Gateway Ak Mfatxaegwsp E 6100 Users Manual

Gug-Gateway-1-0-En-E-6100 gug-gateway-1-0-en-e-6100

E-6100 to the manual acea0283-a95a-498c-a692-04fe0df35f45

: Gateway Gateway-Ak-Mfatxaegwsp-E-6100-Users-Manual-403353 gateway-ak-mfatxaegwsp-e-6100-users-manual-403353 gateway pdf

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Your Gateway Computer

Customizing Troubleshooting

E-6100 user's guide

i

Contents

1 Checking Out Your Gateway E-6100 Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Identifying your model . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Gateway model number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Gateway serial number . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Finding your specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

2 Setting Up Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Protecting from power source problems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Starting your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Turning off your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Restarting (rebooting) your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Working safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Reducing eye strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Setting up your computer desk and chair . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Setting up your computer and computer accessories . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Sitting at your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

3Getting Help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

HelpSpot . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Searching for a topic . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

HelpSpot videos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

Do More With Gateway . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Online help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27

Gateway Web site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Using eSupport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

4 Using Drives and Multimedia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31

Using the diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Using the CD or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Identifying drive types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Inserting a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Creating CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Copying a CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

ii

Creating a data CD or DVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .42

Copying music tracks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45

Creating a music CD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48

Advanced features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52

5 Maintaining Your Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53

Caring for your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .54

Protecting your computer from viruses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55

Managing hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Checking hard drive space . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .58

Using Disk Cleanup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59

Checking the hard drive for errors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .60

Defragmenting the hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62

Backing up files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Using the Scheduled Task Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64

Cleaning your computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Cleaning the exterior . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .66

Cleaning the keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Cleaning the monitor screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67

Cleaning the mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .68

Power management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .70

Using power saving modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Changing power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71

Changing the power scheme . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .72

Changing advanced power settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73

Activating and using Hibernate mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75

Setting up an uninterruptible power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .76

6 Restoring Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79

Using the Restoration CDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .80

Reinstalling device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81

Updating device drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Reinstalling programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .84

Reinstalling Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .86

7 Upgrading Your Computer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89

Selecting a place to work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Gathering the tools you need . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .90

Preventing static electricity discharge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91

Opening the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .92

Closing the case . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95

Adding or replacing a diskette, CD, or DVD drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97

iii

Adding or replacing a hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100

Adding or replacing add-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 103

Replacing the power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107

Replacing the system board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 111

Installing memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115

Replacing the system battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 120

8 Using the BIOS Setup Utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 123

Opening the BIOS Setup utility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124

Updating the BIOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

Setting the BIOS configuration jumper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126

9 Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 127

Safety guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 128

First steps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

Software support tools . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 130

Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Add-in cards . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

CD or DVD drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 131

Cleaning CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 133

Diskette drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134

File management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135

Hard drive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 136

Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138

Keyboard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 139

Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Modem (dial-up) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140

Monitor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

Mouse . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 147

Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Printer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148

Sound . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Before calling Gateway Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 151

Telephone support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 152

Tutoring and training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Self-help . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Tutoring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

Training . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 154

iv

A E-6100 Technical Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .155

Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .156

System board layout . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .157

Section 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .158

Section 2 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .159

BIOS configuration jumper settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .160

System board specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .161

B Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .163

Index. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 173

1

1

Checking Out

Your Gateway

E-6100 Computer

This chapter introduces you to the basic features of your

Gateway E-6100 computer. Read this chapter to learn:

■How to identify the features of your Gateway

computer

■How to locate your computer’s model and serial

number

■How to locate the Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

■How to locate the specifications for your computer

■What accessories are available for your computer

2

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway E-6100 Computer

www.gateway.com

Front

Your computer may contain any of the following components.

3.5-inch drive bay cover

CD/DVD/recordable drive

CD/DVD eject button

Diskette eject button

Diskette drive

Power button

USB ports

IEEE 1394 port

(optional)

5.25-inch drive bay cover

5.25-inch drive bay cover

3

Front

www.gateway.com

Component Icon Description

CD/DVD/recordable

drive

Use this drive to listen to audio CDs, install games and

programs, watch DVDs, and store large files onto recordable

CDs and DVDs (depending on drive type). For more

information, see “Using the CD or DVD drive” on page 34.

This drive may be a CD, CD-RW, DVD, DVD+RW, or

DVD-RAM/-RW/CD-RW drive. To identify your drive type and

for more information about your drive, see “Identifying drive

types” on page 34.

5.25-inch drive bay

cover

Remove this cover to install an additional 5.25-inch drive.

Diskette drive Use this drive to store smaller files on diskettes. For more

information, see “Using the diskette drive” on page 32.

IEEE 1394 port

(optional)

Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire® or i.Link®)

device (such as a digital video camera) into this 4-pin

IEEE 1394 port.

Power button Press this button to turn the power on or off. You can also

configure the power button to operate in Standby/Resume

mode or Hibernate mode. For more information on changing

the power button setting, see “Power management” on

page 70.

CD/DVD eject button Press this button to open the CD or DVD drive tray.

Diskette eject button Press this button to eject an inserted diskette.

USB ports USB 2.0 Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a digital

camera) into these ports.

The front USB ports are USB v2.0.

Any USB device will work in any USB port.

3.5-inch drive bay

cover

Remove this cover to install an additional 3.5-inch drive.

4

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway E-6100 Computer

www.gateway.com

Back

Your computer may contain any of the following components.

Modem jack

(optional)

Rear out

(Line out 2) jack

(optional)

Monitor port

Parallel port

Serial port

USB ports

PS/2 keyboard port

PS/2 mouse port

Voltage switch

Power connector

Audio input (Line in) jack

(optional)

Microphone jack (optional)

Headphone/analog

speakers (Line out 1) jack

(optional)

Case cover

shipping screw

USB ports Ethernet

(network) jack

Add-in card retention

thumbscrew

Digital speakers (Digital out)

jack (optional)

IEEE 1394 port

(optional)

Kensington lock slot

TV jack

Product label

Microsoft Certificate

of Authenticity

5

Back

www.gateway.com

Component Icon Description

Product label Your computer’s serial and model number.

Power connector Plug the power cable into this connector.

Voltage switch Before turning on your computer, make sure that this

switch is in the correct position for the correct voltage. The

switch is preset at the factory with the correct voltage for

your area.

In the United States, the utility power is supplied at a

nominal 115 volts at 60 Hz. The power supply should

always be set to this when your computer is operating in

the United States. In other areas of the world, such as

Europe, the utility power is supplied at 230 volts at 50 Hz.

If your computer is operating in an environment such as

this, the voltage switch should be moved to 230.

Microsoft Certificate of

Authenticity

The Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity (COA) contains

your Windows product key.

PS/2 mouse port Plug a Personal System/2® (PS/2) mouse into this port.

PS/2 keyboard port Plug a PS/2 keyboard into this port.

USB ports USB 1.1

USB 2.0

Plug USB (Universal Serial Bus) devices (such as a

mouse, keyboard, or printer) into these ports.

The rear USB ports are both USB v1.1 and USB v2.0.

Look at the icons on the rear ports to determine which are

USB v1.1 and which are USB v2.0.

Any USB device will work in any USB port.

Serial port Plug a serial device (such as a digital camera) into this

port.

Parallel port Plug a parallel device (such as a printer) into this port.

TV jack Plug a television into this port.

Modem jack

(optional)

Plug a modem cable into this jack.

6

Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Gateway E-6100 Computer

www.gateway.com

Headphone/analog

speakers (Line out 1)

jack

(optional)

Plug powered, analog front speakers, an external

amplifier, or headphones into this jack. This jack is

color-coded green.

IEEE 1394 port

(optional)

Plug an IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire or i.Link)

device (such as a scanner or hard drive) into this 6-pin

IEEE 1394 port.

Rear out (Line out 2)

jack

(optional)

Plug powered, analog rear speakers or an external

amplifier into this jack. This jack is color-coded black.

Kensington™ lock slot Secure your computer to an object by connecting a

Kensington cable lock to this slot.

Case cover shipping

screw

Remove this screw before opening the case.

Ethernet (network) jack Plug a 10/100 Ethernet network cable or a device (such

as a DSL or cable modem) into this jack.

Monitor port Plug a monitor into this port.

Add-in card retention

thumbscrew

Remove this screw when adding or replacing add-in cards.

Microphone jack

(optional)

Plug a microphone into this jack. This jack is color-coded

red or pink.

Digital speakers

(Digital out) jack

(optional)

Plug digital speakers into this jack. You can also use this

jack for an analog center speaker or analog subwoofer.

This jack is color-coded orange.

Audio input (Line in)

jack

(optional)

Plug an external audio input source (such as a stereo) into

this jack so you can record sound on your computer. This

jack is color-coded blue.

Component Icon Description

7

Identifying your model

www.gateway.com

Identifying your model

Gateway model number

The label on the back of your computer case contains information that

identifies your computer model. The label also contains your serial number.

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 front or top of your computer case.

■Printed on the customer invoice that came with your computer. The

invoice also contains your customer ID number.

■Displayed in HelpSpot in Windows XP. Click Start, Help and Support, then

click View product serial number.

Important The labels shown in this section are for informational

purposes only. Label information varies by model, features

ordered, and location.

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Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

The Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity label found on the back or side of your

computer case includes the product key code for your operating system.

9

Finding your specifications

www.gateway.com

Finding your specifications

For more information about your computer, such as memory size, memory type,

and hard drive size, go to the My Computer Info link in HelpSpot or visit Gateway’s

eSupport page at support.gateway.com. The eSupport page also has links to

additional Gateway documentation and detailed specifications.

In Windows XP, view your computer’s serial number or check your

specifications by clicking Start, Help and Support, then clicking My Computer Info.

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You can also find out more about your computer at the Gateway eSupport site.

Visit support.gateway.com. For more information, see “Using eSupport” on

page 29.

11

Accessories

www.gateway.com

Accessories

Gateway offers various accessories that can help you make the most of using

your computer. To order accessories, visit the Accessory Superstore at

accessories.gateway.com.

Networking kit

With a networking kit, you can network (link) two or more computers in your

home. After you have set up a “home” network, you can access the files, drives,

and printers on linked computers, play multiplayer games, and even share one

Internet connection.

Two types of networking kits are available. Wireless networking kits use radio

frequency to link your computers wirelessly. Ethernet networking kits use

network cabling to link your computers.

Imaging equipment

A digital camera lets you take pictures that you can view and edit on your

computer.

A digital video camera lets you take videos and pictures that you can view and

edit on your computer.

A scanner copies an image, such as a graphic or document, then stores the copy

in a file.

You can attach your digital photographs or scanned images to e-mail messages

or post them on a Web site.

Printers

You can attach almost any type of printer to your computer. The most common

types are inkjet and laser printers, which print in color or in black and white.

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 usually print much

faster than inkjet printers. Laser printers are better than inkjet printers when

you are printing large documents.

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Storage Devices

If you need additional storage space or you want to back up your files, you

can add storage devices to you computer.

With a recordable CD or DVD drive, you can free up hard drive space by backing

up files, then removing them from your hard drive. Writable CDs can hold as

much as 700 MB of data. Writable DVDs can hold as much as 4.7 GB of data.

For more information about using recordable drives, see “Creating CDs and

DVDs” on page 37.

Iomega Zip drives, like diskette drives, use disks to store data. Zip disks can store

100 MB, 250 MB, or 750 MB of data. You can use a Zip drive to back up files

you do not use so you can remove them from your hard drive. Zip drives also

provide an easy way to transfer files between computers (if both computers have

internal Zip drives or if you have one external, portable Zip drive).

If you need to back up your entire system, you probably need a tape backup

(TBU) drive. TBU drives, like tape recorders, use magnetic tape cartridges to store

data. Tape drive cartridges can store 2 GB, 20 GB, 40 GB, 130 GB, or more of

data.

If you want to increase your internal storage space, try adding a second hard

drive or replacing your existing hard drive with a larger drive. For more

information about installing a larger drive, see “Adding or replacing a hard

drive” on page 100.

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. For more information, see “Installing memory” on

page 115.

Uninterruptible power supplies

A standby, uninterruptible power supply (UPS) protects your computer from

data loss during a total power failure. A UPS uses a battery to keep your

computer running temporarily during a power failure so you can save your work

and shut down your computer correctly. A UPS may also provide protection

from power surges. For information, see “Setting up an uninterruptible power

supply” on page 76.

2

13

Setting Up Your

Computer

This chapter provides basic information about your

Gateway computer. Read this chapter to learn how to:

■Use your computer safely

■Start and turn off your computer

■Restart (reboot) your computer

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Protecting from power source

problems

During a power surge, the voltage level of electricity coming into your computer

can increase to far above normal levels and cause data loss or system damage.

Protect your computer and peripheral devices by connecting them to a surge

protector, which absorbs voltage surges and prevents them from reaching your

computer.

An uninterruptible power supply (UPS) supplies battery power to your computer

during a power failure. Although you cannot run your computer for an

extended period of time with a UPS, a UPS lets you run your computer long

enough to save your work and shut down your computer normally. For more

information, see “Setting up an uninterruptible power supply” on page 76.

Warning High voltages can enter your computer through both the

power cord and the modem connection. Protect your

computer 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.

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Starting your computer

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Starting your computer

To start your computer:

1Connect the cables to your computer using the setup poster.

2Turn on the monitor.

3Turn on your computer and speakers.

4If you are starting your computer for the first time, follow the on-screen

instructions to set up your computer.

5Turn on any peripheral devices, such as printers or scanners, and see the

documentation that came with the device for setup instructions.

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Turning off your computer

To turn off your computer in Windows XP:

1Click Start, then click Turn Off Computer. The Turn Off Computer dialog box

opens.

2Click Turn Off. Windows shuts down and turns off your computer.

To turn off your computer in Windows 2000:

1Click Start, then click Shut Down. The Shut Down Windows dialog box opens.

2Click the arrow button to open the What do you want your computer to do

list, then click Shut down.

3Click OK. Windows shuts down and turns off your computer.

Tips & Tricks When you turn off your computer, certain components in

the power supply and system board remain energized. In

order to remove all electrical power from your computer,

unplug the power cord and modem cable from the wall

outlets. We recommend disconnecting the power cord and

modem cable when your computer will not be used for long

periods.

Important If for some reason you cannot use the Turn Off Computer

option in Windows to turn off your computer, press and

hold the power button for about five seconds, then

release it.

Important If for some reason you cannot use the Shut Down option

in Windows to turn off your computer, press and hold the

power button for about five seconds, then release it.

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Restarting (rebooting) your computer

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Restarting (rebooting) your

computer

If your computer does not respond to keyboard or mouse input, you may have

to close programs that are not responding. If closing unresponsive programs

does not restore your computer to normal operation, you may have to restart

(reboot) your computer.

To close unresponsive programs and restart your computer:

1Press CTRL+ALT+DEL, then click Task Manager. The Task Manager window

opens.

2Click the Applications tab, then click the program that is not responding.

3Click End Task.

4If your computer does not respond, turn it off, wait ten seconds and turn

it on again.

Important If your computer does not turn off, press and hold the

power button for about five seconds, then release it.

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Working safely

Before using your computer, read the following recommendations for setting

up a safe and comfortable work area and avoiding discomfort and strain.

Reducing eye strain

Sunlight or bright indoor lighting should not reflect on the monitor screen or

shine directly into your eyes.

■Position the computer desk and monitor so you can avoid glare on your

screen and light shining directly into your eyes. Reduce glare by installing

shades or curtains on windows, and by installing a glare screen filter on

your monitor.

■Use soft, indirect lighting in your work area. Do not use your computer

in a dark room.

■Avoid focusing your eyes on your computer screen for long periods of time.

Look away from your computer occasionally, and try to focus on distant

objects.

Top of screen is not

higher than eye level

Feet are flat on the floor

Hands and

arms are

parallel to

the floor

Screen is

perpendicular to

your line of sight

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Working safely

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Setting up your computer desk and chair

When you are setting up your computer desk and chair, make sure that the

desk is the appropriate height and the chair helps you maintain good posture.

