HP Pavilion Touchsmart 15 N303tx Notebook Pc Manual

							choose to reset the computer by reinstalling Windows or choose to recover using HP Recovery
Manager. 
NOTE:File History is not enabled by default, so you must turn it on.
For more information and steps for enabling Windows File History, see Help and Support. From
the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support.
Creating HP Recovery media
HP Recovery Manager is a software program that offers a way to create recovery media after you
successfully set up the computer. HP Recovery media can be used to perform system recovery if the
hard drive becomes corrupted. System recovery reinstalls the original operating system and the
software programs installed at the factory, and then configures the settings for the programs. HP
Recovery media can also be used to customize the system or restore the factory image if you replace
the hard drive.
●Only one set of HP Recovery media can be created. Handle these recovery tools carefully, and
keep them in a safe place.
●HP Recovery Manager examines the computer and determines the required storage capacity for
the blank USB flash drive or the number of blank DVD discs that will be required.
●To create recovery discs, your computer must have an optical drive with DVD writer capability,
and you must use only high-quality blank DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-R DL, or DVD+R DL discs. Do
not use rewritable discs such as CD±RW, DVD±RW, double-layer DVD±RW, or BD-RE
(rewritable Blu-ray) discs; they are not compatible with HP Recovery Manager software. Or
instead you can use a high-quality blank USB flash drive. 
●If your computer does not include an integrated optical drive with DVD writer capability, but you
would like to create DVD recovery media, you can use an external optical drive (purchased
separately) to create recovery discs, or you can obtain recovery discs for your computer from the
HP website. For U.S. support, go to 
http://www.hp.com/go/contactHP. For worldwide support, go
to 
http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/wwcontact_us.html. If you use an external optical drive,
it must be connected directly to a USB port on the computer; the drive cannot be connected to a
USB port on an external device, such as a USB hub.
●Be sure that the computer is connected to AC power before you begin creating the recovery
media.
●The creation process can take up to an hour or more. Do not interrupt the creation process.
●If necessary, you can exit the program before you have finished creating all of the recovery
DVDs. HP Recovery Manager will finish burning the current DVD. The next time you start HP
Recovery Manager, you will be prompted to continue, and the remaining discs will be burned.
To create HP Recovery media:
1.From the Start screen, type recovery, and then select HP Recovery Manager.
2.Select Recovery Media Creation, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
If you ever need to recover the system, see 
Recovering using HP Recovery Manager on page 74.
Creating recovery media and backups 71 
						

							Restore and recovery
There are several options for recovering your system. Choose the method that best matches your
situation and level of expertise:
●If you need to restore your personal files and data, you can use Windows File History to restore
your information from the backups you created. For more information and steps for using File
History, see Help and Support. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and
Support. 
●If you need to correct a problem with a preinstalled application or driver, use the Drivers and
Applications Reinstall option of HP Recovery Manager to reinstall the individual application or
driver.
From the Start screen, type recovery, select HP Recovery Manager, select Drivers and
Applications Reinstall, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
●If you want to restore the system to a previous state without losing any personal information,
Windows System Restore is an option. System Restore allows you to restore without the
requirements of Windows Refresh or a reinstallation. Windows creates system restore points
automatically during a Windows update and other system maintenance events. Even if you did
not manually create a restore point, you can choose to restore to an automatically created
restore point. For more information and steps for using Windows System Restore, see Help and
Support. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support.
●If you want a quick and easy way to recover the system without losing your personal information,
settings, or apps that came preinstalled on your computer or were purchased from the Windows
Store, consider using Windows Refresh. This option does not require backing up data to another
drive. See 
Using Windows Refresh for quick and easy recovery on page 73.
●If you want to reset your computer to its original state, Windows provides an easy way to remove
all personal data, apps, and settings, and reinstall Windows. 
For more information, see 
Remove everything and reinstall Windows on page 73.
●If you want to reset your computer using a minimized image, you can choose the HP Minimized
Image Recovery option from the HP Recovery partition (select models only) or HP Recovery
media. Minimized Image Recovery installs only drivers and hardware-enabling applications.
Other applications included in the image continue to be available for installation through the
Drivers and Applications Reinstall option in HP Recovery Manager.
For more information, see 
Recovering using HP Recovery Manager on page 74.
●If you want to recover the computers original factory partitioning and content, you can choose
the System Recovery option from the HP Recovery partition (select models only) or use the HP
Recovery media that you have created. For more information, see 
Recovering using HP
Recovery Manager on page 74. If you have not already created recovery media, see Creating
HP Recovery media on page 71.
●If you have replaced the hard drive, you can use the Factory Reset option of HP Recovery
media to restore the factory image to the replacement drive. For more information, see
Recovering using HP Recovery Manager on page 74.
●If you wish to remove the recovery partition to reclaim hard drive space, HP Recovery Manager
offers the Remove Recovery Partition option.
For more information, see 
Removing the HP Recovery partition on page 76.
72 Chapter 11   Backing up, restoring, and recovering 
						

