HP Pavilion 15 E100 Notebook Pc Series Manual
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Setting Windows passwords Password Function User password Protects access to a Windows user account. Administrator password Protects administrator-level access to computer contents. NOTE:This password cannot be used to access Setup Utility (BIOS) contents. Setting Setup Utility (BIOS) passwords Password Function Administrator password ●Must be entered each time you access Setup Utility (BIOS). ●If you forget your administrator password, you cannot access Setup Utility (BIOS). NOTE:The administrator password can be used in place of the power-on password. NOTE:Your administrator password is not interchangeable with an administrator password set in Windows, nor is it revealed as it is set, entered, changed, or deleted. NOTE:If you enter the power-on password at the first password check, you must enter the administrator password to access Setup Utility (BIOS). Power-on password ●Must be entered each time you turn on or restart the computer. ●If you forget your power-on password, you cannot turn on or restart the computer. NOTE:The administrator password can be used in place of the power-on password. NOTE:A power-on password is not revealed as it is set, entered, changed, or deleted. To set, change, or delete an administrator or power-on password in Setup Utility (BIOS): 1.To start Setup Utility (BIOS), turn on or restart the computer, quickly press esc, and then press f10. 2.Use the arrow keys to select Security, and then follow the on-screen instructions. Your changes take effect when the computer restarts. Using passwords 61
Using Internet security software When you use your computer to access email, a network, or the Internet, you potentially expose your computer to computer viruses, spyware, and other online threats. To help protect your computer, Internet security software that includes antivirus and firewall features may be preinstalled on your computer as a trial offer. To provide ongoing protection against newly discovered viruses and other security risks, security software must be kept up to date. It is strongly recommended that you upgrade the security software trial offer or purchase the software of your choice in order to fully protect your computer. Using antivirus software Computer viruses can disable programs, utilities, or the operating system, or cause them to function abnormally. Antivirus software can detect most viruses, destroy them, and in most cases, repair any damage they have caused. To provide ongoing protection against newly discovered viruses, antivirus software must be kept up to date. An antivirus program may be preinstalled on your computer. It is strongly recommended that you use the antivirus program of your choice in order to fully protect your computer. For more information about computer viruses, from the Start screen, type support, and then select the HP Support Assistant app. Using firewall software Firewalls are designed to prevent unauthorized access to a system or network. A firewall can be software you install on your computer and/or network, or it can be a combination of both hardware and software. There are two types of firewalls to consider: ●Host-based firewalls—Software that protects only the computer it is installed on. ●Network-based firewalls—Installed between your DSL or cable modem and your home network to protect all the computers on the network. When a firewall is installed on a system, all data sent to and from the system is monitored and compared with a set of user-defined security criteria. Any data that does not meet those criteria is blocked. Installing software updates HP, Microsoft Windows, and third-party software installed on your computer should be regularly updated to correct security problems and improve software performance. For more information, see Updating programs and drivers on page 58. Installing critical security updates CAUTION:Microsoft® sends out alerts regarding critical updates. To protect the computer from security breaches and computer viruses, install all critical updates from Microsoft as soon as you receive an alert. You can choose whether updates are installed automatically. To change the settings, from the Start screen, type c, and then select Control Panel. Select System and Security, select Windows Update, select Change settings, and then follow the on-screen instructions. 62 Chapter 9 Securing your computer and information
Installing HP and third-party software updates HP recommends that you regularly update the software and drivers that were originally installed on your computer. To download the latest versions, go to http://www.hp.com/go/contactHP. At this location, you can also register to receive automatic update notifications when they become available. If you have installed third-party software after you purchased your computer, regularly update the software. Software companies provide software updates to their products to correct security problems and improve functionality of the software. Securing your wireless network When you set up your wireless network, always enable security features. For more information, see Protecting your WLAN on page 17. Backing up your software applications and information Regularly back up your software applications and information to protect them from being permanently lost or damaged through a virus attack or a software or hardware failure. For more information, see Backing up, restoring, and recovering on page 68. Using an optional security cable lock A security cable lock, which is purchased separately, is designed to act as a deterrent, but it may not prevent the computer from being mishandled or stolen. Security cable locks are only one of several methods that should be employed as part of a complete security solution to help maximize theft protection. The security cable slot on your computer may look slightly different from the illustration in this section. For the location of the security cable slot on your computer, see Getting to know your computer on page 4. 1.Loop the security cable lock around a secured object. 2.Insert the key (1) into the security cable lock (2). Securing your wireless network 63
3.Insert the security cable lock into the security cable slot on the computer (3), and then lock the security cable lock with the key. 4.Remove the key and keep it in a safe place. 64 Chapter 9 Securing your computer and information
