Gateway SOLO 3100 User Manual

Contents

Checking Out Your Documentation..................................................... iii

Checking Out Your Notebook ........................... ......................1

Checking Out Your Solo 3100................................................................ 2

Keyboard and LCD panel ................................................................ 2

Top panel buttons and indicators..................................................... 3

Rear panel ......................................................................................... 4

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

Left side ............................................................................................ 6

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

Getting Started ....................... ........................ .................. ........ 9

Getting Your System Running.............................................................. 10

Installing the battery pack.............................................................. 10

Connecting the AC power.............................................................. 11

Starting up your notebook.............................................................. 12

Using Your Notebook ..................... ........................ ...............15

Using Your Solo 3100........................................................................... 16

Using the keyboard......................................................................... 16

Using key combinations................................................................. 17

Using the LCD................................................................................ 20

Using the EZ Point ......................................................................... 22

Connecting the modem .................................................................. 24

Using the audio............................................................................... 25

Using 3.5" diskettes........................................................................ 27

Using CD-ROMs and DVDs......................................................... 28

Using the USB port ........................................................................ 31

Removing and replacing the hard disk drive ................................ 31

Using PC Cards .............................................................................. 32

Using the IR port ............................................................................ 34

Using McAfee VirusScan .............................................................. 35

Getting Online ................................................ ....................... . 37

Using the Internet .................................................................................. 38

E-mail.............................................................................................. 39

World Wide Web........................................................................... 39

Using Microsoft Fax............................................................................. 41

Setting up Microsoft Fax............................................................... 41

Sending and receiving faxes.......................................................... 43

Manually answering with your modem........................................ 44

Installing Your PC Modem .................................................................. 44

Enabling the modem...................................................................... 46

Installing Your Network Modem......................................................... 47

Configuring the modem................................................................. 49

Locating the COM port address .................................................... 50

Managing Power Usage ............. ........................ .................. ..51

Managing Battery Power...................................................................... 52

Charging the battery pack.............................................................. 52

Using the battery............................................................................ 54

Monitoring the battery status......................................................... 55

Changing the Power button setting ............................................... 55

Using the Suspend and Standby modes........................................ 56

Maximizing Battery Life ...................................................................... 58

Using the Port Replicator .............................. ................... ......61

Checking Out the Port Replicator ........................................................ 62

Attaching to the replicator ............................................................. 64

Separating from the replicator....................................................... 65

Setting up the video out port ......................................................... 66

Accessories ............................................................................69

Solo Notebook Accessories.................................................................. 70

Using the BIOS Setup Progra m ............................ .......... .... ..71

About the BIOS Setup Utility............................................................... 72

Contacting Gateway ............... .............. .............. .............. ......75

Contacting Gateway.............................................................................. 76

Index .......................................................................................83

ii Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Using the BIOS Setup utility......................................................... 72

Chec king Out Your Documentation

In addition to this User Guide, we’ve also provided other documentation to help you get the most from your Solo 3100. Please refer to the following printed and online documentation for additional resources:

♦ Printed manuals

•

The “Maintaining and Troubleshooting Your Solo 3100 Notebook” contains information about managing system resources, preserving your system performance, reinstalling your operating system and drivers, and general troubleshooting tips.

•

Windows 95, 98, or NT manual (depending upon the operating system you ordered) provides information about using the operating system, learning about advanced features, networking, getting help, and more.

♦ Online documentation - Lets you access the electronic manuals from

your hard drive when you are traveling or when the manuals are not accessible. To access the online documentation click

Documentation, then select the manual you want to review.

♦ Gateway web site (http://www.gateway.com) - If you have a

subscription to an Internet service provider, you can tap into some of the latest help and other information on our web site. We provide notebook support help, technical documents, tech tips, FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions), glossary, software library with BIOS updates, and other resources that can help you make the most of using your notebook.

Start, Online

iii

iv Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Chapter 1:

Checking Out Your Notebook

Checking Out Your Solo 3100................................ 2

Keyboard and LCD panel ................................ 2

Top panel buttons and indicators..................... 3

Rear panel ......................................................... 4

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

Left side............................................................. 6

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

Checking Out Your Solo 3100

Take a tour of your notebook to familiarize yourself with its options.

