HP OMNIBOOK 800CS, OMNIBOOK 800ST User Manual

HP OmniBook 800 User's Guide

HP OMNIBOOK 800 USER’S GUIDE 5

Using This Online Manual 5

Finding More Information 5

Notice 5

1 OPERATING THE OMNIBOOK 7

Starting to Use Your OmniBook 7

To use the OmniBook mouse 8
To adjust the display 9
To learn about Windows 10
To use special features of the OmniBook keyboard 10
To start an application with a hot key (FN+F1 through FN+F12) 11
To turn off the OmniBook 12

Checking Status Information 13

The Status Panel 13
To view or hide the Status Panel 14
To move the Status Panel 14
Viewing the Taskbar 14

Monitoring Power 15

To get the battery status 15
To save battery power 15
To recharge the battery or run on ac power 16
To respond to a low-battery or bad-battery warning 17
To replace the battery 18
To change how power is managed 19

Using Disk Drives 20

Using Sound 22

To change speaker volume 22
To connect a microphone, speakers, or headphones 22
To record sound 23
To play back sound 24

2 EXPANDING YOUR OMNIBOOK 25

Setting Up a Printer 25

To install a printer 25

1

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deals on Factory Service Manuals:

To set or change the default printer 26
To view or change printer settings 26

Making Serial Connections 26

To connect a serial device 26
To view or change serial port assignments 27
System Resources 27

Making Parallel Connections 29

To connect a parallel device 29
To view or change parallel port assignments 30

Making Infrared Connections 30

To set up an infrared link 30
To print on an infrared printer 31
To disable infrared printing 31

Linking Computers 31

Using a Direct Connection 31
To start a direct connection 32

Connecting a CD-ROM Drive and Other SCSI Devices 32

To connect SCSI devices 32
To prepare SCSI hard-disk drives 33

Adding PC Cards 33

To insert a PC card 34
To remove a PC card 35
To view or change PC card information 36
To format a data storage card 36
To set up an I/O card 37

Connecting an External Display 38

Connecting an External Mouse 38

To add an external mouse 38
To override the external mouse 38

Using the Docking System 39

Video Cards 39
Docking Options 40
To use network cards with boot ROMs 40
To use the FN key with an external keyboard 40

Adding Memory to the OmniBook 40

3 OMNIBOOK CONFIGURATIONS 42

Changing OmniBook Configurations 42

To change the display settings 42
To change the mouse settings 42
To configure the Status Panel 43
To use the System Configuration Utility 43

2

To run MS-DOS mode 43

HP User Tools 43

Protecting Your OmniBook 44

To attach a security cable 44
To identify your OmniBook 44
To use password protection 45
To turn off password protection 46

Editing System Files 46

To edit system files 46
To recover system files 46

4 RECOVERING AND RESTARTING 48

Recovering OmniBook Files 48

To back up your files 48
To reinstall original software files on drive C 48
To clean up a disk 49

Restarting the OmniBook 50

Rebooting the OmniBook 50
To reboot normally (from drive C) 50
To reboot from a floppy disk 50
To reset the OmniBook 51

Upgrading the Hard Drive 51

To find the system software version and memory size 51
To replace the hard drive (drive C) 52

5 THE PERSONAL INFORMATION APPLICATIONS 57

Managing Your Time with Appointment Book 57

To start Appointment Book 58
To view your appointments 58
To change to a different day, month, or year 58
To add a new appointment 58
To add a new event 59
To delete an appointment or event 60
To run a program automatically 60

Listing People in Phone Book 60

To start Phone Book 60
To add a person to the list 60
To search for a person 61

Getting Answers from HP Financial Calculator 62

To start HP Calculator 62
To perform a math function on one number 62
To do simple arithmetic 63

3

6 TROUBLESHOOTING 65

Solving Problems 65

Printing Problems 66
Memory Problems 66
Mouse Problems 67
PC Card Problems 67
PCI Board problems 67
Drive problems 67
Serial and Infrared Communications Problems 68
Parallel Port Problems 68
Sound Problems 68
General Operating Problems 68
Display Problems 69
Keyboard Problems 69
Power and Startup Problems 69
Lockup Problems 72

4

HP OmniBook 800 User’s Guide

This manual describes how to use the OmniBook 800 with the Microsoft®
Windows®95 operating system.