							Using Windows Refresh for quick and easy recovery
When your computer is not working properly and you need to regain system stability, the Windows
Refresh option allows you to start fresh and keep what is important to you.
IMPORTANT:Refresh removes any traditional applications that were not originally installed on the
system at the factory. Any Windows 8 apps that came preinstalled on your computer and any that
were purchased from the Windows Store will be saved.
NOTE:During Refresh, a list of removed traditional applications will be saved so that you have a
quick way to see what you might need to reinstall. See Help and Support for instructions on
reinstalling traditional applications. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support.
NOTE:You may be prompted for your permission or password when using Refresh. See Help and
Support for more information. From the Start screen, type h, and then select Help and Support.
To start Refresh:
1.From the Start screen, point to the upper-right or lower-right corner of the screen to reveal the
charms.
2.Click Settings.
3.Click Change PC settings in the bottom-right corner of the screen, and then select General
from the PC settings screen.
4.Scroll the right-side choices down to display Refresh your PC without affecting your files.
5.Under Refresh your PC without affecting your files, select Get started, and then follow the
on-screen instructions.
Remove everything and reinstall Windows
Sometimes you want to perform detailed reformatting of your computer, or you want to remove
personal information before you give away or recycle your computer. The process described in this
section provides a speedy, simple way to return the computer to its original state. This option
removes all personal data, apps, and settings from your computer, and reinstalls Windows.
IMPORTANT:This option does not provide backups of your information. Before using this option,
back up any personal information you wish to retain.
You can initiate this option by using the f11 key or from the Start screen.
To use the f11 key:
1.Press f11 while the computer boots.
– or –
Press and hold f11 as you press the power button.
2.Choose your keyboard layout.
3.Select Troubleshoot from the boot options menu.
4.Select Reset your PC, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
To use the Start screen:
1.From the Start screen, point to the upper-right or lower-right corner of the screen to reveal the
charms.
2.Click Settings.
Restore and recovery 73 
						

							3.Click Change PC settings in the bottom-right corner of the screen, and then select General
from the PC settings screen.
4.Scroll the right-side choices down to display Remove everything and reinstall Windows.
5.Under Remove everything and reinstall Windows, select Get started, and follow the on-
screen instructions.
Recovering using HP Recovery Manager
HP Recovery Manager software allows you to recover the computer to its original factory state by
using the HP Recovery media that you created or by using the HP Recovery partition (select models
only). If you have not already created recovery media, see 
Creating HP Recovery media on page 71.
Using HP Recovery media, you can choose from one of the following recovery options:
●System Recovery—Reinstalls the original operating system, and then configures the settings for
the programs that were installed at the factory.
●Minimized Image Recovery (select models only)—Reinstalls the operating system and all
hardware-related drivers and software, but not other software applications.
●Factory Reset—Restores the computer to its original factory state by deleting all information
from the hard drive and re-creating the partitions. Then it reinstalls the operating system and the
software that was installed at the factory.
The HP Recovery partition (select models only) allows System Recovery and Minimized Image
Recovery.
What you need to know
●HP Recovery Manager recovers only software that was installed at the factory. For software not
provided with this computer, you must either download the software from the manufacturers
website or reinstall the software from the media provided by the manufacturer.
●Recovery through HP Recovery Manager should be used as a final attempt to correct computer
issues.
●HP Recovery media must be used if the computer hard drive fails. If you have not already
created recovery media, see 
Creating HP Recovery media on page 71.
●To use the Factory Reset option, you must use HP Recovery media. If you have not already
created recovery media, see 
Creating HP Recovery media on page 71.
●If the HP Recovery media does not work, you can obtain recovery media for your system from
the HP website. For U.S. support, go to 
http://www.hp.com/go/contactHP. For worldwide
support, go to 
http://welcome.hp.com/country/us/en/wwcontact_us.html.
IMPORTANT:HP Recovery Manager does not automatically provide backups of your personal
data. Before beginning recovery, back up any personal data you wish to retain.
Using the HP Recovery partition (select models only)
The HP Recovery partition (select models only) allows you to perform a system recovery or
minimized image recovery without the need for recovery discs or a recovery USB flash drive. This
type of recovery can only be used if the hard drive is still working.
74 Chapter 11   Backing up, restoring, and recovering 
						

