Getting Started HP Business PCs
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About This Book WARNING! Text set off in this manner indicates that failure to follow directions could result in bodily harm or loss of life. CAUTION: Text set off in this manner indicates that failure to follow directions could result in damage to equipment or loss of information. NOTE: Text set off in this manner provides important supplemental information.
iv About This Book
Table of contents 1 Getting Started in Windows 7 ......................................................................................................................... 1 Activating and customizing the software ............................................................................................................. 1 Activating the Windows operating system ......................................................................................... 1 Downloading Windows 7 updates .........................
Blink or beep codes: Interpreting POST diagnostic front panel LEDs and audible codes .................................................................................................................. 17 HP Support Assistant ...................................................................................................... 17 Using HP PC Hardware Diagnostics ................................................................................ 17 Why run HP PC Hardware Diagnostics ..............................
1 Getting Started in Windows 7 Activating and customizing the software If your computer was not shipped with a Windows® operating system, some portions of this documentation do not apply. Additional information is available in online help after you activate the operating system. CAUTION: Do not add optional hardware or third-party devices to the computer until the operating system is successfully activated. Doing so may cause errors and prevent the operating system from installing properly.
Obtain the latest support software, including support software for the operating system, from http://www.hp.com/support. Select your country and language, select Download drivers and software (and firmware), enter the model number of the computer, and press Enter. Customizing the monitor display If you wish, you can select or change the monitor refresh rates, screen resolution, color settings, font sizes, and power management settings.
● System restore ● System recovery Performing basic troubleshooting You can find troubleshooting information in the comprehensive Maintenance and Service Guide (English only) available under the reference library at http://www.hp.com/support. Select your country and language, select Product Support & Troubleshooting, enter the model number of the computer, and click Search.
Blink or beep codes: Interpreting POST diagnostic front panel LEDs and audible codes If you see flashing LEDs on the front of the computer or if you hear beeps, see the Maintenance and Service Guide (English only) for interpretation and recommended action. HP Support Assistant HP Support Assistant is an application that helps you maintain the performance of your computer and resolve problems through automated updates and tune-ups, built-in diagnostics, and guided assistance.
1. Go to http://hp.com/go/techcenter/pcdiags. 2. In the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics section, click the Download link, and then select Run. Option 2: Support and Drivers pages—Provide downloads for a specific product for earlier and later versions 1. Go to http://www.hp.com. 2. Point to Support, located at the top of the page, and then click Download Drivers. 3. In the text box, enter the product name, and then click Go. – or – Click Find Now to let HP automatically detect your product. 4.
1. Restart the computer. 2. Press and hold the F8 key before the operating system starts to display the Advanced Boot Options screen. 3. Use the arrow keys to highlight Last Known Good Configuration, and then press Enter to boot the computer. ● If the computer will turn on but will not boot into the operating system, you may run the “pre-boot” diagnostics utility, HP PC Hardware Diagnostics. Refer to Using HP PC Hardware Diagnostics on page 4 for more information.
1. After you successfully set up the computer, create recovery media. This media can be used to reinstall the original operating system in cases where the hard drive is corrupted or has been replaced. See Creating recovery media on page 7. 2. As you add hardware and software programs, create system restore points. A system restore point is a snapshot of certain hard drive contents saved by Windows System Restore at a specific time.
NOTE: Do not use media cards for creating recovery media. The system may not be able to boot up from a media card and you may not be able to run system recovery. To create recovery discs: 1. Close all open programs. 2. Click the Start button, click All Programs, click Security and Protection, click Recovery Manager, and then click HP Recovery Media Creation. If prompted, click Yes to allow the program to continue. 3. Click Create recovery media using blank DVD(s), and then click Next. 4.
1. Select Start > All Programs > Productivity and Tools > HP Recovery Disc Creator. 2. Select Windows disk. 3. From the drop-down menu, select the drive for burning the recovery media. 4. Click the Create button to start the burning process. Label the disc after you create it, and store it in a secure place. After the Windows 7 operating system DVD has been created, create the Driver Recovery DVD: 1. Select Start > All Programs > Productivity and Tools > HP Recovery Disc Creator. 2.
