Gateway M505 User Manual

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Gateway M505 Notebook

user'sguide

Customizing

Troubleshooting

1 Checking Out Your Gateway M505. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

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

Safety instructions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

General tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Using the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Using the AC adapter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Basic safety precautions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

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

Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Starting your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Waking up your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Turning off your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Restarting (rebooting) your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Keyboard status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

LCD panel status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Key types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

System key combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

Multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Using the EZ Pad touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Using the touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Connecting the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Connecting to a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Broadband Internet connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Using fast infrared . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .38

3Getting Help. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39

Help and Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .40

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

Do More With Gateway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41

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

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

Using eSupport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43

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 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50

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

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

Copying and moving files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

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

Browsing for files and folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56

Searching for files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Using the Windows Search utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

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

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

Saving a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Opening a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63

Printing a document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

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 Sending and Receiving Faxes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 77

Installing and configuring Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Installing Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78

Configuring Fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79

Sending a simple fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

Setting up your cover page template . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Faxing from programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Faxing a scanned document . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84

Receiving and viewing a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Canceling a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 85

Automatically retry sending a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Automatically cancelling a fax . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 87

7 Using Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Recording and playing audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 93

Playing audio and video files with the Windows Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Using the audio/video controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Locating the controls . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Understanding the AV controls LCD panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Using the subwoofer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Using the Gateway M505 Music Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Using the DVD/CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Identifying drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Inserting a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

Listening to CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Using MUSICMATCH . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Playing CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Creating MP3 music files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Editing track information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Building a music library . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Changing the music library display settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Listening to Internet radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Using advanced features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Playing a DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116

Creating CDs and DVDs using Nero Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Creating a data CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Copying a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Copying music tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Creating a music CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

Advanced features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

Using the optional diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132

iii

Using the SD memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Using an SD memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .134

Connecting a digital camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .135

Connecting a digital video camera . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .137

Editing videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .138

Viewing the display on a projector or monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .139

Viewing the display on a television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .141

8 Managing Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .145

Monitoring the battery charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Recharging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .146

Changing batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .147

Replacing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .148

Extending battery life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Conserving battery power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Using alternate power sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .150

Changing power modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .151

Changing power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .152

Changing the power scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .153

Changing alarm options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .154

Changing advanced settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Activating and using Hibernate mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

9 Traveling with Your Gateway M505 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

Packing your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Traveling by air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

Radio frequency wireless connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .162

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163

Additional tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163

10 Customizing Your Gateway M505. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .165

Adjusting the screen and desktop settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166

Adjusting the color depth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .166

Adjusting the screen resolution . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .168

Changing the colors on your Windows desktop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .169

Changing the desktop background . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .170

Selecting a screen saver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .172

Changing the touchpad settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .174

Programming the multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .176

Adding and modifying user accounts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

11 Networking Your Gateway M505 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 179

Benefits of networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Sharing a single Internet connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Sharing drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180

Sharing peripheral devices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Streaming audio and video files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Playing multi-player games . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 181

Selecting a network connection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182

Using a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Ethernet, Fast Ethernet, or Gigabit Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 183

Example wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 184

Equipment you need for a wired Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

Using a wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 186

Wireless Ethernet speed and frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 187

Example access point wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188

Equipment you need fo r an access point wireles s Ethernet network . . . . . . 18 9

Example peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190

Equipment you need fo r a peer-to-peer wireless Ethernet network . . . . . . . 19 1

For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 191

Using your notebook on a network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

Installing and configu ring your notebook fo r Ethernet networking . . . . . . . . . 192

Turning your wireless Ethernet emitter on or off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 192

12 Moving From Your Old Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

Using the Files and Settings Transfer Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Transferring files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Finding your files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194

Transferring Internet settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Setting up your ISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196

Transferring your e-mail and address book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Transferring your Internet shortcuts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Installing your old printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197

Installing a USB printer or scanner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

Installing a parallel port printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198

Installing your old programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199

13 Maintaining Your Gateway M505 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201

Caring for your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202

Maintenance schedule . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .203

Protecting your notebook from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204

Managing hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207

Checking hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .207

Using Disk Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .208

Checking the hard drive for errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .209

Defragmenting the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .211

Backing up files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213

Using the Scheduled Task Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .213

Cleaning your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .215

Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216

Cleaning the notebook screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216

Cleaning the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .216

14 Restoring Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219

Using the Restoration CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220

Reinstalling device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .220

Updating device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .222

Reinstalling programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .223

Reinstalling Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .225

15 Upgrading Your Gateway M505. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .229

Adding and removing a PC Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .230

Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .232

Adding or replacing memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .234

Replacing the hard drive kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .238

16 Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .243

Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .244

First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245

Software support tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .245

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246

Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246

Device installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .246

Diskette drive (external) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .247

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .248

DVD/CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .249

File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .251

Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .252

Interface/Ports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .253

Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 253

Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

Memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 255

Modem (dial-up) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 256

Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260

Networks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260

Operating system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 260

Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261

PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 261

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 262

Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 263

Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 265

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

Before calling Gateway Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 267

Telephone numbers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 268

Tutoring and training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

Tutoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 269

Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 270

A Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 271

Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 285

vii

viii

Checking Out

Your

Gateway M 505

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 Y ou can do wnload an electronic copy of thi s

guide from

support.gateway.com/support/manlib/

Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway M505

Front

LCD panel release latch

DVD/CD-RW or

DVD-RW/CD-RW drive

IR sensor

Subwoofer bay

Component Icon Description

DVD/CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW drive

LCD panel release latch Open the LCD panel by sliding the release latch. IR sensor Sends and receives data in conjunction with an IR

Subwoofer bay The subwoofer is located in this bay.

