Drives User Guide
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Table of contents 1 Identifying installed drives 2 Handling drives 3 Improving hard drive performance Using Disk Defragmenter ..................................................................................................................... 3 Using Disk Cleanup .............................................................................................................................. 3 4 Using HP 3D DriveGuard Identifying HP 3D DriveGuard status ........................................................
Obtaining Microsoft device drivers ..................................................................................... 21 Obtaining HP device drivers .............................................................................................. 21 A disc does not play automatically ..................................................................................................... 22 The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion ....................................
1 Identifying installed drives To view the drives installed on the computer, select Start > My Computer.
2 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.
3 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.
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: Depending on your user privileges, you may not be able to enable or disable HP 3D DriveGuard. Additionally, members of an Administrator group can change the privileges for nonAdministrator users. ● Determine whether a drive in the system is supported. To open the software and change settings, follow these steps: 1.
5 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 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: 1. Save your work. 2.
8. Lift the hard drive cover away from the computer (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: 8 1. Insert the hard drive into the hard drive bay (1). 2. Pull the hard drive tab (2) to the right until the hard drive snaps into place.
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).
6 Using an optical drive Identifying the installed optical drive Select Start > My 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 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.
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 Roxio Creator Business to burn data and audio files, including MP3 and WAV music files. To burn video files to a CD or DVD, use Windows Movie Maker. Observe the following guidelines when burning a CD or DVD: ● Before burning a disc, save and close any open files and close all programs.
Removing an optical disc (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 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.
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: If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully as you remove it. 4. 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. ● 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.
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.
7 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 USB drives include the following types: ● 1.
8 Troubleshooting 19
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: 20 1. Remove any discs from the optical drive. 2. Select Start > My Computer. 3. Right-click in the window and select Properties > Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager. 4.
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 You can obtain the latest HP device drivers in either of the following ways: ● Using HP Update ● Using the HP Web site To use the HP Web site: 1. Open your Internet browser and go to http://www.hp.com/support. 2. Select your country or region. 3.
A disc does not play automatically 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.
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 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.
Index A airport security devices 2 AutoPlay 12 C CD burning 13 copying 12 copyright warning 12 playing 11 removing 14 CD drive 10, 18 D device drivers HP devices 21 Windows device drivers 21 Disk Cleanup 3 Disk Cleanup software 3 Disk Defragmenter 3 Disk Defragmenter software 3 disk performance 3 diskette drive 18 drive light 5 drives Blu-ray R/RE DVD±RW SuperMulti DL Drive 10 caring for 2 diskette 18 DVD-ROM Drive 10 DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive 10 DVD±RW SuperMulti DL Lightscribe Drive 10 external 18 hard 7, 8,
