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Radio frequency wireless connections
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Radio frequency wireless 
connections
■Every country has different restrictions on the use of wireless devices. If 
your notebook is equipped with a wireless device, check with the local 
radio approval authorities prior to your trip for any restrictions on the use 
of a wireless device in the destination country.
■If your notebook came equipped with an internal embedded wireless 
device, see “Safety, Regulatory, and Legal Information” on page 281 for 
general wireless regulatory guidelines.
■Wireless communication can interfere with equipment on commercial 
aircraft. Current aviation regulations require wireless devices to be turned 
off while traveling in an airplane. IEEE 802.11a, IEEE 802.11b, and 
IEEE 802.11g communication devices are examples of devices which use 
wireless to communicate. For instructions on how to turn off your wireless 
device, see “Turning your wireless Ethernet emitter on or off” on page 196.
Files
■Copy your working files from your desktop computer to your notebook 
before you travel.
■If you need to access your desktop computer files from your notebook 
while traveling, set up your desktop computer for remote access. Contact 
your network administrator for more information about remote access.
■Take extra recordable media for transferring files between computers and 
backing up files.
Security
■Get a locking cable for your notebook so you can attach a cable lock and 
leave your notebook in your hotel room while you are away.
■Always keep your notebook with you while waiting in airports, train 
stations, or bus terminals. Be ready to claim your notebook as soon as it 
passes through the x-ray machine in security checkpoints. 
						

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■Write down your notebook model number and serial number (see 
“Identifying your model” on page 11) in case of theft or loss, and keep the 
information in a safe place. Also, tape your business card or an address 
label to your notebook and accessories.
■Whoever sits next to you or behind you can see your notebook display. 
Avoid working with confidential files until you can be sure of privacy.
■Use a startup password or the optional fingerprint reader to restrict access 
to your notebook.
To create a startup password:
1Restart your notebook. As soon as you see a startup screen, pressF2. 
The BIOS Setup utility opens.
2Open the Security menu, then highlight Set Supervisor Password, 
then press E
NTER and follow the instructions. You must set the 
supervisor password in order to set the user (startup) password.
3Highlight Set User Password, then press ENTER and follow the 
instructions. This is the password you need to enter at startup.
4Highlight Password on boot, then press ENTER.
5Highlight Enabled, then press ENTER.
6Open the Exit menu, highlight Exit Saving Changes, then press ENTER. 
When you start your notebook, you are prompted to enter the user 
password you set in Step 3.
ImportantUse a password that you can remember, but that is difficult 
for someone else to guess. The password feature is very 
secure, with no easy way to recover a forgotten password. 
If you forget your password, you must return your notebook 
to Gateway for service. Call Gateway Technical Support 
for instructions.
ImportantFor information about using the fingerprint reader, see 
“Using the optional fingerprint reader” on page 36. 
						

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Power
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Power
■Take your AC power adapter to recharge the battery. If you are traveling 
internationally, take power plug adapters.
■Take a portable surge protector to protect your notebook from power 
surges.
■To get the best performance from your notebook, avoid using the battery 
whenever possible, monitor the battery charge, and use the most efficient 
power management settings.
■For information on conserving battery power, see “Conserving battery 
power” on page 161.
■For information on using alternate power sources, see “Using alternate 
power sources” on page 161.
■For information on monitoring the battery charge, see “Monitoring 
the battery charge” on page 152.
Additional tips
■If you plan to use several USB peripheral devices, take a portable USB hub 
to provide additional USB ports.
■Take a network cable if you need to connect to a network. Some hotels 
provide Internet connectivity only through their networks.
■If your notebook has been exposed to cold temperatures, let it warm to 
room temperature before turning it on.
■Carry proof of ownership or a merchandise passport when traveling 
internationally.
■Consult your insurance company and credit card company to learn about 
emergency travel assistance if your notebook is lost or damaged.
■Ta k e  y o u r  System Restoration CDs in case you need to install an additional 
driver or software. 
						

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Customizing
Yo u r
Gateway 450
This chapter provides information about customizing your 
notebook through Windows. Read this chapter to learn 
how to:
■Change screen and display settings
■Change the background and screen saver
■Adjust the touchpad settings
■Add, change, and switch user accounts 
						

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Adjusting the screen and desktop 
settings
Adjusting the color depth and screen area are two of the most basic display 
settings you may need to change. You can also adjust settings such as the screen 
background and screen saver.
Adjusting the color depth
Color depth is the number of colors your screen displays. Various image types 
require various color depths for optimum appearance. For example, simple color 
drawings may appear adequately in 256 colors while color photographs need 
millions of colors to be displayed with optimum quality.
Windows lets you choose from several color depth settings. We recommend 
that you use the 32-bit True Color setting at all times.
If the color in your images seems “false” or “jumpy,” especially after you have 
played a game or run a video-intensive program, check the color depth setting 
and return it to 32-bit True Color, if necessary.
To change the color depth:
1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your 
Control Panel is in Category View, click 
Appearance and Themes.
2Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens. 
						

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3Click the Settings tab.
4Click the arrow button to open the Color quality list, then click the color 
depth you want.
5To save your changes, click OK, then click Ye s.
Adjusting the screen resolution
You can increase the screen resolution to fit more icons on your desktop, or 
you can decrease the resolution to make reading the display easier. The higher 
the resolution, the smaller individual components of the screen (such as icons 
and menu bars) appear.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about adjusting display settings, click 
Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword changing display settings in the 
Search box  , then click the arrow. 
						

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To adjust the screen resolution:
1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your 
Control Panel is in Category View, click 
Appearance and Themes.
2Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.
3Click the Settings tab.
4Drag the Screen resolution slider to the size you prefer.
5To save your changes, click OK, then click Ye s.
Help and 
SupportFor more information about adjusting screen resolution, 
click Start, then click Help and Support.
Type the keyword changing screen resolution in the 
Search box  , then click the arrow. 
						

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Adjusting the screen and desktop settings
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Changing the colors on your Windows 
desktop
You can change the colors of Windows desktop items, such as the background 
color and dialog box title bars.
To change desktop colors:
1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your 
Control Panel is in Category View, click 
Appearance and Themes.
2Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.
3Click the Appearance tab. 
						

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4Click the arrow button to open the Color scheme list, click the color scheme 
you want, then click 
OK. The new colors appear on your desktop.
- OR -
If you want to create a new color scheme as part of a desktop theme:
aClick Advanced. The Advanced Appearance dialog box opens.
bClick the arrow button to open the Item list, then click the item you 
want to change.
cChange the color or font settings for the item.
dClick OK, then click the Themes tab.
eClick Save As, type a name for the new theme, then click OK twice. 
The new colors appear on your desktop.
Changing the desktop background
You can change the Windows desktop background picture. Windows provides 
several backgrounds, or you can use pictures that you have created or retrieved 
from other sources.
To change the desktop background:
1Click Start, then click Control Panel. The Control Panel window opens. If your 
Control Panel is in Category View, click 
Appearance and Themes.
2Click/Double-click the Display icon. The Display Properties dialog box opens.