Toshiba Satellite 1955 Series Firmware update

RG 5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3.2
Satellite®1955 Series
Resource Guide
Keep this guide in a convenient place to access important
information about your computer.
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Please fill in for your reference and future use:
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2Contents
RG 5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3.2
Contents
Setting up your computer and getting started..................................... 4
Inserting PC Cards............................................................................ 10
Removing PC Cards.......................................................................... 10
Learning the basics........................................................................... 12
Using the DVD-ROM or Multifunction drive...................................... 13
Moving the computer........................................................................ 17
Mobile computing............................................................................. 17
If something goes wrong.................................................................. 21
If you need further assistance........................................................... 25
Power cable connectors.................................................................... 26
Features and specifications............................................................... 27
Regulatory information ..................................................................... 32

3
RG 5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3.2
Welcome to the world of powerful and portable multimedia
computers! With your new Toshiba notebook computer, your
access to information can accompany you wherever you go.
You will find that the Microsoft®Windows®XP Professional
or XP Home operating system is already installed on your
computer. It offers exciting features and easy Internet access.
This guide
This guide offers important information about your computer,
including solutions to the most common problems, and
features and specifications.
For more detailed information, descriptions of other features
and more extensive troubleshooting guidelines, see the
electronic user’s guide preinstalled on your system. It is also
available on the Web at pcsupport.toshiba.com.
Safety icons
This guide contains safety instructions that must be observed
in order to avoid potential hazards that could result in
personal injuries, damage to your equipment, or loss of data.
These safety cautions have been classified according to the
seriousness of the risk, and the icons highlight these
instructions as follows:
Danger indicates a hazardous situation, which will result in
death, serious personal injury, or substantial property damage
if the safety instruction is ignored.
Warning indicates a hazardous situation, which can result in
death, serious personal injury, or substantial property damage
if the safety instruction is ignored.
Caution indicates a hazardous situation, which will or can
cause minor personal injury or property damage if the safety
instruction is ignored.
Provides you with important but not hazard-related
information.
DANGER

4Setting up your computer and getting started
RG 5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3.2
Other icons used
Additional icons highlight other helpful or educational
information:
HINT: This icon denotes helpful hints and tips.
Other documentation
Your computer comes with all or some of the following
documentation in addition to this resource guide:
❖An electronic version of the user’s guide. Look for the
user’s guide icon on your desktop or in the DOCS folder
on the C: drive.
❖Guides for other programs that may come preinstalled on
your computer or that are available for installation on
your Recovery CDs.
❖For accessory information, visit Toshiba's web site at
www.toshiba.com.
❖The Microsoft®Windows®operating system
documentation which explains the features of the
operating system.
Setting up your computer and getting started
Strain and stress injuries are becoming more common as
people spend more time using their computers. With a little
care and proper use of the equipment, you can work
comfortably throughout the day.
Using the computer keyboard incorrectly can result in discomfort
and possible injury. If your hands, wrists, and/or arms bother you
while typing, stop using the computer and rest. If the discomfort
persists, consult a physician.
For more information, consult books on ergonomics,
repetitive-strain injury, and repetitive-stress syndrome.

5
Setting up your computer and getting started
RG 5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3.2
Placement of the computer
Proper placement of the computer and external devices is
important to avoid stress-related injuries. Consider the
following when placing your computer.
❖Place the computer on a flat surface at a comfortable
height and distance. You should be able to type without
twisting your torso or neck, and look at the screen
without slouching.
❖If you are using an external monitor, the top of the
display should be no higher than eye level.
❖If you use a paper holder, set it at about the same height
and distance as the screen.
Seating and posture
When using your computer, maintain good posture with your
body relaxed and your weight distributed evenly. Proper
seating is a primary factor in reducing work strain.
Precautions
Your notebook computer is designed to provide optimum
safety and ease of use, and to withstand the rigors of travel.
You should observe certain precautions to further reduce the
risk of personal injury or damage to the computer.
Never apply heavy pressure to the computer or subject it to sharp
impacts. Excessive pressure or impact can damage computer
components or otherwise cause your computer to malfunction.
Some PC Cards become hot with prolonged use. If two cards are
installed, both can become hot even if only one is being used.
Overheating of a PC Card can result in errors or instability in its
operation.
Be careful when you remove a PC Card that has been used for
lengthy periods of time.

