USERGUIDE ® ®
Information for your safety and comfort Safety instructions Read these instructions carefully. Keep this document for future reference. Follow all warnings and instructions marked on the product. Turning the product off before cleaning Unplug this product from the wall outlet before cleaning. Do not use liquid cleaners or aerosol cleaners. Use a damp cloth for cleaning. Warnings • • • • • Do not use this product near water. Do not place this product on an unstable cart, stand or table.
: Warning! The grounding pin is a safety feature. Using a power outlet that is not properly grounded may result in electric shock and/or injury. Note: The grounding pin also provides good protection from unexpected noise produced by other nearby electrical devices that may interfere with the performance of this product. • Use the product only with the supplied power supply cord set.
Disposal instructions Do not throw this electronic device into the trash when discarding. To minimize pollution and ensure utmost protection of the global environment, please recycle.For more information on the Waste from Electrical and Electronics Equipment (WEEE) regulations, visit http://global.acer.com/about/sustainability.htm.
: Note: The statement above is applicable only to Gateway system with an ENERGY STAR sticker. Gateway ENERGY STAR qualified products: • Produce less heat and reduce cooling loads, and warmer climates. • Automatically go into "display sleep" and "computer sleep" mode after 15 and 30 minute of inactivity respectively. • Wake the computer from sleep mode by pushing keyboard or moving mouse. • Computers will save more than 80% energy at "sleep" mode. ENERGY STAR and the ENERGY STAR mark are registered U.S.
Taking care of your vision Long viewing hours, wearing incorrect glasses or contact lenses, glare, excessive room lighting, poorly focused screens, very small typefaces and low-contrast displays could stress your eyes. The following sections provide suggestions on how to reduce eyestrain. Eyes • Rest your eyes frequently. • Give your eyes regular breaks by looking away from the monitor and focusing on a distant point. • Blink frequently to keep your eyes from drying out. Display • Keep your display clean.
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Contents Chapter 1: Checking Out Your Computer . . . . 1 About this guide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Product Registration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Front . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3 Back . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Chapter 2: Setting Up and Getting Started . . . 9 Preparing power connections . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Protecting from power source problems . . . .
Contents Internet and networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modem (cable or DSL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Modem (dial-up) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
CHAPTER1 Checking Out Your Computer 1
CHAPTER 1: Checking Out Your Computer About this guide This guide includes information and maintenance instructions that are specific to your model of Gateway computer. Some illustrations in this guide may look different than your computer because hardware options and port locations may vary. Product Registration When using your computer for the first time, it is recommended that you immediately register it.
www.gateway.com Front Component Description Media navigation interface (optional) Press these buttons to control media playback. Optical disc drive Use this drive to listen to audio CDs, install games and programs, watch DVDs, and store large files onto recordable discs. Multimedia panel (optional) Connect multimedia devices to these ports and jacks. (available ports may vary) ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ R (red) RCA jack—Connect the RCA cable for the right channel of two-channel (stereo) audio to this jack.
CHAPTER 1: Checking Out Your Computer Component Description Backup button (optional) Press to launch the backup software suite. Photo Frame button (optional) Press to start slide show.
www.gateway.com Back Important Your computer’s hardware options and port locations may vary from this illustration. Component Icon Description Power connector Plug the power cord into this connector. Voltage switch Make sure this switch is set to the proper local voltage. PS/2 keyboard port Plug a PS/2 keyboard into this port. Integrated monitor (VGA) port Connect a VGA monitor to this port if the optional add-in video card is not installed.
CHAPTER 1: Checking Out Your Computer Component Icon Description Modem jack (optional) Plug a modem cable into this jack. For more information, see “Connecting a dial-up modem” on page 11. Case cover Phillips screws (optional) Remove these screws to remove the left side panel. PS/2 mouse port Plug a PS/2 mouse into this port. IEEE 1394/FireWire port (optional) Plug IEEE 1394 (also known as Firewire®) devices (such as a digital camcorder) into this 6-pin IEEE 1394 port.
www.gateway.com Component Icon Telephone jack (optional) eSATA jack (optional) Description Plug the cord from your telephone into this jack.eSATAportConnects to USB 2.0 or eSATA devices (only for certain models). eSATA Connect an external SATA hard drive to this optional jack. (only for certain models).
