Customizing Your Computer

    This chapter provides information about customizing your computer by changing settings in Windows and adding new hardware devices.

    You can:

Change screen and display settings
Change the background and screen saver
Adjust the mouse settings
Program the Millennium keyboard buttons
(if available for your model)
Manage power
Install peripheral devices

Adjusting the screen and desktop settings

    You can adjust the screen settings for brightness, contrast, and horizontal and vertical image position using the controls on the front of your monitor or LCD panel. For more information about these adjustments, see your monitor or LCD panel guide.

    Adjusting the color depth and screen area are two of the most basic display settings you may need to change. You can also adjust settings such as the screen background and screen saver.

Adjusting the color depth

    Color depth is the number of colors your monitor or LCD displays. Various image types require various color depths for optimum appearance on your monitor or LCD. For example, simple color drawings may appear adequately in 256 colors while color photographs need millions of colors to be displayed with optimum quality.

    Windows lets you choose from several color depth settings for your monitor or LCD. If available, we recommend that you use the 32-bit True Color setting at all times. Otherwise, use the 16-bit High Color setting.

    If the color in your images seems "false" or "jumpy," especially after you have played a game or run a video-intensive program, check the color depth setting and return it to 32-bit True Color, if necessary.

    HelpSpot

    For more information on adjusting the color depth, double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

    To change the color depth:

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

      2. Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties window opens.

      3. Click the Settings tab.

      1. Select a setting from the Colors list. For most purposes, the color depth should be 32-bit True Color.

      2. If you want to save your changes, click OK. Windows tells you it will apply your changes when you click OK again.

      3. Click OK.

         

    Adjusting the screen area

      You can change the screen area to a size you prefer. For example, you can increase the screen area to fit more icons on your desktop, or you can decrease the screen area to make reading and identifying objects on the display easier. The larger the screen area, the smaller individual components of the screen, such as icons and menu bars, appear.

      HelpSpot

      For more information on adjusting the screen area, double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

      To change the screen area:

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

        2. Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties window opens.

        3. Click the Settings tab.

        1. Drag the Screen area slider to the size you prefer.

        2. If you want to save your changes, click OK. Windows tells you it will apply your changes when you click OK again.

        3. Click OK.

           

      Applying a color scheme

        A color scheme is a set of colors that you can apply to your Windows environment. For example, you can change the appearance of such things as the desktop, windows, and dialog boxes. You can select an existing scheme or create your own.

        HelpSpot

        For more information on applying a color scheme, double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

        To select a color scheme:

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

          2. Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties window opens.

          3. Click the Appearance tab. If you want to apply one of Windows' color schemes, go to Step 6.

          1. If you want to create a new scheme, select various items from the Item list and change their settings.

          2. Click Save As, type a name for the new scheme, and then click OK.

          3. Select a color scheme from the Scheme list. An example of the scheme appears in the window above the list.

          4. Click OK.

             

        Changing the desktop background

          The Windows desktop background can be changed to either a picture or HTML document. Windows provides several background pictures. You can also use pictures or HTML documents that you have created or retrieved from other sources.

          Important

          If Active Desktop is turned on and you have chosen to display Web content, the standard desktop background will be partially or completely hidden, so you may not be able to see changes you have made in the background. For more information about Active Desktop, see HelpSpot.

            HelpSpot

            For more information on changing the desktop background, double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

            To change the desktop background:

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

              2. Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.

              3. Click the Background tab.
              1. Select a background picture from the Select a background picture or HTML document as Wallpaper list.
                - OR -
                Select a background picture from another location by clicking Browse.

              1. If you want the picture you chose to cover the entire screen, select Tile from the Picture Display list.

              2. If the picture you chose does not cover the entire screen and you did not choose to tile the image in Step 5, you can change the solid color behind the picture by clicking Pattern, selecting a pattern from the Pattern list, then clicking OK.

              3. Click OK.

                 

            Selecting a screen saver

              An image may get burned in on your monitor screen if you leave your computer on for long periods of time without using it. You should use a screen saver which constantly changes its image to avoid this damage. LCD panels cannot be damaged with image burn-in.

              You can also use a screen saver to keep others from viewing your screen while you are away from your computer. Windows supplies a variety of screen savers that you can choose from, and many more are available from the Internet and as commercial products.

              HelpSpot

              For more information on changing the screen saver, double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

              To select a screen saver:

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

                2. Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.

                3. Click the Screen Saver tab.

                1. Select a screen saver from the Screen Saver list. Windows previews the screen saver.

                2. If you want to customize the screen saver, click Settings and then make your changes. If the Settings button is not available, you cannot customize the screen saver you selected.

                3. If you want to password protect your screen saver, select the Password protected checkbox, click Change, type your password, confirm it, then click OK.

                4. If you want to change the time before the screen saver is activated, click the up or down arrows next to the Wait box.

                5. Click OK.

                   

              Changing the mouse settings

                You can adjust the double-click speed, pointer speed, left-hand or right-hand configuration, and other mouse settings.

                HelpSpot

                For more information on changing the mouse settings, double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

                To change your mouse settings:

                  1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If you do not see the Mouse icon, click view all Control Panel options.
                  1. Double-click the Mouse icon. The Mouse Properties dialog box opens.
                  1. Click one of the tabs to change your mouse settings:
                Buttons lets you change the button configuration and the double-click speed.
                Pointers lets you customize the appearance of your cursor and pointer.
                Pointer Options lets you set your pointer speed and pointer trails.
                  1. Click OK to save changes.

