Satellite®/Satellite Pro®

U800W Series
User’s Guide
If you need assistance:
Technical support is available online at Toshiba’s Web site at
support.toshiba.com. At this Web site, you will find answers for
many commonly asked technical questions plus many
downloadable software drivers, BIOS updates, and other
downloads.
For more information, see “If Something Goes Wrong” on
page 123 in this guide.

GMAD00307010
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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.

Model: Satellite®/Satellite Pro® U800W Series

Recordable and/or ReWritable Drive(s) and
Associated Software Warranty
The computer system you purchased may include Recordable and/or
ReWritable optical disc drive(s) and associated software, among the most
advanced data storage technologies available. As with any new technology,
you must read and follow all set-up and usage instructions in the applicable
user guides and/or manuals enclosed or provided electronically. If you fail
to do so, this product may not function properly and you may lose data or
suffer other damage. TOSHIBA AMERICA INFORMATION SYSTEMS,
INC. (“TOSHIBA”), ITS AFFILIATES AND SUPPLIERS DO NOT
WARRANT THAT OPERATION OF THE PRODUCT WILL BE
UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR FREE. YOU AGREE THAT TOSHIBA,
ITS AFFILIATES AND SUPPLIERS SHALL HAVE NO
RESPONSIBILITY FOR DAMAGE TO OR LOSS OF ANY BUSINESS,
PROFITS, PROGRAMS, DATA, NETWORK SYSTEMS OR
REMOVABLE STORAGE MEDIA ARISING OUT OF OR RESULTING
FROM THE USE OF THE PRODUCT, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
POSSIBILITY THEREOF.

Protection of Stored Data

For your important data, please make periodic back-up copies of all the data
stored on the hard disk or other storage devices as a precaution against possible
failures, alteration, or loss of the data. IF YOUR DATA IS ALTERED OR
LOST DUE TO ANY TROUBLE, FAILURE OR MALFUNCTION OF
THE HARD DISK DRIVE OR OTHER STORAGE DEVICES AND THE
DATA CANNOT BE RECOVERED, TOSHIBA SHALL NOT BE
LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGE OR LOSS OF DATA, OR ANY OTHER
DAMAGE RESULTING THEREFROM. WHEN COPYING OR
TRANSFERRING YOUR DATA, PLEASE BE SURE TO CONFIRM
WHETHER THE DATA HAS BEEN SUCCESSFULLY COPIED OR
TRANSFERRED. TOSHIBA DISCLAIMS ANY LIABILITY FOR THE
FAILURE TO COPY OR TRANSFER THE DATA CORRECTLY.

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 3
Critical Applications
The computer you have purchased is not designed for any “critical applications.”
“Critical applications” means life support systems, medical applications,
connections to implanted medical devices, commercial transportation, nuclear
facilities or systems or any other applications where product failure could lead to
injury to persons or loss of life or catastrophic property damage.
ACCORDINGLY, TOSHIBA, ITS AFFILIATES AND SUPPLIERS
DISCLAIM ANY AND ALL LIABILITY ARISING OUT OF THE USE
OF THE COMPUTER PRODUCTS IN ANY CRITICAL
APPLICATIONS. IF YOU USE THE COMPUTER PRODUCTS IN A
CRITICAL APPLICATION, YOU, AND NOT TOSHIBA, ASSUME
FULL RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH USE.

FCC Notice “Declaration of Conformity Information”

This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B
digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC rules. These limits are designed to
provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential
installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not
installed and used in accordance with the instructions, it may cause harmful
interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does
cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to
correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
❖ Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
❖ Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
❖ Connect the equipment to an outlet on a circuit different from that to which
the receiver is connected.
❖ Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

NOTE Only Peripherals complying with the FCC Class B limits may be attached to this
equipment. Operation with noncompliant peripherals or peripherals not
recommended by Toshiba is likely to result in interference to radio and TV reception.
Shielded cables must be used between the external devices and the computer's
ports. Changes or modifications made to this equipment not expressly approved by
Toshiba or parties authorized by Toshiba could void the user's authority to operate
the equipment.

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4
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the
following two conditions:
❖ This device may not cause harmful interference.
❖ This device must accept any interference received, including interference
that may cause undesired operation.
Contact Toshiba’s Support Web site at support.toshiba.com.

Industry Canada Requirement

This Class B digital apparatus complies with Canadian ICES-003.
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conformé à la norme NMB-003 du
Canada.

Wireless Interoperability
The TOSHIBA Wireless LAN Mini PCI Card products are designed to be
interoperable with any wireless LAN product that is based on Direct Sequence
Spread Spectrum (DSSS) radio technology, and is compliant to:
❖ The IEEE 802.11 Standard on Wireless LANs (Revision A/B/G), as defined
and approved by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers.
❖ The Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi®) certification as defined by the Wi-Fi Alliance.
The “Wi-Fi CERTIFIED” logo is a certification mark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.

Bluetooth® and Wireless LAN devices operate within the same radio
frequency range and may interfere with one another. If you use Bluetooth and
Wireless LAN devices simultaneously, you may occasionally experience a
less than optimal network performance or even lose your network
connection.
If you should experience any such problem, immediately turn off your
Bluetooth or Wireless LAN device.
Please contact Toshiba computer product support on Web site
http://www.toshiba-europe.com/computers/tnt/bluetooth.htm in Europe or
support.toshiba.com in the United States for more information.

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 5
Radio Frequency Interference Requirements
This device is restricted to indoor use due to its operation in the 5.15 GHz to
5.25 GHz frequency range. FCC requires this product to be used indoors for
frequency range 5.15 GHz to 5.25 GHz to reduce the potential for harmful
interference to co-channel Mobile Satellite systems.
High power radars are allocated as primary users of the 5.25 GHz to 5.35
GHz and 5.65 GHz to 5.85 GHz bands. These radar stations can cause
interference with and/or damage this device.

NOTE The above caution applies to products that operate with an 802.11a radio
device.

Wireless LAN and Your Health

Wireless LAN products, like other radio devices, emit radio frequency
electromagnetic energy. The level of energy emitted by Wireless LAN devices
however is far much less than the electromagnetic energy emitted by wireless
devices like for example mobile phones.
Because Wireless LAN products operate within the guidelines found in radio
frequency safety standards and recommendations, TOSHIBA believes Wireless
LAN is safe for use by consumers. These standards and recommendations reflect
the consensus of the scientific community and result from deliberations of panels
and committees of scientists who continually review and interpret the extensive
research literature.
In some situations or environments, the use of Wireless LAN may be restricted
by the proprietor of the building or responsible representatives of the
organization. These situations may for example include:
❖ Using the Wireless LAN equipment on board airplanes, or
❖ In any other environment where the risk of interference to other devices or
services is perceived or identified as harmful.
If you are uncertain of the policy that applies on the use of wireless devices in a
specific organization or environment (e.g. airports), you are encouraged to ask for
authorization to use the Wireless LAN device prior to turning on the equipment.

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6
Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation
The radiated output power of the TOSHIBA Wireless LAN Mini PCI Card is
far below the FCC radio frequency exposure limits. Nevertheless, the
TOSHIBA Wireless LAN Mini PCI Card shall be used in such a manner that
the potential for human contact during normal operation is minimized. The
antenna(s) used for this transmitter must not be co-located or operating in
conjunction with any other antenna or transmitter.

Canada – Industry Canada (IC)

This device complies with RSS 210 of Industry Canada.

The installer of this radio equipment must ensure that the antenna is located
or pointed such that it does not emit RF field in excess of Health Canada
limits for the general population; consult Safety Code 6, obtainable from
Health Canada’s Web site www.hc-sc.gc.ca/rpb. The RF device shall not be
co-located with any other transmitter that has not been tested with this
device.

Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not
cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including
interference that may cause undesired operation of this device.
L’ utilisation de ce dispositif est soumis aux deux conditions suivantes: (1) il ne
doit pas produire de brouillage et (2) l’utilisateur du dispositif doit être prêt à
accepter tout brouillage radioélectrique reçu, même s’il est susceptible de
compromettre son fonctionnement.
The term “IC” before the equipment certification number only signifies that the
Industry Canada technical specifications were met.
To prevent radio interference to the licensed service, this device is intended to be
operated indoors and away from windows to provide maximum shielding.
Equipment (or its transmit antenna) that is installed outdoors is subject to
licensing.
Pour empecher que cet appareil cause du brouillage au service faisant l’objet
d’une licence, il doit etre utilize a l’interieur et devrait etre place loin des fenetres
afin de Fournier un ecram de blindage maximal. Si le matriel (ou son antenne
d’emission) est installe a l’exterieur, il doit faire l’objet d’une licence.

This device is restricted to indoor use due to its operation in the 5.15 GHz to
5.25 GHz frequency range. Industry Canada requires this product to be used

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 7
indoors for frequency range 5.15 GHz to 5.25 GHz to reduce the potential for
harmful interference to co-channel Mobile Satellite systems.
High power radars are allocated as primary users of the 5.25 GHz to 5.35
GHz and 5.65 GHz to 5.85 GHz bands. These radar stations can cause
interference with and/or damage this device.

NOTE The above caution applies to products that operate with an 802.11a radio
device.

EU Declaration of Conformity
TOSHIBA declares that this product conforms to the following Standards:
Supplementary *The product complies with the
Information: requirements of the Low Voltage
Directive 73/23/EEC, the EMC Directive
89/336/EEC and/or the R&TTE Directive
1999/5/EC.

This product is carrying the CE-Mark in accordance with the related European
Directives. The party responsible for CE-Marking is TOSHIBA Europe GmbH,
Hammfelddamm 8, 41460 Neuss, Germany.

The European Union WEEE (Waste from Electrical and

Electronic Equipment) Directive Information
The European Union WEEE (Waste from Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
Directive is intended to protect the quality of the environment and human health
through the responsible use of natural resources and the adoption of waste
management strategies that focus on recycling and reuse. This Directive requires
producers of electrical and electronic products put on the market in European
Union (EU) member countries after August 2005 to mark such products with a
crossed-out wheeled bin with a black bar symbol. If the product’s battery or
accumulator contains more than the specified values of lead (Pb), mercury (Hg),
and/or cadmium (Cd) defined in the Battery Directive (2006/66/EC), then the
chemical symbols for lead (Pb), mercury (Hg) and/or cadmium (Cd) will appear
below the crossed out wheeled bin symbol on the battery.

Pb, Hg, Cd

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8
In the European Union, these symbols indicate that when the last end user wishes
to discard this product, it must be sent to appropriate facilities for recovery and
recycling. This Directive applies to EU member countries only and does not
apply to end users in other countries such as the United States.
Although the initial emphasis is in Europe, Toshiba is already working with
design engineers, suppliers, and other partners to determine appropriate
worldwide product life cycle planning and end-of-life strategies for our products.
Please contact your local government for applicable laws and regulations
governing the disposal of this product. For information on how to trade-in or
recycle your product, visit www.reuse.toshiba.com.

VCCI Class B Information

Taiwan
Article 14 Unless approved, for any model accredited low power radio frequency
electric machinery, any company, trader or user shall not change the
frequency, increase the power or change the features and functions of the
original design.
Article 17 Any use of low power radio frequency electric machinery shall not affect
aviation safety and interfere with legal communications. In the event
interference is caused, the use of such electric machinery shall be
immediately discontinued. Operation of such products can be resumed
only when they are modified and can no longer cause interference.

The legal communications mentioned in the above item refer to radio

communications operated in accordance with telecommunication laws and
regulations.
Low power radio frequency electric machinery shall resist against interference
from legal communications or from industrial, scientific and medical radio
emission electric machinery.

Using this Equipment in Japan

In Japan, the frequency bandwidth of 2,400 MHz to 2,483.5 MHz for second
generation low-power data communication systems such as this equipment
overlaps that of mobile object identification systems (premises radio station and
specified low-power radio station).

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 9
1. Sticker
Please put the following sticker on devices incorporating this product.
The frequency bandwidth of this equipment may operate within the
same range as industrial devices, scientific devices, medical
devices, microwave ovens, licensed radio stations and non-licensed
specified low-power radio stations for mobile object identification
systems (RFID) used in factory product lines (Other Radio Stations).

1. Before using this equipment, ensure that it does not interfere with
any of the equipment listed above.

2. If this equipment causes RF interference to other radio stations,

promptly change the frequency being used, change the location
of use, or turn off the source of emissions.

3. Contact TOSHIBA Direct PC if you have problems with interference

caused by this product to Other Radio Stations.

2. Indication
The indication shown below appears on this equipment.
(1) (2) (3)

2.4DSOF4

(4)

1 2.4: This equipment uses a frequency of 2.4 GHz.

2 DS: This equipment uses DS-SS modulation.
OF: This equipment uses OFDM modulation.
3 The interference range of this equipment is less than 40m.
4 This equipment uses a frequency bandwidth from
2,400 MHz to 2,483.5 MHz.
It is possible to avoid the band of mobile object identification systems.

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10
The indication shown below appears on this equipment.
(1) (2) (3)

2.4FH1

(4)
1 2.4: This equipment uses a frequency of 2.4 GHz.
2 FH: This equipment uses FH-SS modulation.
3 The interference range of this equipment is less than 10m.
4 This equipment uses a frequency bandwidth from 2,400 MHz to
2,483.5 MHz.
3. TOSHIBA Direct PC
Monday – Friday: 10:00 – 17:00
Toll Free Tel: 0120-15-1048
Direct Dial: 03-3457-4850
Fax: 03-3457-4868

Device Authorization
This device obtains the Technical Regulation Conformity Certification and
the Technical Conditions Compliance Approval, and it belongs to the
device class of radio equipment of low-power data communication system
radio station stipulated in the Radio Law and the Telecommunications
Business Law of Japan.

Europe - Restrictions for use of 2.4 GHz Frequencies in

European Community Countries
België/ For private usage outside buildings across public grounds over less than
Belgique: 300m no special registration with IBPT/BIPT is required. Registration to
IBPT/BIPT is required for private usage outside buildings across public
grounds over more than 300m. For registration and license please
contact IBPT/BIPT.
Voor privé-gebruik buiten gebouw over publieke groud over afstand
kleiner dan 300m geen registratie bij BIPT/IBPT nodig; voor gebruik
over afstand groter dan 300m is wel registratie bij BIPT/IBPT nodig.
Voor registratie of licentie kunt u contact opnemen met BIPT.
Dans le cas d’une utilisation privée, à l’extérieur d’un bâtiment, au-
dessus d’un espace public, aucun enregistrement n’est nécessaire pour
une distance de moins de 300m. Pour une distance supérieure à 300m un
enregistrement auprès de l’IBPT est requise. Pour les enregistrements et
licences, veuillez contacter l’IBPT.

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 11
Deutschland: License required for outdoor installations. Check with reseller for
procedure to follow.
Anmeldung im Outdoor-Bereich notwendig, aber nicht
genehmigungspflichtig. Bitte mit Händler die Vorgehensweise
abstimmen.
France: Restricted frequency band: only channels 1 to 7 (2400 MHz and 2454
MHz respectively) may be used outdoors in France. Please contact
A.R.T. (http://www.art-telecom.fr) for applicable procedures to follow.
Bande de fréquence restreinte: seuls les canaux 1- 7 (2400 et 2454 MHz
respectivement) doivent être utilisés endroits extérieur en France. Vous
pouvez contacter l’Autorité de Régulation des Télécommunications
(http://www.art-telecom.fr) pour la procédure à suivre.
Italia: License required for indoor use. Use with outdoor installations not
allowed.
È necessaria la concessione ministeriale anche per l’uso interno.
Verificare con i rivenditori la procedura da seguire.
Nederland: License required for outdoor installations. Check with reseller for
procedure to follow.
Licentie verplicht voor gebruik met buitenantennes. Neem contact op
met verkoper voor juiste procedure.

Europe - Restrictions for Use of 5 GHz Frequencies in

European Community Countries
European Community 5150-5250 MHz 5250-5350 MHz 5470-5725 MHz
Countries Channels: 36, 40, 44, Channels: 52, 56, 60, Channels: 100, 104, 108, 112,
48 64 116, 120, 124, 128, 132, 136, 140
Indoor Only Indoor Only Indoor/Outdoor
Austria O x x
Belgium, France, O O x
Switzerland/Liechtenstein
Denmark, Finland, O O O
Germany, Greece,
Ireland, Italy,
Luxembourg,
Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Sweden, UK
Iceland, Spain O O O
O: allowed x: forbidden
❖ To remain in conformance with European spectrum usage laws for Wireless
LAN operation, the above 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channel limitations apply.
The user should use the wireless LAN utility to check the current channel of

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12
operation. If operation is occurring outside of the allowable frequencies as
listed above, the user must cease operating the Wireless LAN at that
location and consult the local technical support staff responsible for the
wireless network.
❖ The 5 GHz Turbo mode feature is not allowed for operation in any
European Community country.
❖ This device must not be operated in ad-hoc mode using channels in the
5 GHz bands in the European Community. Ad-hoc mode provides a direct
communication between two client devices without a Wireless LAN Access
Point.
❖ This device must be used with Access Points that have employed and
activated a radar detection feature required for European Community
operation in the 5 GHz bands. This device will operate under the control of
the Access Point in order to avoid operating on a channel occupied by any
radar system in the area. The presence of nearby radar operation may result
in temporary interruption of operation of this device. The Access Point’s
radar detection feature will automatically restart operation on a channel free
of radar. You may consult with the local technical support staff responsible
for the wireless network to ensure the Access Point device(s) are properly
configured for European Community operation.

Bluetooth® Wireless Technology Interoperability

Bluetooth® Cards from TOSHIBA are designed to be interoperable with any
product with Bluetooth wireless technology that is based on Frequency Hopping
Spread Spectrum (FHSS) radio technology, and is compliant to:
❖ Bluetooth Specification as defined and approved by The Bluetooth Special
Interest Group.
❖ Logo certification with Bluetooth wireless technology as defined by The
Bluetooth Special Interest Group.

Always use Bluetooth cards from TOSHIBA in order to enable wireless

networks over two or more (up to a total of seven) TOSHIBA portable
computers using these cards. Please contact TOSHIBA computer product
support on Web site http://www.toshiba-europe.com/computers/tnt/
bluetooth.htm in Europe or support.toshiba.com in the United States for
more information.
When you use Bluetooth cards from TOSHIBA close to 2.4 GHz Wireless
LAN devices, Bluetooth transmissions might slow down or cause errors. If
you detect certain interference while you use Bluetooth cards from TOSHIBA,
always change the frequency, move your computer to the area outside of the
interference range of 2.4 GHz Wireless LAN devices (40 meters/43.74 yards
or more) or stop transmitting from your computer. Please contact TOSHIBA
computer product support on Web site http://www.toshiba-europe.com/

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

 13
computers/tnt/bluetooth.htm in Europe or support.toshiba.com in the United
States for more information.
Bluetooth and Wireless LAN devices operate within the same radio frequency
range and may interfere with one another. If you use Bluetooth and Wireless
LAN devices simultaneously, you may occasionally experience a less than
optimal network performance or even lose your network connection. If you
should experience any such problem, immediately turn off either one of your
Bluetooth or Wireless LAN. Please contact Toshiba computer product
support on Web site http://www.toshiba-europe.com/computers/tnt/
bluetooth.htm in Europe or support.toshiba.com in the United States for
more information.

Bluetooth® Wireless Technology and Your Health

The products with Bluetooth® wireless technology, like other radio devices, emit
radio frequency electromagnetic energy. The level of energy emitted by devices
with Bluetooth wireless technology however is much less than the
electromagnetic energy emitted by wireless devices such as mobile phones.
Because products with Bluetooth wireless technology operate within the
guidelines found in radio frequency safety standards and recommendations,
TOSHIBA believes Bluetooth wireless technology is safe for use by consumers.
These standards and recommendations reflect the consensus of the scientific
community and result from deliberations of panels and committees of scientists
who continually review and interpret the extensive research literature.
In some situations or environments, the use of Bluetooth wireless technology
may be restricted by the proprietor of the building or responsible representatives
of the organization. These situations may for example include:
❖ Using the equipment with Bluetooth wireless technology on board
airplanes, or
❖ In any other environment where the risk of interference to other devices or
services is perceived or identified as harmful.
If you are uncertain of the policy that applies on the use of wireless devices in a
specific organization or environment (e.g. airports), you are encouraged to ask for
authorization to use the device with Bluetooth wireless technology prior to
turning on the equipment.

Exposure to Radio Frequency Radiation

The radiated output power of the Bluetooth Card from TOSHIBA is far below
the FCC radio frequency exposure limits. Nevertheless, the Bluetooth Card
from TOSHIBA shall be used in such a manner that the potential for human
contact during normal operation is minimized.

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14
Regulatory statements
This product complies with any mandatory product specification in any country/
region where the product is sold. In addition, the product complies with the
following:

European Union (EU) and EFTA

This equipment complies with the R&TTE directive 1999/5/EC and has been
provided with the CE mark accordingly.

Taiwan
Article 14 Unless approved, for any model accredited low power radio frequency
electric machinery, any company, trader or user shall not change the
frequency, increase the power or change the features and functions of the
original design.
Article 17 Any use of low power radio frequency electric machinery shall not affect
aviation safety and interfere with legal communications. In the event
interference is caused, the use of such electric machinery shall be
immediately discontinued. Operation of such products can be resumed
only when they are modified and can no longer cause interference.

The legal communications mentioned in the above item refer to radio

communications operated in accordance with telecommunication laws and
regulations.
Low power radio frequency electric machinery shall resist against interference
from legal communications or from industrial, scientific and medical radio
emission electric machinery.

Copyright
This guide is copyrighted by Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. with all
rights reserved. Under the copyright laws, this guide cannot be reproduced in any
form without the prior written permission of Toshiba. No patent liability is
assumed, however, with respect to the use of the information contained herein.
©2012 by Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Export Administration Regulation

This document contains technical data that may be controlled under the U.S.
Export Administration Regulations, and may be subject to the approval of the
U.S. Department of Commerce prior to export. Any export, directly or indirectly,
in contravention of the U.S. Export Administration Regulations is prohibited.

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

 15
Notice
The information contained in this manual, including but not limited to any
product specifications, is subject to change without notice.
TOSHIBA CORPORATION AND TOSHIBA AMERICA
INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC. (TOSHIBA) PROVIDES NO
WARRANTY WITH REGARD TO THIS MANUAL OR ANY
OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN AND HEREBY
EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR
PURPOSE WITH REGARD TO ANY OF THE FOREGOING.
TOSHIBA ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR ANY DAMAGES
INCURRED DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY FROM ANY
TECHNICAL OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS OR OMISSIONS
CONTAINED HEREIN OR FOR DISCREPANCIES BETWEEN
THE PRODUCT AND THE MANUAL. IN NO EVENT SHALL
TOSHIBA BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL,
CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES,
WHETHER BASED ON TORT, CONTRACT OR OTHERWISE,
ARISING OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THIS MANUAL
OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN OR THE
USE THEREOF.

Trademarks
Satellite, Satellite Pro, and eco Utility are either registered trademarks or
trademarks of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. and/or Toshiba
Corporation.
Adobe and Photoshop are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Adobe
Systems Incorporated in the United States and/or other countries.
Bluetooth word mark and logos are owned by the Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any
use of such marks by Toshiba is under license. Other trademarks and trade names
are those of their respective owners.
HDMI, the HDMI Logo and High-Definition Multimedia Interface are
trademarks or registered trademarks of HDMI Licensing, LLC.
Intel, Intel Core, Celeron, Centrino and Pentium are trademarks or registered
trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the United States and other
countries.
Memory Stick and Memory Stick PRO are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Sony Corporation.
Microsoft, Outlook, Windows, and Windows Media are either registered
trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or
other countries.
Secure Digital and SD are trademarks of SD Card Association.

