Survive
`&thrive
`
`asics
`
`Geta GreatStart
`
`You learned how to swim. You learned how to ride a bike.
`Now you're going to learn how to use a computer. It's that simple.
`
`The bestway to learn
`about PC Basics
`
`Additional Online
`learning included!
`
`Interactive CD-ROM
`included!
`
`IPR2022-00602
`Apple EX1049 Page 1
`
`

`

`Notices
`PC Basics Get a Great Start
`is published by
`Gateway, Inc.
`14303 Gateway Place
`Poway, CA 92064
`© 2002 Gateway, Inc.
`All Rights Reserved
`This publication is protected by copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of it may be reproduced or
`transmitted by any means or in any form without prior consent in writing from Gateway. You may make a
`copy of any part of this book for your own personal use. Making copies for any other purpose is a violation
`of U.S. Copyright law.
`In the interest of continued product development, Gateway reserves the right to make improvements in this
`book at any time, without notice or obligation.
`Microsoft screenshot(s) reprinted by permission from Microsoft Corporation.
`Trademark Acknowledgments
`Gateway, the Spotted G Gateway Logo, the Black-and-White Spot Design, Survive & Thrive and the
`Spotted G Gateway Press Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gateway,
`Inc.
`in the U.S. and
`other countries. All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their
`respective owners. Gateway has tried to correctly use and mark all known trademarks and service marks.
`Version 1.0
`ISBN: 1-57729-288-X
`DATE: 10-14-02
`Printed in the United States of America
`Distributed in the United States by Gateway, Inc.
`
`Warranty Disclaimer/Liability Limitation:
`The information in this book has been carefully
`checked and is believed to be accurate. However, Gateway assumes no responsibility for
`any inaccuracies that may be contained in this book and Gateway specifically disclaims any
`implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The accuracy and
`completeness of the information contained herein and the opinions stated herein are not
`guaranteed or warranted to produce any particular
`result, and the advice and strategies
`contained herein may not be suitable for every individual.
`In no event shall Gateway be
`liable for direct, indirect, special,
`incidental, or consequential damages resulting from any
`defect or omission in this book, even if advised of the possibility of such damage.
`
`IPR2022-00602
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`

`

`Contents
`1 IntroducingtheComputer...
`Exploring the History ofPersonal Computers
`Understanding Common PC Components
`Identifying Connection Types.
`Understanding Input Devices
`..
`WorkingWith Output Devices..
`Discovering Communication Devices
`Reviewing Power Devices
`2 GettingToKnowWindowsXP. ......37
`Logging On to Windows XP
`38
`.
`Understanding User Accounts and Profles
`39
`48
`FamiliarizingYourself with the Windows XP Desktop ..
`Learning About Your Mouse.
`54
`Working With Your Keyboard
`65
`67
`Browsing Your Computer
`PoweringDownYour PC...
`.70
`3 WorkingWithWindowsXPAndIts
`Programs.
`.
`.
`Discovering the Programs on Your PC.
`Starting a Program
`Discoveringa Window.
`Understanding Dialog Boxes.
`UsingWizards ...
`Working with Multiple Programs
`4 OrganizingYourComputer.
`.105
`... 106
`Creating Folders and Subfolders
`•... ]08
`Creating and Saving Files
`.
`.
`.113
`Opening, Revising, and Saving Existing Files.
`.117
`Working with Floppy Disks
`. 119
`Managing File Association
`Working with Files and Folders.
`121
`
`.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`....1
`.2..7
`
`17
`24
`26
`30
`33
`
`.75
`76
`78
`80
`89
`94
`95
`
`..
`
`vi
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`Contents
`
`5 Working With Objects...
`Understanding Object Paths
`Creating and Managing Shortcus .
`ManipulatingObjects.
`Using the Search Companion
`
`.
`
`...129
`130
`.. 132
`•. 136
`•.. 152
`
`6 UsingMultimediaFeaturesanda
`CD Burner.
`Uilizing CD/DVD Drives and Media.
`Using your CD/DVD Drive.
`OpeningaFileona CD....
`Playing Audio CDs.
`Playing DVDS
`Installing Software from a CD or DVD.
`Storing Data Files on CD...
`AvoidingCD-Burning Pitfalls...
`
`•
`
`.
`
`155
`156
`158
`160
`160
`.. 167
`169
`..171
`....176
`
`.
`
`.
`
`7CustomizingWindowsXP....
`Customizing Your Desktop.
`Customizing the Start Menu.
`Customizing the Taskbar.
`Restoring Your Desktop
`Configuring WindowsXP with the Control Panel.
`
`...179
`
`180
`194
`2000
`204
`205
`
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`..233
`...234
`243
`246
`
`.270
`..280
`
`Contents
`
`8 WorkinginaNetworkEnvironment..213
`214
`Networking: An Overview
`..217
`Sharing Files and Folders
`221
`Setting Up Your Printer
`225
`Sharing Printers
`227
`Implementing Computer Security.
`230
`Network Attributes and Permissions .
`
`. .
`
`Performing Maintenance Tasks
`Protecting Your System from Viruses.
`Updating Your Syste
`
`..
`
`.P 9 CaringforYourComputer.
`
`.
`.253
`254
`260
`267
`268
`268
`
`.
`
`. •
`
`10 TipsandTroubleshooting
`Exiting Frozen Programs.
`Troubleshooting Your PC
`Troubleshooting: General Advice.
`Uilizing RemoteAssistance
`Getting Professional Help.
`
`..
`
`••
`
`Glossary..
`
`Index......
`
`vii
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`

