Toshiba Windows 8.1 Laptop

Handbook forU3A Convenors

Version 1.430 December 2013

Mike Hender

Download this information from:

http://www.hender.net/u3a

3

Topics

• Switching on and connecting leads• Connecting to the Projector• If you need sound• Getting used to Windows 8.1• Accessing the programs you’ll use• Escaping the ‘Modern’ interface• The charm of ‘Charms’• Finding the Control Panel• Linking to WiFi• Projector problems

Power On Button

Power On

Sound cable goes here(far left hole)

HDMI cable goes here

Right hand side of PC

HDMI recommended but if you prefer VGA the cable goes here

If you’re using the Ethernet cable rather than WiFi the cable goes in here

Two USB port here

Power cable goes here

Left hand side of PC

The DVD Eject Button is well hidden under the DVD tray on the left of the PC

Inserting and ejecting a DVD

To play sound through the main sound equipment in the Pottery Room

1. Connect the Pottery Room black sound cable into the far left socket on the right hand side of the PC (replacing the white cable shown here)

2. Then make sure the switch shown below is pointing to Aux-1 (Orange)

To play sound through the main sound equipment in the Pottery Room

The laptop should boot directly to a familiar desktop

If not, select the Amersham U3A-user account and enter the Password shown on the label below the screen

This is the Windows 8.1 ‘Desktop View’. It’s very similar to Windows 7

Internet Explorer

and Chrome

File Explorer

Office 2013 Programs

Adobe Photoshop Elements 12

FastStoneImageViewer Picasa

VLC DVD Player

The Start Button has

some differences

Right clicking the Start Button

reveals some familiar terms

But the normal left click of the Start Button takes you to an expanded list of programs that occupy the whole screen (see

next slide . . . )

Most frequently used programs

All other programs

The familiar Windows 7 Start Button has changed!

Replaced by 2 new screens . . .

Windows 7

(This slide is just to remind you how Windows 7 works)

The Windows 8.1 first level Start Screen

Get back to the familiar desktop by clicking here

Or by touching the ‘Windows’ key

Note there isn’t a ‘Taskbar’ when you’re in the ‘Modern’ half of the OS

More detailed level Start Screens

The Windows 8.1 first level Start Screen

1. First move the mouse curser to the very top of the screen until it turns into a hand.

2. Then click, and holding the left button down, drag the cursor all the way to the bottom of the screen and then release the button

If you find yourself in a full screen, modern app – like the ‘Photo’ app shown below – here’s how to close and return to the desktop

This will take you back to the standard desktop

Right click the Start Button and

then click on Shut Down

To shut down, go to the traditional desktop

Yes, the Control Panel is Alive and Well!

Inserting a DVD into the tray on the left hand side of the PC should auto-start the VLC Player

Where’s the Sound?

If 2 sets of speakers appear here, make sure the IDT internal speakers are set to Default by right clicking on them

Move the mouse pointer to either corner to reveal the ‘Charms’ - Search- Share- Start- Devices- Settings

The Start Button has

some differences

Put the mouse cursor in the bottom or top right hand screen corner to reveal the ‘Charms’

‘Charms’

If you’re in the Pottery Room this will say: u3a-networkPR

WiFi Network Charm

You can look at the WiFi networks both through the Charms on the right or with this Network and Sharing Centre window in the Control Panel

It’s probably easiest to control the Projector through the Charms

Devices Charm

You’d normally choose to duplicate what’s on the PC screen

Projector Charm

Make sure your PPT file is set up like this

Checklist for Projector Problems - 1

• The normal procedure is to connect up via HDMI and the projector and laptop should synchronise and an image appear• If there is a problem with the image check:• Projector is correctly focused for the current image• Check Projector's Aspect Ratio is on Auto*• Check Projector's Digital Zoom is on 1:1*

• Press Resync*

* See following pages for how to do this

Checklist for Projector Problems - 2

• Use the Projectors Manual Zoom to resize the image - refocusing as necessary • If image is still far too wide for screen i.e. in wide screen mode, adjust

to 4X3 on laptop*. Press Resync if necessary.• PowerPoint presentations will usually project correctly even if

the image is too wide.• If there are still problems, try connecting via the VGA lead.

* See following pages for how to do this

If the projected screen goes grey . . .

• Try clicking on remote control button 6 ‘Source’ and see if the picture returns• Next try clicking on remote control

button 4 ‘Resync’ and see if the picture returns• If not you may have to switch the PC

and Projector off and then on again

This will appear on the screen

You can check the Zoom setting by repeatedly clicking the

‘Zoom’ (button 5)

This will appear on the screen

To make sure you are fully zoomed out you can click on

‘Resync’ (button 4)

Make sure the Aspect Ratio (button 8) is set to ‘Auto’

This will appear on the screen

Right click on DesktopThen click on ‘Screen resolution’

This window should open

For full widescreen choose 1366x768

Check this is displayed

Right click on DesktopThen click on ‘Screen resolution’

This window should open

For 4x3 display choose 1024x768

Check this is displayed

End