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

16
Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance.
All other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective companies.

Licenses
This Product is licensed under the AVC, the VC-1 and the MPEG-4 Part 2 Visual
patent portfolio licenses for the personal and non-commercial use of a consumer
to (i) encode video in compliance with the above standards (“Video Standards”)
and/or (ii) decode AVC, VC-1 and MPEG-4 Part 2 Visual that was encoded by a
consumer engaged in personal and non-commercial activity or was obtained
from a video provider licensed to provide such video. None of the licenses extend
to any other product regardless of whether such product is included with this
product in a single article. No license is granted or shall be implied for any other
use. Additional information may be obtained from MPEG LA, LLC.
See www.mpegla.com.

Computer Recycling Information

As part of a commitment to people and the future, Toshiba promotes the efficient
use of resources by working to achieve our zero-waste-to-landfill goal at all our
production sites. In addition to our existing waste reduction and recycling
policies, Toshiba is strongly committed to reducing electronic waste. In order to
ensure efficient use of resources and appropriate treatment of hazardous
substances, in accordance with recycling regulations in each state, country, and
territory, Toshiba wants to make it easy for customers to recycle products at the
end of the life cycle. To learn more about Toshiba's sustainability commitment,
visit us.toshiba.com/green.
Reuse, Donation, Recycling
Functional computers can be donated to a local charity or resold easily through a
Toshiba-branded program.
Non working Toshiba computers can be mailed-back for free recycling.
For additional details, please visit us.toshiba.com/recycle.

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Contents
Introduction................................................................................ 23
This guide ...............................................................25
Safety icons ............................................................26
Other icons used...............................................26
Your computer’s features and specifications ....27
Other documentation ..............................................27
Service options .......................................................27
Chapter 1: Getting Started......................................................... 28
Selecting a place to work ........................................28
Setting up a work environment .........................28
Keeping yourself comfortable ...........................29
Computer user comfort recommendations .......29
Good Working Posture .....................................29
Using the notebook with an external keyboard,
mouse or monitor .......................................30
Typing style ......................................................31
Taking breaks and varying tasks .......................31
Mobile computing tips ......................................32
Transporting the notebook................................32

17

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18 Contents

Seeking additional help .....................................32

Check list ..........................................................33
Precautions.......................................................33
Important information on your computer’s
cooling fan ..................................................35
Setting up your computer .......................................36
Connecting to a power source ................................36
Charging the main battery.......................................39
Using the computer for the first time ......................39
Setting up your software...................................40
Registering your computer with Toshiba ................40
Adding optional external devices.............................40
Adding memory (optional) ......................................40
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive ....................41
Recovering to out-of-box state
(recommended recovery method)...............42
Recovering of factory default software
with user’s data...........................................45
Recovering without changing the
internal storage drive partitions ..................48
Recovering to a custom size partition ...............50
Creating recovery media ...................................53
Restoring from recovery media.........................55
Erasing the Internal Storage Drive ..........................57
Checking the internal storage drive
operating status ................................................59
Installing drivers and applications.....................59
Using the touch pad................................................60
Adjusting touch pad settings ............................63
Disabling or enabling the touch pad..................63
Connecting an external device.................................64
Using external display devices ................................64
Selecting video cables.......................................64
Connecting an HDMI®-compatible
television or display device .........................65

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 Contents
19
Directing the display output
when you turn on the computer..................65
Adjusting the quality of the external display......66
Customizing your computer’s settings....................66
Caring for your computer........................................66
Cleaning the computer ......................................67
Moving the computer........................................67
Using a computer lock ......................................67
Chapter 2: Learning the Basics................................................. 69
Computing tips .......................................................69
Using the keyboard .................................................70
Character keys .................................................71
Function keys....................................................71
Special Windows® keys ...................................71
Backlit keyboard................................................72
Starting a program..................................................72
Starting a program using the
Search programs and files field ..................72
Starting a program from the Start menu...........73
Saving your work ....................................................73
Backing up your work .............................................74
Restoring your work .........................................74
Toshiba’s online resources .....................................75
Chapter 3: Mobile Computing................................................... 76
Toshiba’s energy-saver design................................76
Running the computer on battery power ................76
Battery Notice ...................................................76
Power management ..........................................77
Charging batteries...................................................78
Charging the main battery.................................78
Charging the RTC battery..................................79
Monitoring main battery power...............................79
Determining remaining battery power...............81
What to do when the main battery runs low .....81

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20 Contents

Setting battery notifications ..............................81

Conserving battery power ................................82
Power Plans......................................................83
Using the TOSHIBA eco power plan........................84
Changing the main battery ......................................84
Taking care of your battery .....................................85
Safety precautions ..................................................85
Maintaining your battery ...................................86
Disposing of your computer ...................................86
Traveling tips ..........................................................87
Chapter 4: Exploring Your Computer’s Features..................... 88
Exploring the desktop .............................................88
Finding your way around the desktop ...............89
Setting up for communications...............................91
Connecting your computer to a network ...........92
Exploring audio features .........................................92
Recording sounds.............................................92
Using external speakers or headphones............93
Using the Web Camera ...........................................93
Using the memory card reader................................94
Inserting memory media...................................94
Removing memory media.................................95
Chapter 5: Utilities...................................................................... 96
TOSHIBA Assist ......................................................97
Connect.............................................................98
Secure...............................................................99
Protect & Fix ...................................................100
Optimize..........................................................101
TOSHIBA Recovery Media Creator ........................102
TOSHIBA Application Installer...............................102
Setting passwords ................................................103
Using a supervisor password..........................104
Using a user password ...................................105
Deleting a user password................................106

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 Contents
21
TOSHIBA Face Recognition Utility.........................107
TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool Utility......................108
Mouse Utility ........................................................109
TOSHIBA Hardware Setup.....................................110
TOSHIBA Sleep Utility ...........................................112
Starting the TOSHIBA Sleep Utility..................112
USB Sleep and Charge ....................................112
Enabling/Disabling USB Sleep and Charge......114
Power supply mode settings...........................114
Sleep and Music .............................................115
TOSHIBA Accessibility ..........................................116
TOSHIBA eco Utility™ ...........................................117
TOSHIBA Service Station ......................................117
TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor .................................118
TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility.................................119
Settings...........................................................120
Chapter 6: If Something Goes Wrong ...................................123
Problems that are easy to fix ................................123
Problems when you turn on the computer............124
The Windows® operating system is not working ..126
Using Startup options to fix problems ............126
Internet problems ...........................................127
The Windows® operating system
can help you .............................................128
Fixing a problem with Device Manager .................128
Checking device properties .............................128
Memory problems ................................................129
Power and the batteries ........................................129
Keyboard problems...............................................130
Display problems ..................................................131
Disk or storage drive problems.............................132
Error-checking ................................................133
Sound system problems .......................................133
Wireless networking problems..............................134
Develop good computing habits ...........................135

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22 Contents

Data and system configuration backup

in the Windows® operating system ...........136
If you need further assistance...............................141
Contacting Toshiba .........................................141
Other Toshiba Internet Web sites..........................141
Toshiba’s worldwide offices..................................142
Appendix A: Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards..................................144
Hot Key Cards .......................................................144
Using the Hot Key Cards .................................145
Hot key functions ..................................................145
Help ................................................................145
Display brightness ..........................................145
Output (Display switch) .................................146
Disabling or enabling the touch pad................147
Keyboard hot key functions ...........................148
Disabling or enabling wireless devices............149
Zoom (Display resolution) ..............................150
Appendix B: Power Cord/Cable Connectors..........................151
Glossary....................................................................................152
Index..........................................................................................167

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

Introduction

Welcome to the world of powerful, portable, multimedia

computing. With your Toshiba computer, your work and
entertainment can accompany you wherever you go.
Your computer is ENERGY STAR® qualified.
Toshiba is a partner in the Environmental Protection Agency’s
(EPA) ENERGY STAR® Program and has designed this computer
to meet the latest ENERGY STAR® guidelines for energy
efficiency. Your computer ships with the power management
options preset to a configuration that will provide the most stable
operating environment and optimum system performance for both
AC power and battery modes.
To conserve energy, your computer is set to dim the display after 10
minutes of inactivity, and enter the low-power Sleep mode which
shuts down the system after 15 minutes of inactivity in AC power
mode. We recommend that you leave this and other energy saving
features active, so that your computer will operate at its maximum
energy efficiency. You can wake the computer from Sleep mode by
pressing the power button. See the “Mobile Computing” section of
the Toshiba User’s Guide for more information on using power
management settings to conserve computer energy.

23
24 Introduction

When considering additions to your home office, purchase products

that have earned the ENERGY STAR® for all your equipment
needs, which can save you money, save energy, and help protect the
climate.
Visit http://www.energystar.gov or
http://www.energystar.gov/powermanagement for more
information regarding the ENERGY STAR® Program.

NOTE This computer is compatible with European Union Directive

2002/95/EC, Restriction of the use of certain Hazardous Substances
in electrical and electronic equipment (RoHS), which restricts use of
lead, cadmium, mercury, hexavalent chromium, PBB, and PBDE.
Toshiba requires its computer component suppliers to meet RoHS
requirements and verifies its suppliers’ commitment to meeting
RoHS requirements by conducting component sampling inspections
during the product design approval process.

NOTE Certain Microsoft® software product(s) included with this computer

may use technological measures for copy protection. IN SUCH
EVENT, YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO USE THE PRODUCT IF YOU DO
NOT FULLY COMPLY WITH THE PRODUCT ACTIVATION
PROCEDURES. Product activation procedures and Microsoft’s
privacy policy will be detailed during initial launch of the product, or
upon certain reinstallations of the software product(s) or
reconfigurations of the computer, and may be completed by Internet
or telephone (toll charges may apply).
Some software may differ from its retail version (if available), and
may not include user manuals or all program functionality.

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

 Introduction
This guide 25
NOTE The product specifications and configuration information are
designed for a product Series. Your particular model may not have
all the features and specifications listed or illustrated. For more
detailed information about the features and specifications on your
particular model, please visit Toshiba’s Web site at
support.toshiba.com.
While Toshiba has made every effort at the time of publication to
ensure the accuracy of the information provided herein, product
specifications, configurations, prices, system/component/options
availability are all subject to change without notice. For the most
up-to-date product information about your computer, or to stay
current with the various computer software or hardware options, visit
Toshiba’s Web site at support.toshiba.com.

This guide
This guide introduces the computer's features as well as some basic
procedures needed to perform tasks in Windows® 7. You can:
❖ Read the entire guide from beginning to end.
❖ Skim through and stop when a topic interests you.
❖ Use the table of contents and the index to find specific
information.

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

26 Introduction
Safety icons

Safety icons
This manual contains safety instructions that must be observed to
avoid potential hazards that could result in personal injuries,
damage to your equipment, or loss of data. These safety cautions
have been classified according to the seriousness of the risk, and
icons highlight these instructions as follows:

Indicates an imminently hazardous situation which, if not avoided,

will result in death or serious injury.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided,

could result in death or serious injury.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may

result in minor or moderate injury.

Indicates a potentially hazardous situation which, if not avoided, may

result in property damage.

NOTE Provides important information.

Other icons used

Additional icons highlight other helpful or educational information:

TECHNICAL NOTE: This icon indicates technical information about

the computer.

HINT: This icon indicates helpful hints and tips.

DEFINITION: This icon indicates the definition of a term used in the

text.

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

 Introduction
Other documentation 27
Your computer’s features and specifications
Certain computer chassis are designed to accommodate all possible
configurations for an entire product Series. Your select model may
not have all the features and specifications corresponding to all of
the icons or switches shown on the computer chassis, unless you
have selected all those features.
This information applies to all the features and icons described in
this guide.
Below are examples of some of the many possible icons used on
your computer:

(Sample Illustration) System icons

Other documentation
Your computer comes with the following documentation:
❖ An electronic version of the User’s Guide (this document)
❖ A Quick Start document
❖ It may also contain guides for other programs that may come
with your system.
For accessory information, visit Toshiba’s Web site at
accessories.toshiba.com.

Service options
Toshiba offers a full line of optional service programs to
complement its standard limited warranty. Toshiba’s standard
limited warranty, extended warranty, and service upgrade terms and
conditions are available at warranty.toshiba.com.
To stay current on the most recent software and hardware options
for your computer, and for other product information, be sure to
regularly check the Toshiba Web site at support.toshiba.com.
If you have a problem or need to contact Toshiba, see “If Something
Goes Wrong” on page 123.

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

Chapter 1

Getting Started
This chapter provides tips for using your computer effectively,
summarizes how to connect components, and explains what to do
the first time you use your computer.
Please read the safety instruction information on the Quick Start
document (that shipped with your computer) carefully and make
sure you fully understand the instructions before you attempt to use
your computer in order to avoid potential hazards that could cause
bodily injury, property damage, or damage the computer.

Selecting a place to work

Your computer is portable and designed to be used in a variety of
circumstances and locations.

Setting up a work environment

Place the computer on a hard flat surface that is large enough for the
computer and any other items you are using, such as a printer.
Leave enough space around the computer and other equipment to
provide adequate ventilation. Otherwise, they may overheat.
To keep your computer in prime operating condition, protect your
work area from:
❖ Dust, moisture, and direct sunlight.

28
 Getting Started
Selecting a place to work 29
❖ Equipment that generates a strong electromagnetic field, such
as stereo speakers (other than speakers that are connected to
the computer) or speakerphones.
❖ Rapid changes in temperature or humidity and sources of
temperature change such as air conditioner vents or heaters.
❖ Extreme heat, cold, or humidity.
❖ Liquids and corrosive chemicals.

Keeping yourself comfortable

This section provides information for setting up your work
environment and tips for working comfortably throughout the day.

Computer user comfort recommendations

Good Working Posture
❖ Adjust your chair height: your feet should be flat on the floor
and the bottom of your thighs should be evenly supported by
the seat. If your feet cannot reach the floor, use a foot rest.
Avoid pressure points behind the knee or under the thigh.
❖ The space under your desk should be free of clutter so that your
legs and feet are not restricted, and you can get close enough to
your notebook and other items that you use frequently.
❖ Adjust the chair back rest: it should match the curve of your
back and provide comfortable back support.
❖ Adjust the chair arm rests: they should be about the same
height as the keyboard and comfortably support your arms,
allowing your shoulders to relax.
❖ When using the keyboard, it should be centered in front of you.
❖ The keyboard and pointing device should be close to your
elbow level. The keyboard should be flat so that your wrists are
straight when typing. However, if the notebook is on a work
surface that is above your elbow height you may need to slope
the notebook to keep your wrists straight.
❖ Work with relaxed shoulders.
❖ When typing, keep your wrists straight and try not to rest your
wrists on the notebook. Support your arms on your forearm
area. The forearms can be supported by the chair arm supports
or the desk surface.
❖ The notebook display should be tilted so that the image on the
screen is clear.
30 Getting Started
Selecting a place to work

❖ Avoid glare: position the notebook so that light sources (lamps

or windows) do not shine or reflect directly into your eyes.
Place the notebook display away from bright light sources or
reduce the light intensity from windows by using blinds. Glare
on the notebook display may cause eye strain, eye fatigue or
headaches.
❖ Certain notebook displays have a brightness approaching that
of a TV device. We recommend that you adjust the brightness
of your notebook display to a comfortable level to prevent
possible eye strain.
❖ Keep your head level, facing forward and balanced over your
torso.
❖ Adjust the font size of text on your screen to make viewing
comfortable.
❖ Rest your eyes periodically by focusing on objects that are
farther away.

Using the notebook with an external keyboard, mouse or monitor

(Sample Illustration) Correct posture

❖ When using a notebook for long hours, it may be more

comfortable to dock the notebook and use an external
keyboard, mouse and monitor.
❖ The keyboard and mouse (or trackball) should be close to your
elbow level.
❖ The mouse should be next to the keyboard to avoid a reach. If
you have to reach, the arm should be supported in the forearm
area by the desk surface or the chair arm supports.
 Getting Started
Selecting a place to work 31
❖ Alternative keyboards, such as the split curved keyboard, may
improve shoulder and arm comfort.
❖ Select a mouse that is comfortable for you to use.
❖ Don’t rest your wrists on the edge of the keyboard or on the
work surface when typing.
❖ The monitor should be about an arm length away while sitting
back in the chair.
❖ The monitor should be centered in front of your body.
❖ The top of the monitor should be at or slightly below eye level.
A monitor that is too high or too low can cause awkward head
and neck postures and may lead to discomfort in the neck
muscles.
❖ If you use bifocals you may need to lower the monitor.
Alternatively, you might consider customized prescription
computer glasses.

Typing style
❖ Learn to touch type so that you don’t have to look down at the
keyboard.
❖ Type with straight wrists.
❖ Type lightly.
❖ Learn the keyboard shortcuts for your applications. You will be
more productive.
❖ Use the pointing device (e.g., touch pad, Accupoint®, or tablet
pen whichever is available with your notebook computer, or
other optional pointing devices like mouse or trackball) with a
comfortable hand posture. Avoid awkward hand postures or
high gripping force.
❖ It is helpful to change the type of pointing device that you use
on a regular basis to avoid working in just one hand posture.

Taking breaks and varying tasks

❖ Change they way you work so that you are not stuck in the
same posture for long periods of time. Some people find it
comfortable to occasionally stand while using the notebook. To
do this properly, the notebook needs to be on an elevated
surface. Make sure you follow the Good Working Posture
points mentioned above while working.
32 Getting Started
Selecting a place to work

❖ Take short, strategically spaced rest breaks to avoid eye strain

and body fatigue. For example, stand up and walk around or
stretch for a few minutes every hour.
❖ Taking regular breaks is especially important if you are
working long hours on your computer or working on a
deadline.
❖ If stress at work is affecting your health, try to identify the
sources of the stress and evaluate ways to reduce the stress.

Mobile computing tips

❖ When using the notebook at airports, on airplanes or trains, or
at meetings, make sure that you take the time to consider the
points just mentioned.
❖ When working on the road it may be difficult to set up the
notebook in an optimal position. In these situations it is
important that you take frequent breaks and change your
posture frequently to relieve the excess loads on your body.
❖ Be creative, when in a hotel room, use a rolled up blanket or
pillows to provide back support, or to provide arm support. To
position the computer at a good height, remember to operate
the computer on a hard flat stable surface. Using your
computer on a carpet, blanket or other soft materials can block
the air vents including those located at the base of the computer
and possibly cause overheating of your computer.

Transporting the notebook

Although your notebook is light, carrying it for a long time may
lead to shoulder and arm fatigue. If you carry your notebook with
other items, consider using an ergonomically-designed computer
case.

Seeking additional help

Follow the advice from your employer’s company health and safety
staff. Contact them if you need assistance making adjustment to
your workstation or adjusting the lighting.
Again, if you experience persistent or recurrent pain, ache,
numbness, burning, or stiffness you should promptly see a qualified
health care provider. These sensations may be caused by serious
medical conditions that can be treated.
 Getting Started
Selecting a place to work 33
For more specific recommendations on the safety and comfort of
your computer environment, customers in the United States may
visit the United States Department of Labor, Occupational Safety &
Health Administration Web site at:
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/computerworkstations/

Check list
❏ Is your chair comfortable - does it support your back and arms
well?
❏ Are your feet flat on the ground?
❏ Is there adequate space under your desk for your legs?
❏ Are the keyboard and mouse at elbow level?
❏ Are your shoulders relaxed when using the keyboard?
❏ Are your shoulders relaxed when using a mouse or other
optional pointing device?
❏ Are your hands and wrists aligned in a comfortable, straight
posture?
❏ Are your arms supported in the forearm area (not at the wrist)?
❏ Do you hold the mouse or trackball with a loose, relaxed hand?
❏ Do you use a light touch when typing or using the mouse?
❏ Do you clean your mouse or trackball regularly?
❏ Is the top of your monitor close to eye level?
❏ Is the monitor about an arm length away?
❏ Have you eliminated the glare on the monitor?
❏ Is the monitor tilted so that it is easy to read?
❏ Do you change postures regularly?
❏ Do you take breaks, at least once an hour?

Precautions
Your computer is designed to provide optimum safety and ease of
use, and to withstand the rigors of travel. You should observe
certain precautions to further reduce the risk of personal injury or
damage to the computer.
Avoid prolonged physical contact with the underside or surface of
the computer.
34 Getting Started
Selecting a place to work

Never allow any liquids to spill into any part of your computer, and
never expose the computer to rain, water, seawater or moisture.
Exposure to liquid or moisture can cause electric shock or fire,
resulting in damage or serious injury. If any of these eventualities
should accidentally occur, immediately:
1. Turn off the computer.
2. Disconnect the AC adaptor from the power plug socket and
computer.
Failure to follow these instructions could result in serious injury or
permanent damage to the computer.
Do not turn on the power again until you have taken the computer to
an authorized service center.

❖ Avoid prolonged physical contact with the underside or surface

of the computer.
❖ Computer base and palm rest can become hot! Avoid prolonged
contact to prevent heat injury to skin.

Today’s performance computers generate heat under normal

operating conditions, as a function of system activity. Avoid
extended contact between the computer base or palm rest and your
skin. Under certain operating conditions such prolonged contact
between the computer base or palm rest and your skin may result in
skin irritation and/or heat injury.
Consider using a hard computer insulating pad or similarly suitable
hard insulating material when using a computer on your lap.

Never place a heavy object on the computer and be careful not to

drop a heavy object onto the computer. It could damage the
computer or cause system failure.

❖ Never turn off the computer if a drive light indicates a drive is active.
Turning off the computer while it is reading from or writing to
a disk/disc or flash media may damage the disk/disc or flash
media, the drive, or both.
❖ Keep the computer and disks away from objects that generate
strong magnetic fields, such as large stereo speakers.
Information on some disks is stored magnetically. Placing a
magnet too close to a disk can erase important files.
 Getting Started
Selecting a place to work 35
Handle discs carefully. Avoid touching the surface of the disc. Grasp
it by its center hole and edge. If you handle the disc incorrectly, you
could damage the disc and possibly lose data.

❖ Scan all new files for viruses.

This precaution is especially important for files you receive via
email or download from the Internet. Occasionally, even new
programs you buy from a supplier may contain a computer
virus. You need a special program to check for viruses.

Important information on your computer’s cooling fan

Your computer may have a CPU cooling fan that cools the CPU by
drawing outside air into the computer.

Always make sure your computer and AC adaptor have adequate

ventilation and are protected from overheating when the power is turned
on or when an AC adaptor is connected to a power outlet (even if your
computer is in Sleep mode). In this condition, observe the following:
❖ Never cover your computer or AC adaptor with any object.
❖ Never place your computer or AC adaptor near a heat source,
such as an electric blanket or heater.
❖ Never cover or block the air vents including those located at the
underside of the computer.
❖ Always operate your computer on a hard flat surface. Using your
computer on a carpet or other soft material can block the vents
located at the underside of the computer.
Overheating your computer or AC adaptor could cause system
failure, computer or AC adaptor damage or a fire, possibly resulting
in serious injury.

