Gateway 1450 User Manual
Contents
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
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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
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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
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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
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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
v
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
vi
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/
.
1
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.
2
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Left side
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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3
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.
4
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Back
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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5
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.
6
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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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7
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
8
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.
www.gateway.com
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.
www.gateway.com
9
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
10
. Click View product serial number.
www.gateway.com
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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11
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
12
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
.
www.gateway.com
13
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.
14
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.
www.gateway.com
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
2
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.
16
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.
www.gateway.com
Connecting the AC adapter
2 Connect the AC adapter to your notebook’s power connector.
3 Plug the power cord into a wall outlet.
The battery charge indicator turns on (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.
www.gateway.com
17
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.
18
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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.
www.gateway.com
19
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.
20
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
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.
www.gateway.com
21
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.
1
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.
22
www.gateway.com
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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23
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 to
FN key Press the FN key in combination with a colored system key (such
STATUS, STANDBY, or PAUSE) to perform a specific action.
as
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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