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Checking Out Your Gateway Computer |
Identifying your computer case style
New Gateway Mid Tower Gateway Micro Tower Gateway Mid-Tower 
The New Gateway Mid Tower case has an access door on the front that covers the drive bays and other components.
For information on the New Gateway Mid Tower case, see New Gateway Mid Tower front.
The Gateway Micro Tower case does not have a charcoal gray accent piece on the top.
For information on the Gateway Micro Tower case, see Gateway Micro Tower front.
The Gateway Mid-Tower case has a charcoal gray accent piece on the top.
For information on the Gateway Mid-Tower case, see Gateway Mid-Tower front.
New Gateway Mid Tower front
Component Description This drive bay may contain a CD, CD-RW, DVD, DVD/CD-RW, or DVD-RAM/DVD-R drive.
To identify your drive type and for more information about your drive, see "Identifying CD, DVD, or recordable drive types".
Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire® or i.Link®) device (such as a digital video camera) into this 4-pin IEEE 1394 port.
Press this button to turn the power on or off. You can also configure the power button to operate in Standby/Resume mode or Hibernate mode. For more information on changing the power button setting, see Power management.
Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a joystick or digital camera) into these ports.
Any USB device will work in any USB port. For more information about your USB ports, see About installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device.
Depending on your system configuration, these ports may be USB 1.1 or USB 2.0. If any of the USB ports on the back of your computer are USB 2.0, the front USB ports are USB 2.0. Look for the USB 2.0 icon near your rear USB ports.
Plug headphones into this jack. This jack is color-coded lime green.
Plug a microphone into this jack. This jack is color-coded pink.
New Gateway Mid Tower back
Component Description 
Secure your computer to an object by connecting a Kensington cable lock to this slot.
Before turning on the computer, make sure that this switch is in the correct position for the correct power available.
In the United States, the utility power is supplied at a nominal 115 volts at 60 Hz. The power supply is always set to this when the computer is operating in the United States. In other areas of the world, such as Europe, the utility power is supplied at 230 volts at 50 Hz. If the computer is operating in an environment such as this, the voltage switch needs to be moved to 230.
Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer) into these ports.
Any USB device will work in any USB port. For more information about your USB ports, see About installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device.
Depending on your system configuration, these ports may be USB 1.1 or USB 2.0. If any of the USB ports on the back of your computer are USB 2.0, the front USB ports are USB 2.0. Look for the USB 2.0 icon near your rear USB ports.
Plug a serial device (such as a digital camera) into this port.
Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable or a device (such as a DSL or cable modem) into this jack.
If your modem has a telephone jack, plug the cable for a telephone into this jack.
Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire or i.Link) device (such as a scanner or hard drive) into this 6-pin IEEE 1394 port.
Rear Out. Plug powered, analog rear speakers or an external amplifier into this jack. This jack is color-coded black.
Line out 1. Plug powered, analog front speakers, an external amplifier, or headphones into this jack. This jack is color-coded green.
Plug a microphone into this jack. This jack is color-coded red.
Line in. Plug an external audio input source (such as a stereo) into this jack so that you can record sound on your computer. This jack is color-coded blue.
Plug digital speakers into this jack. This jack is color-coded orange.
Gateway Micro Tower front
Component Description This drive bay may contain a CD, CD-RW, DVD, DVD/CD-RW, or DVD-RAM/DVD-R drive.
To identify your drive type and for more information about your drive, see "Identifying CD, DVD, or recordable drive types".
Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire or i.Link) device (such as a digital video camera) into this 4-pin IEEE 1394 port.
Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a joystick or digital camera) into these ports.
Any USB device will work in any USB port. For more information about your USB ports, see About installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device.
Depending on your system configuration, these ports may be USB 1.1 or USB 2.0. If any of the USB ports on the back of your computer are USB 2.0, the front USB ports are USB 2.0. Look for the USB 2.0 icon near your rear USB ports.
Press this button to turn the power on or off. You can also configure the power button to operate in Standby/Resume mode or Hibernate mode. For more information on changing the power button setting, see Power management.
Gateway Micro Tower back
Component Description Secure your computer to an object by connecting a Kensington cable lock to this slot.
Before turning on the computer, make sure that this switch is in the correct position for the correct power available.
In the United States, the utility power is supplied at a nominal 115 volts at 60 Hz. The power supply is always set to this when the computer is operating in the United States. In other areas of the world, such as Europe, the utility power is supplied at 230 volts at 50 Hz. If the computer is operating in an environment such as this, the voltage switch needs to be moved to 230.
Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer) into these ports.
Any USB device will work in any USB port. For more information about your USB ports, see About installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device.
Depending on your system configuration, these ports may be USB 1.1 or USB 2.0. If any of the USB ports on the back of your computer are USB 2.0, the front USB ports are USB 2.0. Look for the USB 2.0 icon near your rear USB ports.
Plug a serial device (such as a digital camera) into this port.
Line out. Plug powered speakers, an external amplifier, or headphones into this jack. This jack is color-coded green.
Line in. Plug an external audio input source (such as a stereo) into this jack so that you can record sound on your computer. This jack is color-coded blue.
Plug a microphone into this jack. This jack is color-coded red.
Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable or a device (such as a DSL or Cable modem) into this jack.
Use the cover release lever to open the side panel for access to the inside of the case. For more information on opening your case, see Gateway Micro Tower case.