CHAPTER 1: Checking Out Your Computer 8
CHAPTER2 Setting Up and Getting Started 9
CHAPTER 2: Setting Up and Getting Started Preparing power connections Protecting from power source problems 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.
www.gateway.com To connect to a broadband modem or to an Ethernet network: 1 Insert one end of the network cable into the network jack on the back of your computer. 2 Insert the other end of the network cable into a cable modem, DSL modem, or network jack. Connecting a dial-up modem Warning To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger telecommunications line cord.
CHAPTER 2: Setting Up and Getting Started Web pages can contain text, animations, music, and other multimedia features. A group of related Web pages is called a Web site. You can access Web sites to shop, track investments, read the news, download programs, and much more. You can explore a Web site or visit other Web sites by clicking areas on a Web page called links or hyperlinks. A link may be colored or underlined text, a picture, or an animated image.
www.gateway.com Help For more information about connecting to a Web site, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type connecting to a Web site in the Search Help box, then press ENTER. The Web browser locates the server computer on the Internet, downloads (transfers) data to your computer, and displays the page on the site that you requested. Sometimes Web pages display slowly. The speed that a Web page displays on your screen depends on the complexity of the Web page and other Internet conditions.
CHAPTER 2: Setting Up and Getting Started 3 Create or locate the folder where you want to store the file on your computer. For more information, see “Working with files and folders” on page 10. 4 Click the link on the Web page for the file that you want to download. 5 Follow the on-screen instructions for saving the file in the folder that you want. A copy of the file is downloaded to your computer.
www.gateway.com Ethernet is available at three different speeds. Standard Ethernet runs at 10 Mbps, Fast Ethernet runs at 100 Mbps, and Gigabit Ethernet runs at 1000 Mbps. Most home networks are built using Standard or Fast Ethernet components. Business networks are typically built using Fast or Gigabit Ethernet components. To create a wired Ethernet network, you or your electrician must install special Ethernet cables in your home or office.
CHAPTER 2: Setting Up and Getting Started Attached to the router are all of your computers or Ethernet-ready devices. Also connected to the router is a cable or DSL modem that provides access to the Internet. Cable/DSL modem Router Equipment you need for a router-based Ethernet network Important For best results, all Ethernet components should be either standard Ethernet (10 Mbps), Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps or 10/100), or Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Mbps or 10/100/1000).
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CHAPTER 2: Setting Up and Getting Started Connecting network cables We recommend using category 5, unshielded, twisted-pair cable (approximately 1/4-inch diameter with a thin outer-jacket, containing eight color-coded wires), and equipment compatible with this type of cable. This type of cable is equipped with RJ-45 connectors (like a large telephone jack connector, but with eight pins) on each end.
www.gateway.com In addition to a router, you need a straight-through cable for each computer you want to connect to the network. Cable/DSL modem Router WAN port 1 To set up a network using a router: Plug one end of the power adapter into the AC connector on the router and the other end into a grounded, 110V electrical outlet. 2 Turn on your computers. 3 Plug one end of a straight-through network cable into any numbered port on the router (except the WAN port).
CHAPTER 2: Setting Up and Getting Started Testing your network Now that your home network is set up, log onto one of your computers and access a favorite Internet Web site. If you are unable to connect to the Internet: • Click Start, Control Panel, Network and Internet, then the Network and Sharing Center. Choose Diagnose and Repair on the left of the window. Take any actions suggested.
www.gateway.com Sharing resources With a network, you can share your Internet connection, drives, and printers. Sharing drives and printers With a network, you can share printers among the computers connected to the network. Important To share a printer among the network computers, each computer must have the shared printer’s drivers installed. Follow the instructions included with your printer to install the printer drivers on each computer.
CHAPTER 2: Setting Up and Getting Started Printing files across the network Important Before you can print a file across the network, you must install the driver for the printer on the computer you are sending the file from. You can obtain the printer driver and installation instructions from the CD that shipped with your printer or from the manufacturer’s Web site. 1 To print files across the network: Open the file you want to print, then click Print.
www.gateway.com Using a memory card Caution Before inserting a memory card into a slot, make sure that the slot is empty, or you could damage the card reader. To insert a memory card: 1 Insert the memory card into the appropriate memory card slot. 2 To access a file on the memory card, click (Start), then click Computer. Double-click the drive letter (for example, the E: drive), then double-click the file name.