1. Close all open programs. 2. Click the Start button, right-click Computer, and then click Properties. 3. Click System protection, System Restore, click Next, and then follow the on-screen instructions. System Recovery WARNING! This procedure will delete all user information. To prevent loss of information, be sure to back up all user information so you can restore it after recovery.
7. Select Yes, and then click Next. Your computer restarts. 8. When the computer restarts, you will see the Recovery Manager welcome screen again. Under I need help immediately, click System Recovery. If you are prompted to back up your files, and you have not done so, select Back up your files first (recommended), and then click Next. Otherwise, select Recover without backing up your files, and then click Next. 9. System Recovery begins.
6. If Recovery Manager asks if you want to run System Recovery from Media or Hard Drive, select Media. On the Welcome screen, under I need help immediately, click Factory Reset. 7. If you are prompted to back up your files, and you have not done so, select Back up your files first (recommended), and then click Next. Otherwise, select Recover without backing up your files, and then click Next. 8. If you are prompted to insert the next recovery disc, do so. 9.
After the repair is completed: 1. Eject the Windows 7 operating system DVD and then insert the Driver Recovery DVD. 2. Follow the on-screen instructions to install the Hardware Enabling Drivers first, and then install Recommended Applications.
2 Getting Started in Windows 8 Activating and customizing the software Additional information is available in online help after you activate the operating system. NOTE: Be sure there is a 10.2 cm (4 inch) clearance at the back of the unit and above the monitor to permit the required airflow. Activating the Windows Operating System The first time you turn on the computer, the operating system is set up and activated automatically. This process takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
Customizing the monitor display You can customize display settings for Windows 8 separately for the Start screen and the Desktop. To customize the Start screen: 1. Point to the upper-right or lower-right corner of the Start screen to display the charms. 2. Click Settings > Change PC Settings. 3. Click Personalize to change the display settings. To customize the Desktop: 1. Click the Desktop app on the Start screen. 2.
● HP Support Assistant (HPSA) troubleshooter ● HP PC Hardware Diagnostics ● HP Support ● System restore ● System recovery Performing basic troubleshooting You can find troubleshooting information in the comprehensive Maintenance and Service Guide (English only) available under the reference library at http://www.hp.com/support. Select your country and language, select Product Support & Troubleshooting, enter the model number of the computer, and click Search.
CAUTION: When the computer is plugged into an AC power source, there is always voltage applied to the system board. To reduce the risk of system board or component damage, always disconnect the power cord from the power source before opening the computer.
There are two options to download HP PC Hardware Diagnostics to a USB device: Option 1: HP PC Diagnostics homepage— Provides access to the latest UEFI version 1. Go to http://hp.com/go/techcenter/pcdiags. 2. In the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics section, click the Download link, and then select Run. Option 2: Support and Drivers pages—Provide downloads for a specific product for earlier and later versions 1. Go to http://www.hp.com. 2.
Before you call for technical support WARNING! When the computer is plugged into an AC power source, voltage is always applied to the system board. To reduce the risk of personal injury from electrical shock and/or hot surfaces, be sure to disconnect the power cord from the wall outlet and allow the internal system components to cool before you touch them.
NOTE: For sales information and warranty upgrades (HP Care Packs), call your local authorized service provider or dealer. Backing up, restoring, and recovering in Windows 8.1 or Windows 8 Your computer includes tools provided by HP and Windows to help you safeguard your information and retrieve it if you ever need to. These tools will help you return your computer to a proper working state or even back to the original factory state, all with simple steps.
If Windows recovery steps are not working and the system is not responding, use these steps to start Reset: 1. If possible, back up all personal files. 2. If possible, check for the presence of the HP Recovery partition: ● For Windows 8.1, from the Start screen, type pc, and then select This PC. ● For Windows 8, from the Start screen, type c, and then select Computer.
