Toshiba A20 Determining remaining battery power

126 Mobile Computing

Monitoring battery power

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.4.1

Determining remaining battery power

Wait at least 16 seconds after turning on the computer before

trying to monitor the remaining battery power. The computer

needs this time to check the battery’s remaining capacity and

perform its calculations.

1Click Start, then click Control Panel.

The Control Panel opens.

2Click Performance and Maintenance.

3Click the Tos hib a Pow er Saver icon.

The TOSHIBA Power Saver Properties window appears.

You can also access the TOSHIBA Power Saver Properties

window by using the TOSHIBA Console. See “TOSHIBA

Console” on page 199.

4Choose the Power Save Modes tab, then under the

Running on Batteries section, click Details.

5Click the Power Save Mode tab.

The current power source and battery power remaining

section displays the current charge state of the battery.

The value displays as a percentage of remaining battery

charge.

TECHNICAL NOTE: The computer drains the battery faster at

low temperatures. Check your remaining charge frequently if

you are working in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

The computer calculates the remaining battery charge based

on your current rate of power use and other factors such as the

age of the battery.

Contents

Main Model: Satellite A20/A25 Series ReWritable CD/DVD Drives Protection of Stored Data Critical Applications FCC Notice Industry Canada Requirement FCC Requirements Installation Type of Service Instructions for IC CS-03 certified equipment Wireless Interoperability Caution Wireless LAN and your Health Regulatory Information Canada Industry Canada (IC) Europe EU Declaration of Conformity Page USA-Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Caution: Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation Caution: Radio Frequency Interference Requirements Taiw an Using this equipment in Japan Device Authorization Interference Statement Approved Countries/Regions for use for the Atheros AR5001X Mini PCI Wireless network adapter Approved Countries/Regions for use for the Intel PRO/ Wireless LAN 2100 3B Mini PCI Adapter Approved Countries/Regions for use for the Toshiba Mini PCI Wireless LAN Card Bluetooth wireless technology Interoperability Bluetooth wireless technology and your Health Regulatory statements Canada-Industry Canada (IC) Caution: FCC Interference Statement Caution: Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation Taiw an Using this equipment in Japan Device Authorization 2.4FH1 CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Multi-function Drive Safety Instructions Location of the required label Copyright Export Administration Regulation Notice Trademarks Computer Disposal Information Contents Introduction ..............................................................33 Chapter 1: Finding Your Way Around........................ 37 Chapter 2: Getting Started......................................... 49 Chapter 3: Learning the Basics ................................. 82 Chapter 4: Mobile Computing ................................. 121 Chapter 5: Getting to Know the Windows XP Operating System.............................. 135 Chapter 6: Exploring Your Options.......................... 164 Page Chapter 7: Toshiba Utilities..................................... 193 Chapter 8: If Something Goes Wrong..................... 206 Appendix A: Hot Keys.............................................. 237 Page Introduction This guide 34 Safety icons Other icons used Other documentation 36 Service options Page Front with the display closed Back Right side Left side Front with the display open Page Keyboard indicator lights System indicator panel CD/DVD control buttons Underside Page Chapter 2 Getting Started Selecting a place to work Creating a computer-friendly environment Keeping yourself comfortable Placement of the computer Seating and posture Lighting Arms and wrists Work habits Precautions Page Setting up your computer Setting up your software Registering your computer with Toshiba Adding external devices Connecting an optional external USB diskette drive Connecting to a power source Page Page Charging the main battery Using the computer for the first time Opening the display panel Turning on the power Activating the power-on password Using the TouchPad Control buttons Disabling or enabling the TouchPad Installing additional memory (optional) Page Page Page Page Page Page Removing a memory module Page Checking total memory Connecting a mouse Connecting a printer Connecting a USB printer Connecting a parallel printer Setting up a printer Using the Add Printer Wizard Page Page Powering off the computer Caring for your computer Cleaning the computer Moving the computer Using a computer lock Chapter 3 Learning the Basics Computing tips Using the keyboard Character keys Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys Function keys Windows special keys Overlay keys Using the numeric keypad overlay Using the cursor control overlay Emulating a full-size keyboard TOSHIBA Console Starting a program Saving your work Printing your work Using diskettes Inserting and removing diskettes Caring for diskettes Backing up your files Playing a CD or DVD Components Page CD/DVD and digital audio modes Inserting a disc Page Playing an audio CD Viewing the contents of a CD or DVD Removing a disc with the computer on Removing a disc with the computer off Caring for CDs and DVDs Using the DVD-ROM or multi-function drive Setting up for communications Connecting the modem to a phone line Connecting your computer to a network Powering down the computer Turn Off or Shut down command Restart command Hibernation command Standby command Using Turn Off or Shut down Turning off or shutting down more quickly Page Page Starting again after Turn Off or Shut down Using Hibernation Enabling the Hibernation command Going into Hibernation mode Going into Hibernation mode more quickly Page Page Starting again from Hibernation Using Standby Going into Standby mode more quickly Page Page Starting again from Standby Chapter 4 Mobile Computing Toshibas energy-saver design Running the computer on battery power Battery Notice Power management Charging the battery Charging the RTC battery Monitoring battery power Determining remaining battery power Conserving battery power What to do when the battery runs low Setting battery alarms Changing the main battery Removing the battery from the computer Page