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HP Envy 15-1000se HP Envy 15 User Guide - Windows 7 - Page 99

Updating the BIOS, Determining the BIOS version, Downloading a BIOS update

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Updating the BIOS Updated versions of the BIOS may be available on the HP Web site. Most BIOS updates on the HP Web site are packaged in compressed files called SoftPaqs. Some download packages contain a file named Readme.txt, which contains information regarding installing and troubleshooting the file. Updating the BIOS Determining the BIOS version To determine whether available BIOS updates contain later BIOS versions than those currently installed on the computer, you need to know the version of the system BIOS currently installed. BIOS version information (also known as ROM date and System BIOS) can be displayed by pressing fn+esc (if you are already in Windows) or by opening Setup Utility. To use Setup Utility for displaying BIOS information: 1. Open Setup Utility by turning on or restarting the computer. While the "Press the ESC key for Startup Menu" message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press f10. 2. If Setup Utility does not open with the system information displayed, use the arrow keys to select the Main menu. When the Main menu is selected, BIOS and other system information is displayed. 3. To exit Setup Utility, use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Discarding Changes, and then press enter. Downloading a BIOS update CAUTION: To prevent damage to the computer or an unsuccessful installation, download and install a BIOS update only when the computer is connected to reliable external power using the AC adapter. Do not download or install a BIOS update while the computer is running on battery power, docked in an optional docking device, or connected to an optional power source. During the download and installation, follow these instructions: Do not disconnect power from the computer by unplugging the power cord from the AC outlet. Do not shut down the computer or initiate Sleep or Hibernation. Do not insert, remove, connect, or disconnect any device, cable, or cord. Updating the BIOS 89

