User manual GATEWAY SOLO 1200

Contents 1 Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Identifying your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 2 Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Connecting the AC adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Starting your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Waking up your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Turning off your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Switching user accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . System key combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the EZ Pad touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connecting the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connecting to an Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Broadband Internet connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . About installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 14 15 16 17 18 20 22 23 24 26 28 29 31 32 33 34 3 Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 HelpSpot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . HelpSpot Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 38 39 40 4 Windows Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41 About the Windows environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the Start menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Identifying Window items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 43 44 45 i Working with files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Viewing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47 Creating folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48 Copying and moving files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49 Deleting files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51 Browsing for files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Searching for files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Using the Search utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Working with documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Creating a new document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Saving a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Opening a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 Printing a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Transferring software and hardware from your old computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Transferring files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 Transferring Internet settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Reinstalling your old printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Reinstalling your old programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 5 Using the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 Learning about the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70 Setting up an Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71 Accessing your Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Using the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73 Connecting to a Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 Downloading files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Using e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Sending e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Checking your e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 6 Using Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79 Using diskettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80 Using the CD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81 Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83 Recording and playing audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87 Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . .89 Using MusicMatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 Playing CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90 Creating music files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92 Editing track information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93 Building a music library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .94 ii Listening to Internet radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96 Using advanced features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97 7 Sending and Receiving Faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99 Setting up your cover page . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sending a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Faxing from programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Receiving and viewing a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100 102 104 104 8 Managing Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105 Monitoring the battery charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recharging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Extending battery life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Conserving battery power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using alternate power sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing power modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing automatic power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 106 107 109 109 109 110 111 9 Travel Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117 Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Radio frequency wireless connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118 118 119 119 120 10 Customizing Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121 Adjusting the screen and desktop settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adjusting the color depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adjusting the screen resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Applying a color scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing the desktop background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Selecting a screen saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing the touchpad settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Programming the multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Allocating system memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122 122 124 125 126 128 130 131 131 11 Upgrading Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133 Adding a PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Installing memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Replacing the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134 136 137 141 iii 12 Networking Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143 Using a network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144 Sharing a single Internet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144 Sharing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144 Sharing peripheral devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145 Streaming audio and video files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145 Playing multi-player games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145 Introducing the Gateway Connected Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146 Components of a Gateway Connected Home . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147 Selecting a network connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148 Wired connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148 Wireless connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149 Assessing your connection needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150 Comparing data transfer speed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152 Network shopping list . