User GuideTable of ContentsSatellite® A500 Series User’s Guide1Contents29Introduction37This guide39Safety icons40Other icons used40Your computer’s features and specifications41Other documentation41Service options41Chapter 1: Getting Started42Selecting a place to work42Setting up a work environment42Keeping yourself comfortable43Precautions43Important information on your computer’s cooling fan45Setting up your computer45Connecting to a power source46Charging the main battery48Using the computer for the first time49Opening the display panel49Turning on the power50Setting up your software51Registering your computer with Toshiba51Adding optional external devices51Adding memory (optional)52Installing a memory module52Removing a memory module58Checking total memory60Recovering the Internal Storage Drive60Recovering to out-of-box state (recommended recovery method)61Recovering to a custom size partition64Recovering without changing the internal storage drive partitions66Creating recovery DVDs/media69Restoring from recovery DVDs/media70Erasing the Internal Storage Drive71Checking the internal storage drive operating status73Installing drivers and applications73Using the TouchPad™73Adjusting TouchPad™ settings76Disabling or enabling the TouchPad™77Using external display devices77Connecting the display device78Directing the display output when you turn on the computer79Adjusting the quality of the external display80Using an external keyboard81Using a mouse81Connecting a printer81Setting up a printer82Turning off the computer82Options for turning off the computer83Using the Shut down command85Using and configuring Hibernation mode87Using and configuring Sleep mode89Closing the display panel92Customizing your computer’s settings92Caring for your computer92Cleaning the computer92Moving the computer93Using a computer lock93Chapter 2: Learning the Basics94Computing tips94Using the keyboard95Character keys96Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys96Function keys96Special Windows® keys97Backlit keyboard97Starting a program97Starting a program from the Start menu98Starting a program from Windows® Explorer98Starting a program using the Search programs and files field99Saving your work100Printing your work101Backing up your work102Restoring your work103Using the optical drive103Optical drive components104Media control buttons105Inserting an optical disc (slot-type drive)105Removing a disc (slot-type drive)106Inserting an optical disc (tray-type drive)107Playing an audio CD109Playing optical media109Recording optical media109Removing a disc with the computer off (tray-type drive)110Caring for optical discs110Toshiba’s online resources111Chapter 3: Mobile Computing112Toshiba’s energy-saver design112Running the computer on battery power113Battery Notice113Power management114Using additional batteries114Charging batteries114Charging the main battery115Charging the RTC battery115Monitoring main battery power116Determining remaining battery power118What to do when the main battery runs low118Setting battery notifications119Conserving battery power120Power Plans121Using a hot key to set the Power Plan122Using the TOSHIBA eco power plan123Changing the main battery123Removing the battery from the computer124Inserting a charged battery125Taking care of your battery127Safety precautions127Maintaining your battery128Disposing of used batteries128Traveling tips130Chapter 4: Exploring Your Computer’s Features131Exploring the desktop131Finding your way around the desktop132Setting up for communications134Connecting your computer to a network134Connecting a modem to a telephone line135An overview of using the Internet137The Internet137The World Wide Web137Internet Service Providers137Connecting to the Internet138Surfing the Internet138Internet features138Uploading to, and downloading files from, the Internet139Exploring audio features140Recording sounds140Using external speakers or headphones140Using the Web Camera141Using an ExpressCard®142Inserting an ExpressCard®142Removing an ExpressCard®142Using the Memory card reader143Inserting memory media144Removing memory media144Using the i.LINK® port145Using the eSATA/USB combo port145Chapter 5: Utilities146TOSHIBA Assist147Connect148Secure149Protect & Fix150Optimize151TOSHIBA Application Installer152Setting passwords153Using an instant password153Using a supervisor password154Using a user password155Deleting a user password156TOSHIBA Face Recognition Utility157TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool Utility158TOSHIBA