select the categories that you want to display in the columns.

        2. Click OK.

      Editing track information

        If you are connected to the Internet and are listening to a music CD, MusicMatch automatically downloads and displays track information from a database on the Internet called CDDB (CD Database). This database contains information on thousands of artists, albums, and track titles.

        After you add a CD track as an MP3 file to your music library, you can edit track information.

      To edit track information:

        1. Create an MP3 file.

        2. Right-click the file, then select Edit Track Tag.

        1. Enter information such as track title, lead artist, album, genre, etc.

        2. Click OK.
          After you enter this track information, it is displayed in the MusicMatch playlist, music library, and recorder.

      Listening to Internet Radio

        Using the Radio feature in MusicMatch, you can listen to Internet Radio stations.

      To listen to an Internet Radio station:

        1. Connect to the Internet.

        2. Click Radio. The Radio window opens.
        1. Click Station Selector. A window opens that lists radio stations by music format, city, or country.
        1. Select a radio station, then click Play. MusicMatch connects to the station.

      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 the concepts for 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, click Help on the 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:

        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. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

        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 (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. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

        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. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

        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. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

        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. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

        2. Click (phone book).

        3. Click New.

        4. Type the name and mailing information for the phone book entry in the yellow entry fields at the bottom of the dialog box.

        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. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

        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. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

        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. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

        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. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

        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 Greetings window, then select your greeting from the Play Greeting & Record or 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 your first fax, you need to set up your user information. Your fax cover sheets and fax headers will contain this information, 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 text box. This identifier information is required by law. You can enter up to 20 characters in the text box. We suggest using eight characters for your identifier name, followed by 12 characters for your telephone number.

        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 picture then click the clear button.
          - OR -
          If you want to replace the PhoneTools logo with one of your own, 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. Click Start, then select Programs, PhoneTools, then PhoneTools. PhoneTools opens.

        2. Click Fax, then click 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. Type the message text in the Message Text area.

        2. 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.

        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. The Confirm Transmissions dialog box opens.

        5. Click Send. PhoneTools dials the fax number and sends your fax.

      To fax a document directly from most programs:

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

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

        3. Complete the wizard as instructed in "To send a fax" on  page .

      To receive and view a fax:

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

        2. To view a fax, click Fax, click Fax Inbox, then double-click the fax you want to view. The fax viewer opens, where you can view and print the fax.