Windows is a U.S. registered trademark of
Microsoft Corporation.
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.
Second Edition: August 2009
First Edition: August 2009
Document Part Number: 539206-002
Product notice
This user guide describes features that are
common to most models. Some features
may not be available on your computer.
Table of contents
1 Handling drives
2 Using an optical drive
Identifying the installed optical drive ..................................................................................................... 2
Using optical discs ................................................................................................................................ 3
Selecting the right disc (CDs, DVDs, and BDs) .................................................................................... 4
Changing DVD region settings ............................................................................................................. 7
Observing the copyright warning .......................................................................................................... 8
Copying a CD, DVD, or BD .................................................................................................................. 8
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD ...................................................................................................... 9
Removing a CD, DVD, or BD ............................................................................................................. 10
3 Using external drives
4 Improving hard drive performance
Using Disk Defragmenter ................................................................................................................... 12
Using Disk Cleanup ............................................................................................................................ 12
5 Replacing the hard drive in the hard drive bay
6 Troubleshooting
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD, DVD, or BD ............................................... 16
The computer does not detect the optical drive ................................................................................. 17
A disc does not play ........................................................................................................................... 18
A disc does not play automatically ..................................................................................................... 18
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion .................................... 19
A DVD playing in Windows Media Player produces no sound or display ........................................... 19
A device driver must be reinstalled .................................................................................................... 19
Obtaining the latest Windows device drivers ..................................................................... 20
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers ............................................................................... 20
iii
Index ................................................................................................................................................................... 21
iv
1Handling drives
Drives are fragile computer components that must be handled with care. Refer to the following cautions
before handling drives. Additional cautions are included with the procedures to which they apply.
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of damage to the computer, damage to a drive, or loss of information,
observe these precautions:
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.
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.
Handle a drive carefully; do not drop a drive or place items on it.
Before removing or inserting 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.
Do not use excessive force when inserting a drive into a drive bay.
Do not type on the keyboard or move the computer while the optical drive is writing to a disc. The write
process is sensitive to vibration.
When the battery is the only source of power, be sure that the battery is sufficiently charged before
writing to media.
Avoid exposing a drive to temperature or humidity extremes.
Avoid exposing a drive to liquids. Do not spray the drive with cleaning products.
Remove media from a drive before removing the drive from the drive bay, or traveling with, shipping, or
storing a drive.
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 walkthrough devices and security wands. The airport security devices that check carry-on luggage, such as
conveyor belts, use X-rays instead of magnetism and will not damage a drive.
1
2Using an optical drive
Your computer includes an optical drive that expands the functionality of the computer. Identify what
kind of device is installed in your computer to see its capabilities. The optical drive allows you to read
data discs, play music, and watch movies. If your computer includes a Blu-ray Disc ROM Drive, then
you can also watch high-definition video from disc.
Identifying the installed optical drive
Select Start > Computer.
▲
You will see a list of all the devices installed in your computer, including your optical drive. You may
have one of the following types of drives:
DVD±RW/R and CD-RW Combo Drive with Double-Layer (DL) support
●
LightScribe DVD±RW/R and CD-RW Combo Drive with Double-Layer (DL) support
●
Blu-ray Disc ROM Drive with SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Double-Layer (DL) support
●
LightScribe Blu-ray Disc ROM Drive with SuperMulti DVD±R/RW Double-Layer (DL) support
●
NOTE:Some of the drives listed above may not be supported by your computer.
2Chapter 2 Using an optical drive
Using optical discs
An optical drive, such as a DVD-ROM drive, supports optical discs (CDs and DVDs). These discs store
information, such as music, photos, and movies. DVDs have a higher storage capacity than CDs.
Your optical drive can read standard CD and DVD discs. If your optical drive is a Blu-ray Disc ROM
Drive, it can also read Blu-ray discs.
NOTE:Some of the optical drives listed may not be supported by your computer. The listed drives are
not necessarily all of the supported optical drives.
Some optical drives can also write to optical discs as described in the following table.
Optical drive typeWrite to CD-RWWrite to DVD±RW/RWrite to DVD+RW DL Write label to
LightScribe CD or
DVD±RW/R
DVD±RW and CD-RW
SuperMulti DL Combo
Drive with LightScribe
Blu-ray ROM with
LightScribe
DVD±R/RW
SuperMulti DL Drive
YesYesYesYes
YesYesYesYes
CAUTION:To prevent possible audio and video degradation, loss of information, or loss of audio or
video playback functionality, do not initiate Sleep or Hibernation while reading or writing to a CD or DVD.
