HP Compaq nx9420, Compaq nw9440 Getting Started Guide

Getting Started�

HP Compaq Notebook PC

Document Part Number: 394523-001�

March 2006

This guide explains how to set up your hardware and software, and begin using the computer in Microsoft

Enhanced For Accessibility

® Windows®.

Microsoft and Windows are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Bluetooth is a trademark owned by its proprietor and used by Hewlett-Packard Company under license.

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.

Getting Started HP Compaq Notebook PC First Edition: March 2006 Document Part Number: 394523-001

Contents�

1 First-time setup

Identify hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–1

Computer hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–1

Top components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–2

Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–3

Pointing devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–4

Front components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–5

Rear components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–5

Right-side components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–6

Left-side components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–7

Bottom components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–8

Set up the computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–9

Step 1: Insert the battery pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–10

Step 2: Connect the computer to external power. . . 1–11

Step 3: Turn on the computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–13

Step 4: Set up the software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–15

Step 5: Create recovery discs (highly recommended)

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–16

2 Next steps

Install additional hardware and software . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–1

Protect the computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–1

Protect the computer from viruses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–1

Protect your system files . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–2

Protect your privacy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–2

Getting Started iii

Contents

Protect the computer from power surges . . . . . . . . . . 2–3

Use the computer safely . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–3

Connect to a computer network . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–5

Update your software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–6

Locate the user guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–6

Turn off the computer correctly . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–7

3 Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting resources . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–1

Quick troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–2

Is the computer unable to start up? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–2

Is the computer screen blank? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–3

Is software functioning abnormally? . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–4

Is the computer turned on, but is not responding?. . . 3–5

Is the computer unusually warm? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–6

Is an external device not working? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–7

Is the home wireless network connection not

working?

Help and Support Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–9

Customer Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–9

Preparing to contact Customer Care . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–10

Contacting Customer Care by e-mail or

telephone

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–8

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–10

A Specifications

Operating environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A–1

Rated input power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A–2

B Backup and Recovery

Safeguarding your data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B–1

Backing up your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B–1

Backing up specific files or folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B–2

Backing up your entire system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B–3

Backing up modifications made to your system . . . . B–4

Getting Started iv

Contents

Recovering your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B–5

Creating recovery discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B–6

Performing a recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . B–7

C Connect to the Internet from your home

Choose an ISP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C–1

Using the New Connection Wizard . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C–1

Choose the type of Internet access . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . C–2

Index

Getting Started v

Identify hardware

Computer hardware

1�

First-time setup�

Component

1 Power cord 3 Primary battery pack

2 AC adapter

Older AC adapters do not work with this computer.

✎

Getting Started 1–1

First-time setup

Top components

Component

1 Powe r li ght 8 Ambient light sensor

2 Powe r button 9 Num lock light

3 Info Center button - Volume mute button

4 Wireless button q Volume mute light

5 Wireless light w Volume down button

6 Presentation button = Volume up button

7 Caps lock light r Calculator button

1–2 Getting Started

Keys

Component

First-time setup

1 esc key 4 Windows applications key

2 fn key 5 Integrated numeric keypad

3 Windows logo key 6 Function keys

Getting Started 1–3

First-time setup

Pointing devices and fingerprint reader

Component

1 Fingerprint reader 6 TouchPad scroll zone

(select models only)

2 Left pointing stick button 7 Right TouchPad button

(select models only)

3 Pointing stick 8 Center TouchPad button

(select models only) (select models only)

4 Center pointing stick button 9 Left TouchPad button

(select models only)

5 Right pointing stick button - TouchPad

(sleet models only)

1–4 Getting Started

Front components

Component

1 Wireless light 5 Speakers (2)

2 Powe r li ght 6 Display release latch

3 Battery light 7 Digital Media Slot

4 IDE (Integrated Drive

Electronics) drive light

First-time setup

Rear components

Component

1 Security cable slot 3 RJ-11(modem) jack

2 Vent*

*Depending on computer model, vents vary in number and location.

Getting Started 1–5

First-time setup

Right-side components

Component

1 Audio-out (headphone) jack 4 Optical drive

2 Audio-in (microphone) jack 5 Optical drive button

3 USB ports (2) 6 RJ-45 (network) jack

1–6 Getting Started

Left-side components

Component

1 Vent 6 1394 port

2 Power connector 7 PC Card slot

3 External monitor port 8 Smart card slot

4 S-Video-out jack 9 PC Card eject button

5 USB port (2)

First-time setup

Getting Started 1–7

First-time setup

Bottom components

Component

1 Hard drive bay 5 Primary battery bay

2 Expansion memory module 6 Docking connector

and Mini Card compartment

3 Accessory battery connector 7 Vents*

4 Primary battery pack release

latches (2)

*Depending on computer model, vents vary in number and location.

1–8 Getting Started

Set up the computer�

CAUTION: To prevent file corruption and to ensure that the correct drivers

are installed:

■� Do not set up the computer for the first time while the computer is

docked in an optional docking device.

■� During the hardware and software setup procedures: ❏� Do not unplug the computer from external power. ❏� Do not shut down the computer or initiate standby or

hibernation.

When setting up the computer, you will

1. Insert the battery pack into the computer so that it can begin to charge as soon as the computer is connected to external power.

2. Connect the computer to external power.

3. Turn on the computer.

4. Set up the software.

First-time setup

Getting Started� 1–9

First-time setup

Step 1: Insert the battery pack

To insert a primary battery pack:

1. Turn the computer upside down on a flat surface, with the battery bay toward you.

2. Slide the battery pack 1 into the battery bay until it is seated.

The battery pack release latches 2 automatically lock the battery into place.

1–10 Getting Started

Step 2: Connect the computer to external power

An older AC adapter will not work with this computer.

✎

To connect the computer to external AC power:

1. Plug the AC adapter into the power connector 1 on the left side of the computer.

2. Plug the power cord into the AC adapter 2.

3. Plug the other end of the power cord into an AC outlet 3.

First-time setup

When the computer receives AC power, the battery pack begins to charge and the battery light (on the front of the computer) is turned on. When the battery pack is fully charged, the battery light is turned off.

It is recommended that you leave the computer connected to external power until the battery pack is fully charged and the battery light is turned off.

Getting Started 1–11

First-time setup

A partially charged new battery pack can run the computer

✎

after software setup is complete, but battery charge displays will not be accurate until the new battery pack has been fully charged.

Depending on the AC adapter connected, one of the following pop-up messages may be displayed after turning on the computer:

■� “Smart AC adapter power output is too low for this

■� “For full performance, connect a higher capacity AC

computer.” Clicking the message will display the following additional information:

“The output power of the HP Smart AC Adapter connected to your computer is insufficient. Please connect a higher capacity adapter.”

adapter.” Clicking the message will display the following additional information:

“The HP Smart AC Adapter connected will power the computer, but at reduced performance. Please connect a higher capacity adapter for full performance.”

1–12� Getting Started

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