eMachines EL1200 Series User manual

Computer
Reference Guide

i
Information for your safety and
comfort
Safety instructions
Read these instructions carefully. Keep this document for future reference. Follow
all warnings and instructions marked on the product.
Turning the product off before cleaning
Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid
cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning.
Warnings
• Do not use this product near water.
• Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand or table. If the product
falls, it could be seriously damaged.
• Slots and openings are provided for ventilation to ensure reliable operation
of the product and to protect it from overheating. These openings must not
be blocked or covered. The openings should never be blocked by placing the
product on a bed, sofa, rug or other similar surface. This product should
never be placed near or over a radiator or heat register, or in a built-in
installation unless proper ventilation is provided.
• Never push objects of any kind into this product through cabinet slots as they
may touch dangerous voltage points or short-out parts that could result in a
fire or electric shock. Never spill liquid of any kind onto or into the product.
• To avoid damage of internal components and to prevent battery leakage, do
not place the product on a vibrating surface.
Using electrical power
• This product should be operated from the type of power indicated on the
marking label. If you are not sure of the type of power available, consult your
dealer or local power company.
• Do not allow anything to rest on the power cord. Do not locate this product
where people will walk on the cord.
• If an extension cord is used with this product, make sure that the total
ampere rating of the equipment plugged into the extension cord does not
exceed the extension cord ampere rating. Also, make sure that the total
rating of all products plugged into the wall outlet does not exceed the fuse
rating.
• Do not overload a power outlet, strip or receptacle by plugging in too many
devices. The overall system load must not exceed 80% of the branch circuit
rating. If power strips are used, the load should not exceed 80% of the power
strip's input rating.
• This product's AC adapter is equipped with a three-wire grounded plug. The
plug only fits in a grounded power outlet. Make sure the power outlet is
properly grounded before inserting the AC adapter plug. Do not insert the
plug into a non-grounded power outlet. Contact your electrician for details.

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ii
Warning! The grounding pin is a safety feature. Using a power
outlet that is not properly grounded may result in electric shock
and/or injury.
Note: The grounding pin also provides good protection from
unexpected noise produced by other nearby electrical devices that
may interfere with the performance of this product.
• Use the product only with the supplied power supply cord set. If you need to
replace the power cord set, make sure that the new power cord meets the
following requirements: detachable type, UL listed/CSA certified, type SPT-2,
rated 7 A 125 V minimum, VDE approved or its equivalent, 4.6 meters (15
feet) maximum length.
Product servicing
Do not attempt to service this product yourself, as opening or removing covers
may expose you to dangerous voltage points or other risks. Refer all servicing to
qualified service personnel.
Unplug this product from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified service
personnel when:
• the power cord or plug is damaged, cut or frayed
• liquid was spilled into the product
• the product was exposed to rain or water
• the product has been dropped or the case has been damaged
• the product exhibits a distinct change in performance, indicating a need for
service
• the product does not operate normally after following the operating
instructions
Note: Adjust only those controls that are covered by the operating
instructions, since improper adjustment of other controls may result
in damage and will often require extensive work by a qualified
technician to restore the product to normal condition.
CAUTION: Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace
only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the
manufacturer. Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s
instructions.
Telephone line safety
• Disconnect all telephone lines from the equipment when not in use and/or
before servicing.
• To avoid the remote risk of electric shock from lightning, do not connect the
telephone line to this equipment during lightning or thunderstorms.

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Disposal instructions
Do not throw this electronic device into the trash when discarding.
To minimize pollution and ensure utmost protection of the global environment,
please recycle.
Mercury advisory
For projectors or electronic products containing an LCD/CRT monitor or display:
Lamp(s) inside this product contain mercury and must be recycled or disposed of
according to local, state or federal laws. For more information, contact the
Electronic Industries Alliance at www.eiae.org. For lamp-specific disposal
information, check www.lamprecycle.org.

