Gateway 400 User Manual

1 Checking Out Your Gateway 400 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

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

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

Right side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Keyboard area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Identifying your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Gateway model number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Gateway serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Internal wireless label . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Finding your specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

2Getting Started. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Connecting the AC adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Starting your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Waking up your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Turning off your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Restarting (rebooting) your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Key types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

System key combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Using the EZ Pad touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Using the touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Connecting the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Connecting to a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Broadband Internet connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

3Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

HelpSpot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Searching for a topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

HelpSpot videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

Using eSupport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44

4 Windows Basics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

About the Windows environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .46

Using the desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Using the Start menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47

Adding icons to the desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Identifying window items . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49

Working with files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Viewing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51

Creating folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

Copying and moving files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Deleting files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Browsing for files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57

Searching for files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Using the Windows Search utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Working with documents . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Creating a new document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

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

Using the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Connecting to a Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Downloading files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Using e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Sending e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Checking your e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Listening to CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Listening to CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Recording and playing audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 88

Using MusicMatch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Playing CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Creating MP3 music files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Editing track information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Building a music library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Changing the music library display settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Listening to Internet radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Using advanced features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Using a recordable drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Creating data CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Creating music CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Copying CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Playing a DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Capturing video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

7 Sending and Receiving Faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Installing and configuring Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Installing Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Configuring Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Sending a simple fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Setting up your cover page template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Faxing from programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Faxing a scanned document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Receiving and viewing a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Canceling a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Automatically retry sending a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Automatically cancelling a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

8 Managing Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

Monitoring the battery charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Recharging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Recalibrating the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Replacing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Extending battery life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Conserving battery power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Using alternate power sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Changing power modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Changing power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

iii

Changing the power scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .130

Changing alarm options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .131

Changing advanced settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .132

Activating and using Hibernate mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .133

9 Travel Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Radio frequency wireless connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .136

Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

Additional tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

10 Customizing Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

Adjusting the screen and desktop settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Adjusting the color depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .142

Adjusting the screen resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .143

Changing the colors on your Windows desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

Changing the desktop background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Selecting a screen saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Changing the touchpad settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Programming the multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Adding and modifying user accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

11 Networking Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Benefits of networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Sharing a single Internet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Sharing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

Sharing peripheral devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

Streaming audio and video files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

Playing multi-player games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

Selecting a network connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Wireless Ethernet (IEEE 802.11a or IEEE 802.11b) network . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Using a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

Example wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Equipment you need for a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Using a wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162

Example access point wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163

Equipment you need fo r an access point wireles s Ethernet network . . . . . . . 164

Example peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Equipment you need fo r a peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . 166

For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166

Using your notebook on a network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

Installing and configu ring your notebook fo r Ethernet networking . . . . . . . . . 167

Turning your wireless Ethernet on or off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 167

12 Moving from Your Old Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

Using the Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170

Transferring files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Finding your files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171

Transferring Internet settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Setting up your ISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

Transferring your e-mail and address book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Transferring your Internet shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Installing your old printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Installing a USB printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174

Installing a parallel port printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 175

Installing your old programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 176

13 Maintaining Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

Caring for your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 178

Creating an emergency startup diskette . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Protecting your computer from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Managing hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Checking hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Using Disk Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Checking the hard drive for errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Defragmenting the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 189

Backing up files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Using the Scheduled Task Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Cleaning the computer screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Cleaning the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

14 Restoring Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Using the Restoration CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

Reinstalling device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

Updating device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Reinstalling programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 203

Reinstalling Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

15 Upgrading Your Notebook. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207

Adding and removing a PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .210

Adding or replacing memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .212

Replacing the hard drive kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

16 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219

Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220

First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221

Software support tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .221

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222

CD or DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222

Cleaning CDs or DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

Device installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .224

Diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .226

File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227

Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .227

Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .228

Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .231

Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .235

Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .236

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237

Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .237

Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .239

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .240

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

Before calling Gateway Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .241

Telephone numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .242

Tutoring and training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243

Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243

Tutoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243

Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244

A Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245

Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 257

Checking Out

Your Gatewa y 400

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 ava ilable for your notebook

Tips & Tricks T o access the c ontents of this guide while y ou

are trav eling, clic k Start, All Programs, then click Gateway Utilities. You can also download an electronic copy from www.gateway.com/support/manlib/

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway 400

Front

Battery

charge

Power indicator

LCD panel release latch

indicator

Component Icon Description

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 malfunctioning.