NOTE The cooling fan location will vary depending on the computer.
36 Getting Started
Setting up your computer

Setting up your computer

TECHNICAL NOTE: You must complete all setup steps up to and
including “Setting up your software” on page 40 before adding
external or internal components to your computer. These
components include, but are not limited to, a mouse, keyboard,
printer, and memory.

Your computer contains a rechargeable main battery that needs to

be charged before you can use it.
To use external power or to charge the battery you must attach the
AC adaptor. See “Connecting to a power source” on page 36.

NOTE Please handle your computer carefully to avoid scratching or

damaging the surface.

Connecting to a power source

Your computer requires power to operate. Use the power cord/cable
and AC adaptor to connect the computer to a live electrical outlet,
or to charge the computer’s battery.

Never pull on a power cord/cable to remove a plug from a socket.

Always grasp the plug directly. Failure to follow this instruction may
damage the cord/cable, and/or result in a fire or electric shock,
possibly resulting in serious injury.

Always confirm that the power plug (and extension cable plug if
used) has been fully inserted into the socket, to ensure a secure
electrical connection. Failure to do so may result in a fire or electric
shock, possibly resulting in serious injury.
Be careful if you use a multiple connector. An overload on one socket
could cause a fire or electric shock, possibly resulting in serious
injury.
 Getting Started
Connecting to a power source 37
Always use the TOSHIBA AC adaptor that was provided with your
computer, or use AC adaptors specified by TOSHIBA to avoid any
risk of fire or other damage to the computer. Use of an incompatible
AC adaptor could cause fire or damage to the computer possibly
resulting in serious injury. TOSHIBA assumes no liability for any
damage caused by use of an incompatible adaptor.

AC adaptor

Power cord/cable

AC adaptor cord

(Sample Illustration) Power cord/cable and AC adaptor

To connect AC power to the computer:

1 Connect the power cord/cable to the AC adaptor.

(Sample Illustration) Connecting the power cord/cable to the AC

adaptor

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.
38 Getting Started
Connecting to a power source

_ + 2 Plug the AC adaptor cord into the DC-IN on the side of the
computer.

(Sample Illustration) Connecting the AC adaptor cord to the

computer

3 Connect the power cord/cable to a live electrical outlet.

The AC power light on the indicator panel glows.

Never attempt to connect or disconnect a power plug with wet hands.

Failure to follow this instruction could result in an electric shock,
possibly resulting in serious injury.

The computer’s main battery light gives you an indication of

the main battery’s current charge:
❖ Glows amber while the main battery is being charged
(AC adaptor connected)
❖ Glows when the main battery is fully charged
❖ Is unlit when the main battery has discharged, the battery
is not charging, or the AC adaptor is not plugged into the
computer or AC outlet
❖ Flashes amber when the main battery charge is low and it
is time to recharge the main battery or plug in the AC
adaptor

NOTE If the AC power light flashes amber during charging, either the main
battery is malfunctioning, or it is not receiving correct input from the
AC power supply.
 Getting Started
Charging the main battery 39
Charging the main battery
NOTE The computer battery is not accessible by the user.

Before using the battery to power the computer, you must charge
the battery.
To charge the battery, leave the computer plugged into an AC power
source with the computer turned off until the battery light glows
white. After that, the battery will be completely charged and ready
to power the computer.

NOTE Battery life and charge time may vary depending on the
applications, power management settings, and features used.

Using the computer for the first time

The computer is now ready for you to turn it on and begin using it.

NOTE When opening or closing the display panel, place one hand on the
palm rest to hold the computer in place and use the other hand to
slowly open or close the display panel.

To avoid damaging the display panel, do not force it beyond the point
where it moves easily and never lift the computer by the display
panel.
Do not press or push on the display panel and be careful to remove
any pens or other objects from the keyboard area before closing the
display panel.

Small bright dots may appear on your screen display when you
turn on your computer. Your display contains an extremely large
number of thin-film transistors (TFT) and is manufactured using
high-precision technology. Any small bright dots that may appear
on your display are an intrinsic characteristic of the TFT
manufacturing technology. Over a period of time, and depending on
the usage of the computer, the brightness of the screen will
deteriorate. This is also an intrinsic characteristic of the screen
technology. When the computer is operated on battery power, the
screen will dim and you may not be able to increase the brightness
of the screen while on battery power.
40 Getting Started
Registering your computer with Toshiba

Setting up your software

When you turn on the computer for the first time, do not turn off the
power again until the operating system has loaded completely.

NOTE The names of windows displayed, and the order in which windows
appear, may vary according to your software setup choices.

The first time you turn on your computer, the Setup Wizard guides
you through steps to set up your software. Follow the on-screen
instructions.

Registering your computer with Toshiba

Product registration is strongly recommended, and allows Toshiba
to send you periodic updates, announcements, and special offers
applicable to your product. Product registration can be completed
by either visiting the Toshiba Web site at register.toshiba.com, or by
clicking the Start button, and then in the Search field, typing
Registration. In the list that appears above, click on your selection.
Failure to complete Product Registration will not diminish
Customer rights under the Toshiba standard limited Warranty.

NOTE To register online, an Internet connection is required.

Adding optional external devices

NOTE Before adding external devices or memory, Toshiba recommends
setting up your software. See “Setting up your software” on page 40.

After starting your computer for the first time, you may want to:
❖ Connect external devices (see “Connecting an external device”
on page 64)
❖ Connect an external monitor (see “Using external display
devices” on page 64)

Adding memory (optional)

Your computer comes with enough memory to run most of today’s
popular applications. You may want to increase the computer’s
memory if you use complex software or process large amounts of
data. Contact the location you purchased the computer at for more
 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive 41
information on adding memory to your computer. Toshiba will not
be responsible for any product damage, data loss, service or part
replacement made necessary by improper installation of a memory
module.

Recovering the Internal Storage Drive

NOTE To purchase an optional external writable optical disc drive or a USB
Flash drive, visit the Toshiba Web site at accessories.toshiba.com.

Your computer includes recovery utilities to allow you to recover

your internal storage drive if necessary.
The following internal storage drive recovery options are available:
Recovery option Description
Recover to out-of-box This option restores the original factory image to your
state internal storage drive, returning your computer to its
out-of-box state. (Recommended recovery method)
See “Recovering to out-of-box state (recommended
recovery method)” on page 42.
Recovery of factory This option recovers the factory default software, while
default software with the computer attempts to back up all data from C:\Users.
user’s data
See “Recovering of factory default software with user’s
data” on page 45.
Recover without This option recovers just your C: drive, leaving any other
changing the internal partitions you may have created (for example, a D: drive)
storage drive partitions intact.
See “Recovering without changing the internal storage
drive partitions” on page 48.
Recover to a custom This option allows you to specify a custom size for
size partition the C: partition and then restores your C: drive to its
out-of-box state. Note: With this option, any changes you
made to the C: drive and any other drive partitions you
may have created are deleted.
See “Recovering to a custom size partition” on page 50.

A recovery image of your computer is stored on the internal storage

drive, and the image can be restored by running the recovery
utilities directly from your internal storage drive as described in the
sections below. However, it is strongly recommended that you
create recovery media. If the recovery files on your internal storage
drive become corrupted or are deleted, you can restore your system
42 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive

from your recovery media. Also, if your original internal storage

drive fails, you can restore your system to a new internal storage
drive from your recovery media. It is strongly recommended that
you create recovery media before using your system for the first
time. See “Creating recovery media” on page 53 and “Restoring
from recovery media” on page 55.

NOTE ❖ During the internal storage drive recovery process it is strongly

recommended that your computer be connected to an external
power source via the AC adaptor.
❖ The Toshiba Recovery Wizard also provides the option of erasing
your internal storage drive, without restoring the information on
the drive. See “Erasing the Internal Storage Drive” on page 57 for
more information.
❖ When you restore your system, only the operating system files,
applications, and drivers originally shipped with the computer
are restored. Any files that you created are not restored during
this process. Be sure to separately save the files you have
created to external media using Windows® Backup or another
backup program. For more information, see “Backing up your
work” on page 74.

Recovering to out-of-box state (recommended recovery method)

Recovering an internal storage drive to its out-of-box state deletes all

partitions on the drive and all information stored in those partitions.
Be sure to save your work to external media before executing the
recovery. For more information, see “Backing up your work” on
page 74.

NOTE During the recovery process it is strongly recommended that your

computer be connected to an external power source via the AC
adaptor.

You can recover the original factory image (returning the computer
to its out-of-box state) using the utilities stored on your computer’s
internal storage drive or using recovery media, if you have created
such media. To recover using the first method, follow the procedure
below. To recover using the second method, see “Restoring from
recovery media” on page 55.
 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive 43
To recover the original factory image using the utilities on your
computer’s internal storage drive:
1 Make sure the computer is turned off.
2 While powering on your computer, press the F12 key when the
initial TOSHIBA screen displays.
The Boot menu appears.
3 Using the arrow keys to scroll down, select the HDD Recovery
option, and then press the ENTER key.
4 If your system offers a choice of Windows® 7 32-bit or 64-bit
operating system, select one at this time. If not, skip to step 5.
5 A warning screen appears, stating that when the recovery is
executed all data will be deleted and rewritten. Click Yes to
continue.

(Sample Image) Warning screen

44 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive

6 When the Toshiba Recovery Wizard opens and the Selecting a

process screen displays, select Recovery of Factory Default
Software and then click Next.

(Sample Image) Selecting a Process screen

7 The Recovery of Factory Default Software screen appears.

Select Recover to out-of-box state.

(Sample Image) Recovery of Factory Default Software screen

8 Click Next.
A confirmation message displays reminding you that all data
will be lost during the recovery process. Be sure to save your
work to external media before proceeding (see “Backing up
your work” on page 74).
 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive 45
9 Click Next to begin the recovery.
When the recovery process is complete, a message displays
indicating that the internal storage drive has been recovered.
10 Click Finish to restart the computer.

Recovering of factory default software with user’s data

Using “Recovery of Factory Default Software with user’s data”

recovers your internal storage drive to factory default state and
attempts to save C:\Users data to C:\Backup. Toshiba does not
guarantee successful data back-up. Please make a complete back up
of your data to external media before executing the recovery. For
more information, see “Backing up your work” on page 74.

NOTE During the recovery process it is strongly recommended that your

computer be connected to an external power source via the AC
adaptor.

You can recover the factory default software, while the computer
will attempt to back up all of the data from the C:\Users using the
utilities stored on your computer’s internal storage drive:

TECHNICAL NOTE: The data from C:\Users will be copied into the
C:\backup%current date% folder. The directory structure will be
retained, however all of the data will be moved to this folder during
the recovery process. As a result, any user can access the folders
under C:\backup%current date%. To return the data to your private
account, you will need to recreate a new account, and drag and drop
the data into your personal folders.

1 Make sure the computer is turned off.

2 While powering on your computer, press the F12 key when the
initial TOSHIBA screen displays.
The Boot menu appears.
3 Using the arrow keys to scroll down, select the HDD Recovery
option, and then press the ENTER key.
4 If your system offers a choice of Windows® 7 32-bit or 64-bit
operating system, select one at this time. If not, skip to step 5.
5 A warning screen appears, stating that when the recovery is
executed, all data will be deleted and rewritten unless the
46 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive

“Recovery of Factory Default Software with user’s data”

option is selected in the next step. Click Yes to continue.

(Sample Image) Warning screen

6 When the Toshiba Recovery Wizard opens and the “Selecting a

process” screen displays, select Recovery of Factory Default
Software with user’s data, and then click Next.

(Sample Image) Selecting a process screen

7 A warning screen appears, stating the Toshiba Recovery

Wizard will “attempt” to save all data. There is a risk that the
Toshiba Recovery Wizard may not be able to save all data
during the recovery process.
 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive 47
Toshiba does not guarantee successful data back up. Be sure to save
your work to external media before executing the recovery
(see “Backing up your work” on page 74).

8 Click Yes to continue.

(Sample Image) Warning screen

9 When the recovery process is complete, the “Recovery of

Factory Default Software” screen appears, indicating that the
recovery process is complete. Click Finish to restart the
computer.

(Sample Image) Recovery of Factory Default Software - Recovery complete

48 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive

Recovering without changing the internal storage drive partitions

Recovering without changing the internal storage drive partitions

deletes all information stored on the C: drive. Be sure to save your
work to external media before executing the recovery (see “Backing
up your work” on page 74). If you have created other partitions
(for example, a D: drive), those partitions will remain intact and any
information on them will not be affected.

NOTE During the internal storage drive recovery process it is strongly

recommended that your computer be connected to an external power
source via the AC adaptor.

You can recover the C: drive without affecting other partitions by

either using the utilities stored on your computer’s internal storage
drive or by using recovery media, if you have created such media.
To recover using the first method, follow the procedure below. To
recover using the second method, see “Restoring from recovery
media” on page 55.
To recover using the utilities on your computer’s internal storage
drive:
1 Make sure the computer is turned off.
2 While powering on your computer, press the F12 key when the
initial TOSHIBA screen displays.
The Boot menu appears.
3 Using the arrow keys to scroll down, select the HDD Recovery
option, and then press the ENTER key.
4 If your system offers a choice of Windows® 7 32-bit or 64-bit
operating system, select one at this time. If not, skip to step 5.
 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive 49
5 A warning screen appears stating that when the recovery is
executed all data will be deleted and rewritten. Click Yes to
continue.

(Sample Image) Warning screen

6 When the Toshiba Recovery Wizard opens and the Selecting a

process screen displays, select Recovery of Factory Default
Software and then click Next.

(Sample Image) Selecting a Process screen

50 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive

7 The Recovery of Factory Default Software screen appears.

Select Recover without changing the hard drive partitions.

(Sample Image) Recovery of Factory Default Software screen

8 Click Next.
A confirmation message displays reminding you that all data
on the C: drive will be lost during the recovery process. Be sure
to save your work to external media before proceeding (see
“Backing up your work” on page 74).
9 Click Next to begin the recovery.
When the recovery process is complete, a message displays,
indicating that the C: drive has been recovered.
10 Click Finish to restart the computer.

Recovering to a custom size partition

Recovering to a custom size partition deletes all partitions on the

drive and all information stored in those partitions. Be sure to save
your work to external media before executing the recovery. For more
information, see “Backing up your work” on page 74.

NOTE During the recovery process it is strongly recommended that your

computer be connected to an external power source via the AC
adaptor.

The “Recover to a custom size partition” option restores your C:

drive to its out-of-box state, and allows you to specify the size for
the C: partition. You can resize and recover the C: drive using the
 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive 51
utilities stored on your computer’s internal storage drive or using
recovery media, if you have created such media. To recover using
the first method, follow the procedure below. To recover using the
second method, see “Restoring from recovery media” on page 55.
To resize and recover the C: drive using the utilities on your
computer’s internal storage drive:
1 Make sure the computer is turned off.
2 While powering on your computer, press the F12 key when the
initial TOSHIBA screen displays.
The Boot menu appears.
3 Using the arrow keys to scroll down, select the HDD Recovery
option, and then press the ENTER key.
4 If your system offers a choice of Windows® 7 32-bit or 64-bit
operating system, select one at this time. If not, skip to step 5.
5 A warning screen appears, stating that when the recovery is
executed all data will be deleted and rewritten. Click Yes to
continue.

(Sample Image) Warning screen

52 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive

6 When the Toshiba Recovery Wizard opens and the Selecting a

process screen displays, select Recovery of Factory Default
Software and then click Next.

(Sample Image) Selecting a Process screen

7 The Recovery of Factory Default Software screen appears.

Select Recover to a custom size partition.

(Sample Image) Recovery of Factory Default Software screen

8 Use the on-screen arrow buttons in The size of drive C: field

to set the partition size.
9 Click Next.
A confirmation message displays reminding you that all data
will be lost during the recovery process. Be sure to save your
work to external media before proceeding (see “Backing up
your work” on page 74).
 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive 53
10 Click Next to begin the recovery.
When the recovery process is complete, a message displays
indicating that the C: drive has been recovered.
11 Click Finish to restart the computer.

Creating recovery media

NOTE To purchase an optional external writable optical disc drive for

creating recovery DVDs, please visit the Toshiba Web site at
accessories.toshiba.com.

It is strongly recommended that you create recovery media. If the

recovery files on your internal storage drive become corrupted or
are deleted, you can restore your system from your recovery media.
Also, if your original internal storage drive fails, you can restore
your system to a new internal storage drive from your recovery
media.

NOTE When you create recovery media, only the operating system files,
applications, and drivers originally shipped with the computer are
backed up to the external media and can be restored from this media.
Any files that you created are not backed up on the recovery media.
You will need to separately back up the files you created; for more
information, see “Backing up your work” on page 74.

When you create recovery media, the system will prompt you to
insert several blank DVDs or connect one or more USB flash drives
of a certain minimum capacity to your computer. The amount of
space required for storing the recovery files varies by computer
model. Follow the procedure below to determine how much space
you will need for storing your system’s recovery files.
To create recovery media, you will need an optional external
writable optical disc drive and blank DVDs or a USB flash drive.
54 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive

To create recovery media:

1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
Recovery Media Creator. In the list that appears above, click
your selection.
The TOSHIBA Recovery Media Creator dialog box displays.

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA Recovery Media Creator dialog box

2 Select DVD or USB Flash from the drop-down list, depending

on the type of external media you want to use.

NOTE If an external optical disc drive is attached, the DVD option becomes
available in the dialog box.

3 Check the Information area of the dialog box to determine the

number of DVDs you will need and/or the minimum amount of
storage space required for copying your system’s recovery files
to USB flash drive(s).
4 Do one of the following:
❖ If you are copying files to DVD, connect an optional
external writable optical disc drive to your computer and
insert a blank DVD into the drive.
❖ If you are copying files to a USB flash drive, connect a
USB flash drive of the required minimum capacity (as
specified in the TOSHIBA Recovery Media Creator
utility) to your computer.
 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive 55
All information stored on your DVDs or USB flash drive(s) will be
erased during the process of creating the recovery media. Be sure to
save the information stored on your external media to another
storage device before executing this procedure, or use blank media.

5 Click the Create button in the TOSHIBA Recovery Media

Creator utility dialog box.
6 Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the copy process.

NOTE If you are copying the recovery files to DVDs, be sure to label each
DVD in the set sequentially (for example, “1 of 3,” “2 of 3,” etc.), so
that you will know in which order to insert the discs during recovery.

For information on using the Recovery media you have created with
the preceding steps, see “Restoring from recovery media” on
page 55.

Restoring from recovery media

The recovery process deletes information stored on the internal

storage drive. Be sure to save your work to external media before
executing the recovery (see “Backing up your work” on page 74).

NOTE During the internal storage drive recovery process it is strongly

recommended that your computer be connected to an external power
source via the AC adaptor.

If you have created recovery media for your system, you can restore
your system from such media, if necessary. For example, if your
original internal storage drive fails, you can restore your system to a
new internal storage drive from your recovery media. For
instructions on creating recovery media, see “Creating recovery
media” on page 53.
With recovery media, you can:
❖ Recover to out-of-box state (recommended recovery method)
❖ Recovery of factory default software with user’s data
❖ Recover without changing the internal storage drive partitions
❖ Recover to a custom size partition
56 Getting Started
Recovering the Internal Storage Drive

For more information on these options, see “Recovering the

Internal Storage Drive” on page 41.

NOTE When you restore your system, only the operating system files,
applications, and drivers originally shipped with the computer are
restored. Any files that you created are not restored during this
process. Be sure to separately save the files you have created to
external media using Windows® Backup or another backup program.
For more information, see “Backing up your work” on page 74.

To recover your internal storage drive from recovery media:

1 Make sure your computer is turned off.
2 Do one of the following:
❖ If your recovery files are on DVDs, insert the first recovery
DVD into your optional external writable optical disc
drive. Consult the documentation that came with your
optical disc drive to learn how to load the DVD while the
computer is powered off.
❖ If your recovery files are on a USB flash drive, connect the
USB flash drive to your computer.
3 Turn on your computer. When the initial TOSHIBA screen
displays, press the F12 key on your keyboard.
The Boot menu displays.
4 Using the arrow keys, select the DVD option or the USB Flash
option, depending on which type of media you are using, and
then press the Enter key.
5 A warning screen appears, stating that when the recovery is
executed all data on your internal storage drive will be deleted
and rewritten. Click Yes to continue.
6 When the Toshiba Recovery Wizard opens and the Selecting a
Process screen displays, select Recovery of Factory Default
Software and then click Next.
7 Select one of the following options:
❖ Recover to out-of-box state (recommended recovery
method)—If you want to recover the original factory
image
❖ Recovery of factory default software with user’s data—If
you want to the recovery the factory default software, while the
computer attempts to back up all data from C:\Users
 Getting Started
Erasing the Internal Storage Drive 57
❖ Recover without changing the hard drive partitions—If
you want to recover the C: partition only, leaving other
partitions you have created intact
❖ Recover to a custom size partition—If you want to
recover the C: drive to its out-of-box state and specify a
custom size for the C: drive. Note: This option deletes all
other partitions from the drive.
8 Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the recovery
process.
When the process is complete, a message displays indicating
that the drive has been recovered.
9 Click Finish to restart the computer.

Erasing the Internal Storage Drive

Erasing the internal storage drive will delete all data on the drive,
including the partitions. Be sure to create recovery media and back
up your data to external media before erasing the internal storage
drive.

NOTE If you want to restore the internal storage drive, use one of the
recovery options instead of erasing the drive. For more information,
see “Recovering the Internal Storage Drive” on page 41.

To delete all data and partitions from the internal storage drive:
1 Access the Toshiba Recovery Wizard on your internal storage
drive or on your recovery media.
❖ To access the Recovery Wizard on your internal
storage drive: While powering on your computer, press
the F12 key when the initial TOSHIBA screen displays.
The Boot menu appears. Using the arrow keys to scroll
down, select the HDD Recovery option, and then press
the ENTER key. Read the Warning screen that displays, and
then click Yes to continue.
❖ To access the Recovery Wizard on your recovery
media: Turn off your computer. Insert the first recovery
DVD into your optional external writable optical disc
drive or connect the USB flash drive containing your
recovery files to your computer, and then power on the
computer. When the initial TOSHIBA screen displays,
press F12. Using the arrow keys, select the DVD or USB
58 Getting Started
Erasing the Internal Storage Drive

Flash option on the Boot menu, depending on which type

of media you are using, and then press the Enter key. Select
Toshiba Recovery Wizard, and then click Next.
2 Select Erase the hard disk and then click Next.
3 Choose one of the following options on the Erase the hard disk
screen:
❖ Delete all data and partitions from the hard disk—This
option deletes all of the data on the internal storage drive
without overwriting the drive.
❖ Delete all partitions and overwrite all sectors on the
hard disk—This option deletes all data and then
overwrites the entire internal storage drive for security
purposes. This process may take several hours, depending
on the size of your internal storage drive.

(Sample Image) Erase the hard disk screen

4 Click Next.
A confirmation message displays reminding you that all data
on the internal storage drive will be lost. Be sure you have
saved your work to external media (see “Backing up your
work” on page 74) and created recovery media (see “Creating
recovery media” on page 53) before proceeding.
5 Click Next to begin erasing the internal storage drive.
When the process is complete, a message displays, indicating
that the internal storage drive has been erased.
6 Click Finish to restart the computer.
 Getting Started
Checking the internal storage drive operating status 59
Checking the internal storage drive operating status
After restoring your internal storage drive, you can check its status
as follows:
1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
Computer Management. In the list that appears above, click
your selection.
2 Click Disk Management.

