Gateway 1450 User Manual

1 Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1450 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Left side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Right side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Keyboard area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Identifying your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Gateway model number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Gateway serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Finding your specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

2Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Connecting the AC adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Starting your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Waking up your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Turning off your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Restarting (rebooting) your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Key types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

System key combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Using the EZ Pad touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Using the touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Connecting the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Connecting to a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Broadband Internet connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

3Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

HelpSpot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Searching for a topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

HelpSpot Videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

4 Windows Basics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

About the Windows environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

Using the desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Using the Start menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Identifying Window items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Working with files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Viewing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Creating folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Copying and moving files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Deleting files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Browsing for files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Searching for files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Using the Search utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Adding icons to the desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Working with documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Creating a new document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Saving a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Opening a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Printing a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

5 Using the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Learning about the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Setting up an Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Accessing your Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Using the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Connecting to a Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Downloading files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Using e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Sending e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Checking your e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

6 Using Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Using the diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .78

Using the CD or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Identifying drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Inserting a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Adjusting the volume in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Listening to CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Listening to CDs in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

Listening to CDs in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Recording and playing audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Playing a DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Using MusicMatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Playing CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Creating MP3 music files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Editing track information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Building a music library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Listening to Internet radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Using advanced features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Using a recordable drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Creating data CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Creating music CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Copying CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

7 Sending and Receiving Faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Installing and configuring Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Installing Fax in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Configuring Fax in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Configuring Fax in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Sending a simple fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Setting up your cover page template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Faxing from programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Faxing a scanned document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Receiving and viewing a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Canceling a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Automatically retry sending a fax in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Automatically cancelling a fax in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

8 Managing Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Monitoring the battery charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Recharging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Recalibrating the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Changing batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Extending battery life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Conserving battery power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Using alternate power sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Changing power modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Changing power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Changing the power scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

Changing alarm options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Changing advanced settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

iii

Activating and Using Hibernate Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Changing SpeedStep settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

9 Travel Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Radio frequency wireless connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .149

Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 149

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

10 Customizing Your Notebook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Adjusting the screen and desktop settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Adjusting the color depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Adjusting the screen resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

Applying a color scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Changing the desktop background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Selecting a screen saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

Changing the touchpad settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163

Programming the multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Adding and modifying user accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

11 Using a Wireless Ethernet Network. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Using a wireless network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Using wireless Ethernet in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Setting up wireless Ethernet networking in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .171

Configuring Windows XP for wireless Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .178

Creating a wireless Ethernet network in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .180

Connecting to a wireless Ethernet network in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . .193

Turning your wireless Ethernet on or off in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .194

Checking network signal strength in Windows XP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Using wireless Ethernet in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196

Installing the ORiNOCO Client Manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .196

Configuring the ORiNOCO client manager . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .197

Identifying this notebook on the network in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .206

Configuring Windows 2000 for wireless Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Connecting to a wireless Ethernet network in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . .210

Turning your wireless Ethernet on or off in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210

Checking network signal strength in Windows 2000 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

12 Moving From Your Old Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213

Using the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .214

Transferring files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

Finding your files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Transferring Internet settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Setting up your ISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Transferring your e-mail and address book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Transferring your Internet shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Installing your old printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Installing a USB printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218

Installing a parallel port printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 219

Installing your old programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220

13 Maintaining Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221

Caring for your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222

Creating an emergency startup diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 224

Protecting your computer from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 226

Managing hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

Checking hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 229

Using Disk Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 230

Checking the hard drive for errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 231

Defragmenting the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 233

Backing up files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235

Using the Scheduled Task Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 236

Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 237

Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238

Cleaning the screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238

Cleaning the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238

14 Restoring Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 241

Using the Restoration CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 242

Reinstalling device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243

Updating device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245

Reinstalling programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 246

Reinstalling Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 248

15 Upgrading Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251

Adding and removing a PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252

Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254

Adding or replacing memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

Replacing the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 259

16 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261

Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262

First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .263

Software support tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .264

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265

CD, DVD, CD-RW, or DVD/CD-RW drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .265

Device installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .267

Diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .268

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .269

File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270

Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .270

Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271

Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .273

Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .274

Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .278

Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .279

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 279

Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .280

Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .282

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 283

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284

Before calling Gateway Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .284

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .285

Tutoring and training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286

Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 286

Tutoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .286

Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .287

A Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .289

Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301

Checking Out

Your Gateway

Solo 1450

This chapter introduces you to the basic features of your notebook. Read this chapter to learn:

■ How to identify the features of your Gateway

notebook

■ How to locate your notebook’s model and serial

number

■ How to locate the Microsoft Certificate of

Authenticity

■ How to locate the specifications for your notebook

■ What accessories are available for your notebook

Tips & Tricks To access the contents of this guide while you

are traveling, download an electronic copy from www.gateway.com/support/manlib/

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1450

Front

LCD panel release latch

Speaker

Battery

charge

indicator

Speaker

Power indicator

Component Icon Description

LCD panel release latch Open the LCD panel by sliding the release latch to the right.

Speakers Provide audio output. Speakers are turned off while

headphones are connected.

Battery charge indicator The LED shows the battery activity and status.

■

LED green – battery is fully charged.

■

LED orange – battery is charging.

■

LED red – battery is low.

■

LED blinking and red – battery is very low.

This LED only lights up when your notebook is plugged in.

Power indicator Lights up when your notebook is turned on and shows the

notebook power status.

■

LED on – power is on.

■

LED blinking – notebook is in Standby mode.

■

LED off – power is off or notebook is in Hibernate mode.

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Left side

Modem jack

Ethernet jack

Microphone jack

PC Card eject button

Headphone jack

PC Card slot

Diskette

drive

Diskette drive eject button

Component Icon Description

Modem jack Plug a modem cable into this jack. For more information, see “Connecting

the modem” on page 31.

Ethernet jack Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable into this jack. For more information,

see “Connecting to a wired Ethernet network” on page 32.

Microphone jack

Headphone jack

PC Card eject button

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

Diskette drive Insert a standard 3.5-inch diskette into this drive. For more information,

Plug a microphone into this jack.

Plug amplified speakers or headphones into this jack. The built-in speakers are turned off when a device is plugged into this jack.

Press this eject button to remove the PC Card from the PC Card slot. For more information, see “Adding and removing a PC Card” on page 252.

see “Adding and removing a PC Card” on page 252.

see “Using the diskette drive” on page 78.

Diskette drive eject button

Press the eject button to remove a diskette from the drive. For more information, see “Using the diskette drive” on page 78.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1450

Right side

Battery Manual eject hole

Recordable drive

CD/DVD/

Activity

indicator

Eject button

Component Icon Description

Battery The battery is located here. For more information, see

“Changing batteries” on page 133.

CD/DVD/Recordable drive Insert CDs, CD-R/RWs, or DVDs into this drive. For

more information, see “Using the CD or DVD drive” on page 79.

This drive may be a CD, DVD, CD-RW, or combination DVD/CD-RW drive. To determine the type of drive in your notebook, examine the drive tray’s plastic cover and compare the logo to those listed in “Identifying drive types” on page 79.

Activity indicator Lights up when your computer is accessing the CD,

DVD, or recordable drive. For more information, see “Using the CD or DVD drive” on page 79.

Eject button Press the eject button to open the disc tray. For more

information, see “Using the CD or DVD drive” on page 79.

Manual eject hole Insert a straightened paperclip into this hole to open the

drive tray if pressing the drive eject button fails to open the tray.