■Select a flat surface for your computer desk.

■Adjust the height of the computer desk so your hands and arms are

positioned parallel to the floor when you use the keyboard and mouse. If

the desk is not adjustable or is too tall, consider using a keyboard drawer.

■Use an adjustable chair that is comfortable, distributes your weight evenly,

and keeps your body relaxed.

■Position your chair so the keyboard is at or slightly below the level of your

elbow. This position lets your shoulders relax while you type.

■Adjust the chair height, adjust the forward tilt of the seat, or use a footrest

to distribute your weight evenly on the chair and relieve pressure on the

back of your thighs.

■Adjust the back of the chair so it supports the lower curve of your spine.

You can use a pillow or cushion to provide extra back support.

Setting up your computer and computer

accessories

■Set up the monitor so the top is no higher than eye level, the monitor

controls are within reach, and the screen is tilted to be perpendicular to

your line of sight.

■Place your keyboard and mouse at a comfortable distance. You should be

able to reach them without stretching.

■Set paper holders at the same height and distance as the monitor.

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Sitting at your computer

■Avoid bending, arching, or angling your wrists. Make sure that they are

in a relaxed position when you type.

■Do not slouch forward or lean far back. Sit with your back straight so your

knees, hips, and elbows form right angles when you work.

■Take breaks to stand and stretch your legs.

■Avoid twisting your torso or neck.

Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive

strain

■Vary your activities to avoid excessive repetition.

■Take breaks to change your position, stretch your muscles, and relieve your

eyes.

■Find ways to break up the work day, and schedule a variety of tasks.

3

21

Getting Help

This chapter tells you about additional information

resources available to help you use your computer. Read

this chapter to learn how to access:

■HelpSpot™

■Do More With Gateway

■Online help

■Gateway Web site

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HelpSpot

Your computer may include HelpSpot, an easily accessible collection of help

information, troubleshooters, instructional videos, and automated support. Use

HelpSpot to answer questions about Windows and to help you quickly discover

and use the many features of your Gateway computer. HelpSpot also has an

area called Who to contact for help that helps you find the right resource at

Gateway to answer your questions or help solve your problems.

To start HelpSpot in Windows XP:

■Click Start, then click Help and Support. HelpSpot opens.

If this is the first time you have started HelpSpot, you may experience a

brief wait while HelpSpot builds the help database, then HelpSpot displays

an introductory video.

23

HelpSpot

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You can find help information by clicking a link, performing a search, or

browsing the index. To learn about using your Gateway computer, your mouse,

and other tasks, click the Using your Gateway computer link on the HelpSpot main

page.

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Searching for a topic

To search for a topic in HelpSpot, type a word or phrase (keyword) in the Search

box located at the top of any HelpSpot screen, then click the arrow button.

For each search, you receive the following search result types:

■Suggested Topics - These topics are located in HelpSpot and are relevant

to your search topic.

■Full-text Search Matches - These topics are located in HelpSpot and contain

the words you entered in the Search box.

■Microsoft Knowledge Base - These topics are located on the Microsoft Web

site and contain the words you entered in the Search box. You must be

connected to the Internet to search for and access these topics.

■Gateway.com Search - These topics are located on the Gateway Web site

and contain the words you entered in the Search box. You must be

connected to the Internet to search for and access these topics.

Search box

Search results

header

Search results

headers

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HelpSpot

www.gateway.com

To view a list of your search results, click the results header for the type of results

you want to view.

To view a topic, click the topic name in the Search Results list.

HelpSpot videos

HelpSpot contains several short videos to help introduce you to new concepts

or show you how to perform various tasks.

To play a HelpSpot video:

■To watch a video in HelpSpot, click Video and online tutorials on the

HelpSpot home page, then click a video title. The video plays.

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Do More With Gateway

Your computer may include Do More With Gateway, a tool that provides

additional information about using your Gateway computer for digital music,

digital photography, digital video, gaming, and other programs. To access Do

More With Gateway in Windows XP, click Start, then click Do More With Gateway.

Click the topics listed on the left-side of the page to learn more about the

software already installed on your computer, as well as, partnerships and special

offers available through Gateway.

27

Online help

www.gateway.com

Online help

Many programs provide information online so you can research a topic or learn

how to perform a task while you are using the program. You can access most

online help information by selecting a topic from a Help menu or by clicking

a Help button.

You can search for information by viewing the help contents, checking the

index, searching for a topic or keyword, or browsing through the online help.

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Gateway Web site

Gateway’s online support is available 24 hours per day, 7 days per week and

provides the most current drivers, product specifications, tutorials, and

personalized information about your system. Visit the Gateway eSupport

Web site at support.gateway.com.

29

Gateway Web site

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Using eSupport

The eSupport site is divided into four major areas:

■Support Home

■Downloads

■Contact Us

■Account Info

Each of these areas is represented by a tab across the top of the Web page.

Support Home tab

To get specific information about your computer, type your serial number into

the My System Information box, then click GO, or click Look up my serial number

for me. For more information, see “Finding your specifications” on page 9.

The Support Information link lets you access product documentation,

specifications, and manuals. By entering your serial number, you get specific

documents related to your system. You can also browse through the reference

area to locate an article specific to the question you have.

The Tutorials link lets you access an extensive library of how-to articles and

videos on topics such as making audio CDs and installing a hard drive.

Downloads tab

The Downloads tab provides the latest software updates for BIOS and driver

upgrades. By entering your serial number you get drivers specific to your system.

Click All Downloads to walk through a step-by-step wizard to locate your drivers.

Contact Us tab

The Contact Us tab contains links to technical support with a live technician,

including chat and e-mail. Click Call Us to get a list of Gateway telephone

numbers for both sales and support. For more information, see “Telephone

numbers” on page 152.

Account Info tab

The Account Info tab contains support for non-technical issues, like the status

of your order or changing your account address.

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4

31

Using Drives and

Multimedia

This chapter provides information on using the multimedia

capabilities of your computer. Read this chapter to learn

how to:

■Use the diskette drive

■Use the CD or DVD drive

■Record your own CDs and DVDs

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Using the diskette drive

The diskette drive uses 3.5-inch diskettes (sometimes called floppy disks).

Diskettes are useful for storing files or transferring files to another computer.

Warning Do not expose diskettes to water or magnetic fields.

Exposure could damage the data on the diskette.

Eject button

Activity light

Diskette drive

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Using the diskette drive

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To use a diskette:

1Insert the arrow-marked end of a diskette into the diskette drive with the

label side facing up. The diskette locks into the drive and the diskette eject

button pops out.

2To access a file on the diskette in Windows XP, click Start, then click My

Computer. Double-click the drive letter (for example, the A: drive), then

double-click the file name.

- OR -

To access a file on the diskette in Windows 2000, double-click the My

Computer icon, the drive letter (for example, the A: drive), then double-click

the file name.

3To remove the diskette, make sure that the drive activity light is off, then

press the diskette eject button.

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Using the CD or DVD drive

You can use your computer to enjoy a wide variety of multimedia features.

Identifying drive types

Look on the front of the drive for one or more of the following logos. Your

drive may be a combo drive with multiple logos and multi-functionality.

If your drive has this logo... Your drive type is a... Use your drive to...

CD drive Install programs, play audio

CDs, and access data.

- OR - CD-RW drive Install programs, play audio

CDs, access data, and create

CDs.

You can only write to a CD-R

disc once. You can write to and

erase CD-RW discs multiple

times. For more information,

see “Creating CDs and DVDs”

on page 37.

DVD drive Install programs, play audio

CDs, play DVDs, and access

data.

DVD-RAM/-RW Drive Install programs, play audio

CDs, play DVDs, access data,

and record video and data to

DVD-RAM, DVD-R, or

DVD-RW discs. For more

information, see “Creating CDs

and DVDs” on page 37.

DVD+RW Install programs, play audio

CDs, play DVDs, access data,

and record video and data to

DVD+R, or DVD+RW discs. For

more information, see “Creating

CDs and DVDs” on page 37.

RECORDER

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Using the CD or DVD drive

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Inserting a CD or DVD

Important Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may

not be able to play these CDs on your computer.

CD or DVD drive

Eject button

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To insert a CD or DVD:

1Press the eject button next to the CD or DVD drive. The CD or DVD drive

tray opens.

2Place the disc in the tray with the label facing up.

3Press the eject button again. The CD or DVD drive tray closes.

Important When you place a single-sided disc in the tray, make sure

that the label side is facing up. If the disc has two playable

sides, place the disc so the name of the side you want to

play is facing up.

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Creating CDs and DVDs

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Creating CDs and DVDs

You can use Nero Express to copy tracks from a music CD to your hard drive,

copy or create data CDs and DVDs, create music CDs, create video DVDs, and

more.

Important We recommend that you do not use your computer for

other tasks while creating CDs or DVDs.

Important If you record copyrighted material on a CD or DVD, you

need permission from the copyright owner. Otherwise, you

may be violating copyright law and be subject to payment

of damages and other remedies. If you are uncertain about

your rights, contact your legal advisor.

Important Some CDs have copy protection software. You cannot

create MP3 files from these CDs and you may not be able

to listen to these CDs on your computer.

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Copying a CD or DVD

To copy a music CD, data CD, or data DVD:

1Click Start, All Programs, Burn a CD or Data DVD, Nero Programs, then click

Nero Express. Nero Express opens.

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Creating CDs and DVDs

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2Click Copy entire disc. The Select source and destination screen opens.

3Insert the music CD or data CD or DVD you want to copy into your

recordable drive. If you have two drives, insert the disc in your

non-recordable drive.

4Click the arrow to open the Source drive list, then click the drive that

contains your source disc.

5Click the arrow to open the Destination drive list, then click your recordable

drive.

6If you have two CD or DVD drives, click to select the Quick copy check box.

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7Click Burn. The Nero’s Title and CD Database dialog box opens.

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Creating CDs and DVDs

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8Wait until the dialog box closes.

- OR -

Click Cancel.

The Burning Process screen opens. If you are using one drive, Nero Express

copies the tracks or files to your hard drive. If you are using two drives,

Nero Express copies the tracks from the source disc to the blank, recordable

disc.

9If you are using one drive, a message prompts you to insert a CD or DVD.

Remove the source CD or DVD, insert a blank, writable CD or DVD, then

wait for the message box to close. Nero Express copies the files from your

hard drive to the writable CD or DVD.

10 When a message tells you that the recording is complete, click OK.

11 Click Next to return to the main Nero Express screen.

12 Click Exit.

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Creating a data CD or DVD

To create a data CD or DVD:

1Click Start, All Programs, Burn a CD or Data DVD, Nero Programs, then click

Nero Express. Nero Express opens.

2Insert a blank, writable CD or DVD into your recordable drive.

3If a dialog box opens, click Take no action, then click OK.

4Move your pointer over Data, then click Data Disc. The Disc Content screen

opens.

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Creating CDs and DVDs

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5Click Add. The Select Files and Folders dialog box opens.

6Browse to the folder that contains the files you want to add. You can click

the arrow to open the Location list, then click a drive or folder, or you can

click folders in the Name list. Press and hold the CTRL key to select multiple

files.

7Click Add. You can continue to select files and click Add.

8After you select all your files, click Finished.

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9Click Next. The Final Burn Settings screen opens.

10 Click the arrow to open the Current recorder list, then click your recordable

drive.

11 Click Burn. The Burning Process screen opens and Nero Express burns the

files to the CD.

12 When a message tells you that the recording is complete, click OK.

13 Click Next to return the main Nero Express screen.

14 Click Exit.

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Creating CDs and DVDs

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Copying music tracks

To copy music CD tracks to your hard drive:

1Click Start, All Programs, Burn a CD or Data DVD, Nero Programs, then click

Nero Express. Nero Express opens.

2Insert the music CD that has the tracks you want to copy into your CD

drive.

3If an Audio CD dialog box opens, click Take no action, then click OK.

4Click More. The Nero Toolbar opens.

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5Click the Save Tracks icon. The Nero’s Title and CD Database dialog box

opens.

6Wait until the dialog box closes.

- OR -

Click Cancel.

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Creating CDs and DVDs

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7If a message box opens, click OK. The Save Tracks dialog box opens.

8Click the arrow button to open the Output file format list, then click the

format you want for the saved tracks.

9To record all the tracks, click GO. The recording process begins.

- OR -

To record selected tracks, hold down the CTRL key, click the tracks you

want, then click GO. The recording process begins.

10 After the recording is complete, click Close.

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Creating a music CD

To create a music CD:

1Click Start, All Programs, Burn a CD or Data DVD, Nero Programs, then click

Nero Express. Nero Express opens.

2Insert a blank, writable CD into your recordable drive.

3If a dialog box opens, click Take no action, then click OK.

4Move your pointer over Music, then click one of the following options:

■Audio CD to create a music CD that will play on all CD players. Nero

Express converts MP3 and WMA files to Audio CD format.

■Audio and Data CD to create a CD that contains tracks and data files.

You can play the music files in a CD player and you can view all files

on your computer.

■MP3 Disc to create a CD using MP3 files. You can play the CD on your

computer or a player that supports MP3 files.

■WMA disc to create a CD using WMA files. You can play the CD on

your computer or a player that supports WMA files.

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The screen you use to add files opens.

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5Click Add. The Select Files and Folders dialog box opens.

6Browse to the folder that contains the files you want to add. You can click

the arrow to open the Location list, then click a drive or folder, or you can

click folders in the Name list. Press and hold the CTRL key to select multiple

files.

7Click Add. You can continue to select files and click Add.

8After you select all your files, click Finished.

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9Click Next. The Final Burn Settings screen opens.

10 Click the arrow to open the Current recorder list, then click your recordable

drive.

11 Click Burn. The Burning Process screen opens and Nero Express burns the

files to the CD.

12 When a message tells you that the recording is complete, click OK.

13 Click Next to return the main Nero Express screen.

14 Click Exit.

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Advanced features

In addition to Nero Express, you can use:

■Nero BackItUp to create a backup of files on your hard drive, then use

BackItUp to restore the files you backed up in case of a hard drive failure,

virus, or other problem.

■Nero CD-DVD Speed to test your CD and DVD drives for transfer rates,

load and eject times, seek and access times, and more.

■Nero Cover Designer to create labels for your CDs and DVDs, covers for

your CD and DVD cases, booklets to include with your CDs and DVDs,

and more.

■Nero DriveSpeed to control CD or DVD drive read speed and spin down

time.

■Nero InfoTool to find out about your drive capabilities and your computer

configuration.

To use these programs, click Start, All Programs, Burn a CD or Data DVD, Nero

Programs, then click the program you want.

For more information, see the online help in the programs and the online user’s

guides. To access the user’s guides, click Start, All Programs, Burn a CD or Data

DVD, User’s Guides, then click the guide you want.

5

53

Maintaining Your

Computer

This chapter provides basic information about maintaining

your computer hardware and software. Read this chapter

to learn how to:

■Care for your computer

■Create an emergency startup diskette

■Protect your computer from viruses

■Manage hard drive space

■Back up files

■Clean your computer

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Caring for your computer

To extend the life of your system:

■Be careful not to bump or drop your computer, and do not put any objects

on top of it. The case, although strong, is not made to support extra weight.

■When transporting your computer, we recommend that you put it in the

original packaging materials.

■Keep diskettes and your computer away from magnetic fields. Magnetic

fields can erase data on both diskettes and hard drives.

■Avoid subjecting your computer to extreme temperature changes. The case

can become brittle and easy to break in cold temperatures and can melt

or warp in high temperatures. Damage due to either extreme is not covered

by your warranty. As a general rule, your computer is safest at temperatures

that are comfortable for you.

■Keep all liquids away from your computer. When spilled onto computer

components, almost any liquid can result in extremely expensive repairs

that are not covered under your warranty.