K eyboard and LCD panel

Component Description

A. 12.1" TFT Color

LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)

B. Keyboard Provides full functionality of a desktop com-

C.Speakers Provides high-quality sound reproduction for

D. EZ Poi nt™ Controls the cursor movement on the screen.

2 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Provides sharp, crisp resolution with backlit anti-glare screen.

puter keyboard. Many keys have been assigned alternate functions.

software, audio CDs, and DVDs.

Top panel buttons and indicators

Component or

Icon Description

Indicator

A. Power or

Suspend/ Standby button

B. Display off

button

C.Hard drive Displays when the computer accesses the

D. DVD or CD Displays when the computer accesses the

Can be set to either turn the system on and off or suspend and resume. Pressing the

switch for five seconds restarts the system.

Activated automatically by closing the notebook lid. Turns off the LCD display.

hard drive.

DVD or CD (Compact Disc) drive.

Note:

You can save power and extend battery operating time by using the Suspend/ Standby mode. See “Using the Suspend and Standby modes” on page 56 for more information on setting the power button to Suspend/Resume.

E. Caps lock Visible when Caps Lock is enabled.

F. Pad lock Visible when Pad Lock is enabled.

G.Scroll lock Visible when Scroll Lock is enabled.

H.Microphone Records sounds when the system is

recording.

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook 3

Note:

For best IR operation, place infrared devices up to three feet (one meter) apart.

Rear panel

Port Icon Description

A. Fast IR

(Infrared) port

Sends infrared signals bet ween the notebook and a remote device that uses infrared (for example, another computer, printer, or other peripheral).

B. Speaker out/

Headphone jack

C.Modem jack Plug a phone line into this jac k to connec t the

D. PS/2 port Connect an external keyboard, mouse,

E. VGA port Connect a VGA (Video Graphics Adapter)

F. Parallel port

(LPT1)

G.Serial port Connect an optional serial device to this port.

H.Fan intake Pulls air into chassis to keep system

Connect external speak ers or headphon es to this port. Supports small unamplified speakers. (1/8 inch/3.5 mm jack.)

notebook’s on-board modem to an analog phone system.

numeric keypad, or other device to this por t.

monitor cable to this port. Connect a parallel de vice suc h as a printer to

this port.

components cool.

4 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Right side

Component Icon Description

A. DVD or

CD-ROM drive

B. Eject button Ejects the DVD or CD-ROM tray from the

C. Manual eject

button

D. PC Card slot Accepts one Type I or Type II PC Card. E. Volume wheel

F. PC Card eject

button

Reads data and audio CDs (and DVDs if you have a DVD drive).

drive. This but ton w orks only wh en the p ow er is on.

Provides manual eject capability to remove a DVD or CD if power is unavailable. Insert a straightened paper clip or other stiff wire to eject the DVD or CD tray.

Adjust speaker volume. Other port volume levels are controlled by multimedia software.

Push once to release the eject button and push a second time to eject the PC Card. Push a third time to retr act the b utton into the chassis.

Note:

For more information on adjusting volume le vels, see “Adjusting the volume” on page 25.

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook 5

Left side

Note:

For more information on how to use the USB port, see “Using the USB port” on page 31.

Component Icon Description

A. Kensington lock

slot

B. Air outlet port Outlet for air intake to cool components. C. Power connector Connect the AC power adapter to t his port.

D. USB port Plug optional USB (Universal Serial Bus)

E. Hard disk drive Hard disk drive storage bay. The hard drive

Attach a Kensington lock into this slot. A Kensington lock is an optional cable lock for portable computers.

serial devices into this port.

can be removed only by first removing the mounting screw on the bottom of the notebook, then sliding the drive out.

6 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Bottom

Component Icon Description

A. Battery pack Slide battery pack into bay for battery power

and battery charging.

B. Battery release

latch

C.Hard disk drive The hard drive can be removed only by first

D. Replicator port

E. Memory bay Open the memory bay cover to install or

Slide the latch to release the battery pack from the battery pack bay.

removing the two mounting screws, then sliding the drive out.

