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General tips for installing hardware and software, Create a Restore Point.

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If Something Goes Wrong Develop good computing habits 189 General tips for installing hardware and software Here are a few tips to help ensure safe and easy installation of new hardware (printers, pointing devices, external hard drives, DVD writers, scanners, etc.) and software (applications like Microsoft® Office and Adobe® Photoshop®, or utility software such as special toolbars for your web browser). ❖ Create a Restore Point (refer to "Saving system configuration with Restore Points" on page 186). Before installing anything, use the System Restore utility to set a Restore Point (see the section titled Restore Points). If anything goes wrong, you will then be able to easily restore the Windows® operating system to the state it was in prior to the installation, undoing any changes that the installation process introduced. ❖ Back up your critical data (see "Backing up your data or your entire computer with the Windows® operating system" on page 188). ❖ Have your factory Restore/Reconfiguration CD(s) on hand in case you need any files from them (available on certain models). ❖ Do not guess-follow directions carefully! It is often necessary to run an installation utility first-before connecting a new hardware item to the computer. If the device is connected first, it may be very difficult to complete the installation successfully. Always carefully follow the installation instructions that accompany the hardware or software. ❖ Restart the Windows® operating system. Always restart the Windows® operating system after each installation, even if the installation utility does not prompt you to do so. This will ensure that the installation is completed, and will clean up anything that the installation utility left behind. ❖ Do one installation at a time. If you have several new items to add to your computer system, install just one at a time, creating Restore Points immediately before each successive installation. This will make it much easier to determine the origin of any new problems. For best results, follow this sequence: 1 Back up critical data. 2 Create a Restore Point. 3 Install one item of hardware or software. 4 Restart the Windows® operating system.

Section	Page
Satellite® L300 Series User's Guide	1
Contents	28
Introduction	35
This guide	37
Safety icons	38
Other icons used	38
Other documentation	39
Service options	39
Chapter 1: Getting Started	40
Selecting a place to work	40
Setting up a work environment	40
Keeping yourself comfortable	41
Precautions	41
Important information on your computer’s cooling fan	43
Setting up your computer	43
Setting up your software	44
Registering your computer with Toshiba	45
Adding optional external devices	45
Connecting to a power source	46
Charging the main battery	48
Using the computer for the first time	49
Opening the display panel	49
Your computer’s features and specifications	50
Turning on the power	50
Adding memory (optional)	51
Installing a memory module	52
Removing a memory module	57
Checking total memory	59
Hard Drive Recovery Utilities	60
Creating Recovery DVDs	60
Hard Disk Drive Recovery options	61
Hard Disk Drive Recovery using the Recovery media	66
Installing drivers and applications	67
Using the TouchPad™	67
Scrolling with the TouchPad™	68
Control buttons	68
Disabling or enabling the TouchPad™	68
Using external display devices	69
Directing the display output when you turn on the computer	69
Adjusting the quality of the external display	70
Using an external keyboard	70
Using a mouse	71
Connecting a printer	71
Setting up a printer	72
Connecting an optional external diskette drive	72
Turning off the computer	73
Options for turning off the computer	73
Using the Shut Down command	76
Using and configuring Hibernation mode	78
Using and configuring Sleep mode	81
Closing the display panel	83
Customizing your computer’s settings	84
Caring for your computer	84
Cleaning the computer	84
Moving the computer	84
Using a computer lock	85
Chapter 2: Learning the Basics	86
Computing tips	86
Using the keyboard	88
Character keys	88
Making your keyboard emulate a full-size keyboard	88
Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys	89
Function keys	89
Special Windows® keys	89
Overlay keys	90
Using the overlay to type numeric data	90
Starting a program	91
Starting a program from the Start menu	91
Starting a program from Windows® Explorer	92
Starting a program using the Start Search field	93
Saving your work	93
Printing your work	95
Backing up your work	96
Restoring your work	96
Using the optical drive	97
Optical drive components	97
Media control buttons	98
Inserting an optical disc	99
Playing an audio CD	101
Playing optical media	101
Recording optical media	101
Removing a disc with the computer on	102
Removing a disc with the computer off	102
Caring for optical discs	103
Toshiba’s online resources	103
Chapter 3: Mobile Computing	104
Toshiba’s energy-saver design	104
Running the computer on battery power	105
Battery Notice	105
Power management	106
Using additional batteries	106
Charging batteries	107
Charging the main battery	107
Charging the RTC battery	108
Monitoring main battery power	109
Determining remaining battery power	110
What to do when the main battery runs low	111
Setting battery notifications	111
Conserving battery power	112
Power Plans	113
Using a hot key to set the Power Plan	114
Changing the main battery	115
Removing the battery from the computer	115
Inserting a charged battery	117
Taking care of your battery	118
Safety precautions	118
Maintaining your battery	119
Disposing of used batteries	120
Traveling tips	121
Chapter 4: Exploring Your Computer’s Features	122
Exploring the desktop	122
Finding your way around the desktop	123
Setting up for communications	125
Connecting your computer to a network	125
Connecting a modem to a telephone line	126
An overview of using the Internet	128
The Internet	128
The World Wide Web	128
Internet Service Providers	128
Connecting to the Internet	129
Surfing the Internet	129
Internet features	129
Uploading to, and downloading files from, the Internet	130
Exploring audio features	130
Recording sounds	130
Using external speakers or headphones	131
Web Camera	132
Using PC Cards	132
Inserting a PC Card	133
Removing a PC Card	133
Setting up a PC Card for your computer	134
Using an ExpressCard®	134
Inserting an ExpressCard®	134
Removing an ExpressCard®	135
Using the Bridge Media Adapter Slot	136
Inserting memory media	136
Removing memory media	137
Chapter 5: Utilities	138
TOSHIBA Assist	139
Connect	140
Secure	141
Protect & Fix	142
Optimize	143
TOSHIBA Application Installer	144
Setting passwords	145
Using an instant password	145
Using a supervisor password	146
Using a user password	147
Deleting a user password	148
TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool Utility	149
Mouse Utility	150
TOSHIBA Hardware Setup	151
TOSHIBA Zooming Utility	153
CD/DVD Drive Acoustic Silencer	154
TOSHIBA Accessibility	155
ConfigFree®	156
Getting Started	156
ConfigFree® Utilities	157
Chapter 6: If Something Goes Wrong	160
Problems that are easy to fix	160
Problems when you turn on the computer	161
The Windows® operating system is not working	164
Using Startup options to fix problems	164
Internet problems	165
The Windows® operating system can help you	166
Resolving a hardware conflict	166
A plan of action	166
Fixing a problem with Device Manager	167
Memory problems	168
Power and the batteries	169
Keyboard problems	170
Display problems	171
Disk or internal storage drive problems	173
Optical drive problems	175
Sound system problems	176
PC Card problems	176
ExpressCard® problems	178
Printer problems	180
Modem problems	181
Wireless networking problems	182
DVD operating problems	184
Develop good computing habits	185
Data and system configuration backup in the Windows® operating system	186
If you need further assistance	190
Before you contact Toshiba	190
Contacting Toshiba	191
Other Toshiba Internet Web sites	191
Toshiba’s worldwide offices	192
Appendix A: Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards	194
Hot Key Cards	194
Using the Hot Key Cards	195
Application Cards	196
Using the Application Cards	197
Card Case	197
Hot key functions	198
Volume Mute	198
Lock (Instant security)	199
Power plan	200
Sleep mode	201
Hibernation mode	202
Output (Display switch)	203
Display brightness	204
Disabling or enabling wireless devices	205
Disabling or enabling the TouchPad™	206
Zoom (Display resolution)	207
Keyboard hot key functions	208
Appendix B: Power Cord/Cable Connectors	209
Glossary	210