■Avoid dusty or dirty work environments. Dust and dirt can clog the

internal mechanisms.

Use the following table to set up a regular maintenance schedule.

Maintenance task Immediately

after purchase

Monthly When needed See...

Check for viruses X X page 55

Manage hard drive space X page 58

Clean up hard drives X X page 59

Scan hard drive for errors X X page 60

Defragment hard drive X X page 62

Back up files X X page 64

Clean computer X page 66

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Protecting your computer from

viruses

A virus is a program that attaches itself to a file on a computer, then spreads

from one computer to another. Viruses can damage data or cause your computer

to malfunction. Some viruses go undetected for a period of time because they

are activated on a certain date.

Protect your computer from a virus by:

■Using the Norton® AntiVirus program to check files and programs that are

on diskettes, attached to e-mail messages, or downloaded from the

Internet.

■Checking all programs for viruses before installing them.

■Disabling macros on suspicious Microsoft Word and Excel files. These

programs will warn you if a document that you are opening contains a

macro that might have a virus.

■Periodically updating the Norton AntiVirus program to protect against the

latest viruses.

Help and

Support

For more information about protecting your computer

against viruses in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help

and Support.

Type the keyword viruses in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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To scan for viruses:

1Click Start, All Programs, Norton AntiVirus, then click Norton AntiVirus 2003.

Norton AntiVirus opens.

2Click Scan for Viruses.

3Click the type of scan you want to make in the Scan for Viruses area, then

under Actions, click Scan.

Scan for

viruses

Scan

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To remove a virus:

1If Norton AntiVirus finds a virus, follow all on-screen instructions to

remove the virus.

2Turn off your computer and leave it off for at least 30 seconds.

3Turn on your computer and rescan for the virus.

To update Norton AntiVirus:

1Make sure that you are connected to the Internet.

2Click Start, All Programs, Norton AntiVirus, then click LiveUpdate - Norton

AntiVirus. The LiveUpdate wizard opens.

3Follow the on-screen instructions to update your Norton AntiVirus

program with the latest virus protection files.

4When the program has finished, click Finish.

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Managing hard drive space

Windows provides several utilities you can use to manage your hard drive.

Checking hard drive space

To check hard drive space:

1In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer

window opens.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer

window opens.

2Right-click the drive that you want to check for available file space, then

click Properties. Drive space information appears.

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Using Disk Cleanup

Delete unnecessary files, such as temporary Windows files, to free hard drive

space.

To use the Windows Disk Cleanup program:

1In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer

window opens.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer

window opens.

2Right-click the hard drive that you want to delete files from, for example

Local Disk (C:), then click Properties. The Properties dialog box opens at the

General tab.

3Click Disk Cleanup. The Disk Cleanup dialog box opens.

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4Make sure that the check box beside each file type you want to delete is

selected. For more information about file types you can delete, read the

descriptions in the Disk Cleanup dialog box.

5Click OK, then click Yes.

Checking the hard drive for errors

The Error-checking program examines the hard drive for physical flaws and file

and folder problems. This program corrects file and folder problems and marks

flawed areas on the hard drive so Windows does not use them.

If you use your computer several hours every day, you probably want to run

Error-checking once a week. If you use your computer less frequently, once a

month may be adequate. Also use Error-checking if you encounter hard drive

problems.

To check the hard drive for errors:

1In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer

window opens.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer

window opens.

2Right-click the hard drive that you want to check for errors, for example

Local Disk (C:), then click Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.

Help and

Support

For more information about keeping the hard drive space

free of unnecessary files in Windows XP, click Start, then

click Help and Support.

Type the keyword disk cleanup in the HelpSpot Search

box , then click the arrow.

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3Click the Tools tab.

4Click Check Now.

5Click the options you want to use, then click Start. For help, press F1.

Windows checks the drive for errors. This process may take several minutes.

After Windows has finished checking the drive for errors, it provides a

summary of the problems that it found.

6Correct any problems that are found by following the on-screen

instructions.

7Click OK.

Help and

Support

For more information about checking the hard drive for

errors in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and

Support.

Type the keyword checking for disk errors in the

HelpSpot Search box , then click

the arrow.

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Defragmenting the hard drive

When working with files, sometimes Windows divides the file information into

pieces and stores them in different places on the hard drive. This is called

fragmentation, and it is normal. In order for your computer to use a file,

Windows must search for the pieces of the file and put them back together.

This process slows the hard drive performance.

The Disk Defragmenter program organizes the data on the drive so each file is

stored as one unit rather than as multiple pieces scattered across different areas

of the drive. Defragmenting the information stored on the drive can improve

hard drive performance.

While the Disk Defragmenter program is running, do not use your keyboard

or mouse because using them may continuously stop and restart the

defragmenting process. Also, if you are connected to a network, log off before

starting Disk Defragmenter. Network communication may stop the

defragmentation process and cause it to start over.

To defragment the hard drive:

1In Windows XP, click Start, then click My Computer. The My Computer

window opens.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon. The My Computer

window opens.

2Right-click the hard drive that you want to defragment, for example Local

Disk (C:), then click Properties. The Properties dialog box opens.

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3Click the Tools tab.

4Click Defragment Now.

5If Disk Defragmenter does not start automatically, click Defragment or Start.

Disk Defragmenter shows its progress on the computer display. When

finished, Disk Defragmenter asks if you want to quit the program.

6Click Close or Yes, then click the X in the top-right corner to close the Disk

Defragmenter window.

Help and

Support

For more information about defragmenting the hard drive

in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword defragmenting in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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Backing up files

Backing up files and removing them from the hard drive frees space for new

files on the hard drive. It also protects you from losing important information

if the hard drive fails or you accidentally delete files.

You should back up your files regularly to a writable CD (if you have a recordable

drive) or to diskettes. Use a backup device, such as a recordable drive or tape

drive, to do a complete hard drive backup. For more information, see “Creating

CDs and DVDs” on page 37. If you do not have a high-capacity backup device

and you want to purchase one, you can contact Gateway’s Add-on Sales

department or visit the Accessories Store at accessories.gateway.com.

Using the Scheduled Task Wizard

The Scheduled Task Wizard lets you schedule maintenance tasks such as

running Disk Defragmenter and Error-checking.

Help and

Support

For more information about backing up files in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword saving files in the HelpSpot Search

box , then click the arrow.

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To start the Scheduled Task Wizard:

1Click Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, then click Scheduled

Tasks. The Scheduled Tasks window opens.

2Double-click the Add Scheduled Task icon. The Scheduled Task Wizard

opens.

3Click Next, then click the task or program you want to schedule and follow

the on-screen instructions to customize the task.

Important Your computer must be on during scheduled tasks. If your

computer is off, scheduled tasks will not run.

Help and

Support

For more information about using the Scheduled Tasks

Wizard in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and

Support.

Type the keyword Scheduled Task Wizard in the

HelpSpot Search box , then click

the arrow.

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Cleaning your computer

Keeping your computer clean and the vents free from dust helps keep your

system performing at its best. You may want to gather these items and put

together a computer cleaning kit:

■A soft, lint-free cloth

■Glass cleaner (not for use on LCD panels)

■An aerosol can of air that has a narrow, straw-like extension

■Isopropyl alcohol

■Cotton swabs

■A CD or DVD drive cleaning kit

Cleaning the exterior

Always turn off your computer and other peripherals before cleaning any

components.

Use a damp, lint-free cloth to clean your computer and other parts of your

system. Do not use abrasive or solvent cleaners because they can damage the

finish on components.

Your computer is cooled by air circulated through the vents on the case, so keep

the vents free of dust. With your computer turned off and unplugged, brush

the dust away from the vents with a damp cloth. Be careful not to drip any

water into the vents. Do not attempt to clean dust from the inside your

computer.

Warning When you shut down your computer, the power turns off,

but some electrical current still flows through your

computer. To avoid possible injury from electrical shock,

unplug the power cord and modem cable from the wall

outlets.

Tips & Tricks When cleaning the case, do not use abrasive or solvent

cleaners because they can damage the finish. Use soap

and water or a dilution of water and isopropyl alcohol.

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Cleaning the keyboard

You should clean the keyboard occasionally by using an aerosol can of air with

a narrow, straw-like extension to remove dust and lint trapped under the keys.

If you spill liquid on the keyboard, turn off your computer and turn the

keyboard upside down. Let the liquid drain, then let the keyboard dry before

trying to use it again. If the keyboard does not work after it dries, you may

need to replace it.

Cleaning the monitor screen

If your monitor is a flat panel display, use a soft cloth and water to clean the

monitor screen. Squirt a little water on the cloth (never directly on the screen),

and wipe the screen with the cloth.

- OR -

If your monitor is not a flat panel display, use a soft cloth and glass cleaner to

clean the monitor screen. Squirt a little cleaner on the cloth (never directly on

the screen), and wipe the screen with the cloth.

Warning The monitor screen is made of specially coated glass and

can be scratched or damaged by abrasive or

ammonia-based glass cleaners.

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Cleaning the mouse

If the mouse pointer begins moving erratically across the computer screen or

becomes difficult to control precisely, cleaning the mouse will likely improve

its accuracy.

Clean your optical mouse by wiping the bottom of the mouse with a damp

lint-free cloth.

To clean your trackball mouse:

1Turn the mouse upside down.

2Rotate the retaining ring on the bottom of the mouse counter-clockwise,

then remove the retaining ring and mouse ball.

3Remove any dust, lint, or dirt from the mouse ball with a soft cloth.

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4Clean the mouse rollers with a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol.

5Replace the mouse ball and lock the retaining ring into place.

Help and

Support

For a video tutorial about cleaning the mouse in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword Video tutorials in the HelpSpot Search

box , then click the arrow.

Click Cleaning the mouse.

Mouse rollers

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Power management

Computer equipment can account for a significant portion of energy use in the

home and office environment. You may not want to shut down your computer

each time you leave it, especially if you plan to be away for only a short time.

Windows lets you use the following modes to conserve energy when the system

is not in use:

■Standby – while your computer is in Standby mode, it switches to a low

power state where devices, such as the monitor and drives, turn off and

the entire system uses less power.

Always save your work before using Standby mode. In Standby mode, your

computer reduces or turns off the power to most devices except memory.

However, the information in the memory is not saved to the hard drive.

If power is interrupted, the information is lost.

■Hibernate – (also called save to disk) writes all current memory (RAM)

information to the hard drive, then turns your computer completely off.

The next time you turn on your computer, it reads the memory

information from the hard drive and opens the programs and documents

that were open when you activated Hibernate mode. For more information,

see “Activating and using Hibernate mode” on page 75.

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Using power saving modes

Changing power settings

You can change power management settings, such as the power button function

and power-saving timers, by changing power settings in Windows. You can also

adjust power schemes and adjust advanced power settings.

Power schemes (groups of power settings) let you change power saving options

such as when the monitor or hard drive is automatically turned off. You can

select one of the defined power schemes or create a custom power scheme.

Advanced power settings let you assign different power saving modes to the power

button.

If your computer

is...

...and you want

to...

...then

On Enter

Standby mode

In Windows XP, click Start, Turn off computer, then

click Standby.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, click Start, then click Shut Down.

Click the arrow button to open the What do you want

your computer to do list, then click Standby. Click OK.

On Enter Hibernate

mode (must be

activated)

In Windows XP, click Start, then click

Turn Off Computer. Press and hold SHIFT, then click

Hibernate.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, click Start, then click Shut Down.

Click the arrow button to open the What do you want

your computer to do list, then click Hibernate. Click

OK.

In Standby

mode

Exit Standby mode Move the mouse or press a key on your keyboard.

In Hibernate

mode

Exit Hibernate

mode

Press the power button.

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Changing the power scheme

To change the power scheme:

1In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel

window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance

and Maintenance.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control

Panel window opens.

2Click/Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power

Options Properties dialog box opens.

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3Click the arrow button to open the Power Schemes list, then click the power

scheme you want.

- OR -

Click an arrow button to open the System standby, Turn off monitor, or Turn

off hard disks list, then click the time you want. To save your custom power

scheme, click Save As and type a name for the scheme.

4Click OK.

Changing advanced power settings

To change advanced power management settings:

1In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel

window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance

and Maintenance.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control

Panel window opens.

2Click/Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power

Options Properties dialog box opens.

Help and

Support

For more information about changing the power scheme

in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword power scheme in the HelpSpot Search

box , then click the arrow.

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3Click the Advanced tab.

4Click the arrow button to open a Power buttons list, then click the power

setting mode you want to use.

5Click OK.

Help and

Support

For more information about changing the power

management settings in Windows XP, click Start, then

click Help and Support.

Type the keyword power management in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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Activating and using Hibernate mode

To activate Hibernate mode:

1In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel

window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance

and Maintenance.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control

Panel window opens.

2Click/Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power

Options Properties dialog box opens.

3Click the Hibernate tab.

4Click the Enable hibernation check box, then click Apply. Hibernate mode

is now an option you can select in the Power Schemes and Advanced tabs

and in the Turn Off Computer or Shut Down Windows dialog box.

5Click OK.

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To use Hibernate mode:

■As an automatic power savings mode:

Open the Power Options Properties dialog box, then click the Power Schemes

tab. Click the arrow button to open a System hibernates list, then click the

time you want to use.

-OR-

Open the Power Options Properties dialog box, then click the Advanced tab.

Hibernate is now an option in the Power buttons lists.

■As a manually-selected power savings mode:

In Windows XP, click Start, then click Turn Off Computer. Press and hold

SHIFT, then click Hibernate.

-OR-

In Windows 2000, click Start, then click Shut Down. Click the arrow button

to open the What do you want your computer to do list, then click Hibernate.

Click OK.

Setting up an uninterruptible power supply

To install an uninterruptible power supply (UPS):

1In Windows XP, click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel

window opens. If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Performance

and Maintenance.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control

Panel window opens.

Help and

Support

For more information about using Hibernate mode in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword hibernate in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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2Click/Double-click the Power Options or Power Management icon. The Power

Options Properties dialog box opens.

3Click the UPS tab.

4Click Select. The UPS Selection dialog box opens.

5Click the manufacturer and model of the UPS device.

6Click the serial port where the UPS device is attached.

7Click Finish, then click OK.

Help and

Support

For more information about setting up an uninterruptable

power supply in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help

and Support.

Type the keyword uninterruptable power supply in the

HelpSpot Search box , then click

the arrow.

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6

79

Restoring

Software

Read this chapter to learn how to:

■Reinstall device drivers

■Update device drivers

■Reinstall programs

■Reinstall Windows

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Using the Restoration CDs

Use the Gateway Restoration CDs to reinstall device drivers, your operating

system, and other programs that were preinstalled at the factory.

Important Before you try to fix a problem by reinstalling software from

your Gateway Restoration CDs, make sure that you have

tried these steps first:

■Use the diagnostics and troubleshooting tools found in

HelpSpot. For more information about diagnostics and

troubleshooting tools in Windows XP, click Start, then

click Help and Support.

Type the keyword troubleshooting in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

■See the Troubleshooting section of this guide.

If these steps do not resolve the problem, use the Gateway

Restoration CDs to reinstall device drivers or programs.

If reinstalling device drivers or programs does not resolve

the problem, reinstall Windows.

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Reinstalling device drivers

Device drivers are programs that control devices such as the computer display,

CD or DVD drives, and modems. Drivers translate information between

computer devices and programs.

Drivers for your original computer hardware are installed at Gateway. If you

install a new device, you need to install the drivers provided by the device

manufacturer.

You should reinstall device drivers:

■If directed to do so while troubleshooting

■If you see a message indicating that there is a problem with a device driver

If you need to reinstall device drivers because you are directed to do so while

troubleshooting or if a message tells you that there is a problem with a device

driver, reinstall the device drivers by following the instructions in “To reinstall

device drivers:” on page 81.

If you just reinstalled Windows XP or Windows 2000, the device drivers were

automatically reinstalled.

If you are not comfortable with the procedures covered in this section, seek

help from a more experienced computer user or a computer service technician.

