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 an Ethernet 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. Allow 24 hours for the battery to fully charge.

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 more information, see Recalibrating the battery.

To connect the AC adapter:

1. Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.

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.

2. Connect the AC adapter to your notebook's power connector.

3. Plug 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.

4. When 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.

5. If the battery meters do not show a full charge after 24 hours, contact Gateway Technical Support at 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 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.

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 settings.

3. 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 enters a power-saving mode called Standby. While in Standby, the power indicator flashes.

If your notebook is in Standby mode, "wake" it up by pressing the power button. For more information on changing power-saving settings, see Managing Power.

Turning off your notebook

To turn off your notebook:

In Windows XP, click Start, then click Turn Off Computer, then click Turn Off.

- OR -

In Windows Me, Windows 2000, or Windows 98, click Start, then select Shut Down. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, select Shut Down, then click OK.

If for some reason you cannot use the Turn Off Computer or Shut Down option in Windows to shut down your notebook, press and hold the power button for about five seconds.

Switching user accounts in Windows XP

When you first turn on your notebook, you have the option to add different user accounts. These user accounts can be customized for each person that uses the notebook. You can add, delete, or modify existing user accounts. You can also switch (change) user accounts without turning off your notebook.

Help and Support

For more information about adding, deleting, and modifying your user accounts, click Start, then select Help and Support.

To add, delete, or modify user accounts in Windows XP:

1. Click Start, select Control Panel, then double-click User Accounts. The User Accounts window opens.

2. Follow the on-screen prompts to add, delete, or modify a user account.

To switch user accounts in Windows XP:

1. Click Start, then select Log Off. The Log Off Windows dialog box opens.

2. Click Switch User to switch between your user accounts. The Windows logon screen opens.

3. Select the user account that you want to activate. When you switch between users, any programs that were running for the previous user continue to run.

Status indicators

Indicator	Icon	Description
Hard drive		Turns on when the hard drive is in use.
Optical disc drive		Turns on when the CD/DVD drive or LS-120 drive is in use.
Diskette drive		Turns on when the standard 1.44 MB diskette drive is in use.
Caps Lock		Turns on when Caps Lock is activated.
Pad Lock		Turns on when the embedded numeric keypad is activated.
Scroll Lock		Turns on when Scroll Lock is activated.

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	Icon	Description
Function keys		Press these keys labeled F1 to F12 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.
System keys		Press these green-colored keys in combination with the Fn key to perform specific actions.
Volume keys		Press these keys to increase or decrease the volume or mute the sound.
Navigation keys		Press these keys to move the cursor to the beginning of a line, to the end of a line, up the page, down the page, to the beginning of a document, or to the end of a document.
Fn key		Press the Fn key in combination with a green-colored system key (such as Standby, Pause, or Status) to perform a specific action.
Windows key		Press to open the Windows Start menu. This key can also be used in combination with other keys to open utilities like F (Search utility), R (Run utility), and E (Explorer utility).
Numeric keypad		Use these keys to type numbers when the numeric keypad is turned on. Press Fn+Pad Lock 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.

System key combinations

When you press an Fn key and a system key at the same time, the notebook performs the action identified by the green text or icon on the key.

Press Fn and this function key...	To...
	Display the power status box in the upper left corner of your screen. The box shows the battery charge level, the BIOS version, and whether the AC adapter is being used. Press the key combination again to close this box.
	Toggle the notebook screen between the LCD, an external monitor, or both displays at the same time. A monitor must be plugged into the monitor port on the notebook, port replicator, or docking station.
	Enter Standby mode. Press the power button to leave Standby mode.
	Turn on Pad Lock so you can use the numeric keypad. Press this key combination again to turn off Pad Lock. The Pad Lock status indicator appears while this function is turned on.
	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 execution of a DOS program. (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 display.
	Decrease the brightness of the display.
	Mute the sound. Press the key combination again to restore the sound.
	Increase volume.
	Decrease volume.

Using the EZ Pad touchpad

The EZ Pad^™ 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 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.

To connect the modem:

1. Insert one end of the modem cable into the modem jack on the left side of the notebook.

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

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

Connecting to an Ethernet 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 left side of the notebook.

2. 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.

Broadband Internet connections

You can use your computer's Ethernet jack for more than just networking. Many broadband Internet connections, such as cable modems and DSL modems, connect to your computer's Ethernet jack. For more information, see "Using the Internet" and "Networking Your Notebook".

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

Your computer has one or more of the following ports: Universal Serial Bus (USB), serial, 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 5300.

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