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HP ProBook 6550b HP ProBook User Guide - Windows Vista - Page 81

Maximizing battery discharge time, Managing low battery levels, Resolving a low battery level

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● Blinking amber: A battery that is the only available power source has reached a low battery level. When the battery reaches a critical battery level, the battery light begins blinking rapidly. ● Off: If the computer is plugged into an external power source, the light turns off when all batteries in the computer are fully charged. If the computer is not plugged into an external power source, the light stays off until the battery reaches a low battery level. 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: ● Lower 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 When a battery that is the sole power source for the computer reaches a low battery level, the battery light blinks. If a low battery level is not resolved, the computer enters a critical battery level, and the battery light blinks rapidly. The computer takes the following actions for a critical battery level: ● If Hibernation is enabled and the computer is on or in the Sleep state, the computer initiates Hibernation. ● If Hibernation is disabled and the computer is on or in the Sleep state, the computer remains briefly in the Sleep state, and then shuts down and loses any unsaved information. Resolving a low battery level CAUTION: To reduce the risk of losing information when the computer reaches a critical battery level and has initiated Hibernation, do not restore power until the power lights turn off. Resolving a low battery level when external power is available ▲ Connect one of the following devices: ● AC adapter ● Optional expansion product or docking device ● Optional power adapter Using battery power 71

