Using Drives and Multimedia

This chapter provides information on using the multimedia capabilities of your computer. Read this chapter to learn how to:

Use the diskette drive

Use the CD or DVD drive

Play CDs and DVDs

Record and play audio files

Use Windows Media Player

Adjust the volume

Record your own CDs and DVDs

Use MusicMatch

Using the diskette drive

The diskette drive uses 3.5-inch diskettes (sometimes called floppy disks). Diskettes are useful for storing files or transferring files to another computer.

Warning

Do not expose diskettes to water or magnetic fields. Exposure could damage the data on the diskette.

To use a diskette:

1. Insert the diskette into the diskette drive with the label facing up.

2. To access a file on the diskette in Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. Double-click the drive letter (A:), then double-click the file name.

- OR -

To access a file on the diskette in Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon, the drive letter (A:), then double-click the file name.

3. To remove the diskette, make sure the drive activity light is off, then press the diskette eject button.

Using the CD or DVD drive

You can use your computer to enjoy a wide variety of multimedia features, such as making recordings, listening to audio CDs, and, if you have a DVD drive, watching DVD movies.

Identifying CD, DVD, or recordable drive types

Your Gateway computer may contain one or more of the following drive types. Look on the front of the drive for one of the following logos:

CD drive		Use a CD drive for installing software programs, playing audio CDs, and accessing data. You cannot use this drive to burn CDs or play DVDs.
CD-RW drive		Use a CD-RW drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, and recording music and data to CD-R or CD-RW discs. You cannot use this drive to play DVDs. You can only write to a CD-R disc once. You can write to and erase CD-RW discs multiple times.
DVD drive		Use a DVD drive for installing software programs, playing audio CDs and DVDs, and accessing data. You cannot use this drive to burn CDs.
Combination DVD/CD-RW drive		Use a combination DVD/CD-RW drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs and DVDs, and accessing data. You can also use this drive for recording music and data to CD-R or CD-RW discs.
DVD-RAM/DVD-R Drive		Use a DVD-RAM/DVD-R drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, and recording video and data to DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs.

Inserting a CD or DVD

To insert a CD or DVD:

1. Press the eject button next to the CD or DVD drive. The CD or DVD drive tray opens.

2. Insert the CD or DVD in the tray with the label facing up.

Important

When you place a single-sided disc in the tray, make sure that the label side is facing up. If the disc has two playable sides, place the disc so that the name of the side you want to play is facing up.

3. Press the eject button again. The CD or DVD drive tray closes.

Recording and playing multimedia

Your computer has several programs you can use to record and play multimedia.

Listening to CDs in Windows XP

Use the Windows Media Player to listen to CDs in Windows XP. For more information about the using the Windows Media Player, click Help.

If you have a multi-function keyboard, you can use the multimedia buttons to listen to your CDs. For more information, see see Special-function buttons.

To play a CD:

1. Insert a CD into the CD/DVD drive.

2. If a message asks you to chose a CD player, click Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

- OR -

If the CD does not start playing automatically, click Start, then click Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

3. When the media player opens, click Play.

If you do not hear audio or you want to change the volume, see "Adjusting the volume in Windows XP".

Help and Support

For more information about playing CDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword playing CDs in the HelpSpot Search box, then click the arrow.

Listening to CDs in Windows 2000

Use the Windows CD Player to play an audio CD. If you have a multi-function keyboard, you can use the multimedia buttons to listen to your CDs. For more information, see see Special-function buttons.

To play a CD:

Insert a CD into the CD/DVD drive. The CD Player opens and the CD plays.

If the CD Player does not open automatically when you insert the CD, open it from the Start menu by clicking Start, Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then clicking CD Player. When the CD Player opens, click Play.

If you do not hear audio or you want to change the volume, see "Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000".

Playing a DVD

A Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) is similar to a standard CD but has greater data capacity. Because of this increased capacity, full-length movies, several albums of music, or several gigabytes of data can fit on a single disc. If your computer has a DVD drive, you can play DVDs with the DVD Player program. For more information about playing DVDs, click Help in the DVD player program.

