Getting Started

    This chapter is designed to help you get started with your new computer. It provides an introduction to your computer's features, describes the basic operation of your computer, and introduces you to Windows® 98. It also provides an overview of the printed and online documentation to help you locate the information you need.

Features and controls

    The following illustrations show the features and controls of your Gateway computer.

Front

Back

Side

Starting and turning off your computer

    This section provides information about turning your computer on and off.

To start your computer:

Press the power button.

    If your computer is on, but you haven't used it for some time, it may have entered the Standby mode. If this happens, the screen darkens and the indicator light on the computer changes from green to amber.

    To "wake" the computer, press one of the mouse buttons or press a key on the keyboard. For more information about using and customizing the standby mode see Using Standby mode.

To turn off your computer:

    1. Click the Start button , then select Shut Down.
      The Shut Down Windows dialog box opens.
    1. Select Shut down.
    2. Click OK.
      Windows shuts down your computer.

    If for some reason you cannot use the Shut down option in Windows to shut down your computer, you will have to press the power button. This may happen if your computer freezes or otherwise does not respond to the Shut down command.

Using the mouse

    The mouse is a device that controls pointer (arrow) and cursor (I-bar) movement on screen. As you move the mouse, the pointer on the screen moves in the same direction. As you type in a word processing program, the cursor moves across the line as you type.

    The mouse has left and right buttons used for making selections and moving objects on the screen, and a wheel that provides even easier and quicker ways to do things than moving the mouse or clicking its buttons.

    How the mouse wheel works depends on the program you are using, so check the program documentation for more information. In most programs, the mouse wheel scrolls the document up and down.

    To use the mouse, you need to know how to move the pointer, click, double-click, select, right-click, and drag.

    To... Do this:

    Move the pointer

    Move the mouse around on the mouse pad. The pointer on the screen moves in the same direction.

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

    Double-click

    Move the mouse until the pointer is positioned over the object. Quickly press and release the left mouse button twice.

    Double-clicking on an icon usually starts a program.

    Click

    Press the left mouse button down and then quickly release it.

    Select

    Same as "click." When you select an object, you point to it and then click, and the object is highlighted.

    Right-click

    Press down on the right mouse button, then quickly release it.

    Right-click usually opens a pop-up menu that provides program options or information about object.

    Drag

    Position the pointer over an object, then press and hold down the left mouse button and move the mouse. The object gets "dragged" to where you move it. Release the button when you finish dragging your selection to a new location.

    Use this action to select text and move objects.

Keyboard features

Function keys initiate special tasks in different programs such as saving a document or opening a program's help feature. Refer to each program's documentation to find out more about its function key actions.
Mouse port connects the mouse to the computer.
Additional keys move the cursor up the page, down the page, to the beginning of the page, or to the beginning or end of a document.
Indicator lights show if your Num Lock, Caps Lock, or Scroll Lock keys
are activated.
Windows keys activate the Windows Start menu.
Application key activates a menu for the current program.
Directional keys move the cursor up, down, right, or left.
Numeric keypad types numbers when Num Lock is activated or performs alternate functions (as labeled) when Num Lock is not activated.

Working safely

    Before setting out to do more with your computer, read the following recommendations for setting up a safe and comfortable work area and avoiding discomfort and strain.

Improving monitor legibility and reducing eye strain

Sunlight or bright indoor lighting should not reflect off the screen of the computer monitor or shine directly into your eyes.
Position the computer desk and computer so that you can avoid glare on your screen and light shining directly into your eyes.
Reduce bright light by installing shades or curtains on windows.
Use soft, indirect lighting in your work area. Do not work on your computer in a dark room.
Avoid focusing your eyes on your computer screen for long periods of time. Look away from your computer occasionally, perhaps focusing on a distant object.

Positioning your computer table and chair

Make sure that you use a computer table that is the appropriate height and use a chair that helps you maintain good posture, distributes your weight evenly, and keeps your body relaxed.
Select a flat surface for your computer table.
Adjust the height of the computer table so that your hands and arms are positioned parallel to the floor when you use the keyboard and mouse.
Position your chair so that the keyboard is at or slightly below the level of your elbow, letting your shoulders relax while you type.
Adjust the height of your chair so that your knees are slightly higher than your hips. You can use a foot rest to adjust the height of your knees and remove the pressure on the back of your thighs.
Adjust the back of the chair so that it supports the lower curve of your spine. You can also use a pillow or cushion to provide extra back support.

