Gateway Solo 1200 User manual

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Contents
1 Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200..........................1
Front .............................................................2
Left...............................................................3
Right .............................................................4
Back..............................................................6
Bottom ............................................................7
Identifyingyourmodel ................................................8
Accessories ........................................................9
2GettingStarted..................................................11
ConnectingtheACadapter ...........................................12
Protectingfrompowersourceproblems..............................14
Startingyournotebook ..............................................15
Wakingupyournotebook.........................................16
Turningoffyournotebook ............................................17
Switchinguseraccounts .............................................18
Statusindicators ...................................................20
Usingthekeyboard .................................................22
Keys .........................................................23
Systemkeycombinations .........................................24
Multi-functionbuttons ............................................26
UsingtheEZPadtouchpad ..........................................28
Usingthetouchpad..............................................29
Connectingthemodem ..............................................31
ConnectingtoanEthernetnetwork ....................................32
Broadband Internet connections . . . . . ...............................33
Aboutinstallingaprinter,scanner,orotherperipheraldevice................34
3GettingHelp....................................................35
HelpSpot .........................................................36
HelpSpotVideos ................................................38
Onlinehelp .......................................................39
GatewayWebsite ..................................................40
4 Windows Basics ................................................41
AbouttheWindowsenvironment ......................................42
Usingthedesktop ..................................................43
UsingtheStartmenu ............................................44
IdentifyingWindowitems.............................................45

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Workingwithfilesandfolders .........................................47
Viewingdrives ..................................................47
Creatingfolders .................................................48
Copyingandmovingfilesandfolders ................................49
Deletingfilesandfolders ..........................................51
Browsingforfilesandfolders ......................................53
Searchingforfiles...................................................54
UsingtheSearchutility ...........................................55
Workingwithdocuments .............................................57
Creatinganewdocument .........................................57
Savingadocument ..............................................59
Openingadocument .............................................60
Printingadocument ..............................................61
Shortcuts..........................................................62
Transferringsoftwareandhardwarefromyouroldcomputer .................63
UsingtheFilesandSettingsTransferWizard..........................63
Transferringfiles.................................................63
TransferringInternetsettings .......................................65
Reinstallingyouroldprinterorscanner...............................66
Reinstallingyouroldprograms .....................................67
5 Using the Internet ...............................................69
LearningabouttheInternet ...........................................70
SettingupanInternetaccount .........................................71
AccessingyourInternetaccount ....................................72
UsingtheWorldWideWeb ...........................................73
ConnectingtoaWebsite..........................................74
Downloadingfiles ................................................75
Usinge-mail .......................................................76
Sendinge-mail ..................................................76
Checkingyoure-mail .............................................77
6 Using Multimedia................................................79
Usingdiskettes .....................................................80
UsingtheCDdrive...............................................81
Adjustingthevolume ................................................83
Recordingandplayingaudio ..........................................87
Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . .89
UsingMusicMatch ..................................................90
PlayingCDs ....................................................90
Creatingmusicfiles ..............................................92
Editingtrackinformation...........................................93
Buildingamusiclibrary ...........................................94

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ListeningtoInternetradio .........................................96
Usingadvancedfeatures .........................................97
7 Sending and Receiving Faxes ..................................99
Settingupyourcoverpage ......................................100
Sendingafax .................................................102
Faxingfromprograms...........................................104
Receivingandviewingafax......................................104
8 Managing Power ...............................................105
Monitoringthebatterycharge ........................................106
Rechargingthebattery .............................................106
Changingbatteries ................................................107
Extendingbatterylife...............................................109
Conservingbatterypower........................................109
Usingalternatepowersources ....................................109
Changingpowermodes .........................................110
Changingautomaticpowersettings ................................111
9TravelTips.....................................................117
Modem..........................................................118
Radiofrequencywirelessconnections .................................118
Files ............................................................119
Security .........................................................119
Power...........................................................120
10 Customizing Your Notebook ...................................121
Adjustingthescreenanddesktopsettings ..............................122
Adjustingthecolordepth ........................................122
Adjustingthescreenresolution ...................................124
Applyingacolorscheme ........................................125
Changing the desktop background . . ..............................126
Selectingascreensaver ........................................128
Changingthetouchpadsettings ......................................130
Programmingthemulti-functionbuttons ................................131
Allocatingsystemmemory ..........................................131
11 Upgrading Your Notebook .....................................133
AddingaPCCard .................................................134
Preventingstaticelectricitydischarge..................................136
Installingmemory .................................................137
Replacingtheharddrive ............................................141