Insert CDs or DVDs into this drive. Fo r more informatio n, see “Using the DVD/CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW drive”

on page 103.

To determine the type of drive, examine the drive tray’s plastic cover and compare the logo to those listed in

“Identifying drive types” on page 103.

(infrared) device, such as a PDA or IR printer.

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Left side

PC Card slot

Component Icon Description

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

SD memory card reader SD Insert an SD (Secure Digital ) memory card fro m a digital

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

SD memory card reader

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

page 230.

camera, MP3 player , PD A, or cellular tel ephone into this memory card reader. For more information, see “Using

the SD memory card reader” on page 134.

Kensington cable lock to this slot.

Kensington lock slot

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway M505

Right side

USB ports

Component Icon Description

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

diskette drive, flash drive, Iomega™ Zi p™ drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse) into these ports.

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

objects into these slo ts.

Ventilation fan

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Back

Power

connector

Monitor

port

S-Video out jack

Modem jack

Ethernet jack Line in jack

Microphon e jack

USB

Parallel port

port

Headphone jack

IEEE 1394 port (6-pin)

IEEE 1394 port (4-pin)

Component Icon Description

Power connector Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector. Monitor port Plug an analog VGA monitor into this port.

S-Video out jack Plug a standard S-V ideo c able into this ja ck and th e jack

on an S-Video dev ice ( such as a telev ision or VCR). For more information, see “Viewing the display on a

television” on page 141.

Modem jack Plug a modem c able into thi s jack. For more information,

see “Connecting the modem” on page 35.

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

more information, see “Connecting to a wired Ethernet

network” on page 36 and “Networking Your Gateway M505” on page 179.

Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack.

Line in jack Connect an external audio input source (such as a

stereo) to this jack so tha t you can rec ord sound on your notebook or play sound through the notebook speakers.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway M505

Component Icon Description

Headphone jack Plug amplified speakers or headphones into this jack.

The built-in speakers are turned off when speakers or headphones are plugged into this jack.

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

diskette drive, flash drive, Iomega™ Zi p™ drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse) into this port.

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

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

device (such as a digital camcorder, Iomega™ Zip™ drive, or MP3 player) into the 4-pin or 6-pin IEEE 1394 port. For more information, see “Connecting a digital

video camera” on page 137.

or i.Link®)

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Bottom

Memory bay cover

Hard drive protector

Hard drive bay

Battery bay

Battery release latch

Battery lock latch

Component Icon Description

Memory bay co ver Open this cove r to install memory module s. For more

information, see “Adding or replacing memory” on

page 234.

Hard drive protector Protects the hard drive from accidental bumps and

vibrations.

Hard drive bay The hard drive is located in this bay. For more

information, see “Replacing the hard drive kit” on

page 238.

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

“Changing batteries” on page 147.

Battery release latch Slide to release the battery.

Battery lock latch Slide to unlock the battery.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway M505

Keyboard area

For information on using your keyboard, see “Using the keyboard” on page 28.

Status

indicators

Keyboard

Power button

Audio

controls

Speaker Speaker

Touchpad

Multi-function buttons

Component Icon Description

Keyboard Provides all the featu res of a fu ll-sized 86 -key key board.

For more information, see “Using the keyboard” on

page 28.

Power button Press to turn the power on or of f. You can also configure

the power button for Standby/Resume mode. For more information on configuring the power button mode, see

“Changing power settings” on page 152.

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Keyboard area

Component Icon Description

Multi-function buttons Press these buttons to open programs you assign to

them. These buttons are set to turn on your wireless Ethernet emitter, open your e-mail application and your Web browser, and open two other programs that you assign. For more information, see “Multi-function

buttons” on page31 and

Speakers Provide audio output when headphones or amplified

speakers are not plugged in.

Touchpad Provides all the functionality of a mouse. For more

information, see “Using the EZ Pad touchpad” on

page 32.

Audio controls The volume buttons control the volume level of the

built-in speakers and headphones plugged into the headphone jack. The play/pause, back, next, and stop buttons may c ontrol mul timedia pr ograms such as Windows Media Player, Windows CD Player, MusicMatch, and the DVD Player. For more information, see “Using the audio/video controls” on page 97.

Status indicators Inform you of the power status, when a drive is being

used, or when a button has been pressed that affects how the keyboard is used. For more information, see

“Status indicators” on page 25.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway M505

Identifying your model

Important The labels shown in this section are for informational

purposes only . Label information varie s by model, featur es 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.

www.gateway.com

Identifying your mo del

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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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway M505

Finding your specifications

For more information about your notebook, such as memory size, memory type, and hard drive size, visit Gateway’s eSupport page at support.gateway.com eSupport page also has links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications. For more information, see “Using eSupport” on page 43.

. The

www.gateway.com

Accessories

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

accessories.gateway.com

Batteries

If you run your notebook on battery power for extended periods, you may want to buy an additional battery so you can swap batteries when necessary. See

“Changing batteries” on page 147 for more information.

Carrying cases

Gateway has large-capacity carrying cases if you need additional space for accessories or supplies.

Drives

Use a diskette drive or USB flash drive for storing files or transferring files to another computer. See “Using the optional diskette drive” on page 132.

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 234 for more information.

Accessories

Peripheral devices

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

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 37 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.

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Chapter 1: Checking Out Yo ur Gateway M505

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

Chapter 2: Getting Started

Safety instructions

Certain precautions should be observed to further reduce the risk of personal injury or damage to your notebook.

General tips

■ When setting up your notebook for work, place it on a level surface.

■ Before you clean your notebook, turn if off, unplug it f rom its power source,

and remove the battery. For more information, see “Cleaning your

notebook” on page 215.