							To start HP Recovery Manager from the HP Recovery partition:
1.Press f11 while the computer boots.
– or –
Press and hold f11 as you press the power button.
2.Choose your keyboard layout.
3.Select Troubleshoot from the boot options menu.
4.Select Recovery Manager, and follow the on-screen instructions.
Using HP Recovery media to recover
You can use HP Recovery media to recover the original system. This method can be used if your
system does not have an HP Recovery partition or if the hard drive is not working properly.
1.If possible, back up all personal files.
2.Insert the first HP Recovery disc you created into the optical drive on your computer or into an
optional external optical drive, and then restart the computer.
– or –
Insert the HP Recovery USB flash drive you created into a USB port on your computer, and then
restart the computer.
NOTE:If the computer does not automatically restart in HP Recovery Manager, change the
computer boot order. See 
Changing the computer boot order on page 75.
3.Follow the on-screen instructions.
Changing the computer boot order
If computer does not restart in HP Recovery Manager, you can change the computer boot order,
which is the order of devices listed in BIOS where the computer looks for startup information. You can
change the selection for an optical drive or a USB flash drive.
To change the boot order:
1.Insert the HP Recovery media you created.
2.Restart the computer, quickly press esc, and then press f9 for boot options.
3.Select the optical drive or USB flash drive you want to boot from.
4.Follow the on-screen instructions.
Restore and recovery 75 
						

							Removing the HP Recovery partition
HP Recovery Manager software allows you to remove the HP Recovery partition to free up hard drive
space.
IMPORTANT:After you remove the HP Recovery partition, you can no longer use the Windows
Refresh option, the Windows option to remove everything and reinstall Windows, or the HP Recovery
Manager option. So before you remove the Recovery partition, create HP Recovery media; see
Creating HP Recovery media on page 71.
Follow these steps to remove the HP Recovery partition:
1.From the Start screen, type recovery, and then select HP Recovery Manager.
2.Select Remove Recovery Partition, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
76 Chapter 11   Backing up, restoring, and recovering 
						

							12 Specifications
Input power 
The power information in this section may be helpful if you plan to travel internationally with the
computer.
The computer operates on DC power, which can be supplied by an AC or a DC power source. The
AC power source must be rated at 100–240 V, 50–60 Hz. Although the computer can be powered
from a standalone DC power source, it should be powered only with an AC adapter or a DC power
source supplied and approved by HP for use with this computer.
The computer can operate on DC power within the following specifications. Operating voltage and
current varies by platform.
Input power Rating
Operating voltage and current 19.5 V dc @ 3.33 A – 65 W
19.5 V dc @ 4.62 A – 90 W
DC plug of external HP power supply
NOTE:This product is designed for IT power systems in Norway with phase-to-phase voltage not
exceeding 240 V rms.
NOTE:The computer operating voltage and current can be found on the system regulatory label.
Operating environment
Factor Metric U.S.
Temperature
Operating5°C to 35°C41°F to 95°F
Nonoperating-20°C to 60°C-4°F to 140°F
Relative humidity (noncondensing)
Operating10% to 90%10% to 90%
Nonoperating5% to 95%5% to 95%
Maximum altitude (unpressurized)
Operating-15 m to 3,048 m-50 ft to 10,000 ft
Nonoperating-15 m to 12,192 m-50 ft to 40,000 ft
Input power 77 
						

							13 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, first be sure that it is
properly grounded, and then remove the 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 support.
78 Chapter 13   Electrostatic Discharge 
						

