So, there's a few things to clarify. First of all, there are 5 different patterns for the major scales. (Some people will contend there are 7, but really the other 2 are just slight variations.)
What you're talking about is really only one pattern. It's the one that starts with the root note on the 6th string as the first note. So, if you start the pattern on fret 3, then you're playing G major. If you start on fret 5, you're playing A major and if you start on fret 8, you're playing C major and so on.
However, there are other pattern possibilities for major scales. One other pattern actually has the root note on the 5th string. Here's how it works: I'll use a C major example.
So, on the 5th string, play the 3rd fret, using the middle finger. This will be your root note. The rest of the scale works like this.
String 5: Frets 3 and 5
String 4: Frets 2,3, and 5
String 3: Frets 2,4, and 5
String 2: Frets, 3,5, and 6 (here you'll have to slide your hand up a fret)
String 1: Frets 3,5
Also, note that you have some possible notes below the bottom root note.
String 6: Frets 3 and 5
String 5: Fret 2
Now for your soloing, remember that the root note is String 5, Fret 3. There's another root at String 3, Fret 5.
This is a pattern you can slide up and down the neck. As mentioned above, besides this pattern, there are 3 other patterns. But just having a second pattern will give you some flexibility. For example if you solo using C major, you can either use Pattern 1 with root on 8th fret, 6th string. Or you can use Pattern 2 with the root on the 3rd fret, 5th string. It'll give you two different tonal possibilities.
I hope this answer was useful. If I knew how to send out guitar neck diagrams as attachments, the explanation would have been much simpler.
Cheers,
Ronin.