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HP Pavilion dm1-3100 HP Notebook Reference Guide - Windows 7 - Page 67

Updating the BIOS, Determining the BIOS version, Downloading a BIOS update, Exit Discarding Changes

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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. 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 using Setup Utility. 1. Start Setup Utility. 2. If the system information is not displayed, use the arrow keys to select the Main menu. 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 reduce the risk of 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. 1. Access the page on the HP Web site that provides software for your computer: Windows 7-Select Start > Help and Support > Maintain. Windows XP-Select Start > Help and Support, and then select the software and drivers update. 2. Follow the on-screen instructions 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 on-screen instructions 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 is 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. Updating the BIOS 57

Section	Page
Introduction	11
Finding more information about your new computer	11
Networking (select models only)	12
Creating a wireless connection	12
Identifying wireless and network status icons	12
Turning wireless devices on or off	13
Using the wireless button	13
Using HP Wireless Assistant (select models only) to turn wireless devices on or off	14
Using HP Connection Manager (select models only)	14
Using operating system controls	15
Using a WLAN	15
Connecting to an existing WLAN	15
Setting up a new WLAN	16
Protecting your WLAN	16
Roaming to another network	17
Using HP Mobile Broadband (select models only)	17
Inserting a SIM	17
Removing a SIM	18
Using Bluetooth wireless devices	18
Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)	18
Using GPS (select models only)	19
Connecting to a wired network	19
Using a modem (select models only)	19
Connecting a modem cable	19
Connecting a country- or region-specific modem cable adapter	20
Selecting a location setting	20
Viewing the current location selection	20
Adding new locations when traveling	20
Connecting to a local area network (LAN) (select models only)	22
Multimedia	24
Using the media activity controls	24
Audio	24
Adjusting the volume	24
Checking audio functions on the computer	25
Webcam (select models only)	26
Using SkyRoom (select models only)	26
Video	26
VGA	26
DisplayPort	27
HDMI	27
Configuring audio for HDMI	28
Using HP MediaSmart (select models only)	29
Power management	30
Shutting down the computer	30
Setting power options	30
Using power-saving states	30
Initiating and exiting Sleep	31
Initiating and exiting Hibernation	31
Using the power meter	32
Using power plans	32
Viewing the current power plan	32
Selecting a different power plan	32
Customizing power plans	32
Setting password protection on wakeup	33
Using battery power	33
Finding battery information in Help and Support in Windows 7	34
Using Battery Check in Windows 7	34
Displaying the remaining battery charge	34
Maximizing battery discharge time	34
Managing low battery levels	35
Identifying low battery levels	35
Resolving a low battery level	35
Resolving a low battery level when external power is available	35
Resolving a low battery level when a charged battery is available	35
Resolving a low battery level when no power source is available	35
Resolving a low battery level when the computer cannot exit Hibernation	36
Conserving battery power	36
Storing a battery	36
Disposing of a used battery	36
Replacing the battery	36
Using external AC power	37
Testing an AC adapter	38
Switching between graphics modes (select models only)	38
External cards and devices	39
Using Digital Media Slot cards (select models only)	39
Inserting a digital card	39
Removing a digital card	39
Using PC Cards (select models only)	40
Configuring a PC Card	40
Inserting a PC Card	40
Removing a PC Card	42
Using ExpressCards (select models only)	42
Configuring an ExpressCard	42
Inserting an ExpressCard	43
Removing an ExpressCard	44
Using smart cards (select models only)	44
Inserting a smart card	45
Removing a smart card	45
Using a USB device	45
Connecting a USB device	45
Removing a USB device	46
Using 1394 devices (select models only)	46
Connecting a 1394 device	47
Removing a 1394 device	47
Using an eSATA device (select models only)	47
Connecting an eSATA device	47
Removing an eSATA device	48
Using optional external devices	49
Using optional external drives	49
Using the expansion port (select models only)	49
Using the docking connector (select models only)	50
Drives	51
Handling drives	51
Using hard drives	51
Improving hard drive performance	51
Using Disk Defragmenter	51
Using Disk Cleanup	52
Using HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection in Windows 7 (select models only)	52
Identifying HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection status	53
Managing power with a parked hard drive	53
Using HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection software	53
Using optical drives (select models only)	54
Identifying the installed optical drive	54
Inserting an optical disc	55
Tray load	55
Slot load	55
Removing an optical disc	56
Tray load	56
When the disc tray opens normally	56
When the disc tray fails to open	56
Slot load	57
Sharing optical drives	58
Using RAID (select models only)	58
Security	59
Protecting the computer	59
Using passwords	59
Setting passwords in Windows	60
Setting passwords in Setup Utility	60
Managing an administrator password	61
Entering an administrator password	61
Managing a power-on password	61
Entering a power-on password	61
Using antivirus software	62
Using firewall software	62
Installing critical security updates	62
Installing an optional security cable	63
Using the fingerprint reader (select models only)	63
Locating the fingerprint reader	63
Setup Utility (BIOS)	65
Starting Setup Utility	65
Using Setup Utility	65
Changing the language of Setup Utility	65
Navigating and selecting in Setup Utility	65
Displaying system information	66
Restoring factory default settings in Setup Utility	66
Exiting Setup Utility	66
Updating the BIOS	67
Determining the BIOS version	67
Downloading a BIOS update	67
Traveling with the computer	69
Troubleshooting resources	70
Electrostatic Discharge	71

Match case Limit results 1 per page

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.

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 using Setup Utility.

Start Setup Utility.

If the system information is not displayed, use the arrow keys to select the

Main

menu.

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 reduce the risk of 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.

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

Windows 7

—Select

Start

Help and Support

Maintain

Windows XP

—Select

Start

Help and Support

, and then select the software and drivers update.

Follow the on-screen instructions 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 on-screen instructions 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 is

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.

Updating the BIOS