To reinstall device drivers:

1Insert the red Drivers CD into the CD or DVD drive.

2If this is the first time you have inserted the CD, accept the End User

License Agreement (EULA) by clicking Yes, I accept it, then clicking

Continue.

3If you are prompted to select your Gateway computer type, click

E-Series / Business Use, then click Continue.

4If you want to find driver locations for installation on another E-Series

computer, go to Step 8.

- OR -

To install device drivers on this computer, go to the next step.

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5Select a single device driver to reinstall.

- OR -

Click Automatic Installation, then select multiple device drivers to reinstall.

(Grayed out drivers are not available for Automatic Installation. To select

these drivers, click Manual Installation.)

6Click Install.

7Follow any additional on-screen instructions. Depending on the device

driver you are reinstalling, you may only need to restart your computer

to complete the installation. However, if a setup wizard opens when you

restart your computer, follow the on-screen instructions.

8To find driver locations for installation on another computer, click the

E-Series Drivers tab, select your E-Series Model and Operating System, then

click Search.

9Browse the device types to find the driver location for your other E-Series

computer, then install your driver on the other E-Series computer.

Help and

Support

For more information about reinstalling device drivers in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword drivers in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Updating device drivers

The Restoration CDs contain a device driver update utility that works over the

Internet. If you do not have an Internet service provider, the update utility

works by direct-dialing the device driver update service.

To update device drivers:

1Insert the red Drivers CD into the CD or DVD drive.

2If this is the first time you have inserted the CD, accept the End User

License Agreement (EULA) by clicking Yes, I accept it, then clicking

Continue.

3If you are prompted to select your Gateway computer type, click

E-Series / Business Use, then click Continue.

4Click the Web Updates tab.

5Click Check Now. The Connect window opens.

6Install available updated device drivers by following the on-screen

instructions. Depending on the device driver you are updating, you may

only need to restart your computer to complete the installation. However,

if a setup wizard opens when you restart your computer, follow the

on-screen instructions.

Help and

Support

For more information about updating device drivers in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword updating drivers in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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Reinstalling programs

If you have problems running a program or if you have reinstalled your

operating system, you can reinstall programs from the yellow Applications CD

and other program CDs. If you are reinstalling programs from other program

CDs, follow the installation instructions on each CD. If you want to reinstall

a program, uninstall the old version first.

To reinstall programs from the Applications CD(s):

1If you just reinstalled Windows, go to Step 4. Otherwise, go to the next

step.

2In Windows XP, click Start, Control Panel, then click

Add or Remove Programs.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, Control Panel, then double-click the

Add or Remove Programs icon.

3In the Currently Installed Programs list, click the program you want to

uninstall, then click Change/Remove and follow the on-screen instructions.

4Insert the yellow Applications CD into the CD or DVD drive.

5If this is the first time you have inserted the CD, accept the End User

License Agreement (EULA) by clicking Yes, I accept it, then clicking

Continue.

6If you are prompted to select your Gateway computer type, click

E-Series / Business Use, then click Continue.

7Select a single program to reinstall.

- OR -

Click Automatic Installation, then select multiple programs to reinstall.

(Grayed out programs are not available for Automatic Installation. To select

these programs, click Manual Installation.)

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8Click Install.

9Follow any additional on-screen instructions. Depending on the programs

you are reinstalling, you may only need to restart your computer to

complete the installation. However, if a setup wizard opens when you

restart your computer, follow the on-screen instructions.

To reinstall Works Suite (including Word), games, or other programs from

a CD:

1If you just reinstalled Windows, go to Step 4. Otherwise, go to the next

step.

2In Windows XP, click Start, Control Panel, then click

Add or Remove Programs.

- OR -

In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, Control Panel, then double-click the

Add or Remove Programs icon.

3In the Currently Installed Programs list, click the program you want to

uninstall, then click Change/Remove and follow the on-screen instructions.

4Insert the program CD into the CD or DVD drive.

5Complete the program reinstallation by following the instructions

included with the program CD.

Help and

Support

For more information about reinstalling programs in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword installing programs in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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Reinstalling Windows

If your computer is not working correctly, try the following options to correct

the problem:

■Troubleshooting. For more information, see “Troubleshooting” on

page 131.

■Reinstalling device drivers. For more information, see “Reinstalling device

drivers” on page 81.

If the options above do not correct the problem, you can use the Restoration

CDs to reinstall Windows and other software.

The Restoration CDs step you through reinstalling Windows XP or

Windows 2000. If you are reinstalling Windows XP or Windows 2000, the

Restoration CDs automatically reinstall the hardware device drivers and some

programs as well. You can install any remaining programs by using the program

CDs that came with your computer. To reinstall your programs, follow the

instructions in “Reinstalling programs” on page 84.

To reinstall Windows XP or Windows 2000, and the device drivers:

1Insert the red Drivers CD into the CD or DVD drive.

2Restart your computer.

3Select 2. Boot from CD-ROM.

4Select a language option.

5Select 1. Delete all files (Automated Fdisk/Format).

Important If you are prompted for your Windows product key when

you reinstall Windows, you can find the key on the

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity label located on the

back or side of your computer case. For more information,

see “Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity” on page 8.

Caution Back up your personal files before you use this option.

All files on your computer will be deleted!

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6Select 1. Continue deleting all files and restart.

7When prompted, press any key to continue.

8Select 2. Boot from CD-ROM.

9Select a language option.

10 Select 2. Automated installation of Windows (XP or 2000).

11 If your computer does not have any special hard drive (HDD) controllers,

such as a RAID 0 controller, select 1. Normal installation of Windows (XP or

2000).

- OR -

If your computer has special hard drive (HDD) controllers, such as a RAID 0

controller, select 2. Installation of Windows w/ special Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

controller drivers.

12 When prompted, remove the red CD and insert the blue Operating System

CD into the CD or DVD drive, then press any key to continue.

13 When prompted, accept the License Agreement by pressing Y.

14 Wait while the setup program copies files to your hard drive. When your

computer restarts, do NOT press any key to boot from CD.

15 Follow the on-screen instructions to set your

Regional and Language Options.

16 If you are prompted to select your Gateway computer type, click

E-Series / Business Use, then click Continue.

17 When prompted, insert the red Drivers CD, then click OK.

18 When prompted, insert the yellow Applications CD(s), then click Continue.

The Gateway Application Loader automatically installs your drivers and

programs. Your computer restarts several times during this process. Do not

press any keys or buttons during this process unless prompted to do so.

19 When the Gateway Application Loader has finished, click Close.

20 Install additional programs by following the instructions in “Reinstalling

programs” on page 84.

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7

89

Upgrading Your

Computer

This chapter provides information about upgrading and

replacing components in your computer. Read this chapter

to learn how to:

■Identify your case style

■Open the computer case

■Remove and install drives and components

■Remove and install add-in cards

■Remove and install system boards

■Add memory

■Change the battery

You must open the computer case to upgrade or replace

components. If you are not comfortable with these

procedures, get help from a more experienced computer

user or computer service technician.

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Selecting a place to work

Work on your computer in an area that:

■Is clean (avoid dusty areas)

■Is a low-static environment (avoid carpeted areas)

■Has a stable surface on which to set your computer

■Has enough room to place all the computer parts

■Is near a grounded outlet so you can test your computer after installation

■Is near a telephone (in case you need help from Gateway Technical

Support). The telephone must be directly connected to a telephone jack

and cannot be connected to your computer

Gathering the tools you need

Some tools and supplies that you may need to work on your computer are:

■A Phillips screwdriver

■A flat-head screwdriver

■A notebook to take notes

■Small containers to store various types of screws

■A grounding wrist strap (available at most electronic stores)

Tips & Tricks When cleaning the case, do not use abrasive or solvent

cleaners because they can damage the finish. Use soap

and water or a dilution of water and isopropyl alcohol. For

more information, see “Cleaning your computer” on

page 66.

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Preventing static electricity discharge

The components inside your computer are extremely sensitive to static

electricity, also known as electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Before opening the computer case, follow these guidelines:

■Turn off your computer.

■Wear a grounding wrist strap (available at most electronics stores) and

attach it to a bare metal part of your computer.

■Touch a bare metal surface on the back of the computer.

■Unplug the power cord and the modem and network cables.

Before working with computer components, follow these guidelines:

■Avoid static-causing surfaces such as carpeted floors, plastic, and packing

foam.

■Remove components from their antistatic bags only when you are ready

to use them. Do not lay components on the outside of antistatic bags

because only the inside of the bags provide electrostatic protection.

■Always hold expansion cards by their edges or their metal mounting

brackets. Avoid touching the edge connectors and components on the

cards. Never slide expansion cards or components over any surface.

Warning ESD can permanently damage electrostatic

discharge-sensitive components in your computer.

Prevent ESD damage by following ESD guidelines every

time you open the computer case.

Warning To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and

moving parts, turn off your computer and unplug the power

cord and modem and network cables before opening the

case.

Warning To prevent risk of electric shock, do not insert any object

into the vent holes of the power supply.

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Opening the case

To open the computer case:

1Follow the instructions under “Preventing static electricity discharge” on

page 91.

2Shut down your computer, then disconnect the power cord and modem,

network, and all peripheral device cables.

3Press the power button to drain any residual power from your computer.

4If the case cover has a shipping screw installed on the back of the case,

remove the screw. For information about the location of the screw, see

“Back” on page 4.

Warning To avoid exposure to dangerous electrical voltages and

moving parts, turn off your computer, then unplug the

power cord and modem cable before opening the case.

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5Push in on the cover release handle.

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6Pull the side panel away from the case.

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Closing the case

To close the computer case:

1Make sure that all of the internal cables are arranged inside the case so

they will not be pinched when you close the case.

2Align the door tabs into the case notches.

Door tabs

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3Swing the side panel toward the case until the release handle locks.

4If you removed a case cover shipping screw, replace the screw.

5Reconnect the cables and power cord.

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Adding or replacing a diskette, CD,

or DVD drive

Use these instructions to replace 5.25-inch drives such as CD or DVD drives,

and 3.5-inch drives, such as diskette drives.

To add or replace a CD, DVD, or diskette drive:

1Open the case using the instructions in “Opening the case” on page 92.

2If you are adding a drive, locate an empty drive bay.

-OR-

If you are replacing a drive, disconnect the drive cables, noting their

locations and orientation. (You will reconnect the cables after you install

the new drive.) See the drive documentation for further instructions.

Data ribbon cable

Power cable

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3If there is a shipping screw installed next to the release lever, remove the

screw, then slide the release lever toward the rear of the case.

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4If you are replacing a drive, slide the old drive forward and out of the drive

bay.

- OR -

If you are adding a new drive, slide the drive bay cover forward and out

of the drive bay.

5If you are replacing a drive, set any jumpers on the new drive to match

the old drive. See the drive documentation for further instructions.

6Slide the new drive into the drive bay until it settles into the indentation

and is flush with the front of the computer case, then slide the release lever

toward the front of the case.

7If you removed a shipping screw, replace the screw.

8Reconnect the drive cables using your notes from Step 2. The red-striped

edge of the data ribbon cable indicates Pin 1 and corresponds with Pin 1

on the drive (typically on the side closest to the power supply connection).

See the drive documentation for more information.

9Close the case using the instructions in “Closing the case” on page 95.

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Adding or replacing a hard drive

Use these instructions to add or replace a hard drive.

To add or replace a hard drive:

1Open the case using the instructions in “Opening the case” on page 92.

2If you are adding a drive, locate an empty drive bay.

-OR-

If you are replacing a drive, disconnect the drive cables, noting their

locations and orientation. (You will reconnect the cables after you install

the new drive.) See the drive documentation for further instructions.

Power cable

Data ribbon cable

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3Slide the release lever toward the open side of the case.

4If you are removing a drive, slide the old drive out of the drive bay.

5If you are replacing a drive, set any jumpers on the new drive to match

the old drive. See the drive documentation for further instructions.

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6Slide the new drive in, then slide the release lever toward the inside of the

case.

7If you are replacing a drive, reconnect the drive cables using your notes

from Step 2. The red-striped edge of the data ribbon cable indicates Pin 1

and corresponds with Pin 1 on the drive (typically on the side farthest from

the power supply connection). See the drive documentation for more

information.

- OR -

If you are adding a drive, connect the drive cables. See the drive

documentation for more information.

8Close the case using the instructions in “Closing the case” on page 95.

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Adding or replacing add-in cards

An add-in card is a card used in your computer to add functionality to the

system. Use the following instructions to replace, add, or reseat an add-in card.

To replace, add, or reseat an add-in card:

1Open the case using the instructions in “Opening the case” on page 92.

2For more stability, place your computer on its side. Place your computer

on a towel or other non-abrasive surface to avoid scratching the

computer case.

3If you are replacing a card, disconnect any cables that are attached to the

card, noting their locations and orientation. (You will reconnect the cables

after you install the new card.) See the add-in card documentation for

further instructions.

Retention thumbscrew

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4Remove the retention thumb-screw that secures the card retention cover

to the case, then swing the add-in card retention cover open.

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5If you are replacing an add-in card, remove the old add-in card. You can

slightly seesaw the card end-to-end to loosen the card, but do not bend

the card sideways.

6Insert the new card into the add-in slot.

You can slightly seesaw the card end-to-end to help insert the card, but

do not bend the card sideways.

7Push the add-in card retention cover inward, then secure the add-in card

retention cover with the retention thumb-screw.

Warning Do not touch the contacts on the bottom part of the add-in

card. Touching the contacts can cause electrostatic

damage to the card.

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8If you disconnected any cables, reconnect the add-in card cables using your

notes from Step 3. See the add-in card documentation for more

information.

- OR -

If you are adding an add-in card, see the card documentation for

information about connecting cables.

9Close the case using the instructions in “Closing the case” on page 95.

10 See the documentation that came with the add-in card for any special

software installation instructions.

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Replacing the power supply

To replace the power supply:

1Open the case using the instructions in “Opening the case” on page 92.

2For more stability, place your computer on its side. Place your computer

on a towel or other non-abrasive surface to avoid scratching the

computer case.

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3Disconnect the power supply cables from all components (such as, hard

drives, CD or DVD drives, and the system board), noting their locations

and orientation. (You will reconnect the cables after you install the new

power supply.)

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4Swing the power supply retention clip out.

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5Slide the power supply toward the front of the case, then up.

6Install the new power supply into the case, then swing the power supply

retention clip toward the back of the case until it locks into place.

7Reconnect the power supply cables using your notes from Step 3. See the

power supply documentation for more information.

8Close the case using the instructions in “Closing the case” on page 95.

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Replacing the system board

To replace the system board:

1Open the case using the instructions in “Opening the case” on page 92.

2For more stability, place your computer on its side. Place your computer

on a towel or other non-abrasive surface to avoid scratching the

computer case.

3Remove all of the add-in cards using the instructions in “Adding or

replacing add-in cards” on page 103.

4Disconnect the power and data cables from the system board, noting their

locations and orientation. (You will reconnect the cables after you install

the new board.)

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5Remove the thumbscrew using a screwdriver, coin, or your fingers.

Thumbscrew

(approximate location)

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6Slide the system board toward the front of the case, then up and out of

the case. The system board standoffs slide out of the keyhole slots.

Standoff

Keyhole slot

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7Slide the new system board into the keyhole slots and lock it into place

with the thumbscrew.

8Reconnect the power and data cables using your notes from Step 4. See

the system board documentation for more information.

9Reinstall the add-in cards using the instructions in “Adding or replacing

add-in cards” on page 103.

10 Close the case using the instructions in “Closing the case” on page 95.

Important The new system board must have special standoffs

(pem studs) mounted on the bottom of the board. If

necessary, use the standoffs from the original system

board.

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Installing memory

When you upgrade the computer memory, make sure that you install the

correct type of memory module for your computer. Your computer uses DIMM

memory.

The following illustration shows the general location of the memory modules

in the system board.

To install or replace DIMM memory:

1Open the case using “Opening the case” on page 92.

