Toshiba Satellite S50a Manual

							61Getting Started
Using external display devices
Using external display devices
Your computer comes with a built-in display, but you can 
also connect the following types of external display devices 
to the video ports described below:
To locate your HDMI™ or RGB port, please refer to your 
Quick Start document.
❖An HDMI™-compatible television or external display 
device via the HDMI™ Out port*
❖An external monitor or projector via the RGB (monitor) 
port*
(Sample Illustration) Video ports on right side of computer
Selecting video cables
To connect a device to the HDMI™ Out port, you must 
purchase an HDMI™ cable.
Connecting an HDMI™-compatible television or 
display device
To connect an HDMI™-compatible television or display 
device to the computer:
❖Connect one end of an HDMI™ cable (not included with 
your computer) to the HDMI™ Out port on the side of 
your computer, and then connect the other end of the 
cable to your television or display device. Refer to the 
manual that came with the television or display device 
for more information.
Your computer should automatically detect the external 
display device. 
NOTE
HDMI™ Out port*RGB (monitor) port*
*Available on certain models 
						

							62Getting Started
Using external display devices
Connecting an external monitor or projector
You can easily attach an external monitor or projector to your 
computer if you need a larger screen. To do this:
1Read the directions that came with the monitor to see if 
you first need to install new software.
2Connect the monitor’s video cable to the RGB (monitor) 
port on the side of the computer.
3Connect the device’s power cable to a live electrical 
outlet.
4Turn on the external device.
Your computer will automatically detect the external 
display device.
You can change the display settings by pressing the 
() + 
P keys, or by configuring the display properties 
settings.
Directing the display output when you turn on the 
computer
Once you have connected an external display device, you 
can choose to use the internal display only, the external 
device only, or both simultaneously. 
Some modes are only available with the appropriate 
device attached and turned on.
The quickest way to change the display output settings is to 
use the ( ) + 
P keys:
Press the ( ) + 
P keys repeatedly until the setting you want 
takes effect. Briefly pause each time you press the ( ) + 
P 
keys to allow time for the display to change.
This cycles through the settings in the following order (the 
last two options are available if an external monitor is 
connected):
❖PC screen only
❖Duplicate
NOTE
NOTE 
						

							63Getting Started
Using external display devices
❖Extend
❖Second screen only
 (Sample Image) Display options window
The ( ) + P keys navigate through the options without 
activating a selection. Press 
ENTER to activate a 
selection.
You may also use the F4 key, and then press ENTER to 
activate a selection.
Adjusting the quality of the external display
To obtain the best picture quality from your television (or 
other video display device), you may need to adjust the 
video settings. See the video device documentation for 
additional configuration steps.
NOTE
NOTE 
						

							64Getting Started
Customizing your computer’s settings
Customizing your computer’s settings
There are several ways in which you can customize your 
computer to suit your particular requirements. You can go 
into your computer settings to make adjustments to your 
computer to suit your needs. 
From the Start or Desktop screen, move your pointer to the 
upper-right corner of the screen or swipe in from the right 
edge. When the Windows
® charms appear, click or touch the 
Settings ( ) charm, and then click or touch Change PC 
Settings
. Then choose a category you wish to change. 
Refer to your operating system documentation or Help and 
Support for details.
You may also wish to customize your power usage settings. 
For more information, see “Power Plans” on page 87. There 
are additional custom settings you can choose. See 
“Utilities” on page 107.
Caring for your computer
This section gives tips on cleaning and moving your 
computer. For information about taking care of your 
computer’s battery, see “Taking care of your battery” on 
page 92.
Please handle your computer carefully to avoid 
scratching or damaging the surface.
Cleaning the computer
Keep liquids, including cleaning fluid, out of the 
computer’s keyboard, speaker, and other openings. 
Never spray cleaner directly onto the computer and/or 
display. Never use harsh or caustic chemical products to 
clean the computer.
To keep your computer clean, gently wipe the display panel 
and exterior case with a lightly dampened cloth.
NOTE 
						

							65Getting Started
Caring for your computer
Moving the computer
Before moving your computer, even across the room, make 
sure all drive activity has ended (the internal storage drive 
and optical disc drive indicator lights stop glowing) and all 
external peripheral cables are disconnected.
Do not pick up the computer by its display panel or by 
the back. Doing so could damage the system.
Using a computer lock
You may want to secure your computer to a heavy object 
such as your desk. The easiest way to do this is to purchase 
an optional computer lock cable. For more information on 
purchasing a cable lock, visit accessories.toshiba.com.
(Sample Illustration) Computer lock cable
To secure the computer:
1Wrap the cable through or around some part of a heavy 
object.
Make sure there is no way for a potential thief to slip the 
cable off the object.
2Pass the locking end through the loop.
3Insert the cable’s locking end into the security lock slot 
on your computer, then engage the locking device.
The computer is now securely locked.
(Sample Illustration) Attaching security lock cable 
						

							66
Chapter 2
Learning the Basics
This chapter gives some computing tips and provides 
important information about basic features.
Computing tips
❖Save your work frequently.
Your work stays in the computer’s temporary memory 
until you save it to the internal storage drive. If the 
network you are using goes down and you must restart 
your computer to reconnect, or your battery runs out of 
charge while you are working, you will lose all work since 
you last saved.
See “Saving your work” on page 72 for further 
information.
HINT: Some programs have an automatic save feature 
that can be activated. This feature saves your file to the 
internal storage drive at preset intervals. See your 
software documentation for details. 
						

