Customizing Your Computer

    Use this chapter to install additional devices, such as a printer, scanner, and video camera on your computer. This chapter also provides information about customizing system settings such as the screen settings, mouse sensitivity, and power management mode.

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

    Your Gateway computer has four Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports to connect peripheral devices such as mice, modems, keyboards, scanners, video cameras, and other devices to your computer.

    USB supports plug-and-play installation, which means that usually you can plug the device into the computer and Windows automatically sets up the device. (See the device documentation for further instructions about connecting the USB device to the computer.)

To connect a USB device to a USB port:

    1. Insert the device USB plug into a USB port. (You do not need to turn the computer off to connect the device.)
      Your computer detects the new USB device and starts an installation wizard or program that guides you through the installation.
    1. Follow the on-screen instructions for setting up the USB device. See the manual for the device for installation instructions.

Adjusting the screen settings

    Use the Brightness switch on your computer to adjust the screen brightness to your preference. Moving the switch to the left decreases the brightness. Moving it to the right increases the brightness.

To change the color depth and screen area resolution:

    1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
      The Control Panel window opens.
    1. Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties window opens.
    2. Click the Settings tab.
    1. Select the color depth or number of colors used for the screen display from the Colors drop-down list.
    2. Drag the Screen area slider to select the screen area or number of pixels used for the horizontal and vertical screen display.

        Important

        The optimal screen setting for your computer is

        1024 X 768.

      • Click OK.

    To select a color scheme:

      1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
        The Control Panel window opens.
      1. Double-click the Display icon.
        The Display Properties window opens.
      1. Click the Appearance tab.
      1. Select a color scheme from the Scheme drop-down list.
        - OR -
        Select various desktop items from the Item drop-down list and customize each item.
      1. Click OK.

    To select a background:

      1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
        The Control Panel window opens.
      1. Double-click Display.
        The Display Properties dialog box opens.
      1. Click the Background tab.
      1. Select a design from the Wallpaper list.
      2. If you want the design you selected to cover the entire screen, select Tile from the Display drop-down list.
      3. If you want to change the solid color behind your wallpaper image, click Pattern, select a pattern from the Pattern list, then click OK.
      4. Click OK.
        The new wallpaper is now the background image for your desktop.

    To select a screen saver:

      1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
        The Control Panel window opens.
      1. Double-click Display.
        The Display Properties dialog box opens.
      1. Click the Screen Saver tab.
      1. Select a screen saver from the Screen Saver drop-down list.
        A preview of the screen saver opens.
      1. If you want to customize screen saver settings, click Settings.
        If the Settings button is not available, you cannot customize the screen saver you selected.
      1. Click OK.

    Adjusting the screen tilt

      For your viewing comfort you can adjust the screen tilt up or down.

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    Changing the mouse settings

      You can adjust your mouse settings to make it work most comfortably for you. The mouse sensitivity, pointer speed, left-handed or right-handed configuration, and other settings can be modified.

    To change your mouse settings:

      1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
        The Control Panel window opens.
      1. Double-click the Mouse icon.
        The Mouse Properties dialog box opens.
      1. Click one of the tabs to change your mouse settings:
    Buttons lets you change the button configuration and the double-click speed.
    Pointers lets you customize the look of your cursor and pointer.
    Motion lets you set your pointer speed and pointer trails.

    Using Standby mode

      You may not always want to shut down your computer each time you leave your system, especially if you plan to be away for just a short time. The Standby mode lets you conserve energy and reduce wear on your computer and screen.

      Always save your work before activating Standby. When your computer is in Standby, information in the computer memory is not saved on the hard drive. If there is an interruption in power, information in memory is lost.

    To put your computer in Standby mode:

      1. Save and close any open files to prevent data loss in the event of a power outage.
      2. Click Start, then select Shut Down, then Standby, then click OK.
        The screen darkens and the power indicator light turns amber indicating the computer is in standby mode.

    To wake your computer from Standby mode:

      Click the mouse button or press any key on the keyboard.

      The screen display brightens, and the power indicator light turns green indicating that the computer is awakened from standby mode.

    Setting up automatic Standby power managements options

      You can adjust the power management and standby mode options, such as length of time before turning off monitor or hard disk, in the Power Management Properties dialog box.

    To access the Power Management Properties:

      1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
        The Control Panel dialog box opens.
      1. Double-click Power Management.

      The Power Management Properties dialog box opens.

      1. Adjust the settings to your preferences, then click OK.

    Changing the Standby mode power level

      The Standby mode can be set to a power saving mode called sleep. The sleep mode stops the hard drive, blanks the screen, and reduces other powered functions.

      Your computer shipped with the Standby mode set with sleep activated.

        Important

        If your system becomes unresponsive or performs erratically after being in Standby mode, restart the computer using the Start menu.

      To change the Standby mode power savings level:

        1. Restart your computer.
        2. During startup, when you see the message, "To change system settings press the <F1> key,", press F1. The main menu of the BIOS Setup utility opens. (Your BIOS screen may be somewhat different than the screen shown below.)

          BIOS Setup Utility
          Main Advanced Security Power Boot Exit




          		Item Specific Help
          BIOS Version

          Processor Type
          Processor Speed
          Front Side Bus Speed
          Cache Ram

          System Memory
          Memory Bank 0
          Memory Bank 1
          Memory Bank 2

          Language:
          Cache ECC Support:

          System Time:
          System Date:

                     		4W4SB0X0.15A.0004.P02

          Pentium II processor
          400 MHz
          100 MHz
          512 KB

          128 MB
          Not Installed
          128 MB SDRAM
          Not Installed

          [English (US)]
          [Disabled]

          [11:09:31]
          [09/16/1999]                     		Select the display language for the BIOS.
          F1 Help
          ESC Exit                     		Select Item
          Select Menu                     		-/+ Change Values
          Enter Select > Sub-Menu                     		F9 Setup Defaults
          F10 Save and Exit

          Use the navigation keys displayed at the bottom of the BIOS Setup utility screen to move through the BIOS menus and make selections. Press F1 to get more help about the BIOS Setup utility options.
        1. Select Advanced, then select Power Management Support.
        2. Select Fast Wake (S1), then press Enter.
        3. Select Exit, then select Exit Saving Changes.
          Your system restarts.

      Changing the power button function

        The power button can be set to function as an On/Off (shutdown) button or as a Standby button.

        The power button on your computer was set to On/Off when it shipped from Gateway. If your computer is on, press the power button to shut down Windows and turn the computer off. If your computer is off, press the power button to turn on the computer and start Windows.

        If you set the power button to Standby, the power button puts the computer in a "sleep" mode when you press it. In this mode, the system consumes less energy, but it does not shut down Windows, giving you quick access to your system without restarting.

        For example, if your computer is on and the power button is set to Standby, press it to put your computer in Standby mode. If your computer is off, press the power button to "wake" the computer. (It may take a few seconds for the screen to brighten and the system to wake.) To shut down Windows and turn the computer off, click Start, then select Shut Down, then click OK.

        For more information about changing the standby mode power saving levels see "Changing the Standby mode power level.

      To change the power button settings to Standby:

        1. Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
          The Control Panel window opens.
        1. Double-click the Power Management icon.
          The Power Management Properties dialog box opens.
        1. Click the Advanced tab.
        2. Under the Power buttons options, select Standby.
          The power button mode changes to Standby.
        1. Click OK.

            Important

            If your system does not respond after the power button is set to Standby, shut down your computer by pressing and holding down the power button for five seconds, then restart your computer.