Page 3 - Contents; Performing Common Tasks
Learning More About Your Computer iii Contents 1 Performing Common Tasks Modifying the Display. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–1Modifying the Keyboard Language Setting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ....
Page 4 - Saving Energy
iv Learning More About Your Computer Contents Defragmenting the Drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–5 Protecting from a Virus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–6Preparing for...
Page 5 - Modifying the Display; To Modify the Display; Settings tab to display less or more on your screen.
Learning More About Your Computer 1–1 1 Performing Common Tasks You may find yourself wanting to perform tasks such as: ■ Modifying your display ■ Modifying your keyboard language setting ■ Modifying your mouse settings ■ Shutting down your system ■ Printing ■ Playing games ■ Listening to digital au...
Page 6 - Modifying the Keyboard Language Setting; You can modify the language setting for your keyboard.; To Modify the Keyboard Language Setting; Click the Start button from the Windows taskbar.
1–2 Learning More About Your Computer Performing Common Tasks Modifying the Keyboard Language Setting You can modify the language setting for your keyboard. To Modify the Keyboard Language Setting 1. Click the Start button from the Windows taskbar. 2. Click Control Panel. 3. Click Date, Time, Langua...
Page 7 - Modifying the Mouse Properties; To Modify Mouse Properties
Learning More About Your Computer 1–3 Performing Common Tasks 8. Click the Keyboard layout/IME down arrow and select a language from the list. 9. Click OK. 10. Click OK to apply the changes. Modifying the Mouse Properties You can view and modify different properties of the mouse from the Mouse Prope...
Page 9 - Shutting Down the Computer; To Shut Down the Computer; Printing; Using the Print Menu; Select the printer
Learning More About Your Computer 1–5 Performing Common Tasks Shutting Down the Computer When you are finished working or playing on the computer, it is a good idea to shut it down. To Shut Down the Computer 1. Click the Start button from the Windows taskbar. 2. Click Turn Off Computer. Printing You...
Page 10 - To Use the Print Menu; Select your printing options. Remember, the look and feel of the; Print dialog box varies from application to application.; Playing Games; You can use the computer to play games that were:
1–6 Learning More About Your Computer Performing Common Tasks To Use the Print Menu 1. Click File on the menu bar. 2. Click Print... 3. Select your printing options. Remember, the look and feel of the Print dialog box varies from application to application. 4. Click OK. Playing Games You can use the...
Page 11 - To Check Hard Disk Space; Click the Start button on the Windows taskbar.; Click the hard disk drive where you want to store the game files.; Notice the amount of free space listed in the Details area and; make sure it is enough for installing game.
Learning More About Your Computer 1–7 Performing Common Tasks Before you download or purchase any games, check the computer requirements for the game. These are usually listed on the Internet site or outside of the game box. You should pay particular attention to the amount of disk space required fo...
Page 12 - Playing Digital Audio; To Play Digital Audio; Follow the on-screen instructions for creating a play list.; Press the F1 key for help with specific functions.
1–8 Learning More About Your Computer Performing Common Tasks ✎ It is recommended that you use the same disc drive (CD or DVD) to play a game that you used to install it. If you have problems installing or playing a game, contact the game manufacturer. Playing Digital Audio You can play digital audi...
Page 13 - Using Your Computer Drives; Computers can have several types of drives that include:; Inserting a diskette; To insert a diskette; Hold the diskette with the label facing up and arrow pointing
Learning More About Your Computer 2–1 2 Using Your Computer Drives Computers can have several types of drives that include: ■ Diskette (floppy) ■ Hard ■ CD-ROM (compact disk - read only memory) ■ CD-RW (compact disk - re-writable) ■ DVD-ROM (digital versatile disk- read only memory) ■ DVD-R/RW (digi...
Page 14 - Removing a diskette; To remove a diskette
2–2 Learning More About Your Computer Using Your Computer Drives ✎ If you have a tower model, hold the diskette with the label facing left and the arrow pointing toward the drive. 2. Gently push the diskette into the drive. Removing a diskette You should remove the diskette from the diskette drive w...