							67Learning the Basics
Using the keyboard
❖Back up your files to external media on a regular basis. 
Label the backup copies clearly and store them in a safe 
place.
It is easy to put off backing up because it takes time. 
However, if your internal storage drive suddenly fails, you 
will lose all the data on it unless you have a separate 
backup copy. For more information, see “Data and 
system configuration backup in the Windows® 
operating system” on page 144.
❖Use Error-checking and Disk Defragmenter regularly to 
check and optimize disk space and improve 
performance. 
❖Scan all new files for viruses.
This precaution is especially important for files you 
receive via external media, email, or download from the 
Internet. 
❖Take frequent breaks to avoid repetitive-motion injuries 
and eyestrain.
❖Do not turn off the computer if a drive indicator light 
indicates a drive is active.
Turning off the computer while it is reading from or 
writing to a disk may damage the disk, the drive, or both.
The Windows® operating system records information, 
such as your desktop setup, during its shutdown 
procedure. If you do not let the Windows
® operating 
system shut down normally, details such as new icon 
positions may be lost.
Using the keyboard
Your computer may be equipped with a 10-key 
keyboard, depending on your model.
Your computer’s keyboard contains character keys, control 
keys, function keys, and special Windows
® keys.
NOTE
NOTE 
						

							68Learning the Basics
Using the keyboard
     (Sample Illustration) Keyboard
    (Sample Illustration) 10-key keyboard
(Available on certain models)
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.
  (Sample Illustration) PRTSC key on the 10-key keyboard
Function keys
The function keys (not to be confused with the Fn key) are 
the 12 keys at the top of the keyboard. 
     (Sample Illustration) Function keys
NOTE 
						

							69Learning the Basics
To u c h  s c r e e n
F1 through F12 are called function keys because they 
execute programmed functions when pressed. Used in 
combination with the 
Fn key, function keys marked with 
icons execute specific functions on the computer. For 
example, 
F5 turns the touch pad ON/OFF. For more 
information, see “TOSHIBA Function Keys” on page 152. 
Special Windows® keys 
    
(Sample Illustration) Special Windows® keys 
Your computer’s keyboard has one key and one button that 
have special functions in Windows®: 
❖
Windows® key—Toggles between the Desktop screen 
and the last app opened on the Start screen. For more 
information refer to Help & Support, or see “Exploring 
the Start screen” on page 96
❖
Application key—Has a similar function as the 
secondary mouse button
Touch screen
Your computer may come with a touch screen, enabling 
direct interaction with displayed apps and programs through 
simple or multi-touch gestures.
Touch screen navigation
Use your finger to manipulate the on-screen icons, buttons, 
menu items, and other items on the touch screen. You can 
also change the screen’s orientation.
The screen is made of glass so avoid contact with sharp, 
rough, or abrasive objects or substances as screen may 
break or scratch if not handled properly. If you see a 
crack in the glass, discontinue use of the device to avoid 
injury.
Application key Windows
® key 
						

							70Learning the Basics
Mouse properties
To u c h—Touch to activate items displayed on the screen, 
such as app and setting icons or on-screen buttons. Touch 
to type using the keyboard.
Touch & hold—Touch and hold an item on the screen by 
touching and holding the item in place until an action occurs.
Drag—Touch and hold an item for a moment and then, 
without lifting your finger, move the item until you reach the 
target position. For example, drag items on any app screen 
to reposition them.
Swipe or slide—To swipe or slide, quickly move your finger 
across the surface of the screen without pausing. For 
example, swipe your finger to the left from the right edge of 
the screen to display the Windows
® charms.
Double-tap—Tap quickly twice to zoom in. For example, 
double-tap a section of a Web page to zoom in on that 
section. Double-tap again to zoom out.
Pinch—In some apps (such as Maps and Games), you can 
zoom in and out by placing two fingers on the screen at once 
and pinching them together (to zoom out) or spreading them 
apart (to zoom in).
Rotate—Place two or more fingers on an item and rotate 
your hand. The item rotates in the direction you turn your 
hand. (Not functional in all apps).
Mouse properties
Mouse properties allow you to change your pointing device 
or mouse settings.
To access Mouse properties:
1If 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 
Mouse. In the list that appears, 
click or touch your selection.
The Mouse screen appears.
2Adjust the settings as desired, and then click or touch 
OK.