Solo9550.book Page 139 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Extending battery life To change the power scheme 1 Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If you do not see the Power Options or Power Management icon, click view all Control Panel options. 2 Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens. 3 Select a power scheme from the Power Schemes list.
Solo9550.book Page 140 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 9: Managing Power To change the alarm options: 140 1 Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If you do not see the Power Options or Power Management icon, click view all Control Panel options. 2 Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens. 3 Click the Alarms tab. 4 Adjust the alarm settings, then save the changes by clicking OK.
Solo9550.book Page 141 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Extending battery life To change advanced power management settings: 1 Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If you do not see the Power Options or Power Management icon, click view all Control Panel options. 2 Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens. 3 Click the Advanced tab.
Solo9550.book Page 142 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 9: Managing Power To use Hibernate mode: 142 1 Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If you do not see the Power Options or Power Management icon, click view all Control Panel options. 2 Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power Options Properties dialog box opens. 3 Click the Hibernate tab. 4 Select the Enable hibernate support check box, then click Apply.
Solo9550.book Page 143 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Extending battery life Changing power settings in Windows NT In Windows NT, you can monitor the remaining battery charge and set low battery warnings. To monitor the remaining battery charge: 1 Double-click the battery icon or power cord icon on the taskbar. The APM for NT dialog box opens. 2 Click the Power Status tab. The current battery charge and estimated working time remaining appear. 3 Click OK.
Solo9550.book Page 144 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 9: Managing Power Changing SpeedStep settings The processor installed in your notebook may use Intel® SpeedStep™ technology to conserve battery power. A SpeedStep-equipped processor can change its operating speed according to the power source. Your notebook’s default settings operate the processor at full speed while connected to AC power and at reduced speed (which uses less power) while using battery power.
Solo9550.book Page 145 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Extending battery life 4 5 Change any of the following settings: ■ To run the processor at full speed regardless of the power source, change the Running on batteries setting to Maximum Performance. ■ To run the processor at reduced speed (using less power) regardless of the power source, change the Plugged in setting to Battery Optimized Performance.
Solo9550.book Page 146 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 9: Managing Power 146 www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 147 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Travel Tips 10 These tips can make traveling with your notebook more convenient and trouble-free. This chapter provides information on: ■ Using the modem ■ Using your radio frequency wireless connections ■ Transferring files ■ Protecting your notebook from loss and theft ■ Managing your notebook’s power efficiently Tips & Tricks To access the contents of this manual while you are traveling, download an electronic copy from www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 148 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 10: Travel Tips Modem ■ Take a telephone cord to connect the modem to telephone jacks. If you are traveling internationally, take telephone jack adapters or an acoustic handset coupler. ■ Take a telephone line protector. ■ Take a telephone line tester to check for unsafe lines, especially if you are traveling internationally.
Solo9550.book Page 149 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Files Files ■ Copy your working files from your desktop computer to your notebook before you travel. ■ If you need to access your desktop computer files from your notebook while traveling, set up the desktop computer for remote access. ■ Take extra diskettes for transferring files between computers and backing up files.
Solo9550.book Page 150 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 10: Travel Tips To create a startup password: 1 Restart your notebook. As soon as you see a startup screen, press F2. The BIOS Setup utility opens. 2 Open the Security menu, then highlight Password on boot and press ENTER. 3 4 Highlight Enabled, then press ENTER. Highlight Set Supervisor Password, then press ENTER and follow the instructions. You must set the supervisor password in order to set the user (startup) password.
Solo9550.book Page 151 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Customizing Your Notebook 11 This chapter provides information about customizing your computer by changing settings in Windows. You can: ■ Change screen and display settings ■ Change the background and screen saver ■ Adjust the touchpad settings ■ Program the multi-function buttons on the keyboard www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 152 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 11: Customizing Your Notebook Adjusting the screen and desktop settings Adjusting the color depth and screen area are two of the most basic display settings you may need to change. You can also adjust settings such as the screen background and screen saver. Adjusting the color depth Color depth is the number of colors your LCD displays. Various image types require various color depths for optimum appearance on your LCD.
