Setup and Troubleshooting > Windows > General Windows Setup

General Windows Setup

Checking Your Windows Version

If you are unsure whether your computer's version of Windows meets the CengageNOWv2 system requirements, here's how to find specific information on your operating system (OS).

To check your OS version in Windows 7
  1. 1. Click the Start button.
  2. 2. Type winver in the search box and press the Enter key.
  3. 3. The About Windows window appears, displaying your operating system and its version number.
  4. 4. Click OK to close the window.
To check your OS version in Windows 8
  1. 1. On the Start screen, type winver.
  2. 2. Tap or click Apps, and then tap or click winver.exe.
  3. 3. The About Windows window appears, displaying your operating system and its version number.
To check your OS version in Windows 8.1
  1. 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
  2. If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.

  3. 2. Tap or click PC and devices, and then tap or click PC info.
  4. 3. Look under Windows for the version and edition of Windows that your system is running.
  5. 4. Look under PC for System type to see if you're running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.
To check your OS version in Windows 10
  1. 1. Click the Start menu (Windows icon).
  2. 2. Enter About your PC and select About your PC.
  3. 3. Look under PC for Edition to find out which version and edition of Windows that your PC is running.
  4. 4. Look under PC for System type to see if you're running a 32-bit or 64-bit version of Windows.

Changing Windows Display Settings

The pages in CengageNOWv2 are designed for use with a screen resolution of 1366 by 768 or more. It takes just a few quick steps to check or change this setting.

To change Display Settings in Windows 7
  1. 1. Right-click a blank area on your Windows desktop.
  2. 2. Select Personalize and the Control Panel Home window appears.
  3. 3. Click Display and then click Adjust Resolution.
  4. 4. Drag the Resolution slider to 1366 by 768 or more.
  5. 5. Click OK.
To change Display Settings in Windows 8
  1. 1. Right-click a blank area on your Windows desktop.
  2. 2. Select Screen Resolution and the Screen Resolution window appears.
  3. 3. Click the Resolution dropdown list and use your mouse to drag the slider between High and Low.
  4. 4. Click the Apply button. Then click the Keep Changes button to authorize the change.
To change Display Settings in Windows 8.1
  1. 1. Swipe in from the right edge of the screen, tap Settings, and then tap Change PC settings.
  2. If you're using a mouse, point to the lower-right corner of the screen, move the mouse pointer up, click Settings, and then click Change PC settings.

  3. 2. Tap or click PC and devices, then tap or click Display.
  4. 3. Tap or click the resolution slider and drag it until you find the resolution marked (Recommended). This is your monitor's native resolution—usually the highest resolution your monitor can support.

  5. Note: For Windows 8, it is recommended that the screen resolution is 1366 x 768 or greater.

  6. 4. Tap or click Apply.
To change Display Settings in Windows 10
  1. 1. Right-click a blank area on your Windows desktop and select Display settings.
  2. 2. From the window that opens, select Display and click Advanced Display Settings (you may need to scroll down).
  3. 3. Choose a Resolution of 1366 by 768 or greater.
  4. 4. Close Display Settings when you are done.

Setting the Windows System Date and Time

If your computer's date and time settings are substantially different from those of your local network or the CengageNOWv2 server, you may have trouble signing in to CengageNOWv2. There are two ways to check your system for the correct date and time and reset them if necessary.

To set the system date and time in Windows 7 and 8
  1. 1. Right click the time on your Windows task bar to open the shortcut menu.
  2. 2. Click Adjust Date/Time and the Date and Time dialog box appears.
  3. 3. Click the Change Date and Time button and the Date and Time Settings dialog box appears.
  4. 4. Use the calendar and time widget to make your selections.
    • ° To change the hour, click on an item (hour, minutes, or seconds), and then click the arrows to increase or decrease the value.
    • ° To change the date, click on an item (month or year), and then use the dropdown menu to find the appropriate selection.
    • Once you have the month and year selected, you can click on a day to select it.

  5. 5. To change the time zone, click the Change Time Zone button, choose a selection from the Time Zone dropdown list
  6. 6. Click OK when your changes are complete.
To set the system date and time in Windows 8.1
  1. 1. On the Start screen, click the All Apps button and begin typing the words Control Panel.
  2. 2. Click Control Panel when it appears in the search results.
  3. 3. Click Clock, Language, and Region.
  4. 4. Click the Set the Time and Date link to open the Date and Time dialog box.
  5. 5. Edit the appropriate date and time settings.
To set the system date and time in Windows 10
  1. 1. Open Settings and click the Time & Language icon.
  2. 2. Click Date & Time on the left side, turn off Set time automatically, and click the Change button under Change date and time.
  3. 3. Change the time to the correct current hour, minute, and AM/PM, and then click Change to apply.
  4. 4. (Optional) Switch Set time automatically back on to have Windows automatically synchronize the system clock time with internet time servers.
  5. 5. Close Settings when you are done.

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