Customizing Your Computer

    This chapter provides information about customizing your computer by changing settings in Windows. Read this chapter to learn how to:

Change screen and display settings
Change the background and screen saver
Adjust the mouse settings
Program the multi-function buttons on the keyboard
Add, change, and switch user accounts in Windows XP
Adjust power management settings

Adjusting the screen and desktop settings

    You can adjust the computer display settings for brightness, contrast, and horizontal and vertical image position using the controls on the front of your computer display. For more information about these adjustments, see Computer display.

    Adjusting the color depth and display area are two of the most basic display settings you may need to change. You can also adjust settings such as the display background and screen saver.

Adjusting the color depth

    Color depth is the number of colors in the graphic displays. Various image types require various color depths for optimum appearance. For example, simple color drawings may appear adequately in 256 colors while color photographs need millions of colors to be displayed with optimum quality.

    Windows lets you choose from several color depth settings. We recommend that the 32-bit True Color setting be used at all times.

    If the color in your images seems "false" or "jumpy," especially after you have played a game or run a video-intensive program, check the color depth setting and return it to 32-bit True Color, if necessary.

To change the color depth:

    1. In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Appearance and Themes.
      - OR -
      In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

    1. Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.

    2. Click the Settings tab.

    1. Click the arrow button to open the Color quality or Colors list, then click the color depth you want.

    2. To save your changes in Windows XP, click OK, then click Yes.
      - OR -
      To save your changes in Windows 2000, click OK, then click OK again.

    Help and Support

    For more information about adjusting display settings in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

    Type the keyword changing display settings in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

    Adjusting the screen resolution

      You can increase the screen resolution to fit more icons on your desktop, or you can decrease the resolution to make reading the display easier. The higher the resolution, the smaller individual components on the computer display (such as icons and menu bars) appear.

    To adjust the screen resolution:

      1. In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Appearance and Themes.
        - OR -
        In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

      1. Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.

      2. Click the Settings tab.

      1. Drag the Screen resolution or Screen area slider to the size you prefer.

      2. To save your changes in Windows XP, click OK, then click Yes.
        - OR -
        To save your changes in Windows 2000, click OK, then click OK again.

      Help and Support

      For more information about adjusting screen resolution in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

      Type the keyword changing screen resolution in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

      Changing the colors on your Windows desktop

        You can change the colors of Windows desktop items, such as the background color and dialog box title bars.

      To change desktop colors in Windows XP:

        1. Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Appearance and Themes.

        2. Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.
        1. Click the Appearance tab.
        1. Click the arrow button to open the Color scheme list, click the color scheme you want, then click OK. The new colors appear on your desktop.
          - OR -
          If you want to create a new color scheme as part of a desktop theme:

          1. Click Advanced. The Advanced Appearance dialog box opens.

          2. Click the arrow button to open the Item list, then click the item you want to change.

          3. Change the color or font settings for the item.

          4. Click OK, then click the Themes tab.

          5. Click Save As, type a name for the new theme, then click OK twice. The new colors appear on your desktop.

      To change desktop colors in Windows 2000:

        1. Click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

        2. Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.

        3. Click the Appearance tab.
        1. If you want to apply one of Windows' color schemes, click the arrow button to open the Scheme list, click the scheme you want, then click OK. The new scheme appears on your desktop.
          - OR -
          If you want to create a new color scheme:

          1. Click the arrow button to open the Item list, then click the item you want to change.

          2. Change the color or font settings for the item.

          3. Click Save As, type a name for the new scheme, then click OK.

          4. Click OK again. The new colors appear on your desktop.

      Changing the desktop background

        In Windows XP, you can change the Windows desktop background picture. Windows provides several backgrounds, or you can use pictures that you have created or retrieved from other sources.

        In Windows 2000, you can change the Windows desktop background to a picture or an HTML document. Windows provides several background pictures. You can also use pictures or HTML documents that you have created or retrieved from other sources.

      To change the desktop background in Windows XP:

        1. Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Appearance and Themes.

        2. Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.

        3. Click the Desktop tab.
        1. Click a background picture in the Background list.
          - OR -
          Click Browse to select a background picture from another location.

        1. If you want the picture you chose to cover the entire computer display, click the arrow button to open the Position list, then click Stretch or Tile.

        2. If the picture you chose does not cover the entire computer display and you did not choose to stretch or tile the image in Step 5, you can change the solid color behind the picture by clicking the arrow button to open the Color list, then clicking a color.

        3. Click OK.

        Help and Support

        For more information about changing the desktop background in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

        Type the keyword changing desktop background in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

        To change the desktop background in Windows 2000:

          1. Click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

          2. Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.