CHAPTER 2: Setting Up and Getting Started 24
CHAPTER3 Maintaining Your Computer 25
CHAPTER 3: Maintaining Your Computer Setting up a maintenance schedule Use the following table to set up a regular maintenance schedule.
www.gateway.com • 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 your computer away from magnetic fields. Magnetic fields can erase data on hard drives. Never turn off your computer when the drive indicator is on because data on the hard drive could be lost or corrupted.
CHAPTER 3: Maintaining Your Computer Updating Windows Windows Update helps you keep your computer up-to-date. Use Windows Update to choose updates for your computer’s operating system, software, and hardware. New content is added to the site regularly, so you can always get the most recent updates and fixes to protect your computer and keep it running smoothly.
CHAPTER4 Troubleshooting 29
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting Safety guidelines While troubleshooting your computer, follow these safety guidelines: 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.
www.gateway.com • Check all cable connections, including power. • If an error message appears on the screen, write • • down the exact message. The message may help Customer Care in diagnosing and fixing the problem. If you added or removed peripheral devices, review the installation procedures you performed and make sure that you followed each instruction. If an error occurs in a program, see the program’s printed documentation or the online help.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting Error message Action “Memory error” See “You see a “Memory error” message” on page 46. “Not enough memory” See “You see a “Not enough memory” error message” on page 46. Internet and networking Internet If you do not find a solution to your problem in this section, the issue may be networking related. See “Networking” on page 37 for more information.
www.gateway.com You see an “Unable to locate host” message and are unable to browse the Internet • You may have typed the URL (Web address) incorrectly. Check the URL, then enter it again, or try a different URL. • Your Web browser may be experiencing problems. Close your Web browser, then restart it. If that does not allow you to connect, restart your computer. • The problem may be with your network, not the Internet itself.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting Modem (cable or DSL) My computer cannot connect to the Internet. • Make sure that your modem is connected to the network jack. • See the documentation that came with your modem for additional troubleshooting information. • Contact your modem manufacturer for technical support. Modem (dial-up) See also “Internet and networking” on page 32.
www.gateway.com Help For more information about dialing properties, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type dialing in the Search Help box, then press ENTER. • Check for line noise (scratchy, crackling, or popping sounds), which is a common problem that can cause the modem to connect at a slower rate, interrupt downloads, or even disconnect. You can also call your telephone service and have the telephone line checked for noise or low line levels.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting 3 Click the Diagnostics tab, then click Query Modem. If information about the modem appears, the modem passed diagnostics. If no modem information is available, 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. Help For more information about modem troubleshooting, click Start, then click Help and Support.
www.gateway.com Networking You cannot see the other computers on your network • If a network cable is connected to your computer, make sure that the other end is plugged into a network router, switch, hub, or other network device. • Make sure that the other computers are turned on. • If you are using a router, make sure that it is turned on. Most routers have lights that indicate they are working. For more information, see your router’s documentation.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting Power Your computer will not turn on • Make sure that the power cord is connected to an AC power source and to your computer, and that your computer is turned on. If your power cables are connected to a power strip, make sure it is turned on. • Test the outlet by plugging in a working device, • such as a lamp. Make sure that the power cord is free from cuts or damage, and replace any damaged cables.
www.gateway.com The color is not uniform • Make sure that the display warms up for at least 30 minutes before making a final judgment about color uniformity. The text on the display is dim or difficult to read • Adjust the brightness and contrast controls. • Change the display settings. • For more information about display types, see your display and video card documentation. Help For more information about changing the screen resolution, click Start, then click Help and Support.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting • Reinstall the printer driver. See your printer’s • • • user guide for instructions. 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 instructions on adding additional memory. Contact your printer manufacturer’s technical support.
www.gateway.com • The regional code of the movie disc may not • • match your drive’s regional code. Play only discs with a regional code for your region. The DVD regional code for the United States and Canada is 1, and the regional code for Mexico is 4. The Blu-ray regional code for North and South America is A, although many (if not most) Blu-ray movies are region-free. Update the device driver. For instructions, see “Checking for device problems” on page 50.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting The mouse works erratically • Clean the mouse by wiping the bottom with a clean, damp cloth. Make sure that the optical sensor is clean and free of debris. • You may be using the mouse on a transparent, reflective, metallic, or glossy surface. Your mouse uses optical sensors that do not work correctly on these surfaces. Use a mouse pad or a surface with a non-glossy texture, such as fabric.
