User manual GATEWAY SOLO 5150

Contents Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook ............................... 1 Keyboard and LCD Panel ....................................................................... 2 System Status Indicators (LEDs)............................................................ 4 Back ......................................................................................................... 5 Right Side ................................................................................................ 6 Left Side................................................................................................... 6 Bottom ..................................................................................................... 8 Chapter 2: Getting Started ...................................................... 9 Installing the battery pack ..................................................................... 10 Connecting the AC power..................................................................... 12 Starting up your notebook..................................................................... 14 Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook .......................................... 15 Using the keyboard................................................................................ 16 Function keys.................................................................................. 17 Special keys .................................................................................... 19 Pad lock keys.................................................................................. 19 Using the video system ......................................................................... 20 Setting up the composite video out port ....................................... 20 Setting up an external computer monitor ...................................... 21 Using the EZ Pad Plus Touchpad ......................................................... 23 Mouse and TouchPad action equivalents...................................... 24 Mouse wheel and rocker switch equivalents................................. 25 Changing touchpad properties....................................................... 25 Using an external mouse or keyboard ........................................... 26 Using the audio...................................................................................... 27 Adjusting the volume..................................................................... 27 Making an Audio Recording ......................................................... 28 Using disc media ................................................................................... 30 Playing an audio disc...................................................................... 31 Swapping drive modules....................................................................... 32 Using the diskette disk drive externally......................................... 34 Swapping hard disk drives .................................................................... 35 Using PC Cards ..................................................................................... 38 Using the IR port ................................................................................... 40 i Using the USB ports ............................................................................. 41 Using McAfee VirusScan..................................................................... 42 Updating McAfee VirusScan........................................................ 43 Chapter 4: Managing Power Use ..........................................45 Using the battery ................................................................................... Charging the battery pack.............................................................. Swapping the battery pack............................................................. Monitoring the battery status......................................................... Managing power ................................................................................... Windows 98 ................................................................................... Windows 95 and Windows NT .................................................... Modifying the power button mode................................................ Maximizing the battery life ........................................................... 46 46 47 49 51 51 55 56 56 Appendix A: Using the BIOS Setup Program .......................57 Introduction........................................................................................... 58 Using the BIOS Setup Utility........................................................ 58 Using the Power menu................................................................... 61 Appendix B: Solo Notebook Accessories ..............................63 Accessories ........................................................................................... 64 Appendix C: Contacting Gateway .........................................67 Contacting Gateway.............................................................................. 68 Calling Gateway ............................................................................ 68 Index .......................................................................................69 ii Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook Keyboard and LCD Panel ....................................... 2 System Status Indicators (LEDs)............................ 