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ENERGY STAR is a government program (public/private partnership) that gives
people the power to protect the environment in a cost effective way and without
sacrificing quality or product features. Products that earn the ENERGY STAR
prevent greenhouse gas emissions by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines
set by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of
Energy (DOE). In the average home, 75% of all electricity used to power home
electronics is consumed while the products are turned off. ENERGY STAR qualified
home electronic products in the off position use up to 50% less energy than
conventional equipment. More information refers to http://www.energystar.gov
and http://www.energystar.gov/powermangement.
Note: The statement above is applicable only to eMachines system
with an ENERGY STAR sticker.
As an ENERGY STAR partner, eMachines Inc. has determined that this product
meets the ENERGY STAR guidelines for energy efficiency.
This product has been shipped enabled for power management:
• Activate display’ Sleep mode within 15 minutes of user inactivity.
• Activate computer’s Sleep mode within 30 minutes of user inactivity.
• Wake the computer from Sleep mode by pushing power button.
• More power management settings can be done through Windows
power management.
Tips and information for comfortable use
Computer users may complain of eyestrain and headaches after prolonged use.
Users are also at risk of physical injury after long hours of working in front of a
computer. Long work periods, bad posture, poor work habits, stress, inadequate
working conditions, personal health and other factors greatly increase the risk of
physical injury.
Incorrect computer usage may lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis,
tenosynovitis or other musculoskeletal disorders. The following symptoms may
appear in the hands, wrists, arms, shoulders, neck or back:
• numbness, or a burning or tingling sensation
• aching, soreness or tenderness
• pain, swelling or throbbing
• stiffness or tightness
• coldness or weakness
If you have these symptoms, or any other recurring or persistent discomfort and/or
pain related to computer use, consult a physician immediately and inform your
company's health and safety department.
The following section provides tips for more comfortable computer use.

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Finding your comfort zone
Find your comfort zone by adjusting the viewing angle of the monitor, using a
footrest, or raising your sitting height to achieve maximum comfort. Observe the
following tips:
• refrain from staying too long in one fixed posture
• avoid slouching forward and/or leaning backward
• stand up and walk around regularly to remove the strain on your leg muscles
• take short rests to relax your neck and shoulders
• avoid tensing your muscles or shrugging your shoulders
• install the external display, keyboard and mouse properly and within
comfortable reach
• if you view your monitor more than your documents, place the display at the
center of your desk to minimize neck strain
Taking care of your vision
Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive
room lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast
displays could stress your eyes. The following sections provide suggestions on how
to reduce eyestrain.

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Eyes
• Rest your eyes frequently.
• Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and
focusing on a distant point.
• Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out.
Display
• Keep your display clean.
• Keep your head at a higher level than the top edge of the display so your
eyes point downward when looking at the middle of the display.
• Adjust the display brightness and/or contrast to a comfortable level for
enhanced text readability and graphics clarity.
• Eliminate glare and reflections by:
• placing your display in such a way that the side faces the window or any
light source
• minimizing room light by using drapes, shades or blinds
• using a task light
• changing the display's viewing angle
• using a glare-reduction filter
• using a display visor, such as a piece of cardboard extended from the
display's top front edge
• Avoid adjusting your display to an awkward viewing angle.
• Avoid looking at bright light sources, such as open windows, for extended
periods of time.
Developing good work habits
Develop the following work habits to make your computer use more relaxing and
productive:
• Take short breaks regularly and often.
• Perform some stretching exercises.
• Breathe fresh air as often as possible.
• Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy body.
Warning! We do not recommend using the computer on a couch or
bed. If this is unavoidable, work for only short periods, take breaks
regularly, and do some stretching exercises.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Computer . . . 1
About this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2: Setting Up and
Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Working safely and comfortably . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Reducing eye strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Setting up your computer desk and chair . . . . . . 7
Sitting at your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive
strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Preparing power connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . 9
Checking the voltage selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Connecting to a broadband modem or network . . 11
Connecting a dial-up modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Starting your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Waking up your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Turning off your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Restarting (rebooting) your computer . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Using the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Using optical drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Loading an optical disc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Identifying optical drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Configuring the audio jacks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Installing a printer, scanner, or other device . . . . . 24
Chapter 3: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Contents

