Quanta Computer 9550015318 User Manual

Right side

Checking out the docking s tation

Power
button

PC Card slots

Headphone

jack

Microphone jack

Line in jack

Line out jack

PS/2 mouse port

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PS/2 keyboard port

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Component Icon Description

PC Card slots Insert Type I, II, and III PC Cards into these

slots.

Headphone jack Plug amplified speakers or headphones into

this jack.

Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack. While the

external microphone is connected, the built -in
microphone is turned off.

Line in jack Connect an e x ternal audio sou rce (s uch a s a

stereo) to this jack so you can record sound
on your notebook or play sound through the
notebook speakers.

Line out jack Connect an amplified external audio device

(such as a stereo) to this jack so you can pla y
your notebook audio through that device.

PS/2 mouse port Plug a PS/2 mouse into this port.

PS/2 keyboard port Plug a PS/2 keyboard into this port.

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Power button Use this as an alternate power button.

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Connecting to the docking s tation

Connecting to the docking station

You can attach your notebook to the docking station while your notebook is
off, on, or in Standby/Suspend mode.

Important When the notebook is dock ed, the doc king st ation must be

connected to AC power to function properly.

To dock your notebook:

1 Refer to th e dockin g statio n’s packing materials for first-time setup

instructions.

2 Connect external devices to the docking station.
3 Lift the release latch on the docking station.
4 Align the connector holes on the bottom of your notebook with the

connector posts on the docking station, then pr ess down on the relea se
latch until it snaps into place.

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Chapter 13: Using the Port Re plicator and Docking Sta tion

To undock your notebook:

1 Click Start, then select Eject PC or press the Docking Eject button on the

front of the docking station. The Eject PC menu item appears in the Start
menu only while the notebook is docked.

2 Lift the release latch on the docking station until the notebook is

disconnected.

3 Lift the notebook off of the docking posts.

Adjusting audio settings

Your notebook is configured to use only its internal audio jacks and speakers,
even while docked. To turn on the docking station’s external speakers and
audio jacks, if you have Windows Me, you must ch ange audio settings (the
settings are changed automatically in Windows NT and Windows 2000). You
can also configure the notebook’s internal speakers (analog audio) to pass
through the digital audio jack to the docking station.

To turn on the docking station’s external speakers and audio jacks in
Windows Me:

1 Double-click the speaker icon on the taskbar. The Volume Control dialog

box opens.

2 Click Advanced. The Advanced Controls for Volume Control dialog box

opens.

3 Click Docked Speakers for analog audio. The docking st ation au dio ja cks

are turned on.

- OR ­Click

Enable S/PDIF for digital audio. The docking station digital audio

jack is turned on.

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Installing a PCI c ard in the docking stat ion

Installing a PCI card in the doc king
station

You can install one standard half-length PCI card in your docking station.

Important The PCI card bay cover is locked when the release latch

is down and the docking station is secured using the
Kensington lock slot.

To install a PCI card:

1 Remove your notebook from the doc king station.
2 Unplug all cables, including the power cord.
3 Remove the screw on the back of the doc king station.

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Chapter 13: Using the Port Re plicator and Docking Sta tion

4 Lift the release latch on the docking station, then slide the cover straight

back and lift it off.

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Installing a PCI c ard in the docking stat ion

5 If your card requires access for cables, push out the side panel cover and

store it in a safe place.

6 Remove the retaining screw from the card bracket in the card bay.
7 Install the PCI card in the card slot.
8 Secure the card by replacing the retaining screw.

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Chapter 13: Using the Port Re plicator and Docking Sta tion

9 Replace the cover by setting it flat on the docking station and sliding it

forward into place. Do not tilt the cover.

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10 Replace the screw that secures the cover to the docking station.

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Networking
Your Computer

Connecting your home, small office, or home office c omputers lets yo u share
drives, printers, and a single Internet connection among the connected
computers.

This chapter contains information about:

■ Benefits of a home, small office, or home office network

■ The Gateway Connected Home

■ Network connection types

■ Your networking shopping list

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Chapter 14: Networking Y our Computer

Using a network

A network lets you:

■ Share a single Internet connection

■ Share computer drives

■ Share peripherals

■ Stream audio and video files

■ Play multi-player games

Sharing a single Internet connection

A network makes sharing the Internet easy. Each computer or Internet
appliance that is connected to the network can share the same modem and
telephone line or broadband connection and access the Internet at the same
time. This saves on the cost of installing another telephone line for your
second computer an d paying for a second In ternet Service Prov ider (ISP)
account.

Important Most ISPs allow multiple users at the same time.

Sharing drives

With a network, you can copy files from computer to computer by copying
and pasting or dragging and droppin g. You will no longer waste your time
transferring files by using diskettes. In addition, you can map a drive from a
computer on the network to a drive on another computer , and access the fil e
as if it were located on the hard drive of the computer you are using.

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If you use America Online as your ISP, you can:

■

Log onto America Online through one of your screen nam es
and the other computers can access the Internet using an
Internet browser.

■

Upgrade your service to AOL for Home Networks. This
servi ce allows mo re than on e of your scr een names t o be
online through your home network at one time.

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Sharing peripherals

Each computer that is connected to the network can share the same
peripherals, such as a printer . Select print from the computer you a re currently
using and your file is automatically printed on your printer no matter where
it is located on your network.

Streaming audio and video files

With a network, you can store audio files (such as the popular .MP3 files) and
video files on any networked comput er, then play them on any of t he other
computers or devices connected to your network, a process called streaming.
Add a digital music player such as the Gateway Connected Music Player, and
you can integrate your stereo system into your network as well.

