HP Pavilion 15 N300 Notebook Pc Series Manual

							Manually initiating and exiting Sleep
You can initiate Sleep in any of the following ways:
●Close the display.
●From the Start screen, point to the upper-right or lower-right corner of the screen to reveal the
charms. Click Settings, click the Power icon, and then click Sleep.
To exit Sleep:
●Briefly press the power button.
●If the display is closed, open the display.
●Press a key on the keyboard.
●Tap or swipe the TouchPad.
When the computer exits Sleep, the power lights turn on and your work returns to the screen.
NOTE:If you have set a password to be required on wakeup, you must enter your Windows
password before the computer will return to the screen.
Manually initiating and exiting Hibernation (select models only)
You can enable user-initiated Hibernation and change other power settings and timeouts using Power
Options.
1.From the Start screen, type power, select Settings, and then select Power Options from the
list of applications.
2.In the left pane, click Choose what the power button does.
3.Click Change Settings that are currently unavailable.
4.In the When I press the power button area, select Hibernate.
5.Click Save changes.
When the computer exits Hibernation, the power lights turn on and your work returns to the screen.
NOTE:If you have set a password to be required on wakeup, you must enter your Windows
password before your work will return to the screen.
Setting password protection on wakeup
To set the computer to prompt for a password when the computer exits Sleep or Hibernation, follow
these steps:
1.From the Start screen, type power, select Settings, and then select Power Options.
2.In the left pane, click Require a password on wakeup.
3.Click Change Settings that are currently unavailable.
4.Click Require a password (recommended).
NOTE:If you need to create a user account password or change your current user account
password, click Create or change your user account password, and then follow the on-
screen instructions. If you do not need to create or change a user account password, go to step
5.
5.Click Save changes.
Initiating Sleep and Hibernation 41 
						

							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, select Settings, 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
display 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, display brightness, external devices connected to the computer, and other factors.
Removing a user-replaceable battery
WARNING!To reduce potential safety issues, use only the user-replaceable battery provided with
the computer, a replacement battery provided by HP, or a compatible battery purchased from HP.
CAUTION:Removing a user-replaceable battery that is the sole power source for the computer can
cause loss of information. To prevent loss of information, save your work or shut down the computer
through Windows before removing the battery.
1.Slide the battery lock latch (1), and then slide the battery release latch (2) to release the battery.
2.Remove the battery (3) from the computer.
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							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 on 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.
●Remove a user-replaceable battery from the computer if it will not be used or charged for more
than 2 weeks.
●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 battery light (select models only) indicates a low or critical battery level.
– or –
●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 42.
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.
Running on battery power 43 
						

							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.Replace the discharged user-replaceable battery with a charged battery, or connect the AC
adapter to the computer and to external power.
2.Exit Hibernation by pressing the power button.
Storing a user-replaceable battery
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of damage to a battery, do not expose it to high temperatures for
extended periods of time.
If a computer will be unused and unplugged from external power for more than 2 weeks, remove the
battery and store it separately in a cool, dry place to prolong the battery charge.
A stored battery should be checked every 6 months. If the capacity is less than 50 percent, recharge
the battery before returning it to storage.
Disposing of a user-replaceable battery
WARNING!To reduce the risk of fire or burns, do not disassemble, crush, or puncture; do not short
external contacts; do not dispose of in fire or water.
See the Regulatory, Safety and Environmental Notices for proper battery disposal. To access this
guide, from the Start screen, type support, select the HP Support Assistant app, select My
computer, and then select User guides.
Replacing a user-replaceable battery
Battery Check in HP Support Assistant notifies you to replace the battery when an internal cell is not
charging properly or when the battery storage capacity has reached a weak condition. If the battery is
possibly covered by an HP warranty, instructions include a warranty ID. A message refers you to the
HP website for more information about ordering a replacement battery.
Running on external AC power
For information on 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:
WARNING!Do not charge the computer battery while you are onboard aircraft.
●When charging or calibrating a battery
●When installing or modifying system software
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							●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 display 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 display 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 on obtaining a replacement AC power adapter.
HP CoolSense (select models only)
HP CoolSense  automatically detects when the computer is not in a horizontal position 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.
HP CoolSense (select models only) 45 
						

