Checking Out Your Gateway Notebook

    Tips & Tricks

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

    Front

    Component Icon Description

    Wireless Ethernet indicator/button

    Lights up when the optional wireless Ethernet is turned on. The button in the center of the indicator may be used for turning the wireless Ethernet on and off. For more information, see "Turning your wireless Ethernet on or off".

    Release latch

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

    Speakers

    Provide audio output. Speakers are disabled while headphones are connected.

    Battery charge indicator

    The LED shows the battery activity and status.

    • Green - battery is fully charged.
    • Orange - battery is being charged.
    • Red - battery is low.
    • Blinking and red - battery is very low.
    • Blinking and orange - battery is malfunctioning.

    Power indicator

    Lights up when the notebook is turned on and shows notebook power status:

    • LED on - notebook is ON.
    • LED off - notebook is OFF or in Hibernate mode.
    • LED flashing - notebook is in Standby mode.

      Warning

      Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere with equipment on commercial aircraft. Current aviation regulations require wireless devices to be turned off while traveling in an airplane. IEEE 802.11b (also known as wireless Ethernet or WiFi) communication devices is an example of devices that provide wireless communication.

        Important

        If your system came equipped with an internal radio frequency wireless device, see "Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information" for general wireless regulatory and safety guidelines. To find out if your system has an internal wireless device, check the label (see "Identifying your model").

        Left Side

        Component Icon Description

        Modem jack

        Plug a modem cable into this jack. For more information, see "Connecting the modem".

        Ethernet jack

        Plug an Ethernet 10/100 network cable into this jack. For more information, see "Connecting to an Ethernet network".

        Speaker jack

        Plug external speakers or headphones into this jack.

        Microphone jack

        Plug a microphone into this jack.

        PC Card eject button

        Press the eject button to remove a PC Card from a PC Card slot. For more information, see "Adding PC Cards".

        PC Card slot

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

        Diskette drive

        Insert a standard 3.5-inch diskette into this drive. For more information, see "Using diskettes".

        Diskette drive eject button

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

        Right Side

        Component Icon Description

        Battery bay

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

        CD/DVD drive

        Insert CDs or DVDs into this drive. For more information, see "Using the CD/DVD drive".

        CD/DVD drive indicator

        Lights up when the computer is accessing the CD/DVD drive.

        CD/DVD drive eject button

        Press the eject button to open the disc tray.

        Manual eject hole

        Insert a straightened paperclip into this hole to open the CD/DVD drive if the CD/DVD drive eject button fails to open it.

        Back

        Component
        Icon
        		Description

        Kensington™ lock slot

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

        Power connector

        Plug the AC power adapter cable into this connector.

        USB ports

        Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB IomegaTM Zip™ drive, scanner, or camera) into these ports.

        Monitor port

        Plug an external (VGA) monitor into this port.

        Parallel port

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

        Ventilation fan

        Helps cool system components. Do not block.

        Bottom

        Component Icon Description

        Hard drive

        The hard drive is stored here. For more information, see "Replacing the hard drive".

        Battery bay

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

        Battery latch

        Slide to release the battery.

        System label

        Includes the product model number and serial number. For more information, see "Identifying your model".

        Ventilation fan

        Helps cool system components. Do not block.

        Memory bay

        Install as many as two SO-DIMM memory modules into the slots in this bay. For more information, see "Installing memory".

        Keyboard area

        Component

        		Description

        Power button

        Press to turn the power on or off. For more information on configuring the power button mode, see Changing power settings.

        Multi-function buttons

        See"Multi-function buttons" for more information.

        Status indicators

        See "Status indicators" for more information.

        Touchpad

        See Using the EZ Pad touchpad for more information.

        Keyboard

        See Using the keyboard for more information.

        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.

          External devices

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

          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.