HDD Protection Utility159TOSHIBA SD™ Memory Card Format Utility160Mouse Utility161TOSHIBA Hardware Setup162USB Sleep and Charge Utility164Starting the USB Sleep and Charge Utility164USB Sleep and Charge164Enabling USB Sleep and Charge166Power supply mode settings166Battery settings166TOSHIBA Zooming Utility167TOSHIBA Button Support168TOSHIBA Accessibility169Fingerprint Authentication Utility170Fingerprint utility limitations170Using the Fingerprint Authentication Utility170Fingerprint Logon171Care and maintenance of your fingerprint reader171Fingerprint reader limitations173TOSHIBA eco Utility™174TOSHIBA Service Station175TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor175ConfigFree®176Getting Started176ConfigFree® Utilities177Chapter 6: If Something Goes Wrong180Problems that are easy to fix180Problems when you turn on the computer181The Windows® operating system is not working184Using Startup options to fix problems185Internet problems186The Windows® operating system can help you186Fixing a problem with Device Manager187Checking device properties187Memory problems188Power and the batteries188Keyboard problems190Display problems190Disk or storage drive problems192Error-checking192Optical drive problems (tray-type drive only)193Sound system problems194ExpressCard® problems195ExpressCard® checklist195Resolving ExpressCard® problems195Printer problems197Modem problems198Wireless networking problems198DVD operating problems200Develop good computing habits201Data and system configuration backup in the Windows® operating system202Saving system configuration with restore points202If you need further assistance207Before you contact Toshiba207Contacting Toshiba207Other Toshiba Internet Web sites208Toshiba’s worldwide offices208Appendix A: Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards210Hot Key Cards210Using the Hot Key Cards211Application Cards212Using the Application Cards213Card Case214Hot key functions214Volume Mute215Lock (Instant security)216Power plan217Sleep mode218Hibernation mode219Output (Display switch)220Display brightness221Disabling or enabling wireless devices222Disabling or enabling the TouchPad™223Zoom (Display resolution)224Keyboard hot key functions225Appendix B: Power Cord/Cable Connectors226Glossary227Index241Size: 4.95 MBPages: 248Language: EnglishOpen manual
User GuideTable of ContentsSatellite® A500 Series User’s Guide1Contents29Introduction37This guide39Safety icons40Other icons used40Your computer’s features and specifications41Other documentation41Service options41Chapter 1: Getting Started42Selecting a place to work42Setting up a work environment42Keeping yourself comfortable43Precautions43Important information on your computer’s cooling fan45Setting up your computer45Connecting to a power source46Charging the main battery48Using the computer for the first time49Opening the display panel49Turning on the power50Setting up your software51Registering your computer with Toshiba51Adding optional external devices51Adding memory (optional)52Installing a memory module52Removing a memory module58Checking total memory60Recovering the Internal Storage Drive60Recovering to out-of-box state (recommended recovery method)61Recovering to a custom size partition64Recovering without changing the internal storage drive partitions66Creating recovery DVDs/media69Restoring from recovery DVDs/media70Erasing the Internal Storage Drive71Checking the internal storage drive operating status73Installing drivers and applications73Using the TouchPad™73Adjusting TouchPad™ settings76Disabling or enabling the TouchPad™77Using external display devices77Connecting the display device78Directing the display output when you turn on the computer79Adjusting the quality of the external display80Using an external keyboard81Using a mouse81Connecting a printer81Setting up a printer82Turning off the computer82Options for turning off the computer83Using the Shut down command85Using and configuring Hibernation mode87Using and configuring Sleep mode89Closing the display panel92Customizing your computer’s settings92Caring for your computer92Cleaning the computer92Moving the computer93Using a computer lock93Chapter 2: Learning the Basics94Computing tips94Using the keyboard95Character keys96Ctrl, Fn, and Alt keys96Function keys96Special Windows® keys97Backlit keyboard97Starting a program97Starting a program from the Start menu98Starting a program from Windows® Explorer98Starting a program using the Search programs and files field99Saving your work100Printing your