							To turn CoolSense off or on, follow these steps:
▲From the Start screen, type cool, select Settings, 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 need to replace the battery or access components inside the computer
●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.
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.
●On models with a user-replaceable battery, remove the battery.
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							Switchable graphics/dual graphics (select models only)
Select computers are equipped with either switchable graphics or dual graphics.
●Switchable graphics—Supported by both AMD™ and Intel. If your computer has AMD dynamic
switchable graphics, it supports only switchable graphics.
●Dual graphics—Supported only by AMD. If your computer has AMD Radeon dual graphics, it
supports only dual graphics.
NOTE:Dual graphics can be enabled only by full-screen applications that use DirectX version
10 or 11.
NOTE:To determine whether your computer supports switchable graphics or dual graphics, see
your notebook graphics processor configuration. Intel HR Central Processing Units (CPUs) and AMD
Trinity series Accelerated Processing Units (APUs) support switchable graphics. AMD Trinity series
A6, A8, and A10 APUs support dual graphics. AMD Trinity series A4 APUs do not support dual
graphics.
Both switchable graphics and dual graphics offer two modes for processing graphics:
●Performance mode—Runs application with optimal performance.
●Power Saving mode—Conserves battery life.
To manage your AMD graphics settings:
1.Open the Catalyst Control Center by right-clicking on the Windows desktop, and then select
Configure Switchable Graphics.
2.Select the Power tab, and then select Switchable Graphics.
Using switchable graphics (select models only)
Switchable graphics allow you to switch between Performance mode and Power Saving mode.
To manage your switchable graphics settings:
1.From the Windows desktop, right-click on the Windows desktop, and then select Configure
Switchable Graphics.
2.Select the Power tab, and then select Switchable Graphics.
Switchable graphics assigns individual applications to either Performance mode or Power Saving
mode, based on power requirements. You can also manually modify the settings for an individual
application by locating the application under Recent Applications drop-down menu, or by selecting
Browse, located below Other Applications. You can switch between Performance mode and Power
Saving mode.
NOTE:For more information, see the switchable graphics software Help.
Switchable graphics/dual graphics (select models only) 47 
						

							Using dual graphics (select models only)
If your system is equipped with dual graphics (two or more added Graphics Processing Units
(GPUs)), you can enable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics to increase application power and performance
for full-screen applications that use DirectX version 10 or 11. For more information about DirectX, see
http://www.microsoft.com/directx.
NOTE:Dual graphics systems only support automatic selection based on power requirements
(Dynamic scheme), and automatically assign Performance mode or Power Saving mode for individual
applications. However, you can manually modify the settings for a particular application.
To enable or disable AMD Radeon Dual Graphics, select or deselect the check box in the AMD
Radeon Dual Graphics section, which is located in the Performance tab in the Catalyst Control
Center.
NOTE:For more information, see the AMD software Help.
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							7 Managing and sharing information
Drives are memory card devices that help you store, manage, share, and access information. Your
computer has an internal hard drive or a solid state drive that stores your computers software,
operating system, and also provides storage for all of your personal files. Some computers have a
built-in optical drive that allows you to read or write to a CD, DVD, or (on select models) Blu-ray Disc
(BD).
For added capacity or functionality, connect an external drive (purchased separately), such as an
optical drive or hard drive, or insert a memory card directly from your phone or camera. A Universal
Serial Bus (USB) flash drive, connected to the USB port on your computer, also allows quick data
transfer. Some devices use the computers power to run; others have their own power source. Some
devices come with software that must be installed.
NOTE:For information about connecting external wireless devices, see Connecting to a network
on page 15.
NOTE:For more information about required software and drivers, or to learn which computer port to
use, see the manufacturers instructions.
Using a USB device
Most computers have more than one USB port, because this versatile interface allows you to connect
numerous kinds of external devices—such as a USB keyboard, mouse, external drive, printer,
scanner, or USB hub—to your computer.
Your computer has more than one type of USB port. See 
Getting to know your computer on page 4
for the types of USB ports you have on this computer. Be sure to purchase devices that are
compatible with your computer.
Type Description
USB 2.0 Transfers data at 60 MB/s.
USB 3.0 Transfers data at 640 MB/s. USB 3.0 ports, also known as
SuperSpeed ports, are also compatible with USB 1.0 and 2.0
devices.
Connecting a USB device
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of damage to a USB connector, use minimal force to connect the
device.
Using a USB device 49 
						

							▲Connect the USB cable for the device to the USB port.
NOTE:The USB port on your computer may look slightly different from the illustration in this
section.
A sound indicates that the device has been detected.
NOTE:The first time you connect a USB device, a message is revealed on the Windows desktop
and an icon appears in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, letting you know that the
device is recognized by the computer.
Removing a USB device
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of damage to a USB connector, do not pull on the cable to remove
the USB device.
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of loss of information or an unresponsive system, use the following
procedure to safely remove the USB device.
1.Save your information and close all programs associated with the device.
2.From the Windows desktop, click the remove hardware icon in the notification area, at the far
right of the taskbar. A message, Safely remove hardware and eject media is revealed. Follow
the on-screen instructions.
Connecting a powered USB device
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of damage to the equipment when connecting a powered device, be
sure that the device is turned off and its AC power cord is unplugged.
1.Connect the device to the computer.
2.Plug the device power cord into a grounded AC outlet.
3.Turn on the device.
To disconnect an unpowered external device, stop the device, and then disconnect it from the
computer. To disconnect a powered external device, turn off the device, disconnect it from the
computer, and then unplug the AC power cord.
50 Chapter 7   Managing and sharing information