Using This Online Manual

This online User’s Guide looks similar to a printed manual—and it works like
a printed manual in many ways, too. But you can do several handy things
you can’t do with a manual. For example, you can make the type larger or
smaller. You can click on pictures to enlarge them. You can add electronic
bookmarks for marking key information. And you can print all or part of the
manual on your printer.

• Press F1 for help. You’ll quickly see how to use this manual.

Hint

Hold FN and press ESC (FN+ESC) to hide the Status Panel while the
manual is open—so it doesn’t get in the way of the arrow buttons. Press
FN+ESC again to show the Status Panel.

Finding More Information

This OmniBook User’s Guide introduces the OmniBook and shows you how
to operate and maintain your OmniBook. For more information about using
your OmniBook, look in these additional places:

• Online Help provides information about Windows and about

applications. Click Start and Help in the taskbar, or click the "?" button in
a window, use the Help menu, or just press F1.

• The OmniBook Notes icon gives late-breaking information available

after the manuals were completed—click Start, Programs, OmniBook
Library, OmniBook Notes.

• Many bookstores have books about Windows for people with different

levels of experience.

• For updates to the BIOS and other technical information, connect to our

web site on the internet at http://www.hp.com/go/omnibook

Notice

This manual and any examples contained herein are provided “as is” and
are subject to change without notice. Hewlett-Packard Company makes no
warranty of any kind with regard to this manual, including, but not limited to,
the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.
Hewlett-Packard Co. shall not be liable for any errors or for incidental or

5

consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or
use of this manual or the examples herein.

Consumer transactions in Australia and the United Kingdom: The above
disclaimers and limitations shall not apply to Consumer transactions in
Australia and the United Kingdom and shall not affect the statutory rights of
Consumers.

© Copyright Hewlett-Packard Company 1993–1996. All rights reserved.
Reproduction, adaptation, or translation of this manual is prohibited without
prior written permission of Hewlett-Packard Company, except as allowed
under the copyright laws.

The programs that control this product are copyrighted and all rights are
reserved. Reproduction, adaptation, or translation of those programs without
prior written permission of Hewlett-Packard Co. is also prohibited.

Portions of the programs that control this product may also be copyrighted
by Microsoft Corporation, Microcom Systems, Inc., and SystemSoft Corp.
See the individual programs for additional copyright notices.

Microsoft, DriveSpace, MS, MS-DOS, and Windows are registered
trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. SystemSoft is a registered trademark
and CardWizard, CardView, and CardID are trademarks of SystemSoft
Corporation.

For warranty information, see the Support and Service booklet.
Hewlett-Packard Company

Mobile Computing Division
1000 N.E. Circle Blvd.
Corvallis, OR 97330, U.S.A.

Edition 1 June 1996

6

1 Operating the OmniBook

• Starting to Use Your OmniBook.

• Checking Status Information.

• Monitoring Power.

• Using Disk Drives.

• Using Sound.

Congratulations! Your OmniBook sets a new standard in personal
computing. Although it’s compact and easy to carry, the OmniBook is
equipped with a full-sized keyboard, its own built-in mouse, and Microsoft
Windows.

What’s more, your OmniBook has been specifically designed for ease of use
on the road. It features “instant-on” power that immediately restores your last
screen. And the OmniBook is infused with the quality and attention to detail
that are the hallmark of Hewlett-Packard.

Starting to Use Your OmniBook

The illustrations below point out key parts of the OmniBook. Most of these
parts are discussed in this manual.

1.

Latch

2.

Security connector

3.

Fn-key icon strip

4.

Sound jacks

2

3

4

5

12.

Docking/SCSI port

13.

Parallel port connector

5.

Card slots

6.

Card-eject lever

7.

On/Off key

8.

