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Gateway EC1440u Reference Guide - Page 105

Media Center

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www.gateway.com • Remove all extension cables and switchboxes. • 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. • If you spilled liquid in the keyboard, turn off your notebook 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. 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. To view Media Center troubleshooting information that is not covered in this section, go to the Gateway support Web Site at www.gateway.com. The Media Center video display looks bad on your TV Many factors, such as the display type, quality of the video source, type of connection used, quality of video cables, display device screen resolution, size of TV, age of the TV, or the type of TV (interlaced or progressive scan), can affect the video quality significantly: • Display type-The Media Center is best viewed on display devices that were offered with the Media Center computer when you purchased it from Gateway. Other types of display devices, including retail TVs, may provide lower quality video. If you did not order a display device when you purchased your Media Center computer, a progressive scan display device with a VGA input is the best choice. • Type of connection used-You can connect the Media Center computer video output to a TV. However, the connection type has an affect on the video quality. The Media Center has a VGA video output. If your TV includes a VGA port, connect the VGA cable from the Media Center computer's VGA (monitor) port to the TV's VGA In port for the best quality. Many TVs do not have a VGA port. • Quality of video cables-Poor quality or the incorrect type of video cables can cause problems and affect the video quality. Gateway recommends using high-quality video cables that can be purchased from the Gateway Accessory Store. 99

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	24
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
Status indicators for select models	29
Status indicators for select models	30
Using the keyboard	31
Key types	32
System key combinations	33
Using the EZ Pad touchpad	35
Adjusting brightness	37
Adjusting the volume	38
Turning your wireless radio on or off	39
IEEE 802.11 wireless network 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	44
Memory card types	45
Inserting a memory card	45
Using a memory card	45
Removing a memory card	45
Adding and removing an Express Card	46
Installing a printer or other peripheral device	47
Connecting a USB device	47
Viewing the display on a projector or monitor	48
Adjusting the display properties	48
Using the projector or monitor for a presentation	50
Ordering accessories	51
Automobile/airplane power adapters	51
Batteries	51
Carrying cases	51
Hard drives	51
Memory	51
Printers	51
USB flash drive	52
Managing Power	53
Monitoring the battery charge	54
Recharging the battery	54
Changing the battery	55
Replacing the battery	55
Recalibrating the battery	56
Getting the most from your battery	57
Maximizing battery performance	57
Conserving battery power	57
Using alternate power sources	58
Changing power modes	58
Using power saving modes	59
Changing notebook power settings	60
Changing the power plan	60
Changing advanced settings	61
Traveling with Your Notebook	63
Packing your notebook	64
Traveling by air	64
Dial-up modem	64
Radio frequency wireless connections	65
Files	65
Security	66
Power	67
Additional tips	67
Maintaining Your Notebook	69
Caring for your notebook	70
Cleaning your notebook	71
Cleaning the exterior	71
Cleaning the keyboard	72
Cleaning the notebook screen	72
Maintaining the battery	72
Storing batteries	73
Cleaning CDs or DVDs	74
Recovering your system	74
Recovering pre-installed software and drivers	75
Preparing for software and device driver recovery	75
Recovering pre-installed software and drivers using Gateway Recovery Center	78
Recovering pre-installed software and drivers using recovery discs	79
Using Microsoft System Restore	81
Manually creating a restore point	83
Recovering your system to its factory condition	84
Recovering your system using the Windows DVD	85
Upgrading Your Notebook	87
Preventing static electricity discharge	88
Adding or replacing memory modules	89
Replacing the hard drive kit	92
Troubleshooting	95
Safety guidelines	96
First steps	96
Troubleshooting	97
Audio	97
Battery	97
CD drives	97
Diskette drive (external)	98
The diskette drive is not recognized	98
You see an “Access Denied” or “Write protect” error message	98
You see a “Disk is full” error message	98
You see a “Non-system disk,” “NTLDR is missing,” or “Disk error” error message	98
The diskette drive status indicator is lit continuously	98
Display	98
The screen is too dark	98
The screen resolution is not correct	99
The text on the display is dim or difficult to read	99
The display has pixels that are always dark or too bright	99
The display is blank	99
DVD drives	100
Your notebook does not recognize a disc	100
An audio CD does not produce sound	100
A DVD movie will not play	101
You cannot eject a CD or DVD	101
Ethernet	101
Express cards	101
You installed an Express Card and now your notebook is having problems	101
File management	102
A file was accidentally deleted	102
Hard drive	102
You see an “Insufficient disk space” error message	102
You see a “Data error” message	102
The hard drive cannot be accessed, or you see a “General failure reading drive C” error message	103
Internet	103
You cannot connect to the Internet	103
You see an “Unable to locate host” message and are unable to browse the Internet	103
Connecting to a Web site takes too long	104
People are sending you e-mail messages, but you have not received any mail	104
Keyboard	104
A keyboard character keeps repeating or you see a “Keyboard stuck” or “Key failure” error message	104
You are pressing a letter key and a number appears on the screen	104
An external keyboard does not work	104
Media Center	105
The Media Center video display looks bad on your TV	105
You need to configure your Media Center to output to a TV	107
You want to change display settings to get better TV or DVD image quality	107
You want to know whether you can burn videos that were recorded with your Media Center computer to a DVD	107
You want to know whether you can play recorded videos on other computers	107
You want to know whether you can play recorded videos on your home DVD player	107
Memory	108
You see a “Memory error” message	108
You see a “Not enough memory” error message	108
Memory card reader	108
Drive letter for the memory card slot does not appear in the My Computer window	108
Modem (cable or DSL)	108
The modem does not connect	108
Modem (dial-up)	109
Your modem does not dial or does not connect	109
You cannot connect to the Internet	110
Your 56K modem does not connect at 56K	110
Your fax communications program only sends and receives faxes at 14,400 bps when you have a 56K modem	111
The modem is not recognized by your notebook	111
The modem is noisy when it dials and connects	112
Mouse	112
The external mouse does not work	112
The external mouse works erratically	112
Networks (wired)	113
You cannot see the other computers on your wired Ethernet network	113
Your wired Ethernet network is running slower than you expect	113
You cannot connect to your company network	113
Internet Explorer is unable to access the Internet	114
You cannot connect to your home network	114
Networks (wireless)	114
You turned wireless networking on, but it takes a while to connect	114
Your connection on the network seems intermittent or your wireless network is running slower than you expect	115
You are in a wireless network, you can see the network, but cannot communicate, send files, print, or get to the Web	115
You are in a wireless network, but no available networks are listed in the Connect to a network dialog box	115
Your wireless network is listed as a preferred network, but it has an “x” on it	116
Internet Explorer is unable to access the Internet	116
You cannot see other computers on your network	116
You cannot connect to your network	116
Passwords	116
Your notebook does not accept your password	116
You forgot your startup password	117
Pointing device	117
Power	117
Your notebook is not working on AC power	117
Your notebook is not working on battery power	117
Printer	118
The printer will not turn on	118
The printer is on but will not print	118
You see a “Printer queue is full” error message	118
You see a “Printer is out of paper” error message	119
Sound	119
You are not getting sound from the built-in speakers	119
Status indicators	119
The status indicators are not functioning	119
Touchpad or pointing device	120
Touchpad or pointing device is not working	120
The notebook is not responding when you click or tap on the touchpad or pointing device	120
The pointer moves unexpectedly	120
Video	120
The projector or external monitor is not working	120
Telephone support	120
Before calling Gateway Customer Care	120
Legal Information	123
Important safety information	124
Regulatory compliance statements	125
Wireless guidance	125
United States of America	126
Product:	127
Canada	129
Japan	130
Laser safety statement	131
EPA ENERGY STAR	131
Environmental information	131
Notices	132
If your notebook has a DVD drive and an analog TV Out port, the following paragraph applies:	132
A	133
B	133
C	133
D	134
E	135
F	135
G	135
H	135
I	135
J	136
K	136
L	136
M	136
N	137
O	137
P	137
R	138
S	138
T	139
U	140
V	140
W	140