This LED only l ights up whe n the not ebook is plug ged in.

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

notebook power status.

■

LED on - power is on.

■

LED blinking - power is in Standby mode.

■

LED off - power is off.

LCD panel release latch Open the LCD panel by pressing the release latch.

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Left side

Modem jack

Ethernet jack

USB ports

IEEE 1394 port

PC Card

slot

PC Card eject button

Microphone jack

Diskette drive

Headphone jack

Component Icon Description

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

“Connectin g the mode m” on page 34.

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

information, see “Connecting to a wired Ethernet network” on page 35 and “Networking Your Computer” on page 155.

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

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

IEEE 1394 port Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire

(such as a digital camcorder) into this 4-pin IEEE 1394 port.

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

information, see “Adding and removing a PC Card” on page 208.

or i.Link®) device

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway 400

Component Icon Description

PC Card eject button

Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack.

Headphone jack Plug headphones or amplified speakers into this jack. The built-in

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

Press the eject button to remove the PC Card from the PC Card slot. For more information, see “Adding and removing a PC Card” on page 208.

speakers are turned off when speakers or headphones are plugged into this jack.

information, see “Using the diskette drive” on page 78.

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Right side

CD/DVD/Recordable drive

Component Icon Description

CD/DVD/Recordable d rive Insert CDs, CD-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 the notebook, examine the drive tray’s plastic cover and compare the logo to those listed in “Identifying drive types” on page 79.

Right side

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway 400

Back

Monitor

port

Ventilation

fan

Parallel port

Power connector

Ventilation fan

Kensington lock slot

Component Icon Description

Monitor port Plug an analog VGA monitor into this port.

V entilation fan Helps cool inte rnal components . Do not b loc k or insert objects into

these slots.

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

Power connector Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector. Kensington™

lock slot

Secure your computer to an object by connecting a Kensington cable lock to this slot.

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Bottom

Memory

bay

Bottom

erial number label

System label

Mini PCI bay

Battery

latch

Battery

bay

Reset hole

Hard drive bay

Component Icon Description

Serial number label

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

Mini PCI bay The optional wireless Ethernet mini PCI card is located in this bay. Reset hole Insert a straightened paper clip into this hole to manually restart the

Hard drive bay The hard drive kit is located in this bay. For more information, see

Includes your n otebook ’s serial number. For more infor mation, se e “Gateway serial nu mber” on page 11.

“Identifying your model” on page 11.

notebook.

“Replacing the hard drive kit” on page 215.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway 400

Component Icon Description

Battery bay Insert the battery into this bay. For more information, see “Changing

the battery” on page 125.

Battery latch Slide to release the battery.

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

information, see “Adding or replacing memory” on page 212.

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Ke yboard area

For information on using your keyboard, see “Using the keyboard” on page 26.

Status indi cators

Keyboard area

Power button

Keyboard

Speaker

Touchpad Speaker

Multi-function buttons

Component Icon Description

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

been pressed that aff ects ho w the ke yboa rd is used. F or more information, see “Status indicators” on page 24.

Multi-function buttons Press these butto ns to open prog rams assigned to them.

By default, these buttons are set to open your e-mail program, your Web browser, online help, and another program that you assign. For more information, see “Multi-function buttons” on page 30.

Speakers Provide audio output when headphones or amplified

speakers are not plugged in.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway 400

Component Icon Description

Touchpad Provides all the functionality of a mouse. For more

Keyb oard Provi des al l the f e atures of a full -siz ed 8 6-k e y k e ybo ard.

Pow er button Press to turn the pow er o n or o ff . You can also configu re

information, see “Using the EZ Pad touchpad” on page 31.

For more information, see “Using the keyboard” on page 26.

the power button for Standby/Resume mode. For more information on configuring the power button mode, see “Changing power settings” on page 129.

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Identifying your mo del

Identifying your model

Important The label s shown in thi s sectio n are for inform ational

purposes only. Label information varies b y mode l, f eatures ordered, and location.

Gateway model number

The label on the bottom of your notebook conta ins informa tion that identifies your notebook model and its features. Gateway T echnical Support will need this information if you call for assistance.

Gateway

model

number

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 also contains your customer ID number.

