CHAPTER1 About This Reference • About this guide • Accessing your online User Guide • Gateway contact information • Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity • For more information...
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.
For more information For more information about your notebook, visit Gateway’s Support page at on your notebook’s label. The Support page also has links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications.
CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook Front Component Icon Wireless network switch Wireless network switch Description Enable or disable the IEEE 802.11 wireless network radio and optional 3G communication (optional). For more information, see your wireless radio on or off” on page Warning: Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere with equipment on commercial aircraft.
Power connector Component Icon Power connector Monitor port Ventilation fan Ethernet jack www.gateway.com Ethernet jack Memory card reader USB ports Ventilation fan Description Plug the AC adapter cable into this connector. Plug an analog VGA monitor or projector into this port.
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CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook Component Icon USB ports Memory card reader Description Plug USB devices (such as a diskette drive, flash drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse) into these ports. Insert a memory card from a digital camera, MP3 player, PDA, or cellular telephone into the memory card reader.
Icon Microphone jack Headphone jack USB port Memory card reader Kensington™ lock slot www.gateway.com Kensington lock slot USB port Headphone jack Memory card reader Description Plug a microphone into this jack. Plug amplified speakers or headphones into this jack. The built-in speakers are turned off when speakers or headphones are plugged into this jack.
Component Icon Battery latch Battery Battery lock Speakers www.gateway.com Description Slide to release the battery. For more information, see “Changing batteries” on page Provides power when the notebook is not plugged into AC power. Slide to unlock the battery. For more information, see “Changing batteries”...
CHAPTER 2: Checking Out Your Notebook Keyboard area Keyboard area for select models Status indicators Keyboard Touchpad Component Icon Status indicators Keyboard Power button /Power indicator Touchpad Description Inform you when a button has been pressed that affects how the keyboard is used. For more information, see “Using the status indicators”...
LCD panel Microphone Component Icon Microphone Webcam www.gateway.com Webcam Description Use to talk through when making Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls. Important: The optional microphone is only available when purchased with the optional webcam. Use to let others see who they are communicating with when making VoIP calls.
Setting Up and Getting Started • Working safely and comfortably • Connecting the AC adapter • Connecting to a broadband modem or network • Starting your notebook • Turning off your notebook • Restarting (rebooting) your notebook • Using the status indicators •...
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.
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. www.gateway.com...
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.
AC power until the battery charge indicator turns green. hours, contact Gateway Customer Care at the location shown on the Customer Care label. For more information, see information” on page...
CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started 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.
For more information on using Windows, see “Using Windows” and “Customizing Windows” in your online User Guide. www.gateway.com For more information about connecting peripheral devices, see See the documentation that came with each device for its setup...
CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started 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.
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. www.gateway.com Important If for some reason you cannot use the Shut Down option in...
CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started Using the status indicators 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. Battery charge indicator Indicator Battery charge...
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Indicator Icon Wireless network communication network Wireless network Description LED on - Wireless IEEE 802.11 radio ■ is turned on. LED off - Wireless IEEE 802.11 radio ■ is turned off. LED on - Optional wireless 3G ■ communication radio is turned on.
CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started 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.
Key type Numeric keypad Function keys System keys Navigation keys Windows key Application key Arrow keys www.gateway.com Icon Description Use these keys to type numbers when the numeric keypad is turned on. Press F +F11 (N on the numeric keypad.
CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started System key combinations When you press the F your notebook performs the action identified by the text or icon on the key. Press and hold , then press this system key... <Fn> + <F1> <Fn>...
<Fn> + < <Fn> + < <Fn> + < Using the touchpad The touchpad has the main touchpad and two buttons. Left button www.gateway.com Icon To... > Decrease the brightness of the display. > Increase volume. For more information, see volume”...
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CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started When you move your finger on the touchpad, the pointer (arrow) on the screen moves in the same direction. You can use the scroll zone to scroll through documents. Use of the scroll zone may vary from program to program.
• If you are using external speakers, turn the knob on the front of the speakers. -OR- Use the mute and volume control buttons on the keyboard. For more information, see combinations” on page www.gateway.com Microphone Webcam “System “System key...
CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started Turning your wireless radio on or off Your Gateway notebook may have a factory-installed wireless radio. Warning Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere with equipment on commercial aircraft. Current aviation regulations require wireless devices to be turned off while traveling in an airplane.
For the location of the wireless network switch, see Disabling the 3G communication You should disable the 3G communication while traveling by airplane to prevent it from being accidently turned on while in flight. www.gateway.com “Front” on page “Front” on page...
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CHAPTER 3: Setting Up and Getting Started To disable the 3G communication: • Slide the wireless network switch to left again to disable 3G communication. For the location of the wireless network switch, see“Front” on page...
Using Drives and Accessories • Using the memory card reader • Installing a printer or other peripheral device • Viewing the display on a projector, monitor, or television CHAPTER4...
CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories Using the memory card reader You can use memory cards to transfer pictures from a digital camera to your notebook. You can also use the memory card reader to transfer data between your notebook and a device that uses memory cards, such as a PDA, MP3 player, or cellular telephone.
Help For more information about installing peripheral devices, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword installing devices in the Search Help box, then press E www.gateway.com icon in the taskbar to remove the NTER...
CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories Connecting a USB device Your notebook has USB ports for connecting devices such as a diskette drive, flash drive, printer, scanner, camera, keyboard, or mouse. Important USB devices may have special installation instructions. See your USB device’s installation guide.
If the image on the projector, monitor, or television does not appear correctly, or if you want to use the display as an extension of your notebook desktop, you should adjust the display properties. www.gateway.com on your notebook. +F5 to switch between viewing the display on Important...
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CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories To adjust the display properties on a projector, monitor, or television: Click Start, Control Panel Display Propertites window opens. Click Settings tab. The Display Settings dialog box opens. Click monitor 2. Adjust properties such as Resolution or Colors if necessary.
CHAPTER5 Managing Power • Monitoring the battery charge • Recharging the battery • Extending battery life • Extending battery life • Changing notebook power settings...
Monitoring the battery charge Your new Gateway notebook is designed to provide an exceptional balance of performance and portability. Your notebook uses the latest chipset and mobile processor technologies to manage the processor speed and power consumption for a greater battery life experience. This design...
Warning Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced. Replace only with a battery specifically manufactured for your Gateway notebook. Discard used batteries according to local hazardous material regulations. The batteries used in this device may present a fire or chemical burn hazard if mishandled.
Open the LCD panel. Extending battery life Maximizing battery performance To get maximum performance from your notebook battery, we recommend that you initially condition (fully charge and discharge) your new battery a few times during the first several weeks of use, to let it reach its maximum rated capacity. Over the long term, use the battery at least once a month, even if it was kept in a cool, dry place for storage, but avoid frequent full discharges because this puts additional strain on the...
To find AC power outlets in airports, look for them next to support pillars, in large areas such as boarding gates, and under banks of telephones. www.gateway.com “Recharging the battery” on page For more information about traveling with your notebook, see...
Changing power modes You can use the following power modes to lengthen the life of your notebook’s battery: • Sleep - while your notebook is in Sleep mode, it switches to a low power state where devices, such as the display and drives, turn off.
To change the power plan: Click Start, Control Panel The Power Options Properties window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance and Maintenance. www.gateway.com ...and you want ...then to... Enter Hibernate Click Start, click Shut...
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Click/Double-click the Power Options icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens. Click the arrow button to open the Power Schemes list, then click the power scheme you want. - OR - Set the timers, then click Save As and type a name for the scheme.
Traveling with Your Notebook • Packing your notebook • Traveling by air • Radio frequency wireless connections • Files • Security • Power • Additional tips CHAPTER6...
CHAPTER 6: Traveling with Your Notebook Packing your notebook • Remove all discs, express cards, peripheral devices, and cables. Remember to pack those you will need while traveling. • Pack your notebook securely into a briefcase or hand-carried luggage, and keep it separate from toiletries, liquids, and food.
Contact your network administrator for more information about remote access. • Take extra recordable media for transferring files between computers and backing up files. www.gateway.com For more information about turning your wireless device on or off,...
