Toshiba Satellite 1100 Manual

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Exploring Your Options
An overview of using the Internet
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Using a modem
If you’re using a modem, you connect the modem to one of 
the computer’s COM (communications) ports. The default 
setting for the modem is COM3.
If you are having trouble connecting through the modem, you 
may need to determine the current COM port name and 
possibly change it.
For more information on connecting a modem, see 
“Connecting the modem to a phone line” on page 75.
An overview of using the Internet
The following sections give a quick introduction to the 
Internet and some of its exciting features, under these 
headings:
❖The Internet
❖T h e  Wo r l d  Wi d e  We b
❖Signing up with an Internet Service Provider 
❖Getting started 
❖Surfing the Internet 
❖Internet features 
❖Uploading and downloading files from the Internet 
For more information about the Internet, see “Lesson 3: 
Learning about the Internet” on page 106. 
The Internet 
The Internet is an association of thousands of networks and 
millions of computers around the world connected by 
communications lines. They all work together to share 
information.  
						

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The World Wide Web 
The World Wide Web (or ‘Web’) is a subset of the Internet — 
a collection of interlinked documents (located on computers 
connected to the Internet) that work together using a specific 
Internet protocol called Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP). 
The World Wide Web offers information as text, images, 
audio, or video to be referenced from anywhere in the world. 
Special programs called Web browsers are specifically 
designed to work with HTTP. They make it easier to connect 
to a particular network address and send and receive 
information. 
Internet Service Providers 
To connect a computer directly to the Internet, many people 
and businesses use an Internet Service Provider (ISP). An ISP 
is a company that has the equipment and the 
telecommunication lines necessary to maintain an Internet 
connection. 
You can connect to the Internet by using a telephone and 
modem or through other higher-speed communication 
methods such as Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL), cable, and 
satellite links.
Signing up with an Internet Service Provider 
Microsoft’s Web browser, Internet Explorer, which is 
preinstalled on your system, is automatically configured so 
that when you first start it, it guides you through signing up 
for a new ISP account, or assists you in setting up your 
computer to work with your existing ISP. 
Once you have established an ISP account, you can access the 
Internet. 
						

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Surfing the Internet
Once connected to the Internet, the Web browser displays a 
home page, for example, your ISP’s home page on the 
Internet or your company’s Web site home page. 
To visit a desired Web site, type in the Web address. The Web 
address, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL), is a unique 
identifier for that computer system linked to the Internet. Web 
addresses can also appear within a Web page’s text, and are 
known as links. Clicking a link automatically transfers your 
Web browser to that site. 
You can also use a Search Engine, a Web site specifically 
designed to help you look for information.
Internet features
The Internet offers many types of communication tools to 
help you perform many tasks.
❖Internet email
To send and receive email of your own, you need a 
mailbox on the Web, or an email address.
If you have an account with an ISP, you can probably set 
up an email address at the same time as you sign up for 
the service. 
❖Internet chat rooms
A chat room is a Web site that offers a place where 
people with similar interests and ideas can communicate 
in real-time, one-on-one or in groups, by typing messages 
which are instantly viewed by others on their computer 
screens.  
						

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❖Internet news groups 
A news group is similar to a chat room, but instead of 
using a dedicated site to converse about a specialized 
subject with others in real-time, it uses a Web site as a 
clearinghouse where all the messages are placed, like a 
gigantic bulletin board. 
❖Online shopping
Many Web sites offer products and services for sale.
Uploading and downloading files on the Internet
Transferring files from one computer to another is termed 
uploading (transferring data from your computer to a site on 
the Web), or downloading (transferring data from a site on the 
Web to your computer). 
There are several ways to upload or download data. It can be 
as simple as attaching a file or document to an email, or you 
can use the HTTP features of your Web browser to transfer 
large amounts of data. You can also use the File Transfer 
Protocol (FTP) supported by a separate software program.
Exploring video features
Your computer’s video features provide the viewing of 
presentations or DVD movies on the computer screen.
TECHNICAL NOTE: Video CD playback capability is not enabled 
on all systems.
HINT: There are no menus for Video CD 1.0 titles.
For more information about using WinDVD, see “WinDVD” 
on page 153. 
						