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12 Networking Your Computer.....................................143
Usinganetwork ...................................................144
Sharing a single Internet connection . . . .............................144
Sharingdrives .................................................144
Sharingperipheraldevices........................................145
Streamingaudioandvideofiles ...................................145
Playingmulti-playergames .......................................145
Introducing the Gateway Connected Home . .............................146
ComponentsofaGatewayConnectedHome.........................147
Selectinganetworkconnection .......................................148
Wiredconnections ..............................................148
Wirelessconnections ............................................149
Assessingyourconnectionneeds ..................................150
Comparingdatatransferspeed ....................................152
Networkshoppinglist ...............................................154
HPNA ........................................................154
Ethernet ......................................................155
WirelessEthernet ...............................................156
Bluetooth .....................................................156
Formoreinformation ...............................................157
13 Maintaining Your Notebook.....................................159
Caringforyourcomputer ............................................159
Creatinganemergencystartupdiskette ................................161
Protectingyourcomputerfromviruses .................................163
Managingharddrivespace ..........................................165
Checkingharddrivespace .......................................165
UsingDiskCleanup .............................................166
Checkingtheharddriveforerrors..................................167
Defragmentingtheharddrive .....................................169
Backingupfiles ................................................171
Using the Scheduled Task Wizard . . . . .............................172
Recalibratingthebattery.............................................173
Cleaningyourcomputer .............................................174
Cleaningtheexterior ............................................174
Cleaningthekeyboard ...........................................175
Cleaningthescreen .............................................175
Cleaningthemouse .............................................175
14 Restoring Software .............................................177
Reinstallingdevicedrivers ...........................................177
Reinstallingdevicedrivers ........................................178

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Updatingdevicedrivers.............................................180
ReinstallingWindows ..............................................181
ReinstallingWindows ...........................................181
Reinstallingprograms ..............................................182
15 Troubleshooting ...............................................185
Safetyguidelines ..................................................186
Troubleshooting ...................................................187
Firststeps ....................................................187
Softwaresupporttools..............................................188
CDdrive .....................................................189
Deviceinstallation ..............................................191
Diskettedrive .................................................191
Filemanagement ..............................................192
Harddrive ....................................................193
Internet ......................................................194
Keyboard .....................................................195
LCDpanel ....................................................195
Memory ......................................................196
Modem ......................................................196
Mouse .......................................................200
Networks .....................................................200
Passwords....................................................200
PCCards.....................................................201
Power .......................................................201
Printer .......................................................202
Sound .......................................................203
Video ........................................................203
Telephonesupport.................................................205
BeforecallingGatewayTechnicalSupport ..........................205
Telephonenumbers ............................................206
Tutoringandtraining ...............................................207
Self-help .....................................................207
Tutoring ......................................................207
Training ......................................................208
A Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information .....................209
Index..............................................................227

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1
1
www.gateway.com
Checking Out
Your Gateway
Solo 1200
Tips & Tricks Toaccessthecontents ofthisguidewhileyouaretraveling,
download an electronic copy from
www.gateway.com/support/manlib/.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200
www.gateway.com
Front
Component Description
Cover release latch Open the notebook cover by pressing the release latch.
Cover release latch

3
Left
www.gateway.com
Left
Component Icon Description
PC Card eject button Press the eject button to remove a PC Card from the
PC Card slot.
PC Card slot Insert one Type I, II, or III PC Card into this slot. For
more information, see “Adding a PC Card” on page 134.
Diskette drive Insert a standard 3.5-inch diskette into this drive. For
more information, see “Using diskettes” on page 80.
Diskette drive eject button Press the eject button to remove a diskette from the
drive.
PC Card
eject button PC Card slot Diskette drive Diskette drive eject button

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200
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Right
Component Icon Description
CD drive Insert CDs into this drive. For more information, see
“Using the CD drive” on page 81.
CD drive indicator Lights up when the computer is accessing the CD drive.
CD drive eject button Press the eject button to open the disc tray.
Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack.
Headphone jack Plug headphones or amplified speakers into this jack.
Modem jack Plug a modem cable into this jack.
CD drive CD drive
indicator CD driveeject
button Microphone jack
Headphone
jack Modem jack
Power
indicator
Battery
charge
indicator

5
Right
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Battery charge indicator The LED shows the battery activity and status.
■Green – battery is fully charged.
■Orange – battery is being charged.
■Red – battery is low.
■Blinking and red – battery is very low.
■Blinking and orange – battery is malfunctioning.
Power indicator Lights up when the notebook is turned on and shows
notebook power status:
■LED on – notebook is ON.
■LED off – notebook is OFF or in Hibernate.
■LED flashing – notebook is in Standby.
Component Icon Description

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200
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Back
Component Icon Description
USB ports Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a
USB Iomega™ Zip™ drive, printer, scanner, or camera)
into these ports.
Parallel port Plug a parallel printer into this port.
Ventilation fan Helps cool internal components. Do not block or insert
objects into these slots.
Monitor port Plug an external (VGA) monitor into this port.
Kensington™ lock slot Secure your computer to an object by connecting a
Kensington cable lock to this slot.
Ethernet jack (optional) Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable into this jack. For
more information, see “Connecting to an Ethernet
network” on page 32 and “Networking Your Computer”
on page 143.
Power connector Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector.
USB ports Parallel port Monitor port
Ventilation fan
Kensington
lock slot
Ethernet
jack
Power
connector