Mouse

16.

Floppy-drive port

17.

VGA output connector

1 1110

9.

Mouse-eject button

10.

Charging light

11.

Display adjustments

9

8

7

6

20.

Memory-expansion slot

21.

Identification pocket

7

14.

Infrared port (IrDA)

18.

AC adapter socket

22.

Battery

15.

Serial port connector

18

17

16

15

14

19.

Reset button

13

12

19

This section shows how to

• Use the mouse.

• Adjust the display.

• Use the special features of the OmniBook keyboard.

• Start an application using the FN key.

• Turn off the OmniBook.

22

21

20

To use the OmniBook mouse

The OmniBook mouse is PS/2-compatible.

1. Press the round mouse-eject button in the upper-right corner of the
keyboard.

2. Firmly pull the mouse out past the first resistance to its full extended
position—about 3 inches (8 centimeters).

3. Lift the end of the mouse nearest you—it pops up for a more
comfortable shape.

4. Although the arm limits the physical extension of the mouse, it does not
limit the travel of the pointer, as you will see. Just by pushing or pulling
on the mouse, the pointer will continue to travel.

8

Mouse-eject button

Mouse

The mouse is extremely sturdy. Its flexibility allows it to withstand bending
and accidental bumps without breaking.

You use the OmniBook’s two-button mouse just as you do the mouse on
your desktop PC: Move the pointer to the icon or menu you want, and click
with the left mouse button for most operations. Or double-click—click twice
rather quickly with the left mouse button—for certain operations. However,
the mouse doesn’t need a surface to slide on—so you can use it anywhere.

Once you’ve popped it out, you can use the mouse with the top popped up
or collapsed. The popped up position is usually more comfortable, especially
if you drape your hand over it as shown. But the collapsed position may be
better if you’re in a cramped environment, or you have to work with the
OmniBook on your lap.

To store the mouse

1. If the mouse is popped up, press inward on the support arm and press
the raised end of the mouse downward to collapse it.
–or–
Tap down sharply on the raised end of the mouse.

2. Gently push the mouse into the case opening until it latches.

To replace the mouse

1. Tug sharply on the mouse to remove it and its arm from the computer.

2. Slip the arm of the new mouse into the slot inside the mousehole on the
computer. Push the arm in and force it past the first resistance.

To adjust the display

9

Brightness

Contras

t

Some OmniBook models have just a brightness control, while others have
both brightness and contrast controls. Check the symbols just left of the
mouse button.

• If there is only a Brightness symbol: Press the ∧∧ and ∨∨ buttons above

the keyboard to adjust the brightness.

• If there is a gray Contrast symbol and an orange Brightness

symbol: Press the ∧ and ∨ buttons above the keyboard to adjust the
contrast. Hold down the (orange) FN key and press the same two
buttons to adjust the brightness.

Important

Keep in mind that a higher brightness setting gives a shorter battery
operating time—because the internal light is using more power. This may
affect the operating time by as much as 1 hour or so. (The contrast setting
doesn’t affect the operating time.)

Use these buttons to make the display dimmer or brighter. Press and hold a
button for fast changes, or press several times for greater control. You also
can adjust the angle of the display for best visibility under the current light
conditions.

When you turn on your OmniBook, the display can take 1 minute or more to
reach its normal brightness. Cold temperatures delay full brightness.

To learn about Windows

If you’ve worked with a conventional PC running the Windows operating
system, most parts of the OmniBook screen are probably familiar. However,
if you’re new to Windows 95, you can run the 10-minute tour of Windows to
learn about Windows 95 on your OmniBook: click Start, Programs,
OmniBook Library, Tour of Windows 95.

To use special features of the OmniBook keyboard

• Use the orange FN (function) key to execute functions with orange-

colored labels—for example, SCR LK (scroll lock)—and to start
applications assigned to the function keys F1, F2, and so on. You press
and hold the FN key, then you press the other key. See the next topic
below.