Contents
viii
First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Add-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
CD or DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Expansion cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Modem (cable or DSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Modem (dial-up) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Optical disc drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Recovering your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
Creating recovery discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Recovering pre-installed software and drivers . 48
Returning to a previous system condition . . . . . 49
Returning your system to its factory condition . 51
Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Before calling Customer Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Appendix A: Regulations and safety notices. 57
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Chapter 1
1
Checking Out Your
Computer

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Computer
2
About this guide
This guide includes information and
maintenance instructions that are specific to
your model of computer. Some illustrations in
this guide may look different than your
computer because hardware options and port
locations may vary.
Front
Component Icon Description
DVD/CD drive Use this drive to listen to audio CDs,
install games and programs, watch
DVDs, and store large files onto
recordable discs (depending on drive
type). This drive may be a CD, recordable
CD, DVD, recordable DVD, Blu-ray, or
HD DVD drive.
Memory card
reader Insert a memory card from a digital camera, MP3 player, PDA, cellular
telephone, or other device into the
memory card reader.
Power
button/power
indicator
Press this button to turn the power on
or off. You can also configure the power
button to operate in Standby/Resume
mode or Hibernate mode. The power
indicator lights when the computer is
turned on.
USB ports Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices
(such as a USB external drive, printer,
scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse)
into these ports.
Microphone
jack Plug a microphone into this jack. This jack is color-coded pink.
Headphone jack Plug powered, analog front speakers, an
external amplifier, or headphones into
this jack. This jack is color-coded green.

3
Back
Important
Your computer’s hardware options and port locations may
vary from this illustration.
Component Icon Description
Kensington lock
slot
Connects to a Kensington-compatible
computer security lock.
Voltage switch The switch is preset at the factory.
Make sure that this is set to the
correct voltage for your area.
Power connector Plug the power cord into this
connector.
PS/2 keyboard
port Plug a PS/2 keyboard into this port.
Monitor (VGA)
port Plug a VGA (blue connector) monitor cable into this port.
USB ports Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices
(such as a USB Iomega™ Zip™ drive,
printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or
mouse) into these ports.
Microphone jack
(pink plug) Plug a microphone into this jack.
Headphone/analo
g speakers jack
(green plug)
-OR-
Front speakers
jack
This jack is user configurable for one
of the following:
Headphone: Plug headphones or
amplified speakers into this jack
(Default).
Stereo out: Plug your front left and
right speakers into this jack.
PS/2 mouse port Plug a PS/2 mouse into this port.
Ethernet
(network) jack Plug an Ethernet network cable or a device (such as a DSL or cable modem
for a broadband Internet connection)
into this jack.

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Computer
4
Center/subwoofer
jack (orange plug)
(optional)
Plug your center speaker and
subwoofer into this jack.
Surround L/R
speaker jack
(black plug)
Plug your rear right and left speakers
into this jack.
Audio in/side
speaker jack (blue
plug)
-OR-
Side speaker jack
This jack is user configurable for one
of the following:
Stereo in: Plug an external audio
input source (such as a stereo) into
this jack so you can record sound on
your computer (Default).
Stereo out: Plug your side left and
right speakers into this jack.
ESATA port
(optional) ESATA
Enables fast external disk access.
Serial port
(optional) Connects to devices such as terminals and various peripherals.
HDMI port
(optional) HDMI
Supports high definition digital video
connections.
Component Icon Description

Chapter 2
5
Setting Up and
Getting Started

Chapter 2: Setting Up and Getting Started
6
Working safely and
comfortably
Before using your computer, follow these
general guidelines for setting up a safe and
comfortable work area and avoiding
discomfort and strain:
•Keep hands and arms parallel to the
floor.
•Adjust the screen so it is perpendicular to
your line of sight, and the top of the
screen is no higher than eye leve.
•Place your feet flat on the floor or on a
footrest.
•Keep ventilation openings clear of
obstructions.
Top of screen is not
higher than eye level
Feet are flat on the floor
Hands and arms
are parallel to the
floor
Screen is
perpendicular to
your line of sight

