eMachines Windows Vista FAQ

Minimum system requirements for Windows Vista

• 800 MHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor
• 512 MB memory
• 800 x 600 SVGA display
• 20 GB hard drive space, including 15 GB available free space

Recommended system requirements for Windows Vista

• 1.0 GHz or faster x86 or x64 processor (single or multiple core)
• GB memory
• Windows Aero capable graphics requires DirectX 9-class GPU that supports a WDDM driver, Pixel Shader 2.0 in hardware, and 32 bits per pixel.
• Adequate graphics memory
• 64 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at 1,310,720 or less
• 128 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at resolutions 2,304,000 pixels or less
• 256 MB of graphics memory to support a single monitor at resolutions higher than 2,304,000 pixels
• Graphics memory bandwidth, as assessed by Windows Vista Upgrade Advisor, of at least 1,600 MB per second
• 40 GB hard drive space, including 15 GB available free space

For more on Windows Vista editions available, go to the main page of Gateway.com and click the Windows Vista symbol. Then click Versions. From the menu bar near the top of the page, click Home and Home Office. Go to PC Accessories and click Software, then Operating Systems.

Note: If your system meets the recommended requirements to run Windows Vista and your system still is running slow, use the rest of the steps in this checklist to improve your computer's performance.

1. Click Start. In the Start Search box, type: Windows. From the displayed list, select Windows Update.
2. Verify "Windows is up to date" with important updates.
3. If not, install updates.

1. Click Start. In the Start Search box, type: Windows. From the displayed list, select Windows Defender.
2. On the toolbar, click Scan.
3. System scans for spyware.
4. After scan has finished and if items are found, remove items from Quarantined items.

1. Open Antivirus program, and then click on Scan.
2. System scans for viruses.
3. After scan has finished and if items are found, remove items from Quarantined items.

Open the properties for Internet Explorer 7 using one of the following methods.

• Click Start, right-click Internet, and then click Internet Properties.
• Click Start. At the top of the list, click on Internet, then click Tools, and then click Internet Options.
• Click Start, in the Start Search box, type: Options. From the displayed list, select Internet Options.

To delete all browsing history:

1. Under Browsing History, click Delete.
2. Click Delete all.
3. At the Delete Browsing History pop-up, check Also delete files.
4. Click Yes.

To delete specific browsing history areas:

• Delete Temporary Internet Files:
  
  1. Click Delete files.
  2. At the prompt, click Yes.

• Delete Cookies:
  
  1. Click Delete cookies.
  2. At the prompt, click Yes.

• Delete History:
  
  1. Click Delete history.
  2. At the prompt, click Yes.

• Delete Form data:
  
  1. Click Delete forms.
  2. At the prompt, click Yes.

• Delete Passwords:
  
  1. Click Delete passwords.
  2. At the prompt, click Yes.

To delete Temporary Internet Files via the Folders route:

1. Under Browsing History, select Settings.
2. Click View Files.
3. Select all files (Press CTRL+A).
4. Press the Delete Key.
5. At the Warning confirmation screen, click Yes.
6. Files are deleted.
7. Click OK to return to Internet Options.

1. Click Start, in the Start Search box, type Disk. From the displayed list, select Disk Cleanup.
2. At the prompt, select either My files only or Files from all users on this computer.
3. On the UAC prompt, click continue.
4. Select drive to clean (usually C:).
5. Check files to be deleted (description below will explain deletions.)
6. Click OK at prompt, and then click Delete Files.
7. Disk cleanup starts and cleans.

1. Click Start. In the Start Search box, type: Programs. From the displayed list, select Programs and Features.
2. Remove the unwanted programs.

1. Click Start. In the Start Search box, type: cmd. From the displayed list, right-click cmd, and then select Run as administrator.
2. On the UAC prompt, click continue.
3. At prompt, type: chkdsk c: /r.
4. A message that the drive is locked appears. Type Y to run at next restart.
5. At the prompt, type: exit.
6. Restart system.

1. Click Start. In the Start Search box, type: Disk. From the displayed list, select Disk Defragmenter.
2. Once open, click Defragment now.

1. Right-click anywhere on the desktop. From the menu, select Personalize.
2. Select Windows Color and Appearance.
3. Select Open Classic Appearance properties for more color options.
4. Select Windows Vista Basic or Windows Standard, and then click OK.
5. Test to see if the system is running faster.
   
   • Run programs that were previously regarded as running slow.
     
   • Access the internet and view frequently visited sites.

• Click Start. In the Start Search box, type: Per. From the displayed list, select Performance Information and Tools.
• Adjust Visual Effects:
  1. Select Adjust Visual Effects. On the UAC prompt, click continue.
  2. Change this to Adjust for best performance (This removes all checks from boxes), and then click OK.
  3. This sets your color scheme to Windows Standard and no added features.
  4. Test to see if the system is running faster. Run programs that were previously regarded as running slow. Access the internet and view frequently visited sites.

• Adjust Power Settings:
  1. Select Adjust Power Settings. Click continue on UAC prompt
  2. Change this to High performance. Click back arrow at top left of screen to go back to previous screen
  3. Test to see if the system is running faster.
     
     • Run programs that were previously regarded as running slow.
       
     • Access the internet and view frequently visited sites.

• Performance issues reported:
  
  1. Select Advanced tools.
  2. Check for Performance issues under the heading "Performance issues".
  3. Make any modifications that are suggested.
  4. Test to see if the system is running faster.
     
     • Run programs that were previously regarded as running slow.
       
     • Access the internet and view frequently visited sites.

• Cleanup Desktop Icons and Quick Launch applications:
  
  1. On the desktop, right-click on any unused icon and then click Delete.
  2. In Quick Launch, right-click any unused icon and then click Delete.

• You can improve your computer's performance by preventing unnecessary programs from running automatically when Windows starts:
  
  1. Click Start. In the Start Search box, type: SYS. From the displayed list, select System Configuration.
  2. On the UAC prompt, click continue.
  3. Once open, click on the Services tab, and then place a check in Hide all Microsoft Services. Click Disable All.
  4. Click the Startup tab. Click Disable All.
  5. Click OK. When prompted, restart the computer.
  6. Test to see if the system is running faster.
     
     • Run programs that were previously regarded as running slow.
       
     • Access the internet and view frequently visited sites.

  Note: If the system is performing better, start adding back disabled services one at a time. Verify system performance after each addition.

1. Click Start. In the Start Search box, type: dev. From the displayed list, select Device Manager.
2. On the UAC prompt, click Continue.
3. Select a device and click the plus sign (+) to open the device.
4. Right-click on the device and select Update Driver Software....

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If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of the following methods:

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