Gateway MC73 Reference Manual Download Page 36

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CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

System key combinations

When you press the F

key and a system key at the

same time, your notebook performs the action

identified by the text or icon on the key.

Application key

Press this key for quick access

to shortcut menus and help

assistants in Windows.

Arrow keys

Press these keys to move the

cursor up, down, right, or left.

Press and hold

, then press

this system key...

To...

Toggle the system LEDs on or off.

Toggle sequence:

•

toggle: All system LEDs on

•

toggle: Backlit Keyboard LEDs

off, everything else on

•

toggle: Multimedia touch LEDs

and control functions off,

everything else on

•

toggle: All system LEDs off and

Multimedia control functions off

For more information, see

“Using the

status indicators” on page 26

Key type

Icon

Description

Summary of Contents for MC73

Page 1: ...NOTEBOOK REFERENCEGUIDE ...

Page 2: ......

Page 3: ...panel 14 Chapter 3 Setting Up and Getting Started 15 Working safely and comfortably 16 Reducing eye strain 16 Setting up your computer desk and chair 17 Sitting at your notebook 17 Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain 18 Connecting the AC adapter 18 Protecting from power source problems 20 Connecting to a broadband modem or network 20 Connecting the optional dial up modem 21 Start...

Page 4: ...ive 49 Using the memory card reader 51 Memory card types 51 Inserting a memory card 52 Using a memory card 52 Removing a memory card 52 Adding and removing an Express Card 53 Installing a printer or other peripheral device 54 Connecting a USB device 54 Viewing the display on a projector monitor or televi sion 55 Adjusting the display properties 57 Using the projector or monitor for a presentation ...

Page 5: ...78 Chapter 7 Maintaining Your Notebook 79 Caring for your notebook 80 Cleaning your notebook 80 Cleaning the exterior 81 Cleaning the keyboard 81 Cleaning the notebook screen 82 Maintaining the battery 82 Storing batteries 83 Cleaning CDs or DVDs 83 Recovering your system 84 Creating recovery discs 85 Recovering pre installed software and drivers 87 Returning to a previous system condition 88 Retu...

Page 6: ...oard 103 Media Center 104 Memory 107 Memory card reader 108 Modem cable or DSL 108 Modem dial up 108 Mouse 112 Networks wired 113 Networks wireless 115 Passwords 117 Power 118 Printer 118 Sound 120 Status indicators 120 Touchpad 121 Video 121 Telephone support 121 Before calling Gateway Customer Care 121 Appendix A Legal Information 123 Index 135 ...

Page 7: ...CHAPTER1 1 About This Reference About this guide Accessing your online User Guide Gateway contact information Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity For more information ...

Page 8: ...n included on your hard drive Your 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 Using the Internet Protecting your files Playing and recording media Networking To access your online User Guide Click Start All Programs then click Gateway Documentation Gateway contact inform...

Page 9: ...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 label shown in thi...

Page 10: ...CHAPTER 1 About This Reference 4 ...

Page 11: ...CHAPTER2 5 Checking Out Your Notebook Front Left Right Back Bottom Keyboard area LCD panel ...

Page 12: ...lfunctioning Important This LED only lights up when your notebook is connected to AC power or the battery charge is very low 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 Headphone 1 with SPDIF support Headphone 2 Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack Speakers Provide audio ...

Page 13: ...Card Secure Digital and xD Picture Card cards Important RS Multimedia Card and Mini Secure Digital cards require the use of an adapter that is available with the media HDMI out jack optional HDMI Plug an HDMI device such as a high definition television into this optional jack For more information see Viewing the display on a projector monitor or television on page 55 USB ports Plug USB devices suc...

Page 14: ...dem on page 21 Kensington lock slot Secure your notebook to an object by connecting a Kensington cable lock to this slot Monitor port Plug an analog VGA monitor or projector into this port For more information see Viewing the display on a projector monitor or television on page 55 Power connector Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector Component Icon Description ...

Page 15: ... the DVD drive on page 48 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 48 USB port Plug a USB device such as a diskette drive flash drive printer scanner camera keyboard or mouse into this port DVD drive USB ports ...

Page 16: ...cked 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 Ventilation ...

Page 17: ...latch Slide to release the battery For more information see Changing batteries on page 63 Battery lock Slide to unlock the battery For more information see Changing batteries on page 63 Hard drive bay The hard drive is located in this bay Battery latch Hard drive bay Battery lock Battery Memory bay Ventilation slots and cooling fan ...

Page 18: ...arm 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 Component Icon Description Status indicators Power butto...

Page 19: ...ontrol playback of CDs and DVDs The panel includes a capacitive volume control For more information see Using the optional multimedia panel on page 36 Touchpad Provides all the functionality of a mouse For more information see Using the EZ Pad touchpad on page 33 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 inf...

Page 20: ...ingly to save power Important The Ambient Light Sensor feature can be disabled in the BIOS To disable the Ambient Light Feature using BIOS 1 Connect the AC adapter then turn on your notebook 2 As soon as your notebook starts and you see a startup screen press F2 The BIOS Setup utility opens 3 Open the Advanced menu 4 Highlight Ambient Light Sensor then select Disabled by pressing the spacebar 5 Op...

Page 21: ...and modem or network Connecting the optional dial up modem Starting your notebook Turning off your notebook Restarting rebooting your notebook Using the status indicators Using the keyboard Using the EZ Pad touchpad Using the optional multimedia panel Using the optional webcam Adjusting the brightness Adjusting the volume ...

Page 22: ...a 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 comput...

