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, DVDs, and BDs) .......................................................................................... 4 Selecting the right disc (CDs, DVDs, and BDs) ..........................................................................
7 Replacing the hard drive 8 Troubleshooting The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD, DVD, or BD ............................................... 24 The computer does not detect the optical drive ................................................................................. 24 A disc does not play ........................................................................................................................... 26 A disc does not play automatically .................................
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 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) 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 > Computer.
Using optical discs (CDs, DVDs, and BDs) 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. 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 Blu-ray Disc can store 25 GB, over 5 times the storage capacity of a single-layer DVD at 4.7 GB. A dual-layer Blu-ray Disc can store 50 GB, almost 6 times the storage capacity 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 > 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: Choose WinDVD to play DVDs. 4. Click Save. NOTE: For more information about AutoPlay, select Start > 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 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 If your computer comes with a writable 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 disc, use Windows Movie Maker. Observe the following guidelines when burning a CD or DVD: ● Observe the copyright warning.
Removing a 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. 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. USB drives include the following types: 14 ● 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 drive, be sure that the AC power cord is unplugged. 1. Connect the device to the computer. 2. If you are connecting a powered device, plug the device power cord into a grounded AC outlet.
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. 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 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: 20 1. Save your work. 2.
10. Lift the hard drive (2) out of the hard drive bay. To install a hard drive: 1. Align the connector on the hard drive with the connector in the hard drive bay (1). 2. Press down on the hard drive (2) until it snaps into place.
22 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. Reinstall the battery. 8. Turn the computer right-side up, and then reconnect external power and external devices. 9. Turn on the computer.
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.
● Scan for hardware changes. Windows scans your system for installed hardware and installs any required drivers. ● Click Properties to see if the device is working properly: ◦ Click Troubleshoot to fix problems. ◦ Click the Driver tab to update, disable, or uninstall drivers for this device.
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. 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, DVD, or BD 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 28 ● 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 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.
NOTE: In some locations you may be able to download the driver and install it later. To do this, click Download only to save the file to your computer. When prompted, click Save and then select a storage location on your hard drive. After the file is downloaded, navigate to the folder where the file was stored, and double-click the file to install. 7. 30 If prompted to do so, restart your computer after the installation is complete, and then verify the operation of the device.
Using SoftPaq Download Manager HP SoftPaq Download Manager (SDM) is a tool that provides quick access to SoftPaq information for HP business computers. 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 8 B BD playing 7 removing 13 Blu-ray Disc (BD) 3, 4 Blu-ray ROM with LightScribe DVD ±RW SuperMulti DL Drive 4 C CD burning 12 copying 11 playing 7 removing 13 CD drive 3, 14 copyright warning 10 D device drivers HP 29 Microsoft 29 reinstalling 29 Disk Cleanup software 19 Disk Defragmenter software disk performance 19 diskette drive 14 drive light 17 drives caring for 2 diskette 14 DVD-ROM 4 DVD±RW SuperMulti DL LightScribe Drive 4 external 14 hard 14, 20, 21 opt
