Gateway FX Defragmenting the hard drive

CHAPTER 12: Maintaining Your Computer

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3Click the Tools tab.

4Click Check Now.

5Click the options you want to use, then click Start. For help, press F1. Windows checks the drive for errors. This process may take several minutes. After Windows has finished checking the drive for errors, it provides a summary of the problems that it found.

6Correct any problems that are found by following the on-screen instructions.

7Click OK.

Defragmenting the hard drive

When working with files, sometimes Windows divides the file information into pieces and stores them in different places on the hard drive. This is called fragmentation, and it is normal. In order for your computer to use a file, Windows must search for the pieces of the file and put them back together. This process slows the hard drive performance.

The Disk Defragmenter program organizes the data on the drive so each file is stored as one unit rather than as multiple pieces scattered across different areas of the drive. Defragmenting the information stored on the drive can improve hard drive performance.

While the Disk Defragmenter program is running, do not use your keyboard or mouse because using them may continuously stop and restart the defragmenting process. Also, if you are connected to a network, log off before starting Disk Defragmenter. Network communication may stop the defragmentation process and cause it to start over.

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Contents

Page Page Contents Page Page Page Page Page Getting Help •Using the Gateway Web site •Using Help and Support •Using online help •Finding the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity Thank you for purchasing our computer Using the Gateway Web site Using Help and Support Searching for a topic Using online help Finding the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity Getting Started •Working safely •Starting your computer •Turning off your computer •Restarting your computer Working safely Reducing eye strain Setting up your computer desk and chair Setting up your computer and computer accessories Starting your computer Turning off your computer Restarting your computer Using the keyboard Premium multimedia keyboard features Elite multimedia keyboard features Using the mouse Connecting the dial-upmodem Connecting to a cable or DSL modem or to a wired Ethernet network Installing a printer, scanner, or other device Using Windows XP •Using the Windows desktop •Working with files and folders •Searching for files •Working with documents Using the Windows desktop Using the Start menu Adding icons to the desktop Identifying window items Window item Working with files and folders Viewing drives Creating folders Copying and moving files and folders To copy a file or folder to another folder: To move a file or folder to another folder: Deleting files and folders To delete files or folders: Searching for files Using the Windows Search utility Browsing for files and folders Working with documents Creating a new document Saving a document Opening a document Printing a document Shortcuts •Learning about the Internet •Setting up an Internet account •Using the World Wide Web •Using e-mail Learning about the Internet Setting up an Internet account Accessing your Internet account Using the World Wide Web Connecting to a Web site Downloading files Using e-mail jdoe@hotmail.com Sending e-mail Checking your e-mail •Installing and configuring Microsoft Fax •Sending a fax •Receiving and viewing a fax Installing and configuring Microsoft Fax Installing Fax Configuring Microsoft Fax To configure Microsoft Fax: Page Setting up your cover page template Sending a fax Sending a quick fax Faxing from programs Faxing a scanned document Automatically retry sending a fax Canceling a fax Automatically canceling a fax Receiving and viewing a fax Using Your Computer Hardware •Using the diskette drive •Using the CD or DVD drive •Using the memory card reader •Using a second monitor Using the diskette drive Using the CD or DVD drive Identifying drive types Inserting a CD or DVD Using the memory card reader Memory card types Using a memory card Using a second monitor Installing an uninterruptible power supply Page Page Using Your Computer Software •Adjusting the volume •Configuring the audio jacks •Playing music and movies •Creating audio files and music libraries Adjusting the volume To adjust device volume levels: Configuring the audio jacks Playing music and movies Playing WAV audio files Playing audio and video files Playing CDs or DVDs To play a CD or DVD: Creating audio files and music libraries Creating music files To record a WAV audio file: Creating WMA and MP3 music files To create WMA or MP3 files: Building a music library Editing track information Creating and editing videos Editing videos Transferring your video to your computer Editing your video Saving your video Creating music CDs and video DVDs Creating a music CD Creating a music CD using CyberLink Power2Go To create a music CD: Page Creating a video DVD Page Page Creating and copying data CDs and DVDs Page Copying a CD or DVD Page Using advanced multimedia software features Windows Media Player advanced features CyberLink Power2Go advanced features Page Customizing Your Computer •Adjusting the desktop display settings •Adjusting monitor settings •Using the extended desktop •Changing the mouse settings Adjusting the desktop display settings Adjusting the color depth Adjusting the screen resolution Changing the colors on your Windows desktop Changing the desktop background Page Adjusting monitor settings Monitor buttons On-screendisplay options Page Using the extended desktop Changing the mouse settings Changing power-savingsettings Changing the power scheme Changing advanced power settings Activating and using Hibernate mode Page Networking Your Computer •Introducing networking •Creating an Ethernet network •Testing your network •Sharing resources Introducing networking Using a router Example router-basedEthernet network Creating an Ethernet network Installing Ethernet cards and drivers Making sure your broadband connection works Naming the computers and the workgroup Configuring the TCP/IP protocol Page Setting up an Ethernet network To set up a network using a router: Configuring your router Testing your network Sharing resources Sharing drives and printers Un-sharingdrives and folders To un-sharedrives or folders: Using the network Viewing shared drives and folders Mapping a network drive Opening files across the network Copying files across the network Printing files across the network Adding a printer to your network Page Protecting Your Computer •Using startup and hard drive passwords •Security updates •Updating Windows •Using BigFix Using startup and hard drive passwords Using Windows XP user accounts Protecting your computer from viruses Using McAfee SecurityCenter Starting McAfee SecurityCenter To start McAfee SecurityCenter: Scanning for and removing viruses To scan for viruses: To remove a virus: Updating your virus definitions To update your virus definitions: Using Windows XP Security Center Security updates Updating Windows Windows Update Windows XP Security Center Using BigFix Recovering Your System •Understanding system recovery options •Creating recovery discs •Recovering your system Understanding system recovery options Creating recovery discs Creating drivers and applications recovery discs Page Copying drivers and applications recovery files to a network Creating discs from recovery files on a network Recovering your system Recovering specific files and software Recovering your system using Microsoft System Restore Recovering your system from the hard drive Page Maintaining Your Computer •Scheduling maintenance •Caring for your computer •Managing hard drive space •Moving from your old computer Scheduling maintenance Caring for your computer Cleaning your computer Managing hard drive space Deleting unnecessary files Checking the hard drive for errors Defragmenting the hard drive Backing up files Scheduling maintenance tasks Moving from your old computer Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard Transferring files Transferring Internet settings Installing your old printer or scanner Installing your old programs Troubleshooting •Safety guidelines •First steps •Solving problems •Telephone support Safety guidelines First steps Solving problems Add-incards Audio Battery CD or DVD drives Computer Diskette drive Display DVD drives Ethernet File management Hard drive Internet Keyboard Memory Memory card reader Modem (cable or DSL) Modem (dial-up) Page To run modem diagnostics: To turn down the modem volume: Mouse Networks Passwords Power Printer To set a default printer: To make sure that the printer is not set to work offline: Sound Telephone support Before calling Gateway Customer Care Telephone numbers Self-help Tutoring Training Page •Important safety information •Regulatory compliance statements •Environmental information •Notices Important safety information Regulatory compliance statements United States of America Canada Mercury warning Environmental information Notices Index