Getting Started

    Read this chapter to find out how to:

Use your computer safely
Protect your computer from power source problems
Start and turn off your computer
Use the keyboard
Use the mouse
Use the computer display
Install peripheral devices

Working safely

    Before using your computer, read the following recommendations for setting up a safe and comfortable work area and avoiding discomfort and strain.

Reducing eye strain

    Sunlight or bright indoor lighting should not reflect on the computer display or shine directly into your eyes.

Position the computer desk and computer so you can avoid glare on your computer display and light shining directly into your eyes. Reduce glare by installing shades or curtains on windows, and by installing a glare screen filter on your computer display.
Use soft, indirect lighting in your work area. Do not use your computer in a dark room.
Avoid focusing your eyes on your computer display for long periods of time. Look away from your display occasionally, and try to focus on distant objects.

Setting up your computer desk and chair

    When you are setting up your computer desk and chair, make sure that the desk is the appropriate height and the chair helps you maintain good posture.

Select a flat surface for your computer desk.
Adjust the height of the computer desk so your hands and arms are positioned parallel to the floor when you use the keyboard and mouse. If the desk is not adjustable or is too tall, consider using a keyboard drawer.
Use an adjustable chair that is comfortable, distributes your weight evenly, and keeps your body relaxed.
Position your chair so the keyboard is at or slightly below the level of your elbow. This position lets your shoulders relax while you type.
Adjust the chair height, adjust the forward tilt of the seat, or use a footrest to distribute your weight evenly on the chair and relieve pressure on the back of your thighs.
Adjust the back of the chair so it supports the lower curve of your spine. You can use a pillow or cushion to provide extra back support.

Setting up your computer and computer accessories

Set up your computer so the display is no higher than eye level, the display controls are within reach, and the display is tilted to be perpendicular to your line of sight.
Place your keyboard and mouse at a comfortable distance. You should be able to reach them without stretching.
Set paper holders at the same height and distance as the computer display.

Sitting at your computer

Avoid bending, arching, or angling your wrists. Make sure that they are in a relaxed position when you type.
Do not slouch forward or lean far back. Sit with your back straight so your knees, hips, and elbows form right angles when you work.
Take breaks to stand and stretch your legs.
Avoid twisting your torso or neck.

Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain

Vary your activities to avoid excessive repetition.
Take breaks to change your position, stretch your muscles, and relieve your eyes.
Find ways to break up the work day, and schedule a variety of tasks.

Protecting from power source problems

    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.

    Warning

    High voltages can enter your computer through the power cord, the modem, and network connections. 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.

      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.

    Starting your computer

    To start your computer:

      1. Connect the cables to your computer using the setup poster.

      2. Turn on your computer.

      3. If you are starting your computer for the first time, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your computer.

      4. Turn on any peripheral devices, such as printers or scanners, and see the documentation that came with the device for setup instructions.

    Turning off your computer

      Tips & Tricks

      When you turn off your computer, certain components in the power supply and system board remain energized. In order to remove all electrical power from your computer, unplug the power cord and modem cable from the wall outlets. We recommend disconnecting the power cord and modem cable when your computer will not be used for long periods.

      To turn off your computer in Windows XP:

        1. Click Start, then click Turn Off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box opens.

        2. Click Turn Off. Windows shuts down and turns off your computer.

        Important

        If for some reason you cannot use the Turn Off Computer option in Windows to turn off your computer, press and hold the power button for about five seconds, then release it.

        To turn off your computer in Windows 2000:

          1. Click Start , then click Shut Down . The Shut Down Windows dialog box opens.

          2. Click the arrow button to open the What do you want your computer to do list, then click Shut down .

          3. Click OK. Windows shuts down and turns off your computer.

          Important

          If for some reason you cannot use the Shut Down option in Windows to turn off your computer, press and hold the power button for about five seconds, then release it.

          Restarting (rebooting) your computer

            If your computer does not respond to keyboard or mouse input, you may have to close programs that are not responding. If closing unresponsive programs does not restore your computer to normal operation, you may have to restart (reboot) your computer.

          To close unresponsive programs and restart your computer:

            1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del, then click Task Manager. The Task Manager window opens.

            2. Click the Applications tab, then click the program that is not responding.

            3. Close the program by clicking End Task.

            4. If your computer does not respond, turn it off, wait ten seconds and turn it on again.

            Important

            If your computer does not turn off, press and hold the power button for about five seconds, then release it.

            Multifunction keyboard

            Press these keys... To...

            Function keys

            Start program actions. Each program uses different function keys for different purposes. See the program documentation to find out more about the function key actions.

            Navigation keys

            Press these keys to move the cursor to the beginning of a line, to the end of a line, up the page, down the page, to the beginning of a document, or to the end of a document.

            Indicators

            Show if your Num Lock, Caps Lock, or Scroll Lock keys are activated. Press the corresponding key to activate the function.

            Windows keys

            Open the Windows Start menu. These keys can also be used in combination with other keys to open utilities like F (Search utility), R (Run utility), and E (Explorer utility).

            Application key

            Access shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows.