4 Back.......................................................................... 5 Right Side................................................................. 6 Left Side................................................................... 6 Bottom...................................................................... 8 Keyboard and LCD Panel G A F B C D E Component A. System status indicators (LEDs) B. EZ PadTM Plus pointing device with scroll switch C. Mouse buttons and rocker switch for scrolling capability Icon Description LED lights that indicate the status of various system functions. See "System Status Indicators (LEDs)" on Page 4. Controls the cursor movement on the screen. Use the left mouse button for left-click functionality. Use the right mouse button for rightclick functionality. The rocker switch provides scrolling capability in software applications that support it. 2 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Component D. Modular option bay Icon Description Accepts the following devices: CD-ROM drive, DVD drive, diskette drive, or LS-120 drive. The devices shipped with your system depend on your customized order. Provides high-quality stereo sound reproduction for software and audio CDs. Press to turn power ON or OFF. Can also be configured to Suspend/Resume mode. Backlit anti-glare screen. E. Built-in speakers F. Power button G. Color Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook 3 System Status Indicators (LEDs) A B C D E F G Indicator A. Power indicator Description Indicates that the system is on. Green means the central processing unit on the system board (CPU) is being used. Flashing green means the system is in suspend mode. Yellow mean the CPU utilization is low. Red means a problem with the CPU. A red LED is highly unusual. If it remains red after restarting the system, contact technical support. Indicates that the hard drive is in use. Indicates that the device installed in the modular option bay is in use. Indicates that the caps lock is on. When the caps lock light is on, you type in all capital letters. Indicates that the pad lock is on. See "Pad lock keys" on Page 19. Indicates that the scroll lock is on. This indicator has four modes of indication: Green means the battery is fully charged. Yellow indicates the battery is charging. Red indicates a battery charging problem. No LED means the AC adapter is not connected. B. Hard drive C. Modular option bay access indicator D. Caps lock E. Pad lock F. Scroll lock G. Battery charge indicator 4 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Back A B C D E F Port A. Power connector B. Parallel port (LPT1) Icon Description Connect the AC power adapter to this port. Connect a parallel port device such as a printer to this port. C. Docking port D. Serial port Connect a docking station to this port. Connect a serial device to this port. E. VGA port Connect a VGA monitor cable to this port. F. Composite video out Connect a cable from this port to a Video In connector on an external video device such as a TV or VCR to display the notebook screen on the external video device. Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook 5 Right Side A BC Component A. Fast IR (Infrared) port Icon Description Supports an optional external infrared device such as a printer. B. Reset switch C. PS/2 port Restarts the notebook if necessary. Insert a paper clip to press switch. Connect a keyboard, mouse, numeric keypad, or other external device to this port. Left Side A B C D E FGH I Component A. USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports Icon Description Plug USB supported devices into these ports. 6 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Component B. PC Card slots Icon Description Accepts two Type I or Type II PC Cards or one Type III PC Card. Install Type III PC Card in the bottom slot. Install one Zoomed Video card in either slot. Push in to eject the PC Card. If the button is in the stored position, fold it out and press to eject the PC Card. Attach Kensington lock into this slot. Connect an external microphone to this port to record audio. (1/8-inch/3.5 mm jack.) Connect an external audio input source (computer, stereo, VCR, etc.) to this port to record or play audio through the notebook speakers (1/8-inch/3.5 mm jack.) Connect amplified speakers to this port to play audio from the notebook (1/8-inch/3.5 mm jack.) Connect external speakers or headphones to this port. Supports small unamplified speakers. (1/8-inch/3.5 mm jack.) Adjust built-in speaker volume, external speaker, and headphone volume. Other port volume levels are controlled by multimedia software. C. PC Card eject buttons D. Kensington lock slot E. Mic in F. Line in G. Line out H. Speaker out/ Headphone jack I. Volume wheel Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook 7 Bottom A B C D E Component A. Battery release latch B. Battery pack bay C. Modular option bay release latch D. Memory bay E. Hard drive bay Icon Description Slide the latch to release the battery pack from the battery pack bay. Slide a battery pack into bay for battery power and battery charging. Slide the latch to release the modular option device so it can be swapped. Open the memory bay cover to install/ remove SO-DIMM memory modules. Contains the hard drive assembly. 8 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Chapter 2: Getting Started Installing the battery pack ..................................... 10 Connecting the AC power..................................... 12 Starting up your notebook..................................... 