Gateway ML3108, ML3109, ML3706, MT3410, MT3700 Quick Reference Guide

NOTEBOOK

REFERENCEGUIDE

®

Contents

Chapter 1: About This Reference. . . . . . . . . . . . 1

About this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Accessing your online User Guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Gateway contact information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Gateway model and serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Chapter 2: Checking Out Your Notebook . . . . . 5

Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Left . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Right . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Keyboard area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Chapter 3: Setting Up and Getting Started . . 13

Working safely and comfortably . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Reducing eye strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Setting up your computer desk and chair . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Sitting at your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain . 15

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

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

Connecting the dial-up modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Connecting to a broadband modem or network . . . . . . . . 19

Starting your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Waking up your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Turning off your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Restarting (rebooting) your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Using the status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Key types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

System key combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

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Contents

Using the EZ Pad touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Adjusting brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Turning your wireless radio on or off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

IEEE 802.11 wireless network radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Chapter 4: Using Drives and Accessories . . . . . 35

Using the CD or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Identifying drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Using a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Using the memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Memory card types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Inserting a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Using a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Removing a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Adding and removing an Express Card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40

Installing a printer or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . 41

Connecting a USB device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Viewing the display on a projector or monitor . . . . . . . . . . 42

Adjusting the display properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Using the projector or monitor for a presentation . . . . 44

Ordering accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Chapter 5: Managing Power. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Monitoring the battery charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Recharging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Replacing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Recalibrating the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Getting the most from your battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Maximizing battery performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Conserving battery power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Using alternate power sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Changing power modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Changing notebook power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Changing the power plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Changing advanced settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

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Chapter 6: Traveling with Your Notebook . . . 57

Packing your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Traveling by air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Dial-up modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Radio frequency wireless connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Additional tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Chapter 7: Maintaining Your Notebook . . . . . 63

Caring for your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 64

Cleaning your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Cleaning the notebook screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Maintaining the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Storing batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 67

Cleaning CDs or DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Recovering your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68

Recovering pre-installed software and drivers . . . . . . . 69

Using Microsoft System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Recovering your system to its factory condition . . . . . 78

Recovering your system using the Windows DVD . . . . 79

Chapter 8: Upgrading Your Notebook. . . . . . . 81

Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Adding or replacing memory modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 83

Replacing the hard drive kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86

Chapter 9: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 90

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

CD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 91

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Contents

Diskette drive (external) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92

DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94

Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

Express cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 95

File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 96

Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 97

Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 98

Media Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 99

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Modem (cable or DSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Modem (dial-up) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106

Networks (wired) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Networks (wireless) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Pointing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 112

Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

Touchpad or pointing device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Before calling Gateway Customer Care . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Appendix A: Legal Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . 117

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

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CHAPTER1

About This Reference

• About this guide

• Accessing your online User Guide

• Gateway contact information

• Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

• For more information

1

CHAPTER 1: About This Reference

About this guide

This guide includes information and maintenance instructions
that are specific to your model of Gateway notebook. For all
other notebook information, see your online User Guide.

Accessing your online User Guide

In addition to this guide, your online User Guide has been
included on your hard drive. Your User Guide is an in-depth,
easy-to-read manual that includes information on the
following topics:

• Help and technical support

• Using and customizing Windows and other software

• Using the Internet

• Protecting your files

• Playing and recording media

• Networking

To access your online User Guide:

• Click (Start), All Programs, then click Gateway

Documentation.

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Gateway contact information

Important

The labels shown in this sect ion are for informational purposes only. Label

information varies by model, features ordered, and location.

Gateway model and serial number

The label on the bottom of your notebook contains
information that identifies your notebook model and its
features. Gateway Customer Care will need this information
if you call for assistance.

Online Support:
Tech Support Phone:
Hours:
Model:
S/No:

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.

For more information

For more information about your notebook, visit Gateway’s
Support page at www.gateway.com
shown on your notebook’s label. The Support page also has
links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed
specifications.

or the Web address

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CHAPTER 1: About This Reference

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CHAPTER2

Checking Out Your Notebook

• Front

• Left

• Right

• Back

• Bottom

• Keyboard area

5

Front

CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook

LCD panel release latch

Microphone

Speaker Battery

Headphone

jack

jack

indicator

charge
indicator

SpeakerPower

Component Icon Description

LCD panel release
latch

Speakers Provide audio output when headphones or

Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack.

Headphone jack Plug amplified speakers or headphones into this

Power indicator

Battery charge
indicator

Press to open the LCD panel.

amplified speakers are not plugged in.

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

■

LED on - Notebook is on.

■

LED blinking - Notebook is in Sleep or Hybrid
Sleep mode.

■

LED off - Notebook is off.

■

LED blue - Battery is fully charged.

■

LED purple - Battery is charging.

■

LED blinking red - Battery charge is very low.

■

LED solid red - Battery is malfunctioning.
Important: This LED only lights up when your
notebook is connected to AC power or the
battery charge is very low.

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Ventilation fan Memory card

USB ports

Express Card
slot

reader

Component Icon Description

Ventilation fan Helps cool internal components.

USB ports Plug USB devices (such as a diskette drive, flash

Express Card slot Insert one Type 54 Express Card into this slot.

Memory card
reader

Warning: Do not work with the notebook
resting on your lap. If the air vents are blocked,
the notebook may become hot enough to harm
your skin.
Caution: Do not block or insert objects into
these slots. If these slots are blocked, your
notebook may overheat resulting in unexpected
shutdown or permanent damage to the
notebook.
Caution: Provide adequate space around your
notebook so air vents are not obstructed. Do
not use the notebook on a bed, sofa, rug, or
other similar surface.

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

For more information, see “Adding and

removing an Express Card” on page 40.

Insert a memory card from a digital camera,
MP3 player, PDA, or cellular telephone into the
memory card reader. For more information, see

“Using the memory card reader” on page 38.

The memory card reader supports Memory
Stick®, Memory Stick Pro®, Mini Secure
Digital®, MultiMediaCard™,
RS-MultiMediaCard™, and Secure Digital™
cards.

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Right

CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook

CD or DVD drive Modem

jack

jack

Monitor portEthernet

Component Icon Description

CD or DVD drive Insert CDs or DVDs into this drive. For more

Ethernet jack Plug an Ethernet network cable into this jack.

Modem jack Plug a dial-up modem cable into this jack. For

Monitor port Plug an analog VGA monitor or projector into

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

page 36. To determine the type of drive in your

notebook, examine the drive tray’s plastic cover
and compare the logo to those listed in

“Identifying drive types” on page 36.

The other end of the cable can be plugged into
a cable modem, DSL modem, or an Ethernet
network jack. For more information, see

“Connecting to a broadband modem or
network” on page 19.

more information, see “Connecting the dial-up

modem” on page 18.

this port. For more information, see “Viewing

the display on a projector or monitor” on
page 42.

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Back

Power connector Kensington lock slot

Component Icon Description

Power connector Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector.

Kensington™
lock slot

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

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CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook

Bottom

Hard drive bay

Memory
bay

Customer care/

system label

Battery lock

Component Icon Description

Battery latch

Battery

Battery lock Slide to unlock the battery. For more information, see

Customer
Care label

Memory bay Install a memory module into this bay. For more

Hard drive
bay

Battery latch Slide to release the battery. For more information, see

Battery Provides power when the notebook is not plugged

“Changing the battery” on page 49.

Includes the Customer Care contact information. For
more information, see “Gateway contact information”

on page 3.

information, see “Adding or replacing memory

modules” on page 83.

The hard drive is located in this bay. For more
information, see “Replacing the hard drive kit” on

page 86.

“Changing the battery” on page 49.

into AC power.

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Keyboard area

Keyboard

Power
button

Touchpad

Status indicators

Component Icon Description

Keyboard Provides all the features of a full-sized, computer

Power button Press to turn the power on or off. You can also

Status
indicators

Touchpad Provides all the functionality of a mouse. For more

keyboard. For more information, see “Using the

keyboard” on page 25.

configure the power button for Sleep/Resume mode.
For more information on configuring the power button
mode, see “Changing advanced settings” on page 55.

Inform you when a drive is in use or when a button
has been pressed that affects how the keyboard is
used. For more information, see “Using the status

indicators” on page 23.

information, see “Using the EZ Pad touchpad” on

page 29.

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CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook

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CHAPTER3

Setting Up and Getting Started

• Working safely and comfortably

• Connecting the AC adapter

• Connecting the dial-up modem

• Connecting to a broadband modem or

network

• Starting your notebook

• Turning off your notebook

• Restarting (rebooting) your notebook

• Using the status indicators

• Using the keyboard

• Using the EZ Pad touchpad

• Adjusting brightness

• Adjusting the volume

• Turning your wireless radio on or off

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CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

Working safely and comfortably

Before using your notebook, follow these general guidelines
for setting up a safe and comfortable work area and avoiding
discomfort and strain:

• Keep hands and arms parallel to the floor.

• Adjust the screen so it is perpendicular to your line of

sight.

• Place your feet flat on the floor or on a footrest.

• Although notebooks are sometimes called “laptops,” do

not use your notebook while it rests on your
unprotected lap. Notebook operating temperatures can
become quite high, increasing the risk of burns to your
legs. Instead, use a laptop desk to protect your legs.

• Do not use the notebook on any soft, conforming

surface, such as your lap, a blanket, carpet, or a sofa.
Soft surfaces can block your notebook’s ventilation
openings, leading to overheating, permanent damage
to your notebook, and fire danger. Instead, place your
notebook on a rigid, hard surface, and make sure that
you keep the ventilation openings on the sides clear.

War ning

Do not use your notebook on a soft surface, such as your lap,
a blanket, carpet, or a sofa. You must keep your notebook’s ventilation
openings clear of obstructions, or your notebook may overheat,
increasing the risk of fire and personal injury.