Installing drivers and applications

The TOSHIBA Application Installer allows you to reinstall the
drivers and applications that were originally bundled with your
computer.
To reinstall drivers and applications:
1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
TOSHIBA Application Installer. In the list that appears
above, click your selection.

Start button
(Sample Image) Start button

2 Click Next.
3 Click the item you want to install.
4 Click Install.
5 Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation
process.
60 Getting Started
Using the touch pad

Using the touch pad

NOTE Some of the touch pad operations described in this section are only
supported in certain applications.

You can use the touch pad (the small, touch-sensitive area in front
of the keyboard) and the adjacent control buttons to:
❖ Move the pointer on the screen
❖ Select an item on the screen
❖ Open or activate an item on the screen
❖ Scroll through a document or information
❖ Zoom in for a close-up view
❖ Zoom out to see more information at once

touch pad

Primary control button Secondary control button

(Sample Illustration) The touch pad and associated control buttons

Refer to the table below for specific instructions on performing

each operation.

NOTE The pointer is the icon (usually an arrow) that moves on the screen
when you slide your finger across the touch pad or move a mouse
connected to your computer.
 Getting Started
Using the touch pad 61
To: Do the following: Example:
Move the on-screen Slide your finger across the touch pad in the
pointer direction you want to move the pointer.
To move the pointer a longer distance, slide
your finger several times across the touch
pad in the preferred direction.
(Sample Illustration)
Pointer moves to the right
Select an item 1 Move the pointer to the item you want to
select.
2 Do one of the following:
❖ Tap the touch pad once
OR
❖ Press and release the primary (Sample Illustration)
(left-hand) control button Tap once to select
Open or activate an 1 Move the pointer to the item you want to
item open/activate.
2 Do one of the following:
❖ Tap the touch pad twice in rapid
succession
OR
(Sample Illustration)
❖ Press and release the primary Tap twice to open
control button twice in rapid
succession
Right-click an item 1 Move the pointer to the item you want to
right-click.
2 Press and release the secondary control
button.
This feature varies by program. Check your
program documentation for specific
instructions on right-clicking. (Sample Illustration)
Click the secondary
(right-hand) control
button
Scroll vertically Slide your finger along the right edge of the
touch pad in the direction you want to scroll.
Repeat to scroll a longer distance.

(Sample Illustration)
Vertical scrolling active
area
62 Getting Started
Using the touch pad

To: Do the following: Example:

Scroll horizontally Slide your finger along the bottom edge of
the touch pad in the direction you want to
scroll. Repeat to scroll a longer distance.

(Sample Illustration)
Horizontal scrolling
active area
Scroll continuously 1 Begin scrolling vertically or horizontally
(Circular scrolling) by sliding your finger along the right or
bottom edge of the touch pad as
described above.
2 Without lifting your finger from the
touch pad, start moving your finger in a (Sample Illustration)
circular motion on the touch pad. Circular scrolling
3 To scroll in the opposite direction, (vertically)
reverse the direction of the circular
motion.
4 To stop scrolling, lift your finger off of
the touch pad.

To enable circular scrolling, click on the

Mouse icon in the Optimize tab of Toshiba
Assist. Click the Device Settings tab and then (Sample Illustration)
click on Settings. Double-click on Scrolling Circular scrolling
and then double-click on One-Finger (horizontally)
Scrolling. Enable Chiral Motion scrolling
and click OK.

Zoom in/out To zoom in:

❖ Place two fingers close together on
the touch pad and then slide them
apart.

(Sample Illustration)
Zooming in

To zoom out:
❖ Place two fingers slightly apart on
the touch pad and then slide them
together.

(Sample Illustration)
Zooming out
 Getting Started
Using the touch pad 63
Adjusting touch pad settings
While you are typing, the on-screen pointer may seem to move or
jump around “by itself” to random locations on the screen. The
on-screen pointer may also seem to automatically select text, click
buttons, and activate other user interface elements. For help with
these problems, try one or more of the following:
❖ Try adjusting your typing technique to avoid accidental contact
with the touch pad. You may be inadvertently brushing the
touch pad with the heel of your hand as you type. Also,
accidental light touches or taps on the touch pad may select an
item or text on the screen, and potentially the item or text may
be replaced by the next character you type.
❖ Temporarily disable the touch pad, so that it does not respond
to touch or button presses while you type. See “Disabling or
enabling the touch pad” on page 63.
❖ Disable the tapping feature. If you disable tapping only, you
can still use the touch pad’s control buttons and move the
pointer by sliding your finger on the touch pad.
❖ Adjust the sensitivity of the touch pad, so that it is less
responsive to accidental light taps and lighter finger pressure.

NOTE Touch pad setting options vary by computer model. The touch pad
settings are accessible through the Mouse Properties option of the
Windows Control Panel. For more information, please visit
support.toshiba.com.

Disabling or enabling the touch pad

The touch pad is enabled by default. To enable/disable the touch
pad, press F5. For more information, see “Disabling or enabling the
touch pad” on page 147.

NOTE Alternately, you can disable only the tapping feature. If you disable
tapping only, you can still use the touch pad’s control buttons and
move the pointer by sliding your finger on the touch pad. To disable
tapping only, use the Mouse Properties option in the Windows®
Control Panel.
64 Getting Started
Connecting an external device

Connecting an external device

Depending on your computer model, it may include USB 3.0 port(s).
To distinguish these ports, please look for the blue inset within the
USB 3.0 port (if available).

You can easily attach an external device to your computer.

To do this:
1 Read the directions that came with the device to see if you first
need to install new software.
2 Connect the device’s video or USB cable to the port on the
computer and to the device.
3 Connect the device’s power cable to a live electrical outlet
(if applicable).
4 Turn on the external device (if applicable).
Your computer may automatically detect the external device.

Using external display devices

Your computer comes with a built-in display, but you can also
connect an HDMI®-compatible television or external display device
via the HDMI® out port.

NOTE To locate your HDMI® port, please refer to your Quick Start
document.

HDMI® Out port

(Sample Illustration) Video port

Selecting video cables

To connect a device to the HDMI® Out port, you must purchase an
HDMI® cable.
 Getting Started
Using external display devices 65
Connecting an HDMI®-compatible television or display device
To connect an HDMI®-compatible television or display device to
the computer:
❖ Connect one end of an HDMI® cable (not included with your
computer) to the HDMI® Out port on the side of your
computer, and then connect the other end of the cable to your
television or display device. Refer to the manual that came
with the television or display device for more information.
Your computer will automatically detect the external display
device.

NOTE In the future you can change the display settings by pressing F4, or
by configuring the display properties settings.

Directing the display output when you turn on the computer

Once you have connected an external display device, you can
choose to use the internal display only, the external device only, or
both simultaneously.

NOTE Some modes are only available with the appropriate device attached
and turned on.

The quickest way to change the display output settings is to use the
display hot key (F4):
Press F4 repeatedly until the setting you want takes effect. Briefly
pause each time you press the F4 key to allow time for the display to
change.
This hot key cycles through the settings in the following order (the
last two options are available if an external monitor is connected):
❖ Built-in display only
❖ Built-in display and external monitor simultaneously
❖ External monitor only
❖ Built-in display and external monitor (extended desktop)
66 Getting Started
Customizing your computer’s settings

❖ Swap - Switch primary display between internal display

and external monitor when using extended desktop

(Sample Image) Display options window

Adjusting the quality of the external display

To obtain the best picture quality from your television (or other
video display device), you may need to adjust the video settings.
See the video device documentation for additional configuration
steps.

Customizing your computer’s settings

There are several ways in which you can customize your computer
to suit your particular requirements. Refer to your operating system
documentation or Help and Support for details.
You may also wish to customize your power usage settings. For
more information, see “Power Plans” on page 83. There are
additional custom settings you can choose. See “Utilities” on
page 96.

Caring for your computer

This section gives tips on cleaning and moving your computer. For
information about taking care of your computer’s battery, see
“Safety precautions” on page 85.

NOTE Please handle your computer carefully to avoid scratching or

damaging the surface.
 Getting Started
Caring for your computer 67
Cleaning the computer

Keep liquids, including cleaning fluid, out of the computer’s

keyboard, speaker, and other openings. Never spray cleaner directly
onto the computer and/or display. Never use harsh or caustic
chemical products to clean the computer.

To keep your computer clean, gently wipe the display panel and
exterior case with a lightly dampened cloth.

Moving the computer

Before moving your computer, even across the room, make sure
that all drive activity has ended and that all external peripheral
cables are disconnected.

Do not pick up the computer by its display panel or by the back.

Doing so could damage the system.

Using a computer lock

You may want to secure your computer to a heavy object such as
your desk. The easiest way to do this is to purchase an optional
computer lock cable. For more information on purchasing a cable
lock, visit accessories.toshiba.com.

(Sample Illustration) Computer lock cable

To secure the computer:

1 Wrap the cable through or around some part of a heavy object.
Make sure there is no way for a potential thief to slip the cable
off the object.
2 Pass the locking end through the loop.
68 Getting Started
Caring for your computer

3 Insert the cable’s locking end into the security lock slot on your
computer, then engage the locking device.
The computer is now securely locked.

(Sample Illustration) Attaching security lock cable

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 internal storage drive. 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 73 for further information.

HINT: Some programs have an automatic save feature that can be

activated. This feature saves your file to the internal storage drive at
preset intervals. See your software documentation for details.

69
70 Learning the Basics
Using the keyboard

❖ Back up your files to external media on a regular basis. Label

the backup copies clearly and store them in a safe place.
It is easy to put off backing up because it takes time. However,
if your internal storage drive suddenly fails, you will lose all
the data on it unless you have a separate backup copy. For more
information, see “Data and system configuration backup in the
Windows® operating system” on page 136.
❖ Use Error-checking and Disk Defragmenter regularly to check
and optimize disk space and improve performance.
❖ Scan all new files for viruses.
This precaution is especially important for files you receive via
external media, email, or download from the Internet.
❖ Take frequent breaks to avoid repetitive-motion injuries and
eyestrain.
❖ Do not turn off the computer if a drive indicator light indicates
a drive is active.
Turning off the computer while it is reading from or writing to
a disk may damage the disk, the drive, or both.

NOTE The Windows® operating system records information, such as your

desktop setup, during its shutdown procedure. If you do not let the
Windows® operating system shut down normally, details such as
new icon positions may be lost.

Using the keyboard

Your computer’s keyboard contains character keys, control keys,
function keys, and special Windows® keys, providing all the
functionality of a full-size keyboard.

(Sample Illustration) Keyboard

 Learning the Basics
Using the keyboard 71
Character keys
Typing with the character keys is very much like typing on a
typewriter, except that:
❖ The space bar creates a space character instead of just passing
over an area of the page.
❖ The lowercase letter l (el) and the number 1 are not
interchangeable.
❖ The uppercase letter O and the number 0 are not
interchangeable.

Function keys
The function keys (not to be confused with the Fn key) are the 12
keys at the top of the keyboard, labeled F1 through F12.

(Sample Illustration) Function keys

These keys are called function keys because they execute

programmed functions when pressed. Function keys marked with
icons offer convenient control of especially useful computer
functions (adjustment of display brightness, for example). The
Function keys on this computer are operated simply by pressing
them, but it's also possible to configure them to work in conjunction
with the Fn key, as on some other computer models. To enable the
Fn functionality, please refer to “TOSHIBA Hardware Setup” on
page 110.

Special Windows® keys

Windows® key

Application key

(Sample Illustration) Special Windows® keys

Your computer’s keyboard has one key and one button that have
special functions in Windows®:
❖ Windows® key—Opens the Start menu
❖ Application key—Has a similar function as the secondary
mouse button
72 Learning the Basics
Starting a program

NOTE To capture a print screen of the entire screen, press the PRTSC key.

Backlit keyboard
(Available on certain models) Your keyboard may have a backlight
illumination feature. If the keyboard backlight setting is set to Auto,
the backlight turns on when you type on the keyboard and turns off
after a certain interval when you stop typing. You can modify the
time-out interval or change the keyboard backlight setting to always
on or always off using the Fn + Z keys.

Starting a program
The easiest way to start a program is to double-click the name of
the file that contains the information you want to work on. To find
the file, use the Start menu or Windows® Explorer.
If you prefer to open the program first, you have four options. You can:
❖ Use the Search programs and files field in the Start menu
❖ Double-click the icon for the program on your desktop
❖ Use the Start Menu
The next two sections explain how to start a program from the Start
menu and the Search programs and files field.

Starting a program using the Search programs and files field

This example uses the Start menu’s Search programs and files field
to start WordPad:
1 Click Start to display the Start menu.
The Search programs and files field appears at the bottom of
the Start menu.

Search programs
and files field

(Sample Image) Search programs and files field in Start menu

 Learning the Basics
Saving your work 73
2 Start typing the program’s name (wordpad) in the Search
programs and files field.
As you type, all matching files and programs are displayed in a
separate window.
3 In the search results window, click WordPad under Programs.

Starting a program from the Start menu

When you install a program, the operating system usually puts an
icon in the All Programs menu. To start a program that has an icon
in the All Programs menu, follow these steps, which use the
Windows® WordPad program as an example:
1 Click Start, and then All Programs.
The Windows® operating system displays the All Programs
menu, which lists programs and program groups. If your
program is listed, go to step 3, otherwise, continue with step 2.

NOTE If you pause with your mouse on All Programs, it will open it up. You
may need to scroll up or down to see the complete list.

2 Click the program group, in this example, Accessories.

The Accessories menu is displayed.
3 Click the program, in this example, WordPad.
WordPad opens.
To close the program, click the Close button in the upper-right
corner of the program’s window.

Saving your work

Before you turn off the computer using the Shut down command,
save your work on the internal storage drive, external media, flash
media, or optical disc. This is one of the most important rules of
computing.
When you turn off the computer using the Sleep or Hibernate
commands, your work should be there when you resume.
Many programs offer a feature that saves documents at regular
intervals. Check your program’s documentation to see if it has an
automatic save feature.
74 Learning the Basics
Backing up your work

Backing up your work

Back up all the files you create in case something happens to your
computer. You can back up your files to different types of media
such as CDs, DVDs, external storage media, or to a network, if
available.
To back up several files at one time, use the Microsoft® Windows®
Backup program preinstalled on the computer’s internal storage
drive. Also see “Backing up your data or your entire computer with
the Windows® operating system” on page 138.

HINT: Backing up all the files on your internal storage drive may take
a considerable amount of time and multiple CDs/DVDs. You may
prefer to use a high-capacity backup system, such as an external
hard drive.

Restoring your work

To restore information from your backup media to your internal
storage drive, use the Restore option in the Windows® Backup and
Restore program. Look in the online Help or your operating system
documentation for information on restoring files.

(Sample Image) Backup and Restore screen

TECHNICAL NOTE: When restoring files, the backup program

prompts you if you try to overwrite a file that already exists on the
internal storage drive. Make sure the backup version is the one you
want before overwriting the existing file.
 Learning the Basics
Toshiba’s online resources 75
Toshiba’s online resources
Toshiba maintains a number of online sites to which you can
connect. These sites provide information about Toshiba products,
give help with technical questions and keep you up to date with
future upgrades. For more information, see “Contacting Toshiba”
on page 141.
Chapter 3

Mobile Computing
This chapter covers all aspects of using your computer while
traveling.

Toshiba’s energy-saver design

Your computer enters a low-power suspension mode when it is not
being used, thereby conserving energy and saving money in the
process. It has a number of other features that enhance its energy
efficiency.
Many of these energy-saving features have been preset by Toshiba.
We recommend you leave these features active, allowing your
computer to operate at its maximum energy efficiency, so that you
can use it for longer periods while traveling.

Running the computer on battery power

The computer contains a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery that provides
power when you are away from an AC outlet. You can recharge it
many times.

Battery Notice
Battery life rating is for comparison purposes only, and does not
indicate the battery life that will be obtained by any individual user.
Actual battery life may vary considerably from specifications
depending on product model, configuration, applications, power

76
 Mobile Computing
Running the computer on battery power 77
management settings and features utilized, as well as the natural
performance variations produced by the design of individual
components. The battery life rating is only achieved on the select
models and configurations tested by Toshiba under the specific test
settings at the time of publication and is not an estimate of a
computer’s battery life under any conditions other than the specific
test settings.
Recharge time varies depending on usage. Battery may not charge
while the computer is consuming full power. After a period of time,
the battery will lose its ability to perform at maximum capacity and
will need to be replaced. This is normal for all batteries.
To ensure that the battery maintains its maximum capacity,
operate the computer on battery power at least once a month. The
Lithium-Ion battery has no memory effect so it is not necessary to
let the battery fully discharge each time. However, for better
accuracy of the battery meter, it is helpful to fully discharge the
battery periodically. Please see “Maintaining your battery” on
page 86 for procedures. If the computer is continuously operated on
AC power, either through an AC adaptor or a port replicator (if
applicable to your computer), for an extended period (more than a
month), the battery may fail to retain a charge. This may shorten the
life of the battery, and may cause the battery meter to be inaccurate.

NOTE For optimum optical media performance, it is recommended that you

play DVDs while running the computer on AC power. For more
information about Windows® power plans, see “Power Plans” on
page 83.

The computer also has an internal real-time-clock (RTC) battery.

The RTC battery powers the RTC memory that stores your system
configuration settings and the current time and date information. It
maintains this information for up to a month while the computer is
turned off.

TECHNICAL NOTE: Depending on your computer model, the RTC

battery may only charge while the computer is turned on.

Power management
Your computer ships with the power management options preset
to a configuration that will provide the most stable operating
environment and optimum system performance for both AC power
and battery modes.
78 Mobile Computing
Charging batteries

Changes to these settings may result in system performance or

stability issues. Users who are not completely familiar with the power
management component of the computer should use the preset
configuration. For assistance with setup changes, contact Toshiba’s
Customer Support Center.

Charging batteries
The battery needs to be charged before you can use it to power the
computer.

Always use the AC adaptor specified by Toshiba. You can

order a Toshiba AC adaptor from Toshiba’s Web site at
accessories.toshiba.com.

Charging the main battery

To charge the main battery, plug the computer into a live electrical
outlet. The battery charges whether the computer is on or off.

TECHNICAL NOTE: The recharging of the battery cannot occur when

your computer is using all of the power provided by the AC adaptor to
run applications, features, and devices. Your computer's Power Options
utility can be used to select a power level setting that reduces the power
required for system operation and will allow the battery to recharge.

The battery may not start charging immediately under the following
conditions:
❖ The battery is extremely hot or cold.
To ensure that the battery charges to its full capacity, wait until
it reaches room temperature (50 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit, 10 to
26 degrees Celsius).
❖ The battery is almost completely discharged.
Leave the power connected and the battery should begin
charging after a few minutes.

HINT: Once the battery is fully charged, we recommend that you

operate your computer on battery power until the battery discharges
completely. Doing this extends battery life and helps ensure accurate
monitoring of battery capacity.
 Mobile Computing
Monitoring main battery power 79
Please make a complete back up of your data to external media
before discharging the battery. For more information, see “Backing
up your work” on page 74.

Charging the RTC battery

Your computer has an internal real-time clock (RTC) battery. The
RTC battery powers the System Time Clock and BIOS memory
used to store your computer’s configuration settings. When fully
charged, it maintains this information for up to a month when the
computer is powered off.
The RTC battery may have become completely discharged while
your computer was shipped, resulting in a CMOS error message
during startup. The error message may vary by computer model.

NOTE Depending on your computer model, the RTC battery may only
charge while the computer is turned on.

To recharge the RTC battery, plug the computer into a live electrical
outlet and leave the computer powered on for 24 hours.

NOTE It is seldom necessary to charge the RTC battery because it charges

while the computer is on. If the RTC battery is low, the real-time
clock and calendar may display the incorrect time and date or stop
working.
When Hibernation mode is enabled and the RTC battery is
completely discharged, a warning prompts you to reset the real-time
clock.

The computer can be used while the RTC battery is being charged,
although the charging status of the RTC battery cannot be
monitored.

Monitoring main battery power

The computer’s main battery light gives you an indication of the
main battery’s current charge.
❖ Glows amber while the main battery is being charged
(AC adaptor connected)
❖ Glows white when the main battery is fully charged
80 Mobile Computing
Monitoring main battery power

❖ Is unlit when the battery has discharged, the battery is not

charging, or the AC adaptor is not plugged into the computer or
AC outlet

NOTE Battery life and charge time may vary, depending upon power
management settings, applications and features used.

❖ Flashes amber when the main battery charge is low and it is

time to recharge the main battery or plug in the AC adaptor

NOTE If the AC power light flashes amber during charging, either a battery
pack is malfunctioning, or it is not receiving correct input from the
AC power supply.

HINT: Be careful not to confuse the battery light ( ), the ON/OFF

light ( ), and the power button light.
When the ON/OFF light or power button light flashes amber, it
indicates that the computer is suspended (using the Windows®
operating system Sleep command).

System indicator lights

AC power light/Battery light

ON/OFF light
Wireless indicator light

(Sample Illustration) Power and battery light locations

 Mobile Computing
Monitoring main battery power 81
Determining remaining battery power

NOTE Wait a few moments after turning on the computer before trying to
monitor the remaining battery power. The computer needs this time
to check the battery’s remaining capacity and perform its
calculations.

Move the pointer over the power icon in the notification area, see
“Finding your way around the desktop” on page 89 for more
information on the notification area. A pop-up message displays the
remaining battery power as a percentage.
With repeated discharges and recharges, the battery’s capacity
gradually decreases. A frequently used older battery does not power
the computer for as long as a new battery, even when both are fully
charged.

TECHNICAL NOTE: The computer drains the battery faster at low

temperatures. Check your remaining charge frequently if you are
working in temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
The computer calculates the remaining battery charge based on your
current rate of power use and other factors such as the age of the
battery.

What to do when the main battery runs low

When the main battery runs low you can:
❖ Plug the computer into an external power source and recharge
the main battery
❖ Save your work and turn off the computer
If you do not manage to do any of these things before the main
battery completely runs out of power, the computer automatically
enters Hibernation mode and turns itself off. Hibernation mode
keeps track of where you were, so that when you turn on the power
again, you can continue where you left off.
If you have Hibernation mode enabled (the default), the computer
copies the details of your open programs and files to the internal
storage drive before shutting down.

Setting battery notifications

You can set two notifications. Each notification can be set to alert
you when a specified percentage of remaining battery power has
82 Mobile Computing
Monitoring main battery power

been reached. You can also set the computer to enter Sleep mode or
Hibernation mode or to completely power down when the
notification goes off.
To change the default notification settings:
1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
Power Options. In the list that appears above, click your
selection.
The Power Options window appears.
2 Click Change plan settings under the power plan to be
customized.
The Edit Plan Settings window appears.
3 Click Change advanced power settings.
The Advanced settings tab of the Power Options window
appears.
4 Double-click Battery to display the battery options.

(Sample Image) Advanced settings tab of Power Options screen

5 Configure the alarm settings to suit your needs.

Conserving battery power

How long a fully charged battery pack lasts when you are using the
computer depends on a number of factors, such as:
❖ How the computer is configured
❖ How much you use the internal storage drive or other optional
devices
 Mobile Computing
Monitoring main battery power 83
❖ Where you are working, since operating time decreases at low
temperatures
There are various ways in which you can conserve power and
extend the operating time of your battery:
❖ Enable Sleep or Hibernation, which saves power when you turn
off the computer and turn it back on again
❖ Use the Windows® power-saving option plans
These power-saving options control the way in which the computer
is configured. By using them, you can increase the length of time
you can use the computer before you need to recharge the battery.
Microsoft® has combined these options into preset Power Plans.
Using one of these power plans lets you choose between maximum
power savings and peak system performance. You may also set
individual power-saving options to suit your own needs.
The following sections describe how to choose a Power Plan and
discuss each power-saving option.