2Find the memory module banks on your system board.

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3If your system board has single-channel memory, fill the DIMM 0 memory

slot. When adding memory, fill the DIMM 1 memory slot.

- OR -

DIMM 0

DIMM 1

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If your system board has dual-channel memory, fill the Channel A/DIMM 0

memory slot AND the Channel B/DIMM 0 memory slot with matching

DIMMs. Matching DIMMs are the same size, density, and technology.

When adding memory, fill the Channel A/DIMM 1 memory slot AND the

Channel B/DIMM 1 memory slot with matching DIMMs.

Channel A/DIMM 0

Channel A/DIMM 1

Channel B/DIMM 0

Channel B/DIMM 1

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4If you are removing a DIMM from the memory module bank, gently pull

the plastic tabs away from the sides of the memory module and remove it.

- OR -

If you are adding a DIMM to an empty memory module bank, gently pull

the plastic tabs away from the sides of the memory module bank.

5Align the notches on the new DIMM with the notches on the memory

module bank and press the module firmly into the bank. The tabs on the

sides of the memory module should secure the memory module

automatically. When the module is secure, you hear a click.

6Close the case using “Closing the case” on page 95.

7Reconnect the cables and the power cord.

8Turn on your computer. Windows starts and the Windows desktop appears.

9In Windows XP, click Start, Control Panel, then click Performance and

Maintenance (if in Category view). Click/Double-click System. The amount

of memory in your computer is shown at the bottom of the System Properties

dialog box in the General tab.

- OR -

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In Windows 2000, right-click the My Computer icon, then click Properties.

The amount of memory in your computer is shown at the bottom of the

System Properties dialog box in the General tab.

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Replacing the system battery

If the computer clock does not keep time or the settings in the BIOS Setup utility

are not saved when you turn off your computer, replace the system battery.

Use a battery of the same size and voltage as the original battery that was in

your computer.

To replace the battery:

1Open the BIOS Setup utility using the instructions in “Using the BIOS Setup

Utility” on page 123.

2Write down all the values in the menus and submenus, then exit from the

utility.

3Shut down your computer.

4Open the case using “Opening the case” on page 92.

5Locate the old battery on the system board and note its orientation. You

will need to install the new battery the same way.

Warning Danger of explosion if battery is incorrectly replaced.

Replace only with the same or equivalent type

recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of used

batteries following the manufacturer’s instructions.

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6While pushing down on the battery release tab, place the edge of a small

flat-head screwdriver under the battery and lift the battery up until it pops

out of the socket.

7Make sure that the positive (+) side of the new battery is facing up, then

press the battery into the socket until it snaps into place.

8Close the case using “Closing the case” on page 95.

9Reconnect all external cables and the power cord.

10 Turn on your computer.

11 Open the BIOS Setup utility.

12 In the BIOS Setup utility, restore any settings that you wrote down in

Step 2.

13 Save all your settings and exit the BIOS Setup utility.

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8

123

Using the BIOS

Setup Utility

This chapter provides information about the BIOS Setup

utility. Read this chapter to learn how to:

■Open the BIOS Setup utility

■Update the BIOS

■Set the BIOS configuration jumper

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Opening the BIOS Setup utility

The BIOS Setup utility stores the basic settings for your computer. These settings

include basic system hardware configuration, system resource settings, and

password security. These settings are stored and saved even when the power is

off.

To open BIOS Setup utility:

1Restart your computer.

2While your computer is restarting, press and hold the F1 key. The main

menu of the BIOS Setup utility opens.

Caution The options in the BIOS Setup utility have been set at the

factory for optimal performance. Changes to these

settings will affect the performance of your computer.

Before changing any settings, write them down in case

you need to restore them later.

Important Your computer starts very quickly. If your monitor requires

time to warm up, you may not see the messages. If you

are having problems, you may need to wait for the monitor

to warm up, then restart your computer. If you are trying

to enter the BIOS Setup utility, press F1 before the monitor

warms up.

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The following illustration shows the main menu screen of a typical BIOS Setup

utility. Your BIOS Setup utility may vary from the illustration below.

Use the descriptions and the navigation keys displayed in the Item Specific Help

area of the BIOS Setup utility screen to move through the BIOS menus and make

selections. If available, press F1 to get more help about options.

BIOS Setup Utility

Main Advanced Security Power Boot Exit

Item Specific Help

BIOS Version

Processor Type

Processor Speed

System Bus Speed

System Memory Speed

Cache RAM

Total Memory

Memory Bank 0

Memory Bank 1

Language:

Memory Configuration:

System Time:

System Date:

RG84510A.15A.0009.P03

Intel (R) Pentium (R)

3.0 GHz

800 MHz

400 MHz

512 KB

127 MB

128 MB (DDR400)

Not Installed

[English]

[Non-ECC]

[11:09:31]

[07/04/2003]

Select the display

language for the BIOS.

←→ Select Menu

↑↓ Select Item

Tab Select Field

Enter Select >Sub-Menu

F9 Setup Defaults

F10 Save and Exit

ESC Exit

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Updating the BIOS

If you need a new version of the BIOS, you can download the BIOS update from

the technical support area on the Gateway Web site (support.gateway.com) and

install the new version from a diskette.

To update the BIOS you need to perform the following tasks in sequence:

1Write down any custom BIOS settings.

2Create a bootable diskette.

3Create the BIOS update diskette.

4Update the BIOS.

5Reconfigure any custom BIOS settings.

Follow the detailed instructions for updating the BIOS that are included in the

self-extracting file that you can download from the technical support area of

Gateway’s Web site.

Setting the BIOS configuration

jumper

The system board has a configuration jumper related to the BIOS. Place a jumper

on specific pins to clear passwords or recover the BIOS. For more information

on the location and use of the configuration jumper, see “BIOS configuration

jumper settings” on page 160.

Warning Moving a jumper while the power is on can damage your

computer. Always turn off your computer and unplug the

power cord and modem cable before changing jumper

settings.

9

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Troubleshooting

This chapter provides some solutions to common computer

problems. Read this chapter to learn how to:

■Troubleshoot typical hardware and software problems

■Get telephone support

■Use automated troubleshooting systems

■Get tutoring and training

If the suggestions in this chapter do not correct the

problem, see “Getting Help” on page 21, for more

information about how to get help.

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Safety guidelines

While troubleshooting your computer, follow these safety guidelines:

■Never remove your computer case cover while your computer is turned

on and while the modem cable and the power cord are connected.

■Do not attempt to open the monitor case. To do so is extremely dangerous.

Even if the power is disconnected, energy stored in the monitor

components can be dangerous. Also, opening the monitor voids the

warranty.

■Make sure that you are correctly grounded before opening your computer

case. For more information about preventing damage from static electricity,

see “Preventing static electricity discharge” on page 91.

Warning To avoid bodily injury, do not attempt to troubleshoot your

computer problem if:

■Power cords or plugs are damaged

■Liquid has been spilled into your computer

■Your computer was dropped

■The case was damaged

Instead, unplug your computer and contact a qualified

computer technician.

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First steps

Try these things first before going to the following sections:

■Make sure that the power cable is connected to your computer and an

AC outlet and that the AC outlet is supplying power.

■If you use a power strip, make sure that it is turned on.

■If a peripheral device (such as the keyboard or mouse) does not work, make

sure that all connections are secure.

■If you added or removed computer components before the problem started,

review the procedures you performed and make sure that you followed

each instruction.

■Make sure that your hard drive is not full.

■If an error message appears on the screen, write down the exact message.

The message may help Gateway Technical Support in diagnosing and fixing

the problem.

■If an error occurs in a program, see the program’s printed documentation

or the online help.

Help and

Support

For more information about troubleshooting in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword troubleshooting in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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Software support tools

Your system may include the following support tool to help you diagnose and

fix problems:

■PC Doctor is a comprehensive hardware diagnostic and system information

tool that can test your computer and determine its configuration.

PC Doctor provides 85 professional diagnostic tests directly from your

computer.

This support tool is available from HelpSpot or by clicking Start, All Programs,

then clicking Gateway Utilities.

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Troubleshooting

Add-in cards

The computer does not recognize an add-in card

■Shut down and restart your computer.

■Make sure that you have installed the required software. For more

information, see the documentation that came with your add-in card.

■Reseat the card. For more information, see “Adding or replacing add-in

cards” on page 103.

CD or DVD drives

The computer does not recognize a disc or the CD, DVD, or recordable

drive

■Make sure that the disc label is facing up, then try again.

■Try a different disc. Occasionally discs are flawed or become scratched and

cannot be read by the CD or DVD drive.

■If you are trying to play a DVD, make sure that you have a DVD drive. To

identify your drive type, see “Identifying drive types” on page 34.

■Your computer may be experiencing some temporary memory problems.

Shut down and restart your computer.

■Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may not be able to

play these CDs on your computer.

■Clean the disc. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs and DVDs” on

page 133.

■Restart your computer, then enter the BIOS Setup utility by pressing and

holding F1 while your computer restarts. Make sure that the IDE controllers

are enabled. For more information on using the BIOS Setup utility, see

“Using the BIOS Setup Utility” on page 123.

■Make sure that the drive is configured correctly by following the

instructions in the drive documentation.

■Open your computer case and make sure that the cables are connected

correctly to the CD or DVD drive and the IDE connector on the system

board or controller card.

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■If you have a SCSI device in your system, check the cable connected to

the SCSI card. If the CD or DVD drive is the last drive on the cable (the

drive farthest from the card), make sure that the CD or DVD drive is

terminated. For more information about SCSI device configurations, see

the drive documentation or download the documentation from the

Gateway Web site.

■Reinstall the device driver. For more information, see “Reinstalling device

drivers” on page 81.

An Audio CD does not produce sound

■Make sure that the disc label is facing up, then try again.

■Some music CDs have copy protection software. You may not be able to

play these CDs on your computer.

■Make sure that the volume controls are turned up.

■Make sure that the mute controls are turned off.

■Make sure that the speaker cables are connected correctly and securely.

■Shut down and restart your computer.

■Clean the disc. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs and DVDs” on

page 133.

■Reinstall the audio device drivers. For more information, see “Reinstalling

device drivers” on page 81.

A DVD movie will not play

■Make sure that you have a DVD drive. To identify your drive type, see

“Identifying drive types” on page 34.

■Make sure that the disc label is facing up, then try again.

■Try a different disc. Occasionally discs are flawed or become scratched and

cannot be read by the DVD drive.

■Shut down and restart your computer.

■Clean the disc. For more information, see “Cleaning CDs and DVDs” on

page 133.

■Reinstall the DVD player program. For more information, see “Reinstalling

programs” on page 84.

■Reinstall the device driver. For more information, see “Reinstalling device

drivers” on page 81.

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■DVDs and DVD drives contain regional codes that help control DVD title

exports and help reduce illegal disc distribution. To be able to play a DVD,

the disc’s regional code and your DVD drive’s regional code must match.

The regional code on your DVD drive is determined by your computer’s

delivery address. The regional code for the United States and Canada is 1.

The regional code for Mexico is 4. Your DVD drive’s regional code must

match the regional code for the disc. The regional code for the disc is on

the disc, disc documentation, or disc packaging.

If the DVD movie does not play, the disc’s regional code and your DVD

drive’s regional code may not match.

Cleaning CDs and DVDs

Clean discs by wiping from the center to the edge, not around in a circle, using

a product, such as a soft cloth, made especially for cleaning CDs and DVDs.

Computer

The computer will not start

■Make sure that the power cord is connected to an AC power source and

your computer is turned on.

■Open the computer case and make sure that the power supply cable is

connected correctly to the system board.

■Open the computer case and make sure that the power button cable is

connected correctly to the system board.

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Diskette drive

The diskette drive is not recognized

■Shut down and restart your computer.

■Open the computer case and make sure that the cables are connected

correctly to the diskette drive and the system board. The red-striped edge

of the data ribbon cable indicates Pin 1 and corresponds with Pin 1 on the

diskette drive (typically on the side farthest from the power supply

connection). If necessary, reverse one end of the cable, so the red-striped

edge of the data ribbon cable faces Pin 1 on the diskette drive. Make sure

that the pins are not bent or misaligned. For more information, see

“Adding or replacing a diskette, CD, or DVD drive” on page 97.

You cannot save a file to diskette or you see the message “disk is full

or write-protected”

■Make sure that the write-protection tab on the upper-right corner of the

diskette is down (unprotected).

■The diskette may be full. Delete unnecessary files on the diskette and try

again.

■Not all diskettes are IBM-compatible. Make sure that the diskette you are

using is IBM-compatible.

■Try a different diskette. Occasionally diskettes are flawed and cannot be

read by the diskette drive.

■Run Error-checking on the diskette. For more information, see “Checking

the hard drive for errors” on page 60. If errors are detected and corrected,

try using the diskette again.

You see a “Access Denied” or “Write protect” error message

■Move the write-protection tab in the upper-right corner of the diskette

down (unprotected).

■The diskette may be full. Delete unnecessary files on the diskette and try

again.

■Not all diskettes are IBM-compatible. Make sure that the diskette you are

using is IBM-compatible.

■Try a different diskette. Occasionally diskettes are flawed and cannot be

read by the diskette drive.

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You see a “Disk is full” error message

■Delete unnecessary files on the diskette.

■Try a different diskette. Occasionally diskettes are flawed and cannot be

read by the diskette drive.

■Run Error checking on the diskette. For more information, see “Checking

the hard drive for errors” on page 60. If errors are detected and corrected,

try using the diskette again.

You see a “Non-system disk” or “Disk error” error message

■Eject the diskette from the diskette drive, then press ENTER.

■Make sure that the diskette you are using is IBM-compatible.

The diskette drive LED is lit continuously

■Remove the diskette from the drive. If the light stays on, try restarting your

computer.

■Open the computer case and make sure that the cables are connected

correctly to the diskette drive and the system board. The red-striped edge

of the data ribbon cable indicates Pin 1 and corresponds with Pin 1 on the

diskette drive (typically on the side farthest from the power supply

connection). If necessary, reverse one end of the cable, so the red-striped

edge of the data ribbon cable faces Pin 1 on the diskette drive. Make sure

that the pins are not bent or misaligned. For more information, see

“Adding or replacing a diskette, CD, or DVD drive” on page 97.

File management

A file was accidentally deleted

If the file was deleted at a DOS prompt or in Windows while holding down

the SHIFT key, the file cannot be restored.

To restore files that were deleted in Windows:

1Double-click the Recycle Bin icon.

2Right-click the file you want to restore, then click Restore. The file

is restored to the place where it was originally deleted from.

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If the Recycle Bin was emptied before you tried to restore a file, the

file cannot be restored.

Hard drive

You see an “Insufficient disk space” error message

■Delete unnecessary files from the hard drive using Disk Cleanup. For more

information, see “Using Disk Cleanup” on page 59.

■Empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking the Recycle Bin icon, then clicking

Empty Recycle Bin.

■Save your files to a diskette or another drive. If the hard drive is full, copy

any files not regularly used to diskettes or other backup media, then delete

them from the hard drive.

You see a “Data error” message

This may be the result of a defective area on the hard drive. To fix hard drive

problems, run the Error checking program. For more information, see

“Checking the hard drive for errors” on page 60.

The hard drive cannot be accessed, or you see a “General failure

reading drive C” error message

■If a diskette is in the diskette drive, eject it and restart your computer.

■Press CTRL+ALT+DEL to restart your computer.

Help and

Support

For more information about restoring deleted files in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword System Restore in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

Help and

Support

For more information about file management in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword file management in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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■Open the computer case and make sure that the cables are connected

correctly to the hard drive and the system board. For more information

about connecting the hard drive cables, see “Adding or replacing a hard

drive” on page 100.

■If your computer has been subjected to static electricity or physical shock,

you may need to reinstall the operating system.

You see a “Non-system disk” or “disk error” error message

■Eject the diskette from the diskette drive, then press ENTER.

The computer does not recognize an IDE drive

■Make sure that the IDE connectors are enabled in the BIOS Setup utility.