Page 23: ...r using an adjustable chair to control your arm s height above the keyboard Use an adjustable chair that is comfortable distributes your weight evenly and keeps your body relaxed Position your chair so the keyboard is at or slightly below the level of your elbow This position lets your shoulders relax while you type Adjust the chair height adjust the forward tilt of the seat or use a footrest to d...

Page 24: ...s 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 Caution Make sure that you use the AC adapter that came with your notebook or one of the same type purchased from Gateway Replace the power cord if it becomes damaged The replacement cord must be of the same type a...

Page 25: ...ge indicator turns on see Front on page 6 for the location of the battery charge indicator If the battery charge indicator does not turn on complete the following steps until it turns on Unplug the adapter from your notebook then plug it back in Press FN F1 to toggle the status lights on and off Make sure the power cord is firmly attached to the AC adapter Plug the power cord into a different wall...

Page 26: ...onnecting to a broadband modem or network Your notebook has a network jack that you can use to connect to a cable or DSL modem or to a wired Ethernet network Important If the battery charge indicator does not turn blue after three hours contact Gateway Customer Care at the location shown on the Customer Care label For more information see Gateway contact information on page 2 Warning High voltages...

Page 27: ...t network jack Connecting the optional dial up modem Your notebook may have a built in 56K modem that you can use to connect to a standard telephone line Tip When using a cable with a sleeve over the plug pull the sleeve back to make sure that the plug locks into the jack Warning To reduce the risk of fire use only No 26 AWG or larger for example No 24 AWG UL listed or CSA certified telecommunicat...

Page 28: ...2 To connect the optional modem 1 Insert one end of the modem cable into the modem jack on your notebook 2 Insert the other end of the modem cable into a telephone wall jack Important The modem will not work with digital or PBX telephone lines ...

Page 29: ...ge and time zone and to create your first user account Warning Do not work with the notebook resting on your lap If the air vents are blocked the notebook may become hot enough to harm your skin 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 Tip For more information about changing the power butt...

Page 30: ...ode press the power button to wake it up Turning off your notebook Putting your notebook into Sleep mode is the easiest way to power down your notebook Although it does not turn your notebook completely off it turns off or slows down most system operations to save power Sleep mode saves your desktop layout so the next time you restore power the programs are laid out just as you left them Waking yo...

Page 31: ... and shuts down to save power To turn off your notebook Click Start click the arrow next to the lock icon then click Shut Down The notebook turns off Restarting rebooting your notebook If your notebook does not respond to keyboard touchpad or mouse input you may have to close programs that are not responding If closing unresponsive programs does not restore your notebook to normal operation you ma...

Page 32: ...art your notebook Click Start click the arrow next to the lock icon then click Restart The notebook turns off then turns on again Using the status indicators Important If your notebook does not turn off immediately complete the following steps until the notebook turns off 1 Press and hold the power button for about five seconds then release it 2 Unplug the power cord and remove the battery for mor...

Page 33: ...r disc drive LED blinking The drive is being accessed LED off The drive is not being accessed Wireless network LED on Optional wireless IEEE 802 11 radio is turned on LED off Optional wireless IEEE 802 11 radio is turned off Bluetooth LED on Bluetooth communication is turned on LED off Bluetooth communication is turned off Caps lock LED on Caps lock is turned on LED off Caps lock is turned off Cap...

Page 34: ...een assigned alternate functions including shortcut keys for Windows function keys for specific system operations and the Num Lock keys for the numeric keypad Tip You can attach an external keyboard to the notebook using a USB port You do not need to shut down the notebook to connect a USB keyboard Function keys System keys Navigation keys FN key Windows key Application key Arrow keys ...

Page 35: ...t purposes See the program documentation to find out more about the function key actions System keys Press these colored keys in combination with the FN key to perform specific actions For more information see System key combinations on page 30 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 documen...

Page 36: ...Windows Arrow keys Press these keys to move the cursor up down right or left Press and hold FN then press this system key To Toggle the system LEDs on or off Toggle sequence 1st toggle All system LEDs on 2nd toggle Backlit Keyboard LEDs off everything else on 3rd toggle Multimedia touch LEDs and control functions off everything else on 4th toggle All system LEDs off and Multimedia control function...

Page 37: ...ommunication Important The wireless network switch must be in the ON position for this button to work For more information see Left on page 7 Enter Sleep mode or Hybrid Sleep mode Press the power button to leave Sleep mode For more information see Changing notebook power settings on page 69 Toggle the notebook display in the following order The LCD An external monitor or projector a monitor or pro...

Page 38: ... The wireless network switch must be in the ON position for this button to work For more information see Left on page 7 Increase the LCD panel brightness above the normal brightest setting Use this feature in bright lighting situations such as outside in bright sunlight Press a second time to decrease the brightness below the normal lowest brightness setting Use this feature in dim lighting situat...

Page 39: ...buttons and a scroll zone When you move your finger on the touchpad the pointer arrow on the screen moves in the same direction You can use the scroll zone to scroll through documents Use of the scroll zone may vary from program to program Touchpad Left button Right button Scroll zone ...

Page 40: ...have received your notebook with the EZ Pad touchpad set to only accept clicking by using the touchpad buttons You can change this feature to allow tapping on the touchpad to simulate clicking the left button For more information see Changing the mouse touchpad or pointing device settings in your online User Guide To Do this Move the pointer on the screen Move your finger around on the touchpad If...

Page 41: ... 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 theappropriate part of the screen Release the button to drop the object where you...