7
Reducing eye strain
Sunlight or bright indoor lighting should not
reflect on the monitor screen or shine directly
into your eyes.
•Position the computer desk and screen so
you can avoid glare on your screen and
light shining directly into your eyes.
Reduce glare by installing shades or
curtains on windows, and by installing a
glare screen filter.
•Use soft, indirect lighting in your work
area. Do not use your computer in a dark
room.
•Set paper holders at the same height and
distance as the monitor.
•Avoid focusing your eyes on your
computer screen for long periods of time.
Every 10 or 15 minutes, look around the
room, and try to focus on distant objects.
Setting up your computer desk and chair
When you are setting up your computer desk
and chair, make sure that the desk is the
appropriate height and the chair helps you
maintain good posture.

Chapter 2: Setting Up and Getting Started
8
•Select a flat surface for your computer
desk.
•Adjust the height of the computer desk
so your hands and arms are positioned
parallel to the floor when you use the
keyboard and touchpad. If the desk is not
adjustable or is too tall, consider using an
adjustable chair to control your arm’s
height above the keyboard.
•Use an adjustable chair that is
comfortable, distributes your weight
evenly, and keeps your body relaxed.
•Position your chair so the keyboard is at
or slightly below the level of your elbow.
This position lets your shoulders relax
while you type.
•Adjust the chair height, adjust the
forward tilt of the seat, or use a footrest
to distribute your weight evenly on the
chair and relieve pressure on the back of
your thighs.
•Adjust the back of the chair so it supports
the lower curve of your spine. You can
use a pillow or cushion to provide extra
back support.
Sitting at your computer
•Avoid bending, arching, or angling your
wrists. Make sure that they are in a
relaxed position when you type.
•Do not slouch forward or lean far back.
Sit with your back straight so your knees,
hips, and elbows form right angles when
you work.
•Take breaks to stand and stretch your
legs.
•Avoid twisting your torso or neck.

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Avoiding discomfort and injury from
repetitive strain
•Vary your activities to avoid excessive
repetition.
•Take breaks to change your position,
stretch your muscles, and relieve your
eyes.
•Find ways to break up the work day, and
schedule a variety of tasks.
Preparing power
connections
Protecting from power source problems
During a power surge, the voltage level of
electricity coming into your computer can
increase to far above normal levels and cause
data loss or system damage. Protect your
computer and peripheral devices by
connecting them to a
surge protector , which
absorbs voltage surges and prevents them
from reaching your computer.
An
uninterruptible power supply (UPS)
supplies battery power to your computer
during a power failure. Although you cannot
run your computer for an extended period of
time with a UPS, a UPS lets you run your
computer long enough to save your work and
shut down your computer normally.
Warning
High voltages can enter your computer through both the
power cord and the modem connection. Protect your computer by
using a surge protector. If you have a telephone modem, use a surge
protector that has a modem jack. If you have a cable modem, use
a surge protector that has an antenna/cable TV jack. During an
electrical storm, unplug both the surge protector and the modem.

Chapter 2: Setting Up and Getting Started
10
Checking the voltage selection
The power supply , a component built into your
computer, provides power to the system
board, add-in cards, and peripheral devices.
The power supply’s voltage selection for your
location is typically set at the factory, but you
can change it to match the electrical service
available in your usage area (such as while in
another country). Use the power selection
switch on the back of your computer to set the
voltage to 115V or 230V.
To set the voltage selection switch:
1 Disconnect your computer’s power cable.
2 Use a tool such as an opened paper clip
to slide the voltage selection switch to
the correct voltage position. The switch is
located on the back of your computer,
near the power cable connector. For the
location, see “Back” on page 3.
Caution
If you set the voltage selection switch incorrectly, your system
will be damaged. Make sure this switch is set correctly for your
location before turning on your computer. In the United States, the
utility power is supplied at a nominal 115 volts at 60 Hz. The power
supply should always be set to this when your computer is operating
in the United States. In other areas of the world, such as Europe,
the utility power is supplied at 230 volts at 50 Hz. If your computer
is operating in an environment such as this, the voltage switch
should be moved to 230.