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Bottom
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Bottom
Component Icon Description
Hard drive assembly Remove this assembly to replace the hard drive.
Certificate of Authenticity
label Find the registration key for the operating system on this label.
Memory bay Install a memory module in this bay.
Battery release latch Slide to release the battery.
Battery Insert the battery into this bay.
System identification
label Find the product model number and serial number on this label.
Hard drive
assembly
Battery
release
latch
Battery
System
identification
label
Memory
bay
Certificate of
authenticity
label

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200
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Identifying your model
The label on the bottom of your computer contains information that
identifies your notebook model. Gateway Technical Support will need this
information if you call for assistance. Label information varies by model.
Gateway part
number
Gateway
model
number
Gateway
serial
number
Revision
code and
display
type/
processor
size
Internal
wireless
devices

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Accessories
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Accessories
Gateway offers accessories that can help you make the most of using your
notebook.
Batteries and automobile/airplane power adapters
If you run your notebook on battery power for extended periods, you may
want to buy an additional battery so that you can swap batteries when
necessary.
With an automobile/airplane power adapter, you can save battery power by
plugging your notebook into an automobile cigarette lighter or an airplane
in-flight power receptacle.
Carrying cases
Gateway has large-capacity carrying cases if you need additional space for
accessories or supplies.
External devices
You can attach external devices such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, or monitor
to your notebook.
Memory
Large programs, such as multimedia games or graphics programs, use a lot of
memory. If your programs are running more slowly than you think they
should, try adding more memory.
Printers
You can attach many types of printer to your computer. The most common
types are inkjet and laser printers, which print in color or black and white.
Inkjet printers and cartridges are relatively inexpensive, but usually they are
slower than laser printers. Using aninkjet color printer, you can print pictures,
banners, and greeting cards, as well as documents.
Laser printers and cartridges are more expensive, but usually they print much
faster than inkjet printers. Laser printers are better than inkjet printers when
you are printing large documents.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200
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2
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Getting Started
This chapter provides basic information about your Gateway notebook. Read
this chapter to find out:
■How to connect the AC adapter
■How to start and turn off your notebook
■How to use the keyboard
■How to use the EZ Pad™ touchpad
■How to connect the modem
■How to connect to a network
■How to install peripheral devices
Warning Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere
with equipment on commercial aircraft. Current aviation
regulations require wireless devices to be turned off while
traveling in an airplane. IEEE 802.11b (also known as
wireless Ethernet or Wifi) and Bluetooth communication
devices are examples of devices that provide wireless
communication.
Important If your system came equipped with an internal radio
frequency wireless device, see “Safety, Regulatory, and
Legal Information” on page 209 for general wireless
regulatory and safety guidelines. To find out if your system
has an internal wireless device, check the label (see
“Identifying your model” on page 8.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started
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Connecting the AC adapter
You can run your notebook using an AC adapter or the notebook battery. The
battery was shipped to you partially charged. You should use the AC adapter
right away to fully charge the battery. Allow 24 hours for the battery to fully
charge.
To connect the AC adapter:
1Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.
Important If the battery is not fully charged before you use your
notebook on battery power for the first time, the battery life
may be much shorter than you expect. If the battery life
seems short even after being charged for 24 hours, the
battery may need to be recalibrated. For information on
recalibrating the battery, see “Recalibrating thebattery” on
page 173.
Warning Replace the power cord if it becomes damaged. The
replacement cord must be of the same type and voltage
rating as the original cord or the notebook may damaged.

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Connecting the ACadapter
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2Connect the AC adapter to your notebook’s power connector.
3Plug the power cord into a wall outlet.
The battery charge indicator turns on. If the battery charge indicator does
not turn on, disconnect the adapter from your notebook and repeat
Step 2.
4When you finish using your notebook for the first time, turn the
notebook off and leave the notebook connected to AC power for at least
24 hours.
5If the battery does not show a full charge after 24 hours, contact Gateway
Technical Support at www.gateway.com/support/contact.
Warning Do not attempt to disassemble the AC adapter. The
AC adapter has no user-replaceable or user-serviceable
parts inside. The AC adapter has dangerous voltages that
can cause serious injury or death. Contact Gateway about
returning defective AC adapters.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started
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Protecting from power source problems
During a power surge, the voltage level of electricity coming into your
computer can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system
damage. Protect your computer and peripheral devices by connecting them
to a surge protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from
reaching your computer.
Warning High voltages can enter your computer through both the
power cord and the modem connection. Protect your
computer by using a surge protector. If you have a
telephone modem, use a surge protector that has a
modem jack. If you have a cable modem, use a surge
protector that has an antenna/cable TV jack. During an
electrical storm, unplug both the surge protector and the
modem.