The password feature is very secure, with no easy way to recover a forgotten password. If you forget your password, you must return your notebook to Gateway for service. To create a startup password: Restart your notebook. As soon as you see a startup screen, press F2.
• If your notebook has been exposed to cold temperatures, let it warm to room temperature before turning it on. • Carry proof of ownership or a merchandise passport when traveling internationally. www.gateway.com NTER NTER “Managing Power”...
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• Take your recovery discs in case you need to install an additional driver or software. Gateway Recovery Management. You can create a Drivers and Applications Recovery disc using the...
CHAPTER 7: Maintaining Your Notebook Caring for your notebook To extend the life of your notebook: • Be careful not to bump or drop your notebook, and do not put any objects on top of it. The case, although strong, is not made to support extra weight. •...
Use a soft cloth and water to clean the LCD screen. Squirt a little water on the cloth (never directly on the screen), and wipe the screen with the cloth. www.gateway.com...
CHAPTER 7: Maintaining Your Notebook Maintaining the battery The life span of a notebook battery is about 1.5 to 3 years, under normal conditions. As the battery begins to die, you will have to recharge the battery more frequently because it cannot hold a full charge.
You can solve most computer problems by following the information in support pages at www.gateway.com. Problem solving may also involve reinstalling some or all of the computer’s software (also called recovering or restoring your system). Gateway provides everything you need to recover your system under most conditions. Caution To prepare your computer for additional system recovery options, you should create a set of recovery discs as soon as possible.
Caution External optical disc drive required. Please see your retailer for more details. To create recovery discs: Click Start, All Programs, Gateway, then click Gateway Recovery Management. Gateway Recovery Management opens. To create recovery discs for the hard drive’s entire...
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The Create Backup Disc dialog box opens. This dialog box tells you the number of blank, recordable discs you will need to complete the recovery discs. Make sure that you have the required number of identical, blank discs ready before continuing.
To recover your pre-installed software and drivers: Click Start, All Programs, Gateway, then click Gateway Recovery Management. Gateway Recovery Management opens. - OR -...
Recovering from within Windows XP To reinstall Windows XP and all pre-installed software and drivers: Click Start, All Programs, Gateway, then click Gateway Recovery Management. Gateway Recovery Management opens. www.gateway.com for the item you want to install, “Recovering from the hard drive...
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Click OK. The recovery process begins by restarting your computer, then continues by copying files to your hard drive. This process may take a while, but a Gateway Recovery Management screen shows you its progress. When the recovery has finished, a dialog box prompts you to restart your computer.
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Click Restore system from factory default. Caution Continuing the process will erase all files on your hard drive. Click Next to continue. Your hard drive’s original, factory-loaded contents are recovered. This process will take several minutes. Recovering from your recovery discs...
Safety guidelines Warning Do not try to troubleshoot your problem if power cords or plugs are damaged, if your notebook was dropped, or if the case was damaged. Instead, unplug your notebook and contact a qualified computer technician. For more information about preventing damage from static electricity, see “Preventing static electricity discharge”...
Make sure that your hard drive is not full. • If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message. The message may help Gateway Customer Care in diagnosing and fixing the problem. • If you added or removed peripheral devices, review the installation procedures you performed and make sure that you followed each instruction.
If you feel these pixels are unacceptably numerous or dense on your display, contact Gateway Customer Care to identify whether a repair or replacement is justified based on the number of pixels affected.
C” error message • If a diskette is in the diskette drive, eject it and restart your notebook. www.gateway.com Caution If a file was deleted while holding down the S Help For more information about restoring deleted files, click Start,...
• Make sure that the hard drive is installed correctly. Remove it, firmly reinsert it, then restart your notebook. For more information about removing your hard drive, see “Replacing the hard drive kit” on page 107. • If your notebook has been subjected to static electricity or physical shock, you may need to reinstall the operating system.
Make sure that the keyboard cable is plugged in correctly. • Remove all extension cables and switchboxes. • Clean the keyboard by using an aerosol can of air with a narrow, straw-like extension to remove dust and lint trapped under the keys. www.gateway.com “Using the keyboard” on...
• Try a keyboard that you know works to make sure that the keyboard port works. • If you spilled liquid in the keyboard, turn off your notebook and unplug the keyboard. Clean the keyboard and turn it upside down to drain it. Let the keyboard dry before using it again.