Match case Limit results 1 per page

www.gateway.com

•

Remove all extension cables and switchboxes.

•

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.

•

If you spilled liquid in the keyboard, turn off your

notebook 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.

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. To view Media Center

troubleshooting information that is not covered in this section,

go to the Gateway support Web Site at

www.gateway.com

The Media Center video display looks bad on your TV

Many factors, such as the display type, quality of the video

source, type of connection used, quality of video cables,

display device screen resolution, size of TV, age of the TV, or

the type of TV (interlaced or progressive scan), can affect the

video quality significantly:

•

Display type

—The Media Center is best viewed on

display devices that were offered with the Media Center

computer when you purchased it from Gateway. Other

types of display devices, including retail TVs, may

provide lower quality video. If you did not order a

display device when you purchased your Media Center

computer, a progressive scan display device with a VGA

input is the best choice.

•

Type of connection used

—You can connect the Media

Center computer video output to a TV. However, the

connection type has an affect on the video quality. The

Media Center has a VGA video output. If your TV

includes a VGA port, connect the VGA cable from the

Media Center computer’s VGA (monitor) port to the TV’s

VGA In port for the best quality. Many TVs do not have

a VGA port.

•

Quality of video cables

—Poor quality or the incorrect

type of video cables can cause problems and affect the

video quality. Gateway recommends using high-quality

video cables that can be purchased from the Gateway

Accessory Store.