Using optical discs3
Selecting the right disc (CDs, DVDs, and BDs)
An optical drive supports optical discs (CDs, DVDs, and BDs). CDs, used to store digital data, are also
used for commercial audio recordings and are convenient for your personal storage needs. DVDs and
BDs are used primarily for movies, software, and data backup purposes. DVDs and BDs are the same
form factor as CDs but have a much higher storage capacity.
NOTE:The optical drive on your computer may not support all the types of optical discs discussed in
this section.
CD-R discs
CD-R (write-once) discs are widely used for creating a permanent copy of data that can be shared as
needed. Typical uses include the following:
Distributing large presentations
●
Sharing scanned and digital photos, video clips, and written data
●
Making your own music CDs
●
Keeping permanent archives of computer files and scanned home records
●
Offloading files from your hard drive to free up disk space
●
After data is recorded, it cannot be erased or written over.
CD-RW discs
Use a CD-RW disc (a rewritable version of a CD) to store large projects that must be updated frequently.
Typical uses include the following:
Developing and maintaining large documents and project files
●
Transporting work files
●
Making weekly backups of hard drive files
●
Updating photos, video, audio, and data continuously
●
DVD±R discs
Use blank DVD±R discs to permanently store large amounts of information. After data is recorded, it
cannot be erased or written over.
DVD±RW discs
Use DVD±RW discs if you want to be able to erase or write over data that you saved earlier. This type
of disc is ideal for testing audio or video recordings before you burn them to a CD or DVD that cannot
be changed.
4Chapter 2 Using an optical drive
LightScribe DVD+R discs
Use LightScribe DVD+R discs for sharing and storing data, home videos, and photos. These discs are
read-compatible with most DVD-ROM drives and DVD video players. With a LightScribe-enabled drive
and LightScribe software, you can write data to the disc and then add a designer label to the outside of
the disc.
Blu-ray Disc (BD)
BD is a high-density optical disc format for the storage of digital information, including high-definition
video. A single-layer BD can store 25 GB, over five times the size of the 4.7-GB single-layer DVD. A
dual-layer BD can store 50 GB, almost 6 times the size of the 8.5-GB dual-layer DVD.
Typical uses include the following:
Storage of large amounts of data
●
High-definition video playback and storage
●
Video games
●
NOTE:Because Blu-ray is a new format containing new technologies, certain disc, digital connection,
compatibility, and/or performance issues may arise, and do not constitute defects in the product.
Flawless playback on all systems is not guaranteed.
Selecting the right disc (CDs, DVDs, and BDs)5
Playing a CD, DVD, or BD
1.Turn on the computer.
2.Press the release button (1) on the drive bezel to release the disc tray.
3.Pull out the tray (2).
4.Hold the disc by the edges to avoid touching the flat surfaces and position the disc label-side up
over the tray spindle.
NOTE:If the tray is not fully accessible, tilt the disc carefully to position it over the spindle.
5.Gently press the disc (3) down onto the tray spindle until the disc snaps into place.
6.Close the disc tray.
If you have not yet configured AutoPlay, as described in the following section, an AutoPlay dialog box
opens. It prompts you to select how you want to use the media content.
NOTE:For best results, be sure that your AC adapter is plugged into an external power source while
2.Confirm that the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices check box is selected.
3.Click Choose a default, and then select one of the available options for each media type listed.
NOTE:Choose HP DVD Play to play DVDs.
4.Click Save.
NOTE:For more information about AutoPlay, refer to Help and Support.
Changing DVD region settings
Most DVDs that contain copyrighted files also contain region codes. The region codes help protect
copyrights internationally.
You can play a DVD containing a region code only if the region code on the DVD matches the region
setting on your DVD drive.
CAUTION:The region settings on your DVD drive can be changed only 5 times.
The region setting you select the fifth time becomes the permanent region setting on the DVD drive.
The number of region changes remaining is displayed on the DVD Region tab.
To change settings through the operating system:
1.Select Start > Control Panel > System and Security. Then in the System area, click Device
Manager.
NOTE:Windows® includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your
computer. You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing
software, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Help and Support for more
information.
2.Click the arrow next to DVD/CD-ROM drives to expand the list to show all of the installed drives.
3.Right-click the DVD drive for which you want to change region settings, and then click
Properties.
4.Click the DVD Region tab, and change settings.
5.Click OK.
Configuring AutoPlay7
Observing the copyright warning
It is a criminal offense, under applicable copyright laws, to make unauthorized copies of copyrightprotected material, including computer programs, films, broadcasts, and sound recordings. Do not use
this computer for such purposes.