■ Do not push objects into air vents or openings of your notebook. Doing

so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components.

■ When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector, not on the cable itself.

As you pull out the connector, keep it evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Al so, before you connect a cab le make sure both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned.

■ Use of mobile phones can interfere with the sound system. Your notebook

operation is not impaired but we recommend that a distance of 12 inches (30 cm) be maintained between your notebook and the mobile phone.

■ When you move your notebook between environments with very different

humidity or temperature ranges, condensation may form on or within your notebook. T o avoid damaging your notebook, allow sufficient time for the moisture to evaporate before using your notebook.

■ When traveling, do not check your notebook as baggage. You can put your

notebook through an X-ray security machine, but never put your notebook through a metal detector. If you have your notebook checked by hand, be sure to have a charged battery available in case you are asked to turn on your notebook. For more information, see “Traveling with Your

Gateway M505” on page 159.

■ When traveling, do not place your notebook in overhead storage

compartments where it could slide around. For more information, see

“Traveling with Your Gateway M505” on page 159.

■ Do not drop your notebook or subject it to other physical shocks.

■ T o completely turn off all notebook power , turn your notebook off, remove

the battery, and disconnect the AC adapter from the electrical outlet.

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■ The bottom of your notebook can become warm with use.

■ Do not apply heavy pressure to your notebook or subject it to strong

impact. Excessive pressure or impact can cause damage to notebook components or otherwise caus e malfunctions.

■ Some PC Cards can become hot with p rolonged use. Overheating of a

PC Card can result in errors or instability in the card’s operation. Be careful when you remove a PC Card that has been used for extended periods.

Using the battery

■ Do not carry a battery in your pocket, purse, or other container where

metal objects (such as car keys) could short-circuit the battery terminals. The resulting excessive current flow can cause extremely high temperatures and may result in he at damage.

■ Protect your notebook, battery, and hard drive from environmental

hazards such as dirt, dust, food, liquids, temperature extremes, and overexposure to sunlight.

■ Replace only with a Gateway M505 battery to avoid risk of fire or

explosion. For more information, see “Changing batteries” on page 147.

Safety instructio ns

■ Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’ s in structions. Do

not dispose of batteries in a fire. They may explode. For more information, see “Changing batteries” on page 147.

Using the AC adapter

■ Place the adapter in a ven tilated area, such as a d esktop or on the floor,

when you use it to run your notebook or to charge the battery. Do not cover the adapter with papers or other items that will reduce cooling, and do not use the adapter while it is inside a carrying case.

■ Make sure that nothing rests on your adapter's power cable and that the

cable is not located where it can be tripped over or stepped on.

■ Use only the adapter and power cord approved for use with this notebook.

Use of another type of adapte r may create a risk of fire or explosion.

■ If you use an extension cable with your adapter, ensure that the total

ampere rating of the products plugged in to the extension cable does not exceed the ampere rating of the extension cable.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Basic safety precautions

When using your notebook and peripheral devices, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury to persons, including the following:

■ Do not use your notebook near water. For example, do not use it near a

bathtub or kitchen sink.

■ Avoid using the wired modem or LAN during an electrical storm. There

may be a remote risk of electric shock from lightning.

■ The cable used with the modem should be manufactured with a minimum

wire size of 26 American wire gauge (AWG) and an FCC-compliant RJ-11 modular plug.

■ To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not connect or

disconnect any cables or perform maintenance or reconfiguration of your notebook during an electrical storm.

Warning When working with peripheral devices or replacing

memory modules, always follow installation instructions closely. Except for replacing memory or the hard drive, do not attempt to service y our notebook yourself. (See “Using

eSupport” on page 43 and “Telephone support” on page 267 for service information.)

Connecting the AC adapter

You can run your notebook using an AC adapter or your notebook’s battery. The battery was shipped to you partially charged. You should use the AC adapter right away to fully charge the battery . Allow 24 hours for the battery to fully charge.

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

notebook on battery power for the first time, the batt ery life may be much shorter than you expect.

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Connecting the AC a dapter

To connect the AC adapter:

1 If the battery is not installed, turn your notebook over so the bottom is

facing up.

-ORIf the battery is installed, go to Step 4.

2 Place the battery into the battery bay and press down until it snaps into

place.

3 Slide the battery lock into the locked position. 4 Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.

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

notebook or one of the same type purchased from Gateway.

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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Chapter 2: Getting Started

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

6 Plug the power cord into a wall outlet.

The battery charge indicator turns on (see “Keyboard area” on page 8 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.

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

notebook off and leave your notebook connected to AC power for at least 24 hours.

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

contact Gateway Technical Support at

support.gateway.com/support/ask_gateway.asp

Warning Do not attempt to disassemble the AC adapter. The

AC adapter has no user-replaceable or user-serviceable parts inside. The AC adapter has dangerous voltages tha t can cause serious i njury or de ath. Con tact Gatew ay about returning defective AC adapters.

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Connecting the AC a dapter

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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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Starting your notebook

To start your notebook:

1 Slide the latch on the front of your notebook to the left, then lift the LCD

panel.

2 Press the power button located to the right of the keyboard.

Power button

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 152.

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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Turning off your notebo ok

W aking up your notebook

When you do not use your notebook for several minutes, or if you close the LCD panel without turning your notebook off, it may enter a power-saving mode called Standby. While in Standby, the standby indicator lights.

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

power settings ” on page 15 2.

T urning off your notebook

To turn off your notebook:

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

opens.

2 Click Tu rn O f f . Windows shuts down and turns off your not ebook.

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

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

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

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 y our 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 Click 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 your notebook turns off: 1 Press and hold the po wer button for a bout five seconds,

then release it.