                     

                Programming the Millennium keyboard

                  All of the programmable buttons on the Gateway Millennium keyboard are pre-programmed to start actions such as playing a CD or opening your Web browser. Also, you can program some of the buttons to open a program or initiate an action of your choosing.

                  Use the Millennium Keyboard utility to change the functions of the programmable buttons.

                To program your Millennium keyboard buttons:

                  1. Click Start, then select Programs, then Millennium Keyboard. The Millennium Keyboard utility opens.
                  1. Click the icons to change the functions of your Millennium keyboard's programmable buttons:

                Shortcut lets you select a program or Web site of your choice that will open when you press the Shortcut button. The Shortcut button is pre-programmed to open the My Documents folder.

                Shopping cart lets you select a program or Web site of your choice that will open when you press the Shopping cart button. The Shopping cart button is pre-programmed to open an Internet shopping site.

                E-mail lets you select a program or Web site of your choice that will open when you press the E-mail button. The E-mail button is pre-programmed to open your e-mail program.

                Help lets you select a program or Web site of your choice that will open when you press the Help button. The Help button is pre-programmed to open HelpSpot.

                Internet lets you select a program or Web site of your choice that will open when you press the Internet button. The Internet button is pre-programmed to open your Web browser.

                     

                Power management

                  Computer equipment can account for a significant portion of energy use in the home and office environment. You may not want to shut down your computer each time you leave it, especially if you plan to be away for only a short time. Windows lets you use the following modes to conserve energy when the system is not in use:

                Standby - while your computer is on standby, it switches to a low power state where devices, such as the monitor and drives, turn off and the entire system uses less power.
                Hibernate - (also called save to disk) writes all current memory (RAM) information to the hard drive, then turns the computer completely off. The next time you turn on the computer, it reads the memory information from the hard drive and opens the programs and documents that were open when you activated hibernate.

                Using Standby mode

                  Always save your work before using the Standby mode. Once in Standby, your computer reduces or turns the power off to most devices except memory. However, the information in the memory is not saved to the hard drive. If power is interrupted, the information is lost.

                  The table below shows how to use Standby mode.

                If your computer is... ...and you
                want to...                                 		...then

                Off

                Start up

                Press the power button.

                On

                Enter Standby mode

                Click Start, then select Shut Down, then Standby, then click OK.

                In Standby mode

                Exit Standby mode

                Move the mouse or press any key on the keyboard.

                On

                Shut down

                Click Start, then select Shut Down, then Shut down, then click OK.

                Changing power settings

                  You can change power management settings, such as the power button function and power-saving timers, by changing power settings in Windows. You can also adjust power schemes and adjust advanced power settings.

                  Power schemes (groups of power settings) let you change power saving options such as when the monitor or hard drive is automatically turned off. You can also select one of the defined power schemes or create a custom power scheme.

                  Advanced power settings let you assign different power saving modes to the power button.

                Changing the power scheme

                  HelpSpot

                  For more information on changing your power scheme, double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.

                  To change the power scheme:

                    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If you do not see the Power Management or Power Options icon, click view all Control Panel options.

                    2. Double-click the Power Management or Power Options icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens.
                    1. Select a power scheme from the Power Scheme list.
                      - OR -
                      Set the timers for System stand by, Turn off monitor, and Turn off hard disks, then save your custom power scheme by clicking Save As and typing a name for the scheme.
                    1. Save the changes by clicking OK.

                       

                  Changing advanced power settings

                  To change advanced power management settings:

                    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If you do not see the Power Management or Power Options icon, click view all Control Panel options.

                    2. Double-click the Power Management or Power Options icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens.

                    3. Click the Advanced tab.
                    1. Change the settings, then save them by clicking OK.

                       

                  Activating Hibernate mode

                  To activate Hibernate mode:

                    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If you do not see the Power Management or Power Options icon, click view all Control Panel options.

                    2. Double-click the Power Management or Power Options icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens.

                    3. Click the Hibernate tab.

                    1. Select the Enable hibernate support check box, then click Apply. Hibernate mode is now an option you can select on the Advanced tab and in the Shut Down menu.

                    2. To use Hibernate as a power savings mode, click the Advanced tab, select Hibernate as one of the advanced power settings, then save the changes by clicking OK.

                    3. To manually activate Hibernate mode, click Start, then select Shut Down, then Hibernate, then click OK.

                       

                  About installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

                    Your computer has one or more of the following ports: IEEE 1394, Universal Serial Bus (USB), serial, and parallel. These ports are used for connecting peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras to your computer. For more information about port locations, see Checking Out Your Gateway Computer.

                    IEEE 1394 and USB ports support plug-and-play and hot swapping, which means that your computer will usually recognize such a device whenever you plug it into the appropriate port. When you use an IEEE 1394 or USB device for the first time, your computer will prompt you to install any software the device needs. After doing this, you can disconnect and reconnect the device at any time.

                    Parallel and serial port devices are not plug-and-play. Refer to the device documentation for detailed information and installation instructions.