Page 42: ...c Audio Opens Media Center Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate or Windows Media Player Windows Vista Home Basic Picture Opens Media Center Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate or Windows Photo Gallery to view your photo library Internet browser Opens default Internet browser Mail Opens default Email application Instant messenger Opens default Instant Messenger prog...

Page 43: ...change the volume To increase volume move from the towards the To decrease volume move from the towards the Tip You can start swiping at any point on the strip The duration of the swipe determines the amount of the change If you hold down the on either end of the strip the volume control will adjust in the same direction up down Tapping on the strip does not change the volume Mute Mutes the sound ...

Page 44: ...e optional webcam You can use the optional webcam with many of the available Internet chat programs to add video and audio to your chat session In addition by using the software included with the webcam you can take pictures or create video clips Webcam ...

Page 45: ... Description Start camera Turns on the camera and opens the preview screen Effects Adds a decoration or border to your picture Properties Modifies properties such as zoom backlight compensation brightness and contrast Settings Selects the position of the toolbar or modifies the picture video or audio settings Help Opens online help Important If you do not see the toolbar the Auto Hide setting may ...

Page 46: ...escription Snapshot Take a picture of what is currently in the preview screen Video recording Create a video recording Audio recording Create an audio recording Functions Change a setting or access online help Resolution Change the size of the picture Mute Turn audio capture on or off Effects Add a decoration or border to your picture ...

Page 47: ...e Windows Mobility Center window opens Slide the Brightness control to the desired screen brightness Tip For more information about using the webcam click in the Camera Assistant Toolbar or click Functions then click Help in the Camera Assistant Tip For more information about using the webcam while using an Internet chat service see the help for that service Tip For more information about the Wind...

Page 48: ...ey combinations on page 30 OR Use the mute button and capacitive volume control on the optional multimedia panel For more information see Using the optional multimedia panel on page 36 OR Click Start All Programs Accessories then click Windows Mobility Center The Windows Mobility Center window opens Slide the Volume control to the desired volume level To adjust the volume from Windows 1 Click Volu...

Page 49: ...t again 4 To adjust device volume levels click Mixer The Volume Mixer dialog box opens where you can click and drag sliders for individual devices 5 Click X in the top right corner of the window to close it Tip Adjust the Windows Sounds slider to change system sounds volume independently of general volume such as the volume used for music and game sounds ...

Page 50: ...ow opens click Turn wireless on 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 11 and Bluetooth communication devices are examples of devices that provide wireless communication Warning In environments where the risk of interference to o...

Page 51: ...turned on while in flight Bluetooth radio Your notebook may have a Bluetooth radio for communicating with another Bluetooth device such as a printer scanner camera MP3 player headphone keyboard or mouse To turn the Bluetooth radio on Press FN F6 To turn the Bluetooth radio off Press FN F6 Tip For more information about using your notebook on a wireless network see Wireless Ethernet Networking in y...

Page 52: ...CHAPTER 3 Setting Up and Getting Started 46 Disabling the Bluetooth radio You should disable the Bluetooth radio while traveling by airplane to prevent it from being accidently turned on while in flight ...

Page 53: ...ing Drives and Accessories Using the DVD drive Using the memory card reader Adding and removing an Express Card Installing a printer or other peripheral device Viewing the display on a projector monitor or television ...

Page 54: ... front of the drive for one or more of the following logos If your drive has this logo This is your drive type Use your drive for DVD drive Installing programs playing audio CDs playing DVDs and accessing data You cannot use this drive to create CDs or DVDs Combination DVD CD RW drive Installing programs playing audio CDs playing DVDs accessing data and recording music and data to recordable CDs Y...

Page 55: ...ves contain regional codes that help control DVD title exports and help reduce illegal disc distribution To be able to play a prerecorded DVD the disc s regional code and your DVD drive s regional code must match The regional code on your DVD drive is determined by your notebook s delivery address The regional code for the United States and Canada is 1 The regional code for Mexico is 4 Your DVD dr...

Page 56: ...1 Press the eject button on the DVD drive After the tray opens slightly pull the disc tray completely open 2 Place the disc in the tray with the label facing up then press down carefully on the disc until it snaps into place 3 Push the tray in until it is closed Manual eject hole Eject button ...

Page 57: ...to transfer data between your notebook and a device that uses memory cards such as a PDA MP3 player or cellular telephone Memory card types The memory card reader supports Memory Stick Memory Stick Pro MultiMediaCard Secure Digital Mini Secure Digital RS MultiMediaCard and xD Picture Card Tip Your notebook must be turned on to remove CDs and DVDs using this method If you do not want to turn on you...

Page 58: ...art then click Computer 2 Double click the drive letter for example the E drive then double click the file name Removing a memory card To remove a memory card 1 Push the memory card into the notebook The memory card pops out slightly 2 Pull the memory card out of the notebook Important Do not use the remove hardware icon in the taskbar to remove the memory card If you use the remove hardware icon ...

Page 59: ...ress Card manufacturer s documentation for further information To insert an Express Card Push the card firmly into the Express Card slot label side up until the outer edge of the card is flush with the side of your notebook To remove an Express Card 1 Turn off your notebook then go to step 5 OR Double click the remove hardware icon in the taskbar The Safely Remove Hardware dialog box opens 2 Click...

Page 60: ...evice for the first time your notebook will prompt you to install any software the device needs After doing this you can disconnect and reconnect the device at any time Connecting a USB device Your notebook has USB ports for connecting devices such as a diskette drive flash drive printer scanner camera keyboard or mouse Important Before you install a printer scanner or other peripheral device see ...