To play a DVD:

1. Make sure that the speakers are turned on or headphones are plugged in and that the volume is turned up.

2. Turn off your screen saver and standby timers.

3. Click Start, All Programs, DVD Player, then click DVD Player. The DVD Player video screen and control panel open.

4. Insert a DVD into the DVD drive, then click Play. The DVD plays.

5. To specifically control the DVD or adjust the volume, use the controls in the DVD player. For more information on using the DVD player, see its online help.

Help and Support

For more information about playing DVDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword playing DVDs in the HelpSpot Search box, then click the arrow.

Recording and playing audio with the Windows Sound Recorder

Use the instructions below to make an audio recording by speaking into a microphone.

To make an audio recording:

1. Plug a microphone into the Microphone jack on your computer.

2. Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click Sound Recorder. The Sound Recorder opens.

3. Click Record, then speak into the microphone.

4. When you finish recording, click Stop.

5. Click File, then click Save As. The Save As dialog box opens.

6. Name the recording, specify the location where you want to save the recording, then click Save. The recording is saved.

Help and Support

For more information about recording audio in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword recording audio in the HelpSpot Search box, then click the arrow.

To play an audio recording in Sound Recorder:

1. Open the Sound Recorder.

2. Click File, then click Open. The Open dialog box opens.

3. Click the file you want to play, then click Open.

4. Play the file by clicking Play, then stop playing the file by clicking Stop.

Help and Support

For more information about playing an audio recording in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword playing audio in the HelpSpot Search box, then click the arrow.

Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player

The Windows Media Player can play several types of audio and video files, including WAV, MIDI, MP3, AU, AVI, and MPEG formats. For more information about the using the Windows Media Player, click Help.

To play a file using the Windows Media Player:

1. In Windows XP, click Start, All Programs, then click Windows Media Player.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, click Start, Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click Windows Media Player.

The Windows Media Player opens.

2. Click File, then click Open. The Open dialog box opens.

3. Click the file you want to play, then click Open.

4. Play the file by clicking Play, then stop playing the file by clicking Stop.

Help and Support

For more information about playing audio and video using the Windows Media Player in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword Media Player in the HelpSpot Search box, then click the arrow.

Adjusting the volume in Windows XP

You can use the volume controls to adjust the overall volume and the volume of specific sound devices in your computer. Depending on the sound hardware installed in your computer, you may have additional volume controls available through the Start menu.

To adjust the overall volume level using hardware controls:

Turn the knob on the front of the external speakers.

On the keyboard, press the volume buttons to change the volume, or press the mute button to turn off all sound.

To adjust the overall volume level from Windows:

1. Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Sounds and Audio Devices.

2. Click/Double-click the Adjust the system volume or Sounds and Audio Devices. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box opens.

3. Click the Volume tab.

4. Drag the Device Volume slider to change the volume or click to select the Mute check box, then click OK.

Help and Support

For more information about adjusting volume in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword adjusting volume in the HelpSpot Search box, then click the arrow.

To adjust specific volume levels:

1. Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Sounds and Audio Devices.

2. Click/Double-click the Adjust the system volume or Sounds and Audio Devices. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box opens.

3. Click the Volume tab.

4. Click Advanced in the Device volume area.

If the device you want to adjust does not appear in the window, click Options, Properties, the check box next to the audio device you want to appear, then click OK.

5. Drag the volume level and balance sliders for the device you want to adjust. For more information about the volume controls, click Help in the window.

6. Click X in the top-right corner of the window to close it.

Help and Support

For more information about adjusting volume in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword adjusting volume in the HelpSpot Search box, then click the arrow.

Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000

You can use the volume controls to adjust the overall volume and the volume of specific sound devices in your computer. Depending on the sound hardware installed in your computer, you may have additional volume controls available through the Start menu.

To adjust overall volume level:

Turn the knob on the front of the external speakers.

On the keyboard, press the volume buttons to change the volume, or press the mute button to turn off all sound.

- OR -

Click the speaker icon on the taskbar, then drag the slider to change the volume or click to select the Mute check box.

To adjust specific volume levels:

1. Double-click the speaker icon on the taskbar. The Volume Control window opens.

If the device you want to adjust does not appear in the Volume Control window, click Options, Properties, the audio device you want to appear, then click OK.

2. Drag the volume level and balance sliders for the device you want to adjust. For more information about the volume controls, click Help in the Volume Control window.