Reducing eye strain

Sunlight or bright indoor lighting should not reflect on the
screen or shine directly into your eyes.

• Position the computer desk and screen so you can avoid

glare on your screen and light shining directly into your
eyes. Reduce glare by installing shades or curtains on
windows, and by installing a glare screen filter.

• Use soft, indirect lighting in your work area. Do not use

your notebook in a dark room.

• Avoid focusing your eyes on your screen for long

periods of time. Every 10 or 15 minutes, look around
the room, and try to focus on distant objects.

• Where feasible, keep your head vertical while looking

at the screen. If you use an external keyboard, raise the
notebook so the top of its screen is no higher than eye
level.

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Setting up your computer desk and chair

When you are setting up your computer desk and chair, make
sure that the desk is the appropriate height and the chair helps
you maintain good posture.

• Select a flat surface for your computer desk.

• Adjust the height of the computer desk so your hands

and arms are positioned parallel to the floor when you
use the keyboard and touchpad. If the desk is not
adjustable or is too tall, consider using an adjustable
chair to control your arm’s height above the keyboard.

• Use an adjustable chair that is comfortable, distributes

your weight evenly, and keeps your body relaxed.

• Position your chair so the keyboard is at or slightly

below the level of your elbow. This position lets your
shoulders relax while you type.

• Adjust the chair height, adjust the forward tilt of the

seat, or use a footrest to distribute your weight evenly
on the chair and relieve pressure on the back of your
thighs.

• Adjust the back of the chair so it supports the lower

curve of your spine. You can use a pillow or cushion to
provide extra back support.

Sitting at your notebook

• Avoid bending, arching, or angling your wrists. Make

sure that they are in a relaxed position when you type.

• Do not slouch forward or lean far back. Sit with your

back straight so your knees, hips, and elbows form right
angles when you work.

• Take breaks to stand and stretch your legs.

• Avoid twisting your torso or neck.

Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain

• Vary your activities to avoid excessive repetition.

• Take breaks to change your position, stretch your

muscles, and relieve your eyes.

• Find ways to break up the work day, and schedule a

variety of tasks.

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CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

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 three hours for the battery to fully
charge.

War ning

Do not attempt to disassemble the AC adapter. The AC adapter has no
user-replaceable or user-serviceable parts inside. The AC adapter has dangerous
voltages that can cause serious injury or death. Contact Gateway about
returning defective AC adapters.

Caution

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.

Important

If the battery is not fully charged before you use your notebook on
battery power for the first time, the battery life may be much shorter than you
expect. If the battery life seems short even after being charged for three hours,
the battery may need to be recalibrated. For information on recalibrating the
battery, see “Recalibrating the battery” on page 50.

To connect the AC adapter:

1 Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.

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2 Connect the AC adapter to your notebook’s power

connector.

3 Plug the power cord into a wall outlet. The battery

charge indicator turns on (see “Front” on page 6 for the
location of the battery charge indicator). If the battery
charge indicator does not turn on, complete the
following steps until it turns on:

a Unplug the adapter from your notebook, then plug

it back in.

b Press FN+F1 to toggle the status lights on and off.

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

turn off your notebook and leave your notebook
connected to AC power until the battery charge
indicator turns blue.

Important

If the battery charge indicator does not turn blue after three
hours, contact Gateway Customer Care at the location shown on the
Customer Care label. For more information, see “Gateway contact

information” on page 3.

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CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

Protecting from power source problems

During a power surge, the voltage level of electricity coming
into your notebook can increase to levels 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.

War ning

High voltages can enter your notebook through both the power cord and
the modem connection. To protect your notebook and avoid electrical shock,
use 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.

Connecting the dial-up modem

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

War ning

To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger
telecommunications line cord.

18

To connect the modem:

1 Insert one end of the modem cable into the modem

jack on your notebook.

2 Insert the other end of the modem cable into a

telephone wall jack.

Important

The modem will not work with digital or PBX telephone lines.

www.gateway.com

Connecting to a broadband modem or network

Your notebook has a network jack that you can use to connect
to a cable or DSL modem or to a wired Ethernet network.

To connect to a cable or DSL modem or to a wired

Ethernet network:

1 Insert one end of the network cable into the network

jack on your notebook.

2 Insert the other end of the network cable into a cable

modem, DSL modem, or Ethernet network jack.

19

CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

Starting your notebook

War ning

Do not work with the notebook resting on your lap. If the air vents are
blocked, the notebook may become hot enough to harm your skin.

Caution

Provide adequate space around your notebook so air vents are not
obstructed. Do not use the notebook on a bed, sofa, rug, or other similar
surface.

To start your notebook:

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

the LCD panel.

2 Press the power button located above the keyboard.

Power button

20

Tip

For more information about changing the power button mode,

see “Changing advanced settings” on page 55.

3 If you are starting your notebook for the first time,

follow the on-screen instructions to select the language
and time zone and to create your first user account.

4 Attach and turn on any peripheral devices, such as

printers, scanners, and speakers.

Tip

For more information about connecting peripheral devices, see

“Installing a printer or other peripheral device” on page 41.

Tip

See the documentation that came with each device for its setup

instructions.

www.gateway.com

5 To open the main menu, click (Start). From that

menu, you can run programs and search for files. For
more information on using Windows, see “Using
Windows” and “Customizing Windows” in your online
User Guide.

Waking up your notebook

When you have not used your notebook for several minutes
or if you close the LCD panel without turning off your
notebook, it may enter a power-saving mode called Sleep.
While in Sleep mode, the power indicator flashes. If your
notebook is in Sleep mode, press the power button to “wake”
it up.

Tip

For more information about Sleep mode, see “Changing power modes”

on page 52.

Turning off your notebook

Putting your notebook into Sleep mode is the easiest way to
power down your notebook. Although it does not turn your
notebook completely off, it turns off or slows down most
system operations to save power. Sleep mode saves your
desktop layout so the next time you restore power, the
programs are laid out just as you left them. Waking your
notebook from a Sleep state is much faster than turning on
your notebook after it has been turned completely off.

Hibernate mode is an alternative to Sleep mode. In Hibernate
mode, your notebook is turned completely off. When you
wake your notebook from Hibernate mode, however, the
programs that were running when your notebook entered
Hibernate mode are running just as you left them.

To put your notebook to sleep:

• Click (Start), then click (power). The

notebook saves your session and partially shuts down
to save power.

-OR-

Press F

N+F3.

Tip

You can change the Sleep mode from the standard Sleep mode (default)
to Hybrid Sleep. For more information about Sleep mode, see “Changing power

modes” on page 52.

21

CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

To put your notebook into hibernation:

• Click (Start), click the arrow next to the lock icon,

then click Hibernate. The notebook saves your session
and shuts down to save power.

To turn off your notebook:

• Click (Start), click the arrow next to the lock icon,

then click Shut Down. The notebook turns off.

Important

If for some reason you cannot use the Shut Down option in
Windows to turn off your notebook, press and hold the power button
for about five seconds, then release it.

Restarting (rebooting) your notebook

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

To close unresponsive programs on your notebook:

1 Press CTRL+ALT+DEL.
2 Click Start Task Manager. The Windows Task Manager

dialog box opens.

3 Click the program that is not responding.
4 Click End Task.
5 Click X in the top-right corner of the Windows Task

Manager dialog box.

22

www.gateway.com

To restart your notebook:

• Click (Start), click the arrow next to the lock icon,

then click Restart. The notebook turns off, then turns
on again.

Important

If your notebook does not turn off immediately, complete the

following steps until the notebook turns off:

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

2. Unplug the power cord and remove the battery for more than 10
seconds.

Using the status indicators

Important

Status indicators vary by model and features ordered.

Important

If none of the indicators are on, you may need to press FN+F1 to toggle

the status indicators on.

Status indicators for select models

Status indicators inform you when a drive is being used or
when a button has been pressed that affects how the
keyboard is used. The status indicators are located below the
touchpad.

Wireless network

Caps lock

Scroll lock

Num lock

Hard drive

23

CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

A

1

A

1

Indicator Icon Description

Wireless
network
(optional)

■

LED on - Wireless IEEE 802.11 radio is
turned on.

■

LED off - Wireless IEEE 802.11 radio is
turned off.

■

Caps lock

Num lock

Scroll lock

Hard drive

LED on - Caps lock is turned on.

■

LED off - Caps lock is turned off.

■

LED on - Numeric keypad is turned on.

■

LED off - Numeric keypad is turned off.

■

LED on - Scroll lock is turned on.

■

LED off - Scroll lock is turned off.

■

LED blinking - Hard drive is being
accessed.

■

LED off - Hard drive is not being
accessed.

Status indicators for select models

Wireless network

Caps lock

Disc drive

Num lock

Hard drive

Indicator Icon Description

Wireless
network
(optional)

Caps lock

Num lock

■

LED on - Wireless IEEE 802.11 radio is
turned on.

■

LED off - Wireless IEEE 802.11 radio is
turned off.

■

LED on - Caps lock is turned on.

■

LED off - Caps lock is turned off.

■

LED on - Numeric keypad is turned on.

■

LED off - Numeric keypad is turned off.

24

www.gateway.com

Indicator Icon Description

Disc drive

Hard drive

■

LED on - Drive is in use.

■

LED off - Drive is not in use.

■

LED blinking - Hard drive is being
accessed.

■

LED off - Hard drive is not being
accessed.

Using the keyboard

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

Function keys/

System keys

Numeric

keypad

Navigation
keys

FN

key Windows key

Application key Arrow keys

Tip

You can attach an external keyboard to the notebook using a USB port.

You do not need to shut down the notebook to connect a USB keyboard.