2 Unplug the power cord and re move the batt ery 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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Status indicators

Keyboard status indicators

Status indicators inform you of the status of the wireless Ethernet emitter, the current power status, when a drive is being used, and when a button has been pressed that affects how the keyboard is used.

Hard drive

Status indicators

Standby

Power

Wireless Ethernet

Indicator Icon Description

Battery charge

Caps lock

Pad lock

Wireless Ethernet

Power The LED shows your notebook’s power status.

The wireless Ethernet emitter is turned on.

■

LED on - not ebook is o n.

■

LED blinking - battery charge is very low.

■

LED off - not ebook is off .

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Indicator Icon Description

Standby The notebook is in Standby or Hibernate mode.

Media activity The hard drive, DVD/CD-RW, or DVD-RW/CD-RW drive is in use.

Battery charge The battery is charging.

Caps Lock Caps Lock is turned on.

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

key combinat ions” on p age 30.

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LCD panel status indicators

Status indicators inform you of the current power status and the status of the wireless Ethernet emitter.

Status indicators

Wireless Ethernet

Power

Standby

Indicator Icon Description

Wireless Ethernet

Power The LED shows your notebook’s power status.

Standby The notebook is in Standby or Hibernate mode.

The wireless Ethernet emitter is turned on.

■

LED on - not ebook is o n.

■

LED blinking - battery charge is very low.

■

LED off - not ebook is off .

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Using the keyboard

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 as signed alternate functions, 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 your notebook using a USB port. You do not need to shut down your notebook to connect a USB keyboard.

Function keys /System k eys

FN key

Windows key

Numeric keypad

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Application key

Navigation keys

Arrow keys/LCD brightness keys

Using the keyboard

Key types

The keyboard has several different types of keys. Some keys per form specific actions when pressed alone and other actions when pressed in combination with another key.

Key type Icon Description

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

programs. For example, pressing Each program uses diff erent function keys for di fferent purposes .

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

F1 may open help.

System keys Press these keys in combi nation with t he

specific actions. For more information, see “System key

combinations” on page30.

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

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

FN key t o perform

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

MUTE, STANDBY, or NUMLK) to perf orm a spec ific acti on.

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

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

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

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

turned on. Press

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

assistants in Windows.

Arrow keys Press these keys to mo ve the curs or up, do wn, right, or left. LCD bright ness

keys

Press these colored k eys in combin ation wit h the control the screen brightness.

FN+NUMLK to turn on the numeric keypad.

FN key to

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

System key combinations

When you press the FN key and a s ystem 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, then

press this system key...

NumLk

Scr Lk

Home

To...

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

page 151.

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

Turns the LCD panel backlight off to save power. Press any key to turn the LCD panel backlight on.

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

page 90.

Turn on PadLock so you can us e the nu meric keypa d. 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 programs.)

Move the cursor to the beginning of a line or document.

End

Move the cursor to the end of a line or document.

Increase the brightness of the display.

Decrease the brightness of the display.

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Multi-function b uttons

Multi-function buttons

Press the multi-function buttons to open the programs associated with them.

Wireless Ethernet

E-mail

Internet

Button Icon Press to...

Wireless Et hernet Turn the wirel ess Ether net emitt er on or off. F or more

information, see “Turning your wireless Ethernet emitter on or

off” on page 192.

E-mail Open your default e-mai l program.

Internet Open your default Web browser.

P1 This button is user-programmable. For more information about

programming the buttons, see “Programming the multi-function

buttons” on page 176.

P2 This button is user-programmable. For more information about

programming the buttons, see “Programming the multi-function

buttons” on page 176.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Using the EZ Pad touchpad

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

Left touchpad

button

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

Right touchpad button

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Touchpad

Using the EZ Pad touch pad

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

Using the touchpad

To... Do this...

Move the pointer on the scre en.

Select an object on the scre en.

Start a program or open a file or folder.

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

Move your f inger aro und on th e touchpad. If you run out of space and need to move the pointer farther, lift your finger, move it to the middle of the tou chp ad, then continue moving your finger.

Position the pointer over the object. Quickly pres s and release the left button once. This action is called clicking.

Position the pointer over the object. Press the left button twic e in rapid succession. T his action is called double-clicking.

Position the pointer over the object. Quickly pres s and release the right button on ce . Th is ac tio n is called right-clicking.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

To... Do this...

Move an object on the scre en.

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

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 174.

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Connecting the modem

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

Important 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 back

of your notebook.

2 Insert the oth er end of the modem cable into a telephone wa ll jack. The

modem will not work with digital or PBX telephone lines.

3 Start your notebook, then start your communications program.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Connecting to a wired Ethernet network

Y our notebook has a network jack tha t you can use to connect to a 10/100 wired Ethernet network.

Important Your notebook is equipped with built-in wireless Ethernet.

For information about connecting to a wired or wireless Ethernet network, see “Networking Your Gateway M505”

on page 179.

To connect to a wired Ethernet network:

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

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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Installing a printer, scanner, or other peri pheral device

Broadband Internet connections

Y ou can use your notebook’ s Ethernet jack for more than just netwo rking. Many broadband Internet connections, such as cable modems and DSL modems, connect to your notebook’s Ethernet jack. For more information, see “Using

the Internet” on page 67 and “Networking Your Gateway M505” on page 179.

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 no t ebook has one or more of the following ports: IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire ports to connect peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras to your notebook. For more information about port locations, see

“Checking Out Your Gateway M505” on page 1.

