Toshiba Satellite S50a Manual

							131If Something Goes Wrong
Power and the batteries
The AC adaptor and power cord/cable 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 (if applicable), 
clean the contacts with a soft dry cloth (if necessary) and 
replace the battery. See “Removing the battery from the 
computer” on page 90.
The battery may be too hot or too cold to charge properly. If 
you think this is the probable cause, let the battery reach 
room temperature and try again.
If the battery has completely discharged, it will not begin 
charging immediately. Leave the AC adaptor and power 
cord/cable connected, wait 20 minutes and see 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.
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 via your Power Plans (see “Power 
Plans” on page 87). Have you added a device that takes its 
power from the battery? Is your software using the internal 
storage drive more? Is the display power set to turn off 
automatically? Was the battery fully charged to begin with? 
All these conditions affect how 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 
“Changing the main battery” on page 89. 
						

							132If Something Goes Wrong
Keyboard problems
Keyboard problems
To capture a print screen of the entire screen, press the 
Fn + PRTSC key. (This only applies to models with a 
10-key keypad.)
To capture only the active window displayed, press 
Fn + ALT while simultaneously pressing the PRTSC key.
You have connected an external keyboard and the 
operating system displays one or more keyboard 
error messages.
You may need to update your keyboard driver. Refer to the 
documentation that came with the keyboard or to the 
keyboard manufacturer's Web site.
The keyboard you connected may be defective or 
incompatible with the computer. Try using a different make of 
keyboard.
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.
If you are using the built-in screen, make sure the display 
priority is not set for an external monitor. To do this, press 
F4. 
If this does not correct the problem, press 
F4 again to return 
the display priority to its previous setting.
HINT: Pressing the F4 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 firmly attached.
NOTE 
						

							133If Something Goes Wrong
Display problems
❖Try adjusting the contrast and brightness controls on the 
external monitor.
❖Press 
F4 to make sure the display priority is not set for 
the built-in screen.
The screen does not look correct.
Choose a theme for your desktop background, under 
Change the visuals and sounds on your computer, in 
the 
Themes panel. You can also change the setting for 
individual components separately by selecting an item from 
just below the 
Themes panel (Desktop Background, 
Color, Sounds, and Screen Saver).
For more information, see the Windows
® online Help.
A message displays saying that there is a problem 
with your display settings and that the adapter 
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:
1Right-click or touch & hold in a blank area of the 
Windows
® desktop.
2Click or touch 
Personalize, and then Display.
3Use the menu on the right hand side of the page to:
❖Adjust resolution
❖Adjust brightness
❖Calibrate color
❖Change display settings
❖Project to a second screen
❖Adjust ClearType text
4Click or touch 
OK. 
						

							134If Something Goes Wrong
Disk or storage drive problems
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 1280 x 800 or higher. Devices that do not 
support this resolution will only work in Internal/External 
mode, and not simultaneous mode.
Disk or storage drive problems
Problems with the storage drive or with external media 
usually show up as an inability to access the drive or as 
sector errors. Sometimes a drive problem may cause one or 
more files to appear to have garbage in them.
Error-checking
This feature is not available for optical disc drives.
Run Error-checking, which analyzes the directories and files 
on the storage drive and repairs any damage it finds. 
To run Error-checking:
1From the Start screen, type 
computer.
2Click or touch 
This PC from the list that appears.
3Right-click or touch the drive you wish to check.
   (Sample Image) Clicking on or touching the drive
4In the pop-up menu, click or touch Properties.
The drive’s Properties box appears.
NOTE 
						

							135If Something Goes Wrong
Disk or storage drive problems
5Click or touch the To o l s tab.
6Click or touch the 
Check button.
The Error Checking box appears.
The system will alert you if you need to scan the drive.
7Even if you do not need to scan the drive for errors you 
can scan by clicking or touching 
Scan drive.
Error-checking tests and repairs the storage drive.
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  d o  t h i s :
1From the Start screen begin typing 
Defragment and 
click or touch your selection. If you are in the Desktop, 
press the 
Windows® ( ) key to display the Start screen. 
Click or touch the 
Search ( ) icon at the upper-right 
corner of the screen and, in the Search field, type 
Defragment. In the list that appears, click or touch your 
selection.
2Click or touch 
Defragment and Optimize Drives.
3From the Optimize Drives menu click or touch the drive 
you wish to defragment.
4Click or touch the 
Optimize button.
The system will display the status as it optimizes and 
defragments the drive.
Your data files are damaged or corrupted.
Refer to your software documentation for file recovery 
procedures. Many software packages automatically 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. 
						

