Using Your Gateway Profile

Using your Gateway Profile

    This chapter covers using the components on your computer. Read it to get familiar with the versatility built into your new Gateway Profile.

Using the keyboard

    Your Gateway Profile comes with a standard, full-size desktop keyboard. If you purchased the optional wireless keyboard, refer to its documentation for information about its features.

Using the mouse

    Your Gateway Profile comes with a 2-button wheel mouse. The wheel between the buttons can be used for scrolling in some applications and can also be used as a third mouse button. Left-click the mouse to select buttons and menu items on the screen. In some applications, right-clicking opens special menus.

Using an external display

    If you want to use a different display, you can attach a separate computer monitor to your computer. You may need to adjust your computer's display resolution to clarify the external monitor's display.

To attach an external monitor:

    1. Turn off your computer.
    2. Insert the external monitor's VGA plug into the VGA Out port on the back of the computer.
    1. Plug the external monitor's power cord into a wall outlet.
    2. Turn on your computer and the external monitor.
    3. Click Start , then select Settings , then Control Panel . The Control Panel opens.
    4. Double-click the Display icon, click the Settings tab, then click Advanced . The 3D Rage LT PRO Properties dialog box opens.
    5. Click the Displays tab, click to select the Monitor check box, then click OK.

To change the display resolution for an external monitor:

    1. Right-click the Monitor icon in the taskbar tray. A menu appears.
    2. Select the desired resolution. The screen resolution changes.
    3. If the Monitor icon does not appear on the taskbar but you want it to, right-click on the desktop, select Properties , click the Settings tab, then select the Show settings icon on taskbar checkbox. The Monitor icon appears in the taskbar tray.

Using audio

    Your system provides 16-bit stereo audio. You can record audio for presentations, attach voice messages to your e-mail, listen to audio CDs, and use it for many other multimedia applications.

Adjusting the volume

    The volume control wheel beneath the button panel controls the overall volume, including the Speaker Out port and the built-in speakers. The volume level for specific devices such as CD audio, WAV audio, and MIDI is controlled by the multimedia software, as explained below.

To adjust playback and recording volume levels:
    1. Click Start , then select Settings , then Control Panel .
    2. Double-click the Multimedia icon. The Multimedia Properties dialog box opens.
    3. Click the Audio tab, then set the playback and recording levels to your preference.

To "quick-adjust" volume controls:

    1. Double-click the speaker icon on the taskbar. The Volume Control dialog box opens. This dialog box contains volume and balance controls for master volume, wave, synthesizer, line, CD, and Zoom Video.
    2. Slide the volume and balance controls to suit your listening requirements.

Making an audio recording

    To make an audio recording, use the built-in microphone or connect an external microphone to the back panel. Connecting an external microphone disables the built-in microphone.

To make an audio recording:
    1. Click Start , then select Programs , Accessories , Multimedia , Sound Recorder . The Sound Recorder opens.
    2. Set record volume levels by clicking Edit , then Audio Properties .
    3. Click OK .
    4. Click the Record button to start recording.
    5. Click the Stop button to stop recording.
    6. On the File menu, select Save As .
    7. Name the recording, then click Save . The recording is saved.

To play back a recording in Media Player:

    1. Click Start , then select Programs , Accessories , Multimedia , Media Player. The Media Player opens.
    2. On the File menu, select Open . The Open dialog box opens.
    3. Select the file to play back, then click Open .
    4. Click the (Play) button to play the file.
    5. Click the Stop button to stop playing the file.

Using 3.5" diskettes

    Your system has a 3.5" diskette drive, which enables you to use 3.5" diskettes with up to 1.44 MB capacity.

    To insert a diskette, insert it into the vertical slot on the left side of the computer, metal piece first, with the label facing you. The diskette snaps into the drive enclosure.

    To eject a diskette, make sure the drive indicator light is not on, then press the diskette eject button.

Using CDs and DVDs

    Your system has a CD or DVD drive. The CD drive reads all CDs and the DVD drive also reads DVDs. This section describes some of the ways to use CD or DVD media.

To insert a CD or DVD:
    1. Press the drive's eject button. The drive tray opens.
    2. Press the disc onto the drive tray with the label side facing you. If the disc has two playable sides, insert the disc so the name of the side you want to play is facing you. Make sure it snaps onto the clips that hold the disc in place.
    3. Close the tray by sliding it back into the computer.

To access information on the CD/DVD drive:

    1. Double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer window opens.
    2. Double-click the CD-ROM drive icon. A list of files and folders on the CD/DVD appear.

Playing an audio CD

    The drive accepts standard CD data discs, music CDs, and photo CDs. You can play and control an audio CD using the CD Player application in Windows.

To play an audio CD:

    1. Press an audio CD onto the disc tray, then close the tray. After a few seconds, the CD starts playing automatically.
      - OR -
      If the CD did not start automatically, click Start , then select Programs , Accessories , Multimedia , then CD Player .
    1. Hold the mouse pointer over the control buttons on the CD Player to get familiar with each button function. You can change music tracks, view playing times, control the volume, set preferences, define a play list, and even set the system to continuous or random play using this dialog box.
    2. Control audio play as desired.

