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) .................................................................................................... 4 Selecting the right disc (CDs and DVDs) ............................................................................
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers ............................................................................... 23 Obtaining Microsoft device drivers ..................................................................................... 24 Using SoftPaq Download Manager .................................................................................................... 25 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 applications, 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) 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. 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 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. NOTE: Some of the optical drives listed may not be supported by your computer. The listed drives are not necessarily all of the supported optical drives.
Selecting the right disc (CDs and DVDs) An optical drive supports optical discs (CDs and DVD). CDs, used to store digital data, are also used for commercial audio recordings and are convenient for your personal storage needs. DVDs are used primarily for movies, software, and data backup purposes. DVDs are the same form factor as CDs but have a much higher storage capacity. NOTE: The optical drive on your computer may not support all the types of optical discs discussed in this section.
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 Home Premium installed on your computer, you can use either Windows Media Player or WinDVD to play a DVD. For all other Vista editions, choose WinDVD to play a DVD. 4. Click Save.
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 or DVD 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 or DVD 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 a CD or DVD 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. 12 Close the disc tray and place the disc in a protective case.
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.
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 device, be sure that the device is turned off and the AC power cord is unplugged. 1. Connect the device to the computer. 2.
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. 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.
6 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. Then shut down the computer through the operating system. To remove a hard drive: 16 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: 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. 18 Tighten the hard drive cover screws (3).
7 Troubleshooting The following sections describe several common issues and resolutions. The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD or DVD 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.
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 > Control Panel > System and Maintenance > Device Manager. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue. 3. In the Device Manager window, click the plus sign (+) next to DVD/CD-ROM drives, unless a minus sign (-) is already showing.
A disc does not play ● Save your work and close all open programs before playing a CD or DVD. ● Log off the Internet before playing a CD or 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.
A disc does not play automatically 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 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 22 ● Be sure that all other programs are closed. ● Turn off Sleep mode and Hibernation.
A device driver must be reinstalled To reinstall a device driver, follow these steps: 1. Remove any discs from the optical drive. 2. Click Start and type device manager in the Start Search box. As you type, search results are listed in the pane above the box. 3. In the results pane, click Device Manager. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue. 4.
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: 24 1. Open your Internet browser and go to http://www.microsoft.com, and click Security & Updates. 2.
Using SoftPaq Download Manager HP SoftPaq Download Manager (SDM) is a tool that provides quick access to SoftPaq information for HP business computers without having to know the SoftPaq number. Using this tool, you can easily search for SoftPaqs and then download and unpack them. SoftPaq Download Manager works by reading and downloading, from the HP FTP site, a published database file containing computer model and SoftPaq information.
Index A airport security devices 2 AutoPlay 7 C CD burning 11 copying 10 playing 6 removing 12 CD drive 3, 13 copyright warning 9 D device drivers HP 23 Microsoft 24 reinstalling 23 Disk Cleanup software 15 Disk Defragmenter software 15 disk performance 15 diskette drive 13 drives caring for 2 diskette 13 DVD-ROM 4 DVD±RW SuperMulti DoubleLayer Combo Drive with LightScribe 4 external 13 hard 13, 16, 17 optical 3, 13 See also hard drive; optical drive DVD burning 11 changing region setting 8 copying 10 play