`It's hard to predict what forms computers will take in the future. Technological advances
`can come at any time and you can assume, that computers will most
`likely continue to
`get faster, smaller, and cheaper.
`
`Understanding Common
`PC Components
`
`Now that you've been introduced to the modern computer, let's review some standard
`computer terms and basic PC components. Becoming familiar with them will help you
`to get the most out of this book and your PC.
`Hardware and Software
`The two main classifications of a PC are hardware and software. All physical objects
`attached to a PC (things you can touch),
`including the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and
`printer, are considered hardware. Many types of hardware devices are available for PCs; a
`complete list is too long to include here. We do, however,
`discuss many common PC devices later in this chapter.
`Generally speaking, hardware devices can sometimes be
`called bardware, devices, or components.
`Hardware is further divided into two groups by
`function:
`input and output.
`Input hardware is any
`object that is used to enter information (text,
`sound, or images) into a PC. Examples of
`input hardware include
`keyboards, mice, scanners,
`digital cameras, and
`microphones, as shown
`in Figure 1-9.
`
`FWIFILM
`
`Figure 1-9 Common input devices.
`
`Understanding Common PC Components
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`Motherboard
`The motherboard, sometimes called a mainboard,
`is the foundation of a modern PC. As shown in
`Figure 1-13, it features numerous socketsor ports that
`enable it
`to connect all devices in a PC, such as the
`CPU, memory cards, and storage devices. Each
`motherboard is typically designed for a specific
`type of CPU and memory card.
`
`Figure 1-13 A typical motherboard.
`
`More About...Motherboards
`Every motherboard is different; each is designed to work with only a few specific
`CPUS and memory cards. Some motherboards support several
`types of memory,
`whereas most support only one type. Some motherboards can accommodate two
`or four CPUS, but most support only one. A motherboard that supports Intel CPUS
`does not support AMD CPUS, because each type of CPU uses different connectors.
`When you purchase a motherboard, CPU, or memory upgrade, make sure all such
`components are compatible.
`
`CPU
`in a PC (see Figure 1-14).
`(CPU) is the core component
`The central processing unit
`Sometimes referred to as the "brain' of the computer,
`the CPU interprets and carries
`out
`instructions, performs all computations, and controls the
`devices connected to the PC. There are a variety of CPUS available
`on the market. A well-known company is Intel®, which produces
`the Pentium® and Celeron® processors. Another company is
`AMD®, which produces the Athlon and Duron processors. In most
`cases, CPUS from Intel or AMD can be used with Microsoft
`operating systems.
`
`Figure 1-14 A CPU not connected to the motherboard.
`
`Understanding Common PC Components
`
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`A CPU’s speed is measured in hertz. Most CPUstoday run at gigahertz (GHz) speeds,
`while someolder systems are measured in megahertz (MHz). MHzindicates how many
`million calculations a CPU can perform every second, while GHzindicates how many
`billion calculations a CPU can perform every second. Although Windows XP will run on
`a PC with a CPU workingat a speed of 233 MHz, Microsoft recommendsthat your PC
`use a CPU that is 300 MHzorfaster to achieve acceptable performance.
`
`More About... CPUs
`
`listening to audiofiles, and even editing home moviesrarely tax even 1 GHz CPUs.
`
`Whenyoushop for a PC,it's important to consider the CPU speed. Most PCs on the
`market today include CPUsthat operate at speeds of 1 GHz or faster—sometimes 2
