HP AY581AA - Manual

Welcome 1 Welcome Features The HP TouchSmart PC is a touch-enabled high-performance computer built into a high-definition * 50.8-cm (20-in) diagonal widescreen display. ** The slim computer offers features such as an adjustable webcam, a CD/DVD and Blu-ray player and burner, Bluetooth capability, am...

2 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Cables and accessories What’s in the box Power cord Use to connect computer to power source. Keyboard and mouse (wireless option shown with receiver) Use to control some functions and software, instead of using touch. Batteries installed (select models). Cle...

4 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Front and right side of the HP TouchSmart PC Features and configurations vary by model Item Description A LCD display optimized for touch State-of-the-art 50.8-cm (20-in) diagonal widescreen high-definition display with HP BrightView technology.* HP BrightVi...

6 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Left side of the HP TouchSmart PC Features and configurations vary by model Item Function A Volume and mute controls Adjust the sound level up or down, or mute the sound. B Ambient Light button (select models only) The HP TouchSmart Ambient Light casts a glo...

Welcome 7 Back of the HP TouchSmart PC Features and configurations vary by model Item Function A Security lock slot Insert a security lock (sold separately), which enables you to secure your computer from theft and unwanted changes. B Gigabit Ethernet LAN (10/100/1G) Connect to the Internet through ...

8 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Activity LED indicator lights The following are the activity indicator light-emitting diodes (LEDs) on your HP TouchSmart PC: K S-Video In (TV tuner models only) Capture analog video from a video camera, or connect to a set-top box for TV input. LED What it ...

Welcome 9 Connecting the Power Source Route the power cord through the opening in the computer stand and plug the power cord directly into the back of the computer. Plug the power cord into an AC power source through a surge protector/uninterruptible power supply (UPS). Cable Management The HP Touch...

Welcome 11 Computer Swivel The computer allows a usable range of motion with the swivel feature. Wireless Keyboard and Mouse Select models only Your wireless keyboard and mouse are easy to set up. Just remove the battery tabs from both the keyboard and the mouse. Also, make sure the Power switch on ...

12 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Synchronizing the wireless keyboard or mouse The wireless keyboard and mouse are pre-synchronized, for your convenience, to work with your HP TouchSmart PC. The keyboard and mouse should work immediately after you pull the battery tabs to activate the prein...

Welcome 13 Ambient Light Select models only The HP TouchSmart Ambient Light casts a cool white glow from the base of the computer. By default, the Ambient Light is turned off when you turn on the computer. Press the Ambient Light button on the left side of the computer to turn the Ambient Light on. ...

14 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Connecting to the Internet Your HP TouchSmart PC is designed to support a wireless (select models only) or wired LAN that connects your computer to other devices, such as printers and other PCs. The network connection to the Internet is usually through a br...

Welcome 15 Wired home network First-time wired network installation requires that you: 1 Purchase high-speed Internet service from an Internet service provider (ISP). 2 Purchase a broadband modem (DSL or cable). This may be provided by the ISP. 3 Purchase and install a wired router (sold separately)...

16 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Bluetooth Devices Select models only Some models of the HP TouchSmart PC are Bluetooth-enabled, so that you can connect all kinds of Bluetooth-enabled wireless devices. Bluetooth devices create a personal area network (PAN), which connects other Bluetooth d...

Welcome 17 Connecting the TV signal source to the computer Select models only To connect a TV signal to the computer, your computer needs a TV tuner, which is included with select models only. You also may need to purchase some cables separately. Connect the coaxial cable from your TV antenna or TV ...

18 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Using a set-top box with Windows Media Center (optional step) Sold separately Refer to your set-top box documentation for more details. 1 Connect an S-Video cable to the S-Video In connector ( A ), located at the back of the computer behind the connector co...

Welcome 19 The IR emitter cable is a remote control sensing device that connects to the computer and covers the remote sensor on a set-top box. When you are selecting TV channels in Windows Media Center, it enables the remote control to work with your set-top box. 1 Connect the IR emitter cable ( A ...

