Toshiba Satellite S50a Manual

							81Mobile Computing
Charging batteries
The RTC battery powers the RTC memory that stores your 
system configuration settings and the current time and date 
information. It maintains this information for up to a month 
while the computer is turned off.
TECHNICAL NOTE: Depending on your system, the RTC 
battery may only charge while the computer is turned on.
Power management
Your computer ships with the power management options 
preset to a configuration that will provide the most stable 
operating environment and optimum system performance for 
both AC power and battery modes.
Changes to these settings may result in system 
performance or stability issues. Users who are not 
completely familiar with the power management 
component of the system should use the preset 
configuration. For assistance with setup changes, 
contact Toshiba’s Customer Support Center.
Charging batteries
The battery needs to be charged before you can use it to 
power the computer.
Always use the AC adaptor specified by Toshiba. You 
can order a Toshiba AC adaptor from Toshiba’s Web site 
at accessories.toshiba.com.
Battery charge time may vary depending on the 
applications, power management settings, and features 
used.
Charging the main battery
The battery needs to be charged before you can use it to 
power the computer.
To charge the main battery, plug the computer into a live 
electrical outlet. The battery charges whether the computer 
is on or off.
NOTE 
						

							82Mobile Computing
Charging batteries
TECHNICAL NOTE: The recharging of the battery may 
not occur when your computer is using all of the power 
provided by the AC adaptor to run applications, features, 
and devices. Your computer's Power Options utility can 
be used to select a power level setting that reduces the 
power required for system operation and will allow the 
battery to recharge.
The battery may not start charging immediately under the 
following conditions:
❖The battery is extremely hot or cold. 
To ensure that the battery charges to its full capacity, 
wait until it reaches room temperature (50 to 80 degrees 
Fahrenheit, 10 to 26 degrees Celsius).
❖The battery is almost completely discharged. 
Leave the power connected and the battery should 
begin charging after a few minutes.
HINT: Once the battery is fully charged, we recommend 
that you periodically operate your computer on battery 
power until the battery discharges completely.
Please make a complete back up of your data to external 
media before discharging the battery. For more 
information, see “Backing up your work” on page 72
Charging the RTC battery
Your computer may have an internal real-time clock (RTC) 
battery. The RTC battery powers the System Time Clock and 
BIOS memory used to store your computer’s configuration 
settings. When fully charged, it maintains this information for 
up to a month when the computer is powered off.
The RTC battery may have become completely discharged 
while your computer was shipped, resulting in a CMOS error 
message during startup. The error message may vary by 
computer model. 
						

							83Mobile Computing
Monitoring battery power
Depending on your system, the RTC battery may only 
charge while the computer is turned on.
To recharge the RTC battery, plug the computer into a live 
electrical outlet and leave the computer powered on for 24 
hours.
It is seldom necessary to charge the RTC battery 
because it charges while the computer is on. If the RTC 
battery is low, the real-time clock and calendar may 
display the incorrect time and date or stop working.
When Hibernation mode is enabled and the RTC battery 
is completely discharged, a warning prompts you to reset 
the real-time clock.
The computer can be used while the RTC battery is being 
charged, although the charging status of the RTC battery 
cannot be monitored.
Monitoring battery power
To locate your system indicator lights, please refer to your 
Quick Start document.
The computer’s main battery light gives you an indication of 
the main battery’s current charge. 
❖Glows amber while the main battery is being charged 
(AC adaptor connected)
❖Glows white when the main battery is fully charged
Battery life and charge time may vary, depending upon 
power management settings, applications and features 
used.
❖Flashes amber when the main battery charge is low and 
it is time to recharge the main battery or plug in the AC 
adaptor
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE
NOTE 
						

							84Mobile Computing
Monitoring battery power
If the AC power light flashes amber during charging, 
either a battery pack is malfunctioning, or it is not 
receiving correct input from the AC power supply.
HINT: Be careful not to confuse the AC power light/
Battery light ( ) and the power button ( ) light.
When the AC power light/Battery light or power button 
light flashes amber, it indicates that the system is 
suspended (using the Windows
® operating system Sleep 
command).
  
(Sample Illustration) Power and battery light locations
Determining remaining battery power
Wait a few moments after turning on the computer before 
trying to monitor the remaining battery power. The 
computer needs this time to check the battery’s 
remaining capacity and perform its calculations.
Move the pointer over the power icon in the notification area, 
see “Finding your way around the desktop” on page 98 for 
more information on the notification area. A pop-up message 
displays the remaining battery power as a percentage.
With repeated discharges and recharges, the battery’s 
capacity gradually decreases. A frequently used older 
battery does not power the computer for as long as a new 
battery, even when both are fully charged.
NOTE
AC power light/Battery lightSystem indicator lights
Wireless indicator light
Front edge of system
NOTE 
						

							85Mobile Computing
Monitoring battery power
TECHNICAL NOTE: The computer drains the battery 
faster at low temperatures. Check your remaining charge 
frequently if you are working in temperatures below 50 
degrees Fahrenheit.
The computer calculates the remaining battery charge 
based on your current rate of power use and other 
factors such as the age of the battery.
What to do when the main battery runs low
When the main battery runs low you can:
❖Plug the computer into an external power source and 
recharge the main battery
❖Place the computer into Hibernation mode and replace 
the battery, if applicable, with a charged spare (not 
included with your computer)
❖Save your work and turn off the computer
If you do not manage to do any of these things before the 
main battery completely runs out of power, the computer 
automatically enters Hibernation mode and turns itself off. 
Hibernation mode keeps track of where you were, so that 
when you turn on the power again, you can continue where 
you left off. 
Setting battery notifications
You can set two notifications. Each notification can be set to 
alert you when a specified percentage of remaining battery 
power has been reached. You can also set the computer to 
enter Sleep mode or Hibernation mode or to completely shut 
down when the notification goes off.
To change the default notification settings:
1While on the desktop, click or touch the 
Battery () 
icon in the notification area.
2Click or touch 
More power options.
The Power Options window appears.
3Click or touch 
Change plan settings under the power 
plan to be customized.
The Edit Plan Settings window appears. 
						

