HP Pavilion Dm4 3100 Entertainment Notebook Pc Series Manual

							HP CoolSense
HP CoolSense  automatically detects when the computer is not in a stationary 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 may be
higher than it would be with HP CoolSense on.
To turn CoolSense off or on, follow these steps:
1.Select Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > HP CoolSense.
2.Select On or Off.
Refreshing your software content
When the computer is in the Sleep state, Intel® Smart Connect Technology periodically causes the
computer to exit Sleep. Smart Connect then updates the content for certain open applications and
reinitiates Sleep. As a result, your work is immediately available to you as soon as you exit Sleep.
You do not have to wait while updates are downloaded and installed.
▲To open Intel Smart Connect to enable this feature or manually adjust the settings, select Start
> All Programs > Intel > Intel Smart Connect Technology.
For additional information and a list of supported applications, see the software Help.
NOTE:Intel Smart Connect Technology is not enabled at the factory.
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 switchable
graphics, it offers both fixed and dynamic schemes.
●Dual graphics—Supported only by AMD. If your computer has AMD dual graphics, it is based on
the dynamic scheme with a specific AMD chipset configuration.
NOTE:To determine if your computer supports switchable graphics or dual graphics, see the Power
sections within either the Catalyst Control Center (for Intel CPUs) or the AMD VISION Engine Control
Center (for AMD CPUs).
HP CoolSense 51 
						

							Using switchable graphics (select models only)
Switchable graphics are only available with Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Home Premium, and
Windows 7 Home Basic operating systems.
To manage your switchable graphics settings:
▲Right-click on the desktop, and then select Configure Switchable Graphicsor AMD
PowerXpress.
NOTE:Based on power requirements, Individual applications will be assigned to either
Performance mode or Power Saving mode. You can manually modify the settings for an
individual application by locating the application in the Recent Applications drop-down menu,
or by clicking Browse, located beneath the Other Applications drop-down menu.
There are two different modes (Performance and Power Saving) that allow you to switch between
different graphic configurations as follows:
●Fixed scheme (manual or triggered by AC/DC power transitions)—Allows you to switch between
Performance mode and Power Saving mode. Once the desired mode is selected, all other
applications operate in that mode.
●Dynamic scheme (Automatic)—Automatically assigns individual applications to either
Performance mode or Power Saving mode, based on GPU rendering requirements. You can
also manually modify the settings for an individual application by locating the application in the
Recent Applications drop-down menu, or by clicking Browse, located under the Other
Applications drop-down menu.
NOTE:Switchable graphics are only available with Windows 7 Professional, Windows 7 Home
Premium, and Windows 7 Basic operating systems.
NOTE:There may be some instances when you may not be allowed to switch modes. In other
instances, you may be prompted to switch modes. You may also be required to close all applications
before switching. For more information, see the switchable graphics software Help.
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 Crossfire™ 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, 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 Crossfire™, select or deselect the check box in the AMD Crossfire™
section, which is located in the Performance tab in the Catalyst Control Center.
NOTE:For more information, see the AMD software Help.
52 Chapter 6   Power management 
						

							7 External cards and devices
Using Digital Media Slot cards (select models only)
Optional digital cards provide secure data storage and convenient data sharing. These cards are
often used with digital media–equipped cameras and PDAs as well as with other computers.
To determine the digital card formats that are supported on your computer, see 
Front on page 8.
Inserting a digital card
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of damage to the digital card connectors, use minimal force to insert
a digital card.
1.Hold the card label-side up, with the connectors facing the computer.
2.Insert the card into the Digital Media Slot, and then press in on the card until it is firmly seated.
You will hear a sound when the device has been detected, and a menu of options may be
displayed.
Using Digital Media Slot cards (select models only) 53 
						

							Removing a digital card
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of loss of data or an unresponsive system, use the following
procedure to safely remove the digital card.
1.Save your information and close all programs associated with the digital card.
2.Click the remove hardware icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar. Then
follow the on-screen instructions.
3.Press in on the card (1), and then remove it from the slot (2).
NOTE:If the card does not eject, pull the card out of the slot.
54 Chapter 7   External cards and devices 
						

							Using a USB device
Universal Serial Bus (USB) is a hardware interface that can be used to connect an optional external
device, such as a USB keyboard, mouse, drive, printer, scanner, or hub.
Some USB devices may require additional support software, which is usually included with the
device. For more information about device-specific software, see the manufacturers instructions.
These instructions may be provided with the software, on disc, or on the manufacturer’s Web site.
Your computer has 3 USB ports that support USB 1.0 and 2.0 devices.
NOTE:Depending on your computer model, your computer may be equipped with 2 USB 3.0 ports,
which connect optional USB 3.0 devices and provide enhanced USB power performance. USB 3.0
ports are also compatible with USB 1.0 and 2.0 devices.
An optional docking device or USB hub provides additional USB ports that can be used with the
computer.
Connecting a USB device
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of damage to a USB connector, use minimal force to connect the
device.
▲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.
You will hear a sound when the device has been detected.
NOTE:The first time you connect a USB device, a message in the notification area lets you know
that the device is recognized by the computer.
Using a USB device 55 
						

