Using your Tecra M1
The Tecra 8x00 and 9x00 series models are comparable and may be issued in lieu of the M1.
NOTE: This machine does NOT have PS/2 ports. Click here for more information.
The Tecra M1 is silver on top and black on the bottom. It has speakers near the lid hinges. To find out if your machine is a Tecra M1, turn the powered-down machine upside down - there should be a sticker (about 2" square, near the middle of the machine) identifying the machine as a Tecra M1.
Your computer has many exciting features. Click on the feature you would like to learn about below:
New features
Help - can't plug my external mouse in!
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 M1
Where is the lock hole for my computer lock?
Volume control dial
USB ports
Toshiba Product Tour of the Tecra M1
Processor speed/memory /hard disk size specifications
Toshiba Tecra M1 User Guide (link to pdf file)
Descriptions of ports/items on machine:
No PS/2 port: NOTE: This machine does NOT have PS/2 ports. Click here for more information.
Optical sensor: This sensor can adjust your laptop screen to recognize different light situations. To find it, open the lid of the laptop. It is at the top right of the keyboard, above the { PrtSc} key.
"Presentation key": When you open the lid of the laptop, there is a button above the { F12} key and next to the optical sensor. It has a tiny picture of a laptop pointing to a screen. This key does not currently work.
S-Video port: Certain external video devices may be connected via your S-Video port. S-Video cables are not included with your computer. Once you are connected, to view the video on the correct monitor, press { Fn} { F5} until you get to the monitor you wish to use, just as you do with any other external projection device connected to your regular video port. The S-Video port is located at the back of your machine and looks very muc h like a PS/2 port. Please do NOT try to plug a PS/2 peripheral (such as a mouse or keyboard) into this port!
Video resolution hotkey: The spacebar has a small picture on it, like this:
. When used in conjunction with the {
Fn} key, an external monitor can be toggled between XGA and SXGA resolutions. This functionality is available only on SXGA compatible monitors; for incompatible monitors, you will see no difference to your display.
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General usage tips for the Tecra M1
For instructions on ordering an external mouse (be sure to specify that you need a USB port keyboard because your machine does not have a PS/2 port), see Eureka! document 75025 — How to order a computer mouse.
When you look inside the port, the network port has 8 small wires in it. The modem port has only 2 small wires in it. The modem port is labeled with a very small picture of a phone handset.
Some keys on the keyboard have been slightly moved compared to the Tecra 8x00 series machines, particularly around the space bar key.
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The "t" button at the top right-hand corner
With the lid of the Tecra M1 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:
Click on the Start menu, then on Settings, and finally on Control Panel.
Look for the Toshiba Console icon and double-click on it.
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.
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 M1
To access the power button on your Tecra M1, you must open the lid of the machine so that you can see the keyboard. Look for a long 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 right side as you face the front of the machine.
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DVD ROM drive on the Tecra M1
Your Tecra M1 comes with a DVD ROM drive on the right 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 to right of the port.
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 M1
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. There are 3 USB ports; use the floppy on the left side of the machine for the floppy drive.
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:
Launch NorthStar and log in, if necessary. For more information about launching NorthStar, see Eureka! document 70001 — How to create a ticket in NorthStar.
On the left side of the screen, click on the Log Service Ticket link.
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.)
Click Next.
Choose Workstation and click on Next.
Click on Add a Peripheral to Existing Hardware and click Next.
In the drop-down list next to What type of hardware peripheral do you need? choose Tecra 9000 Floppy Drive.
Fill in the other required information on this page (required fields are labeled in red text) and click Next.
From the Current Asset Number drop-down list, choose the machine for which the peripheral is being ordered.
Fill in any other information you deem necessary in the Special Requirements field.
Click Finish.
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The modem for a Tecra M1
Your Tecra M1 comes with a built-in v.90/56K modem.
The Tecra M1 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 back of 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 M1
There is no reset button on the Tecra M1. 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 M1 and the external mouse
External mouse: Because this machine does not have a PS/2 port, you must convert your mouse to a serial mouse with a PS/2/serial mouse converter, or use a USB port mouse connection. Most of the standard newer Logitech mice are USB mice - just remove the green USB/PS/2 port converter from the end of the mouse.
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The hole you can use to connect your computer lock to your Tecra M1 is on the left side of the machine. The picture next to it looks like a rocket ship on its side.
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The volume control dial is on the front of the machine, to the left of the lid latch.
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There are 3 USB ports on the Tecra M1. There are 2 on the left side of the machine, and 1 on the right side, next to the DVD ROM. You may use those ports to plug in your external peripherals, such as a mouse or a keyboard.
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As you look at back of the machine while it lies flat on a table, here are the ports, from left to right:
DC power in: Where to plug in the power cord that came with this machine.
NOTE: This port LOOKS like a PS/2 port, but it is not! Do not try to connect your PS/2 device (such as an external mouse or keyboard) to it.
Video port: Used for connecting external monitors or most overhead projectors.
Serial port: Used for serial connector on an external mouse or a Palm device.
Parallel port: Used for connecting a local printer (not a network printer).
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.
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". Use this port when in a PeopleSoft office, or when using VPN.
i.LINK port: Certain devices can use this port. Its use is not supported by PeopleSoft.
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Ports on left side of the Tecra M1
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:
PC Card lock: This is currently unlocked and should not be locked. Do not force the slider as it may break.
Lock hole for a computer lock and cable to secure your laptop to a stationary object.
PCMCIA card slots and release buttons.
2 USB ports (there is a 3rd port on the right side of the machine).
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."
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Ports/items on the front of the Tecra M1
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:
Infrared port: The use of this port is not supported at PeopleSoft.
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. See Eureka! document 39072 — Wireless (radio) networking
.Microphone jack: Plug in a computer microphone here.
Headphone jack: Plug in headphones here.
Volume control dial.
Latch for opening the top of the machine.
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Ports on right side of the Tecra M1
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 USB port (there are 2 more USB ports on the left side of the machine).
DVD/ROM drive: This drive plays CDs and DVDs. Click here for more information about the DVD drive.
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Top of the Tecra M1 (with lid open)
With the lid open so that you can see the keyboard, here are some items to note:
The power button is above the { F4} key.
The internal mouse is the small eraser-head between the { G} and { H} keys.
There is a "Toshiba Console Button" above the { F11} key (the picture on top of it is a t with a dot on it). Click here for more information about this button.
There is a " Presentation button" above the { F12} key. This key does not currently work on a standard PeopleSoft machine.
There is an optical sensor above the { PrtSc} key.
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Toshiba product tour of the Toshiba Tecra M1
Click on the link below to get to the Product Tour provided from Toshiba. Once you click the link, follow these steps:
The File Download screen appears. Click on Run this program from its current location to choose it.
You may choose Save this program to disk and click OK instead. Click here for steps on how to download.
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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The product tour file is about about 510 KB. The link appears below the instructions. Follow these steps to download the tecra_m1_tour.exe file:
Once you click the link, the File Download screen appears.
Click on Save this program to disk.
Click OK.
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:
Processor speed/memory: See Eureka! document 35020 — How to find processor and memory information for your computer
Hard disk size: See Eureka! document 35021 — How to find the hard drive size on your computer
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Created by the PeopleSoft Knowledge Management Team.
Copyright © 2003
All rights reserved.
Created: kcw 07/22/2003
Reviewed: 07/30/2003