          3. Click the Background tab.
          1. Click a background picture in the Select a background picture or HTML document as Wallpaper list.
            - OR -
            Click Browse to select a background picture from another location.

          1. If you want the picture you chose to cover the entire computer display, click the arrow button to open the Picture Display list, then click Tile.

          2. If the picture you chose does not cover the entire computer display and you did not choose to tile the image in Step 5, you can change the solid color behind the picture by clicking Pattern, clicking a pattern in the Pattern list, then clicking OK.

          3. Click OK.

        Selecting a screen saver

          You can use a screen saver to keep others from viewing your display while you are away from your computer. Windows supplies a variety of screen savers that you can choose from, and many more are available from the Internet and as commercial products.

        To select a screen saver:

          1. In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Appearance and Themes.
            - OR -
            In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

          1. Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.

          2. Click the Screen Saver tab.

          1. Click the arrow button to open the Screen Saver list, then click the screen saver you want. Windows previews the screen saver.

          2. If you want to customize the screen saver, click Settings, then make your changes. If the Settings button is not available, you cannot customize the screen saver you selected.

          3. In Windows XP, if you want to display the Welcome (Login) screen whenever you exit the screen saver, click the On resume, display Welcome screen check box.

          4. If you want to change the time before the screen saver is activated, click the up or down arrows next to the Wait box.

          5. Click OK.

          Help and Support

          For more information about selecting a screen saver in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

          Type the keyword screen savers in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

          Changing the mouse settings

            You can adjust the double-click speed, pointer speed, left-hand or right-hand configuration, and other mouse settings.

          To change your mouse settings:

            1. In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Printers and Other Hardware.
              - OR -
              In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.
            1. Click/Double-click the Mouse icon. The Mouse Properties dialog box opens.

            1. Click one of the tabs to change your mouse settings.

            2. Click OK to save changes.

            Help and Support

            For more information about changing mouse settings in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

            Type the keyword mouse settings in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

            Programming the multifunction keyboard

              All of the programmable buttons on the Gateway keyboard are pre-programmed to start actions such as opening your Web browser. Also, you can program the buttons to open a program or start an action you choose.

            To program your multifunction keyboard buttons:

              1. Click Start, All Programs, then click Millennium Keyboard. The Millennium Keyboard utility opens.
              1. Click an icon to change its function.

            Shortcut lets you select a program or Web site that opens when you press the Shortcut button. The Shortcut button is pre-programmed to open the My Documents folder.

            Shopping cart lets you select a program or Web site that opens when you press the Shopping cart button. The Shopping cart button is pre-programmed to open an Internet shopping site.

            E-mail lets you select a program or Web site that opens when you press the E-mail button. The E-mail button is pre-programmed to open your default e-mail program.

            Help lets you select a program or Web site that opens when you press the Help button. The Help button is pre-programmed to open Windows Help.

            Internet lets you select a program or Web site that opens when you press the Internet button. The Internet button is pre-programmed to open your default Web browser.

                The Launch Button Customization dialog box opens.

              1. Click Specify a Program or Web Page.

              2. Click Browse to select the program name or Web address.
                - OR -
                Type a path and file name or Web address in the Program path or Web page address box.
              1. Click OK, then click Done.

            Adding and modifying user accounts

              In Windows XP, you can create and customize a user account for each person who uses your computer. You can also switch (change) user accounts without turning off your computer.

            User account tips

            If you want to create an account for someone, but you do not want that user to have full access to your computer, be sure to make that account limited. Remember that limited accounts may not be able to install some older programs.
            If a program or peripheral device is installed in one account, it may not be available in other accounts. If this happens, install the program or device in the accounts that need it.
            Files created in one account are not accessible from other accounts unless the files are stored in the Shared Documents folder. The Shared Documents folder is accessible from all accounts on that computer and from other computers on the network.

            To add, delete, or modify user accounts in Windows XP:

              1. Click Start, then click Control Panel.

              2. Click/Double-click the User Accounts icon. The User Accounts window opens.

              3. Follow the on-screen instructions to add, delete, or modify a user account.

              Help and Support

              For more information about changing user accounts in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

              Type the keyword user accounts in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

              To switch user accounts in Windows XP:

                1. Click Start, then click Log Off. The Log Off Windows dialog box opens.

                1. Click Switch User. The Windows Welcome screen opens.

                2. Click the user account that you want to use. When you switch between user accounts, any programs that were running for the previous user continue to run.