IEEE 1394 and USB ports support plug-and-play and hot-swapping, which means that your notebook 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 notebook 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 informa tion an d installa tion ins tructio ns.

or i.Link®), Universal Serial Bus (U SB), a nd p aralle l. You use these

Help and

Support

For more information about in stalling perip heral devices in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword installing devices in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Chapter 2: Getting Started

Using fast infrared

Your notebook’s fast infrared (FIR) port allows you to transfer data with other IR-equipped computers, peripheral devices, PDAs, and cellular telep hones.

To use FIR:

1 Position the two IR-equipped devices so their IR ports are no more than

one meter (three feet) apart and the ports are pointed at ea ch other.

Fast infrared port

2 Use your file transfer software to transfer data between the two devices.

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Getting Help

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

■ Help and Support

■ Do More With Gateway

■ Online help

■ Gateway Web site

Chapter 3: Getting Help

Help and Support

Your notebook includes Help and Support, an easily accessible collection of help information, troubleshooters, instructional videos, and automated support. Use Help and Support to answer question s about Windows.

To start Help and Support:

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

You can find help information by clicking a link, performing a search, or browsing the index.

Searching for a topic

To search for a topic in Help and Support, type a word or phrase (keyword) in

Search box located at the top of any Help and Support screen, then click

the the arrow button.

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

■ Suggested Topics - These topics are located in Help and Support and are

relevant to your search topic.

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

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 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 box.

Search box. You must be

Search Results list.

Do More With Gateway

Your notebook may include Do More With Gateway, a tool that provides additional information about using your Gateway notebook for digital music, digital photography, digital video, gaming, and other programs. To access Do More With Gateway in Windows XP , click Click the topics listed on the left-side of the page to learn more about the software already installed on your notebook as well as partnerships and special offers available through Gateway.

Start, then click Do More With Gateway.

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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

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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Gateway 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 i t e a t support.gateway.com the Internet, see “Using the Internet” on page 67.

. For more information about connecting to

Gateway Web site

Using eSupport

The eSupport site is divided into five major areas:

■ Support Home

■ Downloads

■ Contact Us

■ Account Info

■ PC Tools

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

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Chapter 3: Getting Help

Support Home

T o get spec ific informat ion about your notebook , type your serial number int o the My Suppo rt box, then click

. For more information, see “Finding your specifications” on page 12.

Click

Support Home, then click All Support Documents to access product

documentation, specifications, and guides. By entering your serial number, you get specific documents related to your notebook. You can also browse through the reference area to locate an article specific to the question you have.

Support Home, then click General Tutorials to access an ex tensive library

Click of how-to articles and videos on topics such as making audio CDs and installing a hard drive.

Downloads

Click Downloads, then click My Downloads to get the latest software updates for BIOS and driver upgrades. By entering your serial number you get drivers specific to your system. Click wizard to locate your driv ers.

Contact Us

Click Contact Us to access 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

numbers” on page 268.

Continue, or click Look up my serial number for

All Downloads to walk through a step-by-step

Call Us to get a list of Gateway telephone

Account Info

Click Account Info to access support for non-technical issues, like the status of your order or changing your account address.

PC T ools

Click PC Tools to access utilities to help you manage your notebook.

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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 ocu m e n ts

■ Use shortcuts

Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

About the Windows environment

After your notebook 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 rsonalized work space where you open programs and p erform other tasks.

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

Help and

Support

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

Type the keyword Windows desktop in the 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 notebook display containing the Start button on the left and a clock o n the right. Oth er buttons on th e 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. Y ou must empt y the Recycle Bin to permanen tly delete them from your notebook. Fo r instructio ns on how to use the R ecycle Bin, see “Deleting

files and folders” on page 54.

Using the desktop

Using the Start menu

You can s tart program s, ope n file s, 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 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 des ktop:

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 abo ut desktop ic ons in Wind ows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword desktop icons in the 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

Titl e ba r

Menu bar

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

Close Maximize Minimize

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

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

Window item Description

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

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 p rogram.

Clicking a n item on th e menu bar starts an action such as Print or Save.

Help and

Support

For more information about win dows in Windo wsXP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword window in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

Working with files and folders

You ca n organize your files and pr ograms to suit your preferen ces 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 and throw away information in a file cabinet.

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Working with files and folders

Viewing drives

Drives are like file cabinets because they hold files and folders. A notebook almost always has more than one drive. Each drive has a letter, usually Local Disk (C:) for the hard drive and 3 ½ Flopp y (A:) for the optional diskette drive. You may also have more drives such as a DVD/CD-RW.

To view the drives on your notebook:

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

Drives

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

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 Search box

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Show the contents of this drive.

, then click the arrow.

Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

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 notebook. In fact, all information on a notebook is stored in files.

Folders

Files

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 optional diskette drive. If you do not see the contents of the drive, click

contents of this drive

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

4 Click File, New, then click Folder. The new folder is created.

Show the

Show

or Show the contents of this folder.

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Working with files and folders

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 65.

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

Search box , then click the arrow.

Copying and moving files and folders

The skills you need to copy and move files are called copying, cutting, and pasting. When you copy and paste a file or folder, you place a copy of the file or folder

on the Windows clipboard, which temporarily stores it. Then, when you decide what folder you want the copy to go in (the destination folder), you paste it there.

When you cut and paste a file or folder, you remove the file or folder from its original location and place the file or folder on the Windows clipboard. When you decide where you want the file or folder to go, you paste it there.

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

or copy again. Then the clipboard contains the new information only. Therefore, you can paste copies of a file or folder into more than one place, but as soon as you co py 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 58 .

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.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

5 With the pointer inside the destination folder, right-click.

6 Click Paste. A copy of the file or folder appears in the new location.

To move a file or folder to another folder:

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

“Viewing drives” on page 51 and “Searching for files” on page 58 .

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-u p menu.

