vpr Matrix Desktops Getting Started Guide 180R
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USING YOUR COMPUTER

Setting up your computer

It is important that you choose a good location to set up your computer so that both you and your new computer are safe. Make sure your working position is comfortable and that it encourages good posture while you are at your computer. Flat and hard surfaces are best; soft surfaces like fabric or carpet can encourage static electricity, which can damage the electrical circuits in your computer. Be certain that air can flow freely around your computer and monitor —restricted airflow can cause overheating. Also avoid direct sunlight, extreme heat or cold and moisture.

Always use a surge protector to prevent power surges from damaging your computer and accessories, and a grounded 3-hole outlet to prevent electrical shorts or fires.

Connecting your computer
Refer to the setup poster included in the box.

Reminder: Make certain your computer is connected to a working phone line before starting up for the first time. This will allow the automatic registration process to begin.

Turning the computer on and off
Starting your computer
  • Turn on the monitor and any other peripherals connected to your computer (printer, scanner, etc.)
  • Press the power button on the front of your computer
  • The light on your computer front panel will turn on, the monitor will light up and Windows will begin to load
NOTE: If a bootable CD (such as the Restore CD) or floppy disk is left in the machine when it is started, Windows may start up from the disk rather than the hard drive. If you mistakenly boot up from a disk and wish to restart from the hard drive, remove the CD or floppy disk and restart the computer.

Turning off your computer
  • Save all information and close all application programs
  • Click Start, then click Turn Off Computer
  • In the Turn Off Computer dialog box, click Turn Off
  • Turn off your monitor, speakers and any other devices connected to your computer
Using your computer
Using a floppy disk drive

Insert the disk with the label side up and the metal square toward the computer. Push the disk gently until it clicks into place. To remove the disk wait until the drive light is off, then push the eject button to pop the disk out. Do not eject the disk while the drive is still operating, or serious damage and loss of data can occur.

Using your CD or CD-RW drive

To play a CD, press the load/eject button on the front of your computer. Place the CD label-side up in the center of the tray and press the button again to load the disc. Windows Media Player will automatically start playing audio CDs, and software CDs will often produce a prompt screen as soon as they are loaded. If the CD you have inserted doesn’t seem to work, click the Start menu and then click My Computer. The CD should be visible in the Devices with Removable Storage section of the My Computer window. Double click on the CD to open it, and then double click the program or audio track you wish to access. To record music or data to a CD-R or CD-RW disc, refer to the Windows XP instructions for recording to CD. Click Start, then click Help and Support. Type “Record CD” and click the arrow key. Detailed instructions for copying files and folders to CD will appear.

Using your DVD player

Playing a DVD uses the same procedure as playing CDs: press the load/eject button on the DVD drive on your computer, place the DVD label-side up in the center of the tray and press the button again to load the DVD. Your DVD will launch automatically.

Using your DVD-RW drive (select models)

Please see enclosed FAQ regarding operation of your DVD-RW drive.

Enabling RAID

Your new PC comes with an IDE RAID controller integrated into the main system board. RAID (Redundant Array of Inexpensive Disks) allows your PC to increase hard disk performance and/or create a redundant copy of your data on a second hard drive. Enabling this feature may require the purchase of additional hard drives and other hardware. For more information on using the RAID feature built into your system, contact your local store’s PC upgrade center.

Connecting to the Internet
When you first click on a program that requires Internet access (like a Web browser or an e-mail program), Windows XP will ask you a series of questions that will guide you through the process of signing up with an ISP (Internet Service Provider) and connecting to the Internet. An ISP is a service that allows your computer to connect to the Internet. The type of service and cost may vary from provider to provider. Most charge a monthly fee for a specified number of hours of access plus one or more e-mail accounts.

Your computer is equipped with a standard 56k dial-up modem. If you have a working phone connection, you should be able to sign up for and use a standard dial-up connection to access the Internet.

High-speed Internet access (DSL, cable or satellite) is available in some areas for an additional charge. High-speed Internet services require additional equipment that must be purchased or obtained from your ISP before you can enable high-speed Internet access.

Web tools

Windows XP includes the Internet Explorer Web browser, which allows you to access the Internet’s information, pictures, video and more. Windows also includes Outlook Express, which allows you to send and receive electronic messages called “e-mail.” Other browsers and e-mail programs are available for purchase or download if you wish to choose other software.

Internet basics

The Internet is a worldwide network of computers that exchange information over a system of wires, optical cables and satellite connections. When you connect your computer to the Internet it becomes a temporary part of this network. You can choose which of your files and what information you wish to share over the Internet, and you can only share or receive information while you are connected through your ISP.

Perhaps the best-known part of the Internet is the World Wide Web. This part is used by companies, individuals and organizations for a wide variety of purposes, including sharing information, and buying and selling goods and services.

An individual Web location is known as a “Web site,” and is located through its unique Web address —also known as a URL (Uniform Resource Locator). A typical Web address (URL) looks something like this: www.anycompany.com, or www.anyuniversity.edu.

Use a period (called a “dot”) to separate the sections of the Web address. The last section of the URL indicates whether the site is operated by a business (.com), a school (.edu), an organization (.org or .net) or a governmental body (.gov). Other end-ings (.tv, .uk) can indicate other types of organizations or sites that are based in other countries. You may notice that the URL listed on your browser’s address bar also has the characters “http://” preceding the address —these characters are automatically added by modern Web browsers and do not need to be entered by the user.