Power Plans
You can choose a predefined Power Plan or select your own
combination of power options. To do this:
1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
Power Options. In the list that appears above, click your
selection.
The Windows® Power Options window appears.

(Sample Image) Windows® Power Options window

84 Mobile Computing
Using the TOSHIBA eco power plan

2 Select an appropriate plan for your work environment or create

your own custom plan.
3 Click Create a power plan in the left pane to set up a new
plan.

NOTE To edit a plan or to edit advanced settings, continue to the following

steps.

4 Click Change plan settings to choose the plan you want to

edit.
This screen allows you to change basic settings.
5 Click Change advanced power settings to access settings for
battery notification levels, internal storage drive power save
time, etc.
You can click on the plus signs to expand each item and to see
what settings are available for each item.
6 Click OK to save the plan changes you have performed.
By default the two power plans eco and Balanced are satisfactory
for most people and do not need to be edited. The eco plan is the
best used for maximum battery time. The Balanced plan is a
compromise between battery time and performance.

Using the TOSHIBA eco power plan

This computer is equipped with the TOSHIBA eco power plan.
Operating the computer with this power plan enabled reduces
electrical power consumption by slightly lowering system
performance. For example, when this power plan is enabled, the
brightness of the display is reduced and the interval before Sleep
mode takes effect is shortened. To enable or disable the TOSHIBA
eco power plan, see “Power Plans” on page 83.
The TOSHIBA eco Utility™ monitors your power savings from
using the eco power plan by tracking real-time power consumption
and accumulated savings over time. To learn how to access the
utility, see “TOSHIBA eco Utility™” on page 117.
For more information on the TOSHIBA eco power plan, see the
Help file in the TOSHIBA eco Utility™ window.

Changing the main battery

When your main battery has run out of power, plug in the AC
adaptor.
 Mobile Computing
Taking care of your battery 85
If you find that a new battery is needed, contact the location where
you purchased the computer for more information on replacing the
battery. Toshiba will not be responsible for any product damage,
data loss, service or part replacement made necessary by improper
installation of a new battery.

If the computer is leaking or its case is cracked, put on protective

gloves to handle it.

Taking care of your battery

The following sections offer tips on how to take care of your battery
and prolong its life.

Safety precautions
Computer warning indicators
❖ Always immediately turn the power off and disconnect the power
cable/cord plug from the plug socket and stop using the
computer if you observe any of the following conditions:
❖ Offensive or unusual odor
❖ Excessive heat
❖ Discoloration
❖ Deformation, cracks, or leaks
❖ Smoke
❖ Other unusual event during use, such as abnormal sound
❖ Do not expose the computer to fire. The battery could explode.
Do not turn on the computer’s power again until an authorized
Toshiba service provider has checked it for safety. Continued use
could cause a fire or rupture possibly resulting in serious injury or
computer failure including but not limited to the loss of data.
86 Mobile Computing
Disposing of your computer

Maintaining your battery

Fully discharging your battery pack will allow better accuracy of
the battery meter.
To fully discharge your battery pack:
❖ Periodically, disconnect the computer from a power source and
operate it on battery power until the battery pack fully
discharges. Before doing so, follow the steps below:
1 Turn off the computer’s power.
2 Disconnect the AC adaptor and turn on the computer’s
power. If it does not turn on, go to step 4.
3 Operate the computer on battery power for five minutes. If
the battery pack has at least five minutes of operating time,
continue operating until the battery pack is fully
discharged. If the battery light flashes or there is some
other warning to indicate a low battery, go to step 4.
4 Connect the AC adaptor to the computer and the
power cord/cable to a power outlet. The DC-IN or AC
power-light should glow white, and the battery light
should glow amber to indicate that the battery pack is
being charged. If the DC-IN or AC power-light indicator
does not glow, power is not being supplied. Check the
connections for the AC adaptor and power cord/cable.
5 Charge the battery pack until the battery light glows white.
If you are not going to use the computer for more than eight hours,
disconnect the AC adaptor.

Disposing of your computer

Never attempt to dispose of a computer by burning or by
throwing it into a fire, and never allow exposure to a heating
apparatus (e.g., microwave oven). Heat can cause a computer to
explode and/or release caustic liquid, both which may possibly
cause serious injury.

Discard this computer in accordance with applicable laws and

regulations.
Disposal of this product may be regulated due to environmental
considerations. For disposal, reuse or recycling information, please
contact your local government.
 Mobile Computing
Traveling tips 87
In addition, Toshiba’s recycling initiatives include recycling
programs, events and consumer promotions. For details, please visit
us.toshiba.com/green.
Notice regarding CR coin cell batteries, applicable to California,
U.S.A. only:
Perchlorate Material - special handling may apply.
See dtsc.ca.gov/hazardouswaste/perchlorate/

Traveling tips
The environmental precautions listed in “Selecting a place to work”
on page 28, also apply while traveling.
❖ Never leave your computer on a sunny ledge or in a place
where it could get wet or covered in dust.
❖ Always travel with the computer in a carrying case. Toshiba
offers a choice of carrying cases for the computer. They all
provide plenty of extra space for manuals, power cords, and
compact discs. Contact your authorized Toshiba representative
for more information or visit Toshiba’s Web site at
accessories.toshiba.com.

TECHNICAL NOTE: When traveling by air, you may be required to

pass your computer through airport security equipment. The X-ray
equipment will not harm your computer.

NOTE Before using your computer aboard an aircraft, make sure the
Wireless antenna is OFF if your computer has wireless LAN
capability.

NOTE To enable or disable wireless communication, use the Hot Key F12.
For more information see “Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards” on page 144.
Chapter 4

Exploring Your Computer’s

Features
In this chapter, you will explore some of the special features of your
computer.

Exploring the desktop

The desktop is the launching pad for everything you can do in the
Windows® operating system. You can 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.

88
 Exploring Your Computer’s Features
Exploring the desktop 89
Finding your way around the desktop
Your computer’s desktop includes several standard features: icons,
Start button, taskbar, notification area, and background pattern.

Icons

Start button Taskbar Notification area

(Sample Image) Windows® operating system desktop

Icons
An icon represents a folder, file, or program that can be quickly
activated by double-clicking the icon.
You can create a new desktop icon for any folder, file, or program
by dragging the element’s icon from its location in a window to the
desktop area.
You may see various icons displayed on your system desktop, for
example:
Recycle Bin—Holds files you have deleted. You may be able to
retrieve these files until you empty the Recycle Bin.

NOTE If you place the pointer over an icon, a popup description of the file
contents appears.
90 Exploring Your Computer’s Features
Exploring the desktop

❖ TECHNICAL NOTE: If you delete a large number of files or very

large files from the internal storage drive, there may be
insufficient space available in the Recycle Bin to hold these files.
In this case, Windows® will prompt you to either permanently
delete the file(s) or cancel the deletion.
❖ If you delete a file (of any size) from an external media or flash
media, it does not go into the Recycle Bin. The file is
permanently deleted.
❖ Permanently deleted files cannot be recovered from the Recycle
Bin.
For more information on the Recycle Bin, see Windows® online
Help.

Your desktop may contain other icons depending on your

configuration. See Windows® online Help for more specific
information on each icon and how to use it.

Start button
You use the Start button to:
❖ Start programs
❖ Open documents
❖ Adjust system settings
❖ Find files
❖ Access Windows® Help and Support
❖ Suspend system activity and shut down the computer

NOTE Whenever a procedure in this User’s Guide instructs you to click

Start, it means that you should click the Start button.

Taskbar
Each time you open a program, a button associated with that
program appears on the taskbar. With some programs, a button
appears on the taskbar for each document or window you open. You
can use these buttons to quickly switch between the programs or
windows.
To make a program or window the currently active one, click the
associated taskbar button.
 Exploring Your Computer’s Features
Setting up for communications 91
Notification area
The notification area displays icons of tasks or programs that run
continuously in the background and displays notifications. To learn
more about each task, position the pointer over the icon for a few
moments and a short description of the task appears.
Typical tasks in the notification area are Current time, Power usage
mode, network connectivity status, and speaker volume.
To activate a specific task, click the appropriate notification area
icon.

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 browser or communications program
❖ An Internet Service Provider (ISP) or online service if you plan
to use the Internet
❖ A way to connect to the ISP (for example Wi-Fi®/LAN/
broadband connection, etc.)

Using Wireless LAN connectivity

NOTE Wireless connectivity and some features may require you to

purchase additional software, external hardware or services.
Availability of public wireless LAN access points may be limited.

Your system may come with an optional wireless LAN module.

This is a technology that expands wireless communication beyond
networking equipment, and can connect many different kinds of
electronic devices without the need for cables.
For information on how to set up a wireless connection, refer to
your wireless networking device documentation or your network
administrator.

NOTE To enable or disable wireless communication, use the Hot Key F12.
For more information see “Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards” on page 144.

NOTE When the Wireless antenna is ON, the wireless indicator light will
be lit.
92 Exploring Your Computer’s Features
Exploring audio features

For help with common Wi-Fi® networking problems, see “Wireless

networking problems” on page 134.

Connecting your computer to a network

You can connect your computer to a network to increase its
capabilities and functionality using one of its communication ports.

Accessing a network
To access a network, connect an Ethernet cable to the Network port
(RJ45) on your computer. For specific information about
connecting to the network, consult your network administrator.
Many hotels, airports, and offices offer Wi-Fi® access. If your
computer has Wi-Fi®, ask for help when connecting to a Wi-Fi®
network.

Exploring audio features

You can use your computer to record sounds using the computer’s
internal microphone or an optional external microphone. You can
listen to sound files or audio CDs using the built-in speakers,
headphones, or external speakers.

Recording sounds
You may record sounds using the computer’s internal microphone
or by connecting an optional external microphone.

Using a microphone
1 If you want to use an external microphone, connect it to the
computer.
2 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
Sound Recorder. In the list that appears above, click your
selection.

Start Recording/Stop Recording button

(Sample Image) Sound Recorder screen

3 Click the Start Recording button.

4 Speak normally into the microphone.
 Exploring Your Computer’s Features
Using the Web Camera 93
5 When you have finished recording, click the Stop Recording
button.
The Save As dialog box appears.
6 To save the file, type a file name, and then click Save.

Using external speakers or headphones

Your computer is equipped with a full stereo sound system with
internal speakers. Instead of using the internal speakers, you can
connect headphones or a pair of external stereo speakers.

Before putting on headphones to listen, turn the volume down. Do

not set the volume too high when using headphones. Continuous
exposure to loud sound can harm your hearing.

TECHNICAL NOTE: When using amplified speakers, use speakers

that require an external power source. Other types of speakers will be
inadequate to produce sound from the computer.

To play back sound files through external speakers or headphones:

1 Locate the headphone jack on the computer.
2 Using any necessary adapters, plug the cable from the
headphones or external speakers into the headphone jack.
The headphone jack requires a 16-ohm stereo mini connector.
To adjust the volume:
❖ For external speakers, use the volume controls on each speaker.
❖ For headphones, use the computer’s volume control.

Using the Web Camera

Your computer may come with a built-in Web Camera. With this
Web Camera you can do the following:
❖ Take pictures and record videos with your computer
❖ Chat with others and have them see you while using instant
messaging (IM) programs
❖ Have video conference calls

NOTE To email, instant message or video conference, you must be

connected to the Internet.
94 Exploring Your Computer’s Features
Using the memory card reader

Depending on your computer model, the process of sending email,

taking pictures or recording video messages may vary.
To access the Web Camera, click the Start button, and then in the
Search field, type Web Camera. In the list that appears above,
click your selection. The Web Camera indicator light glows when
the Web Camera is active.

Using the memory card reader

The memory card reader supports the use of Memory Stick®,
Memory Stick PRO™, Secure Digital™ (SD/SDHC/SDXC), and
MMC cards. These media can be used with a variety of digital
products: digital music players, cellular phones, digital cameras,
digital video camcorders, etc.

To use a Micro or Mini SD™ Card, an SD™ adapter is required.

The Memory card reader may also support other types of media.

NOTE Do not use the Copy Disk function for this type of media. To copy
data from one media to another, use the drag-and-drop feature of the
Windows® operating system.

Inserting memory media

NOTE To locate your memory card reader, please refer to your Quick Start
document.

The following instructions apply to all types of supported memory

media devices.
1 Turn the media so that the contacts (metal areas) are face down.
2 Push the media into the adapter until it locks in place.

(Sample Illustration) Inserting memory media

 Exploring Your Computer’s Features
Using the memory card reader 95
When inserting memory media, do not touch the metal contacts. You
could expose the storage area to static electricity, which can destroy
data.

Removing memory media

1 Prepare the card for removal by clicking on the Show hidden
icons button ( ), if necessary, in the notification area and then
selecting the Safely Remove Hardware and Eject Media
icon.
If the system is unable to prepare the media for safe removal, a
message will tell you to try again later. If the media can be
removed now, the system displays Safe to Remove Hardware.
If the computer has a spring-loaded adapter slot, see step 2;
otherwise, skip to step 3.
2 Gently press the card inward to release it.
The card pops out slightly.
3 Grasp the card and pull it straight out.

(Sample Illustration) Removing memory media

Do not remove memory media while data is being written or read.

Even when the Windows® message “copying...” disappears, writing
to the media might still be in progress and your data could be
destroyed.
Chapter 5

Utilities
Your computer includes several utilities designed to help you to
reconfigure your system to best meet your individual needs.
Together, these allow you to ascertain certain system details, set
additional options, or change default options. These utilities are
described in this chapter.

NOTE The utilities described in this chapter, and the icons shown in the
sample images are applicable only if the related utility is available on
your system.

❖ TOSHIBA Assist
❖ TOSHIBA Recovery Media Creator
❖ TOSHIBA Application Installer
❖ Supervisor password
❖ User password
❖ TOSHIBA Face Recognition Utility
❖ TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool Utility
❖ Mouse Utility
❖ TOSHIBA Hardware Setup
❖ TOSHIBA Sleep Utility

96
 Utilities
TOSHIBA Assist 97
❖ TOSHIBA Accessibility
❖ TOSHIBA eco Utility™
❖ TOSHIBA Service Station
❖ TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor
❖ TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility

TOSHIBA Assist
The TOSHIBA Assist provides quick access to computer functions
and allows you to customize a range of computer settings.
To access TOSHIBA Assist, click the Start button, and then in the
Search field, type TOSHIBA Assist. In the list that appears above,
click your selection.
The TOSHIBA Assist window appears.

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA Assist window

The TOSHIBA Assist offers four categories of options:

❖ Connect
❖ Secure
❖ Protect & Fix
❖ Optimize
98 Utilities
TOSHIBA Assist

Connect
The features available in this category are Bluetooth® Settings.

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA Assist window – Connect tab

 Utilities
TOSHIBA Assist 99
Secure
The features available in this category are:
❖ Supervisor password
❖ User password

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA Assist window – Secure tab

100 Utilities
TOSHIBA Assist

Protect & Fix

The feature available in this category is the TOSHIBA PC
Diagnostic Tool Utility.

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA Assist window – Protect & Fix tab

 Utilities
TOSHIBA Assist 101
Optimize
The features available in this category are:
❖ Mouse Utility
❖ TOSHIBA Hardware Setup (Hardware Settings)
❖ TOSHIBA Accessibility
❖ TOSHIBA Face Recognition Utility
❖ TOSHIBA Sleep Utility
❖ TOSHIBA eco Utility™

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA Assist window – Optimize tab

102 Utilities
TOSHIBA Recovery Media Creator

TOSHIBA Recovery Media Creator

The TOSHIBA Recovery Media Creator utility enables you to
create recovery media that can be used to return your system to its
out-of-box state, if necessary. For detailed information on using the
utility to create recovery media, see “Creating recovery media” on
page 53.

TOSHIBA Application Installer

The TOSHIBA Application Installer allows you to reinstall the
drivers and applications that were originally bundled with your
computer.
To reinstall drivers and applications:
1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
TOSHIBA Application Installer. In the list that appears
above, click your selection.
The TOSHIBA Application Installer window appears.
2 Click Next.

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA Application Installer screen

 Utilities
Setting passwords 103
3 Click the item you want to install.

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA Application Installer selection screen

4 Click Install, then follow the on-screen prompts to complete

the installation process.

Setting passwords
Setting a password lets you walk away from your computer while
providing additional protection for your files. When you set a
password, you must enter the password before you can work on
your computer again.
TOSHIBA supports several types of passwords on your computer:
❖ A power-on password—Prevents unauthorized users from
starting the computer.
❖ A supervisor password—Prohibits unauthorized users from
accessing certain functions such as TOSHIBA Hardware
Setup. This is useful if more than one person uses the
computer.
When setting up passwords, keep the following in mind:
❖ The user password can be set up under the supervisor
password.
❖ The supervisor password must be set before the user password,
or the user password must be deleted and then re-entered after
the supervisor password is set.
104 Utilities
Setting passwords

Using a supervisor password

A supervisor password prevents other users from changing
hardware configuration options.

Setting a supervisor password

If you choose to set a supervisor or user password, TOSHIBA

strongly recommends that you save your password in a location
where you can later access it should you not remember it.
TOSHIBA is not responsible for any losses that may occur to you, your
organization or others as a result of the inability to access your
computer.

To set a supervisor password:

1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
TOSHIBA Assist. In the list that appears above, click your
selection.
The TOSHIBA Assist window appears.
2 On the left side, click the Secure tab.
3 Click the Supervisor Password icon.
The Supervisor Password tab of the TOSHIBA Password
Utility window appears.

(Sample Image) Supervisor Password tab

4 Click Registered.
5 Enter your password, and then enter it again to verify.
 Utilities
Setting passwords 105
6 Click OK.
The supervisor password utility dialog box appears.
7 Select Able to run HWSetup or Unable to run HWSetup
and then Click OK.
8 Restart the system to complete the process.

Deleting a supervisor password

To delete a supervisor password:
1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
TOSHIBA Assist. In the list that appears above, click your
selection.
The TOSHIBA Assist window appears.
2 On the left side, click the Secure tab.
3 Click the Supervisor Password icon.
The Supervisor Password tab of the TOSHIBA Password
Utility window appears.
4 Click Not Registered.
A pop-up screen appears asking for a password.
5 Enter the password, then click OK.
6 Click OK to exit.
7 Restart the system to complete the process.

Using a user password

A user password provides power-on password protection.

Setting a user password

If you choose to set a supervisor or user password, TOSHIBA

strongly recommends that you save your password in a location
where you can later access it should you not remember it.
TOSHIBA is not responsible for any losses that may occur to you, your
organization or others as a result of the inability to access your
computer.
106 Utilities
Setting passwords

To register a password for the power-on password functions:

1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
TOSHIBA Assist. In the list that appears above, click your
selection.
The TOSHIBA Assist window appears.
2 On the left side, click the Secure tab.
3 Click the User Password icon.
4 Click Registered.
5 Enter your password, and then enter it again to verify.
6 Click OK.
7 Click OK to exit.

Deleting a user password

To cancel the power-on password function:
1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
TOSHIBA Assist. In the list that appears above, click your
selection.
The TOSHIBA Assist window appears.
2 On the left side, click the Secure tab.
3 Click the User Password icon.
4 Click Not Registered.
5 Follow the on-screen instructions to remove the user password.
 Utilities
TOSHIBA Face Recognition Utility 107
TOSHIBA Face Recognition Utility
Your computer may come with the TOSHIBA Face Recognition
utility. This utility provides another way to log on to your computer.

NOTE For high security purposes, TOSHIBA Face Recognition is not a

suitable substitute for Windows® passwords. To ensure the security
of your system use your established Windows® passwords to log on.

Please refer to the online help file to learn more about this utility
and what it offers:
❖ Setting up a Face Recognition account
❖ Registering a user image
❖ Updating a user image
❖ Changing a user image
❖ Deleting a user image
❖ Configuring Settings
❖ Authentication Functions
Please note that some changes to the likeness of a registrant, such as
hair style changes or wearing a cap or glasses, may affect the
recognition rates when such changes occur after the registrant’s
image has been registered.
TOSHIBA Face Recognition does not guarantee the correct
identification of a user and may incorrectly recognize faces that are
similar to the registrant’s. In addition, bright background light and
or shadows may prevent a registrant from being recognized
correctly. If recognition fails, log on to your computer using your
Windows® password.
TOSHIBA does not guarantee that the face recognition utility
technology will be completely secure or error-free. TOSHIBA does
not guarantee that the face recognition utility will accurately screen
out unauthorized users at all times. TOSHIBA is not liable for any
failure or damage that might arise out of the use of the face
recognition software or utility.
108 Utilities
TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool Utility

TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool Utility

This utility can help diagnose problems with devices in your
computer. Refer to the online Help documentation within the
application for additional help.

NOTE The TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool utility may show tests for features
you do not have. This is normal and does not indicate a problem.

To use the TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool utility:

1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
PC Diagnostic Tool. In the list that appears above, click on
your selection. Or click the PC Diagnostic Tool icon in the
Protect & Fix tab of TOSHIBA Assist.
The TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool window appears.
2 Click the Diagnostic Tool tab.

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool window

3 Select the devices that you would like to test by clicking the
check box that appears to the left of the device.

NOTE Click the + (plus) and - (minus) symbols to expand and collapse the
categories.

4 Click Start Diagnostics when you are ready to begin the tests.

NOTE Due to the installed audio enhancement software, the sound

test will come out from both speakers.
 Utilities
Mouse Utility 109
Mouse Utility
The Mouse utility allows you to change your pointing device or
mouse settings.
To access the Mouse utility:
1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
Mouse. In the list that appears above, click your selection. Or
click the Mouse icon in the Optimize tab of TOSHIBA Assist.
The Mouse Properties screen appears.
The settings you can change are divided into these categories:
❖ Buttons
❖ Pointers
❖ Pointer Options
❖ Wheel
❖ Hardware
❖ Device Settings
You may see additional categories depending on your
particular pointing device.
2 Adjust the settings as desired, then click OK.
110 Utilities
TOSHIBA Hardware Setup

TOSHIBA Hardware Setup

TOSHIBA Hardware Setup is the TOSHIBA configuration
management tool available through the Windows® operating
system. To access it:
❖ Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
HWSetup. In the list that appears above, click your selection.
Or click the TOSHIBA Hardware Settings icon in the
Optimize tab of TOSHIBA Assist.
The TOSHIBA HWSetup screen appears.

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA HWSetup screen – General tab options

The TOSHIBA HWSetup screen may have the following tabs:

❖ Boot Setting—Allows you to change the sequence in which
your computer searches the drives for the operating system
You can also manually choose the Boot Setting by pressing the
power button to power on the computer, then quickly pressing
the F12 key.
Select the boot device by pressing the arrow keys, then
pressing the Enter key.
❖ Boot Speed—Reduces the time needed for the BIOS to
initialize, using either the Fast or Normal settings.
 TOSHIBA Hardware Setup
Utilities
111
❖ Panel open/Power on—Allows you to turn on the
computer when opening the display panel while the
computer is turned off.

NOTE Since the system is a quick-booting system, you must press the keys
immediately after pressing the power button.

