HP Pavilion 13 A100 X360 Convertible Pc User Manual

							Using the power meter and power settings
The power meter is located on the Windows desktop. The power meter allows you to quickly access
power settings and view the remaining battery charge.
●To reveal the percentage of remaining battery charge and the current power plan, on the
Windows desktop, point over the power meter icon.
●To use Power Options, click the power meter icon and select an item from the list. From the
Start screen, you can also type power options, and then select Power Options.
Different power meter icons indicate whether the computer is running on battery or external power.
The icon also reveals a message if the battery has reached a low or critical battery level.
Running on battery power
When a charged battery is in the computer and the computer is not plugged into external power, the
computer runs on battery power. If the computer has a charged battery installed and the AC adapter
is disconnected from the computer, the computer automatically switches to battery power and the
screen brightness decreases to conserve battery life. The battery in the computer slowly discharges
when the computer is off and unplugged from external power.
Computer battery life varies, depending on power management settings, programs running on the
computer, screen brightness, external devices connected to the computer, and other factors.
Factory-sealed battery
To monitor the status of your battery, or if the battery is no longer holding a charge, run Battery Check
in Help and Support. To access battery information, from the Start screen, type support, select the
HP Support Assistant app, and then select Battery and performance. If Battery Check indicates that
your battery should be replaced, contact support.
The battery(ies) in this product cannot be easily replaced by users themselves. Removing or
replacing the battery could affect your warranty coverage. If a battery is no longer holding a charge,
contact support.
When a battery has reached the end of its useful life, do not dispose of the battery in general
household waste. Follow the local laws and regulations in your area for battery disposal.
Finding battery information
To monitor the status of your battery, or if the battery is no longer holding a charge, run Battery Check
in HP Support Assistant. To access battery information, from the Start screen, type support, select
the HP Support Assistant app, and then select Battery and performance.
HP Support Assistant provides the following tools and information about the battery:
●Battery test
●Information about battery types, specifications, life cycles, and capacity
Conserving battery power
Tips for conserving battery power and maximizing battery life:
●Lower the brightness on the display.
●Select the Power saver setting in Power Options.
Using the power meter and power settings 43 
						

							●Turn off wireless devices when you are not using them.
●Disconnect unused external devices that are not plugged into an external power source, such as
an external hard drive connected to a USB port.
●Stop, disable, or remove any external media cards that you are not using.
●Before you leave your work, initiate Sleep or shut down the computer.
Identifying low battery levels
When a battery that is the sole power source for the computer reaches a low or critical battery level,
the following behavior occurs:
●The power meter icon on the Windows desktop shows a low or critical battery notification.
NOTE:For additional information about the power meter, see Using the power meter and
power settings on page 43.
The computer takes the following actions for a critical battery level:
●If Hibernation is disabled and the computer is on or in the Sleep state, the computer remains
briefly in the Sleep state, and then shuts down and loses any unsaved information.
●If Hibernation is enabled and the computer is on or in the Sleep state, the computer initiates
Hibernation.
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 available
Save your work and shut down the computer.
Resolving a low battery level when the computer cannot exit Hibernation
When the computer lacks sufficient power to exit Hibernation, follow these steps:
1.Connect the AC adapter to the computer and to external power.
2.Exit Hibernation by pressing the power button.
Running on external AC power
For information about connecting to AC power, refer to the Setup Instructions poster provided in the
computer box.
The computer does not use battery power when the computer is connected to AC external power with
an approved AC adapter or an optional docking/expansion device.
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:
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							WARNING!Do not charge the computer battery while you are onboard aircraft.
●When charging or calibrating a battery
●When installing or modifying system software
●When writing information to a disc (select models only)
●When running Disk Defragmenter on computers with internal hard drives
●When performing a backup or recovery
When you connect the computer to external AC power:
●The battery begins to charge.
●The screen brightness increases.
●The power meter icon on the Windows desktop changes appearance.
When you disconnect external AC power, the following events occur:
●The computer switches to battery power.
●The screen brightness automatically decreases to save battery life.
●The power meter icon on the Windows desktop changes appearance.
Troubleshooting power problems
Test the AC adapter if the computer exhibits any of the following symptoms when it is connected to
AC power:
●The computer does not turn on.
●The display does not turn on.
●The power lights are off.
To test the AC adapter:
1.Shut down the computer.
2.Connect the AC adapter to the computer, and then plug it into an AC outlet.
3.Turn on the computer.
●If the power lights turn 
on, the AC adapter is working properly.
●If the power lights remain 
off, check the connection from the AC adapter to the computer
and the connection from the AC adapter to the AC outlet to be sure that the connections
are secure.
●If the connections are secure and the power lights remain 
off, the AC adapter is not
functioning and should be replaced.
Contact support for information about obtaining a replacement AC power adapter.
Running on external AC power 45 
						

