HP 100B, Compaq Elite 8300, 4300, Compaq Pro 4300, 6300 Getting Started Guide

...

Getting Started

HP Business PCs

Windows is a U.S. registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation.

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.

This document contains proprietary information that is protected by copyright. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or translated to another language without the prior written consent of Hewlett-Packard Company.

Getting Started

HP Business PCs

Sixth Edition (August 2013)

Document Part Number: 625148-006

About This Book

WARNING! Text set off in this manner indicates that failure to follow directions could result in bodily

harm or loss of life.

CAUTION: Text set off in this manner indicates that failure to follow directions could result in

damage to equipment or loss of information.

NOTE: Text set off in this manner provides important supplemental information.

iii

iv About This Book

Table of contents

1 Getting Started in Windows 7 ........................................................................................................................ 1

Activating and customizing the software .............................................................................................. 1

Activating the Windows operating system ........................................................................... 1

Downloading Windows 7 updates ........................................................................................ 1

Installing or upgrading device drivers .................................................................................. 1

Customizing the monitor display .......................................................................................... 2

Turning off the computer ...................................................................................................................... 2

Finding more information ...................................................................................................................... 2

If you encounter issues ........................................................................................................................ 2

Performing basic troubleshooting ........................................................................................ 3

Visual inspection: No boot, no power, no video .................................................. 3

Blink or beep codes: Interpreting POST diagnostic front panel LEDs and

audible codes ...................................................................................................... 4

HP Support Assistant .......................................................................................... 4

Using HP PC Hardware Diagnostics ................................................................... 4

Why run HP PC Hardware Diagnostics .............................................. 4

How to access and run HP PC Hardware Diagnostics ....................... 4

Downloading HP PC Hardware Diagnostics to a USB device ............ 4

Before you call for technical support ................................................................... 5

Backing up, restoring, and recovering in Windows 7 .......................................... 6

Creating recovery media .................................................................... 7

System Restore ................................................................................ 10

System Recovery ............................................................................. 10

Using, updating, and maintaining your PC ......................................................................................... 13

2 Getting Started in Windows 8 ...................................................................................................................... 14

Activating and customizing the software ............................................................................................ 14

Activating the Windows Operating System ........................................................................ 14

Downloading Windows 8 updates ...................................................................................... 14

Customizing the monitor display ........................................................................................ 15

Turning off the computer .................................................................................................................... 15

Finding more information .................................................................................................................... 15

If you encounter issues ...................................................................................................................... 15

Performing basic troubleshooting ...................................................................................... 16

Visual inspection: No boot, no power, no video ................................................ 16

Blink or beep codes: Interpreting POST diagnostic front panel LEDs and

audible codes .................................................................................................... 17

HP Support Assistant ........................................................................................ 17

Using HP PC Hardware Diagnostics ................................................................. 17

Why run HP PC Hardware Diagnostics ............................................ 17

How to access and run HP PC Hardware Diagnostics ..................... 17

Downloading HP PC Hardware Diagnostics to a USB device .......... 18

Before you call for technical support ................................................................. 19

Backing up, restoring, and recovering in Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 .............. 20

Creating recovery media and backups ............................................. 20

Restoring and recovering using Windows tools ................................ 20

Using, updating, and maintaining your PC ......................................................................................... 22

1 Getting Started in Windows 7

Activating and customizing the software

If your computer was not shipped with a Windows® operating system, some portions of this documentation do not apply. Additional information is available in online help after you activate the operating system.

CAUTION: Do not add optional hardware or third-party devices to the computer until the operating

system is successfully activated. Doing so may cause errors and prevent the operating system from installing properly.

NOTE: Be sure there is a 10.2 cm (4 inch) clearance at the back of the unit and above the monitor

to permit the required airflow.

Activating the Windows operating system

The first time you turn on the computer, the operating system is set up and activated automatically. This process takes about 5 to 10 minutes. Carefully read and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the activation.

We recommend that you register your computer with HP during operating system setup so you can receive important software updates, facilitate support questions, and sign up for special offers.

CAUTION: After the activation process has begun, DO NOT TURN OFF THE COMPUTER UNTIL

THE PROCESS IS COMPLETE. Turning off the computer during the activation process may damage the software that runs the computer or prevent its proper installation.

NOTE: If the computer shipped with more than one operating system language on the hard drive,

the activation process could take up to 60 minutes.

Downloading Windows 7 updates

Microsoft may release updates to the operating system. To help keep the computer running optimally, HP recommends checking for the latest updates during the initial installation and periodically throughout the life of the computer.

1. To set up your Internet connection, click Start > Internet Explorer and follow the instructions on

the screen.

