User manual GATEWAY SOLO 9100

Contents Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook ............................... 1 Keyboard and LCD Panel....................................................................... 2 System Status Indicators ......................................................................... 4 Left side.................................................................................................... 5 Back ......................................................................................................... 6 Right Side ................................................................................................ 8 Bottom ..................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 2: Using Your System .............................................. 11 Connecting AC Power .......................................................................... 12 Starting Up............................................................................................. 13 LCD Panel ............................................................................................. 14 Using the Keyboard............................................................................... 15 Function keys.................................................................................. 16 Special keys .................................................................................... 18 Pad Lock keys................................................................................. 18 EZ Pad Pointing Device........................................................................ 20 Customizing the EZ Pad ................................................................ 21 Using an External Mouse or Keyboard ................................................ 21 Swapping Option Bay Modules............................................................ 22 Using the Audio..................................................................................... 25 Adjusting the volume..................................................................... 25 Making an Audio Recording ......................................................... 26 Using Disc Media (CD-ROM) ............................................................. 28 Playing an audio CD ...................................................................... 28 Removing or Replacing the Hard Disk Drive ...................................... 30 Using PC Cards ..................................................................................... 32 About CardBus Cards .................................................................... 33 USB (Universal Serial Bus) Ports......................................................... 34 Using Fast IR Ports................................................................................ 34 Using the Composite Video Ports......................................................... 35 Using the VidCap Demonstration Program .................................. 36 Chapter 3: Managing Power Consumption .......................... 39 Using the battery.................................................................................... 40 Battery learning software............................................................... 40 Contents i Battery status.................................................................................. Swapping the battery ............................................................................ Maximizing the battery life .................................................................. Managing power ................................................................................... Windows 98 ................................................................................... Windows 95 and Windows NT .................................................... Modifying the power button mode................................................ Using the BIOS Setup Utility............................................................... Using the Power Menu .................................................................. Status display ................................................................................. 41 42 44 45 45 48 49 49 50 52 Appendix A: Solo Notebook Accessories ..............................53 Accessories ........................................................................................... 54 Appendix B: Contacting Gateway ..........................................55 Contacting Gateway.............................................................................. 56 Calling Gateway ............................................................................ 56 Index .......................................................................................57 ii Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook Keyboard and LCD Panel ....................................... 2 System Status Indicators ......................................... 4 Left side.................................................................... 5 Back.......................................................................... 6 Right Side................................................................. 8 Bottom...................................................................... 9 Keyboard and LCD Panel Component A. XGA Color Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) B. Power button C. Keyboard Description Provides sharp, crisp resolution with backlit anti-glare screen. Press to turn power ON or OFF. Can also be configured to Suspend/Resume mode. Provides full functionality of a desktop computer keyboard. Many of these keys have been assigned alternate functions, including shortcut keys for Windows 95 and Windows 98, Status Display menus, and numeric keypad. 