www.gateway.com Files You get an “Insufficient disk space” error message • Delete unnecessary files from the hard drive using Disk Cleanup. Help For more information about file management, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type file management in the Search Help box, then press ENTER. • Empty the Recycle Bin by right-clicking the Recycle Bin icon, then clicking Empty Recycle Bin. Caution Bin. All deleted files will be lost when you empty the Recycle • Save your files to another drive.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting You get 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 instructions on fixing hard drive problems, see “Checking the hard drive for errors” on page 44. The hard drive cannot be accessed, or you see a “General failure reading drive C” error message • If your computer has been subjected to static electricity or physical shock, you may need to reinstall the operating system.
www.gateway.com To check the hard drive for errors: 1 Click (Start) then click Computer. The Computer window opens. 2 Right-click the drive that you want to check for errors, click Properties, then click the Tools tab. 3 Click Check Now, then click Start. Your drive is checked for errors. This process may take several minutes. Important Error checking cannot scan a drive while the drive is being used.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting Memory Help For more information about troubleshooting memory errors, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type memory error in the Search Help box, then press ENTER. You see a “Memory error” message • Run the Memory Diagnostic Tool. Click (Start), type Memory Diagnostic Tool, then press ENTER. Click Restart now and check for problems. Your computer restarts and runs the memory diagnostics.
www.gateway.com Passwords Your computer does not accept your password • Windows passwords are case-sensitive. Make sure that CAPS LOCK is turned off, then retype the password. Expansion cards The computer does not recognize an expansion card • Restart your computer. • Make sure that you have installed the required software. For more information, see your expansion card’s documentation. • Remove the card from your computer’s expansion slot, then reinstall the card.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting Media Center This section only covers problems relating to Media Center mode. Media Center mode is available only on Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate versions. Help For more information about Windows Media Center, click Start, then click Help and Support. Type Media Center in the Search Help box, then press ENTER.
www.gateway.com • Quality of video cables—Poor quality video • • • cables can cause problems. Gateway recommends using high-quality video cables. Screen resolution—Many TVs cannot display the high resolution that your computer’s video signal uses, and may shift, scramble, or scroll the picture. For a better picture on a TV display, you may need to lower the computer’s screen resolution to 800 × 600 or 640 × 480.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting You get a “Download Error” message when Media Center tries to update the Program Guide • You must be connected to the Internet to update the Program Guide. Make sure that your computer is connected to the Internet. For information about manually updating the Program Guide, see the Media Center online help. Checking for device problems Faulty devices or corrupt device drivers can cause a variety of problems on your computer.
www.gateway.com Recovering your system You can solve most computer problems by following the information in “Try these steps first” on page 30 or in the technical support pages at www.gateway.com. Problem solving may also involve reinstalling some or all of the computer’s software (also called recovering or restoring your system). Gateway provides everything you need to recover your system under most conditions.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting The Create Backup Disc dialog box opens. This dialog box tells you the number of blank, recordable discs you will need to complete the recovery discs. Make sure that you have the required number of identical, blank discs ready before continuing. 3 Insert a blank disc into the drive indicated in the Burn to list, then click Next. The first disc begins recording, and you can watch its progress on the screen. When the disc finishes recording, the drive ejects it.
www.gateway.com To recover your pre-installed software and drivers: 1 Click (Start), All Programs, Gateway, then click Gateway Recovery Management. Gateway Recovery Management opens. - OR If you are recovering from your driver and application recovery disc, insert it into the disc drive, then go to Step 3 after the Gateway Application Recovery main menu opens. 2 Click the Restore tab, then click Reinstall applications/drivers. The Gateway Application Recovery main menu opens. 3 Click Contents.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting 3 Click the restore point you want, click Next, then click Finish. A confirmation message box appears. 4 Click Yes. Your system is restored using the restore point you specified. This process may take several minutes, and may restart your computer. Returning your system to its factory condition In case your computer experiences problems that are not recoverable by other methods, you may need to reinstall everything to return your system to its factory condition.
