HP Pavilion Dv6 3100 Entertainment Notebook Pc Series Manual

							Bottom components
ItemDescriptionFunction
1Battery bayHolds the battery.
2Vents (6)Enable airflow to cool internal components.
NOTE:The computer fan starts up automatically to cool internal
components and prevent overheating. It is normal for the internal
fan to cycle on and off during routine operation.
3Battery Release latchReleases the battery from the battery bay.
4 Hard Drive bay Holds the hard drive, the memory module slots, and the WLAN
module.
CAUTION:To prevent an unresponsive system, replace the
wireless module with a wireless module authorized for use by the
governmental agency that regulates wireless devices in your
country or region. If you replace the module and then receive a
warning message, remove the module to restore computer
functionality, and then contact technical support through Help and
Support.
Components 11 
						

							Display components
ItemDescriptionFunction
1Internal microphones (2)Record sound.
2Webcam lightOn—The webcam is in use.
3 Webcam Records video and captures still photographs.
12 Chapter 2   Features 
						

							Wireless antennas
On select computer models, at least two antennas send and receive signals from one or more wireless
devices. These antennas are not visible from the outside of the computer.
NOTE:For optimal transmission, keep the areas immediately around the antennas free from
obstructions.
To review wireless regulatory notices, refer to the country- or region-specific section of Regulatory,
Safety and Environmental Notices in Help and Support.
Components 13 
						

							Additional hardware components
ItemDescriptionFunction
1Power cord*Connects an AC adapter to an AC outlet.
2AC adapterConverts AC power to DC power.
3 Battery* Provides power when the computer is not connected to an external
power source.
* Batteries and power cords vary in appearance by region and country.
14 Chapter 2   Features 
						

							Labels
The labels affixed to the computer provide information you may need when you troubleshoot system
problems or travel internationally with the computer.
●Integrated service tag—Provides regulatory information about the computer, as well as the service
tag, which includes the computer model number, serial number, and warranty information. This
label is affixed inside the battery bay.
Component Description
1Regulatory InformationProvides regulatory information about the
computer.
2Service tag*Provides the serial number for this product, as well
as the product number and warranty information.
◦The serial number is an alphanumeric
identifier unique to this product.
◦The product number provides specific
information about the products hardware
components, which helps a service
technician to determine what components
and parts are needed.
◦The warranty number describes the duration
of the warranty period for this product.
*Have this information available when you contact technical support.
●Microsoft® Certificate of Authenticity—Contains the Windows® Product Key. You may need the
Product Key to update or troubleshoot the operating system.This certificate is affixed to the bottom
of the computer.
●Regulatory label—Provides regulatory information about the computer. The regulatory label is
affixed inside the battery bay.
●Wireless certification label(s) (select models only)—Provides information about optional wireless
devices and the approval markings of some of the countries or regions where the devices have
been approved for use. An optional device might be a wireless local area network (WLAN) device
or an optional Bluetooth device. If the computer model includes one or more wireless devices, one
or more certification labels are included with the computer. You might need this information when
traveling internationally. Wireless certification labels are affixed inside the memory module
compartment.
●HP Mobile Broadband Module serial number label (select models only)—Provides the serial
number of the HP Mobile Broadband Module. This label is located inside the battery bay.
Labels 15 
						

							3 Wireless, local area network, and
modem
Using wireless devices
Wireless technology transfers data across radio waves instead of wires. The computer might be
equipped with one or more of the following wireless devices:
●Wireless local area network (WLAN) device—Connects the computer to wireless local area
networks (commonly referred to as Wi-Fi networks, wireless LANs, or WLANs) in corporate offices,
your home, and public places such as airports, restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and universities.
In a WLAN, each mobile wireless device communicates with a wireless router or a wireless access
point.
●Bluetooth device (select models only)—Creates a personal area network (PAN) to connect to other
Bluetooth-enabled devices such as computers, phones, printers, headsets, speakers, and
cameras. In a PAN, each device communicates directly with other devices, and devices must be
relatively close together—typically within 10 meters (approximately 33 feet) of each other.
Computers with WLAN devices support one or more of the following IEEE industry standards:
●802.11b, the first popular standard, supports data rates of up to 11 Mbps and operates at a
frequency of 2.4 GHz.
●802.11g supports data rates of up to 54 Mbps and operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz. An 802.11g
WLAN device is backward compatible with 802.11b devices, so that they can operate on the same
network.
●802.11a supports data rates of up to 54 Mbps and operates at a frequency of 5 GHz.
NOTE:802.11a is not compatible with 802.11b and 802.11g.
●802.11n supports data rates of up to 450 Mbps and might operate at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz, making it
backward compatible with 802.11a, b, and g.
For more information on wireless technology, refer to the information and Web site links provided in
Help and Support.
16 Chapter 3   Wireless, local area network, and modem 
						

