Gateway SOLO 2150 User Manual
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Contents
1Getting Started . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Connecting AC power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Starting your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Waking up your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Turning off your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Using the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Using function key combinations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Using the EZ Pad touchpad . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Using an external mouse or keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
System status indicators . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Right side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Left side . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Bottom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
2 Using Your Notebook . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Adjusting the LCD panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Customizing the multi-function buttons . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Using diskettes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Using the CD/DVD drive and multimedia features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Inserting a CD/DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Adjusting the volume . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Listening to audio CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24
Recording and playing audio files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Using the Media Player . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Playing a DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27
Connecting the modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Connecting the network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Using PC Cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Using the USB port . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Changing batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Changing option bay modules . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35
Upgrading memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37
Replacing the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
i
3 Travel Tips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41
Modem . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42
Files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43
Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .44
Changing power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45
4 Using the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Learning about the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54
Setting up an Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Accessing your Internet account . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Using the World Wide Web . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .56
Connecting to a Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Downloading files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58
Using e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Sending e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Checking your e-mail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60
5Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
For more information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Microsoft Windows guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Discover Windows 98 tutorial . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62
Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63
QuickANSWERS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
Before calling for technical support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66
Technical support resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67
6 Safety, Regulator y, and Notices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69
American users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72
Canadian users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .74
European users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75
Japanese users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76
Australia and New Zealand users . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77
Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
ii
Getting Started
This chapter provides basic information about your Gateway computer
hardware and software. Read this chapter to:
■ Learn how to connect power, start the notebook, and turn off the
notebook
■ Learn how to operate the pointing device and keyboard
■ Understand indicators
■ Identify all ports, connectors, and buttons
■ Learn about available a ccessories
1
1
Connecting AC power
Your notebook battery was shipped to you partially charged and ready to use.
You may want to use the AC adapter to complete charging the battery while
you are checking out some of the features.
Caution Replace the power cord if it becomes damaged. The
replacement cord must be of the same type and voltage
rating as the original cord.
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 personal injury or death. Contact
Gateway about returning defective AC adapters.
To connect the AC adapter:
1 Connect the power cord to the AC adapter.
2 Getting Started
Plug the AC adapter into the notebook power connector.
2
3 Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet.
Connecting ACpower 3
Starting your computer
To start your computer:
1 Slide the latches on the front of your notebook outward and lift the cover.
2 Press the power button.
The power button is preset to On/Off mode. Y ou can also set it to function
in either Standby/Resume mode or Hibernate mode. For more
information on changing the power button mode, see “C hanging settings
in Windows 98” on page 45.
3 The first time you turn on your computer, follow the on-screen
instructions to complete the software setup. For information on signing
up for an Internet Service Provider (ISP) account, see “Setting up an
Internet account” on p age 55.
W aking up your computer
■ When you have not used your computer for several minutes, it will go
into a power-saving mode called Standby. While in Standby , the computer
screen darkens and the power indicator light blinks every two seconds.
When you are ready to use your computer, “wake” it up by pressing a
button or key on the keyboard. For more information on changing
power-saving settings, see “Changing power settings” on page 45.
4 Getting Started
T urning off your computer
To turn off your notebook:
1 Click Start, then select Shut Down. The Shut Down Windows dialog bo x
opens.
2 Select Shut down, then click OK. Windows shuts down your computer.
If your computer does not respond to keyboard or mouse commands and
you are unable to use the Shut Down option, press and hold the power
button for at least four seconds.
Turning off your computer 5
Using the keyboard
Your notebook features a keyboard that has the same functionality as a
desktop computer keyboard. Many of the keys have been assign ed alternate
functions, including shortcut keys for Windows, function keys for system
operations, and a Pad Lock key that enables the embedded numeric keypad.
A
D
6 Getting Started
C
A Fn combination k eys
B Numeric keypad
C Win do ws k ey
D Fn (function) key
B
Using function key combinations
Press the FN key together with one of the following keys to perform the
function:
+=
Combination Key Function
Displays the power status in the upper left corner of the
Windows desktop. Press the key combination again to
make the power status disappear.
Toggles between the LCD display, external monitor, or
both displays at the same time.
Activates Standby mode in Windows 98 and Suspend
mode in Windows95 and Windows NT. Pres s the power
button to bring the notebook out of Standby/Suspend
mode.
Activates Pad Lock so you can use the embedded
numeric keypad. The Pad Lock status indicator stays lit
while this function is enabled.
Function
Combination
key
Activates Scroll Lock so you can scroll through large
volumes of text in some applications. The Scroll Lock
status indicator stays lit while this function is enabled.
Increases LCD brightness.
Decreases LCD brightness.
Using the keyboard 7
Using the EZ Pad touchpad
Like a mouse, the EZ Pad® touchpad pointing device controls the pointer
movements on the display. You can also use an external mouse.
A
A EZ Pad touchpad
B Left EZ Pad button (for left mouse clicks)
C Right EZ Pad button (for right mouse clicks)
8 Getting Started
B
C
Mouse and touchpad action equivalents
This touchpad uses one surface for both mouse and wheel actions, which
means you can perform all of the wheel mouse actions without using the
buttons on the notebook.
