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Starter Guide
for your eMachines computer
Look inside for helpful hints on:
• Using Windows
• Using multimedia
• Protecting your computer
• Restoring your computer
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Thank you! Thank you for your purchase! We want to make your experience a satisfying one, so we’ve put together tips to help you get started with your eMachines computer.
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Contents Getting started with Windows ............................................... 4 Windows Welcome Center ....................................................... 7 Getting help .................................................................................. 8 Internet .........................................................................................10 E-mail .............................................................................................11 Using CDs and DVDs ..........
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we do Windows After you start your computer and complete the Windows® setup, the fi rst thing you’ll see on your screen is the Windows desktop. The desktop includes a taskbar, Start button ( ), and Recycle Bin icon. Other icons may be added depending on your computer’s confi guration. Drag items to the Recycle Bin to delete them Add icons of your own This is the Windows desktop Click (Start) to access programs and to turn off your computer For more information about Windows, see “Win
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getting things started The Start menu is the command center of your computer. Whether you want to start a program, fi nd a fi le, change settings, or even shut down your system, the Start menu is where it all begins. Click here to open fi les Click here to and folders, access access the networking, and Internet, e-mail, change settings and your most frequently used programs Click here to see all your programs Type here to fi nd Click here Click here Click here a fi le or folder to put
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maintaining order Managing fi les and folders starts with the Computer folder. From there, you can see everything on your computer. To get there, click (Start), then click Computer. To save something right away, use the Documents folder that has already been set up for you. To access that folder, click (Start), then click Documents. Documents Already created for you, this folder is ready for immediate use Computer Look here to see what’s on your computer For more information about Wi
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welcome to the Welcome Center! The Welcome Center off ers a wealth of options for getting more information about your computer, as well as links to special deals from eMachines partners! To access the Welcome Center, click (Start), Control Panel, then click System and Maintenance. Click Welcome Center and select an option. Transfer fi les and settings from a previous computer to a new one Get information about your Learn about the computer newest features in Windows Vista® 7
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need additional help? If you need a little extra help with something on your computer, eMachines off ers several options designed to meet your needs: • eMachines Web support—Available 24/7, eMachines’ online support provides current drivers, product specifi cations, tutorials, and personalized information about your computer. Visit it at www.emachines.com/support. • Help and Support—This collection of Windows help and troubleshooting information, along with automated support, is easily a
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help, continued... • User guide—For detailed information on using your eMachines computer, see the provided Reference Guide or online User Guide. To access the online guide, click (Start), All Programs, then click eMachines Documentation. • Tech support—For help and advice you can trust, talk to people who know computers. You can fi nd the number on the setup poster that came with your computer. • BigFix*—Pre-installed for you on your eMachines computer, BigFix checks your computer for p
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surfi ng 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). To get to the Internet, click (Start), then click Internet or the ISP you’ve connected with. Type in an Internet address, such as www.emachines.com, click Go, and you’re on your way. The address bar is where you type in the Internet address or URL (Universal Resource
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welcome to e-mail! Staying in touch with family and friends is easy with e-mail and is usually free with your Internet account. To send e-mail, connect to your ISP, click (Start), then click E-mail. When your default e-mail program opens, complete any setup required, then click Create Mail and type the e-mail address of the person that you want to send a message to in the To box. Add a description in the Subject box, type the e-mail message, then click Send. Your message will arrive at mos
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for your listening and viewing pleasure... Enjoy listening to favorite music CDs or watching DVDs with software already installed on your new eMachines computer. To listen to a music CD or watch a movie on DVD, click (Start), All Programs, then click Windows Media Player. Put the disc into the CD or DVD drive on your computer, then click the Play button ( ). You can control how the music CD or video DVD plays from Windows Media Player. Songs or scene selections Note: You must from the
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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 eMachines computer. Create an MP3 music fi le To create an MP3, click (Start), All Programs, then click Windows Media Player. Put a music CD in the disc drive on your computer, then click Rip. Make sure that the songs you want to create MP3s of are checke
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keeping your computer safe Your eMachines computer comes with hardware and software features that can help you keep your computer secure and up-to-date. Use these tools regularly to improve the security of personal information stored on your computer: • Windows Security—Provides access to security features such as Windows Security Center, Windows Firewall, Windows Update, and Windows Defender—all built into Windows Vista • Norton 360—Reduces the chances of a virus aff ecting your computer •
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securing the perimeter Windows Vista provides built-in security features designed to protect you, your family, and your computers. To view or change Windows Vista security settings, click (Start), Control Panel, Security, then click Security Center. Guard against spyware, pop-ups, and other unwanted software Select and control the type and level of protection you want for your computer For more information on security, “Protecting Your Computer” in your online user guide. 15
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up-to-date security Windows Update If a hacker fi nds a way to bypass the security features built into Windows Vista, Microsoft creates a high-priority Windows update to fi x the problem. You should update Windows regularly to keep your computer secure. To run Windows Update, click (Start), All Programs, then click Windows Update and download high-priority updates. You can schedule automatic updates with Windows Update 16
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virus-free with Norton 360 Norton 360 Norton 360 helps protect your computer from viruses, hackers, and privacy threats. To run Norton 360, click (Start), All Programs, Norton 360, then click Norton 360. Your computer came with virus, spyware, fi rewall, and phishing protection turned on. Keep virus defi nitions current to ensure up-to-date protection. You need to extend your subscription to update Norton 360 after the complimentary trial period ends. For more information on security
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secure with Big Fix BigFix Your computer may include BigFix. BigFix monitors your computer for problems and confl icts. It automatically gathers information about the latest bugs, security alerts, and updates from BigFix sites on the Internet. Whenever BigFix detects a problem, it alerts you by fl ashing the blue taskbar icon ( ). To fi x the problem, click that icon and BigFix will open. Click here, then click Tutorial to learn more about BigFix Click here for information about update
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improving performance Keep your computer in top running condition with regular maintenance. Click (Start), Control Panel, System and Maintenance, then click Performance Information and Tools. Select a task and follow the instructions. Do this regularly and you’ll have a smoother running system. Click here to return your computer to a previous state when it was working better Click here to see details about the components of your system Click here to adjust how quickly your computer go
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backing up a bit - restoring your computer In the unlikely event that you experience software problems, the Windows Vista Backup and Restore Center let you roll back your computer to a previous state when everything worked right. Windows Vista takes regular snapshots of your system, called Restore Points. You can return to one of these Restore Points to get your computer running again. To take advantage of the restore features in Windows, click (Start), Control Panel, System and Maintena