25

Key types

1

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

CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

Key type Icon Description

Numeric keypad Use these keys to type numbers

Function keys Press these keys labeled F1 to F12

System keys Press these colored keys in

Navigation keys Press these keys to move the

FN key Press the FN key in combination

when the numeric keypad is

turned on. Press FN+ to turn on

the numeric keypad.

to perform actions in programs.
For example, pressing F1 may
open help.
Each program uses different
function keys for different
purposes. See the program
documentation to find out more
about the function key actions.

combination with the FN key to
perform specific actions. For more
information, see “System key

combinations” on page 27.

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

with a colored system key to
perform a specific action.

Windows key Press this key to open the

Application key Press this key for quick access to

Arrow keys Press these keys to move the

Windows Start menu. This key can
also be used in combination with
other keys to open utilities like
F (Search utility), R (Run utility),
and E (Computer window).

shortcut menus and help
assistants in Windows.

cursor up, down, right, or left.

26

www.gateway.com

System key combinations

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

Press and hold
FN

, then press

this system key...

To...

Toggle the status indicators on or off. For
more information, see “Using the status

indicators” on page 23.

Turn the optional IEEE 802.11 wireless
network radio on or off. For more
information, see “Wireless Ethernet
Networking” in your online User Guide.
Warning: Radio frequency wireless
communication can interfere with
equipment on commercial aircraft. Current
aviation regulations require wireless
devices to be turned off while traveling in
an airplane. IEEE 802.11 communication
devices are examples of devices that
provide wireless communication.

Enter Sleep mode or Hybrid Sleep mode.
Press the power button to leave Sleep
mode. For more information, see “Changing

notebook power settings” on page 54.

Toggle the notebook display in the
following order:

■

The LCD

■

An external monitor or projector (a
monitor or projector must be plugged
into the monitor port on your notebook)

■

Both displays at the same time
For more information, see “Viewing the

display on a projector or monitor” on
page 42.

Play or pause the CD or DVD.

Stop playing the CD or DVD.

27

CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

Press and hold
FN

, then press

this system key...

To...

Skip back one CD track or DVD chapter.

Skip ahead one CD track or DVD chapter.

Increase the brightness of the display.

Decrease the brightness of the display.

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

page 32.

Increase volume. For more information, see

“Adjusting the volume” on page 32.

28

Decrease volume. For more information,
see “Adjusting the volume” on page 32.

www.gateway.com

Using the EZ Pad touchpad

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

Left button Right button

When you move your finger on the touchpad, the pointer
(arrow) on the screen moves in the same direction. You can
use the scroll zone to scroll through documents. Use of the
scroll zone may vary from program to program.

Scroll
zone

Touchpad

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

Tip

You can attach a mouse to the notebook using a USB port. You do not

need to shut down the notebook to connect a USB mouse.

29

CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

Tip

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 m ouse, touchpad, or pointing device settings” in your online User
Guide.

Tip

You may have received your notebook with the EZ Pad touchpad set to
only accept clicking by using the touchpad buttons. You can change this feature
to allow tapping on the touchpad to simulate clicking the left button. For more
information, see “Changing the mouse, touchpad, or pointing device settings”
in your online User Guide.

To... Do this...

Move the
pointer on
the screen.

Select an
object on the
screen.

Start a
program or
open a file or
folder.

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

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

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

30

To... Do this...

www.gateway.com

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

Move an
object on the
screen.

Adjusting brightness

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

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

To adjust screen brightness:

• Use the increase brightness and decrease brightness

keys on the keyboard. For more information, see

“System key combinations” on page 27.

-OR-

Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories

, then click

Windows Mobility Center. The Windows Mobility

Center window opens. Slide the Brightness control to
the desired screen brightness.

Tip

For more information about the Windows Mobility Center, see

“Using the Windows Mobility Center” in your online User Guide.

31

CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

Adjusting the volume

You can use the volume control to adjust the overall volume
of 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.

-OR-

Use the mute and volume control buttons on the
keyboard. For more information, see “System key

combinations” on page 27.

-OR-

Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories

Windows Mobility Center. The Windows Mobility
Center window opens. Slide the Volume control to the

desired volume level.

Tip

For more information about the Windows Mobility Center, see

“Using the Windows Mobility Center” in your online User Guide.

, then click

32

To adjust the volume from Windows:

1 Click (Volume) on the taskbar. The volume control

slider opens.

2 Click and drag the slider up to increase volume and

down to decrease volume.

3 To mute the volume, click (Mute). To restore volume,

click it again.

www.gateway.com

4 To adjust device volume levels, click Mixer. The Volume

Mixer dialog box opens, where you can click and drag

sliders for individual devices.

Tip

Adjust the Windows Sounds slider to change system sounds
volume independently of general volume (such as the volume used for
music and game sounds).

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

Turning your wireless radio on or off

Your Gateway notebook may have a factory-installed wireless
radio.

War ning

Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere with equipment
on commercial aircraft. Current aviation regulations require wireless devices to
be turned off while traveling in an airplane. IEEE 802.11 communication devices
are examples of devices that provide wireless communication.

War ning

In environments where the risk of interference to other devices or
services is harmful or perceived as harmful, the option to use a wireless device
may be restricted or eliminated. Airports, hospitals, and oxygen or flammable
gas laden atmospheres are limited examples where use of wireless devices may
be restricted or eliminated. When in environments where you are uncertain of
the sanction to use wireless devices, ask the applicable authority for
authorization prior to using or turning on the wireless device.

33

CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

IEEE 802.11 wireless network radio

Your notebook may have an IEEE 802.11 radio for
communicating with other computers on a wireless Ethernet
network.

To turn the wireless IEEE 802.11 radio on or off:

• Press FN + F2. The wireless status indicator turns on or

off. For the location of the wireless status indicator, see

“Using the status indicators” on page 23.

-OR-

Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories

Windows Mobility Center. The Windows Mobility
Center window opens. Click Turn wireless on or Turn

wireless off.

Tip

For more information about using your notebook on a wireless network,

see “Wireless Ethernet Networking” in your online User Guide

, then click

34

CHAPTER4

Using Drives and Accessories

• Using the CD or DVD drive

• Using the memory card reader

• Adding and removing an Express Card

• Installing a printer or other peripheral device

• Viewing the display on a projector or

monitor

• Ordering accessories

35

CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories

Using the CD or DVD drive

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

Identifying drive types

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

If your drive has this
logo...

This is your drive
type...

CD drive

DVD drive

Combination
DVD/CD-RW drive

Use your drive for...

Installing programs,
playing audio CDs, and
accessing data. You
cannot use this drive to
create CDs or DVDs or play
DVDs.

Installing programs,
playing audio CDs, playing
DVDs, and accessing data.
You cannot use this drive
to create CDs or DVDs.

Installing programs,
playing audio CDs, playing
DVDs, accessing data, and
recording music and data
to recordable CDs. You
cannot use this drive to
create DVDs.

36

www.gateway.com

If your drive has this
logo...

ROM/R/RW

This is your drive
type...

Multi-format double

±

layer DVD

RW drive

Use your drive for...

Installing programs,
playing audio CDs, playing
DVDs, accessing data,
recording music and data
to CD-R or CD-RW discs,
and recording video and
data to DVD-R, DVD+R,
DVD-RW, DVD+RW, or
double layer DVD+R or
DVD-R discs.
Note: To use the double
layer capability of the
double layer recordable
DVD drive, the blank DVDs
you purchase must state
Double Layer, Dual Layer,
or DL. Using other types
of blank media will result
in less capacity.

37

CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories

Using a CD or DVD

[

Eject button

Manual eject hole

Important

DVD discs and drives contain regional codes that help control DVD title
exports and help reduce illegal disc distribution. To be able to play a DVD, the
disc’s regional code and your DVD drive’s regional code must match.

The regional code on your DVD drive is determined by your notebook’s delivery
address. The regional code for the United States and Canada is 1. The regional
code for Mexico is 4. Your DVD drive’s regional code must match the regional
code of the disc. The regional code for the disc is on the disc, disc
documentation, or packaging.

Important

When you place a single-sided disc in the tray, make sure that the label
side is facing up. If the disc has two playable sides, place the disc so the name
of the side you want to play is facing up.

Tip

For information about cleaning a CD or DVD, see “Cleaning CDs or DVDs”

on page 68.

To insert a CD or DVD:

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

tray opens slightly, pull the disc tray completely open.

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

press down carefully on the disc until it snaps into place.

3 Push the tray in until it is closed.

Using the memory card reader

You can use memory cards to transfer pictures from a digital
camera to your notebook. You can also use the memory card
reader to transfer data between your notebook and a device
that uses memory cards, such as a PDA, MP3 player, or cellular
telephone.

38

www.gateway.com

Memory card types

The memory card reader supports Memory Stick®, Memory
Stick Pro®, MultiMediaCard™, Secure Digital™, Mini Secure
Digital™, and RS-MultiMediaCard™.

Important

RS-Multimedia Card and Mini Secure Digital cards require the use of an

adapter that is available with the media.

Inserting a memory card

To insert a memory card:

• Insert the memory card into the memory card slot with

the label facing up and the arrow on the label pointing
towards the notebook.

Using a memory card

To access a file on a memory card:

1 Click (Start), then click Computer.
2 Double-click the drive letter (for example, the E: drive),

then double-click the file name.

Removing a memory card

Important

Do not use the remove hardware icon in the taskbar to remove
the memory card. If you use the remove hardware icon, your notebook may
not recognize your memory card reader until you restart your notebook.

To remove a memory card:

1 Push the memory card into the notebook. The memory

card pops out slightly.

2 Pull the memory card out of the notebook.

39

CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories

Adding and removing an Express Card

Your notebook has a Express Card slot. This slot accepts one
Type 54 Express Card. You do not need to restart your
notebook when changing most cards because your notebook
supports hot-swapping. Hot-swapping means that you can
insert an Express Card while your notebook is running. If your
Express Card does not work after hot-swapping, see the
Express Card manufacturer’s documentation for further
information.

