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Compaq Presario CQ42-400 Notebook PC User Guide - Windows 7 - Page 76

Maximizing battery discharge time, Managing low battery levels

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Charging may take longer if a battery is new, has been unused for 2 weeks or more, or is much warmer or cooler than room temperature. To prolong battery life and optimize the accuracy of battery charge displays, follow these recommendations: ● If you are charging a new battery, charge it fully before turning on the computer. NOTE: If the computer is on while the battery is charging, the battery meter in the notification area may show 100 percent charge before the battery is fully charged. ● Allow the battery to discharge below 5 percent of a full charge through normal use before charging it. ● If the battery has been unused for one month or more, calibrate the battery instead of simply charging it. Maximizing battery discharge time Battery discharge time varies depending on the features you use while on battery power. Maximum discharge time gradually shortens, as the battery storage capacity naturally degrades. Tips for maximizing battery discharge time: ● Decrease the brightness on the display. ● Check the Power saver setting in Power Options. ● Remove the battery from the computer when it is not being used or charged. ● Store the battery in a cool, dry location. Managing low battery levels The information in this section describes the alerts and system responses set at the factory. Some lowbattery alerts and system responses can be changed using Power Options in Windows Control Panel. Preferences set using Power Options do not affect lights. Identifying low battery levels The computer takes the following actions for a critical battery level: ● If Hibernation is enabled and the computer is on or in Sleep, the computer initiates Hibernation. ● If Hibernation is disabled and the computer is on or in Sleep, the computer remains briefly in Sleep, and then shuts down and loses any unsaved information. 66 Chapter 5 Power management

