Gateway m500 User Manual

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Using Installed
Programs and
Utilities
Read this chapter to learn how to:
■Access programs in Windows
■Program the multi-function buttons
■Use the BIOS Setup utility 
						

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Chapter 6: Using Installed Programs and Utilities
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System software
Your notebook comes preloaded with the following software:
■Windows XP operating system
■DMI (Desktop Management Interface)-compliant hardware BIOS Setup 
utility
■System utilities, drivers, and programs
Launch Manager
Launch Manager allows you to program the four multi-function buttons and 
the wireless button located above the keyboard. See “Multi-function buttons” 
on page 29 for the location of these keys.
You can access the Launch Manager by clicking 
Start, Programs, and then 
clicking 
Launch Manager to start the program.
ImportantTo access Windows programs, click Start, then click the 
program folder. Click the program icon to open the selected 
program. To learn about the software and utility, use the 
online help provided by the software. 
						

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BIOS Setup utility
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BIOS Setup utility
The BIOS Setup utility is a hardware configuration program built into your 
notebook’s BIOS (basic input/output system).
Your notebook is already correctly configured and optimized, and you do not 
need to run this utility. You can use the BIOS Setup utility to create passwords 
to limit access to your notebook.
To open the BIOS Setup utility, press F2 during startup.
Use the navigation keys displayed at the bottom of the BIOS Setup utility screen 
to move through the BIOS menus and make selections. Press F1 to get more 
help about options.
Setting a password
ImportantDo not forget your password. If you forget your password, 
you may have to return your notebook to Gateway to reset 
it. 
						

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To set a password:
1Use the up arrow and down arrow keys to highlight a password parameter 
(Setup, Power-on, or Hard Disk) and press the Enter key. The password box 
opens.
2Type a password. The password can consist of as many as eight 
alphanumeric characters (A-Z, a-z, 0-9).
3Press Enter. The retype password box opens.
4Retype the password to verify your first entry and press Enter.
After setting the password, your notebook automatically sets the chosen 
password parameter to Present.
5Press ESC to return to the main menu.
6Press Esc. The following dialog box appears.
7Select Ye s and press Enter to save the password and exit the BIOS Setup 
utility.
ImportantBe very careful when typing your password because the 
characters do not appear on the screen. 
						

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BIOS Setup utility
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Removing a password
To remove a password, use the up or down arrow key to highlight a password 
parameter and press the left or right arrow key to select None.
Changing a password
To change a password, you have to first remove the password and then follow 
the instructions in “Setting a password” on page 77.  
						

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81
Troubleshooting
Read this chapter to learn how to troubleshoot common 
problems.
WarningDo not attempt to open and service your 
notebook by yourself. Contact Gateway for 
assistance. 
						

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Frequently-asked questions
This is a list of possible situations that may arise during the use of your 
notebook, and it gives easy answers and solutions to these questions.
I press the power button, but the notebook does not start or boot-up.
Look at the Power indicator:
■If it is not lit, your notebook is not getting power. Check the following:
■If you are running on battery power, it may be low and unable to 
power your notebook. Connect the AC adapter to recharge the battery.
■Make sure the AC adapter is plugged in correctly to your notebook 
and to the power outlet.
■If it is lit, check the Standby indicator is lit. if the Standby indicator is lit, 
your notebook is in Standby mode. Press any key or tap on the touchpad 
to resume.
Nothing appears on the screen.
Your notebook’s power management system automatically blanks the screen to 
save power. Press any key to turn the display back on.
If pressing a key does not turn the display back on, two things might be the 
cause:
■The brightness level might be too low.  Press FN+ 
← and FN+ → to adjust 
the brightness level.
■The display device might be set to an external monitor. Press the display 
toggle hotkey F
N+F3 to toggle the display back to your notebook.
Image is not full-screen.
Make sure the resolution is set to a resolution your system supports. Right-click 
your Windows desktop, then click 
Properties to open the Display Properties 
dialog box. Click the 
Settings tab to make sure the resolution is set to the 
appropriate resolution. Resolutions lower than the specified resolution are not 
full-screen on your notebook or on an external monitor. 
						

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Frequently-asked questions
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No audio from the notebook.
Check the following:
■The volume may be muted. In Windows, look at the volume control icon 
on the taskbar. If it is crossed-out, click the icon and deselect the Mute 
option.
■The speakers may be turned off. Press FN+F5 to turn the speakers on (this 
hotkey also turns the speakers off).
■The volume level may be too low. In Windows, look at the volume control 
icon on the taskbar. Click the icon and adjust the level.
If headphones or external speakers are connected to the headphone jack on 
the back of your notebook, the internal speakers automatically turn off.
External microphone does not work.
Check the following: 
■Make sure that the external microphone is connected to the  microphone 
jack on the left side of your notebook.
■If you cannot hear playback, the speakers may be muted. 
The keyboard does not respond.
Try attaching an external keyboard to the USB connector on the back of your 
notebook. If it works, contact Gateway because the internal keyboard cable may 
be loose. 
						

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The printer does not work.
Check the following:
■Make sure that the printer is connected to a power outlet and it is turned 
on.
■Make sure the printer cable is connected securely to your notebook’s USB 
or parallel port and the corresponding port on the printer.
I want to set up my location to use the internal modem.
To set up your location:
1Open the Windows Control Panel and double-click the Modems icon.
2Click Dialing Properties and begin setting up your location.
Refer to the Windows on-line help.
Why can’t I charge my battery to 100% charged when it is 99-95% 
charged?
To preserve the life of the battery, the system only lets you charge the battery 
when its capacity falls below 95%. However, it is recommended that you bring 
an extra battery and let the battery in the system use up its power before 
charging it.