Positioning your computer and computer accessories

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 screen.

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 back too far.
Sit with your back straight so that your knees, hips, and elbows form approximately 90 degree angles when you work.
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 relax your eyes.
Find ways to break up the work day, scheduling a variety of tasks.

Windows 98 basics

    This section introduces some basic Windows 98 concepts and skills that you need to know to start working with your computer. For more information see the guide Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98.

The Windows 98 desktop

    Once you have your computer running and have completed all the setup screens, the first screen you see is the Windows 98 desktop. The desktop is the area on the screen where you work. Think of the desktop as your personalized workspace where you open programs and perform other tasks.

    Your desktop may be different from the example shown below, depending on how your computer is set up.

    The table below describes some of the icons, buttons, and other elements on the desktop.

    Icons are graphic representations of objects on the desktop that you select and open, such as a drive, disk, folder, document, or program.

    Buttons are graphic representations of controls that you use to change the state of desktop elements such as the window size.

    Desktop icons, buttons, and elements Description

    My Computer provides access to drives and other computer controls on your computer.

    My Documents is a folder in which you can store your personal files. You can create other folders to save files in, but My Documents is easy to find and is accessible from the desktop.

    The Recycle Bin is where files, folders and programs that you delete are stored until you permanently delete them. After you double-click Recycle Bin, follow the instructions on the left side of the window to do various file maintenance activities such as restoring deleted files.

    Drive icons represent different drives on your computer, such as the diskette drive, hard drive, CD drive, and others. Double-click a drive to view files and folders located in that drive.

    Microsoft Internet Explorer is a program that lets you view Web sites and Web pages on the Internet.

    Double-clicking QuickAnswers opens a program that provides help information and information about the features of your Gateway computer. Double-click Quick Answers to get started.

    The Gateway.net and AOL icons let you connect to the Gateway.net or America Online ISP (Internet Service Provider).

    Double-click the Gateway.net or AOL icon to dial-up the service.

    The Start button is used to start programs, open documents, get help, search for files on your computer, and perform other related tasks.

    Click Start to access the menu for starting programs. Click on a file or program name to open it.


    The taskbar is the gray area at the bottom of the screen that contains the Start button on the left and a clock on the right.

    You may also see other buttons on the taskbar that represent programs that are running.

    Single-click on a taskbar button to bring a program window onto the desktop to use.

Working with windows

    When you double-click the icon for a drive, disk, folder, document, or program a window opens on the desktop. This example shows System (C:) in My Computer after double-clicking the System (C:) icon.

    Every program windows looks a little different because each has its own menus, icons, and controls.

    The table below describes the window controls that change the size, appearance, and visibility of the active window. To find out more about controlling a window see the guide Getting Started: Microsoft Windows 98.

    Window control Function

    Click the minimize button to reduce the active window to a button on the taskbar. Click the program button on the taskbar to open the window again.

    Click the maximize button to expand the active window to fit the full screen. Click the maximize button again to restore the window to the smaller size.

    Click the close button to close the active window or program.

    Select an item from this menu bar to perform a task in a program.

Starting a program using the Start menu

    The Start button opens a menu that lets you start programs, open documents, maintain and customize your system, get help, search for items on your computer, and more.

    To open a Start menu item, click the Start button. The Start menu pops up showing you the first level of menu items. When you move the pointer over any menu item that has an arrow next to it, another menu (a submenu) opens to reveal related files, programs, or commands. Click on a file or program to open it.

Managing files and folders

    In Windows, you can organize your documents, data, and programs to suit your preferences much like you would store information in a file cabinet. You can store these files in folders and copy, move, and delete the information just as you would reorganize or throw away files or folders in a file cabinet.

Files, folders, and drives

    Drives are like filing cabinets because they hold many files and folders. A computer almost always has more than one drive. Each drive has a letter, usually System (C:) for the main drive and 3½ Floppy (A:) for the diskette drive. Depending on your system, you may also have more drives and drive types such as CD/DVD or ZipTM drives. Each drive has its own letter.

    Files are very much like paper documents--letters, spread sheets, and instructions that you keep in your computer. In fact, all information in your computer is stored in files.

    Folders are very much like the folders in a file cabinet. They store files and other folders.