4 Open the destination folder.

5 With the pointer inside the destination folder, right-click.

6 Click Paste. The file or folder you moved appears in its new location and

is removed from its old location.

Help and

Support

For more information about 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 Search box

, then click the arrow.

Deleting files and folders

When you throw away paper files and folders, you take them from the file cabinet and put them in a trash can. Eventually the trash can is emptied.

In Windows, you throw away files and folders by first moving them to the Windows trash can, called the Recycle Bin, where they remain until you decide to empty the bin.

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

www.gateway.com

Working with files and folders

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 h ow to select multiple files and folders, see “Shortcuts ” on page 65.

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

page 58.

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 file s and folders in the Search box , then click the arrow.

To recov er files or folders from the Recycle Bin:

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

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

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

to select multiple files and folders, see “Shortcuts” on page 65.

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

to their original locations.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

To empty the Recycle Bin:

Caution Emptying the Recycle Bin permanently erases any files or

1 Double- clic k the Re cycle Bin icon on the d esktop. The Recycle Bin window

opens.

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

that you want to empty the bin.

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

folders in the bin. These files cannot be restored.

Help and

Support

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

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

Browsing for files and folders

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

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

www.gateway.com

Working with files and folders

To browse for a file:

1 Click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer window opens. 2 Double-click the drive or folder that you think contains the file or folder

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

the contents of this drive

or Show the contents of this folder.

Show

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 Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

Searching for files

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

■ Name or part of a name

■ Creation date

■ Modification date

■ File type

■ Text contained in the file

■ Time period in which it was created or modified

You can also combine sea rch criteria to refine se arches. Files and folders found using this utility can be opened, copied, cut, renamed,

or deleted directly from the list in the results window.

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Using the Windows Search utility

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

Searching for files

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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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

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

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

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

Help and

Support

For more information about s earc hi ng fo r fil es and f old ers in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword searching in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

Using advanced search opt ions

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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Working with documents

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

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 ume nt using Microsoft as WordPerfect, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.

For more information about using a program, click

WordPad. Similar procedures apply to other programs such

Help on its menu bar.

Creating a new document

To create a new doc ument:

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

WordPad starts and a blank document opens.

2 Begin co mposing your documen t. Use the me nus and toolbar buttons at

the top of the window to format the document.

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

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 Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Working with documents

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 Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

Printing a document

To print a document, you must have a printer connected to your notebook 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 open s.

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 Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

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 about shortcuts, see your Windows or program documentation.

To... Do this...

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

Shortcuts

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

the object, then press

Select multiple items in a list or window Click the first item, press and hold down the

then click each of the remaining items.

Select multiple adja cen t item 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 folder, press F2, type the new name, then

Close the active window or program Press Switch to a differe nt file, fo lder, or

running pro gram

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 Search box , then click the arrow.

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

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

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

press

ENTER. ALT + F4. ALT +TAB.

Press

CTRL + X.

CTRL + V.

CTRL key,

SHIFT + DELETE. The

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Chapter 4: Windows Bas ics

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Using the

Internet

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

■ Set up and access an Internet account using

America Online

■

Connect to a Web site using a browser

■ Download files from the Internet

■ Send and receive e-mail using America Online

Chapter 5: Using the 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 notebook 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 notebook 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

“Back” on page 5.

Internet Servers

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

Your computer connects to the Internet through an ISP.

ISP Servers let you connect to the Internet and access your e-m ail messages.

If you want to access the Internet you need:

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

servers using a telephone, DSL, or cable line.

www.gateway.com

Setting up an Internet acc ount

■ An I nternet service provider – a company that provides access to the

Internet through an ISP serve r. When you connect to an ISP, the ISP server lets you access the Internet and yo ur e-mail messages.

■ A Web browser – a pr ogra m that displays information from the World Wide

Web.

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

e-mail messages over the Internet.

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 noteboo k, contact the ISP directly.

If you set up an account with America Online, an Internet e-mail address is created for you. After completing the setup, you are ready to access the Internet.

To set up an Internet acc ount with America Online:

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

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

www.gateway.com

Chapter 5: Using the Inter net

Accessing your Internet account

To connect to y our 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 notebook dials the Internet a ccount telephone number . After

connecting, the Welcome window opens.

If you are using a service other than America Online, chec k 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

notebook disconnects from the Internet.

Important Make sure that your notebook 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 notebook.

If you are using a service other than America Online, chec k 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 Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Using the World Wide Web

The Wo rld 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 pag 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 browsers, like Microsoft Internet Explorer (which comes installed on your n ew notebook), Netscape Navigator, or the browser built into America Online.

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

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.

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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 notebook 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 notebook, 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 We b pages display.

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

Type t he keyword connecting to Web site in the 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 notebook.

T o protect your notebook agai nst viruses, make sure that y ou scan the files you download. For more information, see “Protecting your notebook from viruses”

on page 204.

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 th e folder where you want to store the file on your

notebook. For more information, see “Working with files and folders” on

page 50.

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 notebook. The time that it takes to transfer the file to your notebook depends on file size and Internet conditions.

6 Open the folder that yo u 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 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 co nsists of a user name, the @ symbol, and the Internet domain name of the Internet service provider (ISP) or company that “hosts” that user. Your e-mail address is assigned when you sign up for an account with an ISP. For example, a person with an account with America Online might have an e-mail address that is similar to this one:

jdoe@aol.com

User name I nternet do main name

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 recipi ent 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.

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Checking your e-mail

To check your e-mail using America Online:

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

For more information about managing and organizing your e-mail messages, see the online help in your e-mail program.

