Table of contents 1 Handling drives 2 Using an optical drive Identifying the installed optical drive ..................... 2 Using optical discs ..........................3 Selecting the right disc (CDs, DVDs, and BDs) ..................4 CD-R discs ........................... 4 CD-RW discs ........................4 DVD±R discs ........................
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A disc does not play automatically ..................... 38 The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion ........39 A device driver must be reinstalled ....................40 Obtaining Microsoft device drivers ..................40 Obtaining HP device drivers ....................40 Using SoftPaq Download Manager ..................
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 Your computer includes an optical drive that expands the functionality of the computer. Identify what kind of device is installed in your computer to see its capabilities. The optical drive allows you to read data discs, play music, and watch movies. If your computer includes a Blu-ray Disc, also known as BD, drive, then you can also watch high-definition video from disc.
Using optical discs An optical drive, such as a DVD-ROM drive, supports optical discs (CDs and DVDs). These discs store information, such as music, photos, and movies. DVDs have a higher storage capacity than CDs. Your optical drive can read standard CD and DVD discs. If your optical drive is a Blu-ray Disc ROM drive, it can also read Blu-ray discs (BDs).
Selecting the right disc (CDs, DVDs, and BDs) An optical drive supports optical discs (CDs, DVDs, and BDs). CDs, used to store digital data, are also used for commercial audio recordings and are convenient for your personal storage needs. DVDs and BDs are used primarily for movies, software, and data backup purposes.
Blu-ray Discs (BD) BD is a high-density optical disc format for the storage of digital information, including high-definition video. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc can store 25 GB, over 5 times the storage capacity of a single-layer DVD at 4.7 GB. A dual-layer Blu-ray Disc can store 50 GB, almost 6 times the storage capacity of a dual-layer DVD at 8.5 GB.
Playing a CD, DVD, or BD 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: Choose WinDVD to play DVDs.
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.
Observing the copyright warning It is a criminal offense, under applicable copyright laws, to make unauthorized copies of copyright- protected material, including computer programs, films, broadcasts, and sound recordings. Do not use this computer for such purposes. CAUTION: To prevent loss of information or damage to a disc, observe the following guidelines: Before writing to a disc, connect the computer to a reliable external power source.
Copying a CD or DVD Select Start > All Programs > Roxio > Creator Business. In the right pane, click Copy Disc. Insert the disc you want to copy into the optical drive. Click Copy at the bottom right of the screen. Creator Business reads the source disc and copies the data to a temporary folder on your hard drive.
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD If your computer comes with a CD-RW, DVD-RW, or DVD±RW optical drive, you can use software such as Windows Media Player or Roxio Creator Business to burn data and audio files, including MP3 and WAV music files.
Removing a CD, DVD, or BD 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. Remove the disc (3) from the tray by gently pressing down on the spindle while lifting the outer edges of the disc.
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 or on an optional docking device (select models only). USB drives include the following types: ●...
Using optional external devices NOTE: For more information about required software and drivers, or to learn which computer port to use, refer to the manufacturer's instructions. To connect an external device to the computer: CAUTION: To reduce the risk of damage to the equipment when connecting a powered drive, be sure that the AC power cord is unplugged.
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, use Mobility Center: ● If the software is enabled, a green check mark is superimposed over the hard drive icon.
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.
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.
Replacing the 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.
Remove the screws from the battery area. Your computer has 4, 5, or 7 screws that need to be removed. NOTE: Refer to the illustration that most closely matches your computer. Chapter 6 Replacing the hard drive...
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Turn the computer display-side up, and then remove the 2 screw covers and screws from the back edge of the computer. Open the computer as far as possible. CAUTION: Do not use excessive force to open the computer beyond the limits of the display hinges.
Remove the screws from the keyboard. Your computer has either 2 or 3 screws that need to be removed. NOTE: Refer to the illustration that most closely matches your computer. Chapter 6 Replacing the hard drive...
