Getting Started

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

Connect the AC adapter

Start and turn off your notebook

Identify the status indicators

Use the keyboard

Use the EZ Pad touchpad

Connect the modem

Connect to an Ethernet network

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 information, see "Recalibrating the battery".

To connect the AC adapter:

1. Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.

Warning

Make sure that you use the AC adapter that came with your notebook. 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 your 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 (see "Front" for the location of the battery charge indicator). If the battery charge indicator does not turn on, unplug the adapter from your notebook, then plug it back in.

4. When you finish using your notebook for the first time, turn your notebook off and leave your 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 the battery charge meter on your model, see "Monitoring the battery charge".

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

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 notebook can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system damage. Protect your notebook and peripheral devices by connecting them to a surge protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from reaching your notebook.

Warning

High voltages can enter your notebook through both the power cord and the modem connection. Protect your notebook 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 your notebook:

1. Open your notebook by pressing the latch on the front of your notebook 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 notebook for the first time, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your notebook.

Waking up your notebook

When you have not used your notebook for several minutes, it may enter 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 "Changing power settings".

Turning off your notebook

To turn off your notebook in Windows XP:

1. Click Start, then click Turn Off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box opens.

2. Click Turn Off. Windows shuts down and turns off your notebook.

Important

If for some reason you cannot use the Turn Off Computer option in Windows to turn off your notebook, press and hold the power button for about five seconds, then release it.

To turn off your notebook in Windows 2000:

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

2. Click the arrow button to open the What do you want your computer to do list, then click 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, then release it.

Restarting (rebooting) your notebook

If your notebook does not respond to keyboard or touchpad input, you may have to close programs that are not responding. If closing unresponsive programs does not restore your notebook to normal operation, you may have to restart (reboot) your notebook.

To close unresponsive programs and restart your notebook:

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del. A window opens that lets you close a program that is not responding.

2. Click the program that is not responding.

3. Close the program by clicking End Task.

4. If your notebook does not respond, turn it off, wait ten seconds and turn it on again.

Important

If your notebook does not turn off immediately, complete the following steps until the notebook turns off: Press and hold the power button for about five seconds, then release it. Insert a straightened paper clip into the reset hole on the bottom of your notebook. Remove AC power and the batteries for more than 10 seconds.

As a part of the regular startup process, a program to check the disk status runs automatically. When the checks are finished, Windows starts.

Status indicators

Status indicators inform you when a drive is being used or when a button has been pressed that affects how the keyboard is used.

Indicator	Icon	Description
Hard drive		The hard drive is in use.
Left-side modular drive		n Indicator Blinking Green - The modular drive is in use. n Indicator Solid Green - The module is ready to swap.
Right-side modular drive		n Indicator Blinking Green - The modular drive is in use. n Indicator Solid Green - The module is ready to swap.
Caps Lock		Caps Lock is turned on.
Scroll Lock		Scroll Lock is turned on. For more information, see "System key combinations".
Pad Lock		Numeric keypad is turned on. For more information, see "System key combinations".

Using the keyboard

Your notebook features a full-size keyboard that functions the same as a desktop computer keyboard. Many of the keys have been assigned alternate functions, including shortcut keys for Windows, function keys for specific system operations, and the Pad Lock keys for the numeric keypad.

You can attach an external keyboard to the notebook using a USB or PS/2 port. You do not need to shut down the notebook to connect a USB keyboard. Attaching a PS/2 keyboard to your notebook or port replicator may turn off the built-in keyboard.

Key types

The keyboard has several different types of keys. Some keys perform specific actions when pressed alone and other actions when pressed in combination with another key.

Key type	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. 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.
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 colored system key (such as Status, Standby, or Pause) to perform a specific action.
Windows key		Press this key 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 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.
LCD brightness keys		Press these colored keys in combination with the Fn key to control the screen brightness.

System key combinations

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

Press and hold Fn while pressing this system key...	To...
	Display the power status box in the upper-left corner of your display. 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 display between the LCD, an external monitor, or both displays at the same time. A monitor must be plugged into the monitor port on your notebook or port replicator.
	Enter Standby mode. Press the power button to leave Standby mode. For more information, see "Changing power modes".
	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 when this function is turned on.
	Pause the text scrolling in a DOS screen. Press this key combination again to continue scrolling. The Scroll Lock status indicator appears when this function is turned on. (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.

Multi-function buttons

Press the multi-function buttons to open the programs associated with them.

Button	Icon	Press to...
E-mail		Open your default e-mail program.
Internet		Open your default Web browser.
Help		Open online help.
My Computer		Open the My Computer window.

Using the EZ Pad touchpad

The EZ Pad™ consists of a touchpad, two buttons, and a rocker switch.

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.

You can assign a function to the rocker switch between the touchpad buttons. This function can be to scroll up or down, maximize or minimize the active window, or open and close the Start menu. For more information about programming the rocker switch, see "Changing the touchpad settings".

Important

Attaching a PS/2 mouse to your notebook or port replicator may turn off the touchpad.

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. Quickly press and release the left button 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 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.

For instructions on how to adjust the double-click speed, pointer speed, right-hand or left-hand configuration, and other touchpad settings, see "Changing the touchpad settings".

Connecting the modem

Your notebook has a built-in 56K modem that you can use to connect to a standard telephone line.

Caution

To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger telecommunications line cord.

To connect the modem:

1. Insert one end of the modem cable into the modem jack   on the back of your 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 program.

Connecting to a wired Ethernet network

Your notebook has a network jack that you can use to connect to a 10/100 wired Ethernet network.

Important

Your notebook may be equipped with built-in wireless Ethernet or you may have a wireless Ethernet PC Card. For information about connecting to a wired or wireless Ethernet network, see "Networking Your Computer". For information about installing a wireless Ethernet PC Card, see "Adding and removing a PC Card".

To connect to a wired Ethernet network:

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

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

Broadband Internet connections

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

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

Important

Before you install a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device, see the device documentation and installation instructions.

Your computer has one or more of the following ports: IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire^® or i.Link^®), Universal Serial Bus (USB), serial, and parallel. You use these ports to connect peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras to your computer. For more information about port locations, see "Checking Out Your Gateway 600" and "Using the Gateway 600 Port Replicator".

IEEE 1394 and 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 an IEEE 1394 or 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. See the device documentation for detailed information and installation instructions.

Help and Support

For more information about installing peripheral devices in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword installing devices in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.