Table of contents 1 Identifying installed drives 2 Handling drives 3 Using an optical drive Identifying the installed optical drive ..................... 3 Using optical discs (CDs and DVDs) ....................3 Playing a CD or DVD ..........................4 Configuring AutoPlay ..........................5 Observing the copyright warning ......................
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Obtaining Microsoft device drivers ..................21 Obtaining HP device drivers ....................21 An optical disc does not play automatically ..................22 The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion ........23 A DVD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or display ........... 24 Index ...................................
Identifying installed drives To view the drives installed on the computer, select Start > Computer. The installed hard drives will be listed, along with the total capacity and space available on each drive. Devices with removable storage will also be listed. NOTE: Windows®...
Handling drives Drives are fragile computer components that must be handled with care. Refer to the following cautions before handling drives. Additional cautions are included with the procedures to which they apply. CAUTION: To reduce the risk of damage to the computer, damage to a drive, or loss of information, observe these precautions: Before you move a computer that is connected to an external hard drive, initiate Sleep and allow the screen to clear, or properly disconnect the external hard drive.
Using an optical drive Identifying the installed optical drive Select Start > Computer. Using optical discs (CDs and DVDs) An optical drive, such as a DVD-ROM drive, supports optical discs (CDs and DVDs). These discs store or transport information and play music and movies. DVDs have a higher storage capacity than CDs. All optical drives can read from optical discs and some drives can also write to optical discs, as described in the following table.
Playing a CD or DVD Turn on the computer. Press the release button (1) on the drive bezel to release the disc tray. Pull out the tray (2). Hold the disc by the edges to avoid touching the flat surfaces and position the disc label-side up over the tray spindle.
Configuring AutoPlay Select Start > Control Panel > Play CDs or other media automatically. Confirm that the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices check box is selected. Click Choose a default, and then select one of the available options for each media type listed. NOTE: If you have Windows Vista Ultimate or Windows Vista Home Premium installed on your computer, you can use either Windows Media Player or WinDVD to play DVD media.
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD If your computer includes a CD-RW, DVD-RW, or DVD+/-RW optical drive, you can use software such as Windows Media Player or CyberLink Power2Go to burn data and audio files, including MP3 and WAV music files.
Removing a CD or DVD There are 2 ways to remove a disc, depending on whether the disc tray opens normally or not. When the disc tray opens Press the release button (1) on the drive bezel to release the disc tray, and then gently pull out the tray (2) until it stops.
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Remove the disc (3) from the tray by gently pressing down on the spindle while lifting the outer edges of the disc. Hold the disc by the edges and avoid touching the flat surfaces. NOTE: If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully as you remove it. Close the disc tray and place the disc in a protective case.
Preventing playback disruptions ● Save your work and close all open programs before playing a CD or a DVD. ● Log off the Internet before playing a CD or a DVD. ● Be sure that you insert the disc properly. ●...
Changing DVD region settings Most DVDs that contain copyrighted files also contain region codes. The region codes help protect copyrights internationally. You can play a DVD containing a region code only if the region code on the DVD matches the region setting on your DVD drive.
Using external drives Removable external drives expand your options for storing and accessing information. A USB drive can be added by connecting the drive to a USB port on the computer. USB drives include the following types: ● 1.44-megabyte diskette drive ●...
Improving hard drive performance Using Disk Defragmenter As you use the computer, files on the hard drive become fragmented. Disk Defragmenter consolidates the fragmented files and folders on the hard drive so that the system can run more efficiently. After you start Disk Defragmenter, it works without supervision. Depending on the size of your hard drive and the number of fragmented files, Disk Defragmenter may take more than an hour to complete.
Using HP 3D DriveGuard HP 3D DriveGuard protects the hard drive by parking the drive and halting I/O requests under either of the following conditions: ● You drop the computer. ● You move the computer with the display closed while the computer is running on battery power. A short time after the end of one of these events, HP 3D DriveGuard returns the hard drive to normal operation.
Identifying HP 3D DriveGuard status The drive light on the computer changes to an amber color to show that the drive is parked. To determine whether drives are currently protected or whether a drive is parked, select Start > Control Panel > Mobile PC >...
Using HP 3D DriveGuard software The HP 3D DriveGuard software enables you to perform the following tasks: ● Enable and disable HP 3D DriveGuard. NOTE: Depending on your user privileges, you may not be able to enable or disable HP 3D DriveGuard.
Replacing a hard drive CAUTION: To prevent information loss or an unresponsive system: Shut down the computer before removing the hard drive from the hard drive bay. Do not remove the hard drive while the computer is on, in the Sleep state, or in Hibernation. If you are not sure whether the computer is off or in Hibernation, turn the computer on by pressing the power button.
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Remove the hard drive cover (2). Loosen the hard drive screw (1). Pull the hard drive tab to the left (2) to disconnect the hard drive. Lift the hard drive (3) out of the hard drive bay. To install a hard drive: Insert the hard drive into the hard drive bay (1).
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Tighten the hard drive screw (3). Align the tabs (1) on the hard drive cover with the notches on the computer. Close the cover (2). Tighten the hard drive cover screws (3). Chapter 7 Replacing a hard drive...
The computer does not detect the optical drive If the computer does not detect the optical drive, use Device Manager to troubleshoot the device and then update, uninstall, or disable the device driver: Remove any discs from the optical drive. Select Start >...
A new device driver is needed Obtaining Microsoft device drivers Your computer is set to automatically check for and install Microsoft device drivers when new devices are connected to your computer. Obtaining HP device drivers Follow either of the following procedures to obtain HP device drivers. To use HP Update: Select Start >...
An optical disc does not play automatically Click Start and type autoplay in the Start Search box. As you type, search results are listed in the pane above the box. In the results pane, click Autoplay. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue. Select the check box for Use AutoPlay for all media and devices, and then click Save.
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion ● Be sure that all other programs are closed. ● Turn off Sleep mode and Hibernation. ● Be sure that you are using the right kind of disc for your drive. See your user guides for more information about disc types.
A DVD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or display You must use WinDVD, which is preinstalled on the computer, to play a DVD. Chapter 8 Troubleshooting...