            Directional keys

            Move the cursor up, down, right, or left.

            Numeric keypad

            Use these keys to type numbers when the numeric keypad (Num Lock) is turned on.

            Special-function buttons

            Special-function buttons
            		Icons Press to...

            Previous

            Return to the previous CD track or DVD chapter.

            Play/Pause

            Start or pause the play of the CD or DVD.

            Stop

            Stop the play of CD or DVD.

            Next

            Move to the next CD track or DVD chapter.

            Volume down

            Decrease the volume.

            Volume up

            Increase the volume.

            Mute

            Turn off all sound.

            Shortcut

            Open the program you assign to this button (by default it is set to open the My Documents folder). For instructions on how to customize this programmable button, see "Programming the multifunction keyboard".

            Shopping cart

            Open an Internet shopping site. You can customize this button to open another program. For instructions, see "Programming the multifunction keyboard".

            E-mail

            Open your e-mail program. You can customize this button to open another program. For instructions, see "Programming the multifunction keyboard".

            Help

            Open online help. You can customize this button to open another program. For instructions, see "Programming the multifunction keyboard".

            Internet

            Open your Web browser. You can customize this button to open another program. For instructions, see "Programming the multifunction keyboard".

            Mouse

              The mouse is a device that controls the pointer movement on the computer display. This illustration shows the standard mouse.

              As you move the mouse, the pointer (arrow) on the display moves in the same direction.

              You can use the left and right buttons on the mouse to select objects on the display.

              You can use the scroll wheel on the mouse to move through a document. This feature is not available in all programs.

            Using the mouse

            To... Do this...

            Move the pointer on the computer display

            Move the mouse around on the mouse pad. If you run out of space on your mouse pad and need to move the pointer farther, pick up the mouse, set it down in the middle of the mouse pad, then continue moving the mouse.

            Select an object on the computer display

            Position the pointer over the object. Quickly press and release the left mouse button once. This action is called clicking.

            Start a program or open a file or folder

            Position the pointer over the object. Quickly press and release the left mouse button twice. This action is called double-clicking.

            Access a shortcut menu or find more information about an object on the computer display.

            Position the pointer over the object. Quickly press and release the right mouse button once. This action is called right-clicking.

            Move an object on the computer display.

            Position the pointer over the object. Press the left mouse button and hold it down. Move (drag) the object to the appropriate part of the computer display. Release the button to drop the object where you want it.

              For instructions on how to adjust the double-click speed, pointer speed, right-hand or left-hand configuration, and other mouse settings, see "Changing the mouse settings".

            Computer display

              You can adjust your computer display image by using external controls (located near the display itself) and software controls (accessible in Windows). For more information about software controls, see Adjusting the screen and desktop settings.

            External controls

              The computer display features an on-screen display (OSD) that lets you adjust and save contrast, brightness, and other settings for the display. Your computer saves changes you make to the settings, even if you turn off the display.

            Auto.
            Press the AUTO button to automatically optimize the display's position, clock, and phase.
            Menu/Select.
            Press to view the OSD. Press again to select OSD options.
            -  and  +.
            OSD active: Press to move through menu screens and adjust OSD options.
            OSD inactive: Press the - and + buttons to adjust the brightness.
            Exit.
            Press to deselect a menu screen. Press again to exit the OSD.

            OSD options

            To adjust the OSD settings:

              1. Press the MENU/SELECT button. The OSD menu opens.

              2. Use the -  and  + buttons to highlight a control, then press the MENU/SELECT button.

              3. Use the -  and  + buttons to adjust the control to the desired level.

              4. When you have finished making adjustments, press the EXIT button to return to the main menu screen.

              5. If you want to adjust additional ODS options, repeat Step 2 through Step 4 until all adjustments are made.

              6. Press the EXIT button again to exit the OSD.

            OSD menus

              You can access any of these menus in the OSD:

            OSD Adjust Description

            Brightness. Adjusts the brightness of the computer display. Use the lowest brightness setting you are comfortable with to maximize the life of the monitor backlights.

            You may need to readjust brightness after the computer display has warmed up.

            Contrast. Adjusts the contrast of the computer display.

            Preset. Adjusts the color temperature.
            9300K is bluish white.
            6500K is reddish white (default).

            Red, Green, Blue. Customize the color levels.

            Vertical position. Moves the image up and down.

            Horizontal position. Moves the image left and right.

            You can also use the Auto function to configure the vertical and horizontal position automatically. For more information on the Auto function, see "External controls".

            Clock. Minimizes any vertical bars or stripes visible on the computer display background. The horizontal display size will also change.

            Phase. Removes any horizontal distortion and clear or sharpen the image of characters.

            Language. Changes the OSD language setting.

            OSD Position. Adjusts the OSD window position on the display.

            Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

              Important

              Before installing any printer, scanner, or other peripheral device, see the device documentation for detailed information and installation instructions.

                Your computer has two IEEE 1394 ports, six Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports, one serial port, and one parallel port. 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 Profile".

                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. See the device documentation for detailed information and installation instructions.

                Help and Support

                For more information about installing peripheral devices in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

                Type the keyword installing devices in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.