Solo9550.book Page 153 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Adjusting the screen and desktop settings To change the color depth: 1 Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. 2 Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties window opens. 3 Click the Settings tab. 4 Select a setting from the Colors list. For most purposes, the color depth should be 16-bit High Color. 5 If you want to save your changes, click OK.
Solo9550.book Page 154 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 11: Customizing Your Notebook Adjusting the screen area You can change the screen area to a size you prefer. For example, you can increase the screen area to fit more icons on your desktop, or you can decrease the screen area to make reading and identifying objects on the display easier. The larger the screen area, the smaller individual components of the screen, such as icons and menu bars, appear.
Solo9550.book Page 155 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Adjusting the screen and desktop settings 5 If you want to save your changes, click OK. Windows tells you it will apply your changes when you click OK again. 6 Click OK. Applying a color scheme A color scheme is a set of colors that you can apply to your Windows environment. For example, you can change the appearance of such things as the desktop, windows, and dialog boxes. You can select an existing scheme or create your own.
Solo9550.book Page 156 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 11: Customizing Your Notebook 3 Click the Appearance tab. If you want to apply one of Windows’ color schemes, go to Step 6. 4 If you want to create a new scheme, select various items from the Item list and change their settings. 5 6 Click Save As, type a name for the new scheme, and then click OK. 7 156 Select a color scheme from the Scheme list. An example of the scheme appears in the window above the list. Click OK. www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 157 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Adjusting the screen and desktop settings Changing the desktop background The Windows desktop background can be changed to either a picture or HTML document. Windows provides several background pictures. You can also use pictures or HTML documents that you have created or retrieved from other sources.
Solo9550.book Page 158 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 11: Customizing Your Notebook 3 Click the Background tab. 4 Select a background picture from the Select a background picture or HTML document as Wallpaper list. - OR Select a background picture from another location by clicking Browse. 158 5 If you want the picture you chose to cover the entire screen, select Tile from the Picture Display list.
Solo9550.book Page 159 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Adjusting the screen and desktop settings Selecting a screen saver You can use a screen saver to keep others from viewing your screen while you are away from your computer. Windows supplies a variety of screen savers that you can choose from, and many more are available from the Internet and as commercial products. HelpSpot For more information on changing the screen saver, double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop.
Solo9550.book Page 160 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 11: Customizing Your Notebook 160 3 Click the Screen Saver tab. 4 Select a screen saver from the Screen Saver list. Windows previews the screen saver. 5 If you want to customize the screen saver, click Settings and then make your changes. If the Settings button is not available, you cannot customize the screen saver you selected.
Solo9550.book Page 161 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Changing the touchpad settings Changing the touchpad settings You can adjust the double-click speed, pointer speed, left-hand or right-hand configuration, and other touchpad settings. HelpSpot For more information on changing the mouse settings, double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop. To change your touchpad settings: 1 Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.
Solo9550.book Page 162 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 11: Customizing Your Notebook ■ Touch lets you customize the tap response and sensitivity of the touchpad. ■ Edge Motion lets you customize the long distance pointer motion of the touchpad. ■ Scrolling lets you customize the virtual scrolling capabilities of the touchpad. ■ Tap Zones lets you assign specific actions to zones on the touchpad. ■ More Features lets you control special features of the touchpad.
Solo9550.book Page 163 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Programming the multi-function buttons Programming the multi-function buttons The Multi-function Keyboard Utility lets you change the actions of some of the multi-function buttons. HelpSpot For more information on programming the multi-function buttons, double-click the HelpSpot icon on your desktop. To program the multi-function buttons: 1 Click Start, then select Settings, then Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.
Solo9550.book Page 164 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 11: Customizing Your Notebook 164 www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 165 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Upgrading Your Notebook 12 This chapter provides information about adding hardware devices to your notebook. Topics include: ■ Adding PC Cards ■ Changing bay modules ■ Replacing memory ■ Replacing the hard drive www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 166 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 12: Upgrading Your Notebook Adding PC Cards Your notebook has two PC Card slots (also known as PCMCIA card slots). These slots accept Type I, II, and III PC Cards. 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 a PC Card while your notebook is running.