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Back

Kensington lock slot

Power connector

USB ports

Monitor port

Parallel port

Ventilation fan

Component Icon Description

Kensington™ lock slot Secure your computer to an object by connecting a

Kensington cable lock to this slot.

Power connector Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector.

USB ports Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a USB

Iomega™ Zip™ drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse) into these ports.

Monitor port Plug an analog VGA monitor into this port.

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

Ventilation fan Helps cool internal components. Do not block or insert

objects into these slots.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1450

Bottom

Hard drive

Memory

bay

Reset

hole

Ventilation

fan

Battery

Battery latch

System label

Component Icon Description

Hard drive The hard drive is located here. For more information, see “Replacing

the hard drive” on page 259.

Battery The battery is located here. For more information, see “Changing

batteries” on page 133.

Battery latch Slide to release the battery.

System label Includes the product model number. For more information, see

“Identifying your model” on page 10.

Ventilation fan Helps cool internal components. Do not block or insert objects into

these slots.

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Component Icon Description

Reset hole Insert a straightened paper clip into this hole to manually restart your

notebook.

Memory bay Install as many as two memory modules into this bay. For more

information, see “Adding or replacing memory” on page 255.

Bottom

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1450

Keyboard area

Multi-function buttons

Power button

Keyboard

Touchpad

Status indicators

Component Icon Description

Power button Press to turn your notebook on or off. You can also configure the

power button for Standby/Resume mode. For more information on configuring the power button mode, see “Changing the power scheme” on page 137.

Multi-function buttons

Status indicators Inform you when a drive is in use or when a button has been

Press these buttons to open programs you assign to them. By default, these buttons are set to open your e-mail application, your Web browser, online help, and another program that you assign. For more information, see “Multi-function buttons” on page 27 and “Programming the multi-function buttons” on page 165.

pressed that affects how the keyboard is used. For more information, see “Status indicators” on page 22.

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Keyboard area

Component Icon Description

Touchpad Provides all the functionality of a mouse. For more information,

see “Using the EZ Pad touchpad” on page 28 and “Changing the touchpad settings” on page 163.

Keyboard A full-sized 86-key keyboard. For more information, see “Using the

keyboard” on page 23.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1450

Identifying your model

Important The labels shown in this section are for informational

purposes only. Label information varies by model, features ordered, and location.

Gateway model number

The label on the bottom of your notebook contains information that identifies

your notebook model and its features. Gateway Technical Support will need

this information if you call for assistance.

Gateway model number

Internal wireless devices

Gateway serial number

You can locate the Gateway serial number:

■ Printed on a white sticker on the bottom or back of your notebook.

■ Printed on the customer invoice that came with your notebook. The

invoice will also contain your customer ID number.

■ Displayed in HelpSpot in Windows XP. Click Start, then click Help and

Support

. Click View product serial number.

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Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

The Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity label found on the bottom of your notebook includes the product key code for your operating system.

Identifying your model

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1450

Finding your specifications

For more information about your computer, such as memory size, memory

type, and hard drive size, go to the

Gateway’s eSupport page at www.gateway.com/support

has links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications.

In Windows XP, view your computer’s serial number or check your

specifications by clicking

My Computer Info.

Start, Help and Support, then clicking

My Computer Info link in HelpSpot or visit

. The eSupport page also

www.gateway.com

Finding your specifications

You can also find out more about your computer at the Gateway eSupport site. Visit www.gateway.com/support

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1450

Accessories

Gateway offers accessories that can help you make the most of using your

notebook.

Batteries and automobile/airplane power adapters

If you run your notebook on battery power for extended periods, you may

want to buy an additional battery so that you can swap batteries when

necessary. See “Changing batteries” on page 133 for more information about

using an additional battery in your notebook.

With an automobile/airplane power adapter, you can save battery power by

plugging your notebook into an automobile cigarette lighter or an airplane

in-flight power receptacle.

Carrying cases

Gateway has large-capacity carrying cases if you need additional space for

accessories or supplies.

Peripheral devices

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

notebook.

Memory

Large programs, such as multimedia games or graphics programs, use a lot of

memory. If your programs are running more slowly than you think they

should, try adding more memory.

Printers

You can attach many types of printers to your notebook. The most common

types are inkjet and laser printers, which print in color or black and white.

See “Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 33 for

more information about attaching a printer to your notebook.

Inkjet printers and cartridges are relatively inexpensive, but usually they are

slower than laser printers. Using an inkjet color printer, you can print pictures,

banners, and greeting cards, as well as documents.

Laser printers and cartridges are more expensive, but usually they print much

faster than inkjet printers. Laser printers are better than inkjet printers when

you are printing large documents.

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Getting Started

This chapter provides basic information about your Gateway notebook. Read this chapter to find out how to:

■ Connect the AC adapter

■ Start and turn off your notebook

■ Identify the status indicators

■ Use the keyboard

■ Use the EZ Pad touchpad

■ Connect the modem

■ Connect to an Ethernet network

■ Install peripheral devices

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Connecting the AC adapter

You can run your notebook using an AC adapter or the notebook battery. The

battery was shipped to you partially charged. You should use the AC adapter

right away to fully charge the battery. Allow 24 hours for the battery to fully

charge.

Important If the battery is not fully charged before you use your

notebook on battery power for the first time, the battery life may be much shorter than you expect. If the battery life seems short even after being charged for 24 hours, the battery may need to be recalibrated. For information on recalibrating the battery, see “Recalibrating the battery” on page 132.

To connect the AC adapter:

1 Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.

Warning Replace the power cord if it becomes damaged. The

replacement cord must be of the same type and voltage rating as the original cord or your notebook may be damaged.

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Connecting the AC adapter

2 Connect the AC adapter to your notebook’s power connector.

3 Plug the power cord into a wall outlet.

The battery charge indicator turns on (see “Front” on page 2 for the location of the battery charge indicator). If the battery charge indicator does not turn on, unplug the adapter from your notebook, then plug it back in.

4 When you finish using your notebook for the first time, turn your

notebook off and leave your notebook connected to AC power for at least 24 hours. The battery charge indicator may not show a charge for several hours. For more information about the battery charge indicator on your model, see “Monitoring the battery charge” on page 130.

5 If the battery charge indicator does not show a full charge after 24 hours,

contact Gateway Technical Support at www.gateway.com/support/contact.

Warning Do not attempt to disassemble the AC adapter. The

AC adapter has no user-replaceable or user-serviceable parts inside. The AC adapter has dangerous voltages that can cause serious injury or death. Contact Gateway about returning defective AC adapters.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Protecting from power source problems

During a power surge, the voltage level of electricity coming into your

computer can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system

damage. Protect your computer and peripheral devices by connecting them

to a surge protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from

reaching your computer.

Warning High voltages can enter your computer through both the

power cord and the modem connection. Protect your computer by using a surge protector. If you have a telephone modem, use a surge protector that has a modem jack. If you have a cable modem, use a surge protector that has an antenna/cable TV jack. During an electrical storm, unplug both the surge protector and the modem.

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Starting your notebook

To st art your notebook:

1 Open your notebook by sliding the latch on the front of your notebook

to the right and lifting the LCD panel.

2 Press the power button located above the keyboard.

Power button

Starting your notebook

The power button is preset to On/Off mode. However, you can also set it to function in Standby/Resume mode. For instructions on changing the power button mode, see “Changing power settings” on page 137.

