Home » Toshiba Manuals » Laptops » Toshiba Tecra A2-S239 » Manual Viewer

Toshiba Tecra A2-S239 User Guide - Page 142

Setting up for communications, Determining the COM port

View all Toshiba Tecra A2-S239 manuals

Add to My Manuals
Save this manual to your list of manuals

Page 142 highlights

142 Enhancing Productivity Setting up for communications Setting up for communications To connect to the Internet, use an online service, or communicate across the telephone lines with another computer, you need: ❖ A modem (one comes with your Tecra® A2 Series computer) ❖ A telephone line ❖ A browser or communications program ❖ An Internet Service Provider (ISP) or online service if you plan to use the Internet Determining the COM port Your modem is connected to one of the computer's COM (communications) ports. The default setting for the modem is COM3. The following procedure is intended to support you if you need to either upgrade your modem or reset the port to the default settings. If you are having trouble connecting through the modem, you may need to determine the current COM port name and possibly change it. To find out which port your modem is connected to: 1 Open the Start menu, and click Control Panel. 2 Click Printers and Other Hardware. 3 Click Phone and Modem Options. The Phone and Modem Options Properties dialog box displays. 4 Fill in the Local Information text boxes and click OK. 5 Click the Modems tab.

Section	Page
Tecra® A2 Series User’s Guide	1
Contents	28
Introduction	36
This guide	37
Safety icons	38
Other icons used	39
Other documentation	39
Service options	40
Chapter 1: Getting Started	41
Selecting a place to work	41
Creating a computer-friendly environment	41
Keeping yourself comfortable	42
Other precautions	46
Important information on your computer’s cooling fan	46
Setting up your computer	47
Setting up your software	48
Registering your computer with Toshiba	49
Setting up other devices	49
Connecting to a power source	49
Charging the main battery	52
Using the computer for the first time	53
Opening the display panel	53
Your computer’s features and specifications	54
Turning on the power	54
Adding memory	55
Installing a memory module	56
Removing a memory module	60
Hard Drive Recovery Utilities	62
Creating Recovery CDs/DVDs	63
Hard Disk Drive Recovery using the recovery partition	64
Hard Disk Drive Recovery using the Recovery media	67
Deleting the Hard Disk Recovery Utility	70
Installing drivers and applications	71
Using the TouchPad™	72
Scrolling with the TouchPad™	73
Control buttons	73
Disabling or enabling the TouchPad	73
Turning off the computer	75
Closing the display panel	76
Using external display devices	76
Directing the display output when you turn on the computer	77
Adjusting the quality of the external display	78
Using an external keyboard	78
Using a mouse	78
Connecting a local printer	79
Connecting an optional external diskette drive	81
Connecting external speakers or headphones	82
Connecting a microphone	82
Chapter 2: Learning the Basics	83
Computing tips	83
Using the keyboard	85
Character keys	85
Making your keyboard emulate a full-size keyboard	86
Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys	86
Function keys	86
Windows special keys	87
Overlay keys	87
Using the overlay to type numeric data	88
Starting a program	89
Starting a program from the Start menu	90
Starting a program from Windows® Explorer	90
Starting a program from the Run dialog box	91
Saving your work	93
Printing your work	95
Using the DVD-ROM or multi-function drive	96
Inserting a compact disc	98
Removing a disc with the computer on	100
Removing a disc with the computer off	100
Caring for CD or DVD Discs	100
Using PC Cards	101
Hot swapping	101
Using your computer at the office	102
Using a computer lock	102
Caring for your computer	103
Cleaning the computer	103
Moving the computer	104
Backing up your work	104
Restoring your work	105
Preparing for communications	105
Powering down the computer	106
