Chapter One

Getting Started with Your Computer

The information in this chapter assumes a familiarity with the ports and connectors on your PC Services system.

This chapter introduces you to the PC Services system that you have purchased. It also includes information on connecting and setting up the system and your workspace and information on some of the functions of the various visible components of the system. Once you have read this chapter and followed the instructions here, you should be ready to start running your PC Services system. This system has been designed not only for performance, but also for ease of use, so you should be up and running once everything is connected and you are familiar with what buttons and switches do what.

 Once you have your computer running, you should take a few minutes to look at the online PC Services User's Manual included with your system. That online manual contains this Chapter One of your Quick Start Manual plus additional chapters with more extensive information on the operation of your system. Read through the online manual carefully to learn about the various features of your system. If you would find it easier to read the manual in printed form, you can print the online User's Manual.

Unpacking and Workspace Preparation

 The first thing you will need to do is unpack your box and locate all the parts. These are listed below. If anything is missing (other than optional parts that may not have been a part of your system), contact PC Services immediately.

 Locate all the parts:

1. Computer system
2. Keyboard
3. Mouse
4. Power cord
5. Quick Setup Manual and hardware manuals
6. Operating system software manual and CD (if your system has a CD-ROM drive)
7. Application software manual (if applicable)
8. Telephone cable (if applicable)
9. Speakers (if applicable)

NOTE: Operating system software, application software and other included driver diskettes/CDs are PREINSTALLED! Please store all originals in a safe place.

Preparing and Using Your Workspace

• Choose an uncluttered surface for assembling and using your computer.
• If using a modem, set-up your system near a power source and phone outlet.
• Keep all air vents clear. Leave at least four to six inches of clearance between the vents of your computer and any walls. Mini-towers and Mid-towers can be placed on a table or the floor, but be careful not to block the ventilation holes. Avoid placing the product on a bed, sofa, rug or similar surface that would block ventilation.
• Don't place your computer by a sunlit window. Excessive heat will shorten the life of any computer.
• Don't use your computer in dusty areas or areas of extreme humidity and temperature.
• Set up the keyboard directly in front of you at an appropriate height (your forearms should be parallel to the floor when typing).
• Place your monitor directly in front of your workspace and at eye level. Select a workspace that will allow you set the monitor at the proper height.

Repetitive Stress Injuries

An earlier section of this chapter discussed preparing your workspace for your computer. Preparing your workspace for you to use your computer properly is every bit as important. Improper work environment or incorrect work habits may be linked to certain types of physical discomfort or injury. Ensure that your chair, work surface, monitor, keyboard and pointing devices are in the correct positions to keep your back and neck straight, your shoulders relaxed and your elbows at you sides.

Other suggestions to maximize comfort in using your computer include:

• take frequent breaks, get up, walk around, stretch
• maintain a straight wrist position
• avoid resting on your wrists while typing
• use a light touch on your keys

Our above advice cannot replace consultation with a doctor or other health professional for medical advice on how to reduce your risk of injury or discomfort that may be caused from continuous keyboard use. You should seek medical advice if you feel any aching, numbing or tingling in your arms, wrists, or hands.

Connecting Your Components

Now that you have your workspace prepared, you are ready to connect your system. The back of your new system should look similar to one of these.

Note: DO NOT POWER UP YOUR SYSTEM UNTIL ALL CONNECTIONS HAVE BEEN MADE AS DESCRIBED BELOW.

1. If your system includes speakers, connect the speakers to each other as indicated in the instructions that came with your speakers. Then connect the speaker wire to the "speaker" port on the sound card on the back of your computer. If your speakers have a separate power cord, plug the power cord for the speakers into your surge protector. Note: Your system might have two speaker ports: one for your modem and one for your sound card. Please be certain to plug the speakers into the speaker port on the sound card (identified as the speaker port in the illustration for your system).
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3. Connect it to the microphone (included in accessories box) to MIC port on the sound card (the microphone connection looks the same as the speaker port pictured above).
4. If your system came with a modem, connect the modem cord from the LINE connector port to your wall phone jack. You may still use a telephone by plugging the phone's cord into the PHONE connector port on the back of your computer.
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6. Plug the monitor signal cable into the VGA monitor connector. Tighten the screws. Plug the monitor power cord into the back of your monitor.
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8. Your system has two identical PS/2 connectors: one for the keyboard and one for the mouse. See the illustration of your system to locate the proper PS/2 port for your keyboard and mouse. Aligning the pins with the holes, plug the keyboard and mouse cables into their respective connectors.
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10. If you have purchased a joystick for your system, connect it to the game port on the back of your computer.
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12. Connect your printer (if applicable) to the 25-pin parallel printer connector on the back of your computer. If your printer has a connection other than a parallel connection, follow the manufacturer's instructions for connecting it to your system.
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14. Connect the power cords of your monitor and printer to your surge protector. If you have an inkjet printer, you should look in the "Tips" section of your online User's Manual for information about using inkjet printers with a surge protector.
15. If you own or have purchased other hardware for your system, such as serial devices or parallel port drives, please connect those devices as indicated by their manufacturer. See the system illustration for you system for the location of the appropriate ports. If you are unsure of how to connect these devices, you can connect them after you have had a chance to read the online User's Manual.
16. Plug the system power cord into the power cord connector on the back of your computer. DO NOT POWER UP at this point, it is important that all the cables are connected first. We recommend that you purchase a quality, UL-approved surge protector for your system.
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18. Plug the quality, UL-approved surge protector into a grounded 3-hole power outlet.
19. Turn the power switch of the speakers to the ON position. Turn on the power to your printer. Turn on the power to your monitor. Press the power button to turn on the computer.