Page 61: ...r monitor or television You can use your notebook for giving presentations by connecting an external monitor projector or television to your monitor VGA or optional HDMI port Your notebook supports simultaneous LCD and external display Simultaneous display lets you control a presentation from your notebook at the same time as you face your audience To use a projector monitor or television 1 Turn o...

Page 62: ...able to the monitor projector or television 3 Plug the other end of the VGA cable into the monitor port on your notebook OR Plug the other end of the HDMI cable into the optional HDMI port on your notebook 4 Turn on your notebook 5 Plug the projector s monitor s or television s power cord into an AC power source and turn it on Windows recognizes the new hardware and the New Display Detected dialog...

Page 63: ...t appear correctly or if you want to use the display as an extension of your notebook desktop you should adjust the display properties To adjust the display properties on a projector monitor or television 1 Click Start All Programs Accessories then click Windows Mobility Center The Windows Mobility Center window opens Important If a monitor projector or television is connected and you close the LC...

Page 64: ...ect the check box for Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor 6 To use the monitor projector or television as an extension of your desktop increasing the size of your Windows desktop click to select the check box for Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor You can click and drag the 2 monitor icon to position it the same way the physical monitor is arranged on your desk 7 Click OK Using th...

Page 65: ...tings The Presentation Settings dialog box opens 3 Adjust properties such as Turn off screen saver and Set the volume to if necessary 4 Click OK 5 Click Turn on to turn on the presentation settings When you are finished giving the presentation click Turn off to return to your standard notebook settings Tip For more information about the Windows Mobility Center see Using the Windows Mobility Center...

Page 66: ...CHAPTER 4 Using Drives and Accessories 60 ...

Page 67: ...CHAPTER5 61 Managing Power Monitoring the battery charge Recharging the battery Recalibrating the battery Extending battery life Changing notebook power settings ...

Page 68: ...ent losing any unsaved work To monitor the battery charge Move the mouse pointer over the power cord icon or battery icon in the taskbar A message appears showing the remaining battery time and the current power plan Wait for a Low Battery warning message to appear Look at the battery charge status indicator If your battery charge indicator displays what looks like an inaccurate charge you may nee...

Page 69: ...tery is incorrectly replaced Replace only with a battery specifically manufactured for your Gateway notebook Discard used batteries according to local hazardous material regulations The batteries used in this device may present a fire or chemical burn hazard if mishandled Do not disassemble heat above 212 F 100 C or incinerate Dispose of used batteries promptly Keep away from children Caution If y...

Page 70: ...periodically to maintain the accuracy of the battery gauge To recalibrate the battery using BIOS 1 Connect the AC adapter then turn on your notebook 2 As soon as your notebook starts and you see a startup screen press F2 The BIOS Setup utility opens 3 Open the Advanced menu 4 Highlight Battery Auto Learning then select Enabled by pressing the spacebar Important Do not interrupt the battery recalib...

Page 71: ...estart your notebook 3 Completely discharge the battery 4 After the battery is completely drained reconnect your notebook to AC power 5 Charge the battery completely until the battery status indicator turns blue Extending battery life Maximizing battery performance To get maximum performance from your notebook battery we recommend that you initially condition fully charge and discharge your new ba...

Page 72: ... ion battery does not cause harm because there is no memory Conserving battery power To conserve power while using the battery to power your notebook Turn off wireless networking and Bluetooth Dim the display as low as is comfortable Disconnect all external devices like USB devices Remove Express Cards when you do not need them Many Express Cards use a small amount of power while inserted even if ...

Page 73: ...atteries before traveling For more information see Recharging the battery on page 62 Using alternate power sources To extend battery life use alternate power sources whenever possible If traveling internationally take electrical adapters Save the battery for times when you cannot use a power adapter If you plan on taking your AC power adapter also take a single plug surge protector If you will hav...

Page 74: ...nd drives turn off similar to Sleep mode The notebook also writes all current memory RAM information to the hard drive similar to Hibernate mode If your notebook experiences a power outage while in Hybrid Sleep mode the notebook reads the memory information from the hard drive and opens the programs and documents that were open when you activated Hybrid Sleep mode If the notebook does not experien...

Page 75: ...s and adjusting advanced power settings Changing the power plan Power plans groups of power settings let you change power saving options such as when the display or hard drive is automatically turned off You can select one of the defined power plans or create a custom power plan Three power plans are pre defined for you If your notebook is andyouwant to then On Enter Sleep or Hybrid Sleep mode Pre...

Page 76: ...se this plan if you need additional computing power for your program Your battery may not last as long as you are accustomed to under the other two power plans To change the power plan 1 Click Start All Programs Accessories then click Windows Mobility Center The Windows Mobility Center window opens 2 Click Change power settings The Select a power plan window opens 3 Select the power plan you want ...

Page 77: ... a power plan window opens 3 Click a setting on the left side of the screen that you want to change The top three settings are not tied to a power plan The bottom three settings modify the currently selected power plan To turn on Hybrid Sleep mode 1 On the Select a power plan window click Change plan settings for the plan you are using The Change settings for the plan window opens 2 Click Change a...

Page 78: ...leep then click the in front of Allow hybrid sleep 4 Change the values to On for On battery and Plugged in Help For more information about hybrid sleep click Start then click Help and Support Type the keyword hybrid in the Search Help box then press ENTER ...

Page 79: ...CHAPTER6 73 Traveling with Your Notebook Packing your notebook Traveling by air Dial up modem Radio frequency wireless connections Files Security Power Additional tips ...