10 Using Setup Utility (BIOS) and System Diagnostics Setup Utility, or Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), controls communication between all the input and output devices on the system (such as disk drives, display, keyboard, mouse, and printer). Setup Utility (BIOS) includes settings for the types of devices installed, the startup sequence of the computer, and the amount of system and extended memory. Starting Setup Utility (BIOS) To start Setup Utility (BIOS), turn on or restart the computer, quickly press esc, and then press f10. Information about how to navigate in Setup Utility (BIOS) is located at the bottom of the screen. NOTE:Use extreme care when making changes in Setup Utility (BIOS). Errors can prevent the computer from operating properly. Updating the BIOS Updated versions of the BIOS may be available on the HP website. Most BIOS updates on the HP website are packaged in compressed files called SoftPaqs. Some download packages contain a file named Readme.txt, which contains information regarding installing and troubleshooting the file. Determining the BIOS version To determine whether available BIOS updates contain later BIOS versions than those currently installed on the computer, you need to know the version of the system BIOS currently installed. BIOS version information (also known as ROM date and System BIOS) can be revealed by pressing fn+esc (if you are already in Windows) or by using Setup Utility (BIOS). 1.Start Setup Utility (BIOS) (see Starting Setup Utility (BIOS) on page 65. 2.Use the arrow keys to select Main and make note of your current BIOS version. 3.To exit Setup Utility (BIOS) without saving your changes, use the arrow keys to select Exit, select Exit Discarding Changes, and then press enter. 4.Select Yes. Starting Setup Utility (BIOS) 65
Downloading a BIOS update CAUTION:To reduce the risk of damage to the computer or an unsuccessful installation, download and install a BIOS update only when the computer is connected to reliable external power using the AC adapter. Do not download or install a BIOS update while the computer is running on battery power, docked in an optional docking device, or connected to an optional power source. During the download and installation, follow these instructions: Do not disconnect power from the computer by unplugging the power cord from the AC outlet. Do not shut down the computer or initiate Sleep. Do not insert, remove, connect, or disconnect any device, cable, or cord. 1.From the Start screen, type support, and then select the HP Support Assistant app. 2.Click Updates and tune-ups, and then click Check for HP updates now. 3.Follow the on-screen instructions. 4.At the download area, follow these steps: a.Identify the most recent BIOS update and compare it to the BIOS version currently installed on your computer. If the update is more recent than your BIOS, make a note of the date, name, or other identifier. You may need this information to locate the update later, after it has been downloaded to your hard drive. b.Follow the on-screen instructions to download your selection to the hard drive. If the update is more recent than your BIOS, make a note of the path to the location on your hard drive where the BIOS update is downloaded. You will need to access this path when you are ready to install the update. NOTE:If you connect your computer to a network, consult the network administrator before installing any software updates, especially system BIOS updates. BIOS installation procedures vary. Follow any instructions that are revealed on the screen after the download is complete. If no instructions are revealed, follow these steps: 1.From the Start screen, type e, and then select File Explorer. 2.Click your hard drive designation. The hard drive designation is typically Local Disk (C:). 3.Using the hard drive path you recorded earlier, open the folder on your hard drive that contains the update. 4.Double-click the file that has an .exe extension (for example, filename.exe). The BIOS installation begins. 5.Complete the installation by following the on-screen instructions. NOTE:After a message on the screen reports a successful installation, you can delete the downloaded file from your hard drive. 66 Chapter 10 Using Setup Utility (BIOS) and System Diagnostics
Using System Diagnostics System Diagnostics allows you to run diagnostic tests to determine if the computer hardware is functioning properly. To start System Diagnostics: 1.Turn on or restart the computer, quickly press esc, and then press f2. 2.Click the diagnostic test you want to run, and then follow the on-screen instructions. NOTE:If you need to stop a diagnostic test while it is running, press esc. Using System Diagnostics 67
11 Backing up, restoring, and recovering Your computer includes tools provided by HP and the operating system to help you safeguard your information and retrieve it if you ever need to. These tools will help you return your computer to a proper working state or even back to the original factory state, all with simple steps. This chapter provides information about the following processes: ●Creating recovery media and backups ●Restoring and recovering your system NOTE:This guide describes an overview of backing up, restoring and recovering options. For more details about the tools provided, see Help and Support. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support. Creating recovery media and backups Recovery after a system failure is only as good as your most recent backup. 1.After you successfully set up the computer, create HP Recovery media. This step creates a backup of the HP Recovery partition on the computer. The backup can be used to reinstall the original operating system in cases where the hard drive is corrupted or has been replaced. HP Recovery media you create will provide the following recovery options: ●System Recovery—Reinstalls the original operating system and the programs that were installed at the factory. ●Minimized Image Recovery—Reinstalls the operating system and all hardware-related drivers and software, but not other software applications. ●Factory Reset—Restores the computer to its original factory state by deleting all information from the hard drive and re-creating the partitions. Then it reinstalls the operating system and the software that was installed at the factory. See Creating HP Recovery media on page 69. 2.As you add hardware and software programs, create system restore points. A system restore point is a snapshot of certain hard drive contents saved by Windows System Restore at a specific time. A system restore point contains information that Windows uses, such as registry settings. Windows creates a system restore point for you automatically during a Windows update and during other system maintenance (such as a software update, security scanning, or system diagnostics). You can also manually create a system restore point at any time. For more information and steps for creating specific system restore points, see Help and Support. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support. 3.As you add photos, video, music, and other personal files, create a backup of your personal information. Windows File History can be set to regularly and automatically back up files from libraries, desktop, contacts, and favorites. If files are accidentally deleted from the hard drive and they can no longer be restored from the Recycle Bin, or if files become corrupted, you can restore the files that you backed up using File History. Restoring files is also useful if you ever 68 Chapter 11 Backing up, restoring, and recovering
