HP Probook 6450 B User Guide

							To use Windows Update:
1.Select Start > All Programs > Windows Update.
NOTE:If you have not previously set up windows update, you will be prompted to enter settings
before you can check for updates.
2.Click Check for updates.
3.Follow the on-screen instructions.
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							Webcam (select models only)
Your computer may include an integrated webcam, located at the top of the display. With the preinstalled
software, you can use the webcam to take a photo or record a video. You can preview the photo or video
recording and save it on your computer hard drive.
To access the webcam and HP Webcam software, select Start > All Programs > HP > HP Webcam.
The webcam software enables you to experiment with the following features:
●Capture video.
●Stream video with instant message software.
●Take still photos.
NOTE:For information about using software designed for use with the integrated webcam, refer to
the webcam software Help.
For optimum performance, observe the following guidelines while using the integrated webcam:
●Be sure that you have the latest version of an instant message program before attempting a video
conversation.
●The webcam may not work properly across some network firewalls.
NOTE:If you are having trouble viewing or sending multimedia files to someone on another LAN
or outside your network firewall, temporarily disable the firewall, perform the task you want to
perform, and then reenable the firewall. To permanently resolve the problem, reconfigure the
firewall as necessary, and adjust the policies and settings of other intrusion detection systems. For
additional information, contact your network administrator or IT department.
●Whenever possible, place bright light sources behind the webcam and out of the picture area.
Adjusting webcam properties
You can adjust webcam properties using the Properties dialog box, which is accessible from various
programs that use the integrated webcam, usually from a configuration, settings, or properties menu:
●Brightness—Controls the amount of light that is incorporated into the image. A higher brightness
setting creates a brighter image; a lower brightness setting creates a darker image.
●Contrast—Controls the difference between lighter and darker areas on the image. A higher
contrast setting intensifies the image; a lower contrast setting maintains more of the original
information’s dynamic range but leads to a flatter image.
●Hue—Controls the aspect of color that distinguishes it from another color (what makes a color red,
green, or blue). Hue is distinct from saturation, which measures the intensity of the hue.
●Saturation—Controls the strength of color in the final image. A higher saturation setting creates a
bolder image; a lower saturation setting creates a more subtle image.
●Sharpness—Controls the definition of edges in an image. A higher sharpness setting creates a
more defined image; a lower sharpness setting creates a softer image.
●Gamma—Controls the contrast affecting the mid-level grays or midtones of an image. Adjusting
the gamma of an image allows you to change the brightness values of the middle range of gray
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							tones without dramatically altering the shadows and highlights. A lower gamma setting makes
grays look black, and makes dark colors even darker.
For information about using the webcam, select Start > Help and Support.
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							5 Power management
Setting power options
Using power-saving states
The computer has two power-saving states enabled at the factory: Sleep and Hibernation.
When Sleep is initiated, the power lights blink and the screen clears. Your work is saved to memory,
letting you exit Sleep faster than exiting Hibernation. If the computer is in the Sleep state for an extended
period or if the battery reaches a critical battery level while in the Sleep state, the computer initiates
Hibernation.
When Hibernation is initiated, your work is saved to a hibernation file on the hard drive and the computer
turns off.
CAUTION:To prevent possible audio and video degradation, loss of audio or video playback
functionality, or loss of information, do not initiate Sleep or Hibernation while reading from or writing to
a disc or an external media card.
NOTE:You cannot initiate any type of networking connection or perform any computer functions while
the computer is in the Sleep state or in Hibernation.
NOTE:When HP 3D DriveGuard has parked a drive, the computer will not initiate Sleep or Hibernation,
and the display will be turned off.
Initiating and exiting Sleep
The system is set at the factory to initiate Sleep after 15 minutes of inactivity when running on battery
power and 30 minutes of inactivity when running on external power.
Power settings and timeouts can be changed using Power Options in Windows® Control Panel.
With the computer on, you can initiate Sleep in any of the following ways:
●Close the display.