❖ Display—Allows you to change various default settings for the

built-in display

NOTE When the computer restarts, it remembers the last configuration. If

data does not appear on the display you are using after starting in
Sleep mode, press F4. For more information, see “Directing the
display output when you turn on the computer” on page 65.

❖ General—Allows you to view the current BIOS version or

change certain settings back to their default values
❖ Keyboard—Allows you to access the wake-on keyboard
function and / or set the function keys mode -- either Special
Function mode or Standard F1-F12 mode.
❖ LAN—Allows you to set networking functions
❖ Password—Allows you to set a user password
❖ SATA—Allows you to set conditions for SATA
❖ USB—Allows you to enable / disable USB Legacy Emulation,
or enable / disable internal USB 3.0 controller.
112 Utilities
TOSHIBA Sleep Utility

TOSHIBA Sleep Utility

This utility displays whether the USB Sleep and Charge function is
enabled or disabled and shows the position of the USB port that
supports the USB Sleep and Charge function. It also displays the
remaining battery capacity.

Starting the TOSHIBA Sleep Utility

Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type Sleep
Utility. In the list that appears above, click your selection.

USB Sleep and Charge

Your computer can supply USB bus power (DC 5V) to the USB
port even when the computer is in Sleep mode, Hibernation mode
or shutdown state (powered off).
This function can only be used for the port that supports the USB
Sleep and Charge function (hereinafter called “compatible port”).
Compatible ports are USB ports that have the ( ) symbol icon.
You can use the USB Sleep and Charge function to charge certain
USB compatible external devices such as mobile phones or portable
digital music players. However, the USB Sleep and Charge function
may not work with certain external devices even if they are
compliant with the USB specification. In those cases, power on the
computer to charge the device.
 Utilities
TOSHIBA Sleep Utility 113
NOTE ❖ When the USB Sleep and Charge function is enabled, USB bus
power (DC 5V) will be supplied to the compatible port even
when the power of the computer is turned OFF.
USB bus power (DC 5V) is similarly supplied to the external
devices which are connected to the compatible ports. However,
some external devices cannot be charged solely by supplying
USB bus power (DC 5V).
As for the specifications of the external devices, please contact
the device manufacturer or check the specifications of the
external devices thoroughly before use.
❖ If USB Sleep and Charge is enabled, the computer’s battery will
discharge during hibernation or when the computer is turned off.
It is recommended that you connect the AC adaptor to the
computer when enabling the USB Sleep and Charge function.
❖ Using the USB Sleep and Charge function to charge external
devices will take longer than charging the devices with their own
chargers.
❖ If an external device is connected to the compatible port when
the AC adaptor is not connected to the computer, the battery of
the computer will be depleted even when the power of the
computer is turned OFF. As such, we recommend that you
connect the AC adaptor to the computer when using the USB
Sleep and Charge function.
❖ External devices connected to the USB bus power (DC 5V)
function that interfaces with the power ON/OFF of the computer
may always be in an operational state.
❖ When there is a current overflow of the external device connected
to the compatible port, USB bus power (DC 5V) supply may be
stopped for safety reasons.
❖ When USB Sleep and Charge function is set to Enabled, the USB
Wakeup function does not work for compatible port.
In that case, if there is a USB port that does not have the USB
Sleep and Charge function-compatible icon ( ), attach the
mouse or keyboard to it.
The USB Wakeup function will now work, but the USB Sleep and
Charge function will be disabled.

Metal paper clips or hair pins/clips will generate heat if they come
into contact with USB ports. Do not allow USB ports to come into
contact with metal products, for example when carrying the computer
in your bag.
114 Utilities
TOSHIBA Sleep Utility

Enabling/Disabling USB Sleep and Charge

This utility can be used to enable or disable the USB Sleep and
Charge function. To enable this function, select the Enable USB
Sleep and Charge check box in the utility. To disable this function,
de-select the check box.
You can also control whether charging takes place when the
computer is running on battery power. To do so, select or de-select
the Enable under Battery Mode check box in the utility.
If you enable charging when the computer is running on battery
power, you can specify that charging stops when battery power
drops below a certain level. Use the slider at the bottom of the
utility window (beneath the “Lower limit of remaining battery life”
heading) to specify when charging should stop. For example, if you
set the slider to 10%, charging will stop when 10% or less of the
battery power remains.

Power supply mode settings

Your computer may provide two different charging modes, to
support various types of USB devices. If your computer provides
more than one charging mode, the charging mode you should select
depends on the USB device you want to charge. For example, Auto
Mode, which is the default mode, will charge a wide variety of
digital audio players. If your device does not charge in Auto Mode,
try using Alternate Mode. To select a different charging mode, use
the Power supply mode drop-down list in the utility.

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA Sleep Utility screen

 Utilities
TOSHIBA Sleep Utility 115
NOTE With certain external devices, the USB Sleep and Charge function
may not work no matter which charging mode you select. In those
cases, disable USB Sleep and Charge in the utility and turn the
computer on to charge the device, or use a different charging device.

Sleep and Music

Your Toshiba computer may be equipped with the “Sleep and
Music” feature that allows you to listen to music stored on a
portable audio device using the speakers of your computer, even
when the computer is powered OFF -- in Sleep Mode, Hibernation
Mode, or shutdown state.
When the Sleep and Music feature is enabled, it is possible to play
music from the computer’s speakers by connecting an audio cable
to the Microphone/Line-in jack.
The volume settings and sound quality may differ between
Windows® mode and Sleep and Music mode. When using the
Sleep and Music feature, the volume adjustment and mute setting
cannot be changed from the computer. To adjust these settings, use
the volume controls on your portable audio device. Be sure to turn
down the volume of the portable audio device before connecting it
to the computer.

NOTE The Sleep and Music feature applies only to the computer’s
speakers. The headphone jack and mute function on the computer
are disabled when using Sleep and Music
116 Utilities
TOSHIBA Accessibility

TOSHIBA Accessibility
The TOSHIBA Accessibility utility allows you to use the Fn key to
create a hot key combination with one of the function keys without
pressing the two keys simultaneously as is usually required. Using
Accessibility lets you make the Fn key a sticky key, meaning you can
press it once, release it, and then press a function key to activate the
hot key function.

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA Accessibility window

To use TOSHIBA Accessibility:

1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
Accessibility. In the list that appears above, click your
selection. Or click the Accessibility icon in the Optimize tab
of TOSHIBA Assist.
The TOSHIBA Accessibility window appears.
2 Check the Use Fn-StickyKey box.
3 Put a check mark next to the desired option.
4 Click OK.
 Utilities
TOSHIBA eco Utility™ 117
TOSHIBA eco Utility™
The TOSHIBA eco Utility™ monitors your power savings from
using the eco power plan by tracking real-time power consumption
and accumulated savings over time.
To access the TOSHIBA eco Utility™, do one of the following:
❖ Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type eco
Utility. In the list that appears above, click your selection.
❖ Double-click the TOSHIBA eco Utility icon in the notification
area.
❖ Right-click the TOSHIBA eco Utility icon in the notification
area and select Launch TOSHIBA eco Utility.
The TOSHIBA eco Utility™ window appears.

(Sample Image) TOSHIBA eco Utility™ window

To activate the TOSHIBA eco power plan, select ON in the

upper-left section of the screen.
For more information on the TOSHIBA eco power plan and utility,
click the Help button at the bottom of the window.

TOSHIBA Service Station

The TOSHIBA Service Station helps you keep your new computer
running at its best by notifying you when updated software,
firmware, documentation or other information is available for your
computer. The TOSHIBA Service Station will alert you when
updates are available, and you can then choose to install the updates
if you wish.
118 Utilities
TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor

TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor

The TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor software program monitors
computer system functions such as power consumption, the cooling
system and the 3D Accelerometer (available on certain models). It
alerts users to specific system conditions via pop-up messages. It
also tracks the usage of the computer and related devices and logs
service-relevant information on the computer's internal storage
drive.
The collected information includes device operation time and
number of actuations or status changes (e.g.: number of power
button and Fn key combination uses, and AC adaptor, battery, LCD,
fan, HDD, sound volume, wireless communication switch, docking
and USB information), date of initial system use, and also computer
and device usage (e.g.: power settings, battery temperature and
recharging, CPU, memory, backlight illumination time, and
temperatures for various devices). The collected information is not
limited to the examples specified here. The stored data uses a very
small portion of the total hard disk capacity (approximately 3 MB
or less per year).
This information is used to identify and provide a notification of
system conditions that may affect the performance of your
TOSHIBA computer. It may also be used to help diagnose problems
should the computer require service by TOSHIBA or TOSHIBA's
authorized service providers. Additionally, TOSHIBA may use this
information for quality assurance analysis.
Subject to the use restrictions above, the data logged on the internal
storage drive may be transferred to entities located outside of your
country or region of residence (e.g., European Union). Those
countries may or may not have the same data protection laws or
data protection levels as required by your home country or region.
You may disable the TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor at any time by
uninstalling the software via the Windows® Control Panel. Doing so
will automatically delete all collected information from the internal
storage drive.
The TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor software does not extend or
modify TOSHIBA's obligations under its standard limited warranty
in any way. TOSHIBA's standard limited warranty terms and
limitations apply.
 Utilities
TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility 119
TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility
The TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility enables you to create multiple
display zones on a screen and to fit the active windows within those
zones.

NOTE Not all active windows can fit within the display zones.

To access the TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility, do one of the

following:
❖ Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type Split
Screen Utility. In the list that appears above, click your
selection to enable this feature.

(Sample Image) Search field – TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility

❖ Click the Split Screen icon on the Task Bar (you may need to
click the “Show hidden icon” on the Task Bar).
The Split screen icon appears when you place the cursor on
the title bar of an active window.
120 Utilities
TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility

When you drag the icon to either side of the desktop, a

corresponding display zone automatically appears. Releasing the
mouse button allows the window to be fit into the display zone.

NOTE When you drag the icon near the edge of the screen, the Windows
snap function will be enabled.

Settings
To access Settings for the TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility, do one of
the following:
❖ Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type Split
Screen Utility. Click on Split Screen Utility - Settings,
❖ Click on the Split Screen icon on the task bar and select
Settings.

(Sample Image) Settings tab– TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility

 Utilities
TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility 121
Settings tab
On the Settings tab, you can enable or disable the Split Screen
Utility, select a display zone template, and customize its operation.

Enable Split Screen

• The “Split Screen” icon appears on the title bar of the
ON
active window.
• The “Split Screen” icon disappears.
OFF
• The Split Screen function is disabled.

Display zone templates

Wide Split View Left left zone: 16:9, right zone: 5:9
Wide Split View Right left zone: 5:9, right zone: 16:9
Square Split View Left left zone: 4:3, right zone: 5:9
Square Split View Right left zone: 5:9, right zone: 4:3

Option
• The utility automatically starts
Launch automatically upon login
when you log in to Windows.
• The icon for the utility appears on the
Show application icon in notification area task bar (may require selecting Show
Hidden Icons).
122 Utilities
TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility

Advanced tab

(Sample Image) Advanced tab– TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility

On the Settings tab, you can create custom display zone templates
to fit the windows of your favorite application.
Click the New Template button to create a display zone template,
and then use the following controls:

Display Zone controls

• Changes the width of the display zones

✄ • Adds to the number of display zones.

X • Deletes the display zone

Chapter 6

If Something Goes Wrong

Some problems you may encounter when using your computer are
relatively easy to identify and solve. Others may require help from
your network administrator or the manufacturer of the software
program.
This chapter aims to help you solve many problems by yourself. It
covers the problems you are most likely to encounter.
If all else fails, contact Toshiba. You will find information on
Toshiba’s support services at the end of this chapter.

Problems that are easy to fix

Your program stops responding.
If you are working with a program that suddenly freezes all
operations, chances are the program has stopped responding. You
can exit the failed program without shutting down the operating
system or closing other programs.
To close a program that has stopped responding:
1 Press Ctrl, Alt, and Del simultaneously (once), then click Start
Task Manager.
The Windows® Task Manager window appears.

123
124 If Something Goes Wrong
Problems when you turn on the computer

2 Click the Applications tab.

If a program has stopped responding, the words “not
responding” appear beside its name in the list.
3 Select the program you want to close, then click End Task.
Closing the failed program should allow you to continue
working. If it does not, continue with the next step.
4 Close the remaining programs one by one by selecting the
program name, then End Task.
Closing all programs should allow you to continue working. If
it does not, power off your computer and then restart it.

Problems when you turn on the computer

These problems may occur when you turn on the power.
The computer will not start.
Make sure you attached the AC adaptor and power cord/cable
properly.
Press and hold the power button for at least 10 seconds.
If you are using the AC adaptor, check that the wall outlet is
working by plugging in another device, such as a lamp.
Verify that the computer is on by looking at the ON/OFF indicator.
If the indicator is glowing, the computer is on. Also, try turning the
computer off and then on.
If you are using an AC adaptor, verify that the computer is receiving
power from the external power source by looking at the AC power
light. If the indicator is glowing, the computer is connected to a live
external power source.
The computer starts but when you press a key nothing
happens.
Verify that the active program accepts text input. Try clicking your
mouse on an area where you can type text and try typing again.
Your computer may be in Sleep mode and have a software or
resource conflict. When this happens turning the power on returns
you to the problem instead of restarting the system. To clear the
condition, press Ctrl, Alt, and Del simultaneously. Then shut down the
computer via software, or follow the steps if your program stops
responding (see “Problems that are easy to fix” on page 123).
 If Something Goes Wrong
Problems when you turn on the computer 125
The computer displays the WARNING RESUME FAILURE/Windows Error
Recovery – Windows did not shut down successfully message.
To continue, select Start Windows normally. This can happen if
the computer was put into Sleep mode and the battery has
discharged. If you performed a shutdown before this message was
displayed, a program or driver may have prevented Windows® from
shutting down.
Data stored in the computer’s memory has been lost. Data stored in
the computer’s internal storage drive may not be affected.
Always save your data even when you are using Sleep mode. If
your battery fully discharges, information that has not been saved
will be lost. Your computer can be configured to warn you when the
battery is running low see “What to do when the main battery runs
low” on page 81.
If you are running on battery power, it is recommended that you do
not leave the computer in Sleep mode for long periods of time.
To charge the battery, leave the computer plugged into a live wall
outlet for several hours. For more information see “Charging
batteries” on page 78.
The AC power light is blinking.
If the AC power light is blinking, try the following steps:
1 Connect the AC adaptor to a different power outlet, preferably
in a different room. If the computer starts normally, there may
be a problem with the AC outlet itself, or the voltage level
available from it.
2 Verify that the AC adaptor is the correct unit for your computer
model. The computer may not be able to start from an AC
adaptor that is rated for less current (amperage) than the
computer requires, even if the rated voltage is correct, and the
plug fits correctly in the DC-IN socket. The labels on the
bottom of the computer and the AC adaptor show the
specifications for voltage (“V”) and current (“A”) for each
device. The voltage level must match exactly. The amperage
rating of the AC adaptor must be equal to or greater than that
required by the computer.
The battery light is blinking when the computer is on.
If the battery light is blinking when the computer is on, this
indicates a power mismatch. Do the following:
1 Check the OUTPUT specifications on the AC adaptor
(for example, DC 19V – 3.95A)
126 If Something Goes Wrong
The Windows® operating system is not working

2 Check the INPUT specifications on the bottom of the

computer.
The output specifications of the AC adaptor must match the
input specifications of the computer.
3 If the specifications do not match, locate and use the AC
adaptor that shipped with your computer. If the specifications
do match, contact Toshiba. See “Contacting Toshiba” on
page 141.

The Windows® operating system is not working

Once you are familiar with the desktop and used to the way the
operating system responds to your work routine, you can easily
detect if the operating system is not working correctly. For
example:
❖ The operating system fails to start after the initial startup
appears.
❖ The operating system takes a long time to start.
❖ The operating system responds differently from the normal
routine.
❖ The screen does not look right.
Unless a hardware device has failed, problems usually occur when
you change the system in some way such as installing a new
program or adding a device.
If you experience any of these problems, use the options in the
Startup menu to fix the problem.

Using Startup options to fix problems

If the operating system fails to start properly, you may have to
change your system’s configuration or verify the startup procedure
to fix the problem. To do this, use the options in the Startup menu.
To open the Startup menu:
1 Restart your computer.
2 Press F8 when your computer starts and before Windows® starts
loading.
The Windows® Advanced Boot Options menu displays these
options:
❖ Repair Your Computer
❖ Safe Mode
 ®
If Something Goes Wrong
The Windows operating system is not working
127
❖ Safe Mode with Networking
❖ Safe Mode with Command Prompt
❖ Enable Boot Logging
❖ Enable low-resolution video (640 x 480)
❖ Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)
❖ Directory Services Restore Mode
❖ Debugging Mode
❖ Disable automatic restart on system failure
❖ Disable Driver Signature Enforcement
❖ Start Windows® Normally
When you highlight each option using the arrow keys, Windows®
displays information about each option at the bottom after
Description.
See your Windows® documentation for further explanation.

NOTE If your computer is connected to a network, the Startup menu may

display different versions of Safe mode.

Internet problems
My Internet connection is very slow.
Many factors contribute to the speed with which you can surf the
Internet. They include: network speed, network conditions, time of
day (when everyone else is surfing, your access can be slow) and
popularity of the sites you are trying to access. If accessing a
particular site is very slow, try later.
My browser cannot find the URL address I typed in.
Make sure you separated the domain names of the address with the
forward slash (/). Check the spelling of each name and the syntax of
the address carefully. A single incorrect letter or missed character
will make it impossible for your browser to locate the site.
My browser cannot find a site I bookmarked.
The World Wide Web is constantly changing. A site you
bookmarked yesterday may not be available today or its server may
be down for temporary repair. Try again later.
128 If Something Goes Wrong
Fixing a problem with Device Manager

The Windows® operating system can help you

If the operating system has started properly but you still have a
problem using your computer, the online Help can assist you in
troubleshooting the problem.
To access the Windows® operating system Help and Support:
3 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type Help
and Support. In the list that appears above, click your
selection, or press F1.
The Help and Support window appears.
4 Then do one or both of the following:
❖ In the Search programs and files field, type in the topic for
which you need help and follow the on-screen instructions.
❖ Click one of the options listed in the window and then
follow the on-screen instructions.
You can connect to Support Online by clicking the Ask button and
then clicking Microsoft Customer Support or by going to Toshiba
support at support.toshiba.com.

Fixing a problem with Device Manager

Device Manager provides a way to check and change the
configuration of a device.

Changing the default settings using Device Manager can cause other
conflicts that make one or more devices unusable. Device Manager
is a configuration tool for advanced users who understand
configuration parameters and the ramifications of changing them.

Checking device properties

Device Manager provides a way to view the properties of a device.
Properties include the name of the manufacturer, the type of device,
the drivers installed, and the system resources assigned to the
device.
To check a device’s properties:
1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
Device Manager. In the list that appears above, click your
selection.
2 To view the device(s) installed, double-click the device type.
 If Something Goes Wrong
Memory problems 129
3 To view the properties, double-click the device.
The operating system displays the device Properties dialog
box, which provides an array of tabs. They may include:
❖ The General tab, which provides basic information about
the device.
❖ The Resources tab, which lists resources assigned to the
device. This tab does not appear if the device is not using
resources.
❖ The Driver tab, which displays the drivers being used by
the device. This tab also provides options for updating the
driver or rolling back the driver in case the new version is
causing a problem.
The tabs that appear in the dialog box vary from one device to
another.
For more information about Device Manager, refer to Windows®
online Help.

Memory problems
Incorrectly connected or faulty memory modules may cause errors that
seem to be hardware or even software related.
Your computer has two memory module slots. Both slots are
located under the keyboard and should only be accessed by a
Toshiba authorized service provider.

TECHNICAL NOTE: You must have at least one memory module

installed for the computer to work.

Power and the batteries

Your computer receives its power through the AC adaptor and
power cord/cable or from the system batteries (battery and real-time
clock (RTC) battery). Power problems are interrelated. For
example, a faulty AC adaptor or power cord/cable will neither
power the computer nor recharge the batteries.
Here are some typical problems and how to solve them:
The AC power light does not come on when you plug in the
AC adaptor and power cord/cable.
Make sure the AC adaptor and power cord/cable are firmly plugged
into both the wall outlet and the computer.
130 If Something Goes Wrong
Keyboard problems

If the AC power light still does not come on, check that the wall
outlet is working properly by plugging in a lamp or other appliance.
The AC adaptor and power cord/cable work correctly, but the
battery will not charge.
The battery does not charge while the computer is consuming full
power. Try turning off the computer.
The computer may be too hot or too cold to charge properly. If you
think this is the probable cause, let the computer reach room
temperature and try again.
If the battery has completely discharged, it will not begin charging
immediately. Leave the AC adaptor and power cord/cable
connected, wait 20 minutes and see if the battery is charging.
If the battery light is glowing after 20 minutes, let the computer
continue charging the battery for at least another 20 minutes before
you turn on the computer.
If the battery light does not glow after 20 minutes, the battery may
have reached the end of its useful life.
The battery appears not to power the computer for as long as
it usually does.
If you frequently repeat shallow charge and discharge, the battery
meter may become inaccurate. Let the battery discharge
completely, then try charging it again.
Check the power options via your Power Plans (see “Power Plans”
on page 83). Have you added a device, such as a memory module,
that takes its power from the battery? Is your software using the
internal storage drive more? Is the display power set to turn off
automatically? Was the battery fully charged to begin with? All
these conditions affect how long the charge lasts.
After a period of time, the battery will lose its ability to perform at
maximum capacity and will need to be replaced. This is normal for
all batteries.
For more information on maintaining battery power, see “Charging
batteries” on page 78.

Keyboard problems
NOTE To capture a print screen of the entire screen, press the PRTSC key.

If, while typing, strange things happen or nothing happens, the

problem may be related to the keyboard itself.
 If Something Goes Wrong
Display problems 131
You have connected an external keyboard and the operating
system displays one or more keyboard error messages.
You may need to update your keyboard driver. Refer to the
documentation that came with the keyboard or to the keyboard
manufacturer's Web site.
The keyboard you connected may be defective or incompatible with
the computer. Try using a different make of keyboard.

Display problems
Here are some typical display problems and their solutions:
The screen is blank.
Display Auto Off may have gone into effect. Press any key to
activate the screen.
If you are using the built-in screen, make sure the display priority is
not set for an external monitor. To do this, press F4 (once). If this
does not correct the problem, press F4 again to return the display
priority to its previous setting.

HINT: Press the F4 key several times to advance through the display
options.

If you are using an external monitor:

❖ Check that the monitor is turned on.
❖ Check that the monitor’s power cord/cable is firmly plugged
into a working power outlet.
❖ Check that the cable connecting the external monitor to the
computer is firmly attached.
❖ Try adjusting the contrast and brightness controls on the
external monitor.
❖ Press F4 to make sure the display priority is not set for the built-
in screen.
The screen does not look correct.
You can change the display settings by clicking a blank area of the
desktop with the secondary control button, then clicking
Personalize. This opens the Personalization window. Choose a
theme for your desktop background, under Colors, Sounds, and
Screen Saver, or change the settings for each of these components
individually. Click Display and then Change display settings to
choose the screen resolution.
132 If Something Goes Wrong
Disk or storage drive problems

For more information, see the Windows® online Help.