3 If you are starting your notebook for the first time, follow the on-screen

instructions to set up your notebook.

Waking up your notebook

When you have not used your notebook for several minutes, it may enter a power-saving mode called Standby. While in Standby, the power indicator flashes.

If your notebook is in Standby mode, “wake” it up by pressing the power button. For more information on changing power-saving settings, see “Changing power settings” on page 137.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Turning off your notebook

To turn off your notebook in W indows XP:

1 Click Start, then click Turn Off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box

opens.

2 Click Tu r n Of f. Windows shuts down and turns off your notebook.

Important If for some reason you cannot use the Turn Off Computer

option in Windows to turn off your notebook, press and hold the power button for about five seconds, then release it.

To turn off your notebook in Windows 2000:

1 Click Start, then click Shut Down. The Shut Down Windows dialog box

opens.

2 Click the arrow button to open the What do you want your computer to do

list

, then click Shut down.

3 Click OK. Windows shuts down and turns off your notebook.

Important If for some reason you cannot use the Shut Down option

in Windows to turn off your notebook, press and hold the power button for about five seconds, then release it.

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Restarting (rebooting) your notebook

If your notebook does not respond to keyboard or touchpad input, you may have to close programs that are not responding. If closing unresponsive programs does not restore your notebook to normal operation, you may have to restart (reboot) your notebook.

To cl ose unresponsive programs and restart your notebook:

1 Press CTRL+ALT+DEL. A window opens that lets you close a program that

is not responding.

2 Click the program that is not responding. 3 Close the program by clicking End Task. 4 If your notebook does not respond, turn it off, wait ten seconds and turn

it on again.

Important If your notebook does not turn off immediately, complete

the following steps until the notebook turns off:

■

Press and hold the power button for about five seconds, then release it

■

Insert a straightened paper clip into the reset hole on the bottom of your notebook

■

Remove AC power and the battery for more than 10 seconds

As a part of the regular startup process, a program to check the disk status runs automatically. When the checks are finished, Windows starts.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Status indicators

Status indicators inform you when a drive is being used or when a button

has been pressed that affects how the keyboard is used.

Pad lock

Caps lock

Scroll lock

Diskette drive

Hard drive

Disc drive

Indicator Icon Description

Caps Lock Caps Lock is turned on.

Pad Lock The embedded numeric keypad is turned on.

Scroll Lock Scroll Lock is turned on.

Diskette drive The standard 1.44 MB diskette drive is in use.

Hard drive The hard drive is in use.

Disc drive The CD, DVD, or recordable drive is in use.

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Using the keyboard

Navigati

Your notebook features a full-size keyboard that functions the same as a desktop computer keyboard. Many of the keys have been assigned alternate functions, including shortcut keys for Windows, function keys for specific system operations, and the Pad Lock keys for the numeric keypad.

You can attach an external keyboard to your notebook using a USB port. You do not need to shut down your notebook to connect a keyboard.

Using the keyboard

FN key

Application key

Windows key

Function keys/ System keys

Numeric keypad

Windows key

Volume key s

on keys/

Arrow keys

FN key

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Key types

The keyboard has several different types of keys. Some keys perform specific

actions when pressed alone and other actions when pressed in combination

with another key.

Key type Icon Description

Function keys Press these keys labeled F1 to F12 to perform actions in

programs. For example, pressing

Each program uses different function keys for different purposes. Refer to the program documentation to find out more about the function key actions.

F1 may open help.

System keys Press these colored keys in combination with the

perform specific actions. For more information, see “System key combinations” on page 25.

Navigation keys Press these keys to move the cursor to the beginning of a line,

to the end of a line, up the page, down the page, to the beginning of a document, or to the end of a document.

Volume keys Press these colored keys in combination with the

increase or decrease the volume or to turn off all sound. For more information, see “System key combinations” on page 25, “Adjusting the volume” on page 81, and “Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000” on page 84.

FN key to

FN key Press the FN key in combination with a colored system key (such

STATUS, STANDBY, or PAUSE) to perform a specific action.

Application key Press this key for quick access to shortcut menus and help

assistants in Windows.

Windows key Press this key to open the Windows Start menu. This key can

also be used in combination with other keys to open utilities like

F (Search utility), R (Run utility), and E (Explorer utility).

Numeric keypad Use these keys to type numbers when the numeric keypad is

turned on. Press

Arrow keys Press these keys to move the cursor up, down, right, or left.

FN+PAD LOCK to turn on the numeric keypad.

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System key combinations

When you press an FN key and a system key at the same time, your notebook performs the action identified by the colored text or icon on the key.

Using the keyboard

Press and hold F

N while

pressing this system key...

To...

Display the power status box in the upper-left corner of your display. The box shows the battery charge level, the BIOS version, and whether the AC adapter is being used. Press the key combination again to close this box.

Toggle the notebook display between the LCD, an external monitor, or both displays at the same time. A monitor must be plugged into the monitor port on your notebook.

Enter Standby mode. Press the power button to leave Standby mode. For more information, see “Changing power modes” on page 136.

Turn on Pad Lock so you can use the numeric keypad. Press this key combination again to turn off Pad Lock. The Pad Lock status indicator appears when this function is turned on.

Pause the text scrolling in a DOS screen. The Scroll Lock status indicator appears when this function is turned on. Press the key combination again to continue scrolling. (This function is only available in some programs.)

Pause execution of a DOS program. (This function is only available in some programs.)

Stop the currently running DOS program. (This function is only available in some programs.)

Mute the sound. Press the key combination again to restore the sound. For more information, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 81, and “Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000” on page 84.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Press and hold FN while pressing this system key...

To...

Increase volume. For more information, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 81, and “Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000” on page 84.

Decrease volume. For more information, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 81, and “Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000” on page 84.

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Multi-function buttons

Press the multi-function buttons to open programs you assign to them. These buttons can be assigned different functions than those listed. For more information, see “Programming the multi-function buttons” on page 165.

User-defined shortcut

Help

Internet

E-mail

Multi-function buttons

Button Icon Press to...

E-mail Open your e-mail program.

Internet Open your Web browser.

Help Open online help.

User-defined shortcut Open the program you assign to this key.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Using the EZ Pad touchpad

The EZ Pad™ consists of a touchpad, two buttons, and a rocker switch.

Left touchpad button

When you move your finger on the touchpad, the pointer (arrow) on the screen

moves in the same direction.

Rocker switch

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Right touchpad button

Touchpad

You can use the EZ-Pad left and right buttons below the touchpad to select objects.

You can assign a function to the rocker switch between the touchpad buttons. This function can be to scroll up or down, maximize or minimize the active window, or open and close the Start menu. For more information about programming the rocker switch, see “Changing the touchpad settings” on page 163.

Using the touchpad

To . . . D o t h is...

Using the EZ Pad touchpad

Move the pointer on the screen.

Select an object on the screen.

Start a program or open a file or folder.

Move your finger around on the touchpad. If you run out of space and need to move the pointer farther, lift your finger, move it to the middle of the touchpad, then continue moving your finger.

Position the pointer over the object. Press the left button below the touchpad once. This action is called clicking.

Position the pointer over the object. Press the left button below the touchpad twice in rapid succession. This action is called double-clicking.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

To... Do this...

Access a shortcut menu or find more information about an object on the screen.

Move an object on the screen.

Position the pointer over the object. Quickly press and release the right button once. This action is called right-clicking.

Position the pointer over the object. Press the left button and hold it down, then use the touchpad to move (drag) the object to the appropriate part of the screen. Release the button to drop the object where you want it.