choose to reset the computer by reinstalling Windows or choose to recover using HP Recovery Manager. NOTE:File History is not enabled by default, so you must turn it on. For more information and steps for enabling Windows File History, see Help and Support. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support. Creating HP Recovery media HP Recovery Manager is a software program that offers a way to create recovery media after you successfully set up the computer. HP Recovery media can be used to perform system recovery if the hard drive becomes corrupted. System recovery reinstalls the original operating system and the software programs installed at the factory, and then configures the settings for the programs. HP Recovery media can also be used to customize the system or aid in the replacement of a hard drive. ●Only one set of HP Recovery media can be created. Handle these recovery tools carefully, and keep them in a safe place. ●HP Recovery Manager examines the computer and determines the required storage capacity for the blank USB flash drive or the number of blank DVD discs that will be required. ●To create recovery discs, your computer must have an optical drive with DVD writer capability, and you must use only high-quality blank DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-R DL, or DVD+R DL discs. Do not use rewritable discs such as CD±RW, DVD±RW, double-layer DVD±RW, or BD-RE (rewritable Blu-ray) discs; they are not compatible with HP Recovery Manager software. Or instead you can use a high-quality blank USB flash drive. ●If your computer does not include an integrated optical drive with DVD writer capability, but you would like to create DVD recovery media, you can use an external optical drive (purchased separately) to create recovery discs, or you can obtain recovery discs for your computer from the HP website. For U.S. support, go to http://www.hp.com/go/contactHP. For worldwide support, go to http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/wwcontact_us.html. If you use an external optical drive, it must be connected directly to a USB port on the computer; the drive cannot be connected to a USB port on an external device, such as a USB hub. ●Be sure that the computer is connected to AC power before you begin creating the recovery media. ●The creation process can take up to an hour or more. Do not interrupt the creation process. ●If necessary, you can exit the program before you have finished creating all of the recovery DVDs. HP Recovery Manager will finish burning the current DVD. The next time you start HP Recovery Manager, you will be prompted to continue, and the remaining discs will be burned. To create HP Recovery media: 1.From the Start screen, type recovery, and then select HP Recovery Manager. 2.Select Recovery Media Creation, and then follow the on-screen instructions. If you ever need to recover the system, see Recovering using HP Recovery Manager on page 72. Creating recovery media and backups 69
Restore and recovery There are several options for recovering your system. Choose the method that best matches your situation and level of expertise: ●If you need to restore your personal files and data, you can use Windows File History to restore your information from the backups you created. For more information and steps for using File History, see Help and Support. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support. ●If you need to correct a problem with a preinstalled application or driver, use the Drivers and Applications Reinstall option of HP Recovery Manager to reinstall the individual application or driver. From the Start screen, type recovery, select HP Recovery Manager, select Drivers and Applications Reinstall, and then follow the on-screen instructions. ●If you want to restore the system to a previous state without losing any personal information, Windows System Restore is an option. System Restore allows you to restore without the requirements of Windows Refresh or a reinstallation. Windows creates system restore points automatically during a Windows update and other system maintenance events. Even if you did not manually create a restore point, you can choose to restore to a previous point, automatically created. For more information and steps for using Windows System Restore, see Help and Support. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support. ●If you want a quick and easy way to recover the system without losing your personal information, settings, or apps that came preinstalled on your computer or were purchased from the Windows Store, consider using Windows Refresh. This option does not require backing up data to another drive. See Using Windows Refresh for quick and easy recovery on page 71. ●If you want to reset your computer to its original state, Windows provides an easy way to remove all personal data, apps, and settings, and reinstall Windows. For more information, see Remove everything and reinstall Windows on page 71. ●If you want to reset your computer using a minimized image, you can choose the HP Minimized Image Recovery option from the HP Recovery partition (select models only) or HP Recovery media. Minimized Image Recovery installs only drivers and hardware-enabling applications. Other applications included in the image continue to be available for installation through the Drivers and Applications Reinstall option in HP Recovery Manager. For more information, see Recovering using HP Recovery Manager on page 72. ●If you want to recover the computers original factory partitioning and content, you can choose the System Recovery option from the HP Recovery media. For more information, see Recovering using HP Recovery Manager on page 72. ●If you have replaced the hard drive, you can use the Factory Reset option of HP Recovery media to restore the factory image to the replacement drive. For more information, see Recovering using HP Recovery Manager on page 72. ●If you wish to remove the recovery partition to reclaim hard drive space, HP Recovery Manager offers the Remove Recovery Partition option. For more information, see Removing the HP Recovery partition on page 73. 70 Chapter 11 Backing up, restoring, and recovering