							136If Something Goes Wrong
Optical disc drive problems
Optical disc drive problems
(Available on certain models.)
You cannot access a disc in the drive.
If the optical disc drive is an external drive, make sure the 
two USB cables or the AC adaptor cable are properly 
connected to the computer and refer to the documentation 
that came with your drive.
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 interfere with the laser 
beam.
Examine the disc to see if it is dirty. If necessary, wipe it with 
a clean cloth dipped in water or a neutral cleaner.
Replace the disc in the tray. Make sure that the disc is lying 
flat against the tray, label side up. Close the tray carefully, 
making sure it has shut completely.
You press the disc eject button, but the drive tray 
does not slide out.
Make sure the computer is connected to a power source and 
turned on. The optical disc drive eject mechanism requires 
power to operate.
Make sure a program is not accessing the drive and 
preventing it from ejecting.
If you need to remove a disc and cannot turn on the 
computer (for example, if the battery is completely 
discharged), use a narrow object, such as a straightened 
paper clip, to press the manual eject button. This button is in 
the small hole next to the optical disc drive eject button on 
the face of the optical disc drive tray.
Never use a pencil to press the manual eject button. 
Pencil lead can break off inside the computer and 
damage it. 
						

							137If Something Goes Wrong
Optical disc drive problems
Some discs run correctly but others do not.
Check that the type of disc you are using is compatible with 
your optical disc drive. For more information regarding 
supported optical media formats, refer to the complete detail 
specifications for your computer at support.toshiba.com. 
If the problem is with an optical data disc, refer to the 
software’s documentation and check that the hardware 
configuration meets the program’s needs.
The disc will not come out of the drive when you 
click the eject button on the screen.
Press the button on the optical disc drive itself. For 
additional information see “You press the disc eject button, 
but the drive tray does not slide out.” on page 136.
High Definition content via the Blu-ray Disc™ 
(available on certain models) is not displaying 
properly.
Make sure you are using an HDCP (High-Bandwidth Digital 
Content Protection) HDMI™ cable. If viewing High Definition 
content on an external monitor, your system may not 
support this function. For more information, see “Viewing 
Blu-ray Disc™ movies” on page 73.
Online content accessed through the Blu-ray 
Disc™ is not displaying.
Make sure you are connected to the Internet.
While viewing a Blu-ray Disc™ movie the sound is 
not coming from the computers speakers.
You can change the destination of the audio signal in Sound 
properties in the Control Panel. 
						