							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.To remove a USB device, save your information and close all programs associated with the
device.
2.Click the remove hardware icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar, and then
follow the on-screen instructions.
3.Remove the device.
Using optional external devices
NOTE:For more information about required software and drivers, or to learn which computer port to
use, see the manufacturers instructions.
To connect an external device to the computer:
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of damage to the equipment when connecting a powered device, be
sure that the device is turned off and the AC power cord is unplugged.
1.Connect the device to the computer.
2.If you are connecting a powered device, plug the device power cord into a grounded AC outlet.
3.Turn on the device.
To disconnect an unpowered external device, turn off 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.
Using optional external drives
Removable external drives expand your options for storing and accessing information. A USB drive
can be added by connecting the drive to a USB port on the computer.
USB drives include the following types:
●1.44-megabyte diskette drive
●Hard drive module (a hard drive with an adapter attached)
●External optical drive (CD, DVD, and Blu-ray)
●MultiBay device
56 Chapter 7   External cards and devices 
						

							8Drives
Handling drives
CAUTION:Drives are fragile computer components that must be handled with care. see the
following cautions before handling drives. Additional cautions are included with the procedures to
which they apply.
Observe these precautions:
●Before you move a computer that is connected to an external hard drive, initiate Sleep and allow
the screen to clear, or properly disconnect the external hard drive.
●Before handling a drive, discharge static electricity by touching the unpainted metal surface of
the drive.
●Do not touch the connector pins on a removable drive or on the computer.
●Handle a drive carefully; do not drop a drive or place items on it.
●Before removing or inserting a drive, shut down the computer. If you are unsure whether the
computer is off, in the Sleep state, or in Hibernation, turn the computer on, and then shut it down
through the operating system.
●Do not use excessive force when inserting a drive into a drive bay.
●Do not type on the keyboard or move the computer while an optical drive is writing to a disc. The
write process is sensitive to vibration.
●When the battery is the only source of power, be sure that the battery is sufficiently charged
before writing to media.
●Avoid exposing a drive to temperature or humidity extremes.
●Avoid exposing a drive to liquids. Do not spray the drive with cleaning products.
●Remove media from a drive before removing the drive from the drive bay, or traveling with,
shipping, or storing a drive.
●If a drive must be mailed, place the drive in a bubble-pack mailer or other suitable protective
packaging and label the package “FRAGILE.”
●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.
Handling drives 57 
						

							Using hard drives
Improving hard drive performance
Using Disk Defragmenter
As you use the computer, files on the hard drive become fragmented. Disk Defragmenter
consolidates 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.
After you start Disk Defragmenter, it works without supervision. Depending on the size of your hard
drive and the number of fragmented files, Disk Defragmenter may take more than an hour to
complete. You may want to set it to run during the night or at another time when you do not need
access to your computer.
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.Select Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter.
3.Click Defragment disk.
NOTE:Windows includes the User Account Control feature to improve the security of your
computer. You may be prompted for your permission or password for tasks such as installing
software, running utilities, or changing Windows settings. see Help and Support for more
information.
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 to run more efficiently.
To run Disk Cleanup:
1.Select Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup.
2.Follow the on-screen instructions.
58 Chapter 8   Drives 
						

							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 (SSD) lack moving parts, HP 3D DriveGuard is unnecessary.
NOTE:Hard drives in the primary hard drive bay or in the secondary hard drive bay are protected
by HP 3D DriveGuard. Hard drives connected to USB ports are not covered by HP 3D DriveGuard.
For more information, see the HP 3D DriveGuard software Help.
Identifying HP 3D DriveGuard status
The drive light on the computer changes color to show that a drive in the primary hard drive bay or a
drive in the secondary hard drive bay (select models only) is parked. To determine whether drives are
currently protected or whether a drive is parked, select Start > Control Panel > Hardware and
Sound > Windows Mobility Center:
●If HP 3D DriveGuard is enabled, a green check mark is superimposed over the hard drive icon.
●If HP 3D DriveGuard is disabled, a red symbol is superimposed over the hard drive icon.
●If the drives are parked, a yellow moon is superimposed over the hard drive icon.
The icon in the Mobility Center may not show the most up-to-date status for the drive. For immediate
updates after a change in status, you need to enable the notification area icon.
To enable the notification area icon:
1.Select Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > HP 3D DriveGuard.
NOTE:If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
2.On the Icon in System Tray row, click Show.
3.Click OK.
Using hard drives 59 
						

							Managing power with a parked hard drive
If HP 3D DriveGuard has parked the drive, the computer behaves in the following ways:
●The computer will not shut down.
●The computer will not initiate Sleep or Hibernation, except as described in the following Note.
NOTE:If the computer is running on battery power and reaches a critical battery level, HP 3D
DriveGuard allows the computer to initiate Hibernation.
Before you move the computer, HP recommends that you either shut it down or initiate Sleep or
Hibernation.
Using HP 3D DriveGuard software
The HP 3D DriveGuard software can be enabled or disabled by an Administrator.
NOTE:Depending on your user privileges, you may be unable to enable or disable HP 3D
DriveGuard. Privileges for non-Administrator users can be changed by members of an Administrator
group.
To open the software and change settings, follow these steps:
1.In Mobility Center, click the hard drive icon to open the HP 3D DriveGuard window.
– or –
Select Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > HP 3D DriveGuard.
NOTE:If prompted by User Account Control, click Yes.
2.Click the appropriate button to change settings.
3.Click OK.
60 Chapter 8   Drives