Home > Articles > Hardware

Turn on Your Pavilion: You're All Set to Go!

Take a tour of your HP Pavilion PC and the Windows XP operating system. Meet Victor, the HP Tour Guide, and explore some help features and your special Pavilion keyboard.
This chapter is from the book

In this Chapter

  • Taking a tour of your Pavilion with Victor

  • Getting help

  • Seeing what you can do with your keyboard

  • Turning your Pavilion off

With your HP Pavilion home PC, after the plugs are plugged in and the power is switched on, you're good to go. However, because so much comes with your computer, it's worth taking a few minutes to explore before you get to work.

There's a wealth of preinstalled software, such as the Corel WordPerfect software suite, which includes a word processor, spreadsheet program, and more. You'll discover utilities such as McAfee VirusScan antivirus software and PC Doctor for Windows XP, which help to keep your computer in shape. Then, there are programs designed to help you find your way around and to provide help getting started, such as the HP Tour Guide. The list just goes on and on. Maybe it's time to just take a look.

Don't forget the keyboard that comes with your Pavilion. It offers you far more than an alphabet soup of keys. With it, you can get instant access to your email, Internet shopping, and CD/DVD controls.

A Bounty of Computer Productivity

Starting up your HP Pavilion is like opening a treasure box filled with some very cool things. There are programs you can use to play music, write documents, calculate, and play games. You'll find media samples from music to video that you can get creative with. There are Web browsers and email programs and multimedia players. To help you discover all those programs, here's somebody you should know . . .

Meet the HP Tour Guide

When you first turn on your HP Pavilion, the Windows XP desktop appears. Windows XP is what drives all the programs on your computer, and the desktop is Windows' home base. Icons on the desktop (see Figure 3.1) represent shortcuts to often-used programs (and you can add more, which you'll learn about in the next chapter). There's a little Recycle Bin, which is where deleted files go. There's also a Start menu, which you can use to access computer controls, software programs, and documents you create.

Figure 3.1Figure 3.1 The Windows XP desktop can use any picture you like as its background, bringing cheer to your computing day.


The first time you use your new Pavilion you are likely to be greeted by a little fellow who walks through a door on the desktop and greets you. This professorial-looking chap is Victor, the HP Tour Guide, and he provides an interesting introductory tour of all your HP Pavilion has to offer. The Tour Guide covers four main areas:

  • How to use the Tour Guide

  • What the Windows desktop is

  • How to contact HP support

  • How to use Internet and email

TIP

You can also invite the Tour Guide to visit at any time by clicking the HP Tour Guide icon on the Windows desktop, or by selecting Start, All Programs, HP Tools, HP Tour Guide.

You can interact with Victor at any time to tell him what to do (for example, run a specific tour or exit your desktop) through a menu of choices he displays. To move him around the screen, click anywhere on the guide with your left mouse button and drag him where you want him to go. To stop him in midcomment, just click him with your mouse. You can use the menu to start him up again at any time, switch to a different tutorial, or send him packing.

If you're new to Windows XP, it's a good idea to take the Tell Me About the Desktop tour when you first start up your Pavilion. The guide points out features of Windows XP on the desktop and shows you how to use the Start menu, Recycle Bin, and computer clock. When you're ready to connect to the Internet, the Tell Me About the Internet and E-mail tour is useful. Also, any time that you need help, the guide will be glad to provide support options in the Tell Me About Contacting HP Support tour.

Finding the Support You Need

Although the HP Tour Guide offers a nice overview of many features of Windows and your HP Pavilion, he's pretty much preprogrammed, so you can't ask him questions. For that, you should visit the Help and Support Center by clicking the Help and Support icon on the desktop or selecting Start, Help and Support. The Help and Support Center appears (Figure 3.2). From this area, you can find a Windows Glossary, Windows keyboard shortcuts, and information about customizing your computer.

Figure 3.2Figure 3.2 You can enter a word in the Search feature on any Help and Support window to find what you need.


Although this is based on a Microsoft help center, it also contains specific information about your HP Pavilion and a wealth of tools such as interactive tutorials. By using Instant Support with your Internet connection, you can send requests for help using email and keep an archive of help answers you receive.

Here's how to use Help:

  1. Click a topic in the Help and Support main window; you'll be taken to a window offering different items related to that topic.

  2. Click one of the subtopics that's displayed; you'll be taken to more and more specific tasks. In Figure 3.3, for example, you'll see the third level of detail when you look for information on printing.

    Figure 3.3Figure 3.3 If you want an index of all topics, just click the Index button on any Help and Support window.


  3. When you reach the task you want help with, click it; the system displays step-by-step directions for that task.

  4. Click the X in the upper right-hand corner of the Help and Support window to close it when you're done. You return to the Windows desktop.