Connect the port replicator to this port.

remove RAM memory modules.

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Notebook 7

Note:

See “Attaching to the replicator” on page 64 for more information about using the port replicator.

8 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Chapter 2:

Getting Started

Getting Your System Running.............................. 10

Installing the battery pack .............................. 10

Connecting the AC power.............................. 11

Starting up your notebook.............................. 12

Note:

See Chapter 5, “Managing Power Usage” for more information about power management and monitoring the battery status.

Getting You r System Running

To get the computer started, you’ll need to install the battery pack, connect to AC power, open the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) panel, and start up the system.

Installing the battery pack

Your notebook is shipped to you with the battery partially charged. When you first get started, you may want to use the AC adapter to fully charge the battery and provide a constant supply of power while you are checking out some of the notebook features.

If your battery is not installed, you need to install the battery pack and charge it. The battery will charge whenever your notebook is connected to AC power.

The notebook can run on a fully charged battery for about 2.5 to 3 hours, but battery life varies depending on configuration, power management settings, and features used. Use the battery gauge icon in the taskbar to track the available battery power.

Battery life is affected by how much you use the system components such as the hard drive, CD/DVD drive, LCD display, and other components. Other factors such as the power management settings affect battery life.

Turn the notebook over so the battery bay is facing up.

Insert the front end of the battery into the battery bay, then press the battery down until it securely latches.

10 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

To install the battery pack

Connecting the AC po wer

Your AC adapter comes in two parts, the power cord and the AC power adapter.

To connect the AC adapter

Connect the power cord to the AC power adapter.

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 Gatewa y about returning defective AC adapters.

Chapter 2: Getting Started 11

Important!

The power button is preset to On/Off mode. You can set it to function either in On/Off or Standby/Resume mode using the BIOS setup program. See “Using the BIOS Setup utility” on page 72 for more information about accessing the BIOS Power men u settings to change the Pow er b utton

mode.

Plug the AC power adapter into the notebook power connector on the left side of the notebook.

Plug the power cord into an electrical outlet.

Starting up your notebook

After the battery is installed and the AC power adapter is plugged in, you can start up your system.

Important!

This system ships with the “Auto dim with battery” feature enabled. Auto dim cuts LCD power 50% when your notebook is operating on battery power. See “Using the BIOS Setup utility” on page 72 for information about the Power menu options.

12 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Slide the LCD panel latch to the right to release and open the LCD panel, then tilt the LCD panel to adjust for the proper viewing angle.

Press the power button to turn your computer on.

Press

Windows starts and the

To start up the computer

+↑

+↓

to change display brightness for suitable viewing.

Regional Settings dialog box opens.

To complete the first-time operating system setup

Scroll down the list and select the appropriate regional setting, then click

Next. The Keyboard Layout dialog box appears.

Scroll down the list and select the keyboard layout, then click Next. The

User Information dialog box appears.

Enter your name and company (optional) in the User Information dialog box, then click

Read the License Agreement, click I accept the agreement, then click

Next. The Certificate of Authenticity dialog box appears.

Type in the Product ID number (located on the Certificate of Authenticity on the cover of the Windows manual), then click The

Start Wizard dialog box appears.

Click Finish. The Time Properties dialog box appears.

Set the Time Zone and Time, then click OK. The Add Printer Wizard dialog box appears.

Click Next.

Next. The License Agreement appears.

Next.

Select a printer from the list and click Next.

- OR -

Cancel to skip the printer setup.

click

10.

Select the printer port (usually LPT1), then click Next. The Printer Name dialog box appears.

11.

Type a name for the printer, then click Next.

12.

Click Yes or No to print a test page, then click Finish. The Welcome dialog box appears, and you can begin exploring your new notebook.