Solo9550.book Page 167 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Adding PC Cards To remove a PC Card: 1 Click the PC Card eject icon on the task bar (Windows Me and Windows 2000 only). 2 Select the name of the card you want to remove, then click the Stop button (Windows Me and Windows 2000 only). 3 4 Release the eject button by pressing the PC Card eject button once. Eject the PC Card by pressing the eject button again. www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 168 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 12: Upgrading Your Notebook Changing bay modules Your notebook’s modular bays support different bay modules, such as a CD/DVD drive, a second hard drive, a diskette drive, or a second battery. Changing 5.25” bay modules 5.25” modular bay 5.25” modular bay release latch To change 5.25” bay modules: 1 2 3 168 Make sure your notebook is on or off (not in Standby or Hibernate mode).
Solo9550.book Page 169 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Changing bay modules 4 Slide and hold the release latch, then pull the module straight out and away from your notebook. 5 Push the new module straight into the bay until it clicks into place. 6 7 Open the notebook. If your notebook is on, click the OK button in the BaySwap dialog box. If your notebook is off, turn it on. www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 170 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 12: Upgrading Your Notebook Changing 3.5” bay modules Security screw (Solo 9500 only) 3.5” modular bay release latch 3.5” modular bay To change 3.5” bay modules: 170 1 Turn off the notebook (do not go to Hibernate mode), close the cover, and turn the notebook over. 2 3 Remove the security screw. (Solo 9500 only.) 4 5 6 Push the new module straight into the bay until it clicks into place.
Solo9550.book Page 171 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Preventing static electricity discharge Preventing static electricity discharge The components inside your computer are extremely sensitive to static electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD). Caution ESD can permanently damage electrostatic discharge sensitive components in the computer. Prevent ESD damage by following ESD guidelines every time you open the computer case.
Solo9550.book Page 172 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 12: Upgrading Your Notebook Installing memory Your portable computer uses memory modules called SO-DIMMs (Small Outline Dual Inline Memory Modules). The modules are available in various capacities and any module can be placed in any available slot. Use only PC133 memory modules for upgrading your memory. To add or replace memory modules: 1 Follow the instructions under “Preventing static electricity discharge” on page 171.
Solo9550.book Page 173 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Installing memory 6 If you are removing a memory module, gently press outward on both clips at either end of the memory module until the module tilts upward. (The illustration below may look different from your computer.) 7 Pull the memory module out of the slot www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 174 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 12: Upgrading Your Notebook 8 Hold the new or replacement module at a 30-degree angle and press it into the empty memory slot. This module is keyed so that it can only be inserted in one direction. If the module does not fit, make sure the slot in the module lines up with the tab in the memory bay. (The illustration below may look different from your computer.) Important 9 10 174 Use only PC133 (133 MHz) memory modules.
Solo9550.book Page 175 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Replacing the main hard drive Replacing the main hard drive If you would like more hard drive capacity, you can install a second hard drive or replace your original drive with a higher-capacity drive. To replace the drive, follow the instructions below. To replace the main hard drive: 1 Follow the instructions under “Preventing static electricity discharge” on page 171 for important precautions.
Solo9550.book Page 176 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 12: Upgrading Your Notebook 6 176 Slide and hold the release latch, then pull the 3.5” module straight out and away from your notebook. The main hard drive is located beneath the 3.5” module. www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 177 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Replacing the main hard drive 7 Remove the two screws that secure the hard drive kit to the notebook. 8 Slide the hard drive kit away from the connector. www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 178 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 12: Upgrading Your Notebook 9 10 11 12 13 14 178 Lift the end of the hard drive kit furthest from the connector, then remove the kit from the bay. Place the new hard drive kit in the bay and slide it into the connector. Replace the two screws to secure the hard drive kit to the notebook. Reinstall the 3.5” module. Reinstall the security screw (Solo 9500 only). Reinstall the battery and connect the power. www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 179 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Using the Port Replicator and Docking Station 13 Checking out the port replicator The optional port replicator gives you a convenient way to attach external devices such as a monitor, a full-size keyboard, or an AC adapter. Although devices can be attached directly to the ports on the notebook, the port replicator lets you make all of those connections in one step.