    TIP

    Do you want to build your own help manual for features you use most often? If you like, you can save help topics you've found useful in your Favorites folder for future reference. Just click the TIP Favorites button on the Help and Support Center toolbar with the page you want displayed.

Get a Friend to Help

Want help from a flesh-and-blood person? Try Remote Assistance (Start, All Programs, Remote Assistance). You can use this feature to send an invitation using the Internet and Windows Messenger asking for help. When your friend receives the message you can begin to hold an online conversation. He or she can even view your computer screen to help diagnose your problem and to take control of your computer remotely to make fixes from a distance. Learn more about this feature in Chapter 19.

Get Going Fast with Pre-installed Software

Software tells your computer how to perform certain sets of activities, such as drawing or entering text. Different kinds of software enable you to perform different types of activities. Software is also referred to as a program or an application.

In Part III of this book, you'll learn the basics of using some of the software that comes preloaded on your HP Pavilion. For now, let me introduce you to the kinds of software you'll find when you first turn on your computer.

Take a moment to look at what's available on your computer:

  1. Click the Start menu on the Windows desktop.

  2. Click All Programs. A list of available programs pops up.

By scanning this list, you'll see that HP Pavilion computers come packed with software. Move your mouse around this list, and you'll see that some of these items contain submenus that list even more programs.

To give you an overview of the types of programs that are available, I've broken them into categories for you. Your Pavilion has the following:

  • Productivity software—I call this productivity software because it's the kind of software you use to write and design documents, keep track of your finances, and manage data, in other words, to get work done. In this category of software your Pavilion has included Corel WordPerfect Productivity Pack, an integrated suite of applications that includes a word processor, calendar, presentation, and spreadsheet program. Another productivity application included is a program to manage your finances: Quicken from Intuit and Money from Microsoft. Note that if you have an older Pavilion model (prior to fall of 2002), you may have Microsoft Works (Figure 3.4) as your productivity suite and Microsoft Money as a second financial package.

    Figure 3.4Figure 3.4 Works is a great suite of products if you like to be led through the process of creating a new document.


  • Internet software and connections—If you have an Internet account, you'll be glad to see that HP has already placed files for major Internet service providers on your Pavilion that are ready to install. Included are America Online (AOL), MSN Explorer, Earthlink, and CompuServe. If you don't have an Internet account, you can use the Easy Internet Sign Up item on the Programs menu, which helps you sign up for an account and get connected (you'll learn more about this in Chapter 13). An email program from Microsoft called Outlook Express also comes loaded on your Pavilion. Use it to retrieve, manage, and send out email and attached files. Finally, the popular Web browser, Internet Explorer, is all set up to help you find what you need online as soon as you connect.

  • Games—Windows XP itself includes 11 games, from Hearts to Pinball, and even some Internet games that match you with an online player to play the game in real time through Zone.com.

  • Multimedia—This is the category in which your Pavilion really takes center stage. What multimedia programs come with your HP computer? Well, depending on the model you purchased, there's InterVideo WinDVD, KazooStudio, Funhouse, My Movies, My Photo Center, Sonic Foundry, HP Record Now, Greeting Card Creator, MusicMatch Jukebox, Real Player, and Music Store. Some of these programs are media players (a player is a computer version of the equipment you'd use to play a CD or a video in your own home). Other programs help you organize multimedia into libraries or to download music or photos from the Internet. Still others allow you to edit or create multimedia files, such as Kazoo Studio (see Figure 3.5) for working with Three-Dimensional (3D) photo images. Note that several of these programs are trial or limited versions of the full programs. Typically, you can use them for about 30 days before you'll be asked to purchase the software. It's great to be able to play with these programs so that you can find the ones you like best before installing the full versions.

    Figure 3.5Figure 3.5 Kazoo Studio is a fun way to create 3D pictures with drag-and-drop ease.


  • Educational—Many people today are buying home computers as a great tool for kids to do research and complete homework or other educational projects. You and your children will certainly get a lot out of the one year's subscription to Encarta Online Deluxe or Britannica that comes with various models of HP Pavilion. Encarta and Britannica are an online encyclopedias, but they're much more. There's a dictionary, atlas, and thesauras. Click the HP Learning Adventure icon on your desktop, and you'll have access to more than 500 software programs from The Learning Company. Their programs are already installed on your computer, ready for you to purchase and activate, and, as an HP Pavilion owner, you get one program for free.

  • Utilities—Utilities are the handymen of the computing world. They root out computer viruses, make backup copies of files, protect your information, and restore your computer if you have a serious problem. Some utilities that come with your HP Pavilion are McAfee VirusScan for protection from computer viruses, Zero Knowledge Freedom security software, HP Application Recovery and PC System Recovery to help you if you have a serious problem with your software or hardware, and PC Doctor for Windows XP to diagnose problems with your computer operating system.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020