Section	Page
Features	11
Identifying hardware	11
Top components	11
TouchPad	11
Lights	13
Buttons and fingerprint reader (select models only)	16
Keys	20
Front components	21
Right-side components	22
Left-side components	24
Rear components	25
Bottom components	26
Display components	27
Wireless antennas (select models only)	28
Additional hardware components	29
Identifying the labels	29
Wireless, modem, and local area network	31
Using wireless devices (select models only)	31
Identifying wireless and network icons	32
Using the wireless controls	32
Using the wireless button	32
Using Wireless Assistant software (select models only)	33
Using HP Connection Manager (select models only)	33
Using operating system controls	33
Using a WLAN device (select models only)	34
Setting up a WLAN	34
Protecting your WLAN	34
Connecting to a WLAN	36
Roaming to another network	36
Using HP Mobile Broadband (select models only)	37
Inserting a SIM	37
Removing a SIM	38
Using a Bluetooth wireless device	40
Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)	40
Troubleshooting wireless network problems	41
Cannot create a WLAN connection	41
Cannot connect to a preferred network	42
Network status icon is not displayed	42
Current network security codes are unavailable	42
WLAN connection is very weak	43
Cannot connect to the wireless router	43
Using the modem (select models only)	44
Connecting a modem cable	44
Connecting a country- or region-specific modem cable adapter	45
Selecting a location setting	45
Viewing the current location selection	45
Adding new locations when traveling	46
Solving travel connection problems	47
Connecting to a local area network (LAN)	48
Pointing devices and keyboard	49
Using pointing devices	49
Setting pointing device preferences	49
Using the TouchPad	49
Using the pointing stick (select models only)	49
Connecting an external mouse	49
Using the keyboard	49
Using hotkeys	49
Using HP QuickLook 3	52
Using keypads	52
Using the embedded numeric keypad	52
Enabling and disabling the embedded numeric keypad	53
Switching key functions on the embedded numeric keypad	53
Using the integrated numeric keypad	53
Using an optional external numeric keypad	54
Multimedia	55
Multimedia features	55
Adjusting the volume	55
Multimedia software	56
Accessing your preinstalled multimedia software	57
Installing multimedia software from a disc	57
Audio	58
Connecting external audio devices	58
Checking your audio functions	58
Video	60
Connecting an external monitor or projector	60
Using the external monitor port	60
Using the DisplayPort	60
Optical drive (select models only)	62
Identifying the optical drive	62
Playing a CD, DVD, or BD	62
Configuring AutoPlay	62
Changing DVD region settings	63
Observing the copyright warning	63
Copying a CD, DVD, or BD	64
Creating (burning) a CD or DVD	64
Removing an optical disc (CD, DVD, or BD)	65
Troubleshooting	65
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD, DVD, or BD	66
The computer does not detect the optical drive	66
A disc does not play	67
A disc does not play automatically	67
A movie stops, skips, or plays erratically	68
A movie is not visible on an external display	68
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion	68
A device driver must be reinstalled	69
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers	69
Obtaining Microsoft device drivers	69
Webcam (select models only)	71
Adjusting webcam properties	71
Power management	73
Setting power options	73
Using power-saving states	73
Initiating and exiting Sleep	73
Initiating and exiting Hibernation	74
Using the battery meter	74
Using power plans	74
Viewing the current power plan	75
Selecting a different power plan	75
Customizing power plans	75
Setting password protection on wakeup	75
Using Power Assistant (select models only)	76
Starting Power Assistant	76
Using external AC power	76
Connecting the AC adapter	77
Using battery power	78
Finding battery information in Help and Support	78
Using Battery Check	78
Displaying the remaining battery charge	79
Inserting or removing the battery	79
Charging a battery	80
Maximizing battery discharge time	81
Managing low battery levels	81
Identifying low battery levels	81
Resolving a low battery level	81
Resolving a low battery level when external power is available	81
Resolving a low battery level when a charged battery is available	82
Resolving a low battery level when no power source is available	82
Resolving a low battery level when the computer cannot exit Hibernation	82
Calibrating a battery	82
Step 1: Fully charge the battery	82
Step 2: Disable Hibernation and Sleep	83
Step 3: Discharge the battery	83
Step 4: Fully recharge the battery	84
Step 5: Reenable Hibernation and Sleep	84
Conserving battery power	84
Storing a battery	84
Disposing of a used battery	85
Replacing the battery	85
Testing an AC adapter	86
Shutting down the computer	86
Drives	88
Identifying installed drives	88
Handling drives	88
Improving hard drive performance	90
Using Disk Defragmenter	90
Using Disk Cleanup	90
Using HP 3D DriveGuard	91
Identifying HP 3D DriveGuard status	91
Using HP 3D DriveGuard software	92
Replacing a hard drive in the hard drive bay	93
Replacing a drive in the upgrade bay	96
Removing the protective insert	96
Replacing a hard drive	96
Replacing an optical drive	100
External devices	103
Using a USB device	103
Connecting a USB device	103
Stopping and removing a USB device	104
Using USB legacy support	104
Using a 1394 device	105
Connecting a 1394 device	105
Stopping and removing a 1394 device	105
Using a serial device (select models only)	106
Using external drives	107
Using optional external devices	107
Using a docking device	108
External media cards	109
Using Media Card Reader cards	109
Inserting a digital card	109
Stopping and removing a digital card	110
Using ExpressCards (select models only)	111
Configuring an ExpressCard	111
Inserting an ExpressCard	111
Stopping and removing an ExpressCard	112
Using smart cards (select models only)	113
Inserting a smart card	113
Removing a smart card	113
Memory modules	115
Adding or replacing a memory module in the expansion memory module slot	116
Upgrading a memory module in the primary memory module slot	119
Security	123
Protecting the computer	123
Using passwords	124
Setting passwords in Windows	124
Setting passwords in Computer Setup	124
BIOS administrator password	125
Managing a BIOS administrator password	126
Entering a BIOS administrator password	127
Using Computer Setup DriveLock	127
Setting a DriveLock password	128
Entering a DriveLock password	129
Changing a DriveLock password	130
Removing DriveLock protection	131
Using Computer Setup Auto DriveLock	131
Entering an Automatic DriveLock password	131
Removing Automatic DriveLock protection	132
Using Computer Setup security features	133
Securing system devices	133
Viewing Computer Setup System Information	133
Using Computer Setup System IDs	134
Using antivirus software	135
Using firewall software	136
Installing critical updates	137
Using HP ProtectTools Security Manager (select models only)	138
Installing a security cable	139
Software updates	140
Updating software	140
Updating the BIOS	142
Determining the BIOS version	142
Downloading a BIOS update	142
Updating programs and drivers	144
Backup and recovery	145
Backing up your information	146
Performing a recovery	147
Using the Windows recovery tools	147
Using f11 recovery tools	148
Using a Windows Vista operating system DVD (purchased separately)	148
Computer Setup	150
Starting Computer Setup	150
Using Computer Setup	150
Navigating and selecting in Computer Setup	150
Restoring factory settings in Computer Setup	151
Computer Setup menus	151
File menu	152
Security menu	152
System Configuration menu	153
MultiBoot	157
About the boot device order	157
Enabling boot devices in Computer Setup	159
Considering boot order changes	160
Choosing MultiBoot preferences	161
Setting a new boot order in Computer Setup	161
Dynamically choosing a boot device using the F9 prompt	162
Setting a MultiBoot Express prompt	162
Entering MultiBoot Express preferences	162
Management and printing	163
Using Client Management Solutions	163
Configuring and deploying a software image	163
Managing and updating software	164
HP Client Manager for Altiris (select models only)	164
HP CCM (Client Configuration Manager) (select models only)	166
HP SSM (System Software Manager)	167
Using the HP Universal Print Driver (select models only)	168
Routine care	169
Cleaning products	169
Cleaning procedures	170
Cleaning the display	170
Cleaning the sides and cover	170
Cleaning the TouchPad and keyboard	170

Match case Limit results 1 per page

●

Blinking amber: A battery that is the only available power source has reached a low battery level.

When the battery reaches a critical battery level, the battery light begins blinking rapidly.

●

Off: If the computer is plugged into an external power source, the light turns off when all batteries

in the computer are fully charged. If the computer is not plugged into an external power source,

the light stays off until the battery reaches a low battery level.

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:

●

Lower 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

When a battery that is the sole power source for the computer reaches a low battery level, the battery

light blinks.

If a low battery level is not resolved, the computer enters a critical battery level, and the battery light

blinks rapidly.

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

●

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

Hibernation.

●

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

in the Sleep state, and then shuts down and loses any unsaved information.

Resolving a low battery level

CAUTION:

To reduce the risk of losing information when the computer reaches a critical battery level

and has initiated Hibernation, do not restore power until the power lights turn off.

Resolving a low battery level when external power is available

▲

Connect one of the following devices:

●

AC adapter

●

Optional expansion product or docking device

●

Optional power adapter

Using battery power