2 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Component D. Speakers E. CD-ROM drive/Diskette drive combination module F. EZ PadTM TouchPad Description Provide high quality sound reproduction for software and audio CDs. The CD-ROM drive reads data CDs or audio CDs. The diskette drive accepts 3.5-inch diskettes. Controls the cursor movement on the screen. Buttons below the pad function as left and right mouse buttons for clicking. Opens to reveal and remove hard disk drive. Indicates that the power status mode: · Steady green light indicates power is on and computer is in operation. · Flashing green light indicates that the computer is in standby or suspend mode. · No LED indicates that the system power is off. Indicates the battery status mode: · Green light indicates that the battery is fully charged. · Yellow light indicates that the battery is charging. · Red light indicates that a battery malfunction. · No LED indicates that the system is running on the battery because the AC adapter is either not connected or is not providing power to the computer. Indicates that the system status modes. G. Hard drive access cover panel H. Power LED I. Battery LED J. System status indicators (LCM - Liquid Crystal Module) Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook 3 System Status Indicators Indicator A. Hard drive access light B. CD-ROM/Diskette disk drive C. Caps lock Icon Description Indicates that the hard drive is in use. Indicates that the CD-ROM or the diskette drive is in use. Indicates that the caps lock in on. When the Caps lock light is on, you type in all capital letters. Indicates that the pad lock is on. When the Pad lock light is on, you can access the embedded numeric keypad. Indicates that the scroll lock is on. When Scroll lock light is on, some programs allow you to scroll through large volumes of text. D. Pad lock E. Scroll lock 4 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Left side Component A. Volume wheel Icon Description Adjusts built-in speaker volume, external speaker, and headphone volume. Other port volume levels are controlled by multimedia software. Accepts two Type II PC Cards or one Type II Card. Ejects the PC Cards from the PC Card slots. Provides high quality sound reproduction for software and audio CDs. B. PC Card slots C. Eject buttons D. Speaker Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook 5 Back Port A. Parallel port (LPT1) B. Joystick/MIDI port C. Fast IR (Infrared) port Icon Description Connect parallel device such as a printer to this port. Connect a game joystick or an electronic MIDI musical instrument this port. The port provides both MIDI In and Out capabilities. Sends infrared signals between the notebook and a remote device that uses infrared (for example, another computer, printer, or other peripheral). Place infrared devices up to 3 feet (1 meter) apart. Connect an external microphone to this port. Connecting an external microphone will disable the built-in microphone. Records from another computer, stereo equipment, or a VCR. Connect an amplified speaker to this port. The Line out port is not capable of driving unamplified speakers or headphones. Connect external speakers or headphones to this port. Supports small unamplified speakers. (1/8-inch/3.5-mm jack.) D. Mic E. Line in F. Line out G. Speaker out/ Headphone jack 6 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Port H. Composite Video Out port I. Composite Video In port J. Reset switch K. Kensington lock L. PS/2 port M. Serial port Icon Description Lets you view your notebook's display on a TV screen by connecting the notebook to the TV or VCR using a standard video cable. Lets you display NTSC/PAL format video on your notebook's screen from a VCR or video camera using a standard video cable. Restarts the notebook, if necessary. Insert a paper clip to press switch. Attach Kensington lock to this port. Connect an external mouse or keyboard to this port. Connect an optional serial device to this port. N. VGA port Connect a VGA monitor cable to this port. O. Docking station port Connect an optional docking station to this port. Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook 7 Right Side Component A. Speaker B. USB ports C. Power connector Icon Description Provides high quality sound reproduction for software and audio CDs. Plug optional USB serial devices into these ports. Connect an AC power adapter to this port. 8 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Bottom Component A. Flip foot B. Back ports cover (open position) C. System identification label D. Memory bay E. Battery pack bay F. Battery release latch G. Combination module release latch H. Combination module Description Flips out to tilt the notebook. Flips open to reveal ports. Provides product model number, serial number, display type, and processor speed. Open the memory bay cover to install or remove SO-DIMM memory modules. Slide battery pack into bay for battery power and battery charging. Slide the latch to release the battery pack from the battery pack bay. Slide the latch to release the combination drive module from the bay. Pull here to remove combination module after sliding the release latch. Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook 9 10 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Chapter 2: Using Your System Connecting AC Power........................................... 12 Starting Up............................................................. 13 LCD Panel.............................................................. 