Drives User Guide
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Product notice This user guide describes features that are common to most models. Some features may not be available on your computer.
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Table of contents 1 Handling drives 2 Using an optical drive Identifying the installed optical drive ..................................................................................................... 3 Using optical discs ................................................................................................................................ 4 Selecting the right disc .........................................................................................................................
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1 Handling drives Drives are fragile computer components that must be handled with care. Refer to the following cautions before handling drives. Additional cautions are included with the procedures to which they apply. CAUTION: To reduce the risk of damage to the computer, damage to a drive, or loss of information, observe these precautions: Before you move a computer or external hard drive from one location, initiate Sleep, and allow the screen to clear.
2 Using an optical drive Your computer includes an optical drive that expands the functionality of the computer. Identify what kind of device is installed in your computer to see its capabilities. The optical drive allows you to read data discs, play music, and watch movies. If your computer includes a Blu-ray Disc ROM Drive, then you can also watch high-definition video from disc.
Identifying the installed optical drive ▲ Select Start > Computer. You will see a list of all the devices installed on your computer, including your optical drive. You may have one of the following types of drives: ● DVD±RW/R and CD-RW Double-Layer Combo Drive with Lightscribe ● Blu-ray ROM with Lightscribe DVD±R/RW SuperMulti DL Drive NOTE: Some of the drives listed above may not be supported by your computer.
Using optical discs An optical drive, such as a DVD-ROM drive, supports optical discs (CDs and DVDs). These discs store information, such as music, photos, and movies. DVDs have a higher storage capacity than CDs. Your optical drive can read standard CD and DVD discs. If your optical drive is a Blu-ray Disc ROM Drive, it can also read Blu-ray discs. NOTE: Some of the optical drives listed may not be supported by your computer. The listed drives are not necessarily all of the supported optical drives.
Selecting the right disc An optical drive supports optical discs (CDs and DVDs). CDs, used to store digital data, are also used for commercial audio recordings and are convenient for your personal storage needs. DVDs are used primarily for movies, software, and data backup purposes. DVDs are the same form factor as CDs but have 6 to 7 times the storage capacity. NOTE: The optical drive on your computer may not support all the types of optical discs discussed in this section.
Blu-ray Disc Also called BD, Blu-ray Disc is a high-density optical disc format for the storage of digital information, including high-definition video. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc can store 25 GB, over five times the size of the 4.7-GB single-layer DVD. A dual-layer Blu-ray Disc can store 50 GB, almost 6 times the size of the 8.5-GB dual-layer DVD.
Playing a CD or DVD 1. Turn on the computer. 2. Press the release button (1) on the drive bezel to release the disc tray. 3. Pull out the tray (2). 4. Hold the disc by the edges to avoid touching the flat surfaces and position the disc label-side up over the tray spindle. NOTE: If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully to position it over the spindle. 5. Gently press the disc (3) down onto the tray spindle until the disc snaps into place. 6. Close the disc tray.
Configuring AutoPlay 1. Select Start > Control Panel > Play CDs or other media automatically. 2. Confirm that the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices check box at the upper left of the computer screen is selected. 3. Click Choose a default, and then select one of the available options for each media type listed. 4. Click Save. NOTE: 8 For more information about AutoPlay, refer to Windows Help.
Changing DVD region settings Most DVDs that contain copyrighted files also contain region codes. The region codes help protect copyrights internationally. You can play a DVD containing a region code only if the region code on the DVD matches the region setting on your DVD drive. CAUTION: The region settings on your DVD drive can be changed only 5 times. The region setting you select the fifth time becomes the permanent region setting on the DVD drive.
Observing the copyright warning It is a criminal offense, under applicable copyright laws, to make unauthorized copies of copyrightprotected material, including computer programs, films, broadcasts, and sound recordings. Do not use this computer for such purposes. CAUTION: To prevent loss of information or damage to a disc, observe the following guidelines: Before writing to a disc, connect the computer to a reliable external power source.
Copying a CD or DVD 1. Select Start > All Programs > CyberLink DVD Suites > Power2Go. 2. Insert the disc you want to copy into the optical drive. 3. Click Copy at the bottom right of the screen. 4. When prompted, remove the source disc from the optical drive and insert a blank disc into the drive. After the information is copied, the disc you created ejects automatically.
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD If your computer includes a CD-RW, DVD-RW, or DVD±RW optical drive, you can use software such as Windows Media Player or CyberLink Power2Go to burn data and audio files, including MP3 and WAV music files. To burn video files to a CD or DVD, use MyDVD. Observe the following guidelines when burning a CD or DVD: ● Before burning a disc, save and close any open files and close all programs.
