HP C2L36UA#ABA, C7S02UA#ABA 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 or in the Sleep state, 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.

58 Chapter 8 Maintaining your computer

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Contents User Guide Product notice Software termsSafety warning notice Iv Safety warning notice Table of contents Enjoying entertainment features Using the integrated numeric keypad Maintaining your computer Input power Operating environment Page Starting right Best practicesFun things to do Resource Contents More HP resourcesGetting to know your computer Finding your hardware and software informationFront Locating hardwareRight side Initiating Sleep and Hibernation onGetting to know your computer Left side Rear Display Select CyberLink YouCamTop TouchPadLights Buttons, speakers, and fingerprint reader Hibernation onKeys Sound , and then select Beats Audio Control PanelNum lock key Bottom Labels ComponentConnecting to a network Connecting to a wireless networkUsing the wireless controls Using the wireless buttonUsing an Internet service provider Using a WlanUsing operating system controls Protecting your Wlan Setting up a WlanConfiguring a wireless router Using Bluetooth wireless devices select models only Connecting to a WlanConnecting to a wired network Connecting to a local area network LANEnjoying entertainment features Multimedia FeaturesAudio Control Panel Using the webcamHardware and Sound , and then select Beats Using audio Connecting speakersConnecting headphones Connecting a microphoneUsing video Checking the soundConnecting a VGA monitor or projector Connecting an Hdmi device Managing your audio and video files Using Intel Wireless Display select models onlyConfiguring audio settings with Hdmi TV Page Using the TouchPad Turning the TouchPad off or onUsing TouchPad gestures TappingScrolling Pinching/zoomingRotating select models only Finger click select models onlyRight-edge swipe Flicking select models onlyEdge swipes Top-edge swipe Left-edge swipeUsing the keyboard and mouse Using the keysUsing the action keys Icon Key DescriptionUsing Microsoft Windows 8 shortcut keys Shortcut Key DescriptionFunction Hot key Description Using the integrated numeric keypadUsing the hot keys Managing power Initiating and exiting Sleep Initiating Sleep and HibernationIntel Rapid Start Technology select models only Setting password protection on wakeup Enabling and exiting user-initiated hibernationUsing the power meter and power settings Selecting a power plan Running on battery power Factory-sealed batteryRemoving a user-replaceable battery Finding battery informationResolving a low battery level Conserving battery powerIdentifying low battery levels Running on external AC power Storing a user-replaceable batteryDisposing of a user-replaceable battery Replacing a user-replaceable batteryTroubleshooting power problems HP CoolSense select models only Page Shutting down turning off the computer Using a USB device Connecting a USB deviceManaging and sharing information Type DescriptionConnecting a powered USB device Removing a USB deviceInserting and removing a digital storage card Using optical drives Inserting an optical disc Removing an optical disc Sharing data and drives and accessing software Select Open Network and Sharing CenterHandling drives Maintaining your computerImproving performance Replacing a hard drive Page Using Disk Cleanup Using HP 3D DriveGuard select models onlyUsing Disk Defragmenter Adding or replacing memory modules Page Page Cleaning your computer Cleaning the display, sides, and coverCleaning the TouchPad and keyboard Updating programs and driversTraveling with or shipping your computer Computer risk Security feature Securing your computer and informationPassword Function Using passwordsSetting Windows passwords Using the fingerprint reader Setting Setup Utility Bios passwordsUsing HP SimplePass select models only Setting up Windows logonUsing your registered fingerprint to log on to Windows Registering fingerprintsUsing firewall software Using Internet security softwareUsing antivirus software Installing software updates Securing your wireless networkInstalling Windows updates Installing HP and third-party software updatesUsing an optional security cable lock Using Setup Utility Bios and System Diagnostics Starting Setup Utility BiosUpdating the Bios Determining the Bios versionDownloading a Bios update Using System Diagnostics Backing up, restoring, and recovering Creating recovery media and backups See Creating HP Recovery media onCreating HP Recovery media Restore and recovery Using Windows Refresh for quick and easy recovery Remove everything and reinstall WindowsRecovering using HP Recovery Manager What you need to knowUsing HP Recovery media to recover Removing the HP Recovery partition Changing the computer boot orderInput power Rating SpecificationsInput power Operating environment Electrostatic Discharge Bios IndexJacks