14 Using the Keyboard............................................... 15 EZ Pad Pointing Device ........................................ 20 Using an External Mouse or Keyboard ................ 21 Swapping Option Bay Modules............................ 22 Using the Audio..................................................... 25 Using Disc Media (CD-ROM).............................. 28 Removing or Replacing the Hard Disk Drive ...... 30 Using PC Cards ..................................................... 32 USB (Universal Serial Bus) Ports......................... 34 Using Fast IR Ports................................................ 34 Using the Composite Video Ports......................... 35 Connecting AC Power Your notebook is powered by one of the longest-lasting batteries available and was shipped to you charged, ready to use. You might, however, want to use the AC adapter to provide a constant supply of power while you are checking out some of the features. Connecting the AC adapter 1. Connect the power cord to the AC adapter. 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. 2. Plug the AC adapter into your notebook's power connector. 3. Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet. 12 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Starting Up Slide the latch on the front face of your notebook to the right to release the cover and open up your notebook. To turn on your notebook, press the power button, located in the upper left corner on the notebook surface, close to the left LCD hinge. The power button on your system is preset in On/Off mode. However, you can set it to function either in On/Off or Suspend/Resume mode using the setup screens (see "Using the BIOS Setup Utility" on page 49). Power button Chapter 2: Using Your System 13 LCD Panel Note: This system ships with the "Auto dim with battery" feature enabled. Auto dim cuts LCD power 50% when your notebook is operating on battery power. Your notebook features a color LCD XGA panel providing sharp, crisp resolution and up to 256K (18 bits per pixel) color depth. Tilt your notebook's entire cover forward or backward to adjust the viewing angle. Press the FN key together with the up arrow and down arrow keys to control display brightness. Some screens may have a small number of colored dots. This is normal and does not affect the overall screen image. 14 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook 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 pad lock keys for the numeric keypad. Function keys for function key combinations Function Key Chapter 2: Using Your System 15 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 Description + Displays the power status in the upper left corner of the Windows desktop. Press the key combination again to make the display disappear. Toggles between the LCD display, external monitor, both displays at the same time, or TV display (NTSC or PAL format). See "LCD Panel" on Page 14. Windows 95: LCD and Hard Drive shut off. Pressing any key will bring them back within a few seconds. Windows 98: System goes to sleep. Pressing the power button will bring the system out of sleep mode. Makes temporary changes to the power management (PM) mode settings by toggling the setting options: · PM ON enables power management with AC or battery power. · PM DC enables power management when the notebook is using battery power only. · PM OFF disables power management. The selected option is not saved when the system is turned off. The power management settings selected in the BIOS setup program take effect when the system is restarted. 16 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Key Combination Description + Makes changes to the video source (VIDEOSRC) settings by toggling the settings from: DVD, select if using your DVD drive (optional) TV IN, select if using the Composite Video In port PCMCIA, select if using a zoomed video card in PCMCIA slot DISABLED After about 30 seconds, the display disappears. Enables the Pad Lock function so you can use the numeric keypad. The Pad Lock icon stays lit while this function is enabled. Press the key combination again to make the display disappear. In some programs you can scroll through large volumes of text. The Scroll Lock icon is enabled. stays lit as long as this function In some programs this key combination pauses the display when text is scrolling quickly. Press any key to continue the text flow. In some programs this key combination breaks text scrolling in a DOS screen. Increases LCD brightness and displays the brightness meter for the Popup Status Display reflecting the changes. Use the FN+F2 key combination to make the display disappear Chapter 2: Using Your System 17 Key Combination Description + Decreases LCD brightness and displays the brightness meter for the Popup Status Display reflecting the changes. Use the FN+F2 key combination to make the display disappear. 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 shortcut menus and help assistants in Windows. 