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154 HPNA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154 Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155 Wireless Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156 Bluetooth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156 For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157 13 Maintaining Your Notebook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159 Caring for your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159 Creating an emergency startup diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161 Protecting your computer from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163 Managing hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 Checking hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165 Using Disk Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166 Checking the hard drive for errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .167 Defragmenting the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169 Backing up files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171 Using the Scheduled Task Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172 Recalibrating the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173 Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174 Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174 Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175 Cleaning the screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175 Cleaning the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .175 14 Restoring Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177 Reinstalling device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .177 Reinstalling device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178 iv Updating device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reinstalling Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reinstalling Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Reinstalling programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180 181 181 182 15 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185 Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Software support tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . CD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Device installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . LCD panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Before calling Gateway Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Telephone numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tutoring and training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tutoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186 187 187 188 189 191 191 192 193 194 195 195 196 196 200 200 200 201 201 202 203 203 205 205 206 207 207 207 208 A Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209 Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227 v vi Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200 Tips & Tricks To access the contents of this guide while you are traveling, download an electronic copy from www.gateway.com/support/manlib/. 1 www.gateway.com 1 Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200 Front Cover release latch Component Cover release latch Description Open the notebook cover by pressing the release latch. 2 www.gateway.com Left Left PC Card eject button PC Card slot Diskette drive Diskette drive eject button Component PC Card eject button PC Card slot Diskette drive Diskette drive eject button Icon Description Press the eject button to remove a PC Card from the PC Card slot. Insert one Type I, II, or III PC Card into this slot. For more information, see "Adding a PC Card" on page 134. Insert a standard 3.5-inch diskette into this drive. For more information, see "Using diskettes" on page 80. Press the eject button to remove a diskette from the drive. www.gateway.com 3 Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200 Right Power indicator Battery charge indicator CD drive CD drive indicator CD drive eject Headphone button jack Modem jack Microphone jack Component CD drive CD drive indicator CD drive eject button Microphone jack Icon Description Insert CDs into this drive. For more information, see "Using the CD drive" on page 81. Lights up when the computer is accessing the CD drive. Press the eject button to open the disc tray. Plug a microphone into this jack. Headphone jack Plug headphones or amplified speakers into this jack. Modem jack Plug a modem cable into this jack. 4 www.gateway.com Right Component Battery charge indicator Icon Description The LED shows the battery activity and status. s s s s s 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: s s s LED on ­ notebook is ON. LED off ­ notebook is OFF or in Hibernate. LED flashing ­ notebook is in Standby. www.gateway.com 5 Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200 Back USB ports Parallel port Ventilation fan Monitor port Kensington lock slot Power connector Ethernet jack Component USB ports Icon Description Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB IomegaTM ZipTM drive, printer, scanner, or camera) into these ports. Plug a parallel printer into this port. Parallel port Ventilation fan Monitor port KensingtonTM lock slot Helps cool internal components. Do not block or insert objects into these slots. Plug an external (VGA) monitor 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 into this jack. For more information, see "Connecting to an Ethernet network" on page 32 and "Networking Your Computer" on page 143. Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector. Ethernet jack (optional) Power connector 6 www.gateway.com Bottom Bottom Hard drive assembly Certificate of authenticity label Memory bay Battery release latch Battery System identification label Component Hard drive assembly Certificate of Authenticity label Memory bay Battery release latch Battery System identification label Icon Description Remove this assembly to replace the hard drive. Find the registration key for the operating system on this label. Install a memory module in this bay. Slide to release the battery. Insert the battery into this bay. Find the product model number and serial number on this label. www.gateway.com 7 Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200 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. Label information varies by model. Gateway model number Internal wireless devices Gateway serial number Revision code and display type/ processor size Gateway part number 8 www.gateway.com Accessories 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 printer 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. www.gateway.com 9 Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1200 10 www.gateway.com Getting Started s s s s s s s 2 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 a network How to install peripheral devices 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) and Bluetooth communication devices are examples 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" on page 209 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" on page 8. www.gateway.com 11 Chapter 2: Getting Started 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" on page 173. 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 damaged. 12 www.gateway.com Connecting the AC adapter 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 5 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. If the battery does not show a full charge after 24 hours, contact Gateway Technical Support at www.gateway.com/support/contact. 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. www.gateway.com 13 Chapter 2: Getting Started 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. 14 www.gateway.com Starting your notebook Starting your notebook To start the notebook: 1 2 Open your notebook by pressing the latch on the front of your notebook and lifting the LCD panel. Press the power button located above the keyboard. Power button www.gateway.com 15 Chapter 2: Getting Started 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 "Changing automatic power settings" on page 111. 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 "Managing Power" on page 105. 16 www.gateway.com Turning off your notebook Turning off your notebook To turn off your notebook: s Click Start, then click Turn Off Computer, then click Turn Off. Windows shuts down and turns off your computer. Important If for some reason you cannot use the Turn Off Computer option in Windows to turn off your notebook, press and hold the power button for about five seconds. www.gateway.com 17 Chapter 2: Getting Started Switching user accounts 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: 1 2 Click Start, select Control Panel, then double-click User Accounts. The User Accounts window opens. Follow the on-screen prompts to add, delete, or modify a user account. 18 www.gateway.com Switching user accounts To switch user accounts: 1 Click Start, then Log Off. The Log Off Windows dialog box opens. 2 3 Click Switch User to switch between your user accounts. The Windows logon screen opens. 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. www.gateway.com 19 Chapter 2: Getting Started Status indicators Caps lock Pad lock Diskette drive Hard drive CD drive Scroll lock 20 www.gateway.com Status indicators This light turns on... When... Caps Lock is turned on. Pad Lock is turned on. 1 Scroll Lock is turned on. The notebook is accessing the diskette drive. The notebook is accessing the hard drive. The notebook is accessing the CD drive. www.gateway.com 21 Chapter 2: Getting Started 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 port. You do not need to shut down the notebook to connect a USB keyboard. System keys Numeric keypad System keys Navigation and volume keys FN key Windows key Windows key Application key Arrow keys 22 www.gateway.com Using the keyboard Keys Component Function keys Icon Description 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. Numeric keypad Use these keys to type numbers when numeric keypad is turned on. Press FN+PAD LOCK to turn on the numeric keypad. Press these green-colored keys in combination with the FN key to perform a specific action. 