Using e-mail

Help and

Support

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

Type the keyword e-mail in the Search box

, then click the arrow.

www.gateway.com

Chapter 5: Using the Inter net

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Sending and

Receiving Faxes

Microsoft Fax lets you send and receive faxes using the modem. Read this chapt er to learn how to:

■ Install and configure Fax

■ Create and se nd a new fax

■ Set up a fax cover page template

■ Fax a document you scanne d or created in another

program

■ Receive, view, and print a fax

Help and

Support

For more information about sending and receiving faxes in WindowsXP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Fax in the Search box

, then click the arrow .

Chapter 6: Sending and Rec eiving Faxes

Installing and configuring Fax

Important Your modem cable must be installed before you ca n se nd

and receive faxe s. Y ou cannot use your st andard telephone modem to connect to the Internet while sending and receiving fa xes.

Installing Fax

Microsoft Fax lets you send and receive faxes using your modem. When Windows X P was originally installed on your notebook, Fax was not installed. You need to install Fax from your blue Operating System CD.

To install Fax:

1 Insert the blue Operat ing System CD in your DVD/CD-RW or

DVD-RW/CD-RW drive.

2 If the Welcome to Microsoft Windows XP dialog box opens, click Install

optional Windows components

. The Windows Components Wizard opens.

-ORIf the We lcome to Microsoft WindowsXP dialog box does not open, click

Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

Click/Double-click dialog box opens. Click Components Wizard opens.

Add and Remove Programs. The Add or Remove Programs

Add/Remove Windows Components. The Windows

3 Click Fax Services, then click Next.

4 Click Finish to exit the Windows Components Wizard.

5 Click Exit to close the Welcome to Microsoft Windows X P dialog box.

-ORClick

Close to close the Add or Remove Programs dialog box.

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Installing and con figuring Fax

Configuring Fax

Before you send your first fax, you need to set up your user information. Your fax cover sheets and fax h eaders contain this inform ation, some of which is required by law. The Fax Configuration Wizard opens the first time you try to send a fax.

Important The first time you run the Fax Configuration Wizard, you

may need to provide information in the Location Information and the Phone and Modem Options dialog boxes.

To configure Microsoft Fax:

1 Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, Fax, then click Fax

Console

2 On the Welcome to Fax Configuration Wizard screen, click Next. The Sender

Information screen opens.

. The Fax Configuration Wizard opens.

3 Type the information about yourself that you want to appear on your fax

cover page, th en click screen opens.

Next. The Select Device for Sending or Receiving Faxes

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Chapter 6: Sending and Rec eiving Faxes

4 Click the arrow to open the Please select the fax device list, then click the

modem you are using to send and receive faxes.

5 If you want the modem to automatically answer the telephone in order

to receive faxes, click the

6 Click Next. The Transmitting Subscriber Identification (TSID) screen opens.

7 Type the transmitting fax identifier information. This identifier

information is required by law. You can type up to 20 characters in the text box. We suggest using eight characters for your identifier name, followed by 12 characters for your telephone number.

Important Some fax machines cannot use special characters such

as hyphens. We sugg est using spaces in stead of hyphens in telephone and fax numbers.

Enable Receive check box.

8 Click Next.

9 If you set up your notebook to receive faxes, type the receiving fax

identifier information, then click required by law and can be the same identifier that you typed in Step 7. The Ro uting Op tions screen opens.

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Next. This identifier information is

Sending a simple fax

10 If you set up your notebook to receive faxes, select a folder you want to

store received faxes in and a printer yo u want to print receive d faxes on, then click

Next. The Configuration Summary screen opens.

11 Click Finish.

Sending a simple fax

You can use the Send Fax Wizard to send a simple one-page fax to one or more recipients.

To send a s imple fax:

1 Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, Fax, then click Send

a Fax

. The Send Fax Wizard opens.

2 On the W elcome to Fax Co nfiguration W izard screen, click Next. The Recipient

Information screen opens.

3 Type the name and fax number of the recipient of your fax. 4 If you need to use the area code for your recipient, click Use dialing rules

to type the full ten-digit fax number.

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Chapter 6: Sending and Rec eiving Faxes

5 If you want to send your fax to more than one recipient, click Add and

type the name and fax number of the next recipie nt.

6 When you have added all your recipients, click Next. The Preparing the Cov er

Page screen opens.

7 Click the arrow to open the Cover page template, then click the cover page

template you want to use.

8 Type the subject text in the Subject line area.

9 Type the message text in the Note area, then click Next. The Schedule screen

opens.

10 Select when you want to send the fax and a priority for the fax, then click

Next. The Completing the Send Fax Wi zard screen opens.

11 Click Finish.

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Setting up your cover page template

You can create your own cover page template that you can use in place of the cover page templates that Microsoft Fax provides for you. T o create a cover page template, you use the Fax Cover Page Editor. On this template, you insert information fields that automatically import values you enter in both the Send Fax Wizard and the Fax Configuration Wizard when you send your fax.

To set up y our fax cover page template:

1 Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, Fax, then click Fax

Cover Page Editor

Page Editor Tips dialog box opens, click

2 If you want to include fields that are imported from either the Send Fax

Wizard or the Fax Configuration Wizard (such as To or From), add them to the page by using the place on your template. You can also use the Insert menu to include information that is automatically calculated (such as number of pages or date and time sent).

. The Cover Page-Fax Cover Page Editor opens. If the Cover

OK.

Insert menu, then move them to the appropriate

3 If you want to include text that always appears on your cover page (such

as a letterhead or address), dr aw a box using the text box tool, type your text inside of it, then move the box to the appropriate place on yo ur template.

4 If you want to include a logo that appears on your cover page, copy it to

the Windows clipboard, then paste it into the Cover Page Editor a nd move it to the appropriate place on your template.