To create a new folder:

    1. Double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.
      The My Computer dialog box opens.
    1. Double-click the drive or folder, for example System (C:), where you want to put the new folder.
      The drive or folder dialog box opens.
    1. Select File, then New, then Folder.
      The new folder appears in the location that you specified in Step 2.
    1. Type a name for the folder, then press Enter.
      The new folder name appears under the folder.

Copying, moving, and deleting files

    As you work with files and folders, you will need to copy them, move them, and delete them. The basic skills you need to copy and move files are called copying, cutting, and pasting.

    When you copy and paste a selection, you copy the file you selected to the Windows clipboard, which stores it. Then, when you decide what folder you want the copy to go in, you paste it there.

    When you cut and paste a selection, you remove the file from its folder and store the file on the Windows clipboard. When you decide where you want the file to go, you paste it from the clipboard to the final location.

    The clipboard stores whatever you cut or copy until you cut or copy again. Then the clipboard only contains the new information. Therefore, you can paste copies of a file into more than one place, but as soon as you copy or cut a file again, the old file is deleted from the clipboard.

To copy a file to another folder:

    1. Right-click the file you want to copy.
      A pop-up menu opens on the desktop.
    1. Select Copy from the pop-up menu.
    2. Open the folder where you want to put a copy of the file.
    3. With the pointer inside the folder, right-click the mouse button.
    4. Select Paste.
      Copies of the file are now in both the old and the new locations.

To move a file to another folder:

    1. Right-click the file you want to copy.
      A pop-up menu opens on the desktop.
    1. Select Cut from the pop-up menu.
    2. Open the folder where you want to move the file to.
    3. With the pointer inside the folder, right-click the mouse button.
    4. Select Paste.
      The file appears in its new location and is removed from its old folder.

Browsing and searching for files

    Just as in a filing cabinet, the file that you need is rarely right on top. It's usually inside a folder and sometimes even inside a folder inside a folder.

    Windows drives, folders, and files are organized the same way, with many levels of organization (usually many more levels than a filing cabinet, in fact). You usually will have to search through levels of folders to find the file you need. This is called browsing.

To browse for a file:

    1. Double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop.
    2. Double-click the drive or folder you want to open.
    1. Continue double-clicking folders stored in other folders until you find the file or folder you want.

To find files and folders using the Find program:

    1. Click the Start button, then select Find, then Files or Folders.
      The Find dialog box opens.
    1. In the appropriate boxes, type in whatever you know about the file. For example:
All or part of the file name
Text that is inside the file
The date it was created or modified
A time period it was created or modified in
    1. Click Find Now.
      The search begins.
      When your system is finished searching, you see a list of the files and folders containing the text that you searched for or satisfying the criteria that you entered.
      For example, if you need to find a file name that has the word "system" in it, but you do not know the exact file name, you type in the word "system" then click Find Now.
      After the system searches, all the files and folders that contain the word "system" appear in a list in the Find dialog box along with their file locations and other details. You can open a file, folder, or program by double-clicking its name in the list.

For more information . . .

    In addition to this user's guide, we have also provided other information to help you get the most out of your Gateway PC.

The Microsoft Windows 98 guide

    This guide answers many questions about Windows for all levels of users.

    Use this guide to find information about using the operating system, getting help, organizing your files, using programs, troubleshooting, and about advanced features such as connecting to a network.

The "Discovering Windows 98" tutorial

    Use the interactive Windows tutorial, "Discovering Windows 98," to become more familiar with Windows features and learn more about using and getting the most out of your computer. The tutorial opens when you first start Windows.

    Start the program by clicking the Start button. Then select Programs, Accessories, then System Tools, then click Welcome to Windows.

Online help

    Most programs provide a help menu item at the upper right side of a program window.

    Use online help to find out more about the program and to get information about how to complete tasks.

    To use help, select Help or Contents and Index from the Help menu in the program.

    When the help window opens, you can select one of three tabs:

Contents provides a list of topics and help information about tasks.
Index lists keywords for topics in the help system. Keywords are assigned to each help topic.
Search lets you search for words contained in a help file.

QuickANSWERS

    Gateway has provided an easily accessible interactive guide called QuickANSWERS designed to help you quickly discover and use the many features of your Gateway computer.

    Double-click the QuickANSWERS icon to get help with everything from playing a CD to maintaining your computer.

The Gateway Web site

    Gateway provides a variety of information on its Web site to help you use your computer.

    Visit the Gateway Web site at www.gateway.com for:

Technical tips and technical support
Technical documentation
Hardware drivers and program updates
A glossary of computer terms
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)