A message displays saying that there is a problem with your
display settings and that the adapter type is incorrect or the
current settings do not work with your hardware.
Reduce the size of the color palette to one that is supported by the
computer’s internal display.
To change the display properties:
1 Right-click in a blank area of the Windows® desktop.
2 Click Personalize, and then Display.
3 Adjust the screen resolution and/or color quality.
4 Click OK.
The display mode is set to Simultaneous and the external
display device does not work.
Make sure the external monitor is capable of displaying at
resolutions of 800 x 600 or higher. Devices that do not support this
resolution will only work in Internal/External mode, and not
simultaneous mode.
Small bright dots appear on your TFT display when you turn
on your computer.
Small bright dots may appear on your screen display when you
turn on your computer. Your display contains an extremely large
number of thin-film transistors (TFT) and is manufactured using
high-precision technology. Any small bright dots that may appear
on your display are an intrinsic characteristic of the TFT
manufacturing technology. Over a period of time, and depending on
the usage of the computer, the brightness of the screen will
deteriorate. This is also an intrinsic characteristic of the screen
technology. When the computer is operated on battery power, the
screen will dim and you may not be able to increase the brightness
of the screen while on battery power.

Disk or storage drive problems

Problems with the storage drive or with external media usually
show up as an inability to access the drive or as sector errors.
Sometimes a drive problem may cause one or more files to appear
to have garbage in them. Typical problems are:
You are having trouble accessing a drive, or one or more files
appear to be missing.
Make sure you are identifying the drive by its correct name
(A: or C:).
 If Something Goes Wrong
Sound system problems 133
Error-checking
Run Error-checking, which analyzes the directories and files on the
storage drive and repairs any damage it finds.
To run Error-checking:
1 Click Start, and then Computer.
2 Right-click the drive you want to check.
3 On the pop-up menu, click Properties.
The drive’s Properties box appears.
4 Click the Tools tab.
5 Click the Check now... button.
The Check Disk box appears.
6 You can choose one or both options:
❖ Automatically fix file system errors
❖ Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors
7 Click Start.
Error-checking tests and repairs the storage drive.
Your hard disk seems very slow.
If you have been using your computer for a long time, your files
may have become fragmented. Run Disk Defragmenter.
To do this, click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
Disk Defragmenter. In the list that appears above, click your
selection. After it opens, click Defragment disk.
Your data files are damaged or corrupted.
Refer to your software documentation for file recovery procedures.
Many software packages automatically create backup files.
You may also be able to recover lost data using utility software.
Consult your network administrator.
Some programs run correctly but others do not.
This is probably a configuration problem. If a program does not run
properly, refer to its documentation and check that the hardware
configuration meets its needs.

Sound system problems

No sound is coming from the computer’s speakers.
Adjust the volume control.
Try pressing F11 to see if volume mute is disabled.
134 If Something Goes Wrong
Wireless networking problems

Check that the volume control on the computer is turned up.

If you are using external headphones or speakers, check that they
are securely connected to your computer.
The computer emits a loud, high-pitched noise.
This is feedback between the microphone and the speakers. It
occurs in any sound system when input from a microphone is fed to
the speakers and the speaker volume is too loud. Adjust the volume
control.

Wireless networking problems

NOTE This section provides general troubleshooting tips for networking
problems, specifically wireless (Wi-Fi®) networking.
The terms and concepts used assume a basic understanding of
networks, and may be for more advanced users. If you need
assistance or if you are not familiar with the terminology, please see
Windows® Help and Support or contact your computer technician.

❖ If your computer is equipped with an internal Wi-Fi® adapter,

verify that the Wireless antenna is ON (the wireless indicator
light will be lit).
❖ Verify that your computer can detect access points or routers. If
it can detect a Wi-Fi® access point or router then it may be a
configuration issue.
❖ Verify that signal strength is good using the utility provided
with the Wi-Fi® adapter.
❖ If another computer is on the same network, verify that it has
network access, and can connect to the Internet. If, for
example, the other computer cannot browse to a public Web
site, the ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) service may be
disrupted.
❖ Verify that the Service Set Identifier (SSID), or network
name, is correct - i.e., that it matches the SSID assigned to the
access point you are attempting to connect through. SSIDs are
case-sensitive.
❖ Check the Windows® Control Panel's Device Manager to verify
that the Wi-Fi® adapter is recognized by the Windows®
operating system, and that the driver is loaded. To access
the Device Manager, click the Start button, and then in the
Search field, type System. In the list that appears above, click
your selection. Carefully note any error messages - these will
 If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits 135
be very helpful if you should confer with a support technician
at a later time.

NOTE To enable or disable wireless communication, use the Hot Key F12.
For more information see “Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards” on page 144.

❖ Use IPCONFIG to verify that the computer has a useful IP

address - one other than the private address of
169.254.xxx.xxx assigned by Windows®.
1 Click Start to open the Start menu.
2 Type Cmd in the Search programs and files field.
3 Enter IPCONFIG /ALL and press Enter.
The IP address for each active network adapter will be
displayed.
❖ Connect your computer directly to your router or broadband
modem, by plugging a standard CAT5 Ethernet patch cable
(sold separately) into your computer's RJ45 Ethernet port. If
your connection problem disappears, the problem lies in the
Wi-Fi® part of your network.
❖ If you have enabled any security provisions (closed system,
MAC address filtering, Wired Equivalent Privacy [WEP], etc.),
check the access point vendor's Web site for recent firmware
upgrades. Problems with WEP keys, in particular, are
frequently addressed in new firmware releases.
The Windows® operating system wireless management utility
does not work.
If you are using an external Wi-Fi® adapter (USB adapter, or other
variety), check if the adapter comes with its own management
utility. If it does, the utility may be disabling the Windows®
operating system wireless management utility, in which case you
must use the adapter's management utility. If the documentation
that accompanies the adapter does not provide enough information
to determine if this is the case, contact that vendor's support group
for further advice.

Develop good computing habits

Save your work frequently.
You can never predict when your computer will lock, forcing you to
close a program and lose unsaved changes. Many software
programs build in an automatic backup, but you should not rely
solely on this feature. Save your work! See “Computing tips” on
136 If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits

page 69 for instructions.

On a regular basis, back up the information stored on your
internal storage drive.
Use Windows® to back up files, or the entire computer, to an optical
disc, or external hard disk. Here are some ways you can do this:
❖ Use the Windows® operating system to back up files or your
entire computer to an optical disc via an optional external
writable optical disc drive or external hard disk.
❖ Copy files to a rewritable external storage device.
❖ Connect your computer to the office network and copy files to
your network partition.
Some people use a combination of these methods, backing up all
files to tape weekly and copying critical files to external media on a
daily basis.
If you have installed your own programs, you should back up these
programs as well as your data files. If something goes wrong that
requires you to reformat your internal storage drive and start again,
reloading all your programs and data files from a backup source
will save time.
Read the user’s guides.
It is very difficult to provide a fail-safe set of steps you can follow
every time you experience a problem with the computer. Your
ability to solve problems will improve as you learn about how the
computer and its software work together.
Get familiar with all the user’s guides provided with your computer,
as well as the manuals that come with the programs and devices you
purchase.
Your local computer store or book store sells a variety of self-help
books you can use to supplement the information in the manuals.

Data and system configuration backup in the Windows® operating

system
The Windows® operating system offers some easy-to-use features
for backing up your Windows® settings and your data - documents
and other important files. Take advantage of these features to
protect yourself from much more difficult and time-consuming
restoration procedures, and to safeguard your valuable data from
loss.
 If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits 137
Saving system configuration with restore points
The System Restore feature of the Windows® operating system
quickly creates restore points - ‘snapshots’ of your Windows®
operating system configuration - and saves them for later recall. If
you experience problems after installing some new hardware or
software, you can easily select a previously established Control
Point to ‘turn back the clock,’ restoring the Windows® operating
system to the state it was in just prior to the installation. This is
much easier and more effective than uninstalling the hardware or
software, which often leaves behind unwanted files and settings. It
is also easy to undo a restore point selection, if you change your
mind.
Follow these steps to create a restore point using the System
Restore utility:
1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
System. In the list that appears above, click your selection.
2 In the left pane, click System protection.
The System Protection tab of the System Properties window
appears.
3 Click Create...
4 In the input field, enter a name that is descriptive enough to be
easily understood in the future, such as “Before installing
Brand X Accounting app.” Then click Create.
The Windows® operating system creates the restore point,
automatically stamps it with the current date and time, and
displays a message that the restore point was successfully
created.
5 Click Close.
Then, at a later time, you can re-establish your Windows®
configuration using the saved restore point. To do this:
1 Click the Start button, and then in the Search field, type
System Restore. In the list that appears above, click your
selection.
2 Select Recommended restore or Choose a different restore
point, and then click Next.
The timestamp and description of each restore point is
displayed.
138 If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits

NOTE This list may contain restore points that you did not create. Restore
points labeled System Checkpoint were automatically created by the
Windows® operating system. Other restore points may have been
created automatically by applications when they were installed.

3 If you selected Choose a different restore point in step 2,

select the restore point you want to use, and then click Next.
4 Verify that the restore point you selected is the correct one. If it
is not, click Back to return to the previous step.
5 Close all programs and save all open files.
6 Click Finish, and then Yes to begin the system restore.
Your Windows® operating system configuration will now be
restored to the state it was in when the chosen restore point was
created, and then the computer will be automatically restarted.

Backing up your data or your entire computer with the

Windows® operating system
The most valuable component of your computer system is the data
you create and store on its internal storage drive. Since problems
with either hardware or software can make the data inaccessible or
even destroy it, the next most valuable component of your computer
system may be a recent backup of your data.
Fortunately, the Windows® operating system offers a convenient
way to back up your computer or just your important files to optical
disc drives, or hard drives. An external hard drive is recommended
in case the internal storage drive fails. No additional software is
required.
Follow these steps to back up your computer or files to optical
discs, or a storage drive:

NOTE You cannot back up the computer while running on battery power.
Connect the AC adaptor before continuing.

1 Prepare your backup target by connecting it and/or inserting a

blank optical disc in the drive.
2 Click Start.
3 Click Control Panel.
 If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits 139
4 Click Back up your computer under the System and
Security heading. Follow the on-screen instructions to back up
your files.
For more help, click Start, Help and Support, and search for
“back up files.”

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, optical
disc drive 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 137). 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 138).
❖ Have your back up media on hand in case you need any files
from them.
❖ 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.
140 If Something Goes Wrong
Develop good computing habits

3 Install one item of hardware or software.

4 Restart the Windows® operating system.
5 Use the new hardware or software for a while, noting any
new problems. Make sure that your critical applications
(email, business applications, etc.) are working correctly,
and verify that important devices are still functioning.
6 For each additional hardware or software item, repeat
these steps, starting at step 1 if any of your critical data has
changed, or starting at step 2 if no critical data has
changed.
USB Sleep and Charge is not working.
❖ Make sure that the device you want to charge is connected to a
port that supports the USB Sleep and Charge function. Ports
that support this feature are identified with the ( ) icon.
❖ USB Sleep and Charge may be disabled. Open the TOSHIBA
Sleep and Charge Utility to check if the feature is disabled and
to enable it if necessary. For more information, see
“Enabling/Disabling USB Sleep and Charge” on page 114.
❖ Try selecting a different charging mode in the TOSHIBA Sleep
and Charge Utility, if your computer provides more than one
charging mode. For more information, see “Power supply
mode settings” on page 114.
❖ If you are attempting to charge a device without an AC adaptor
connected to the computer, the computer's battery power may
be below the limit specified in the TOSHIBA Sleep Utility or
the battery may be depleted. Lower the limit in the TOSHIBA
Sleep Utility to enable charging at the current battery power
level, or, if battery power is running low or is depleted, connect
the AC adaptor to your computer.
❖ The USB Sleep and Charge function may not work with certain
external devices even if they are compliant with the USB
specification. In those cases, power on the computer to charge
the device or use a different charging device.
The “USB Wakeup function” does not work.
❖ When the “USB Sleep and Charge function” is set to Enabled
the “USB Wakeup function” does not work for ports that
support the “USB Sleep and Charge function.” In that case, use
a USB port that does not have the “USB Sleep and Charge
function”-compatible icon ( ), if you have a non-Sleep and
Charge USB port available or disable the “USB Sleep and
Charge function.” For more information, see “TOSHIBA Sleep
 If Something Goes Wrong
If you need further assistance 141
Utility” on page 112.

If you need further assistance

If you have followed the recommendations in this chapter and are
still having problems, you may need additional technical assistance.
Since some problems may be related to the operating system or the
program you are using, it is important to investigate all sources.
❖ Review the troubleshooting information in your operating
system documentation.
❖ If the problem occurs while you are running a program, consult
the program’s documentation for troubleshooting suggestions.
Contact the software company’s technical support group for
their assistance.
❖ Consult the dealer from whom you purchased your computer
and/or program. Your dealer is your best source for current
information.
For the detailed specifications for your computer, visit
support.toshiba.com.

Contacting Toshiba
Toshiba’s Technical Support Web site
For technical support, or to stay current on the most recent software
and hardware options for your computer, and for other product
information, be sure to regularly check the Toshiba Web site at
support.toshiba.com.

Other Toshiba Internet Web sites

toshiba.com Worldwide Toshiba corporate site
us.toshiba.com Marketing and product information in
the USA
accessories.toshiba.com Accessories information in the USA
www.toshiba.ca Canada
www.toshiba-Europe.com Europe
www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm Japan
latin.toshiba.com Mexico and all of Latin America
acclaim.toshiba.com Toshiba USA Self-Service support web
site
142 If Something Goes Wrong
Toshiba’s worldwide offices

laptopforums.toshiba.com Community discussion forums for

Toshiba laptop users

Toshiba’s worldwide offices

Australia Canada
Toshiba (Australia) Pty. Limited Toshiba Canada Ltd.
84-92 Talavera Road 191 McNabb Street
North Ryde NSW 2113 Markham, Ontario
Sydney L3R - 8H2
Australia Canada
France Germany
Toshiba Systèmes (France) S.A. Toshiba Europe GmbH
7, Rue Ampère; B. P. 131 Leibnizstraße 2
92800 Puteaux Cédex D-93055 Regensburg
France Germany
Italy Japan
Centro Direzionale Colleoni Toshiba Corporation, PCO-IO
Palazzo Perseo 1-1, Shibaura 1-Chome
Via Paracelso 10 Minato-Ku, Tokyo, 105-8001
20041, Agrate Brianza Japan
Milano, Italy
Latin America and Caribbean Mexico
Toshiba America Information Toshiba de México S.A. de C.V.
Systems, Inc. Sierra Candela No.111, 6to. Piso
9740 Irvine Boulevard Col. Lomas de Chapultepec.
Irvine, California 92618 CP 11000 Mexico, DF.
United States
Spain United Kingdom
Toshiba Information Systems Toshiba Information Systems
(España) S.A. (U.K) Ltd.
Parque Empresarial San Fernando Toshiba Court
Edificio Europa, 1a Planta Weybridge Business Park
Escalera A Addlestone Road
28831 (Madrid) San Fernando de Weybridge, Surrey KT15 2UL
Henares United Kingdom
Spain
United States The Rest of Europe
Toshiba America Information Toshiba Europe (I.E.) GmbH
Systems, Inc. Hammfelddamm 8
9740 Irvine Boulevard D-4-1460 Neuss
Irvine, California 92618 Germany
United States
 If Something Goes Wrong
Toshiba’s worldwide offices 143
For more information on additional Toshiba worldwide locations,
please visit: www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm.
Appendix A

Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards

Hot keys and TOSHIBA Cards provide a quick way to modify
selected system functions and to launch applications.
There are two types of TOSHIBA Cards: Hot Key Cards and
Application Cards.

Hot Key Cards

The Hot Key Cards are used to set or modify the following system
functions:
❖ Mute
❖ Output (Display switch)
❖ Brightness control
❖ Wireless
❖ Touch pad

144

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

 Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards
Hot key functions 145
Using the Hot Key Cards
The Hot Key Cards are normally hidden from view. The Cards
appear when you press the corresponding function key.

NOTE Hot keys are keys that, when pressed, turn system functions on and
off. Hot keys have a legend on the key indicating the option or feature
the key controls.

To use a Hot Key Card using a hot key:

1 Press the function key.
2 Press the hot key associated with the desired function.
The associated hot key Card appears at the top of the screen
with its available options below it.
3 To cycle through the displayed options, press the function key
repeatedly.

Hot key functions

Hot key functions are performed using either the Hot Key Cards or
by pressing the associated hot key. This section lists the available
hot key functions.

NOTE Hot keys are keys that, when pressed, turn system functions on and
off. Hot keys have a legend on the key indicating the option or feature
the key controls.

Help
This hot key displays the help file.

Display brightness
This hot key decreases the screen brightness.

This hot key increases the screen brightness.

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

146 Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards
Hot key functions

Output (Display switch)

This TOSHIBA Card or hot key cycles through the
power-on display options (only the first option is
available when you do not have an external monitor
attached) (the last option is available only if you are in
Extended Display Mode).
or
NOTE Some modes are only available with the
appropriate device attached and turned on.

❖ Built-in display only

❖ Built-in display and external monitor
simultaneously
❖ External monitor only
❖ Built-in display and external monitor (extended
desktop)
❖ Swap-Switch primary display between internal
display and external monitor when using extended
desktop
To use a simultaneous mode, you must set the resolution of
the internal display panel to match the resolution of the
external display device.
Selecting this Card or pressing the hot key displays the
following options:

(Sample Image) Display mode options window

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

 Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards
Hot key functions 147
Cycle through the display modes, then select the desired
mode.
Not all functions are supported on all models.

NOTE Some systems also support an additional Swap Image Display

mode. This mode is available only if the current setting is an
extended desktop mode (Built-in Display and External Monitor, or
Built-in Display and TV). In extended desktop mode, the image is
split into two sides, one side per display device. To swap sides,
select Swap Image Display.

Disabling or enabling the touch pad

This TOSHIBA Card or hot key enables/disables the touch
pad.
For more information on using the touch pad, see “Using
the touch pad” on page 60.
or Selecting this Card or pressing the hot key displays the
following options:

(Sample Image) Disable or Enable touch pad options

❖ To enable the touch pad, select .

❖ To disable the touch pad, select .

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

148 Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards
Hot key functions

Keyboard hot key functions

This hot key decreases the speaker volume.

This hot key increases the speaker volume.

This hot key mutes the sound coming from the computer.

This hot key allows you to zoom out.

Fn+
This hot key allows you to zoom in.
Fn+

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

 Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards
Hot key functions 149
Disabling or enabling wireless devices
This TOSHIBA Card or hot key enables/disables the
optional wireless devices installed in your computer.
The wireless modes are:
❖ Wi-Fi® enabled—Enables just the Wi-Fi® module.
or
❖ Bluetooth® enabled—Enables just the Bluetooth®
module.
❖ All disabled—Disables the Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi®
modules.
❖ All enabled—Enables the Bluetooth® and Wi-Fi®
modules.
Selecting this Card or pressing the hot key displays the
following options:

(Sample Image) Wireless communication options

❖ To enable Wi-Fi®, select .

❖ ®
To enable Bluetooth , select .
❖ To enable all, select .
❖ To disable all, select .
❖ To cancel, select .

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

150 Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards
Hot key functions

Zoom (Display resolution)

This TOSHIBA Card or hot key switches screen resolution.
Selecting this Card or pressing the hot key displays the
following options:

or

Fn+
[Space bar]

(Sample Image) Screen resolution options

Cycle through the screen resolutions, then select the desired

resolution.

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

Appendix B

Power Cord/Cable
Connectors
Your computer ships with the correct power supply for the country
of purchase. This appendix shows the shapes of the typical AC
power cord/cable connectors for various parts of the world.

USA Canada

UL approved
CSA approved
United Kingdom Europe

VDA approved
NEMKO approved

BS approved
Australia

AS approved

151

5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3

Glossary
TECHNICAL NOTE: Some features defined in this glossary may not
be available on your computer.

Acronyms
The following acronyms may appear in this User’s Guide.
AC Alternating Current
BIOS Basic Input/Output System
BD-ROM Blu-ray Disc® Read-Only Memory
bps bits per second
CD Compact Disc
CD-ROM Compact Disc Read-Only Memory
CD-RW Compact Disc Rewrite Memory
CMOS Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor
COM1 communications port 1 (serial port)
COM2 communications port 2 (serial port)
CPU Central Processing Unit
DC Direct Current
DMA Direct Memory Access

152
 Glossary
153
DIMM Dual Inline Memory Module
DOS Disk Operating System
DPI Dots Per Inch
DVD Digital Versatile (or Video) Disc
DVD-ROM Digital Versatile (or Video) Disc Read-Only Memory
EPROM Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory
eSATA external Serial Advanced Technology Attachment
FAT File Allocation Table
FCC Federal Communications Commission
GB gigabyte
HDD Hard Disk Drive
HDMI High-Definition Multimedia Interface
HDMI-CEC High-Definition Multimedia Interface Consumer
Electronics Control
HTML Hypertext Markup Language
IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
I/O Input/Output
IRQ interrupt request
ISP Internet Service Provider
KB kilobyte
LAN Local Area Network
LCD Liquid Crystal Display
LED Light Emitting Diode
MB megabyte
MIDI Musical Instrument Digital Interface
PC Personal Computer
PCI Peripheral Component Interconnect
PCMCIA Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association
RAM Random Access Memory
RGB Red, Green Blue light (monitor)
RFI Radio Frequency Interference
154 Glossary

ROM Read-Only Memory

RTC Real-Time Clock
SD Secure Digital
SDRAM Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory
SSD Solid State Drive
TFT Thin Film Transistor
USB Universal Serial Bus
URL Uniform Resource Locator
WAN Wide Area Network
www World Wide Web

Terms
The following terms may appear in this User’s Guide.
A active-matrix display—A liquid crystal display (LCD) made from an
array of liquid crystal cells using active-matrix technology. Also
known as a “TFT display,” in its simplest form there is one thin film
transistor (TFT) for each cell. This type of display works well with
computers because of its shallow depth and high-quality color.
Active-matrix displays are viewable from wider angles than most
passive-matrix displays.
adapter—A device that provides a compatible connection between two
units. For example, the computer’s internal display adapter receives
information from the software and translates it into images on the
screen. An adapter can take a number of forms, from a
microprocessor to a simple connector. An intelligent adapter (one
that is capable of doing some processing) may also be called a
controller.
Alternating Current (AC)—The type of power usually supplied to
residential and commercial wall outlets. AC reverses its direction at
regular intervals. Compare Direct Current (DC).
application—A computer program that you use to perform tasks of a
specific type. Applications include word processors, spreadsheets,
and database management systems. See also program.
 Glossary
155
B backup—A copy of a file, usually on a removable disk, kept in case the
original file is lost or damaged.
Basic Input/Output System (BIOS)—See BIOS.
baud rate—The speed at which a communication device, such as a
printer or modem, transmits information. Baud rate is the number of
signal changes per second (not necessarily the same as bits per
second). See also bits per second.
Blu-ray Disc® (BD)—Offering more storage capacity than DVDs, the
format was developed to allow for more data storage and to enable
recording and playback of high-definition video (HD).
BIOS (Basic Input/Output System)—Basic instructions, stored in
read-only memory (ROM), containing the information the computer
needs to check hardware and load the operating system when you
start up the computer.
bits per second (bps)—A way of measuring the speed at which
information is passed between two devices. This is the basic unit of
measure used in modem communications, and is similar, but not
identical, to the baud rate. See also baud rate.
boot—To start the computer. The term “boot” originates from bootstrap
program (as in “pulling itself up by its bootstraps”), a program that
loads and initializes the operating system. See also reboot.
boot disk—See system disk.
boot priority (startup sequence)—The order in which the computer
accesses its internal storage drives to locate the startup files. Under
the default startup sequence, the computer looks for the startup files
in the external media before checking the internal storage drive.
bus—An electrical circuit that connects the central processing unit
(CPU) with other parts of the computer, such as the video adapter,
disk drives, and ports. It is the pathway through which data flows
from one device to another. See also bus speed, frontside bus.
bus speed—The speed at which the central processing unit (CPU)
communicates with the other parts of the computer.
156 Glossary

C cache—A section of very fast memory in which frequently used

information is duplicated for quick access. Accessing data from
cache is faster than accessing it from the computer’s main memory.
See also CPU cache, L1 cache, L2 cache.
CD—An individual compact disc. See also CD-ROM.
CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory)—A form of high-
capacity storage that uses laser optics instead of magnetic means for
reading data. See also CD. Compare DVD-ROM.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)—The chip that functions as the “brain”
of the computer. It takes information from outside sources, such as
memory or keyboard input, processes the information, and sends the
results to another device that uses the information.
character—Any letter, number, or symbol you can use on the computer.
Some characters are non-printing characters, such as a paragraph
break in a word-processing program. A character occupies one byte
of computer storage.
chip—A small piece of silicon containing computer logic and circuits for
processing, memory, input/output, and/or control functions. Chips
are mounted on printed circuit boards.
click—To press and release the pointing device’s primary button without
moving the pointing device. In the Windows® operating system, this
refers to the pointing device’s left button, unless otherwise stated.
See also double-click.
color palette—A set of specified colors that establishes the colors that
can be displayed on the screen at a particular time.
compatibility—The extent to which computers, programs, or devices
can work together harmoniously, using the same commands,
formats, or language as another.
configuration—(1) The collection of components that make up a single
computer system. (2) How parts of the system are set up (that is,
configured).
controller—A device that controls the transfer of data from a computer
to a peripheral device and vice versa. For example, disk drives,
monitors, keyboards, and printers all require controllers.
CPU—See Central Processing Unit (CPU).
 Glossary
157
CPU cache—A section of very fast memory residing between the CPU
and the computer’s main memory that temporarily stores data and
instructions the CPU will need to execute commands and programs.
See also cache, L1 cache, L2 cache.
cursor—An on-screen symbol (usually a flashing vertical line) that
indicates the position where characters will appear when you enter
data.