■ Displayed in HelpSpot. Click Start, Help and Support, then click View pr oduct

serial num ber

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway 400

Internal wireless label

A label similar to the following indicates your computer contains a wireless communications device. The label is located on the bottom of your notebook.

IEEE 802.11b RLAN Approvals: FCC ID HFS9550015318 CANADA ID 1787104509A

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.

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Finding your sp ecifications

Finding your specifications

For more information about your computer , such as memory size, memory type , and hard drive size, go to the eSupport page at support.gateway.com additional Gateway do cumentation and detai led specifications.

My Computer Info link in HelpSpot or visit Gateway’ s

. The eSupport page also has links to

View your computer’s serial number by clicking clicking

Help and Support, then clicking See your PC’s configuration.

View system serial number. Check your specifications by clicking Start,

Start, Help and Support, then

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway 400

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

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Accessories

Gateway offers accessories that can help you make the most of using your notebook. To order accessories, visit the Accessories Store at accessories.gateway.com

Batteries and automobile/airplane power adapt ers

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 the battery” on page 125 for more information 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 devi ces

Y ou c an attach devices ( such as a keyboard, m ouse, printer , or monitor) to your notebook.

Accessories

Memory

Large programs, such as multimedia games or graphics programs, use a lot of memory . If your programs a re running more slo wly than you think they sho uld, try adding more memory. See “Adding or replacing memory” on page 212 for more information.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway 400

Printers

Y ou ca n attach almost an y type of printer to your notebook. The mo st 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 36 for more information about attaching a printer to your notebook.

Inkjet printers and cartridges are relatively inexpensive, but 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 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

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Connecting the A C 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 ad apter 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 pow er f or the first tim e, the battery lif e 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, see “Recalibrating the battery” on page 124.

To connect the AC adapter:

1 Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.

Warning Make sure that you use the AC adapter that came with your

notebook. 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 fo r at least 24 hours.

5 To check the battery charge with the notebook on, double-click the power

cord icon or battery icon in the taskbar. The Power Meter dialog box opens. For more information about the power meter on your notebook, see “Monitoring the battery charge” on page 122. If the power meter 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 A C adapter has dangerous vo ltages that can cause serious injury or dea th. Contact G ate wa y 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 notebook can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system damage. Protect your notebook and peripheral devices by connecting them to a surge protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from reaching your notebook.

Warning High voltages can enter your notebook through both the

power cord and the modem connection. Protect your notebook 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 start your notebook:

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

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 129.

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

instructions to set up your notebook.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

W aking 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 129.

Turning off y our notebook

To turn off your notebook:

1 Click Start, then click Turn Off Computer. The Tu rn Off C omputer dialog box

opens.

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

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

option in Windows to t urn off your noteboo k, press and hold the power button for about five seconds, then release it.

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Restarting (rebooting) y our 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 clo sing unresponsive programs does not restore your notebook to normal operation, you may have to restart (reboot) your notebook.

To close 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: 1 Press and hold the pow er bu tton fo r about fiv e seconds,

then release it.

2 Insert a straightened paper clip into the reset hole on

the bottom of your notebook.

3 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.

Caps lock

Hard drive

Disc drive

Diskette drive

Pad lock

Scroll lock

Indicator Icon Description

Hard drive The hard drive is i n use.

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

Diskette drive The 1.44 MB diskette drive is in use.

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Status indicators

Indicator Icon Description

Caps Lock Caps Lock is turned on.

Pad Lock Numeric keypad is turned on. For more information, see “System

key combinations ” on page 28.

Scroll Lock Scroll Lock is turned on. For more information, see “System key

combinations” on page28.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Using the keyboar d

Y our notebook features a f ull-size keyboard that functions t he same as a desktop computer keyboard. Many of the keys have been a ssigned alternate function s, including shortcut keys for Windows, function keys for specific system operations, and the Pad Lock keys for the n umeric keypad.

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

Function keys/System keys

Navigation keys/Volume keys

FN key

Windows key

Numeric keypad

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Application key

Arrow keys/LCD brightness keys

Using the keyboard

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 di fferent function k eys f or diff erent purposes.

See the program documentation to find out more about the function key actions.

F1 may open help.

System keys Press these colored keys in co mbination w ith the

perform spec ific acti ons.

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

to the end of a line , up the page , dow n the p age, t o the be ginning of a document, or to the end of a document.

