HP B5Z56UA#ABA - Manual

More HP resources You have already used Setup Instructions to turn on the computer and locate this guide. To locate product details, how-to information, and more, use this table. Resource Contents Setup Instructions ● Overview of computer setup and features. Windows 8 Basics guide ● Overview of usin...

2 Getting to know your computer Finding your hardware and software information Locating hardware To find out what hardware is installed on your computer: 1. From the Start screen, type c , and then select Control Panel . 2. Select System and Security , and then in the System area, click Device Manag...

Component Description (5) Hard drive light ● Blinking white: The hard drive is being accessed. ● Amber: HP 3D DriveGuard has temporarily parked thehard drive. NOTE: For information about HP 3D DriveGuard, see Using HP 3D DriveGuard on page 49 . (6) USB 2.0 port Connects an optional USB device. NOTE:...

Display Component Description (1) WLAN antennas (2)* Send and receive wireless signals to communicate with wirelesslocal area networks (WLANs). (2) Internal microphone (1) Records sound. (3) HP TrueVision HD Webcam Records video, captures still photographs, and allows you tovideo conference and chat...

Top TouchPad Component Description (1) TouchPad on/off button Turns the TouchPad on or off. (2) TouchPad light ● Amber: The TouchPad is off. ● Off: The TouchPad is on. (3) TouchPad zone Moves the on-screen pointer and selects or activates itemson the screen. NOTE: The TouchPad also supports edge-swi...

Lights Component Description (1) Power light ● White: The computer is on. ● Blinking white: The computer is in the Sleep state,which is an energy-saving mode. The computer shutsoff power to the display and other unneededcomponents. ● Off: The computer is off or in Hibernation. Hibernationis an energ...

Buttons and speakers Component Description (1) Power button ● When the computer is off, press the button to turn onthe computer. ● When the computer is in the Sleep state, press thebutton briefly to exit Sleep. ● When the computer is in Hibernation, press the buttondown briefly to exit Hibernation. ...

Keys Component Description (1) esc key Displays system information when pressed in combinationwith the fn key. (2) fn key Displays system information when pressed in combinationwith the esc key. (3) Windows logo key Returns you to the Start screen from an open app or theDesktop. NOTE: Pressing the W...

Labels The labels affixed to the computer provide information you may need when you troubleshoot systemproblems or travel internationally with the computer. The labels are in easily accessible locations. ● Service label—Provides important information, including the following: NOTE: Your label may lo...

3 Connecting to a network Your computer can travel with you wherever you go. But even at home, you can explore the globeand access information from millions of websites using your computer and a wired or wirelessnetwork connection. This chapter will help you get connected to that world. Connecting t...

To use operating system controls: 1. From the Start screen, type n , and then select Settings . 2. Type network and sharing in the search box, and then select Network and Sharing Center . For more information, from the Start screen, type h , and then select Help and Support . Using a WLAN With a WLA...

Connecting to a WLAN To connect to a WLAN, follow these steps: 1. Be sure that the WLAN device is on. If the device is on, the wireless light is on (white). If thewireless light is amber, press the wireless button. 2. On the Desktop, tap and hold, or click the network status icon in the notification...

Connecting to a local area network (LAN) Use a LAN connection if you want to connect the computer directly to a router in your home (insteadof working wirelessly), or if you want to connect to an existing network at your office. Connecting to a LAN requires an 8-pin, RJ-45 (network) cable. To connec...

4 Enjoying entertainment features Use your HP computer as an entertainment hub to socialize via the webcam, enjoy and manage yourmusic, and download and watch movies. Or, to make your computer an even more powerfulentertainment center, connect external devices like a monitor, projector, or TV, or sp...

Component Description (6) Audio-out (headphone) jack Produces sound when connected to optionalpowered stereo speakers, headphones, earbuds, aheadset, or television audio. WARNING! To reduce the risk of personal injury, adjust the volume before putting on headphones,earbuds, or a headset. For additio...

To connect wireless speakers to your computer, follow the device manufacturer's instructions. To connect high-definition speakers to the computer, see Configuring HDMI audio settings on page 22 . Before connecting speakers, lower the volume setting. Connecting headphones You can connect wired headph...

Connecting a VGA monitor or projector To see the computer screen image on an external VGA monitor or projected for a presentation,connect a monitor or projector to the computer's VGA port. To connect a monitor or projector: 1. Connect the VGA cable from the monitor or projector to the VGA port on th...

