Toshiba Satellite 2430 2435 Manual

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Chapter 5
Getting to Know the 
Windows
®
 XP Operating 
System
This chapter introduces the Windows® XP operating system 
by guiding you through a few basic tasks.
If you have used a Windows
® operating system before, you 
will find the Windows® XP operating system familiar. 
Whether you have used a Windows®operating system or not, 
the skill and confidence you will gain from this chapter will 
more than offset the short amount of time spent going 
through these lessons. 
As you...

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Getting to Know the Windows ® XP Operating System
Lesson 1: Exploring the desktop
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Lesson 1: Exploring the desktop
The desktop is the launching pad for everything you can do in 
the Windows® XP operating system. You use its features to 
start programs, find documents, set up system components, 
and perform most other computing tasks.
Finding your way around the desktop
Your computer’s desktop includes several standard features: 
icons, Start button, shortcut tray, taskbar, system...

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Lesson 1: Exploring the desktop
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You can create a new desktop icon for any folder, file, or 
program by dragging the element’s icon from its location in a 
window to the desktop area.
The icons initially displayed on your system desktop include:
Toshiba Access—Opens a window with links to software 
updates, services and support, and other important benefits.
Recycle Bin—Holds files you’ve deleted using the Windows 
Explorer. You...

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Lesson 1: Exploring the desktop
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you open. You can use these buttons to quickly switch 
between the programs or windows.
To make a program or window the active one, click the 
program’s or window’s button on the taskbar.
System tray
The System tray displays icons of tasks or programs that run 
continuously in the background. To learn more about each 
task, position the cursor over the icon for a few moments and 
a short...

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Getting to Know the Windows ® XP Operating System
Lesson 2: Using the TouchPad and control buttons together
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For more information, read the Microsoft documentation that 
comes with your computer.
Lesson 2: Using the TouchPad and control 
buttons together 
The “Getting Started” chapter introduced you to the 
TouchPad, which is your basic tool for moving around the 
screen. This lesson lets you practice using the TouchPad and 
control buttons in tandem. 
1Using the TouchPad, move...

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Lesson 2: Using the TouchPad and control buttons together
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3With the pointer in an empty area of the desktop, click 
the secondary button (the right-hand button) to open the 
desktop shortcut menu.
As the name implies, shortcut menus provide quick 
access to many operating system features.
Sample desktop shortcut menu
4Click an empty area to close the shortcut menu.
5Use the TouchPad to move the pointer to the Start 
button. Click...

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Getting to Know the Windows ® XP Operating System
Lesson 2: Using the TouchPad and control buttons together
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NOTE: If the taskbar is locked, you need to unlock it. To unlock the 
taskbar, place the cursor on the taskbar and click the secondary 
button. Uncheck “Lock the Taskbar.”
7Click an empty area of the taskbar at the bottom of the 
screen and, while holding down the primary button, use 
the TouchPad to drag the pointer to the right edge of the 
desktop, then release the...

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Getting to Know the Windows ® XP Operating System
Lesson 3: Learning about the Internet
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Lesson 3: Learning about the Internet
This lesson demonstrates how to access a Web page from a 
window and from the taskbar. 
The lesson assumes you have an account with an Internet 
Service Provider (ISP).
Opening a Web page from a window
The most common way to open a Web page is by typing a 
Web address in the address line of the Web browser itself. But 
you can also type a Web address in...

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Getting to Know the Windows ® XP Operating System
Lesson 4: Creating a new document
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Lesson 4: Creating a new document
This lesson teaches you how to create a text file without 
having to first open a program.
1Move the pointer to an empty area of the desktop, then 
click the secondary button.
The operating system displays a shortcut menu of 
commands applicable to the desktop.
2Click New, then click Text Document.
The operating system creates an icon on the desktop 
called New...

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Lesson 5: Creating a new folder
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Notice that when the document opens, there is a new 
button on the taskbar that reads My New Doc- Notepad 
(the name may be too long to fit into the taskbar space 
but, if you point to the name, the complete name is 
visible). By displaying buttons like this one, the taskbar 
helps you keep track of the programs and files you 
currently have open.
To learn more about Notepad, click Help or open the...