Learning about Your Notebook

    This chapter shows features and options that are available on your notebook. It also describes the various resources that you can access for more information.

Keyboard and LCD

Component Description

A

TFT Color Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

Backlit anti-glare screen

B

Keyboard

Provides the full functionality of a desktop computer keyboard.

C

EZ PadTM touchpad or EZ PointTM stickpoint

Controls the pointer movement on the screen.

Front

    Component Description

    A

    Microphone

    Use to record sound when the system is recording.

    B

    Power LED

    Check LED for notebook power status:

    Steady green - power is ON.

    Blinking green - notebook is in suspend or standby mode. The LED flashes every four seconds.

    LED off - power is OFF.

    C

    Cover release button

    Open notebook cover by sliding right.

    D

    CD/DVD drive

    Insert data or audio CD discs into this drive. Optional DVD drive reads DVD and CD discs.

    E

    CD/DVD Eject button

    Press to eject the CD/DVD tray from the drive.

Back

    Component Icon Description

    A

    Parallel port (LPT1)

    Connect a parallel device such as a printer to this port.

    B

    Docking port

    Connect an optional docking station to this port.

    C

    IR (Infrared) port

    Enable this port to connect your notebook to separate devices (printers, peripherals, other computers) using infrared signals that travel between the notebook and the remote device.

    D

    VGA port

    Connect an external monitor cable to this port.

    E

    Serial port

    Connect an optional serial device to this port.

Right side

    Component Icon Description

    A

    Diskette drive or LS120 drive

    Insert either a standard or LS120 diskette (for LS120 drives only) into this slot.

    B

    Diskette drive eject button

    Press the eject button to remove a diskette from the drive.

    C

    Modem jack (optional)

    Connect the notebook on-board modem to an analog phone system by plugging a phone line into this jack and to a phone wall jack.

    D

    PC Card eject buttons

    Press the eject button to remove PC Cards from PC Card slots. See "Using PC Cards for more information.

    E

    PC Card slots

    Insert PC Cards Type I, II, or III into these slots. See "Using PC Cards for more information.

    F

    PS/2 port

    Connect the keyboard, mouse, numeric keypad, or other external device to this port.

    G

    Power connector

    Connect the AC power adapter to this port.

    .

Left side

Component Icon Description

A

Kensington lock slot

Attach a Kensington lock cable into this slot.

B

USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports

Plug USB serial devices into these ports.

C

Battery bay

Insert battery into this bay.

D

Mic In

Connect an external microphone to this port to record audio (1/8-inch/3.5-mm jack).

E

Audio Line In

Connect an external audio input source (computer, stereo, VCR, etc.) to this port to record or play audio through the notebook speakers (1/8-inch/3.5-mm jack).

F

Speaker Out/Headphone jack

Connect external speakers or headphones to this port. Supports small unamplified speakers (1/8-inch/3.5-mm jack).

G

Volume wheel

Use to adjust volume for built-in speakers, external speakers, and headphones. Other port volume levels are controlled by multimedia software.

Bottom

Component Icon Description

A

System identification label

Find the product model number, serial number, display type, and processor speed on this label.

B

Diskette drive slot

Insert either a standard diskette drive or LS120 drive into this slot.

C

Battery release latch

Slide to release battery pack.

D

Hard disk drive bay

Open the cover to replace hard disk drive.

E

Memory bay


Open the memory bay cover to install or remove SO-DIMM memory modules.

System status indicators

    This indicator icon appears... when...

    Battery gauge

    A battery is installed. It shows battery activity and status.

    Charge

    A battery is charging on AC power. Turns off when battery is fully charged.

    AC power adapter

    The notebook is powered by the AC adapter.

    Hard drive

    The notebook accesses the hard drive.

    Diskette drive

    The notebook accesses the diskette drive or LS120 drive.

    CD/DVD drive

    The notebook accesses the CD/DVD drive.

    Scroll lock

    The scroll lock is enabled.

    Pad lock

    The pad lock is enabled.

    Caps lock

    The caps lock is enabled.

    System docked

    The notebook is docked.

For more information...

    In addition to this user guide, these resources are available to help you get the most from your Gateway notebook:

Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your Gateway Solo Notebook

    This manual contains information about managing system resources, preserving your system performance, reinstalling your operating system and drivers, and troubleshooting.

Microsoft Windows manual

    This manual addressed many questions about Windows for both beginners and advanced users. Use this manual to find information about using the operating system, getting help, using applications, organizing your files, troubleshooting, maintaining your notebook, and learning about advanced features such as connecting to a network.

Welcome to Windows

    The interactive Windows tutorial helps you become more familiar with Windows features and learn more about using and getting the most out of your notebook. The tutorial opens when you first start Windows. If you want to use the tutorial later, click Start, then select Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then Welcome to Windows.

Online help

    Most applications provide online help. You can use online help to find out more about the application and to get information about how to complete tasks.

    To use help, select Help or Contents and Index from the Help menu in an application.

    When the help window opens, you can select one of three tabs:

Contents provides a list of topics and help information about tasks you can do in Windows.
Index lets you search the entire help file for topics using keywords. Keywords are assigned to each help topic.
Search lets you search for any word that appears in a help file.

Microsoft Office assistants

    In addition to standard help, Microsoft Office applications provide animated characters called assistants. You can ask an assistant a question to get information about a task.

    To use an assistant, select Help from the Help menu in a Microsoft Office application, then click Help.

Gateway Web site (www.gateway.com)

    If you have a subscription to an Internet service provider, visit the technical support section of the Gateway web site for notebook support help, system specifications, technical documents, tech tips, frequently asked questions (FAQs), glossary, software library with BIOS updates, and other resources that can help you make the most of using your notebook.

Accessories

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

Port replicators
Docking stations
Battery packs
Battery chargers
Automobile/airplane adapters
Memory modules
External keyboards
External monitors
Speakers
Carrying cases
Printers
Tape backup units
Hard drives
Modems
Network cards
Software
Uninterruptable Power Supplies (UPS)

    For more information on these or other Gateway accessories for your notebook, visit our Web site at www.gateway.com or call 1.800.846.2000.