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HP Pavilion dv7-4200 Notebook PC User Guide - Windows 7 - Page 109

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

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Updating the BIOS To update the BIOS, first determine what BIOS version you currently have and then download and install the new 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) is 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. When the Press the ESC key for Startup Menu appears, press the f10 key. 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 appears. 3. To exit Setup Utility, use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Discarding Changes, and then press the enter key. 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 disconnecting 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. Select Start > Help and Support > Maintain > Software Updates to access the page on the HP website that provides software for the computer. 2. Follow the instructions on the screen to identify the computer and access the BIOS update you want to download. 3. In the download: a. Identify the BIOS update that is later than the BIOS version currently installed on the computer. Make a note of the date, name, or other identifier. You might need this information to locate the update later, after it has been downloaded to the 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 the hard drive where the BIOS update is downloaded. Access this path when you are ready to install the update. Updating the BIOS 99

Section	Page
Features	11
Identifying hardware	11
Components	12
Top components	12
TouchPad	12
TouchPad buttons	13
Lights	14
Buttons and Fingerprint Reader (select models only)	15
Keys	16
Front components	16
Right-side components	17
Left-side components	17
Bottom components	18
Display components	19
Wireless antennas (select models only)	20
Additional hardware components	20
Labels	22
Wireless, local area network, and modem	23
Using wireless devices	23
Identifying wireless and network status icons	23
Using the wireless controls	24
Using the wireless key	24
Using HP Wireless Assistant	25
Using operating system controls	25
Using a WLAN	25
Setting up a WLAN	26
Protecting your WLAN	26
Connecting to a WLAN	27
Roaming to another network	28
Using Bluetooth wireless devices (select models only)	29
Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS)	29
Connecting to a local area network	30
Pointing devices and keyboard	31
Using pointing devices	31
Setting pointing device preferences	31
Using the TouchPad	31
Turning the TouchPad on and off	32
Using TouchPad gestures	32
Scrolling	32
Pinching	33
Rotating	33
Connecting an external mouse	34
Using the action keys	35
Using the hotkeys	36
Using the keypads	37
Using an integrated numeric keypad	37
Using an optional external numeric keypad	37
Cleaning the TouchPad and keyboard	38
Multimedia	39
Multimedia features	39
Identifying your multimedia components	40
Adjusting the volume	41
Using the media activity keys	41
Multimedia software	43
Using HP MediaSmart software	43
Using other preinstalled multimedia software	43
Installing multimedia software from a disc	43
Audio	44
Connecting external audio devices	44
Checking your audio functions	44
Video	45
Connecting an external monitor or projector	45
Connecting an HDMI device	45
Configuring audio for HDMI (select models only)	46
Webcam	47
Power management	48
Setting power options	48
Using power-saving states	48
Initiating and exiting Sleep	48
Initiating and exiting Hibernation	49
Using the battery meter	49
Using power plans	49
Viewing the current power plan	50
Selecting a different power plan	50
Customizing power plans	50
Setting password protection on wakeup	50
Using external AC power	51
Connecting the AC adapter	51
Using battery power	53
Finding battery information in Help and Support	53
Using Battery Check	53
Displaying the remaining battery charge	54
Inserting or removing the battery	54
Charging a battery	55
Maximizing battery discharge time	55
Managing low battery levels	56
Identifying low battery levels	56
Resolving a low battery level	56
Resolving a low battery level when external power is available	56
Resolving a low battery level when a charged battery is available	56
Resolving a low battery level when no power source is available	56
Resolving a low battery level when the computer cannot exit Hibernation	56
Calibrating a battery	57
Conserving battery power	58
Storing a battery	59
Disposing of a used battery	59
Replacing the battery	59
Switching between graphics modes (select models only)	60
Shutting down the computer	61
Drives	62
Handling drives	62
Optical drive	63