●Press fn+f3.
●Click Start, click the arrow next to the Shut down button, and then click Sleep.
To exit Sleep:
▲Briefly press the power button
When the computer exits Sleep, the power lights turn on and your work returns to the screen where
you stopped working.
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							NOTE:If you have set a password to be required when the computer exits Sleep, you must enter your
Windows password before your work will return to the screen.
Initiating and exiting Hibernation
The system is set at the factory to initiate Hibernation after 1080 minutes (18 hours) of inactivity when
running on battery power, 1080 minutes (18 hours) of inactivity when running on external power, or when
the battery reaches a critical battery level.
Power settings and timeouts can be changed using Power Options in Windows Control Panel.
To initiate Hibernation:
1.Click Start, and then click the arrow next to the Shut down button.
2.Click Hibernate.
To exit Hibernation:
▲Press the power button.
The power lights turn on and your work returns to the screen where you stopped working.
NOTE:If you have set a password to be required when the computer exits Hibernation, you must enter
your Windows password before your work will return to the screen.
Using the battery meter
The battery meter is located in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar. The battery meter
allows you to quickly access power settings, view remaining battery charge, and select a different power
plan.
●To display the percentage of remaining battery charge and the current power plan, move the pointer
over the battery meter icon.
●To access Power Options, or to change the power plan, click the battery meter icon and select an
item from the list.
Different battery meter icons indicate whether the computer is running on battery or external power. The
icon also displays a message if the battery has reached a low battery level, critical battery level, or
reserve battery level.
To hide or display the battery meter icon:
1.Right-click the Show hidden icons icon (the arrow at the left side of the notification area).
2.Click Customize notification icons.
3.Under Behaviors, select Show icon and notifications for the Power icon.
4.Click OK.
Using power plans
A power plan is a collection of system settings that manages how the computer uses power. Power
plans can help you conserve power or maximize performance.
You can change power plan settings or create your own power plan.
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							Viewing the current power plan
▲Click the battery meter icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.
– or –
Select Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options.
Selecting a different power plan
▲Click the battery meter icon in the notification area, and then select a power plan from the list.
– or –
Select Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options, and then select a power
plan from the list.
Customizing power plans
1.Click the battery meter icon in the notification area, and then click More power options.
– or –
Select Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options.
2.Select a power plan, and then click Change plan settings.
3.Change the settings as needed.
4.To change additional settings, click Change advanced power settings and make your changes.
Setting password protection on wakeup
To set the computer to prompt for a password when the computer exits Sleep or Hibernation, follow
these steps:
1.Select Start > Control Panel > System and Security > Power Options.
2.In the left pane, click Require a password on wakeup.
3.Click Change Settings that are currently unavailable.
4.Click Require a password (recommended).
NOTE:If you need to create a user account password or change your current user account
password, click Create or change your user account password, and then follow the on-screen
instructions. If not, go to step 5.
5.Click Save changes.
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							Using Power Assistant (select models only)
Power Assistant allows you to configure system settings to optimize your computers power consumption
and battery charge. Power Assistant provides tools and information to help you make informed decisions
on power management:
●Power consumption predictions in hypothetical system configurations
●Predefined power profiles
●Usage details and graphs showing power consumption trends over time
Starting Power Assistant
To start Power Assistant when Windows is running:
▲Select Start > All Programs > HP > HP Power Assistant.
– or –
Press fn+f8.
Power Assistant opens, and the following tabs are displayed:
●Settings—Displays the opening page, which shows battery charge and power consumption
information.
●Preferences—Enables you to set device preferences.
●Usage Details—Enables you to enter information about computer use.
●Charts—Displays charts and graphs of power consumption.
●About—Displays Power Assistant Help and version information.
For more information about using, configuring, and managing Power Assistant, refer to the Power
Assistant software Help.
Using external AC power
External AC power is supplied through one of the following devices:
WARNING!To reduce potential safety issues, use only the AC adapter provided with the computer,
a replacement AC adapter provided by HP, or a compatible AC adapter purchased from HP.