To insert an Express Card:

• Push the card firmly into the Express Card slot,

label-side up, until the outer edge of the card is flush
with the side of your notebook.

40

To remove an Express Card:

1 Turn off your convertible notebook, then go to Step 5.

-OR-

Double-click the remove hardware icon in the
taskbar. The Safely Remove Hardware dialog box
opens.

Important

If the remove hardware icon does not appear on the taskbar, click

the show hidden icons button.

2 Click the PC Card name then click Stop. The Stop a

Hardware device dialog box opens.

3 Click the PC Card name then click OK. The Safe to

Remove Hardware dialog box opens.

4 Click OK.
5 Pull the Express Card out of your notebook.

www.gateway.com

Installing a printer or other peripheral device

Your notebook has Universal Serial Bus (USB) ports. You use
these ports to connect peripheral devices such as printers,
scanners, and digital cameras to your notebook.

Important

Before you install a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device, see the
device documentation and installation instructions.

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 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.

Help

For more information about installing peripheral devices, click Start,
then click Help and Support. Type the keyword installing devices in the
Search Help box, then press E

Connecting a USB device

NTER.

Your notebook has USB ports for connecting devices such as
a diskette drive, flash drive, printer, scanner, camera,
keyboard, or mouse.

Important

USB devices may have special installation instructions. See your USB
device’s installation guide.

Important

For more information about using the USB port on your device, see your
device’s documentation.

To connect your USB device to your notebook:

1 Connect one end of the USB cable to your device.
2 Connect the other end of the cable to a USB

port on your notebook.

Tip

For the location of the USB ports on your notebook, see “Left”

on page 7.

41

CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories

Viewing the display on a projector or monitor

You can use your notebook for giving presentations by
connecting an external monitor or projector to your monitor
(VGA) port. Your notebook supports simultaneous LCD and
external display. Simultaneous display lets you control the
presentation from your notebook at the same time as you face
your audience.

To use a projector or external monitor:

1 Turn off your notebook.
2 Plug the projector or monitor cable into the VGA

port on your notebook.

Tip

For the location of the VGA port on your notebook, see “Right”

on page 8.

3 Turn on your notebook.
4 Plug the projector’s or monitor’s power cord into an

AC power source and turn it on.

Windows recognizes the new hardware and the New
Display Detected dialog box opens.

5 Select the options for the projector or external monitor,

then click OK.

6 Press FN+F4 to switch between viewing the display on

the LCD panel, viewing the display on the projector or
monitor, and viewing the display on both the LCD panel
and the projector or monitor.

Important

If an external monitor or projector is connected and you close
the LCD panel, your notebook may turn off the LCD panel, but will not
enter Sleep mode.

Adjusting the display properties

If the image on the projector or monitor does not appear
correctly, or if you want to use the display as an extension
of your notebook desktop, you should adjust the display
properties on the projector or external monitor.

42

www.gateway.com

To adjust the display properties on a projector or external

monitor:

1 Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories, then click

Windows Mobility Center. The Windows Mobility
Center window opens.

Tip

For more information about the Windows Mobility Center, see

“Using the Windows Mobility Center” in your online User Guide.

2 Click (Change display settings). The Display

Settings dialog box opens.

3 Click monitor 2.
4 Adjust properties such as Resolution or Colors if

necessary.

5 To use the external monitor or projector as a “mirror”

(duplicate) of the notebook display (both displays have
the same content), click to deselect the check box for
Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor.

6 To use the external monitor or projector as an extension

of your desktop (increasing the size of your Windows
desktop), click to select the check box for Extend my
Windows desktop onto this monitor. You can click
and drag the “2” monitor icon to position it the same
way the physical monitor is arranged on your desk.

7 Click OK.

43

CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories

Using the projector or monitor for a presentation

You can configure your notebook so the settings are correct
each time you give a presentation.

To use a projector or external monitor for a

presentation:

1 Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories, then click

Windows Mobility Center. The Windows Mobility
Center window opens.

Tip

For more information about the Windows Mobility Center, see
“Using the Windows Mobility Center” in your online User Guide.

2 Click (Change presentation settings). The

Presentation Settings dialog box opens.

44

3 Adjust properties such as Turn off screen saver and

Set the volume to if necessary.

4 Click OK.
5 Click Turn on to turn on the presentation settings. When

you are finished giving the presentation, click Turn off
to return to your standard notebook settings.

www.gateway.com

Ordering accessories

To order accessories, visit the Accessory Store at

www.gateway.com

localities.

Automobile/airplane power adapters

With an automobile/airplane power adapter, you can save
battery power by plugging your notebook into an automobile
cigarette lighter or an airplane in-flight power receptacle.

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 the

battery” on page 49 for more information about using an

additional battery.

Carrying cases

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

Hard drives

If you want to increase your internal storage space, try
replacing your existing hard drive with a larger drive. See

“Replacing the hard drive kit” on page 86 for more

information.

Memory

Large programs, such as multimedia games or graphics
programs, use a lot of memory. If your programs are running
more slowly than you think they should, try adding more
memory. See “Adding or replacing memory modules” on

page 83 for more information.

. Accessories may not be available in all

Printers

You can attach almost any type of printer to your notebook.
The most common types are inkjet and laser printers, which
print in color or black and white.

Inkjet printers and cartridges are relatively inexpensive, but
they are slower than laser printers. Using an inkjet color
printer, you can print pictures, banners, and greeting cards,
as well as documents.

Laser printers and cartridges are more expensive, but they
print much faster than inkjet printers. Laser printers are better
than inkjet printers when you are printing large documents.

45

CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories

USB flash drive

Use a USB flash drive for storing files or transferring files to
another computer.

46

CHAPTER5

Managing Power

• Monitoring the battery charge

• Recharging the battery

• Changing the battery

• Recalibrating the battery

• Getting the most from your battery

• Changing notebook power settings

47

CHAPTER 5: Managing Power

Monitoring the battery charge

Your new Gateway notebook is designed to provide an
exceptional balance of performance and portability. Your
notebook uses the latest chipset and mobile processor
technologies to manage the processor speed and power
consumption for a greater battery life experience. This design
provides you with maximum performance when plugged into
AC power balanced with optimized battery life when on
battery power.

Closely monitor the battery charge. When the battery charge
gets low, change the battery or connect to AC power
immediately to prevent losing any unsaved work. To monitor
the battery charge:

• Move the mouse pointer over the power cord icon

or battery icon in the taskbar. A message appears
showing the remaining battery time and the current
power plan.

• Wait for a Low Battery warning message to appear.

• Look at the battery charge status indicator.

If your battery charge indicator displays what looks like
an inaccurate charge, you may need to recalibrate the
battery.

Tip

For more information about the battery charge status indicator,
see “Using the status indicators” on page 23.

Tip

For more information about recalibrating the battery, see

“Recalibrating the battery” on page 50.

Recharging the battery

The battery recharges while it is installed and your notebook
is connected to AC power. While the battery recharges, the
battery charge indicator turns on.

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Changing the battery

Replacing the battery

War ning

Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced.

Replace only with a battery specifically manufactured for your Gateway
notebook. Discard used batteries according to local hazardous material
regulations.

The battery used in this device may present a fire or chemical burn hazard if
mishandled. Do not disassemble, heat above 212°F (100°C), or incinerate.
Dispose of used batteries promptly. Keep away from children.

Caution

If your notebook is connected to AC power, you can change the battery
while the notebook is turned on. If your notebook it is not plugged into an AC
outlet, you must turn the notebook off while changing the battery.

To replace the battery:

1 If your notebook is on and is connected to AC power,

go to Step 2.

-OR-

If your notebook is on and is not plugged into an AC
outlet, save your work and turn off the notebook.

2 Turn your notebook over so the bottom is facing up.
3 Slide the battery lock to the unlocked position.

4 Slide the battery release latch.

49

CHAPTER 5: Managing Power

5 Slide the battery out of the notebook.

6 Slide a battery into the notebook until it snaps into

place.

7 Slide the battery lock to the locked position.
8 Turn your notebook over.
9 Open the LCD panel.

Recalibrating the battery

Important

Do not interrupt the battery recalibration process. If recalibration is

interrupted, you must start the process over again.

50

If your notebook unexpectedly goes into Sleep mode while
you are using it but the battery charge is not low, you may
need to recalibrate your battery. You should also recalibrate
the batteries periodically to maintain the accuracy of the
battery gauges.

To recalibrate the battery:

1 Connect your notebook to AC power and let the battery

charge completely.

2 Disconnect the AC power and restart your notebook.
3 Completely discharge the battery.
4 After the battery is completely drained, reconnect your

notebook to AC power.

5 Charge the battery completely until the battery status

indicator turns blue.

Important

If, after completing this procedure, the battery charge indicator still does
not show an accurate charge, contact Gateway Customer Care at the location
shown on the Customer Care label. For more information, see “Gateway contact

information” on page 3.

www.gateway.com

Getting the most from your battery

Maximizing battery performance

To get maximum performance from your notebook battery,
we recommend that you initially condition (fully charge and
discharge) your new battery a few times during the first
several weeks of use, to let it reach its maximum rated
capacity.

Over the long term, use the battery at least once a month,
even it was kept in a cool, dry place for storage, but avoid
frequent full discharges because this puts additional strain on
the battery. Several partial discharges with frequent
recharges are better for a lithium-ion battery than one
complete discharge, and recharging a partially charged
lithium-ion battery does not cause harm because there is no
memory.

Conserving battery power

To conserve power while using the battery to power your
notebook:

• Turn off wireless networking.

• Dim the display as low as is comfortable.

• Disconnect all external devices, like USB devices, and

optical drives.

• Remove Express Cards when you do not need them.

Many Express Cards use a small amount of power while
inserted, even if they are not being used.