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Connecting the modem

Your notebook has a built-in 56K modem that you can use to connect it to a standard telephone line.

Caution To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger

telecommunications line cord.

To connect the modem:

1 Insert one end of the modem cable into the modem jack on the left

side of your notebook.

Connecting the modem

2 Insert the other end of the modem cable into a telephone wall jack. The

modem will not work with digital or PBX telephone lines.

3 Start your notebook, then start your communications program.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Connecting to a wired Ethernet network

Your notebook has a network jack that you can use to connect it to a 10/100

wired Ethernet network.

Important Your notebook may be equipped with built-in wireless

Ethernet or you may have a wireless Ethernet PC Card for networking. For information about connecting to a wireless Ethernet network, see “Using a Wireless Ethernet Network” on page 169. For information about installing a wireless Ethernet PC Card, see “Adding and removing a PC Card” on page 252.

To connect to a wired Ethernet network:

1 Insert one end of the network cable into the network jack on the

left side of your notebook.

2 Insert the other end of the network cable into a network jack. Ask your

network administrator to help you select the correct network jack.

Your notebook is now physically connected to the network. Your network

administrator can help you log onto your network.

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Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

Broadband Internet connections

You can use your notebook’s Ethernet jack for more than just networking. Many broadband Internet connections, such as cable modems and DSL modems, connect to your notebook’s Ethernet jack. For more information, see “Using the Internet” on page 67.

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

Your computer has one or more of the following ports: Universal Serial Bus (USB) and parallel. These ports are used for connecting peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras to your computer. For more information about port locations, see “Checking Out Your Gateway Solo 1450” on page 1.

USB ports support plug-and-play and hot swapping, which means that your computer will usually recognize such a device whenever you plug it into the appropriate port. When you use a USB device for the first time, your computer will prompt you to install any software the device needs. After doing this, you can disconnect and reconnect the device at any time.

Parallel port devices are not plug-and-play. Refer to the device documentation for detailed information and installation instructions.

Help and

Support

For more information about installing peripheral devices in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword installing devices in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

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Getting Help

This chapter tells you about additional information resources available to help you use your computer. Read this chapter to learn how to access:

■ HelpSpot

■

Online help

■ Gateway Web site

™

Chapter 3: Getting Help

HelpSpot

Your computer may include HelpSpot, an easily accessible collection of help

information, troubleshooters, instructional videos, and automated support.

Use HelpSpot to answer questions about Windows and to help you quickly

discover and use the many features of your Gateway computer. HelpSpot also

has an area called Contact Gateway that helps you find the right resource at

Gateway to answer your questions or help solve your problems.

To start HelpSpot:

■ Click Start, then click Help and Support. HelpSpot opens.

If this is the first time you have started HelpSpot on your computer, you may experience a brief wait while HelpSpot builds the help database, then HelpSpot will display an introductory video.

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You can find help information by clicking a link, performing a search, or browsing the index. To learn about using your Gateway computer, your touchpad, and other tasks, click the

Using your computer link on the HelpSpot

main page.

HelpSpot

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Chapter 3: Getting Help

Searching for a topic

To search for a topic in HelpSpot, type a word or phrase (keyword) in the

Search box located at the top of any HelpSpot screen, then click the

arrow button.

Search box

Search results

header

Search results

headers

For each search, you receive the following search result types:

■ Suggested Topics - These topics are located in HelpSpot and are relevant

to your search topic

■ Full-text Search Matches - These topics are located in HelpSpot and

contain the words you entered in the

■ Microsoft Knowledge Base - These topics are located on the Microsoft.com

Search box

Web site (you must be connected to the Internet to search for and access these topics) and contain the words you entered in the

■ Gateway.com Search - These topics are located on the Gateway.com Web

Search box

site (you must be connected to the Internet to search for and access these topics) and contain the words you entered in the

Search box

To view a list of your search results, click the results header for the type of

results you want to view.

To view a topic, click the topic name in the

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Search Results list.

HelpSpot Videos

HelpSpot contains several short videos to help introduce you to new concepts or show you how to perform various tasks.

To play a HelpSpot video:

■ To watch a video in HelpSpot, click Video Tutorials on the HelpSpot home

page, then click a video title. The video plays.

HelpSpot

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Chapter 3: Getting Help

Online help

Many programs provide information online so you can research a topic or

learn how to perform a task while you are using the program. Most online

help information can be accessed by selecting a topic from a

by clicking a

You can search for information by viewing the help contents, checking the

index, searching for a topic or keyword, or browsing through the online help.

Help menu or

Help button.

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Gateway Web site

Gateway provides a variety of information on its Web site to help you use your computer.

Gateway Web site

Visit the Gateway Web site at www.gateway.com for:

■ Technical documentation and product guides

■ Technical tips and support, including online chat services

■ Hardware drivers

■ Order status

■ Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

For more information about connecting to the Internet, see “Using the Internet” on page 67.

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Chapter 3: Getting Help

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Windows Basics

Read this chapter to learn on how to:

■ Use the Windows desktop

■ Manage files and folders

■ Work wi t h d ocument s

■ Use shortcuts

Chapter 4: Windows Basics

About the Windows environment

After your computer starts, the first screen you see is the Windows desktop.

The desktop is like the top of a real desk. Think of the desktop as your

personalized work space where you open programs and perform other tasks.

Your desktop may be different from the example shown below, depending on

how your computer is set up.

Help and

Support

For more information about the Windows XP desktop, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Windows desktop in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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Using the desktop

The desktop contains the taskbar, the Start button, and the Recycle Bin icon.

Desktop elements Description

The taskbar is the bar at the bottom of the screen containing the Start button on the left and a clock on the right. Other buttons on the taskbar represent programs that are running.

Click a program’s button on the taskbar to open the program’s window.

The Start button provides access to programs, files, help for Windows and other programs, and computer tools and utilities.

Click the Start button, then open a file or program by clicking an item on the menu that opens.

The Recycle Bin is where files, folders, and programs that you discarded are stored. You must empty the Recycle Bin to permanently delete them from your computer. For instructions on how to use the Recycle Bin, see “Deleting files and folders” on page 54.

About the Windows environment

Using the Start menu

You can start programs, open files, customize your system, get help, search for files and folders, and more using the Start menu.

To use the Start menu:

1 Click the Start button on the lower left of the Windows desktop. The Start

menu opens showing you the first level of menu items.

2 To see all programs and files in the Start menu, click All Programs.

When you move the mouse pointer over any menu item that has an arrow next to it, another menu, or submenu, opens and reveals related files, programs, or commands.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

3 Click a file or program to open it.

Help and

Support

For more information about the Windows XP Start menu, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Windows Start menu in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

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Identifying Window items

When you double-click the icon for a drive, folder, file, or program, a window opens on the desktop. This example shows the Local Disk (C:) window, which opens after double-clicking the window.

Local Disk (C:) icon in the My Computer

About the Windows environment

Title bar

Menu bar

Every program window looks a little different because each has its own menus, icons, and controls. Most windows include these items:

Window item Description

The title bar is the horizontal bar at the top of a window that shows the window title.

Maximize

Minimize

Clicking the minimize button reduces the active window to a button on the taskbar. Clicking the program button in the taskbar opens the window again.

Clicking the maximize button expands the active window to fit the entire screen. Clicking the maximize button again restores the window to its former size.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Window item Description

Clicking the close button closes the active window or program.

Clicking an item on the menu bar starts an action such as Print or Save.