14 Installing the battery pack Your notebook is powered by a long-lasting battery, shipped to you partially charged. When you first get started, you may want to use the AC adapter to fully charge the battery and provide a constant supply of power while you are checking out some of the notebook features. If your battery is not installed, you need to install the battery pack and charge it. You can charge the battery: o o o Note: Battery life varies depending on configuration, power management settings, and features used. When you are using your notebook with the AC adapter When the system is attached to AC power and in standby or suspend mode When the system is attached to AC power and the system is turned off The notebook can run on a fully charged battery for approximately 3.5 hours. Use the battery gauge icon in the taskbar to track the available battery power. See "Monitoring the battery status" on Page 49 to learn more about tracking battery status. Battery life is affected by how much you use the system components such as the hard drive, CD-ROM drive, and LCD display, in addition to other components such as PC Cards. Other factors such as the power management settings also affect battery life. See Chapter 4, "Managing Power Use" for more information about power management and monitoring the battery status. 10 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook To install the battery pack 1. Turn the notebook over. 2. Place the battery pack into the battery bay, pushing downward until it snaps into place. Chapter 2: Getting Started 11 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. Connecting the AC power Your AC adapter comes in two parts: the power cord and the AC power adapter. To connect the AC adapter 1. Connect the power cord to the AC power adapter. 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. 12 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook 2. Plug the AC power adapter into the notebook power connector on the left side at the back of the notebook. 3. Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet. Chapter 2: Getting Started 13 Starting up your notebook Once the battery is installed and the AC power adapter is plugged in, you are ready to start up your notebook. To start up your notebook 1. Press in on the LCD panel latch to release and open the LCD panel. 2. Tilt the LCD panel to adjust for the proper viewing angle. 3. Press the power button. A The power button is preset to On/Off mode. You can set it to function either in On/Off or Standby/Resume mode using the BIOS setup program. See "Modifying the power button mode" on Page 56 for more information about changing power button modes. 4. Press FN+ or FN+ to change display brightness. Press the arrow key repeatedly to get the desired brightness. 14 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook Using the keyboard................................................ 16 Using the video system.......................................... 20 Using the EZ Pad Plus Touchpad ......................... 23 Using the audio...................................................... 27 Using disc media ................................................... 30 Swapping drive modules....................................... 32 Swapping hard disk drives .................................... 35 Using PC Cards ..................................................... 38 Using the IR port.................................................... 40 Using the USB ports.............................................. 41 Using McAfee VirusScan ..................................... 42 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 98, function keys for system operations, and pad lock keys for the numeric keypad. D A C B Key A. Fn (function) Combination keys B. Fn (function) keys C. Windows logo key D. Numeric keypad Action Press FN key plus one of the Fn Combination keys (blue) to perform a function. For example, FN+F2 shows the Pop-up status display. Press FN key plus another Fn Combination key (such as F2, F3, F4, etc.) to perform a specific function. Press to activate the Windows Start button menu. Press FN+F9 to activate the numeric keypad. 16 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Function keys Press the FN key together with one of the following keys (with blue letters) to get these "on-the-fly" functions: Key Combination + Displays the power status display for the Pop-up Status Display program in the upper left corner of the desktop. Press the key combination again to make the display disappear. See "Pop-up status display" on Page 49. Toggles between the LCD display, external monitor, both displays at the same time, or TV display (NTSC or PAL format) as the active display. See "Using the video system" on Page 20. Places the system in Standby mode. See "Using Suspend mode in Windows 95 and Windows NT" on Page 55 for more information about the Standby mode. Description Enables the Pad Lock function so you can use the numeric keypad. The Pad Lock LED stays lit while this function is enabled. Press the key combination again to disable Pad Lock. In some programs you can scroll through large volumes of text. The Scroll Lock LED stays lit as long as this function is enabled. In some programs this key combination pauses the display when text is scrolling very quickly. Press any key to continue the text flow. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 17 Key Combination + Description In some programs this key combination pauses scrolling text in a DOS screen. Prints the screen if a printer is connected to your notebook (DOS only). In Windows, this key combination puts the screen content into the clipboard. You can then paste it into a program such as Paint to display or print it. SysRq (System Request) is reserved for certain applications such as in some DOS programs. Increases LCD brightness. Decreases LCD brightness. 