CAUTION:To prevent loss of information or damage to a disc, observe the following guidelines:
Before writing to a disc, connect the computer to a reliable external power source. Do not write to a disc
while the computer is running on battery power.
Before writing to a disc, close all open programs except the disc software you are using.
Do not copy directly from a source disc to a destination disc or from a network drive to a destination
disc. Save the information to your hard drive, and then burn from your hard drive to the destination disc.
Do not use the computer keyboard or move the computer while the computer is writing to a disc. The
write process is sensitive to vibration.
NOTE:For details about using software included with the computer, refer to the software
manufacturer’s instructions, which may be provided on disc, in the software Help, or on the
manufacturer's Web site.
Copying a CD, DVD, or BD
1.Select Start > All Programs > CyberLink DVD Suites > Power2Go.
2.Insert the disc you want to copy into the optical drive.
3.Click Copy at the bottom right of the screen.
Power2Go reads the source disc and copies the data to a temporary folder on your hard drive.
4.When prompted, remove the source disc from the optical drive and insert a blank disc into the drive.
After the information is copied, the disc you created ejects automatically.
8Chapter 2 Using an optical drive
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD
NOTE:Observe the copyright warning. It is a criminal offense, under applicable copyright laws, to
make unauthorized copies of copyright-protected material, including computer programs, films,
broadcasts, and sound recordings. Do not use this computer for such purposes.
If your computer includes a CD-RW, DVD-RW, or DVD±RW optical drive, you can use software such
as Windows Media Player or CyberLink Power2Go to burn data, video, and audio files, including MP3
and WAV music files.
Observe the following guidelines when burning a CD or DVD:
Before burning a disc, save and close any open files and close all programs.
●
A CD-R or DVD-R is usually best for burning audio files because after the information is copied, it
●
cannot be changed.
NOTE:You cannot create an audio DVD with CyberLink Power2Go.
Because some home and car stereos will not play CD-RWs, use CD-Rs to burn music CDs.
●
A CD-RW or DVD-RW is generally best for burning data files or for testing audio or video recordings
●
before you burn them to a CD or DVD that cannot be changed.
DVD players used in home systems usually do not support all DVD formats. Refer to the user guide
●
that came with your DVD player for a list of supported formats.
An MP3 file uses less space than other music file formats, and the process for creating an MP3
●
disc is the same as the process for creating a data file. MP3 files can be played only on MP3 players
or on computers with MP3 software installed.
To burn a CD or DVD, follow these steps:
1.Download or copy the source files into a folder on your hard drive.
2.Insert a blank CD or DVD into the optical drive.
3.Select Start > All Programs, and then select the name of the software you want to use.
NOTE:Some programs may be located in subfolders.
4.Select the kind of disc you want to create—data, audio, or video.
5.Right-click Start, click Open Windows Explorer, and navigate to the folder where the source files
are stored.
6.Open the folder, and then drag the files to the drive that contains the blank disc.
7.Initiate the burning process as directed by the program you have selected.
For specific instructions, refer to the software manufacturer's instructions, which may be provided with
the software, on disc, or on the manufacturer's Web site.
Creating or “burning” a CD or DVD9
Removing a CD, DVD, or BD
1.Press the release button (1) on the drive bezel to release the disc tray, and then gently pull out the
tray (2) until it stops.
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 place the disc in a protective case.
10Chapter 2 Using an optical drive
3Using external drives
Removable external drives expand your options for storing and accessing information. A USB drive can
be added by connecting the drive to a USB port on the computer.
USB drives include the following types:
1.44-megabyte diskette drive
●
Hard drive module (a hard drive with an adapter attached)
●
DVD-ROM Drive
●
DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive
●
DVD±RW and CD-RW Combo Drive
●
NOTE:For more information about required software and drivers, or to learn which computer port to
use, refer to the manufacturer's instructions.
To connect an external drive to the computer:
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of damage to the equipment when connecting a powered drive, be sure
that the AC power cord is unplugged.
1.Connect the drive to the computer.
2.If you are connecting a powered drive, plug the drive power cord into a grounded AC outlet.
To disconnect a powered drive, disconnect it from the computer, and then unplug the AC power cord.
11
4Improving hard drive performance
Using Disk Defragmenter
As you use the computer, files on the hard drive become fragmented. Disk Defragmenter consolidates
the fragmented files and folders on the hard drive so that the system can run more efficiently.
To run Disk Defragmenter:
1.Select Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.
2.Click Defragment disk.
NOTE:Windows® includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your
computer. You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing
software, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. Refer to Help and Support for more
information.