Volume keys Press these colored keys in c ombinatio n with the

increase or decrease the volume or to turn off all sound.

FN key to

FN key Pres s the FN key in combinat ion with a colored sy stem ke y (such

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

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

also be used in com b in ati o n w ith ot h er keys to op en uti li t ie s l ike

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

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

assistants in Windows.

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

keys

Press these colored keys in c ombinatio n with the control the screen brightness.

FN+PAD LOCK to turn on the numeric keypad.

FN key t o

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

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 colore d text or icon on the key.

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 bat tery charge lev el, the BIOS v ersion, 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 s ame time. A mo nitor must b e 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 128.

Turn on Pad Lock so you can use the n um eric 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. Press this key combination again to continue scrolling. The Scroll Lock status indicator appears when this function is turned on. (This function is only available in some program s.)

Pause e xecution of a DO S program. (This functi on is only availa ble in some programs.)

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

Increase the brightness of the display.

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Using the keyboard

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

To...

Decrease the brightness of the display.

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

Increase volume. For more information, see “Adjustin g the volume” on page 81.

Decrease volume. For more information, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 81.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Multi-function buttons

Press the multi-function buttons to open programs you assign to them. For more information, see “Progr amming the multi-function but tons” on page 152.

E-mail

Internet

Help

User-defi ned shor tcut

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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Using the EZ Pa d touchpad

Using the EZ P ad touchpad

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

Touchpad

Left touchpad button

Rocker switch

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Right touchpad button

Chapter 2: Getting Started

When you move your finger on the touchpad, the pointer (arrow) on the screen moves in the sam e directi on.

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 150.

Using the touchpad

To... Do this...

Move the pointer on the scre en.

Move your finger aro und on th e touchpad. If you run out of space and need to move the pointer farther, lift your finger , move i t to the middle of the touchpad, then continue moving your finger.

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To . . . D o this. . .

Using the EZ Pa d touchpad

Select an object on the scre en.

Start a program or open a file or folder.

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

Positi on the pointer ov er the object. Quickly press and release the left button once. This action is called clicking.

Positi on the pointer ov er the object. Press the left butto n twic e in rapi d succession. This actio n is called double-clicking.

Positi on the pointer ov er the object. Quickly press an d release the right button once. This action is called right-clicking.

Move an object on the scre en.

Positi on the pointer ov er 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.

For instructions on how to adjust the double-click speed, pointer speed, right-hand or left-hand configuration, and other touchpad settings, see “Changing the touchpad settings” on page 150.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Connecting the modem

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

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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Connecting to a wired E thernet network

Connecting to a wired Ethernet network

Y our notebook has a network jack tha t you can use to connect 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 information about connecting to a wired or wireless Ethernet network, see “Networking Your Computer” on page 155. For information about installing a wireless Ethernet PC Card, see “Adding and rem o v in g a P CCard” on page 208.

To connect to a wired Ethernet network:

1 Insert one end of the network cable into the network jac k o n 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.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Broadband Internet connections

Y ou can use your notebook’ s Ethernet jack for more than just netwo rking. Many broadband Internet connections, such as c able modems and DSL modems, connect to your notebook’s Ethernet jack. For more information, see “Using the Internet” on page 67 and “Networking Your Computer” on page 155.

Installing a printer , scanner, or other peripheral device

Important Before you install a printer, scanner, or other peripheral

device, see the device documentation and installation instructions.

Your computer has one or more of the following ports: IEEE 1394 (a lso known as Firewire ports to connect peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras to your computer. For more information about port locations, see “Checking Out Your Gateway 400” on page 1.

IEEE 1394 and 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 an IEEE 1394 or 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. See the device documentation for detailed information and installation instructions.

or i.Link®), Universal Serial Bus (USB), and parallel. You use these

Help and

Support

For more inf ormation abo ut install ing peripher al de vices 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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Getting Help

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

■ HelpSpot™

■ Online help

■ Gateway Web site

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Chapter 3: Getting Help

HelpSpot

Your computer includes HelpSpot, an easily accessible collection of help information, troubleshooters, instructional videos, and automated support. Use HelpSpot to answer questions about Windows and to help y ou 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, you may experience a brief wait while HelpSpot builds the help database, then HelpSpot displ ays 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 f or 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 Web

site and contain the words you entered in the

Search box.

