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Gateway MX8711 Reference Guide - Page 62

Using alternate power sources, Changing power modes - power adapter

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CHAPTER 5: Managing Power • Use the notebook touchpad instead of an external mouse. • Decrease or mute speaker volume. • Turn off all scheduled tasks. • Turn off auto-save features in Microsoft Office and other applications. • Copy programs from CDs or DVDs to the hard drive so you do not use battery power by running optical drives. • Use the CD or DVD drive only when necessary. This drive uses a large amount of power. • Recharge the battery often, take an extra battery, and fully recharge the batteries before traveling. For more information, see "Recharging the battery" on page 52. Tip For more information about traveling with your notebook, see "Traveling with Your Notebook" on page 61. Using alternate power sources To extend battery life, use alternate power sources whenever possible. • If traveling internationally, take electrical adapters. Save the battery for times when you cannot use a power adapter. If you plan on taking your AC power adapter, also take a single-plug surge protector. • If you will have access to an EmPower™ in-flight power receptacle, an automobile power outlet, or an automobile cigarette lighter, use an airplane/ automobile power adapter or power inverter. Save the battery for times when you cannot use a power adapter. • To find AC power outlets in airports, look for them next to support pillars, in large areas such as boarding gates, and under banks of telephones. Changing power modes You can use the following power modes to lengthen the life of your notebook's battery: • Sleep - while your notebook is in Sleep mode, it switches to a low power state where devices, such as the display and drives, turn off. 56