Gateway Mid-Tower front
Component Description This drive bay may contain a CD, CD-RW, DVD, DVD/CD-RW, or DVD-RAM/DVD-R drive.
To identify your drive type and for more information about your drive, see "Identifying CD, DVD, or recordable drive types".
Press this button to turn the power on or off. You can also configure the power button to operate in Standby/Resume mode or Hibernate mode. For more information on changing the power button setting, see Power management.
Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a joystick, or digital camera) into these ports.
Any USB device will work in any USB port. For more information about your USB ports, see About installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device.
Depending on your system configuration, these ports may be USB 1.1 or USB 2.0. If any of the USB ports on the back of your computer are USB 2.0, the front USB ports are USB 2.0. Look for the USB 2.0 icon near your rear USB ports.
Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire or i.Link) device (such as a digital video camera) into this 4-pin IEEE 1394 port.
Gateway Mid-Tower back
Component Description Before turning on the computer, make sure that this switch is in the correct position for the correct power available.
In the United States, the utility power is supplied at a nominal 115 volts at 60 Hz. The power supply is always set to this when the computer is operating in the United States. In other areas of the world, such as Europe, the utility power is supplied at 230 volts at 50 Hz. If the computer is operating in an environment such as this, the voltage switch needs to be moved to 230.
Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a mouse, keyboard, or printer) into these ports.
Any USB device will work in any USB port. For more information about your USB ports, see About installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device.
Depending on your system configuration, these ports may be USB 1.1 or USB 2.0. If any of the USB ports on the back of your computer are USB 2.0, the front USB ports are USB 2.0. Look for the USB 2.0 icon near your rear USB ports.
If you did not receive an add-in video card, plug an external monitor into this port.
If you received an add-in video card, this port will be covered.
Plug a serial device (such as a digital camera) into this port.
Secure your computer to an object by connecting a Kensington cable lock to this slot.
Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable or a device (such as a DSL or Cable modem) into this jack.
If you received an add-in video card, plug an external monitor into this port.
An add-in video card overrides (takes the place of) an integrated video solution.
Rear Out. Plug powered speakers or an external amplifier into this jack. This jack is color-coded black.
Line out 1. Plug powered speakers, an external amplifier, or headphones into this jack. This jack is color-coded green.
Plug a microphone into this jack. This jack is color-coded red.
Line in. Plug an external audio input source (such as a stereo) into this jack so that you can record sound on your computer. This jack is color-coded blue.
If your modem has a telephone jack, plug the cable for a telephone into this jack.
Use the cover release levers to open the side panel for access to the inside of the case. For more information on opening your case, see Gateway Mid-Tower case.
Finding your specifications
For more information about your computer, such as memory size, memory type, and hard drive size, go to the My Computer Info link in HelpSpot or visit Gateway's eSupport page at www.support.gateway.com. The eSupport page also has links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications.
In Windows XP, view your computer's serial number or check your specifications by clicking Start, Help and Support, then clicking My Computer Info.
You can also find out more about your computer at the Gateway eSupport site. Visit www.support.gateway.com.
Accessories
Gateway offers various accessories that can help you make the most of using your computer. To order accessories, visit the Accessory Superstore at www.gateway.com.
Home networking kit
With a home networking kit, you can network (link) two or more computers in your home. After you have set up a home network, you can access the files, drives, and printers on linked computers, play multi-player games, and even share one Internet connection.
Three types of home networking kits are available. Phoneline (HPNA) home networking kits use your existing telephone lines to link your computers. Ethernet home networking kits use network cabling to link your computers. Wireless home networking kits use radio frequency to link your computers without cables.
Imaging equipment
A digital camera lets you take pictures that you can view and edit on your computer.
A scanner copies an image, such as a graphic or document, then stores the copy in a file. You can view and edit scanner files on your computer.
You can attach your digital photographs or scanned images to e-mail messages or post them on a Web site.
Printers
You can attach almost any type of printer to your computer. The most common types are inkjet and laser printers, which print in color or black and white.
Inkjet printers and their ink cartridges are relatively inexpensive, but 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 their ink cartridges are generally more expensive, but they print much faster than inkjet printers. Laser printers are better than inkjet printers when you are printing large documents.
Storage Devices
If you need additional storage space or you want to back up your files, you can add storage devices to you computer.
With a recordable CD or DVD drive, you can free up hard drive space by backing up files, then removing them from your hard drive. Writable CDs can hold as much as 700 MB of data. Writable DVDs can hold as much as 4.7 GB of data.
Iomega Zip drives, like diskette drives, use disks to store data. Zip disks can store 100 MB or 250 MB of data. You can use a Zip drive to free up hard drive space by backing up files, then removing them from your hard drive. Zip drives also provide an easy way to transfer files between computers. If you need to back up your entire system, you probably need a tape backup (TBU) drive.
Tape backup (TBU) drives, like tape recorders, use magnetic tape cartridges to store data. Tape drive cartridges can store 2 GB, 20 GB, 40 GB, or even 130 GB or more of data.
If you want to increase your internal storage space, you can add a second hard drive or replace your existing hard drive with a larger drive.
Memory
Large programs, such as 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.
Uninterruptable power supplies
A standby, uninterruptable power supply (UPS) protects your computer from data loss during a total power failure. A UPS uses a battery to keep your computer running temporarily during a power failure so you can save your work and shut down your computer correctly. A UPS also provides protection from power surges.