HP Compaq Presario Manual

PC Basics Guide

The information in this document is subject to change without
notice.
Hewlett-Packard®Company makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this
material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability
and fitness for a particular purpose.
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.
THE WARRANTY TERMS CONTAINED IN THIS STATEMENT, EXCEPT TO THE
EXTENT LAWFULLY PERMITTED, DO NOT EXCLUDE, RESTRICT OR MODIFY AND
ARE IN ADDITION TO ANY MANDATORY STATUTORY RIGHTS APPLICABLE TO
THE SALE OF THIS PRODUCT OR SERVICE TO YOU.
HP assumes no responsibility for the use or reliability of its software on equipment
that is not furnished by HP.
This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright. All
rights are reserved. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced,
or translated to another language without the prior written consent of HP.
Hewlett-Packard Company
P.O. Box 4010
Cupertino, CA 95015-4010
USA
© 2000, 2003, 2004 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
All rights reserved.
Hewlett-Packard is a registered trademark of Hewlett-Packard Company in the
United States of America and other countries/regions.
This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by
method claims of certain U.S. patents and other intellectual property rights owned
by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of this copyright
protection technology must be authorised by Macrovision Corporation, and
is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise
authorised by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse engineering or disassembly is
prohibited. Apparatus Claims of U.S. Patent Nos. 4,631,603, 4,577,216,
4,819,098, and 4,907,093 licensed for limited viewing uses only.
Other brand or product names are trademarks of their respective holders.
HP supports lawful use of technology and does not endorse or encourage the use
of our products for purposes other than those permitted by copyright law.

Table of Contents iii
Introducing the PC ......................................................................... 1
Protecting Your PC ........................................................................................3
Using a Power Surge Suppressor................................................................3
Using Virus Protection Programs .................................................................3
Using Windows Update ............................................................................4
Turning Off the PC ........................................................................................4
Standby Mode .........................................................................................4
Hibernation Mode ....................................................................................5
Automatic Standby or Hibernation..............................................................6
Restarting the PC ..........................................................................................6
Using the Mouse...........................................................................................7
Using the Mouse Buttons............................................................................7
Scrolling ..................................................................................................8
Autoscrolling............................................................................................8
Panning...................................................................................................9
Switching Mouse Button Functions ..............................................................9
Changing Mouse Pointer Speed .................................................................9
Using the Keyboard ......................................................................................9
Keyboard Shortcuts.................................................................................10
Standard Keyboard Features....................................................................10
Adjusting the Monitor..................................................................................13
Using a TV as a Monitor..............................................................................14
Cables You May Need............................................................................14
Viewing the PC Image on Your TV Screen..................................................14
Using Speakers ..........................................................................................14
Adjusting Speaker Volume .......................................................................15
Table of Contents

iv PC Basics Guide
Using a Microphone ................................................................................... 15
Adjusting Microphone Volume ................................................................. 16
Using Media Drives ....................................................................................17
Using Your CD and DVD Drives................................................................17
Handling CDs and DVDs ......................................................................... 17
Inserting and Removing CDs and DVDs.....................................................17
Using a Diskette (Floppy) Drive ....................................................................19
Using a Printer ...........................................................................................19
Introducing the Software ............................................................. 21
Learning More about Software.................................................................21
Using the Desktop....................................................................................... 21
Removing Desktop Icons..........................................................................22
Retrieving Desktop Icons..........................................................................22
Using the Start Menu .................................................................................. 23
Using the All Programs Menu...................................................................23
Organising Your All Programs List............................................................. 23
Using the Control Panel............................................................................... 24
Resizing Windows...................................................................................... 25
Working with Digital Images........................................................................ 26
Managing Files ............................................................................ 27
Organising Files with Folders....................................................................... 27
Creating Folders.....................................................................................28
Moving Files ..............................................................................................28
Copying Files............................................................................................. 29
Finding Files ..............................................................................................29
Renaming Files........................................................................................... 30
Deleting Files .............................................................................................30
Getting Files Out of the Recycle Bin ..............................................................30
Using the Internet ........................................................................ 31
Connecting to the Internet............................................................................ 31
Connecting the Modem........................................................................... 31
Setting Up the Ethernet Connection...........................................................32
About the Internet ....................................................................................... 32
Using a Browser......................................................................................... 33
Searching the Internet ................................................................................. 34
Restricting Internet Content ..........................................................................34
Sending and Receiving E-Mail......................................................................35
If Using Outlook Express.......................................................................... 36
If Your ISP Provides the E-Mail Program ..................................................... 37