Page 80: ...s you to start your notebook Have your notebook hand inspected or sent through the X ray scanner but never carry it through the metal detector Turn off you notebook for takeoff and landing Turn off all wireless devices while in the aircraft Dial up modem Take a telephone cord to connect the modem to telephone jacks If you are traveling internationally take telephone jack adapters or an acoustic ha...

Page 81: ...ion devices are examples of devices which use wireless to communicate Files Copy your working files from your desktop computer to your notebook before you travel If you need to access your desktop computer files from your notebook while traveling set up your desktop computer for remote access Contact your network administrator for more information about remote access Take extra recordable media fo...

Page 82: ...s until you can be sure of privacy Use a startup password to restrict access to your notebook The startup password is set using the BIOS utility To create a startup password 1 Restart your notebook As soon as you see a startup screen press F2 The BIOS Setup utility opens 2 Open the Security menu highlight Set Supervisor Password then press ENTER and follow the instructions You must set the supervi...

Page 83: ...nationally take power plug adapters Take a portable surge protector to protect your notebook from power surges To get the best performance from your notebook avoid using the battery whenever possible monitor the battery charge and use the most efficient power management settings For information on conserving battery power using alternate power sources and monitoring the battery charge see Managing...

Page 84: ... notebook has been exposed to cold temperatures let it warm to room temperature before turning it on Carry proof of ownership or a merchandise passport when traveling internationally Consult your insurance company and credit card company to learn about emergency travel assistance if your notebook is lost or damaged Take your recovery discs in case you need to install an additional driver or softwa...

Page 85: ...CHAPTER7 79 Maintaining Your Notebook Caring for your notebook Cleaning your notebook Maintaining the battery Cleaning CDs or DVDs Recovering your system ...

Page 86: ...ither extreme is not covered by your warranty As a general rule your notebook is safest at temperatures that are comfortable for you Keep all liquids away from your notebook When spilled onto notebook components almost any liquid can result in expensive repairs that are not covered under a standard warranty Avoid dusty or dirty work environments Dust and dirt can clog the internal mechanisms and c...

Page 87: ...pt to clean dust from the inside of your notebook with the exception of the memory bay Cleaning the keyboard You should clean the keyboard occasionally by using an aerosol can of air with a narrow straw like extension to remove dust and lint trapped under the keys If you spill liquid on the keyboard turn off your notebook and turn the notebook upside down Let the liquid drain then let the keyboard...

Page 88: ... but do not try to fully discharge the battery frequently This only adds strain Several partial discharges regular use with frequent recharges are better for lithium ion than one total discharge Recharging a partially charged lithium ion battery does not cause any harm because it has no memory Batteries with fuel gauges notebooks should be calibrated by applying a deliberate full discharge once ev...

Page 89: ... old stock even if it is sold at clearance prices While it makes sense to have 2 or 3 extra batteries so that you always have a fresh one charged up and ready to go if you buy batteries and store them for years they may not work when you decide to use them Consider removing the battery from your notebook when running on fixed power However remember that when you have removed the battery from your ...

Page 90: ... recover software and drivers that were pre installed at the factory see Recovering pre installed software and drivers on page 87 For instructions on reinstalling software and drivers that were not pre installed see that product s documentation or technical support Web site 3 Revert to a previous system condition If reinstalling software or drivers does not help then the problem may be solved by r...

Page 91: ...recovery discs 1 Click Start All Programs Gateway then click Gateway Recovery Management Gateway Recovery Management opens 2 To create recovery discs for the hard drive s entire original contents including Windows Vista and all factory loaded software and drivers click Create factory default disc OR To create recovery discs for only the factory loaded software and drivers click Create driver and a...

Page 92: ...he drive indicated in the Burn to list then click Next The first disc begins recording and you can watch its progress on the screen When the disc finishes recording the drive ejects it 4 Remove the disc from the drive and mark it with a permanent marker 5 If multiple discs are required insert a new disc when prompted then click OK Continue recording discs until the process is complete Important Wr...

Page 93: ...llation instructions New device drivers If you need to recover device drivers that did not come pre installed on your computer follow the instructions provided with the device To recover your pre installed software and drivers 1 Click Start All Programs Gateway then click Gateway Recovery Management Gateway Recovery Management opens OR If you are recovering from your driver and application recover...

Page 94: ...System Restore periodically takes snapshots of your system settings and saves them as restore points In most cases of hard to resolve software problems you can return to one of these restore points to get your system running again Windows automatically creates an additional restore point each day and also each time you install software or device drivers Help For more information about using Micros...

Page 95: ... On the left side of the window click Repair Windows using System Restore then click Next The Choose a restore point dialog box opens 3 Click the restore point you want click Next then click Finish A confirmation message box appears 4 Click Yes Your system is restored using the restore point you specified This process may take several minutes and may restart your computer ...

Page 96: ...on page 91 If you cannot run Windows Vista and your original hard drive has been completely re formatted or you have installed a replacement hard drive see Recovering from your recovery discs on page 92 Recovering from within Windows Vista To reinstall Windows Vista and all pre installed software and drivers 1 Click Start All Programs Gateway then click Gateway Recovery Management Gateway Recovery...

Page 97: ... your computer 5 Click OK Your computer restarts 6 Follow the on screen prompts for first time system setup Recovering from the hard drive during startup To reinstall Windows Vista and all pre installed software and drivers 1 Turn on your computer then press ALT F10 during startup Gateway Recovery Management opens 2 Click Restore system from factory default 3 Click Next to continue Your hard drive...

Page 98: ... computer 2 During startup press F10 to open the boot menu The boot menu is where you can select which device to start from such as the hard drive or an optical disc 3 Use your arrow keys to select CDROM DVD then press ENTER Windows installs from the recovery disc you inserted 4 Insert the second recovery disc when prompted then follow the on screen prompts to complete the recovery Caution Continu...