• Press the NM LK (number lock) key to use the numeric keypad. With the

keypad active, keys change to the designations shown on their slanted
faces; for instance, keys J, K, and L become 1, 2, and 3. Other keys in
this area also become number keys. Hold FN if you want to type letters.
(Press NM LK again to return these keys to their original functions, so
they again type the normal alphabet.)

10

Hint

If Num Lock is off, you can hold down FN and ALT while you type (on the
keypad keys) the four-digit code of any Windows character. For example,
press FN+ALT+0177 to type “±.”

If your keyboard has an ALT GR key to the right of the spacebar, you hold
that key to type the characters printed at the bottom-right corners of keys.
For keys that have four characters, hold SHIFT and ALT GR to type the
upper-right characters.

SHIFT

Unshifted

¬

‘

ALT GR

To start an application with a hot key (FN+F1 through FN+F12)

If an application has been assigned to keys F1 through F12, then it has a
hot-key assignment. A hot key sequence is a shortcut to start a function or
program.

• Press and hold FN, and simultaneously press the function key (F1 to

F12) for the assigned application.

Of course, you can always start an application by selecting it in Windows.
The usual Windows methods work for all applications, whether they have hot
key assignments or not.

To use a FN key

FN is the “key” to hot-key assignments. You can easily set up a hot function
key (F1 through F12) for any application present on your OmniBook—then

press FN together with that key to start the application from Windows. The
function keys, labeled F1 through F12, are on the top row of the keyboard.

Their FN functions are shown by small icons above the keys—and you can
print and insert a new icon-label strip that shows other applications you
assign to the FN function keys.

Fn+F1 Fn+F2 Fn+F3 Fn+F4 Fn+F5

Start Explorer HP User Tools Status Panel OmniBook

User's Guide

You can use the FN+function-key combination to start an application or
switch to a running application at any time—even if you’re working in
another application.

• Certain FN+function key combinations are predefined (but redefinable).

They are labeled with symbols above the F1 through F5 keys.

To set up a shortcut key sequence (FN key)

11

You can set up shortcut access to programs (applications) and documents.
(Refer to the Introducing Windows 95 book or the Windows online Help.)
After you create a shortcut (an icon on your desktop), you can replace it with
a shortcut key sequence of FN+F1 through FN+F12. This provides a
shortcut that does not clutter your desktop.

1. In Windows Explorer, highlight the application you want to create a
shortcut access to.

2. Use the right mouse button to drag the item to the desktop. When you
release the mouse button, click Create Shortcut Here. This creates an
icon on your desktop labeled "Shortcut to ."

3. Start the FN F1-F12 Shortcut Key Assignment: click Start, Programs,
OmniBook, FN F1-F12 Shortcut Key Assignment.

4. Use the left mouse button to drag the Shortcut icon to an empty icon
field in the FN F1-F12 Shortcut Key Assignment box.

5. Print out a new icon strip for the OmniBook by clicking Print Icons, then
close this box. After the label prints, cut it to size as marked.

6. Use your fingernail or a paper clip to pull out the plastic tray from the
pocket above the keyboard. Use a small piece of tape to attach the strip
to the right end of the tray. Then reinsert the tray.

To edit or delete a shortcut key sequence

1. In Windows Explorer, highlight the file with the shortcut assignment you
want to change. It will be in the directory Windows, Start Menu,
Programs, OmniBook, FN Shortcuts.

2. Delete or edit the shortcut key assignment:

• To delete this shortcut key assignment, point the arrow cursor at

the icon next to the filename and press DEL.

• To edit this shortcut key assignment, press the right mouse

button to open the Properties sheet. Click the Shortcut tab. In the
field labeled Shortcut Key, you can change the key sequence simply
by pressing the desired keys.

To access a shortcut key sequence from a keyboard without an FN key

• If you are using a docking system with an external keyboard without an

FN key, substitute the keystrokes CTRL+ALT for FN.

To turn off the OmniBook

• Press the blue On/Off key.

This controls “instant on”, a feature that retains your current work

session when you press Off. The On/Off key turns the display off and
suspends electronic activity. When you turn the OmniBook back on
again, it comes back exactly where you left it.