Match case Limit results 1 per page

189

If Something Goes Wrong

Develop good computing habits

General tips for installing hardware and software

Here are a few tips to help ensure safe and easy installation of new

hardware (printers, pointing devices, external hard drives, DVD

writers, scanners, etc.) and software (applications like Microsoft

Office and Adobe

Photoshop

, or utility software such as special

toolbars for your web browser).

❖

Create a Restore Point (refer to

“Saving system configuration

with Restore Points” on page 186

). Before installing anything,

use the System Restore utility to set a Restore Point (see the

section titled Restore Points). If anything goes wrong, you will

then be able to easily restore the Windows

operating system to

the state it was in prior to the installation, undoing any changes

that the installation process introduced.

❖

Back up your critical data (see

“Backing up your data or your

entire computer with the Windows

operating system” on

page 188

❖

Have your factory Restore/Reconfiguration CD(s) on hand in

case you need any files from them (available on certain

models).

❖

Do not guess—follow directions carefully! It is often necessary

to run an installation utility first—before connecting a new

hardware item to the computer. If the device is connected first,

it may be very difficult to complete the installation

successfully. Always carefully follow the installation

instructions that accompany the hardware or software.

❖

Restart the Windows

operating system. Always restart the

Windows

operating system after each installation, even if the

installation utility does not prompt you to do so. This will

ensure that the installation is completed, and will clean up

anything that the installation utility left behind.

❖

Do one installation at a time. If you have several new items to

add to your computer system, install just one at a time, creating

Restore Points immediately before each successive installation.

This will make it much easier to determine the origin of any

new problems. For best results, follow this sequence:

Back up critical data.

Create a Restore Point.

Install one item of hardware or software.

Restart the Windows

operating system.