Toshiba A45 Turning on the power

Getting Started

Using the computer for the first time

5.375 x 8.375 ver 3.1

Turning on the power

1Check that all the drives are empty.

2Turn on the computer by pressing the power button,

located above the keyboard, until the on/off light changes

to green.

Pressing the power button

When you turn on the computer for the first time, do not turn

off the power again until the operating system has loaded

completely.

The AC power indicator glows when the computer is

connected to an external power source.

The battery light:

❖Glows amber while the battery is being charged.

❖Glows green when the battery is fully charged.

❖Is unlit when the computer is not connected to an

external power source. For information on

determining battery power, see “Monitoring battery

power” on page 121.

Contents

Main Model: Satellite A40/A45 Series ReWritable CD/DVD Drives Protection of Stored Data Critical Applications FCC Notice Industry Canada Requirement FCC Requirements Telephone Company Procedures If Problems Arise Disconnection Fax Branding Alarm equipment 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 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 Page 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 2.4FH1 Device Authorization CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, Multi-function Drive Safety Instructions Location of the required label Copyright Export Administration Regulation Notice Trademarks Page Contents Introduction ..............................................................35 Chapter 1: Getting Started......................................... 40 Chapter 2: Learning the Basics.................................. 83 Page Chapter 3: Mobile Computing ................................. 117 Chapter 4: Getting to Know the Windows XP Operating System.............................. 132 Chapter 5: Exploring Your Options.......................... 163 Page Chapter 6: Toshiba Utilities..................................... 188 Chapter 7: If Something Goes Wrong..................... 201 Appendix A: Hot Keys.............................................. 233 Appendix B: Power Cable Connectors ..................... 241 Page Introduction 36 This guide Safety icons 38 Other icons used Other documentation Service options Chapter 1 Getting Started Selecting a place to work Creating a computer-friendly environment Important information about your CPU cooling fan Keeping yourself comfortable Placement of the computer Seating and posture Page Lighting Arms and wrists Work habits Precautions Setting up your computer Setting up your software Registering your computer with Toshiba Adding external devices Connecting to a power source 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 Page Using TOSHIBA Touch and Launch Page Page TOSHIBA Touch and Launch Settings Disabling or enabling TOSHIBA Touch and Launch Setting up a printer Using the Add Printer Wizard Page 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 Using external display devices Connecting an external monitor Directing the display output when you turn on the computer Adjusting the quality of the external display Display limitations Connecting an optional external diskette drive Using an external keyboard Powering off the computer Caring for your computer Cleaning the computer Moving the computer Using a computer lock Page Chapter 2 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 Starting a program Saving your work Printing your work Backing up your files Using the DVD-ROM or Multifunction drive DVD-ROM drive components CD/DVD control buttons CD/DVD and Digital audio modes Inserting a disc Page Playing an audio CD Page 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 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 Page Turning off or shutting down more quickly 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 Starting again from Hibernation mode Using Standby Page Going into Standby mode more quickly Page Starting again from Standby Chapter 3 Mobile Computing Toshibas energy-saver design Running the computer on battery power Battery Notice Power management Using additional batteries Charging the batteries Charging the main 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 Inserting the battery in the computer Taking care of your battery Safety precautions Maximizing battery life Disposing of used batteries safely Traveling tips Page Chapter 4 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 Page Lesson 11: Setting the date and time Page 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 5 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 Changing the display properties setting Playing DVDs Display settings hot key Exploring audio features Recording sounds Using a microphone Adjusting recording settings Using external speakers or headphones Using PC Cards PC Card supporting software Inserting PC Cards Removing PC Cards Hot swapping Hot swapping precautions Using SD Cards Inserting an SD card Removing an SD card Chapter 6 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 Viewing existing key assignments Changing or removing existing key assignments Hotkey utility TOSHIBA Console Customize Your Computer Security Power Management Profiles Quickly creating a new power mode Customizing a power mode Toshiba Hardware Setup Page Page Chapter 7 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. Disk drive problems 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. Secondary IDE Channel DMA setting 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. The computer stops working (hangs) when you insert a PC Card. Hot swapping (removing one PC Card and inserting another without turning the computer off) fails. The system does not recognize your PC Card. A PC Card error occurs. 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. The modem is on, set up properly and still will not transmit or receive data. 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 Other Toshiba Internet Web sites Toshibas worldwide offices site information in the USA America Page Toshibas worldwide offices Appendix A Hot Keys Volume Mute Instant password security Without a password With a password Maintaining security when the battery is not fully charged Power usage mode Standby mode Hibernation mode Display modes Display brightness Disabling or enabling the TouchPad Keyboard hot keys Appendix B Power Cable Connectors Appendix C Using ConfigFree With Your Computer Getting Started ConfigFree Main Screen Starting ConfigFree Configuring ConfigFree ConfigFree Utilities Connectivity Doctor Device Settings Page Profile Settings Add, Modify, and Delete a Profile Switch Profiles Quick Connect Using Auto Switch Auto Switch (Cable Disconnect) Auto Switch (SSID) 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 Page D E F H I K L M N O P R S T U V W