work101Backing up your work102Restoring your work103Using the optical drive103Optical drive components104Media control buttons105Inserting an optical disc (slot-type drive)105Removing a disc (slot-type drive)106Inserting an optical disc (tray-type drive)107Playing an audio CD109Playing optical media109Recording optical media109Removing a disc with the computer off (tray-type drive)110Caring for optical discs110Toshiba’s online resources111Chapter 3: Mobile Computing112Toshiba’s energy-saver design112Running the computer on battery power113Battery Notice113Power management114Using additional batteries114Charging batteries114Charging the main battery115Charging the RTC battery115Monitoring main battery power116Determining remaining battery power118What to do when the main battery runs low118Setting battery notifications119Conserving battery power120Power Plans121Using a hot key to set the Power Plan122Using the TOSHIBA eco power plan123Changing the main battery123Removing the battery from the computer124Inserting a charged battery125Taking care of your battery127Safety precautions127Maintaining your battery128Disposing of used batteries128Traveling tips130Chapter 4: Exploring Your Computer’s Features131Exploring the desktop131Finding your way around the desktop132Setting up for communications134Connecting your computer to a network134Connecting a modem to a telephone line135An overview of using the Internet137The Internet137The World Wide Web137Internet Service Providers137Connecting to the Internet138Surfing the Internet138Internet features138Uploading to, and downloading files from, the Internet139Exploring audio features140Recording sounds140Using external speakers or headphones140Using the Web Camera141Using an ExpressCard®142Inserting an ExpressCard®142Removing an ExpressCard®142Using the Memory card reader143Inserting memory media144Removing memory media144Using the i.LINK® port145Using the eSATA/USB combo port145Chapter 5: Utilities146TOSHIBA Assist147Connect148Secure149Protect & Fix150Optimize151TOSHIBA Application Installer152Setting passwords153Using an instant password153Using a supervisor password154Using a user password155Deleting a user password156TOSHIBA Face Recognition Utility157TOSHIBA PC Diagnostic Tool Utility158TOSHIBA HDD Protection Utility159TOSHIBA SD™ Memory Card Format Utility160Mouse Utility161TOSHIBA Hardware Setup162USB Sleep and Charge Utility164Starting the USB Sleep and Charge Utility164USB Sleep and Charge164Enabling USB Sleep and Charge166Power supply mode settings166Battery settings166TOSHIBA Zooming Utility167TOSHIBA Button Support168TOSHIBA Accessibility169Fingerprint Authentication Utility170Fingerprint utility limitations170Using the Fingerprint Authentication Utility170Fingerprint Logon171Care and maintenance of your fingerprint reader171Fingerprint reader limitations173TOSHIBA eco Utility™174TOSHIBA Service Station175TOSHIBA PC Health Monitor175ConfigFree®176Getting Started176ConfigFree® Utilities177Chapter 6: If Something Goes Wrong180Problems that are easy to fix180Problems when you turn on the computer181The Windows® operating system is not working184Using Startup options to fix problems185Internet problems186The Windows® operating system can help you186Fixing a problem with Device Manager187Checking device properties187Memory problems188Power and the batteries188Keyboard problems190Display problems190Disk or storage drive problems192Error-checking192Optical drive problems (tray-type drive only)193Sound system problems194ExpressCard® problems195ExpressCard® checklist195Resolving ExpressCard® problems195Printer problems197Modem problems198Wireless networking problems198DVD operating problems200Develop good computing habits201Data and system configuration backup in the Windows® operating system202Saving system configuration with restore points202If you need further assistance207Before you contact Toshiba207Contacting Toshiba207Other Toshiba Internet Web sites208Toshiba’s worldwide offices208Appendix A: Hot Keys/TOSHIBA Cards210Hot Key Cards210Using the Hot Key Cards211Application Cards212Using the Application Cards213Card Case214Hot key functions214Volume Mute215Lock (Instant security)216Power plan217Sleep mode218Hibernation mode219Output (Display switch)220Display brightness221Disabling or enabling wireless devices222Disabling or enabling the TouchPad™223Zoom (Display resolution)224Keyboard hot key functions225Appendix B: Power Cord/Cable Connectors226Glossary227Index241Size: 4.95 MBPages: 248Language: EnglishOpen manual
