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HP G42-232NR Notebook PC User Guide - Windows 7 - Page 107

Downloading a BIOS update, Exit Discarding Changes, Start, Help and Support, Maintain, Computer

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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 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. To download a BIOS update: 1. Access the page on the HP Web site that provides software for your computer: Select Start > Help and Support > Maintain. 2. Follow the instructions on the screen to identify your computer and access the BIOS update you want to download. 3. At the download area, follow these steps: a. Identify the BIOS update that is later than the BIOS version currently installed on your computer. Make a note of the date, name, or other identifier. You may need this information to locate the update later, after it has been downloaded to your hard drive. b. Follow the instructions on the screen to download your selection to the hard drive. Make a note of the path to the location on your hard drive where the BIOS update will be downloaded. You will need to access this path when you are ready to install the update. NOTE: If you connect your computer to a network, consult the network administrator before installing any software updates, especially system BIOS updates. BIOS installation procedures vary. Follow any instructions that are displayed on the screen after the download is complete. If no instructions are displayed, follow these steps: 1. Open Windows Explorer by selecting Start > Computer. 2. Double-click your hard drive designation. The hard drive designation is typically Local Disk (C:). 3. Using the hard drive path you recorded earlier, open the folder on your hard drive that contains the update. 4. Double-click the file that has an .exe extension (for example, filename.exe). Updating the BIOS 97

Section	Page
Features	11
Identifying hardware	11
Components	11
Top components	11
TouchPad	11
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	25
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)	28
Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)	29
Troubleshooting wireless connection problems	29
Cannot connect to a WLAN	29
Cannot connect to a preferred wireless network	30
Network icon is not displayed	30
Current 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	32
Pointing devices and keyboard	33
Using the TouchPad	33
Turning the TouchPad on and off	34
Using TouchPad gestures	34
Scrolling	34
Pinching	35
Rotating	35
Setting pointing device preferences	36
Connecting an external mouse	36
Using the keyboard	36
Using the action keys	36
Using the hotkey	37
Cleaning the TouchPad and keyboard	38
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 software	44
Using other preinstalled multimedia software	44
Installing multimedia software from a disc	44
Audio	44
Connecting external audio devices	45
Checking your audio functions	45
Video	45
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	48
Identifying the installed optical drive	48
Using optical discs	49
Selecting the right disc	50
CD-R discs	50
CD-RW discs	50
DVD±R discs	50
DVD±RW discs	50
LightScribe DVD+R discs	51
Blu-ray Disc	51
Playing a CD, DVD, or BD	51
Configuring AutoPlay	53
Changing DVD region settings	53
Observing the copyright warning	53
Copying a CD or DVD	54
Creating (burning) a CD or DVD	55
Removing an optical disc (CD, DVD, or BD)	56
Removing the optical drive	57
Webcam (select models only)	59
Webcam tips	60
Adjusting webcam properties	61
Troubleshooting	61
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD, DVD, or BD	61
The computer does not detect the optical drive	63
A disc does not play	64
A disc does not play automatically	64
A movie stops, skips, or plays erratically	65
A movie is not visible on an external display	65
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion	65
A DVD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or display	66
A device driver must be reinstalled	66
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers	67
Obtaining the latest Windows device drivers	67
Power management	68
Setting power options	68
Using power-saving states	68
Initiating and exiting Sleep	68
Initiating and exiting Hibernation	69
Using the battery meter	69
Using power plans	69
Viewing the current power plan	70
Selecting a different power plan	70
Customizing power plans	70
Setting password protection upon exiting Sleep or Hibernation	70
Switching between graphics modes (select models only)	71
Using external AC power	71
Connecting the AC adapter	72
Testing an AC adapter	72
Using battery power	73
Displaying the remaining battery charge	73
Finding battery information in Help and Support	73
Using Battery Check	74
Inserting or removing the battery	74
Charging a battery	76
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	83
Using Disk Defragmenter	83
Using Disk Cleanup	84
Replacing the hard drive	84
External devices and external media cards	88
Using a USB device	88
Connecting a USB device	88
Removing a USB device	89
Using Digital Media Slot cards	89
Inserting a digital card	89
Removing a digital card	91
Memory modules	92
Security	96
Protecting the computer	96
Using passwords	96
Setting passwords in Windows	97
Setting passwords in Setup Utility	97
Administrator password	98
Managing an administrator password	98
Entering an administrator password	98
Power-on password	98
Managing a power-on password	99
Entering a power-on password	99
Using antivirus software	99
Using firewall software	100
Installing critical updates	101
Setup Utility (BIOS)	102
Starting Setup Utility	102
Using Setup Utility	102
Changing the language of Setup Utility	102
Navigating and selecting in Setup Utility	103
Displaying system information	103
Restoring default settings in Setup Utility	103
Exiting Setup Utility	104
Setup Utility menus	104
Main menu	104
Security menu	104
System Configuration menu	105
Diagnostics menu	105
Software updates	106
Updating the BIOS	106
Determining the BIOS version	106
Downloading a BIOS update	107
Updating programs and drivers	108
Backup and recovery	109
Creating recovery discs	109
Backing up your information	110
Using Windows Backup and Restore	112
Using system restore points	113
When to create restore points	113
Create a system restore point	113
Restore to a previous date and time	113
Performing a recovery	113
Recovering from the recovery discs	114
Recovering from the dedicated recovery partition (select models only)	114

Match case Limit results 1 per page

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 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.

To download a BIOS update:

Access the page on the HP Web site that provides software for your computer:

Select

Start

Help and Support

Maintain

Follow the instructions on the screen to identify your computer and access the BIOS update you

want to download.

At the download area, follow these steps:

Identify the BIOS update that is later than the BIOS version currently installed on your

computer. Make a note of the date, name, or other identifier. You may need this information

to locate the update later, after it has been downloaded to your hard drive.

Follow the instructions on the screen to download your selection to the hard drive.

Make a note of the path to the location on your hard drive where the BIOS update will be

downloaded. You will need to access this path when you are ready to install the update.

NOTE:

If you connect your computer to a network, consult the network administrator before

installing any software updates, especially system BIOS updates.

BIOS installation procedures vary. Follow any instructions that are displayed on the screen after the

download is complete. If no instructions are displayed, follow these steps:

Open Windows Explorer by selecting

Start

Computer

Double-click your hard drive designation. The hard drive designation is typically Local Disk (C:).

Using the hard drive path you recorded earlier, open the folder on your hard drive that contains the

update.

Double-click the file that has an .exe extension (for example,

filename

.exe).

Updating the BIOS