Getting Started

    This chapter provides basic information about your Gateway notebook. Read this chapter to find out:

How to connect the AC power 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

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.

    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 the battery.

    To connect the AC adapter:

      1. Connect the power cord to the AC adapter, then plug it in to a wall power outlet.

      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 be damaged.

        1. Connect the AC adapter to your notebook's power connector.
          The battery charging indicator light turns on. If the battery charging indicator light does not turn on, disconnect the adapter from your notebook and repeat Step 2.

        1. When you finish using your notebook, turn the notebook off and leave the notebook connected to AC power for at least 24 hours. The battery charge meters may not show a charge for several hours. For more information about battery meters, see Monitoring the battery charge.

        2. If the battery meters do not show a full charge after 24 hours, contact technical support at www.support.gateway.com/support/ask_gateway.asp.

        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.

             

        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 peripherals by connecting them to a surge protector, which will absorb voltage surges and prevent 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.

          Starting your notebook

          To start the notebook:

            1. Open your notebook by sliding the latch on the front of your notebook to the right and lifting the LCD panel.

            2. Press the power button located above the keyboard.
              The power button is preset to On/Off mode. However, you can also set it to function in Standby/Resume mode. For instructions on changing the power button mode, see Changing power modes.

            1. If you are starting your computer for the first time, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your computer.

               

          Waking up your notebook

            When you have not used your notebook for several minutes, it may go into a basic power-saving mode which turns off your LCD and hard drive. Two advanced power-saving modes (called Standby and Hibernate) are also available for the Solo 3350. While in Standby, the power indicator light flashes.

            When you are ready to use your notebook after the screen has gone into basic power-saving mode, wake it up by pressing a button or key on the keyboard. If your notebook has gone into Standby or Hibernate mode, wake it up by briefly pressing the power button. For more information on changing power-saving settings, see Extending battery life.

          Turning off your notebook

          To turn off your notebook:

            1. Click Start, then select Shut Down. The Shut Down Windows dialog box opens.

            2. Select Shut down.

            3. Click OK. Windows shuts down and turns off your notebook.

            Important

            If for some reason you cannot use the Shut down option in Windows to turn off your notebook, press and hold the power button for about five seconds.

                 

            Using the keyboard

              Your notebook features a keyboard that has the same functionality as a desktop computer keyboard. Many of the keys have been assigned alternate functions. The alternate function is printed on the key in green text.

            Keys

            Keys Icons Description

            Function keys


            Press these keys to perform actions in programs. For example, pressing F1 may open help.

            Each program uses different function keys for different purposes. Refer to the program documentation to find out more about the function key actions.

            Fn key


            Press the Fn key in combination with a Function key (such as F4 or F10) to perform a specific action. For more information, see "Function key combinations".

            Windows keys

            Press to open the Windows Start menu.

            Numeric keypad


            Use these keys to type numbers when Pad Lock is turned on. Press Fn+F9 to turn on the numeric keypad.

            Application key

            Press for quick access to shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows.

            Arrow keys/ Brightness controls


            Press these keys to move the cursor up, down, right, or left. When used with the Fn key, these also control the screen brightness.

            Navigation keys


            Press these keys to move the cursor up or down a page, or to the beginning or end of a document.

            Function key combinations

              When you press an fn key and a Function key at the same time, the notebook performs the action identified by the green text on the key.

            Press fn and this function key... To...

            Open the power status box in the upper left corner of your screen. The menu shows the battery charge level, the BIOS version, and whether the AC power adapter is being used.

            Toggle the notebook screen between the LCD, an external monitor, or both displays at the same time.

            Enable Standby mode (Windows 98, Windows 2000, and Windows Me) or Suspend mode (Windows NT) on your notebook. Press the power button to exit Standby or Suspend mode.

            Decrease volume.

            Increase volume.

            Mute the sound. Press the key combination again to restore the sound.

            Turn on Pad Lock so you can use the numeric keypad. The Pad Lock status indicator appears while this function is turned on. Press the key combination again to turn off Pad Lock.

            Pause the text scrolling in a DOS screen. The Scroll Lock status indicator appears when this function is turned on. Press the key combination again to continue scrolling. (This function is only available in some programs.)

            Pause text scrolling. Press any key to continue the text scrolling. (This function is only available in some programs.)

            Stop the currently running DOS program. (This function is only available in some programs.)

            Increase the brightness of the screen.

            Decrease the brightness of the screen.

            Using the EZ Pad touchpad

              The EZ PadTM consists of a touchpad and two buttons.

              When you move your finger on the touchpad, the pointer (arrow) on the screen moves in the same direction.

              You can use the EZ-Pad left and right buttons below the touchpad to select objects.

            Using the touchpad

            To... Do this...

            Move the pointer on the screen.

            Move your finger around on the touchpad. If you run out of space on your touchpad and need to move the pointer farther, lift your finger, move it to the middle of the touchpad, then continue moving your finger.

            Select an object on the screen.

            Position the pointer over the object. Press the left button below the touchpad once. This action is called clicking.

            Start a program or open a file or folder.

            Position the pointer over the object. Press the left button below the touchpad twice in rapid succession. This action is called double-clicking.

            Access a shortcut menu or find more information about an object on the screen.

            Position the pointer over the object. Quickly press and release the right button once. This action is called right-clicking.

            Move an object on the screen.

            Position the pointer over the object. Press the left button and hold it down, then use the touchpad to move (drag) the object to the appropriate part of the screen. Release the button to drop the object where you want it.

            Connecting the modem

              If your notebook has a modem jack, the notebook has a built-in V.90 56K modem and a telephone cable.

            To connect the modem:

              1. Insert one end of the telephone cable into the modem jack on the back of the notebook.

              1. Insert the other end of the telephone cable into a telephone wall jack. The modem will not work with digital or PBX telephone lines.

              2. Start your notebook, then start your communications software.

                 

            Connecting the network

              If your notebook has a network jack, the notebook can connect to an Ethernet 10/100 network.

            To connect to a network:

              1. Insert one end of the network cable into the network jack on the back of the notebook.

              1. Insert the other end of the network cable into a network wall jack. Ask your network administrator to help you select the correct network jack.

                 

              Your notebook is now physically connected to the network. Your network administrator can help you log on to your network.

            Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

              Your computer has one or more of the following ports: Universal Serial Bus (USB) and parallel. These ports are used for connecting peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras to your computer. For more information about port locations, see Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 3350

              USB ports support plug-and-play and hot swapping, which means that your computer will usually recognize such a device whenever you plug it into the appropriate port. When you use a USB device for the first time, your computer will prompt you to install any software the device needs. After doing this, you can disconnect and reconnect the device at any time.

              Parallel port devices are not plug-and-play. Refer to the device documentation for detailed information and installation instructions.