Identifying the installed optical drive	63
Using optical discs	63
Selecting the right disc (CDs, DVDs, and BDs)	64
CD-R discs	64
CD-RW discs	64
DVD±R discs	64
DVD±RW discs	64
LightScribe DVD+R discs	64
Blu-ray discs (BD)	64
Playing a CD, DVD, or BD	65
Configuring AutoPlay	66
Changing DVD region settings	66
Observing the copyright warning	66
Copying a CD or DVD	67
Creating (burning) a CD or DVD	67
Removing a CD, DVD, or BD	68
Using external drives	70
Improving hard drive performance	71
Using Disk Defragmenter	71
Using Disk Cleanup	71
Replacing a drive in the primary hard drive bay	72
Replacing a drive in the secondary hard drive bay	75
External devices	78
Using a USB device	78
Connecting a USB device	78
Removing a USB device	78
Using an eSATA device	79
Connecting an eSATA device	79
Removing an eSATA device	79
External media cards	81
Using Digital Media Slot cards	81
Inserting a digital card	81
Removing a digital card	82
Memory modules	83
Security	87
Protecting the computer	87
Using passwords	88
Setting passwords in Windows	88
Setting passwords in Setup Utility	89
Administrator password	89
Managing an administrator password	89
Entering an administrator password	90
Power-on password	90
Managing a power-on password	90
Entering a power-on password	90
Using antivirus software	91
Using firewall software	91
Installing critical security updates	92
Installing an optional security cable	92
Using the Fingerprint Reader (select models only)	93
Locating the Fingerprint Reader	93
Registering fingerprints	93
Using your registered fingerprint to log on to Windows	94
Troubleshooting	95
Cannot connect to a WLAN	95
Cannot connect to a preferred network	96
Network icon is not displayed	96
Current network security codes are unavailable	96
WLAN connection is very weak	97
Cannot connect to the wireless router	97
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD, a DVD, or a BD	98
The computer does not detect the CD, DVD, or BD drive	98
A CD, DVD, or BD does not play	99
A CD, DVD, or BD does not play automatically	100
A DVD or BD movie stops, skips, or plays erratically	100
A DVD or BD movie is not visible on an external display	100
The process of burning a CD or DVD does not begin, or it stops before completion	101
A DVD or BD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or display	101
A device driver must be reinstalled	101
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers	102
Obtaining the latest Windows device drivers	102
Setup Utility (BIOS)	103
Starting Setup Utility	103
Using Setup Utility	104
Changing the language of Setup Utility	104
Navigating and selecting in Setup Utility	104
Displaying system information	104
Restoring default settings in Setup Utility	105
Exiting Setup Utility	105
Setup Utility menus	106
Main menu	106
Security menu	106
System Configuration menu	106
Diagnostics menu	107
Software updates	108
Updating the BIOS	109
Determining the BIOS version	109
Downloading a BIOS update	109
Updating programs and drivers	110
Backup and recovery	111
Creating recovery discs	112
Backing up your information	113
Using Windows Backup and Restore	113
Using system restore points	114
When to create restore points	114
Create a system restore point	114
Restore to a previous date and time	114
Performing a recovery	115
Recovering from the recovery discs	115
Recovering from the dedicated recovery partition (select models only)	115

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Updating the BIOS

To update the BIOS, first determine what BIOS version you currently have and then download and install

the new 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) is displayed by pressing

+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. When the Press the ESC key for Startup

Menu appears, press the

f10

key.

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 appears.

To exit Setup Utility, use the arrow keys to select

Exit

Exit Discarding Changes

, and then press

the

enter

key.

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 disconnecting 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:

Select

Start

Help and Support

Maintain

Software Updates

to access the page on the HP

website that provides software for the computer.

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

want to download.

In the download:

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

Make a note of the date, name, or other identifier. You might need this information to locate

the update later, after it has been downloaded to the 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 the hard drive where the BIOS update is

downloaded. Access this path when you are ready to install the update.

Updating the BIOS