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Gateway GT5012 8510943 - Gateway Computer User Guide (6-Bay Micro uBTX Case) - Page 66

Safety guidelines, First steps - review

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Chapter 6: Troubleshooting Safety guidelines While troubleshooting your computer, follow these safety guidelines: ■ Never remove your computer case cover while your computer is turned on and while the modem cable, network cable, and power cord are connected. ■ Make sure that you are correctly grounded before accessing internal components. For more information about preventing damage from static electricity, see "Preventing static electricity discharge" on page 50. Warning To avoid bodily injury, do not attempt to troubleshoot your computer problem if: ■ Power cords or plugs are damaged ■ Liquid has been spilled into your computer ■ Your computer was dropped ■ The case was damaged Instead, unplug your computer and contact a qualified computer technician. First steps If you have problems with your computer, try these things first: ■ Make sure that the AC power adapter is connected to your computer and an AC outlet and that the AC outlet is supplying power. ■ If you use a power strip or surge protector, make sure that it is turned on. ■ If a peripheral device (such as a keyboard or mouse) does not work, make sure that all connections are secure. ■ Make sure that your hard drive is not full. ■ If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. The message may help Gateway Customer Care in diagnosing and fixing the problem. ■ If you added or removed peripheral devices, review the installation procedures you performed and make sure that you followed each instruction. ■ If an error occurs in a program, see the program's printed documentation or the online help. Help and Support For more information about troubleshooting, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword troubleshooting in the Search box , then click the arrow. 60 www.gateway.com

Section	Page
Getting Help	7
Gateway Web site	9
Using Support	9
Support Home	10
Product Support	10
Downloads	10
Customer Service	10
Upgrade Center	10
Resources	10
Contact Us	10
Help and Support	11
To start Help and Support:	11
Searching for a topic	12
BigFix	12
To start BigFix:	12
To learn more about using BigFix:	12
Using Your Computer guide	13
To access the Using Your Computer guide:	13
Online help	13
Gateway contact information	14
Checking Out Your GatewayComputer	15
Desktop PC Front	16
Desktop PC Back	18
Identifying your model	21
Gateway model and serial number	21
Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity	21
Finding your specifications	22
Accessories	22
Getting Started	25
Working safely	26
Reducing eye strain	26
Setting up your computer desk and chair	26
Setting up your computer and computer accessories	27
Sitting at your computer	27
Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain	27
Protecting from power source problems	28
Checking the voltage selection	28
To set the voltage selection switch:	29
Starting your computer	29
To start your computer:	29
Waking up your computer	30
Turning off your computer	30
To turn off your computer:	30
Restarting (rebooting) your computer	31
To close unresponsive programs and restart your computer:	31
Using the keyboard	32
Keyboard features	32
Using the mouse	34
Adjusting the volume	36
To adjust the overall volume level using hardware controls:	36
Configuring the audio jacks	36
To configure the audio jacks:	36
Connecting the dial-up modem	37
To connect the modem:	37
Connecting to a cable or DSL modem or to a wired Ethernet network	37
To connect to a cable or DSL modem or to an Ethernet network:	37
Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device	38
Using Drives and Ports	39
Using the diskette drive	40
To use a diskette:	40
Using the memory card reader	41
Memory card types	41
Inserting a memory card	42
To use a memory card:	42
To remove a memory card:	42
Using the CD or DVD drive	43
Identifying drive types	43
Inserting a CD or DVD	44
To insert a CD or DVD:	44
Playing a CD	45
Playing a DVD	45
Creating CDs and DVDs	45
Maintaining Your Computer	47
Caring for your computer	48
Updating Windows	48
To run Windows Update:	48
Protecting your computer from viruses	49
To scan for viruses:	50
To remove a virus:	51
To update Norton Internet Security:	51
Cleaning your computer	52
Cleaning the exterior	52
Cleaning the keyboard	52
Cleaning the computer display	53
Cleaning the mouse	53
To clean your mouse:	53
Cleaning CDs or DVDs	53
Restoring your system	54
Microsoft System Restore	54
To run Microsoft System Restore:	54
Reinstalling programs and drivers	54
To reinstall your program or driver:	54
Restoring your computer to the original configuration	55
To restore your computer to the original configuration:	55
Preventing static electricity discharge	56
Opening the case	57
Removing the side panel	57
To remove the side panel:	57
Removing the front bezel	58
To remove the front bezel:	58
Closing the case	59
Replacing the side panel	59
To replace the side panel:	59
Replacing the front bezel	60
To replace the front bezel:	60
Installing memory	61
To install or replace DIMM memory:	61
Replacing the system battery	63
To replace the battery:	63
Troubleshooting	65
Safety guidelines	66
First steps	66
Troubleshooting	67
Add-in cards	67
Audio	67
Battery	67
CD or DVD drives	67
Computer	69
Diskette drive	69
DVD drives	70
File management	70
Hard drive	71
Internet	72
Keyboard	73
Memory	74
Memory card reader	74
Modem (dial-up)	74
Monitor	78
Mouse	80
Networks	80
Passwords	80
Power	81
Printer	81
Sound	83
Telephone support	84
Before calling Gateway Customer Care	84
Telephone numbers	85
Automated troubleshooting system	85
Telephone numbers	85
Self-help	86
Tutoring	86
Training	86
Networking Your Computer	87
Introduction to Networking	88
Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet	88
Using a router	88
Example router-based Ethernet network	89
Determining if an Ethernet is already installed on your computers	90
To determine if Ethernet is already installed on your computer:	90
Creating an Ethernet network	90
Installing Ethernet cards and drivers	90
Making sure your broadband connection works	91
Naming the computers and the workgroup	91
To identify this computer on the network:	91
Configuring the TCP/IP protocol	92
Terms you should know	92
Using a DHCP server	92
To use a DHCP server	92
Setting up an Ethernet network	94
Setting up a network using a router	95
To set up a network using a router:	96
Configuring your router	96
To configure the Linksys EtherFast Cable/DSL router:	96
Testing your network	98
Troubleshooting Your Ethernet network	99
Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information	101
Index	109
A	109
B	109
C	109
D	110
E	111
F	111
G	111
H	111
I	111
J	112
K	112
L	112
M	112
N	113
O	113
P	113
R	114
S	114
T	114
U	115
V	115
W	115