Using your Tecra 9100

Document number: 35006

 

The Toshiba Tecra 9100 is the current company standard machine. The 8000, 8100, 8200, and 9000 are comparable and may be issued in lieu of the 9100 when those machines are available.

The Tecra 9100 looks exactly like a Tecra 9000. Ways you can tell you have either 9x00 series machine:

There are 2 ways to distinguish a 9100 from a 9000 machine:

Your computer has many exciting features. Click on the feature you would like to learn about or problem you are having below:

General usage tips
Power button and powering the machine
The "t" button at the top-right-hand corner
DVD/CD-ROM drive
How do I connect to the network?
The floppy drive
The modem
Reset button
The mouse on the Tecra 9100
Where is the lock hole for my computer lock?
Volume control dial
Funny barrel-shaped thing included with your computer
Toshiba Product Tour of the Tecra 9100
Processor speed/memory /hard disk size specifications
Toshiba Tecra 9100 User Guide (link to pdf file)
Screenshots of machine views (link - find your model in the table)

Descriptions of ports/items on machine:

 

 


General usage tips for the Tecra 9100

 

 

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The "t" button at the top right-hand corner

With the lid of the Tecra 9100 open, you can see a black button with a "t" with a dot over it on it (it looks like an " i".) This it the Toshiba Console Button. It can be programmed to launch various programs. By default, it is not programmed to launch anything when you get the machine. To program it, follow these steps:

  1. Click on the Start menu, then on Settings, and finally on Control Panel.

  2. Look for the Toshiba Console icon and double-click on it.

  3. You will see a screen with a choice of programs to program the button to launch, or you can browse and choose your own application.

  4. When you are done choosing an application, click Apply, and then OK.

Your Toshiba Console button will launch the program of your choice when the machine is on, you are logged onto the machine, and the Toshiba Console button is pressed.

 

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Power button and powering the Tecra 9100

To access the power button on your Tecra 9100, you must open the lid of the machine so that you can see the keyboard. Look for a round silver button above the { F4} key. It should not take much pressure to turn it on. If you press the button and the machine does not appear to turn on ( i.e., the On light - second from the left of indicator lights on the front of your machine - does not turn green), try again.

Note that you must have both the transformer (the small brick-like thing) and the cord that goes into the wall in order to use electricity to run the machine. Without one or the other, you cannot use power from the wall. The cord from the transformer fits into a port on the back of the machine, towards the left side as you face the front of the machine (next to the USB ports).

 

 

 

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DVD ROM drive on the Tecra 9100

Your Tecra 9100 comes with a DVD ROM drive on the left side of the machine. DVD support is not available as long as the CD-ROM functions properly. If you cannot play any DVD movies please DO NOT load any external drivers in an attempt to play movies, even if someone else tells you it works for them. More than likely, third party drivers will cause fatal errors to occur on your machine. If third party drivers cause the machine to fail, you must open a ticket and the machine will probably have to be rebuilt to a standard PeopleSoft build.

 

 

 

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How do I connect to the network?

A network (rounded) cord fits into the network port. On the back of the machine, there are 2 ports that look very similar. They look like phone jack ports. As you look at both of them from the back of the machine, the network port is on the right. It has 8 small wires inside and is a little wider than the modem port. The network port is labeled "Ether" in very small letters on the inside of the door covering the rear ports.

The other end of the network cord should be plugged into a PeopleSoft network port (usually on the wall and labeled with an "A" or "B".) Do not use your phone cord (usually a black flat cord) to connect your machine to the network while in the office.

 

 

 

 

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The floppy drive for a Tecra 9100

U.S. machines are being provided without a floppy drive. You must order a floppy drive via NorthStar. If you are provided with a floppy drive, it will be a USB floppy drive. The floppy drive connection port is located on the back of the machine. There are 2 USB ports; you may use either one.