Page 99: ...CHAPTER8 93 Troubleshooting Safety guidelines First steps Troubleshooting Telephone support ...

Page 100: ... replace the battery before you start your notebook First steps If you have problems with your notebook try these things first Make sure that the AC power adapter is connected to your notebook and an AC outlet and that the AC outlet is supplying power Make sure that the power cord is firmly connected to the AC power adapter If you use a power strip or surge protector make sure that it is turned on...

Page 101: ...down the exact message The message may help Gateway Customer Care in diagnosing and fixing the problem If you added or removed peripheral devices review the installation procedures you performed and make sure that you followed each instruction If an error occurs in a program see the program s printed documentation or the online help Troubleshooting Troubleshooting topics are listed in alphabetical...

Page 102: ...nnot be read by the diskette drive You see a Disk is full error message Delete unnecessary files on the diskette Try a different diskette Occasionally diskettes are flawed and cannot be read by the diskette drive Run Error checking on the diskette If errors are detected and corrected try using the diskette again For instructions on running Error checking see Checking the hard drive for errors in y...

Page 103: ...splay settings For instructions on changing the display settings see Changing screen settings in your online User Guide Move your notebook away from sources of electrical interference such as televisions unshielded speakers microwaves fluorescent lights and metal beams or shelves The display has pixels that are always dark or too bright This condition is normal and inherent in the TFT technology u...

Page 104: ...not be able to play these CDs on your notebook Your notebook may be experiencing some temporary memory problems Shut down and restart your notebook Clean the disc For more information see Cleaning CDs or DVDs on page 83 An audio CD does not produce sound Make sure that the CD label is facing up then try again Some music CDs have copy protection software You may not be able to play these CDs on you...

Page 105: ...eaning CDs or DVDs on page 83 Make sure that the disc s regional code and your DVD drive s regional code match Make sure that a DVD player program has been installed on your notebook For instructions on playing a DVD see Playing music and movies in your online User Guide A DVD does not produce sound on a television Audio is transmitted through an HDMI connection however audio is not transmitted th...

Page 106: ...your Express Card s documentation File management A file was accidentally deleted Recover the file from the Recycle Bin by following the instructions in Deleting files and folders in your online User Guide Caution If a file was deleted while holding down the SHIFT key or if the Recycle Bin has been emptied the file cannot be restored Help For more information about restoring deleted files click St...

Page 107: ...d drive problems run the Error checking program For instructions on fixing hard drive problems see Checking the hard drive for errors in your online User Guide The hard drive cannot be accessed or you see a General failure reading drive C error message If a diskette is in the diskette drive eject it and restart your notebook Make sure that the hard drive is installed correctly Remove it firmly rei...

Page 108: ...t your account with your Internet service provider ISP is set up correctly Contact your ISP technical support for help You see an Unable to locate host message and are unable to browse the Internet This problem can occur when you have typed a URL Web address incorrectly you have lost your Internet connection or your ISP is having technical difficulties Double check the URL or try a different URL I...

Page 109: ... account with your Internet service provider ISP is set up correctly Contact your ISP for technical support Keyboard A keyboard character keeps repeating or you see a Keyboard stuck or Key failure error message Make sure that nothing is resting on the keyboard Make sure that a key is not stuck Press each key to loosen a key that might be stuck then restart your notebook You are pressing a letter k...

Page 110: ... Media Center troubleshooting information that is not covered in this section go to the Gateway support Web Site at www gateway com The Media Center video display looks bad on your TV Many factors such as the display type quality of the video source type of connection used quality of video cables display device screen resolution size of TV age of the TV or the type of TV interlaced or progressive ...

Page 111: ...ype of video cables can cause problems and affect the video quality Gateway recommends using high quality video cables that can be purchased from Gateway Screen resolution By default the notebook uses a screen resolution optimized for the LCD screen Many older TVs cannot display this high of a resolution and may shift scramble or scroll the picture For a better picture on a TV display you may need...

Page 112: ... TV will most likely flicker when displaying thin lines and small text An interlaced video display device will produce a lower quality display especially when viewing and using the notebook functions Progressive scan video displays a video frame with one pass of sequential scan lines A progressive scan TV displays the entire picture drawn sequentially from top to bottom without the odd even interl...

Page 113: ...dows XP with Service Pack SP 1 or 2 Windows Media Player 9 or later and the Windows patch Q810243 Update You want to know whether you can play recorded videos on your home DVD player Yes you can DVDs recorded with the Media Center can be played on a home DVD player Memory You see a Memory error message Make sure that the memory module is inserted correctly in the memory bay slot Use the Memory Dia...

Page 114: ...o the Ethernet network jack and not the optional modem jack For the location of your network jack see Left on page 7 See the documentation that came with your modem for additional troubleshooting information Modem dial up Your modem does not dial or does not connect Make sure that the modem cable is plugged into the optional modem jack and not the Ethernet network jack For the location of your mod...

Page 115: ... get the correct code to temporarily disable the service Also make sure that the modem dialing properties are set appropriately To check the dialing properties 1 Click Start then click Control Panel The Control Panel window opens 2 Click Hardware and Sound 3 Click the Phone and Modem Options The Phone and Modem Options dialog box opens 4 Click the Dialing Rules tab 5 Click the location from which ...

Page 116: ...that makes a difference Make sure that the connectors are free from corrosion and all screws in the wall or telephone wall jack are secure You can also call your telephone service and have the telephone line checked for noise or low line levels Try another telephone line either a different telephone number in your house or a telephone line at a different location If you can connect on this line ca...

