Gateway 400 series User Manual

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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.
Indicator Icon Description
Diskette drive The 1.44 MB diskette drive or the memory card reader is in use.
Disc drive The DVD or DVD/CD-RW drive is in use.
Hard drive The hard drive is in use.
Caps Lock Caps Lock is turned on.
Hard drive
Caps Lock
Scroll Lock
Pad Lock Disc drive
Diskette drive 
						

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Status indicators
www.gateway.com Scroll Lock Scroll Lock is turned on. For more information, see “System key 
combinations” on page 26.
Pad Lock Numeric keypad is turned on. For more information, see “System 
key combinations” on page 26.
Indicator Icon Description
1 
						

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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 Pad Lock keys for the numeric keypad.
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.
Function keys/System keys
Navigation keys/Volume keys
FN keyWindows 
keyNumeric 
keypadApplication 
keyArrow keys/LCD 
brightness keys 
						

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Using the keyboard
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Key types
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
Function keys Press these keys labeled F1 to F12 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. 
System keys Press these colored keys in combination with the 
FNkey to 
perform specific actions.
Navigation keys Press these keys to move the cursor to the beginning of a line, 
to the end of a line, up the page, down the page, to the beginning 
of a document, or to the end of a document.
Volume keys Press these colored keys in combination with the 
FNkey to 
increase or decrease the volume or to turn off all sound.
FN key Press the FNkey in combination with a colored system key (such 
as 
STATUS, STANDBY, or PAUSE) to perform a specific action.
Windows key Press this key to open the Windows Start menu. This key can 
also be used in combination with other keys to open utilities like 
F(Search utility), R(Run utility), and E(Explorer utility).
Numeric keypad Use these keys to type numbers when the numeric keypad is 
turned on. Press 
FN+PADLOCK to turn on the numeric keypad.
Application key Press this key for quick access to shortcut menus and help 
assistants in Windows.
Arrow keys Press these keys to move the cursor up, down, right, or left.
LCD brightness 
keysPress these colored keys in combination with the 
FN key to 
control the screen brightness. 
						

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System key combinations
When you press the FN key and a system key at the same time, your notebook 
performs the action identified by the colored text or icon on the key.
Press and hold F
N, then 
press this system key...To . . .
Display the power status box in the upper-left corner of your 
display. The box shows the battery charge level, the BIOS version, 
and whether the AC adapter is being used. Press the key 
combination again to close this box.
Toggle the notebook display between the LCD, an external 
monitor, or both displays at the same time. A monitor must be 
plugged into the monitor port on your notebook.
Enter Standby mode. Press the power button to leave Standby 
mode. For more information, see “Changing power modes” on 
page 130.
Turn on Pad Lock so you can use the numeric keypad. Press this 
key combination again to turn off Pad Lock. The Pad Lock status 
indicator appears when this function is turned on.
Pause the text scrolling in a DOS screen. Press this key 
combination again to continue scrolling. The Scroll Lock status 
indicator appears when this function is turned on. (This function 
is only available in some programs.)
Pause execution of a DOS program. (This function is only available 
in some programs.)
Stop the currently running DOS program. (This function is only 
available in some programs.)
Increase the brightness of the display. 
						

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Using the keyboard
www.gateway.com Decrease the brightness of the display.
Mute the sound. Press the key combination again to restore the 
sound. For more information, see “Adjusting the volume” on 
page 76.
Increase volume. For more information, see “Adjusting the 
volume” on page 76.
Decrease volume. For more information, see “Adjusting the 
volume” on page 76.
Press and hold FN, then 
press this system key...To . . .
Home
PgUp
PgDn 
						

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Chapter 2: Getting Started
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Multi-function buttons
Press the multi-function buttons to open the programs associated with them.
Button Icon Press to...
E-mail Open your default e-mail program.
Internet Open your default Web browser.
Help Open online help.
My Computer Open the My Computer window.
E-mailInternetHelp
My Computer 
						

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Using the EZ Pad touchpad
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Using the EZ Pad touchpad
The EZ Pad™ consists of a touchpad, two buttons, and a rocker switch.
When you move your finger on the touchpad, the pointer (arrow) on the screen 
moves in the same direction.
Left touchpad 
buttonRight touchpad 
button Rocker 
switchTouchpad 
						

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You can use the EZ-Pad left and right buttons below the touchpad to select 
objects.
You can assign a function to the rocker switch between the touchpad buttons. 
This function can be to scroll up or down, maximize or minimize the active 
window, or open and close the Start menu. For more information about 
programming the rocker switch, see “Changing the touchpad settings” on 
page 152.
Using the touchpad
To... Do this...
Move the pointer 
on the screen.Move your finger around on the 
touchpad. If you run out of space 
and need to move the pointer 
farther, lift your finger, move it to the 
middle of the touchpad, then 
continue moving your finger.
Select an object 
on the screen.Position the pointer over the object. 
Quickly press and release the left 
button once. This action is called 
clicking.
Start a program 
or open a file or 
folder.Position the pointer over the object. 
Press the left button twice in rapid 
succession. This action is called 
double-clicking. 
						

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Using the EZ Pad touchpad
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For instructions on how to adjust the double-click speed, pointer speed, 
right-hand or left-hand configuration, and other touchpad settings, see 
“Changing the touchpad settings” on page 152.
Access a shortcut 
menu or find 
more information 
about an object 
on the screen.Position the pointer over the object. 
Quickly press and release the right 
button once. This action is called 
right-clicking.
Move an object 
on the screen.Position the pointer over the object. 
Press the left button and hold it 
down, then use the touchpad to 
move (drag) the object to the 
appropriate part of the screen. 
Release the button to drop the 
object where you want it.
To . . . D o  t h i s . . .