To enter the BIOS Setup utility, restart your computer, then press and hold

F1 while your computer restarts.

■Reinstall the device driver. For more information, see “Reinstalling device

drivers” on page 81.

■Open the computer case and make sure that the IDE cable is connected

to the system board IDE connector and the hard drive connector. For more

information, see “Adding or replacing a hard drive” on page 100.

The computer does not recognize a SCSI drive

■Reinstall the device driver. For more information, see “Reinstalling device

drivers” on page 81.

■Open the computer case and reseat the drive controller. Also make sure

that the controller and power cables are connected to the drive. For more

information, see “Adding or replacing a hard drive” on page 100.

■Make sure that the last device on the SCSI cable is correctly terminated.

For more information about SCSI device configurations, see the hard drive

documentation or download the documentation from the Gateway Web

site.

■Change the drive’s SCSI address to one that is not being used by your

computer. For more information about SCSI device configurations, see your

drive documentation.

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Internet

You cannot connect to the Internet

■Make sure that your computer is connected to the telephone line and the

telephone line has a dial tone. Use the setup poster to make sure that the

connections have been made correctly.

■Make sure that no one else is using the telephone line.

■If you have the call waiting feature on your telephone line, make sure that

it is disabled.

■Make sure that your account with your Internet service provider (ISP) is

set up correctly. Contact your ISP technical support for help.

■Make sure that you do not have a problem with your modem. For more

information, see “Modem (dial-up)” on page 140.

You see an “Unable to locate host” message and are unable to browse

the Internet

This problem can occur when you have typed a URL (Web address) incorrectly,

you have lost your Internet connection, or your ISP is having technical

difficulties.

Double-check the URL or try a different URL. If the error message still appears,

disconnect from the ISP connection and close your browser, then reconnect

and open the browser. If you still get the error, your ISP may be having technical

difficulties.

Connecting to a Web site takes too long

Many factors can affect Internet performance:

■The condition of the telephone lines in your residence or at your local

telephone service

■The condition of the Internet computers to which you connect and

the number of users accessing those computers

Help and

Support

For more information about troubleshooting Internet

connections in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help

and Support.

Type the keyword troubleshooting connections in the

HelpSpot Search box , then click

the arrow.

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■The complexity of graphics and multimedia on Web pages

■Having multiple Web browsers open, performing multiple downloads, and

having multiple programs open on your computer

People are sending you e-mail messages, but you have not received

any mail

■Click the receive button in your e-mail program.

■Make sure that your account with your Internet service provider (ISP) is

set up correctly. Contact your ISP for technical support.

Keyboard

The keyboard does not work

■Make sure that the keyboard cable is plugged in correctly. For more

information, see the poster that came with your computer.

■Remove all extension cables and switch boxes.

■Clean the keyboard by using an aerosol can of air with a narrow, straw-like

extension to remove dust and lint trapped under the keys.

■Try a keyboard that you know works to make sure that the keyboard port

works.

■Reinstall the keyboard device driver. For more information, see

“Reinstalling device drivers” on page 81.

A keyboard character keeps repeating or you see a “keyboard stuck”

or “key failure” error message

■Make sure that nothing is resting on the keyboard.

■Make sure that a key is not stuck. Press each key to loosen a key that might

be stuck, then restart your computer.

Liquid spilled in the keyboard

If you spilled liquid in the keyboard, turn off your computer and unplug the

keyboard. Clean the keyboard and turn it upside down to drain it. Let the

keyboard dry before using it again. If the keyboard does not work after it dries,

you may need to replace it.

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Memory

You see a “memory error” message during startup

■Use PC Doctor or a third-party diagnostic program to help determine if a

memory module is failing. If the memory module is failing, replace it. For

more information, see “Installing memory” on page 115.

■Check the memory module for correct seating and orientation. For more

information, see “Installing memory” on page 115.

You see a “Not enough memory” error message

■Close all programs, then restart your computer.

Modem (dial-up)

Your modem does not dial or does not connect

■Make sure that the modem cable is plugged into the modem jack and not

the Ethernet network jack. See “Back” on page 4.

■Make sure that your computer is connected to the telephone line and the

telephone line has a dial tone. Use the setup poster to make sure that the

connections have been made correctly.

■Make sure that the modem cable is less than 6 feet (1.8 meters) long.

■Remove any line splitters or surge protectors from your telephone line,

then check for a dial tone by plugging a working telephone into the

telephone wall jack.

■If you have additional telephone services such as call waiting, call

messaging, or voice mail, make sure that all messages are cleared and call

waiting is disabled before using the modem. Contact your telephone

service to get the correct code to temporarily disable the service. Also make

sure that the modem dialing properties are set correctly.

Help and

Support

For more information about troubleshooting memory errors

in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword memory error in the HelpSpot Search

box , then click the arrow.

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To check the dialing properties in Windows XP:

1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Printers and Other

Hardware.

2Click/Double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon, then click the

Dialing Rules tab.

3Click the location from which you are dialing, then click Edit.

4Make sure that all settings are correct.

To check the dialing properties in Windows 2000:

1Click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel

window opens.

2Double-click the Modems icon, then click Dialing Properties. The

Dialing Properties dialog box opens.

3Make sure that all settings are correct.

■Disconnect any answering machine, fax machine, or printer that is on the

same line as the modem. Do not connect these devices to the same

telephone line as the modem.

■Make sure that you are not using a digital, rollover, or PBX line. These lines

do not work with your modem.

■Check for line noise (scratchy, crackling, or popping sounds). Line noise

is a common problem that can cause the modem to connect at a slower

rate, abort downloads, or even disconnect. The faster the modem, the less

line noise it can tolerate and still work correctly.

Help and

Support

For more information about dialing properties in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword dialing in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Listen to the line using your telephone. Dial a single number (such as 1).

When the dial tone stops, listen for line noise. Wiggle the modem cable

to see if that makes a difference. Make sure that the connectors are free

from corrosion and all screws in the wall or telephone jack are secure.

You can also call your telephone service and have them check the

telephone line for noise or low line levels.

■Try another telephone line (either a different telephone number in your

house or a telephone line at a different location). If you can connect on

this line, call your telephone service.

■Try connecting with the modem at a lower connection speed. If reducing

the connection speed lets you connect, call your telephone service. The

telephone line may be too noisy.

You cannot connect to the Internet

■Your ISP may be having technical difficulties. Contact your ISP technical

support for help.

■See if the modem works with a different communications program. The

problem may be with just one program.

Your 56K modem does not connect at 56K

Current FCC regulations restrict actual data transfer rates over public telephone

lines to 53K. Other factors, such as line noise, telephone service provider

equipment, or ISP limitations, may lower the speed even further.

If your system has a v.90 modem, the speed at which you can upload (send)

data is limited to 33.6K. If your system has a v.92 modem, the speed at which

you can upload data is limited to 48K. Your ISP may not support 48K uploads.

You can check modem connection speeds and dial-up network (DUN)

connections by accessing the gateway.your.way dial-up server. The server also

contains drivers, patches, and updates for current Gateway hardware and

software.

The server provides a secure connection and is a stand-alone server. You cannot

use it to access the Internet. The server cannot be accessed Mondays from

8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. CT.

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To access the gateway.your.way dial-up server:

1Insert the red Drivers CD into the CD or DVD drive.

2Click Help, then click Support Web Site.

3To check your modem connection speed, click the Direct Dial option.

After your modem connects, move the mouse pointer over the

Dial-Up Networking icon (located next to the clock on your taskbar).

Your modem connection speed appears.

Your fax communications program only sends and receives faxes at

14,400 bps even though you have a 56K modem

Current fax technology only supports a maximum send and receive rate of

14,400 bps.

The modem is not recognized by the computer

■Make sure that the line connected to the modem is working and plugged

into the appropriate jack on the modem. Use the setup poster to make sure

that the connections have been made correctly.

■If the modem shares the telephone line with another device, make sure

that the telephone line is not in use (for example, someone is on the

telephone, or another modem is in use).

■Use the modem cable that came with your computer. Some telephone

cables do not meet required cable standards and may cause problems with

the modem connection.

■Shut down and restart your computer.

■Run Windows modem diagnostics.

To run modem diagnostics in Windows XP:

1Close all open programs.

2Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Printers and Other

Hardware.

3Click/Double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon, then click the

Modems tab.

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4Click to select your modem, then click Properties. The Modem

Properties dialog box opens.

5Click the Diagnostic tab, then click Query Modem. If information

about the modem appears, the modem passed diagnostics. If no

modem information is available, if a white screen appears with no

data, or if you get an error such as port already open or the modem

has failed to respond, the modem did not pass diagnostics.

To run modem diagnostics in Windows 2000:

1Close all open programs.

2Click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel

window opens.

3Double-click the Modems icon. The Modems Properties dialog box

opens.

4Click the Diagnostic tab, click the COM port next to the name of

the modem, then click More Info. The Modem Info dialog box opens.

If information about the modem appears, the modem passed

diagnostics. If no modem information is available, if a white screen

appears with no data, or if you get an error such as port already open

or the modem has failed to respond, the modem did not pass

diagnostics.

■Reinstall the device driver. For more information, see “Reinstalling device

drivers” on page 81.

■Open your computer and reseat the modem. For more information, see

“Adding or replacing add-in cards” on page 103.

Help and

Support

For more information about modem troubleshooting in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword modem troubleshooting in the

HelpSpot Search box , then click

the arrow.

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The modem is noisy when it dials and connects

When your modem tries to connect to another modem, it begins handshaking.

Handshaking is a digital “getting acquainted” conversation between the two

modems that establishes connection speeds and communication protocols. You

may hear unusual handshaking sounds when the modems first connect. If the

handshaking sounds are too loud, you can turn down the modem volume.

To turn down the modem volume in Windows XP:

1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Printers and Other

Hardware.

2Click/Double-click the Phone and Modem Options icon, then click the

Modems tab.

3Click the modem you want to adjust, then click Properties.

4Click the Modem tab, then adjust the Speaker volume control.

5Click OK twice to close the Phone and Modem Options dialog box.

To turn down the modem volume in Windows 2000:

1Click Start, Settings, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel

window opens.

2Double-click the Modems icon. The Modems Properties dialog box

opens.

3Click the General tab, click the modem you want to adjust, then click

Properties.

4Adjust the Speaker volume control.

5Click OK.

Monitor

The screen resolution is not correct

Change the screen resolution from the Display Properties dialog box.

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The computer is running but there is no picture

■Make sure that the monitor is plugged in and turned on. If the monitor

is turned on, the power LED should be lit.

■Adjust the brightness and contrast controls to the center position.

■Make sure that the monitor cable is connected to the video port on the

back of your computer.

■Check the port and cable for bent or damaged pins.

■Reinstall the device driver. For more information, see “Reinstalling device

drivers” on page 81.

■Open your computer case and reseat the video card. For more information,

see “Adding or replacing add-in cards” on page 103.

■Connect a monitor that you know works to your computer.

The color is not uniform

Make sure that the monitor warms up for at least 30 minutes before making a

final judgment about color uniformity.

Make sure that:

■Non-shielded speakers are not placed too close to the monitor.

■The monitor is not positioned too close to another monitor, electric fan,

fluorescent light, metal shelf, or laser printer.

■You demagnetize the screen using the monitor’s degauss feature. For more

information on degauss, see your monitor’s documentation.

There is a horizontal line or wire visible across the monitor screen

Your monitor may use a thin damper wire, located approximately 1/3 of the

way down from the upper screen edge and 1/3 of the way up from the lower

screen edge, to stabilize the internal aperture grille. These wires are most

obvious when the monitor displays a white background. The aperture grille

allows more light to pass through the screen for brighter colors and greater

luminescence. The damper wire is a critical part of the overall monitor design

and does not negatively affect the monitor's function.

Help and

Support

For more information about changing the screen resolution

in Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword screen resolution in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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The text on the display is dim or difficult to read

■Adjust the brightness and contrast controls.

■Use the monitor degauss feature (see your monitor documentation) or turn

off your computer and monitor, leave them off for at least a half hour,

then restart your computer.

■Change the display settings.

■Move the monitor away from sources of electrical interference, such as

televisions, unshielded speakers, microwaves, fluorescent lights, and metal

beams or shelves.

For more information about display types, see your monitor and video card

documentation.

Mouse

The mouse does not work

■Make sure that the mouse cable is plugged in correctly.

■Shut down and restart your computer.

■Remove all extension cables and switch boxes.

■Try a mouse that you know is works to make sure that the mouse port

works.

■Reinstall the device driver. For more information, see “Reinstalling device

drivers” on page 81.

The mouse works erratically

If the mouse pointer begins moving erratically across the computer display or

becomes difficult to control precisely, cleaning the mouse will likely improve

its accuracy.

If you have an optical mouse, clean the mouse by wiping the bottom with a

clean, damp cloth. Make sure that the optical sensor is clean and free or debris.

If you have a trackball mouse, see “Cleaning the mouse” on page 68.

Help and

Support

For a video tutorial about cleaning the mouse, click Start,

Help and Support, Video tutorials, Maintaining your

computer, then click Cleaning the mouse.

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Power

My system is turned on but nothing is getting power

■If your computer is plugged into a surge protector, make sure that the surge

protector is connected securely to an electrical outlet, switched on, and

working correctly.

■Make sure that the electrical outlet is working by plugging a working

device, such as a lamp, into the outlet, then turning it on to test the outlet.

■Make sure that all devices are connected securely to the surge protector

and switched on correctly.

Printer

Printer will not turn on

■Make sure that the power cord is plugged into an AC power source.

■Make sure that the electrical outlet is working by plugging a working

device, such as a lamp, into the outlet, then turning it on to test the outlet.

Printer is on but will not print

■Make sure that the printer is online. Many printers have an online/offline

button that you may need to press.

■If the printer you want to print to is not the default printer, make sure

that you have selected it in the printer setup.

To set a default printer in Windows XP:

1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Printers and Other

Hardware.

2Click/Double-click the Printers and Faxes icon. The Printers and Faxes

window opens.

3Right-click the name of the printer you want to be the default

printer, then click Set as Default Printer.

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To set a default printer in Windows 2000:

1Click Start, Settings, then click Printers.

2Right-click on the name of the printer you want to be the default

printer, then click Set as Default.

■Make sure that the cable between the printer and your computer is

connected securely to the correct port.

■Check the cable for bent or broken pins.

■Reinstall the printer driver. See the documentation that came with your

printer for instructions on installing the printer driver.

You see a “Printer queue is full” error message

■Make sure that the printer is not set to work offline.

To make sure that the printer is not set to work offline in Windows XP:

1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens.

If your Control Panel is in Category View, click Printers and Other

Hardware.

2Click/Double-click the Printers and Faxes icon. The Printers and Faxes

window opens.

3Right-click the name of the printer you want to use. If the menu

shows a check mark next to Use Printer Offline, click Use Printer Offline

to clear the check mark.

Help and

Support

For more information about printer troubleshooting in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword printer troubleshooter in the

HelpSpot Search box , then click

the arrow.

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To make sure that the printer is not set to work offline in

Windows 2000:

1Click Start, Settings, then click Printers.

2Right-click the name of the printer you want to use. If the menu

shows a check mark next to Use Printer Offline, click Use Printer Offline

to clear the check mark.

■Wait until files have been printed before sending additional files to the

printer.

■If you print large files or many files at one time, you may want to add

additional memory to the printer. See the printer documentation for more

information about adding additional memory.

You see a “Printer is out of paper” error message

After adding paper, make sure that the printer is online. Many printers have

an online/offline button that you need to press after adding paper.

Sound

You are not getting sound from the speakers

■Make sure that the speakers are turned on.

■Make sure that the volume controls are turned up.

■Make sure that mute controls are turned off.

■If you are using external speakers, see the speaker setup poster to check

your speaker connections.

Help and

Support

For more information about sound troubleshooting in

Windows XP, click Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword sound troubleshooter in the HelpSpot

Search box , then click the arrow.

