Gateway PC manual Protecting your computer from viruses

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Protecting your computer from viruses

A virus is a program that attaches itself to a program or data file on a computer and then spreads from one computer to another. Viruses can damage data, cause computers to malfunction, and can display annoying or offensive messages. Some viruses can go unnoticed for long periods of time because they are activated on a certain date or time.

Protect your computer from a virus by:

■Obtaining an anti-virus program to check files and programs that are on diskettes, attached to e-mail messages, or downloaded from the Internet

■Getting all software from reputable sources and checking the software for viruses before installing it

■Disabling macros on suspicious Microsoft Word and Excel files. These programs will warn you if a document that you are opening contains a macro that might have a virus.

50Maintaining Your Computer

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Contents Contents Maintaining Your Computer Using the InternetTroubleshooting Customizing Your ComputerSafety, Regulatory, and Legal Information Index IiiPage Computer1 Basics Controls Computer frontComputer back Keyboard features Your system comes with a standard keyboardStarting and turning off your computer To start your computerTo turn off your computer Protecting from power source problems Using the mouse Click, click Do thisWorking safely Improving monitor legibility and reducing eye strainSetting up your computer table and chair Setting up your computer and computer accessoriesSitting at your computer Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain Computer Basics Getting Started To get started Page Getting Started Page Getting Started Getting Help For more information HelpSpotTo start HelpSpot For more information Getting Help Online help Gateway Web site Windows4 Basics About the Windows environment Desktop components Desktop icons, buttons, Description ElementsDesktop icons, buttons, Description Elements Window components Window element DescriptionUsing the Start menu Working with files and folders About drivesAbout folders and files To create a folderUsing Your Computer Using the CD drive Inserting a CDTo insert a CD Using the CD drive Adjusting the volume To adjust overall volume levelTo adjust specific volume levels Working with documents Creating a new documentTo create a new document To save a document in Microsoft Word Saving a documentOpening a document To open a document in Microsoft WordPrinting a document To print a document in Microsoft WordUsing Your Computer Using Internet Learning about the Internet To set up an Internet account with Gateway.net or AOL Setting up an Internet accountAccessing your Internet account To connect to your Gateway.net or AOL Internet accountUsing the World Wide Web Connecting to a Web site To connect to a Web siteDownloading files To download files or programs from a Web siteUsing e-mail To send e-mail using Gateway.net or AOLSending e-mail To check your e-mail using Gateway.net or AOL Checking your e-mailMaintenance task Immediately Maintaining7 Your ComputerAfter purchase Protecting your computer from viruses Optimizing and maintaining your data Scanning the hard drive for errorsUsing Disk Cleanup Windows utilitiesChecking hard drive space Windows maintenanceUsing the Maintenance Wizard Backing up filesRunning the Windows utilities using HelpSpot To run Windows utilitiesMaintaining Your Computer Customizing 8 Your Computer Adjusting the screen and desktop settings Adjusting the color depthAdjusting the screen area Applying a color scheme Changing the desktop backgroundSelecting a screen saver Adjusting your settings using HelpSpot To adjust Windows settingsAdjusting the screen and desktop settings Changing the mouse settings To change your mouse settingsPower management Using Standby modeIf your You Then Computer is Want to Changing power settings To change the power schemeTo change advanced power management settings To enable Hibernate mode Power management Customizing Your Computer Restoring9 Software Reinstalling device drivers To reinstall device driversTo reinstall Windows Reinstalling WindowsReinstalling programs To reinstall a program from the Gateway PC Recovery CDTo reinstall a program from a CD Troubleshooting Safety guidelines First stepsCD drive Computer does not recognize the CD driveAudio CD does not produce sound Cleaning CDs ComputerComputer will not start File management You receive an Insufficient disk space error messageTo restore files that were deleted in Windows Hard driveConnecting to a Web site takes too long InternetYou cannot connect to the Internet Keyboard ModemTo check the dialing properties To access the gateway.your.way dial-up server Your 56K modem does not connect at 56KTo run modem diagnostics Modem is not recognized by the computerModem is noisy when it dials and connects To turn down the modem volumeYou receive an Unable to establish protocols error message To reinstall dial-up networkingTo reinstall dial-up networking components Screen area is not correct To change the display settingsMonitor Computer is running but there is no displayMouse does not work To clean your mouseMouse Mouse works erraticallyMouse Power PrinterScanDisk You receive a Printer is out of paper error messageWhen you started your computer, it ran ScanDisk SoundBefore calling for technical support Resource Service description How to reach Technical support resourcesAOL Safety Regulatory, and a Legal Information Important safety informationSetting up your system Replacement parts and accessories Care during useFCC Part Regulatory compliance statementsUnited States users FCC declaration of conformityFCC part 68 applicable to products fitted with USA modems Canadian users ICES-003DOC notice for products fitted with an IC-compliant modem European users European directivesJapanese users Vcci statementAustralia and New Zealand users EMI statementExternal television antenna grounding Laser safety statementPower lines Lightning protection100 Reference Grounding componentAll Rights Reserved Macrovision statement101 Trademark Acknowledgments102 Index 103104 105 106