20 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Sound Options Your HP TouchSmart PC supports the following speaker options: Built-in analog stereo speakers Analog 2.0 or 2.1 powered speakers Digital 3.1, 4.1, or 5.1 powered speakers Audio receiver Headphones Connecting analog speakers For 2.0 powered spe...

Welcome 21 To enable digital speakers or an audio receiver, use the SoundMAX software that came with the computer: 1 Tap the SoundMAX icon on the taskbar. 2 Tap the Volume button. 3 In the SPDIF area, select the Default button. 4 Configure the sound to your preferences by using the SoundMAX Listenin...

22 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Configuring sound for Windows Media Center After you have installed, connected, and configured the speakers, configure audio output for Windows Media Center: 1 Tap the Start button. 2 Tap Windows Media Center . 3 Follow the directions for setting up sound, ...

Welcome 23 Power Settings Basic power settings help conserve energy or enhance computer performance. You can also customize power settings for your computer hardware. For example, you can set your computer to go to sleep after a specified period of inactivity. If the computer is in Sleep mode, it “w...

24 User Guide (Features may vary by model) To turn off the monitor from the keyboard: Press the Fn key and simultaneously press the F9 key to turn off the monitor if you are leaving for some time. The computer continues to run; this is a power-saving feature. Press Fn + F9 again to turn the monitor ...

Welcome 25 Cleaning the HP TouchSmart PC Screen Before cleaning the touch screen, you must disable it by turning off the computer. If the computer is not turned off, the touch screen is enabled, and you could lose data while cleaning it. For optimal touch performance, the HP TouchSmart PC screen req...

26 User Guide (Features may vary by model) The following graphic shows correct body and monitor positioning: The following graphic shows incorrect usage: Recycling Your Old Computer Hardware Disposing of electronic waste responsibly has been an HP priority for more than 20 years. If this computer is...

Software Overview 27 Software Overview What Is HP TouchSmart Software? The HP TouchSmart software suite comes preinstalled on your new computer. HP TouchSmart is designed to maximize the touch features on your new computer. You can personalize HP TouchSmart for quick access to your favorite online p...

Software Overview 29 Touch Techniques Outside HP TouchSmart Software To use software and navigate the Windows desktop, you can use the touch screen, keyboard, mouse, or remote control (included with select models only). Some tasks, such as HP TouchSmart programs, browsing the Internet, or accessing ...

30 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Except for the Music tile, applications close as they are dragged to the lower tile row. You can play and control music at any time by using the music icons that appear at the top right of the screen. Creating new tiles 1 Open the HP TouchSmart homepage by ...

Software Overview 31 Hiding tiles To temporarily hide a tile: 1 From the HP TouchSmart homepage, tap the Personalize button. 2 In the list of tiles, tap a tile that is enabled. 3 Tap Hide tile in HP TouchSmart in the Visibility field. 4 Tap Done to save your changes and return to the HP TouchSmart h...

Software Overview 33 Photo library You can view any photos you have on your hard drive with HP TouchSmart Photos. To get photos from your camera: 1 Remove the memory card from your camera, and insert it into the memory card reader on the lower-right side of the computer. (Alternatively, use the USB ...

34 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Hiding photos You can hide some of your photos so they do not show up in HP TouchSmart Photo. 1 From your Windows desktop, browse to the photo or folder you do not want to show in the Photos tile in HP TouchSmart Photo. 2 Right-click the photo, and click Pr...

Software Overview 35 Moving music files into HP TouchSmart Music First, put music files on your hard drive in your Music folder: 1 Click the Start button, and click Music . 2 Navigate to the library where you want your music stored—either the Music folder or the iTunes folder within the Music folder...

Software Overview 37 Music Store Not available in all countries/regions. Internet connection required. The Music Store option within the Music tile gives you free access to millions of songs. If you do not have a subscription to Rhapsody, you can still hear 30 seconds of any song in its catalogs. Wi...

