HP Pavilion G4 1300 Notebook Pc Series Reference Guide

							Using SoftPaq Download Manager
HP SoftPaq Download Manager (SDM) is a tool that provides quick access to SoftPaq information
without requiring the SoftPaq number. Using this tool, you can easily search for SoftPaqs, and then
download and unpack them.
SoftPaq Download Manager works by reading and downloading, from the HP FTP site, a published
database file containing computer model and SoftPaq information. SoftPaq Download Manager
allows you to specify one or more computer models to determine which SoftPaqs are available for
download.
SoftPaq Download Manager checks the HP FTP site for updates to the database and software. If
updates are found, they are downloaded and applied automatically.
SoftPaq Download Manager is available on the HP Web site. To use SoftPaq Download Manager to
download SoftPaqs, you must first download and install the program. Go to the HP Web site at
http://www.hp.com/go/sdm, and follow the instructions to download and install SoftPaq Download
Manager.
To download SoftPaqs:
1.Select Start > All Programs > HP Software Setup > HP SoftPaq Download Manager.
2.When SoftPaq Download Manager opens for the first time, a window is displayed asking if you
want to show only software for the computer you are using or to show the software for all
supported models. Select Show software for all supported models. If you have used HP
SoftPaq Download Manager previously, go to Step 3.
a.Select your operating system and language filters in the Configuration Options window. The
filters limit the number of options that are listed in the Product Catalog pane. For example, if
only Windows 7 Professional is selected in the operating system filter, the only operating
system that is displayed in the Product Catalog is Windows 7 Professional.
b.To add other operating systems, change the filter settings in the Configuration Options
window. Refer to the HP SoftPaq Download Manager software Help for more information.
3.In the left pane, click the plus sign (+) to expand the model list, and then select the model or
models of the products you want to update.
4.Click Find Available SoftPaqs to download a list of available SoftPaqs for the selected
computer.
5.Select from the list of available SoftPaqs, and then click Download Only if you have many
SoftPaqs to download, because the SoftPaq selection and Internet connection speed determine
how long the download process will take.
If you want to download only one or two SoftPaqs and have a high-speed Internet connection,
click Download & Unpack.
6.Right-click Install SoftPaq in the SoftPaq Download Manager software to install the selected
SoftPaqs on the computer.
Using SoftPaq Download Manager 51 
						

							9 Setup Utility (BIOS) and System
Diagnostics
Using Setup Utility (BIOS)
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.
NOTE:Use extreme care when making changes in Setup Utility (BIOS). Errors can prevent the
computer from operating properly.
Starting Setup Utility (BIOS)
To start Setup Utility (BIOS), follow these steps:
1.Turn on or restart the computer, and then press esc while the “Press the ESC key for Startup
Menu” message is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
2.Press f10 to enter Setup Utility (BIOS).
Changing the language of Setup Utility (BIOS)
1.Start Setup Utility (BIOS).
2.Use the arrow keys to select System Configuration > Language, and then press enter.
3.Use the arrow keys to select a language, and then press enter.
4.When a confirmation prompt with your language selected is displayed, press enter.
5.To save your change and exit Setup Utility (BIOS), use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit
Saving Changes, and then press enter.
Your change takes effect immediately.
52 Chapter 9   Setup Utility (BIOS) and System Diagnostics 
						

							Navigating and selecting in Setup Utility (BIOS)
To navigate and select in Setup Utility (BIOS), follow these steps:
1.Turn on or restart the computer, and then press esc while the “Press the ESC key for Startup
Menu” message is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
2.Press f10 to enter Setup Utility (BIOS).
●To select a menu or a menu item, use the keyboard arrow keys and then press enter.
●To scroll up and down, use the up arrow key or the down arrow key.
●To close open dialog boxes and return to the main Setup Utility (BIOS) screen, press esc,
and then follow the on-screen instructions.
To exit Setup Utility (BIOS) menus, choose one of the following methods:
●To exit Setup Utility (BIOS) menus without saving your changes, press the esc key, and then
follow the on-screen instructions.
– or –
Use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Discarding Changes, and then press enter.
– or –
●To save your changes and exit Setup Utility (BIOS) menus, press f10, and then follow the on-
screen instructions.
– or –
Use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Saving Changes, and then press enter.
Your changes go into effect when the computer restarts.
Displaying system information
1.Start Setup Utility (BIOS).
2.Select the Main menu. System information such as the system time and date, and identification
information about the computer is displayed.
3.To exit Setup Utility (BIOS) without changing any settings, use the arrow keys to select Exit >
Exit Discarding Changes, and then press enter.
Restoring factory settings in Setup Utility (BIOS)
NOTE:Restoring defaults will not change the hard drive mode.
To return all settings in Setup Utility (BIOS) to the values that were set at the factory, follow these
steps:
1.Turn on or restart the computer, and then press esc while the “Press the ESC key for Startup
Menu” message is displayed at the bottom of the screen.
2.Press f10 to enter Setup Utility (BIOS).
3.Use the arrow keys to select Exit > Load Setup Defaults.
Using Setup Utility (BIOS) 53 
						