							86Mobile Computing
Monitoring battery power
4Click or touch Change advanced power settings.
The Advanced settings tab of the Power Options 
window appears.
5Double-click or touch 
Battery to display the battery 
options.
  (Sample Image) Advanced settings tab of Power Options 
screen
6Configure the alarm settings to suit your needs.
Conserving battery power 
How long a fully charged battery pack lasts when you are 
using the computer depends on a number of factors, such 
as:
❖How the computer is configured
❖How much you use the internal storage drive, optical 
disc drive, or other optional devices
❖Where you are working, since operating time decreases 
at low temperatures
There are various ways in which you can conserve power 
and extend the operating time of your battery:
❖Enable Sleep or Hibernation, which saves power when 
you turn off the computer and turn it back on again
❖Use the Windows
® power-saving option plans 
						

							87Mobile Computing
Monitoring battery power
These power-saving options control the way in which the 
computer is configured. By using them, you can increase the 
length of time you can use the computer before you need to 
recharge the battery.
Microsoft
® has combined these options into preset Power 
Plans. Using one of these power plans lets you choose 
between maximum power savings and peak system 
performance. You may also set individual power-saving 
options to suit your own needs.
The following sections describe how to choose a Power Plan 
and discuss each power-saving option.
Power Plans
You can choose a predefined Power Plan or select your own 
combination of power options. To do this:
1While on the desktop, click or touch the 
Battery () 
icon in the notification area.
2Click or touch 
More power options.
The Windows
® Power Options window appears.
  (Sample Image) Windows® Power Options window
3Select an appropriate plan for your work environment or 
create your own custom plan.
4Click or touch 
Create a power plan in the left pane to 
set up a new plan. 
						

							88Mobile Computing
Using the eco power plan
To edit a plan or to edit advanced settings, continue to 
the following steps.
5Click or touch 
Change plan settings to choose the 
plan you want to edit.
This screen allows you to change basic settings.
6Click or touch 
Change advanced power settings to 
access settings for battery notification levels, internal 
storage drive power save time, etc.
You can click or touch the plus signs to expand each 
item and to see what settings are available for each item.
7Click or touch 
OK to save the plan changes you have 
performed.
Depending on your model, the two power plans eco and 
Balanced are satisfactory for most people and do not need 
to be edited. The eco plan is the best used for maximum 
battery time. The Balanced plan is a compromise between 
battery time and performance. 
Using the eco power plan
This computer is equipped with the eco power plan. 
Operating the computer with this power plan enabled 
reduces electrical power consumption by slightly lowering 
system performance. For example, when this power plan is 
enabled, the brightness of the display is reduced and the 
interval before Sleep mode takes effect is shortened. To 
enable or disable the eco power plan, see “Power Plans” on 
page 87.
The eco Utility
® monitors your power savings from using the 
eco power plan by tracking real-time power consumption 
and accumulated savings over time. To learn how to access 
the utility, see “eco Utility®” on page 108.
For more information on the eco power plan, see the Help 
file in the eco Utility
® window.
NOTE 
						

							89Mobile Computing
Changing the main battery
Changing the main battery
When your main battery has run out of power, you have two 
options: plug in the AC adaptor or install a charged battery.
If you find that a new battery is needed, contact the location 
where you purchased the computer for more information on 
replacing the battery. Toshiba will not be responsible for any 
product damage, data loss, service, or part replacement 
made necessary by improper installation of a new battery.
If the computer is leaking or its case is cracked, put on 
protective gloves to handle it.
When your main battery has run out of power, you have two 
options: plug in the AC adaptor or install a charged battery.
Never short circuit the battery pack by either accidentally 
or intentionally bringing the battery terminals in contact 
with another conductive object. This could cause serious 
injury or fire, and could also damage the battery pack 
and computer.
Never expose a battery pack to abnormal shock, 
vibration or pressure. The battery pack's internal 
protective device could fail, causing it to overheat or 
ignite, resulting in caustic liquid leakage, or explosion or 
fire, possibly resulting in death or serious injury.
TECHNICAL NOTE: To avoid losing any data, save your 
files and then either completely shut down your 
computer or put it into Hibernation mode before 
changing the battery. 
						

							90Mobile Computing
Changing the main battery
Removing the battery from the computer
To remove the battery:
1Save your work.
2Turn off the computer, see “To Shut down your 
computer” on page 43.
3Unplug and remove any cables connected to the 
computer, including the AC adaptor.
4Close the display panel and turn the computer upside 
down.
Depending on your model, the battery will either have 
latches or screws, allowing for the removal of the battery.
5Slide the battery release lock to the unlocked position, or 
using a small Phillips screwdriver, loosen the screw(s) 
that secure the battery.
   
(Sample Illustration) Unlocking the battery
6Slide and hold the battery release latch to release the 
battery, if applicable.
7Pull the discharged battery out of the computer.
   
(Sample Illustration) Removing the battery
NOTE
Model with latches Model with screwsBattery screws
Model with latches Model with screws