Searching the Internet

To find what you’re looking for on the Internet you use an Internet search feature, much like you would use a telephone directory to find people or businesses in your area. Click on the “Search” button on your browser and type in the description of what you are looking for (“plumber”). If you return too many results, try searching again with a more specific description (“plumber Peoria Illinois”). If you return too few results, try a more general description. Other search engines with different features are available at different locations on the Web —try some different ones and see which feels right for you.

E-mail
E-mail allows you to send messages to friends, family, co-workers and businesses. These messages can include other electronic documents, including photos, video clips, sound files, text files and more.

E-mail addresses typically look something like this: JohnSmith@myisp.com

To get an e-mail account you will need to sign up for an ISP. Your ISP will provide information you need to enter in order to use the Internet and e-mail, such as your e-mail address, your incoming mail server name and your outgoing mail (SMTP) server name. Windows will take you through a series of questions to enter this information when you first use Outlook Express.

Sending a new E-mail with Outlook Express in Windows XP

After signing up for your ISP and getting your e-mail address (JohnSmith@ yourisp.com), click the Start menu and then click Outlook Express. Click “Create Mail” and enter the e-mail address of your recipient (JeanSmith@theirisp.com) in the “To” field. Press Tab to move to the Subject line and add a subject. Tab to the message box and type your message. When you are done, click “Send.” If you have not yet entered your incoming and outgoing server names, you will be asked to enter these now. Your ISP will provide you with this information when you sign up.


IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS

WARNING! Please read all warnings and instructions BEFORE operating the system.

The power supply in this product contains no user-serviceable parts. Refer servicing only to qualified personnel.

Do not attempt to modify or use the supplied AC power cord if it is not the exact type required.

The DC push-button on/off switch on the system does not turn off system AC power. To remove AC power from the system, you must unplug each AC power cord from the wall outlet or power supply.

SAFETY STEPS: Whenever you remove the chassis covers to access the inside of the system, follow these steps:
  1. Turn off all peripheral devices connected to the system.
  2. Turn off the system by using the push-button on/off power switch on the system.
  3. Unplug all AC power cords from the system or from wall outlets.
  4. Label and disconnect all cables connected to the I/O connectors or ports on the rear of the system.
  5. Provide some electrostatic discharge (ESD) protection by wearing an anti-static wrist strap attached to chassis ground of the system —any unpainted metal surface —when handling components.
  6. Do not operate the system with the chassis covers removed.
The microprocessor, heat sink and Power Pod may be hot if the system has been running. Also, there may be sharp pins and edges on some board and chassis parts. Contact should be made with care. Consider wearing protective gloves.

Danger of explosion if the battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with the same or equivalent type recommended by the equipment manufacturer. Discard used batteries according to manufacturer’s instructions.

The system is designed to operate in a typical office environment. Choose a site that is:

  • Clean and free of airborne particles (other than normal room dust)
  • Well ventilated and away from sources of heat including direct sunlight
  • Away from sources of vibration or physical shock
  • Isolated from strong electromagnetic fields produced by electrical devices
  • In regions that are susceptible to electrical storms, we recommend you plug your system into a surge suppressor and disconnect telecommunication lines to your system during an electrical storm
  • Provided with a properly grounded wall outlet
  • Provided with sufficient space to access the power supply cords, because they serve as the product’s main power disconnect
Safety and Regulatory Requirements
Read all instructions before using the system. Save all the safety and regulatory instructions for future reference.

FCC Declaration of Conformity
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reason-able protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
  • Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
  • Increase the separation between the equipment and the receiver
  • Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit other than the one to which the receiver is connected
  • Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help
WARNING
The push-button on/off power switch on the front panel of the system does not turn off the AC power. To remove AC power from the system, you must unplug the AC power cord from each power supply or wall outlet.

CAUTION, ESD Precautions
Electrostatic discharge (ESD) can damage disk drives, add-in boards, and other parts. The system can withstand normal levels of environmental ESD. However, we recommend doing all procedures in this guide only at an ESD-protected workstation. If one is not avail-able, you can provide some ESD protection by wearing an anti-static wrist strap attached to chassis ground of the system —any unpainted metal surface —when handling components.

CAUTION: Use Grounded Outlet
Use only a grounded power service connection to protect yourself and your system in the event of a power surge.

WARNING: Check Power Cord
Do not modify or use a supplied AC power cord if it is not the exact type required in the region where the system will be installed and used. Only replace the cord with the correct type. Refer to the cord requirements described below.

Power Cord Requirements
Rating: Cords must be rated for available AC voltage and have a current rating at least 125% of the current rating of the system. Connector, wall outlet end: Cords must be terminated in grounding-type male plugs de-signed for use in your region. It must have certification marks showing certification by an agency acceptable in your region. Connector, power supply end: The connector that plugs into the AC receptacle on the system’s power supply must be an IEC 320, sheet C13, type female connector. Cord length and flexibility: Cords must not be less than 4.5 feet (1.37 meters) long, and must be flexible.

Note
Surge suppressor recommended: In geographic regions that are susceptible to electrical storms, we highly recommend that you plug the system into a surge suppressor.

For technical support, call 1 (800) 332-4800.

vpr Matrix® PCs use genuine Microsoft® Windows®
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