Gateway m405 User Manual
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11 Identifying your model www.gateway.com Identifying your model Gateway model number The label on the bottom of your notebook contains information that identifies your notebook model and its features. Gateway Technical Support will need this information if you call for assistance. Gateway serial number You can locate the Gateway serial number: ■Printed on a white sticker on the bottom or back of your notebook. ■Printed on the customer invoice that came with your notebook. The invoice also contains your customer ID number. ImportantThe labels shown in this section are for informational purposes only. Label information varies by model, features ordered, and location. Gateway model number
12 Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway M405 www.gateway.com Internal wireless label A label similar to the following indicates your notebook contains a wireless communications device. The label is located on the bottom of your notebook. Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity The Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity label found on the bottom of your notebook includes the product key code for your operating system.
13 Finding your specifications www.gateway.com Finding your specifications For more information about your notebook, such as memory size, memory type, and hard drive size, visit Gateway’s eSupport page at support.gateway.com . The eSupport page also has links to additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications. For more information, see “Using eSupport” on page 44. Accessories Gateway offers accessories that can help you make the most of using your notebook. To order accessories, visit the Accessory Store at accessories.gateway.com . Batteries and automobile/airplane power adapters If you run your notebook on battery power for extended periods, you may want to buy an additional battery so you can swap batteries when necessary. See “Changing batteries” on page 143 for more information. With an automobile/airplane power adapter, you can save battery power by plugging your notebook into an automobile cigarette lighter or an airplane in-flight power receptacle.
14 Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway M405 www.gateway.com Carrying cases Gateway has large-capacity carrying cases if you need additional space for accessories or supplies. Memory Large programs, such as multimedia games or graphics programs, use a lot of memory. If your programs are running more slowly than you think they should, try adding more memory. See “Adding or replacing memory” on page 235 for more information. Peripheral devices You can attach devices (such as a keyboard, mouse, printer, or monitor) to your notebook or port replicator. Port replicators Although you can attach devices directly to your notebook, a port replicator lets you make all of those connections at one time. When you travel with your notebook, you merely disconnect from the port replicator instead of unplugging all the devices. A port replicator also provides additional ports and other expansion features not included with your notebook. See “Using the Gateway 405 Port Replicator” on page 245 for more information about using a port replicator with your notebook. Printers You can attach almost any type of printer to your notebook. The most common types are inkjet and laser printers, which print in color or black and white. See “Installing a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device” on page 36 for more information about attaching a printer to your notebook. Inkjet printers and cartridges are relatively inexpensive, but they are slower than laser printers. Using an inkjet color printer, you can print pictures, banners, and greeting cards, as well as documents. Laser printers and cartridges are more expensive, but they print much faster than inkjet printers. Laser printers are better than inkjet printers when you are printing large documents. USB flash drives Use a USB flash drive for storing files or transferring files to another computer.
2 15 Getting Started This chapter provides basic information about your Gateway notebook. Read this chapter to find out how to: ■Connect the AC adapter ■Start and turn off your notebook ■Identify the status indicators ■Use the keyboard ■Use the EZ Pad touchpad ■Connect the modem ■Connect to an Ethernet network ■Install peripheral devices
16 Chapter 2: Getting Started www.gateway.com Safety instructions Certain precautions should be observed to further reduce the risk of personal injury or damage to your notebook. General tips ■When setting up your notebook for work, place it on a level surface. ■Before you clean your notebook, turn if off, unplug it from its power source, and remove the battery. For more information, see “Cleaning your notebook” on page 217. ■Do not push objects into air vents or openings of your notebook. Doing so can cause fire or electric shock by shorting out interior components. ■When you disconnect a cable, pull on its connector, not on the cable itself. As you pull out the connector, keep it evenly aligned to avoid bending any connector pins. Also, before you connect a cable make sure both connectors are correctly oriented and aligned. ■Use of mobile phones can interfere with the sound system. Your notebook operation is not impaired but we recommend that a distance of 12 inches (30 cm) be maintained between your notebook and the mobile phone. ■When you move your notebook between environments with very different humidity or temperature ranges, condensation may form on or within your notebook. To avoid damaging your notebook, allow sufficient time for the moisture to evaporate before using your notebook. ■When traveling, do not check your notebook as baggage. You can put your notebook through an X-ray security machine, but never put your notebook through a metal detector. If you have your notebook checked by hand, be sure to have a charged battery available in case you are asked to turn on your notebook. For more information, see “Traveling with Your Gateway M405” on page 155. ■When traveling, do not place your notebook in overhead storage compartments where it could slide around. For more information, see “Traveling with Your Gateway M405” on page 155. ■Do not drop your notebook or subject it to other physical shocks. ■To completely turn off all notebook power, turn your notebook off, remove the battery, and disconnect the AC adapter from the electrical outlet.