18 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Special keys The following keys help you use shortcuts when working with some software: Key Description Use this key to display the Windows Start menu. Use this key to provide quick access to application shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows. Pad lock keys Press FN+F9 (PAD LOCK) keys to activate the keypad. The keypad section of the keyboard will function like a numeric keypad. Press FN+F9 to put the keyboard back into standard mode. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 19 Using the video system Your notebook features a built-in, backlit, color liquid crystal display (LCD). The LCD uses a thin-film transistor (TFT) technology that provides sharp resolution and brilliant colors. See the table below for the resolution your configuration provides: Setting Maximum resolution setting (pixel column x pixel row) Maximum color depth setting 14.1 TFT 1024 x 768 24-bit In addition to using your LCD panel for display, you can also attach an external monitor for presentations and other multimedia purposes. See the next sections to learn about setting up external displays. Setting up the composite video out port Note: TV screen display resolution will not be as clear as an external monitor because of the TV screen display limitations. The composite video out port lets you view your notebook's display on a TV screen or record to a VCR. This option is typically used with largescreen TVs to give presentations and for other multimedia needs. To setup and connect the computer to a TV or VCR 1. Click Start, Settings, then Control Panel. Double-click the Display icon and click the Settings tab in the Display Properties window. 2. Change the desktop area (display resolution) by sliding the Desktop area slider to adjust pixel resolution to 640 x 480. 3. Change the font size to Large Font. 4. Click Apply, then OK. Windows changes the display settings. 5. Next, connect one end of a video cable to the composite video (TV) out port on the left side of the notebook and the other end to the video in connector on the television or VCR. 20 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook 6. Press FN+F3 to change the active display to LCD display, external monitor, or both displays at the same time as the active display. Setting up an external computer monitor You can connect an external computer monitor to your notebook through the VGA port on the back of your notebook. If you are using an optional docking station, you can also connect an external computer monitor to the docking station VGA port. To connect the computer to an external monitor 1. Connect one end of a VGA cable to the VGA port on the back of the notebook and the other end to the video connector on the monitor. 2. Press FN+F3 to change the active display from LCD only, to LCD and monitor, or monitor only. Continue changing the display options until you get the desired display. Depending upon the external monitor you are using, you may have to lower the video resolution to 640 x 480. Refer to your monitor manual for its display resolution capabilities. To change the display resolution for an external monitor 1. Right-click the Monitor icon in the taskbar tray (right bottom corner). 2. Select the desired resolution. The screen resolution changes. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 21 If the Monitor icon does not appear on the taskbar and you want to have it appear there, follow these steps: 1. Right-click on the desktop, and select Properties from the menu. The Display Properties dialog box opens. 2. Click the Settings tab. 3. Click Show settings icon on taskbar. The Monitor icon appears in the status area of the taskbar. 22 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Using the EZ Pad Plus Touchpad Like a mouse, the EZ Pad Plus touchpad controls the cursor movements on the display. You can scroll, zoom, autoscroll, and pan using the rocker switch between the mouse buttons. Scrolling capabilities are available in some Windows applications, including Microsoft Office. The EZ Pad Plus TouchPad provides you with fast and easy navigation in large documents, spreadsheets, e-mails, and on the Internet. The rocker switch, located between the mouse buttons, lets you scroll, zoom, autoscroll, and pan. Scrolling capabilities are available in some Windows applications, including Microsoft Office. A B C A.EZ Pad Plus (TouchPad) B.EZ Pad Plus rocker switch C.EZ Pad Plus buttons (mouse buttons) To move the cursor, press a finger lightly against the touchpad, then slide it in the direction you want the cursor to move. Press the buttons or tap on the pad to select an object. