Toshiba A55 manual

PMAD00008011

08/04

Satellite® A55 SeriesUser’s Guide

If you need assistance:

❖Toshiba Global Support Centre

Calling within the United States (800) 457-7777

Calling from outside the United States (949) 859-4273

For more information, see “If Something Goes Wrong” on

page 170 in this guide.

Handling the cord on this product will expose you to lead, a

chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects

or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling.

Contents

Main Satellite A55 Series Users Guide Models: Satellite A55 Series ReWritable CD/DVD Drives Protection of Stored Data Critical Applications FCC Notice Declaration of Conformity Information 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 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 Tai wa n Using this Equipment in Japan Device Authorization Radio approvals for wireless devices Approved Countries/Regions for use for the Atheros AR5BMB-43/44 Mini PCI Wireless network adapter Europe - Restrictions for use of 2.4 GHz Frequencies in European Community Countries Europe - Restrictions for use of 5 GHz Frequencies in European Community Countries 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 European Union (EU) and EFTA Canada Industry Canada (IC) Caution: FCC Interference Statement Caution: Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation Tai wa n Using this equipment in Japan 2.4FH1 Device Authorization 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 ......................................... 39 Chapter 2: Learning the Basics ..................................77 Page Chapter 3: Mobile Computing ................................. 108 Chapter 4: Exploring Your Options.......................... 125 Chapter 5: Toshiba Utilities..................................... 148 Chapter 6: If Something Goes Wrong ..................... 170 Page Introduction 36 This guide Safety icons Other icons used 38 Other documentation Service options Chapter 1 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 Other precautions Page Important information on your computers cooling fan Setting up your computer Setting up your software Registering your computer with Toshiba Adding external devices Connecting to a power source Page Page Charging the main battery Using the computer for the first time Opening the display panel Your computers features and specifications Turning on the power Using the TouchPad Scrolling with the TouchPad Using the Control buttons Disabling or enabling the TouchPad Installing additional memory (optional) Page Page Page Removing a memory module Checking total memory Using an external keyboard Using a mouse Connecting a local printer Setting up your printer Page Page Connecting an optional external diskette drive Using external display devices Connecting the display device Selecting video cables Connecting to the S-video port Connecting an external monitor or projector Directing the display output when you turn on the computer Adjusting the quality of the external display Turning off the computer Closing the display panel Caring for your computer Cleaning the computer Moving the computer Using a computer lock Page Chapter 2 Learning the Basics Computing tips Page Using the keyboard Character keys Making your keyboard emulate a full-size keyboard Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys Function keys Windows special keys Overlay keys Using the overlay to type numeric data Using the overlay for cursor control Starting a program Starting a program from the Start menu Starting a program from Windows Explorer Starting a program from the Run dialog box Saving your work Saving files File names Using a file extension Printing your work Backing up your work Restoring your work Using the DVD-ROM or multi-function drive Drive components and control buttons DVD-ROM or multi-function drive components CD/DVD control buttons Inserting a compact disc Page Playing an audio CD Playing CDs using Auto-Run Creating a 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 CD or DVD Discs Powering down the computer Using Turn Off or Shut Down Shutting down more quickly Page Starting again after Shut down Using Hibernation Configuring your computer for Hibernation Starting again from Hibernation mode Using Standby Mode Going into Standby mode more quickly Starting again from Standby mode Toshibas online resources 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 What to do when the battery runs low Setting battery alarms Conserving battery power Power profiles in Windows XP Using a hot key to set the power profile Changing the main battery Removing the battery from the computer Page Inserting the battery into the computer Taking care of your battery Safety precautions Maximizing battery life Disposing of used batteries Traveling tips Chapter 4 Exploring Your Options Exploring the desktop Finding your way around the desktop Icons Start button Taskbar System tray Setting up for communications Determining the COM port Connecting your modem to a telephone line Connecting your computer to a network Accessing a network Setting up the connection Using the Ethernet LAN Port Using Wireless LAN Connectivity Using the Wi-Fi Wireless LAN Mini PCI module An overview of using the Internet The Internet The World Wide Web Internet Service Providers Connecting to the Internet Surfing the Internet Internet features Uploading and downloading files from the Internet Exploring audio features Recording sounds Using a microphone Adjusting recording quality Using external speakers or headphones Using the i.LINK port Inserting and removing hard drives Page Inserting and Removing PC Cards PC Card supporting software Inserting a PC Card Removing a PC Card Setting up a PC Card for your computer Hot swapping Hot swapping precautions Chapter 5 Toshiba Utilities Fn-esse Starting Fn-esse Using drag-and-drop to assign a key Using the keyboard or pointing device to assign keys Making a direct key assignment Making a popup assignment Viewing existing key assignments Changing or removing existing key assignments TOSHIBA Console Customizing your computer Network Security TOSHIBA Power Saver Page Profiles Quickly creating a new power mode Customizing a power mode Mouse utility Hotkey utility TOSHIBA HW Setup Page Enabling Hibernation Setting passwords Using an instant password Setting a user password Disabling a user password Setting a supervisor password Deleting a supervisor password Using the TOSHIBA Zooming Utility Using the TOSHIBA Touch and Launch utility Page TOSHIBA Touch and Launch Settings Disabling or enabling TOSHIBA Touch and Launch Chapter 6 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 external diskette drive. The computer displays the WARNING RESUME FAILURE message. 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 Memory 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 does not power the computer for as long as it used to. 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. Small bright dots appear on your TFT d isplay whe n you turn on your computer. 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 message. The drive cannot read a diskette. 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 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 Toshibas worldwide offices Toshibas worldwide offices Appendix A Hot Keys Volume Mute Instant password security Power usage profile Stand By 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 Toshiba Computer Getting Started Starting ConfigFree ConfigFree Utilities Connectivity Doctor Page Page Search for Wireless Devices Page Profile Settings Page Quick Connect Page Page Using the Automatic Switch Semi-Automatic Switch Feature Glossary Acronyms Page Ter ms These 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 Numerics A B C D E F H I J K L M N O P Page R S T U V W