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Gateway DX4300 Gateway Desktop User's Guide - Page 20

Preparing power, connections, Connecting to a, broadband modem or, network - problems

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CHAPTER 2: Setting Up and Getting Started Preparing power connections Protecting from power source problems Warning High voltages can enter your computer through both the power cord and the modem connection. Protect your computer by using a surge protector. If you have a telephone modem, use a surge protector that has a modem jack. If you have a cable modem, use a surge protector that has an antenna/cable TV jack. During an electrical storm, unplug both the surge protector and the modem. 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 peripheral devices by connecting them to a surge protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from reaching your computer. An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) supplies battery power to your computer during a power failure. Although you cannot run your computer for an extended period of time with a UPS, a UPS lets you run your computer long enough to save your work and shut down your computer normally. Connecting to a broadband modem or network Important Your computer has a built-in Ethernet (network) jack. You can connect your computer to a broadband (cable or DSL) modem or to a wired Ethernet network. 10

Section	Page
Contents	9
Checking Out Your Computer	11
About this guide	12
Product Registration	12
Front	13
Back	15
Setting Up and Getting Started	19
Preparing power connections	20
Protecting from power source problems	20
Connecting to a broadband modem or network	20
To connect to a broadband modem or to an Ethernet network:	21
Connecting a dial-up modem	21
To connect the modem:	21
Using the World Wide Web	21
Connecting to a Web site	22
To connect to a Web site:	22
Downloading files	23
To download files or programs from a Web site:	23
Ethernet networking	24
Wired Ethernet networking	24
Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet	24
Using a router	25
Example router-based Ethernet network	25
Equipment you need for a router-based Ethernet network	26
Setting up wired Ethernet network hardware	27
Making sure your broadband connection works	27
Connecting network cables	28
Setting up a network using a router	28
To set up a network using a router:	29
Testing your network	30
Adding a printer to your network	30
Sharing resources	31
Sharing drives and printers	31
Sharing printers	31
To share printers:	31
Using the network	31
Printing files across the network	32
To print files across the network:	32
Using the media card reader	32
Memory card types	32
Using a memory card	33
To insert a memory card:	33
To remove a memory card:	33
Maintaining Your Computer	35
Setting up a maintenance schedule	36
Caring for your computer	36
Updating Windows	38
Troubleshooting	39
Safety guidelines	40
Try these steps first	40
Error messages	41
Internet and networking	42
Internet	42
You cannot connect to the Internet	42
You see an “Unable to locate host” message and are unable to browse the Internet	43
People are sending you e-mails, but you have not received them	43
E-mails you send are returned as undeliverable	43
Modem (cable or DSL)	44
My computer cannot connect to the Internet.	44
Modem (dial-up)	44
Your modem does not dial or does not connect	44
To check the dialing properties:	44
You cannot connect to the Internet	45
Your 56K modem does not connect at 56K	45
The modem is not recognized by your computer	45
To run modem diagnostics:	45
The modem is noisy when it dials and connects	46
To turn down the modem volume:	46
Networking	47
You cannot see the other computers on your network	47
Your wired network is running slower than you expect	47
Power	48
Your computer will not turn on	48
Display	48
The screen resolution is not correct	48
The color is not uniform	49
The text on the display is dim or difficult to read	49
Printing	49
The printer will not turn on	49
The printer is on but will not print	49
To set a default printer:	49
Optical discs	50
The computer does not recognize a disc or the disc drive	50
An audio disc does not produce sound	50
A movie disc will not play	50
Memory card reader	51
Drive letters for the memory card slots do not appear in the Computer window	51
Mouse	51
The mouse does not work	51
The mouse works erratically	52
Keyboard	52
The keyboard does not work	52
Liquid spilled in the keyboard	52
Files	53
You get an “Insufficient disk space” error message	53
A file was accidentally deleted	53
To restore deleted files:	53
You get a “Data error” message	54
The hard drive cannot be accessed, or you see a “General failure reading drive C” error message	54
You get an “Operating system not found” error message	54
You need to restore your computer to a working condition	54
Checking the hard drive for errors	54
To check the hard drive for errors:	55
Memory	56
You see a “Memory error” message	56
You see a “Not enough memory” error message	56
Audio	56
You are not getting sound from the speakers	56
Passwords	57
Your computer does not accept your password	57
Expansion cards	57
The computer does not recognize an expansion card	57
Media Center	58
The Media Center video display looks bad on your TV	58
You want to change monitor settings to get better TV or DVD image quality	59
You need to burn programs that were recorded with your computer to a DVD using Media Center	59
You want to play recorded programs on other computers	59
You get a “Download Error” message when Media Center tries to update the Program Guide	60
Checking for device problems	60
To check for device problems:	60
Recovering your system	61
Creating recovery discs	61
To create recovery discs:	61
Recovering pre-installed software and drivers	62
To recover your pre-installed software and drivers:	63
Returning to a previous system condition	63
To return to a restore point:	63
Returning your system to its factory condition	64
Recovering from within Windows Vista	64
To reinstall Windows Vista and all pre-installed software and drivers:	64
Recovering from the hard drive during startup	65
To reinstall Windows Vista and all pre-installed software and drivers:	65
Recovering from your recovery discs	66
To reinstall Windows Vista and all pre-installed software and drivers:	66
Creating Labelflash Disc Labels	66
What is Labelflash?	66
Creating disc labels with LabelPrint	66
To create a Labelflash label:	67