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Learning the Basics, Computing tips

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Chapter 2 Learning the Basics This chapter gives some computing tips and provides important information about basic features. Computing tips ❖ Save your work frequently. Your work stays in the computer's temporary memory until you save it to the disk. If the network you are using goes down and you must restart your computer to reconnect, or your battery runs out of charge while you are working, you will lose all work since you last saved. See "Saving your work" on page 103 for further information. HINT: Some programs have an automatic save feature that can be activated. This feature saves your file to the hard disk at preset intervals. See your software documentation for details. 95

Section	Page
Tecra® A8 Series User's Guide	1
Contents	26
Introduction	35
This guide	36
Safety icons	37
Other icons used	38
Other documentation	38
Service options	39
Chapter 1: Getting Started	40
Selecting a place to work	40
Creating a computer-friendly environment	40
Keeping yourself comfortable	41
Precautions	41
Important information on your computer’s cooling fan	43
Setting up your computer	44
Setting up your software	45
Registering your computer with Toshiba	46
Adding optional external devices	47
Connecting to a power source	47
Charging the main battery	51
Using the computer for the first time	52
Opening the display panel	52
Your computer’s features and specifications	53
Turning on the power	53
Adding memory (optional)	55
Installing a memory module	55
Removing a memory module	60
Hard Drive Recovery Utilities	63
Creating Recovery CDs/DVDs	64
Hard Disk Drive Recovery using the recovery partition	65
Hard Disk Drive Recovery using the Recovery media	71
Installing drivers and applications	74
Using the TouchPad™	75
Scrolling with the TouchPad™	75
Control buttons	76
Disabling or enabling the TouchPad	76
Using external display devices	78
Directing the display output when you turn on the computer	78
Adjusting the quality of the external display	80
Using an external keyboard	80
Using a mouse	80
Connecting a printer	81
Setting up a printer	82
Connecting an optional external diskette drive	83
Turning off the computer	84
Options for turning off the computer	84
Using the Turn Off Computer or Shut Down commands	87
Using and configuring Hibernation mode	89
Using and configuring Standby mode	91
Closing the display panel	93
Caring for your computer	93
Cleaning the computer	93
Moving the computer	93
Using a computer lock	94
Chapter 2: Learning the Basics	95
Computing tips	95
Using the keyboard	97
Character keys	97
Making your keyboard emulate a full-size keyboard	97
Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys	98
Function keys	98
Windows special keys	99
Overlay keys	99
Using the overlay to type numeric data	100
Starting a program	100
Starting a program from the Start menu	101
Starting a program from Windows® Explorer	101
Starting a program from the Run dialog box	102
Saving your work	103
Printing your work	105
Backing up your work	106
Restoring your work	107
Using the optical drive	107
Optical drive components	108
Inserting a compact disc	109
Playing an audio CD	111
Playing CDs	112
Creating a CD	113
Removing a disc with the computer on	114
Removing a disc with the computer off	114
Caring for CD or DVD Discs	115
Toshiba’s online resources	115
Chapter 3: Mobile Computing	116
Toshiba’s energy-saver design	116
Running the computer on battery power	116
Battery Notice	117
Power management	118
Using additional batteries	118
Charging batteries	119
Charging the main battery	119
Charging the RTC battery	120
Monitoring main battery power	121
Determining remaining battery power	123
What to do when the main battery runs low	123
Setting battery alarms	124
Conserving battery power	125
Power Profiles	126
Using a hot key to set the Power Profile	127
Changing the main battery	128
Removing the battery from the computer	128
Inserting a charged battery	130
Taking care of your battery	131
Safety precautions	131
Maximizing battery life	132