Using Turn Off Computer or Shut Down	106
Using Hibernation	109
Using Standby	111
Toshiba’s online resources	113
Chapter 3: Mobile Computing	114
Toshiba’s energy-saver design	114
Running the computer on battery power	115
Battery Notice	115
Charging the batteries	116
Charging the main battery	117
Charging the RTC battery	117
Monitoring battery power	119
What to do when the battery alarm sounds	121
Changing batteries	122
Taking care of your battery	124
Safety precautions	124
Maximizing battery life	125
Disposing of used batteries	127
Conserving power	128
Power profiles in Windows XP	129
Using a hot key to set the power profile	129
Additional options for power	130
Chapter 4: Expansion Options	131
Devices for office computing	131
Using an external keyboard	132
Using a mouse	132
Connecting a USB mouse	132
Using a printer	132
Setting up your printer	133
Using the Wi-Fi® Wireless LAN Mini PCI module	136
Using an expansion device	136
Chapter 5: Enhancing Productivity	138
Exploring the desktop	138
Finding your way around the desktop	139
Setting up for communications	142
Connecting the modem to a telephone line	143
Connecting your computer to a network	143
An overview of using the Internet	146
The Internet	146
The World Wide Web	146
Internet Service Providers	147
Connecting to the Internet	147
Surfing the Internet	148
Internet features	148
Uploading and downloading files from the Internet	149
Exploring audio features	149
Playing an audio CD	149
Playing CDs using Auto-Run	151
Creating a CD	151
Recording sounds	152
Using external speakers or headphones	153
Inserting and removing hard drives	154
Inserting and removing PC Cards	156
Inserting a PC Card	156
Removing a PC Card	157
Setting up a PC Card for your computer	158
Connecting your modem to a telephone line	158
Connecting to a phone line	159
Chapter 6: Toshiba Utilities	160
Fn-esse®	161
Starting Fn-esse®	161
Using the keyboard or pointing device to assign keys	163
Viewing existing key assignments	164
Changing or removing existing key assignments	164
TOSHIBA Console	165
Customizing Your Computer	166
Network	166
Security	166
TOSHIBA Power Saver	166
Mouse utility	168
Hotkey utility	169
TOSHIBA Mobile Extension	169
TOSHIBA HW Setup	171
Enabling Hibernation	173
Setting user passwords	174
Using an instant password	175
Setting a user password	175
Disabling a user password	176
Using a supervisor password	176
Setting a supervisor password	176
Deleting a supervisor password	177
Using the TOSHIBA Zooming Utility	178
Using the TOSHIBA Touch and Launch utility	179
TOSHIBA Application Installer	183
Chapter 7: If Something Goes Wrong	185
Problems that are easy to fix	185
Problems when you turn on the computer	187
The Windows® operating system is not working	188
Using Startup options to fix problems	189
Internet problems	190
The Windows® XP operating system can help you	190
Resolving a hardware conflict	191
A plan of action	191
Resolving hardware conflicts on your own	192
Fixing a problem with Device Manager	193
Memory problems	195
Power and the batteries	195
Keyboard problems	197
Display problems	197
Disk drive problems	200
DVD-ROM or multi-function drive problems	202
Sound system problems	203
PC Card problems	203
Printer problems	206
Modem problems	207
Develop good computing habits	208
If you need further assistance	209
Before you call	209
Contacting Toshiba	210
Other Toshiba Internet Web sites	211
Toshiba’s worldwide offices	211
Appendix A: Hot Keys	213
Volume Mute	213
Instant password security	214
Power usage profile	214
Stand By mode	215
Hibernation mode	216
Display modes	217
Display brightness	218
Disabling or enabling the TouchPad	218
Keyboard hot keys	218
Appendix B: Power Cord/Cable Connectors	219
Appendix C: Using ConfigFree™ with your Toshiba Computer	220
Getting Started	221
Starting ConfigFree	221
ConfigFree Utilities	222
Connectivity Doctor	222
Search for Wireless Devices	225
Profile Settings	227
Quick Connect	229
Using the Automatic Switch	232
Semi-Automatic Switch Feature	233
Glossary	234