Section	Page
Contents	3
About This Reference	7
About this guide	8
Accessing your online User Guide	8
Gateway contact information	9
Gateway model and serial number	9
Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity	9
For more information	9
Checking Out Your Notebook	11
Front	12
Left	13
Right	14
Back	15
Bottom	16
Keyboard area	17
Setting Up and Getting Started	19
Working safely and comfortably	20
Reducing eye strain	20
Setting up your computer desk and chair	21
Sitting at your notebook	21
Avoiding discomfort and injury from repetitive strain	21
Connecting the AC adapter	22
Protecting from power source problems	23
Connecting the dial-up modem	24
Connecting to a broadband modem or network	25
Starting your notebook	26
Waking up your notebook	27
Turning off your notebook	27
Restarting (rebooting) your notebook	28
Using the status indicators	29
Using the keyboard	30
Key types	31
System key combinations	32
Using the EZ Pad touchpad	34
Adjusting brightness	37
Adjusting the volume	37
Turning your wireless radio on or off	39
IEEE 802.11 wireless network radio	39
Bluetooth radio	40
Using Drives and Accessories	41
Using the CD or DVD drive	42
Identifying drive types	42
Using a CD or DVD	44
Using the memory card reader	45
Memory card types	45
Inserting a memory card	45
Using a memory card	45
Removing a memory card	45
Adding and removing a PC Card	46
Using an optional port replicator	47
Installing a printer or other peripheral device	48
Connecting a USB device	48
Connecting an IEEE 1394 device	49
Viewing the display on a projector or monitor	50
Adjusting the display properties	51
Using the projector or monitor for a presentation	52
Viewing the display on a television	53
Ordering accessories	54
Automobile/airplane power adapters	54
Batteries	54
Carrying cases	54
Hard drives	54
Memory	54
Port replicators	54
Printers	55
USB flash drive	55
Managing Power	57
Monitoring the battery charge	58
Recharging the battery	58
Changing the battery	59
Replacing the battery	59
Recalibrating the battery	60
Getting the most from your battery	61
Maximizing battery performance	61
Conserving battery power	61
Using alternate power sources	62
Changing power modes	62
Using power saving modes	63
Changing notebook power settings	64
Changing the power plan	64
Changing advanced settings	65
Traveling with Your Notebook	67
Packing your notebook	68
Traveling by air	68
Dial-up modem	68
Radio frequency wireless connections	69
Files	69
Security	70
Power	71
Additional tips	71
Maintaining Your Notebook	73
Caring for your notebook	74
Cleaning your notebook	75
Cleaning the exterior	75
Cleaning the keyboard	76
Cleaning the notebook screen	76
Maintaining the battery	76
Storing batteries	77
Cleaning CDs or DVDs	78
Recovering your system	78
Recovering pre-installed software and drivers	79
Preparing for software and device driver recovery	79
Recovering pre-installed software and drivers using Gateway Recovery Center	82
Recovering pre-installed software and drivers using recovery discs	83
Using Microsoft System Restore	85
Manually creating a restore point	87
Recovering your system to its factory condition	88
Recovering your system using the Windows DVD	89
Upgrading Your Notebook	91
Preventing static electricity discharge	92
Adding or replacing memory modules	93
Replacing the hard drive kit	96
Troubleshooting	101
Safety guidelines	102
First steps	102
Troubleshooting	103
Audio	103
Battery	103
CD drives	103
Diskette drive (external)	103
The diskette drive is not recognized	103
You see an “Access Denied” or “Write protect” error message	104
You see a “Disk is full” error message	104
You see a “Non-system disk,” “NTLDR is missing,” or “Disk error” error message	104
The diskette drive status indicator is lit continuously	104
Display	104
The screen is too dark	104
The screen resolution is not correct	104
The text on the display is dim or difficult to read	105
The display has pixels that are always dark or too bright	105
The display is blank	105
DVD drives	105
Your notebook does not recognize a disc	105
An audio CD does not produce sound	106
A DVD movie will not play	106
A DVD does not produce sound on a television	107
You cannot eject a CD or DVD	107
Ethernet	107
File management	107
A file was accidentally deleted	107
Hard drive	108
You see an “Insufficient disk space” error message	108
You see a “Data error” message	108
The hard drive cannot be accessed, or you see a “General failure reading drive C” error message	108
Internet	109
You cannot connect to the Internet	109
You see an “Unable to locate host” message and are unable to browse the Internet	109
Connecting to a Web site takes too long	109
People are sending you e-mail messages, but you have not received any mail	110
Keyboard	110
A keyboard character keeps repeating or you see a “Keyboard stuck” or “Key failure” error message	110
You are pressing a letter key and a number appears on the screen	110
An external keyboard does not work	110
Media Center	111
The Media Center video display looks bad on your TV	111
You need to configure your Media Center to output to a TV	113
You want to change display settings to get better TV or DVD image quality	113
You want to know whether you can burn videos that were recorded with your Media Center computer to a DVD	113
You want to know whether you can play recorded videos on other computers	113
You want to know whether you can play recorded videos on your home DVD player	113
Memory	113
You see a “Memory error” message	113
You see a “Not enough memory” error message	114
Memory card reader	114
Drive letter for the memory card slot does not appear in the My Computer window	114
Modem (cable or DSL)	114
The modem does not connect	114
Modem (dial-up)	114
Your modem does not dial or does not connect	114
You cannot connect to the Internet	116
Your 56K modem does not connect at 56K	116
Your fax communications program only sends and receives faxes at 14,400 bps when you have a 56K modem	116
The modem is not recognized by your notebook	117
The modem is noisy when it dials and connects	118
Mouse	118
The external mouse does not work	118
The external mouse works erratically	118
Networks (wired)	119
You cannot see the other computers on your wired Ethernet network	119
Your wired Ethernet network is running slower than you expect	119
You cannot connect to your company network	119
Internet Explorer is unable to access the Internet	120
You cannot connect to your home network	120
Networks (wireless)	120
You turned wireless networking on, but it takes a while to connect	120
Your connection on the network seems intermittent or your wireless network is running slower than you expect	121
You are in a wireless network, you can see the network, but cannot communicate, send files, print, or get to the Web	121
You are in a wireless network, but no available networks are listed in the Connect to a network dialog box	121
Your wireless network is listed as a preferred network, but it has an “x” on it	122
Internet Explorer is unable to access the Internet	122
You cannot see other computers on your network	122
You cannot connect to your network	122
Passwords	122
Your notebook does not accept your password	122
You forgot your startup password	123
PC Cards	123
You installed an PC Card and now your notebook is having problems	123
Pointing device	123
Power	123
Your notebook is not working on AC power	123
Your notebook is not working on battery power	123
Printer	124
The printer will not turn on	124
The printer is on but will not print	124
You see a “Printer queue is full” error message	125
You see a “Printer is out of paper” error message	125
Sound	125
You are not getting sound from the built-in speakers	125
Status indicators	126
The status indicators are not functioning	126
Touchpad or pointing device	126
Touchpad or pointing device is not working	126
The notebook is not responding when you click or tap on the touchpad or pointing device	126
The pointer moves unexpectedly	126
Video	126
The projector or external monitor is not working	126
TV out is not working	126
Telephone support	127
Before calling Gateway Customer Care	127
Legal Information	129
Important safety information	130
Regulatory compliance statements	131
Wireless guidance	131
United States of America	132
Product:	133
Canada	135
Japan	136
Laser safety statement	138
If your notebook has a DVD drive and an analog TV Out port, the following paragraph applies:	138
A	139
B	139
C	139
D	140
E	141
F	141
G	141
H	141
I	141
J	142
K	142
L	142
M	142
N	143
O	143
P	143
R	144
S	144
T	145
U	146
V	146
W	146