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Display settings hot key 
Using the Fn + F5 keys, you can set your system’s display to 
view DVD movies or presentations on an external device. In 
this instance, there is an alternative way in which you can 
manually set the display for external viewing. 
1Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select 
Properties.
The Display Properties dialog box appears.
Sample Display Properties dialog box
2Click the Setting tab.
3Click the Advanced button.
4Click Apply.
5Click OK. 
						

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Exploring audio features
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Exploring audio features
You can use your computer to record sounds using an 
external microphone. You can play .wav sound files or audio 
CDs using the built-in speakers, headphones or external 
speakers.
Recording sounds
You can make audio recordings and save them as .wav files 
by connecting an external microphone or other sound source 
to the microphone jack and using the Sound Recorder feature 
in the operating system.
DEFINITION: A .wav (pronounced “wave”) file is a format for 
storing sound in files.
TECHNICAL NOTE: If you record MP3 files, you will only be able 
to play them on a drive capable of playing MP3 files.
Using a microphone
1Connect an external microphone to the computer.
2Click Start, point to All Programs, Accessories, 
Entertainment, then click Sound Recorder. 
						

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Sample Sound Recorder screen
3Click the Record button and speak normally into the 
microphone. 
NOTE: You can only record 60 seconds at a time.
4When you have finished recording, click the Stop button.
5To hear what you just recorded, click the Play button.
6To save the file, select Save from the File menu.
Adjusting recording settings
The better the quality of the recording, the more disk space 
the sound file requires. Experiment to find a balance that fits 
your needs.
1Open Sound Recorder, if necessary (click Start, point to 
All Programs, Accessories, Entertainment, then click 
Sound Recorder).
2In the Sound Recorder window, click Edit, then click 
Au di o  P rop er t ie s.
3In the Audio Properties dialog box, adjust the Recording 
Volume and Preferred device.
Positioning
bar
Record
Stop
Skip forward
Skip backward
Play 
						

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4Click OK.
Your new settings take effect the next time you record.
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.
TECHNICAL NOTE: Use amplified 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:
1Locate the headphone jack on the computer. For more 
information, see “Left side” on page 27.
2Using 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-jack.
Connecting a monitor, keyboard and mouse
By connecting an external monitor, external full-size 
keyboard and a mouse, you can work with your notebook as 
if it were a standard office desktop computer.
You can connect an external monitor to the RGB (monitor) 
port. For more information, see “Back” on page 25.
You can connect an external USB-compatible keyboard and a 
USB-compatible mouse to one of the three USB ports. For 
more information about connecting a mouse, see 
“Connecting a mouse” on page 51. 
						

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Changing the display properties setting
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Changing the display properties setting
1Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select 
Properties. 
The Display Properties dialog box appears.
 
Sample Display Properties dialog box
2Click the Settings tab.
3Slide the Screen area slider bar toward Less until the 
setting reads 800 x 600, then click Apply. 
The screen blinks momentarily while the settings are 
adjusted.
4The Monitor Settings window appears and asks if you 
want to keep the settings.
5Click Ye s.
6To change the settings back, repeat steps 2 through 5. 
						

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Using PC Cards
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Using PC Cards
PC Cards expand your computer’s capabilities and 
usefulness. You can purchase additional PC Cards from your 
dealer. Most PC Cards conform to the PCMCIA (Personal 
Computer Memory Card International Association) standard. 
Your computer has two stacked PC Card slots and supports 
three types of PC Cards: 
❖Two Type I and Type II cards.
❖One Type III card.
Check the documentation that came with the PC Card to see 
if it conforms to the PCMCIA 2.1 standard, or later. Other 
cards may work with your computer, but are likely to be 
much more difficult to set up and use.
PC Card supporting software
PC Cards require Card and Socket Services software — a set 
of programs that acts as a translator between the PC Card and 
the computer, and that makes hot swapping (switching cards 
while the computer is on) possible. 
The operating system provides the Card and Socket Services 
for your PC Card. Even if your PC Card comes with its own 
version of Card and Socket Services, you should use the files 
included in the operating system.
Inserting PC Cards
NOTE: Use caution when lifting or turning your computer. Failure 
to do so may result in damage to components, such as cables, 
attached to your computer, or to the computer itself.
Before you insert a PC Card, refer to the documentation that 
comes with the card to see if you need to do anything before you 
insert it.