Table of Contents v
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

vi PC Basics Guide

Introducing the PC 1
NOTE: This guide contains details on options that may not be included with your
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.
WARNING: Please read “Safety Information” in your user
documentation before installing and connecting your PC to the
electrical power system.
PC Base Components
The PC consists of electronics and mechanical items housed in a chassis box
called a tower or base. Inside the PC are these items:
• The motherboard, which is an electronics board with the micro processing
unit (MPU), slots for memory and add-in cards, and connectors for the other
items in the base.
• The power supply.
• The hard disk drive, which is used to store the operating system, programs,
and files.
• The cabling between the motherboard, the base units, and the connectors on
the back and the front of the PC.
Introducing the PC

2PC Basics Guide
PC Operation
The user operates the PC by using a keyboard to enter text and commands, a
mouse to point and select items, and a display monitor. 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.
The minimum items required to operate your personal computer are the PC base
box, the keyboard, the mouse, and the monitor.
Additional PC Base Components
The PC base box may have other components, such as:
• Optical drives that play or record (burn) CD or DVD discs, depending on the
drive model.
• A memory card reader that reads or records the memory cards used in digital
cameras and other devices.
• A diskette (floppy) drive.
• A modem that connects the PC to a telephone line for a dial-up connection to
the Internet.
• An Ethernet connector that connects the PC to a network, such as a local area
network (LAN).
• Connectors and ports, such as USB, FireWire®(IEEE 1394), serial, parallel,
and others, such as for a joystick.
• Special features that may be on the motherboard or on separate add-in cards,
such as audio or sound cards, graphics or video cards, TV connectors and
tuner cards, and wireless LAN cards.
External PC Components
You may have external components added to the PC, connecting each to the PC
base through the connectors on the front or the back of the base. The connectors
on the front of the PC are usually used for quick, temporary connection.
Depending on the connectors on your PC, common peripheral components are:
• A printer (using a serial, parallel, or USB port).
• An external disk drive.
• A digital camera.
• Video devices, such as a VCR, video camera, DVD player, or Web camera.
• An MP3 player.
• A personal organiser.

Introducing the PC 3
Protecting Your PC
Using a Power Surge Suppressor
Power surges, for example, voltage spikes, power outages or blackouts may cause
software problems.
Symptoms of voltage spikes include a flickering video display, unexpected PC
startups and the PC not responding to your commands. A voltage spike can
occasionally corrupt or destroy files. Because of this, you should:
• Consistently make backup copies of your data files.
And
• Prevent damage from voltage spikes by installing a PC surge suppressor
between the electrical socket and the 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:
• An e-mail message or attachment.
• A file downloaded from the Internet.
• A diskette (floppy disk).
• A CD or DVD disc.
Some viruses affect your PC immediately, while others may activate only if you
open a certain file or do not delete the file before a certain date. New types of
viruses are invented all the time.
The virus-scanning software program on your PC has pre-set options that make
your PC safe. After you enable the virus-scanning program, it checks your PC
files for viruses.
The virus-scanning program manufacturer provides free virus definition updates
through your Internet connection for an initial period after your PC purchase. You
can purchase a subscription service for updates after the initial free period
expires.
You should take the following precautions to protect your PC:
• Do not open unsolicited e-mail from unknown sources.
• Download files only from sources you feel are safe.
• Always scan documents for viruses before opening them.
• Make sure you have the latest version of your virus-scanning software.

