Toshiba A85 Exploring Your Computers Features

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Chapter 4

Exploring Your Computer’s Features

In this chapter, you will explore some of the special features

of your notebook computer.

Exploring the desktop

The desktop is the launching pad for everything you can do in

the Windows®XP operating system. You use its features to

start programs, find documents, set up system components,

and perform most other computing tasks.

HINT: The illustrated examples in this guide may appear

slightly different from the screens displayed by your system.

The differences are not significant and do not indicate any

change in the functionality of your system.

Contents

Main Satellite A80/A85 Series Users Guide 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) Taiw an 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 Approved Countries/Regions for use for the INPROCOMM IPN2220 Wireless network adapter Bluetooth wireless technology Interoperability Bluetooth wireless technology and your Health Regulatory statements European Union (EU) and EFTA Canada Industry Canada (IC) Page Taiw an Using this equipment in Japan Device Authorization 2.4FH1 DVD-ROM, multi-function drive safety instructions Location of the required label Copyright Export Administration Regulation Notice Trademarks Computer disposal information Contents Introduction................................................................................ 35 Chapter 1: Getting Started......................................................... 40 Chapter 2: Learning the Basics................................................. 74 Chapter 3: Mobile Computing.................................................104 Chapter 4: Exploring Your Computers Features...................121 Chapter 5: Toshiba Utilities......................................................139 Chapter 6: If Something Goes Wrong ...................................164 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 Keeping yourself comfortable Precautions Page 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 Adding memory Installing a memory module Page Page Page Page Removing a memory module Checking total memory Using the TouchPad Scrolling with the TouchPad Control buttons Disabling or enabling the TouchPad Turning off the computer Closing the display panel Using external display devices Connecting an external monitor or projector Directing the display output when you turn on the computer Adjusting the quality of the external display Using an external keyboard Using a mouse Connecting a printer Setting up your printer Connecting an optional external diskette drive 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 DVD-ROM or multi-function drive components Inserting a compact disc Page Playing an audio CD Page Playing CDs using Auto-Run Creating a CD 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 Computer or Shut Down Shutting down more quickly Starting again after Shut down Using Hibernation Configuring your computer for Hibernation Starting again from Hibernation mode Using Standby 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 Charging the batteries Charging the main battery Charging the RTC battery Monitoring battery power Page Displaying remaining battery power What to do when the battery alarm sounds Changing batteries Removing the battery from the computer Inserting a charged battery Taking care of your battery Safety precautions Maximizing battery life Disposing of used batteries Conserving power Power profiles Using a hot key to set the power profile Additional options for power Chapter 4 Exploring Your Computers Features Exploring the desktop Finding your way around the desktop Icons Start button Taskbar System tray Setting up for communications Determining the COM port Connecting the 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 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 to, and downloading files from, the Internet Exploring audio features Recording sounds Using a microphone Using external speakers or headphones Inserting and removing PC Cards 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 TOSHIBA Assist Connect Secure Protect & Fix Optimize Using a supervisor password Setting a supervisor password Deleting a supervisor password Setting user passwords Using an instant password Setting a user password Disabling a user password PC Diagnostic Tool TOSHIBA Power Saver Profiles Quickly creating a new power mode Customizing a power mode CD/DVD Drive Acoustic Silencer Mouse utility TOSHIBA Zooming Utility 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 HW Setup TOSHIBA Hotkey utility TOSHIBA Touch and Launch Page 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 optional external diskette drive. The computer displays the WARNING RESUME FAILURE message. The computer displays the Non-System disk or disk error 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 cord/cable. The AC adapter and power cord/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. Nothing happens when you press the keys on the external keyboard. Display problems The screen is blank. The screen does not look right. The built-in screen flickers. Disk drive problems Error-checking Your hard disk seems very slow. Page 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. The disc will not come out of the drive when you click the eject button on the screen. 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. Wireless networking problems Page Special considerations for Windows XP Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) encryption is not enabled on the wireless access point. The Windows XP wireless management facility does not work. DVD operating problems A blank screen appears while watching a DVD-ROM movie or title. Jumping video lines appear around the DVD-ROM video window. DVD titles, games, or applications appear distorted. The screen saver runs while you are watching a movie or title. 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. Data and system configuration backup in Windows XP Saving system configuration with Restore Points Page Backing up your data to CDs with Windows XP Page Favorites (bookmarks) for Internet Explorer and other Web browsers General tips for installing hardware and software If you need further assistance Before you contact Toshiba Contacting Toshiba Toshibas Technical Support Website Toshiba voice contact Other Toshiba Internet Web sites Toshibas worldwide offices If Something Goes Wrong Toshibas worldwide offices Appendix A Hot Keys Volume Mute 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 Zooming applications in/out Keyboard hot keys Appendix B Power Cord/Cable Connectors Appendix C Using ConfigFree with your Toshiba Computer Getting Started Starting ConfigFree Page ConfigFree Utilities Connectivity Doctor Page Page Search for Wireless Devices Page Creating a new wireless connection Creating a detected device wireless connection Transferring files using Bluetooth Disconnecting from a Bluetooth device Profile Settings Page Page Page ConfigFree SUMMIT Page Page Using ConfigFree SUMMIT Quick Connect Toshiba Wireless Projector Page Direct Link Toshiba Device 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 A B C D E F H I J K L M N O P R S T U V W