Toshiba Satellite S50a Manual

71Learning the Basics
Starting an app
Starting an app
To Start an app on the Start screen, move your pointer over 
the appropriate app tile and click or touch to open.
To Start an app from the Desktop, move your pointer to the 
upper-right corner of the screen or swipe in from the right 
edge. When the Windows
® charms slide out from the right, 
click or touch the 
Start ( ) charm, and then click or touch 
the appropriate app tile to open. 
Starting an app from the Start screen
To start an app on the...

72Learning the Basics
Saving your work
Saving your work
Before you turn off the computer using the Shut down 
command, save your work on the internal storage drive, 
external media, flash media, or optical disc. This is one of 
the most important rules of computing.
Many applications offer a feature that saves documents at 
regular intervals. Check your program’s documentation to 
see if it has an automatic save feature.
Backing up your work
Back up all the files you create in case something happens 
to...

73Learning the Basics
Using the optical disc drive
TECHNICAL NOTE: Your optical disc drive is set to play 
region 1 (North America) for DVD-ROMs or BD-ROMs, 
depending on the type of drive. A DVD disc or Blu-ray™ 
Disc of a region other than the above mentioned cannot 
be played unless you manually change it in the Properties 
setting of the optical disc drive. The drive will allow you to 
change regions four times. On the fourth change, the 
region will be “locked in.” That is, the drive will only play...

74Learning the Basics
Using the optical disc drive
❖When an HDMI™ cable is used to send a High Definition 
signal to an external monitor the audio signal is 
automatically sent with the video signal. If you want to 
change the destination of the audio signal, use the 
Sound properties in the Control Panel.
(Sample Image) Sound properties window
❖If you want to use the internal speakers, click the 
Speakers tab and click Set Default.
❖Use the arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate within 
the Blu-ray...

75Learning the Basics
Using the optical disc drive
Drive in-use indicator light—Indicates when the drive is in 
use. 
Eject button—Press to release the disc tray. 
Do not press the eject button or turn off the computer 
while the drive in-use indicator light is glowing. Doing so 
could damage the disc or the drive. 
When the disc tray is open, be careful not to touch the 
lens or the area around it. Doing so could cause the drive 
to malfunction.
Manual eject hole—Use if you need to release the disc...

76Learning the Basics
Using the optical disc drive
The Volume increase button allows you to increase the 
volume.
The 
Mute button allows you to enable/disable volume mute.
Inserting an optical disc 
To insert an optical disc into the drive:
1Make sure the computer is turned on.
2Make sure the drive’s in-use indicator light is off.
3Press the drive’s eject button.
4Hold the disc by its edges and check that it is free of 
dust.
If the disc is dusty, clean it.
5Place the disc carefully in the disc tray,...

77Learning the Basics
Using the optical disc drive
If your disc does not run using this method, try using an 
application that is associated with the media on the disc. For 
example, if it is a music CD, open Windows Media
® Player 
and use it to select and then play the CD. For other types of 
media, use the associated software to open the files on the 
disc.
Recording optical media
Depending on the configuration, your computer may come 
with an optical disc drive that allows you to:
❖Play pre-recorded...

78Learning the Basics
Toshiba’s online resources
Removing a disc with the computer on
To remove an optical disc with the computer turned on:
1Press the eject button on the drive.
Do not press the eject button while the drive in-use 
indicator light is glowing. Doing so could damage the 
disc or the drive. 
Also, if the disc is still spinning when you open the disc 
tray, wait for it to stop spinning before you remove it. 
2Pull the tray out until it is fully open, remove the disc, and 
place it in its...

79
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 preset by 
Toshiba. We recommend you leave these features active, 
allowing your computer to operate at its maximum...

80Mobile Computing
Running the computer on battery power
Battery Notice
Battery life rating is for comparison purposes only, and does 
not indicate the battery life that will be obtained by any 
individual user. Actual 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. 
The battery life rating is...