3. Click X in the top right corner of the window to close it.

Using a recordable CD or DVD drive

You can use your CD-RW, DVD/CD-RW, or DVD-RAM/DVD-R drive to create data CDs and DVDs, music CDs, or copies of CDs.

Creating data CDs and DVDs

Use Roxio Easy CD Creator to create data CDs and DVDs. Data CDs and DVDs are ideal for backing up important files such as tax records, letters, MP3s, digital movies, or photos.

Use MGI VideoWave to create video DVDs. For more information on using MGI VideoWave, see its online Help.

Important

We recommend that you do not use your computer for other tasks while creating CDs or DVDs.

Important

If you record copyrighted material on a CD or DVD, you need permission from the copyright owner. Otherwise, you may be violating copyright law and be subject to payment of damages and other remedies. If you are uncertain about your rights, contact your legal advisor.

To create a data CD or DVD:

1. Insert a blank writable CD or DVD into your recordable CD or DVD drive.

2. If a CD Drive dialog box opens, click Create a CD using Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click OK. The Project Selector window opens.

- OR -

If a dialog box does not open, click Start, All Programs, Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click Project Selector. The Project Selector window opens.

3. Move your pointer over make a data CD, then click dataCD project or dataDVD project. The Easy CD Creator window opens.

4. Click the arrow button to open the Select Source Files list, then click the folder where your files are located.

5. Click the file you want to record (hold down the Ctrl or Shift key when you click to select multiple files) in the Source pane, then click Add.

6. After you have added all of your files, click record. The Record CD Setup window opens.

7. Click Start Recording.

Help and Support

For more information about creating CDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword creating CDs in the HelpSpot Search box, then click the arrow.

Creating music CDs

Use Roxio Easy CD Creator to create music CDs from other music CDs or MP3 files. You cannot create music DVDs.

Important

We recommend that you do not use your computer for other tasks while creating CDs.

Important

If you record copyrighted material on a CD, you need permission from the copyright owner. Otherwise, you may be violating copyright law and be subject to payment of damages and other remedies. If you are uncertain about your rights, contact your legal advisor.

To create music CDs:

1. Insert a blank writable CD into your recordable CD drive.

Tips & Tricks

Most home and car stereos read CD-R discs, but do not read CD-RW discs.

2. If a CD Drive dialog box opens, click Create a CD using Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click OK. The Project Selector window opens.

- OR -

If a dialog box does not open, click Start, All Programs, Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click Project Selector. The Project Selector window opens.

3. Move your pointer over make a music CD, then click musicCD project. The Easy CD Creator window opens.

4. Click the arrow button to open the Select Source Files list, then click the folder where your files are located.

5. Click the file you want to record (hold down the Ctrl or Shift key when you click to select multiple files) in the Source pane, then click Add.

Tips & Tricks

You can add any combination of music tracks or MP3 files to a music CD project. You can add up to 99 tracks and files, or up to 650 MB (74-minute CD) or 700 MB (80-minute CD) of tracks and files to a music CD project.

6. After you have added all of your tracks and files, click record. The Record CD Setup window opens.

7. Click Start Recording.

Help and Support

For more information about creating CDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword creating CDs in the HelpSpot Search box, then click the arrow.

Copying CDs

CD Copier can make backup copies of almost any type of CD. You cannot copy DVDs.

Important

We recommend that you do not use your computer for other tasks while creating a CD.

Important

If you record copyrighted material on a CD, you need permission from the copyright owner. Otherwise, you may be violating copyright law and be subject to payment of damages and other remedies. If you are uncertain about your rights, contact your legal advisor.

If you have only one drive and it is a recordable CD drive, you can copy a CD by using Easy CD Creator to create a CD image on your hard drive, then record that image to a writable CD. For more information on creating a CD image, see the Easy CD Creator online help.

Use the following procedure if you have two drives installed which can read CDs and at least one of which can record to writable CDs.

To copy CDs using two drives:

1. Insert the CD you want to copy into your CD or DVD drive.

2. If a dialog box opens, click Take no action.

3. Insert a blank, writable CD into your recordable CD drive.

4. If a CD Drive dialog box opens, click Create a CD using Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click OK. The Project Selector window opens.

- OR -

If a dialog box does not open, click Start, All Programs, Roxio Easy CD Creator, then click Project Selector. The Project Selector window opens.

