User manual TOSHIBA SATELLITE PRO U500D

[. . . ] Do this regularly and you'll have a smoother-running system. Clean it up Click here to eliminate performance and hard drive space problems Speed it up Click here to help programs run faster and to open files more quickly For more information, see "Performance and maintenance" under Help and Support. 8511111_GW GSG. indd 7 7 11/3/2005 2:19:34 PM surfing the 'net Explore the World Wide Web with an Internet connection. Just connect your computer to a telephone line, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or cable TV line and sign up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) like America Online. To get to the Internet, click Start, then click Internet Explorer or the ISP you've connected with. Type in an Internet address, such as www. gateway. com, click Go, and you're on your way. The address bar is where you type in the Internet address or URL (Universal Resource Locator) This is a Web page Linked Web page If your pointer arrow turns into a hand when you move over something, it's a link. [. . . ] You can control how the music CD or video DVD plays from Windows Media Player. Note: You must have a DVD drive to play a DVD Songs or scene selections from the CD or DVD you are playing are listed here Click these buttons to play, pause, or stop a CD or DVD. You can also control the volume here. 10 8511111_GW GSG. indd 10 For more information about using media, see "Using Multimedia" in your online user guide. 11/3/2005 2:19:35 PM rip, burn, play Create a custom music CD with MP3s you rip yourself, or create a video DVD of home movies or special videos. If your computer came with a DVD burner, , you can do it all with easy-to-use software already installed on your Gateway computer. Create an MP3 music file To create an MP3, click the Windows Media Player icon on your Windows desktop. Put a music CD in the CD drive on your computer. Make sure the song or songs you want to create MP3s of are checked, then click Rip. Windows Media Player will create MP3s and save them to the My Music folder in My Documents. Create a DVD To save content such as data or movies to DVD, open Nero Express from the Start menu. Put a blank, writable DVD into the DVD burner on your computer. Select your DVD burner and the type of disc you are creating. Click Add, then select the files or folders you want to burn to the DVD. When you have added all of your files, click Finished. Click Next, then click Burn. Note: you must have a DVD burner to create a DVD For more information about using media, see "Using Multimedia" in your online user guide. 8511111_GW GSG. indd 11 11 11/3/2005 2:19:35 PM recovering your system In the unlikely event that you experience software problems, tools for recovering your computer have been included. 2 Turn on or restart your computer, then press the F11 key on your keyboard while your computer is starting. 3 Follow the on-screen instructions and insert the operating system disc when prompted. 14 8511111_GW GSG. indd 14 For more information on system recovery, see "Recovering Your System" in your online user guide. 11/3/2005 2:19:36 PM back to basics, continued. . . 4 Continue to follow the on-screen instructions, and click one of the following system recovery options when prompted: · Full System Restore (Destructive) reformats the hard drive and restores the system software as it was when you purchased your computer. This process deletes your data files. Full System Restore with Backup (recommended) moves the contents of the hard drive to the C:\ My Backup folder and installs a new copy of Windows XP. This option saves your existing data files, but all programs must be reinstalled and the program settings reconfigured. You need at least 4 GB of hard drive space to use this restore option. 6 When file recovery has finished, click Restart. Your computer restarts, and Windows finishes its setup and installation. · IMPORTANT · · If your hard drive has failed and you can't restore the software from the hard drive, contact Gateway Customer Care for help. After you restore your computer, it will appear with the same files and programs it had when it shipped from the factory. You still need to download Windows updates and antivirus updates to bring your computer's software up to date. For more information on system recovery, see "Recovering Your System" in your online user guide. 8511111_GW GSG. indd 15 15 11/3/2005 2:19:36 PM keeping your computer safe Your Gateway computer comes with hardware and software features that let you use your computer safely and securely. Use these tools regularly to improve the security of personal information stored on your computer. [. . . ] To run Windows Update, click Start, All Programs, then click Windows Update. Click Express to download high priority updates including those that are security-related. You can schedule automatic updates with Windows Update 18 8511111_GW GSG. indd 18 For more information on security, see "Protecting Your Computer" in your online user guide. 11/3/2005 2:19:37 PM maintaining security BigFix Your computer may include BigFix. A hotspot is a high-speed wireless Internet access point that's often available in places like airports, libraries, coffee shops, and hotels. When you sign up, you'll get the information you need to connect. For more information about wireless networking, see "Networking Your Computer" in your online user guide. 8511111_GW GSG. indd 21 21 11/3/2005 2:19:39 PM need additional help? If you need a little extra help with something on your computer, Gateway offers several options designed to meet your needs: · Gateway Web support--Available 24/7, Gateway's online support provides current drivers, product specifications, tutorials, and personalized information about your computer. [. . . ]