38 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Webcam and microphone A built-in webcam and microphone array are located at the top of your computer. Use them to capture videos and have video chats and conference calls using instant messaging software (download the instant messaging software of your choi...

Software Overview 39 Making a video 1 To access the webcam, tap the Video tile to start. 2 At the bottom of the window, tap the Webcam button. 3 A viewing box opens on the screen and displays what the webcam sees; tilt the screen or move yourself to get a better view. 4 If you need time to set up, t...

Software Overview 41 HP TouchSmart Movie Themes With the Movie Themes option on the Video tile, you can make your movies have the same look and feel as some of your favorite films. Tap the tile to open it, and view your options, such as a classic black and white look, or a science fiction look and f...

42 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Deleting notes To delete a note: 1 Open HP TouchSmart, and select the Notes tile. 2 Press and drag the note to delete into the Recycle Bin in the bottom right corner of the window. 3 Tap the Recycle Bin icon to open it, tap to select the items you want to d...

Software Overview 43 HP TouchSmart Recipe Box Not available in all countries/regions. Internet connection required. The Recipe Box tile is an interactive way to have your computer dictate recipe ingredients and procedures while you cook. As you do the preparation and cooking, the computer talks you ...

44 User Guide (Features may vary by model) HP TouchSmart Netflix Not available in all countries/regions An Internet connection and a Netflix account is required. With Netflix you can instantly watch movies (even some new releases) and TV episodes streamed from Netflix to your computer. Tap the tile ...

Remote Control 47 Remote Control Using the remote control Select models only The remote control works with Windows Media Center and other software. This remote control helps you navigate on the computer just as a TV remote control helps you navigate cable TV options or control the playback of a movi...

48 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Remote control buttons 1 On/Off — Puts the computer into and out of a power-reduced Sleep mode. It does not turn the computer off. 2 Visualization — Displays visual imagery synchronized to the sound of the music tracks. 3 Music — (Windows Media Center only)...

Software Troubleshooting and System Recovery 51 Software Troubleshooting and System Recovery Software Troubleshooting Your computer uses the operating system and installed software programs during normal operation. If your computer works improperly or stops because of the software, you may be able t...

52 User Guide (Features may vary by model) Microsoft System Restore Microsoft Windows 7 includes a feature that enables you to restore your computer configuration to a configuration that was in use before the current software problem existed. The feature does this by creating a restore point where i...

Software Troubleshooting and System Recovery 53 To uninstall a program: 1 Close all software programs and folders. 2 Uninstall the damaged program: a Click the Start button, and then click Control Panel . b Under Programs, click Uninstall a program . c Select the program you want to remove, and then...

54 User Guide (Features may vary by model) System Recovery System recovery completely erases and reformats the hard disk drive, deleting all data files you have created. System recovery reinstalls the operating system, programs, and drivers. However, you must reinstall any software that was not inst...

Software Troubleshooting and System Recovery 55 System recovery options You should attempt a system recovery in the following order: 1 Through the hard disk drive, from the Windows 7 Start menu. 2 Through the hard disk drive, by pressing the F11 key on the keyboard during system startup. 3 Through r...

56 User Guide (Features may vary by model) 6 If you are prompted to back up your files, and you have not done so, select Back up your files first (recommended) button, and then tap Next . Otherwise, select Recover without backing up your files button, and then tap Next . System recovery begins. Afte...

Software Troubleshooting and System Recovery 57 Additional Troubleshooting For additional troubleshooting solutions, refer to the following: HP Support Assistant HP Support Assistant helps you maintain your PC performance and resolve problems faster with automated updates, onboard diagnostics, and g...

Index 59 Index Numerics 32-bit system 13 64-bit system 13 A AC adapter 9 adapter, composite video-to-S-Video 18 album art 35 Ambient Light feature 6 , 13 audio Line In connector 6 Line Out connector 7 troubleshooting 20 Windows Media Center 22 B backup 53 backup discs, creating 53 Bluetooth antenna ...