24 Oct 2000 This file contains the most up-to-date information on the following topics: Sources of Information about the HP notebook computer and Windows Precautions Protecting against Viruses Swapping Batteries in Standby Mode Using HP Presentation Ready Switching Displays Caution: Choosing a Modem Cable Using an Older Microsoft Mouse Model Running in MS-DOS Mode Windows 98 Using the Floppy Drive with a USB Cable Connecting an External Monitor Using an ATA-Type PC Card while Docked Docking and Undocking with a LAN Connection Using a Non-HP USB Floppy Drive Windows 2000 Running the Tour of Windows 2000 Changing the Refresh Rate for an External Monitor Booting from a Network Reinstalling HP One-Touch Best Practices for Using Your HP Notebook Computer Physical Care General Use Sources of Information * The printed Startup Guide introduces the notebook computer and shows you the basics. It also contains troubleshooting information. * The online Reference Guide shows how to set up the operating system, install and connect accessories, and maintain and upgrade the computer (Start, Programs, HP Library). * The Microsoft Windows manual, shipped with your computer, contains information about using the standard features of your Windows operating system. * For updates to the BIOS and other technical documentation, connect to our website at http://www.hp.com/go/support. Precautions This section describes certain situations that could cause serious loss of data. Do not remove a data storage PC Card while it is actively reading or writing. This could cause its data to become corrupted. Certain applications, such as Intuit's Quicken, keep their working files open, and they update the files as you make changes. For such applications, you should open only files that reside on the hard drive, not on a removable disk. An open file on a removable disk (such as a floppy disk or PC Card) is susceptible to corruption in certain situations. Before suspending, docking, or undocking your computer, always save your data and close any applications you have open, especially applications that are not power aware, audio and video applications, and applications using PC Cards and I/O devices such as a CD-ROM drive. Protecting against Viruses It is important to protect your data against potential damage by viruses. We recommend that you install virus- protection software, such as the VirusScan software shipped with your HP notebook. Note: You should update the software regularly so it has the latest virus data. Updated software helps avoid undetected viruses and false virus warnings. Windows 98 1. Click Start, Programs, McAfee VirusScan, Setup. 2. Allow the software to download a new update from the web. 3. In the future, from time to time, allow the software to download the latest update from the web. Windows 2000 1. Click Start, Programs, Network Associates, Setup. 2. Allow the software to download a new update from the web. -or- Click Start, Run and select c:\hp\programs\viruscan\sdat4100.exe to perform an update included on the hard disk. 3. In the future, from time to time, allow the software to download the latest update from the web. Swapping Batteries in Standby Mode Normally, you can swap the main battery while the computer is in Standby mode. An internal backup battery provides power during the time you're changing the battery. However, certain power settings can increase power use during Standby. If you have changed settings that increase Standby power use, you should shut down your computer or plug in the AC adapter before swapping batteries. Otherwise, unsaved data could be lost if power runs out. For example, the built-in LAN adapter has a power setting in Windows 2000 that allows the LAN adapter to turn on the computer from Standby mode. This option increases Standby power use. Using HP Presentation Ready If you use HP Presentation Ready with an external monitor, you should check whether it is a Plug-and-Play device. If it is not Plug-and-Play, you should determine the video settings you intend to use, then go to Control Panel Display and set up a monitor that supports those video settings. Otherwise, the computer may not be able to activate the video settings you specify in Presentation Ready. Switching Displays You can press Fn+F5 to switch between built-in and external displays. However, you should avoid switching while graphic- intensive applications are running, such as OpenGL applications. In some situations, switching displays can cause video corruption or application shutdown. Caution: Choosing a Modem Cable To reduce the risk of fire, use only No. 26 AWG or larger telecommunications line cord to connect the modem to the telephone wall jack. Using an Older Microsoft Mouse Model The computer cannot use Standby mode with two of Microsoft's older mouse models (parts #28898 and #07685). The suspend and resume activity causes the computer to lock up with these mice. If you are using one of these mice, do the following to prevent this problem: 1. Open the BIOS Setup utility (reboot, then press F2). 