Disposing of used batteries	133
Traveling tips	134
Chapter 4: Exploring Your Computer’s Features	135
Exploring the desktop	135
Finding your way around the desktop	136
Setting up for communications	138
Connecting the modem to a telephone line	140
Connecting your computer to a network	141
An overview of using the Internet	144
The Internet	144
The World Wide Web	145
Internet Service Providers	145
Connecting to the Internet	145
Surfing the Internet	146
Internet features	146
Uploading to, and downloading files from, the Internet	147
Exploring audio features	147
Recording sounds	148
Using external speakers or headphones	149
Using PC Cards	150
Inserting a PC Card	151
Removing a PC Card	151
Setting up a PC Card for your computer	152
Using the SD Slot	152
Inserting memory media	152
Removing memory media	153
Using the i.LINK® port	154
Using an expansion device	155
Using an Optional Advanced Port Replicator III Plus with your computer	155
Chapter 5: Toshiba Utilities	156
Toshiba Assist	157
Connect	158
Secure	159
Protect & Fix	160
Optimize	161
Toshiba Application Installer	162
Setting passwords	163
Using an instant password	164
Setting a user password	164
Disabling a user password	165
Using a supervisor or user password	165
Setting a supervisor password	165
Deleting a supervisor password	166
Toshiba Password Utility	167
PC Diagnostic Tool Utility	168
HDD Protection Utility	170
Fn-esse®	171
Starting Fn-esse®	171
Using drag-and-drop to assign a key	172
Using the keyboard or pointing device to assign a key	173
Viewing existing key assignments	174
Changing or removing existing key assignments	175
Toshiba Hotkey Utility	175
Toshiba SD™ Memory Card Format Utility	176
Toshiba SD™ Memory Boot Utility	177
Booting from a bootable SD card	178
Toshiba Power Saver	179
Preset Power Profiles	180
Quickly creating a new power profile	180
Customizing a power profile	181
Mouse Utility	181
Toshiba Hardware Setup	182
Toshiba Mobile Extension	185
Toshiba Zooming Utility	186
Toshiba Button Controls	188
CD/DVD Drive Acoustic Silencer	189
Toshiba Accessibility	190
Trusted Platform Module (TPM)	191
Fingerprint Authentication Utility	192
Fingerprint utility limitations	192
Fingerprint Enrollment	192
Fingerprint Logon	194
Power-on Security	194
Control Center	196
Password Bank	198
Care and maintenance of your fingerprint sensor	202
Fingerprint sensor limitations	204
Chapter 6: If Something Goes Wrong	205
Problems that are easy to fix	205
Problems when you turn on the computer	207
The Windows ® operating system is not working	209
Using Startup options to fix problems	210
Internet problems	211
The Windows® XP operating system can help you	211
Resolving a hardware conflict	212
A plan of action	212
Resolving hardware conflicts on your own	213
Fixing a problem with Device Manager	214
Memory problems	216
Power and the batteries	217
Keyboard problems	219
Display problems	220
Disk drive problems	222
Optical drive problems	225
Sound system problems	226
PC Card problems	226
Printer problems	230
Modem problems	231
Wireless networking problems	232
DVD operating problems	235
Develop good computing habits	238
Data and system configuration backup in Windows XP	239
If you need further assistance	245
Before you contact Toshiba	245
Contacting Toshiba	246
Other Toshiba Internet Web sites	247
Toshiba’s worldwide offices	248
Appendix A: Hot Keys	250
Volume Mute	250
Password security	251
Without a password	251
With a password	251
Maintaining security when the battery is not fully charged	252
Power usage mode	253
Standby mode	254
Hibernation mode	255
Display modes	256
Display brightness	257
Disabling or enabling wireless devices	257
Disabling or enabling the TouchPad	258
Zooming applications in/out	258
Keyboard hot keys	259
Appendix B: Power Cord/Cable Connectors	260
Appendix C: Using ConfigFree™ with your Toshiba Computer	261
Getting Started	262
Starting ConfigFree	262
ConfigFree Utilities	264
Connectivity Doctor	264
Search for Wireless Devices	267
Profile Settings	272
ConfigFree SUMMIT	276
Quick Connect	280
Using the Automatic Switch	283
Semi-Automatic Switch Feature	283
Glossary	285