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Telephone support

Before calling Gateway Technical Support

If you have a technical problem with your computer, follow these

recommendations before contacting Gateway Technical Support:

■Make sure that your computer is connected correctly to a grounded

AC outlet that is supplying power. If you use a power strip, make sure that

it is switched on.

■If a peripheral device, such as a keyboard or mouse, does not appear to

work, make sure that all cables are plugged in securely.

■If you have recently installed hardware or software, make sure that you

have installed it according to the instructions provided with it. If you did

not purchase the hardware or software from Gateway, see the

manufacturer’s documentation and technical support resources.

■If you have “how to” questions about using a program, check:

■Online Help

■Printed documentation

■The Microsoft Windows documentation

■The program publisher’s Web site

■See the troubleshooting section of this chapter.

■Have your client ID, serial number, and order number available, along with

a detailed description of your problem, including the exact text of any error

messages, and the steps you have taken.

■Make sure that your computer is nearby at the time of your call. The

technician may have you follow appropriate troubleshooting steps.

Warning To avoid bodily injury, do not attempt to troubleshoot your

computer problem if:

■Power cords or plugs are damaged

■Liquid has been spilled into your computer

■Your computer was dropped

■The case was damaged

Instead, unplug your computer and contact a qualified

computer technician.

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Telephone support

Gateway offers a wide range of customer service, technical support, and

information services.

Automated troubleshooting system

Telephone numbers

You can access the following services through your telephone to get answers

to your questions:

Service description How to reach

Use an automated menu system and your

telephone keypad to find answers to common

problems.

800-846-2118 (US)

877-709-2945 (Canada)

Resource Service description How to reach

Fax on demand

support

Order a catalog of documents on common

problems, then order documents by document

numbers. The documents will be faxed to you.

800-846-4526 (US)

877-709-2951 (Canada)

Gateway’s

fee-based

software tutorial

service

Get tutorial assistance for software issues billed by

the minute.

800-229-1103 (charged

to your credit card)

900-555-4695 (charged

to your telephone bill)

Gateway

Technical

Support

Talk to a Gateway Technical Support representative

about a non-tutorial technical support question.

(See “Before calling Gateway Technical Support”

on page 151 before calling.)

TDD Technical Support (for hearing impaired) is

available:

Weekdays 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Central Time

Weekends 6:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Central Time

800-846-2301 (US)

800-846-3609 (Canada

and Puerto Rico)

605-232-2191 (all other

countries)

800-846-1778 (TDD)

America Online Get support for your America Online ISP account. 800-827-6364 (US)

888-265-4357 (Canada)

CompuServe Get support for your CompuServe ISP account. 800-848-8990 (US)

Sales,

accounting, and

warranty

Get information about available systems, pricing,

orders, billing statements, warranty service, or

other non-technical issues.

800-846-2000 (US)

888-888-2037 (Canada)

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Tutoring and training

Gateway’s Technical Support professionals cannot provide hardware and

software training or tutorial services. Instead, Gateway recommends the

following tutoring and training resources.

Self-help

If you have how-to questions about using your Gateway-supplied hardware or

software, see the following resources:

■“Getting Help” on page 21.

■The printed or online documentation that came with your hardware or

software. In many cases, additional product information and online

documents for Gateway-supplied hardware can be found in our Web site's

Documentation Library.

■This user's guide.

■The software publisher's Web site.

■The hardware manufacturer’s Web site.

Tutoring

For help on using hardware or software that came with your Gateway computer,

contact Gateway's fee-based tutorial hotline:

■800-229-1103 (rate charged per minute; charged to a major credit card)

■900-555-4695 (rate charged per minute; charged to your telephone bill)

Help and

Support

For more how-to information about Windows XP, click

Start, then click Help and Support.

Type the keyword practice in the HelpSpot Search box

, then click the arrow.

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Training

Gateway provides the following in-person and computerized training:

Resource Service description For more information

In-Store Training

at Gateway

stores

Our friendly and knowledgeable software

trainers can teach you how to use the Internet

and the most popular software programs,

including Microsoft Word, Excel, and

PowerPoint.

www.gateway.com/country

Gateway

Learning

Libraries

A variety of courses and tutorials are available

on CD. Select from several easy-to-use

learning libraries.

www.gateway.com/training

Online Training

from

Learn@Gateway

More than 450 online courses are available

from Learn@Gateway. All you have to do is go

online and log in. You select the subject

matter, and the learning format (self-paced

tutorials or virtual classrooms), all from the

comfort of your computer.

www.learnatgateway.com/

A

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E-6100 Technical

Reference

This Technical Reference covers information about your

system board and its features.

Read this Technical Reference to learn about system board:

■Features

■Connectors and jumpers

■BIOS configuration jumper settings

■Specifications

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Features

The Intel® WASP motherboard features:

■Support for Intel Pentium® 4 Northwood 478-pin, 800-megahertz (MHz)

Front Side Bus (FSB) processors

■Support for Intel Celeron® processors with an mPGA478 socket with

400-MHz system bus

■Support for as much as 4 gigabytes (GB) of 400-MHz DDR SDRAM

■Memory configurations that can use Dual Channeling and Dynamic mode

for optimizing the memory bandwidth

■Integrated Serial ATA IDE interface

■10/100/1000 Ethernet LAN capability

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System board layout

The following illustration shows the system board divided into two sections:

1

2

158

Appendix A:

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Section 1

Diskette drive cable connector

Main power connector

Primary IDE cable connector

Secondary IDE cable connector

Memory expansion slots

Intrusion

detection header

BIOS configuration jumper

Front panel header

USB front panel

header

Standby power indicator LED

Serial ATA connectors

Battery

Diagnostic LED

159

System board layout

www.gateway.com

Section 2

PS/2 keyboard port

PS/2 mouse port

Network jack

Parallel (LPT) connector

Serial (COM) connector

Processor socket

USB ports

AGP expansion slot

PCI expansion slots

USB ports

Auxiliary

power

connector

Processor fan connector

Auxiliary fan connector

160

Appendix A:

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BIOS configuration jumper

settings

The BIOS configuration jumper lets you clear passwords or recover your BIOS

if it becomes corrupted. For information about the location of this jumper, see

“Section 1” on page 158.

Setting Jumper placement When used

Normal For normal operation. The

BIOS uses current

configuration information

and passwords.

(1-2 position)

Configure For clearing passwords. The

BIOS Setup utility runs

automatically and the

Maintenance menu is

displayed.

(2-3 position)

Recover For recovering the BIOS

configuration. A BIOS

recovery diskette is required.

(no jumper)

161

System board specifications

www.gateway.com

System board specifications

The following specifications are for the standard configuration. Your system

may contain optional equipment. All specifications are subject to change

without notice or obligation.

Form factor ATX Form factor - 11.52 × 9.6 inches (292.61 × 243.84 mm)

Processor ■Support for an Intel® Pentium® processor in an mPGA478

socket with a 400/533/800-MHz system bus

■Support for an Intel Celeron® processor in an mPGA478

socket with a 400-MHz system bus

Memory ■Four 184-pin DDR SDRAM DIMM sockets

■Support for DDR 400, DDR 333, and DDR 266

■Support for as much as 4 GB of system memory

Chipset Intel 875P Chipset, consisting of:

■Intel 82875P Memory Controller Hub (MCH)

■Intel 82801ER I/O Controller Hub (ICH5-R)

■Intel 82802AC (8Mbit) Firmware Hub (FWH)

Video Universal 0.8/1.5-V AGP 3.0 connector (with integrated

retention mechanism) supporting 1X, 4X, and 8X AGP cards

USB Support for USB 2.0 devices

LBA Support for 48-bit Logical Block Addressing (LBA)

Peripheral interfaces ■Eight USB ports

■One serial port

■One parallel port

■Two serial ATA IDE interfaces

■Two parallel ATA IDE interfaces with UDMA 33, ATA-66/100

support

■One diskette drive interface

■PS/2 keyboard and mouse ports

Expansion capabilities Five PCI bus add-in card connectors

I/O Control LPC Bus I/O controller

LAN Intel 82547EI Platform LAN Connect (PLC) device for Gigabit

(10/100/1000 Mbps) Ethernet LAN connectivity

162

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Many products for Gateway and its subsidiaries are custom engineered by our

suppliers to Gateway specifications and may vary from similarly marketed

products.

BIOS ■Intel/AMI BIOS (resident in the Intel 82802AC FWH)

■Support for Advanced Configuration and Power Interface

(ACPI), Plug and Play, and SMBIOS

Instantly available PC

technology

■Support for PCI Local Bus Specification Revision 2.2

■Suspend to RAM support

■Wake on PCI, ES-232, front panel, PS/2 devices, and USB

ports

B

163

Safety,

Regulatory, and

Legal Information

Important safety

information

Your Gateway system is designed and tested to meet the latest standards

for safety of information technology equipment. However, to ensure safe

use of this product, it is important that the safety instructions marked on

the product and in the documentation are followed.

Warning Always follow these instructions to help

guard against personal injury and damage

to your Gateway system.

164

Appendix B: Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information

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Setting up your system

■Read and follow all instructions marked on the product and in the documentation before you

operate your system. Retain all safety and operating instructions for future use.

■Do not use this product near water or a heat source such as a radiator.

■Set up the system on a stable work surface.

■The product should be operated only from the type of power source indicated on the rating label.

■If your computer has a voltage selector switch, make sure that the switch is in the proper position

for your area. The voltage selector switch is set at the factory to the correct voltage.

■Openings in the computer case are provided for ventilation. Do not block or cover these

openings. Make sure you provide adequate space, at least 6 inches (15 cm), around the system for

ventilation when you set up your work area. Never insert objects of any kind into the computer

ventilation openings.

■Some products are equipped with a three-wire power cord to make sure that the product is

properly grounded when in use. The plug on this cord will fit only into a grounding-type outlet.

This is a safety feature. If you are unable to insert the plug into an outlet, contact an electrician

to install the appropriate outlet.

■If you use an extension cord with this system, make sure that the total ampere rating on the

products plugged into the extension cord does not exceed the extension cord ampere rating.

■If your system is fitted with a TV Tuner, cable, or satellite receiver card, make sure that the

antenna or cable system is electrically grounded to provide some protection against voltage

surges and buildup of static charges.

165

Important safety information

www.gateway.com

Care during use

■Do not walk on the power cord or allow anything to rest on it.

■Do not spill anything on the system. The best way to avoid spills is to avoid eating and drinking

near your system.

■Some products have a replaceable CMOS battery on the system board. There is a danger of

explosion if the CMOS battery is replaced incorrectly. Replace the battery with the same or

equivalent type recommended by the manufacturer. Dispose of batteries according to the

manufacturer’s instructions.

■When the computer is turned off, a small amount of electrical current still flows through the

computer. To avoid electrical shock, always unplug all power cables and modem cables from the

wall outlets before cleaning the system.

■Unplug the system from the wall outlet and refer servicing to qualified personnel if:

■The power cord or plug is damaged.

■Liquid has been spilled into the system.

■The system does not operate properly when the operating instructions are followed.

■The system was dropped or the cabinet is damaged.

■The system performance changes.

Replacement parts and accessories

Use only replacement parts and accessories recommended by Gateway.

Important Do not use Gateway products in areas classified as

hazardous locations. Such areas include patient care

areas of medical and dental facilities, oxygen-laden

environments, or industrial facilities.

Warning To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger

telecommunications line cord.

166

Appendix B: Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information

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Regulatory compliance statements

United States of America

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

Unintentional emitter per FCC Part 15

This device has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,

pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection

against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses, and can

radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,

may cause harmful interference to radio or television reception. However, there is no guarantee

that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause

interference to radio and television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment

off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following

measures:

■Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna

■Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver

■Connect the equipment to an outlet on a different circuit from that to which the receiver is

connected

■Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

Compliance Accessories: The accessories associated with this equipment are: shielded video cable

when an external monitor is connected. These accessories are required to be used in order to

ensure compliance with FCC rules.

FCC declaration of conformity

Responsible party:

Gateway Companies, Inc.

610 Gateway Drive, North Sioux City, SD 57049

(605) 232-2000 Fax: (605) 232-2023

Product:

■E-6100

For unique identification of the product configuration, please submit the 10-digit serial number

found on the product to the responsible party.

This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation of this product is subject to the

following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device

must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation.

Telecommunications per FCC part 68

Caution Changes or modifications not expressly approved by

Gateway could void the FCC compliance and negate your

authority to operate the product.

167

Regulatory compliance statements

www.gateway.com

(applicable to products fitted with USA modems)

Your modem complies with Part 68 of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules. On

the computer or modem card is a label that contains the FCC registration number and Ringer

Equivalence Number (REN) for this device. If requested, this information must be provided to the

telephone company.

An FCC-compliant telephone line cord with a modular plug is required for use with this device.

The modem is designed to be connected to the telephone network or premises wiring using a

compatible modular jack which is Part 68-compliant. See installation instructions for details.

The Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) is used to determine the number of devices which may be

connected to the telephone line. Excessive RENs on a telephone line may result in the devices not

ringing in response to an incoming call. In most areas, the sum of RENs should not exceed five

(5.0). To be certain of the number of devices that may be connected to a line, as determined by the

total RENs, contact the local telephone company.

If this device causes harm to the telephone network, the telephone company will notify you in

advance that temporary discontinuance of service may be required. The telephone company may

request that you disconnect the equipment until the problem is resolved.

The telephone company may make changes in its facilities, equipment, operations, or procedures

that could affect the operation of this equipment. If this happens, the telephone company will

provide advance notice in order for you to make necessary modifications to maintain

uninterrupted service.

This equipment cannot be used on telephone company-provided coin service. Connection to party

line service is subject to state tariffs. Contact the state public utility commission or public service

commission for information.

When programming or making test calls to emergency numbers:

■Remain on the line and briefly explain to the dispatcher the reason for the call.

■Perform such activities in the off-peak hours such as early morning or late evenings.

The United States Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 makes it unlawful for any person to

use a computer or other electronic device to send any message via a telephone fax machine unless

such message clearly contains, in a margin at the top or bottom of each transmitted page or on the

first page of the transmission, the date and time it is sent, an identification of the business, other

entity, or other individual sending the message, and the telephone number of the sending

machine or such business, other entity, or individual. Refer to your fax communication software

documentation for details on how to comply with the fax-branding requirement.

168

Appendix B: Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information

www.gateway.com

Canada

Industry Canada (IC)

Unintentional emitter per ICES-003

This digital apparatus does not exceed the Class B limits for radio noise emissions from digital

apparatus as set out in the radio interference regulations of Industry Canada.

Le présent appareil numérique n’émet pas de bruits radioélectriques dépassant les limites

applicables aux appareils numériques de Classe B prescrites dans le règlement sur le brouillage

radioélectrique édicté par Industrie Canada.

Telecommunications per Industry Canada CS-03

(for products fitted with an IC-compliant modem)

The Industry Canada label identifies certified equipment. This certification means that the

equipment meets certain telecommunications network protective, operation, and safety

requirements. The Department does not guarantee the equipment will operate to the users’

satisfaction.

Before installing this equipment, users should make sure that it is permissible to be connected to

the facilities of the local telecommunications company. The equipment must also be installed

using an acceptable method of connection. In some cases, the inside wiring associated with a

single-line individual service may be extended by means of a certified connector assembly. The

customer should be aware that compliance with the above conditions may not prevent

degradation of service in some situations.

Repairs to certified equipment should be made by an authorized Canadian maintenance facility

designated by the supplier. Any repairs or alterations made by the user to this equipment, or

equipment malfunctions, may give the telecommunications company cause to request the user to

disconnect the equipment.

Users should make sure, for their own protection, that the electrical ground connections of the

power utility, telephone lines, and internal metallic water pipe system, if present, are connected

together. This precaution may be particularly important in rural areas.

The Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) assigned to each terminal device provides an indication of

the maximum number of terminals allowed to be connected to a telephone interface. The

termination on an interface may consist of any combination of devices subject only to the

requirement that the sum of the Ringer Equivalence Numbers of all the devices does not exceed 5.

Warning To avoid electrical shock or equipment malfunction do not

attempt to make electrical ground connections by yourself.

Contact the appropriate inspection authority or an

electrician, as appropriate.

169

Regulatory compliance statements

www.gateway.com

Laser safety statement

All Gateway systems equipped with CD and DVD drives comply with the appropriate safety

standards, including IEC 825. The laser devices in these components are classified as “Class 1 Laser

Products” under a US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Radiation Performance

Standard. Should the unit ever need servicing, contact an authorized service location.

California Proposition 65 Warning

Television antenna connectors protection (for

systems fitted with TV/cable TV tuner cards)

External television antenna grounding

If an outside antenna or cable system is to be connected to your Gateway PC, make sure that the

antenna or cable system is electrically grounded to provide some protection against voltage surges

and static charges.

Article 810 of the National Electrical Code, ANSI/NFPSA 70, provides information with regard to

proper grounding of the mast and supporting structure, grounding of the lead-in wire to an

antenna discharge unit, size of grounding conductors, location of antenna discharge unit,

connection to grounding electrodes, and requirements for the grounding electrode.

Lightning protection

For added protection of any Gateway product during a lightning storm or when it is left

unattended or unused for long periods of time, unplug the product from the wall outlet and

disconnect the antenna or cable system.

Warning Use of controls or adjustments or performance of

procedures other than those specified in this manual may

result in hazardous radiation exposure. To prevent

exposure to laser beams, do not try to open the enclosure

of a CD or DVD drive.

Warning This product contains chemicals, including lead, known to

the State of California to cause cancer and/or birth defects

or reproductive harm.

170

Appendix B: Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information

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Power lines

Do not locate the antenna near overhead light or power circuits, or where it could fall into such

power lines or circuits.

Warning When installing or realigning an outside antenna system,

extreme care should be taken to keep from touching such

power lines or circuits. Contact with them could be fatal.

Reference Grounding component

1 Electric service equipment

2 Power service grounding electrode system (NEC Art 250, Part H)

3 Ground clamps

4 Grounding conductors (NEC Section 810-21)

5 Antenna discharge unit (NEC Section 810-20)

6 Ground clamp

7 Antenna lead-in wire

2

1

5

3

7

6

4

Antenna and satellite grounding

171

Notices

www.gateway.com

Notices

Copyright © 2003 Gateway, Inc.

All Rights Reserved

14303 Gateway Place

Poway, CA 92064 USA

All Rights Reserved

This publication is protected by copyright and all rights are reserved. No part of it may be reproduced or

transmitted by any means or in any form, without prior consent in writing from Gateway.

The information in this manual has been carefully checked and is believed to be accurate. However, changes are

made periodically. These changes are incorporated in newer publication editions. Gateway may improve and/or

change products described in this publication at any time. Due to continuing system improvements, Gateway is

not responsible for inaccurate information which may appear in this manual. For the latest product updates,

consult the Gateway Web site at www.gateway.com. In no event will Gateway be liable for direct, indirect,

special, exemplary, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from any defect or omission in this manual,

even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

In the interest of continued product development, Gateway reserves the right to make improvements in this

manual and the products it describes at any time, without notices or obligation.

Trademark Acknowledgments

1-800-GATEWAY, ActiveCPR, ALR, AnyKey, black-and-white spot design, CrystalScan, Destination, DestiVu, EZ

Pad, EZ Point, Field Mouse, Gateway 2000, Gateway Country, gateway.net, Gateway stylized logo, Perfect

Scholar, Solo, TelePath, Vivitron, stylized “G” design, and “You’ve got a friend in the business” slogan are

registered trademarks and black-and-white spotted box logo, GATEWAY, Gateway Astro, Gateway@Work,

Gateway Connected touch pad, Gateway Connected music player, Gateway Cyber:)Ware, Gateway

Education:)Ware, Gateway Flex Case, Gateway Gaming:)Ware, Gateway GoBack, Gateway Gold, Gateway

Learning:)Ware, Gateway Magazine, Gateway Micro Server, Gateway Money:)Ware, Gateway Music:)Ware,

Gateway Networking Solutions, Gateway Online Network (O.N.) solution, Gateway Photo:)Ware, Gateway

Professional PCs, Gateway Profile, Gateway Solo, green stylized GATEWAY, green stylized Gateway logo,

Gateway Teacher:)Ware, Gateway Video:)Ware, HelpSpot, InforManager, Just click it!, Learn@Gateway, Kids

BackPack, SERVE-TO-ORDER, Server Watchdog, the Spotted G Gateway Logo and the Spotted G Logo,

SpotShop, Spotshop.com, and Your:)Ware are trademarks of Gateway, Inc. Intel, Intel Inside logo, and Pentium

are registered trademarks and MMX is a trademark of Intel Corporation. Microsoft, MS, MS-DOS, and Windows

are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other product names mentioned herein are

used for identification purposes only, and may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective

companies.

Macrovision statement

If your computer has a DVD drive and an analog TV Out port, the following paragraph applies:

This product incorporates copyright protection technology that is protected by method claims of certain U.S.

patents and other intellectual property rights owned by Macrovision Corporation and other rights owners. Use of

this copyright protection technology must be authorized by Macrovision Corporation, and is intended for home

and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision Corporation. Reverse

engineering or disassembly is prohibited.

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173

Index

A

AC power connector 5

accessories 11

safety precautions 165

add-in cards

See cards

adding

See installing

AGP expansion slot 159

audio

headphone jack 6

line in jack 6

line out jack 6

microphone jack 6

speakers jack 6

troubleshooting 150

audio CD

cleaning 133

audio in jack 6

B

backing up files 52, 64

battery

location 158

replacing 120

BIOS

configuration jumper 126, 158, 160

recovering 160

updating 126

BIOS Setup utility 123

C

cable lock 6

camera 11

card

retention thumbscrew 6

slots 159

cards

installing 103

reinstalling 103

removing 103

replacing 103

troubleshooting 131

case

back view 4

closing 95

front view 2

opening 92

CD

cleaning 133

copying 38

creating audio 48

creating data 42

creating label 52

creating music 48

drive 34

eject button 3, 35

troubleshooting 131

CD drive

adding 97

eject button 3, 35

identifying 34

location 3

replacing 97

testing 52

testing speed 52

troubleshooting 131

using 34

CD-RW drive

adding 97

eject button 3, 35

identifying 34

location 3

replacing 97

troubleshooting 131

using 34

Certificate of Authenticity 5, 8

cleaning

audio CD 133

case 66

174

CD 133

computer exterior 66

computer monitor 67

DVD 133

keyboard 67

mouse 68

closing

computer case 95

unresponsive program 17

configuration jumper

location 158

settings 126, 160

connecting

AC power 15

connections

audio in 6

audio input 6

auxiliary fan 159

digital camera 3

digital out 6

Ethernet 6

external audio 6

external speakers 6

fan 159

Firewire 3, 6

headphones 6

i.Link 3, 6

IDE cable 158

IEEE 1394 3, 6

keyboard 5, 159

line in 6

line out 6

main power 158

microphone 6

modem 5

monitor 6

mouse 5, 159

network 6, 159

parallel 5, 159

power 5

power cord 5

PS/2 keyboard 5, 159

PS/2 mouse 5, 159

rear out 6

serial 5, 159

speaker out 6

TV 5

USB 3, 5, 158, 159

copying

data CD 38

data DVD 38

music CD 38

music tracks 45

creating

CD label 52

DVD label 52

music CD 48

Customer Service

Accounting 152

Sales 152

Warranty 152

D

default printer 148

defragmenting hard drive 62

deleting files and folders 59

device drivers

See drivers

digital out jack 6

DIMM

See memory

Disk Cleanup 59

Disk Defragmenter 62

diskette

eject button 32

inserting 32

troubleshooting 134

diskette drive 3, 32

adding 97

cable connector 158

eject button 3, 32

location 3

replacing 97

troubleshooting 134

using 32

Do More With Gateway 26

175

documentation

eSupport 28

Gateway Web site 28

help 22

HelpSpot 22

online help 27

drivers 81

reinstalling 81

updating 29, 83

drives

3.5-inch bay cover 3

5.25-inch bay cover 3

backing up files 64

CD 3, 34, 97

CD-RW 3, 34, 97

checking for errors 60

checking for free space 58

defragmenting 62

diskette 3, 32, 97

diskette cable connector 158

DVD 3, 34, 97

DVD+RW 34

DVD/CD-RW 3, 97

DVD-RAM/-RW/CD-RW 3, 34

hard drive 100

IDE cable connector 158

identifying drive types 34

replacing 97, 100

replacing hard drive 100

troubleshooting 131, 134, 136

types 34

DVD

copying 38

creating data 42

creating label 52

drive 34

eject button 35

inserting 35

troubleshooting 131

DVD drive

adding 97

eject button 3, 35

identifying 34

location 3

replacing 97

testing 52

testing speed 52

troubleshooting 131

using 34

DVD+RW drive

eject button 35

identifying 34

using 34

DVD/CD-RW drive 3

adding 97

eject button 3

location 3

replacing 97

troubleshooting 131

DVD-RAM/-RW drive

eject button 35

DVD-RAM/-RW/CD-RW drive

adding 97

eject button 3

identifying 34

location 3

replacing 97

troubleshooting 131

using 34

E

eject button 35

CD 3

diskette 3, 32

DVD 3, 35

electrostatic discharge (ESD) 91

ergonomics 18

Error-checking 60

eSupport 9, 10

using 29

Ethernet jack 6, 159

expansion card

See cards

external audio jack 6

176

F

fan connector 159

faxes

troubleshooting 143

files

backing up 64

deleting 59

troubleshooting 135

finding

HelpSpot topics 24

specifications 9

Firewire port 3, 6

floppy disk

See diskette

fragmentation 62

G

Gateway

eSupport 9, 10

model number 5, 7

serial number 5, 7, 9

Technical Support 151

Web address 28

Web site 28

gateway.your.way dial-up server 142

H

hard drive

backing up files 64

checking for errors 60

checking for free space 58

defragmenting 62

deleting files and folders 59

installing 100

replacing 100

scanning for errors 60

troubleshooting 136

headphone jack 6

help

online 27

using 22

HelpSpot 22

playing video 25

searching 24

starting 22

Using your computer link 23

Hibernate mode 3, 70, 75

I

i.Link port 3, 6

IDE cable connector 158

IEEE 1394 port 3, 6

inkjet printer 11

installing

add-in cards 103

battery 120

cards 103

CD drive 97

CD-RW drive 97

diskette drive 97

drivers 81

drives 97, 100

DVD drive 97

DVD/CD-RW drive 97

expansion cards 103

hard drive 100

memory 115

power supply 107

programs 84

system battery 120

system board 111

Windows 86

Internet

troubleshooting 138

Internet connection

troubleshooting 138, 142

intrusion detection header 158

J

jacks

See connections

jumper

configuration 126, 158

settings 126, 160

177

K

Kensington cable lock

lock slot 6

keyboard

cleaning 67

port 5, 159

troubleshooting 139

L

label

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity

5, 8

model number 5, 7

serial number 5, 7

laser printer 11

LCD panel

troubleshooting 145

line in jack 6

line out jack 6

lock slot

Kensington cable 6

M

maintenance 53

backing up files 64

checking for drive errors 60

checking hard drive space 58

cleaning case 66

cleaning component exteriors 66

cleaning keyboard 67

cleaning monitor screen 67

cleaning mouse 68

defragmenting 62

deleting files 59

suggested schedule 54

using Scheduled Task Wizard 64

virus protection 55

memory 12

adding 115

installing 115

replacing 115

slots 158

troubleshooting 140

microphone jack 6

Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity 5, 8

model number 5, 7

modem

jack 5

protecting from power surge 14

troubleshooting 140

monitor

cleaning 67

port 6

troubleshooting 145

mouse

cleaning 68

port 5, 159

troubleshooting 147

multimedia

using CD drive 34

using diskette drive 32

using DVD drive 34

music tracks

copying 45

N

Nero Express 37

network jack 6, 159

networking

kit 11

non-technical support

Accounting 152

Sales 152

Warranty 152

Norton Antivirus 55

O

online help 22, 27

opening

BIOS Setup utility 124

computer case 92

P

parallel port 5, 159

passwords 160

PC Doctor 130

178

ports

See connections

power

advanced settings 71, 73

button 3

changing advanced settings 73

changing modes 71

changing schemes 72

changing settings 71

connector 5

Hibernate mode 3, 70, 75

main connector 158

management 70

schemes 71, 72

source problems 14

Standby mode 3, 70

surge protector 14

troubleshooting 148

turning off computer 16

turning on computer 15

using UPS 76

power button 3

power supply

replacing 107

uninterruptible 76

printer

default 148

inkjet 11

laser 11

parallel port 5

troubleshooting 148

product label 5

programs

closing unresponsive 17

reinstalling 84

PS/2 port

keyboard 5, 159

mouse 5, 159

R

RAM

See memory

rebooting computer 17

recordable drive 3, 12

adding 97

eject button 3, 35

identifying drive 34

location 3

replacing 97

troubleshooting 131

using 34

reinstalling

drivers 81

programs 84

software 84

Windows 86

removing files and folders 59

resetting computer 17

restarting computer 17

Restoration CDs 80

S

safety

avoiding repetitive strain 20

caring for computer 54

general precautions 163

guidelines for troubleshooting 128

posture 20

reducing eye strain 18

setting up computer 19

static electricity 91

scanner 11

Scheduled Tasks Wizard 64

screen

cleaning 67

troubleshooting 145

searching

in HelpSpot 24

security features

Kensington cable lock 6

serial number 5, 7, 9

serial port 5, 159

setting up

safety precautions 164

shutting down computer 16, 17

sound troubleshooting 150

179

speakers jack 6

specifications 9

Standby mode 3, 70

starting computer 3, 15

static electricity 91

support tool

PC Doctor 130

surge protector 14

system battery

location 158

system board

component location 157

configuration jumper 126

features 156

replacing 111

specifications 161

system identification label 7

T

tape backup drive 12

Technical Support 152

technical support 151

automated troubleshooting 152

eSupport 9, 10

FaxBack support 152

Technical Support 152

tips before contacting 151

tutorial service 152

telephone support 151

testing

CD drive 52

DVD drive 52

training

CD 153

classroom 153

Gateway Learning Libraries 153

Learn@Gateway 153

troubleshooting

add-in cards 131

audio 150

automated system 152

cards 131

CD drive 131

CD-RW drive 131

cleaning CD 133

cleaning DVD 133

computer startup 133

diskette drive 134

DVD drive 131

DVD/CD-RW drive 131

expansion card 131

faxed answers 152

faxes 143

files 135

gateway.your.way dial-up server 142

general guidelines 129

hard drive 136

Internet connection 138, 142

keyboard 139

LCD panel 145

memory 140

modem 140

monitor 145

mouse 147

PC Doctor 130

power 148

printer 148

reinstalling drivers 81

safety guidelines 128

screen 145

screen area 145

screen resolution 145

sound 150

support tool 130

technical support 151

telephone support 151

Web site connection speed 138

turning off computer 3, 16, 17

turning on computer 3, 15

tutoring

fee-based 153

TV jack 5

U

uninterruptible power supply (UPS) 12,

14, 76

180

updating

BIOS 126

device drivers 29

updating Norton AntiVirus 55

upgrading 89

UPS 12, 14, 76

USB port 3, 5, 158, 159

V

virus

protecting against 55

removing with Norton AntiVirus 55

voltage switch 5

volume

adjusting modem 145

troubleshooting 150

W

Web site

Gateway 28

Windows

installing 86

product key 5

Product Key Code 8

reinstalling 86

reinstalling drivers 81

updating drivers 83

working safely 18

Z

Zip drive 12, 64

MAN E6100 SYS GDE R0 6/03