Gateway MT6700, MT6820 Quick Reference Guide

NOTEBOOK

REFERENCEGUIDE

ORDINATEUR PORTABLE

GUIDE DU MATÉRIEL

®

Contents

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

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

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

Gateway contact information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

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

LCD panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12

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

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Contents

Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

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

System key combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

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

Using the optional multimedia panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Using the optional webcam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Adjusting the brightness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36

Turning your wireless radio on or off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

IEEE 802.11 wireless network radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Bluetooth radio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Chapter 4: Using Drives and Accessories . . . . 41

Using the CD or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Identifying drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Using a CD or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Using the memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Memory card types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Inserting a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44

Using a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Removing a memory card . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45

Adding and removing a PC Card or Express Card . . . . . . . . . 45

Installing a printer or other peripheral device . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Connecting a USB device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Connecting an IEEE 1394 device . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

Viewing the display on a projector or monitor . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Adjusting the display properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Using the projector or monitor for a presentation . . . . 53

Viewing the display on a television . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Adjusting the television display settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

Chapter 5: Managing Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

Monitoring the battery charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Recharging the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58

Changing the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Recalibrating the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60

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Extending battery life . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Maximizing battery performance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

Conserving battery power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61

Using alternate power sources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Changing power modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Changing notebook power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Changing the power plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Changing advanced settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65

Chapter 6: Traveling with Your Notebook . . . 67

Packing your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Traveling by air . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Dial-up modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Radio frequency wireless connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69

Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Additional tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Chapter 7: Maintaining Your Notebook . . . . . 73

Caring for your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Cleaning your notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74

Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75

Cleaning the notebook screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Maintaining the battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Storing batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

Cleaning CDs or DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Recovering your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77

Recovering pre-installed software and drivers . . . . . . . .78

Using Microsoft System Restore . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Recovering your system to its factory condition . . . . . . .87

Recovering your system using the Windows DVD . . . . . .88

Chapter 8: Upgrading Your Notebook . . . . . . 91

Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Adding or replacing memory modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93

Replacing the hard drive kit 98

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Contents

Chapter 9: Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101

Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Audio . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

CD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Diskette drive (external) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 104

DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

Ethernet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Express Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108

Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 109

Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110

Media Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Memory card reader . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Modem (cable or DSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 114

Modem (dial-up) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118

Networks (wired) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 119

Networks (wireless) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 122

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 125

Video . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Before calling Gateway Customer Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Appendix A: Legal Information . . . . . . . . . . 129

Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

iv

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.

Gateway contact information

Important

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

information varies by model, features ordered, and location.

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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
on your notebook’s label. The Support page also has links to
additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications.

or the Web address shown

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CHAPTER 1: About This Reference

4

CHAPTER2

Checking Out Your Notebook

• Front

• Left

• Right

• Back

• Bottom

• Keyboard area

• LCD panel

5

Front

CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook

LCD panel release latch

Speaker

Battery charge indicator

Power indicator

Headphone jack

Microphone jack

Speaker

Component Icon Description

LCD panel release
latch

Speakers Provide audio output when headphones or

Battery charge
indicator

Power indicator

Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack. The optional

Headphone jack Plug amplified speakers or headphones into this

Slide to open the LCD panel.

amplified speakers are not plugged in.

■

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.

■

LED on - Notebook is on.

■

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

■

LED off - Notebook is off.

built-in microphone is turned off while an
external microphone is connected.

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

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Left

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Kensington lock

slot

S-Video out
jack

Ventilation fan

CD or DVD drive

Component Icon Description

Kensington™
lock slot

S-Video out jack
(optional)

Ventilation fan Helps cool internal components.

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

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

Plug an S-Video device, such as a television, into
this optional jack. For more information, see

“Viewing the display on a television” on page 54.

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.

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

page 42. 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 42.

7

Right

CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook

Important

Port or jack location may vary by notebook model.

USB ports

Modem jack

PC Card or
ExpressCard slot

IEEE 1394
port

USB ports

Memory card reader

Ethernet jack

Component Icon Description

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

PC Card or
Express Card slot

IEEE 1394 port
(optional)

Memory card
reader

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

Insert one Type II PC Card or Type 54
Express Card into this slot. For more information,
see “Adding and removing a PCCard or

Express Card” on page 45.

Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire® or
i.Link®) device (such as a digital camcorder or
MP3 player) into this optional 4-pin IEEE 1394
port.

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 44.

The memory card reader supports Memory

®

, Memory Stick Pro®, Mini Secure Digital®,

Stick
MultiMediaCard™, RS-MultiMediaCard™, and
Secure Digital™ cards.

Ethernet jack Plug an Ethernet network cable into this jack.

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

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.

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Power connector

Component Icon Description

Power connector Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector.

Moni tor port Plug a n analog VGA monitor or projecto r into this

port. For more information, see “Viewing the

display on a projector or monitor” on page 50.

Monitor port

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Bottom

CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook

Battery latch

Customer
care label

Hard drive

bay

Batter y

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

Battery lock

Component Icon Description

Hard drive
bay

Customer
Care label

Memory bay Memory modules are located in this bay. For more

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

page 98.

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

on page 2.

information, see “Adding or replacing memory

modules” on page 93.

Memory
bay

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

“Changing the battery” on page 59.

Battery Provides power when the notebook is not plugged into

AC power.

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

“Changing the battery” on page 59.

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Keyboard area

Multimedia

panel

Keyb oar d

Status indicators

Tou ch pa d

Powe r
button

Microphone

Component Icon Description

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

Multimedia
panel
(optional)

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

keyboard. For more information, see “Using the

keyboard” on page 24.

Use to control playback of CDs and DVDs. The panel
includes volume control buttons. For more information,
see “Using the optional multimedia panel” on page 31.

the power button for Sleep/Resume mode. For more
information on configuring the power button mode,
see “Changing advanced settings” on page 65.

Microphone
(optional)

Tou ch pa d Provides all the functionality of a mouse. For more

Status
indicators

Record audio through this microphone or use it to talk
through when making Voice over Internet Protocol
(VoIP) calls. The built-in microphone is turned off while
an external microphone is connected. For the location
of your microphone jack, see “Front” on page 6.

information, see “Using the EZ Pad touchpad” on

page 28.

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.

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CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook

LCD panel

Component Icon Description

Webc am

Webcam
(optional)

Use to let others see who they are communicating with
when making VoIP calls. The Webcam status indicator
turns on when the Webcam is turned on. For more
information, see “Using the optional webcam” on

page 32.

12

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

• Using the optional multimedia panel

• Using the optional webcam

• Adjusting the brightness

• Adjusting the volume

• Turning your wireless radio on or off

13

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.

Warning

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 n ot slou ch forward or lean far b ack. Si t wit h yo ur 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.

Warning

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

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 threehours, the

battery may need to be recalibrated. For information on recalibrating the battery,

see “Recalibrating the battery” on page 60.

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:

• Unplug the adapter from your notebook, then plug

it back in.

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

• Make sure the power cord is firmly attached to the

AC adapter.

• Plug the power cord into a different wall outlet.

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 2.

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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.

Warning

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.

Warning

To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger (for example, No.
24 AWG) UL-listed or CSA-certified telecommunication line cord for your dial-up
modem connection.

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To connect the modem:

1 Insert one end of the modem cable into the modem

jack on your notebook.

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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.

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.

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CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

Starting your notebook

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

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.

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Tip

For more information about changing the power button mode,

see “Changing advanced settings” on page 65.

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 48.

Tip

See the documentation that came with each device for its setup

instructions.

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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 62.

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 com pletely 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.

-OR­Press 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 62.

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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.

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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.

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A

1

Using the status indicators

Important

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

the status indicators on.

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

Disc drive

Num lock

Indicator Icon Description

Wireless
network

Caps lock

Num lock

Disc drive

Hard drive

■

LED on - Optional wireless IEEE

802.11 radio is turned on.

■

LED off - Optional 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.

■

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.

Hard drive

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CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started

1

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

keyp ad

FN

key

Navigation
keys

Key types

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.

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

Key type Icon Description

Numeric keypad Use these keys to type numbers

Function keys Press these keys labeled F1 to F12

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.

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