Page 15 - Using the Hard Drive; If you need to free space on the hard drive, you can:
Learning More About Your Computer 2–3 Using Your Computer Drives Ä CAUTION: If you remove a diskette while the activity light is glowing, you can damage the diskette or the information stored on it. Using the Hard Drive You can store computer operating files, applications, data, Internet, and person...
Page 16 - Using the CD or DVD Drive
2–4 Learning More About Your Computer Using Your Computer Drives Using the CD or DVD Drive The CD-ROM, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, and DVD-R/RW drives allow you to perform several different actions (such as, store information, listen to music, view and create movies). The DVD-ROM and DVD-R/RW drives take longer...
Page 17 - Multimedia Support
Learning More About Your Computer 2–5 Using Your Computer Drives It is important to read all directions before attempting to record onto a DVD-R or DVD-RW disc. You should make sure that all open applications are closed and remain closed while you are burning the DVD-R or DVD-RW disc. ✎ Your 4.7 Gig...
Page 19 - Inserting a CD or DVD; To Insert a CD or DVD; Carefully lift the CD or DVD from its case. You should avoid
Learning More About Your Computer 2–7 Using Your Computer Drives Inserting a CD or DVD To Insert a CD or DVD 1. Power on the computer. 2. Press the load/eject button to open the drive. 3. Carefully lift the CD or DVD from its case. You should avoid touching the surface of the CD or DVD. If possible,...
Page 20 - Place the CD or DVD, label side up (label side left if tower
2–8 Learning More About Your Computer Using Your Computer Drives 4. Place the CD or DVD, label side up (label side left if tower model), into the round tray ✎ If the tray has support tabs, carefully slide the disc under the tabs to position it correctly in the tray. 5. Press the load/eject button to...
Page 21 - Removing a CD or DVD; To Remove a CD or DVD; Carefully lift the CD or DVD from the drive. You should avoid; Press the load/eject button on the front of the drive to close the; Store the CD or DVD in its protective case.; Listening to Music
Learning More About Your Computer 2–9 Using Your Computer Drives Removing a CD or DVD To Remove a CD or DVD 1. Power on the computer. 2. Press the load/eject button to open the drive. 3. Carefully lift the CD or DVD from the drive. You should avoid touching the surface of the disc. If possible, hold...
Page 22 - To Listen to Music
2–10 Learning More About Your Computer Using Your Computer Drives ✎ The DVD drives may take longer to begin music playback because they must determine the type of media being played. To Listen to Music 1. Insert a CD or DVD as described previously in this chapter, “Inserting a CD or DVD.” 2. Wait fo...
Page 23 - Playing a Movie; To Play a Movie; Insert a DVD as described previously in this chapter, “Inserting a
Learning More About Your Computer 2–11 Using Your Computer Drives 6. Click Apply, then OK. Playing a Movie You can only play a DVD movie from the DVD-ROM and DVD-R/RW drives. To Play a Movie 1. Insert a DVD as described previously in this chapter, “Inserting a CD or DVD.” ✎ For best performance, it ...
Page 24 - Creating a CD
2–12 Learning More About Your Computer Using Your Computer Drives 2. Wait for the DVD to automatically start playing. If the DVD does not start playing automatically, follow these steps. a. Click the Start button on your Windows desktop. b. Click All Programs, Compaq WinDVD, then Win DVD Player. c. ...
Page 26 - Maintaining the CD or DVD Drive; Do not move the drive while it is operating
2–14 Learning More About Your Computer Using Your Computer Drives Maintaining the CD or DVD Drive You should keep the following guidelines in mind when maintaining and cleaning your CD or DVD drive: ■ Do not move the drive while it is operating ■ Avoid exposing the drive to rapid changes in temperat...
Page 27 - Maintaining and Shipping; Routine Maintenance Guidelines
Learning More About Your Computer 3–1 3 Maintaining and Shipping Routine and preventive maintenance for the computer is easier than you might think. A few basic procedures will help keep the computer and monitor in good operating condition. ■ Disk cleanup ■ Scan disk ■ Defragment Use virus scan soft...