When your finger reaches the edges of the touchpad, you can continue to
move the pointer an d drag objects. You can also move horizontally and
vertically without being constrained by the size of the touchpad. This is
especially useful when dragging objects and selecting text becaus e there is no
need to remove your finger until the action is complete.
To... ...do this:
Move pointer Slide finger.
Left button click Tap one finger.
Left button
double-click
Left button drag Double-tap and drag.
Double-tap one finger.
Using the keyboard 9
To... ...do this:
Use smart Edges Double-tap and drag.
When your finge r stop s
at an edge of the
touchpad, the pointer
continue s moving
across the s creen.
Scroll up and down Place finger on right
edge of the touchpad
and move up/d own.
Changing touchpad properties
Use the following procedure to change EZ Pad properties including pointer
size, button assignments, pointer speed and acceleration, scrolling speed, and
edge motion.
To customize the EZ Pad touchpad:
1 Double-click on the taskbar. The Mouse Properties window opens.
2 Click a tab in the Mouse Prop erties window , then customize the touchpa d
functions.
To find more help about using the touchpad, click on the taskbar, then
Help.
select
Using an external mouse or keyboard
Y ou can attach an external mouse or keyboard to the notebook using the PS/2,
USB, or serial port. You do not need to shut down the notebook before
connecting to an external P S/2 mouse or keyboard.
10 Getting Started
System status indicators
A
B
A
This light... turns on when...
A The hard disk is accessed.
B The diskette drive, ZIP drive, or CD/DVD
C The Caps Lock is enabled.
D The Pad Loc k is enabl ed.
1
D
C
drive is accessed.
E
E The Scroll Lock is enabled.
Using the keyboard 11
Multi-function buttons
A
Button Icon Description
A Volume controls Adjust volume. Left button increases volume. Right
B Mute Turns off all sound. Press again to turn sound on.
C E-mail Launches an e-mail program.
D Web browser Launches your Web browser.
E Help Launches Help.
B
D
C
button decreases volume.
E
F
G
F Shortcut Launches a prog ram you specify. To pro gram this button
to launch a specific program, see “Customizing the
multi-function buttons” on page 20.
G Power Turns power on and off. Can also be configured to
Standby/Resume mode or Hibernate mode. For more
information on mapping the power button to power
saving mod es, see “To change advanced p ower
managemen t settings :” on page 4 8.
12 Getting Started
Front
[
Component Icon Description
A Release latches Release the LCD panel.
B Speakers Provide stereo output.
A
B
C
D
C Battery indicator light Indicates battery charge status:
D Power indicator light Indicates notebook power status:
■
Green – Battery is fully charged.
■
Orange – Bat tery is charg ing.
■
Steady – Po wer is o n.
■
Blinking – Notebook is in Standby mode.
■
Off – Po wer is of f o r syst em is in Hibe rnat e
(save to disk) mode.
Front 13
Back
A
Component Icon Description
A Network jack Provides an Ethernet 10/100 c onnec tion to a
B Modem jack Connects the built-in modem to an analog
C Keyboard or mouse port Connects your notebook to an ex tern al PS/2
D Parallel port Connects your notebook to a parallel device ,
E Serial port Connects your notebook to a serial device,
F External monitor port Connects your notebook to an external VGA
B
C
D
E
network.
phone system using a standard telephone
cable.
keyboard or mouse. With a PS/2 Y-splitter,
you can connect an external mouse and
keyboard at the same time.
such as a printer.
such as a serial mouse.
monitor using an analog video cable.
F
G
IH
G USB port Connects your notebook to a USB device,
H Power connector Connects your notebook to the Gateway
I Cooling fan outlet Helps cool internal components.
14 Getting Started
such as a USB scanner.
Solo 2150 AC adapter.
Right side
A
B
D
Component Icon Description
A Diskette drive Accepts standard 3.5-inch diskettes.
B Diskette activity light Indicates diskett e activity . While this light is
C Diskette eject button Ejects a diskette from the drive.
D CD/DVD or ZIP drive The CD/DVD drive accepts all CDs. The
E
C
F
G
H
on, do not eject the diskette.
DVD drive also accepts DVDs. The ZIP
drive accepts only ZIP disks.
I
J
E CD/DVD activity light Indicates CD/DVD activity. While this light
is on, do not open the drive tray.
F CD/DVD eject button Ejects the CD/DVD drive tray.
G CD/DVD manual tray
release
H Hard drive face plate Provides access to the hard drive.
I Microphone In Connects your notebook to an external
J Speaker
Out/Headphone jack
Lets you open the CD/DVD drive tray
manually using a straightened paper clip.
microphone.
Connects y our note book to ex ternal
speakers or headphones.
Right side 15
Left side
A
Component Icon Description
A Kensington lock slot Used with a Kensington cable lock to secure your
B PC Card slots Accept one T ype III PC Card o r two T ype I or II PC Car ds.
