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If the Time Remaining for the battery is not correct

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Troubleshooting Your Computer Troubleshooting Techniques • Heavy modem use can affect battery operating time. • PC Card use can affect battery operating time. • The battery gauge may need to be calibrated. Restart the computer, press F6 when the HP logo appears, and follow the instructions that appear onscreen. The process calibrates the main battery and any secondary batteries in the expansion base, and requires four to five hours per battery. You cannot use the computer during this process. If the Time Remaining for the battery is not correct • The Time Remaining is an estimate, not a precise value, and is based on the rate at which the computer is using power at the moment. This value therefore depends on your current task, and assumes that you will continue using power at the same rate until the battery runs out. So, if you check the Time Remaining while the computer is performing a task requiring a good deal of power (such as reading from a CD or DVD), the value will probably show less time remaining than you really have, since you will probably later switch to tasks that require less power. If the computer doesn't suspend to Standby mode as expected • If you have a connection to another computer, the computer won't suspend if the connection is active. • If the computer is performing an operation, it normally waits for the operation to finish before suspending. If the computer doesn't automatically hibernate as expected • For Windows 2000, make sure hibernate support is enabled: from Control Panel, open Power, then click the Hibernate tab. Also, check the Power Schemes tab. Make sure the Hibernate timeouts for both AC power and battery power are not set to Never. • For Windows 98, check the Hibernate timeout in BIOS Setup-see "To run the BIOS Setup utility" on page 86. If your computer has more than 512 MB of RAM, you must expand the Utility partition on the hard disk-see "To recover the factory installation of your hard disk" on page 164. Corporate Evaluator's Guide 157

