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HP shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.
Table of Contents Introducing the PC ... 1 Protecting Your PC ...3 Turning Off the PC ...4 Restarting the PC ...6 Using the Mouse...7 Using the Keyboard ...9 Adjusting the Monitor...13 Using a TV as a Monitor...14 Using Speakers ...14 Using a Power Surge Suppressor...3 Using Virus Protection Programs ...3 Using Windows Update ...4...
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Using Your CD and DVD Drives... 17 Handling CDs and DVDs ... 17 Inserting and Removing CDs and DVDs... 17 Learning More about Software... 21 Removing Desktop Icons ... 22 Retrieving Desktop Icons... 22 Using the All Programs Menu... 23 Organising Your All Programs List... 23 Creating Folders...
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Improving PC Performance ... 39 Increasing Available Hard Disk Drive Space ...39 Emptying the Recycle Bin ...40 Uninstalling Programs...40 Cleaning Up Your Hard Disk Drive...40 Consolidating Scattered Files and Folders...41 Fixing Hard Disk Drive Errors ...42 Index... 43 Table of Contents...
Introducing the PC NOTE: PC. Your PC may look different from the illustrations in this guide. The monitor and the speakers are sold separately. Speakers may be included with the monitor (select models only). This section describes the PC by listing its internal and external components. It also gives you useful information on using the mouse, the keyboard, the monitor, speakers, a microphone, the media drives, and a printer.
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For example, the PC shows the Windows desktop on the display screen, and when you move the mouse, the PC causes the cursor to move across the Windows desktop on the screen.
PC powercable. Using Virus Protection Programs HP provides a virus-scanning software program to help protect your PC (select models only). A PC virus can destroy information on the hard disk drive. You can get a virus from infected files that you open from: •...
Using Windows Update The Microsoft Windows XP operating system has a Windows Update software program that scans your PC, identifies necessary updates, and helps you to download them. Install critical updates to maintain your PC security and operation. To open Windows Update, click Start on the taskbar, click Help and Support, and then click Windows Update.
To put the PC in standby mode manually: 1 Press the Standby button on the keyboard, if it is present. The screen goes dark, and the PC goes into standby mode. 2 When you want to use the PC again, press the Esc key on the keyboard, or press the Standby button.
If the PC does not work properly when you wake it from hibernation, follow these steps to restart the PC: 1 Click Start on the taskbar. 2 Click Turn Off Computer. 3 Click Restart. Automatic Standby or Hibernation You can set your PC to go into standby or hibernation mode automatically when it is idle for some number of minutes.
Your PC includes a mouse for directing the cursor (pointer) on the Windows desktop. The mouse uses a roller ball or optics (a light and sensor) to sense movement and cause the cursor on the screen to move. Use the mouse on a flat surface.
A Left button Click means to press the left button on the mouse once. B Scroll wheel button Double-click means to press the left button on the mouse two (scrolling mouse only) times in a row. To double-click, you click the button (press it C Right button and then release it), and then quickly click it again.
Panning 1 Press and hold down the centre scroll wheel button. 2 Slowly move the mouse in the direction you want to pan. The farther you move the pointer from the starting point, the faster the document pans. 3 To stop panning, release the scroll wheel button. Panning only works if the window’s horizontal scroll bar is active.
Keyboard Shortcuts Keyboard shortcuts are combinations of keys that you press simultaneously to do specific actions. For example, from the Windows desktop, press the Alt (alternate) key, the Ctrl (control) key and the S key (the letter s), to display support information for the PC (including model number, serial number, and service ID).
Edit Keys The edit keys are Insert, Home, Page Up, Delete, End, and Page Down. Use these keys to insert and delete text and to quickly move the cursor on your screen. They function differently with some software programs. Arrow Keys The arrow keys are controls for up, down, right, and left.
Keyboard Indicators Each keyboard indicator is a light labelled with the name or icon for its status: Icon Special Keyboard Buttons There are special buttons (select models only) at the top of the keyboard. (Some models have some of these special buttons on the left side of the main keys.) These buttons operate a CD or DVD player, control speaker volume, connect you to the Internet, or provide quick access to specific functions.
TV, and so on) to the PC (select models only). You can quickly change where the PC desktop appears by pressing Alt+F5. Each time you press the Alt+F5 key combination, the PC display appears on the next device. If Alt+F5 does not work, restart the PC and try again.
Using a TV as a Monitor Your PC may have TV-out (select models only) capability, which means you can connect it to a television to view the computer image on a TV screen. With the TV-out feature, you can view the computer image, watch DVD movies (if you have a DVD player), or play games using your TV.
Adjusting Speaker Volume Use the Volume icon on the taskbar to set speaker volume. Then you can adjust the volume using: • The Volume knob or buttons on the keyboard (select models only). • The Volume knob on the speakers (select models only). If you do not see this Volume icon on the taskbar, click Start, choose NOTE: Control Panel, click Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices, if it is present,...
1 Double-click the Volume icon on the taskbar. The Volume Control settings 2 Select Options and click Properties. 3 In Adjust volume for, click Recording. 4 In Show the following volume controls, place a tick in the Microphone 5 Click OK. 6 Click the Advanced button in the Microphone column.
Using Media Drives Using Your CD and DVD Drives Your PC can come with several types of CD or DVD drives that allow you to do different tasks. What you can do depends on what kind of drive you have. Allows you to: CD-ROM Read data from CDs...
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3 Gently place the disc in the tray with the label facing up. 4 Close the disc tray by: To remove a CD or DVD: 1 With the PC turned on, open the disc tray by pressing the Eject button. 2 Holding on to the disc edges or centre hole only, lift the CD or DVD out of 3 Place the disc in its case.
