Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 9500

    Tips & Tricks

    To access the contents of this guide while you are traveling, download an electronic copy from www.support.gateway.com/s/manlib/.

    Front

    Component Icon Description

    Speakers

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

    Cover release latch

    Open the notebook cover by sliding the release latch to the right.

    Battery charge indicator

    Lights up when the computer is plugged in.

    • LED green - battery is fully charged.
    • LED orange - battery is charging.
    • LED off - notebook is running on battery power.

    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 or Suspend mode.
    • LED off - power is off.

    Left side

    Component Icon Description

    Port options


    Depending on the options you ordered with your notebook, this area can contain:


    • A modem jack


    • An Ethernet jack


    • An IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire or i.Link) port

    Ventilation fan


    Helps cool internal components. Do not block.

    PC Card slots


    Insert one Type I, II, III, or Zoom Video PC Card into this slot. For more information, see "Adding PC Cards".

    3.5-inch modular bay

    Install a standard 3.5-inch diskette drive or an LS-120 drive. For more information, see "Using diskettes" and "Changing 3.5-inch bay modules".

    Right side

    Component Icon Description

    USB ports

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

    S/PDIF digital audio jack

    Plug an optical Toslink digital audio cable into this jack.

    Headphone jack

    Plug amplified speakers or headphones into this jack.

    Line In jack

    Connect an external audio input source (such as a stereo) to this jack so that you can record sound on your computer or play sound through the notebook speakers.

    Microphone jack

    Plug a microphone into this jack. The built-in microphone is turned off when a microphone is plugged into this jack. For the location of your built-in microphone, see "Using the keyboard".

    5.25-inch modular bay

    Install a CD or DVD drive, a second hard drive, or a second battery into this bay. For more information, see "Installing a second battery" or "Changing 5.25-inch bay modules".

    Back

    Component Icon Description

    PS/2 port

    Plug a PS/2® (Personal System/2) device (such as a keyboard or mouse) into this port.

    Parallel port

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

    Monitor port

    Plug an analog VGA monitor into this port.

    Docking port

    Connect the optional docking station or port replicator to this port.

    Warning! Power is passed through this port. This docking connection is UL certified for use only with Solo 9500 docking stations or port replicators.

    Ventilation fan

    Helps cool internal components. Do not block.

    Serial port

    Plug a serial device (such as a digital camera) into this port.

    TV out jack

    Plug a TV into this jack so that you can view your notebook display on a TV using NTSC/PAL composite video. For more information, see "Viewing the display on a television".

    Power connector

    Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector.

    Kensington lock slot

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

    Bottom

    Component Icon Description

    Reset hole

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

    5.25-inch modular bay

    Install a CD/DVD drive, a second hard drive, or a second battery into this bay. For more information, see "Installing a second battery" or "Changing 5.25-inch bay modules".

    Memory bay

    Install memory modules into this bay. For more information, see "Installing memory".

    Battery bay

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

    Ventilation fan

    Helps cool internal components. Do not block.

    3.5-inch modular bay

    Install a standard 3.5-inch diskette drive or an LS-120 drive. For more information, see "Using diskettes" and "Changing 3.5-inch bay modules".

    Identifying your model

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

      Important

      The label shown below is for informational purposes only. Label information varies by model.

      Accessories

        Gateway offers accessories that can help you make the most of using your notebook.

      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.

        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.

      Docking stations and port replicators

        Although you can attach external devices directly to your notebook, a docking station or port replicator lets you make all of those connections at once. When you travel with your notebook, you merely disconnect from the docking station or port replicator instead of unplugging all the external devices.

        A docking station or port replicator also provides additional ports and other expansion features not included with your notebook.

      External devices

        You can attach external devices such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, or monitor to your notebook, docking station, or port replicator.

      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.

      Printers

        You can attach many types of printers to your computer. The most common types are inkjet and laser printers, which print in color or black and white.

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