4PC Basics Guide
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. Your PC must be connected to the Internet to
display the Windows Update home page. Click Yes if you are prompted to install
required software or controls. Click Scan for Available Updates, and follow
the onscreen instructions.
Turning Off the PC
NOTE: For information about the Start button, see “Using the Start Menu” on
page 23.
For best results, turn off the PC using Windows without pressing any buttons on the
PC chassis.
1 Close any open software programs. To close programs, click the X at the
upper-right corner of each program window.
2 Click Start on the taskbar.
3 Click Turn Off Computer, at the bottom of the menu.
4 Click Turn Off.
5 Turn off the monitor.
As an alternative to turning off the PC, you can put the PC in either standby or
hibernation mode. To conserve power, you can set the power management timers
to put the PC automatically into standby, and then hibernation. See the following
sections for more information on putting your PC in standby or hibernation mode.
Standby Mode
When the PC is in standby mode, it goes into a low-power state, and the monitor
is blank, as if it is turned off. The advantages of using standby mode include:
• You save time and electricity without having to wait for the PC to go through the
normal startup routine when you wake it again. The next time you use the PC,
any programs, folders and documents that were open before you put the PC in
standby are available.
• Your PC can receive faxes while in standby mode, if you set it to do so.
• Your PC can retrieve e-mail messages and download information from the
Internet automatically, if you set it to do so.

Introducing the PC 5
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. The screen display reappears just as you left it.
Another way to put the PC into standby mode is to:
1 Click Start on the taskbar.
2 Click Turn Off Computer.
3 Click Stand By.
4 To wake the PC from standby, press the Standby button or press the Esc key on
the keyboard.
If the PC does not work properly when you wake it from standby, restart the PC:
1 Press and hold the On button on the front of the PC for approximately
5 seconds until the PC turns off.
NOTE: Using the On button to restart the PC is not recommended, and should
be used only as a last resort. Instead, click Start, click Turn Off Computer,
and then click Restart.
2 Turn on the PC again.
Hibernation Mode
When the PC is in hibernation mode, it saves everything that is in PC memory to
the hard disk drive, turns off the monitor and the hard disk drive, and then turns
itself off. When you turn on the PC again, your programs, folders and documents
are restored to the screen.
To put the PC into hibernation manually:
1 Click Start on the taskbar.
2 Click Turn Off Computer.
3 Press and hold down the Shift key on the keyboard, and then click Hibernate.
NOTE: If Hibernate is not present, you can set up your PC for hibernation; refer
to steps 1 to 6 of “Automatic Standby or Hibernation” on page 6.
4 When you want to use the PC again after hibernation, press the On button on
the front of the PC.

6PC Basics Guide
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. To put the PC into standby or hibernation
mode automatically, modify the power management settings:
1 Click Start on the taskbar.
2 Click Control Panel.
3 Click Performance and Maintenance, if it is present.
4 Double-click Power Options.
5 Click the Hibernate tab and tick the hibernation feature. If necessary, enable
the feature by clicking the Enable hibernation box so that a tick mark appears
in it.
6 If you changed the Enable hibernation tick box, click Apply.
7 Click the Power Schemes tab to set the timers for standby and hibernation.
In the Power Schemes box, select a power scheme from the drop-down list.
Choose the settings.
• To turn on automatic standby for the PC, click the time to elapse before
standby (such as After 20 mins) in the System standby list.
• To set the timer for automatic hibernation, click the time to elapse before
hibernation (such as After 1 hour) in the System hibernates list.
NOTE: If both standby and hibernation timers are set, the system hibernation
timer must be set for a longer time than the system standby timer.
8 Click OK.
Restarting the PC
When you restart the computer, the PC starts over using the operating system and
software in its memory. This is the simplest repair for your PC; just click Start,
choose Turn Off Computer, and then click Restart.
You may wish to install additional software programs or hardware devices on
your PC. Restart the PC after installation.