To order the drive, check with your manager before placing the order so that the manager is aware that a cost that will be charged to the department. Then follow these steps:

  1. Launch NorthStar and log in, if necessary. For more information about launching NorthStar, see Eureka! document 70001 — How to create a ticket in NorthStar.

  2. On the left side of the screen, click on the Log Service Ticket link.

  3. On the contact screen, make sure the information is current and indicate how you would like to be contacted if there are any questions (the default is by phone, based on your internal phone number in the PeoplePeople Directory.)

  4. Click Next.

  5. Choose Workstation and click on Next.

  6. Click on Add a Peripheral to Existing Hardware and click Next.

  7. In the drop-down list next to What type of hardware peripheral do you need? choose Tecra 9000 Floppy Drive.

  8. Fill in the other required information on this page (required fields are labeled in red text) and click Next.

  9. From the Current Asset Number drop-down list, choose the machine for which the peripheral is being ordered.

  10. Fill in any other information you deem necessary in the Special Requirements field.

  11. Click Finish.

 

 

 

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The modem for a Tecra 9100

Your Tecra 9100 comes with a built-in v.90/56K modem.

The Tecra 9100 does not need a modem tester because it has built-in protection from digital lines. You should try to find out if the building you are calling from has digital or analog phone lines before using your modem, since you cannot dial in via a digital line.

The modem jack is located on the rear of your machine, right next to the network port. The 2 ports look very similar, but the modem port is actually a little smaller than the network port. As you look at the machine, the modem port is the one on the left. When you look inside the modem port, you can see 2 small wires inside it. Please be careful not to mix the 2 ports up - put the correct cord into the correct port.

To use the modem, use a phone cord to connect the modem to the wall phone jack. (Do NOT use the network cord. A phone cord is flat, a network cord is rounded.)

 

 

 

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Reset button on a Tecra 9100

There is no reset button on the Tecra 9100. To reset the machine, hold the power button down for 3-5 seconds to shut down the machine. Wait 30 seconds, then turn on the machine again.

 

 

 

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Mouse buttons on the Tecra 9100 and the external mouse

Internal mouse: The built-in mouse is the small eraser head in the middle of the built-in keyboard on the Tecra 9100. In addition, there are 4 mouse buttons:

External mouse: There are several models of external mice that you may receive. Following are some tips about some of those mice:

 

 

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Lock hole on Tecra 9100

The hole you can use to connect your computer lock to your Tecra 9100 is on the right side of the machine. The picture next to it looks like a rocket ship on its side.

 

 

 

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Volume control dial

The volume control dial is on the front of the machine.

 

 

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Ports on rear of Tecra 9100

On the Tecra 9100, many of the ports on the back of the machine are hidden by a hinged cover. Open the cover to expose the ports. As you look at back of the machine while it lies flat on a table, here are the ports, from left to right:

  1. Video port: Used for connecting an external monitor.

  2. Serial port: Used for serial connector on an external mouse, or a Palm device.

  3. Parallel port: Used for connecting a local printer (not a network printer).

  4. Modem port: Plug in a phone cord here to dial (RAS) into the network from a remote location. It is labeled with a very small picture of a phone handset.

  5. LAN (Network) port: Plug in one end of a network cord here; the other goes into the wall in a network port. It's labeled "Ether".

  6. i.LINK port: Certain devices can use this port. Its use is not supported by PeopleSoft.

To the right of the covered area:

  1. DC power in: Where to plug in the power cord that came with this machine.

  2. USB ports: (2 of them, right next to each other) - for USB devices.

  3. PS/2 port: Used to plug in your external mouse, using the round connector. With some mice, you may have a bright green converter that converts your USB mouse connector to a PS/2 connector. The converter is probably already attached to your mouse.

 

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Ports on left side of Tecra 9100

These ports are on the left side of the machine, as you look at it from the front while it lies flat on a table. The order is from back to front of the machine:

  1. Video out port: (yellow colored hole) Generally, this is used for DVDs to an external source.

  2. DVD/ROM drive: This drive plays CDs and DVDs. Click here for more information about the DVD drive.

    • Above the DVD drive, there is a Secure Digital port : It is a flat slot, about 1" wide and 3/16" high. Certain devices can use this port. Its use is not supported by PeopleSoft. It is labeled with an "SD."