17 Safety instructions www.gateway.com ■The bottom of your notebook can become warm with use. ■Do not apply heavy pressure to your notebook or subject it to strong impact. Excessive pressure or impact can cause damage to notebook components or otherwise cause malfunctions. ■Some PC Cards can become hot with prolonged use. Overheating of a PC Card can result in errors or instability in the card’s operation. Be careful when you remove a PC Card that has been used for extended periods. Using the battery ■Do not carry a battery in your pocket, purse, or other container where metal objects (such as car keys) could short-circuit the battery terminals. The resulting excessive current flow can cause extremely high temperatures and may result in heat damage. ■Protect your notebook, battery, and hard drive from environmental hazards such as dirt, dust, food, liquids, temperature extremes, and overexposure to sunlight. ■Replace only with a Gateway M405 battery to avoid risk of fire or explosion. For more information, see “Changing batteries” on page 143. ■Dispose of used batteries according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Do not dispose of batteries in a fire. They may explode. For more information, see “Changing batteries” on page 143. Using the AC adapter ■Place the adapter in a ventilated area, such as a desktop or on the floor, when you use it to run your notebook or to charge the battery. Do not cover the adapter with papers or other items that will reduce cooling, and do not use the adapter while it is inside a carrying case. ■Make sure that nothing rests on your adapters power cable and that the cable is not located where it can be tripped over or stepped on. ■Use only the adapter and power cord approved for use with this notebook. Use of another type of adapter may create a risk of fire or explosion. ■If you use an extension cable with your adapter, ensure that the total ampere rating of the products plugged into the extension cable does not exceed the ampere rating of the extension cable.
18 Chapter 2: Getting Started www.gateway.com Basic safety precautions When using your notebook and peripheral devices, basic safety precautions should always be followed to reduce the risk of fire, electric shock, and injury to persons, including the following: ■Do not use your notebook near water. For example, do not use it near a bathtub or kitchen sink. ■Avoid using the wired modem or LAN during an electrical storm. There may be a remote risk of electric shock from lightning. ■The cable used with the modem should be manufactured with a minimum wire size of 26 American wire gauge (AWG) and an FCC-compliant RJ-11 modular plug. ■To help avoid the potential hazard of electric shock, do not connect or disconnect any cables or perform maintenance or reconfiguration of your notebook during an electrical storm. Connecting the AC adapter You can run your notebook using an AC adapter or your notebook’s battery. The battery was shipped to you partially charged. You should use the AC adapter right away to fully charge the battery. Allow 24 hours for the battery to fully charge. WarningWhen working with peripheral devices or replacing memory modules, always follow installation instructions closely. Except for replacing memory or the hard drive, do not attempt to service your notebook yourself. (See “Using eSupport” on page 44 and “Telephone support” on page 279 for service information.) ImportantIf the battery is not fully charged before you use your notebook on battery power for the first time, the battery life may be much shorter than you expect. If the battery life seems short even after being charged for 24 hours, the battery may need to be recalibrated. For more information, see “Recalibrating the battery” on page 142.
19 Connecting the AC adapter www.gateway.com To connect the AC adapter: 1Connect the power cord to the AC adapter. 2Connect the AC adapter to your notebook’s power connector. WarningMake 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.
20 Chapter 2: Getting Started www.gateway.com 3Plug the power cord into a wall outlet. The battery charge indicator turns on (see “Front” on page 2 for the location of the battery charge indicator). If the battery charge indicator does not turn on, unplug the adapter from your notebook, then plug it back in. 4When you finish using your notebook for the first time, turn your notebook off and leave your notebook connected to AC power for at least 24 hours. 5If the battery charge indicator does not show a full charge after 24 hours, contact Gateway Technical Support at support.gateway.com/support/ask_gateway.asp . Protecting from power source problems During a power surge, the voltage level of electricity coming into your notebook can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system damage. Protect your notebook and peripheral devices by connecting them to a surge protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from reaching your notebook. WarningDo 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 injury or death. Contact Gateway about returning defective AC adapters. WarningHigh voltages can enter your notebook through both the power cord and the modem connection. Protect your notebook by using a surge protector. If you have a telephone modem, use a surge protector that has a modem jack. If you have a cable modem, use a surge protector that has an antenna/cable TV jack. During an electrical storm, unplug both the surge protector and the modem.