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HP Compaq Presario,Presario 6012 Supplementary Manual

Learning more about your computer
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See also: Troubleshooting Manual, Supplementary Manual
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Learning More About Your
Computer
Compaq Presario Computers
Document Part Number: 277958-001
March 2002
The guide provides basic information to assist you in using the
hardware and software features of your computer.
Table of Contents
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Summary of Contents for HP Compaq Presario,Presario 6012

  • Page 1 Learning More About Your Computer Compaq Presario Computers Document Part Number: 277958-001 March 2002 The guide provides basic information to assist you in using the hardware and software features of your computer.
  • Page 2 © 2002 Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P. Compaq, the Compaq logo and Presario are trademarks of Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P. in the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft, MS-DOS, Windows, Windows NT are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Intel, Pentium, Intel Inside, and Celeron are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the U.S.

  • Page 3: Table Of Contents

    1 Performing Common Tasks Modifying the Display..........1–1 Modifying the Keyboard Language Setting .
  • Page 4 Contents Defragmenting the Drive ..........3–5 Protecting from a Virus .

  • Page 5: Performing Common Tasks

    You may find yourself wanting to perform tasks such as: Modifying the Display You can modify how information displays on the monitor. To Modify the Display 1. Click the Start button from the Windows taskbar. 2. Click Control Panel. 3. Click Appearance and Themes. 4.

  • Page 6: Modifying The Keyboard Language Setting

    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, Language, and Regional Options. 4.

  • Page 7: Modifying The Mouse Properties

    8. Click the Keyboard layout/IME down arrow and select a 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 Properties dialog box. The dialog box may vary depending on the type of mouse you purchased.
  • Page 8 Performing Common Tasks 6. Click OK to apply the changes. 1–4 Learning More About Your Computer...

  • Page 9: Shutting Down The Computer

    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 can print text and graphics from most applications and Internet sites as long as you have your computer connected to a printer and the...

  • Page 10: Playing Games

    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 4. Click OK. Playing Games You can use the computer to play games that were: 1–6 Print dialog box varies from application to application.
  • Page 11 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 for the game and make sure you have at least that amount available.

  • Page 12: Playing Digital Audio

    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 audio files that you download from the Internet.

  • Page 13: Using Your Computer Drives

    Computers can have several types of drives that include: The type of drive or drives your computer has depends on the model you purchased. Using the Diskette (Floppy) Drive The diskette drive uses a diskette or floppy disk to store files. You can copy information to the diskette from places like your hard drive or Internet.

  • Page 14: Removing A Diskette

    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 when you are: To remove a diskette 1.

  • Page 15: Using The Hard Drive

    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 personal files on your hard drive. As you create and save files, download information from the Internet, install applications, or receive e-mail messages and attachments, your hard drive storage space diminishes.

  • Page 16: Using The Cd Or Dvd Drive

    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 to begin playback than CD drives because they must determine the type of media being played.

  • Page 17: Multimedia Support

    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 Gigabyte (GB) (where 1GB = 1000 cubed or 1 billion bytes as is used on the disc packaging) DVD-R or DVD-RW disc is capable of storing data up to 4.38 GB (where 1GB = 1024 cubed or 1,073,741,824 bytes as is used by Windows).
  • Page 18 Using Your Computer Drives Table 2-2: Media Comparison (Continued) Ability to Media File Type Record CD-R Data (only once) MP3 Music (only once) CD-RW Data MP3 Music DVD-ROM Data DVD Movie DVD-R Data (only once) DVD Movie (only once) DVD-RW Data DVD Movie Regardless of the drive(s), you insert and remove a CD or DVD disc...

  • Page 19: Inserting A Cd Or Dvd

    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 Learning More About Your Computer touching the surface of the CD or DVD.
  • Page 20 Using Your Computer Drives 4. Place the CD or DVD, label side up (label side left if tower 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 close the drive tray. 2–8 model), into the round tray Learning More About Your Computer...

  • Page 21: Removing A Cd Or Dvd

    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 4. Press the load/eject button on the front of the drive to close the 5.
  • Page 22 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, 2.

  • Page 23: Playing A Movie

    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 For best performance, it is recommended that you close all running programming before inserting a DVD movie.

  • Page 24: Creating A Cd

    Table 2-3 lists the various uses of the CD-RW drive. 2–12 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. Click the Play button to start the movie.
  • Page 25 Table 2-3: Uses of the CD-RW Drive You can create a(an)... Audio CD Data CD Direct copy Copy of a CD Jewel Case Creator You can use either CD-R or CD-RW discs to create your CDs. You can only write to a CD-R disc once, but you can write to, erase, rewrite to, and reuse a CD-RW disc.

  • Page 26: Maintaining The Cd Or Dvd Drive

    Using Your Computer Drives Table 2-4: CD-R and CD-RW Disc Comparison Allows you to... Write to CD Write to CD multiple times Use multiple recording sessions Reuse CD Erase information Maintaining the CD or DVD Drive You should keep the following guidelines in mind when maintaining and cleaning your CD or DVD drive: 2–14 CD-R...

