Getting Started

    This chapter provides basic information about your Gateway computer hardware and software. Read this chapter to:

Learn how to connect power, start the notebook, and turn off the notebook
Learn how to operate the pointing device and keyboard
Understand indicators
Identify all ports, connectors, and buttons
Learn about available accessories

Connecting AC power

    Your notebook battery was shipped to you partially charged and ready to use. You may want to use the AC adapter to complete charging the battery while you are checking out some of the features.

      Caution

      Replace the power cord if it becomes damaged. The replacement cord must be of the same type and voltage rating as the original cord.

        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 personal injury or death. Contact Gateway about returning defective AC adapters.

      To connect the AC adapter:

        1. Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.
        1. Plug the AC adapter into the notebook power connector.
        1. Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet.

      Starting your computer

      To start your computer:

        1. Slide the latches on the front of your notebook outward and lift the cover.
        1. Press the power button.
          The power button is preset to On/Off mode. You can also set it to function in either Standby/Resume mode or Hibernate mode. For more information on changing the power button mode, see "Changing settings in Windows 98" .
        1. The first time you turn on your computer, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the software setup. For information on signing up for an Internet Service Provider (ISP) account, see "Setting up an Internet account".

      Waking up your computer

      When you have not used your computer for several minutes, it will go into a power-saving mode called Standby. While in Standby, the computer screen darkens and the power indicator light blinks every two seconds. When you are ready to use your computer, "wake" it up by pressing a button or key on the keyboard. For more information on changing power-saving settings, see "Changing power settings".

      Turning off your computer

      To turn off your notebook:

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

        2. Select Shut down, then click OK. Windows shuts down your computer.
          If your computer does not respond to keyboard or mouse commands and you are unable to use the Shut Down option, press and hold the power button for at least four seconds.

      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, including shortcut keys for Windows, function keys for system operations, and a Pad Lock key that enables the embedded numeric keypad.

        1. Fn combination keys
        2. Numeric keypad
        3. Windows key
        4. Fn (function) key

      Using function key combinations

        Press the Fn key together with one of the following keys to perform the function:

      Combination Key Function

      Displays the power status in the upper left corner of the Windows desktop. Press the key combination again to make the power status disappear.

      Toggles between the LCD display, external monitor, or both displays at the same time.

      Activates Standby mode in Windows 98 and Suspend mode in Windows 95 and Windows NT. Press the power button to bring the notebook out of Standby/Suspend mode.

      Activates Pad Lock so you can use the embedded numeric keypad. The Pad Lock status indicator stays lit while this function is enabled.

      Activates Scroll Lock so you can scroll through large volumes of text in some applications. The Scroll Lock status indicator stays lit while this function is enabled.

      Increases LCD brightness.

      Decreases LCD brightness.

      Using the EZ Pad touchpad

        Like a mouse, the EZ Pad® touchpad pointing device controls the pointer movements on the display. You can also use an external mouse.

        1. EZ Pad touchpad
        2. Left EZ Pad button (for left mouse clicks)
        3. Right EZ Pad button (for right mouse clicks)

      Mouse and touchpad action equivalents

        This touchpad uses one surface for both mouse and wheel actions, which means you can perform all of the wheel mouse actions without using the buttons on the notebook.

        When your finger reaches the edges of the touchpad, you can continue to move the pointer and drag objects. You can also move horizontally and vertically without being constrained by the size of the touchpad. This is especially useful when dragging objects and selecting text because there is no need to remove your finger until the action is complete.

        To... ...do this:


        Move pointer


        Slide finger.


        Left button click


        Tap one finger.



        Left button double-click


        Double-tap one finger.


        Left button drag


        Double-tap and drag.

        Use smart Edges

        Double-tap and drag. When your finger stops at an edge of the touchpad, the pointer continues moving across the screen.


        Scroll up and down


        Place finger on right edge of the touchpad and move up/down.

      Changing touchpad properties

        Use the following procedure to change EZ Pad properties including pointer size, button assignments, pointer speed and acceleration, scrolling speed, and edge motion.

      To customize the EZ Pad touchpad:

        1. Double-click on the taskbar. The Mouse Properties window opens.

        2. Click a tab in the Mouse Properties window, then customize the touchpad functions.

        To find more help about using the touchpad, click on the taskbar, then select Help.

      Using an external mouse or keyboard

        You can attach an external mouse or keyboard to the notebook using the PS/2, USB, or serial port. You do not need to shut down the notebook before connecting to an external PS/2 mouse or keyboard.

      System status indicators

      This light... turns on when...

      A

      The hard disk is accessed.