Before proceeding, remember to

• avoid using liquids near your computer.
• execute the shutdown command from Windows 98 before turning off the system. Failure to do so can result in data loss.

The Windows 98 Operating System

Now that you have turned on your system, you will see some text go by as the computer tests itself and then loads Windows 98. Every effort has been made to make certain that your PC Services system will function properly, but if you should experience a problem when you turn on the computer, refer to the Troubleshooting Appendix to see if you can work out the problem. If you cannot correct the problem, contact Technical Support. If the screen remains blank when you attempt to boot up the computer, check that the monitor's brightness and contrast controls have not been dimmed.

Your system will come with Windows 98. For instructions on using Windows 98, check the Windows 98 manual, which is included with your PC Services system. When the computer boots for the first time, you will be asked some startup information by Windows 98. Follow the instructions. If you have a printer, the section below will provide help in setting up this computer to Windows 98. If you do not have a printer, you can skip to the following section. If you add a printer later, see the online User's Manual for information on setting up your printer.

At the end of the setup process, you will be asked if you want to make a backup copy of Windows 98. If your unit shipped without a CD-ROM drive, you should strongly consider completing this process. Units with a CD-ROM drive ship with a boot diskette from PC Services (which contains the necessary files for your hardware configuration) and a CD-ROM copy of Windows 98. If your unit has these, you can skip over the process of creating a backup copy of Windows 98. If not, then you should either make this copy now (it will require 30+ 3.5" disks) or ask the computer to remind you at a later time.

Setting Up Your Printer

If you have told Windows 98 that you have a printer and wish to set it up, the "Add Printer Wizard" will start up.

1. In the "Add Printer Wizard" click on Next.
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3. Scroll through the list of manufacturers and printers to find yours. If your model is not listed here, check your printer documentation for a compatible printer to use as a source of the printer driver. [If your printer has a disk, you can insert it in the floppy drive and click on the Have Disk button. Follow the directions provided by the printer manufacturer for selecting the proper printer driver.]
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5. The program will then ask you to identify the connection for that printer. If you have a parallel printer, select LPT1. If you have another type of printer, choose the appropriate type of port for that printer (see the printer manual for instructions).
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7. You will then be prompted for a name for this printer. You can accept the default (e.g. Okidata OL-400e), but you can choose any name you want. If you are going to be working in an environment where there might be more than one printer of the same model, the names become an important way of distinguishing your printers from each other. On the same screen you will be asked whether this will be your default printer. If most of your printing will be done on this printer, you should select Yes.
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9. You will then be asked if you want to print a test page. This would be a good idea.

When Windows 98 has finished loading your printer drivers, you will be returned to the Windows 98 Setup.

Running Your System

Once the setup is completed, you will be ready to use your system. As you start using your system, you should familiarize yourself with the taskbar. The taskbar has a Start button that allows you to launch programs or documents. It will also provide you with a list of the programs currently running.

In addition to the software that you run and see, there is some preloaded software that runs in the background. Specific drivers (files that allow pieces of hardware to communicate effectively with the computer and operating system) have been preloaded for the various hardware units that have been packaged with your system (e.g. video card, sound card, CD-ROM drive). These drivers are also important for altering certain aspects of your system, such as the resolution of your video image. Your PC Services system came with some software preloaded on the system. This includes the software to allow you to try out several different on-line services (included in Windows 98). If your system came with a software bundle, that software has been preloaded onto the hard drive. Such software can be found in the Program menu of the Start menu. You can store the CD for that software in a safe place.

 To run the preloaded software, you can use the Start button on the Windows 98 taskbar. Select Programs from the Start menu. Then find the program menu for the software that you wish to run. As you gain experience with Windows 98, you will find that there are other ways to access programs (such as shortcuts) that may be easier for the way you work. Explore your system and learn its capabilities. The various options are there to allow you to work in the way most comfortable for you.

 If you purchased additional software with your system, you will also need to install this software yourself before you begin using it. Instructions for installing software on your system are provided in the online User's Manual.

 Windows 98 comes with several components that may or may not be installed in your system. These include tools for backing up your hard drive, checking disks and defragmenting, as well as optional program applets that will allow you to send faxes, log into the Internet, etc. You can add or remove these components at any time, in order to customize the system for your usage. These can be added or removed through the Add/Remove Programs selection in the Control Panel (Start/Setting/Control Panel).

Once there, select the Windows Setup tab. You can find descriptions of these components in your Windows 98 user's manual.

 Although the Windows 98 manual does provide some documentation for DOS, if you are accustomed to using DOS and will still be using DOS under Windows 98, you should keep your old DOS manuals around for an explanation of DOS commands and features (although some may vary slightly from the DOS that runs under Windows 98).

Continue on to Chapter Two

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