Between the video port and the DVD drive, there is something that looks like a cover with a slot in it. DO NOT try to pry open this door - it is screwed shut.

 

 

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Ports/items on the front of the Tecra 9100

These ports are on the front of the machine, as you look at it while it lies flat on a table. The order is from left to right:

  1. Infrared port: The use of this port is not supported at PeopleSoft.
  2. Wireless on/off switch: DO NOT turn this on at any time. The use of wireless networking at PeopleSoft is forbidden as it is very unsecure.

  3. Microphone jack: Plug in a computer microphone here.

  4. Headphone jack: Plug in headphones here.

  5. Volume control dial

  6. Latch for opening the top of the machine

  7. Indicator lights: Next to the latch is a series of 6 lights. From left to right:
    • Picture of plug: Indicates you are plugged into an external power source. When on, the light is green.
    • Picture of "clock": A green light Indicates the machine is on. The light will blink yellow when the machine is in suspend mode.
    • Picture of battery: Indicates status of your battery when your machine is plugged into an external power source. Yellow indicates you need to plan to recharge your battery soon.
    • Picture of hard drive (a drum): Indicates your hard drive is being "hit" and that data is being retrieved or written onto the hard drive
    • Picture of floppy drive: Indicates you are using the DVD drive.
    • Picture of wireless device: Indicates wireless capability is turned on. This light should NEVER be on.

     

 

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Ports on right side of Tecra 9100

These ports are on the right side of the machine, as you look at it from the front while it lies flat on a table. The order is from the front to the back of the machine:

  1. PCMCIA card slot and release buttons.

  2. Lock hole.

  3. Ventilation fan (do not block).

 

 

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Top of Tecra 9100 (with lid open)

With the lid open so that you can see the keyboard, here are some items to note:

  1. The power button is above the { F4} key.

  2. The internal mouse is the small eraser-head in between the { G} and { H} keys.

  3. There is a "Toshiba Console Button" (picture on top of it is a t with a dot on it). Click here for more information about this button.

  4. Speakers are on the left and right sides, right under the 14.1" diagonal display.

 

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Funny barrel-shaped thing

Some of you may have received a small white barrel-shaped item with your machine. It is fairly heavy.

This is a "ferrite bead" which can be used to prevent certain electronic interference on the wires of some computer equipment. Generally, you will not need it for any equipment issued by PeopleSoft.

 

 

 

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Toshiba product tour of the Toshiba 9100

Click on the link below to get to the Product Tour provided from Toshiba. Once you click the link, follow these steps:

  1. The File Download screen appears. Click on Run this program from its current location to choose it.

  2. Click OK.
  3. A Security Warning screen appears asking if you want install and run the file. Click Yes.

The product tour launches. You can click on the various circles on the right side of the screen to see the different views of the machine.

 

Click here for a Product Tour. The source of the tour was Toshiba's website.

 

 

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Download Toshiba Product Tour

The product tour file is about about 510 KB. The link appears below the instructions. Follow these steps to download the tecra_9100_tour.exe file:

  1. Once you click the link, the File Download screen appears.

  2. Click on Save this program to disk.

  3. Click OK.

  4. Navigate to a location to which you may download the file.

After the file is downloaded, the Download Complete screen appears. You can click on the Open button to launch the tour. Click on the various circles on the right side of the screen to see the different views of the machine.

Click here for a Product Tour. The source of the tour was Toshiba's website.

 

If you want to see the product tour again in the future, double-click on the file from its location.

 

 

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Processor speed/memory/hard disk size

To find out that information, click on a link below:

 

 

 

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Created by the PeopleSoft Knowledge Management Team.
Copyright © 2002 All rights reserved.
Created: kcw 09/12/2002
Revised: kcw 04/04/2003