Page 28 - Preventive Maintenance; Cleaning Up the Hard Drive; To Clean Up the Hard Drive
3–2 Learning More About Your Computer Maintaining and Shipping ■ Keep the computer away from excessive heat, cold, moisture, and direct sunlight (for specific ranges of temperature and humidity, see your computer specifications) ■ Keep liquids away from the computer and keyboard ■ Turn off the compu...
Page 29 - Right click the hard disk drive you want to clean up.
Learning More About Your Computer 3–3 Maintaining and Shipping 4. Right click the hard disk drive you want to clean up. 5. Click Properties on the pop-up menu. 6. On the General tab, click Disk Cleanup. 7. Click the types of files you want to delete. 8. Click OK.
Page 30 - Emptying the Recycle Bin; To Empty the Recycle Bin; Scanning the Hard Drive; To Scan the Hard Drive
3–4 Learning More About Your Computer Maintaining and Shipping Emptying the Recycle Bin After you delete files from the hard drive, they are sent to the recycle bin. You can retrieve files that are sent to the recycle bin as long as you have not emptied it. Once you empty the recycle bin, your files...
Page 31 - Defragmenting the Drive; To Defragment the Hard Drive; Click the Start button on the Windows taskbar.; Right click the hard disk drive you want to check.
Learning More About Your Computer 3–5 Maintaining and Shipping 8. Click Start to begin scanning. Defragmenting the Drive You can increasingly improve the efficiency of the computer by defragmenting it on a regular basis. Defragmenting moves the files closer together so that the hard drive space is u...
Page 32 - Protecting from a Virus; An infected diskette
3–6 Learning More About Your Computer Maintaining and Shipping 8. Click Defragment to begin. Protecting from a Virus A computer virus can destroy information on the hard drive. You can get a virus through: ■ An infected diskette ■ A CD, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD, DVD-R or DVD-RW disc ■ E-mail messages and at...
Page 33 - Preparing for Shipping or Travel
Learning More About Your Computer 3–7 Maintaining and Shipping You should take the following precautions in order to protect your new computer: ■ Do not open unsolicited e-mail from unknown sources ■ Only download files from sources you feel are safe ■ Always scan documents for viruses before openin...
Page 34 - Using Power Management; Always On
Learning More About Your Computer 4–1 4 Saving Energy You can conserve energy by using the Microsoft Windows Power Management system. With this system, you can determine when the computer is sleeping, hibernating, or awake. You can also determine when your monitor and hard drive turns off. Using Pow...
Page 35 - Using the Power Options Properties; Click Power Options to display the Power Options Properties
4–2 Learning More About Your Computer Saving Energy ✎ If your computer is connected to a network or has “always on” DSL connection, you should use the Always On power scheme. Using the Power Options Properties 1. Click Start from the Windows taskbar. 2. Click Control Panel. 3. Click Performance and ...
Page 36 - Sleep Mode; Manually put your computer to sleep; Adjusting the Sleep Mode; To Adjust the Sleep Mode; Make sure the Power Schemes tab is selected.; time you want to pass before putting your computer to sleep.
Learning More About Your Computer 4–3 Saving Energy Sleep Mode Sleep mode is a low-power standby state that reduces the amount of electrical power consumed by the computer while you are not using it. The Microsoft Windows Power Management system automatically puts the computer into sleep mode after ...
Page 37 - Manually Entering the Sleep Mode; To Manually Enter Sleep Mode; Close all programs and save any open files.; Click Start on the Windows taskbar; On the Advanced tab, under When I press the power; Awaking From Sleep; Pressing any key on the keyboard
4–4 Learning More About Your Computer Saving Energy Manually Entering the Sleep Mode You can manually put the computer into sleep or standby mode to conserve energy. To Manually Enter Sleep Mode 1. Close all programs and save any open files. 2. Click Start on the Windows taskbar 3. Click the Control...
Page 38 - Hibernate Mode; Adjusting the Hibernate Mode; To Hibernate the Computer; Awaking from Hibernation
Learning More About Your Computer 4–5 Saving Energy Hibernate Mode You can also set the computer to go into Hibernate mode after a specified period of inactivity. Before the computer can hibernate, it saves everything in memory to the hard drive. Then, it shuts itself off. When you awake the compute...
