HP Pavilion G4 2100 Notebook Pc Series User Guide

							Traveling with or shipping your computer
If you have to travel with or ship your computer, here are some tips to keep in mind to keep your
equipment safe.
●Prepare the computer for traveling or shipping:
◦Back up your information to an external drive.
◦Remove all discs and all external media cards, such as digital storage cards, from the
computer.
◦Turn off, and then disconnect all external devices.
◦Remove any media from the drive before removing the drive from a drive bay.
CAUTION:Perform this action before shipping, storing, or traveling with a drive. This will
help reduce the risk of damage to the computer, damage to a drive, or loss of information.
◦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 luggage.
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.
●If you plan to use the computer during a flight, listen for the in-flight announcement that tells you
when you are allowed to use your computer. In-flight computer use is at the discretion of the
airline.
●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 installed, the use of these devices may be restricted in
some environments. Such restrictions may apply onboard aircraft, in hospitals, near explosives,
and in hazardous locations. If you are uncertain of the policy that applies to the use of a
particular device, ask for authorization to use your computer 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.
Traveling with or shipping your computer 61 
						

							9 Securing your computer and
information
Computer security is essential for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your
information. Standard security solutions provided by the Windows operating system, HP applications,
the non-Windows Setup Utility (BIOS), and other third-party software can help protect your computer
from a variety of risks, such as viruses, worms, and other types of malicious code.
IMPORTANT:Some security features listed in this chapter may not be available on your computer.
Computer risk Security feature
Unauthorized use of the computer Power-on password
Computer viruses Antivirus software
Unauthorized access to data Firewall software
Unauthorized access to Setup Utility (BIOS) settings and
other system identification informationAdministrator password
Ongoing or future threats to the computer Software updates
Unauthorized access to a Windows user account User password
Unauthorized removal of the computer Security cable lock
Locating your security software
HP Security Assistant provides a starting location for quick access to a collection of security software
applications that are organized by task. Instead of searching for each application through the Start
menu and Control Panel, HP Security Assistant allows you to access the applications for the following
security tasks:
●Setting up Internet and antivirus security.
●Backing up and recovering files.
●Managing passwords, user accounts, and parental controls.
●Maintaining your computer and installing the latest HP and Windows updates.
To open HP Security Assistant, select Start > All Programs > Security and Protection > HP
Security Assistant.
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							Using passwords
A password is a group of characters that you choose to secure your computer information and to
protect online transactions. Several types of passwords can be set. For example, when you set up
your computer for the first time, you were asked to create a user password to secure your computer.
Additional passwords can be set in Windows or in the HP Setup Utility (BIOS) that is preinstalled on
your computer.
You may find it helpful to use the same password for a Setup Utility (BIOS) feature and for a Windows
security feature.
Use the following tips for creating and saving passwords:
●To reduce the risk of being locked out of the computer, record each password and store it in a
secure place away from the computer. Do not store passwords in a file on the computer.
●When creating passwords, follow requirements set by the program.
●Change your passwords at least every three months.
●An ideal password is long and has letters, punctuation, symbols, and numbers.
●Before you send your computer for service, back up your files, delete confidential files, and then
remove all password settings.
For additional information about Windows passwords, such as screen-saver passwords, select Start
> Help and Support.
Setting Windows passwords
Password Function
User password Protects access to a Windows user account. You may also
set up your computer to require the user password to exit
Sleep or Hibernation. See 
Setting password protection on
wakeup on page 37 for more information.
Administrator password Protects administrator-level access to computer contents.
NOTE:This password cannot be used to access Setup
Utility (BIOS) contents.
Using passwords 63 
						

							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
displayed as it is set, entered, changed, or deleted.
NOTE:If you enter the power-on password at the first
password check before the “Press the ESC key for Startup
Menu” message is displayed, 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, or exit Hibernation.
●If you forget your power-on password, you cannot turn
on or restart the computer, or exit Hibernation.
NOTE:The administrator password can be used in place of
the power-on password.
NOTE:A power-on password is not displayed as it is set,
entered, changed, or deleted.
To set, change, or delete an administrator or power-on password in Setup Utility (BIOS):
1.Open Setup Utility (BIOS) by turning on or restarting the computer. While the “Press the ESC
key for Startup Menu” message is displayed in the lower-left corner of the screen, press esc.
2.Use the arrow keys and follow the on-screen instructions. When the Startup Menu is displayed,
press f10.
3.Use the arrow keys to select Security, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
Your changes take effect when the computer restarts.
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.
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							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.
For more information about computer viruses, type viruses in the Search box in Help and Support.
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 59.
Installing Windows security updates
Updates to the operating system and other software may have become available after the computer
left the factory. 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.
To be sure that all available updates are installed on the computer, observe these guidelines:
●Run Windows Update as soon as possible after you set up your computer. Select Start > All
Programs > Windows Update.
●Run Windows Update monthly thereafter.
●Obtain updates to Windows and other Microsoft programs, as they are released, from the
Microsoft website and through the updates link in Help and Support.
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/support. At this location,
you can also register to receive automatic update notifications when they become available.
Installing software updates 65 
						

							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 18.
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 71.
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).
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.
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							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), 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).
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.
Starting Setup Utility (BIOS) 67 
						

							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.
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.
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							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.
Updating the BIOS 69 
						

							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. 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.
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