Checking Out Your Gateway 400

    This chapter introduces you to the basic features of your notebook. Read this chapter to learn:

How to identify the features of your Gateway notebook
How to locate your notebook's model and serial number
How to locate the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity
How to locate the specifications for your notebook
What accessories are available for your notebook

    Tips & Tricks

    To access the contents of this guide while you are traveling, click Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Utilities. You can also download an electronic copy from www.gateway.com/support/manlib/.

    Front

    Component Icon Description

    Battery charge indicator

    The LED shows the battery activity and status.

    LED green - battery is fully charged.

    LED orange - battery is charging.

    LED red - battery is malfunctioning.

    This LED only lights up when the notebook is plugged in.

    Power indicator

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

    LED on - power is on.

    LED blinking - power is in Standby mode.

    LED off - power is off.

    LCD panel release latch

    Open the LCD panel by pressing the release latch.

    Left side

    Component Icon Description

    Modem jack

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

    Ethernet jack

    Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable into this jack. For more information, see "Connecting to a wired Ethernet network" and "Networking Your Computer".

    USB ports

    Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB IomegaTM Zip drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse) into these ports.

    IEEE 1394 port

    Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire® or i.Link®) device (such as a digital camcorder) into this 4-pin IEEE 1394 port.

    PC Card slot

    Insert one Type II or one Type III PC Card into this slot. For more information, see "Adding and removing a PC Card".

    PC Card eject button

    Press the eject button to remove the PC Card from the PC Card slot. For more information, see "Adding and removing a PC Card".

    Microphone jack

    Plug a microphone into this jack.

    Headphone jack

    Plug headphones or amplified speakers into this jack. The built-in speakers are turned off when speakers or headphones are plugged into this jack.

    Diskette drive

    Insert a standard 3.5-inch diskette into this drive. For more information, see "Using the diskette drive".

    Right side

    Component Icon Description

    CD/DVD/Recordable drive

    Insert CDs, CD-RWs, or DVDs into this drive. For more information, see "Using the CD or DVD drive".

    This drive may be a CD, DVD, CD-RW, or combination DVD/CD-RW drive. To determine the type of drive in the notebook, examine the drive tray's plastic cover and compare the logo to those listed in "Identifying drive types".

    Back

    Component Icon Description

    Monitor port

    Plug an analog VGA monitor into this port.

    Ventilation fan

    Helps cool internal components. Do not block or insert objects into these slots.

    Parallel port

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

    Power connector

    Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector.

    KensingtonTM lock slot

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

    Bottom

    Component Icon Description

    Serial number label

    Includes your notebook's serial number. For more information, see "Gateway serial number".

    System label

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

    Mini PCI bay

    The optional wireless Ethernet mini PCI card is located in this bay.

    Reset hole

    Insert a straightened paper clip into this hole to manually restart the notebook.

    Hard drive bay

    The hard drive kit is located in this bay. For more information, see "Replacing the hard drive kit".

    Battery bay

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

    Battery latch

    Slide to release the battery.

    Memory bay

    Install as many as two memory modules into this bay. For more information, see "Adding or replacing memory".

    Keyboard area

    Component Icon Description

    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 information, see "Status indicators".

    Multi-function buttons

    Press these buttons to open programs assigned to them. By default, these buttons are set to open your e-mail program, your Web browser, online help, and another program that you assign. For more information, see "Multi-function buttons".

    Speakers

    Provide audio output when headphones or amplified speakers are not plugged in.

    Touchpad

    Provides all the functionality of a mouse. For more information, see "Using the EZ Pad touchpad".

    Keyboard

    Provides all the features of a full-sized 86-key keyboard. For more information, see "Using the keyboard".

    Power button

    Press to turn the power on or off. You can also configure the power button for Standby/Resume mode. For more information on configuring the power button mode, see "Changing power settings".

    Identifying your model

      Important

      The labels shown in this section are for informational purposes only. Label information varies by model, features ordered, and location.

      Gateway model number

        The label on the bottom of your notebook contains information that identifies your notebook model and its features. Gateway Technical Support will need this information if you call for assistance.

      Gateway serial number

        You can locate the Gateway serial number:

      Printed on a white sticker on the bottom or back of your notebook.
      Printed on the customer invoice that came with your notebook. The invoice also contains your customer ID number.
      Displayed in HelpSpot. Click Start, Help and Support, then click View product serial number.

      Internal wireless label

        A label similar to the following indicates your computer contains a wireless communications device. The label is located on the bottom of your notebook.

      Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

        The Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity label found on the bottom of your notebook includes the product key code for your operating system.

      Finding your specifications

        For more information about your computer, such as memory size, memory type, and hard drive size, go to the My Computer Info link in HelpSpot or visit Gateway's eSupport page at support.gateway.com. The eSupport page also has links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications.

        View your computer's serial number by clicking Start, Help and Support, then clicking View system serial number. Check your specifications by clicking Start, Help and Support, then clicking See your PC's configuration.

        You can also find out more about your computer at the Gateway eSupport site. Visit support.gateway.com.

      Accessories

        Gateway offers accessories that can help you make the most of using your notebook. To order accessories, visit the Accessory Store at accessories.gateway.com.

      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. See "Changing the battery" for more information in your notebook.

        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.

      Peripheral devices

        You can attach 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. See "Adding or replacing memory" for more information.

      Printers

        You can attach almost any type of printer to your notebook. The most common types are inkjet and laser printers, which print in color or black and white. See "Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device" for more information about attaching a printer to your notebook.

        Inkjet printers and cartridges are relatively inexpensive, but 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 they print much faster than inkjet printers. Laser printers are better than inkjet printers when you are printing large documents.