18 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Pad Lock keys Press FN+F9 (PAD LOCK) keys to activate the keypad. The keypad section of the keyboard functions as a numeric keypad. Press FN+F9 to bring the keyboard back into standard mode. Chapter 2: Using Your System 19 EZ Pad Pointing Device Like a mouse, the EZ Pad touch pad pointing device controls the movements of the cursor on the screen. Press a finger against the pad, then slide it in the direction that you want the cursor to move. Use the buttons or tap on the pad to select something. EZ pad Touch pad buttons When you first start your system, the Information about your Touchpad displays. Select Tell me more for detailed information about features and how to customize the EZ Pad. With the EZ Pad you have two choices for each operation: To click: o o -OR- Position the cursor on the item and press the left button once Position the cursor on the item and tap on the pad once. To double-click: o o -OR- Position the cursor on the item and press the left button twice Position the cursor on the item and tap on the pad twice. To drag and drop: 20 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook o o Position the cursor on the item and hold down the left button while sliding your finger to reposition the cursor, then release the button Position the cursor on the item and tap on the pad twice. After the second tap, hold and slide (without lifting your finger) to reposition the cursor, then lift your finger to release. Customizing the EZ Pad You can customize the EZ Pad to work the way you want when you set button configuration, drag, and edge motion or cursor speed, rate, and size. To customize the EZ Pad 1. Click on Start, Settings and Control Panel. 2. Double-click on the mouse icon. 3. Click on each of the different tabs to see the options available. 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. Just connect it to the port and start to work. Chapter 2: Using Your System 21 Swapping Option Bay Modules Your notebook features a modular option bay that accepts the modular CDROM/Diskette disk combination drive or an additional battery. The CD-ROM/Diskette disk combination drive can be replaced by a second battery module in the modular option bay. Each time you switch them, however, you must restart your system. Modular option bay 22 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook To switch the combination module for the battery module 1. Save all work and use the Shut Down procedure in your operating system. 2. Close the cover and turn your notebook over. 3. Locate the modular bay access latch. Slide and hold the latch open, then place your fingers over the raised bar near the front of the notebook. Raised bar Modular bay access latch Chapter 2: Using Your System 23 4. Pull the CD-ROM/Diskette disk combination drive module straight out and away from your notebook, and release the latch. 5. Install the correct faceplate on the second battery. For details, see the instructions that come with the second battery. Note: Anytime you replace a module you must restart your system for the module to work. The restart has to occur after the module is correctly seated. 6. Turn the battery module over. (Your notebook was turned over, so the module being installed must be turned over as well.) 7. Firmly push the module straight into the bay until the latch "clicks" into place. If you don't hear the "click" try it firmly again, making sure it "clicks." 8. Restart your system. 24 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Using the Audio Your system comes with flexibility for using audio. 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 numerous ways to adjust audio input and output on your Solo notebook computer. The Volume Control Wheel controls the Speaker Out port and the internal system speakers. 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 "quick-adjust" volume controls 1. Double-click the Speaker icon (bottom right-hand corner). A Volume Control dialog box opens, containing volume and balance controls for master volume control, CD audio, wave, synthesizer, line, microphone and 3D Enhanced settings. 2. Slide the various volume and balance controls to suit your listening requirements. Chapter 2: Using Your System 25 Making an Audio Recording Note: Connecting an external microphone will disable the built-in microphone. To make an audio recording, use the built-in microphone or connect an external microphone to the Mic port. To make an audio recording 1. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, Multimedia, then Sound Recorder. The Sound Recorder opens. 2. Click Edit, then Audio Properties, then set or check record volume levels. 3. Click OK. 4. Click the q (Record) button. Recording starts. 5. When you are finished recording, the s (Stop) button. Recording stops. 6. Click File, then Save As. 7. Name the recording. 8. Click Save.The recording is saved. To play back a recording in Media Player 1. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, Multimedia, then Media Player. The Media Player opens. 26 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook 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 the (Play) button. 6. To stop the file, click the s (Stop) button. Chapter 2: Using Your System 27 Using Disc Media (CD-ROM) Your system has a CD-ROM drive. This section describes some of the ways to use CD-ROM media. To insert a CD 1. Press the Eject button. The CD drive tray opens. 2. Insert the CD. Press down carefully on the CD to ensure that it snaps under the clips that hold the CD in the tray. Be sure to place the CD 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. Press the Eject button. The tray closes. To access information on the CD drive 1. Double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer window opens. 2. Double-click the CD-ROM drive icon. Playing an audio CD The CD-ROM accepts standard CD data discs and music CDs. You can play and control an audio CD using the CD Player application in Windows. To play an audio CD 1. Insert an audio CD. After a few seconds, the CD-ROM starts playing automatically. 2. Click the CD Player taskbar button to use the CD Player software. 28 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook - OR If the CD did not auto-start, then click Start, Programs, Accessories, Multimedia, and CD Player to start the CD Player software. 