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 23 Mouse and TouchPad action equivalents The basic mouse functions are illustrated and described in the following table. To right click, press the right mouse button instead of tapping. Mouse Action Move cursor TouchPad Action Slide finger Left button double click Double tap finger Left button drag Tap and drag 24 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Mouse wheel and rocker switch equivalents The following table describes using the rocker switch to perform wheel functions. To... Scroll Up/Down Zoom in/out Data zoom Do this... Press forward or backward on the rocker switch to scroll through documents. Press and hold Ctrl as you apply pressure to the rocker switch. Press and hold Shift as you rock the switch to jump to a hyperlink or return to previous Web sites using Internet Explorer or expand or collapse menu trees in Windows Explorer. Click both sides of the rocker switch and let go once. The document continues flowing until you use a keystroke, mouse click, or additional rocker action to quit scrolling. Hold down both sides or the middle of the rocker switch and swipe your finger across the touchpad to scroll quickly, either vertically or horizontally. Break contact with the touchpad to quit scrolling. Autoscroll Pan Changing touchpad properties Use the following instructions to change EZ Pad Plus properties such as button configuration, drag, edge motion, cursor configuration, and others. To customize the Enhanced EZ Pad 1. Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel. 2. In the Control Panel window, double-click the Mouse icon. 3. In the Mouse Properties dialog box, click the tab of your choice to access and customize touchpad functions. To find out more about using and customizing the touchpad, click the Help button in the Mouse Properties dialog box. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 25 Using an external mouse or keyboard You can attach an external mouse or keyboard to the notebook using the PS/2 port, the USB port, or the serial port. The optional docking stations also have ports for external connections. It is not necessary to shut down the system to connect an external PS/2 mouse or keyboard. If the touchpad driver does not support the external mouse, then refer to the mouse documentation and follow the installation instructions. 26 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Using the audio Your system provides 16-bit stereo audio with SoundBlaster Pro compatibility. You can record audio for presentations, attach voice messages to your e-mail, listen to audio CDs, and use it for many other multimedia applications. This section tells you more about using audio. Adjusting the volume There are many ways to adjust audio input and output on your Solo notebook computer. The Volume Control Wheel on the left side of the system controls the external and internal speaker volumes. The volume level for other ports is controlled by the multimedia software. To adjust playback and recording volume levels 1. Click Start, Settings and Control Panel. Double click the Multimedia icon. The Multimedia Properties dialog box opens. 2. Click the Audio tab. 3. Set the Playback and Recording levels to your preference. To adjust volume controls 1. Double-click the Speaker icon in the status area to open the Volume Control dialog box. A Volume Control dialog box opens. 2. Slide the various volume and balance controls to suit your listening requirements. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 27 3. To customize the Volume Control dialog box, select Properties under the Options menu. 4. In the Properties dialog box, select the controls you want to be able to adjust in the Volume Control dialog box by clicking in the check box. 5. To view the advanced controls, make sure Advanced Controls is selected in the Properties Dialog box. The Advanced button is now displayed in the Volume Control dialog box. 6. Click the Advanced button to view and adjust advanced settings. Making an Audio Recording Note: Connecting an external microphone disables the built-in microphone. To make an audio recording, use the built-in microphone or connect an external microphone to the Mic port on the left side of your notebook. To make an audio recording 1. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, Multimedia, then Sound Recorder. The Sound Recorder opens. 2. Click Edit, then Audio Properties to set or check record volume levels. 3. Click OK. 4. Click the q (Record) button. Recording starts. 5. When you are finished recording, click the s (Stop) button. 6. Click File, then Save As. 7. Type a filename for the recording. 8. Click Save.The recording is saved. 28 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Once you have finished recording, you can play it back using Media Player. To play back a recording in Media Player 1. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, Multimedia, then Media Player. The Media Player opens. 2. Click File, then Open. The Open dialog box appears. 3. Select the file to play back. 4. Click Open. 5. To play the file, click (Play). 6. To stop the file, click s (Stop). Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 29 Using disc media Your system has a CD-ROM drive or an optional DVD-ROM drive. This section describes some of the ways to use disc media for either drive. To insert a disc 1. Press the Eject button. The drive tray opens. 2. Insert the disc. Press down carefully on the disc to ensure that it snaps under the clips that holds the disc in the tray. Be sure to place the disc in the tray so that the label side is facing up. If the disc has two playable sides, place the disc so that the name of the side you want to play (A or B) is facing up. 3. Push the tray in until it clicks in the closed position. 30 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Playing an audio disc The CD-ROM drive accepts standard music CDs. You can play and control an audio CD using the CD Player application in Windows. For information on playing DVD discs, see the documentation that shipped with your DVD-ROM drive. To play an audio CD 1. Insert an audio CD. After a few seconds, the CD starts playing. If the CD did not auto-start, then click Start, Programs, Accessories, Multimedia, and CD Player to start the CD Player software. 