2. In the Power menu, disable the setting for Resume on Serial Ring. 3. Save and exit the Setup utility. Running in MS-DOS Mode If you boot your computer into MS-DOS, power management features are not supported. You should disable power management in BIOS Setup to prevent the computer from suspending. If the computer suspends, it could be disrupted and you could lose data. Windows 98 Using the Floppy Drive with a USB Cable When you attach the floppy drive to the computer using a USB floppy cable, Windows 98 assigns a drive letter greater than drive C, such as drive D. If Windows shows drive A or B, you cannot use these drives to access the floppy drive. You must use drive D or other assigned letter to access the floppy drive attached with the USB cable. However, if you insert the floppy drive in an expansion base, you can use drive A to access the drive. Connecting an External Monitor If an external monitor does not turn on when you plug it into the computer or expansion base, press Fn+F5. Similarly, if you unplug the monitor, you may have to press Fn+F5 to turn on the built-in display. Using an ATA-Type PC Card while Docked If you have an ATA-type PC card installed in your computer and have problems with the computer while docked, try installing the BayManager hot-swap software. BayManager helps prevent certain lockup, reboot, and detection problems with ATA mass storage cards. Docking and Undocking with a LAN Connection If your computer has a LAN port, you may experience a delay after docking or undocking while Windows 98 updates the configuration. During this time, the pointer or other devices may not operate properly. You may have to wait up to a minute or more for the system to be ready. Using a Non-HP USB Floppy Drive If your computer locks up while booting and you have a non- HP USB floppy drive connected, try rebooting with the USB drive unplugged then connecting it later. An alternative workaround is to disable the Legacy USB Support setting in BIOS Setup. Windows 2000 Running the Tour of Windows 2000 In the Getting Started window, you can click Discover Windows for a tour of Windows 2000. When you're prompted to insert the CD, click Cancel and type c:\tour to start the tour. Changing the Refresh Rate for an External Monitor If you have an undesirable pulsating image on an external monitor connected to the computer or expansion base, you may want to change the refresh rate. To change the refresh rate for an external monitor, you should use the following steps while the monitor is connected: 1. In Windows 2000, click Start, Settings, Control Panel and double-click Display. 2. On the Settings tab, click Advanced. 3. On the ATI Display tab, click Monitor, then change the refresh setting. Booting from a Network If your computer has a built-in LAN port, you can boot from a network by making Internal NIC the first boot device in BIOS Setup. However, your computer may restart unexpectedly during the process of booting. To avoid this, you should shut down the computer completely before rebooting. Reinstalling HP One-Touch Your computer comes with HP One-Touch software preinstalled. If you need to reinstall or update the HP One-Touch software, you must log in as administrator to complete the installation properly. Best Practices for Using Your HP Notebook Computer The following are recommendations on how to maintain your notebook computer during everyday use, as well as how to prevent potential physical damage or data loss. Hard disk drives and other internal components are not infallible, and can be damaged by inappropriate handling and operation. Physical Care * Avoid bumps or jolts. - Suspend or shut down the computer before transporting it. This turns off the hard drive. A drop of a few inches onto a rigid surface while the hard drive is operating could cause loss of data or damage to the drive. - Carry the computer in a padded case to protect against bumps and jolts. - Set down the computer gently. Take precautions against accidental bumps. - Do not operate the computer while traveling over bumpy terrain. * Make sure there is adequate ventilation around the computer. Suspend or shut down the computer before putting it in a carrying case or other enclosed space. * Do not pick up or carry the computer by the display. * Do not use the computer outside in the rain or snow (inclement weather) or in any extremes of temperature or humidity. General Use * Set the brightness of your display to the lowest comfortable level. This will help prolong your battery charge. * Back up your work regularly. Copy files to floppy, tape or network drives. * Use a virus scanning program, preferably one that will run automatically, to check the integrity of your files and operating system on a periodic basis. Check your disk using "scandisk" and "defrag" utilities. * Before undocking, you may need to shut down the computer. - For Windows 98 or other Plug-n-Play operating systems, you do not have to shut down before undocking. See your manual for details on how to start and stop your HP notebook computer. - End of File -