							HP CoolSense
HP CoolSense  automatically detects when the computer is not on a horizontal surface and
adjusts performance and fan settings to keep the surface temperature of your computer at the
optimum level of comfort.
When HP CoolSense is off, the position of the computer is not detected and the performance and fan
options remain at the factory setting. As a result, the surface temperature of the computer might be
higher than it would be with HP CoolSense on.
To turn CoolSense off or on, follow these steps:
▲From the Start screen, type coolsense, and then select HP CoolSense.
Refreshing your software content with Intel Smart Connect
Technology (select models only)
When the computer is in the Sleep state, Intel® Smart Connect Technology periodically causes the
computer to exit Sleep. If a network connection is available, Smart Connect updates open apps such
as your email inboxes, social network sites, and news pages and then returns the computer to the
Sleep state. Smart Connect also syncs content that you have created offline, such as emails. When
the computer exits Sleep, you have immediate access to your updated information.
▲To enable this feature or manually adjust the settings, from the Start screen, type smart, and
then select Intel® Smart Connect Technology.
Shutting down (turning off) the computer
CAUTION:Unsaved information is lost when the computer shuts down. Be sure to save your work
before shutting down the computer.
The Shut down command closes all open programs, including the operating system, and then turns
off the display and computer.
Shut down the computer under any of the following conditions:
●When you are connecting an external hardware device that does not connect to a USB or video
port
●When the computer will be unused and disconnected from external power for an extended
period
Although you can turn off the computer with the power button, the recommended procedure is to use
the Windows Shut down command:
NOTE:If the computer is in the Sleep state or in Hibernation, you must first exit Sleep or
Hibernation before shutdown is possible by briefly pressing the power button.
1.Save your work and close all open programs.
2.From the Start screen, point to the upper-right or lower-right corner of the screen to reveal the
charms.
3.Click Settings, click the Power icon, and then click Shut down.
– or –
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							Right-click the Start button in the lower-left corner of the screen, select Shut down, and then
select Shut down.
If the computer is unresponsive and you are unable to use the preceding shutdown procedures, try
the following emergency procedures in the sequence provided:
●Press ctrl+alt+delete, click the Power icon, and then select Shut Down.
●Press and hold the power button for at least 5 seconds.
●Disconnect the computer from external power.
Shutting down (turning off) the computer 47 
						