Page 117: ...ecognized by your notebook Make sure that the line connected to the modem is working and plugged into the appropriate port on your notebook For the location of your optional modem jack see Back on page 10 If the modem shares the telephone line with another device make sure that the telephone line is not in use for example someone is on the telephone or another modem is in use Use a different modem...

Page 118: ...You may hear unusual handshaking sounds when the modems first connect If the handshaking sounds are too loud you can turn down the modem volume To turn down the modem volume 1 Click Start then click Control Panel The Control Panel window opens 2 Click Hardware and Sound 3 Click Phone and Modem Options The Phone and Modem Options dialog box opens 4 Click the Modems tab 5 Click the modem you want to...

Page 119: ...ged into a powered electrical outlet and turned on Make sure that the router is plugged into a powered electrical outlet and turned on Most routers have lights that indicate they are working For more information see the documentation that came with your router Make sure that all computers on your network have the same workgroup name Make sure that all computers are using the same Subnet Mask If yo...

Page 120: ...ication between your Internet Service Provider and your modem and between your modem and your access point If you previously accessed the Internet through a dial up modem Internet Explorer may not be set up to access the Internet through a network Remove the dial up connection in the Internet Options in Internet Explorer You cannot connect to your home network If your notebook is a member of a dom...

Page 121: ... you should check your network signal strength If you find the signal strength is low try moving to a new location to increase the signal strength To check the signal strength 1 Click Start right click Network then click Properties The Network and Sharing Center window opens 2 Click View status for the network connection The Wireless Network Connection Status dialog box opens The meter shows the s...

Page 122: ...o the wireless utility You may want to try entering ANY as the SSID which will make the computer try to auto detect the network Your wireless network is listed as a preferred network but it has an x on it An x means your preferred network is not currently available or you are not currently in range to connect Internet Explorer is unable to access the Internet Reset the power on your cable or DSL m...

Page 123: ...ay not be able to connect your notebook to your home network workgroup to access shared files or printers on your home network You may however be able to access the Internet through your home network Passwords Your notebook does not accept your password Make sure that CAPS LOCK and NUM LOCK are turned off then retype the password You forgot your startup password The password feature which is set i...

Page 124: ...book is not working on battery power Check the power management settings For more information about using power management settings see Changing notebook power settings on page 69 Make sure that the battery is installed correctly For instructions on inserting your battery see Changing batteries on page 63 Make sure that the battery is fully recharged For more information about recharging the batte...

Page 125: ...the printer you want to print to is not the default printer make sure that you have selected it in the printer setup To set a default printer 1 Click Start then click Control Panel The Control Panel window opens 2 Click Hardware and Sound 3 Click Printers 4 Right click the name of the printer you want to be the default printer then click Set as Default Printer Reinstall the printer driver See the ...

Page 126: ...fter adding paper Sound You are not getting sound from the built in speakers Make sure that headphones are not plugged into the headphone jack Make sure that the volume control on your notebook is turned up For more information about using your volume control see Adjusting the volume on page 42 Make sure that the Windows volume control is turned up For instructions on how to adjust the volume cont...

Page 127: ...st the touchpad settings For instructions on how to adjust the touchpad settings see Changing mouse touchpad or pointing device settings in your online User Guide Video The projector monitor or television is not working Make sure that you have pressed FN F4 to activate the external monitor option Make sure that the monitor is turned on and that the video cable is connected correctly Telephone supp...

Page 128: ... site See the troubleshooting section of this chapter Have your customer ID serial number and order number available along with a detailed description of your problem including the exact text of any error messages and the steps you have taken Make sure that your notebook is nearby at the time of your call The technician may have you follow troubleshooting steps The Setup Guide includes the Gateway...

Page 129: ...APPENDIXA 123 Legal Information Important safety information Regulatory compliance statements Environmental information Notices ...

Page 130: ...tion openings Some notebook are equipped with a three wire power cord to make sure that the notebook is properly grounded when in use The plug on this cord will fit only into a grounding type outlet This is a safety feature If you are unable to insert the plug into an outlet contact an electrician to install the appropriate outlet If you use an extension cord with this notebook make sure that the ...

Page 131: ...otebook The notebook does not operate properly when the operating instructions are followed The notebook was dropped or the cabinet is damaged The notebook performance changes Replacement parts and accessories Use only replacement parts and accessories recommended by Gateway Regulatory compliance statements Wireless guidance Low power Radio transmitting type devices radio frequency RF wireless com...

Page 132: ...is prohibited Some circumstances require restrictions on wireless devices United States of America Warning In environments where the risk of interference to other devices or services is harmful or perceived as harmful the option to use a wireless device may be restricted or eliminated Airports Hospitals and Oxygen or flammable gas laden atmospheres are limited examples where use of wireless device...

Page 133: ...gital device pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation This equipment generates uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception However there is no guarantee tha...

Page 134: ...one line cord with a modular plug is required for use with this device The modem is designed to be connected to the telephone network or premises wiring using a compatible modular jack which is Part 68 compliant See installation instructions for details The Ringer Equivalence Number REN is used to determine the number of devices which may be connected to the telephone line Excessive RENs on a tele...

Page 135: ...other entity or other individual sending the message and the telephone number of the sending machine or such business other entity or individual Refer to your fax communication software documentation for details on how to comply with the fax branding requirement Canada Industry Canada IC Intentional emitter per RSS 210 Low power Radio transmitter type devices radio frequency RF wireless communicat...