To see the computer screen image on a high-definition TV or monitor, connect the high-definitiondevice according to the following instructions. 1. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the computer. 2. Connect the other end of the cable to the high-definition TV or monitor. 3. Press ...

Using Intel Wireless Display (select models only) Intel® Wireless Display allows you to transmit your computer content wirelessly to your receive/display device, such as HDTV, monitor, projector, game console, Blu-ray player, or DVR, by using anoptional wireless adapter (purchased separately). For d...

5 Navigating using touch gestures,pointing devices, and the keyboard Your computer allows navigation using touch gestures in addition to the keyboard and mouse. Touchgestures can be used on your computer TouchPad. NOTE: An external USB mouse (purchased separately) can be connected to one of the USB ...

NOTE: TouchPad gestures are not supported in all programs. To view a demonstration of each gesture: 1. From the Start screen, type c to display the Apps list. Select Control Panel , and then select Hardware and Sound . 2. Select Synaptics TouchPad . 3. Click a gesture to activate the demonstration. ...

Scrolling Scrolling is useful for moving up, down, or sideways on a page or image. ● Place two fingers slightly apart on the TouchPad zone and then drag them up, down, left, orright. Pinching/Zooming Pinching and zooming allows you to zoom in or out on images or text. ● Zoom in by placing two finger...

Using the keyboard and mouse The keyboard and mouse allow you to type, select items, scroll and to perform the same functions asyou do by using touch gestures. The keyboard also allows you to use action keys and hot keys toperform specific functions. TIP: The Windows logo key on the keyboard allows ...

Icon Key Description f8 Plays the next track of an audio CD or the next section of a DVD or a BD. f9 Decreases speaker volume incrementally as long as you hold down the key. f10 Increases speaker volume incrementally as long as you hold down the key. f11 Mutes or restores speaker sound. f12 Turns th...

Function Hot key Description Display system information. fn + esc Displays information about system hardware components and thesystem BIOS version number. Using the integrated numeric keypad The computer includes an integrated numeric keypad, and it also supports an optional externalnumeric keypad o...

6 Managing power Your computer can operate on either battery power or external power. When the computer is onlyrunning on battery power and an AC power source is not available to charge the battery, it isimportant to monitor and conserve the battery charge. Your computer supports power plans tomanag...

Enabling and exiting user-initiated hibernation You can enable user-initiated Hibernation and change other power settings and timeouts using PowerOptions: 1. From the Start screen, type power , select Settings , and then select Power Options from the list of applications. 2. In the left pane, click ...

Selecting a power plan A power plan manages how the computer uses power and helps you conserve power and maximizeperformance. To change the power plan, from the Start screen, type power , select Settings , and then select Power Options . The following power plans are available: ● HP Recommended (rec...

3. Pivot the battery (2) upward and remove it (3) from the computer. Finding battery information To monitor the status of your battery, or if the battery is no longer holding a charge, run Battery Checkin HP Support Assistant. To access battery information, select the HP Support Assistant app on the...

Resolving a low battery level Resolving a low battery level when external power is available ● Connect an AC adapter. ● Connect an optional docking or expansion device. ● Connect an optional power adapter purchased as an accessory from HP. Resolving a low battery level when no power source is availa...

WARNING! To reduce potential safety issues, use only the AC adapter provided with the computer, a replacement AC adapter provided by HP, or a compatible AC adapter purchased from HP. Connect the computer to external AC power under any of the following conditions: WARNING! Do not charge the computer ...

HP CoolSense HP CoolSense automatically detects when the computer is not in a stationary position and adjusts performance and fan settings to keep the surface temperature of your computer at theoptimum level of comfort. When HP CoolSense is off, the position of the computer is not detected and the p...

7 Managing and sharing information Drives are digital storage devices that help you store, manage, share, and access information. Yourcomputer has an internal hard drive or that stores your computer's software and operating system, aswell as provides storage for all of your personal files. Your comp...

▲ Connect the USB cable for the device to the USB port. NOTE: The USB port on your computer may look slightly different from the illustration in this section. A sound indicates that the device has been detected. NOTE: The first time you connect a USB device, a message displays on the Desktop and an ...

Inserting and removing a digital storage card To insert a digital storage card: CAUTION: To reduce the risk of damage to the digital card connectors, use minimal force to insert a digital card. 1. Hold the card label-side up, with the connectors facing the computer. 2. Insert the card into the digit...

Using optical drives An optical disc drive uses laser light to read or store large amounts of information. Some drives canonly read information, but others can also write (burn) information onto a blank disc. Use these tips for best performance of your optical drive: ● When the battery is the only s...

