Gateway P-6825 Manual

							www.gateway.com
53
How it makes file storage cheaper
Because RAID 0 lets your notebook see multiple hard drives as 
a single drive, you can install two lower capacity (less 
expensive) drives and have the same single-drive storage 
simplicity and capacity as a larger, more expensive hard drive.
Drawbacks
Unfortunately, RAID 0 lets two drives behave as one in another 
way. If part of the array fails (such as a hard drive crashing), 
the entire array fails. Because the drives are treated like a single 
drive, parts of files (including operating system files) can be 
spread across both drives, leaving the notebook with only file 
fragments if one drive fails. Regular and frequent backups are 
critical.
Another drawback is that RAID 0 treats each hard drive as if it 
has the storage capacity of the smallest drive in the array. So 
if you have two drives (300 GB and 200 GB) in a RAID 0 array, 
your notebook only recognizes 400 GB total capacity.
RAID 1 for security
RAID 1 maintains a complete copy of all files on each physical 
hard drive in the array. Maintaining simultaneous, complete 
copies of files across both hard drives is called mirroring. If a 
drive fails, the mirrored drive takes over and acts as the 
primary drive.
In the graphic below, each letter represents a unique block of 
data, and each column represents a separate hard drive.
File reading performance (seek time) is increased using the 
same methods that RAID 0 uses, although writing speed is the 
same as if writing to a single hard drive.
A
B
CA
B
C
RAID 1 
						

							CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories
54
Drawback
RAID 1 treats the entire array as a single drive with the storage 
capacity of the smallest physical drive in the array. So if you 
have two drives (300 GB and 250 GB) in a RAID 1 array, your 
notebook only recognizes a single drive with 250 GB total 
capacity.
Preparing your notebook for RAID
Setting up RAID on your notebook can involve two major steps, 
depending on how your notebook has been configured.
To prepare your notebook for RAID:  
1Configure the RAID arrays. See the Array Manager User 
Guide, or “Configuring RAID” on page 54.
2Install the operating system.
Configuring RAID
Enabling RAID
If you ordered your notebook with a RAID configuration from 
the factory, RAID is already enabled, and you can skip this 
procedure. However, if your notebook came without a RAID 
configuration and you set up RAID yourself, you must enable 
RAID before your notebook can use it.
To enable RAID on your notebook:  
1Start (or restart) your notebook.
2As soon as your notebook turns on and the Gateway logo 
appears on the screen, press F2. The BIOS Setup utility 
opens.
3Select the Advanced menu, then select SATA mode.
4Change the SATA mode to RAID.
5Press F10, then type Y to exit BIOS saving changes.
Now that RAID is enabled, you can access the RAID setup.
Creating a RAID volume
Because RAID can be configured so many ways, this procedure 
covers only the basics. 
						

							www.gateway.com
55
To  co n f ig u re  R A I D:  
1Start (or restart) your notebook. During startup, the RAID 
option screen appears. (Number and specifications of 
your drives may vary from the example.)
2While the RAID option screen is open, press CTRL+I. The 
Matrix Storage Manager opens.
3Highlight 1. C r e a te  R A I D Vo lu m e, then press ENTER. The 
Create Volume menu opens.
4Change the following settings:
Name—Type a volume name (up to 16 characters) or 
use the default name, then press ENTER.
RAID Level—Press ↑ or ↓ to select the RAID level, 
then press E
NTER.
Select Disks—Press ↑ or ↓ to highlight drives, press 
the spacebar to select (mark with a green triangle) 
each drive to use in the array, then press E
NTER. 
						

							CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories
56
Strip Size—If you have selected RAID 0 select the 
strip (stripe) value for the array, then press E
NTER. 
Defaults: 218 KB for RAID 0. We recommend 
accepting the default strip value.
Capacity—Type the volume (virtual hard drive) 
capacity, or use the default capacity, then press 
E
NTER. We recommend using the default value (the 
maximum capacity with the drives you selected).
5Highlight Create Volume, then press ENTER. A warning 
appears.
6Ty p e  Y. The RAID volume is created and the Main menu 
opens.
7Highlight 4. Exit, then press Enter. The Matrix Storage 
Manager closes, and your notebook restarts.
Deleting a RAID volume
Deleting a RAID volume deletes all files on that volume, 
including operating system files.
To delete a RAID volume:  
1Start (or restart) your notebook. During startup, the RAID 
option screen appears.
2While the RAID option screen is open, press CTRL+I. The 
Matrix Storage Manager opens.
3Highlight 2. Delete RAID Volume, then press ENTER. The 
Delete Volume menu opens.
4Press ↑ or ↓ to highlight the RAID volume you want to 
delete, then press DELETE. A warning message appears.
5Ty p e  Y to confirm volume deletion.
Resetting drives to non-RAID status
To troubleshoot or repair incompatible RAID configurations, 
failed RAID volumes, or failed drives within a RAID volume, you 
can reset (remove from the RAID) the drives until the problems 
can be resolved.Caution
If your notebook has the operating system installed on a RAID, 
deleting the RAID will remove the operating system, and you will not be 
able to start your notebook. 
						

