HP Pavilion dv7-4200 Entertainment Notebook PC series User guide

Notebook PC User Guide

Development Company, L.P.

Bluetooth is a trademark owned by its

proprietor and used by Hewlett-Packard

Company under license. Intel is a trademark

of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other

countries. Microsoft and Windows are U.S.

registered trademarks of Microsoft

Corporation. SD Logo is a trademark of its

proprietor.

The information contained herein is subject

to change without notice. The only

warranties for HP products and services are

set forth in the express warranty statements

accompanying such products and services.

Nothing herein should be construed as

constituting an additional warranty. HP shall

not be liable for technical or editorial errors

or omissions contained herein.

First Edition: April 2010

Document Part Number: 597857-001

Product notice

This user guide describes features that are

common to most models. Some features

might not be available on the computer.

Safety warning notice

WARNING! To reduce the possibility of heat-related injuries or of overheating the computer, do not

place the computer directly on your lap or obstruct the computer air vents. Use the computer only on a

hard, flat surface. Do not allow another hard surface, such as an adjoining optional printer, or a soft

surface, such as pillows or rugs or clothing, to block airflow. Also, do not allow the AC adapter to contact

the skin or a soft surface, such as pillows or rugs or clothing, during operation. The computer and the

AC adapter comply with the user-accessible surface temperature limits defined by the International

Standard for Safety of Information Technology Equipment (IEC 60950).

iii

iv Safety warning notice

Table of contents

1 Features ........................................................................................................................................................... 1

Identifying hardware ............................................................................................................................. 1

Components ......................................................................................................................................... 2

Top components .................................................................................................................. 2

TouchPad ............................................................................................................ 2

TouchPad buttons ............................................................................................... 3

Lights ................................................................................................................... 4

Buttons and Fingerprint Reader (select models only) ......................................... 5

Keys .................................................................................................................... 6

Front components ................................................................................................................ 6

Right-side components ........................................................................................................ 7

Left-side components .......................................................................................................... 7

Bottom components ............................................................................................................. 8

Display components ............................................................................................................ 9

Wireless antennas (select models only) ............................................................................ 10

Additional hardware components ...................................................................................... 10

Labels ................................................................................................................................................. 12

2 Wireless, local area network, and modem .................................................................................................. 13

Using wireless devices ....................................................................................................................... 13

Identifying wireless and network status icons .................................................................... 13

Using the wireless controls ................................................................................................ 14

Using the wireless key ....................................................................................................... 14

Using HP Wireless Assistant ............................................................................................. 15

Using operating system controls ........................................................................................ 15

Using a WLAN .................................................................................................................................... 15

Setting up a WLAN ............................................................................................................ 16

Protecting your WLAN ....................................................................................................... 16

Connecting to a WLAN ...................................................................................................... 17

Roaming to another network .............................................................................................. 18

Using Bluetooth wireless devices (select models only) ...................................................................... 19

Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) ............................................................. 19

Connecting to a local area network .................................................................................................... 20

v

3 Pointing devices and keyboard ................................................................................................................... 21

Using pointing devices ....................................................................................................................... 21

Setting pointing device preferences ................................................................................... 21

Using the TouchPad .......................................................................................................... 21

Turning the TouchPad on and off ...................................................................... 22

Using TouchPad gestures ................................................................................. 22

Scrolling ............................................................................................................ 22

Pinching ............................................................................................................ 23

Rotating ............................................................................................................. 23

Connecting an external mouse .......................................................................................... 24

Using the action keys ......................................................................................................................... 25

Using the hotkeys ............................................................................................................................... 26

Using the keypads .............................................................................................................................. 27

Using an integrated numeric keypad ................................................................................. 27

Using an optional external numeric keypad ....................................................................... 27

Cleaning the TouchPad and keyboard ............................................................................................... 28

4 Multimedia ..................................................................................................................................................... 29

Multimedia features ............................................................................................................................ 29

Identifying your multimedia components ........................................................................... 30

Adjusting the volume ......................................................................................................... 31

Using the media activity keys ............................................................................................ 31

Multimedia software ........................................................................................................................... 33

Using HP MediaSmart software ......................................................................................... 33

Using other preinstalled multimedia software .................................................................... 33

Installing multimedia software from a disc ......................................................................... 33

Audio .................................................................................................................................................. 34

Connecting external audio devices .................................................................................... 34

Checking your audio functions ........................................................................................... 34