Playing a DVD

    For instructions on playing a DVD, see Chapter 5, Using Your DVD Player.

CD/DVD care and maintenance

    There are a few things that you can do to help keep your CD/DVD player and discs clean and trouble-free.

Do not play cracked or warped discs. They could damage the CD/DVD drive.
Do not touch the laser lens in the CD/DVD player.
Do not touch the playing surfaces of the disc. Fingerprints can affect picture and audio playback.
Store discs in their cases.
Keep discs away from moisture, dust, and excessive heat.
Clean discs by wiping from the center to the edge, not around in a circle, using a product made especially for the purpose.

Manually ejecting discs

    There may be a time when it is not possible to open the CD/DVD drive using the eject button (for example, when the computer is shut down).

To use the manual eject button:

    1. Carefully insert a stiff wire such as a straightened paper clip into the manual eject hole until you feel resistance.
    2. Gently press harder until the drive tray opens slightly, then slide the tray out.

Using the USB ports

    Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a new type of serial interface that serves as a single-port alternative to connecting devices that traditionally have required their own specific ports, such as mice, joysticks, keyboards, scanners, video cameras, and speakers.

To connect a USB device to a USB port:

    1. Firmly insert the device's USB plug into the USB port. (You do not need to turn the computer off.) Your computer automatically detects the device and configures the system to use it.
    1. Follow the on-screen instructions for completing the setup of the USB device.

Using PC Cards

    Your computer's PC Card slots (also known as PCMCIA card slots) are located on the back of your computer. These slots accept two Type I or II PC Cards or one Type III PC Card.

    You do not need to restart your computer when changing most cards because your Gateway Profile supports "hot swapping." This means that while the computer is on, you can insert a PC Card and the system usually recognizes it without having to restart first. If your PC Card does not support hot swapping, refer to the PC Card manufacturer's documentation for further information.

To insert a PC Card:

    1. Firmly insert the PC Card into the PC Card slot with the top of the card facing out. If the power is on, the computer emits a two-toned beep when the card is installed correctly.
    1. Follow the Windows Setup Wizard instructions the first time the system detects the new PC Card. Operate the device as recommended by the PC Card manufacturer.

To remove a PC Card:

    1. Click the PC Card icon in the taskbar, then click the card you want to remove. The inner slot is Slot 0, and the outer slot is Slot 1.
    2. Click Stop . A message tells you that you may safely remove the device.
    3. Click OK .
    4. Release the eject button by pressing the PC Card eject button located to the left of the PC Card slot, then press the eject button again to eject the PC Card.
    1. Grasp the PC Card and remove it from the computer.

Using sleep mode

    Sleep mode is a power management feature that lets your system conserve power when not in use. When in sleep mode, your computer can still receive faxes and perform any automatic tasks that you have scheduled.

To put the computer in sleep mode:

Save and close any open files to prevent data loss in the event of a power outage, then press the Sleep button on the button panel.
      The power indicator light on the button panel begins flashing green, and the monitor screen becomes dark, indicating that the computer is in sleep mode.

To wake the computer from sleep mode:

Press the Sleep button on the button panel. The sleep indicator light on the button panel stops flashing and the monitor display brightens, indicating that the computer is awakened from sleep mode.
      - OR -
Press a key on the keyboard.

Shutting down the computer

    Improperly shutting down the computer by pressing the power button can result in loss of data. Because of this, you should always shut down your computer by following the instructions below.

To shut down the computer:

    1. Close any open applications, saving your work if necessary.
    2. On the taskbar, click Start , then select Shut Down . The Shut Down Windows dialog box opens.
    3. Click to select the Shut down option, then click OK . Windows closes and the computer shuts down.

Caring for your computer

    Ways to extend the life of your system:

Keep diskettes away from magnetic fields. Magnetic fields can erase data on diskettes and hard disk drives.
Regular maintenance helps keep your system performing smoothly and helps prevent the loss of vital data. Set up a maintenance schedule for your system. Routinely run virus checks, ScanDisk, and Disk Defragmenter. For more information on these utilities, see Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your Gateway Profile .
Never turn off your computer when the disk activity LED is on because data on the diskette or hard disk could become lost or corrupted.
Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperature changes. The case can become very brittle and easy to break in cold temperatures and could melt or warp in high temperatures. Damages due to either extreme are not covered by your warranty.
When shipping the system, we recommend that you pack it in the original packing materials.
Don't get your computer wet or expose it to water, coffee, or soft drinks. These fluids are particularly damaging to the electronic components and can result in extremely expensive repair charges that are not covered under your warranty.
Avoid areas with a high concentration of dust and dirt. Dust and dirt can clog the internal mechanisms.
Clean the case with a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth moistened with water. Gently dry with a soft cloth.

Clean the LCD screen with a soft cloth moistened only with water, then dry the screen with another soft cloth.

    For more information on caring for your computer, see the manual Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your Gateway Profile .