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®
Satellite A10/A15 Series
Resource Guide
Keep this guide in a convenient place to access important
information about your computer.
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Contents 2 Contents Setting up your computer and getting started............................ 4 Installing additional memory (optional) ..................................... 7 Your computer’s TFT display .................................................... 10 Inserting PC Cards................................................................... 10 Removing PC Cards................................................................. 11 Learning the basics...............................................
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3 Welcome to the world of powerful and portable multimedia computers! With your new Toshiba notebook computer, your access to information can accompany you wherever you go. ® ® You will find that the Microsoft Windows XP operating system is already installed on your computer. It offers exciting features and easy Internet access. This guide This guide offers important information about your computer, including solutions to the most common problems, and features and specifications. For more d
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Setting up your computer and getting started 4 DEFINITION: This icon indicates the definition of a term used in the text. Other documentation Your computer comes with all or some of the following documentation in addition to this resource guide: ❖ Electronic user’s guide installed on your system. ❖ Guides for other software that may come preinstalled. ® ® ❖ Microsoft Windows XP operating system documentation. ❖ For accessory information, visit Toshiba’s Web site at toshiba.com. ❖ The Recovery
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Setting up your computer and getting started 5 Precautions Your notebook 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. Never apply heavy pressure to the computer or subject it to sharp impacts. Excessive pressure or impact can damage computer components or otherwise cause your computer to malfunction. Some PC Cards become ho
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Setting up your computer and getting started 6 The power cord on this product contains lead, a chemical known to the State of California to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. Wash hands after handling. To connect AC power to the computer: 1 Connect the power cable to the AC adapter. 2 Plug the AC adapter into the DC-IN port. 3 Connect the power cable to a live electrical outlet. If the electrical outlet is live, the system indicator panel’s AC power light ( ) glows green. Damaged
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Installing additional memory (optional) 7 Installing additional memory (optional) Before you install or remove a memory module, turn off the computer using the Start menu. If you install or remove a memory module while the computer is in Standby or Hibernation mode, data will be lost. A memory module must be installed in slot A. Do not try to operate the com- puter with a memory module in slot B only. If you install a memory module that is incompatible with the computer, a beep will sound w
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Installing additional memory (optional) 8 Memory slot cover Base of your Satellite computer 4 Using a standard Phillips no. 1 screwdriver, unscrew the screw that secures the memory slot cover, then remove the memory slot cover. Removing the memory slot cover 5 Put the screw and the cover in a safe place so that you can retrieve them later. The following figure shows the inside of the memory compartment. Viewing the inside of the memory compartment RG 5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3.4
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Installing additional memory (optional) 9 6 Remove the memory module from its antistatic packaging. Static electricity can damage the memory module. Before you handle the module, touch a grounded metal surface to discharge any static electricity you may have built up. To avoid damaging the memory module, be careful not to touch its gold connector bar (on the side you insert into the computer). 7 Holding the memory module by its edges so that the gold connector bar faces the slot, fit the mod
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Your computer’s TFT display 10 Removing a memory module If you use the computer for a long time, the memory modules will become hot. If this happens, let the modules cool to room temperature before you replace them. 1 Follow steps 1 through 5 in “Installing additional memory (optional)” on page 7. 2 Gently push the memory clips outward until the memory module pops up. Removing the memory module 3 Gently pull the memory module diagonally to remove it from the slot. 4 Complete the procedure b
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Removing PC Cards 11 2 Align the card connectors with the PC Card slot and carefully slide the card into the slot until it locks into place. To avoid damaging the PC Card or the computer, do not force the card into the PC Card slot. Removing PC Cards 1 Stop the PC Card by clicking the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the system tray. After the Safe to Remove Hardware message appears, it is safe to remove the PC Card. 2 To remove the PC Card, press the slot’s eject button once. 3 Remove the PC
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Playing a CD or DVD 12 ❖ Scan all new files for viruses. ❖ Never turn off the computer if a drive indicator light indicates a drive is active. ® The Windows XP operating system records information, such as your desktop setup, during its shutdown procedure. If you do not let the operating system shut down normally, details such as new icon positions may be lost. Using the TouchPad TM The TouchPad , the touch-sensitive cutout in front of the keyboard, enables you to move the cursor by brushin
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Playing a CD or DVD 13 You use CD-ROMs to load and run software, and to access reference material such as catalogs, as well as listen to music. Drive components and control buttons The DVD-ROM or multi-function drive may look like this: Components Manual eject button Eject button Sample DVD-ROM or multi-function drive shown Use the eject button to release the disc tray. This button requires power. Never press the eject button or turn off the computer while the drive-in-use indicator light i
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Playing a CD or DVD 14 3 Hold the disc by its edges and check that it is clean and free of dust. 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 lose data. 4 Carefully place the disc in the empty tray with its label facing up. Inserting a disc Be careful not to touch the drive’s lens (located underneath the drive’s spindle) or the area around it. Doing so could cause the drive to malfunction. 5
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Moving the computer 15 Removing a disc with the computer off 1 Insert a slender object, such as a straightened paper clip, into the manual eject button access hole. Never use a pencil to press the manual eject button. Pencil lead can break off inside the computer and damage it. 2 Pull the tray fully open, remove the disc and place it in its protective cover. 3 Push the tray in to close the drive. Moving the computer Before moving your computer, even across the room, make sure all disk activ
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Mobile computing 16 ❖ Does not glow if the external power source is disconnected or if the battery is completely discharged 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. Setting battery alarms Your computer can be config
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Mobile computing 17 Releasing the battery lock 6 Slide the battery release latch towards the back of the computer. Releasing the battery 7 While still holding the release latch in the open position lift the battery pack out of the computer. Removing the battery If the battery is leaking or its case is cracked, put on protective gloves to handle it, and discard it immediately following the advice in “Disposing of used batteries safely” in your electronic user’s guide. Battery safety precaution
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Mobile computing 18 ❖ Do not try to disassemble a battery pack. ❖ Do not overcharge or reverse charge a battery. Overcharging will shorten its life, and reverse charging could damage it. ❖ Avoid touching the metal terminals of the battery with another metal object. Short-circuiting the battery can cause it to overheat and may cause damage to the battery or the computer. ❖ Do not incinerate a spent battery, as this could cause it to explode and release toxic materials. ❖ If a battery is leaki
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If something goes wrong 19 ❖ If you have extra batteries, rotate their use. ❖ If you will not be using the system for an extended period (more than one month), remove the battery. ❖ Disconnect the AC adapter when the battery is fully charged. Overcharging makes the battery hot and shortens life. ❖ If you are not going to use the computer for more than eight hours, disconnect the AC adapter. ❖ Store spare batteries in a cool dry place out of direct sunlight. If something goes wrong Problems th
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If something goes wrong 20 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 adapter and power cable properly or installed a charged battery. Press and hold down the power button until the on/off light changes to green. If you are using the AC adapter, check that the wall outlet is working by plugging in another device, such as a lamp. The computer starts but, when you press a key, nothing h