Help and

Support

For more information about windows in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword window in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Working with files and folders

You can organize your files and programs to suit your preferences much like you would store information in a file cabinet. You can store these files in folders and copy, move, and delete the information just as you would reorganize and throw away information in a file cabinet.

Viewing drives

Drives are like file cabinets because they hold files and folders. A computer almost always has more than one drive. Each drive has a letter, usually Local Disk (C:) for the hard drive and 3½ Floppy (A:) for the diskette drive. You also have a CD, CD-RW, DVD, or combination DVD/CD-RW drive.

To vi ew the drives on your computer:

■ In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer on the Start menu.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, double-click the

Drives

My Computer icon on the desktop.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

To see the files and folders on a drive:

■ Double-click the drive icon. If you do not see the contents of a drive after

you double-click its icon, click

Show the contents of this drive.

Help and

Support

For more information about files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword files and folders in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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Creating folders

Folders are much like the folders in a file cabinet. They can contain files and other folders.

Files are much like paper documents—letters, spreadsheets, and pictures—that you keep on your computer. In fact, all information on a computer is stored in files.

Folders

Files

Working with files and folders

To create a folder:

1 In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer on the Start menu.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, double-click the

My Computer icon on the desktop.

2 Double-click the drive where you want to put the new folder. Typically,

Local Disk (C:) is your hard drive and 3½ Floppy (A:) is your diskette drive. If you do not see the contents of the drive, click

of this drive

Show the contents

3 If you want to create a new folder inside an existing folder, double-click

the existing folder. If you do not see the contents of the drive or folder, click

Show the contents of this drive or Show the contents of this folder.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

4 Click File, New, then click Folder. The new folder is created. 5 Type a name for the folder, then press ENTER. The new folder name

appears by the folder icon.

Help and

Support

For information on renaming folders, see “Shortcuts” on page 66.

For more information about creating files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword creating files and folders in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Copying and moving files and folders

The skills you need to copy and move files are called copying, cutting, and

pasting.

When you copy and paste a file or folder, you place a copy of the file or folder

on the Windows clipboard, which temporarily stores it. Then, when you decide

what folder you want the copy to go in (the destination folder), you paste it

there.

When you cut and paste a file or folder, you remove the file or folder from

its original location and place the file or folder on the Windows clipboard.

When you decide where you want the file or folder to go, you paste it there.

Important The clipboard stores whatever you cut or copy until you cut

or copy again. Then the clipboard contains the new information only. Therefore, you can paste copies of a file or folder into more than one place, but as soon as you copy or cut a different file or folder, the original file or folder is deleted from the clipboard.

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Working with files and folders

To copy a file or folder to another folder:

1 Locate the file or folder you want to copy. For more information, see

“Viewing drives” on page 49 and “Searching for files” on page 57.

2 Right-click (press the right mouse or touchpad button) the file or folder

that you want to copy. A pop-up menu opens on the desktop.

3 Click Copy on the pop-up menu. 4 Open the destination folder. 5 With the pointer inside the destination folder, right-click. 6 Click Paste. A copy of the file or folder appears in the new location.

To move a file or folder to another folder:

1 Locate the file or folder you want to move. For more information, see

“Viewing drives” on page 49 and “Searching for files” on page 57.

2 Right-click (press the right mouse or touchpad button) the file or folder

that you want to move. A pop-up menu opens on the desktop.

3 Click Cut on the pop-up menu. 4 Open the destination folder. 5 With the pointer inside the destination folder, right-click. 6 Click Paste. The file or folder you moved appears in its new location and

is removed from its old location.

Help and

Support

For more information about moving files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword copying files and folders or moving files and folders in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Deleting files and folders

When you throw away paper files and folders, you take them from the file

cabinet and put them in a trash can. Eventually the trash can is emptied.

In Windows, you throw away files and folders by first moving them to the

Windows trash can, called the Recycle Bin, where they remain until you decide

to empty the bin.

You can recover any file in the Recycle Bin as long as the bin has not been

emptied.

To delete files or folders:

1 In My Computer or Windows Explorer, click the files or folders that you

want to delete. For instructions on how to select multiple files and folders, see “Shortcuts” on page 66.

If you cannot find the file you want to delete, see “Searching for files” on page 57.

2 Click File, then click Delete. Windows moves the files and folders to the

Recycle Bin.

Help and

Support

For more information about deleting files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword deleting files and folders in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

To re cover files or folders from the Recycle Bin:

1 Double-click the Recycle Bin icon. The Recycle Bin window opens and lists

the files and folders you have thrown away since you last emptied it.

2 Click the files or folders that you want to restore. For instructions on how

to select multiple files and folders, see “Shortcuts” on page 66.

3 Click File, then click Restore. Windows returns the deleted files or folders

to their original locations.

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Working with files and folders

Help and

Support

For more information about recovering files and folders from the Recycle Bin in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Recycle Bin in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

To empty the R ecycle Bin:

Caution Emptying the Recycle Bin permanently erases any files or

folders in the bin. These files cannot be restored.

1 Double-click the Recycle Bin icon on the desktop. The Recycle Bin window

opens.

2 Click File, then click Empty Recycle Bin. Windows asks you if you are sure

that you want to empty the bin.

3 Click Ye s. Windows permanently deletes all files in the Recycle Bin.

Help and

Support

For more information about emptying the Recycle Bin in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword emptying Recycle Bin in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

Browsing for files and folders

A file or folder that you need is rarely right on top of your Windows desktop. It is usually on a drive inside a folder that may be inside yet another folder, and so on.

Windows drives, folders, and files are organized in the same way as a real file cabinet in that they may have many levels (usually many more levels than a file cabinet, in fact). So you usually will have to search through levels of folders to find the file or folder that you need. This is called browsing.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

To browse for a file:

1 In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer

window opens.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer window opens.

My Computer icon on the desktop. The

2 Double-click the drive or folder that you think contains the file or folder

that you want to find. If you do not see the contents of the drive or folder, click

Show the contents of this drive or Show the contents of this folder.

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Searching for files

3 Continue double-clicking folders and their subfolders until you find the

file or folder you want.

Help and

Support

For more information about browsing for files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword files and folders in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

Searching for files

If you are looking for a particular file or folder or a set of files or folders that have characteristics in common, but you do not remember where they are stored on your hard drive, you can use the Search utility to search by:

■ Name or part of a name

■ Creation date

■ Modification date

■ File type

■ Text contained in the file

■ Time period in which it was created or modified

You can also combine search criteria to refine searches.

Files and folders found using this utility can be opened, copied, cut, renamed, or deleted directly from the list in the results window.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Using the Search utility

To find files and folders using the Search utility:

1 In Windows XP, click Start, then click Search. The Search Results window

opens. Click

- OR -

All files and folders.

In Windows 2000, click Search Results window opens.

Start, Search, then click For Files or Folders. The

2 If you want to search by file or folder name, type in all or part of the

file or folder name in the name box in the left pane of the window.

■ If you type all of the name, Search will list all files and folders of

that name.

■ If you type part of the name, Search will list all of the file and folder

names containing the letters you typed.

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Searching for files

3 Click Search or Search Now. When the search is completed, Windows lists

the files and folders whose names contain the text that you searched for.

4 Open a file, folder, or program by double-clicking the name in the list.

Help and

Support

For more information about searching for files and folders in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword searching in the HelpSpot Search box

Using advanced search options

Search can find files meeting more criteria than file name. You can narrow your search by selecting the search options that you want. You can search by the:

■ Date the file was created or modified.

