HP B5F63UAR#ABA manual Maintaining your computer, Improving performance, Handling drives

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8 Maintaining your computer

It is important to perform regular maintenance to keep your computer in optimal condition. This chapter provides information about improving the performance of your computer by running tools such as Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup and by replacing a hard drive or adding memory. It also provides information about updating your programs and drivers, instructions for cleaning your computer, and tips for traveling with your computer.

Improving performance

Everyone wants a fast computer and by performing regular maintenance tasks, using tools such as Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup, you can drastically improve the performance of your computer. Also, as your computer gets older, you might consider installing larger drives and adding more memory.

Handling drives

Observe these precautions when handling drives:

●Before removing or installing a drive, shut down the computer. If you are unsure whether the computer is off, in the Sleep state, or in Hibernation, turn the computer on, and then shut it down through the operating system.

●Before handling a drive, discharge static electricity by touching the unpainted metal surface of the drive.

●Do not touch the connector pins on a removable drive or on the computer.

●Do not use excessive force when inserting a drive into a drive bay.

●When the battery is the only source of power, be sure that the battery is sufficiently charged before writing to media.

●If a drive must be mailed, place the drive in a bubble-pack mailer or other suitable protective packaging and label the package “FRAGILE.”

●Avoid exposing a drive to magnetic fields. Security devices with magnetic fields include airport walk-through devices and security wands. Airport conveyer belts and similar security devices that check carry-on baggage use X-rays instead of magnetism and do not damage drives.

●Remove media from a drive before removing the drive from the drive bay, or traveling with, shipping, or storing a drive.

●Do not type on the keyboard or move the computer while an optical drive is writing to a disc. The write process is sensitive to vibration.

●Before you move a computer that is connected to an external hard drive, initiate Sleep and allow the screen to clear, or properly disconnect the external hard drive.

Replacing a hard drive

CAUTION: Drives are fragile computer components that must be handled with care. Do not drop a drive, place items on it, or expose it to liquids, or temperature or humidity extremes. See Handling drives on page 45 for specific precautions when handling drives.

Improving performance 45

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Contents User Guide Software terms Product noticeSafety warning notice Iv Safety warning notice Table of contents Using the keyboard and pointing devices Shutting down the computer Input power Operating environment Electrostatic Discharge Index Page Best practices Starting rightFun things to do More HP resources Resource ContentsComponent Description Speakers Produce sound Getting to know your computerFinding your hardware and software information FrontComponent Description Right sideEnvironmental Notices Left sideGetting to know your computer Communication and Chat CyberLink YouCam DisplayTouchPad TopLights Buttons Fn key KeysBottom Component LabelsUsing the wireless button Connecting to a networkConnecting to a wireless network Using the wireless controlsUsing an Internet service provider Using a WlanConfiguring a wireless router Setting up a WlanProtecting your Wlan Connecting to a Wlan Connecting to a wired networkUsing Bluetooth wireless devices select models only Connecting to a local area network LANPage Multimedia Features Enjoying entertainment featuresConnecting headphones Using the webcamUsing audio Connecting speakersChecking the sound Using videoConnecting a microphone Connecting a VGA monitor or projectorConnecting an Hdmi TV or monitor Configuring audio settings with Hdmi TV Managing your audio and video files Using the keyboard and pointing devices Using the action keys Using ALT GR key combinationsIcon Key Description Using the TouchPad Using the hot keysFunction Hot key Description Turning the TouchPad off or on Selecting NavigatingSelect Start Control Panel Hardware and Sound Using TouchPad gesturesPinching/Zooming ScrollingFlicking RotatingUsing Sleep or Hibernation Managing powerInitiating and exiting Sleep Initiating and exiting Hibernation Using the power meterSelecting a power plan Setting password protection on wakeupRemoving a user-replaceable battery Running on battery powerStoring a user-replaceable battery Finding battery informationConserving battery power Identifying low battery levelsShutting down the computer Running on external powerDisposing of a user-replaceable battery Replacing a user-replaceable batterySelect Start Shut down Type Description Using a USB deviceConnecting a USB device Managing and sharing informationRemoving a USB device Inserting and removing a digital storage cardUsing optical drives Inserting an optical disc Removing an optical disc Sharing drives on the network Replacing a hard drive Maintaining your computerImproving performance Handling drivesPage Page Using Disk Cleanup Using Disk DefragmenterAdding or replacing memory modules Page Updating programs and drivers Cleaning your computerCleaning the TouchPad and keyboard Cleaning the display, sides, and coverTraveling with or shipping your computer Page Locating your security software Using passwordsComputer risk Security feature Securing your computer and informationPassword Function Setting Windows passwordsSetting Setup Utility Bios passwords Using Internet security softwareUsing antivirus software Installing Windows security updates Installing software updatesSecuring your wireless network Using firewall softwareBacking up your software applications and information Using an optional security cable lockDetermining the Bios version Using Setup Utility Bios and System DiagnosticsStarting Setup Utility Bios Updating the BiosDownloading a Bios update Using System DiagnosticsPage What you need to know Backing up, restoring, and recoveringCreating backups Creating recovery media to recover the original systemCreating a system restore point Creating system restore pointsBacking up system and personal information Creating a backup using Windows Backup and Restore Tips for a successful backupRestoring specific files using Windows Backup and Restore Restore and recoveryRestoring to a previous system restore point Recovering the original system using HP Recovery ManagerRecovering using the recovery media Recovering using HP Recovery partition select models onlyPage Input power SpecificationsOperating environment Troubleshooting and support Disc drive problems TroubleshootingWireless connection problems Cannot connect to a preferred network Cannot connect to a WlanCurrent network security codes are unavailable Wlan connection is very weak Cannot connect to the wireless routerNetwork status icon is not displayed Power management problems Audio problemsResolving a low battery level Troubleshooting an AC adapter Contacting support Electrostatic Discharge Index BiosWlan
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