For additional information, access the Disk Defragmenter software Help.
Using Disk Cleanup
Disk Cleanup searches the hard drive for unnecessary files that you can safely delete to free up disk
space and help the computer to run more efficiently.
To run Disk Cleanup:
1.Select Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup.
2.Follow the on-screen instructions.
12Chapter 4 Improving hard drive performance
5Replacing the hard drive in the hard
drive bay
CAUTION:To prevent information loss or an unresponsive system:
Shut down the computer before removing the hard drive from the hard drive bay. Do not remove the
hard drive while the computer is on, in the Sleep state, or in Hibernation.
If you are not sure whether the computer is off or in Hibernation, turn the computer on by pressing the
power button. Then shut down the computer through the operating system.
To remove the hard drive:
1.Save your work.
2.Shut down the computer and close the display.
3.Disconnect all external devices connected to the computer.
4.Unplug the power cord from the AC outlet.
5.Turn the computer upside down on a flat surface.
6.Remove the battery from the computer.
7.With the hard drive bay toward you, loosen the 4 hard drive cover screws (1).
13
8.Lift the hard drive cover away from the computer (2).
9.Remove the 4 screws that secure the hard drive to the computer (1).
10. Pull the hard drive tab to the left (2) to disconnect the hard drive.
11. Lift the hard drive (3) out of the hard drive bay.
To install a hard drive:
1.Insert the hard drive into the hard drive bay (1).
2.Pull the hard drive tab (2) to the right until the hard drive snaps into place.
14Chapter 5 Replacing the hard drive in the hard drive bay
3.Replace the 4 screws that secure the hard drive to the computer (3).
4.Align the tabs (1) on the hard drive cover with the notches on the computer.
5.Close the cover (2).
6.Tighten the 4 hard drive cover screws (3).
15
6Troubleshooting
The following sections describe several common issues and resolutions.
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD,
DVD, or BD
1.Insert the end of a paper clip (1) into the release access in the front bezel of the drive.
2.Press in gently on the paper clip until the disc tray is released, and then pull out the tray (2) until it
stops.
3.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.
4.Close the disc tray and place the disc in a protective case.
16Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
The computer does not detect the optical drive
If the computer does not detect the optical drive, the device driver software may be missing or corrupted.
If you suspect that the optical drive is not being detected, verify that the optical drive is listed in the
Device Manager utility.
1.Remove any discs from the optical drive.
2.Select Start > Control Panel > System and Security. Then in the System area, click Device
Manager.
3.In the Device Manager window, click the arrow next to DVD/CD-ROM drives to expand the list to
show all of the installed drives. Look for an optical drive listing.
If the drive is not listed, install (or reinstall) the device driver as instructed in the section “A device
driver must be reinstalled.”
4.Right-click the optical device listing to perform the following tasks:
Update driver software
●
Disable
●
Uninstall
●
Scan for hardware changes. Windows scans your system for installed hardware and installs
●
any required drivers.
Click Properties to see if the device is working properly:
●
The Properties window provides details about the device to help you troubleshoot issues.
◦
Click the Driver tab to update, disable, or uninstall drivers for this device.
◦
The computer does not detect the optical drive17
A disc does not play
Save your work and close all open programs before playing a CD, DVD, or BD.
●
Log off the Internet before playing a CD, DVD, or BD.
●
Be sure that you insert the disc properly.
●
Be sure that the disc is clean. If necessary, clean the disc with filtered water and a lint-free cloth.
●
Wipe from the center of the disc to the outer edge.
Check the disc for scratches. If you find scratches, treat the disc with an optical disc repair kit
●
available at many electronics stores.
Disable Sleep mode before playing the disc.
●
Do not initiate Hibernation or Sleep while playing a disc. Otherwise, you may see a warning
message asking if you want to continue. If this message is displayed, click No. After you click No,
the computer may behave in either of the following ways:
Playback may resume.
◦
– or –
The playback window in the multimedia program may close. To return to playing the disc, click
◦
the Play button in your multimedia program to restart the disc. In rare cases, you may need
to exit the program and then restart it.
Increase system resources:
●
Turn off printers and scanners, and unplug cameras and portable handheld devices.
◦
Disconnecting these Plug and Play devices frees up valuable system resources and results
in better playback performance.
Change desktop color properties. Because the human eye cannot easily tell the difference
◦
between colors beyond 16 bits, you should not notice any loss of color while watching a movie
if you lower system color properties to 16-bit color, as follows:
1. Right-click on a blank area of the computer desktop, and select Screen resolution.
2. Select Advanced settings>Monitor tab.
3. Select High Color (16 bit), if this setting is not already selected.
2.Confirm that the Use AutoPlay for all media and devices check box is selected.