NOTE: This process takes several minutes. 1. If possible, back up all personal files. 2. Restart the computer, and then follow the instructions provided with the Windows operating system media to install the operating system. 3. When prompted, press any keyboard key. 4. Follow the on-screen instructions. After the repair is completed and the Windows desktop appears: 1. Remove the Windows operating system media, and then insert the Driver Recovery media. 2.
3 Getting Started in Windows 10 Activating and customizing the software Additional information is available in online help after you activate the operating system. NOTE: Be sure there is a 10.2 cm (4 inch) clearance at the back of the unit and above the monitor to permit the required airflow. Activating the Windows Operating System The first time you turn on the computer, the operating system is set up and activated automatically. This process takes about 5 to 10 minutes.
Turning off the computer To properly turn off the computer, shut down the operating system software. ▲ Click the Start icon, click the Power icon, and then select Shut down. – or – From the taskbar, type settings, select Settings, type shut, and then click Turn off your PC. Finding more information NOTE: Some or all of the following documents are available on the computer hard drive.
Performing basic troubleshooting You can find troubleshooting information in the comprehensive Maintenance and Service Guide (English only) available under the reference library at http://www.hp.com/support. Select your country and language, select Product Support & Troubleshooting, enter the model number of the computer, and click Search.
HP Support Assistant HP Support Assistant is an HP application that helps you maintain the performance of your computer and resolve problems through automated updates and tune-ups, built-in diagnostics, and guided assistance. HP Support Assistant is preinstalled on all HP or Compaq computers with Windows 10. To access HP Support Assistant in Windows 10, type support in the taskbar search box, and then select the HP Support Assistant app.
Downloading HP PC Hardware Diagnostics to a USB device NOTE: Instructions for downloading HP PC Hardware Diagnostics (UEFI) are provided in English only. There are two options to download HP PC Hardware Diagnostics to a USB device: Option 1: HP PC Diagnostics homepage— Provides access to the latest UEFI version 1. Go to http://hp.com/go/techcenter/pcdiags. 2. In the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics section, click the Download link, and then select Run.
● If the computer will turn on but will not boot into the operating system, you may run the “pre-boot” diagnostics utility, HP PC Hardware Diagnostics. Refer to Using HP PC Hardware Diagnostics on page 4 for more information. ● If the computer will boot into the operating system, there are two possible tools that provide self-solve diagnostics and online chat features (if internet access is also available).
For more information, see Using Windows tools on page 30. NOTE: If storage is 32 GB or less, Microsoft System Restore is disabled by default. Creating HP Recovery media (select products only) If possible, check for the presence of the Recovery partition and the Windows partition. From the Start menu, select File Explorer. ● If your computer does not list the Windows partition and the Recovery partition, you can obtain recovery media for your system from support.
Using Windows tools You can create recovery media, system restore points, and backups of personal information using Windows tools. NOTE: If storage is 32 GB or less, Microsoft System Restore is disabled by default. For more information and steps, see Help and Support. ▲ Type help in the taskbar search box, and then select Help and Support. Restore and recovery There are several options for recovering your system.
IMPORTANT: 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 (select products only) on page 29. ● To use the Factory Reset option (select products only), you must use HP Recovery media. If you have not already created recovery media, see Creating HP Recovery media (select products only) on page 29.
Changing the computer boot order If your 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 to an optical drive or a USB flash drive. To change the boot order: 1. Insert the HP Recovery media. 2. Access BIOS. Restart the computer, quickly press esc, and then press f9 for boot options. 3.
4 Accessibility HP designs, produces, and markets products and services that can be used by everyone, including people with disabilities, either on a stand-alone basis or with appropriate assistive devices. Supported assistive technologies HP products support a wide variety of operating system assistive technologies and can be configured to work with additional assistive technologies. Use the Search feature on your device to locate more information about assistive features.