• Select the Power saver power plan to get maximum

power savings.

Tip

For more information about using power plans, see “Changing

notebook power settings” on page 54.

• Close the LCD panel to turn off the display while you

are not using your notebook. The display stays off until
you open the panel again.

• Use Hibernate mode for maximum power savings while

your notebook is not in use.

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CHAPTER 5: Managing Power

• Use the notebook touchpad instead of an external

mouse.

• Decrease or mute speaker volume.

• Turn off all scheduled tasks.

• Turn off auto-save features in Microsoft Office and

other applications.

• Copy programs from CDs or DVDs to the hard drive so

you do not use battery power by running optical drives.

• Use the CD or DVD drive only when necessary. This drive

uses a large amount of power.

• Recharge the battery often, take an extra battery, and

fully recharge the battery before traveling. For more
information, see “Recharging the battery” on page 48.

Tip

For more information about traveling with your notebook, see

“Traveling with Your Notebook” on page 57.

Using alternate power sources

To extend battery life, use alternate power sources whenever
possible.

• If traveling internationally, take electrical adapters. Save

the battery for times when you cannot use a power
adapter. If you plan on taking your AC power adapter,
also take a single-plug surge protector.

• If you will have access to an EmPower™ in-flight power

receptacle, an automobile power outlet, or an
automobile cigarette lighter, use an airplane/
automobile power adapter or power inverter. Save the
battery for times when you cannot use a power adapter.

• To find AC power outlets in airports, look for them next

to support pillars, in large areas such as boarding gates,
and under banks of telephones.

Changing power modes

You can use the following power modes to lengthen the life
of your notebook’s battery:

• Sleep - while your notebook is in Sleep mode, it switches

to a low power state where devices, such as the display
and drives, turn off.

52

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• Hibernate - (also called save to disk) writes all current

memory (RAM) information to the hard drive, then turns
your notebook completely off. The next time you turn
on your notebook, it reads the memory information
from the hard drive and opens the programs and
documents that were open when you activated
Hibernate mode.

• Hybrid Sleep - while your notebook is in Hybrid Sleep

mode, it switches to a low power state where devices,
such as the display and drives, turn off similar to Sleep
mode. The notebook also writes all current memory
(RAM) information to the hard drive similar to Hibernate
mode. If your notebook experiences a power outage
while in Hybrid Sleep mode, the notebook reads the
memory information from the hard drive and opens the
programs and documents that were open when you
activated Hybrid Sleep mode. If the notebook does not
experience a power outage while in Hybrid Sleep mode,
it restarts using the information in current memory,
thus reducing startup time. You must turn on Hybrid
Sleep mode to use it. For more information, see

“Changing advanced settings” on page 55.

Using power saving modes

Always save your work before using Sleep mode. In Sleep
mode, your notebook reduces or turns off the power to most
devices except memory. However, the information in memory
is not saved to the hard drive. If power is interrupted, the
information is lost.

When in Hibernate mode, your notebook saves all memory
information to the hard drive, then turns the power
completely off.

If your notebook
is...

On Enter Sleep or

On Enter Hibernate

In Sleep, Hybrid
Sleep, or Hibernate
mode

...and you want
to...

Hybrid Sleep
mode

mode

Exit Sleep,
Hybrid Sleep, or
Hibernate mode

...then

Press FN+F3.

Click (Start), click
the arrow next to the
lock icon, then click
Hibernate.

Press the power
button.

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CHAPTER 5: Managing Power

Changing notebook power settings

You can change the function of your notebook’s power
button, Sleep system key, and power-saving timers by
changing power settings on your notebook.

You can customize power settings from the Windows Mobility
Center by selecting power plans and adjusting advanced
power settings.

Changing the power plan

Power plans (groups of power settings) let you change power
saving options such as when the display or hard drive is
automatically turned off. You can select one of the defined
power plans or create a custom power plan.

Three power plans are pre-defined for you:

• Balanced - This is the default power plan which

balances performance and battery life.

• Power saver - This power plan sacrifices performance

in order to extend battery life. Use this plan if you will
be away from AC power outlets for an extended period
of time. Your programs may run slower than you are
accustomed to under the other two power plans.

• High performance - This power plan sacrifices battery

life in order to gain performance. Use this plan if you
need additional computing power for your program.
Your battery may not last as long as you are
accustomed to under the other two power plans.

54

www.gateway.com

To change the power plan:

1 Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories, then click

Windows Mobility Center. The Windows Mobility
Center window opens.

2 Click (Change power settings). The Select a power

plan window opens.

3 Select the power plan you want to use.

- OR -

Click Change plan settings, modify the power plan you
selected, then click Save changes.

Help

For more information about changing the power plan, click

Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword power plan
in the Search Help box, then press E

Changing advanced settings

Advanced power settings let you assign different power
saving modes to the power button and Sleep system key. You
can also select which power saving mode is activated when
you close the LCD panel.

To change advanced power management settings:

1 Click (Start), All Programs, Accessories, then click

Windows Mobility Center. The Windows Mobility
Center window opens.

NTER.

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CHAPTER 5: Managing Power

2 Click (Change power settings). The Select a power

plan window opens.

3 Click a setting on the left side of the screen that you

want to change. The top three settings are not tied to
a power plan. The bottom three settings modify the
currently selected power plan.

Help

For more information about changing the power

management settings, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type
the keyword power management in the Search Help box, then
press E

NTER.

56

To turn on Hybrid Sleep mode:

1 On the Select a power plan window, click Change plan

settings for the plan you are using. The Change settings
for the plan window opens.

2 Click Change advanced power settings. The Power

Options dialog box opens.

3 Click the + in front of Sleep, then click the + in front of

Allow hybrid sleep.

4 Change the values to On for On battery and Plugged

in.

Help

For more information about hybrid sleep, click Start, then click

Help and Support. Type the keyword hybrid in the Search Help

box, then press E

NTER.

CHAPTER6

Traveling with Your Notebook

• Packing your notebook

• Traveling by air

• Dial-up modem

• Radio frequency wireless connections

• Files

• Security

• Power

• Additional tips

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CHAPTER 6: Traveling with Your Notebook

Packing your notebook

• Remove all peripheral devices and cables. Remember to

pack those you will need while traveling.

• Pack your notebook securely into a briefcase or

hand-carried luggage, and keep it separate from
toiletries, liquids, and food. Do not pack it in checked
luggage.

• Keep your notebook stable during travel. Secure it to

prevent it from sliding around in overhead bins and car
trunks.

Traveling by air

• Do not check your notebook as luggage.

• Charge the battery in case airport security asks you to

start your notebook.

• Have your notebook hand-inspected or sent through

the X-ray scanner, but never carry it through the metal
detector.

• Turn off you notebook for takeoff and landing.

• Turn off all wireless devices while in the aircraft.

Dial-up modem

• Take a telephone cord to connect the modem to

telephone jacks. If you are traveling internationally, take
telephone jack adapters or an acoustic handset coupler.

• Take a telephone line protector.

• Take a telephone line tester to check for unsafe lines,

especially if you are traveling internationally.

• Take remote access information with you so you can

connect to your ISP while outside of your usual calling
area. A list of country dialing codes may be especially
useful if you are traveling internationally.

58

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Radio frequency wireless connections

Important

If your notebook came equipped with an internal embedded wireless
device, see “Legal Information” on page 117 for general wireless regulatory
guidelines.

• Every country has different restrictions on the use of

wireless devices. If your notebook is equipped with a
wireless device, check with the local radio approval
authorities prior to your trip for any restrictions on the
use of a wireless device in the destination country.

• Wireless communication can interfere with equipment

on commercial aircraft. Current aviation regulations
require wireless devices to be turned off while traveling
in an airplane. IEEE 802.11 communication devices are
examples of devices which use wireless to
communicate.

Tip

For more information about turning your wireless device on or

off, see “Turning your wireless radio on or off” on page 33.

Files

• Copy your working files from your desktop computer

to your notebook before you travel.

• If you need to access your desktop computer files from

your notebook while traveling, set up your desktop
computer for remote access. Contact your network
administrator for more information about remote
access.

• Take extra recordable media for transferring files

between computers and backing up files.

59

Security

• Get a locking cable for your notebook so you can attach

• Always keep your notebook with you while waiting in

• Write down your notebook model number and serial

• Whoever sits next to you or behind you can see your

• Use a startup password to restrict access to your

CHAPTER 6: Traveling with Your Notebook

a cable lock and leave your notebook in your hotel room
while you are away.

airports, train stations, or bus terminals. Be ready to
claim your notebook as soon as it passes through the
X-ray machine in security checkpoints.

number (located on the bottom of your notebook) in
case of theft or loss, and keep the information in a safe
place. Also, tape your business card or an address label
to your notebook and accessories.

notebook display. Avoid working with confidential files
until you can be sure of privacy.

notebook. The startup password is set using the BIOS
utility.

Caution

Use a password that you can remember, but that is difficult for
someone else to guess. The password feature is very secure, with no
easy way to recover a forgotten password. If you forget your password,
you must return your notebook to Gateway for service.

60

To create a startup password:

1 Restart your notebook. As soon as you see a startup

screen, press F2. The BIOS Setup utility opens.

2 Open the Security menu, highlight Set Supervisor

Password, then press E

instructions. You must set the supervisor password
in order to set the user (startup) password.

Important

You must enter the Supervisor Password each time you use

the BIOS Setup utility.

NTER and follow the

3 Highlight Set User Password, then press ENTER and

follow the instructions. This is the password you
need to enter at startup.

Important

You must enter the User Password each time you turn on
your notebook if it was turned off or put in hibernate mode. You
do not need to enter the User Password if your notebook was put
in Sleep mode.

Power

www.gateway.com

4 Highlight Password on boot, then press ENTER.
5 Highlight Enabled, then press ENTER.
6 Open the Exit menu, highlight Exit Saving

Changes, then press E

NTER.