Search box. You must be

connected to the Internet to search for and access these topics.

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

and contain the words you entered in the

Search box. You must be

connected to the Internet to search for and access these topics.

T o 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 Result s list.

HelpSpot videos

HelpSpot contains several short vid eos to help introdu ce you to new con cepts 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. You can access most online help information by selecting a topic from a a

Help button.

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 by clicking

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Gatewa y Web site

Gateway's online support is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and provides the most current drivers, product specifications, tutorials and personalized information about your system. Visit the Gateway eSupport We b s it e a t s u p p o rt . the Internet, see “Using the Internet” on page 67.

gateway.com. For more information about connecting to

Gateway Web site

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Chapter 3: Getting Help

Using eSupport

The eSupport site is divided into four major areas:

■ Support Home

■ Downloads

■ Contact Us

■ Account Info

Each of these areas is represented by a tab across the top of the Web page.

Support Home tab

T o get spec ific informa tion about y our computer, type your serial number into the My System Information box, then click

for m e

. For more information, see “Finding your specifications” on page 13.

The Support Information link lets you access product documentation, specifications, and manuals. By entering your serial number, you get specific documents related to your system. You can also browse through the reference area to locate an article specific to the question you have.

GO, or click Look up my serial number

The Tutorials link lets you access an extensive library of how-to articles and videos on topics such as making audio CDs and installing a hard drive.

Downloads tab

The Downloads tab provides the latest software updates for BIOS and driver upgrades. By entering your serial number you get drivers specific to your system. Click

All Downloads to walk through a step-by-step wizard to locate your drivers.

For more information, see “Updating device drivers” on page 201.

Contact Us tab

The Contact Us tab contains links to technical support with a live technician, including chat and e-mail. Click numbers for both sales and support. For more information, see “Telephone support” on page 241.

Call Us to get a list of Gateway telephone

Account Info tab

The Account Info tab contains support for non-technical issues, like the status of your order or changing your acco unt address.

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Windows Basics

Read this chapter to learn how to:

■ Use the Windows desktop

■ Manage files and folders

■ Wo r k w i t h d oc u m e n t s

■ Use shortcuts

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

About the Windows en vironment

After your computer starts, the first screen you see is the Windows desktop. The desktop is like the top of a real desk. Thi nk of th e desktop as your pe rsonali zed work space where you open programs and p erform other tasks.

Your desktop may be different from this example, depending on how your computer is set up.

Help and

Support

For more inf ormation 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 computer display containing the Start button on the left and a cloc k 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 Recycl e Bin is where files, folders, and programs that you discarded

are stored. You must empty the Re cycle Bin to p ermanently delete th em from your compute r . Fo r instructions o n how to use the Recy cle Bin, see “Deleting files and folders” on page 56.

Using the desktop

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 Click All Programs to see all programs and files in the Start menu. When

you move the mouse pointer over any m enu item that has an arrow n ext to it, anothe r menu, cal led a submenu, opens and reveals related files, programs, or commands.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

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.

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 (press the right touchpad button) the program that you want

to add to the desktop.

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Identifying window ite ms

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

program appea rs on the deskto p.

Help and

Support

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

Type the k eyword desktop icons in the He lpSp ot Search box , then click the arrow.

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 you double-click the

Title bar

Menu bar

Local Disk (C:) icon in the My Computer window .

Maximize

Minimize

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

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 th at shows the window tit le.

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 computer display. Clicking the maximize button again restores the window to its former size.

Clicking the close button closes the active window or program.

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

Help and

Support

For more information about window s i n W ind o w sXP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword window in the HelpSp ot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Working with files and folders

W orking with files and folder s

You can organize your files and programs to suit your preferences much like you would store information in a file cabinet. Y ou can store these files in folders and copy, move, and delete the information just as you would reorganize an d 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:) fo r t he diskette drive. You may also have more drives such as a CD, DVD, or recordable drive.

To view the drives on your computer:

■ Click Start, then click My Computer on the Start menu.

Drives

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

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.

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

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Working with files and folders

To create a folder:

1 Click Start, then click My Computer on the Start menu. 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

drive

Show the contents of this

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 folder, click

the contents of this drive

or Show the contents of this folder.

Show

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 about 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.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

Copying and moving files and f olders

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 whate ver y ou cut or cop y 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 pla ce, but as soon as y ou copy or cut a different file or folder, the original file or folder is deleted from the clipboard.