							Identifying wireless and network status icons
IconNameDescription
Wireless (connected)Identifies the location of the wireless light and the wireless action
key on the computer. Also identifies the HP Wireless Assistant
software on the computer and indicates that one or more of the
wireless devices are on.
Wired network (connected)Indicates that one or more network drivers are installed, and one or
more network devices are connected to a wired network.
Wired network (disabled/
disconnected)Indicates that one or more network drivers are installed, but no
network devices are connected (or all network devices are disabled
in Windows Control Panel).
Network (connected)Indicates that one or more network drivers are installed, and one or
more network devices are connected to a wireless network.
Network (disconnected)Indicates that one or more network drivers are installed and wireless
connections are available, but no network devices are connected to
a wireless network.
Network (disabled/
disconnected)Indicates that one or more network drivers are installed, but no
wireless connections are available (or all wireless network devices
are disabled by the wireless action key (f12) or HP Wireless
Assistant).
Using the wireless controls
Control the wireless devices on the computer using:
●Wireless action key (f12)
●HP Wireless Assistant software
●HP Connection Manager software (select models only)
●Operating system controls
Using the wireless action key
The computer has a wireless action key (f12), one or more wireless devices, and one or two wireless
lights. All of the wireless devices on your computer are enabled at the factory, so the wireless light is
on (white) when you turn on the computer.
The wireless light indicates the overall power state of your wireless devices, not the status of individual
devices. If the wireless light is on (white), at least one wireless device is on. If the wireless light is amber,
all wireless devices are off.
Because the wireless devices are enabled at the factory, use the wireless action key (f12) to turn on or
turn off the wireless devices simultaneously. Individual wireless devices are controlled through HP
Wireless Assistant.
Using wireless devices 17 
						

							Using HP Wireless Assistant
A wireless device is turned on or off using HP Wireless Assistant. If a wireless device is disabled by
Setup Utility, it must be re-enabled by Setup Utility before it can be turned on or off using Wireless
Assistant.
NOTE:Enabling or turning on a wireless device does not automatically connect the computer to a
network or a Bluetooth-enabled device.
To view the state of the wireless devices, click the Show hidden icons icon, the arrow at the left of the
notification area, and position the mouse pointer over the wireless icon.
If the wireless icon is not displayed in the notification area:
1.Select Start > Control Panel > Hardware and Sound > Windows Mobility Center.
2.Click the Wireless icon in the Wireless Assistant tile, which is located in the bottom row of Windows
Mobility Center. Wireless Assistant appears.
3.Click Properties.
4.Select the check box next to HP Wireless Assistant icon in notification area.
5.Click Apply.
6.Click Close.
For more information, refer to the Wireless Assistant software Help. To access Help:
1.Open Wireless Assistant by clicking the Wireless icon in Windows Mobility Center.
2.Click the Help button.
Using operating system controls
Some operating systems offer a way to manage integrated wireless devices and the wireless connection.
For example, Windows provides the Network and Sharing Center that allows you to set up a connection
or network, connect to a network, manage wireless networks, and diagnose and repair network
problems.
To access the Network and Sharing Center, select Start > Control Panel > Network and Internet >
Network and Sharing Center.
For more information, select Start > Help and Support.
18 Chapter 3   Wireless, local area network, and modem 
						

							Using a WLAN
With a WLAN device, access is available to a wireless local area network (WLAN), which is composed
of other computers and accessories that are linked by a wireless router or a wireless access point.
NOTE:The terms wireless router and wireless access point are often used interchangeably.
●A large-scale WLAN, such as a corporate or public WLAN, typically uses wireless access points
that accommodate a large number of computers and accessories and can separate critical network
functions.
●A home or small office WLAN uses a wireless router, which allows several wireless and wired
computers to share an Internet connection, a printer, and files without requiring additional pieces
of hardware or software.
To use the WLAN device in the computer, connect to a WLAN infrastructure (provided through a service
provider or a public or corporate network).
Setting up a WLAN
To set up a WLAN and connect to the Internet, you need:
●A broadband modem (either DSL or cable) (1) and high-speed Internet service purchased from an
Internet service provider (ISP)
●A wireless router (purchased separately) (2)
●The wireless computer (3)
The illustration below shows an example of a wireless network installation that is connected to the
Internet.
As your network grows, additional wireless and wired computers can be connected to the network to
access the Internet.
For help in setting up your WLAN, refer to the information provided by your router manufacturer or your
ISP.
Using a WLAN 19 
						

							Protecting your WLAN
Because the WLAN standard was designed with only limited security capabilities—basically to foil casual
eavesdropping rather than more powerful forms of attack—it is essential to understand that WLANs are
vulnerable to well-known and well-documented security weaknesses.
WLANs in public areas, or “hotspots,” like coffee shops and airports might not provide any security. New
technologies are being developed by wireless manufacturers and hotspot service providers that make
the public environment more secure and anonymous. If you are concerned about the security of the
computer in a hotspot, limit your network activities to noncritical e-mail and basic Internet surfing.
When setting up a WLAN or access an existing WLAN, always enable security features to protect your
network from unauthorized access. The common security levels are Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)-
Personal and Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP). Because wireless radio signals travel outside the
network, other WLAN devices can pick up unprotected signals and either connect to your network
(uninvited) or capture information being sent across it. To protect the WLAN:
●Use a wireless transmitter with built-in security
Many wireless base stations, gateways, or routers provide built-in security features such as
wireless security protocols and firewalls. With the correct wireless transmitter, you can protect your
network from the most common wireless security risks.
●Work behind a firewall
A firewall is a barrier that checks both data and requests that are sent to your network, and discards
any suspicious items. Firewalls are available in many varieties, both software and hardware. Some
networks use a combination of both types.
●Use wireless encryption
A variety of sophisticated encryption protocols is available for your WLAN. Find the solution that
works best for your network security:
◦Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP) is a wireless security protocol that encodes or encrypts all
network data before it is transmitted using a WEP key. The network assigns the WEP key,
but you can set up your own key, generate a different key, or choose other advanced options.
Without the correct key, others cannot access the WLAN.
◦WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access), like WEP, uses security settings to encrypt and decrypt data
that is transmitted over the network. However, instead of using one static security key for
encryptions as WEP does, WPA uses “temporal key integrity protocol” (TKIP) to dynamically
generate a new key for every packet. It also generates different sets of keys for each computer
on the network.
20 Chapter 3   Wireless, local area network, and modem