6Setting up your computer and getting started
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Connecting the AC adapter
Your computer requires power to operate. Use the power cable and
AC adapter to connect the computer to a live electrical outlet, or to
charge the computer’s battery.
Use only the AC adapter supplied with your computer or an
equivalent adapter that is compatible. Use of any incompatible
adapter could damage your computer. Toshiba assumes no liability
for any damage caused by use of an incompatible adapter.
When you connect the AC adapter to the computer, always follow the
steps in the exact order as described in the User's Manual.
Connecting the power cable to a live electrical outlet should be the
last step otherwise the adapter DC output plug could hold an
electrical charge and cause an electrical shock or minor bodily injury
when touched. As a general safety precaution, avoid touching any
metal parts.
Power Cable and AC Adapter
Damaged power cables can cause fire or electric shock. Never
modify, forcibly bend, place heavy objects on top of, or apply heat to
the power cable.
If the power cable becomes damaged or the plug overheats, discon-
tinue use. There is a risk of electric shock.
Never remove the power plug from the outlet with wet hands. Doing
so may cause an electric shock.
Connecting a printer
Before you can connect a printer, you need to know whether
it uses a serial or a parallel interface. Check the printer’s
documentation. If the printer can be switched between serial
and parallel mode, choose parallel because it is faster.
AC adapter
Power cable
DANGER

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Setting up your computer and getting started
RG 5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3.2
You also need a suitable printer cable, which may come with
your printer. Otherwise, you can purchase one from a
computer or electronics store.
If your printer is ECP- or IEEE-compliant, make sure your printer
cable is an IEEE 1284 cable.
Installing additional memory (optional)
Before you install or remove a memory module, turn off the computer
using the Start menu. If you install or remove a memory module
while the computer is in Standby or Hibernation mode, data will be
lost.
Your computer comes with enough memory to run most of
today’s popular applications. You may want to increase the
computer’s memory if you use complex software or process
large amounts of data.
There are two memory slots available for you to add
additional memory modules.
You need a standard Phillips no. 1 screwdriver to install a
memory module.
To avoid damaging the computer’s screws, use a standard Phillips
no. 1 screwdriver that is in good condition.
If the computer is on, begin at step 1; otherwise, skip to
step 3.
1If the computer is on, click Start, Turn Off Computer.
The Turn off computer window appears.
2Click Turn Off.
The operating system turns off the computer.
3Unplug and remove any cables connected to the
computer.
4Remove the battery.

8Setting up your computer and getting started
RG 5.375 x 8.375 ver 2.3.2
5Close the display panel and turn the computer upside
down to locate the expansion memory slot cover to the
empty memory slot.
Base of the computer
6Using a standard Phillips no. 1 screwdriver, unscrew the
four screws that secure the memory slot cover, then
remove the memory slot cover.
Removing the memory slot cover screws
7Put the screws and the cover in a safe place so that you
can retrieve them later.
Static electricity can damage the memory module. Before you handle
the module, touch a grounded metal surface to discharge any static
electricity you may have built up.
To avoid damaging the memory module, be careful not to touch its
gold connector bar (on the side you insert into the computer).
8Remove the new memory module from its antistatic
packaging.
Expansion
memory
slot cover

9
Setting up your computer and getting started
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9Holding the memory module by its edges so that the gold
connector bar faces the slot, fit the module into the
socket.
10 Gently press down on the memory module connector
until the clips snap into place.
Do not force the module into position. The memory
module should be level when secured in place.
Inserting the memory module
Avoid touching the connectors on the memory module or on the
computer. Grease or dust on the connectors may cause memory
access problems.
11 Replace the memory slot cover.
12 Replace the screws and tighten them.
13 Turn the computer over and reconnect any cables you
removed.
14 To verify that the computer correctly recognizes the
memory:
❖Click Start, then click Control Panel.
❖Click Performance and Maintenance.
❖Click System.
❖The General tab view automatically appears and
shows the recognized memory.
15 If the computer does not recognize the memory, turn off
the computer, remove the memory slot cover, and make
sure the memory module is seated properly, as described
in step 10.

10 Inserting PC Cards
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Inserting PC Cards
Inserting a PC Card
1If your PC Card does not support hot swapping, save
your data and turn off the computer before inserting the
PC Card. For more information, see “Hot swapping” in
the electronic user’s guide.
2Hold the PC Card with the arrow or main label side up
and the connector side toward the slot.
3Align the card connectors with an available PC Card slot
and carefully slide the card into the slot until it locks into
place.
If you have a Type III card, insert the connector into the lower slot. If
you have a Type II card, you can insert it into either the upper or the
lower slot.
There are two eject buttons, one per slot.
To avoid damaging the PC Card or the computer, do not force the
card into the PC Card slot.
Removing PC Cards
1Double-click the Safely Remove Hardware icon on the
taskbar.
2Click Safely remove xxxx, where xxxx is the identifier
for your PC Card.
The operating system advises you that you may safely
remove the card.