5. Move your pointer over CD copier, then click CD copier. If this is the first time you have used CD Copier, read the Welcome to Roxio CD Copier dialog box, then click OK. The CD Copier window opens.

6. On the Source and Destination tab, click the arrow button to open the Copy from list, then click the drive that contains the source CD.

7. Click the arrow button to open the Record to list, then click the drive that contains the blank CD (this is your recordable drive).

8. Click Copy.

Help and Support

For more information about copying CDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword copying CDs in the HelpSpot Search box, then click the arrow.

Using MusicMatch

Using MusicMatch^™, you can:

Play music CDs

Create MP3 music files from your music CDs

Editing music track information

Use your music files to build a music library

Listen to Internet Radio

For more information on using MusicMatch, see its online Help.

Playing CDs

You can use the MusicMatch program to play music CDs.

To play a music CD in Windows XP:

1. Insert the music CD into the CD or DVD drive on your computer. The first time you insert a CD, the Audio CD dialog box opens.

2. Click Play Audio CD using MUSICMATCH Jukebox, then click OK. MusicMatch opens, the CD begins playing, and the names of the music tracks appear in the playlist area.

To play a music CD in Windows 2000:

1. Double-click the musicmatch JUKEBOX icon on your desktop. MusicMatch opens.

2. Insert the music CD into the CD or DVD drive on your computer, then click the CD tab in the MusicMatch window. The names of the music tracks appear in the playlist area.

3. Click Play.

Creating MP3 music files

Using MusicMatch, you can copy the tracks from a music CD to your computer's hard drive as MP3 files. MP3 (MPEG Layer 3) is a standard for digitally compressing high-fidelity music into compact files without noticeably sacrificing quality. MP3 files end in the file extension .MP3.

To create (rip) MP3 files:

1. Insert a music CD into your CD or DVD drive.

2. If an Audio CD dialog box opens, click Play Audio CD using MUSICMATCH Jukebox, then click OK. The MusicMatch window opens.

- OR -

If a dialog box does not open, click Start, All Programs, MusicMatch, then click MusicMatch Jukebox. The MusicMatch window opens.

3. Click the record button. The Recorder window opens.

4. By default all tracks in the track list are selected. Clear the check box of any audio track you do not want to record (rip).

5. Click REC, then follow the on-screen instructions.

Editing track information

After you add a CD track as an MP3 file to your music library, you can edit the track's information.

To edit track information:

1. In MusicMatch, click My Library . The library window opens.

2. In the library window, right-click the file, then click Edit Track Tag(s). The Edit Track Tag dialog box opens.

3. Enter information such as track title, lead artist, album, and genre.

4. Click OK. The new track information appears in the MusicMatch playlist, music library, and recorder.

Building a music library

Use MusicMatch to build a music library. You can organize your music tracks by categories, find a track quickly by using the sort features, and add information to a music file.

You can add music tracks to your music library by:

Creating MP3 files - When you create MP3 files from the tracks on your music CD, MusicMatch automatically adds these files to your music library.

Dragging and Dropping - Drag and drop files from Windows Explorer or your desktop to the music library.

Downloading files from the Internet - When you are connected to the Internet, MP3 files that you download are automatically added to your music library.

Caution

During the download process, MP3 files may become corrupt. If you are having trouble listening to, or working with, a downloaded music file, try downloading the file again.

Changing the music library display settings

To change the music library display settings:

1. In MusicMatch, click Options, then click Settings. The Settings window opens.

2. Click the Music Library tab.

3. Click the categories that you want to display in the columns, then click OK.

Listening to Internet radio

Use the Radio feature in MusicMatch to listen to Internet Radio stations.

To listen to an Internet radio station:

1. Connect to the Internet, then open MusicMatch.

2. Click Radio Stations. The Radio window opens.

3. To select one of the MusicMatch Internet radio stations, click one of the Popular Stations. MusicMatch connects to the station and plays the audio.

- OR -

To play another Internet radio station, click Broadcast Stations, the appropriate category in the Station Selector, the radio station, then click Play. MusicMatch connects to the station and plays the audio.

Help and Support

For more information about listening to the radio in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword listening to the radio in the HelpSpot Search box, then click the arrow.

Using advanced features

You can also use MusicMatch to create your own music CDs and to download MP3 files to your portable MP3 player. For more information, see the MusicMatch online Help.