Ethernet jack on your notebook. Make sure that the other end is plugged into a router. For the location of your network jack, see • Make sure that all computers are plugged into a powered electrical outlet and turned on. www.gateway.com NTER “Left” on page “Left” on...
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• Make sure that the router is plugged into a powered electrical outlet and turned on. Most routers have lights that indicate they are working. For more information, see the documentation that came with your router. • Make sure that all computers on your network have the same workgroup name.
To check the signal strength: Click Start, right-click Network, then click Properties. The Network and Sharing Center window opens. www.gateway.com Caution If your notebook was a member of a domain before you join a Important Note any antenna placement constraints in the access point user...
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Click View status for the network connection. The Wireless Network Connection Status dialog box opens. The meter shows the signal strength for wireless networking on your computer if other computers with the same network name are within range of your computer. You are in a wireless network, you can see the network, but cannot communicate, send files, print, or get to the Web •...
You forgot your startup password The password feature (which is set in the BIOS Setup utility) is very secure, with no easy way to recover a forgotten password. You must return your notebook for repair. Call Gateway Customer Care for instructions. Power Your notebook is not working on AC power •...
Your notebook is not working on battery power • Check the power management settings. For more information about using power management settings, “Changing notebook power settings” on page • Make sure that the battery is installed correctly. For instructions on inserting your battery, see batteries”...
Sound Help For more information about troubleshooting sound issues, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type the keyword sound troubleshooting in the Search Help box, then press E www.gateway.com NTER...
You are not getting sound from the built-in speakers • Make sure that headphones are not plugged into the headphone jack. • Make sure that the volume control on your notebook is turned up. For more information about using your volume control, see •...
Make sure that your notebook is nearby at the time of your call. The technician may have you follow troubleshooting steps. • The Setup Guide includes the Gateway Customer Care telephone number. For more information, see contact information” on page www.gateway.com...
APPENDIXA Legal Information • Important safety information • Regulatory compliance statements • Environmental information • Notices...
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24 AWG) UL-listed or CSA-certified telecommunication line cord for your dialup modem connection. Your Gateway notebook is designed and tested to meet the latest standards for safety of information technology equipment. However, to ensure safe use of this notebook, it is important that the safety instructions marked on the notebook and in the documentation are followed.
• The notebook was dropped or the cabinet is damaged. • The notebook performance changes. Replacement parts and accessories Use only replacement parts and accessories recommended by Gateway. Regulatory compliance statements Wireless guidance Warning Radio frequency wireless communication can interfere with equipment on commercial aircraft.
Gateway believes these devices are safe for use. Regardless of the power levels, care should be taken to minimize human contact during normal operation.
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FCC rules. FCC declaration of conformity Caution Changes or modifications not expressly approved by Gateway could void the FCC compliance and negate your authority to operate the notebook. Caution Recycle or dispose of the used notebook properly according to federal, state and local laws.
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Warning This product contains chemicals known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and/or other reproductive harm. For additional information regarding this product warning, go to www.gateway.com/prop65. Mercury Warning Warning THE LAMP IN THIS DISPLAY CONTAINS MERCURY. DISPOSE ACCORDING TO LOCAL, STATE, AND FEDERAL LAW.
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Wireless devices are not user-serviceable. Do not modify them in any way. Modification to a wireless device will void the authorization to use it. Contact Gateway for service. Caution The transmitting device embedded in this notebook may not be used with any antenna other than provide with the notebook.
Japan Japanese Modem Notice All Gateway systems equipped with CD and DVD drives comply with the appropriate safety standards, including IEC 825. The laser devices in these components are classified as “Class 1 Laser Products” under a US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Radiation Performance Standard.
• In some cases, your “end of life” product may be “traded in” for credit towards the purchase of new Gateway equipment. Call Gateway to see if this program is available in your area. •...
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Gateway is not responsible for inaccurate information which may appear in this manual. For the latest product updates, consult the Gateway Web site at www.gateway.com. In no event will Gateway be liable for direct, indirect, special, exemplary, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from any defect or omission in this manual, even if advised of the possibility of such damages.
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