Chapter 5

The Keyboard

The computer's keyboard layouts are compatible with a 104/105-key enhanced keyboard - by pressing some keys in combination, all of the

104/105-key enhanced keyboard functions can be performed on the computer.

The number of keys available on your keyboard will depend on which country/region your computer is configured for, with keyboards being available for numerous languages.

In use there are five different types of keys, specifically typewriter keys, function keys, soft keys, Hot keys and Windows special keys.

Typewriter keys

The typewriter keys produce the upper-case and lower-case letters, numbers, punctuation marks, and special symbols that appear on the screen. However, there are some differences between using a typewriter and using a computer keyboard:

■ Letters and numbers produced in computer text vary in width. Spaces, which are created by a 'space character' may also vary depending on line justification and other factors.

■ The lowercase l (el) and the number 1 (one), together with the uppercase O (oh) and the 0 (zero), are not interchangeable on computers as they are on a typewriter.

■ The CAPS LOCK function key locks only the alphabetic characters into upper-case while the Shift Lock function on a typewriter places all keys in the shifted position.

■ The SHIFT keys, the Tab key, and the BACK SPACE key perform the same function as their typewriter counterparts but also have special computer functions.

Never remove the key caps on your keyboard. Doing so could cause damage to the parts under the key caps.

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The Keyboard

Function keys: F1 … F9

The function keys (not to be confused with the special FN key) are the twelve keys at the top of your keyboard - these keys function differently from other keys.

F1 through F9 are called function keys because they execute programmed functions when pressed and, when used in combination with the FN key, those keys marked with icons also execute specific functions on the

computer. Please refer to the section, Soft keys: FN key combinations , in

this chapter for further information, taking care to note that the function executed by individual keys will depend on the software you are using.

Soft keys: FN key combinations

The FN (function) is unique to TOSHIBA computers and is used in combination with other keys to form soft keys. Soft keys are key combinations that enable, disable or configure specific features.

Please note that some software may disable or interfere with soft-key operations, and that the soft-key settings are not restored when the computer returns from Sleep Mode.

Hot keys

Hot keys (pressing FN + a function or ESC key) let you enable or disable certain features of the computer.

Mute: Pressing FN + ESC turns the volume on and off.

Lock: Pressing FN + F1 enters ''Lock computer mode''. To restore your desktop, you need to log on again.

User’s Manual

Power Plan: Pressing FN + F2 changes the power settings.

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The Keyboard

Sleep: Pressing FN + F3 switches the system to Sleep Mode.

Hibernate: Pressing FN + F4 switches the system to Hibernation Mode.

Output: Pressing FN + F5 changes the active display device.

To use a simultaneous mode, you must set the resolution of the internal display panel to match the resolution of the external display device.

Brightness Down: Pressing FN + F6 decreases the computer's display panel brightness in individual steps.

Brightness Up: Pressing FN + F7 increases the computer's display panel brightness in individual steps.

Wireless: Pressing FN + F8 switches the active wireless devices if the wireless communication switch is switched on.

If no wireless communication device is installed, no dialog box will appear.

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Touch Pad: Pressing FN + F9 enables or disables the Touch Pad function.

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The Keyboard

Zoom: Pressing FN + Space changes the display resolution.

TOSHIBA Zooming Utility (reduce): Pressing FN + 1 reduces the icon size on the desktop or the font sizes within one of the supported application windows.

TOSHIBA Zooming Utility (enlarge): Pressing FN + 2 enlarges the icon size on the desktop or the font sizes within one of the supported application windows.

FN Sticky key

You can use the TOSHIBA Accessibility Utility to make the FN key sticky, that is, you can press it once, release it, and then press an "F Number" key. To start the TOSHIBA Accessibility utility, click Start -> All Programs ->

TOSHIBA -> Utilities -> Accessibility .

Windows special keys

The keyboard provides two keys that have special functions in Windows, the Windows Start Button key activates the Start menu while the application key has the same function as the secondary (right) mouse button.

This key activates the Windows Start menu.

This key has the same function as the secondary (right) mouse button.

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The Keyboard

Desktop-style Keyboard

The Qosmio X300 Series comes with a "desktop-style" keyboard built into it. This means it is full-sized and features a full set of numeric function keys

(also known as calculator keys) on the right-hand side. Unlike other notebooks computers with smaller keyboards, there is no 'Numeric Mode' or any numeric keyboard overlay.

Figure 5-1 Desktop-style Keyboard

Generating ASCII characters

Not all ASCII characters can be generated using normal keyboard operation, but you are able to generate these characters using their specific

ASCII codes.

1. Hold down ALT key.

2. Using the numeric function, type the ASCII code of the character you require.

3. Release ALT key - the ASCII character will appear on the display screen.

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