      B

      The diskette drive, ZIP drive, or CD/DVD drive is accessed.

      C

      The Caps Lock is enabled.

      D

      The Pad Lock is enabled.

      E

      The Scroll Lock is enabled.

      Multi-function buttons

      Button Icon Description

      A

      Volume controls

      Adjust volume. Left button increases volume. Right button decreases volume.

      B

      Mute

      Turns off all sound. Press again to turn sound on.

      C

      E-mail

      Launches an e-mail program.

      D

      Web browser

      Launches your Web browser.

      E

      Help

      Launches Help.

      F

      Shortcut

      Launches a program you specify. To program this button to launch a specific program, see "Customizing the multi-function buttons" .

      G

      Power

      Turns power on and off. Can also be configured to Standby/Resume mode or Hibernate mode. For more information on mapping the power button to power saving modes, see "To change advanced power management settings:" .

      Front

       
      Component Icon Description

      A

      Release latches


      Release the LCD panel.

      B

      Speakers


      Provide stereo output.

      C

      Battery indicator light

      Indicates battery charge status:

      • Green - Battery is fully charged.
      • Orange - Battery is charging.

      D

      Power indicator light

      Indicates notebook power status:

      • Steady - Power is on.
      • Blinking - Notebook is in Standby mode.
      • Off - Power is off or system is in Hibernate (save to disk) mode.

      Back

      Component Icon Description

      A

      Network jack

      Provides an Ethernet 10/100 connection to a network.

      B

      Modem jack

      Connects the built-in modem to an analog phone system using a standard telephone cable.

      C

      Keyboard or mouse port

      Connects your notebook to an external PS/2 keyboard or mouse. With a PS/2 Y-splitter, you can connect an external mouse and keyboard at the same time.

      D

      Parallel port

      Connects your notebook to a parallel device, such as a printer.

      E

      Serial port

      Connects your notebook to a serial device, such as a serial mouse.

      F

      External monitor port

      Connects your notebook to an external VGA monitor using an analog video cable.

      G

      USB port

      Connects your notebook to a USB device, such as a USB scanner.

      H

      Power connector

      Connects your notebook to the Gateway Solo 2150 AC adapter.

      I

      Cooling fan outlet

      Helps cool internal components.

      Right side

      Component Icon Description

      A

      Diskette drive

      Accepts standard 3.5-inch diskettes.

      B

      Diskette activity light

      Indicates diskette activity. While this light is on, do not eject the diskette.

      C

      Diskette eject button

      Ejects a diskette from the drive.

      D

      CD/DVD or ZIP drive

      The CD/DVD drive accepts all CDs. The DVD drive also accepts DVDs. The ZIP drive accepts only ZIP disks.

      E

      CD/DVD activity light

      Indicates CD/DVD activity. While this light is on, do not open the drive tray.

      F

      CD/DVD eject button

      Ejects the CD/DVD drive tray.

      G

      CD/DVD manual tray release

      Lets you open the CD/DVD drive tray manually using a straightened paper clip.

      H

      Hard drive face plate

      Provides access to the hard drive.

      I

      Microphone In

      Connects your notebook to an external microphone.

      J

      Speaker Out/Headphone jack

      Connects your notebook to external speakers or headphones.

      Left side

      Component Icon Description

      A

      Kensington lock slot

      Used with a Kensington cable lock to secure your notebook to a heavy or immovable object.

      B

      PC Card slots

      Accept one Type III PC Card or two Type I or II PC Cards. For more information, see "Using PC Cards" .

      C

      PC Card eject buttons

      Eject PC Cards from PC card slots.

      D

      Battery bay

      Contains the battery for power and for charging.

      Bottom

      Component Icon Description

      A

      Hard drive face plate

      Provides access to the hard drive.

      B

      Memory bay

      Memory bay contains one SO-DIMM memory module slot.

      C

      Modular bay latch

      Releases the CD/DVD or ZIP drive.

      D

      Modular bay

      Contains a CD/DVD drive or ZIP drive.

      E

      Battery bay

      Holds the battery.

      F

      Battery release latch

      Releases the battery so you can swap it for a fully charged battery.

      G

      System label

      Provides system information.

      Accessories

        Gateway offers many accessories that can help you make the most of using your Solo notebook:

      Batteries
      Automobile/airplane power adapters
      Memory modules and hard drives
      External keyboards and speakers
      Modem and network cards
      Tape backup units
      Carrying cases
      Printers
      Software

        Important

        For more information on these or other Gateway accessories for your notebook, visit the Gateway Web site at www.gateway.com or call 800-846-2000.