3.Click Save.
A CD, DVD, or BD should now start automatically when it is inserted into the optical drive.
18Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops
before completion
Be sure that all other programs are closed.
●
Turn off Sleep mode and Hibernation.
●
Be sure that you are using the right kind of disc for your drive. See your user guides for more
●
information about disc types.
Be sure that the disc is inserted properly.
●
Select a slower write speed and try again.
●
If you are copying a disc, save the information on the source disc to your hard drive before trying
●
to burn the contents to a new disc, and then burn from your hard drive.
Reinstall the disc-burning device driver located in the DVD/CD-ROM drives category in Device
●
Manager.
A DVD playing in Windows Media Player produces no
sound or display
Use DVD Play to play a DVD. DVD Play is installed on the computer and is also available from the HP
Web site at
http://www.hp.com.
A device driver must be reinstalled
1.Remove any discs from the optical drive.
2.Select Start > Control Panel > System and Security. Then in the System area, click Device
Manager.
3.In Device Manager, click the arrow next to the type of driver you want to uninstall and reinstall (for
example, DVD/CD-ROMs, Modems, and so on).
4.Right-click the device listing and click Uninstall. When prompted, confirm that you want to delete
the device, but do not restart the computer. Repeat for any other drivers you want to delete.
5.In the Device Manager window, click Action, and then Scan for hardware changes in the toolbar.
Windows scans your system for installed hardware and installs default drivers for any devices
requiring drivers.
NOTE:If you are prompted to restart the computer, save all open files, and then continue with
the restart.
6.Reopen Device Manager, if necessary, and then verify that the drivers are once again listed.
7.Try running your program again.
If uninstalling and reinstalling the device drivers does not correct the problem, you may need to update
your drivers using the procedures in the following sections.
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before completion19
Obtaining the latest Windows device drivers
You can obtain the latest Windows device drivers by using Windows Update. This feature can be set to
automatically check for and install updates for the Windows operating system and other Microsoft
products.
To use Windows Update:
1.Click Start > All Programs > Windows Update.
NOTE:If you have not previously set up Windows Update, you will be prompted to enter settings
before you can check for updates.
2.Click Check for updates.
3.Follow the on-screen instructions.
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers
To use the HP Web site to obtain HP device drivers:
1.Open your Internet browser, go to
2.Click the option for software and driver downloads, type your computer model number in the search
box, and then press enter.
– or –
If you want a specific SoftPaq, enter the SoftPaq number in the Search box, press enter, and follow
the instructions provided. Proceed to step 6.
3.Click your specific product from the models listed.
4.Click the Windows 7 operating system.
5.When the list of drivers is displayed, click an updated driver to open a window containing additional
information.
6.Click Install now to install the updated driver.
NOTE:In some locations you may be able to download the driver and install it later. To do this,
click Download only to save the file to your computer. When prompted, click Save and then select
a storage location on your hard drive. After the file is downloaded, navigate to the folder where the
file was stored, and double-click the file to install.
7.If prompted to do so, restart your computer after the installation is complete, and then verify the
operation of the device.
http://www.hp.com/support, and select your country or region.
20Chapter 6 Troubleshooting
Index
A
airport security devices1
AutoPlay7
B
BD
copying8
playing6
removing10
Blu-ray ROM with LightScribe
DVD±R/RW SuperMulti DL
Drive3
C
CD
burning9, 19
copying8
playing6
removing10
CD drive2, 11
copyright warning8
D
device drivers
HP drivers20
Windows drivers20
Disk Cleanup software12
Disk Defragmenter software12
disk performance12
diskette drive11
drives
caring for1
diskette11
external11
hard11, 13, 14
optical2, 11
See also hard drive; optical drive
DVD
burning9, 19
changing region setting7
copying8
playing6
removing10
DVD drive2, 11
DVD region settings7
DVD±RW and CD-RW SuperMulti
DL Combo Drive with
LightScribe3
E
external drive11
H
hard disk drive
external11
installing14
removing13
replacing13
hard drive
external11
installing14
removing13
replacing13
M
maintenance
Disk Cleanup12
Disk Defragmenter12
O
optical disc
playing6
removing10
optical drive2, 11
R
region codes, DVD7
S
software
Disk Cleanup12
Disk Defragmenter12
T
troubleshooting
burning discs19
device driver19
disc play18
HP device drivers20
optical disc tray16
optical drive detection17
Windows drivers20
Index21
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