							4.Follow the on-screen instructions.
5.To save your changes and exit, press f10, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
– or –
Use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Saving Changes, and then press enter.
Your changes go into effect when the computer restarts.
NOTE:Your password settings and security settings are not changed when you restore the factory
settings.
Exiting Setup Utility (BIOS)
●To exit Setup Utility (BIOS) and save your changes from the current session:
If the Setup Utility (BIOS) menus are not visible, press esc to return to the menu display. Then
use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Saving Changes, and then press enter.
●To exit Setup Utility (BIOS) without saving your changes from the current session:
If the Setup Utility (BIOS) menus are not visible, press esc to return to the menu display. Then
use the arrow keys to select Exit > Exit Discarding Changes, and then press enter.
Updating the BIOS
Updated versions of the BIOS may be available on the HP Web site.
Most BIOS updates on the HP Web site 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 displayed by pressing
fn+esc (if you are already in Windows) or by using Setup Utility (BIOS).
1.Start Setup Utility (BIOS).
2.Use the arrow keys to select Main.
3.To exit Setup Utility (BIOS) without saving your changes, use the tab key and the arrow keys to
select Exit > Exit Discarding Changes, and then press enter.
54 Chapter 9   Setup Utility (BIOS) and System Diagnostics 
						

							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 or Hibernation.
Do not insert, remove, connect, or disconnect any device, cable, or cord.
1.Select Start > Help and Support > Maintain.
2.Follow the on-screen instructions to identify your computer and access the BIOS update you
want to download.
3.At the download area, follow these steps:
a.Identify the BIOS update that is later than the BIOS version currently installed on your
computer. 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.
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 displayed on the screen after the
download is complete. If no instructions are displayed, follow these steps:
1.Open Windows Explorer by selecting Start > Computer.
2.Double-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.
Using Setup Utility (BIOS) 55 
						

							Using System Diagnostics
System Diagnostics allows you to run diagnostic tests to determine if the computer hardware is
functioning properly. Depending on your computer, the following diagnostic tests may be available in
System Diagnostics:
●Start-up test—This test analyzes the main computer components that are required to start the
computer.
●Run-in test—This test repeats the start-up test and checks for intermittent problems that the
start-up test does not detect.
●Hard disk test—This test analyzes the physical condition of the hard drive, and then checks all
data in every sector of the hard drive. If the test detects a damaged sector, it attempts to move
the data to a good sector.
●Memory test—This test analyzes the physical condition of the memory modules. If it reports an
error, replace the memory modules immediately.
●Battery test—This test analyzes the condition of the battery. If the battery fails the test, contact
HP Customer Support to report the issue and purchase a replacement battery.
You can also view system information and error logs in the System Diagnostics window.
To start System Diagnostics:
1.Turn on or restart the computer. While the “Press the ESC key for Startup Menu” message is
displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press esc. When the Startup Menu is displayed,
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 diagnostics test while it is running, press esc.
56 Chapter 9   Setup Utility (BIOS) and System Diagnostics 
						

							A Traveling with the computer
For best results, follow these traveling and shipping tips:
●Prepare the computer for traveling or shipping:
◦Back up your information.
◦Remove all discs and all external media cards, such as digital cards.
CAUTION:To reduce the risk of damage to the computer, damage to a drive, or loss of
information, remove the media from a drive before removing the drive from a drive bay and
before shipping, storing, or traveling with a drive.
◦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 bags.
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.
●In-flight computer use is at the discretion of the airline. If you plan to use the computer during a
flight, check with the airline in advance.
●If the computer will be unused and disconnected from external power for more than 2 weeks,
remove the battery and store it separately.
●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 or an HP Mobile Broadband Module installed, such as an
802.11b/g device, a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) device, or a General
Packet Radio Service (GPRS) device, the use of these devices may be restricted in some
environments. Such restrictions may apply onboard aircraft, in hospitals, near explosives, and in
57 
						

							hazardous locations. If you are uncertain of the policy that applies to the use of a particular
device, ask for authorization to use it 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.
58 Appendix A   Traveling with the computer 
						

							B Troubleshooting resources
●Access Web site links and additional information about the computer through Help and Support.
Select Start > Help and Support.
NOTE:Some checkup and repair tools require an Internet connection. HP also provides
additional tools that do not require an Internet connection.
●Contact HP Customer Support at http://www.hp.com/go/contactHP.
NOTE:For worldwide support, click Contact HP worldwide on the left side of the page, or go
to 
http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/wwcontact_us.html.
Choose from the following types of support:
◦Chat online with an HP technician.
NOTE:When chat is not available in a particular language, it is available in English.
◦E-mail HP Customer Support.
◦Find HP Customer Support worldwide telephone numbers.
◦Locate an HP service center.
59 
						

							C Electrostatic Discharge
Electrostatic discharge is the release of static electricity when two objects come into contact—for
example, the shock you receive when you walk across the carpet and touch a metal door knob.
A discharge of static electricity from fingers or other electrostatic conductors may damage electronic
components. To prevent damage to the computer, damage to a drive, or loss of information, observe
these precautions:
●If removal or installation instructions direct you to unplug the computer, unplug it after being
properly grounded and before removing a cover.
●Keep components in their electrostatic-safe containers until you are ready to install them.
●Avoid touching pins, leads, and circuitry. Handle electronic components as little as possible.
●Use nonmagnetic tools.
●Before handling components, discharge static electricity by touching an unpainted metal surface
of the component.
●If you remove a component, place it in an electrostatic-safe container.
If you need more information about static electricity or assistance with component removal or
installation, contact HP Customer Support.
60 Appendix C   Electrostatic Discharge