C PC Card eject
buttons
D Battery bay Contains the battery for power and for charging.
B
C
notebook to a heavy or immovable object.
For more information, see “Using PC Cards” on page 30.
Eject PC Cards from PC card slots.
D
16 Getting Started
Bottom
A
B
C
D
G
F
E
Component Icon Description
A Hard drive face plate Provides access to the hard drive.
B Memory bay Memory bay contains one SO-DIMM memory
module slot.
C Modular bay latch Releases the CD/DVD or ZIP drive.
D Modular bay Contains a CD/DVD drive or ZIP drive.
E Battery bay Holds the battery.
F Battery release latch Releases the battery so you can swap it for
a fully charged battery.
G System label Provides system information.
Bottom 17
Accessories
Gateway offers many accessories that can help you make the most of using
your Solo notebook:
■ Batteries
■ Automobile/airplane power adapters
■ Memory modules and hard drives
■ External keyboards and speakers
■ Modem and network cards
■ Tape backup units
■ Carrying cases
■ Printers
■ Software
Important For more information on these or other Gateway
accessories for your noteb ook, vis it the Gateway Web site
at www.gateway.com or call 800-846-2000.
18 Getting Started
Using Y our
Notebook
This chapter provides information on using your Gateway computer . Read this
chapter to find out how to:
■ Adjust the display panel angle and brightness
■ Use and program the multifunction buttons
■ Use the diskette and CD/DVD drives
■ Record and play audio files
■ View video files
■ Connect the modem
■ Install PC Cards
■ Replace the battery
■ Swap drive modules
■ Replace the har d drive
2
19
Adjusting the LCD panel
Your notebook features a color LCD TFT panel that provides sharp resolution
and up to 16 million colors.
To adjust the viewing angle of the display:
■ Tilt the display panel forward or backward.
To control display brightness:
■ Press the FN key together with the up arrow or down arrow key.
This notebook is shipped with the “Auto dim with battery” feature
enabled. Auto dim cuts LCD power 50% when your notebook is operating
on battery power. To learn how to disable this feature, see “Changing
power settings” on page 45.
Customizing the multi-function
buttons
The Multi-function Keyboard utility lets you change the actions of some of
the multi-function buttons. For a description of the buttons, see
“Multi-function buttons” on page 12.
To program the multi-function buttons:
1 Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel.
2 Double-click the Multi-function Keyboard icon. The Gateway
Multi-function Keyboard utility window opens.
3 Click the tab for the button to change which program each button starts.
20 Using Your Notebook
Using diskettes
The diskette drive uses 3.5-inch diskettes (sometimes called floppies or floppy
disks). Diskettes are useful for saving files for archive purposes or to use on
another computer.
Warning Do not expose diskettes to water or magnetic fields.
Exposure could damage the data on the diskette.
To use a diskette:
1 Insert the diskette into the diskette drive with the label facing up.
2 To access a file on the diskette, use a pro gram to view the drive A:
contents, then locate and open the file.
3 T o remove the diskette, make sure the drive activity light is off, then press
the diskette eject button. The diskette is ejected from the drive.
Using diskettes 21
Using the CD/DVD drive and
multimedia features
You can use your computer to enjoy a wide variety of multimedia (audio and
video) features, such as making recordings, listening to audio CDs, and
watching DVD mo vies.
Inserting a CD/DVD
To insert a CD/DVD:
1 Press the eject button on the CD/DVD drive, then pull the disc tray
completely open.
2 Place the CD/DVD in the tray with the label side up, then press down
carefully on the disc until it snaps into place.
3 Push the tray in until it closes.
Adjusting the volume
Y ou c an use the volume controls to a djust the overall volume and the volume
of specific sound devices in your computer.
To adjust overall volume level:
■ Click the volume control icon on the taskbar, then drag the slider to
change the volume or s elect the
- OR On the keyboard, press the volume buttons to change the volume,
or press the mute button to turn off all sound.
22 Using Your Notebook
Mute check box to turn off all sound.
To adjust specific volume levels:
1 Double-click the volume control icon on the taskbar. The
SB AudioPCI 64V Mixer dialog box opens.
2 Drag the volume level and balance sliders for the device you want to
adjust, then close the window. For more information about the volume
controls, select
Help in the Volume Con trol dial og box.
Using the CD/DVD drive and multimedia features 23
Listening to audio CDs
Use the CD/DVD drive and the Windows CD Player to play, pause,
fast-forward, rewind, or go to the next or prev ious track on any audio CD.
To play a CD:
■ Insert an audio CD into the CD/DVD drive. The CD Player opens and
the CD plays.
If the CD Player do es not open automatically when you insert the CD,
open it from the Start menu by clicking
Accessories, Entertainment or Multimedia, then CD Player. When the
CD Player opens, click the (play) button.
Start, then selecting Programs,
If you do not hear the audio or you want to increase or decrease the volume,
see “Adjusting the volume” on page 22 .
24 Using Your Notebook
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