							Index
A
AC adapter 6
AC adapter, testing 45
action keys
decrease screen brightness
38
Help and Support 38
identifying 11
increase screen brightness 38
next track or section 38
play, pause, resume 38
previous track or section 38
radiance backlight keyboard
38
switch screen image 38
volume down 38
volume mute 38
volume up 38
wireless 38
antivirus software, using 65
audio functions, checking 22
audio-out (headphone) jacks 5,
21
B
backing up
personal files 71
backing up software and
information 66
backups 70
battery
discharging 43
disposing 44
low battery levels 43
replacing 44
storing 44
battery cover, identifying 12
battery information, finding 43
battery lock latch 12
battery power 42
battery release latch 12
battery temperature 44
BIOS
determining version 67downloading an update 68
updating 67
Bluetooth label 14
boot order
changing HP Recovery
Manager 75
bottom 14
buttons
left TouchPad 8
power 10
right TouchPad 8
C
cables
USB 50
caps lock light, identifying 9
caring for your computer 60
checking audio functions 22
cleaning your computer 60
components
bottom 12
display 7
left side 6
right side 5
top 8
computer reset 73
computer, traveling 44
configuring audio for HDMI 24
connecting to a WLAN 17
connector, power 6
corporate WLAN connection 17
critical battery level 43
critical security updates,
installing 65
CyberLink PowerDVD 25
D
deleted files
restoring 72
Disk Cleanup software 58
Disk Defragmenter software 57
dual graphics 48
E
edge swipe gestures 35edge—swipe gestures
top-edge swipe 36
electrostatic discharge 78
esc key, identifying 11
external AC power, using 44
external devices 50
external monitor port 23
F
firewall software 65
fn key, identifying 11, 39
Fun things to do 2
G
graphics modes, switching 47
H
hard drive
HP 3D DriveGuard 57
hard drive light 5
hard drive, identifying 13
HDMI
configuring audio 24
HDMI port
connecting 23
identifying 6, 21
headphones, connecting 22
Hibernation
exiting 41
initiated during critical battery
level 43
initiating 41
high-definition devices,
connecting 23, 25
hot keys
description 39
reveal system information 39
using 39
HP 3D DriveGuard 57
HP and third-party software
updates, installing 65
HP PC Hardware Diagnostics
(UEFI)
downloading 69
using 68
Index 79 
						

							HP Recovery Manager
correcting boot problems 75
starting 75
HP Recovery media
creating 71
recovery 75
HP Recovery partition
recovery 74
removing 76
hubs 49
I
input power 77
installing
critical security updates 65
optional security cable lock 66
integrated numeric keypad,
identifying 11, 39
integrated webcam, identifying 7,
20
Intel Wireless Display 25
Intel Wireless Music 25
internal microphones, identifying
7, 20
Internet connection setup 16
Internet security software, using
64
J
jacks
audio-out (headphone) 5, 21
network 6
RJ-45 (network) 6
K
keyboard backlight action key,
identifying 38
keyboard hot keys, identifying 39
keypad, integrated numeric 11
keys
action 11
esc 11
fn 11
num lock 11
Windows 11
L
labels
Bluetooth 14
regulatory 14
serial number 13service 13
wireless certification 14
WLAN 14
latch, battery release 12
latches 12
left-edge swipe 36
lights
AC adapter 6
caps lock 9
hard drive 5
mute 9
power 5, 9
wireless 9
low battery level 43
M
maintenance
Disk Cleanup 58
Disk Defragmenter 57
memory card
inserting 51
memory card reader, identifying
6
memory module
identifying 13
inserting 59
removing 59
replacing 58
memory module, removing 59
microphone, connecting 22
minimized image
creating 74
minimized image recovery 74
mouse, external
setting preferences 26
mute light, identifying 9
N
network jack, identifying 6
num lock key, identifying 11, 39
O
operating environment 77
optical disc
inserting 53
removing 53
optical drive, identifying 5, 20
optional external devices, using
50
original system recovery 74P
passwords
Setup Utility (BIOS) 64
Windows 64
pinching touch screen gesture 34
pinching TouchPad gesture 29
ports
charging (powered) 6
external monitor 23
HDMI 6, 21, 23
Intel Wireless Display 25
Intel Wireless Music 25
USB 2.0 21
USB 3.0 6, 21
VGA 23
power
battery 42
power button, identifying 10
power connector, identifying 6
power lights, identifying 5, 9
PowerDVD 25
product name and number,
computer 13
public WLAN connection 17
R
recovery
discs 71, 75
HP Recovery Manager 74
media 75
options 70
refresh 73
starting 75
supported discs 71
system 74
USB flash drive 75
using HP Recovery media 71
recovery media
creating 71
creating using HP Recovery
Manager 71
recovery partition
removing 76
recycle
computer 72, 73
refresh
computer 72
recovery 72
Windows 73
80 Index