Section	Page
Notebook tour	11
Identifying hardware	11
Components	12
Top components	12
TouchPad	12
TouchPad buttons	12
Lights	13
Button	14
Keys	15
Front components	16
Right-side components	16
Left-side components	17
Bottom components	18
Display components	19
Wireless antennas	19
Additional hardware components	20
Labels	21
Using Instant On Software (select models only)	22
Wireless and local area network	23
Using wireless devices	23
Identifying wireless and network status icons	23
Using the wireless controls	24
Using the wireless key	24
Using Wireless Assistant software	25
Using operating system controls	25
Using a WLAN	26
Setting up a WLAN	26
Protecting your WLAN	26
Connecting to a WLAN	27
Roaming to another network	28
Using Bluetooth wireless devices	29
Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)	29
Troubleshooting wireless connection problems	30
Cannot connect to a preferred network	30
Network icon for WLAN is not displayed	30
Current WLAN network security codes are unavailable	30
WLAN connection is very weak	31
Cannot connect to the wireless router	31
Connecting to a local area network (LAN)	32
Pointing devices and keyboard	33
Using pointing devices	33
Setting pointing device preferences	33
Using the TouchPad	33
Using TouchPad gestures	33
Scrolling	34
Pinching	34
Rotating	34
Using the action keys	36
Using the hotkeys	38
Cleaning the TouchPad and keyboard	39
Multimedia	40
Multimedia features	40
Adjusting the volume	40
Using the media activity keys	41
Multimedia software	42
Using HP MediaSmart software	42
Using multimedia software	42
Installing multimedia software from a disc	43
Audio	44
Connecting external audio devices	44
Checking your audio functions	44
Using Beats Audio	45
Video	46
Connecting an external monitor or projector	46
Connecting an HDMI device	47
Configuring audio for HDMI	48
Webcam	49
Webcam tips	49
Adjusting webcam properties	49
Using the ambient light sensor	51
Using adaptive brightness	51
Using the webcam IR light	51
Power management	53
Setting power devices	53
Using power-saving states	53
Initiating and exiting Sleep	53
Initiating and exiting Hibernation	54
Conserving power	54
Using the battery meter	54
Using power plans	55
Viewing the current power plan	55
Selecting a different power plan	55
Customizing power plans	55
Setting password protection on wakeup	56
Using external AC power	57
Connecting AC power	57
Testing an AC adapter	58
Using battery power	59
Identifying batteries	59
Finding battery information in Help and Support	59
Using Battery Check	59
Displaying the remaining battery charge	60
Removing or inserting the primary battery	60
Charging a battery	61
Maximizing battery discharge time	62
Managing low battery levels	62
Identifying low battery levels	62
Resolving a low battery level	63
Resolving a low battery level when external power is available	63
Resolving a low battery level when a charged battery is available	63
Resolving a low battery level when no power source is available	63
Resolving a low battery level when the computer cannot exit Hibernation	63
Using the accessory battery (select models only)	63
Identifying the accessory battery components	64
Inserting or removing an accessory battery	64
Battery charging and discharging sequence	66
Calibrating a battery	66
Storing a battery	67
Disposing of a used battery	67
Replacing the battery	67
Shutting down the computer	68
Drives and external devices	69
Drives	69
Identifying installed drives	69
Handling drives	69
Improving hard drive performance	70
Using Disk Defragmenter	70
Using Disk Cleanup	70
Using HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection (select models only)	71
Identifying HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection status	71
Managing power with a parked hard drive	71
Using HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection software	72
Using external drives	72
Connecting optional external drives	72
Using the external optical drive (select models only)	73
Removing an optical disc when the disc tray will not open	73
Sharing optical drives	74
External devices	76
Using a USB device	76
Connecting a USB device	76
Removing a USB device	76
Using an eSATA device	77
Connecting an eSATA device	77
Removing an eSATA device	77
Using Digital Media Slot cards	78
Inserting a digital card	78
Removing a digital card	79
Memory modules	80
Security	85
Protecting the computer	85
Using passwords	86
Setting passwords in Windows	86
Setting passwords in Setup Utility	87
Administrator password	87
Managing an administrator password	88
Entering an administrator password	88
Power-on password	88
Managing a power-on password	89
Entering a power-on password	89
Using antivirus software	90
Using firewall software	91
Installing critical security updates	92
Installing an optional security cable	93
Setup Utility (BIOS)	94
Starting Setup Utility	94
Using Setup Utility	95
Changing the language of Setup Utility	95
Navigating and selecting in Setup Utility	95
Displaying system information	96
Restoring default settings in Setup Utility	96
Exiting Setup Utility	96
Setup Utility menus	97
Main menu	97
Security menu	97
System Configuration menu	97
Diagnostics menu	98
Updating the BIOS	99
Updating the BIOS	99
Determining the BIOS version	99
Downloading a BIOS update	99
Backup and recovery	101
Creating recovery discs	102
Backing up your information	103
Using Windows Backup and Restore	103
Using system restore points	104
When to create restore points	104
Create a system restore point	104
Restore to a previous date and time	104
Performing a recovery	105
Recovering from the recovery discs	105
Recovering from the dedicated recovery partition (select models only)	105
RAID 0 (select models only)	106
Disabling RAID 0	107

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Updating the BIOS

Updated versions of the BIOS may be available on the HP Web site.

Most BIOS updates on the HP Web site are packaged in compressed files called

SoftPaqs

Some download packages contain a file named Readme.txt, which contains information regarding

installing and troubleshooting the file.

Updating the BIOS

Determining the BIOS version

To determine whether available BIOS updates contain later BIOS versions than those currently installed

on the computer, you need to know the version of the system BIOS currently installed.

BIOS version information (also known as

ROM date

and

System BIOS

) can be displayed by pressing

fn+esc

(if you are already in Windows) or by opening Setup Utility.

To use Setup Utility for displaying BIOS information:

Open Setup Utility by turning on or restarting the computer. While the “Press the ESC key for

Startup Menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press

f10

If Setup Utility does not open with the system information displayed, use the arrow keys to select

the

Main

menu.

When the Main menu is selected, BIOS and other system information is displayed.

To exit Setup Utility, use the arrow keys to select

Exit

Exit Discarding Changes

, and then press

enter

Downloading a BIOS update

CAUTION:

To prevent damage to the computer or an unsuccessful installation, download and install

a BIOS update only when the computer is connected to reliable external power using the AC adapter.

Do not download or install a BIOS update while the computer is running on battery power, docked in an

optional docking device, or connected to an optional power source. During the download and installation,

follow these instructions:

Do not disconnect power from the computer by unplugging the power cord from the AC outlet.

Do not shut down the computer or initiate Sleep or Hibernation.

Do not insert, remove, connect, or disconnect any device, cable, or cord.

Updating the BIOS