Any electronic gear

QUESTION: What should I do before turning on a new piece of gear?

ANSWER: Before flipping the power switch to turn on that new DVD player, video game console, personal computer or other device, remember to do the following:

• Check the packing list that's generally included with electronics to make sure you have all of the components. If something is missing, contact the retailer where the equipment was purchased or the manufacturer.
• Read setup instructions. They guide you through the process of removing any concealed packing materials (such as floppy disk drive inserts, inkjet printerhead inserts, etc.), connecting any cables (such as speaker wires and video inputs), calibrating video screens, loading software, etc.
• Plug your device into a surge-protected power strip. Even basic electronic gear, such as televisions and VCRs, are subject to damage from electrical shocks.

Gear and computer software

QUESTION: Do I really need to return warranty and/or product registration cards?

ANSWER: Yes. Warranty and product registration cards help manufacturers keep you informed of product recalls, extended service contracts, software upgrades and more. However, save your original purchase receipts. If something goes wrong, you'll have to prove you're still within the warranty period.

Computers, peripherals and AV components

QUESTION: I am missing a cable. How and where can I find the right one?

ANSWER: Cables aren't included with some equipment, especially computer printers and some Universal Serial Bus devices. If you're planning to connect gear from two manufacturers, such as a DVD player and a VCR, you might need a cable that isn't included with either. Consult instructions and manufacturers' websites to find out what type of cable to buy. Find a cable configuration tool at http://www.cablestogo.com/, an online cable retailer.

Computers

QUESTION: I think the computer crashed. How can I tell? What can I do? How can I prevent this from happening again?

ANSWER: Crashes lock up the computer so it won't do anything. A mouse pointer that's frozen and won't move across the screen indicates a crash on almost any type of computer. On Windows machines, a blue screen with an error message, is another sign. A system bomb icon can indicate a crash on Macintosh. When a PC crashes, reset it. In Windows, hit the CTRL+ALT+DELETE keys. On a Mac, try the COMMAND+ OPTION+power button keys. If these don't work, look for a dedicated reset switch or press the power button until the machine powers down. For information about preventing crashes, consult your manual, manufacturers' websites or support sites at http://www.zdnet.com/ or http://www.cnet.com/.

QUESTION: I burned an audio CD using my new writable CD drive (CD-R or CD-RW), but it won't play in my stereo system. What's wrong?

ANSWER: Some older stereo systems and CD players can't play recordable CDs. Generally, any CD player that's less than five years old should play audio CDs burned in CD-R (CD-Recordable) format. Some of the newest drives (those sold within the last year) can play CDs burned in CD-RW (CD-Rewritable) format, but not all. Visit www.homerecording.com/burn --cds.html for a complete tutorial about recording audio to CDs.

Electronic gaming consoles

QUESTION: How do I hook up a gaming console to the rest of my home entertainment system, including television, VCR, cable box, etc?

ANSWER: Go to the manufacturer's website for instructions. For instance Sony, which makes the PSOne and PlayStation 2 consoles, offers detailed instructions on installing the players to televisions and VCRs at the customer service section of its website, http://www.us.playstation.com/. It also offers troubleshooting advice if the game image is blurry. Nintendo also offers details on how to install its system and game playing tips at http://www.nintendo.com/.

Satellite dish

QUESTION: I just got a new satellite dish. What are my options for installation and programming?

ANSWER: Most retailers that sell satellites, including RadioShack and Circuit City, provide installation service. For instance, RadioShack can install a satellite dish for about $50. It even offers a mail-in rebate to cover the installation cost. At DirecTV's website http://www.directv.com/, find information about billing, programming and installation. DISH Network, which runs the Echostar satellite television, also offers customer information its website, http://www.dishnetwork.com/.

DVD players

QUESTION: I can't seem to make my new DVD player work with the rest of my home entertainment system. How can I get all my equipment to work together?

ANSWER: Every setup is different so it's best to visit the website of the DVD manufacturer, where you can get installation instructions or even download an operating manual. These sites also list toll-free numbers to talk with real people to walk you through installation. Also try "Ask Ida" at http://www.etown.com/.