3. Slide the mouse pointer slowly over the control buttons on the CD Player software to get familiar with each button function. 4. You can change music tracks, view playing times, control the volume, set preferences, define a play list and even set the system to continuous or random play using this dialog box. 5. Control audio play as desired. Chapter 2: Using Your System 29 Removing or Replacing the Hard Disk Drive You can remove your notebook's hard disk drive (HDD) for replacement or to switch between optional additional hard drives. To remove and replace the hard disk drive 1. Save all work. 2. Use your operating system's shut down procedure to turn your notebook completely off. 3. Close the LCD lid. 4. Disconnect the AC power and turn your notebook over. 5. Locate the modular bay access latch. Slide and hold the latch open and remove the combination CD-ROM/diskette drive module from the modular option bay. Modular option bay latch 6. Open the flap door next to the modular option bay (notebook shown with bottom up). 30 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Flap door Hard drive 7. Grasp the black flap and pull the hard disk drive straight out from the notebook. Caution! Do not force the hard drive. Slide the new hard drive firmly into your notebook and close the flap door. 8. 9. Reinstall the CD-ROM/diskette combination drive module and AC connections. Chapter 2: Using Your System 31 Using PC Cards Your notebook's PC Card slots (also known as PCMCIA card slots) are located behind the PC Card doors. These slots accept PC Card 16, PC Card 32 (CardBus), or Zoomed Video cards. Your notebook is configured to automatically accept most PC Cards. If you ordered your notebook with a modem, then the modem drivers are already installed. You do not need to restart your notebook when changing most cards because your notebook supports "hot-swapping." This means that you can usually insert a PC Card, and the system recognizes it without shutting down the notebook. If your PC Card does not work when hot-swapping, refer to the PC Card manufacturer's documentation for further information. To insert a PC Card Note: If you are using a Type III PC Card or Zoomed Video card, it must be inserted into the bottom slot. 1. Insert the PC Card with the label face up. 2. Slide the card firmly into the PC Card slot. When the card is installed correctly, the computer emits a two-toned beep. 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. 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. Press the PC Card eject button, located to the left of the PC Card slot, to release the eject button. 32 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook 6. Press the PC Card eject button a second time to eject the PC Card. 7. Press the PC Card eject button to reset back into the notebook. About CardBus Cards The relatively new 32-bit CardBus technology (sometimes referred to as "PC Card 32 cards") supports DMA and bus mastering technologies that are useful in performance-intensive applications like full-motion video, high speed network connections, full-motion video capture and display, and high performance peripheral interfaces. While not many 32-bit CardBus cards are on the market yet, you can use them interchangeably with 16-bit cards in your notebook. However, please note that some Solo docking solutions do not support CardBus. CardBus cards function only in your notebook's PC Card slots. Caution! Be sure to wait for the "Safe to remove" message before you remove the CardBus card, or you may crash your system and lose all your work. Chapter 2: Using Your System 33 USB (Universal Serial Bus) 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 specific ports such as mice, joysticks, keyboards, scanners, video conferencing cameras, and speakers. To use, connect the USB-compatible peripheral in the USB port. The USB automatically installs and configures the necessary drivers and the system resources. Using Fast IR Ports The IR (infrared) port uses infrared technology to send and receive signals between the notebook and a remote device equipped with an IR port. A variety of desktop computers, printers, and other peripherals are IRequipped. Use the manufacturer's documentation to set up a remote IR device. Your notebook shipped with the IR port enabled. If you do not use the IR port and need to make more resources (IRQs) available for other commonly used devices, the IR port can be disabled. See Help on enabling/disabling the IR port for more information. 34 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Using the Composite Video Ports The Composite Video Out port allows you to view your notebook's display on a TV screen by connecting the notebook to the TV or VCR using a standard video cable. The Composite Video In port allows you to display video on your notebook's screen from a VCR or video camera using a standard video cable. Note: In addition to the hardware connections necessary to perform the functions described in this section, you also need to have a video display program installed. The Composite Video In port lets you capture still frames or motion video from a VCR or video camera on your notebook. Windows drivers for use with video capture software programs are supplied with your notebook. To connect your notebook to a TV: 1. Connect one end of a standard video cable to the Composite Video Out port on the notebook. 