Gateway dx4300 User Manuals

Table of Contents

• Contents

  9
• Checking Out Your Computer

  11
  • About this guide

    12
  • Product Registration

    12
  • Front

    13
  • Back

    15
• Setting Up and Getting Started

  19
  • Preparing power connections

    20
    • Protecting from power source problems

      20
  • Connecting to a broadband modem or network

    20
    • To connect to a broadband modem or to an Ethernet network:

      21
  • Connecting a dial-up modem

    21
    • To connect the modem:

      21
  • Using the World Wide Web

    21
    • Connecting to a Web site

      22
      • To connect to a Web site:

        22
    • Downloading files

      23
      • To download files or programs from a Web site:

        23
  • Ethernet networking

    24
    • Wired Ethernet networking

      24
      • Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet

        24
      • Using a router

        25
        • Example router-based Ethernet network

          25
      • Equipment you need for a router-based Ethernet network

        26
      • Setting up wired Ethernet network hardware

        27
        • Making sure your broadband connection works

          27
        • Connecting network cables

          28
        • Setting up a network using a router

          28
          • To set up a network using a router:

            29
    • Testing your network

      30
    • Adding a printer to your network

      30
    • Sharing resources

      31
      • Sharing drives and printers

        31
        • Sharing printers

          31
          • To share printers:

            31
    • Using the network

      31
      • Printing files across the network

        32
        • To print files across the network:

          32
  • Using the media card reader

    32
    • Memory card types

      32
    • Using a memory card

      33
      • To insert a memory card:

        33
      • To remove a memory card:

        33
• Maintaining Your Computer

  35
  • Setting up a maintenance schedule

    36
  • Caring for your computer

    36
  • Updating Windows

    38
• Troubleshooting

  39
  • Safety guidelines

    40
  • Try these steps first

    40
  • Error messages

    41
  • Internet and networking

    42
    • Internet

      42
      • You cannot connect to the Internet

        42
      • You see an “Unable to locate host” message and are unable to browse the Internet

        43
      • People are sending you e-mails, but you have not received them

        43
      • E-mails you send are returned as undeliverable

        43
    • Modem (cable or DSL)

      44
      • My computer cannot connect to the Internet.

        44
    • Modem (dial-up)

      44
      • Your modem does not dial or does not connect

        44
        • To check the dialing properties:

          44
      • You cannot connect to the Internet

        45
      • Your 56K modem does not connect at 56K

        45
      • The modem is not recognized by your computer

        45
        • To run modem diagnostics:

          45
      • The modem is noisy when it dials and connects

        46
        • To turn down the modem volume:

          46
    • Networking

      47
      • You cannot see the other computers on your network

        47
      • Your wired network is running slower than you expect

        47
  • Power

    48
    • Your computer will not turn on

      48
  • Display

    48
    • The screen resolution is not correct

      48
    • The color is not uniform

      49
    • The text on the display is dim or difficult to read

      49
  • Printing

    49
    • The printer will not turn on

      49
    • The printer is on but will not print

      49
      • To set a default printer:

        49
  • Optical discs

    50
    • The computer does not recognize a disc or the disc drive

      50
    • An audio disc does not produce sound

      50
    • A movie disc will not play

      50
  • Memory card reader

    51
    • Drive letters for the memory card slots do not appear in the Computer window

      51
  • Mouse

    51
    • The mouse does not work

      51
    • The mouse works erratically

      52
  • Keyboard

    52
    • The keyboard does not work

      52
    • Liquid spilled in the keyboard

      52
  • Files

    53
    • You get an “Insufficient disk space” error message

      53
    • A file was accidentally deleted

      53
      • To restore deleted files:

        53
    • You get a “Data error” message

      54
    • The hard drive cannot be accessed, or you see a “General failure reading drive C” error message

      54
    • You get an “Operating system not found” error message

      54
    • You need to restore your computer to a working condition

      54
    • Checking the hard drive for errors

      54
      • To check the hard drive for errors:

        55
  • Memory

    56
    • You see a “Memory error” message

      56
    • You see a “Not enough memory” error message

      56
  • Audio

    56
    • You are not getting sound from the speakers

      56
  • Passwords

    57
    • Your computer does not accept your password

      57
  • Expansion cards

    57
    • The computer does not recognize an expansion card

      57
  • Media Center

    58
    • The Media Center video display looks bad on your TV

      58
    • You want to change monitor settings to get better TV or DVD image quality

      59
    • You need to burn programs that were recorded with your computer to a DVD using Media Center

      59
    • You want to play recorded programs on other computers

      59
    • You get a “Download Error” message when Media Center tries to update the Program Guide

      60
  • Checking for device problems

    60
    • To check for device problems:

      60
  • Recovering your system

    61
    • Creating recovery discs

      61
      • To create recovery discs:

        61
    • Recovering pre-installed software and drivers

      62
      • To recover your pre-installed software and drivers:

        63
    • Returning to a previous system condition

      63
      • To return to a restore point:

        63
    • Returning your system to its factory condition

      64
      • Recovering from within Windows Vista

        64
        • To reinstall Windows Vista and all pre-installed software and drivers:

          64
      • Recovering from the hard drive during startup

        65
        • To reinstall Windows Vista and all pre-installed software and drivers:

          65
      • Recovering from your recovery discs

        66
        • To reinstall Windows Vista and all pre-installed software and drivers:

          66
  • Creating Labelflash Disc Labels

    66
    • What is Labelflash?

      66
    • Creating disc labels with LabelPrint

      66
      • To create a Labelflash label:

        67
• Regulations and safety notices

  73