							www.gateway.com
57
To reset drives to non-RAID status:  
1Start (or restart) your notebook. During startup, the RAID 
option screen appears.
2While the RAID option screen is open, press CTRL+I. The 
Matrix Storage Manager opens.
3Highlight 3. Reset Disks to Non-RAID, then press ENTER. 
The Reset RAID Data menu opens.
4Press ↑ or ↓ to highlight each of the drives you want to 
reset, press the spacebar to select (mark with a green 
triangle) each drive you want to reset, then press E
NTER. 
A warning message appears.
5Ty p e  Y to confirm the drive reset.
Getting help
For more information on RAID concepts, configuration, and 
maintenance, search for RAID FAQ information on the Gateway 
Technical Support Web site (www.gateway.com
) and the Intel 
Support & Downloads Web site (support.intel.com).
Using an eSATA (external SATA) 
hard drive
To connect your eSATA hard drive to your notebook:  
1Turn off your notebook.
2Connect one end of the eSATA cable to your external hard 
drive.
3Connect the other end of the cable to the eSATA port on 
your notebook. 
						

							CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories
58
4Turn on your notebook.
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.
Memory card types
The memory card reader supports Memory Stick®, Memory 
Stick Pro®, MultiMediaCard™, Secure Digital™, Mini Secure 
Digital™, RS-MultiMediaCard™, and xD-Picture Card™.
Inserting a memory card
To insert a memory card:  
Insert the memory card into the memory card slot with 
the label facing up and the arrow on the label pointing 
towards the notebook. Important
For more information about using your eSATA hard drive, see your drive’s 
documentation.
ImportantRS-Multimedia Card and Mini Secure Digital cards require the use of an 
adapter that is available with the media. 
						

							www.gateway.com
59
Using a memory card
To access a file on a memory card:  
1Click  (Start), then click Computer.
2Double-click the drive letter (for example, the E: drive), 
then double-click the file name.
Removing a memory card
To remove a memory card:  
1Push the memory card into the notebook. The memory 
card pops out slightly.
2Pull the memory card out of the notebook.
Using an Express Card
Your notebook has an Express Card slot. This slot accepts one 
Type 54 Express Card. You do not need to restart your notebook 
when changing most cards because your notebook supports 
hot-swapping. Hot-swapping means that you can insert an 
Express Card while your notebook is running. If your Express 
Card does not work after hot-swapping, see the Express Card 
manufacturer’s documentation for further information.
To insert an Express Card:  
Push the card firmly into the Express Card slot, label-side 
up, until the outer edge of the card is flush with the side 
of your notebook. Important
Do not use the remove hardware icon in the taskbar to remove the 
memory card. If you use the remove hardware icon, your notebook may not 
recognize your memory card reader until you restart your notebook. 
						

							CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories
60
To remove an Express Card:  
1Turn off your notebook, then go to step 5.
-OR-
Double-click the remove hardware icon in the 
taskbar. The Safely Remove Hardware dialog box opens.
2Click the Express Card name, then clickStop. The Stop a 
Hardware device dialog box opens.
3Click the Express Card name, then clickOK. The Safe to 
Remove Hardware dialog box opens.
4Click OK.
5Pull the Express Card out of your notebook.
Installing a printer or other 
peripheral device
Your notebook has one or more of the following ports: 
Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE 1394, HDMI (digital audio/video) 
and eSATA (external SATA hard drive). You use these ports to 
connect peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and 
digital cameras to your notebook.
USB ports support plug-and-play and hot swapping, which 
means that your notebook will usually recognize such a device 
whenever you plug it into the appropriate port. When you use 
a USB device for the first time, your notebook will prompt you 
to install any software the device needs. After doing this, you 
can disconnect and reconnect the device at any time.Important
If the remove hardware icon does not appear on the taskbar, click 
the show hidden icons button.
ImportantBefore you install a printer, scanner, or other peripheral device, see the 
device documentation and installation instructions.
HelpFor 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
NTER. 
						

							www.gateway.com
61
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.
To connect your USB device to your notebook:  
1Connect one end of the USB cable to your device.
2Connect the other end of the cable to a USB port on 
your notebook.
Connecting an IEEE 1394 device
Your notebook may have a 4-pin IEEE 1394 port (also known 
as a Firewire® or i.Link® port) for connecting devices such as 
a video camera.Important
USB devices may have special installation instructions. See your USB 
device’s installation guide.
ImportantFor more information about using the USB port on your device, see your 
device’s documentation.
ImportantFor more information about using the IEEE 1394 port on your device, see 
your device’s documentation. 
						

							CHAPTER 4: Using Drives and Accessories
62
To connect your IEEE 1394 device to your notebook:  
1Connect one end of the IEEE 1394 cable to your IEEE 1394 
device.
2Connect the other end of the cable to the optional 
IEEE 1394 port on your notebook.
Viewing the display on a 
projector, monitor, or television
You can use your notebook for giving presentations by 
connecting an external monitor, projector, or television to your 
monitor (VGA) or optional HDMI port. Your notebook supports 
simultaneous LCD and external display. Simultaneous display 
lets you control a presentation from your notebook at the same 
time as you face your audience.
To use a projector, monitor, or television:  
1Turn off your notebook.
2If you are using the VGA port, connect one end of the VGA 
cable to the monitor, projector, or television.
-OR-
If you are using the HDMI port, connect one end of the 
HDMI cable to the monitor, projector, or television.Tip
For more information about editing video, see “Creating a video 
DVD” in your online User Guide.