Gateway Notebook User manual

®
NOTEBOOK
REFERENCEGUIDE

i
Chapter 1: About This Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . 1
About this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Accessing the online User Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Gateway contact information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Gateway model and serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Chapter 2: Checking Out Your Notebook . . . . . 5
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
Keyboard area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Chapter 3: Setting Up and Getting Started . . 13
Working safely and comfortably . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Reducing eye strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Setting up your computer desk and chair . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Sitting at your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain . 15
Connecting the AC adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Connecting the dial-up modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Connecting to a broadband modem or network . . . . . . . . 19
Starting your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Waking up your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Turning off your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Restarting (rebooting) your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Using the status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Key types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
System key combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Contents

Contents
ii
Using the EZ Pad touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Adjusting brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Turning your wireless radio on or off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
IEEE 802.11 wireless network radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34
Chapter 4: Using Drives and Accessories . . . . . 35
Using the CD or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Identifying drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Using a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Using the memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Memory card types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Inserting a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Using a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Removing a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Adding and removing an Express Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Installing a printer or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . 41
Connecting a USB device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Viewing the display on a projector or monitor . . . . . . . . . . 42
Ordering accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Chapter 5: Managing Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Monitoring the battery charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Recharging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Changing batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Replacing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
Recalibrating the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50
Extending battery life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Conserving battery power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51
Using alternate power sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Changing power modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
Changing notebook power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Changing the power plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
Changing advanced settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55
Chapter 6: Traveling with Your Notebook. . . . 57
Packing your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

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Traveling by air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Dial-up modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Radio frequency wireless connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Additional tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61
Chapter 7: Maintaining Your Notebook . . . . . 63
Caring for your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64
Cleaning your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65
Cleaning the notebook screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Cleaning CDs or DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
System recovery options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66
Recovering specific files and software . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67
Recovering using Microsoft System Restore . . . . . . . . . 67
Recovering using the Windows DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
Chapter 8: Upgrading Your Notebook. . . . . . . 69
Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Adding or replacing memory modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71
Replacing the hard drive kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 74
Chapter 9: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77
Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
CD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79
Diskette drive (external) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 80
DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82
Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
Express Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83
File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Contents
iv
Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85
Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Media Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87
Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90
Modem (cable or DSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Modem (dial-up) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91
Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Networks (wired) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95
Networks (wireless) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97
Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Pointing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99
Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Before calling Gateway Customer Care . . . . . . . . . . . . 103
Appendix A: Legal Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

CHAPTER1
1
About This Reference
•About this guide
•Accessing the online User Guide
•Gateway contact information
•Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity
•For more information

CHAPTER 1: About This Reference
2
About this guide
This guide includes information and maintenance instructions
that are specific to your model of Gateway notebook. For all
other notebook information, see the online User Guide.
Accessing the online User
Guide
In addition to this guide, the online User Guide has been
included on your hard drive. The User Guide is an in-depth,
easy-to-read manual that includes information on the
following topics:
•Help and technical support
•Using and customizing Windows and other software
•Controlling audio and video settings
•Using the Internet
•Protecting your files
•Playing and recording media
•Networking
To access the online User Guide:
•Click (Start), All Programs, then click Gateway
Documentation.

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Gateway contact information
Gateway model and serial number
The label on the bottom of your notebook contains
information that identifies your notebook model and its
features. Gateway Customer Care will need this information
if you call for assistance.
Microsoft Certificate of
Authenticity
The Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity label found on the
bottom of your notebook includes the product key code for
your operating system.
For more information
For more information about your notebook, visit Gateway’s
Support page at www.gateway.com or the Web address
shown on your notebook’s label. The Support page also has
links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed
specifications.
Important
The labels shown in this section are for informational purposes only. Label
information varies by model, features ordered, and location.
OnlineSupport:
TechSupportPhone:
Hours:
Model:
S/No:

CHAPTER 1: About This Reference
4

CHAPTER2
5
Checking Out Your Notebook
•Front
•Left
•Right
•Back
•Bottom
•Keyboard area

CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook
6
Front
Component Icon Description
LCD panel release
latch
Press to open the LCD panel.
Speakers Provide audio output when headphones or
amplified speakers are not plugged in.
Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack.
Headphone jack Plug amplified speakers or headphones into this
jack. The built-in speakers are turned off when
speakers or headphones are plugged into this
jack.
Power indicator ■LED on - Notebook is on.
■LED blinking - Notebook is in Sleep or Hybrid
Sleep mode.
■LED off - Notebook is off.
Battery charge
indicator
■LED blue - Battery is fully charged.
■LED purple - Battery is charging.
■LED blinking red - Battery charge is very low.
■LED solid red - Battery is malfunctioning.
Important: This LED only lights up when your
notebook is connected to AC power or the
battery charge is very low.
Microphone
jack Headphone jack
Speaker Battery
charge
indicator
LCD panel release latch
SpeakerPower
indicator

