Getting Started

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

How to connect the AC adapter

How to start and turn off your notebook

How to use the keyboard

How to use the EZ PadTM touchpad

How to connect the modem

How to connect to an Ethernet network

How to 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 on recalibrating the battery, see Recalibrating the battery.

To connect the AC adapter:

1. Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.

Warning

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 the 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. If the battery charge indicator does not turn on, disconnect the adapter from your notebook and repeat Step 2.

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

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

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

Warning

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

1. Open your notebook by sliding the latch on the front of your notebook to the right 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 To change advanced power management settings:.

3. If you are starting your computer for the first time, follow the on-screen instructions to set up your computer.

Waking up your notebook

When you have not used your notebook for several minutes, it enters 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 modes.

Turning off your notebook

To turn off your notebook:

In Windows XP, click Start, then click Turn Off Computer, then click Turn Off.

- OR -

In Windows Me, Windows 2000, or Windows 98, click Start, then select Shut Down. In the Shut Down Windows dialog box, select Shut Down, then click OK.

If for some reason you cannot use the Turn Off Computer or Shut Down option in Windows to shut down your notebook, press and hold the power button for about five seconds.

Switching user accounts in Windows XP

When you first turn on your notebook, you have the option to add different user accounts. These user accounts can be customized for each person that uses the notebook. You can add, delete, or modify existing user accounts. You can also switch (change) user accounts without turning off your notebook.

Help and Support

For more information about adding, deleting, and modifying your user accounts, click Start, then select Help and Support.

To add, delete, or modify user accounts in Windows XP:

1. Click Start, select Control Panel, then double-click User Accounts. The User Accounts window opens.

2. Follow the on-screen prompts to add, delete, or modify a user account.

To switch user accounts in Windows XP:

1. Click Start, then select Log Off. The Log Off Windows dialog box opens.

2. Click Switch User to switch between your user accounts. The Windows logon screen opens.

3. Select the user account that you want to activate. When you switch between users, any programs that were running for the previous user continue to run.

Status indicators

This light turns on...	When...
	The notebook is accessing a hard drive.
	The notebook is accessing the 5.25-inch modular drive.
	The notebook is accessing the diskette drive.
	Caps Lock is turned on.
	Pad Lock is turned on.
	Scroll Lock is turned on.

Using the keyboard

Your notebook features a full-size keyboard that has the full functionality of 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 keyboard.

Keys

Component	Icon	Description
Volume control buttons		Press the volume buttons to change the volume, or press the mute button to turn off all sound.
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. Refer to the program documentation to find out more about the function key actions.
System keys		Press these green- or blue-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 green- or blue-colored system key (such as Standby, Pause, or Bluetooth) to perform a specific action.
Windows key		Press 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 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.

System key combinations

When you press an Fn key and a system key at the same time, the notebook performs the action identified by the green or blue 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 screen. 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. (Available on the Solo 9500 only.)
	Toggle the notebook screen between the LCD, an external monitor, or both displays at the same time. A monitor must be plugged into the monitor port on the notebook, port replicator, or docking station.
	Enter Standby mode. Press the power button to leave Standby mode.
	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 while this function is turned on.
	Pause the text scrolling in a DOS screen. The Scroll Lock status indicator appears when this function is turned on. Press the key combination again to continue scrolling. (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.
	Turn Bluetooth on and off. (This function is only available on notebooks equipped with Bluetooth.)

Multi-function buttons

Button	Icon	Press to...
Bluetooth		Turn Bluetooth on and off. This button must be pressed at the same time the Fn button is pressed. (This function is only available on notebooks equipped with Bluetooth.)
E-mail		Open your e-mail program.
Internet		Open your Web browser.
Help		Open online help.
User-defined shortcut		Open the program you assign to this key.

The multi-function buttons can be assigned different functions than those listed above. For more information, see "Programming the multi-function buttons".

Using the EZ Pad touchpad

The EZ Pad^TM consists of a touchpad, two buttons, and a rocker switch. (The rocker switch is available on the Solo 9550 only.)

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 on the Solo 9550. 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".

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. Press the left button below the touchpad 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 below the touchpad 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.

Connecting the modem

If your notebook has a modem jack, the notebook has a built-in 56K modem.

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 side of the 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 software.

Connecting to an Ethernet network

If your notebook has a network jack, you can connect it to a 10/100 Ethernet network.

To connect to a network:

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

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

Your notebook is now physically connected to the network. Your network administrator can help you log onto your network.

Broadband Internet connections

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

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

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. These ports are used for connecting peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras to your computer. For more information about port locations, see Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 9500 and see Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 9550.

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. Refer to the device documentation for detailed information and installation instructions.