Toshiba L350 Manual

							
151If Something Goes Wrong
The Windows® operating system is not working
❖Safe Mode with Command Prompt
❖ Enable Boot Logging
❖ Enable low-resolution video (640x480)
❖ Last Known Good Configuration (advanced)
❖ Directory Services Restore Mode
❖ Debugging Mode
❖ Disable automatic restar t 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.
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 site s 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 spelli ng of each name and the syntax of 
the address carefully. A single inco rrect 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.
NOTE 
						

							
152If Something Goes Wrong
Resolving a hardware conflict
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:
1 Click  Start, then click  Help and Support , or press 
F1.
The Help and Support window appears.
2 Then do one or both of the following:
❖In the search 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  Microsoft 
Customer Support  or by going to Toshiba support at 
pcsupport.toshiba.com .
Resolving a hardware conflict
If you receive an error message te lling you there is a device driver 
conflict or a general hardware problem, try using Windows® Help 
and Support to troubleshoot the problem first.
For help on hardware conflicts:
1 Click  Start, then click  Help and Support , or press 
F1.
2 Click  Troubleshooting  in the Find an answer section.
A list of category links appears.
3 Click a topic under  Hardware and drivers  and follow the 
steps.
If there is still a problem, the operating system should display a 
message that explains  what the conflict is.
A plan of action
The smooth operation of the system depends on the interaction of 
all devices, programs, and features . If the system or one of its 
attached devices is not working, resolving the problem can be time-
consuming and frustrating.
The recommended procedure for getting multiple devices to work 
together is to add and set up one device at a time. After you add 
each device, test it to make sure  it and all previously connected 
devices work. 
						

							
153If Something Goes Wrong
Resolving a hardware conflict
The device most recently connected to the system is the one most 
likely to be causing a conflict.
Resolving conflicts
There are several things you can do  to resolve hardware conflicts:
❖ Get the most recent drivers from the manufacturer.
❖ Disable the device.
For an older device, remove  it from the computer.
❖ Disable another system component  and use its resources for the 
new device. See  “Fixing a problem with Device Manager” on 
page 153 .
❖ Reconfigure the device so that it s requirements do not conflict. 
Refer to the device’s documentation for instructions about 
changing settings on the device.
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 vi ew the properties of a device. 
Properties include the name of the  manufacturer, the type of device, 
the drivers installed, and the sy stem resources assigned to the 
device. 
To check a device’s properties:
1 Click  Start, Control  Panel , System and Maintenance , 
System , and then  Device Manager .
2 To view the device(s) installed, double-click the device type.
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. 
						

							
154If Something Goes Wrong
Resolving a hardware conflict
❖The  Resources  tab, which lists resources assigned to the 
monitor, optional external optical drive, optional external 
diskette drive, and other power-using functions. 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 driv er 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. It is worthwhile 
checking for these first:
1 Click  Start, and then click the arrow ne xt to the Lock button in 
the lower-right part of the Start menu.
The Shut Down menu appears.
2 Click  Shut Down .
The computer shuts down completely.
3 Remove the memory module, following the instructions in 
“Removing a memory module” on page 54 .
4 Reinstall the memory module, following the instructions in 
“Installing a memory module” on page 49 , and making sure the 
module is seated properly.
5 Check for the error again.
6 If the error recurs, remove th e memory module entirely and 
check for the error again.
If removing the memory module eliminates the error, the 
memory module may be faulty. If the error recurs without the 
memory module installed, the error is not caused by the 
memory module.
TECHNICAL NOTE: You must have at least one memory module 
installed for the computer to work. 
						

							
155If Something Goes Wrong
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For this model Slot A is the bottom slot. Slot B is the top slot. If only 
one memory module is to be installed, it must be installed in slot A.
Power and the batteries 
Your computer receives its power through the AC adaptor and 
power cord/cable or from the system batteries (battery, optional 
secondary battery, and real-time clock (RTC) battery). Power 
problems are interrelated. For exam ple, a faulty AC adaptor or 
power cord/cable will neither powe r 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.
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/c able 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 battery may not be inserted correctly in the computer. Turn off 
the computer, remove the battery, clean the contacts with a soft dry 
cloth (if necessary) and replace the battery. See  “Removing the 
battery from the computer” on page 103 .
The battery may be too hot or too cold to charge properly. If you 
think this is the probable cau se, let the battery reach room 
temperature and try again.
If the battery has completely discharged, it will not begin charging 
immediately. Leave the AC ad aptor and power cord/cable 
connected, wait 20 minutes and s ee 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. Try replacing it.
NOTE 
						