2. Connect the other end of the cable to the Video In connector on your television or VCR. 3. Use the key combination FN+F3 to switch to Composite Video Out. 4. Reset your display setting to 640 x 480 resolution with large text fonts for best viewing. To connect a VCR/Camera to your notebook 1. Connect one end of a standard video cable to the Composite Video In port on the notebook. 2. Connect the other end of the cable to the Video Out connector on your VCR or camera. 3. Use the key combination FN+F7 to select the TV IN video source. Chapter 2: Using Your System 35 Using the VidCap Demonstration Program VidCap is a video capture utility program that lets you display and capture video (single frame or video stream) from the Composite Video In port. You cannot edit video using VidCap. You can purchase a video editing package from a software retailer. To use VidCap: 1. Connect the Video Out port of your external source, such as a video camera, to the Composite Video In port on your notebook. 2. Connect the Audio Out port, if available, of your external source to the Line In port on your notebook. 3. Press FN+F7 until TV IN appears in the VIDEOSRC window in the upper left corner of your screen. 4. Click the Start button, then click Programs, Video Capture, and Microsoft VidCap. The program starts. 5. Play your external video source. Adjust the display if necessary. 6. Click Capture to view menu options: · Single Frame captures one frame of video. · Frames lets you manually click on specific video frames. · Video automatically captures continuous video frames. · Palette automatically captures the color palette from continuous and single video frames. 7. To capture continuous frames, click Video. The Capture Video Sequence dialog box opens. 8. When you've made all selections, click OK. 36 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook 9. The first time you use VidCap, the Set Capture File dialog box opens. Set the path you want the file to be saved to, name the file, then click Open. The default file name is always the last name specified. Select Set Capture File from the File menu and change the file name before you capture the video to avoid overwriting a previous video capture. 10. The first time you use VidCap, the Set File Size dialog box opens. Set the amount of hard disk drive space you want the capture file to use, then click OK. A window opens asking if you want to begin capturing. You can set the your file size equal to the amount of free disk space. However, we do not recommend that you use the total amount of free space. If you do, you will have to either delete your capture or other existing data to regain free space on the hard drive for other applications. 11. Click OK to begin capturing frames. 12. Right click anywhere in the VidCap window to stop capturing frames. Chapter 2: Using Your System 37 38 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Chapter 3: Managing Power Consumption Using the battery.................................................... 40 Swapping the battery ............................................. 42 Maximizing the battery life................................... 44 Managing power.................................................... 45 Using the BIOS Setup Utility................................ 49 Using the battery The battery must be installed in the notebook and connected to an AC power source to charge completely. The battery will charge if your notebook is operating as long as the AC adapter is properly connected. The notebook can run on a fully charged battery for about 3 to 4 hours of normal use before the battery needs recharging. Battery learning software About once a year you will need to run the Battery Learning Software to recalibrate the battery gauge. The learning cycle increases the battery gauge accuracy. Gauge accuracy changes over time. Because the learning cycle can take as long as 16 hours per battery, we suggest that you start the Learning Cycle program and run it overnight. To perform a learning cycle on the battery pack Note: Removing the battery or disconnecting the AC power interrupts the learning cycle. If the learning cycle is interrupted, it must be restarted from the beginning to properly condition the battery. 1. Insert the battery into the battery bay. 2. Plug the AC adapter into the notebook and an AC outlet. 3. Insert the Battery Learning Cycle diskette in the A:\ drive. 4. Start up your notebook. The Learning Cycle software starts. Follow the onscreen directions for the battery learning software. 40 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Battery status You can check the battery status several ways. o Position the cursor over the power cord (AC) or battery icon in the lower right corner of the task bar. A battery status screen appears. Moving the cursor anywhere on the display causes the screen to disappear. -OR- o Click twice on the power cord or battery icon in the lower right corner of the task bar. A more detailed battery status screen will appear. Click on the X in the upper right corner of the screen to close it. -OR- o Click on Start, Settings and Control Panel. Double click on the Power Management icon. You can view the battery status and set power preferences from this screen, which stay in effect until they are changed in Windows. -OR- o Press the FN key together with the F2 (Status) key. The power status display appears in the upper left corner of the display. This display monitors battery status and power management selection. BAT1 monitors the status of the battery pack in the battery bay. Press the FN and the F2 (Status) keys again to make the display disappear. When the battery level gets low: o o o The system emits three beeps The battery icon in the lower right of the task bar has a red "X" over it The Low Battery screen appears, advising you to change your battery or switch to AC power immediately to prevent losing your work. Connect the AC adapter to the notebook to recharge the battery. Chapter 3: Managing Power Consumption 41 Swapping the battery Battery packs can be "warm-swapped" in the battery bay. This means that you can change battery packs while in Standby mode (Windows 98) or Suspend mode (Windows 95). To replace the battery pack 1. Save all work. 2. In Windows 98, press the FN key together with the F4 key to put the system into standby mode. In Windows 95, press the FN key together with the F5 key to put the system into suspend mode. 3. Close the cover and turn your notebook over. 4. Slide the battery release latch toward the center of the notebook. 