2. Click the CD Player taskbar button to use the CD Player software. 3. Control audio play as desired. You can change tracks, view playing times, control volume, set preferences, define a play list, and even set the system to continuous or random play using this dialog box. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 31 Swapping drive modules Your notebook features a modular option bay located in the front panel of the notebook. This bay accepts a CD-ROM, DVD, diskette, or LS-120 drive module. To swap your drive modules 1. Close any open files and shut down your notebook. 2. Close the cover and turn your notebook over. 3. Locate the modular bay access latch. Slide and hold the latch open and use the grip near the front of the notebook to pull the drive module out of the notebook. 4. Turn your notebook back over. 32 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook 5. Firmly push the drive module you are installing into the bay until the latch clicks into place and is firmly seated. If you don't hear the click, try it again. 6. Open the lid and press the power button to resume using your notebook. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 33 Using the diskette disk drive externally Your diskette drive module can be used as an internal or external drive. When used as an external drive, the diskette drive module can be used simultaneously with a CD-ROM/DVD/LS-120 drive module that is installed internally. First, install the appropriate drive module into your notebook. Then, connect an external diskette drive module to the parallel port at the back of your notebook using the optional adapter cable. It is not necessary to reboot the system for it to recognize the connection. 34 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Swapping hard disk drives You can remove the hard disk drive from your notebook to swap to a second hard disk drive. If you decide to add a new hard disk drive, then use the documentation that comes with the hard disk drive to prepare the hard disk drive for use. To swap the hard disk drive 1. Save all work. 2. Click Start, Shut Down, Shut down your computer?, then click OK. 3. Close the LCD lid. 4. Disconnect the AC power (if plugged into the notebook). 5. Remove the battery. See "To remove the battery pack" on Page 47 for instructions. 6. Turn your notebook over and locate the hard disk drive latch. 7. Unscrew the hard disk drive retaining screw. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 35 8. Gently pry the hard disk drive latch up and out of the seated position. Slide the hard disk drive forward and lift it out of the hard disk drive tray. 36 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook 9. Place the new hard disk drive into the hard disk drive tray, sliding it back into position so that the connector plug is firmly seated into the drive's plug-in. 10. Seat the latch down into position and secure with the screw. 11. Turn the notebook over, reconnect the AC adapter, and replace the battery pack. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 37 Using PC Cards Your notebook's PC Card slots (also known as PCMCIA card slots) are located behind the PC Card doors on the left side of your notebook. These slots accept two Type I or Type II PC Cards or Type III PC Card. Install Type III PC Card in the bottom slot. Install one Zoomed Video card in either slot. Your notebook is configured to automatically accept most PC Cards. To insert a PC Card 1. Insert the PC Card with the label face up. If you are using a Type III PC Card, it must be inserted into the bottom slot. 2. Slide the card firmly into the PC Card slot. When the card is installed correctly, the computer emits a two-toned beep. When a card is installed, the eject button can be folded into the system to prevent breakage. 3. Follow the Windows Setup Wizard installation steps the first time you insert a PC Card. Operate the device as recommended in the PC Card manufacturer's manual. 38 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook To remove a PC Card 1. Click the PC Card icon in the taskbar. 2. Click the card that you want remove. 3. Click Stop. A screen appears stating that you may safely remove the device. 4. Click OK. 5. If the eject button is in the stored position, fold it out and push in to eject the PC Card. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 39 Using the IR port The IR (infrared) port built into your notebook uses infrared technology to send and receive signals between the notebook and a remote device also equipped with an IR port. If your notebook shipped with the IR port enabled and if you do not use the IR port and need to make more resources (IRQs) available for other devices, then use the following steps to disable the IR port. To disable the IR port 1. Remove any PC Cards from the PC Card slots. 2. Click Start, Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. 3. Double-click the System icon. The System Properties dialog box opens. 4. Click the Device Manager tab. 5. Click + next to Infrared. Built-in Infrared port on laptop or desktop appears in the list. 6. Double-click Built-in Infrared port on laptop or desktop. The Built-in Infrared port on laptop or desktop Properties dialog box opens. 7. Click to select the Disable in this hardware profile checkbox. 8. Click OK. 9. Click OK on the Device Manager tab. 10. Double-click the Infrared icon in the Control Panel window. The Infrared Monitor dialog box opens. 11. Click the Options tab. 12. Clear the check box beside Enable infrared communication on: COM2. 