							138If Something Goes Wrong
Optical disc drive problems
Blu-ray Disc™ player Technology. 
(Available on certain models.)
Compatibility and/or performance issues are possible. 
Certain interactive features may not be supported due 
to compatibility, network settings or other conditions. 
Advanced Access Content System (AACS) keys are 
integrated into your computer for copy protection 
purposes. Occasional renewal is required and will 
initially be provided at no charge. After the initial period, 
Corel Corporation will provide AACS key renewals 
pursuant to its then current terms and conditions. For 
more information on AACS key, visit 
www.aacsla.com/home.
❖Depending on Blu-ray Disc™ content, you may 
experience “frame dropping” or lower performance. 
Viewing on an external display requires an 
RGB/HDCP supported HDMI™ port. External power 
is required for viewing Blu-ray Disc™ content. Dual 
view feature is not supported. You must close all 
other applications during Blu-ray Disc™ playback.
❖Blu-ray Disc™ player does not support DVD 
playback. Please use Windows Media® player or 
“TOSHIBA DVD Player” for DVD playback.
❖Blu-ray Disc™ playback feature support may vary 
with each Blu-ray Disc™. Please contact content 
publisher directly with any questions.
❖Do not play a Blu-ray Disc™ when recording a TV 
program, whether live or pre-scheduled. Doing so 
may cause Blu-ray Disc™ playback or television 
program recording errors.
❖While playing a Blu-ray Disc™-J title, keyboard 
short-cut and resume play functions are not 
supported.
❖Blu-ray Disc™ player does not support HD DVDs. 
Blu-ray Discs™ with high definition content is 
required for HD viewing.
❖Do not place your computer in sleep or hibernate 
mode while the Blu-ray Disc™ player is running.
❖The region code of your Blu-ray Disc™ (video) must 
match the region code of your Blu-ray Disc™ player. 
Otherwise, the Blu-ray Disc™ will not play properly. 
Region codes can be set from the Blu-ray Disc™ 
software that came with your computer.
❖Make sure to connect your computer's power 
cord/cable to a live electrical outlet via the AC 
Adaptor when playing a Blu-ray Disc™, otherwise, 
Blu-ray Disc™ playback may not operate smoothly.
NOTE 
						

							139If Something Goes Wrong
Sound system problems
Sound system problems
No sound is coming from the computer’s 
speakers.
Adjust the volume control.
Try pressing the 
F11 key to see if volume mute is disabled.
Check that the volume control on the computer is turned up.
If you are using external headphones or speakers, check that 
they are securely connected to your computer.
The computer emits a loud, high-pitched noise.
This is feedback between the microphone and the speakers. 
It occurs in any sound system when input from a microphone 
is fed to the speakers and the speaker volume is too loud. 
Adjust the volume control.
Printer problems
This section lists some of the most common printer 
problems.
The printer will not print.
Check that the printer is connected to a working power 
outlet, turned on and ready (on line).
Check that the printer has plenty of paper. Some printers will 
not start printing when there are just two or three sheets of 
paper left in the tray.
Make sure the printer cable is firmly attached to the 
computer and the printer.
Run the printer’s self-test to check for any problem with the 
printer itself.
Make sure you installed the proper printer drivers as shown 
in the instructions that came with the printer.
You may have connected the printer while the computer is 
on. Disable Sleep mode, turn off the computer, and turn off 
the printer. Turn the printer back on, make sure it is online, 
and then turn the computer back on.
Try printing another file. For example, you could create and 
attempt to print a short test file using Notepad. If a Notepad 
file prints correctly, the problem may be in your original file.
If you cannot resolve the problem, contact the printer’s 
manufacturer. 
						

							140If Something Goes Wrong
Wireless networking problems
The printer will not print what you see on the 
screen.
Many programs display information on the screen differently 
from the way they print it. See if your program has a print 
preview mode. This mode lets you see your work exactly as 
it will print. Contact the software manufacturer for more 
information.
Wireless networking problems
This section provides general troubleshooting tips for 
networking problems, specifically wireless (Wi-Fi®) 
networking.
The terms and concepts used assume a basic 
understanding of networks, and may be for more 
advanced users. If you need assistance or if you are not 
familiar with the terminology, please see Windows
® Help 
and Support or contact your computer technician.
❖If your computer is equipped with an internal Wi-Fi
® 
adapter, verify that Airplane mode is OFF (the wireless 
indicator light   will be lit).
❖Verify that your computer can detect access points or 
routers. If it can detect a Wi-Fi
® access point or router 
then it may be a configuration issue.
❖Verify that signal strength is good using the utility 
provided with the Wi-Fi
® adapter.
❖If another computer is on the same network, verify that it 
has network access, and can connect to the Internet. If, 
for example, the other computer cannot browse to a 
public Web site, the ISP’s (Internet Service Provider) 
service may be disrupted.
❖Verify that the Service Set Identifier (SSID), or network 
name, is correct 
- i.e., that it matches the SSID assigned 
to the access point you are attempting to connect 
through. SSIDs are case-sensitive. 
NOTE