Removing an optical disc (CD or DVD) 1. Press the release button (1) on the drive bezel to release the disc tray, and then gently pull out the tray (2) until it stops. 2. Remove the disc (3) from the tray by gently pressing down on the spindle while lifting the outer edges of the disc. Hold the disc by the edges and avoid touching the flat surfaces. NOTE: 3. If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully as you remove it. Close the disc tray and place the disc in a protective case.
3 Improving hard drive performance Using Disk Defragmenter As you use the computer, files on the hard drive become fragmented. Disk Defragmenter consolidates the fragmented files and folders on the hard drive so that the system can run more efficiently. After you start Disk Defragmenter, it works without supervision. Depending on the size of your hard drive and the number of fragmented files, Disk Defragmenter may take more than an hour to complete.
4 Replacing the hard drive CAUTION: To prevent information loss or an unresponsive system: Shut down the computer before removing the hard drive from the hard drive bay. Do not remove the hard drive while the computer is on, in the Sleep state, or in Hibernation. If you are not sure whether the computer is off or in Hibernation, turn the computer on by pressing the power button. Then shut down the computer through the operating system. To remove the hard drive: 1. Save your work. 2.
16 8. Lift the hard drive cover away from the computer (2). 9. Remove the 3 hard drive screws.
10. Pull the hard drive tab to the left (1), and then lift the hard drive away from the computer (2). To install a hard drive: 1. Insert the hard drive into the hard drive bay (1). 2. Slide the hard drive to the right until it snaps into place (2).
18 3. Replace the 3 hard drive screws. 4. Align the tabs (1) on the hard drive cover with the notches on the computer. 5. Close the cover (2). 6. Tighten the hard drive cover screws (3).
5 Troubleshooting The following sections describe several common issues and resolutions.
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD or DVD 1. Insert the end of a paper clip (1) into the release access in the front bezel of the drive. 2. Press in gently on the paper clip until the disc tray is released, and then pull out the tray (2) until it stops. 3. Remove the disc (3) from the tray by gently pressing down on the spindle while lifting the outer edges of the disc. Hold the disc by the edges and avoid touching the flat surfaces.
The computer does not detect the optical drive If Windows does not detect an installed device, the device driver software may be missing or corrupted. If you suspect that the DVD/CD-ROM drive is not being detected, verify that the optical drive is listed in the Device Manager utility. 1. Remove any discs from the optical drive. 2. Click Start and type device manager in the Start Search box. As you type, search results are listed in the pane above the box. 3. In the results pane, click Device Manager.
A disc does not play ● Save your work and close all open programs before playing a CD or a DVD. ● Log off the Internet before playing a CD or a DVD. ● Be sure that you insert the disc properly. ● Be sure that the disc is clean. If necessary, clean the disc with filtered water and a lint-free cloth. Wipe from the center of the disc to the outer edge. ● Check the disc for scratches. If you find scratches, treat the disc with an optical disc repair kit available at many electronics stores.
A disc does not play automatically 1. Click Start and type autoplay in the Start Search box. As you type, search results are listed in the pane above the box. 2. In the results pane, click Autoplay. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue. 3. Select the check box for Use AutoPlay for all media and devices, and then click Save. A CD or DVD should now start automatically when it is inserted into the optical drive.
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion 24 ● Be sure that all other programs are closed. ● Turn off Sleep mode and Hibernation. ● Be sure that you are using the right kind of disc for your drive. See your user guides for more information about disc types. ● Be sure that the disc is inserted properly. ● Select a slower write speed and try again.
A DVD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or display Use DVD Play to play a DVD. DVD Play is installed on the computer, and it is also available from the HP Web site at http://www.hp.com.
A device driver must be reinstalled 1. Remove any discs from the optical drive. 2. Click Start and type device manager in the Start Search box. As you type, search results are listed in the pane above the box. 3. In the results pane, click Device Manager. If prompted by User Account Control, click Continue. 4.
3. Click your specific product from the models listed. 4. Click the Windows Vista® operating system. 5. When the list of drivers is displayed, click an updated driver to open a window containing additional information. 6. Click Install now to install the updated driver without downloading the file. – or – Click Download only to save the file to your computer. When prompted, click Save and then select a storage location on your hard drive.
Index A airport security devices 1 AutoPlay 8 C CD burning 12, 24 copying 11 playing 7 removing 13 CD drive 2, 4 copyright warning 10 D device drivers HP drivers 26 Windows drivers 27 Disk Cleanup software 14 Disk Defragmenter software 14 disk performance 14 drives caring for 1 hard 15, 17 optical 2 See also hard drive; optical drive drives, optical drive 4 DVD burning 12, 24 changing region setting 9 copying 11 playing 7 removing 13 DVD drive 2, 4 DVD region settings 9 H hard disk drive installing 17 remo