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: If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully as you remove it. 3. Close the disc tray and plac...

8 Maintaining your computer It is important to perform regular maintenance to keep your computer in optimal condition. Thischapter provides information about improving the performance of your computer by running toolssuch as Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup and by replacing a hard drive or adding ...

Using HP 3D DriveGuard HP 3D DriveGuard protects a hard drive by parking the drive and halting data requests under either ofthe following conditions: ● You drop the computer. ● You move the computer with the display closed while the computer is running on battery power. A short time after the end of...

Adding or replacing memory modules Adding memory can help improve your computer's performance. Your computer is like your physicalwork area. The hard drive is the filing cabinet where you store your work and the memory is the deskwhere you work. When your memory isn’t big enough to hold all your wor...

9. Insert a new memory module: CAUTION: To prevent damage to the memory module, hold the memory module by the edges only. Do not touch the components on the memory module. a. Align the notched edge (1) of the memory module with the tab in the memory module slot. b. With the memory module at a 45-deg...

recent gaming software. Without the latest driver, you would not be getting the most out of yourequipment. Go to the HP website to download the latest versions of HP programs and drivers. For U.S. support,go to http://www.hp.com/go/contactHP . For worldwide support, go to http://welcome.hp.com/count...

Setting Windows passwords Password Function User password Protects access to a Windows user account. Administrator password Protects administrator-level access to computer contents. NOTE: This password cannot be used to access Setup Utility (BIOS) contents. Setting Setup Utility (BIOS) passwords Pas...

the security software trial offer or purchase the software of your choice in order to fully protect yourcomputer. Using antivirus software Computer viruses can disable programs, utilities, or the operating system, or cause them to functionabnormally. Antivirus software can detect most viruses, destr...

Installing HP and third-party software updates HP recommends that you regularly update the software and drivers that were originally installed onyour computer. To download the latest versions, go to the HP website. For U.S. support, go to http://www.hp.com/go/contactHP . For worldwide support, go to...

10 Using Setup Utility (BIOS) and System Diagnostics Setup Utility, or Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), controls communication between all the input andoutput devices on the system (such as disk drives, display, keyboard, mouse, and printer). SetupUtility (BIOS) includes settings for the types of d...

Downloading a BIOS update CAUTION: To reduce the risk of damage to the computer or an unsuccessful installation, download and install a BIOS update only when the computer is connected to reliable external power using theAC adapter. Do not download or install a BIOS update while the computer is runni...

Using System Diagnostics System Diagnostics allows you to run diagnostic tests to determine if the computer hardware isfunctioning properly. To start System Diagnostics: 1. Turn on or restart the computer, quickly press esc , and then press f2 . 2. Click the diagnostic test you want to run, and then...

choose to reset the computer by reinstalling Windows or choose to recover using HP RecoveryManager. NOTE: File History is not enabled by default, so you must turn it on. For more information and steps for enabling Windows File History, see Windows Help andSupport. From the Start screen, type h , and...

Restore and recovery There are several options for recovering your system. Choose the method that best matches yoursituation and level of expertise: ● If you need to restore your personal files and data, you can use Windows File History to restoreyour information from the backups you created. For mo...

3. Click Change PC settings in the bottom-right corner of the screen, and then select General from the PC settings screen. 4. Under Remove everything and reinstall Windows , select Get started , and follow the on- screen instructions. Recovering using HP Recovery Manager HP Recovery Manager software...

Using HP Recovery media to recover You can use HP Recovery media to recover the original system. This method can be used if yoursystem does not have an HP Recovery partition or if the hard drive is not working properly. 1. If possible, back up all personal files. 2. Insert the first HP Recovery disc...

12 Specifications Input power The power information in this section may be helpful if you plan to travel internationally with thecomputer. The computer operates on DC power, which can be supplied by an AC or a DC power source. TheAC power source must be rated at 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz. Although the com...

13 Electrostatic Discharge Electrostatic discharge is the release of static electricity when two objects come into contact—forexample, the shock you receive when you walk across the carpet and touch a metal door knob. A discharge of static electricity from fingers or other electrostatic conductors m...

Index A AC adapter 4AC adapter, testing 37action keys decrease screen brightness 29 functions 29Help and Support 29identifying 10increase screen brightness 29next track or section 30play, pause, resume 29previous track or section 29switch screen image 29using 29volume down 30volume mute 30volume up ...