—or—

• Close all applications, exit Windows, and press CTRL+ALT+OFF (the

blue On/Off key).

12

This completely shuts off the computer and resets all components when

you turn it back on, analogous to pressing the on/off switch on your
desktop PC.

A Word to the Wise

You can turn off your OmniBook without saving the files you’re working on,
and have everything there waiting when you come back. But it’s a better
idea to save all open files before turning the computer off. This is especially
important if the OmniBook will be idle for a long time—after several weeks
without recharging, it’s possible for the battery to self-discharge to a level
low enough to affect open data.

Automatic Turn-Off

Your OmniBook has several features that save battery power when the ac
adapter isn’t connected. The most obvious of these is automatic shutdown—
when your OmniBook has been idle for 3 minutes (the default duration,
which you can change) with no ac power, it turns itself off automatically.
(Other power-saving features are described throughout this manual.)

You Don’t Have to Exit OmniBook Applications

A key benefit of your OmniBook is that you don’t have to exit applications if
you’re still using them—even if you turn off your OmniBook. You can run
several, and quickly switch among them.

If, however, an application has trouble starting or seems slow, you may need
to close some documents or even exit some applications to make more
memory available. If this doesn’t fix the problem, close all applications and
exit Windows, then restart the computer.

Checking Status Information

This sections discusses

• The Status Panel.

• The taskbar.

The Status Panel

The Status Panel contains indicators that show the current status of the
OmniBook for the C drive, the three keyboard locks, and the battery power
level. You can turn the Status Panel on and off by pressing FN+ESC.

The disk symbol shows whether the hard drive (drive C) is active
(that is, reading or writing).

Drive C

13

Keyboard

The A, 1, and arrow labels appear if Caps Lock, Num Lock, and
Scroll Lock are active. (Certain applications such as Word also
show keyboard status in the application window.)

The shading of the battery symbol shows the approximate charge
level of the battery relative to a full charge.

Power

Indicators other than Power automatically appear only when relevant, such
as while a keyboard lock is active or while a drive is active. For other
options, see "To configure the Status Panel."

A plug symbol is displayed while the ac adapter is connected and
supplying power.

The electrical bolt symbol means that the battery is being
charged.

To view or hide the Status Panel

At any time, you can hide or display the Status Panel.

• Press FN+ESC—the panel becomes hidden or visible.

To move the Status Panel

• Press FN+Home, FN+End, FN+PgUp, or FN+PgDn to move the Status

Panel around the corners of the display. This allows you to view what the
Status Panel might be obscuring.

Viewing the Taskbar

The taskbar includes indicators for ac power, battery power, sound, Infrared
Monitor, and PC card use. These indicators appear when their status is
relevant, such as a plug icon when the ac adapter is plugged in or a battery
when the computer is running on battery power.

The taskbar indicators provide information when you hold the mouse pointer
over them. Some indicators also provide shortcuts to other settings screens.
To access the controls provided by these indicators, click, double-click, or
right-click on an indicator.

Each type of click provides a shortcut to a different control or piece of
information. For example, hold the pointer over the battery icon to find out
how much battery power remains. Double-click on the icon to access
settings for this indicator.

For more information on the taskbar, refer to the Introducing Microsoft
Windows 95 book.

14

Monitoring Power

The basic source of power for the OmniBook is its rechargeable battery
pack. You can use the ac adapter to recharge the battery—or to run on ac
power to preserve the battery. The OmniBook conserves power by using
Advanced Power Management (APM), software that controls battery
charging and power drain.

The OmniBook provides several safeguards so you won’t be surprised by a
dead-battery condition. For example, the Power status indicator shows the
remaining battery charge, and built-in warnings are displayed for low-battery
conditions. To preserve your current work session, the OmniBook
automatically turns off when the battery charge gets too low—your session
continues when you start recharging the battery or insert a fresh battery.
Data on any of the drives is not affected by a low battery—unless the battery
runs down completely while writing data to the drive, or if the battery in a PC
RAM card is also low.

This section shows how to

• Get battery status.

