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

Protecting from power source problems

    During a power surge, the voltage level 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. To protect your computer during electrical storms, unplug the telephone line from the modem jack or use a telephone line surge suppressor.

      An uninterruptable power supply (UPS) uses a battery to keep your computer running during a power failure. You cannot run your computer for an extended period of time with a UPS, but it powers your computer equipment long enough to let you save your work and shut your computer down to protect against data loss during a total power failure.

    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 window opens.

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

      3. Click the Startup Disk tab.

      1. Click Create Disk. A message box opens telling you to label a new diskette and insert it into the diskette drive.

      2. Place a new, labeled diskette into the diskette drive.

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

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

      5. 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.
      1. Store your emergency startup diskette in a safe place with your other backup media.

    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 rescan for the virus.

      Managing hard drive space

        Windows provides several utilities you can use to manage your hard drive space and keep your hard drive running efficiently.

      Scanning the hard drive for errors

        The ScanDisk utility examines the hard drive for errors and file problems and corrects them so that your computer performs correctly.

        If you use your computer several hours every day, you probably want to run ScanDisk once a week. But if you use your computer less frequently, once a month may be adequate. You should also run ScanDisk if you have hard drive problems.

      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.

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

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

        3. 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.

        4. Click Close.

      Defragmenting the hard drive

        Sometimes Windows divides file data into pieces and stores them in different places on the hard drive. This is called fragmentation, and it is normal. But for the hard drive to use a file, it must search for all the pieces of the file, and this slows the hard drive performance.

        The Disk Defragmenter utility organizes file data as one unit instead of in pieces, improving hard drive performance.

        If you are connected to a network, log off before running the Disk Defragmenter utility. While the Disk Defragmenter utility is running, do not use your keyboard or mouse. Using your computer while defragmenting will start the process again from the beginning.

      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.

        1. Click Defragment Now.

        2. 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.
        1. 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.

      Using Disk Cleanup

        By deleting unnecessary files from the hard drive you free 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. Double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer window opens.

        2. Right-click the hard drive that you want to delete files from, then select Properties. The System Properties dialog box opens at the General tab.

        1. Click Disk Cleanup. The Disk Cleanup dialog box opens.

        2. 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.

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

      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. Click the hard drive that you want to check for available file space. Drive space information appears on the left side of the window.

      Backing up files

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

        You should back up your files regularly to diskettes or a writable CD if you have a CD-R drive. Use diskettes or writable CDs to do partial backups of selected files or folders. Use a backup device such as a CD-R, Zip drive, or other high capacity backup device to do a complete hard drive backup. If you do not have a high-capacity backup device and you want to purchase one, you can contact Gateway's Add-on Sales department or visit our website at www.gateway.com.

      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.
        1. Select the Maintenance Wizard options that suit your preferences. Remember that your computer must be on during scheduled maintenance tasks.

      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.
            1. Remove the retaining ring and mouse ball.

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

            2. Clean the mouse rollers with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.
            1. Replace the mouse ball and lock the retaining ring into place.