Toshiba L350 Manual

							
91Learning the Basics
Toshiba’s online resources
2Pull the tray out until it is fully open, remove the disc, and 
place it in its protective cover.
3 Gently press the tray in to close it.
Caring for optical discs 
❖Store your discs in their original containers to protect them 
from scratches and keep them clean.
❖ Do not bend a disc or place heavy objects on top of it.
❖ Do not apply a label to, or otherwise mar the surface of, a disc.
❖ Hold a disc by its outside edge . Fingerprints on the surface can 
prevent the optical drive from reading the data properly.
❖ Do not expose discs to direct su nlight or extreme heat or cold.
❖ To clean a disc that is dirty, wi pe it with a clean, dry cloth. The 
most efficient method to clean it is to start from the center of 
the disc and wipe toward the outw ard edge (not in a circle). If 
necessary, moisten the cloth with  water or a neutral cleaner 
(not benzine or rubbing alcohol). Let the disc dry completely 
before inserting it in the drive.
Toshiba’s online resources
Toshiba maintains a number of online sites to which you can 
connect. These sites provide info rmation about Toshiba products, 
give help with technical questions and keep you up to date with 
future upgrades. For mo re information, see “Contacting Toshiba” 
on page 175 .  
						

							
92
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 set. We 
recommend you leave these features  active, allowing your computer 
to operate at its maximum energy e fficiency, so that you can use it 
for longer periods while traveling. 
						

							
93Mobile Computing
Running the computer on battery power
Running the computer on battery power
The computer contains a removable 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 may vary considerably from specifications depending 
on product model, configuration, applications, power management 
settings and features utilized, as well as the natural performance 
variations produced by the design of individual components. 
Published battery life numbers are achieved on select models and 
configurations tested by Toshiba at the time of publication. 
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 purchase a new battery pack, see the accessories 
information included with your computer or visit the Toshiba Web 
site at  accessories.toshiba.com . Use only batteries designed to work 
with your Toshiba notebook computer.
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 107  for 
procedures. If the computer is continuously operated on AC power, 
either through an AC adaptor or a  port replicator (if applicable to 
your system), 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.
For optimum DVD 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 101.
The computer also has  an internal real-time-clock (RTC) battery.
NOTE 
						

							
94Mobile Computing
Running the computer on battery power
The RTC battery powers the RTC memory that stores your system 
configuration settings and the curren t time and date information. It 
maintains this information for up to a month while the computer is 
turned off.
TECHNICAL NOTE: The RTC battery does not charge while the 
computer is turned off, even when AC power is attached.
The RTC battery charges only while the computer is powered on.
Power management
Your computer ships with the power management options preset to 
a configuration that will prov ide the most stable operating 
environment and optimum system performance for both AC power 
and battery modes.
Changes to these settings may result in system performance or 
stability issues. Users who are not co mpletely familiar with the power 
management component of the system should use the preset 
configuration. For assistance with setup changes, contact Toshiba’s 
Global Support Centre.
Using additional batteries
In addition to the main battery, you may also have an optional 
secondary battery (not included with your computer). If you travel 
and need to work for many hours without an AC power source, you 
may purchase a battery module for  use in the computer, or carry 
additional charged battery packs  with you. You can then replace a 
discharged battery and continue working.
For more information on ba tteries and accessories, see 
accessories.toshiba.com . 
						

							
95Mobile Computing
Charging batteries
Charging batteries
The battery needs to be charged before you can use it to power the 
computer.
Never leave batteries in the battery charger for more than a week at a 
time. Doing so may reduce the potential charge of the battery.
Always use the battery charger specified by Toshiba. You can order a 
Toshiba battery charger from Toshiba’s Web site at 
accessories.toshiba.com .
Battery charge time may vary depending on the applications, power 
management settings, and features used.
Charging the main battery
To charge the main battery while it is in your computer, plug the 
computer into a live electrical ou tlet. The battery charges whether 
the computer is on or off.
TECHNICAL NOTE: The rech arging 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 computers Power Options 
utility can be used to select a powe r 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 char ges 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.
NOTE 
						

							
96Mobile Computing
Charging batteries
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.
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, resu lting in a CMOS error message 
during startup. The error messag e may vary by computer model.
The RTC battery does not charge while the computer is turned off 
even when the AC adaptor is charging the computer. The RTC battery 
charges when the computer is powered on.
If the RTC battery is low, the real-time clock and calendar may 
display the incorrect time and date, or stop working.
To recharge the RTC battery, plug  the computer into a live electrical 
outlet and leave the computer powered on for 24 hours.
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.
NOTE
NOTE 
						

							
97Mobile Computing
Monitoring main battery power
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. Th e following also applies to the 
secondary battery (available on certain models) if installed.
❖ Glows amber while the main battery is being charged 
(AC adaptor connected).
❖ Glows green when the main battery is fully charged.
❖ Is unlit when the battery has discharged, the battery is not 
charging, or the AC adaptor is no t plugged into the computer or 
AC outlet.
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 batter y or plug in the AC adaptor.
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.
Disconnect the AC power cord/cable and remove the battery pack. 
See “Changing the main battery” on page 103  for information on 
replacing the main battery.
NOTE
NOTE 
						

							
98Mobile Computing
Monitoring main battery power
HINT: Be careful not to confuse the battery light ( ) with the on/off 
light ( ).
When the on/off light flashes amber, it indicates that the system is 
suspended (using the Windows® operating system Sleep command).
 
(Sample Illustration) Power and battery light locations
Power
button
System Indicator Lights
AC power light Battery lightHard disk drive light Bridge media
On/off light
adapter slot light*
*Available on certain models 
						

							
99Mobile Computing
Monitoring main battery power
Determining remaining battery power
Wait at least 16 seconds 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.
Highlight the power icon in 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 us ed older battery does not power 
the computer for as  long as a new battery, ev en when both are fully 
charged.
TECHNICAL NOTE: The computer drains the battery faster at low 
temperatures. Check your remaini ng 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 exte rnal power source and recharge 
the main battery
❖ Place the computer in to Hibernation mode and replace the 
main battery with a charged spare
❖ Connect the computer to an  optional secondary battery (if 
available for your computer)
❖ 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 po wer, 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 pr ograms and files to the hard disk 
before shutting down. For more information on using Hibernation, 
see  “Hibernation mode” on page 63.
NOTE 
						

							
100Mobile Computing
Monitoring main battery power
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 
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  Start, Control Panel , Mobile PC , and then Power 
Options .
The Power Options window appears.
2 Click  Change plan settings  under the power plan to be 
customized.
The Edit Plan Settin gs window appears.
3 Click  Change advanced power settings .
The Advanced settings tab of the Power Options window 
appears.
(Sample Image) Advanced settings tab of Power Options screen
4 Click  Battery  to display the battery options.
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