Installing the battery Taking care of your battery Safety precautions Maximizing battery life Disposing of used batteries safely Traveling tips Chapter 5 Getting to Know the Windows XP Operating System Lesson 1: Exploring the desktop Finding your way around the desktop Icons Start button Taskbar System tray Windows XP file system Lesson 2: Using the TouchPad and control buttons together Page Page Lesson 3: Learning about the Internet Opening a Web page from a window Lesson 4: Creating a new document Lesson 5: Creating a new folder Lesson 6: Starting programs Page Lesson 7: Resizing, repositioning, and hiding windows Using the taskbar Minimizing and maximizing windows Resizing and moving windows Lesson 8: Closing programs Lesson 9: Creating shortcuts Creating a shortcut to the Calculator Creating a shortcut to the Character Map Page Lesson 10: Changing the screen saver Page Lesson 11: Setting the date and time Lesson 12: Removing objects from the desktop Page Lesson 13: Using System Restore Lesson 14: If I am lost, what do I do? Windows XP Help and Support Center Page Using the online tours and tutorials Lesson 15: Turning off your computer Chapter 6 Exploring Your Options Windows XP special features Personalizing your desktop Customizing the taskbar Bringing the world to your desktop Turning on the Web content interface Adding components to the Web content interface Changing desktop and browsing style Choosing a style Personalizing individual windows Customizing window toolbars Displaying a toolbar in a window Displaying information about each folder Using your computer at the office Setting up for communications Determining the COM port Connecting the modem to a telephone line Setting up a dial-up connection Exchanging data with another computer Transferring files using a parallel port connection Getting started Getting help transferring files Setting up a wireless connection Accessing the wireless modules using your system tray Connecting to the Internet Using a modem An overview of using the Internet The Internet The World Wide Web Internet Service Providers Signing up with an Internet Service Provider Surfing the Internet Internet features Uploading and downloading files on the Internet Toshibas online resources Exploring video features Connecting a TV to your computer Display settings hot key Exploring audio features Recording sounds Using a microphone Adjusting recording settings Using external speakers or headphones Connecting a monitor, keyboard and mouse Changing the display properties setting Directing the display output when you turn on the computer Enabling different video refresh rates Adjusting the quality of the external display Display limitations Using PC Cards PC Card supporting software Inserting a PC Card Removing a PC Card Hot swapping a PC Card Hot swapping precautions Using SD cards Inserting an SD card Removing an SD card Chapter 7 Toshiba Utilities TOSHIBA Accessibility Page Fn-esse Starting Fn-esse Assigning a key to a program or document Using the Fn-esse drag-and-drop Using the keyboard or TouchPad Viewing existing key assignments Changing or removing existing key assignments Hotkey utility TOSHIBA Console Customize Your Computer Security Power Management Page Plugged in section Running on batteries section Creating a new power mode Customizing a power mode Toshiba Hardware Setup Page Chapter 8 If Something Goes Wrong Problems that are easy to fix Your program stops responding. Your program performs an illegal operation. Problems when you turn on the computer The computer will not start. The computer starts but, when you press a key, nothing happens. The computer is not accessing the hard disk or the diskette drive. The computer displays the WARNING RESUME FAILURE The Windows operating system is not working Using Startup options to fix problems Internet problems My Internet connection is very slow. My browser cannot find the URL address I typed in. My browser cannot find a site I bookmarked. The Windows XP operating system can help you Resolving a hardware conflict A plan of action Resolving hardware conflicts on your own Interrupt Request Channel Direct Memory Access Plug and Play Resolving conflicts Fixing a problem with Device Manager Disabling a device Checking device properties Page Memory module problems Power and the batteries The AC power light does not come on when you plug in the AC adapter and power cable. The AC adapter and power cable work correctly, but the battery will not charge. The battery appears not to power the computer for as long as it usually does. Keyboard problems The keyboard produces unexpected characters. Display problems The display is blank. The screen does not look right. The built-in screen flickers. The display mode is set to Simultaneous and the external display device does not work. Disk drive problems You are having trouble accessing a disk, or one or more files appear to be missing. Error-checking Your hard disk seems very slow. Your data files are damaged or corrupted. Some programs run correctly but others do not. A diskette will not go into the external diskette drive. The computer displays the Non-system disk or disk error DVD-ROM or multi-function drive problems You cannot access a disc in the drive. You press the disc eject button, but the drive tray does not slide out. Some discs run correctly, but others do not. Sound system problems You do not hear any sound from the computer. The computer emits a loud, high-pitched noise. PC Card problems Card Information Structure PC Card checklist Resolving PC Card problems The slot appears to be dead. PC Cards that used to work no longer work. Page Printer problems The printer will not print. The printer will not print what you see on the screen. Modem problems The modem will not receive or transmit properly. Develop good computing habits Save your work frequently. On a regular basis, back up the information stored on your hard disk. Read the users guides. If you need further assistance Before you call Contacting Toshiba Toshiba voice contact Other Toshiba Internet Web sites Toshibas worldwide offices Page Page Appendix A Hot Keys Volume Mute Instant password security Power usage mode Standby mode Hibernation mode Display modes Display brightness Enabling a wireless device Disabling or enabling the TouchPad Keyboard hot keys Appendix B Power Cable Connectors Glossary Acronyms Page Ter ms The following terms may appear in this users guide. A B C D Page E F G H I K L M N O P R S T U W Index A B C D E F H I J K L M N O P Page R S T U V W