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 51 and “Searching for files” on page 59.

2 Right-click (press the right 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.

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Working with files and folders

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 51 and “Searching for files” on page 59.

2 Right-click (press the right 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 m enu. 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 copying files and folders or 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 Bas ics

Deleting files and f olders

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 59.

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 recover files or folders from the Recycle Bin:

1 Double-clic k the Re cy cle Bi n ic on. 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

To empty the Recycle Bin:

Caution Emptying the Recycle Bin permanently erases any fil es or

folders in the bin. These files cannot be restored.

1 Doub le- cli c k the R e cycle B i n icon on th e d esktop. The Recy cle Bin windo w

opens.

2 Click File, then click Empty R ecy cle Bi n. Windows asks you if you are sure

that you want to empty the bin.

3 Click Yes. 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.

T ype the keyword emptying Recycle Bin in the Help Spot

Search box , then click the arrow.

Bro wsing for fil es and folder s

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 searc h through levels of folders to find the file or folder that you need. This is called browsing.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

To browse for a file:

1 Click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens.

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

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

the contents of this drive

Show

or Show the contents of this folder.

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.

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Searc hing 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 comb ine search criteria to refi ne searches. Files and folders found using this utility can be opened, copied, cut, renamed,

or deleted directly from the list in the results window.

Searching for files

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

Using the Windows Search utili ty

To find files and folders using the Search utility:

1 Click Start, then click Search. The Search Results window opens. Click All

files and folders

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. 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

, then click the arrow.

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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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

W orking 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.

The follo wi ng exam pl es sho w ho w t o c re ate, sa ve, op en , an d p ri nt a doc um ent using Microsoft as WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.

For more information about using a program, click

WordPad. Similar proced ures apply to other programs such

Help on its menu bar.

Creating a ne w document

To create a new document:

1 Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, then click WordPad. Microsoft

WordPad starts and a blank doc ument opens.

2 Begin composin g your document. Use t he menus and toolbar butto ns at

the top of the window to format the document.

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Working with documents

Saving a document

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

To save a document:

1 Click File, then click Save. The Save As dialog box opens.

Save in

list

File

name

2 Click the arrow button to open the Save in list, then click the folder where

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

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

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:

1 Start the program.

2 Click File, then click Open.

3 Click the arrow button to open the Look in list, then click the folder 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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Working with documents

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, see the printer documentation.

To print a document:

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

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 HelpS pot Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

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 wind ow where you want to paste

the object, then press

CTRL + V.

Select multiple items in a list or in a window

Select multiple adj ac ent it em s in a lis t or window

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

Rename a file or folder Click the file or fol der , press F2, typ e the new name , then

Close the active window o r program Press ALT + F4. 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 then click each of the remaining items.

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

SHIFT key, then click th e last it em in the li st.

SHIFT + DELETE. The

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

press

ENTER.

ALT +TAB.

Press

CTRL key,

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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

www.gateway.com

Chapter 5: Using the Inter net

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 a standard telephone mode m.

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

“Left side” on page3.

Internet Servers

store information so other computers c an access i t from the Internet.

Your computer connects to the Internet through an ISP.

ISP Servers

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

www.gateway.com

Setting up an Internet acc ount

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, th e ISP ser ver lets you access the Internet and yo ur e-mail messages.

■ A Web browser – a pro gram that displays information from the World W ide

Web.

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

e-mail messages over 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 account 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.

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Chapter 5: Using the Inter net

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. Y our computer dials the Internet account telephone number . After

connecting, the Welcome window op ens.

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

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 He lpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Using the World Wide Web

Using the W orld 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 We b p a g e s, which are electronic documents that you view us ing a Web page display program called a browser. You can use any of the commercially available Web browser s, like Microsoft Internet Explorer (which comes installed on your new computer), Netscape Navigator, or the browser built into America Online.

W eb page s can c ontain te xt, animat ions, mus ic, an d other multimedia featur es. A group of related Web pages is called a Web s ite. You can access Web sites to shop, track investments, read the news, dow nload 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.

T o learn more about using th e Web browser features, click

Link

Web

page

Linked Web

page

Help in the menu bar.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 5: Using the Inter net

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), then click

- 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.

GO on the bro wser address bar.