  • Page 27: Maintaining And Shipping

    Never block vents or air intake areas for the computer or monitor Never operate the computer with the cover or side panel removed Do not place the keyboard, with the keyboard feet down, against the front of the desktop 3–1...

  • Page 28: Preventive Maintenance

    Maintaining and Shipping Preventive Maintenance Preventive maintenance is essential for keeping your computer in good working condition. A few basic tasks include: It is recommended that you backup files and optimize your hard drive at least monthly. If you use your computer a great deal, you may want to perform any and all of these tasks more frequently.
  • Page 29 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.

  • Page 30: Emptying The Recycle Bin

    Once you empty the recycle bin, your files are permanently deleted. To Empty the Recycle Bin 1. Double click the Recycle Bin icon on your Windows desktop. 2. On the File menu, click Empty Recycle Bin to delete all files.

  • Page 31: Defragmenting The Drive

    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 used more effectively. Your computer may not have defragmenting software installed or use another type of defragmenter.

  • Page 32: Protecting From A Virus

    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: Some viruses will affect your computer immediately, while others may activate only if you open a certain file or do not delete them before a certain date.

  • Page 33: Preparing For Shipping Or Travel

    You should take the following precautions in order to protect your new computer: Norton offers a free upgrade for six months from the date you register Norton Anti-Virus. To download the latest version of the anti-virus application, go to Norton.com. Preparing for Shipping or Travel Follow these guidelines when preparing the computer for shipping: Learning More About Your Computer...

  • Page 34: 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 Power Management The Microsoft Power Management System provides preset power schemes to assist you with conserving energy: These power schemes determine when your system goes into sleep or...

  • Page 35: Using The Power Options Properties

    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.

  • Page 36: Sleep Mode

    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 it has been idle for a while. You can: Adjusting the Sleep Mode You can determine when the computer automatically goes into sleep...

  • Page 37: Manually Entering The Sleep Mode

    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.

  • Page 38: Hibernate Mode

    Before the computer can hibernate, it saves everything in memory to the hard drive. Then, it shuts itself off. When you awake the computer, the Windows Desktop appears exactly as you left it. Adjusting the Hibernate Mode You can determine when the computer automatically goes into hibernation mode.