Video .................................................................................................................................................. 35

Connecting an external monitor or projector ...................................................................... 35

Connecting an HDMI device .............................................................................................. 35

Configuring audio for HDMI (select models only) .............................................. 36

Webcam ............................................................................................................................................. 37

5 Power management ...................................................................................................................................... 38

Setting power options ......................................................................................................................... 38

Using power-saving states ................................................................................................. 38

Initiating and exiting Sleep ................................................................................ 38

Initiating and exiting Hibernation ....................................................................... 39

Using the battery meter ..................................................................................................... 39

Using power plans ............................................................................................................. 39

Viewing the current power plan ......................................................................... 40

vi

Selecting a different power plan ........................................................................ 40

Customizing power plans .................................................................................. 40

Setting password protection on wakeup ............................................................................ 40

Using external AC power .................................................................................................................... 41

Connecting the AC adapter ............................................................................................... 41

Using battery power ........................................................................................................................... 43

Finding battery information in Help and Support ............................................................... 43

Using Battery Check .......................................................................................................... 43

Displaying the remaining battery charge ........................................................................... 44

Inserting or removing the battery ....................................................................................... 44

Charging a battery ............................................................................................................. 45

Maximizing battery discharge time .................................................................................... 45

Managing low battery levels .............................................................................................. 46

Identifying low battery levels ............................................................................. 46

Resolving a low battery level ............................................................................. 46

Resolving a low battery level when external power is available ....... 46

Resolving a low battery level when a charged battery is

available ........................................................................................... 46

Resolving a low battery level when no power source is

available ........................................................................................... 46

Resolving a low battery level when the computer cannot exit

Hibernation ....................................................................................... 46

Calibrating a battery ........................................................................................................... 47

Conserving battery power .................................................................................................. 48

Storing a battery ................................................................................................................ 49

Disposing of a used battery ............................................................................................... 49

Replacing the battery ......................................................................................................... 49

Switching between graphics modes (select models only) .................................................................. 50

Shutting down the computer ............................................................................................................... 51

6 Drives ............................................................................................................................................................. 52

Handling drives ................................................................................................................................... 52

Optical drive ....................................................................................................................................... 53

Identifying the installed optical drive .................................................................................. 53

Using optical discs ............................................................................................................. 53

Selecting the right disc (CDs, DVDs, and BDs) ................................................................. 54

CD-R discs ........................................................................................................ 54

CD-RW discs ..................................................................................................... 54

DVD±R discs ..................................................................................................... 54

DVD±RW discs ................................................................................................. 54

LightScribe DVD+R discs .................................................................................. 54

Blu-ray discs (BD) ............................................................................................. 54

Playing a CD, DVD, or BD ................................................................................................. 55

Configuring AutoPlay ......................................................................................................... 56

vii

Changing DVD region settings .......................................................................................... 56

Observing the copyright warning ....................................................................................... 56

Copying a CD or DVD ........................................................................................................ 57

Creating (burning) a CD or DVD ........................................................................................ 57

Removing a CD, DVD, or BD ............................................................................................. 58

Using external drives .......................................................................................................................... 60

Improving hard drive performance ..................................................................................................... 61

Using Disk Defragmenter ................................................................................................... 61

Using Disk Cleanup ........................................................................................................... 61

Replacing a drive in the primary hard drive bay ................................................................................. 62

Replacing a drive in the secondary hard drive bay ............................................................................ 65

7 External devices ............................................................................................................................................ 68

Using a USB device ........................................................................................................................... 68

Connecting a USB device .................................................................................................. 68

Removing a USB device .................................................................................................... 68

Using an eSATA device ..................................................................................................................... 69

Connecting an eSATA device ............................................................................................ 69

Removing an eSATA device .............................................................................................. 69

8 External media cards .................................................................................................................................... 71

Using Digital Media Slot cards ........................................................................................................... 71

Inserting a digital card ........................................................................................................ 71

Removing a digital card ..................................................................................................... 72

9 Memory modules .......................................................................................................................................... 73

10 Security ........................................................................................................................................................ 77

Protecting the computer ..................................................................................................................... 77

Using passwords ................................................................................................................................ 78

Setting passwords in Windows .......................................................................................... 78

Setting passwords in Setup Utility ..................................................................................... 79

Administrator password ..................................................................................... 79

Managing an administrator password ............................................... 79

Entering an administrator password ................................................. 80