■ Size of the file.

■ Type of file, such as a program or a text document.

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, then click the arrow.

Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Adding icons to the desktop

You may want to add an icon (shortcut) to the desktop for a program that

you use frequently.

To add icons to the desktop:

1 Click Start, then click All Programs. 2 Right-click (click the right mouse or touchpad button) the program that

you want to add to the desktop.

3 Click Send To, then click Desktop (create shortcut). A shortcut icon for that

program appears on the desktop.

Help and

Support

For more information about desktop icons in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword desktop icons in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

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Working with documents

Computer documents include word processing files, spreadsheet files, or other similar files. The basic methods of creating, saving, opening, and printing a document apply to most of these types of files.

Working with documents

The following examples show how to create, save, open, and print a document using Microsoft Microsoft Excel, Microsoft WordPad, and Microsoft Publisher.

For more information about using a program, click

Word. Similar procedures apply to other programs such as

Creating a new document

To create a new document:

1 Click Start, All Programs, then click Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word starts

and a blank document opens.

2 If you do not see the New Document pane, click File, then click New.

Help on its menu bar.

New Document pane

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

3 Click General Templates. The Templates dialog box opens.

4 Click a tab for the type of document you want to create, click a document

template style, then click

OK. The document template opens.

5 Begin composing your document. Use the menus and toolbar buttons at

the top of the window to format the document.

Help and

Support

For more information about working with documents in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword documents in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Saving a document

After you create a document, you need to save it if you want to use it later.

To save a document in Microsoft Word:

1 Click File, then click Save. The Save As dialog box opens. 2 Click the arrow button to open the Save in list, then click the drive or

folder where you want to save the file. If you do not see the folder you want, browse through the folders listed below the

3 Type a new file name in the File name box.

Save in

list

Working with documents

Save in list.

File

name

4 Click Save.

Help and

Support

For more information about saving documents in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword saving in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Opening a document

To view, revise, or print an existing document, first you need to open it. Open

the document in the program that it was created in.

To open a document in Microsoft Word:

1 Click Start, All Programs, then click Microsoft Word. Microsoft Word starts

and a blank document opens.

2 Click File, then click Open. 3 Click the arrow button to open the Look in list, then click the drive or

folder that contains the file you want to open. If you do not see the folder you want, browse through the folders listed below the

Look in

list

Look in list.

4 Double-click the document file name. The document opens.

Help and

Support

For more information about opening documents in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword opening files in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

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Printing a document

To print a document, you must have a printer connected to your computer or have access to a network printer. For more information about installing or using your printer, refer to the printer documentation.

To print a document in Microsoft Word:

1 Make sure that the printer is turned on and loaded with paper. 2 Start Microsoft Word and open a document. 3 Click File, then click Print. The Print dialog box opens. 4 Set the print options, then click OK. The document prints.

Working with documents

Help and

Support

For more information about printing documents in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword printing in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Chapter 4: Windows Basics

Shortcuts

The following table shows a few shortcuts that you can use in Windows and

almost all programs that run in Windows. For more information on Windows

shortcuts, see your Windows or program documentation.

To... Do this...

Copy a file, folder, text, or graphic Click the item, then press CTRL + C.

Cut a file, folder, text, or graphic Click the item, then press CTRL + X.

Paste a file, folder, text, or graphic Click inside the folder or window where you want to paste

the object, then press

CTRL + V.

Select multiple items in a list or in a window

Select multiple adjacent items in a list or window

Permanently delete a file or folder Click the file or folder, then press

Rename a file or folder Click the file or folder, press

Close the active window or program Press

Switch to a different file, folder, or running program

Help and

Support

For more information about Windows keyboard shortcuts in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Windows keyboard shortcuts in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Click the first item, press and hold down the CTRL key, then click each of the remaining items.

Click the first item in the list, press and hold down the

SHIFT key, then click the last item in the list.

file is permanently deleted. The file or folder is not stored in the Recycle Bin.

F2, type the new name, then

ENTER.

press

ALT + F4.

Press ALT +TAB.

SHIFT + DELETE. The

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Using the Internet

This chapter provides information about the Internet and the World Wide Web. Read this chapter to learn how to:

■ Set up and access an Internet account using America

Online

■

Connect to a Web site using a browser

■ Download files from the Internet

■ Send and receive e-mail using America Online

Chapter 5: Using the Internet

Learning about the Internet

The Internet is a worldwide network of computers linked together to provide

information to people everywhere. The two most popular services on the

Internet are e-mail and the World Wide Web. You can access this network by

connecting your computer to a telephone, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), or

cable line and signing up with an Internet Service Provider (ISP).

Cable and DSL modems, a connection known as broadband, use your TV cable

or special telephone lines to connect to your ISP and access the Internet. Cable

and DSL modems connect to your computer through an Ethernet jack and

provide a faster connection speed than if you use a standard telephone

modem.

Important For the location of your modem and Ethernet jacks, see

“Left side” on page 3.

Internet Servers

store information so other computers can access it from the Internet.

Your c o m pu ter connects to the Internet through an ISP.

ISP Servers

let you connect to the Internet and access your e-mail messages.

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Learning about the Internet

If you want to access the Internet you need:

■ A modem – a device that connects your computer to other computers

or servers using a telephone, DSL, or cable line.

■ An Internet Service Provider – a company that provides access to the

Internet through an ISP server. When you connect to an ISP, the ISP server lets you access the Internet and your e-mail messages.

■ A Web browser – a program that displays information from the World

Wide Web.

■ An e-mail program – a program that lets you create, send, and receive

e-mail messages over the Internet.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 5: Using the Internet

Setting up an Internet account

Before you can view the information on the World Wide Web, you need to

set up an Internet account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP). If you have

chosen America Online as an ISP, follow these instructions to set up and

connect to your account. To set up a different ISP service or to transfer an

existing account to this computer, contact the ISP directly.

If you set up an account with America Online, an Internet e-mail address is

created for you. After completing the setup, you are ready to access the

Internet.

To set up an Internet acc ount with America Online:

1 Click Start, All Programs, then click America Online. 2 Follow the on-screen instructions. After setting up your account, you can

connect to the Internet and access your e-mail services.

Accessing your Internet account

To connect to your America Online Internet account:

1 Click Start, All Programs, then click America Online. 2 Complete the member name and password information, then click

Connect. Your computer dials the Internet account telephone number.

After connecting, the We lco m e window opens.

If you are using a service other than America Online, check with your ISP for

the correct procedure for connecting.

www.gateway.com

Setting up an Internet account

To disconnect from your America Online Internet account:

■ Click X in the top-right corner of the America Online window. Your

computer disconnects from the Internet.

Important Make sure that your computer disconnects correctly from

your Internet account. If you do not have an “unlimited hours” ISP account, you may have to pay for the time that you are connected, even if you are not at your computer.

If you are using a service other than America Online, check with your ISP for the correct procedure for disconnecting.

Help and

Support

For general information about using Internet accounts in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword ISP in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 5: Using the Internet

Using the World Wide Web

The World Wide Web is a multimedia window to the Internet that gives you

access to millions of information sources.

Information on the Web comes to you on Web pa ges, which are electronic

documents that you view using a Web page display program called a browser.

You can use any of the commercially available Web browsers, like Microsoft

Internet Explorer (which comes installed on your new computer), Netscape

Navigator, or the browser built into America Online.