●Approved AC adapter
●Optional docking device
Connect the computer to external AC power under any of the following conditions:
WARNING!Do not charge the computer battery while you are onboard aircraft.
●When you are charging or calibrating a battery
●When you are installing or modifying system software
●When you are writing information to a CD or DVD
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							When you connect the computer to external AC power, the following events occur:
●The battery begins to charge.
●If the computer is turned on, the battery meter icon in the notification area changes appearance.
When you disconnect external AC power, the following events occur:
●The computer switches to battery power.
●The display brightness is automatically decreased to save battery life. To increase display
brightness, press the fn+f10 hotkey or reconnect the AC adapter.
Connecting the AC adapter
WARNING!To reduce the risk of electric shock or damage to the equipment:
Plug the power cord into an AC outlet that is easily accessible at all times.
Disconnect power from the computer by unplugging the power cord from the AC outlet (not by
unplugging the power cord from the computer).
If provided with a 3-pin attachment plug on the power cord, plug the cord into a grounded (earthed) 3-
pin outlet. Do not disable the power cord grounding pin, for example, by attaching a 2-pin adapter. The
grounding pin is an important safety feature.
To connect the computer to external AC power, follow these steps:
1.Plug the AC adapter into the power connector (1) on the computer.
2.Plug the power cord into the AC adapter (2).
3.Plug the other end of the power cord into an AC outlet (3).
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							Using battery power
When a charged battery is in the computer and the computer is not plugged into external power, the
computer runs on battery power. When the computer is plugged into external AC power, the computer
runs on AC power.
If the computer contains a charged battery and is running on external AC power supplied through the
AC adapter, the computer switches to battery power if the AC adapter is disconnected from the
computer.
NOTE:The display brightness is decreased to save battery life when you disconnect AC power. To
increase display brightness, use the fn+f10 hotkey or reconnect the AC adapter.
You can keep a battery in the computer or in storage, depending on how you work. Keeping the battery
in the computer whenever the computer is plugged into AC power charges the battery and also protects
your work in case of a power outage. However, a battery in the computer slowly discharges when the
computer is off and unplugged from external power.
WARNING!To reduce potential safety issues, use only the battery provided with the computer, a
replacement battery provided by HP, or a compatible battery purchased from HP.
Computer battery life varies, depending on power management settings, programs running on the
computer, display brightness, external devices connected to the computer, and other factors.
Finding battery information in Help and Support
Help and Support provides the following tools and information about the battery:
●Battery Check tool to test battery performance
●Information on calibration, power management, and proper care and storage to maximize battery
life
●Information on battery types, specifications, life cycles, and capacity
To access battery information:
▲Select Start > Help and Support > Learn > Power Plans: Frequently Asked Questions.
Using Battery Check
Help and Support provides information on the status of the battery installed in the computer.
To run Battery Check:
1.Connect the AC adapter to the computer.
NOTE:The computer must be connected to external power for Battery Check to function properly.
2.Select Start > Help and Support > Troubleshoot > Power, Thermal and Mechanical.
3.Click the Power tab, and then click Battery Check.
Battery Check examines the battery and its cells to see if they are functioning properly, and then reports
the results of the examination.
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							Displaying the remaining battery charge
Move the pointer over the battery meter icon in the notification area, at the far right of the taskbar.
Inserting or removing the battery
CAUTION:Removing a battery that is the sole power source can cause loss of information. To prevent
loss of information, save your work and initiate Hibernation or shut down the computer through Windows
before removing the battery.
To insert the battery:
1.Turn the computer upside down on a flat surface, with the battery bay toward you.
2.Insert the battery (1) into the battery bay until it is seated.
The battery release latch (2) automatically locks the battery into place.
To remove the battery:
1.Turn the computer upside down on a flat surface, with the battery bay toward you.
2.Slide the battery release latch (1) to release the battery.
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