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. Press the FN key in combination with a green-colored system key (such as STANDBY or PAUSE) to perform a specific action. Press to open the Windows Start menu. These keys can also be used in combination with other keys to open utilities like F (Search utility), R (Run utility), and E (Explorer utility). Press for quick access to shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows. Press these keys to move the cursor up, down, right, or left. System keys Navigation keys FN key Windows key Application key Arrow keys www.gateway.com 23 Chapter 2: Getting Started System key combinations When you press the FN key and a system key at the same time, the notebook performs an action identified by the green text 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 menu 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. Toggle the notebook screen between the LCD, an external monitor, or both at the same time. A monitor must be plugged into the monitor port on the notebook. 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 lights up 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 volume. 24 www.gateway.com Using the keyboard Press and hold FN while pressing this system key... To... Decrease the volume. Mute the volume. www.gateway.com 25 Chapter 2: Getting Started Multi-function buttons E-mail Internet Help User-defined shortcut Button E-mail Internet Icon Press to... Open your e-mail program. Open your Web browser. 26 www.gateway.com Using the keyboard Button Help User-defined shortcut Icon Press to... Open online help. Open the program you assign to this key. For more information, see "Programming the multi-function buttons" on page 131. www.gateway.com 27 Chapter 2: Getting Started Using the EZ Pad touchpad The EZ PadTM consists of a touchpad, two buttons, and a rocker switch. Touchpad Left touchpad button Rocker switch Right touchpad button 28 www.gateway.com Using the EZ Pad touchpad 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 scroll using the rocker switch between the touchpad buttons. Scrolling capabilities are available in some Windows applications, including Microsoft Office. Using the touchpad To... Move the pointer on the screen. Do this... 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. Position the pointer over the object. Press the left button below the touchpad once. This action is called clicking. Select an object on the screen. www.gateway.com 29 Chapter 2: Getting Started To... Start a program or open a file or folder. Do this... 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. 30 www.gateway.com Connecting the modem Connecting the modem If your notebook has a modem jack, the notebook has a built-in V.92 56K modem. Caution To reduce the risk of fire, use only a No. 26 AWG or larger telecommunications line cord. To connect the modem: 1 Insert one end of the modem cable into the modem jack side of the notebook. on the right 2 3 Insert the other end of the modem cable into a telephone wall jack. The modem will not work with digital or PBX telephone lines. Start your notebook, then start your communications software. www.gateway.com 31 Chapter 2: Getting Started 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 back of the notebook. on the 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. 32 www.gateway.com Connecting to an Ethernet 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" on page 69 and "Networking Your Computer" on page 143. www.gateway.com 33 Chapter 2: Getting Started About installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device Your computer has two Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports and a parallel printer port. These ports are used for connecting peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras to your computer. 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 a 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 devices are not plug-and-play. Refer to the device documentation for detailed information and installation instructions. 34 www.gateway.com Getting Help s s s 3 This chapter tells you about additional information resources available to help you use your computer, including: HelpSpotTM Online help Gateway Web site www.gateway.com 35 Chapter 3: Getting Help HelpSpot Your computer includes HelpSpot, an easily accessible collection of Help information, troubleshooters, instructional videos, and automated support. Use HelpSpot to answer questions about Windows and to help you quickly discover and use the many features of your Gateway computer. To start HelpSpot: s Click Start, then select Help and Support. HelpSpot opens. If this is the first time you have started HelpSpot on your computer, you may experience a brief wait while HelpSpot builds the help database, then HelpSpot will display an introductory video. 36 www.gateway.com HelpSpot You can find help information by clicking a link, performing a search, or browsing the index. To learn about using your Gateway computer, your mouse, and other topics, click the Getting Started link on the HelpSpot main page. www.gateway.com 37 Chapter 3: Getting Help HelpSpot Videos HelpSpot contains several short videos to help introduce you to new concepts or show you how to perform various tasks. To play a HelpSpot video: s To watch a video in HelpSpot, click Video Tutorials on the HelpSpot home page, then click a video title. The video plays. 38 www.gateway.com Online help Online help Many programs provide information online so you can research a topic or learn how to perform a task while you are using the program. Most online help information can be accessed by selecting a topic from a Help menu or by clicking a Help button. You can search for information by viewing the help contents, checking the index, searching for a topic or keyword, or browsing through the online help. www.gateway.com 39 Chapter 3: Getting Help Gateway Web site Gateway provides a variety of information on its Web site to help you use your computer. Visit the Gateway Web site at www.gateway.com for: s s s s s Technical documentation and product manuals Technical tips and support, including online chat services Hardware drivers Order status Frequently asked questions (FAQs) For more information about connecting to the Internet, see "Learning about the Internet" on page 70. 40 www.gateway.com Windows Basics Read this chapter to get basic information on how to: s s s s 4 Use the Windows desktop Manage files and folders Work with documents Use shortcuts Help and Support For more information on Windows, click Start, then select Help and Support. www.gateway.com 41 Chapter 4: Windows Basics About the Windows environment After your computer starts, the first screen you see is the Windows desktop. The desktop is like the top of a real desk. Think of the desktop as your personalized work space where you open programs and perform other tasks. Your desktop may be different from the example shown below, depending on how your computer is set up. 42 www.gateway.com Using the desktop Using the desktop The desktop contains the taskbar, the Start button, and the Recycle Bin icon. Desktop elements Description The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of the screen containing the Start button on the left and a clock on the right. Other buttons on the taskbar represent programs that are running. Click a program's button on the taskbar to open the program's window. The Start button provides access to programs, files, help for Windows and other programs, and computer tools and utilities. Click the Start button, then open a file or program by clicking (selecting) an item on the menu that opens. The Recycle Bin is where files, folders, and programs that you discarded are stored. You must empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete them from your computer. For instructions on how to use the Recycle Bin, see "Deleting files and folders" on page 51. www.gateway.com 43 Chapter 4: Windows Basics Using the Start menu You can start programs, open files, customize your system, get help, search for files and folders, and more using the Start menu. To use the Start menu: 1 2 Click the Start button on the lower left of the Windows desktop. The Start menu opens showing you the first level of menu items. To see all programs and files in the Start menu, click All Programs. When you move the mouse pointer over any menu item that has an arrow next to it, another menu, or submenu, opens and reveals related files, programs, or commands. 3 Click a file or program to open it. 44 www.gateway.com