Power-on password .......................................................................................... 80

Managing a power-on password ...................................................... 80

Entering a power-on password ......................................................... 80

Using antivirus software ..................................................................................................................... 81

Using firewall software ....................................................................................................................... 81

Installing critical security updates ....................................................................................................... 82

Installing an optional security cable .................................................................................................... 82

Using the Fingerprint Reader (select models only) ............................................................................ 83

viii

Locating the Fingerprint Reader ........................................................................................ 83

Registering fingerprints ...................................................................................................... 83

Using your registered fingerprint to log on to Windows ..................................................... 84

11 Troubleshooting .......................................................................................................................................... 85

Cannot connect to a WLAN ................................................................................................................ 85

Cannot connect to a preferred network .............................................................................................. 86

Network icon is not displayed ............................................................................................................. 86

Current network security codes are unavailable ................................................................................ 86

WLAN connection is very weak .......................................................................................................... 87

Cannot connect to the wireless router ................................................................................................ 87

The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD, a DVD, or a BD ......................................... 88

The computer does not detect the CD, DVD, or BD drive .................................................................. 88

A CD, DVD, or BD does not play ........................................................................................................ 89

A CD, DVD, or BD does not play automatically .................................................................................. 90

A DVD or BD movie stops, skips, or plays erratically ......................................................................... 90

A DVD or BD movie is not visible on an external display ................................................................... 90

The process of burning a CD or DVD does not begin, or it stops before completion ......................... 91

A DVD or BD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or display ................................ 91

A device driver must be reinstalled .................................................................................................... 91

Obtaining the latest HP device drivers ............................................................................... 92

Obtaining the latest Windows device drivers ..................................................................... 92

Appendix A Setup Utility (BIOS) ..................................................................................................................... 93

Starting Setup Utility ........................................................................................................................... 93

Using Setup Utility .............................................................................................................................. 94

Changing the language of Setup Utility ............................................................................. 94

Navigating and selecting in Setup Utility ............................................................................ 94

Displaying system information ........................................................................................... 94

Restoring default settings in Setup Utility .......................................................................... 95

Exiting Setup Utility ............................................................................................................ 95

Setup Utility menus ............................................................................................................................ 96

Main menu ......................................................................................................................... 96

Security menu .................................................................................................................... 96

System Configuration menu .............................................................................................. 96

Diagnostics menu .............................................................................................................. 97

Appendix B Software updates ........................................................................................................................ 98

Updating the BIOS ............................................................................................................................. 99

Determining the BIOS version ........................................................................................... 99

Downloading a BIOS update ............................................................................................. 99

Updating programs and drivers ........................................................................................................ 100

ix

Appendix C 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

Index ................................................................................................................................................................. 107

x

1Features

Identifying hardware

To see a list of hardware installed on the computer:

1. Select Start > Control Panel > System and Security.

2. In the System area, click Device Manager.

Use Device Manager to add hardware or modify device configurations.

NOTE: Windows® includes the User Account Control feature that improves the security of the

computer. You might be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing

applications, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. For more information, see Help and

Support.

Identifying hardware 1

Components

Top components

TouchPad

Component Function

TouchPad Moves the pointer and selects or activates items on the screen.

To view or change the pointing device preferences:

1. Select Start > Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click the device representing the computer.

3. Select Mouse settings.

2 Chapter 1 Features

TouchPad buttons

Item Description Function

1 TouchPad On/Off button Turns the TouchPad on and off. Press and hold

the button for two seconds to turn the TouchPad

on and off.

2 Left TouchPad button Functions like the left button on an external

mouse.

3 Right TouchPad button Functions like the right button on an external

mouse.

To view or change pointing device preferences:

1. Select Start > Devices and Printers.

2. Right-click the device representing your computer.

3. Select Mouse settings.

Components 3

Lights

Item Description Function

1 Caps Lock light On—The Caps Lock is on.

2 Power light

●

On—The computer is on.

●

Flashing—The computer is in Sleep.

●

Off—The computer is off or in Hibernation.

3 Volume Mute light Amber—The computer sound is off.

4 Wireless light

●

White—An integrated wireless device, such as a wireless

local area network (WLAN) device and/or a Bluetooth®

device, is detected.

●

Amber—No wireless devices are detected.

5 TouchPad light Amber—The TouchPad is disabled.

6 Fingerprint Reader light

●

White—The fingerprint was read.

●

Amber—The fingerprint was not read.