Chapter 2: Getting Started 13

14 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Chapter 3:

Using Your Notebook

Using Your Solo 3100................................................ 16

Using the keyboard..............................................16

Using key combinations......................................17

Using the LCD.....................................................20

Using the EZ Point ..............................................22

Connecting the modem .......................................24

Using the audio....................................................25

Using 3.5" diskettes.............................................27

Using CD-ROMs and DVDs ..............................28

Using the USB port .............................................31

Removing and replacing the hard disk drive......31

Using PC Cards ...................................................32

Using the IR port .................................................34

Using McAfee VirusScan ...................................35

Using Your Solo 3100

This chapter covers using the components on your computer. Spend some time getting familiar with the versatility built into your Solo notebook.

Using the ke yboard

Your notebook features a keyboard that has the full functionality of a desktop computer keyboard. Many of the keys have been assigned alternate functions, including shortcut keys, function keys for specific system operations, and pad lock keys for the numeric keypad.

Key Action

A. Fn (function)

Combination keys

B. Fn (function)

keys

C.Numeric keypad

Press

(blue) to perform a specific function. For example,

FN+F2

Press

F2, F3, F4

Press

FN+F9

key plus one of the Fn Combination keys

shows the Pop-up status display.

key plus another Fn Combinatio n key (such

, etc.) to perform a specific function. to activate the numeric keypad.

16 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Using key combinations

For normal key functions:

♦ Press the key to get numerals, punctuation marks, and lower case

letters.

♦ Press the key together with the

key to get symbols and standard

HIFT

upper case letters.

Special keys

The following keys help you use shortcuts when working with some software:

Key Description

Use this key to disp lay th e Windows Start menu. Pressing

Use this key to provide quick access to shortcut menus and help assistants in W indows . In man y cases , this k e y functions like a right mouse click.

TRL+ESC

also displays the St art me nu.

Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 17

Function keys

Press the

key together with one of the following keys (with blue letters)

to get these “on-the-fly” functions:

Key

Description

Combination

Displays the power status in the upper left corner of the Windows 95 and Windows 98 desktop. Press the key combination again to make the display disappear. See “Pop-up status display” on page 55.

Toggles between the LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), external monitor, both displays at the same time, or TV display (NTS C or PAL format) as the active display. See “Using the LCD” on page 20.

Places the system in Standb y mo de. See “Using the Suspend and Standby modes” on page 56 for more information about the Standby mode.

Makes temporary changes to the power management (PM) mode settings by toggling the setting options:

•PM ON - enables power management with AC or battery power

•PM DC - enables power management when the notebook is using battery power only.

•PM OFF - disables power management.

The selected option is not saved when the system is turned off. The power management settings selected in the BIOS setup tak e eff e ct wh en the syst em is restarted.

18 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Enables the Pad Lock function so you can use the numeric keypad. The Pad Lock icon stays lit while this function is enabled. Press the keys again to clear the display.

In some progr am s you can scroll through large vo lum es of text. The Scroll Loc k i con stays lit as long as this funct ion is enabled.

Key Combination

Description

In some programs this key combination pauses the display when text is scrolling very quickly. Press any k ey to continue the text flow.

In some programs this key combination breaks text scrolling in a DOS screen.

Prints the screen if a printer is connected to your notebook (DOS only). In Windows, this k ey copies a picture of the screen to the clipboard. You can then paste the picture into another program display or print it.

SysRq (System Request) is reserved for certain applications such as in some DOS programs.

In some programs this key combination will send you to the starting point of your text.

In some progr ams this k ey combinatio n sends y ou to the end point of you r text.

Increases LCD brightness and displays the brightness meter for the Popup Status Display reflecting the changes. Use the display disappear.

Decreases LCD brightness and displays the brightness meter for the Popup Status Display reflecting the changes. Use the display disappear.

+F2 key combination to make the

Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 19

Pad lock keys

FN+F9 (PAD L

Press the keyboard will function like a numeric keypad. Press keyboard back into standard mode.

) keys to activate the keypad. The keypad section of

OCK

FN+F9

to put the

Using the LCD

Your notebook features a built-in, backlit, color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The LCD uses TFT (Thin-Film Transistor) technology that provides sharp resolution and brilliant colors. The notebook’s display supports a maximum resolution of 800 x 600 and a maximum color depth of 24-bit color.

In addition to using your LCD panel for display, you can also attach an external monitor for presentations and other multimedia purposes. See the next sections to learn about setting up external displays.