13. Click OK. 40 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Using the USB ports USB is a new type of serial interface that serves as a single-port alternative to connecting devices that traditionally have required their own ports such as mice, joysticks, keyboards, scanners, cameras, and speakers. To use a USB device, connect it to the USB port. The USB automatically installs and configures the necessary drivers and the system resources. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 41 Using McAfee VirusScan A computer virus is a program that attaches itself to another program on the computer, and spreads from one program to another. If transmitted unnoticed, viruses can damage data, cause computers to crash, or display bothersome or offensive messages. Some viruses can go unnoticed for long periods of time because they are tied to a certain time or date before they become active. McAfee VirusScan is a program that helps you protect your system from computer viruses. Each time you start your system, McAfee VirusScan scans your hard disk drive for viruses that could be potentially harmful to your system. If you are using diskettes to transfer information to your system, you can run the McAfee VirusScan software on the diskette to check it before copying files from it to your system. To scan a diskette Note: We recommend that you always scan diskettes that you are introducing to your system. 1. Place the diskette in the diskette drive. 2. Click Start, Programs, McAfee VirusScan, and VirusScan. 3. Change the C: drive setting to A: and click All Files. 4. Click Scan Now. VirusScan scans the diskette. If it finds a virus, it alerts you with onscreen instructions for removing it. 42 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Updating McAfee VirusScan Because new viruses are continually being introduced in the computer world, a message appears approximately every six months reminding you to update your version of McAfee VirusScan. Updating your version of McAfee VirusScan is important because it keeps your virus protection current. If you have a modem, an analog phone line, and a subscription to an Internet service provider you can update McAfee VirusScan software. Click the Update button and follow the on-screen instructions to complete the update process. Note: You must have a modem installed in your system and properly connected to a phone line to access the Internet. Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 43 44 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Chapter 4: Managing Power Use Using the battery.................................................... 46 Charging the battery pack .............................. 46 Swapping the battery pack ............................. 47 Monitoring the battery status ......................... 49 Managing power.................................................... 51 Windows 98.................................................... 51 Windows 95 and Windows NT ..................... 55 Modifying the power button mode ................ 56 Maximizing the battery life............................ 56 Using the battery Your notebook can run on a fully charged battery for approximately 3.5 hours, depending on the type of battery you have and how you use your notebook. Under normal operating conditions, Li-ion batteries have about 600 charge cycles before they require replacement. Battery life is affected by how much you use the system components such as the hard drive, CD-ROM drive, or LCD display. For example, battery life is increased by using the suspend function rather than a screen saver. Battery life is reduced by playing an audio CD while using a word processor. Other factors such as the power management settings affect the battery life. See "Maximizing the battery life" on Page 56 for more information about power management. Charging the battery pack The battery must be installed in the notebook and connected to an AC power source to charge. You can charge the battery in the following modes: o o o When you are using your notebook with the AC adapter When the system is attached to AC power and in standby or suspend mode When the system is attached to AC power and the system is powered off You can also purchase an external battery charger or an airplane/automobile adapter from Gateway Add-Ons. The external charger can charge an additional battery while charging a battery in your notebook. The airplane/ automobile adapter lets you power your notebook and charge your battery when an AC outlet is not available. 46 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook Swapping the battery pack Battery packs can be "warm-swapped." This means you can change battery packs while in Suspend mode (Windows 95) or Standby mode (Windows 98). The backup battery that supports warm swapping has a limited power supply (about ten minutes). Make the battery swap quickly to conserve the backup battery power. To remove the battery pack 1. Save all work. 2. If you are using Windows 98 click Start on the taskbar, then click Shut Down, Standby, then OK. The system enters standby mode. - OR If you are using Windows 95 or Windows NT click Start on the taskbar, then Suspend. The system enters suspend mode. - OR Shut down the system. 3. Close the LCD panel and turn your notebook over. 4. Slide the battery release latch to release the battery pack. Chapter 4: Managing Power Use 47 5. Hold the latch back and lift the battery up out of the battery opening. 6. Place the fresh battery pack into the battery bay, pushing downward until it snaps into place. 48 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 5150 Multimedia Notebook