Toshiba Satellite C50b User Guide

							121If Something Goes Wrong
The Windows® operating system is not working
Reset your computer
❖All of your personal files and apps are removed
❖Your computer settings are changed back to their 
defaults
For more information, see “Reset your PC” on page 52.
Advanced options
Choosing this option presents you with another set of 
options:
System Restore
❖System Restore allows you to use a Restore point to 
return the computer to a state at which it was performing 
properly. Restore points may be created: 
❖When new hardware or software is installed
❖Manually by the user
System Image Recovery
Windows
® will “Recover” the Operating system using a 
specific image provided by the user.
Startup Repair
This feature automates the repair process. The Operating 
System will automatically look for problems and repair them 
if possible.
Command Prompt
The command prompt is a very powerful tool for advanced 
users. 
Startup Settings
In previous Operating Systems the majority of the options 
found on this menu were available by pressing the 
F8 key 
during the Windows® boot process:
❖Enable low resolution video mode
Restarts Windows
® using your current video driver at low 
resolution. This allows you to reset your display settings 
in the event they have been improperly set.
❖Enable debugging mode
Starts Windows
® in an advanced troubleshooting mode 
						

							122If Something Goes Wrong
The Windows® operating system is not working
❖Enable boot logging
Creates a file that lists all the drivers that are installed 
during startup
❖Enable Safe Mode
Starts Windows
® with a minimal set of drivers and 
services. If the computer starts and runs in Safe Mode, 
you will know the Operating System is most likely 
working properly and that you should look to third-party 
applications or drivers for the source of your problem.
❖Disable driver signature enforcement
Allows drivers containing improper signatures to be 
installed
❖Disable early-launch anti-malware protection
Allows drivers to initialize without being measured by the 
Anti-malware driver
❖Disable automatic restart on system failure
Prevents Windows
® from automatically restarting if an 
error causes it to fail. Choose this option only if 
Windows
® is stuck in a loop where it fails, attempts to 
restart, and fails again repeatedly.
Internet problems
My Internet connection is very slow.
Many factors contribute to the speed with which you can 
surf the Internet. They include: network speed, network 
conditions, time of day (when everyone else is surfing, your 
access can be slow) and popularity of the sites you are trying 
to access. If accessing a particular site is very slow, try later.
My browser cannot find the URL address I typed in.
Make sure you separated the domain names of the address 
with the forward slash (/). Check the spelling of each name 
and the syntax of the address carefully. A single incorrect 
letter or missed character will make it impossible for your 
browser to locate the site.
My browser cannot find a site I bookmarked.
The World Wide Web is constantly changing. A site you 
bookmarked yesterday may not be available today or its 
server may be down for temporary repair. Try again later. 
						

							123If Something Goes Wrong
Fixing a problem with Device Manager
The Windows® operating system can help you
If the operating system has started properly but you still have 
a problem using your computer, the online Help can assist 
you in troubleshooting the problem. Getting to the online 
Help will differ depending on which interface you are in:
❖
Start screen—Type Help and Support
As soon as you begin typing, the search feature 
automatically begins.
❖
Desktop—Press the F1 key
When the “Windows Help and Support” screen appears, do 
one or both of the following:
❖In the open search field type the topic you need help 
with and follow the on-screen instructions
❖Click or touch one of the options listed in the 
window and follow the instructions
You can connect to Support Online by going to Toshiba 
support at support.toshiba.com.
Fixing a problem with Device Manager
Device Manager provides a way to check and change the 
configuration of a device.
Changing the default settings using Device Manager can 
cause other conflicts that make one or more devices 
unusable. Device Manager is a configuration tool for 
advanced users who understand configuration 
parameters and the ramifications of changing them.
Checking device properties
Device Manager provides a way to view the properties of a 
device. Properties include the name of the manufacturer, the 
type of device, the drivers installed, and the system 
resources assigned to the device. 
To check a device’s properties:
1From the Start screen, type 
Device Manager.
NOTE 
						

							124If Something Goes Wrong
Power and the batteries
2Click or touch Device Manager.
The Device Manager screen appears.
3From the list of device(s), double-click or touch the 
device type.
4To view the device(s) installed, double-click or touch the 
device.
The operating system displays the device Properties 
dialog box, which provides an array of tabs. They may 
include:
❖The 
General tab, which provides basic information 
about the device.
❖The 
Resources tab, which lists resources assigned 
to the device. This tab does not appear if the device 
is not using resources.
❖The 
Driver tab, which displays the drivers being 
used by the device. This tab also provides options 
for updating the driver or rolling back the driver in 
case the new version is causing a problem.
The tabs that appear in the dialog box vary from one 
device to another. 
For more information about Device Manager, refer to 
Windows
® online Help.
Power and the batteries
The computer’s battery may not be accessible by the 
user.
Your computer receives its power through the AC adaptor 
and power cord/cable or from the system batteries. Power 
problems are interrelated. For example, a faulty AC adaptor 
or power cord/cable will neither power the computer nor 
recharge the batteries.
NOTE 
						

							125If Something Goes Wrong
Power and the batteries
Here are some typical problems and how to solve them:
The AC power light does not come on when you 
plug in the AC adaptor and power cord/cable.
Make sure the AC adaptor and power cord/cable are firmly 
plugged into both the wall outlet and the computer.
If the AC power light still does not come on, check that the 
wall outlet is working properly by plugging in a lamp or other 
appliance.
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, clean the contacts 
with a soft dry cloth (if necessary) and replace the battery. 
See “Removing the battery from the computer” on page 87.
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 84). 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. 
						

							126If Something Goes Wrong
Keyboard problems
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 86.
Keyboard problems
To capture a print screen of the entire screen, press the 
Fn + PRTSC key.
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.
NOTE 
						

							127If Something Goes Wrong
Display problems
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.
❖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. 
						

							128If 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.
5Click or touch the 
To o l s tab.
NOTE 
						

							129If Something Goes Wrong
Disk or storage drive problems
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. 
						

							130If Something Goes Wrong
Optical disc drive problems
Optical disc drive problems
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.
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.