Page 136: ...pment will operate to the users satisfaction Before installing this equipment users should make sure that it is permissible to be connected to the facilities of the local telecommunications company The equipment must also be installed using an acceptable method of connection In some cases the inside wiring associated with a single line individual service may be extended by means of a certified con...

Page 137: ... into the environment and to maximize the use of our natural resources Gateway provides the following information on how you can responsibly recycle or reuse most of the materials in your end of life product Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment commonly known as WEEE should never be disposed of in the municipal waste stream residential garbage collection The Crossed Out Waste Bin label affixe...

Page 138: ...your effort Finally we suggest that you practice other environmentally friendly actions by understanding and using the energy saving features of this product where applicable recycling the inner and outer packaging including shipping containers this product was delivered in and by disposing of or recycling used batteries properly With your help we can reduce the amount of natural resources needed ...

Page 139: ...ibility of such damages In the interest of continued product development Gateway reserves the right to make improvements in this manual and the products it describes at any time without notices or obligation Trademark Acknowledgments Gateway and the Black and White Spot Design are trademarks or registered trademarks of Gateway Inc in the U S and other countries Intel Intel Inside logo and Pentium ...

Page 140: ...APPENDIX A Legal Information 134 ...

Page 141: ...hanging 63 charge indicator 6 62 charge status 62 charging 18 62 conserving power 66 extending life 82 fuel gauges 82 icons 62 installing 63 latch 11 life span 82 locating 11 managing power 66 maximizing performance 65 monitoring charge 62 recalibrating 64 recharging 18 62 release latch 11 replacing 63 storing 83 troubleshooting 118 bays battery 63 hard drive 11 12 memory 12 BIOS Setup utility 64 ...

Page 142: ... cards 51 Certificate of Authenticity 3 changing battery 62 cleaning audio CD 83 case 81 CD 83 DVD 83 keyboard 81 LCD panel 82 notebook exterior 80 screen 82 clicking 34 closing unresponsive program 25 connecting AC adapter 18 cable modem 20 dial up modem 21 DSL modem 20 external keyboard 28 external monitor 55 keyboard 28 mouse 34 printer 54 projector 55 scanner 54 television 55 to wired Ethernet...

Page 143: ...oting 97 display properties adjusting 57 documentation User Guide 2 double clicking 35 dragging 35 drivers re installing 84 87 drives DVD 48 DVD CD RW 9 48 DVD RW 9 49 hard drive 11 12 HD DVD 49 HD DVD RW 9 identifying drive types 48 multi format DVD RW 9 49 troubleshooting 96 98 101 types 48 DSL modem 7 20 connecting 20 troubleshooting 108 DVD cleaning 83 controlling playback 37 eject button 49 5...

Page 144: ...ry Center re installing drivers 87 re installing programs 87 re installing software 87 H hard drive bay 11 12 indicator 27 troubleshooting 101 HDMI TV out jack 7 HDMI port 31 54 55 headphone jack 6 Help button 39 Hibernate mode 25 68 hot swapping 53 54 Hybrid Sleep mode 31 68 system key 31 turning on 71 I IEEE 802 11 using while traveling 75 indicators See status indicators installing battery 63 d...

Page 145: ... key 31 line protector 74 line tester 74 lock cable 76 Kensington cable 8 M maintenance cleaning 80 83 Media Center 36 troubleshooting 104 media reader See memory card reader memory bay 12 troubleshooting 107 memory card reader inserting card 52 locating 7 memory cards supported 51 removing card 52 troubleshooting 108 using 51 microphone jack 6 Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity 3 model number ...

Page 146: ...4 password 76 117 startup 76 supervisor 76 user 76 PCMCIA card See Express Card PDA memory cards 51 peripheral devices 54 Plug and Play devices USB support for 54 pointer identifying 33 moving 34 ports See connections power AC adapter 18 67 advanced settings 69 71 alternate sources 67 automobile airplane adapter 67 battery 62 63 64 66 button 13 31 changing modes 68 changing plans 69 connector 8 18...

Page 147: ...tore 88 Recycle Bin deleting files 101 emptying 101 regional code DVD 49 re installing defaults 90 drivers 84 87 programs 84 87 software 84 87 Windows 84 with Gateway Recovery Center 87 with Windows System Restore 88 replacing See installing resetting notebook 25 restarting notebook 25 restoring defaults 90 drivers 84 87 programs 84 87 software 84 87 system 84 with Gateway Recovery Center 87 with ...

Page 148: ...us indicator wireless Ethernet 27 status indicators battery charge 6 62 Caps Lock 27 drive activity 27 hard drive 27 location 13 power 6 toggle on or off 30 120 troubleshooting 120 supervisor password 76 surge protector 20 Suspend 31 system identification label 3 system keys combinations 30 locating 29 T technical support Support 3 tips before contacting 121 telephone acoustic handset coupler 74 l...

Page 149: ...port 121 telephone support 121 touchpad 121 video 121 Web site connection speed 103 wired Ethernet 113 wireless Ethernet 115 wireless network 115 turning off Bluetooth 32 notebook 24 25 wireless Ethernet 44 wireless network 32 turning on Bluetooth 32 notebook 23 wireless Ethernet 31 wireless network 31 44 TV out HDMI jack 7 55 U USB connecting device 54 port 54 USB port 7 9 user password 76 V vent...

Page 150: ...wired Ethernet troubleshooting 113 wireless Ethernet button 31 status indicator 27 troubleshooting 115 turning off 44 turning on 44 using while traveling 75 wireless network troubleshooting 115 working safely 16 ...

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