Section	Page
Introducing the Notebook Computer	12
Taking Inventory	12
What’s in the Box?	12
Software bundled on your computer	13
To buy accessories	13
To find more information	14
Identifying Parts of the Computer	15
Front View	15
Back View	16
Bottom View	16
Status Lights	17
Expansion Base – Front	19
Expansion Base – Back	20
Setting Up Your Computer	21
Step 1 – Install the battery	21
Step 2 – Connect AC power	23
Step 3 – Connect a phone line	24
Step 4 – Turn on the computer	24
Step 5 – Set up Windows	25
Step 6 – Register your notebook	25
To connect the floppy disk drive	26
To reset the computer	27
Using Your Computer	30
Operating Your Computer	30
To start and stop the computer	30
To change the boot device	31
To use the pointing stick	31
To use the Fn hot keys	33
To use the One-Touch buttons	34
To use the Windows and Applications keys	34
To use the embedded keypad	35
To use the ALT GR key	35
To adjust the display	36
To adjust the volume	37
To change computer settings for a presentation	38
To use a multimedia expansion base	39
Securing Your Computer	40
To set up password protection	40
To attach a security cable	41
To use the VirusScan utility	41
To set PC identification	42
To lock the hard disk drive	42
Working in Comfort with a Notebook PC	43
Taking Care of Your Computer	45
To protect your hard disk drive	45
To maintain your computer	45
To safeguard your data	46
To extend the life of the display	46
To get the most from your batteries	47
To clean your computer	47
T	49
Traveling with Your Computer	50
Managing Power Consumption	50
How the computer manages power automatically	50
To manage power manually	52
Using Battery Power	53
To check battery status	53
To respond to a low-battery warning	54
To recharge the battery	54
To add additional batteries	55
To maximize battery operating time	55
M	57
Making Connections	58
Using an Expansion Base	58
To dock the computer	59
To undock the computer	60
To use the status panel	61
Using Plug-In Modules	63
To install hot-swap support	63
To replace a plug-in module	63
To insert or remove a CD or DVD	65
To play audio CDs	66
To play DVD movies	67
Using the Modem	68
To connect the modem	68
To connect to the Internet	70
To disconnect from the Internet	71
To dial in to a network	71
To change your modem settings	71
To send and receive e-mail	73
To send and receive faxes (Windows 98)	74
To send and receive faxes (Windows 2000)	75
Connecting to a LAN	76
To connect to a LAN	76
Connecting PC Cards	77
To insert or remove a PC Card	77
Connecting External Devices	79
To identify connectors for external devices	79
To use an external monitor	80
To connect a printer or other parallel device	81
To connect an external keyboard or mouse	82
To connect a USB device	82
To connect a serial device	82
To connect an audio device	83
To use a TV set as a monitor	83
C	85
Configuring and Expanding Your Computer	86
Using the BIOS Setup Utility	86
To run the BIOS Setup utility	86
Using TopTools	91
To set up TopTools	91
Installing Additional RAM	92
To install a RAM expansion module	92
To remove a RAM expansion module	93
To replace the system RAM module	93
Replacing the Hard Disk Drive	96
To replace the hard disk drive	96
To replace the hard disk drive holder	96
To prepare a new hard disk drive	97
U	99
Using Windows 2000	100
Installing Retail Windows 2000	100
Requirements	100
To prepare for software installation	100
To install retail Windows 2000 Professional	101
To install video support	102
To install audio support	103
To install modem support	103
To install the 3Com V.90 MPCI Modem 556B Modem drivers	103
To install the 3Com 56K V.90 Mini PCI Modem drivers	104
To install 3Com 10/100 Mini PCI Ethernet adapter support	105
To install pointing stick support	105
To install Hewlett-Packard Configuration Interface (HPCI)	107
To install the Intel® SpeedStep™ Technology Applet	107
U	111
Using Windows 98	112
Installing Retail Windows 98 Second Edition	112
	117
To install the 3Com V.90 MPCI Modem 556B drivers	117
To install the 3Com 56K V.90 Mini PCI Modem drivers	118
Using Windows NT 4.0	124
Installing Windows NT 4.0	124
	132
To install 3Com V.90 MPCI Modem 556B support (modem only):	132
To install 3Com 56K V.90 Mini PCI Modem support (combo)	132
To install the 3Com LAN driver	133
Driver installation with no networking installed	133
Driver installation with networking installed	135
To update the 3Com LAN driver	135
To uninstall the 3Com LAN driver	136
To install APM	137
To install Card Executive	137
Troubleshooting Your Computer	142
Troubleshooting Techniques	142
Audio Problems	142
If no sound is audible	142
If sound does not record	143
If you hear a loud high-pitched whine (feedback) from the speakers	143
CD-ROM and DVD Problems	143
If you can’t boot from a CD or DVD in the CD/DVD drive	143
If a DVD plays erratically	143
If a DVD movie stops playing in the middle	143
If you get a Region Code error when playing a DVD movie	144
If the computer cannot read a CD or DVD	144
If a DVD movie doesn’t fill the screen	144
If a DVD doesn’t play with two displays	144
If the computer can’t find Wordpad.exe after inserting a CD	144
Display Problems	145
If the computer is on, but the screen is blank	145
If the screen is difficult to read	145
If an external display does not work	145
If an external display cannot use high resolutions	145
Expansion Base Problems	146
If you can’t dock the computer or it gets stuck	146
If a port on the expansion base isn’t working	146
If the operating system hangs when you dock or undock	146
If the computer does not respond to the undock switch or Eject command	146
If a floppy drive connected to the parallel port doesn’t work	146
Hard Disk Drive Problems	147
If the computer’s hard drive doesn’t spin	147
If the hard disk makes a buzzing or whining noise	147
If files are corrupted	147
Heat Problems	147
If the computer gets abnormally hot	147
Keyboard and Pointing Device Problems	148
If the pointer is difficult to control	148
If the pointing stick doesn’t work	148
If the scroll button doesn’t scroll in some applications	148
If a PS/2 scroll mouse doesn’t work	148
If the embedded numeric keypad doesn’t work	148
If left€CTRL+left€ALT doesn’t work on an external keyboard	149
If you can’t type the euro symbol	149
Memory Problems	149
If a message says you are out of memory	149
If memory doesn’t increase after adding RAM	149
Modem Problems	150
If the modem seems slow	150
If the modem doesn’t dial or no dial tone is detected	150
If the modem dials incorrectly	150
If the modem dials but doesn’t connect	151
If the modem isn’t detected	151
If the modem dials but you can’t hear it	151
If the modem connects, but transferred data is bad	151
If the modem causes an ERROR message	152
If the modem doesn’t fax	152
If excessive line current is detected	152
If the modem clicks repeatedly but doesn’t connect	152
Network Problems	152
If the built-in network adapter doesn’t connect to the LAN	152
If you can’t browse the Network Neighborhood	153
If you can’t log in to Netware servers	153
If the computer stops responding after booting	153
If you have slow or dropped connections on a 10/100 network switch or hub	153
PC Card (PCMCIA) Problems	153
If the notebook doesn’t recognize a PC Card	153
If an I/O card stops communicating properly	154
If a PC Card modem is not working	154
If an I/O card stops communicating properly	154
Performance Problems	154
If the computer pauses or runs sluggishly	154
If the computer stops responding	155
If the computer shuts down slowly	155
Power and Battery Problems	156
If the computer turns off immediately after it turns on	156
If the computer keeps beeping	156
If the main battery doesn’t charge	156
If a secondary battery doesn’t charge	156
If the computer has a short operating time	156
If the Time Remaining for the battery is not correct	157
If the computer doesn’t suspend to Standby mode as expected	157
If the computer doesn’t automatically hibernate as expected	157
If the Standby option is missing from the Shut Down window	158
Printing Problems	158
If a serial or parallel printer doesn’t print	158
If the left edge of printed output is missing	158
Serial, Parallel, and USB Problems	159
If a serial mouse doesn’t work	159
If a serial modem doesn’t work properly	159
If the serial or parallel port is not working	160
If the USB port is not working	160
Startup Problems	160
If the computer doesn’t respond when you turn it on	160
If the computer won’t boot from battery power	161
If the computer won’t boot from the floppy disk drive	161
If the computer takes a long time to resume after being suspended	161
If you get a VirusScan error message at startup	161
Testing the Hardware	162
To run the e-DiagTools diagnostic test	162
Recovering and Reinstalling Software	164
To recover the factory installation of your hard disk	164
To create a Support Utility disk	165
To create a boot disk	166
To replace a damaged Recovery CD	166
To update the BIOS	166
Support and Service	170
Getting Assistance for Your Computer	170
To get help from the web	170
To contact the HP Customer Care Center	170
To receive repair service	173
To prepare your computer for shipment	173
Hewlett-Packard Limited Warranty Statement	174
Specifications and Regulatory Information	178
Hardware Specifications	178
Modem Reference Information	181
Modem Reference (3Com)	181
Safety Information	186
Power Cords	186
Ergonomics	187
Laser Safety	188
Regulatory Information	189
U.S.A.	189
Canada	190
European Union	190
Japan	191
International	191