7 When you start your computer, you are prompted

to enter the user password you set in Step 3.

• Review the information in “Protecting your notebook”

in your online User Guide.

• Take your AC power adapter to recharge the battery. If

you are traveling internationally, take power plug
adapters.

• Take a portable surge protector to protect your

notebook from power surges.

• To get the best performance from your notebook, avoid

using the battery whenever possible, monitor the
battery charge, and use the most efficient power
management settings. For information on conserving
battery power, using alternate power sources, and
monitoring the battery charge, see “Managing Power”

on page 47.

Additional tips

• If you plan to use several USB peripheral devices, take

a portable USB hub to provide additional USB ports.

• Take a network cable if you need to connect to a

network. Some hotels provide Internet connectivity
only through their networks.

• If your notebook has been exposed to cold

temperatures, let it warm to room temperature before
turning it on.

• Carry proof of ownership or a merchandise passport

when traveling internationally.

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CHAPTER 6: Traveling with Your Notebook

• Consult your insurance company and credit card

company to learn about emergency travel assistance if
your notebook is lost or damaged.

• Take your recovery discs in case you need to install an

additional driver or software.

Tip

You can create a Drivers and Applications Recovery disc using

the Gateway Recovery Center.

62

CHAPTER7

Maintaining Your Notebook

• Caring for your notebook

• Cleaning your notebook

• Maintaining the battery

• Cleaning CDs or DVDs

• Recovering your system

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CHAPTER 7: Maintaining Your Notebook

Caring for your notebook

To extend the life of your notebook:

• Be careful not to bump or drop your notebook, and do

not put any objects on top of it. The case, although
strong, is not made to support extra weight.

• When transporting your notebook, we recommend that

you put it in a carrying case.

• Keep your notebook away from magnetic fields.

Magnetic fields can erase data on hard drives.

• Never turn off your notebook when the drive indicator

is on because data on the hard drive could be lost or
corrupted.

• Avoid subjecting your notebook to extreme

temperature changes. The case (and LCD panel) can
become brittle and easy to break in cold temperatures
and can melt or warp in high temperatures. Damage
due to either extreme is not covered by your warranty.
As a general rule, your notebook is safest at
temperatures that are comfortable for you.

• Keep all liquids away from your notebook. When spilled

onto notebook components, almost any liquid can result
in expensive repairs that are not covered under a
standard warranty.

• Avoid dusty or dirty work environments. Dust and dirt

can clog the internal mechanisms and can lead to
permanent damage to the notebook.

• Do not block the ventilation fan slots. If these slots are

blocked, your notebook may overheat resulting in
unexpected shutdown or permanent damage to the
notebook.

• When storing your notebook for an extended period of

time, unplug AC power and remove the battery after
discharging them partway.

64

www.gateway.com

Cleaning your notebook

Keeping your notebook clean and the vents free from dust
helps keep your notebook performing at its best. You may
want to gather these items and put together a notebook
cleaning kit:

• A soft, lint-free cloth

• An aerosol can of air that has a narrow, straw-like

extension

• Cotton swabs

• A DVD drive cleaning kit

Cleaning the exterior

War ning

When you shut down your notebook, the power turns off, but some

electrical current still flows through your notebook. To avoid possible injury from
electrical shock, unplug the power cord, modem cable, and network cable from
the wall outlets and remove the battery.

Always turn off your notebook and other peripherals before
cleaning any components. Also, remove the battery before
cleaning any components.

Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean your notebook and other
parts of your system. Do not use household abrasive or
solvent cleaners because they can damage the finish on
components.

Your notebook is cooled by air circulated through the vents
on the case, so keep the vents free of dust. With your
notebook turned off and unplugged, brush the dust away
from the vents with a damp cloth. Be careful not to drip any
water into the vents. Do not attempt to clean dust from the
inside of your notebook with the exception of the memory
bay.

Tip

You may want to occasionally open the memory bay door and remove

dust and lint using an aerosol can of air.

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CHAPTER 7: Maintaining Your Notebook

Cleaning the keyboard

You should clean the keyboard occasionally by using an
aerosol can of air with a narrow, straw-like extension to
remove dust and lint trapped under the keys.

If you spill liquid on the keyboard, turn off your notebook and
turn the notebook upside down. Let the liquid drain, then let
the keyboard dry before trying to use it again. If the keyboard
does not work after it dries, you may need to replace it. A
replacement keyboard may not be covered by your warranty.

Cleaning the notebook screen

Caution

A notebook LCD screen is made of specially coated glass and can be

scratched or damaged by abrasive or ammonia-based glass cleaners.

Use a soft cloth and water to clean the LCD screen. Squirt a
little water on the cloth (never directly on the screen), and
wipe the screen with the cloth.

Maintaining the battery

66

The life span of a notebook battery is about 1.5 to 3 years,
under normal conditions. As the battery begins to die, you will
have to recharge the battery more frequently because it
cannot hold a full charge.

Do not expose the battery to high heat or freezing
temperatures. Hot batteries discharge very quickly, and cold
ones cannot create as much power. Short battery life is more
likely to be caused by heat than by charge/discharge patterns.
Keep your lithium-ion battery cool. Avoid a hot car, for
example.

Charge often, but do not try to fully discharge the battery
frequently. This only adds strain. Several partial discharges
(regular use), with frequent recharges, are better for
lithium-ion than one total discharge. Recharging a partially
charged lithium-ion battery does not cause any harm because
it has no memory.

Batteries with fuel gauges (notebooks) should be recalibrated
once every 30 charges. If ignored, the fuel gauge becomes
increasingly less accurate and in some cases will cut off the
device prematurely. For more information about recalibrating
the battery, see “Recalibrating the battery” on page 50.

Using the right charger is important. By now you probably
know that each kind of battery has its own technology, its own
rate of charge, and so on. Charging lithium batteries correctly
is one way to extend their life and to avoid damage.

Clean the gold or silver connector on the battery (the part of
the battery that makes contact with the notebook) with
alcohol or electronic contact cleaner. Cleaning helps maintain
good contact, which improves the transfer of power from the
battery to the notebook.

Storing batteries

Do not charge up the battery, then store it away. A stored
battery should be used every three to four weeks. Let the
battery fully discharge, then recharge to 40% if you plan to
store it again. If you store a battery for longer than three to
four weeks, the battery could fully discharge because the
battery circuitry itself consumes power.

If you have a spare lithium-ion battery, use one exclusively
and keep the other cool by placing it in the refrigerator. Make
sure that it is wrapped protectively and that nothing will be
dropped on it. Do not freeze the battery.

Do not use old batteries. Avoid purchasing spare lithium-ion
batteries and storing them for later use. Do not buy old stock,
even if it is sold at clearance prices. While it makes sense to
have 2 or 3 extra batteries, so that you always have a fresh
one charged up and ready to go, if you buy batteries and store
them for years, they may not work when you decide to use
them.

Consider removing the battery from your notebook when
running on fixed power. However, remember that when you
have removed the battery from your notebook while using it
with an electrical outlet, the automatic battery charger no
longer keeps the battery charged.

www.gateway.com

Caution

When the battery is in the notebook and the notebook is running on AC

power, the battery constantly charges, even though it has a full charge. This
reduces the life of the battery. If the battery is fully charged and you want to
run on AC power, remove the battery.

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CHAPTER 7: Maintaining Your Notebook

Cleaning CDs or DVDs

Wipe from the center to the edge, not around in a circle, using
a product made especially for the purpose.

Recovering your system

You can solve most computer problems by following the
information in “Troubleshooting” on page 89 or in the
technical support pages at www.
solving may also involve re-installing some or all of the
computer’s software (also called recovering or restoring your
system). Gateway provides everything you need to recover
your system under most conditions.

gateway.com. Problem

68

Caution

To prepare your computer for additional system recovery options, you
should create a set of software and driver recovery discs as soon as possible.
For instructions, see “Preparing for software and device driver recovery” on

page 69.

• If only one or two items of software or hardware have

stopped working correctly, the problem may be solved
by re-installing the software or the hardware drivers.
To recover software and drivers that were pre-installed
at the factory, see “Recovering pre-installed software

and drivers” on page 69. For instructions on reinstalling

software and drivers that were not pre-installed, see
that product’s documentation or support Web site.

• If re-installing software or drivers does not help, then

the problem may be solved by returning your system
to a previous state when everything was working
correctly. For instructions, see “Using Microsoft System

Restore” on page 75.

• If nothing else has solved the problem and you want

to return your system to factory condition, see

“Recovering your system to its factory condition” on
page 78.

www.gateway.com

If you upgrade or exchange your hard drive or if your hard
drive is completely erased or corrupted, your only option for
system recovery may be to reinstall Windows from the
Windows DVD, then recover your pre-installed software and
device drivers using recovery discs that you created. (Your
computer must have a DVD-compatible drive to use these
options.)

• To re-install Windows using the Windows DVD, see

“Recovering your system using the Windows DVD” on
page 79.

• To re-install your pre-installed software and device

drivers using recovery discs, see “Recovering

pre-installed software and drivers using recovery discs”
on page 73.

Recovering pre-installed software and drivers

You can perform a partial recovery by recovering the software
and device drivers that were pre-installed at the factory. If you
need to recover software that did not come pre-installed on
your system, you need to follow that software’s installation
instructions.

You can recover pre-installed software and drivers from a set
of recovery discs (you must create the discs) or by using
Gateway Recovery Center.

Preparing for software and device driver recovery

You can usually recover your pre-installed software and
drivers from your hard drive. However, if you ever re-install
Windows from the Windows DVD or install a new hard drive,
you need to recover your pre-installed software and drivers
using a set of software and driver recovery discs. Because
these discs do not come with your computer, you should
create your own set.