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For 15- and 17-inch computers, slide the keyboard back toward the display (1), and then rotate it forward (2) to gain access to the keyboard cable connector. CAUTION: Do not rip the keyboard cable. For 14-inch computers, slide the keyboard back toward the display (1), and then rotate it to the right-side (2) to gain access to the keyboard cable connector.
Remove the keyboard from the computer (3). For 15- and 17-inch computers. For 14-inch computers. Chapter 6 Replacing the hard drive...
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Remove the screws from the top cover. Your computer has either 2 or 3 screws that need to be removed. NOTE: Refer to the illustration that most closely matches your computer.
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Slide the top cover back until it disengages from the base enclosure, and then rest the top cover on the computer so that the TouchPad cable is accessible. Release the ZIF connector (1) to which the TouchPad cable is connected, and then disconnect the TouchPad cable from the system board (2) by pulling upward.
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Lift the hard drive (4) out of the hard drive bay. To install a hard drive: Insert the hard drive into the hard drive bay (1). Use the Mylar tab (2) on the hard drive to slide the hard drive to the left to connect it to the system board.
Place the top cover (1) on the computer, and then insert the TouchPad cable (2) into the ZIF connector (3) on the system board. Slide the top cover into place. Chapter 6 Replacing the hard drive...
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Replace the screws in the top cover. Your computer has either 2 or 3 screws that need to be installed. NOTE: Refer to the illustration that most closely matches your computer. For 15- and 17-inch computers, place the keyboard upside down on the top cover of the computer (1).
Insert the keyboard cable (2) into the ZIF connector (3) on the system board and secure the connector. For 14-inch computers place the keyboard upside down on the right-side of the computer (1). Insert the keyboard cable (2) into the ZIF connector (3) on the system board and secure the connector.
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Turn over the keyboard (1) into the keyboard tray, and then slide the keyboard (2) into place. NOTE: Refer to the illustration that most closely matches your computer.
Replace the screws on the keyboard. Your computer has either 2 or 3 screws that need to be replaced. NOTE: Refer to the illustration that most closely matches your computer. Slide the switch cover into place. Close the computer display. Chapter 6 Replacing the hard drive...
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Replace the 2 screws and their covers on the back edge of the computer. Replace the screws in the battery area. Your computer has 4, 5, or 7 screws that need to be replaced. NOTE: Refer to the illustration that most closely matches your computer.
Turn the computer upside down on a flat surface, and then replace the battery. Reconnect external power and external devices. Turn on the computer. Chapter 6 Replacing the hard drive...
Troubleshooting The following sections describe several common issues and resolutions. The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD, DVD, or BD Insert the end of a paper clip (1) into the release access in the front bezel of the drive. Press in gently on the paper clip until the tray is released, and then pull out the tray (2) until it stops.
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 disc does not play ● Save your work and close all open programs before playing a CD, DVD, or BD. ● Log off the Internet before playing a CD, DVD, or BD. ● Be sure that you insert the disc properly. ●...
A disc does not play automatically 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 Save. A CD, DVD, or BD should now start automatically when it is inserted into the optical drive. Chapter 7 Troubleshooting...
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 device driver must be reinstalled To reinstall a device driver, follow these steps: Remove any discs from the optical drive. Click Start and type device manager in the Start Search box. As you type, search results are listed in the pane above the box. In the results pane, click Device Manager.
To use HP Update: Select Start > All Programs > HP > HP Update. On the HP Welcome screen, click Settings, and then select a time when the utility should check for software updates on the Web. Click Next to immediately check for HP updates. To use the HP Web site: Open your Internet browser, and go to http://www.hp.com/support.
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If you want to download only one or two SoftPaqs and have a high-speed Internet connection, click Download & Unpack. Right-click Install SoftPaq in the SoftPaq Download Manager software to install the selected SoftPaqs on the computer. Chapter 7 Troubleshooting...