  • Page 39: Understanding Computer Terms

    Understanding Computer Terms This chapter provides definitions for computer terms used in this guide and other documents that ship with your computer. 1394 port A new type of connector for plugging in peripherals with extremely fast data-transfer rates, such as video cameras. The 1394 standard synchronizes audio and video files by delivering data at the intended rate-in real time.
  • Page 40 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 game or presentation, you need authoring software that allows you to combine sound, graphics, and text with user interactivity.
  • Page 41 Understanding Computer Terms browser Software that searches for, displays, and downloads text, graphics, sound, and video from the Internet. Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator are two popular browsers. buffer A temporary storage area in memory. It acts as a holding area where data with different transfer rates can be collected, then sent as a steady stream to the device that processes data for permanent storage.
  • Page 42 Understanding Computer Terms byte Eight bits of data strung together to make a message that the computer can interpret. Most information is organized into bytes, the standard unit of data. One byte of data is required to represent a single character that you can see on the screen (a letter, number, punctuation mark, or other symbol).
  • Page 43 Understanding Computer Terms CD-I A compact disc format developed by Philips, designed to allow interactive multimedia applications to be run on a player attached to a television. The standard document defining CD-I is called the Green Book. CD-R (CD-recordable) Media used in a CD-R drive to record or write data that cannot be erased.
  • Page 44 Understanding Computer Terms CD-ROM drive A drive that reads a CD-ROM (or music CD) by shining a laser into the clear plastic base and interpreting the way the laser light is reflected by the shiny aluminum layer. The CD-ROM drive is read-only;...
  • Page 45 Understanding Computer Terms CD-RW drive A drive with three laser powers that can write to a CD-RW, erase the data, or read the data. A high-power laser melts the crystalline recording layer. It cools quickly, sets without forming crystals, and absorbs the laser beam.
  • Page 46 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 ruined recordable CD, named after the round object you rest your drinking glass on to avoid marking the table.
  • Page 47 See Windows desktop. desktop computer A personal computer designed to be placed on a desk. It is not portable as is a laptop or notebook computer.
  • Page 48 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 such as the .cif format used by Easy CD Creator.
  • Page 49 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 you to talk on the phone and surf the Internet at the same time.
  • Page 50 Typefaces can suggest masculinity, femininity, strength, delicacy, formality, frivolity, friendliness, warmth, coldness, classical tradition, or contemporary trends. Matching the personality of the typeface with the content of the text is a challenge for desktop publishers. game port A connector on the back of the computer for plugging in a gamepad, joystick, or steering wheel.
  • Page 51 Understanding Computer Terms The gap (more correctly called a pause) is a space dividing tracks on a CD. In some situations, a gap is required by standards such as the Red Book. For example, if you have data and audio tracks within the same session, they must be separated by a gap.
  • Page 52 Understanding Computer Terms hard drive The drive that reads and writes to the hard disk. If you have a large hard drive, it may be divided into several partitions. Each partition is designated by a different icon and a consecutive drive letter, beginning with the letter C.
  • Page 53 Understanding Computer Terms 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 (or requests additional information).
  • Page 54 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). jewel case The hinged plastic case in which CDs are often stored. jewel case sleeve The pieces of paper that can be inserted into the jewel case to help identify the contents of the CD stored in the case.
  • Page 55 Understanding Computer Terms lead-out An area at the end of a session which indicates that the end of data has been reached. The first lead-out on a CD is 6750 sectors long. Any subsequent lead-outs are 2250 sectors, or about 30 seconds. link See hyperlink.
  • Page 56 Technically refers to the process of creating a glass master from which CDs are reproduced in quantity. In desktop recordable CD systems, mastering is done together with premastering by the desktop CD-Recorder, and the term is generally used to mean recording.
  • Page 57 Understanding Computer Terms Microsoft Internet Explorer A Web browser developed by the Microsoft Corporation. See browser. Microsoft Windows The most popular computer operating system in the world. It is characterized by the use of windows and icons. Each running program and open file has its own window.
  • Page 58 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 converts data from digital format to analog format so that it can be transferred through a standard telephone line to another computer.
  • Page 59 Understanding Computer Terms multiread: An OSTA (Optical Storage Technology Association) standard for CD-ROM and ROM drives. Drives that follow the multiread standard can read commercial CDs (audio and data), CD-R discs, and CD-RW discs. They can also read CDs written in fixed- or variable-length packets.
  • Page 60 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, macramé, book reviews, mountain bikes, political candidates, and cartoon strips.
  • Page 61 Understanding Computer Terms online shopping Ordering products on the Internet. You can purchase books, flowers, music CDs, toys, groceries, stocks, airline tickets, cars, and much more. on the fly To write on the fly means to write directly from source data to CD data without first writing a disc image.
  • Page 62 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 elements of a printed document as an electronic image, which you can view, navigate, print, or forward to someone else.
  • Page 63 See peripheral. pop-up menu A list of options that pops up when you right-click an icon on the desktop or taskbar, the vacant part of the desktop, a selection in a document, or a file in Windows Explorer. See right-click. premastering The process of preparing data to be recorded onto a CD.
  • Page 64 Understanding Computer Terms program A set of instructions, written in a programming language understood by the computer, that tells the hardware what tasks to perform. Some programs are installed at the factory as ROM chips that cannot be altered; they are essential for operating the microprocessor. These programs are called firmware.
  • Page 65 Understanding Computer Terms right-click To press and quickly release the right mouse button to display a menu of options. See pop-up menu. ROM (Read-Only Memory) Memory that contains the basic instructions for the microprocessor. ROM is permanent memory; turning off the computer does not erase it.
  • Page 66 Understanding Computer Terms scroll mouse A mouse with a scroll wheel (between the two mouse buttons) for automatic scrolling through long documents or Web pages. See scroll and mouse. search engine A program, accessed on the Internet, that allows you to search large databases for information by using keywords or phrases.
  • Page 67 Understanding Computer Terms server A computer with a large hard drive that serves (provides information to) other computers connected to it on a network. In a local area network, several computers in the same room or all the computers in a high-rise office building may be connected to a server.
  • Page 68 A menu that pops up when you right-click an icon on the Windows desktop or taskbar, the vacant part of the desktop, a selection in a document, or a file in Windows Explorer. The options on the pop-up menu are the most commonly used commands that relate to the item you right-clicked.
  • Page 69 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. SVGA (Super Video Graphics Array) A video display standard that offers greater resolution and color depth than VGA.
  • Page 70 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 laser is turned on and off.
  • Page 71 Understanding Computer Terms utility A small program that helps your computer to manage system resources for optimum performance. For example, anti-virus, diagnostic, file backup, file compression, and font management utilities. V.90 standard A standard adopted in 1998 to resolve competition between two technologies for 56KBps modems.
  • Page 72 Windows-based programs that support sound. See file extension. See World Wide Web. Web browser See browser. window A framed area that is displayed on the Windows desktop after you select an item or open a program. Windows See Microsoft Windows. Windows desktop The main screen you see when your computer completes startup.
  • Page 73 Understanding Computer Terms Windows taskbar The gray bar across the bottom of the screen that you see when your computer completes startup. The Start button is on the left end of the taskbar, and the systray (a tray with icons and the computer clock) is on the right.
  • Page 74 Understanding Computer Terms 5–36 Learning More About Your Computer...

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