Web p a ges can contain text, animations, music, and other multimedia features.

A group of related Web pages is called a Web sit e . You can access Web sites

to shop, track investments, read the news, download programs, and much

more.

You can explore a Web site or visit other Web sites by clicking areas on a Web

page called links or hyperlinks. A link may be colored or underlined text, a

picture, or an animated image. You can identify a link by moving the mouse

pointer over it. If the pointer changes to a hand, the item is a link.

To learn more about using the Web browser features, click

bar.

Web

page

Linked Web page

Help in the menu

Link

www.gateway.com

Connecting to a Web site

After you set up an account with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as America Online, you can access the many information sources on the World Wide Web.

To connect to a Web site:

1 Connect to your Internet account. After your computer connects, a

default opening page or welcome screen opens.

2 To go to a different Web site, type the address (called a URL for “Universal

Resource Locator”) in the browser address bar (for example

www.gateway.com

- OR -

On the current Web page, click a link to a Web site.

The Web browser locates the server computer on the Internet, downloads (transfers) data to your computer, and displays the page on the site that you requested.

), then click GO on the browser address bar.

Using the World Wide Web

Help and

Support

Sometimes Web pages display slowly. The speed that a Web page displays on your screen depends on the complexity of the Web page and other Internet conditions. Additionally, the speed of your connection will determine how fast Web pages display.

For more information about connecting to a Web site in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword connecting to Web site in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 5: Using the Internet

Downloading files

Downloading is the process of transferring files from a computer on the

Internet to your computer.

To protect your computer against viruses, make sure that you scan the files

you download. For more information, see “Protecting your computer from

viruses” on page 226.

To download files or programs from a Web site:

1 Connect to your Internet account. 2 In the address bar, type the address of the Web site that contains the file

or program you want to download, then click bar.

- OR -

Click a link on a Web page to navigate to the Web site containing the file that you want to download.

3 Create or locate the folder where you want to store the file on your

computer.

GO on the browser address

4 Click the link on the Web page for the file that you want to download. 5 Follow the on-screen instructions for saving the file in the folder that

you want. A copy of the file is downloaded to your computer. The time that it takes to transfer the file to your computer depends on file size and Internet conditions.

6 Open the folder that you created. 7 Install or view the downloaded file by double-clicking it. If applicable,

follow the instructions provided on the Web site to run or install the program.

Help and

Support

For more information about downloading files in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword downloading files in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Using e-mail

E-mail (electronic mail) lets you send messages to anyone who has an Internet connection and e-mail address. E-mail is usually a free service of your Internet account.

The Internet never closes, so you can send e-mail messages at any time. Your e-mail messages arrive at most e-mail addresses in minutes.

An e-mail address consists of a user name, the @ symbol, and the Internet domain name of the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or company that “hosts” that user. Your e-mail address is assigned when you sign up for an account with an ISP. For example, a person with an account with America Online might have an e-mail address that is similar to this one:

jdoe@aol.com

User name Internet domain name

Using e-mail

Sending e-mail

To send e-mail using America Online:

1 Connect to your America Online account. 2 Click Write. 3 Type the e-mail address of the recipient you want to send e-mail to in

the

Send To box.

4 Type the subject of your e-mail in the Subject box. 5 Type the e-mail message. 6 When finished, click Send Now. Your e-mail is sent over the Internet to

the e-mail address you specified.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 5: Using the Internet

Checking your e-mail

To check your e-mail using America Online:

1 Connect to your America Online account. 2 Click Read. 3 Double-click the message you want to read.

For more information about managing and organizing your e-mail messages,

see the online help in your e-mail program.

Help and

Support

For general information about using e-mail in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword e-mail in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Using Multimedia

This chapter provides information on using the multimedia capabilities of your notebook. Read this chapter to learn how to:

■ Use the diskette drive

■ Use a CD or DVD drive

■ Adjust the volume

■ Play CDs and DVDs

■ Record and play audio files

■ Use Windows Media Player

■ Use MusicMatch

■ Use a recordable drive to create CDs

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Using the diskette drive

The diskette drive uses 3.5-inch diskettes (sometimes called floppy disks).

Diskettes are useful for storing files or transferring files to another computer.

Warning Do not expose diskettes to water or magnetic fields.

Exposure could damage the data on the diskette.

Diskette slot

Eject button

To use a disk ette:

1 Insert the diskette into the diskette slot with the label facing up. 2 To access a file on the diskette in Windows XP, click Start, then click My

Computer

double-click the file name.

- OR -

To access a file on the diskette in Windows 2000, double-click the

Computer

double-click the file name.

. Double-click the drive letter (for example, the A: drive), then

icon, the drive letter (for example, the A: drive), then

3 To remove the diskette, make sure that the diskette drive status indicator

is off (see “Status indicators” on page 22), then press the diskette eject button.

www.gateway.com

Using the CD or DVD drive

You can use your computer to enjoy a wide variety of multimedia features, such as making recordings, listening to audio CDs, and watching DVD movies.

Identifying drive types

Your Gateway notebook contains one of the following drive types. Look on the front of the drive for one of the following logos:

Using the CD or DVD drive

CD drive

CD-RW drive

DVD drive

Combination DVD/CD-RW drive

Use a CD drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, and accessing data.

You cannot use this drive to create CDs.

Use a CD-RW drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, and accessing data.

Use this drive for recording music and data to CD-R or CD-RW discs. You can only write to a CD-R disc once. You can write to and erase CD-RW discs multiple times. For more information, see “Using a recordable drive” on page 103.

Use a DVD drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs and DVDs, and accessing data.

You cannot use this drive to create CDs.

Use a combination DVD/CD-RW drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs and DVDs, and accessing data.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Inserting a CD or DVD

To insert a CD or DVD:

1 Press the eject button on the CD or DVD drive. After the tray opens

slightly, pull the disc tray completely open.

Activity indicator Manual eject hole

Eject button

2 Place the disc in the tray with the label facing up, then press down

carefully on the disc until it snaps into place.

Important When you place a single-sided disc in the tray, make sure

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 is facing up.

3 Push the tray in until it is closed.

www.gateway.com

Adjusting the volume

Adjusting the volume in Windows XP

You can use the volume controls to adjust the overall volume and the volume of specific sound devices in your computer.

To adjust the overall volume level using har dware controls:

■ On the keyboard, press the volume system key combination (FN+ or

N+ ) to change the volume, or press the mute system key combination

N+ ) to turn off all sound.

To adjust the overall volume level from Windows:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If

your Control Panel is in Category View, click

Devices

Sounds, Speech, and Audio

Adjusting the volume

2 Click/Double-click the Adjust the system volume or Sounds and Audio

Devices

. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box opens.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

3 Click the Vol um e tab.

4 Drag the Device Volume slider to change the volume or click to select the

Mute check box, then click OK.

Help and

Support

For more information about adjusting volume in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword adjusting volume in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

To adjust specific volume levels:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If

your Control Panel is in Category View, click

Devices

Sounds, Speech, and Audio

2 Click/Double-click the Adjust the system volume or Sounds and Audio

Devices

. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box opens.

www.gateway.com

3 Click the Vol um e tab.

4 Click Advanced in the Device volume area.

Adjusting the volume

If the device you want to adjust does not appear in the window, click

Options, Properties, the check box next to the audio device you want to

adjust, then click

OK.

5 Drag the volume level and balance sliders for the device you want to

adjust. For more information about the volume controls, click window.