              Power management

                Computer equipment can account for a significant portion of energy use in the home and office environment. You may not want to shut down your computer each time you leave it, especially if you plan to be away for only a short time. Windows lets you use the following modes to conserve energy when the system is not in use:

              Standby -- while your computer is in Standby mode, it switches to a low power state where devices, such as the computer display and drives, turn off and the entire system uses less power.
                  Always save your work before using Standby mode. In Standby mode, your computer reduces or turns off the power to most devices except memory. However, the information in the memory is not saved to the hard drive. If power is interrupted, the information is lost.
              Hibernate -- (also called save to disk) writes all current memory (RAM) information to the hard drive, then turns your computer completely off. The next time you turn on your computer, it reads the memory information from the hard drive and opens the programs and documents that were open when you activated Hibernate mode. For more information, see "Activating and using Hibernate mode".

              Using power saving modes

              If your computer is... ...and you want to... ...then

              On

              Enter Standby mode

              In Windows XP, click Start, Turn off computer, then click Standby.

              - OR -

              In Windows 2000, click Start, then click Shut Down. Click the arrow button to open the What do you want your computer to do list, then click Stand by. Click OK.

              On

              Enter Hibernate mode (must be activated)

              In Windows XP, click Start, then click Turn Off Computer. Press and hold Shift, then click Hibernate.

              - OR -

              In Windows 2000, click Start, then click Shut Down. Click the arrow button to open the What do you want your computer to do list, then click Hibernate. Click OK.

              In Standby mode

              Exit Standby mode

              Move the mouse or press a key on your keyboard.

              In Hibernate mode

              Exit Hibernate mode

              Press the power button.

              Changing power settings

                You can change power management settings, such as the power button function and power-saving timers, by changing power settings in Windows. You can also adjust power schemes and adjust advanced power settings.

                Power schemes (groups of power settings) let you change power saving options such as when the computer display or hard drive is automatically turned off. You can select one of the defined power schemes or create a custom power scheme.

                Advanced power settings let you assign different power saving modes to the power button.

              Changing the power scheme

              To change the power scheme:

                1. In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance and Maintenance.
                  - OR -
                  In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.
                1. Click/Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens.
                1. Click the arrow button to open the Power Schemes list, then click the power scheme you want.
                  - OR -
                  Click an arrow button for the System standby, Turn off monitor, or Turn off hard disks timer, then click the time you want. To save your custom power scheme, click Save As and type a name for the scheme.
                1. Click OK.

                Help and Support

                For more information about changing the power scheme in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

                Type the keyword power scheme in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

                Changing advanced power settings

                To change advanced power management settings:

                  1. In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance and Maintenance.
                    - OR -
                    In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.
                  1. Click/Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens.
                  1. Click the Advanced tab.

                  1. Click the arrow button to open a Power buttons list, then click the power setting mode you want to use.

                  2. Click OK.

                  Help and Support

                  For more information about changing the power management settings in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

                  Type the keyword power management in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

                  Activating and using Hibernate mode

                  To activate Hibernate mode:

                    1. In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance and Maintenance.
                      - OR -
                      In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

                    1. Click/Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens.

                    2. Click the Hibernate tab.

                    1. Click the Enable hibernation check box, then click Apply. Hibernate mode is now an option you can select in the Power Schemes and Advanced tabs and in the Turn Off Computer or Shut Down Windows dialog box.

                    2. Click OK.

                  To use Hibernate mode:

                  As an automatic power savings mode:
                      Open the Power Options Properties dialog box, then click the Power Schemes tab. Click the arrow button to open a System hibernates list, then click the time you want to use.
                      -OR-
                      Open the Power Options Properties dialog box, then click the Advanced tab. Hibernate is now an option in the Power buttons lists.
                  As a manually-selected power savings mode:
                      In Windows XP, click Start, then click Turn Off Computer. Press and hold Shift, then click Hibernate.
                      -OR-
                      In Windows 2000, click Start, then click Shut Down. Click the arrow button to open the What do you want your computer to do list, then click Hibernate. Click OK.

                    Help and Support

                    For more information about using Hibernate mode in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

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

                    Setting up an uninterruptible power supply

                    To install an uninterruptible power supply (UPS):

                      1. In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance and Maintenance.
                        - OR -
                        In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

                      1. Click/Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens.

                      2. Click the UPS tab.

                      1. Click Select. The UPS Selection dialog box opens.

                      2. Click the manufacturer and model of the UPS device.

                      3. Click the serial port where the UPS device is attached.

                      4. Click Finish, then click OK.

                      Help and Support

                      For more information about setting up an uninterruptable power supply in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

                      Type the keyword uninterruptable power supply in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.