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Gateway NX.Y1UAA.030 Wireless networking, Buying wireless equipment

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CHAPTER 7: Wireless Networking

www.gateway.com

Wireless networking

Wireless networking is the latest advance in computer communication. With a wireless home network, you can use your notebook wherever you like. From the comfort of your sofa, kitchen, or patio, you can browse the Internet, send and receive e-mails, transfer files, and use your printer.

You can even browse the Internet and check your e-mail when you are away from your home by connecting to public hot spots commonly available in airports, libraries, book stores, and coffee shops.

For the notebook user on the go, wireless networking just makes life easier.

A wireless network uses radio waves to communicate. Typically, a wireless network is made up of an access point, a cable or DSL modem (for Internet access), and your wireless computers.

An access point is a small electronic device that serves as the central control point for your network. You connect your modem to the access point, set up a network connection, then browse the Internet, send e-mail, share files and folders with other networked computers, and access other devices, like a printer or scanner.

Cable or DSL modem

Access point

Buying wireless equipment

Tips & Tricks

When you buy your access point, make sure it has:

•IEEE 802.11g support. 802.11g is the fastest method for wireless

communications. 802.11g is compatible with the older IEEE 802.11b format but not with the competing IEEE 802.11a format. Make sure that you get the correct format that matches your notebook.

•DHCP server/dynamic IP address assignment capability that makes it

easier to set up and access your network.

•Internet security features like a firewall to keep intruders out of your network.

•Wireless security features like SecureEasySetup™ or 128-bit WEP

encryption. If you are not sure what to buy, check out Gateway’s accessory store at accessories.gateway.com .

For a wireless network you need:

■Your Gateway notebook with built-in wireless networking

■A broadband Internet connection

■An access point

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Contents

Page Page Contents Page Page Page Getting Help •Gateway Web site •Help and Support •BigFix •Online help Thank you for purchasing our notebook Gateway Web site Using Support Help and Support Searching for a topic Getting help in Media Center BigFix Online help Using Windows XP •About the Windows desktop •Identifying window items •Using Windows XP Tablet PC •Working with files and folders About the Windows desktop Using the Start menu Identifying window items Using Windows XP Tablet PC Using Tablet PC extensions Pen button Tips Tablet Input Panel (TIP) Using speech recognition Working with files and folders Viewing drives Creating folders Copying and moving files and folders Deleting files and folders To delete files or folders: To recover files or folders from the Recycle Bin: To empty the Recycle Bin: Browsing for files and folders Searching for files Using the Windows Search utility Using advanced search options Working with documents Creating a new document Saving a document Opening a document Printing a document Shortcuts Page Recovering Your System •System recovery options •Drivers and applications recovery •Recovering your system System recovery options Drivers and applications recovery Creating drivers and applications recovery discs 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 To recover specific drivers and software: Recovering your system using Microsoft System Restore Recovering your system from the hard drive Page Using the Internet •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 To connect to a Web site: Downloading files Using e-mail jdoe@hotmail.com Sending e-mail Checking your e-mail Protecting your notebook •Hardware security •Data security •Security updates •Traveling securely Hardware security Kensington lock slot CompuTrace Data security Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Computrace Notebook startup and hard drive password Protecting your notebook from viruses Using McAfee SecurityCenter Scanning for and removing viruses To scan for viruses: To remove a virus: Using Windows XP Security Center Security updates Windows Update To schedule automatic updates: BigFix Traveling securely Using Multimedia •Adjusting the volume •Playing music and movies •Creating audio files and music libraries •Creating and editing videos Adjusting the volume Page Playing music and movies Playing WAV audio files Playing audio and video files Playing CDs or DVDs Playing a CD or DVD using Windows Media Player To play a CD or DVD using Windows Media Player: Playing a DVD using CyberLink PowerDVD To play a DVD using CyberLink PowerDVD: Creating audio files and music libraries Creating music files Creating WMA and MP3 music files using Windows Media Player To create WMA or MP3 files: Building a music library Editing track information Creating and editing videos Editing videos Transferring your video to your notebook 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 Creating a video DVD using CyberLink Power2Go To create a video DVD using Cyberlink Power2Go: Page To create a video DVD using Windows Media Center: Creating and copying data CDs and DVDs Creating a data CD or DVD Page Page Copying a CD or DVD Advanced multimedia software features Windows Media Player advanced features CyberLink Power2Go advanced features Page Wireless Networking •Wireless networking •Setting up your wireless network •Testing your network •Sharing resources Wireless networking Setting up your wireless network Making sure your broadband connection works Setting up your access point Setting up your notebook Naming your computers and workgroup To identify this computer on the network: Turning the wireless radio on Connecting to your network Testing your network Sharing resources Un-sharingdrives and folders To un-sharedrives or folders: Sharing printers To share printers: 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 Connecting to hotspots Adding devices to your network Adding a desktop computer to your network Adding a printer to your network Sending and Receiving Faxes •Installing and configuring Fax •Sending a simple fax •Setting up your cover page template •Faxing from programs Installing and configuring Fax Installing Fax Configuring Fax To configure Microsoft Fax: Sending a simple fax Page Setting up your cover page template Faxing from programs Faxing a scanned document Receiving and viewing a fax Canceling a fax Automatically retry sending a fax Automatically canceling a fax Customizing Your Notebook •Adjusting the screen and desktop settings •Changing the mouse, touchpad, or pointing device settings •Adjusting tablet and pen settings •Adding and modifying user accounts Adjusting the screen and desktop settings Adjusting the screen resolution Changing the colors on your Windows desktop Changing the desktop background Selecting a screen saver To select a screen saver: Using an extended desktop To turn on extended desktop: Changing the mouse, touchpad, or pointing device settings Changing mouse settings To change your mouse settings: Changing touchpad or pointing device settings Adjusting tablet and pen settings Programming the buttons Adjusting the Tablet PC Input Panel Settings Adding and modifying user accounts Maintaining Your Notebook •Updating Windows •Using BigFix •Managing hard drive space •Moving from your old computer Updating Windows Using BigFix Managing hard drive space Checking hard drive space 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 Notices Page Index