Help in the

6 Click X in the top-right corner of the window to close it.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000

You can use the volume controls to adjust the overall volume and the volume

of specific sound devices in your computer.

To adjust the overall volume level using har dware controls:

■ On the keyboard, press the volume system key combination (FN+ or

N+ ) to change the volume, or press the mute system key combination

N+ ) to turn off all sound.

To adjust the overall volume level from Windows:

■ Click the speaker icon on the taskbar, then drag the slider to change

the volume or click to select the

Mute check box.

www.gateway.com

Adjusting the volume

To adjust specific volume levels:

1 Double-click the speaker icon on the taskbar. The Volum e Co ntro l

window opens.

If the device you want to adjust does not appear in the Volume Control window, click then click

Options, Properties, the audio device you want to adjust,

OK.

2 Drag the volume level and balance sliders for the device you want to

adjust, then close the window. For more information about the volume controls, click

Help in the Volume Control window.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Listening to CDs

You can use the CD or DVD drive on your notebook to listen to music CDs.

Listening to CDs in Windows XP

Use the Windows Media Player to listen to CDs in Windows XP. For more

information about using the Windows Media Player, click

use MusicMatch to listen to CDs. See “Using MusicMatch” on page 94 for

more information.

To play a CD:

1 Insert a CD into the CD or DVD drive. 2 If a dialog box opens with a list of CD players, click Windows Media Player.

The Windows Media Player opens.

- OR -

Help. You can also

If a dialog box does not open with a list of CD players, click click

Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

Start, then

www.gateway.com

3 When the media player opens, click (play).

Listening to CDs

Play

Stop

Previous Mute

Volume

If you do not hear audio or you want to change the volume, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 81.

Help and

Support

For more information about playing CDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword playing CDs in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Listening to CDs in Windows 2000

Use the Windows CD Player to play an audio CD. You can also use

MusicMatch to listen to CDs. See “Using MusicMatch” on page 94 for more

information.

To play a CD:

■ Insert a CD into the CD or DVD drive. The CD Player opens and the CD

plays.

- OR -

If the CD does not start playing automatically, click

Accessories, Entertainment, then click CD Player. When the CD Player

Start, Programs,

opens, click (play).

Pause

Play

Rewind

Skip Forward

Stop

Eject CD

If you do not hear audio or you want to change the volume, see “Adjusting the volume in Windows 2000” on page 84.

www.gateway.com

Recording and playing audio

To play a CD:

1 Plug a microphone into the Microphone jack on your computer. See “Left

side” on page 3 for the location of the Microphone jack.

2 Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click Sound

Recorder

. The Sound Recorder opens.

Rewind Fast Forward Play

Stop

Record

3 Click (record), then speak into the microphone. 4 When you finish recording, click (stop). 5 Click File, then click Save As. The Save As dialog box opens. 6 Name the recording, specify the location where you want to save the

recording, then click

Help and

Support

For more information about recording audio in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword recording audio in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

Save. The recording is saved.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

To play an audio recording in Sound Recorder:

1 Open the Sound Recorder. 2 Click File, then click Open. The Open dialog box opens. 3 Click the file you want to play, then click Open. 4 Play the file by clicking (play), then stop playing the file by

clicking (stop).

Help and

Support

For more information about playing an audio recording in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword playing audio in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player

The Windows Media Player can play several types of audio and video files, including WAV, MIDI, MP3, AU, AVI, and MPEG formats. For more information about using the Windows Media Player, click

To play a file using the Windows Media Player:

1 In Windows XP, click Start, All Programs, then click Windows Media Player.

- OR -

Help.

In Windows 2000, click click

Windows Media Player.

The Windows Media Player opens.

Play

Stop

Start, Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then

Video file information

Video screen

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

2 Click File, then click Open. The Open dialog box opens.

Important If the menu bar does not appear, click the show menu

3 Click the file you want to play, then click Open. 4 Play the file by clicking (play), then stop playing the file by

clicking (stop).

bar button.

Help and

Support

For more information about playing audio and video using the Windows Media Player in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Media Player in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

Playing a DVD

A Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) is similar to a standard CD but has greater data

capacity. Because of this increased capacity, full-length movies, several albums

of music, or several gigabytes of data can fit on a single disc. If your computer

has a DVD drive or a combination DVD/CD-RW drive, you can play DVDs

with the InterVideo DVD Player program or Windows Media Player. For more

information about playing DVDs, click

To play a DVD:

1 Make sure that the speakers are turned on or headphones are plugged in

and that the volume is turned up.

2 Turn off your screen saver and standby timers.

Help in the DVD player program.

www.gateway.com

Playing a DVD

3 To play a DVD using InterVideo DVD, click Start, All Programs, DVD, then

click

DVD Player. The InterVideo DVD Player video screen and control

panel open.

-OR-

To play a DVD using Windows Media Player in Windows XP, click

All Programs, then click Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player

Start,

opens.

- OR -

To play a DVD using Windows Media Player in Windows 2000, click

Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click Windows Media Player. The

Start,

Windows Media Player opens.

Important If the Intervideo DVD player is not on your Start menu, or

if Windows Media Player cannot play a DVD, you will need to install the InterVideo DVD program. To install the InterVideo program, insert the InterVideo DVD Software disc into your DVD drive and follow the instructions printed on the disc.

4 Insert a DVD into the DVD drive, then click (play). The DVD plays. 5 To specifically control the DVD or adjust the volume, use the controls

in the DVD player. For more information on using the DVD player, see its online help.

Help and

Support

For more information about playing DVDs in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword playing DVDs in the HelpSpot Search box , then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multimedia

Using MusicMatch

Using MusicMatch™, you can:

■ Play music CDs

■ Create MP3 music files from your music CDs

■ Edit music track information

■ Use your music files to build a music library

■ Listen to Internet Radio

For more information on using MusicMatch, see its online Help.

Playing CDs

You can use the MusicMatch program to play music CDs.

To play a music CD in Windows XP:

1 Insert the music CD into the CD or DVD drive on your computer. The

first time you insert an audio CD, the Audio CD dialog box opens.

www.gateway.com

Gateway 1450 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Front

Left side

Right side

Back

Bottom

Keyboard area

Identifying your model

Gateway model number

Gateway serial number

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

Finding your specifications

Accessories

Getting Started

Protecting from power source problems

Starting your notebook

Waking up your notebook

Turning off your notebook

Restarting (rebooting) your notebook

Status indicators

Using the keyboard

Key types

System key combinations

Multi-function buttons

Using the touchpad

Connecting the modem

Connecting to a wired Ethernet network

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device

Broadband Internet connections

Getting Help

HelpSpot

Searching for a topic

HelpSpot Videos

Online help

Gateway Web site

Windows Basics

About the Windows environment

Using the desktop

Using the Start menu

Identifying Window items

Working with files and folders

Viewing drives

Creating folders

Copying and moving files and folders

Deleting files and folders

Browsing for files and folders

Searching for files

Using the Search utility

Using advanced search options

Adding icons to the desktop

Working with documents

Creating a new document

Saving a document

Opening a document

Printing a document

Shortcuts

Using the Internet

Learning about the Internet

Setting up an Internet account

Accessing your Internet account

Downloading files

Using e-mail

Sending e-mail

Checking your e-mail

Using Multimedia

Using the diskette drive

Using the CD or DVD drive

Identifying drive types

Inserting a CD or DVD

Adjusting the volume

Listening to CDs

Recording and playing audio

Playing a DVD

Using MusicMatch

Playing CDs