User manual GATEWAY NOTEBOOK

[. . . ] Gateway Notebook USERGUIDE ® Contents Chapter 1: Getting Help . We are sure that you will be pleased with the outstanding quality, reliability, and performance of your new notebook. Each and every Gateway notebook uses the latest technology and passes through the most stringent quality control tests to ensure that you are provided with the best product possible. Please read this manual carefully to familiarize yourself with your notebook's software features. [. . . ] If the connection is not working, contact your Internet service provider. Installing Ethernet cards and drivers After you have determined the type of Ethernet you are using for your network, you need to install Ethernet cards and drivers on the computers that do not have Ethernet already installed. Use the documentation that comes with your Ethernet cards for instructions on installing the card and any required drivers. Plug your Ethernet cable into your computer's jack and the router or the cable or DSL modem at this point, if you have not already done so. Connecting network cables We recommend using category 5 (Cat 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. Cat 5 cables are available in two different types; straight-through cables, used to connect computers to a router, and crossover cables, used to connect two computers. To determine which type of cable you have, hold both ends of the cable with the connectors facing away from you and with the spring clip on the bottom. For straight-through cable, the wires on both connectors are attached to copper pins in the same order (same colors, left to right). For a crossover cable, the wires on each connector are attached to the copper pins in a different order (different colors, left to right). Setting up a network using a router If you are setting up a network for more than two computers and you will be connecting your network to a high-speed Broadband Internet connection (cable or DSL modem), we recommend the use of a router. A router lets you access the Internet connection from any network computer. The router can assign IP addresses to the computers on the network and can provide firewall protection for your network as well. 46 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 To set up a network using a router: 1 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). The WAN port is used to connect the router to the DSL or cable modem and is identified by a label or a switch. Plug the other end of the cable into the network jack on the computer. As each computer is connected to the router, the corresponding green indicator should light on the front of the router, indicating a good connection. 4 Repeat Step 3 for each computer on the network. 5 For an Internet connection, plug a straight-through cable into the WAN port on the router and the other end into the Ethernet jack on the DSL or cable modem. Wireless Ethernet networking Wireless Ethernet networking is the latest advance in computer communication. With a wireless home network, you can set up your computer wherever you like. Typically, a wireless Ethernet network is made up of an access point, a cable or DSL modem (for Internet access), and your wireless computers. Wireless Ethernet standards Current wireless Ethernet standards include the following: · 802. 11a -- 54Mbps · 802. 11b -- 11Mbps · 802. 11g -- 54Mbps · 802. 11n -- 540Mbps 47 CHAPTER 5: Networking Your Notebook Speed is not the only issue if you decide to use equipment with different standards. Take the following into consideration when you purchase wireless equipment: Access point 802. 11a 802. 11b 802. 11g 802. 11n Wireless cards supported 802. 11a only 802. 11b only 802. 11b and 802. 11g 802. 11b, 802. 11g, and 802. 11n Using an access point An access point is a small electronic device that serves as the central control point for your network. You connect your modem to the access point, set up a network connection, then browse the Internet, send e-mail, share files and folders with other networked computers, and access other devices, like a printer or scanner. Cable or DSL modem Access point Equipment you need for an access point-based network Tip When you buy your access point, make sure it has: · IEEE 802. 11n support. [. . . ] Look in your old computer's documents folder for personal data files. The Documents folder opens and displays many of your saved personal data files. The My Documents window opens and displays many of your saved personal data files. - OR In Windows 98, Windows Me, or Windows 2000, double-click the My Computer icon on the desktop. [. . . ]