`GHz or more! Of course, the PCs with the newest, fastest CPUs tend to be more
`expensive than theirslightly older, slightly slower predecessors. Buying one or two
`generations or speed levels behind whatever CPUis currently fastest can usually
`save you money. Besides,very few programsare designed to take full advantage
`of the highest speeds and advancedtechnologiesbuilt into the most cutting-edge
`CPUs. Ordinary home-user tasks such as word processing, surfing the Internet,
`
`Memory Cards
`Your PC uses memory cards, also called memory sticks (see Figure 1-15), to store random
`access memory, more commonlycalled RAM. RAM temporarily stores data, software,
`and the operating system while the PC
`is operating.
`
`
`
`Figure 1-15 A memory card.
`
`~
`
`Data is stored in RAM until you assignit a permanentfile name and storage
`
`yd location. For example, if you type a letter in WordPad on WindowsXP and
`
`——
`
`then turn off the power, everything you typed will be lost. But if you save your
`letter to a file on a storage device before you turn off the power, you can open
`thatfile to regain access to your letter after you turn the PC back on.
`
`RAMis a very importantpart of a PC; in most cases, the more RAM a PChas,thebetter
`and faster it performs, and the moretasks it can handle at the sametime. So, how much
`RAMis enough? Windows XP HomeandProfessional both require at least 64 MB, but
`Microsoft recommends 128 MBormore. In our experience, 256 MBis usually plenty fot
`mostactivities in which a homeuserwill engage.
`
`12 Introducing the Computer
`
`_
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`More About... RAM
`
`the type and features your PC requires.
`
`You can add RAMto a PC byinserting memory cardsinto the motherboard. There
`are many memory types and numerous memory features available. The user
`manual for your motherboard should indicate clearly what type of RAM it supports.
`In that user manual you may see someofthe following names for memory
`components: SIMM, DIMM, SDRAM,DDR, and RDRAM. Other memory features
`listed in a user manual mayinclude error checking (ECC), parity or non-parity,
`PC100, PC133, PC800, and PC2100. The specifics of what each of these acronyms
`and feature names mean are very technical. In most cases, you need to know only
`
`Storage Devices
`The information youenter in your PC needs to be stored somewhere;that’s where
`storage devices comein. There are several types of storage devices available for PCs. The
`most commonstoragedevices are:
`.
`
`+ Hard drive
`
`* Floppydrive
`
`# CDdrive
`
`# DVD drive
`
`x Floppy drives, CD-ROM drives, and DVD-ROMdrives are all examples of
`
`removable storage. That is, each uses readable and writable media that
`can be removed from the drive itself. (The term media refers to the
`individual items such asafloppy disk, compact disc, and so on that you can
`insert into or remove from a removable storage device.) Other removable
`storage devices include tape-backup drives and Zip/Jaz drives.
`
`
`
` Understanding Common PC Components 13
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`

`PCBasics
`
`Get a Great Start
`
`PC Basics will show you how to:
`• Learn how to organize and
`• Create shortcuts to files,
`customize your computer
`folders, drives and programs
`•Select, move,copy, delete,
`• Create folders and subfolders
`rename and search for files
`• Work in a shared or
`networked environment
`• Troubleshoot basic problems
`with monitors and printers
`• Explore the capabilities of
`recordatble disc drives in
`playing audio CDs and DVD..
`
`Survive
`&thrlve
`
`It's your computer. It's your life. Make the most of it.
`
`ISDN I-57729-200-3
`
`USS29
`Canada$3705
`
`9 781577 292883
`
`IPR2022-00602
`Apple EX1049 Page 10
`
`