Drives User Guide
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Table of contents 1 Identifying installed drives 2 Handling drives 3 Using an optical drive (select models only) Identifying the installed optical drive ..................................................................................................... 3 Using optical discs (CDs and DVDs) .................................................................................................... 3 Playing a CD or DVD ................................................................................................
A DVD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or display ........................................... 22 Index ...................................................................................................................................................................
1 Identifying installed drives To view the drives installed on the computer, select Start > Computer. NOTE: Windows® includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your computer. You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing software, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Help and Support for more information.
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. 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.
3 Using an optical drive (select models only) 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 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 > Control Panel > Play CDs or other media automatically. 2. Confirm that the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices check box is selected. 3. 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. For all other Vista editions, choose WinDVD to play DVD media.
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.
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 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 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: 4. 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. ● 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.
4 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.
5 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. ● If the software is disabled, a red X is superimposed over the hard drive icon. ● If the drives are parked, a yellow moon 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.
6 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. To run Disk Defragmenter: 1. Select Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. 2. Click Defragment now. NOTE: Windows® includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your computer.
7 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. Then shut down the computer through the operating system. To remove a hard drive: 1. Save your work. 2.
10. Pull the hard drive tab (2) to the left to disconnect the hard drive. 11. Lift the hard drive (3) out of the hard drive bay. To install a hard drive: 18 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. 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).
8 Troubleshooting 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 roll back the device driver: 20 1. Remove any discs from the optical drive. 2. Select Start > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Device Manager. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue. 3.
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: 1. Select Start > All Programs > HP > HP Update. 2. On the HP Welcome screen, click Settings, and select a time when the utility should check for software updates on the Web. 3.
An optical disc does not play automatically 1. Click Start and type autoplay in the Start Search box. As you type, search results are listed in the pane above the box. 2. In the results pane, click Autoplay. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue. 3. Select the check box for Use AutoPlay for all media and devices, and then click Save. A CD or DVD should now start automatically when it is inserted into the optical drive.
Index A airport security devices 2 AutoPlay 5 C CD burning 7 copying 6 playing 4 removing 8 troubleshooting 22 CD drive 3, 12 copyright warning 6 D device drivers HP devices 21 Microsoft devices 21 uninstalling, reinstalling 21 Disk Cleanup software 16 Disk Defragmenter software 16 disk performance 16 diskette drive 12 drive light 14 drives caring for 2 diskette 12 DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive 3 DVD±RW SuperMulti DL Lightscribe Drive 3 external 12 hard 12, 17, 18 optical 3, 12 See also hard drive; optical drive D