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

Using the World Wide Web

Downloading files

Downloading is the process of transferring files from a computer on the Internet to your computer.

T o protect your comput er against viruses, m ake sure that y ou scan the files you download. For more information, see “Protecting your computer from viruses” on page 182.

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 wh ere you want to store the file on your

computer. For more information, see “Working with files and folders” on page 51.

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

Chapter 5: Using the Inter net

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 n ame, 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 I nter net domain n ame

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

Checking y our 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.

Using e-mail

Help and

Support

For general i nformation abou t using e-mail in W indows XP , click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword e-mail in the H elpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 5: Using the Inter net

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

■ Record and play audio files

■ Use Windows Media Player

■ Use MusicMatch

■ Use a recordable drive to create CDs

■ Play DVDs

■ Capture video using the IEEE 1394 (also known as

Firewire or i.Link) port

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

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

Diskette eject button

To use a diskette:

1 Insert the diskette into the diskette drive with the label facing up.

2 To access a file on the diskette, click Start, then click My Computer.

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

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

is off (see “Status indicators” on page 24), then press the diskette eject button.

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Using the CD or DVD drive

Using the CD or D VD drive

You can use your computer to enjoy a wide variety of multimedia features.

Identifying drive types

Your Gateway computer may contain one of the following drive types. Look on the front of the drive for one of the following logos:

CD drive

CD-RW drive

DVD drive

Combination DVD/CD-RW drive

Use a CD drive for installing programs, playing audio CDs, an d accessin g data.

You cannot use this drive to create CDs or play DVDs.

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

You cannot use this drive to play DVDs. You can only write to a CD-R disc once. You can

write to and erase C D-RW discs mult iple tim es. For more information, see “Using a rec ordable drive” on page97.

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

You cannot use this drive to create CDs. Use a combinatio n DVD /CD-RW driv e for insta lling

programs, playing audio CDs, playing DVDs, accessing data, and recording music and data to CD-R or CD-RW discs. For more inf ormation, see “Using a recordable drive” on page 97.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

Inserting a CD or DVD

Activity

indicator

Important Some music CDs hav e cop y pr otecti on softw a re. You may

not be able to play these CDs on your computer.

Eject button

Manual eject hole

To insert a CD or DVD:

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

pull the disc tray completely open.

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 singl e-s ide d dis c in the tray, make sure

that the label side is f ac ing up. If the disc has two playable sides, place the disc so that the n ame of th e side y ou w ant to play is facing up.

3 Push the tray in until it is closed.

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Adjusting the volume

Adjusting the v olume

Adjusting the volume

You can use the volume controls to adjust the overal l volume and the v olume of specific sound devices in your computer.

To adjust the overall volume level using hardware controls:

■ If you are using external speakers, turn the knob on the front of the

speakers.

-ORUse the mute and volume control buttons on the keyboard. For more

information, see “System key combinations” on page 28.

To adjust the overall volume level from Windows:

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

Control Panel is in Category View, click

Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices.

2 Click/Double-click the Adju st the syste m volume or Sounds and Audio

Devices

. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box opens.

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Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

3 Click the Volume 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 Contr ol Panel window opens. If your

Control Panel is in Category View, click

2 Click/Double-click the Adju st the syste m volume or Sounds and Audio

Devices

. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box opens.

Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices.

www.gateway.com

3 Click the Volume 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

Help in the window .

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

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Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

Listening to CDs

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

Important Some music CDs hav e cop y pr otecti on softw a re. You may

not be able to play these CDs on your computer.

Listening to CDs

Use the Windows Media Player to listen to CDs. For more information about the using the Windows Media Player, click to listen to CDs. For more information, see “Using MusicMatch” on page 89.

To play a CD:

1 Insert a CD into the CD or DVD drive.

2 If a di alog b ox o pen s wit h a list o f CD pla yers, c l ick Windows Media Player.

The Windows Media Player opens.

Help. You can also use MusicMatch

- OR If a dialog box does no t open with a list of CD playe rs, click

click

Windows Media Player. The Windows Media Player opens.

www.gateway.com

Start, then

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

Play

Listening to CDs

Stop

Volume

Mute

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 Multim edia

Recording and pla ying audio

Use the following instructions to make an audio recording by speaking into a microphone.

To make an audio recording:

1 Plug a microphone into the Microphone jack on your computer. For the

location of the Microphone jack, see “Left side” on page 3.