							7 Maintaining your computer
It is important to perform regular maintenance to keep your computer in optimal condition. This
chapter provides information about improving the performance of your computer by running tools
such as Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup. It also provides information about updating your
programs and drivers, instructions for cleaning your computer, and tips for traveling with your
computer.
Improving performance
Everyone wants a fast computer and you can drastically improve the performance of your computer
by performing regular maintenance tasks with tools such as Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup.
Also, as your computer gets older, you might consider installing larger drives and adding more
memory.
Using HP 3D DriveGuard (select models only)
HP 3D DriveGuard protects a hard drive by parking the drive and halting data requests under either of
the 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 one of these events, HP 3D DriveGuard returns the hard drive to normal
operation.
NOTE:Because solid state drives (SSDs) lack moving parts, they do not require HP 3D DriveGuard
protection.
NOTE:A hard drive in a primary hard drive bay or a secondary hard drive bay is protected by HP
3D DriveGuard. A hard drive installed in an optional docking device or connected to a USB port is not
protected by HP 3D DriveGuard.
For more information, see the HP 3D DriveGuard software Help.
Identifying HP 3D DriveGuard status
The hard drive light on the computer changes color to show that the drive in a primary hard drive bay
and/or the drive in a secondary hard drive bay (select models only) is parked. To determine whether a
drive is currently protected or whether it is parked, view the icon on the Windows desktop in the
notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, or in the Mobility Center.
Using Disk Defragmenter
As you use your computer over time, the files on the hard drive become fragmented. A fragmented
drive means data on your drive is not contiguous (sequential) and, because of this, the hard drive
works harder to locate files, thus slowing down the computer. Disk Defragmenter consolidates (or
physically reorganizes) the fragmented files and folders on the hard drive so that the system can run
more efficiently.
NOTE:It is not necessary to run Disk Defragmenter on solid-state drives.
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							After you start Disk Defragmenter, it works without supervision. However, depending on the size of
your hard drive and the number of fragmented files, Disk Defragmenter may take more than an hour
to complete.
HP recommends defragmenting your hard drive at least once a month. You may set Disk
Defragmenter to run on a monthly schedule, but you can defragment your computer manually at any
time.
To run Disk Defragmenter:
1.Connect the computer to AC power.
2.From the Start screen, type disk.
3.Follow the on-screen instructions.
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 run more efficiently.
To run Disk Cleanup:
1.From the Start screen, type disk, and then select Uninstall apps to free up disk space.
2.Follow the on-screen instructions.
Updating programs and drivers
HP recommends that you update your programs and drivers on a regular basis to the latest versions.
Updates can resolve issues and bring new features and options to your computer. Technology is
always changing, and updating programs and drivers allows your computer to run the latest
technology available. For example, older graphics components might not work well with the most
recent gaming software. Without the latest driver, you would not be getting the most out of your
equipment.
Go to 
http://www.hp.com/support to download the latest versions of HP programs and drivers. In
addition, register to receive automatic update notifications when they become available.
Cleaning your computer
Use the following products to safely clean your computer:
●Dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride 0.3 percent maximum concentration (for example,
disposable wipes, which come in a variety of brands).
●Alcohol-free glass-cleaning fluid
●Water with mild soap solution
●Dry microfiber cleaning cloth or a chamois (static-free cloth without oil)
●Static-free cloth wipes
CAUTION:Avoid strong cleaning solvents that can permanently damage your computer. If you are
not sure that a cleaning product is safe for your computer, check the product contents to make sure
that ingredients such as alcohol, acetone, ammonium chloride, methylene chloride, and hydrocarbons
are not included in the product.
Updating programs and drivers 49 
						

							Fibrous materials, such as paper towels, can scratch the computer. Over time, dirt particles and
cleaning agents can get trapped in the scratches.
Cleaning procedures
Follow the procedures in this section to safely clean your computer.
WARNING!To prevent electric shock or damage to components, do not attempt to clean your
computer while it is turned on.
●Turn off the computer.
●Disconnect AC power.
●Disconnect all powered external devices.
CAUTION:To prevent damage to internal components, do not spray cleaning agents or liquids
directly on any computer surface. Liquids dripped on the surface can permanently damage internal
components.
Cleaning the display (All-in-Ones or Notebooks)
Gently wipe the display using a soft, lint-free cloth moistened with an alcohol-free glass cleaner. Be
sure that the display is dry before closing the display.
Cleaning the sides or cover
To clean the sides or cover, use a soft microfiber cloth or chamois moistened with one of the cleaning
solutions listed previously or use an acceptable disposable wipe.
NOTE:When cleaning the cover of the computer, use a circular motion to aid in removing dirt and
debris.
Cleaning the TouchPad, keyboard, or mouse
WARNING!To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to internal components, do not use a
vacuum cleaner attachment to clean the keyboard. A vacuum cleaner can deposit household debris
on the keyboard surface.
CAUTION:To prevent damage to internal components, do not allow liquids to drip between the
keys.
●To clean the TouchPad, keyboard, or mouse, use a soft microfiber cloth or a chamois moistened
with one of the cleaning solutions listed previously or use an acceptable disposable wipe.
●To prevent keys from sticking and to remove dust, lint, and particles from the keyboard, use a
can of compressed air with a straw extension.
Traveling with or shipping your computer
If you have to travel with or ship your computer, here are some tips to keep in mind to keep your
equipment safe.
●Prepare the computer for traveling or shipping:
◦Back up your information to an external drive.
◦Remove all discs and all external media cards, such as memory cards.
50 Chapter 7   Maintaining your computer 
						

