Drives User Guide
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Product notice This user guide describes features that are common to most models. Some features may not be available on your computer.
iv Product notice
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) .................................................................................................... 4 Playing a CD or DVD ................................................................................................
Replacing an optical drive .................................................................................................................. 27 9 Troubleshooting The computer does not detect the optical drive ................................................................................. 29 A new device driver is needed ........................................................................................................... 30 Obtaining Microsoft device drivers .........................................
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 Windows Help 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. NOTE: Some of the optical drives listed may not be supported by your computer.
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 > Default Programs > Change AutoPlay settings. 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: Choose WinDVD to play DVDs. 4. Click Save. NOTE: For more information about AutoPlay, refer to Windows Help.
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 or DVD 1. Select Start > All Programs > Roxio > Creator Business. NOTE: If this is the first time you have used Roxio, you must accept the program license agreement before you can complete this process. 2. In the right pane, click Copy Disc. 3. Insert the disc you want to copy into the optical drive. 4. Click Copy Disc 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.
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. Observe the following guidelines when burning a CD or DVD: ● Before burning a disc, save and close any open files and close all programs. ● A CD-R or DVD-R is usually best for burning audio files because after the information is copied, it cannot be changed.
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: 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.
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: 14 ● 1.
Using optional external drives 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 drive 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. 1. Connect the drive to the computer. 2. If you are connecting a powered drive, plug the drive power cord into a grounded AC outlet. 3.
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. 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, select Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Windows Mobility Center: ● If the software is enabled, a green check mark is superimposed over the hard drive icon. ● If the software is disabled, a white diagonal line 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. 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.
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: 20 1. Save your work. 2.
9. Loosen the hard drive screw (1). 10. Pull the hard drive tab (2) to the right 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 left 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. 22 Tighten the hard drive cover screws (3).
8 Replacing a drive in the upgrade bay The upgrade bay can hold either a hard drive or an optical drive.
Replacing a hard drive CAUTION: To prevent information loss or an unresponsive system: Shut down the computer before removing the hard drive from the upgrade 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 from the upgrade bay: 24 1. Save your work. 2.
9. Using a flat-bladed screwdriver, gently push the tab to release the hard drive (2). 10. Remove the hard drive from the upgrade bay. To install a hard drive in the upgrade bay: 1. Insert the hard drive into the upgrade bay.
26 2. Tighten the upgrade bay screw. 3. Replace the 4 hard drive screws.
Replacing an optical drive CAUTION: To prevent information loss or an unresponsive system: Shut down the computer before removing the optical drive from the upgrade bay. Do not remove the optical 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 an optical drive from the upgrade bay: 1. Save your work.
9. Remove the optical drive from the upgrade bay. To install an optical drive in the upgrade bay: 28 1. Insert the optical drive into the upgrade bay. 2. Tighten the upgrade bay screw.
9 Troubleshooting The computer does not detect the optical drive If Windows does not detect the optical drive, use Device Manager to troubleshoot the device and then update, disable, or uninstall the device driver. 1. Remove any discs from the optical drive. 2. Select Start > Control Panel > System and Security. Then in the System area, click Device Manager. 3. In the Device Manager window, click the arrow next to DVD/CD-ROM drives to expand the list to show all of the installed drives.
A new device driver is needed Obtaining Microsoft device drivers You can obtain the latest Windows device drivers by using Windows Update. This 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 Windows Update: 1. Click Start > All Programs > Windows Update. NOTE: If you have not previously set up Windows Update, you will be prompted to enter settings before you can check for updates.
An optical disc does not play automatically 1. Select Start > Default Programs > Change AutoPlay settings. 2. Confirm that the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices check box is selected. 3. Click Save. A CD or DVD should now start automatically when it is inserted into the optical drive.
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion 32 ● 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. ● 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 6 C CD burning 9 copying 8 playing 5 removing 10 CD drive 3, 14 copyright warning 7 D device drivers HP devices 30 Microsoft devices 30 uninstalling, reinstalling 30 Disk Cleanup software 19 Disk Defragmenter software 19 disk performance 19 diskette drive 14 drive light 17 drives Blu-ray R/RE DVD±RW SuperMulti DL Drive 4 caring for 2 diskette 14 DVD-ROM Drive 4 DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive 4 DVD±RW SuperMulti DL Lightscribe Drive 4 external 14 hard 14, 20, 21 optical 3,
