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HP ProBook 6550b HP ProBook User Guide - Windows XP - Page 80

Maximizing battery discharge time, Managing low battery levels - power adapter

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The battery charges whenever the computer is plugged into external power through an AC adapter, an optional power adapter, or an optional docking device. The battery charges whether the computer is off or in use, but it charges faster when the computer is off. 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. ● Charge the battery until the battery light turns off. NOTE: If the computer is on while the battery is charging, the power 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. The battery light displays charge status: ● Amber: The battery is charging. ● Turquoise: A battery is close to full charge capacity. ● 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. ● 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. 70 Chapter 5 Power management

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 connection problems	41
Cannot create a WLAN connection	41
Cannot connect to a preferred network	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, DVD, or BD	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	65
The computer does not detect the optical drive	66
A disc does not play	66
A disc does not play automatically	67
A movie stops, skips, or plays erratically	67
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	68
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers	68
Obtaining Microsoft device drivers	69
Webcam (select models only)	70
Adjusting webcam properties	70
Power management	72
Setting power options	72
Using power-saving states	72
Initiating and exiting Standby	72
Initiating and exiting Hibernation	73
Using the Power Meter	73
Using power schemes	74
Viewing the current scheme	74
Selecting a different power scheme	74
Customizing power schemes	75
Setting password protection upon exiting Standby	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
Displaying the remaining battery charge	78
Inserting or removing the battery	78
Charging a battery	79
Maximizing battery discharge time	80
Managing low battery levels	80
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	81
Resolving a low battery level when no power source is available	81
Resolving a low battery level when the computer cannot exit Hibernation	81
Calibrating a battery	82
Step 1: Fully charge the battery	82
Step 2: Disable Hibernation and Standby	82
Step 3: Discharge the battery	83
Step 4: Fully recharge the battery	84
Step 5: Reenable Hibernation and Standby	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	91
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
Increasing the hard drive space for the Hibernation file	123
Security	124
Protecting the computer	124
Using passwords	125
Setting passwords in Windows	125
Setting passwords in Computer Setup	125
BIOS administrator password	126
Managing a BIOS administrator password	127
Entering a BIOS administrator password	129
Using Computer Setup DriveLock	129
Setting a DriveLock password	130
Entering a DriveLock password	131
Changing a DriveLock password	132
Removing DriveLock protection	133
Using Computer Setup Auto DriveLock	133
Entering an Automatic DriveLock password	133
Removing Automatic DriveLock protection	134
Using Computer Setup security features	135
Securing system devices	135
Viewing Computer Setup System Information	135
Using Computer Setup System IDs	136
Using antivirus software	137
Using firewall software	138
Installing critical security updates	139
Using HP ProtectTools Security Manager (select models only)	140
Installing a security cable	141
Software updates	142
Updating software	142
Updating the BIOS	143
Determining the BIOS version	143
Downloading a BIOS update	144
Updating programs and drivers	145
Backup and recovery	146
Backing up your information	147
Performing a recovery	148
Recovering your information	148
Recovering the operating system and programs	148
Computer Setup	149
Starting Computer Setup	149
Using Computer Setup	149
Navigating and selecting in Computer Setup	149
Restoring factory settings in Computer Setup	150
Computer Setup menus	150
File menu	151
Security menu	151
System Configuration menu	152
MultiBoot	156
About the boot device order	156
Enabling boot devices in Computer Setup	158
Considering boot order changes	159
Choosing MultiBoot preferences	160
Setting a new boot order in Computer Setup	160
Dynamically choosing a boot device using the F9 prompt	160
Setting a MultiBoot Express prompt	161
Entering MultiBoot Express preferences	161
Management and printing	162
Using Client Management Solutions	162
Configuring and deploying a software image	162
Managing and updating software	163
HP Client Manager for Altiris (select models only)	163
HP CCM (Client Configuration Manager) (select models only)	165
HP SSM (System Software Manager)	166
Using the HP Universal Print Driver (select models only)	167
Routine care	168
Cleaning products	168
Cleaning procedures	169
Cleaning the display	169
Cleaning the sides and cover	169
Cleaning the TouchPad and keyboard	169

Match case Limit results 1 per page

The battery charges whenever the computer is plugged into external power through an AC adapter, an

optional power adapter, or an optional docking device.

The battery charges whether the computer is off or in use, but it charges faster when the computer is

off.

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.

●

Charge the battery until the battery light turns off.

NOTE:

If the computer is on while the battery is charging, the power 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.

The battery light displays charge status:

●

Amber: The battery is charging.

●

Turquoise: A battery is close to full charge capacity.

●

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.

●

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.

Chapter 5

Power management