5 To save your cover page template, click File, then click Save As. The Save

As dialog box opens with your personal cover pag es folder already in the

Save in list.

6 Type the new cover page template name. 7 Click Save.

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Chapter 6: Sending and Rec eiving Faxes

Faxing from programs

To fax a document direc tly from most programs:

1 Open your document in the program it was created in.

2 Click File, then click Print. The Print dialog box open s.

3 Click the arrow button to open the Name list, then click the Fax printer.

4 Click Print or OK. The Send Fax Wizard opens.

5 Complete the wizard by following the instructions in “Sending a simple

fax” on page 81.

Faxing a scanned document

To fax a document that you hav e scanned:

1 Scan the document using the program for your scanner.

2 With the scanned file open, click File, then click Print. The Print dialog box

opens.

3 Click the arrow button to open the Name list, then click the Fax printer.

4 Click Print or OK. The Send Fax Wizard opens.

5 Complete the wizard by following the instructions in “Sending a simple

fax” on page 81.

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Receiving and vi ewing a fax

Receiving and viewing a fax

To receive and view a fax:

1 Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications, Fax, then click Fax

Console

incoming faxes and stores them in the Inbox.

. The Fax Console opens. When the Fax Console is open, it detects

2 To view a fax, click Inbox, then double-click the fax you want to view. The

fax viewer opens, where you can view and prin t the fax.

Canceling a fax

You can cancel a fax that you have set up to send at a time in the future.

To cancel a fax that has not been sent:

1 If Fax is not open, click Start, All Programs, Accessories, Communications,

Fax, then click Fax Console. The Fax Console opens.

2 Click Outbox, then right-click the fax you want to cancel. 3 Click Delete to cancel the fax. 4 Click Yes.

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Chapter 6: Sending and Rec eiving Faxes

Automatically retry sending a fax

You can set up Fax so it continues to try sending your fax if the receiving fax machine is busy.

Important Fax is automatically set up to retry three times at ten

minute intervals.

To automatically retr y sending a fax:

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

2 If your Control Panel is in Category View , click Printers and Other Hardware.

View installed printers or fax printers. The Printers and Faxes window

Click opens.

-ORIf your Control Panel is in Classic View , double-click the

icon. The Printers and Faxes window opens.

Printers and Faxes

3 Right-click Fax, then click Properties. The Fax Properti es dialog box opens.

4 Click the Devices tab, then click Properties. The Modem dialog box opens.

5 Specify the nu mber of retries and the amount of time between retries.

6 Click OK.

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Automatically canc elling a fax

Automatically cancelling a fax

If your notebook tried to send a fax and failed to connect to a fax machine, you can automatically cancel a failed fax.

To automatically cancel a failed fax:

1 Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. 2 If your Control Panel is in Category View , click Printers and Other Hardware.

View installed printers or fax printers. The Printers and Faxes window

Click opens.

-ORIf your Control Panel is in Classic View , double-click the

icon. The Printers and Faxes window opens.

Printers and Faxes

3 Right-click Fax, then click Properties. The Fax Properti es dialog box opens. 4 Click the Devices tab, then click Properties. The Modem dialog box opens. 5 Click the Cleanup tab. 6 Click to select the Automatically delete failed faxes after ch eck box and speci fy

the number of days.

7 Click OK.

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Chapter 6: Sending and Rec eiving Faxes

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Using Multimedia

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

■ Adjust the volume

■ Record and play audio files

■ Use Windows Media Player

■ Use the Audio/Video controls

■ Use a DVD/CD-RW or DVD-RW/CD-RW drive

■ Play CDs and DVDs

■ Create CDs

■ Use the memory card re ader or optional diskette drive

■ Attach a digital camera or digital video camera to your

notebook

■ View the display on a monitor, projector, or television

Chapter 7: Using Multim edia

Adjusting the volume

You can use th e volume c ontrols to ad just the overa ll volum e and the volume of specific sound devices in your notebook.

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 controls on the audio control panel. For more

information, see “Using the audio/video controls” on page 97.

-ORUse the mute button on the keyboard. For more information, see “System

key combinations” on page 30.

To adjust the overall volume level from Windows:

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

Control Panel is in Category View, click

2 Click/Double-click the Adj ust the sy stem volu me or Sounds and Audio

Devices

. The Sounds and Audio Devices Properties dialog box opens.

www.gateway.com

Sounds, Speech, and Audio Devices.

Gateway M505 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Contents

Front

Left side

Right side

Back

Bottom

Keyboard area

Identifying your model

Gateway model number

Gateway serial number

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

Finding your specifications

Accessories

Getting Started

Safety instructions

General tips

Using the battery

Using the AC adapter

Basic safety precautions

Protecting from power source problems

Starting your notebook

Turning off your notebo ok

W aking up your notebook

Restarting (rebooting) your notebook

Status indicators

Keyboard status indicators

LCD panel status indicators

Using the keyboard

Key types

System key combinations

Multi-function b uttons

Using the touchpad

Connecting the modem

Connecting to a wired Ethernet network

Installing a printer, scanner, or other peri pheral device

Broadband Internet connections

Using fast infrared

Getting Help

Help and Support

Searching for a topic

Do More With Gateway

Online help

Gateway Web site

Using eSupport

Support Home

Downloads

Contact Us

Account Info

PC T ools

Windows Basics

About the Windows environment

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 folders

Deleting files and folders

Browsing for files and folders

Searching for files

Using the Windows Search utility

Using advanced search opt ions

Working with documents

Creating a new document

Saving a document

Opening a document

Printing a document

Shortcuts

Learning about the Internet

Setting up an Internet acc ount

Accessing your Internet account

Downloading files

Using e-mail

Sending e-mail