Caution

Although you may not be expecting to need recovery discs, we
recommend that you prepare for any eventuality and create a set of recovery
discs while you have the opportunity.

You should create a set of discs for recovering your
pre-installed software and device drivers, in case you need to
use them later for a complete system recovery. (Your
computer must have a recordable disc drive to perform this
procedure.)

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CHAPTER 7: Maintaining Your Notebook

To create discs for recovering pre-installed software

and drivers:

1 Click (Start), All Programs, Gateway Recovery

Center, then click Gateway Recovery Center. The

Gateway Recovery Center opens.

2 Click Applications and drivers external media, then

click Next. The What would you like to do? dialog box
opens.

3 Click Create system recovery discs, then click Next.
4 Insert a blank, recordable disc into a recordable disc

drive, then click Next. If an AutoPlay dialog box opens,
click the x in the upper-right corner to close it.

A dialog box opens that tells you the number of blank
discs you need to create a full set of recovery discs.

70

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5 If you have enough blank discs of the specified type,

click I have enough discs, then click Next. If you do
not have enough discs, choose a different disc type, or
click Cancel.

The disc recording begins. Label the discs as they are
completed.

Important

Use a permanent marker to label each disc “Software and Driver
Recovery,” along with a short description of which computer the discs
are for. If you are recording multiple discs, as you remove each disc
from the drive, use the marker to label each disc 1 of x, 2 of x, 3ofx,
and so on.

Tip

After a recovery disc is created, your computer names the disc
Recovery13 for disc 1 of a 3-disc set, Recovery23 for disc 2, and
so on.

6 If multiple discs are required, insert the additional blank

disks when prompted.

7 When the process is finished, the Congratulations!

window opens.

8 Click Finish.
9 Remove your final disc, then label all of the discs and

store them in a safe place.

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CHAPTER 7: Maintaining Your Notebook

Recovering pre-installed software and drivers using Gateway Recovery Center

To recover specific drivers and software:

1 Click (Start), All Programs, Gateway Recovery

Center, then click Gateway Recovery Center. The

Gateway Recovery Center opens.

Important

If you have recently reinstalled Windows or installed a new hard
drive, and your Start menu does not contain Gateway Recovery Center
as an option, you must recover your software and drivers using
software and driver recovery discs you have created. For instructions,
see “R ecovering pre-insta lled software and drive rs using recovery di scs”

on page 73.

2 To recover software that was pre-installed, click

Programs, then click Application recovery.

72

- OR -

To recover device drivers that were pre-installed, click
Hardware, then click Device driver recovery.

www.gateway.com

3 Click the software or driver you want to recover, then

click Next.

Recovering pre-installed software and drivers using recovery discs

If you created a multiple-disc set of recovery discs, each disc
contains a unique set of software and drivers. If a recovery
disc does not offer the software or driver you need to recover,
try another disc.

To recover software and drivers using recovery discs:

1 Insert a software and driver recovery disc into a CD or

DVD drive. If an AutoPlay dialog box appears,
click Run Grc_Vista.exe. If an AutoPlay dialog box does
not appear and Gateway Recovery Center does not
start, open Computer and run the file Grc_Vista.exe
on the disc.

The Gateway Recovery Center starts.

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CHAPTER 7: Maintaining Your Notebook

2 To recover pre-installed software, click Application

recovery, then click the software you want to recover.

- OR -

To recover pre-installed device drivers, click Device
driver recovery, then click the type of driver you want
to recover.

74

3 Click Next.
4 If the software or driver is not shown on the list, and

you have a multiple-disc set of recovery discs, close
Gateway Recovery Center and try another disc.

www.gateway.com

Using Microsoft System Restore

Microsoft System Restore periodically takes “snapshots” of
your system settings and saves them as restore points. In
most cases of hard-to-resolve software problems, you can
return to one of these restore points to get your system
running again.

Windows automatically creates an additional restore point
each day, and also each time you install software or device
drivers. You can also create a restore point manually. For
instructions, see “Manually creating a restore point” on

page 77.

Help

For more information about using Microsoft System Restore, click Start,

then click Help and Support. Type windows system restore in the Search
Help box, then press E

To restore using Microsoft System Restore:

1 Click (Start), Control Panel, System and

Maintenance, then click Backup and Restore Center.
The Backup and Restore Center opens.

NTER.

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CHAPTER 7: Maintaining Your Notebook

2 On the left side of the window, click Repair Windows

using System Restore, then click Next. The Choose a

restore point dialog box opens.

3 Click the restore point you want, click Next, then click

Finish. A confirmation message box appears.

4 Click Yes. Your system is restored using the restore

point you specified. This process may take several
minutes, and may restart your computer.

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www.gateway.com

Manually creating a restore point

To manually create a restore point:

1 Click (Start), Control Panel, System and

Maintenance, then click Backup and Restore Center.
The Backup and Restore Center opens.

2 On the left side of the window, click Create a restore

point or change settings, then click Next. The System

Properties dialog box opens to the System Protection
tab.

3 Click Create. The Create a restore point dialog box

opens.

4 Type a description for the restore point (such as the date

and time), then click Create. The restore point is
created.

5 Click OK.

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CHAPTER 7: Maintaining Your Notebook

Recovering your system to its factory condition

If your computer’s problems are not solved by any of the
other recovery options, you may need to recover its hard drive
to its factory condition. This process is called a factory
recovery.

Caution

A complete factory recovery deletes everything on your hard drive, then
reinstalls Windows and any pre-installed software and device drivers. If you can
access important files on your hard drive, back them up now.

To delete everything on your hard drive and re-install all

factory software:

1 If you can still run Windows:

a Click (Start), All Programs, Gateway Recovery

Center, then click Gateway Recovery Center. The

Gateway Recovery Center opens.

b Click Recovery, then click Next. Your computer

restarts.

- OR -

2 If you cannot run Windows:

a Turn on or restart your computer.

b While the computer is starting up, repeatedly press

F8 until the Recovery Options screen opens. If
Windows starts to load instead, restart the computer
and try again.

3 Press the arrow keys on your keyboard to select Repair

Your Computer, then press ENTER.

Gateway System Recovery starts, and the System
Recovery Options dialog box opens.

4 Select a language and keyboard layout, then click Next.
5 Click the User name box to select a Windows user

account, click in the Password box and type the user
account’s password (if any), then click Next. The System
Recovery Options menu opens.

6 Click Restore Application. The Welcome to Gateway

System Recovery window opens.

7 Click Next.

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www.gateway.com

8 To perform a recovery with data backup

(recommended), click Recovery with automatic data
backup, then click Next.

Important

Before your hard drive is recovered, your personal files will be

automatically backed up to c:\backup.

- OR -

To perform a full factory recovery without data backup,
click Full factory recovery, then click Next.

Caution

Continuing with the full factory recovery will delete everything
on your hard drive. Make sure that you have backed up any important
files you want to save.

9 Click Yes, then click Next. The Factory image recovery

window opens, which shows you the progress of the
system recovery.

When recovery is finished, the Recovery is complete
window opens.

10 Click Finish, then click Restart. Your computer restarts

in its original factory condition. You still need to reinstall
any software that was not pre-installed on your
computer.

If you selected Recovery with automatic data
backup in Step 8, you can find your backed up files in
c:\backup.

Recovering your system using the Windows DVD

If you install a new hard drive or completely re-format your
original hard drive, you must recover your system using the
Windows Vista operating system DVD. You also need to
recover your computer’s pre-installed software and device
drivers.

To completely re-install Windows:

1 If you can still run Windows, back up your personal files,

and create a set of software and driver recovery discs
(if you have not already done so). For instructions, see

“To create discs for recovering pre-installed software
and drivers:” on page 70.

2 Insert the Windows DVD into one of your computer’s

DVD-capable drives, then turn on or restart your
computer.

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CHAPTER 7: Maintaining Your Notebook

3 When the prompt “Press any key to boot from CD

or DVD” appears, press any key on your keyboard. A list
of valid boot devices appears.

4 Press the arrow keys to select the drive containing the

Windows DVD, then press E
on-screen instructions.

NTER and follow the

5 After Windows is completely re-installed, use the

software and driver recovery discs you created to
recover your computer’s pre-installed software and
device drivers. For instructions, see “Recovering

pre-installed software and drivers using recovery discs”
on page 73.

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CHAPTER8

Upgrading Your Notebook

• Preventing static electricity discharge

• Adding or replacing memory modules

• Replacing the hard drive kit

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CHAPTER 8: Upgrading Your Notebook

Preventing static electricity discharge

War ning

To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and moving parts,
turn off your notebook, unplug the power cord, modem cable, and network
cable, and remove the battery before opening the case.

War ning

To prevent risk of electric shock, do not insert any object into the vent
holes of the notebook.

Important

Before installing or replacing components, you should read and
understand the information in this section.

The components inside your notebook are extremely sensitive
to static electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge
(ESD).

Before installing or replacing components, follow these
guidelines:

• Avoid static-causing surfaces such as carpeted floors,

plastic, and packing foam.

• Remove components from their antistatic bags only

when you are ready to use them. Do not lay
components on the outside of antistatic bags because
only the inside of the bags provide electrostatic
protection.

• Always hold components by their edges. Avoid touching

the edge connectors. Never slide components over any
surface.

• Wear a grounding wrist strap (available at most

electronics stores) and attach it to a bare metal part of
your workbench or other grounded connection.

• Touch a bare metal surface on your workbench or other

grounded object.

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www.gateway.com

Adding or replacing memory modules

Important

Use only memory modules designed for your Gateway notebook.

Tools

You need a small Phillips screwdriver to replace memory modules.

Your notebook uses memory modules called SO-DIMMs (Small
Outline Dual Inline Memory Modules). The modules are
available in various capacities and any module can be placed
in any slot.