Introducing the PC 7
If the PC stops responding, use the Windows Task Manager to close any
programs not responding or to restart the PC:
1 Press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys on the keyboard at the same time.
2 Select the program that is not responding, and click End Task.
Or
Click Shut Down, and then click Restart.
If this does not work, press the On button for 5 or more seconds to turn off the PC.
Then, press the On button.
NOTE: Using the On button to restart the PC is not recommended and should be
used only as a last resort. Instead, click Start, click Turn Off Computer, and
then click Restart.
Using the Mouse
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.
NOTE: The optical mouse cannot work on a glass, translucent or reflective surface.
A wireless mouse (select models only) is an optical mouse that uses a
receiver/transmitter, instead of a connector cable, to communicate with your PC.
A light on the receiver indicates receiver activity.
NOTE: The wireless mouse goes into a sleep or suspend mode after 20 minutes of
inactivity. Click a button on the mouse to wake it. (Moving the wireless mouse
does not wake it.)
Using the Mouse Buttons
The mouse has two or three buttons on the top:
• Click the left mouse button to position the cursor or to select an item.
• Click the right mouse button to display a menu of commands for the item
you clicked.
• On select models, use the scroll wheel button in the centre for scrolling
and panning.

8PC Basics Guide
Click means to press the left button on the mouse once.
Double-click means to press the left button on the mouse two
times in a row. To double-click, you click the button (press it
and then release it), and then quickly click it again.
Right-click means to press the right button on the
mouse once.
To select an item, click the item.
To select sequential items in a list or group, click the first
item in the list, and then press and hold the Shift key on the
keyboard while you click the last item.
To select non-sequential items, click the first item, and then
press and hold the Ctrl key on the keyboard while you click
the additional items.
NOTE: Your mouse may look different from the one shown here.
You can switch the function of the left and right buttons for left-handed use. Refer
to “Switching Mouse Button Functions” on page 9.
Scrolling
Click the left mouse button to place the cursor in a document, and then:
• To scroll toward the beginning of a document, roll the scroll wheel button up
(away from you).
• To scroll toward the end of a document, roll the scroll wheel button down
(toward you).
Autoscrolling
1 Place the cursor anywhere in the text, and press the scroll wheel button
once. An autoscroll icon appears.
2 Move the mouse in the direction you want to scroll. The farther you
move the mouse from the starting point, the faster the document scrolls.
3 To stop autoscrolling, press the scroll wheel button again.
NOTE: Autoscrolling does not work with some software programs.
AC
B
A
Left button
BScroll wheel button
(scrolling mouse only)
CRight button

Introducing the PC 9
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.
NOTE: Panning only works if the window’s horizontal scroll bar is active. Panning
does not work with some software programs.
Switching Mouse Button Functions
To switch the functions of the right and left mouse buttons:
1 Click the Start button.
2 Click Control Panel.
3 Click Printers and Other Hardware, if it is present.
4 Double-click Mouse.
5 Tick Switch primary and secondary buttons on the Buttons tab.
6 Click Apply (using the new primary button), and then click OK.
Changing Mouse Pointer Speed
To change the speed of the cursor on the screen relative to the motion of
the mouse:
1 Click the Start button.
2 Click Control Panel.
3 Click Printers and Other Hardware, if it is present.
4 Double-click Mouse.
5 Click the Pointer Options tab.
6 In the Motion area, use the slider to adjust the pointer speed.
7 Click Apply, and then click OK.
Using the Keyboard
The keyboard is the primary way you enter text and commands for the PC. The
keyboard may connect directly to your PC, or it may be wireless.
Your keyboard has an arrangement of standard keys, indicator lights and special
buttons (select models only). Your keyboard may vary from the illustrations. Some
keyboards do not have the Internet buttons shown here at the top of the keyboard,
and some use a different layout on the top right.