• Save battery power.

• Recharge the battery, or run on ac power.

• Respond to a low-battery warning.

• Replace the battery.

• Change how power is managed.

To get the battery status

• Check the Status Panel. If it is not visible, press FN+ESC to view it.

-or-

• Move the mouse pointer onto the battery indicator at the

right end of the taskbar—the percentage of battery power
remaining is displayed in a pop-up window.

To save battery power

You can follow these suggestions for conserving battery power so the battery
lasts longer:

• Plug in the ac adapter, especially while using a floppy drive or other

external connections—see the next topic.

• Turn down the brightness of the display to the lowest comfortable

level—this reduces the backlight power, which can increase the battery
operating time significantly.

• Set power management to an option that emphasizes saving power—

see “To change how power is managed”.

• Turn off the OmniBook when you stop using it, but avoid turning it off

and on frequently.

15

• If you work with an application that uses the serial port, modem port, or

a PC card, exit the application when you’re done using it.

• If you have a PC card with an external connection, such as a modem or

network card, remove it when you’re not using it. Some cards use
significant power, even while they’re inactive.

• Add system RAM (a memory-expansion board) if you have an 8 MB

system.

To recharge the battery or run on ac power

• Plug the power cord into the adapter, then into a grounded ac outlet.

• Insert the adapter plug into the socket at the right-rear corner of the

OmniBook.

AC adapter

Charging light

Power cord

Caution

Use the ac adapter shipped with the OmniBook (HP part number
F1044B or other Hewlett-Packard adapter intended for use with the
OmniBook 800). Using any other adapter could damage the OmniBook
and void your warranty. Always plug it into a grounded outlet. Note
that the adapter plug has negative polarity—the inner contact is
negative, and the outer is positive, which is different from many other
adapters.

You use the ac adapter to recharge the battery pack in the OmniBook. You
can also use it to avoid draining the battery—so it will be at full capacity
when you’re away from your desk. (You can even use the ac adapter while
the battery is removed.)

It’s a good idea to use the ac adapter during operations that take more
power—for example, those involving external connections, such as using a
floppy drive or serial port. .

16

The charging light turns on while the ac adapter is plugged in.

OmniBook Charging Light

Color Meaning for Battery

Off Not charging (no power connection).
Green Charged 90% - 100%.
Orange Charging.
Red Bad battery or missing battery.

OmniBook Operating and Recharging Times
Description Typical Time Charging Light

Operating time, from

2 to 3 hours maximum*

Off

100% charge
Recharging time Up to 4 hours On
*Actual time depends on the particular OmniBook model and actual usage—

see “To save battery power”.

The ac adapter is normally warm to the touch whenever it’s plugged into an
ac outlet. The OmniBook is normally warm while it’s charging, so don’t
charge it in a briefcase or other confined space.

Hint

To get the longest battery operating time, allow the battery to charge fully—
until the battery symbol in the Status Panel fills to the top. Continued
charging maintains the full charge, and does no harm to the battery.

You can partially recharge the battery pack whenever it’s convenient—it
doesn’t suffer from the “memory” effects that may affect other types of
rechargeable batteries.

Use only the Hewlett-Packard lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery pack.

To respond to a low-battery or bad-battery warning

• Plug in the ac adapter—see “To recharge the battery or run on ac

power.”

–or–

• Replace the battery pack—see “To replace the battery.”

–or–

• Save any files you have open in any applications, then turn off the

OmniBook.

Battery warnings first appear in the middle of the screen. After
acknowledgment, they appear in the Status Panel.

Battery Warnings

17

Low Battery

Bad

battery-NiMH

Bad battery--

undercharge

Bad battery--

over charge

Low battery. Less than 2 minutes of battery life remain before
automatic shut-down. Double beeps every 15 seconds remind you
of this.Press ESC to acknowledge the message.

Bad battery: wrong type. Install a lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery, not a
nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery.

Bad battery: cannot be fully charged. Replace the battery.