Playing m ulti-play er games

With a home network, you can play multi-player games. Load a game like
Microsoft Midtown Madness 2 on your computers, and in minutes, you and your
friends can race in comp eting cars through the stre ets of San Francisco .

Using a network

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Chapter 14: Networking Y our Computer

Introducing the Gate way Connected
Home

The Gateway Connected Home connects all your computers and other devices
so that you can share files, programs, peripherals, and much more from any
computer in your house. The picture below shows an example Gateway
Connected Home.

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Introducing the Gate way Connected Home

Components of a Gateway Connected Home

The Gateway Connected Home begins with two computers and a connection.
From there, you can add computers and devi ces to fit your specific needs. You
can connect:

■ Any or all of your connected computers to your Internet connection

simultaneously.

■ A Gateway Connected Touchpad to your

connected home so that more than one screen
name can log onto America Online
simultaneously.

■ Your notebook computer to your connected

home so you can share files and print at home.

■ A Gateway Connected Music Player to your connected home to play

audio files, located on any connected computer, a nywhere in your home,
either through your stereo system or through powered speakers.

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Chapter 14: Networking Y our Computer

Selecting a network connection

One of the biggest decisions you will need to make when creating your
network is what type of connection you will use. Gateway supports both wired
and wireless connections.

Wired connections

HPNA (Home Phoneline Networking Alliance) and Ethernet are two popular
types of wired networks.

HPNA

Creating an HPNA network is as easy as knowing where your telephone jacks
and computers are located. HPNA uses your home's standard telephone lines
and telephone jacks instead of special cabling to connect computers. You can
use your networked computers at the same time as you connect to your ISP,
send a fax, or talk on your telephone. For the best performance, your
computers or Internet appliances should have HPN A 2.0 network cards or
jacks fo r connec ting to yo ur networ k.

Important If you have more than one telephone line in your home or

office, make sure that all the co mputers in your networ k are
connected to jacks that share the same telephone number.

Ethernet or Fast Ethernet

Ethernet is a type of connection commonly use d in offices around the world.
This type of connection can also be used to build small computer networks
in the home. Ethernet is available at two different speeds: standard Ethernet,
which runs at the same speed as HPNA2.0, and Fast Ethernet, which runs
up to ten times faster. To create an Ethernet network, you or your electrician
must install special cables in your home or office. Your computers or Internet
appliances must have Ethernet cards or jacks for connecting to a 10 or 10/100
Ethernet switch or hub . If you are connecting just two computers, you can
eliminate the switch or hub and use a special crossover cable.

Important Check local code requirements before installing Ethernet

cable or other wiring in your home or offi ce. Your municipality
may require you to ob tain a permit and hire a licensed i nstaller .

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Broadband Internet co nnections

You can use your computer’s Ethernet or USB jack for more than just
networking. Many broadband Internet connect ions, such as cable modems
and DSL modems, connect to your computer’s Ethernet or USB jack. Typically,
if one computer is connected to the Internet, other networked computers also
access the Internet through the shared Internet connection. A broadband,
versus dial-up, connection adds speed and an “always on” connection to your
home network.

Wireless Connections

Instead of connecting your computers with wires, you can consider two types
of wireless networks.

Important Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere

with equipment on commercial aircraft. Current aviation
regulations require w irel ess devices to be turned off while
travel ing in an airplane . Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11b (al so
known as wireless Ethernet or WiFi) communication
devices are examples of devices that provide wireless
communication.

Selecting a network conne ction

Important If your system came equipped with an internal radio

Wireless Ethernet

A wireless Ethernet network (also known as IEEE 802.11b or WiFi) exceeds
the speed of either HPNA 2.0 or standard Ethernet. In addition, this type of
network allows you the freedom to move about your home or office with your
computer. For example, you can take your notebook computer from your
home office to your patio without having a telephone or Ethernet jack
available. Although you save on the cost of wiring, the higher cost of wireless
Ethernet equipment may result in a wireless network costing more than a
wired one.

frequency wir eless device, see “Safety, Regulatory, and
Legal Information” on page 281 for general wireless
regulatory and safety guidelin es. To find out if your system
has an internal wireless device, check the label (see
“Identifying your model” on page 23).

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Chapter 14: Networking Y our Computer

Bluetooth

Bluetooth is a short-range wireless method for creating a network. Like
wireless Ethernet, Bluetooth allows your computer to send and receive data
without wiring. However, unlike the wireless Ethernet, the range and speed
of the Bluetooth connection are greatly reduced. Bluetooth is an ideal method
for connecting a notebook computer, PDA, pager, cellular telephone, and
printer that are all in close proximity.

Assessing your connection needs

To select the type of network that will work best for you, consider how you
will use your network.

HPNA

An HPNA network is appropri ate if:

■ Your home, small office, or home office has a telephone jack with the

same telephone number in each room that has a device you want to
connect

■ You have several Windows-based computers that are used for drive

sharing, printing to a single printer, or surfing the Internet

Ethernet

An Ethernet or Fast Ethernet network is appropriate if:

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■ Your notebook computer has one of the following:

■ An HPNA jack for connecting to a telephone jack

■ A USB port to connect to a HPNA adapter

■ Cost savings is more important than network speed

■ Your connection speed needs are less than 10000 Kbps (see “Comparing

data transfer speed” on page 208)

■ Y ou are building a new home, or your existing home already has Ethernet

cable installed in each room that has a device you want to connect

■ You are creating a network in an office or business

■ Network speed is more important than cost savings

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