D default—The setting selected by a program when the user does not

specify an alternative setting.
device—A component attached to the computer. Devices may be
external (outside the computer’s case) or internal (inside the
computer’s case). Printers, disk drives, and modems are examples of
devices.
device driver—A program (called a “driver”) that permits a computer to
communicate with a device.
dialog box—An on-screen window displayed by the operating system or
a program giving a direction or requesting input from the user.
Direct Current (DC)—The type of power usually supplied by batteries.
DC flows in one direction. Compare Alternating Current (AC).
Direct Memory Access (DMA)—A dedicated channel, bypassing the
CPU, that enables direct data transfer between memory and a
device.
directory—See folder.
disable—To turn a computer option off. See also enable.
disc—A round, flat piece of material, designed to be read from and
written to by optical (laser) technology, and used in the production
of optical discs, such as CDs and DVDs. Compare disk.
disk—A round, flat piece of material that can be magnetically influenced
to hold information in digital form, and used in the production of
magnetic disks, such as hard disks. Compare disc. See also hard
disk.
disk drive—The device that reads and writes information and programs
on external media or hard disk. It rotates the disk at high speed past
one or more read/write heads.
158 Glossary

document—Any file created with an application and, if saved to disk,

given a name by which it can be retrieved. See also file.
double-click—To press and release the pointing device’s primary button
rapidly twice without moving the pointing device. In the Windows®
operating system, this refers to the pointing device’s left button,
unless otherwise stated.
download—(1) In communications, to receive a file from another
computer through a modem or network. (2) To send font data from
the computer to a printer. See also upload.
drag—To hold down the mouse button while moving the pointer to drag
a selected object. In the Windows® operating system, this refers to
the left mouse button, unless otherwise stated.
driver—See device driver.
DVD—An individual digital versatile (or video) disc. See also
DVD-ROM.
DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile [or Video] Disc Read-Only
Memory)—A very high-capacity storage medium that uses laser
optics for reading data. Each DVD-ROM can hold as much data as
several CD-ROMs. Compare CD-ROM.

E emulation—A technique in which a device or program imitates another

device or program.
enable—To turn on a computer option. See also disable.
eSATA—An external device that supports hot swapping and fast data
transfer. Very useful in storing and transferring large files.
executable file—A computer program that is ready to run. Application
programs and batch files are examples of executable files. Names of
executable files usually end with a .bat or .exe extension.
expansion device—A device that connects to a computer to expand its
capabilities. Other names for an expansion device are port expander,
port replicator, docking station, or network adapter.
extension—See file extension.
external device—See device.
 Glossary
159
F file—A collection of related information, saved on disk with a unique
name. A file may be a program, information used by a program, or a
document. See also document.
File Allocation Table (FAT)—The section of a storage drive that keeps
track of the location of stored files.
file name—A set of characters that uniquely identifies a file within a
particular folder. It consists of two parts: the actual name and the file
name extension. See also file extension.
file extension—The three characters following the period (pronounced
“dot”) at the end of a file name. The extension indicates the type of
file. Examples are .exe for program files and .hlp for help files. See
also file name.
folder—Also called directory. A container for organizing files saved to a
disk. A folder is symbolized on screen by a graphical image (icon)
of a file folder. A folder can contain files and other folders.
format—(verb) To prepare a blank disk for use with the computer’s
operating system. Formatting creates a structure on the disk so the
operating system can write information to the disk or read
information from it.
frontside bus—The primary pathway (bus) between the CPU and the
computer’s main memory. Also called “system bus.” See also bus.
function keys—The keys labeled F1 through F12, typically located on
the keyboard. Their function is determined by the operating system
and/or individual programs.

G ground—A conductor to which all components of an electric circuit are

connected. It has a potential of zero (0) volts, is connected to the
earth, and is the point of reference for voltages in the circuit.

H hard disk—A storage device composed of a rigid platter or platters that

can be magnetically coded with data. Hard disks hold much more
information than some external media and are used for long-term
storage of programs and data. The primary (or only) hard disk in a
computer is usually fixed, but some computers have secondary hard
disks that are removable.
hardware—The physical components of a computer system. Compare
software.
160 Glossary

HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface)—An interface

used to transmit high quality audio and video signal via a single
cable in digital format, providing better picture quality than analog
signal.
HDMI-CEC (HDMI Consumer Electronics Control)—One A/V
component can control another while using this function, if
connected with HDMI cables. See also HDMI.
Hibernation—A feature of many Toshiba computers that saves to the
internal storage drive the current state of your work, including all
open files and programs, when you turn the computer off. When
you turn on the computer again, your work is returned to the same
state it was when the computer was turned off. See also Sleep,
Suspend.
hot key—(1) A feature in which certain keys in combination with the Fn
key can set system options or control system parameters, such as the
battery save mode. (2) A key or combination of keys that activates a
memory resident program.
hot swapping—The ability to add or remove devices from a computer
while the computer is running and have the operating system
automatically recognize the change.

I icon—A small image displayed on the screen that represents a function,

file, or program.
interlaced—A method of refreshing a computer screen, in which only
every other line of pixels is refreshed. Interlaced monitors take two
passes to create a complete screen image. Compare non-interlaced.
internal device—See device.
Internet—The decentralized, world-wide network of computers that
provides electronic mail, the World Wide Web, and other services.
See also World Wide Web.

K keyboard shortcut—A key or combination of keys that you use to

perform a task instead of using a pointing device such as a mouse.

L L1 (level one) cache—Memory cache built into the processor to help

improve processing speed. See also cache, CPU cache, L2 cache.
L2 (level two) cache—Memory cache installed on the motherboard to
help improve processing speed. It is slower than L1 cache and faster
than main memory. See also cache, CPU cache, L1 cache.
 Glossary
161
LAN (Local Area Network)—A group of computers or other devices
dispersed over a relatively limited area and connected by a
communications link that enables any device to interact with any
other on the network.
LED (Light Emitting Diode)—A solid state lamp (SSL) that uses
light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as the source of light, which offers
long life and high efficiency output. Multiple diodes are used
together, since the light created by individual light-emitting diodes is
small compared to incandescent and compact fluorescent lamps.
LCD (Liquid Crystal Display)—A type of display that uses a liquid
substance between two transparent electrode panels. When an
electric current passes through the electrodes, the molecules in the
liquid form a crystalline pattern that polarizes the light passing
through it. A filter over the electrodes permits only non-polarized
light to pass to the surface of the display, creating light and dark
pixels.
load—To move information from a storage device (such as a hard disk)
into memory for processing.
local area network—See LAN.
logical drive—A section of a disk that is recognized by the operating
system as a separate disk drive. A system’s logical drives may differ
from its physical drives. For example, a single hard disk drive may
be partitioned into two or more logical drives.

M memory—Typically refers to the computer’s main memory, where

programs are run and data is temporarily stored and processed.
Memory can be volatile and hold data temporarily, such as RAM, or
it can be nonvolatile and hold data permanently, such as ROM. A
computer’s main memory is RAM. See also RAM, ROM.
microprocessor—See Central Processing Unit (CPU).
MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface)—A standard for
connecting musical instruments, synthesizers, and computers. The
MIDI standard provides a way of translating music into a form
computers can use, and vice versa.
modem—Short for “modulator/demodulator.” A device that converts
information from digital to analog, and back to digital, enabling
information to pass back and forth between digital computers and
analog telephone lines.
162 Glossary

motherboard—The computer’s main circuit board that contains the

processor, memory, and other primary components.
MS-DOS prompt—See system prompt.
multi-function drive—A DVD drive that can read and write to CD and
DVD media.
multimedia—A combination of two or more media, such as sound,
animation, and video in a computer program or presentation.
Musical Instrument Digital Interface—See MIDI.

N network—A collection of computers and associated devices that are

connected by communications facilities. A network allows you to
share data and peripheral devices, such as printers, with other users
and to exchange electronic mail.
non-interlaced—A method of refreshing a computer screen, in which
each pixel of every line is refreshed as the electron beam scans
across and down the screen. Compare interlaced.
non-system disk—A disk for storing programs and data that cannot be
used to start the computer. Compare system disk.

O online—Available through the computer. Online may refer to

information being read from your own computer’s internal storage
drive, such as online documentation or online Help, or to
information coming from another company on a company network
or the Internet.
operating system—A set of programs that controls how the computer
works. Examples of operating systems are the Windows Vista®
Home Basic and Windows® 7 operating systems.
optical disc drive—A drive which reads plastic coated discs on which
information is recorded digitally, and uses a laser to read data,
music, or videos.

P palette—See color palette.

parallel—Processes that occur simultaneously. In communications, it
means the transmission of more than one bit of information at a
time. On your computer, the parallel port provides a parallel
communications interface between the computer and an appropriate
device. Most modern printers are parallel. Compare serial.
 Glossary
163
password—A unique string of characters entered by a user to verify his
or her identity to the computer or the network.
PC Card—A credit-card-sized expansion card designed to increase the
capabilities of computers. PC Cards provide functions such as
modem, fax/modem, hard disk drive, network adapter, sound card,
or SCSI adapter.
peripheral—Any device, such as a printer or joystick, that is attached to
the computer and controlled by the computer’s CPU.
pixel—Short for “picture element.” The smallest dot that can be
produced on a screen or printer.
Plug and Play—Generally, refers to the computer’s ability to
automatically configure itself to work with peripheral devices.
When capitalized, refers to a standard that, when followed by a
device manufacturer, allows a computer to configure itself
automatically to work with the device.
pointer—An icon (usually an arrow) that moves on the screen when you
slide your finger across the touch pad or move a mouse. Used to
point to and select/activate on-screen items, such as icons, menu
items, and buttons. The shape and purpose of the pointer varies
depending on the program you are using and what you are doing.
pointing device—Any device, such as the touch pad or a mouse, that
enables you to move the pointer on the screen.
port—A socket on the computer where you plug in a cable for
connection to a network or a peripheral device.
processor—See Central Processing Unit (CPU).
program—A set of instructions that can be executed by a computer. The
general classes of programs (also called software) are operating
system, application, and utility. See also operating system,
application, utility.
properties—The attributes of an object or device. For example, the
properties of a file include the file’s type, size, and creation date.

R RAM (Random Access Memory)—Volatile memory that can be

written to as well as read. Volatile here means that information in
RAM is lost when you turn off your computer. This type of memory
is used for your computer’s main memory. See also memory.
Compare ROM.
164 Glossary

Random Access Memory—See RAM.

Read-Only Memory—See ROM.
reboot—See boot, restart.
removable disk—A disk that can be removed from a disk drive. A Flash
drive is one example of a removable disk.
resolution—A measure of the sharpness of the images that can be
produced by a printer or displayed on a screen. For a printer,
resolution is expressed in dots per inch (dpi). For a screen, it is
expressed as the number of pixels available horizontally and
vertically.
restart—Synonymous with reboot. To reset the computer by reloading
the operating system without turning the computer off. See also
boot.
RGB (Red, Green, Blue) monitor—A monitor that reproduces all
colors by mixing red, green, and blue light in various combinations.
RJ11 connector—A modular connector used on most U.S. telephone
systems and direct-connect modems. The RJ11 connector is a
6-wire connector.
RJ45 connector—An eight-wire connector used to connect a computer
to a network.
ROM (Read-Only Memory)—Non-volatile memory that can be read
but not written to. Non-volatile here means that information in ROM
remains whether or not the computer is receiving power. This type
of memory is used to store your computer’s BIOS, which is
essential instructions the computer reads when you start it up. See
also BIOS, memory. Compare RAM.

S Secure Digital (SD)—A small, portable, non-volatile memory card used

to store and transfer data between digital products, providing
encryption capability for content security.
select—To highlight or otherwise specify text, data, or graphics with the
intent to perform some operation on it.
serial—Processes that occur one at a time. In communications, it means
the transmission of one bit at a time sequentially over a single
channel. On your computer, the serial port provides a serial interface
between the computer and an appropriate device. Compare parallel.
 Glossary
165
shortcut—See keyboard shortcut.
Sleep—A feature of some Windows® operating systems that allows you
to turn off the computer without exiting your open applications and
to continue from where you left off when you turn the computer on
again.
software—See program. Compare hardware.
solid state drive —A data storage device that utilizes solid-state memory
as opposed to a hard disk (see also hard disk). Solid state drives hold
a large amount of information and are used for storage of programs
and data.
Suspend—A feature of some Windows® operating systems that allows
you to turn off the computer without exiting your open applications
and to continue from where you left off when you turn the computer
on again.
system prompt—The symbol (in the MS-DOS® operating system,
generally a drive letter followed by a “greater than” sign) indicating
where users are to enter commands.

T TFT display—See active-matrix display.

U Universal Serial Bus (USB)—USB is a serial bus that supports data

transfer. USB allows hot swapping of peripherals. See also bus, hot
swapping, serial.
upload—To send a file to another computer through a modem or
network. See also download.
USB—See Universal Serial Bus (USB).

USB Flash drive—A small, portable flash memory card that plugs into a
computer’s USB port and functions as a portable hard drive. They
are smaller and more durable than an external hard drive because
they do not contain any internal moving parts, but have less storage
capacity. See also Universal Serial Bus (USB).
utility—A computer program designed to perform a narrowly focused
operation or solve a specific problem. Utilities are often related to
computer system management.

W Web—See World Wide Web.

166 Glossary

Wi-Fi®—A registered trademark term of the Wi-Fi Alliance that stands

for Wireless Fidelity, and is another term for the communication
protocol to permit an Ethernet connection using wireless
communication components.
World Wide Web (www)—The worldwide network of Web sites linked
together over the Internet. A user of the Web can jump from site to
site regardless of the location of the computer hosting the site. See
also Internet.
Index
A charging 39, 78
AC adaptor 36 charging the real-time clock
AC power 77 (RTC) 79
AC power light 36 conserving power 82
accessing determine remaining power 81
network 92 disposal 86
adding indicator light 80
memory (optional) 40 installation 84
optional external devices 40 low charge 81
adequate ventilation maintaining 86
cooling fan 35 maximum capacity 76
adjusting monitoring power 38, 79
touch pad settings 63 power management 77
audio features 92 power options 81
real-time clock (RTC) 77
B recharge time 76
backing up files 70, 74 RTC memory 77
backlit keyboard 72
running computer on battery
battery power 76
battery life 76
safety precautions 85
care 85, 86
setting notifications 81
changing 84
battery indicator light 80
charge indicator light 38
BIOS Setup
charge time 78 see TOSHIBA Hardware Setup
charger 78

167
168 Index

button creating new icon 89

start 90 exploring the 88
C icons 89
recycle bin 89
caring for your computer 66
standard features 89
changing
battery 84 Windows® operating system 88
Device Manager
character keys 71
fixing a problem 128
charging the battery 39
directing
cleaning the computer 67
display output 65
communications
set up 91 disabling
touch pad 63, 147
computer
caring for 66 display
troubleshooting 132
cleaning 67
display devices
environmental precautions 28, 87
external 64
moving 67
display output settings 65
running on battery power 76
display, external
setting up 36
adjusting 66
computer lock 67
disposal information 16
computer will not start
troubleshooting 124 disposing of your computer 86
computing habits E
troubleshooting 135 enabling
computing tips 69 touch pad 63, 147
connecting ENERGY STAR® 23
AC adaptor 36 exploring
AC adaptor cord to (DC-IN) 38 desktop 88
computer to a network 92 external display device
external device 64 HDMI® Out port 64
HDMI®-compatible TV or external display, adjusting 66
display device 65 F
power cord/cable 38
files
power source 37 backing up 70, 74
cooling fan restore 74
adequate ventilation 35
saving 73
customize function keys 71
computer settings 66
H
D headphones
data/entire system backup using 93
troubleshooting 138
Help and Support
desktop
 Index
169
troubleshooting 128 battery light 38, 39
hot key Web Camera light 93
disabling or enabling wireless Licenses 16
devices 149 lock
display brightness 145 computer, using 67
keyboard overlays 148 M
Lock (Instant security) 145 maintaining your battery 86
Output (Display switch) 146 memory
Zoom (Display resolution) 150 adding (optional) 40
zooming in 148 Memory card reader
zooming out 148 inserting memory media 94
Hot Key Cards 144 removing memory media 95
Hot key functions 145 using 94
I microphone
icon using 92
desktop 89 monitor problems
moving to desktop 89 troubleshooting 131
recycle bin 89 monitoring battery power 79
safety 26 mouse utility 109
installing moving the computer 67
battery 84 N
memory modules 40 network
internal storage drive accessing 92
recovery 41 connecting your computer 92
K networking
keyboard wireless 91
backlit 72 notification area 91
character keys 71 O
function keys 71 ON/OFF indicator light 80
hot keys 148 online resources
special Windows® keys 71 Toshiba 75
troubleshooting 130 optional external devices
using 70 adding 40
keys other documentation 27
backlit 72
function keys 71 P
password
L deleting a supervisor 105
LEDs deleting a user 106
system indicator lights 80 power-on password 103
AC adaptor light 79 setting 103
AC power light 36, 38
170 Index

setting a supervisor 104 without changing drive partitions

setting a user 105 48
supervisor password 103 recycle bin icon 89
user password 103 registering computer 40
port restore points
HDMI® 64 troubleshooting 137
power restoring your work 74
connecting cable to AC adaptor running computer on battery power 76
37 S
cord/cable 38
safety
cord/cable connectors 151
computer 87
energy-saving features 76
disposing of your computer 86
power management 77
icons 26
optimum performance 77
precautions 33
power plans
safety precautions
selecting power plan options 83
battery 85
power saving options 82
saving files 73
precautions
Search programs and files field
safety 33
starting a program 72
problem solving
selecting
contacting Toshiba 141
a place to work 28
Startup options 126
power plan options 83
program, starting 72
video cables 64
program, starting from Start menu 73
setting
R low battery notifications 81
real-time clock (RTC) setting up
battery 77 AC adaptor 36
recording sounds 92 adding memory (optional) 40
recovery communications 91
checking internal storage drive computer 36
operating status 59 software
creating recovery media 53 Setup Wizard 40
erasing internal storage drive 57 work environment 28
installing drivers and applications settings
59 customize computer settings 66
internal storage drive 41 display output 65
out-of-box state 42 software
with user’s data 45 Setup Wizard 40
restoring from recovery media 55 software program
to custom size partition 50 starting 72
starting from Start menu 73
 Index
171
sounds TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor 118
recording 92 TOSHIBA Recovery Media Creator
speakers 102
using external 93 TOSHIBA Service Station 117
start button 90 TOSHIBA Sleep Utility 112
starting a program 72 TOSHIBA Split Screen Utility 119
Search programs and files field 72 touch pad
Windows® Start menu 73 using 60
starting a program from Start 73 traveling tips 87
Startup menu troubleshooting 131
problem solving 126 AC power light is blinking 125
supervisor password, deleting 105 battery light is blinking 125
supervisor password, set up 104 bookmarked site not found 127
system indicator lights checking device properties 128
AC power 36 computer will not start 124
LEDs 38, 39, 79, 80, 93 contacting Toshiba 141
T corrupted/damaged data files 133
data/entire system backup 138
taskbar 90
Device Manager 128
television
adjusting display 66 Disk Defragmenter 133
display error message 132
tips
for computing 69 display problems
screen is blank 131
Toshiba
error message, warning resume
online resources 75
failure 125
registering computer
Error-checking 133
Toshiba Web site 40
external display problems 132
worldwide offices 142
external keyboard 131
TOSHIBA Accessibility 116
external monitor 131
TOSHIBA Application Installer 102
TOSHIBA Assist 97 good computing habits 135
Connect tab 98 hard disk drive is slow 133
Optimize tab 101 Help and Support, Windows®
operating system 128
Protect & Fix tab 100
Secure tab 99 high-pitched noise 134
TOSHIBA eco power plan 84 installing hardware/software 139
TOSHIBA eco Utility™ 117 keyboard 130
TOSHIBA Face Recognition Utility keyboard will not respond 124
memory problems 129
107
TOSHIBA Hardware Setup 110 missing files/trouble accessing a
drive 132
TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool Utility
power and batteries 129
108
restore points 137
172 Index

screen does not look correct/ desktop 88

flickers 131 troubleshooting 126
slow Internet connection 127 Windows® Start menu
sound system 133 starting a program 73
trouble running programs 133 wireless networking 91
URL address not found 127 troubleshooting 134
USB Sleep and Charge
cannot use 140
USB Wakeup function
does not work 140
Windows® operating system not
working 126
wireless networking 134
U
USB Sleep and Charge
cannot use 140
USB Wakeup function
does not work 140
user password, deleting 106
user password, setting 105
using
a microphone 92
computer lock 67
Memory card reader 94
TOSHIBA eco power plan 84
touch pad 60
Web Camera 93
using the keyboard 70
Utilities 96
V
video projector
adjusting display 66
W
warranty
standard limited warranty 27
Web Camera
using 93
Web sites 141
Wi-Fi®
wireless networking 91
Windows® operating system