Bad battery: overcharged. The problem could be with either the
battery or the computer. Try replacing the battery. If this does not
work, contact Hewlett-Packard Support. See the Support and
Service brochure, or check OmniBook Support in the OmniBook
Library online.

When battery power is critically low, the OmniBook automatically shuts off,
preserving your current status and all information. Before this occurs,
however, you receive a battery warning message, and then the speaker
beeps periodically. By connecting the ac adapter or installing a fresh battery,
you can continue your work uninterrupted.

Caution

Once the OmniBook turns itself off, you have from several hours to
several days to restore power or recharge the battery. Otherwise, the
battery will run down completely, which can corrupt any open files.
Also, if you continue writing to a disk when the power warning period
expires, you could corrupt open files if the battery runs down
completely.

After the warning period, the OmniBook automatically turns off to preserve
your current session as long as possible—you won’t be able to turn it on
again until you restore power. The battery is able to provide the small
amount of power required to preserve memory for several hours or more. If
you try to turn on the OmniBook again without restoring power, it beeps and
refuses to turn on (to preserve memory). However, if you do this repeatedly,
you will exhaust the remaining power and lose your current session.

To replace the battery

If the battery goes bad (as indicated by the "bad battery" warning symbol),
you will need to replace the battery pack.

18

Caution

If you have the ac adapter plugged in when you remove the battery, do
not disconnect it while the battery is out. If you do, your current
session and any unsaved data will be lost.

1. Important: Close and save all files. Turn off the unit—do not turn it on
until you’ve finished replacing the battery. Also, if it’s connected, do not
unplug the ac adapter until you’re finished.

2. Release the two latches on the battery on the bottom of the case, then
remove the battery.

3. Insert the new battery pack so the metal battery contacts on the pack
line up with the contacts in the compartment, then latch the cover. If you
replace the battery within 1 minute, your current work session will be
saved. (Saved files and data are not affected.)

4. If you have changed the battery very quickly, you might need to press
FN+ON to update the battery status in the taskbar and in the Status
Panel.

Caution

Do not mutilate, puncture, or dispose of the battery in fire. The battery
can burst or explode, releasing hazardous chemicals.

A rechargeable battery pack must be recycled or disposed of properly.

To change how power is managed

You can change power-management settings that affect power usage and
performance. For ideas about how to save battery power, see “To save

battery power”.

• One way to change the power management settings is to

double-click on OmniBook Power Management in the
Control Panel.

• Another way is to use HP User Tools:

1. Click Start, HP User Tools, Settings tab, OmniBook Power Management
button. (Or double-click the battery-power icon in the taskbar.)

2. Select the power-management settings you want to balance battery life
and response time.

19

If you choose the Custom option, you can change the individual time-out

settings, such as the automatic turn-off time. The greater the idle time
before turn off, the more battery power you will use.

Using Disk Drives

The small size and light weight of your OmniBook are made possible in part
by advanced storage devices such as tiny plug-in cards and a miniaturized
disk drive.

The OmniBook floppy drive contains one slot (drive A). The OmniBook has
one system drive for the hard disk (drive C), and two card slots (typically
available as drives D and E).

Floppy drive

Lower card slotUpper card slot

(drive A)

You can use the upper and lower card slots with plug-in PC cards much as
you now use floppy disks. You can plug in a PC data-storage card and write
data to it or read from it just as if it were a floppy disk.

About the Internal Hard Disk Drive (Drive C)

The hard disk (drive C) can be removed and replaced. For cautions and
instructions on changing the hard drive, see "To replace the hard drive (drive

C)".

About the Card Slot Drives

• You can insert PC data-storage cards into the upper and lower card

slots—they could be drives D and E, but not necessarily, since they can
be automatically reassigned. Such cards function as disks (and are often
called “disks,” rather than “cards”). These disks provide a convenient
way to store backup data and exchange data with other computers, or
simply to expand your data-storage capacity. (See “To insert a PC

card“.)

• If you insert a double-height (type III) card into the lower slot (suppose

it’s drive E), the drive for the upper slot (suppose it’s D) exists but isn’t

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available. If you insert an I/O card into a card slot, the corresponding
drive becomes unavailable.