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Troubleshooting Your Computer

Troubleshooting Techniques

Corporate Evaluator’s Guide

157

•

Heavy modem use can affect battery operating time.

•

PC Card use can affect battery operating time.

•

The battery gauge may need to be calibrated. Restart the computer, press F6 when the

HP logo appears, and follow the instructions that appear onscreen. The process

calibrates the main battery and any secondary batteries in the expansion base, and

requires four to five hours per battery. You cannot use the computer during this

process.

If the Time Remaining for the battery is not correct

•

The Time Remaining is an estimate, not a precise value, and is based on the rate at

which the computer is using power at the moment. This value therefore depends on

your current task, and assumes that you will continue using power at the same rate

until the battery runs out. So, if you check the Time Remaining while the computer is

performing a task requiring a good deal of power (such as reading from a CD or

DVD), the value will probably show less time remaining than you really have, since

you will probably later switch to tasks that require less power.

If the computer doesn’t suspend to Standby mode as expected

•

If you have a connection to another computer, the computer won’t suspend if the

connection is active.

•

If the computer is performing an operation, it normally waits for the operation to

finish before suspending.

If the computer doesn’t automatically hibernate as expected

•

For Windows 2000, make sure hibernate support is enabled: from Control Panel, open

Power, then click the Hibernate tab.

Also, check the Power Schemes tab. Make sure the Hibernate timeouts for both AC

power and battery power are not set to Never.

•

For Windows 98, check the Hibernate timeout in BIOS Setup—see “To run the BIOS

Setup utility” on page 86.

If your computer has more than 512 MB of RAM, you must expand the Utility

partition on the hard disk—see “To recover the factory installation of your hard disk”

on page 164.