I never read the manual when setting up. However, if there is some kind of funky BIOS setting and I just don't understand the language of it, then I reference the manual to try to make some more sense out of it.
depends what for... I don't read most software manuals (i.e. MS Office, Internet Explorer etc)... no duh!
as for hardware, a lot of it is stupifingly simple etc... if I get a printer, I don't usually need a manual, I'll plug it in, install the drivers, and go on my marry way. I will reference it though, when I need to...
Same for most hardware.
If its a game that has a funky manual with story, or a software which offers features I'm unfamiliar with, then I may read sections of the manual.
so I guess I rarely -read- manuals, but I -reference- them a lot