PLEASE HELP toshiba a30 questions



okay, I recently acquired a toshiba a30 USED laptop as per link here:
http://www.toshiba.ca/web/product.grp?lg=en&section=1&group=223&product=2331&part=1791#spectop

I would like to ask a few questions.

the machine comes with a unique XP license under it (on a sticker). does
this mean when the previous owner bought it brand new, he also got some
installation XP cds with it? if not, how does one go about reinstalling
winxp on this machine? I Assume it is completely different from a regular
desktop, given maybe the need for specific drivers, etc. I was only given
the 3 toshiba recovery CDs, but I do not think one can reinstall windows
with them.

also, I just cannot figure out whether this laptop has a built in wireless
card/capability or is this laptop UPGRADABLE to wireless. if upgradable, is
it through some external pcmci card, or do I have other options? the link I
gave seems to say it has factory built in wifi capability and is ready for
wireless internet without upgrades.

also, this laptop has I assume a fan for the cpu working all the time, which
is not too noisy, so its all good. then, every now and then, a few times
each minute, at what appears to be random instances, another fan turns
itself on, fairly noisy! is this normal? does it need so much cooling? do
these overheat more than other laptops? and can I expect any problems like
machine going off due to overheating with this specific model.

the machine appears fairly slow. how much of an improvement would I see in
yoru view upgrading to more than 256mb ram I currently have? if worthwhile,
what would be a good amount of ram for this type of machine. I don't play
games, nothing much fancier than maybe a few windows of internet explorer,
and windows media player. I have a swap file set to custom around 750mb
right now.

lastly, this machine is used in good shape. however, I am noticing a few
cloudy spots on the scree, most visibile when screen is black. they ALMOST
look like maybe a sharp pointed object impacting the screen, but when I
touch the surface, it is smooth, so there is no dents etc. any idea what
this could be? it does not go away with water/kleenex. what is even more
strange, 1-3 of these clouded spots, in the center of them, when computer is
on, there appears to be a different colored pixel. I do not want to call
it dead pixel before I'm sure. for one thing, I did not necessarily think
dead pixels would show any clouded spots around them on black screens. I
am not sure what to call it.

I appreciate anyone's time trying to answer my questions.

thank you.

please remove spam if emailing me.


.



Relevant Pages

  • Re: Best way to block laptop light
    ... I use a laptop to control my CCD camera and telescope ... deepest red film (used only normally for large stage lights, ... and is not affected by dark colour schemes ... systems sold for use on aircraft, as 'privacy screens', and these block ...
    (sci.astro.amateur)
  • Re: Using 3 Screens with Laptop
    ... Right now, I can only use two screens at a time--either the laptop screen and one LCD, or both LCDs without the laptop screen. ... video connection, and split the image to fit two monitors. ... TripleHead2Go comments - VGA or DVI in, ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: May be gone from group for a time
    ... brighter and better than the 13 inch screens that I have had. ... Now I can read the text without my reading glasses. ... Now he brings his own laptop to check his email. ... I find that I like the stylus on my Palm. ...
    (soc.retirement)
  • Re: Presenter view stopped working
    ... See if the Laptop or the projector is ... When I invoke the slide show the presenter view shows ... only the extended desktop shows the Windows XP logo. ... The desktop must span 2 screens. ...
    (microsoft.public.powerpoint)
  • WTB: 12" PC laptop, combo, usb2, built-in wireless!
    ... Original Subject: WTB: 12" PC laptop, combo, usb2, wireless. ... Are 12'' screens on Ultraportables "too small"? ... I've been using a Gateway 3450 for about three days now. ...
    (comp.os.linux.hardware)