5. Hold the latch in place and place your fingers over the raised bar on the battery pack next to the latch. Battery latch 42 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook 6. Slide the battery pack straight out and away from your notebook. You may now release the battery release latch. 7. Slide a battery pack (bottom side up) straight into the battery bay until it "snaps" into place. 8. Turn the notebook right side up and open the cover. 9. Press the power button to resume power to the system. Chapter 3: Managing Power Consumption 43 Maximizing the battery life You can extend the battery life by following these practices: o o o Dim the display brightness as low as is comfortable. Close the LCD lid when not in use. The LCD display turns off until the lid is opened. Remove PC Cards when not in use. Some PC Cards use battery power even when they are not in use. Check the PC Card manufacturer's documentation to find out if the card uses power when not in use. Keep the battery pack in the computer when using AC power to continuously charge the battery. Minimize using CD-ROM drive. The CD-ROM drive uses considerable battery power. Adjust the Power management settings most effectively for the way you use your notebook. o o o See "Managing power" on Page 45 for more information about changing the power management settings in Windows 98. See "Using the Power Menu" on Page 50 for more information about accessing the Power menu settings in the BIOS setup program for Windows 95 and Windows NT. 44 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Managing power A battery-powered session for your notebook is affected by many things such as using screen savers rather than the suspend function, or playing music CD-ROMs while using a word processor. If no AC power outlet is available, you want to make the battery-powered session last as long as possible. Power management is handled differently in Windows 98 than in Windows 95 and Windows NT. The following two sections address these differences. Refer to the section that applies to your operating system. Windows 98 To modify your power management settings in Windows 98, you do not need to open the BIOS setup program. This is only necessary if you want to change the power button setting. Instead, Windows 98 includes a Power Management Properties dialog box. To use the Power Management Properties dialog box 1. Click the Start button, Settings, and Control Panel. 2. In the Control Panel window, double-click the Power Management icon. 3. Click the appropriate tab to view and modify settings. Chapter 3: Managing Power Consumption 45 Power schemes A power scheme is a named set of properties selected in the Power Schemes window. For example, the Portables/Laptop power scheme changes the settings to maximize battery life in your notebook system. You can select one of three pre-defined power schemes from the Power schemes drop-down list. You can also create your own power scheme and add it to the list. To create a power scheme 1. In the Power Schemes window, set the properties as you want them to be in your power scheme. 2. Click Save As. 3. Type a name for your power scheme and click OK. 4. Select your power scheme from the Power scheme drop-down list. 5. Click OK at the bottom of the Power Management Properties window to apply the change. 46 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook Alarm settings Even though there are several ways to keep tabs on your battery power, alarms letting you know that you might be about to lose battery power are useful. The Alarms window lets you turn off and turn on the alarms, set the point at which your notebook alerts you that your battery is running low, and select the notification method. Chapter 3: Managing Power Consumption 47 Using Standby mode in Windows 98 Windows 98 uses Standby mode. When in Standby mode, your notebook enters a sleep state. Cutting off power to most devices except memory. The following table shows how to change the system modes in Windows 98. If your notebook is... Off On ...and you want to... Start up Standby ...then do this: Press the power button Click Start, Shut Down, Standby, then click OK. - OR Press FN+F4 Press the power button briefly Click Start, Shut Down, click Shut Down again, then click OK. In Standby mode On Resume power Shut down Windows 95 and Windows NT To modify your power management settings in Windows 95 and Windows NT, you need to go into the BIOS program to change the power management settings. See "Using the Power Menu" on Page 50 for more information on these settings and how to modify them. Using Suspend mode in Windows 95 and Windows NT Windows 95 and Windows NT use Suspend mode. When in Suspend mode, your notebook enters a sleep state according to the power management settings. Suspend mode cuts off power from most devices except memory. 48 Using Your Gateway SoloTM 9100 Multimedia Notebook