							◦Turn off and then disconnect all external devices.
◦Shut down the computer.
●Take along a backup of your information. Keep the backup separate from the computer.
●When traveling by air, carry the computer as hand luggage; do not check it in with the rest of
your luggage.
CAUTION:Avoid exposing a drive to magnetic fields. Security devices with magnetic fields
include airport walk-through devices and security wands. Airport conveyer belts and similar
security devices that check carry-on baggage use X-rays instead of magnetism and do not
damage drives.
●If you plan to use the computer during a flight, listen for the in-flight announcement that tells you
when you are allowed to use your computer. In-flight computer use is at the discretion of the
airline.
●If you are shipping the computer or a drive, use suitable protective packaging and label the
package “FRAGILE.”
●If the computer has a wireless device installed, the use of these devices may be restricted in
some environments. Such restrictions may apply aboard aircraft, in hospitals, near explosives,
and in hazardous locations. If you are uncertain of the policy that applies to the use of a
particular device, ask for authorization to use your computer before you turn it on.
●If you are traveling internationally, follow these suggestions:
◦Check the computer-related customs regulations for each country or region on your
itinerary.
◦Check the power cord and adapter requirements for each location in which you plan to use
the computer. Voltage, frequency, and plug configurations vary.
WARNING!To reduce the risk of electric shock, fire, or damage to the equipment, do not
attempt to power the computer with a voltage converter kit sold for appliances.
Traveling with or shipping your computer 51 
						

							8 Securing your computer and information
Computer security is essential for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your
information. Standard security solutions provided by the Windows operating system, HP applications,
the non-Windows Setup Utility (BIOS), and other third-party software can help protect your computer
from a variety of risks, such as viruses, worms, and other types of malicious code.
IMPORTANT:Some security features listed in this chapter may not be available on your computer.
Computer risk Security feature
Unauthorized use of the computer Power-on password
Computer viruses Antivirus software
Unauthorized access to data Firewall software
Unauthorized access to Setup Utility (BIOS) settings and
other system identification informationAdministrator password
Ongoing or future threats to the computer Software updates
Unauthorized access to a Windows user account User password
Unauthorized removal of the computer Security cable lock
Using passwords
A password is a group of characters that you choose to secure your computer information and to
protect online transactions. Several types of passwords can be set. For example, when you set up
your computer for the first time, you were asked to create a user password to secure your computer.
Additional passwords can be set in Windows or in the HP Setup Utility (BIOS) that is preinstalled on
your computer.
You may find it helpful to use the same password for a Setup Utility (BIOS) feature and for a Windows
security feature.
Use the following tips for creating and saving passwords:
●To reduce the risk of being locked out of the computer, record each password and store it in a
secure place away from the computer. Do not store passwords in a file on the computer.
●When creating passwords, follow requirements set by the program.
●Change your passwords at least every three months.
●An ideal password is long and has letters, punctuation, symbols, and numbers.
●Before you send your computer for service, back up your files, delete confidential files, and then
remove all password settings.
For additional information about Windows passwords, such as screen-saver passwords, from the
Start screen, type hp support assistant, and then select the HP Support Assistant app.
52 Chapter 8   Securing your computer and information