Using a Diskette (Floppy) Drive The diskette (floppy) drive is available on select model PCs. If your PC does not already have a diskette drive, you cannot add one to the PC chassis as an internal drive. Instead, purchase an external USB diskette drive or other external storage device to suit your needs.
Help within the program. Using the Desktop The desktop is the work area that appears on the display monitor. It has the taskbar (along one edge), and shortcut icons that make it easy to find the things you need.
6 Under Desktop cleanup, click Clean Desktop Now. 7 Follow the onscreen instructions. 8 Click OK to close the Desktop Items window, and click OK again to close the Retrieving Desktop Icons Retrieve a desktop icon by opening the Unused Desktop Shortcuts folder on your desktop and dragging the icon onto the desktop.
Using the Start Menu Click the Start button to open the start menu and: • • • • • A Start button on the taskbar B Log Off button C Turn Off Computer button D All Programs The Start menu also displays the buttons Log Off and Turn Off Computer: •...
To open the control panel, click Start on the taskbar, and then click Control Panel. PC Basics Guide button. mouse button. (If you have problems dropping the item into a folder, drag it to your desktop, and then drag it to the folder.) confirm you want to delete the shortcut.
Resizing Windows All windows have some buttons in the upper-right corner. The middle button is either the Maximise button or the Restore Down button. Feature Name Description Minimise Collapses the window to the task bar (but does not close it). The window is still accessible.
Working with Digital Images You can connect a digital image source, such as a digital camera or a digital video camera, directly to the PC or through a docking station. Digital picture files you copy or download from the device appear in the My Pictures folder. You can copy digital picture files from the memory cards, used by digital cameras and other digital imaging devices, by using the memory card reader (select models only).
Managing Files A file is any unit of information that is named and stored on your PC hard disk drive or other electronic storage, such as a CD, floppy diskette, or even in a digital camera. A file can be an application program, a picture, music or sounds, a document or data.
Creating Folders Using My Computer: 1 Click Start on the taskbar and click My Computer. 2 Navigate to the location where you want the new folder. 3 Under File and Folder Tasks, click Make a new folder. 4 Type a name for the folder, and then press Enter. Using Windows Explorer: 1 Right-click Start on the taskbar and click Explore.
Copying Files Using My Computer: 1 Click Start on the taskbar and click My Computer. 2 Find the file you want to copy and select it by clicking the file. 3 Under File and Folder Tasks, click Copy this file. 4 In the Copy Items window, open the folder where you want to put the file copy.
Recycle Bin is emptied or is cleared to make room for more recently deleted files. 1 Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on your desktop. 2 Find and click the file you want to retrieve. 3 Click the File menu and click Restore.
Using the Internet This chapter describes connecting to the Internet, and using the Internet, including how to use a browser and e-mail. Use the Internet to search for and to find information or services on the Web, or to use an e-mail program to get, read or send electronic mail messages. Connecting to the Internet Hardware and software programs provided on your PC may vary.
Setting Up the Ethernet Connection The Ethernet connection (may be called a network interface adapter, a Network Interface Card, or a NIC ) provides a high-speed, or broadband, connection to an Ethernet (10BaseT) or Fast Ethernet (100BaseT) network. After this interface is connected to a network, such as a LAN (local area network), you can connect to the Internet through the LAN.
You can go to a different Web site by entering its address (such as http://www.hp.com) in the address box in the Web browser and pressing Enter on your keyboard. Or you can use the browser Search tool to search for references to a specific word or phrase on the Web.
Searching the Internet Most browser programs include a search feature. You may need to click a button or select from a menu to display the search feature, depending on the type of browser program. Type a question or a word that describes the information you want to find into the Search box, and then press Enter.
To use Content Advisor: 1 Click Start on the taskbar, and then click Control Panel. 2 Click Network and Internet Connections, if it is present. 3 Double-click Internet Options. 4 Click the Content tab. 5 In the Content Advisor area, click Enable. 6 On the Ratings tab, click a category in the list, and then click and drag the slider bar until the rating level is set to the limit you want to use.
If Using Outlook Express The first time you start Outlook Express, the Internet Connection Wizard window opens if you are not already connected to the Internet. The Wizard will ask for connection information such as an account name and password and the names of an incoming and an outgoing mail server. If you need help with any of this information, contact your ISP.
Receiving E-Mail Messages with Outlook Express Your ISP receives e-mail messages for you automatically, even when your PC is turned off. The ISP then stores your messages until you connect to the Internet and open your e-mail program to read them. 1 Start Outlook Express.
Improving PC Performance Over time, the availability of system resources on your PC can decrease, slowing down the performance of the PC. To improve the performance of your PC try: • • • • • • Increasing Available Hard Disk Drive Space Your PC comes with a hard disk drive with preloaded software programs, and a partition within the drive that takes up a certain amount of space on the hard...
When you delete a file from the hard disk drive, it goes to the Recycle Bin on your Windows desktop. You can retrieve files from the Recycle Bin until you empty it. When you empty the Recycle Bin, the files are permanently deleted.
Advanced Options menu, use the arrow keys to select Safe Mode and press Enter. Press Enter again to select the operating system. Log on to Windows. When the Desktop message appears, click Yes to continue in Safe Mode. After Windows starts up, use the steps above to start Disk Defragmenter.
Fixing Hard Disk Drive Errors The Microsoft ScanDisk program searches your hard disk drive for errors and is able to fix some errors. Fixing hard disk drive errors can improve PC performance. NOTE: complete. 1 Click the Start button and then click My Computer. 2 Right-click the icon for the hard disk drive (usually labelled C:).