2. After an Internet connection has been established, click the Start > All Programs > Windows

Update.

3. Run Windows Update monthly thereafter.

Installing or upgrading device drivers

When installing optional hardware devices after the operating system installation is complete, you must also install the drivers for each of the devices.

In Windows 7, if prompted for the i386 directory, replace the path specification with C:\i386, or use the Browse button in the dialog box to locate the i386 folder. This action points the operating system to the appropriate drivers.

Activating and customizing the software 1

Obtain the latest support software, including support software for the operating system, from

http://www.hp.com/support. Select your country and language, select Download drivers and

software (and firmware), enter the model number of the computer, and press Enter.

Customizing the monitor display

If you wish, you can select or change the monitor refresh rates, screen resolution, color settings, font sizes, and power management settings.

For more information, refer to the online documentation provided with the graphics controller utility or the documentation that came with your monitor.

Right-click on the Windows desktop, then click Personalize to change display settings.

Turning off the computer

To properly turn off the computer, first shut down the operating system software.

▲ Click Start > Shut down.

Finding more information

NOTE: Some or all of the following documents are available on the computer hard drive.

Getting Started—Helps you connect the computer and peripheral devices and set up factory-

●

provided software; also includes basic troubleshooting information should you encounter any problems during initial startup.

Hardware Reference Guide—Provides an overview of the product hardware, as well as

●

instructions for upgrading this series of computers; includes information on RTC batteries, memory, and power supply.

Maintenance and Service Guide (English only)—Provides information on parts removal and

●

replacement, troubleshooting, Desktop Management, setup utilities, safety, routine care, connector pin assignments, POST error messages, diagnostic indicator lights and error codes.

Regulatory, Safety and Environmental Notices—Provides safety and regulatory information that

●

ensures compliance with U.S., Canadian, and various international regulations.

Accessing User Guides (Linux systems)

Double-click the HP User Manuals icon on your desktop. Select the folder for your language. Select the guide you wish to access.

If you encounter issues

There are several means to diagnose and resolve potential issues. HP provides several proprietary diagnostics tools but recommends a sequential troubleshooting approach that addresses the most basic root cause to the more complex. Steps include:

Visual inspection

●

Blink or beep codes

●

HP Support Assistant (HPSA) troubleshooter

●

HP PC Hardware Diagnostics

●

2 Chapter 1 Getting Started in Windows 7

HP Support

●

● System restore

System recovery

●

Performing basic troubleshooting

You can find troubleshooting information in the comprehensive Maintenance and Service Guide (English only) available under the reference library at and language, select Product Support & Troubleshooting, enter the model number of the computer, and click Search.

Visual inspection: No boot, no power, no video

If you encounter problems with the computer, monitor, or software, see the following list of general suggestions before taking further action:

Check that the computer and monitor are plugged into a working electrical outlet.

●

Check to see that the voltage select switch (some models) is set to the appropriate voltage for

●

your region (115V or 230V).

Check to see that the computer is turned on and the power light is on.

●

Check to see that the monitor is turned on and the monitor light is on.

●

Turn up the brightness and contrast controls of the monitor if the monitor is dim.

●

http://www.hp.com/support. Select your country

If the system does not boot, press and hold any key. If the system beeps, then the keyboard is

●

operating correctly.

Check all cable connections for loose connections or incorrect connections.

●

Wake the computer by pressing any key on the keyboard or pressing the power button. If the

●

system remains in sleep mode, shut down the computer by pressing and holding the power button for at least four seconds. Then press the power button again to restart the computer. If the system will not shut down, unplug the power cord, wait a few seconds, and then plug it in again. The computer will restart if automatic start on power loss is set in Computer Setup. If the computer does not restart, press the power button.

● Reconfigure your computer after installing a non-Plug and Play expansion board or other option.

Be sure that all the needed device drivers have been installed. For example, if you are using a

●

printer, you need a driver for that printer model.

Remove any bootable media (CD/DVD or USB device) from the system before turning it on.

●

If you have installed an operating system other than the factory-installed operating system,

●

check to be sure that it is supported on the system.

If the system has multiple video sources (embedded, PCI, or PCI-Express adapters) installed

●

(embedded video on some models only) and a single monitor, the monitor must be connected to the monitor port on the source that is set as the primary video source. During boot, the other video ports are disabled and if the monitor is connected to one of these ports, the monitor will not function. You can select or change the primary video source in Computer Setup.

CAUTION: When the computer is plugged into an AC power source, there is always voltage applied

to the system board. To reduce the risk of system board or component damage, always disconnect the power cord from the power source before opening the computer.

If you encounter issues 3

+ 19 hidden pages