Memory
bay

To add or replace memory modules:

1 Follow the guidelines under “Preventing static

electricity discharge” on page 82.

2 Turn off your notebook.
3 Disconnect the AC adapter, modem cable, and network

cable.

4 Disconnect all peripheral devices connected to the

notebook and remove any Express cards.

5 Turn your notebook over so the bottom is facing up,

then remove the battery. For more information, see

“Changing the battery” on page 49.

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CHAPTER 8: Upgrading Your Notebook

6 Loosen the memory bay cover screw (this screw cannot

be removed).

Screw

7 Lift the memory bay cover, then remove it. Be careful

not to break off the tabs located on the end of the cover
opposite of the screw.

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www.gateway.com

8 If you are removing a module, gently press outward on

the clip at each end of the memory module until the
module tilts upward.

Clip

Clip

9 Pull the memory module out of the slot.

10 Hold the new or replacement module at a 30-degree

angle and press it into the empty memory slot. This
module is keyed so it can only be inserted in one
direction. If the module does not fit, make sure that the
notch in the module lines up with the tab in the memory
bay.

11 Replace the memory bay cover, then tighten the cover

screw.

12 Insert the battery, then turn your notebook over.
13 Connect the power adapter, modem cable, and network

cable.

14 Reconnect all peripheral devices and replace any

Express cards.

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CHAPTER 8: Upgrading Your Notebook

Replacing the hard drive kit

Tools

You need a small Phillips screwdriver to replace the hard drive kit.

If you would like more hard drive capacity, you can replace
your original drive with a higher-capacity drive.

86

Hard drive bay

To replace the hard drive kit:

1 Create a Drivers and Applications Recovery disc using

the Gateway Recovery Center. For more information,
see “Recovering pre-installed software and drivers” on

page 69.

2 Back up any data you want to transfer to the new hard

drive. For more information, see “Backing up files” in
your online User Guide.

3 Follow the guidelines under “Preventing static

electricity discharge” on page 82.

4 Turn off your notebook.
5 Disconnect the AC adapter, modem cable, and network

cable.

6 Disconnect all peripheral devices connected to the

notebook and remove any Express cards.

7 Turn your notebook over so the bottom is facing up,

then remove the battery. For more information, see

“Changing the battery” on page 49.

www.gateway.com

8 Remove the two hard drive screws, then slide the old

hard drive out of the notebook.

ScrewScrew

9 If the replacement drive already has the hard drive

bracket attached, go to Step 14.

-OR-

If you need to transfer the hard drive bracket from the
old hard drive to the new hard drive, go to Step 10.

10 Remove the four screws that secure the hard drive to

the hard drive bracket.

Screw

Screw

Screw

Screw

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CHAPTER 8: Upgrading Your Notebook

11 Remove the bracket from the old drive.

12 Place the new drive, label side up, onto the bracket so

the screw holes line up.

13 Replace the screws that secure the bracket to the drive.
14 Slide the new hard drive kit into your notebook, then

replace the screws that secure the hard drive kit to the
notebook.

15 Insert the battery, then turn your notebook over.
16 Connect the power adapter, modem cable, and network

cable

17 Turn on your notebook, open the DVD drive, insert the

Windows DVD, close the DVD drive, then restart your
notebook.

18 When the prompt “Press any key to boot from CD

or DVD” appears, press any key on your keyboard and
follow the on-screen instructions. As part of the process
you may be prompted to insert your Drivers and
Applications Recovery disc.

19 Reconnect all peripheral devices and replace any

Express cards.

88

CHAPTER9

Troubleshooting

• Safety guidelines

• First steps

• Troubleshooting

• Telephone support

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CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting

Safety guidelines

War ning

Do not try to troubleshoot your problem if power cords or plugs are
damaged, if your notebook was dropped, or if the case was damaged. Instead,
unplug your notebook and contact a qualified computer technician.

Tip

For more information about preventing damage from static electricity,
see “Preventing static electricity discharge” on page 82.

While troubleshooting your notebook, follow these safety
guidelines:

• Never remove the memory bay or hard drive bay cover

while your notebook is turned on, while the battery is
installed, and while the modem cable, network cable,
and AC power adapter are connected to your notebook.

• Make sure that you are correctly grounded before

accessing internal components.

• After you complete any maintenance tasks where you

remove the memory bay or hard drive bay cover, make
sure that you replace the cover, reinstall any screws,
then replace the battery before you start your
notebook.

Help

For more information about troubleshooting, click Start, then click
Help and Support. Type the keyword troubleshooting in the Search Help

box, then press E

First steps

If you have problems with your notebook, try these things
first:

• Make sure that the AC power adapter is connected to

your notebook and an AC outlet and that the AC outlet
is supplying power.

• Make sure that the power cord is firmly connected to

the AC power adapter.

• If you use a power strip or surge protector, make sure

that it is turned on.

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NTER.

www.gateway.com

• If the notebook will not turn on, try turning it on with

the notebook plugged in and the battery removed, then
try turning the notebook on with the notebook
unplugged and the battery installed.

• If a peripheral device (such as a keyboard or mouse)

does not work, make sure that all connections are
secure.

• Make sure that your hard drive is not full.

• If an error message appears on the screen, write down

the exact message. The message may help Gateway
Customer Care in diagnosing and fixing the problem.

• If you added or removed peripheral devices, review the

installation procedures you performed and make sure
that you followed each instruction.

• If an error occurs in a program, see the program’s

printed documentation or the online help.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting topics are listed in alphabetical order.

Audio

Battery

CD drives

Audio troubleshooting is covered under “Sound” on page 113.

Battery troubleshooting is covered under “Power” on

page 111.

CD drive troubleshooting is covered under “DVD drives” on

page 94.

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CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting

Diskette drive (external)

The diskette drive is not recognized

• Shut down and restart your notebook.

You see an “Access Denied” or “Write protect” error message

• Move the write-protection tab in the upper-right corner

of the diskette down (unprotected).

• The diskette may be full. Delete unnecessary files on the

diskette and try again.

• Not all diskettes are IBM-compatible. Make sure that the

diskette you are using is IBM-compatible.

• Try a different diskette. Occasionally diskettes are

flawed and cannot be read by the diskette drive.

You see a “Disk is full” error message

• Delete unnecessary files on the diskette.

• Try a different diskette. Occasionally diskettes are

flawed and cannot be read by the diskette drive.

• Run Error checking on the diskette. If errors are

detected and corrected, try using the diskette again. For
instructions on running Error checking, see “Checking
the hard drive for errors” in your online User Guide.

Display

92

You see a “Non-system disk,” “NTLDR is missing,” or “Disk error” error message

• Eject the diskette from the diskette drive, then press

E

NTER.

• Make sure that the diskette you are using is

IBM-compatible.

The diskette drive status indicator is lit continuously

• Remove the diskette from the drive. If the indicator

stays on, try restarting your notebook.

The screen is too dark

• Adjust the brightness using the system keys or Windows

Mobility Center. For more information about adjusting
the brightness, see “Adjusting brightness” on page 31.

www.gateway.com

The screen resolution is not correct

• Change the screen resolution from the Display Settings

dialog box. For instructions on changing the screen
resolution, see “Changing the color depth and screen
resolution” in your online User Guide.

The text on the display is dim or difficult to read

• Adjust the brightness using the system keys or Windows

Mobility Center. For more information about adjusting
the brightness, see “Adjusting brightness” on page 31.

• Change the display settings. For instructions on

changing the display settings, see “Changing screen
settings” in your online User Guide.

• Move your notebook away from sources of electrical

interference, such as televisions, unshielded speakers,
microwaves, fluorescent lights, and metal beams or
shelves.

The display has pixels that are always dark or too bright

This condition is normal and inherent in the TFT technology
used in active-matrix LCD screens. Gateway’s inspection
standards keep these to a minimum. If you feel these pixels
are unacceptably numerous or dense on your display, contact
Gateway Customer Care to identify whether a repair or
replacement is justified based on the number of pixels
affected.

The display is blank

• Adjust the brightness using the system keys or Windows

Mobility Center. For more information about adjusting
the brightness, see “Adjusting brightness” on page 31.

• Make sure the notebook is not in Sleep or Hibernate

mode. Press the power button.

• The notebook may be sending its display to an external

monitor or projector. Press F
toggle through the LCD panel, an external monitor or
projector, or both.

N + F4 several times to

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DVD drives

Your notebook does not recognize a disc

An audio CD does not produce sound

CHAPTER 9: Troubleshooting

• The disc may not be seated correctly in the tray. When

you place a disc on the tray, make sure that you press
the disc firmly onto the spindle so the retainers hold the
disc in place.

• Make sure that the disc label is facing up, then try again.

• If you are trying to play a DVD, make sure that you have

a DVD drive. For more information, see “Identifying

drive types” on page 36.

• Try a different disc. Occasionally discs are flawed and

cannot be read by the drive.

• Some music CDs have copy protection software. You

may not be able to play these CDs on your notebook.

• Your notebook may be experiencing some temporary

memory problems. Shut down and restart your
notebook.

• Clean the disc. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs

or DVDs” on page 68.

• Make sure that the CD label is facing up, then try again.

• Some music CDs have copy protection software. You

may not be able to play these CDs on your notebook.

• Make sure that the volume control on your notebook

is turned up. For more information about using your
volume control, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 32.

• Make sure that the Windows volume control is turned

up. For instructions on how to adjust the volume control
in Windows, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 32.

• Make sure that Mute controls are turned off.

• Make sure that headphones are not plugged into the

headphone jack on the notebook.

• If you are using powered speakers, make sure that they

are plugged in and turned on.

• Clean the disc. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs

or DVDs” on page 68.

• Your notebook may be experiencing some temporary

memory problems. Shut down and restart your
notebook.

• Reinstall the audio device drivers. For more information,

see “Recovering pre-installed software and drivers” on

page 69.

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