Page 39 - Understanding Computer Terms
Learning More About Your Computer 5–1 5 Understanding Computer Terms This chapter provides definitions for computer terms used in this guide and other documents that ship with your computer. A 1394 port A new type of connector for plugging in peripherals with extremely fast data-transfer rates, such...
Page 40 - A technical term for a computer program. See program.
5–2 Learning More About Your Computer Understanding Computer Terms application A technical term for a computer program. See program. audio/video streaming See streaming. authoring What you do to create a program that may eventually be stored on a CD. For example, if you want to create a multimedia g...
Page 46 - Information that can be processed by a computer. See digital.
5–8 Learning More About Your Computer Understanding Computer Terms close session When a session is closed, information about its contents is written into the Table of Contents of the CDs, and a lead-in and lead-out are written to prepare the CD for subsequent sessions. coaster Popular term for a rui...
Page 48 - The drive that reads and writes to a disk.
5–10 Learning More About Your Computer Understanding Computer Terms disc image A single large file which is an exact representation of the whole set of data and programs as it will appear on a CD in terms of both content and logical format. This may be an ISO 9660 image or some proprietary format su...
Page 49 - Messages sent over the Internet.; See Microsoft Internet Explorer and Windows Explorer.
Learning More About Your Computer 5–11 Understanding Computer Terms drop-down menu A list of options that drops down when you click a menu name on the menu bar or click the down arrow on a dialog box. DSL (digital subscriber line) A telephone line that carries both voice and data signals, allowing y...
Page 53 - See Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Learning More About Your Computer 5–15 Understanding Computer Terms I icon A small picture that represents a menu command, file, program, tool, or peripheral. interactive A computer program that responds to you as if you were having a conversation. You give instructions; computer performs an action ...
Page 54 - The hinged plastic case in which CDs are often stored.
5–16 Learning More About Your Computer Understanding Computer Terms ISP (Internet Service Provider) A company that provides access to the Internet. To use the service, you need the ISP software, a user name, a password, and access phone number(s). J jewel case The hinged plastic case in which CDs ar...
Page 58 - The arrow on the screen that moves with the mouse.
5–20 Learning More About Your Computer Understanding Computer Terms mixed-mode disc A CD that includes both computer data and CD-DA tracks. The data is all contained in track one, and the audio in one or more of the following tracks. Contrast with CD Extra. modem: A device in the computer that conve...
Page 60 - A program that lets you read and post messages to newsgroups.
5–22 Learning More About Your Computer Understanding Computer Terms newsgroup A discussion group on the Internet where people can post or read messages on thousands of topics, such as professional basketball, environmental protection, Himalayan cats, Scottish bagpipes, Irish clog dancing, soufflés, ...
Page 62 - Tracks chosen to be played from a CD or DVD.
5–24 Learning More About Your Computer Understanding Computer Terms peripheral An external device connected to a computer, such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, joystick, scanner, printer, and digital camera. See component. PDF (Portable Document Format) A file format that has captured all the element...
Page 63 - The brains of the computer. See microprocessor
Learning More About Your Computer 5–25 Understanding Computer Terms plug-and-play A feature introduced with Windows 95 to simplify the use of some peripheral devices. Once the device is installed (in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions), you can plug it into the computer while the comput...
Page 69 - See Windows taskbar.
Learning More About Your Computer 5–31 Understanding Computer Terms surge protector A device that protects a computer from fluctuations in power. A surge protector regulates the flow of electricity to the computer and prevents high-voltage surges from reaching and possibly damaging the equipment. SV...
Page 70 - To send information to another computer on the Internet.
5–32 Learning More About Your Computer Understanding Computer Terms track-at-once A method of writing data to a CD. Each time a track (data or audio) is completed, the recording laser is stopped, even if another track will be written immediately afterwards. Link and run blocks are written when the l...
Page 72 - See Microsoft Windows.
5–34 Learning More About Your Computer Understanding Computer Terms W WAV A file format used to store sounds. WAV sound files can be identified by the file extension .wav. Microsoft and IBM developed the format for Windows-based programs that support sound. See file extension. Web See World Wide Web...