							
156If Something Goes Wrong
Resolving a hardware conflict
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 vi a your Power Plans (see “Power Plans” 
on page 101 ). Have you added a device, such as an ExpressCard
® or 
memory module, that takes its power from the battery? Is your 
software using the hard disk more? Is the display power set to turn 
off automatically? Was the battery fully charged to begin with? All 
these conditions affect ho w 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. To purchase a new battery pack, see your accessories 
information included with your computer, or visit the Toshiba Web 
site at  accessories.toshiba.com.  Refer to this site often to stay 
current on the most recent software  and hardware options for your 
computer, and for other product information.
For more information on maintaining battery power, see  “Charging 
batteries” on page 95 .
Keyboard problems
If, when you type, strange things happen or nothing happens, the 
problem may be related to the keyboard itself.
You have connected an external keyboard and the operating 
system displays one or more keyboard error messages.
The keyboard you connected may be  defective or incompatible with 
the computer. Try using a different make of keyboard.
Nothing happens when you press the keys on the external 
keyboard.
You may have plugged the external keyboard in while the computer 
was turned on. Using the computer’s TouchPad:
1 Click  Start, and then click the arrow ne xt to the Lock button in 
the lower-right part of the Start menu.
The Shut Down menu appears.
2 Click  Restart .
The computer will restar t and recognize the device. 
						

							
157If Something Goes Wrong
Resolving a hardware conflict
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.
You may have activated the instant password feature by pressing 
FnandF1 simultaneously. If you have registered a password, press 
any key, type the password and press 
Enter. If no password is 
registered, press any key. The scr een reactivates and allows you to 
continue working.
If you are using the built-in screen, make sure the display priority is 
not set for an external monitor. To do this, press 
Fn and F5 
simultaneously (once). If this does not correct the problem, press 
Fn 
and 
F5 simultaneously again to return the display priority to its 
previous setting.
HINT: Holding the Fn key and pressing the F5 key several times will 
advance you 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 fi rmly attached.
❖ Try adjusting the contrast and brightness controls on the 
external monitor.
❖ Press 
Fn and F5 simultaneously to make sure the display 
priority is not set for the built-in screen.
The screen does not look right.
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. Click 
Windows Color and Appearance  to choose the colors for the 
screen. Click  Display settings  to choose the screen resolution.
The built-in screen flickers.
Some flickering is a normal result  of the way the screen produces 
colors. To reduce the amount of flickering, try using fewer colors. 
						

							
158If Something Goes Wrong
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To change the number of colors displayed:
1Right-click in a blank area of the Windows
® desktop.
2 Click  Personalize , and then Display Settings .
3 Change the Colors option and click  OK.
For more information see Windows
® Help.
A message displays saying that there is a problem with your 
display settings and that the adap ter 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 Settings .
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 yo ur 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 intrinsi c characteristic of the TFT 
manufacturing technology. Over a period of time, and depending on 
the usage of the computer, the br ightness of the screen will 
deteriorate. This is also an intr insic characteristic of the screen 
technology. When the co mputer 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. 
						

							
159If Something Goes Wrong
Resolving a hardware conflict
Disk drive problems
Problems with the hard disk or with a diskette drive usually show 
up as an inability to access the disk or as s ector errors. Sometimes a 
disk problem may cause one or more  files to appear to have garbage 
in them. Typical disk problems are:
You are having trouble accessing a disk, or one or more files 
appear to be missing.
Make sure you are identifying the drive by its correct name 
(A: or C:).
Error-checking
Run Error-checking, which analyzes  the directories, files and File 
Allocation Table (FAT) on the disk 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.
This feature is not available for optical drives.
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 disk.
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  Start, All  Programs , Accessories , System  Tools , 
and then  Disk Defragmenter . After it opens, click  Defragment 
now .
NOTE 
						

							
160If Something Goes Wrong
Resolving a hardware conflict
Your data files are  damaged or corrupted.
Refer to your software documentation for file recovery procedures. 
Many software packages auto matically 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.
A diskette will not go into the op tional external diskette drive.
You may already have a diskette in the drive. Make sure the drive is 
empty.
You may be inserting the diskette incorrectly. Hold the diskette with 
the hub side facing down, and inse rt it so that the metal head 
window cover goes into the drive first.
The metal cover or a loose label may be obstructing the path into 
the drive. Carefully inspect the diskette. If the metal cover is loose, 
replace the diskette. If the label is  loose, replace the label and try 
inserting the diskette again.
The drive cannot read a diskette.
Try another diskette. If you can  access the second diskette, the first 
diskette (not the drive) is probably causing the problem. Run Error-
checking on the faulty diskette (for instructions see  “Disk drive 
problems” on page 159 ).
Optical drive problems
You cannot access a disc in the drive.
If the optical drive is an external  drive, make sure that the drive’s 
cable is properly connected to the computer.
Make sure the tray that holds the  optical disc is closed properly. 
Press gently until it  clicks into place.
Open the tray and remove the disc.  Make sure the tray is clean. Any 
dirt or foreign object can in terfere with the laser beam.
Examine the disc to see if it is di rty. If necessary, wipe it with a 
clean cloth dipped in water or a neutral cleaner.
Replace the disc in the tray. Make su re that the disc is lying flat, 
label side up. Close the tray car efully, making sure it has shut 
completely.