10 PC Basics Guide
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).
You will see this combination of keys represented as Alt+Ctrl+S. In Windows,
press Ctrl+C to copy an item you’ve highlighted or selected, Ctrl+V to paste
a copied item, or press Ctrl+Z to undo the previous action. These shortcuts
perform the same actions you can perform through menus, but save you time
and mouse clicks.
Standard Keyboard Features
Alphanumeric Keys
The alphanumeric keys are the main keys found on a standard typewriter.
Function Keys
The function keys, located above the main keys, are labelled F1 to F12.
• Pressing F1 displays a Help window for the software program being used.
• Pressing F3 displays a search window.
F1 and F3 are available at all times.
Other function key operations vary by software program.

Introducing the PC 11
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. You can use these keys
instead of the mouse to move the cursor for navigation in a Web page, in a
document, or in a game.
Numeric Keys
Press the Num Lock key to lock and unlock the numeric key functions:
• When the Num Lock light on the keyboard is on, the numeric keys work in the
same way as the number keys and arithmetic functions found on a basic
calculator.
• When the Num Lock light on the keyboard is off, the numeric keys are
directional keys used to move the cursor or play games.

12 PC Basics Guide
Keyboard Indicators
Each keyboard indicator is a light labelled with the name or icon for its status:
Icon Name Description
Num Lock Numeric keys are locked as numbers keys and arithmetic
functions.
Caps Lock Alphanumeric keys are locked to uppercase.
Scroll Lock Scroll function is locked.
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.
Volume Control
The Volume knob increases speaker volume when turned clockwise, and
decreases volume when turned anticlockwise. It can be turned indefinitely, even
after maximum sound has been reached.
The Volume Up button increases volume, and the Volume Down button
decreases volume.
The Mute button turns speaker sound on and off.

Introducing the PC 13
Media Control Keys
b
c
d
a
aef
NOTE: The number, location, and labelling of buttons vary by keyboard model.
Adjusting the Monitor
To change the screen resolution:
1 Right-click an empty area of the desktop and click Properties.
2 On the Settings tab, adjust the screen resolution.
• Moving the slide toward Less increases the size of text on your screen.
• Moving the slide toward More decreases the size of text.
3 Click Apply.
4 Click Yes, if it is present.
5 Click OK.
NOTE: You can connect more than one display device (CRT monitor, flat panel
monitor, 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.
aOpen and close disc
tray(s)
bRecord
cPlay or pause
dStop
eSkip to the previous
track
fSkip to the next track

14 PC Basics Guide
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.
Cables You May Need
To connect a TV to the PC, you may need a video cable and an audio cable
(not provided; purchase separately). The type of video cable you need depends
on your TV:
• If your TV has an S-video socket, you need an S-video cable.
• If your TV has a composite video socket, you need a composite video cable,
and, depending on the sockets on the back of your PC, you may also need an
S-video adapter cable.
Viewing the PC Image on Your TV Screen
The type of video card on your PC determines how the PC selects the TV-out
option.
When you want to disconnect the TV from your PC, you may need to disable the
TV option to return your PC display to its original resolution.
Using Speakers
Speakers are included with the monitor (select models only), or are sold
separately. For details on connecting stereo speakers to the PC, see the quick
setup poster.
NOTE: Speakers may be passive (no power button and no powercable) or active
(power button or powercable). Your PC supports only active (powered) speaker
systems; the speaker system must have its own powercable.
A stereo speaker set is a left-right, two-channel speaker system. A multi-channel
audio speaker system is a system with more than two channels, and it may include
a subwoofer. For example, 5.1 channels, referred to as a six-speaker mode, uses
two front speakers (left-right), two rear speakers (left-right), a centre speaker, and
a subwoofer.
If your PC has multi-channel audio speaker capacity (select models only), you can
connect four channels for four speakers output or six channels for 5.1 speakers
output.
Connect your speaker system to the PC, and then configure the audio software for
sound output.