Section	Page
Features	11
Identifying hardware	11
Components	12
Top components	12
TouchPad	12
Lights	13
Button and speakers	14
Keys	15
Display	16
Right-side components	17
Left-side components	18
Bottom components	19
Wireless antennas	20
Additional hardware components	21
Labels	22
Wireless, local area network, and modem	23
Using wireless devices	23
Identifying wireless and network status icons	24
Using the wireless controls	24
Using the wireless action key	24
Using HP Wireless Assistant	25
Using operating system controls	25
Using a WLAN	26
Setting up a WLAN	26
Protecting your WLAN	27
Connecting to a WLAN	28
Roaming to another network	28
Using Bluetooth wireless devices (select models only)	29
Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)	29
Troubleshooting wireless connection problems	30
Cannot connect to a WLAN	30
Cannot connect to a preferred wireless network	31
Network icon is not displayed	31
Current network security codes are unavailable	31
WLAN connection is very weak	32
Cannot connect to the wireless router	32
Connecting to a local area network	32
Pointing devices and keyboard	34
Using the TouchPad	34
Turning the TouchPad on and off	34
Using TouchPad gestures	35
Scrolling	35
Pinching	35
Rotating	36
Setting pointing device preferences	36
Connecting an external mouse	37
Using the keyboard	37
Using the action keys	37
Using the hotkey	38
Cleaning the TouchPad and keyboard	39
Multimedia	40
Multimedia features	40
Identifying your multimedia components	40
Adjusting the volume	42
Using the media activity action keys	43
Multimedia software	44
Using CyberLink PowerDVD 8 software	44
Using other preinstalled multimedia software	44
Installing multimedia software from a disc	44
Audio	45
Connecting external audio devices	45
Checking your audio functions	45
Video	46
Connecting an external monitor or projector	46
Connecting an HDMI device (select models only)	47
Configuring audio for HDMI (select models only)	48
Optical drive	49
Identifying the installed optical drive	49
Using optical discs	50
Selecting the right disc	51
CD-R discs	51
CD-RW discs	51
DVD±R discs	51
DVD±RW discs	51
LightScribe DVD+R discs	52
Blu-ray Disc	52
Playing a CD, DVD, or BD	52
Configuring AutoPlay	54
Changing DVD region settings	54
Observing the copyright warning	55
Copying a CD or DVD	55
Creating (burning) a CD or DVD	56
Removing an optical disc (CD, DVD, or BD)	57
Removing the optical drive	58
Webcam (select models only)	61
Webcam tips	61
Adjusting webcam properties	62
Troubleshooting	63
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD, DVD, or BD	63
The computer does not detect the optical drive	64
A disc does not play	65
A disc does not play automatically	65
A movie stops, skips, or plays erratically	66
A movie is not visible on an external display	66
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion	66
A DVD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or display	67
A device driver must be reinstalled	67
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers	68
Obtaining the latest Windows device drivers	68
Power management	69
Setting power options	69
Using power-saving states	69
Initiating and exiting Sleep	69
Initiating and exiting Hibernation	70
Using the battery meter	70
Using power plans	70
Viewing the current power plan	71
Selecting a different power plan	71
Customizing power plans	71
Setting password protection upon exiting Sleep or Hibernation	71
Using external AC power	72
Connecting the AC adapter	72
Testing an AC adapter	73
Using battery power	73
Displaying the remaining battery charge	74
Finding battery information in Help and Support	74
Using Battery Check	74
Inserting or removing the battery	74
Charging a battery	75
Maximizing battery discharge time	76
Managing low battery levels	76
Identifying low battery levels	76
Resolving a low battery level	77
Resolving a low battery level when external power is available	77
Resolving a low battery level when a charged battery is available	77
Resolving a low battery level when no power source is available	77
Resolving a low battery level when the computer cannot exit Hibernation	77
Calibrating a battery	77
Step 1: Fully charge the battery	77
Step 2: Disable Hibernation and Sleep	78
Step 3: Discharge the battery	78
Step 4: Fully recharge the battery	79
Step 5: Reenable Hibernation and Sleep	79
Conserving battery power	79
Storing a battery	79
Disposing of a used battery	80
Replacing the battery	80
Shutting down the computer	80
Drives	82
Handling drives	82
Using external drives	83
Improving hard drive performance	84
Using Disk Defragmenter	84
Using Disk Cleanup	84
Replacing the hard drive	85
External devices and external media cards	89
Using a USB device	89
Connecting a USB device	89
Removing a USB device	90
Using Digital Media Slot cards	91
Inserting a digital card	91
Removing a digital card	92
Memory modules	93
Security	97
Protecting the computer	97
Using passwords	97
Setting passwords in Windows	98
Setting passwords in Setup Utility	98
Administrator password	99
Managing an administrator password	99
Entering an administrator password	99
Power-on password	99
Managing a power-on password	100
Entering a power-on password	100
Using antivirus software	101
Using firewall software	102
Installing critical updates	103
Setup Utility (BIOS)	104
Starting Setup Utility	104
Using Setup Utility	105
Changing the language of Setup Utility	105
Navigating and selecting in Setup Utility	105
Displaying system information	106
Restoring default settings in Setup Utility	106
Exiting Setup Utility	107
Setup Utility menus	107
Main menu	107
Security menu	107
System Configuration menu	108
Diagnostics menu	108
Software updates	109
Updating the BIOS	110
Determining the BIOS version	110
Downloading a BIOS update	111
Updating programs and drivers	112
Backup and recovery	113
Creating recovery discs	114
Backing up your information	115
Using Windows Backup and Restore	116
Using system restore points	117
When to create restore points	117
Create a system restore point	117
Restore to a previous date and time	117
Performing a recovery	118
Recovering from the recovery discs	118
Recovering from the dedicated recovery partition (select models only)	118

Match case Limit results 1 per page

Charging may take longer if a battery is new, has been unused for 2 weeks or more, or is much warmer

or cooler than room temperature.

To prolong battery life and optimize the accuracy of battery charge displays, follow these

recommendations:

●

If you are charging a new battery, charge it fully before turning on the computer.

NOTE:

If the computer is on while the battery is charging, the battery meter in the notification

area may show 100 percent charge before the battery is fully charged.

●

Allow the battery to discharge below 5 percent of a full charge through normal use before charging

it.

●

If the battery has been unused for one month or more, calibrate the battery instead of simply

charging it.

Maximizing battery discharge time

Battery discharge time varies depending on the features you use while on battery power. Maximum

discharge time gradually shortens, as the battery storage capacity naturally degrades.

Tips for maximizing battery discharge time:

●

Decrease the brightness on the display.

●

Check the Power saver setting in Power Options.

●

Remove the battery from the computer when it is not being used or charged.

●

Store the battery in a cool, dry location.

Managing low battery levels

The information in this section describes the alerts and system responses set at the factory. Some low-

battery alerts and system responses can be changed using Power Options in Windows Control Panel.

Preferences set using Power Options do not affect lights.

Identifying low battery levels

The computer takes the following actions for a critical battery level:

●

If Hibernation is enabled and the computer is on or in Sleep, the computer initiates Hibernation.

●

If Hibernation is disabled and the computer is on or in Sleep, the computer remains briefly in Sleep,

and then shuts down and loses any unsaved information.

Chapter 5

Power management