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

Recorder

. The Sound Recorder opens.

Rewind

Fas t Fo rw a rd

Play

Record

Stop

3 Clic k (record ), then sp eak into the micro phone.

4 When you finish recording, click (stop).

5 Click File, then click Save As. The Save As dialog box op ens.

6 Name the recording, specify the loc ation where you want to save the

recording, then click

Save. The recording is saved.

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Recording and play ing audio

To play an audio recording in Sound Recorder:

1 Open the Sound Record er. 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 making or playing an audio recording in WindowsXP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

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

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player

The Windows Media Player can play several types of audio and vide o files, including W AV , MIDI, MP3, AU, AVI, and MPEG formats. For more information about the using the Windows Me dia Player, click

To play a file using the Windows Media Player:

1 Click Start, All Programs, then click Windows Media Player. The

Windows Media Player opens.

Help.

Video file information

Video screen

Play

Stop

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

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

bar button.

www.gateway.com

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).

Using MusicMatch

Help and

Support

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

Type the keyword Media Player in the He lpSp ot Search box , then click the arrow.

Using MusicMatch

Using MusicMatch™, yo u 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 Musi cMatch program to pl ay music CDs.

Important Some music CDs hav e cop y pr otecti on softw a re. You may

not be able to play these CDs on your computer.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

To play a music CD:

1 Inse rt the mus ic CD into the CD o r DVD dri ve on your compute r.

The first time you insert a music CD, the Audio CD dialog box opens.

2 Click Play Audio CD using MUSICMATCH Jukebox, then click OK. MusicMatch

opens, the CD begins playing, and the names of the music tracks appear in the playlist area.

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Creating MP3 music files

Using MusicMatch, you can copy the tracks from a music CD to your computer’ s hard driv e as MP3 files. MP 3 (MPEG Layer 3) is a standard for digitally compressing high-fidelity music into compact files without noticeably sacrific ing quali ty. MP3 files end in the file extensi on .MP3.

Important Some music CD s have copy protectio n software. You

cannot copy tracks from these CDs.

To create (rip) MP3 files:

1 Insert a music CD into your CD or DVD drive. 2 If an Audio CD dialog box opens, click Play Audio CD us ing MUS ICMATCH

Jukebox

- OR -

, then click OK. The MusicMatch window opens.

Using MusicMatch

If a dialog box does no t open, click click

MusicMatch Juke box. The MusicMatch window opens.

Record

Start, All Programs, MusicMatch, then

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Chapter 6: Using Multim edia

3 Click the record button. The Recorder window opens.

4 Click to clear the check box for any track you do not want to record (rip).

5 Click REC.

6 When a message appears that tells you the CD drive needs to be configured,

click

OK.

Track listREC

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Gateway 400 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Front

Left side

Right side

Back

Bottom

Ke yboard area

Identifying your mo del

Gateway model number

Gateway serial number

Internal wireless label

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

Finding your sp ecifications

Accessories

Batteries and automobile/airplane power adapt ers

Carrying cases

Peripheral devi ces

Memory

Printers

Getting Started

Protecting from power source problems

Starting your notebook

W aking up your notebook

Turning off y our notebook

Restarting (rebooting) y our notebook

Status indicators

Using the keyboar d

Key types

System key combinations

Multi-function buttons

Using the touchpad

Connecting the modem

Connecting to a wired E thernet network

Broadband Internet connections

Installing a printer , scanner, or other peripheral device

Getting Help

HelpSpot

Searching f or a topic

HelpSpot videos

Online help

Gatewa y Web site

Using eSupport

Support Home tab

Downloads tab

Contact Us tab

Account Info tab

Windows Basics

About the Windows en vironment

Using the desktop

Using the Start menu

Adding icons to the desktop

Identifying window ite ms

Working with files and folders

Viewing drives

Creating folders

Copying and moving files and f olders

Deleting files and f olders

Bro wsing for fil es and folder s

Searc hing for files

Using the Windows Search utili ty

Using advanced search options

W orking with documents

Creating a ne w document

Saving a document

Opening a document

Printing a document

Shortcuts

Using the Internet

Learning about the Internet

Setting up an Internet acc ount

Accessing your Internet account

Downloading files

Using e-mail

Sending e-mail

Checking y our e-mail

Using Multimedia