www.gateway.com 3 Click Yes, then click Start. A dialog box displays information about the hard drive that the operating system will be recovered to. Caution drive. 4 Continuing the process will erase all files on your hard Click OK. The recovery process begins by restarting your computer, then continues by copying files to your hard drive. This process may take a while, but a Gateway Recovery Management screen shows you its progress.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting Recovering from your recovery discs To reinstall Windows Vista and all pre-installed software and drivers: 1 Turn on your computer, insert the first system recovery disc into your optical disc drive, then restart your computer. Caution drive. Continuing the process will erase all files on your hard 2 During startup, press Fn+F12 to open the boot menu. The boot menu is where you can select which device to start from, such as the hard drive or an optical disc.
www.gateway.com To create a Labelflash label: 1 Insert an unlabeled Labelflash disc into your recordable disc drive, label side down. Although usually you will have already recorded files to the disc, it is not necessary to do that step first. To determine whether the recordable disc is Labelflash compatible, see the disc package’s description. 2 Click (Start), All Programs, CyberLink LabelPrint, then click LabelPrint. The LabelPrint program starts.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting 58 4 Enter the information you want printed on the disc into the fields, such as Disc Title, Author, and the track’s Title. 5 Click the green arrow pointing to the right to continue, or click the green arrow pointing to the left to return to the previous screen. If you click the right arrow, the Select the label’s layout and background screen opens.
www.gateway.com • To change the font of the text that will be printed on the disc, double-click the box’s dotted outline, then specify the font attributes and click OK. • To change the general layout style, click Select in the Layout Style box.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting • To change the background, click Select in the Background Image box. You can use images included with the software, or you can use your own photos or artwork by clicking Browse. Valid image formats are: JPG/JPEG TIF/TIFF BMP GIF Click green arrow pointing to the right to continue. The Begin labelling your Labelflash disc screen opens and shows you a preview of your disc label.
www.gateway.com 7 Click the gold CD button to continue. A message box tells you to insert an unlabeled Labelflash disc. 8 Make sure that an unlabeled Labelflash disc is in the Labelflash drive, label side down, then click Next. The Labelflash Wizard’s settings screen opens. Tip The label side of most discs is the least “shiny” side. 9 Click Preview to see how the disc will look when printed. The Preview window opens. 10 Click Close. 11 Click Next to start the printing process.
CHAPTER 4: Troubleshooting 62 12 When the printing of the label image is finished, the drive tray opens and the LabelFlash Wizard window displays the message “Burning completed.” 13 Click Close.
APPENDIX A Regulations and safety notices 63
APPENDIX A: Regulations and safety notices FCC notice 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 device 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 communications.
www.gateway.com Remarque à l'intention des utilisateurs canadiens Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme a la norme NMB-003 du Canada. Declaration of Conformity for EU countries Hereby, Gateway, declares that this PC series is in compliance with the essential requirements and other relevant provisions of Directive 1999/5/EC. Compliant with Russian regulatory certification Modem notices Notice for USA This equipment complies with Part 68 of the FCC rules.
APPENDIX A: Regulations and safety notices List of applicable countries EU member states as of May 2004 are: Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Spain, France, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Finland, Sweden, United Kingdom Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Cyprus and Malta. Usage allowed in the countries of European Union, as well as Norway, Switzerland, Iceland and Liechtenstein.
www.gateway.com 7 Use of pulse dialing, when this equipment is connected to the same line as other equipment, may give rise to bell tinkle or noise and may also cause a false answer condition. Should such problems occur, the user should NOT contact the telecom Fault Service. 8 This equipment may not provide for the effective hand-over of a call to another device connected to the same line. 9 Under power failure conditions this appliance may not operate.
APPENDIX A: Regulations and safety notices technology must be authorized by Macrovision, and is intended for home and other limited viewing uses only unless otherwise authorized by Macrovision. Reverse engineering or disassembly is prohibited. Radio device regulatory notice Note: Below regulatory information is for models with wireless LAN and/or Bluetooth only.
www.gateway.com The FCC RF safety requirement The radiated output power of the wireless LAN Card and Bluetooth card is far below the FCC radio frequency exposure limits. Nevertheless, the PC series shall be used in such a manner that the potential for human contact during normal operation is minimized as follows: 1 This device is restricted to indoor use due to its operation in the 5.15 to 5.25 GHz frequency range. FCC requires this product to be used indoors for the frequency range 5.15 to 5.
APPENDIX A: Regulations and safety notices Remark: All images are for reference purposes only. Actual configuration may vary.
MU12100328 Generic User GDE