20 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Setting up an external computer monitor

You can connect an external computer monitor to your notebook through the VGA (Video Graphics Adapter) port on the back of your notebook. If you are using an optional port replicator, you can also connect an external computer monitor to the replicator’s VGA port.

To connect the computer to an external monitor

Connect one end of a VGA cable to the VGA port on the back of the notebook, and the other end to the video connector on the monitor.

Press

FN+F3

to change the active display from LCD only, to LCD and monitor, or monitor only. Continue changing the display options until you get the desired display.

Depending upon the external monitor you are using, you may have to lower the video resolution to 640 x 480. Refer to your monitor manual to find out its display resolution capabilities.

To change the display resolution for an external monitor

Right-click the Monitor icon in the taskbar tray.

Select the desired resolution. The screen resolution changes.

Monitor icon does not appear on the taskbar and you want to have it

If the display there, right-click on the desktop, select tab, then check the

Show settings icon on taskbar checkbox. The Monitor icon

appears in the taskbar tray.

Properties, click the Settings

Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 21

Using the EZ P oint

Your system includes the EZ Point™ stickpoint pointing device. Like a mouse, this pointing device controls the cursor movements on the display. You can also use an external mouse. Connect the mouse device to the PS/2 port or the serial port. Review this section to find out more about pointing device options.

Controlling the EZ Point

The EZ Point provides an easy way to move the cursor across the screen and navigate through software. The EZ Point consists of a stick located on the keyboard between the G and H keys and two buttons located below the spacebar on the keyboard.

EZ Point

EZ Point select button (left mouse button)

EZ Point select button (right mouse button)

22 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

To use the EZ Point

Place your hands in the typing position and press the EZ Point (A) in the direction you want to move the cursor.

Press the EZ Point select buttons (B and C) located below the spacebar to select as you would with a mouse. You can also press the EZ Point directly downward to perform a mouse click.

Changing EZ Point properties

You can change EZ Point properties such as button assignments, cursor speed, and acceleration. You can also enable scrolling, press to select, release to select, and magnifying glass.

To customize the EZ Point

Click Start, Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel appears.

Double-click the EZ Point icon. The EZ Point Properties dialog box appears.

Click the tab of your choice to customize functions of the EZ Point.

Replacing the EZ Point cap

The cap on the EZ Point is removable. If the cap becomes worn or damaged, remove the cap from the stick and replace it with one of the spares included with your notebook.

Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 23

Using an external mouse or keyboard

You can attach an external mouse or keyboard to the notebook using the PS/2 port, the USB port, or the serial port. The optional port replicator also has ports for external connections. It is not necessary to shut down the system to connect an external PS/2 mouse or keyboard. Just connect it to the port and start to work.

If the EZ Point drivers do not support the external mouse, refer to the mouse documentation and follow the installation instructions.

Connecting the modem

Your Solo 3100 notebook comes with a built-in 56K data/fax modem and a telephone cable.

To connect and use the modem

Insert one end or the telephone cable into the modem jack on the rear panel of the notebook.

24 Using Your Gateway Solo 3100 Notebook

Insert the other end of the telephone cable into any analog telephone wall jack.

Start your computer, then start your communications software.

For more information on using your notebook’s modem and network connections, see Chapter 4, “Getting Online.”

Using the audio

Your system provides 16-bit stereo audio with SoundBlaster Pro compatibility. You can record audio for presentations, attach voice messages to your e-mail, listen to audio CDs, and use it for many other multimedia applications.

Adjusting the volume

You can use several methods to adjust audio input and output on your Solo notebook computer. The volume control wheel on the left side of the system controls the Speaker Out port and the internal system speakers. The volume level for other ports is controlled by the multimedia software, as explained below.

To adjust playback and recording volume levels

Click Start, Settings, and Control Panel.

Double-click the Multimedia icon. The Multimedia Properties dialog box appears.

Click the Audio tab, then set the Playback and Recording levels to your preference.

Chapter 3: Using Your Notebook 25

+ 65 hidden pages

Gateway SOLO 3100 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual