Do not post this document to any publicly available location. For a public version (HTML) of this document, refer to the Gateway.com technical docs library. Contents 1 Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Connecting AC power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Starting your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Waking up your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Turning off your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Using function key combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Using the EZ Pad touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Using an external mouse or keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 System status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Right side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Left side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 2 Using Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Adjusting the LCD panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Customizing the multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using diskettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the CD/DVD drive and multimedia features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Inserting a CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Listening to audio CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Recording and playing audio files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Playing a DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connecting the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Connecting the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Using the USB port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Changing option bay modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Upgrading memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Replacing the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 20 21 22 22 22 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 32 33 35 37 39 i 3 Travel Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41 Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42 Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43 Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44 Changing power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45 4 Using the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53 Learning about the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54 Setting up an Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Accessing your Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55 Using the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56 Connecting to a Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57 Downloading files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58 Using e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Sending e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59 Checking your e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60 5 Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61 For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Microsoft Windows guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Discover Windows 98 tutorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63 QuickANSWERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64 Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65 Before calling for technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66 Technical support resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67 6 Safety, Regulatory, and Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69 American users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72 Canadian users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74 European users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75 Japanese users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76 Australia and New Zealand users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77 Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81 ii Getting Started s 1 This chapter provides basic information about your Gateway computer hardware and software. Read this chapter to: Learn how to connect power, start the notebook, and turn off the notebook Learn how to operate the pointing device and keyboard Understand indicators Identify all ports, connectors, and buttons Learn about available accessories s s s s 1 Connecting AC power Your notebook battery was shipped to you partially charged and ready to use. You may want to use the AC adapter to complete charging the battery while you are checking out some of the features. Caution Replace the power cord if it becomes damaged. The replacement cord must be of the same type and voltage rating as the original cord. 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 personal injury or death. Contact Gateway about returning defective AC adapters. To connect the AC adapter: 1 Connect the power cord to the AC adapter. 2 Getting Started 2 Plug the AC adapter into the notebook power connector. 3 Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet. Connecting AC power 3 Starting your computer To start your computer: 1 Slide the latches on the front of your notebook outward and lift the cover. 2 Press the power button. The power button is preset to On/Off mode. You can also set it to function in either Standby/Resume mode or Hibernate mode. For more information on changing the power button mode, see "Changing settings in Windows 98" on page 45. 3 The first time you turn on your computer, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the software setup. For information on signing up for an Internet Service Provider (ISP) account, see "Setting up an Internet account" on page 55. Waking up your computer s When you have not used your computer for several minutes, it will go into a power-saving mode called Standby. While in Standby, the computer screen darkens and the power indicator light blinks every two seconds. When you are ready to use your computer, "wake" it up by pressing a button or key on the keyboard. For more information on changing power-saving settings, see "Changing power settings" on page 45. 4 Getting Started Turning off your computer To turn off your notebook: 1 Click Start, then select Shut Down. The Shut Down Windows dialog box opens. 2 Select Shut down, then click OK. Windows shuts down your computer. If your computer does not respond to keyboard or mouse commands and you are unable to use the Shut Down option, press and hold the power button for at least four seconds. Turning off your computer 5 Using the keyboard Your notebook features a keyboard that has the same functionality as a desktop computer keyboard. Many of the keys have been assigned alternate functions, including shortcut keys for Windows, function keys for system operations, and a Pad Lock key that enables the embedded numeric keypad. A D C A Fn combination keys B Numeric keypad C Windows key D Fn (function) key B 6 Getting Started Using function key combinations Press the FN key together with one of the following keys to perform the function: + Combination key = Function Combination Key Function Displays the power status in the upper left corner of the Windows desktop. Press the key combination again to make the power status disappear. Toggles between the LCD display, external monitor, or both displays at the same time. Activates Standby mode in Windows 98 and Suspend mode in Windows 95 and Windows NT. Press the power button to bring the notebook out of Standby/Suspend mode. Activates Pad Lock so you can use the embedded numeric keypad. The Pad Lock status indicator stays lit while this function is enabled. Activates Scroll Lock so you can scroll through large volumes of text in some applications. The Scroll Lock status indicator stays lit while this function is enabled. Increases LCD brightness. Decreases LCD brightness. Using the keyboard 7 Using the EZ Pad touchpad Like a mouse, the EZ Pad® touchpad pointing device controls the pointer movements on the display. You can also use an external mouse. A B A EZ Pad touchpad C B Left EZ Pad button (for left mouse clicks) C Right EZ Pad button (for right mouse clicks) 8 Getting Started Mouse and touchpad action equivalents This touchpad uses one surface for both mouse and wheel actions, which means you can perform all of the wheel mouse actions without using the buttons on the notebook. When your finger reaches the edges of the touchpad, you can continue to move the pointer and drag objects. You can also move horizontally and vertically without being constrained by the size of the touchpad. Th ...