Drives User Guide
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Table of contents 1 Handling drives 2 Using an optical drive (select models only) Identifying the installed optical drive ..................................................................................................... 2 Using optical discs (CDs, DVDs, and BDs) .......................................................................................... 3 Selecting the right disc (CDs, DVDs, and BDs) .................................................................................... 4 CD-R discs .......
A disc does not play ........................................................................................................................... 27 A disc does not play automatically ..................................................................................................... 28 The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion .................................... 29 A device driver must be reinstalled ........................................................................
1 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.
2 Using an optical drive (select models only) 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. Identifying the installed optical drive ▲ Select Start > My Computer.
Using optical discs (CDs, DVDs, and BDs) An optical drive, such as a DVD-ROM drive, supports optical discs (CDs, DVDs, and BDs). These discs store information, such as music, photos, and movies. DVDs and BDs 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 (BD) drive, it can also read BDs. NOTE: Some of the optical drives listed may not be supported by your computer.
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. DVDs and BDs are the same form factor as CDs but have a much higher storage capacity.
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 BD can store 25 GB, over five times the size of a single-layer DVD at 4.7 GB. A dual-layer BD can store 50 GB, almost 6 times the size of a dual-layer DVD at 8.5 GB.
Playing a CD, DVD or BD 1. Turn on the computer. 2. Press the release button (1) on the drive bezel to release the disc tray. 3. Pull out the tray (2). 4. Hold the disc by the edges to avoid touching the flat surfaces and position the disc label-side up over the tray spindle. NOTE: If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully to position it over the spindle. 5. Gently press the disc (3) down onto the tray spindle until the disc snaps into place. 6. Close the disc tray.
Configuring AutoPlay 1. Select Start > My Computer. 2. Right-click the device (such as CD-ROM drive), and then click Properties. 3. Click the AutoPlay tab, and then select one of the available actions. 4. Click OK. NOTE: For more information about AutoPlay, refer to Help and Support.
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. CAUTION: The region settings on your DVD drive can be changed only 5 times. The region setting you select the fifth time becomes the permanent region setting on the DVD drive.
Observing the copyright warning It is a criminal offense, under applicable copyright laws, to make unauthorized copies of copyrightprotected 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, DVD, or BD 1. Select Start > All Programs > Roxio > Creator Business. 2. In the right pane, click Copy Disc. 3. Insert the disc you want to copy into the optical drive. 4. 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. 5. When prompted, remove the source disc from the optical drive and insert a blank disc into the drive.
Creating or “burning” a CD, DVD, or BD CAUTION: Observe 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.
Removing an optical disc (CD, DVD, or BD) 1. 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. 2. 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. 3.
3 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: ● 1.
4 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. NOTE: If the upgrade bay contains a hard drive, the hard drive is protected by HP 3D DriveGuard.
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 the icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar: ● If the software is enabled, a green check mark is superimposed over the hard drive icon. ● If the software is disabled, a red X 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: Permission to enable or disable HP 3D DriveGuard is dependent on certain user privileges. Members of an Administrator group can change privileges for non-Administrator users. ● Determine whether a drive in the system is supported. ● Hide or show the icon in the notification area. To open the software and change settings, follow these steps: 1.
5 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.
6 Replacing the hard drive in the hard drive bay 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 Standby, 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. Then shut down the computer through the operating system. To remove a hard drive: 18 1. Save your work. 2.
8. Remove the hard drive cover (2). 9. Loosen the hard drive screw (1). 10. Pull the hard drive tab to the left (2) to disconnect the hard drive. 11. Lift the hard drive (3) out of the hard drive bay. To install a hard drive: 1. Insert the hard drive into the hard drive bay (1). 2. Pull the hard drive tab (2) to the right to connect the hard drive.
20 3. Tighten the hard drive screw (3). 4. Align the tabs (1) on the hard drive cover with the notches on the computer. 5. Replace the cover (2). 6. Tighten the hard drive cover screws (3).
7 Replacing a drive in the upgrade bay The upgrade bay can hold either a hard drive or an optical drive. CAUTION: To prevent information loss or an unresponsive system: Shut down the computer before removing the drive from the upgrade bay. Do not remove the drive while the computer is on, in Standby, 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. Then shut down the computer through the operating system.
9. Remove the drive from the upgrade bay. To install a drive in the upgrade bay: 1. 22 Insert the drive into the upgrade bay.
2. Tighten the upgrade bay screw.
8 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 1. Insert the end of a paper clip (1) into the release access in the front bezel of the drive. 2. Press in gently on the paper clip until the tray is released, and then pull out the tray (2) until it stops. 3. 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: 4.
26 4. In the Device Manager window, click the plus sign (+) next to Disc Drives or DVD/CD-ROM drives, unless a minus sign (-) is already showing. Look for the optical drive listing. 5. Right-click the optical device listing to perform the following tasks: ● Update the driver. ● Disable the device. ● Uninstall the device. ● Scan for hardware changes. Windows scans your system for installed hardware and installs any required drivers.
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. ● Be sure that the disc is clean. If necessary, clean the disc with filtered water and a lint-free cloth. Wipe from the center of the disc to the outer edge. ● Check the disc for scratches. If you find scratches, treat the disc with an optical disc repair kit available at many electronics stores.
A disc does not play automatically 1. Click Start > My Computer. 2. Right-click the device (such as CD-ROM drive), and then click Properties. 3. Click the AutoPlay tab, and then select one of the available actions. 4. Click OK. A CD, DVD, or BD should now start automatically when it is inserted into the optical drive. NOTE: 28 For more information about AutoPlay, refer to Help and Support.
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion ● Be sure that all other programs are closed. ● Turn off Standby 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. ● Be sure that the disc is inserted properly. ● Select a slower write speed and try again.
A device driver must be reinstalled Obtaining Microsoft device drivers You can obtain the latest Windows device drivers by using Microsoft® Update. This Windows feature can be set to automatically check for and install updates for your hardware drivers, as well as for the Windows operating system and other Microsoft products. To use Microsoft Update: 1. Open your Internet browser and go to http://www.microsoft.com. 2. Click Security & Updates. 3.
Index A airport security devices 1 AutoPlay 7 B BD burning 11 copying 10 playing 6 removing 12 BD R/RE DVD±RW SuperMulti DL Drive 3 BD ROM DVD±RW SuperMulti DL Drive 3 Blu-ray Disc (BD) 2, 3 C CD burning 11 copying 10 playing 6 removing 12 CD drive 2, 13 copyright warning 9 D device drivers HP 30 Microsoft 30 uninstalling, reinstalling 30 Disk Cleanup software 17 Disk Defragmenter software 17 disk performance 17 diskette drive 13 drive light 15 drives caring for 1 diskette 13 DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive 3 DVD±R
