Gateway NV-79 Gateway Notebook User's Guide - English - Page 54

CHAPTER 5: Networking Your Notebook

48

Determining if an Ethernet card is already installed on your computer

To determine if an Ethernet card is already installed on your computer:

1

Click

(Start), then click Control Panel. The

Control Panel

window opens.

2

Click System and Maintenance, then click System.

3

Click Device Manager from the task list on the left. The

Device Manager

window

opens.

4

Click the plus (+) in front of Network adapters. The Ethernet device installed in

your computer is listed. If one is not listed, you must install one.

Setting up wired Ethernet network hardware

Making sure your broadband connection works

Before you change anything about your home setup, make sure that your broadband

connection is working correctly. To test the connection, log onto the Internet using

your current setup. If the connection is not working, contact your Internet service

provider.

Installing Ethernet cards and drivers

After you have determined the type of Ethernet you are using for your network, you

need to install Ethernet cards and drivers on the computers that do not have Ethernet

already installed.

Use the documentation that comes with your Ethernet cards for instructions on

installing the card and any required drivers.

Plug your Ethernet cable into your computer’s jack and the router or the cable or

DSL modem at this point, if you have not already done so.

Connecting network cables

We recommend using category 5 (Cat 5), unshielded, twisted-pair cable

(approximately 1/4-inch diameter with a thin outer-jacket, containing eight

color-coded wires), and equipment compatible with this type of cable. This type of

cable is equipped with RJ-45 connectors (like a large telephone jack connector, but

with eight pins) on each end.

Cat 5 cables are available in two different types; straight-through cables, used to

connect computers to a router, and crossover cables, used to connect two computers.

To determine which type of cable you have, hold both ends of the cable with the

connectors facing away from you and with the spring clip on the bottom. For

straight-through cable, the wires on both connectors are attached to copper pins in

the same order (same colors, left to right). For a crossover cable, the wires on each

connector are attached to the copper pins in a different order (different colors, left

to right).

Setting up a network using a router

If you are setting up a network for more than two computers and you will be

connecting your network to a high-speed Broadband Internet connection (cable or

DSL modem), we recommend the use of a router. A router lets you access the Internet

connection from any network computer. The router can assign IP addresses to the

computers on the network and can provide firewall protection for your network as

well.

Important

If you do not have a broadband connection already installed, make the

necessary arrangements with your ISP. Be sure to find out how soon after the

installation the line will be activated.

Broadband Internet settings differ from ISP to ISP. Before you begin setting

up your network, you should contact your ISP for any specific instructions they

have for setting up a network

.

Section	Page
Getting Help	7
Thank you for purchasing our notebook!	8
Using the Gateway Web site	8
Using Help and Support	8
Contacting Gateway	9
Getting help for Windows Media Center	9
Using online help	10
Using Windows	11
Using the Windows desktop	12
Using the Start menu	13
Adding icons to the desktop	14
Identifying window items	14
Working with files and folders	15
Viewing drives	15
Creating folders	16
Copying and moving files and folders	16
Deleting files and folders	17
Searching for files	18
Using the Windows Search	18
Using advanced search options	19
Browsing for files and folders	19
Using Tablet PC	19
Calibrating your tablet	20
Using gestures	21
Using the digital pen	21
Digital pen button	21
Tips	21
Using the Tablet Input Panel (TIP)	22
Working with documents	23
Creating a new document	23
Saving a document	23
Opening a document	24
Printing a document	24
Shortcuts	25
Using the Internet and Faxing	27
Learning about the Internet	28
Setting up an Internet account	28
Accessing your Internet account	29
Using the World Wide Web	29
Connecting to a Web site	30
Downloading files	30
Using e-mail	31
Sending e-mail	31
Checking your e-mail	31
Using Windows Fax and Scan	32
Sending a Fax	32
Setting up your cover page template	35
Faxing a scanned document or faxing from programs	37
Canceling a fax	37
Receiving and viewing a fax	37
Playing and Creating Media Files	39
Playing music and movies	40
Playing audio and video files	40
Playing optical discs	41
Playing an optical disc using Windows Media Player	41
Creating audio files and music libraries	43
Creating music files	43
Recording audio files	43
Creating WMA and MP3 music files	44
Building a music library	44
Editing track information	45
Creating music CDs and video DVDs	45
Creating a music CD	45
Creating a video DVD	46
Creating and copying data discs	49
Creating a data disc	49
Using Windows Media Center	49
Starting Windows Media Center	50
Networking Your Notebook	51
Introduction to Networking	52
Networking terms you should know	52
Ethernet networking	52
Wired Ethernet networking	52
Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet	52
Using a router	52
Equipment you need for a router-based Ethernet network	53
Setting up wired Ethernet network hardware	54
Wireless Ethernet networking	55
Wireless Ethernet standards	55
Using an access point	56
Equipment you need for an access point-based network	56
Setting up wireless Ethernet network hardware	57
Establishing your Ethernet network connection	57
Naming the computers and the workgroup	57
Configuring the TCP/IP protocol	58
Connecting to a wireless Ethernet network	58
Wireless security	60
Testing your network	60
Adding a printer to your network	60
Sharing resources	60
Sharing drives and printers	60
Using the network	62
Viewing shared drives and folders	62
Creating a shortcut to a network drive	62
Opening files across the network	62
Copying files across the network	63
Printing files across the network	63
Bluetooth networking	63
Protecting Your Notebook	65
Hardware security	66
Kensington lock slot	66
Data security	66
Startup and hard drive password	66
Windows user accounts	66
Protecting your notebook from viruses	67
How to scan for and remove Internet threats	67
If you are using Norton 360	67
If you are using Norton Internet Security	69
Using Windows Security Center	70
Modifying security settings	70
Security updates	71
Windows Update	71
Scheduling automatic updates	71
Traveling securely	72
Customizing Windows	73
Changing screen settings	74
Changing color depth and screen resolution	74
Changing the appearance of windows and backgrounds	75
Selecting a screen saver	76
Changing gadgets	77
Using a gadget’s control panel	78
Configuring the gadget Sidebar	78
Changing system sounds	79
Changing mouse, touchpad, or pointing device settings	80
Changing mouse settings	80
Changing touchpad or pointing device settings	81
Adjusting tablet, digital pen, and input panel settings	82
Adding and modifying user accounts	83
User account tips	83
Changing accessibility settings	84
Using the Ease of Access Center	84
Using voice recognition	85
Using the Windows Mobility Center	86
Setting up parental controls	88
Filtering Internet access	88
Scheduling notebook and Internet use	89
Restricting game access	89
Restricting specific programs	91
Creating activity reports	91
Maintaining Your Notebook	93
Setting up a maintenance schedule	94
Updating Windows	94
Managing hard drive space	95
Checking hard drive space	95
Deleting unnecessary files	96
Checking the hard drive for errors	96
Defragmenting the hard drive	97
Backing up files	98
Scheduling maintenance tasks	99
Moving from your old computer	99
Transferring files and settings with Windows Easy Transfer	99
Transferring files and settings manually	100
Finding your documents	100
Finding other files	100
A	103
B	103
C	103
D	103
E	103
F	103
G	104
H	104
I	104
K	104
L	104
M	104
N	104
O	104
P	105
R	105
S	105
T	105
U	105
V	105

Gateway NV-79 Gateway Notebook User's Guide - English - Page 54

Setting up wired Ethernet network hardware, Control Panel, Device Manager - ethernet driver

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