• If you create another drive on your OmniBook—such as a RAM disk in

memory using the RAMDRIVE driver—it may cause the card slots to
have drive letters higher than drive D and E.

The table below describes several types of PC data-storage cards supported
by the OmniBook—how they operate and how you can use them with the
OmniBook.

Disk Type Characteristics

Rotating
hard disk

A spinning magnetic medium and read-write head. The
medium requires no power to maintain its data, though it
requires significant power to operate. Most hard disks are
“ATA-type” disks.

Typical capacity: 170 MB or more.
Can be used for drive E in the lower card slot. (Because of

its physical size, the drive eliminates the upper card slot
otherwise used for drive D.)

Flash disk
(ATA-type)

Electronic memory chips called “flash” inside a plug-in card
and designed to work like a rotating hard disk. A flash disk
requires no power to maintain its data.

Typical capacity: 5 to 40 MB.
Can be used for drive D in the upper or E in the lower card

slot.

RAM card Electronic random-access memory chips called “RAM”

inside a plug-in card. A RAM card requires continuous
power to maintain its data—power is supplied by the
OmniBook battery while the OmniBook is turned on, and by
the card’s internal battery while the OmniBook is turned off
or the card is removed.

Typical capacity: 1/2 to 2 MB.
Can be used for drive D in the upper or E in the lower card

slot.

For more information about compatible cards, contact Hewlett-Packard—see
the Support and Service booklet or click Start, Programs, OmniBook Library,
OmniBook Support.

About PC Data Storage Cards

The OmniBook works with PC data storage cards and Card Standards type II
and III, such as Hewlett-Packard ATA-type hard disks and flash disks. (This
OmniBook model doesn’t provide the software needed for Flash File System
or flash-memory cards, such as Intel Series 2 cards.)

If you’re using a RAM card with the OmniBook, keep these suggestions in
mind:

• For a new RAM card, install its battery before you insert the card in the

OmniBook.

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• Replace the RAM card battery yearly.

• When you want to replace a RAM card battery, plug the card into the

OmniBook and make sure the OmniBook stays turned on while you
replace the battery. Otherwise, the data on the card will be lost.

• To use an SRAM card, you must first load drivers for it. Refer to the

online Help for Windows 95.

Using Sound

Your OmniBook supports Sound Blaster PRO-compatible sound (16-bit
stereo).

This section shows how to

• Adjust the speaker volume.

• Connect a microphone, speakers, or headphones.

• Play and record sounds.

To change speaker volume

The speaker volume setting controls loudness for all sounds except
Appointment Book alarms.

You can adjust the volume using these methods:

• Hold FN and press UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW as needed to

gradually increase or decrease the volume.

• Press FN+SPACEBAR to mute the sound (or to turn it back on).

• Click the speaker symbol in the taskbar to display the Volume panel,

then drag the main volume control.

• Double-click the speaker symbol in the taskbar to display the Volume

Control panel for advanced control of different sound inputs.

To connect a microphone, speakers, or headphones

Your OmniBook has a built-in microphone above the keyboard and two
speakers. Although the OmniBook has stereo sound, both built-in speakers
play a mix of the right and left channels. You can also plug in an external
microphone, external speakers or headphones, and a stereo input source.

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• Plug the microphone into the microphone jack—the built-in microphone

turns off.

• Plug the stereo speakers or 8-ohm headphones into the output jack—the

built-in speakers turn off (except for beeps).

• Plug a stereo input source into the input jack.

Microphone

Headphone output
Line input
Microphone input

To record sound

The OmniBook contains a built-in microphone for recording sound. You can
also connect an external microphone into the microphone jack.

You can use Sound Recorder to play and to record sound.

1. Connect any external sound or input sources—such as connecting a
microphone or stereo signal line to the corresponding input jacks.

2. Click Start, Programs, Accessories, Multimedia, Sound Recorder.

3. Click the Record button and speak into the microphone.

4. When finished, click Stop.

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