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Left
Component Icon Description
Ventilation fan Helps cool internal components.
Warning: Do not work for long periods with the
notebook resting on your lap. If the air vents are
blocked, the notebook may become hot enough
to harm your skin.
Caution: Do not block or insert objects into
these slots. If these slots are blocked, your
notebook may overheat resulting in unexpected
shutdown or permanent damage to the
notebook.
Caution: Provide adequate space around your
notebook so air vents are not obstructed. Do
not use the notebook on a bed, sofa, rug, or
other similar surface.
USB ports Plug USB devices (such as a diskette drive, flash
drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or
mouse) into these ports.
Express Card slot Insert one Type 54 Express Card into this slot.
For more information, see “Adding and
removing an Express Card” on page 40.
Memory card
reader
Insert a memory card from a digital camera,
MP3 player, PDA, or cellular telephone into the
memory card reader. For more information, see
“Using the memory card reader” on page 38.
The memory card reader supports Memory
Stick®, Memory Stick Pro®, Mini Secure
Digital®, MultiMediaCard™,
RS-MultiMediaCard™, and Secure Digital™
cards.
USB ports
Ventilation fan Memory card
reader
Express Card
slot

CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook
8
Right
Component Icon Description
CD or DVD drive Insert CDs or DVDs into this drive. For more
information, see “Using the CD or DVD drive” on
page 36. To determine the type of drive in your
notebook, examine the drive tray’s plastic cover
and compare the logo to those listed in
“Identifying drive types” on page 36.
Ethernet jack Plug an Ethernet network cable into this jack.
The other end of the cable can be plugged into
a cable modem, DSL modem, or an Ethernet
network jack. For more information, see
“Connecting to a broadband modem or
network” on page 19.
Modem jack Plug a dial-up modem cable into this jack. For
more information, see “Connecting the dial-up
modem” on page 18.
Monitor port Plug an analog VGA monitor or projector into
this port. For more information, see “Viewing
the display on a projector or monitor” on
page 42.
CD or DVD drive Modem
jack Monitor portEthernet jack

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Back
Component Icon Description
Power connector Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector.
Kensington™
lock slot
Secure your notebook to an object by
connecting a Kensington cable lock to this slot.
Power connector Kensington lock slot

CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook
10
Bottom
Component Icon Description
Battery lock Slide to unlock the battery. For more information, see
“Changing batteries” on page 49.
Customer
Care label
Includes the Customer Care contact information. For
more information, see “Gateway contact information”
on page 3.
Memory bay Install a memory module into this bay. For more
information, see “Adding or replacing memory
modules” on page 71.
Hard drive
bay
The hard drive is located in this bay. For more
information, see “Replacing the hard drive kit” on
page 74.
Battery latch Slide to release the battery. For more information, see
“Changing batteries” on page 49.
Battery Provides power when the notebook is not plugged
into AC power.
Battery latch
Memory
bay
Battery lock
Battery
Hard drive bay
Customer care/
system label

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Keyboard area
Component Icon Description
Keyboard Provides all the features of a full-sized, computer
keyboard. For more information, see “Using the
keyboard” on page 25.
Power button Press to turn the power on or off. You can also
configure the power button for Sleep/Resume mode.
For more information on configuring the power button
mode, see “Changing advanced settings” on page 55.
Status
indicators
Inform you when a drive is in use or when a button
has been pressed that affects how the keyboard is
used. For more information, see “Using the status
indicators” on page 23.
Touchpad Provides all the functionality of a mouse. For more
information, see “Using the EZ Pad touchpad” on
page 29.
Status indicators
Power
button
Keyboard
Touchpad

CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook
12

CHAPTER3
13
Setting Up and Getting Started
•Working safely and comfortably
•Connecting the AC adapter
•Connecting the dial-up modem
•Connecting to a broadband modem or
network
•Starting your notebook
•Turning off your notebook
•Restarting (rebooting) your notebook
•Using the status indicators
•Using the keyboard
•Using the EZ Pad touchpad
•Adjusting brightness
•Adjusting the volume
•Turning your wireless radio on or off

CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started
14
Working safely and
comfortably
Before using your notebook, follow these general guidelines
for setting up a safe and comfortable work area and avoiding
discomfort and strain:
•Keep hands and arms parallel to the floor.
•Adjust the screen so it is perpendicular to your line of
sight.
•Place your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest.
•Although notebooks are sometimes called “laptops,” do
not use your notebook while it rests on your
unprotected lap. Notebook operating temperatures can
become quite high, increasing the risk of burns to your
legs. Instead, use a laptop desk to protect your legs.
•Do not use the notebook on any soft, conforming
surface, such as your lap, a blanket, carpet, or a sofa.
Soft surfaces can block your notebook’s ventilation
openings, leading to overheating, permanent damage
to your notebook, and fire danger. Instead, place your
notebook on a rigid, hard surface, and make sure that
you keep the ventilation openings on the sides clear.
Reducing eye strain
Sunlight or bright indoor lighting should not reflect on the
screen or shine directly into your eyes.
•Position the computer desk and screen so you can avoid
glare on your screen and light shining directly into your
eyes. Reduce glare by installing shades or curtains on
windows, and by installing a glare screen filter.
•Use soft, indirect lighting in your work area. Do not use
your notebook in a dark room.
•Avoid focusing your eyes on your screen for long
periods of time. Every 10 or 15 minutes, look around
the room, and try to focus on distant objects.
•Where feasible, keep your head vertical while looking
at the screen. If you use an external keyboard, raise the
notebook so the top of its screen is no higher than eye
level.
Warning
Do not use your notebook on a soft surface, such as your lap,
a blanket, carpet, or a sofa. You must keep your notebook’s ventilation
openings clear of obstructions, or your notebook may overheat,
increasing the risk of fire and personal injury.