Solo9550.book Page 180 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 13: Using the Port Replicator and Docking Station Front Release latch Docking port Docking posts 180 www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 181 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Checking out the port replicator Left side USB ports Component Icon Dual-mode Kensington lock slots Description USB ports Plug a USB device (such as a USB scanner) into one of these ports. When the notebook is docked, only the USB ports on the port replicator are available. Dual-mode Kensington lock slots Secure your notebook and port replicator to an object by connecting a Kensington cable lock to these slots.
Solo9550.book Page 182 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 13: Using the Port Replicator and Docking Station Back Line in jack Microphone jack Headphone jack Parallel port Serial port Line out jack Joystick/ MIDI port S/PDIF jack Monitor port Power connector S-Video out jack TV out jack TV in jack Component 182 Icon Description Headphone jack Plug amplified speakers or headphones into this jack. Microphone jack Plug a microphone into this jack.
Solo9550.book Page 183 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Checking out the port replicator Component Icon Description Serial port Plug a serial device (such as a serial camera) into this port. Joystick/MIDI port Plug a game joystick or an electronic MIDI musical instrument into this port. This port provides both MIDI in and out capabilities. Monitor port Plug an external VGA monitor into this port. TV in jack Not functional with your notebook.
Solo9550.book Page 184 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 13: Using the Port Replicator and Docking Station Right side PS/2 mouse port Component Icon Description PS/2 mouse port Plug a PS/2 mouse into this port. PS/2 keyboard port Plug a PS/2 keyboard into this port. 184 www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 185 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Connecting to the port replicator Connecting to the port replicator You can attach your notebook to the port replicator while your notebook is off, on, or in Standby/Suspend mode. To attach your notebook to the port replicator: 1 2 3 Connect external devices to the ports on the port replicator. Lift the release latch on the port replicator.
Solo9550.book Page 186 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 13: Using the Port Replicator and Docking Station To separate the notebook from the port replicator: 186 1 Click Start, then select Eject PC. The Eject PC menu item appears in the Start menu only while the notebook is docked. 2 Lift the release latch on the port replicator until the notebook is disconnected, then lift the notebook away from the docking posts. www.gateway.
Solo9550.book Page 187 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Checking out the docking station Checking out the docking station The optional docking station gives you a convenient way to attach external devices such as a monitor, a full-size keyboard, or an external pointing device. Although devices can be attached directly to ports on the notebook, the docking station lets you make all of those connections in one step. It also provides additional ports and other expansion features.
Solo9550.book Page 188 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 13: Using the Port Replicator and Docking Station Left side S/PDIF jack Dual-mode Kensington lock slots USB ports Component Icon Description S/PDIF jack Plug a standard RCA cable into this digital audio output jack and the jack on a digital audio device. USB ports Plug a USB device into one of these ports. These ports and the notebook USB ports can be used at the same time.
Solo9550.book Page 189 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Checking out the docking station Back Right channel analog audio out jack Left channel analog audio out jack TV out (Composite Video) jack TV in (Composite Video) jack Parallel port Serial port Joystick/ MIDI port Monitor port S-Video in jack S-Video out jack Power connector Component Icon Description Right channel analog audio out jack Plug a standard RCA cable into this jack for a right stereo channel audio connection to an audio device.
Solo9550.book Page 190 Tuesday, June 19, 2001 3:18 PM Chapter 13: Using the Port Replicator and Docking Station Component 190 Icon Description Serial port Plug a serial device (such as a serial camera) into this port. Joystick/MIDI port Plug a game joystick or an electronic MIDI musical instrument into this port. This port provides both MIDI in and out capabilities. Monitor port Plug an external VGA monitor into this port. S-Video in jack Not functional with your notebook.
