Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 5300

    Tips & Tricks

    To access the contents of this guide while you are traveling, download an electronic copy from www.support.gateway.com/s/manlib/.

    Front

    Component Icon Description

    Release latch

    Open the notebook cover by sliding the release latch to the right.

    Power indicator

    Lights up when the notebook is turned on and shows notebook power status:

    • Steady green light indicates that power is on and the notebook is in operation.
    • Flashing green light indicates that the notebook is in Standby mode.
    • Flashing green light accompanied by beeping indicates the battery charge is low.
    • No light indicates that the notebook is off.

    Battery charge indicator

    Indicates the battery status:

    • Green light indicates that the battery is fully charged and AC power is connected.
    • Orange light indicates that the battery is charging.
    • Red light indicates that the battery is low.
    • No light indicates that the system is running on the battery because the AC adapter is either not connected or is not providing power.

    Left Side

    Component Icon Description

    KensingtonTM lock slot

    Secure your computer to an object by connecting a Kensington cable lock to this slot.

    Ventilation fan

    Helps cool system components. Do not block.

    Microphone jack

    Plug a microphone into this jack. While the external microphone is connected, the built-in microphone is disabled.

    Line in jack

    Plug an external audio input source (such as a stereo) into this jack so that you can record sound on your notebook or play sound through the notebook speakers.

    Speaker jack

    Plug external speakers or headphones into this jack.

    Modem jack (optional)

    Plug a modem cable into this jack. For more information, see "Connecting the modem".

    PC Card slots

    Insert Type I, II, or III PC Cards or Zoom Video cards into these slots. For more information, see "Adding PC Cards".

    PC Card eject buttons

    Press one of the eject buttons to remove a PC Card from a PC Card slot. For more information, see "Adding PC Cards".

    Ethernet jack (optional)

    Plug an Ethernet 10/100 network cable into this jack. For more information, see "Connecting to an Ethernet network".

    Right Side

    Component Description

    Module bay

    Use this bay for a second battery, or a CD, CD-RW, DVD, diskette, LS-120, or second hard drive. For more information, see "Changing bay modules".

    Eject button

    Press the eject button to open the module tray.

    Back

    Component
    Icon
    		Description

    PS/2 port

    Plug a PS/2® (Personal System/2) device (such as a keyboard or mouse) into this port.

    Important! You will not be able to use your touchpad while a mouse is plugged into this port.

    Parallel port

    Plug a parallel device (such as a printer) into this port.

    TV out jack

    Plug one end of a standard RCA cable into this jack and the other end of the cable into the jack on a TV or VCR so that you can view your computer screen on a TV. For more information, see "Viewing the display on a television".

    Docking port

    Connect an optional port replicator or docking station to this port.

    Warning! Power is passed through this connection. This docking connection is UL certified for use only with Solo 5300 docking station devices.

    Serial port

    Plug a serial device (such as a digital camera) into this port.

    Monitor port

    Plug an external (VGA) monitor into this port.

    USB port

    Plug a USB (Universal Serial Bus) device (such as a USB IomegaTM ZipTM drive, scanner, or camera) into this port.

    Power connector

    Plug the AC power adapter cable into this connector.

    Bottom

    Component Icon Description

    Microsoft label

    Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity label includes the product key code for your operating system.

    Module bay

    Use this bay for a second battery, or a CD, CD-RW, DVD, diskette, LS-120, or second hard drive. For more information, see "Changing bay modules".

    Module bay latch

    Slide to release the module.

    Battery latch

    Slide to release the battery.

    Main battery bay

    Insert the main battery into this bay. For more information, see "Changing batteries".

    Hard drive

    The hard drive is stored here. For more information, see "Replacing the main hard drive".

    Memory bay

    Install as many as two SO-DIMM memory modules into the slots in this bay. For more information, see "Installing memory".

    System label

    Includes the product model number and serial number. For more information, see "Identifying your model".

    Ventilation fan

    Helps cool system components. Do not block.

    Keyboard area

    Component

    		Description

    Power button

    Press to turn the power on or off. For more information on configuring the power button mode, see Changing power settings.

    Status indicators

    See "Status indicators" for more information.

    Keyboard

    See Using the keyboard for more information.

    Touchpad

    See Using the EZ Pad touchpad for more information.

    Speakers

    Provide audio output. Speakers are disabled while headphones are connected.

    Microphone

    Record audio through this microphone. The built-in microphone is disabled while an external microphone is connected.

    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.

      Important

      The label shown below is for informational purposes only. Label information varies by model.

      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.

      Docking stations and port replicators

        Although you can attach external devices directly to your notebook, a docking station or port replicator lets you make all of those connections at once. When you travel with your notebook, you merely disconnect from the docking station or port replicator instead of unplugging all the external devices.

        A docking station or port replicator also provides additional ports and other expansion features not included with your notebook.

      External devices

        You can attach external devices such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, or monitor to your notebook, docking station, or port replicator.

      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 printers 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 an inkjet 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.