Maintaining Your Computer

    This chapter provides basic information about maintaining your computer hardware and software. You should perform regular maintenance to keep your computer running correctly.

    The following table contains a recommended maintenance schedule:


    Maintenance task     		Immediately after purchase
    Monthly
    When needed

    Create an emergency disk

    X

    X

    Back up files


    X

    X

    Scan hard drive


    X

    X

    Defragment hard drive


    X

    X

    Check for viruses


    X

    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 and files to start your computer if Windows fails to start. Using the startup diskette, you can restore the files that are required to return your computer to normal operation.

    You should create a startup diskette as soon as you get your computer and when you make significant modifications to your computer, such as adding new hardware or software.

To create an emergency startup diskette:

    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
      The Control Panel window opens.
    1. Double-click the Add/Remove Programs icon.
      The Add/Remove Programs Properties window opens.
    1. Click the Startup Disk tab.
    1. Place a blank diskette into the diskette drive.
    2. Click Create Disk.
    3. When Windows finishes copying files, remove the diskette from the diskette drive.
    4. Label the diskette "Emergency startup diskette."
    5. If you want to write-protect your diskette, which will prevent the diskette from being erased or infected by viruses, slide the tab that is at the top of the disk to the up position.
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    1. Store your emergency startup diskette in a safe place.

Backing up your files

    In order to retrieve files that may have been lost or damaged, you should regularly back up your files to diskettes or another backup device.

    You can back up all of the files on your computer or you can select specific files and folders to back up. Use diskettes to do a partial back up of selected files or folders. Use a backup device connected to a USB port such as a Zip® drive, tape drive, or other high capacity backup device to do a complete hard drive backup.

    Windows 98 includes a backup application to help manage file backup. The following instructions describe how to use the backup application. Click Help for more information about using the backup application.

To run the Windows backup program:

    1. Double-click the My Computer icon.
    2. Right-click the hard drive you want to back up, then select Properties.
      The System Properties window opens.
    1. Click the Tools tab.
    1. Click Backup Now.
    2. Perform a full system backup or a typical backup of your system and personal files by following the on-screen instructions.

Scanning your hard drive for errors

    Use the ScanDisk utility to examine your hard drive for hard drive surface errors, file problems, and folder problems. ScanDisk corrects these problems so that Windows and other applications can run efficiently.

To run ScanDisk:

    1. Double-click the My Computer icon.
    2. Right-click the hard drive that you want to check for errors, then select Properties.
      The System Properties window opens.
    1. Click the Tools tab.
    1. Click Check Now.
      The ScanDisk dialog box opens.
    1. Click Start.
    2. Correct any problems that are found by following the on-screen instructions.
      After the ScanDisk program has finished checking the drive for errors, it provides a summary of the problems that were found.
    1. Click Close.

Defragmenting your hard drive

    The Disk Defragmenter utility rearranges the data on your drive so that each file is stored for efficient access, rather than being scattered across different areas of the disk. Defragmenting the information stored on the drive can help speed up your hard drive performance.

To run Disk Defragmenter:

    1. Double-click the My Computer icon.
    2. Right-click the hard drive that you want to defragment, then select Properties.
      The System Properties window opens.
    1. Click the Tools tab.
    1. Click Defragment Now.
    2. If Disk Defragmenter does not start automatically, click Start.
      The program shows the progress of the defragmentation. After the process is over, you are asked if you want to defragment another drive.
    1. If you do not want to defragment another drive, click No.

Checking for viruses

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

    Check for viruses regularly. Once a month might be often enough to run a check. However, if you use your system more often or frequently download files from the Internet, once a week might be more appropriate.

    Gateway has installed Norton® AntiVirus scanning program. Locate the antivirus program in the Start menu. If you need help using the program, select Help from the menu bar.

Cleaning your computer

Warning

When you turn the computer off by pressing the power button, some electrical current still flows through the computer. Before cleaning the system, shut down the computer and unplug the power cable and modem cables.

Creating a computer cleaning Kit

    You may want to gather these items and put together a computer cleaning kit:

A soft cloth
An aerosol can of air that has a narrow, straw-like extension
Alcohol
A cotton swab
A CD/DVD drive cleaning kit

Cleaning your computer case

    Shut down and unplug the computer and clean it with a damp cloth.

    Caution

    Do not use abrasives or solvents that can permanently damage the finish of the computer.

Cleaning your LCD monitor

Shut down and unplug the computer and clean the LCD screen with a soft cloth moistened only with water. Wet the cloth, wipe the display, and then dry the screen with another soft cloth.

 
Caution

Do not touch the laser lens in the CD/DVD player.

Caution

Do not use abrasives or solvents that can permanently damage the finish of the computer.

Cleaning your keyboard

    Spray dust, lint, and dirt off of the keys with an aerosol can of air.

    If you have spilled liquid on the keyboard, unplug the keyboard and turn it upside down to let the liquid drain out. Let the keyboard dry overnight before trying to use it again.

Cleaning your mouse

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 with a soft cloth.
    2. Clean the mouse rollers with a cotton swab dipped in alcohol.
    1. Replace the mouse ball and retaining ring.
    2. Rotate the retaining ring on the bottom of the mouse clockwise, locking it into place.

Handling and cleaning your CD/DVDs

    You can do several things to help keep your CD player and discs clean and trouble-free.

Fingerprints and dust on a disc may cause the CD not to play. If the CD is not playing properly, try cleaning it.
      Clean discs by wiping from the center to the edge, not around in a circle, using a product made especially for the purpose.
Do not play cracked or warped discs. They could damage the CD drive.
Store discs in their cases.
Keep discs away from moisture, dust, and excessive heat.
Do not touch the laser lens in the CD player.