4 Chapter 1 Features

Buttons and Fingerprint Reader (select models only)

Item Description Function

1 Power button Press the Power button to:

●

Turn on the computer.

●

Initiate Sleep.

●

Exit Sleep.

●

Exit Hibernation.

If the computer has stopped responding and Windows shutdown

procedures are ineffective, press and hold the Power button for at

least 5 seconds to shut down the computer.

For more information about the power settings, select Start >

Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options.

2 Fingerprint Reader (select models only) Allows a fingerprint logon to Windows, instead of a password

logon.

This table describes the factory settings. For information about changing the factory settings, see Help

and Support.

Components 5

Keys

Item Description Function

1 esc key Press the esc and fn keys at the same time to display system

information.

2 fn key Press the fn key at the same time as a function key or the esc key

to execute frequently used system functions.

3 Windows Logo key Displays the Windows Start menu.

4 Windows Applications key Displays a shortcut menu for items beneath the cursor.

5 Integrated numeric keypad Functions like the keys on an external numeric keypad.

6 Function keys Press a function key and the fn key at the same time to execute

frequently used system functions.

Front components

Description Function

Speakers Produce sound.

6 Chapter 1 Features

Right-side components

Item Description Function

1 Power light

●

On—The computer is on.

●

Flashing—The computer is in Sleep.

●

Off—The computer is off or in Hibernation.

2 Hard Disk Drive light

●

White—The hard disk drive is active.

●

Amber—The hard disk drive is parked.

3 USB ports (2) Connect optional USB devices.

4 Optical Drive light Flashing—Accessing the optical drive.

5 Optical drive Reads optical discs and, on select models, writes to optical discs.

6 AC Adapter light

●

On—The computer is connected to external power.

●

Off—The computer is not connected to external power.

7 Power connector Connects an AC adapter.

8 Security Cable slot Connects an optional security cable. The security cable is designed

to act as a deterrent, but might not prevent the computer from being

mishandled or stolen.

Left-side components

Components 7

Item Description Function

1 Vents (2) Enable airflow to cool internal components.

NOTE: The computer fan starts up automatically to cool internal

components and prevent overheating. It is normal for the internal

fan to cycle on and off during routine operation.

2 External Monitor port Connects an external VGA monitor or projector.

3 RJ-45 (network) jack Connects a network cable.

4 HDMI port Connects an optional video or audio device, such as a high-

definition television, or any compatible digital or audio component.

5 eSATA/USB port (select models only) Connects an optional high-performance eSATA component, such

as an eSATA external hard drive, or connects an optional USB

device.

NOTE: Depending on the computer model, the computer might

include only a USB port.

6 USB port Connects an optional USB device.

7 Audio-in (microphone) jack Connects an optional computer headset microphone, stereo array

microphone, monarural microphone.

8 Audio-out (headphone) jack Produces sound when connected to optional powered stereo

speakers, headphones, ear buds, a headset, or television audio.

9 SD card reader Reads SD cards that are inserted into the reader.

Bottom components

8 Chapter 1 Features

Item Description Function

1 Battery bay Holds the battery.

2 Battery Release latch Releases the battery from the battery bay.

3 Vents (7) Enable airflow to cool internal components.

NOTE: The computer fan starts up automatically to cool internal

components and prevent overheating. It is normal for the internal

fan to cycle on and off during routine operation.

4 Primary Hard Drive bay Holds the primary hard drive, the memory module slots, and the

WLAN module (select models only).

CAUTION: To prevent an unresponsive system, replace the

wireless module with a wireless module authorized for use by the

governmental agency that regulates wireless devices in your

country or region. If you replace the module and then receive a

warning message, remove the module to restore computer

functionality, and then contact technical support through Help and

Support.

5 Integrated subwoofer Provides superior bass sound.

Display components

Item Description Function

1 Internal microphones (2) Record sound.

2 Webcam light On—The webcam is in use.

3 Webcam Records video, and captures still photographs.

Components 9

Wireless antennas (select models only)

On select computer models, at least two antennas (1, 2) send and receive signals from one or more

wireless devices. These antennas are not visible from the outside of the computer.

NOTE: For optimal transmission, keep the areas immediately around the antennas free from

obstructions.

To review wireless regulatory notices, see the country-specific section of the Regulatory, Safety and

Environmental Notices chapter in Help and Support.

Additional hardware components

10 Chapter 1 Features

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