Compaq EVO NOTEBOOK N410C Quick start guide

b
Software Guide
Compaq Notebook Series
Document Part Number: 274037-001
July 2002
This guide includes details on power and security settings,
information about optical drives, and instructions for updating
software. In addition, this guide explains how to use the
MultiBoot, Intelligent Manageability, Compaq Diagnostics, and
Computer Setup utilities to set preferences and resolve problems.
274037-001.book Page i Wednesday, April 17, 2002 1:58 PM

© 2002 Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P.
Compaq, the Compaq logo, Evo, ROMPaq, and SoftPaq are trademarks of
Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P. in the U.S. and/or other
countries. Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in
the U.S. and/or other countries. Intel, Pentium, and SpeedStep are trademarks of
Intel Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other product names
mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.
Compaq shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions
contained herein. The information is provided “as is” without warranty of any
kind and is subject to change without notice. The warranties for Compaq
products are set forth in the express limited warranty statements accompanying
such products. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional
warranty.
Software Guide
First Edition July 2002
Reference Number: N410c/N610c
Document Part Number: 274037-001
274037-001.book Page ii Wednesday, April 17, 2002 1:58 PM

Software Guide iii
Contents
1 Power
Selecting a Power Source. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–1
Understanding Standby and Hibernation . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–2
Standby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–2
Hibernation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–2
Choosing Standby, Hibernation or Shutdown . . . . . . . . . 1–3
When You Leave Your Work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–3
When the Power Supply Is Uncertain . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–4
When Using Infrared or Drive Media . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–4
Using the Default Power Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–5
Turning the Notebook On or Off. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–5
Initiating or Resuming from Hibernation . . . . . . . . . 1–6
Initiating or Resuming from Standby . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–7
Using Emergency Shutdown Procedures . . . . . . . . . 1–8
Setting Power Management Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–9
Accessing the Power Options Window . . . . . . . . . . . 1–9
Displaying the Power Meter Icon . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–9
Setting or Changing a Power Scheme . . . . . . . . . . . 1–10
Managing Low-Battery Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–11
Identifying a Low-Battery Condition . . . . . . . . . . . 1–11
Identifying a Critical Low-Battery Condition . . . . . 1–11
Displaying Battery Charge . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–11
Resolving Low-Battery Conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–12
When External Power Is Available . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–12
When a Charged Battery Pack Is Available . . . . . . 1–12
When No Power Source Is Available . . . . . . . . . . . 1–12
When Notebook Cannot Resume from
Hibernation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–13
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iv Software Guide
Contents
Charging a Battery Pack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–13
Obtaining Accurate Charge Information . . . . . . . . . 1–13
Displaying Charge Information on a
Battery Pack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–14
Displaying Charge Information on the Screen . . . . 1–15
Understanding Battery Calibration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–16
Calibrating a Battery Pack. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–17
Using SpeedStep (Windows 2000 Professional Only). . 1–18
Choosing a Performance Mode . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–18
Setting SpeedStep Preferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–19
2 Security
Security Features Quick Reference . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–1
Setting Preferences in Computer Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–2
Using Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–2
Forgetting Passwords. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–2
Using Compaq and Windows Passwords . . . . . . . . . 2–3
Understanding Power-On Passwords. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–4
Setting Power-On Passwords. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–4
Entering Power-On Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–5
Understanding Compaq Administrator Passwords . . . . . 2–5
Setting Compaq Administrator Passwords . . . . . . . . 2–6
Entering Compaq Administrator Passwords . . . . . . . 2–6
Understanding DriveLock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–7
Setting DriveLock Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–8
Entering Drive Lock Passwords . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–9
Changing DriveLock Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–10
Removing DriveLock Protection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–11
Disabling a Device. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–12
Protecting System Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–13
Using Information Management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–13
Setting System Information Options . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–14
Connecting an Optional Cable Lock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–15
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Contents
Software Guide v
3 CD and DVD Software
Using CDs and DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–1
Avoiding Hibernation and Standby . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–1
Copyright Warning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–2
Playing CDs with Windows Media Player. . . . . . . . . . . . 3–2
Playing an Audio CD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–2
Playing a Video CD. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–2
Accessing Windows Media Player Help . . . . . . . . . . 3–3
Playing DVDs with WinDVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–4
Installing WinDVD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–4
Understanding DVDs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–5
Using DVD Region Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–5
Changing Region Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–6
4 Intelligent Manageability
Understanding Intelligent Manageability. . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–1
Installing Compaq Management Agent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–2
Using Fault Management Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–3
Identifying Fault Management Alerts . . . . . . . . . . . . 4–3
Setting Fault Management Alert Preferences . . . . . . 4–3
5 MultiBoot (Advanced Users Only)
Understanding the Default Boot Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . 5–1
Detailing the Default Boot Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–2
Enabling Devices in Computer Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–3
Understanding MultiBoot Results . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–4
Setting MultiBoot Preferences. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–5
Setting a New Default Boot Sequence . . . . . . . . . . . 5–5
Setting a MultiBoot Express Prompt. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5–6
Entering MultiBoot Express Preferences . . . . . . . . . 5–7
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vi Software Guide
Contents
6 Setup and Diagnostic Utilities
Using Computer Setup or Diagnostics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–1
Using Computer Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–2
Accessing Computer Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–2
Restoring Computer Setup Defaults . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–3
Selecting from the File Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–4
Selecting from the Security Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–5
Selecting from the Tools Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–6
Selecting from the Advanced Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–7
Using Compaq Diagnostics for Windows . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–9
Installing Compaq Diagnostics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–9
Using Configuration Record Scan. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–10
Using Diagnostics Scan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6–10
7 Software Updates and Restorations
Preparing to Update Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–1
Obtaining the Compaq Support Software CD . . . . . . 7–2
Accessing Notebook Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–2
Downloading Software from the Internet . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–3
Downloading System ROM. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–4
Downloading Other SoftPaqs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–5
Restoring Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7–6
Installing a Retail Version of an Operating System. . . . . 7–7
Index
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Software Guide 1–1
1
Power
Selecting a Power Source
The notebook can run on internal power or on external power.
The following table describes the best power sources for common
tasks.
Task Power Source
Work in most software
applications.
■Charged battery pack in the
notebook
■External power supplied through
one of the following devices:
❖AC Adapter
❖Optional Port Replicator or
Mobile Expansion Unit
❖Optional Aircraft Adapter
❖Optional Automobile Power
Adapter/Charger
Charge or calibrate a battery
pack in the notebook.
External power supplied through:
■AC Adapter
■Optional Automobile Power
Adapter/Charger
Install or modify system
software.
Write to a CD
External power supplied through the
AC Adapter.
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1–2 Software Guide
Power
Understanding Standby and Hibernation
Standby and Hibernation are energy-saving features that conserve
power and reduce startup time. They can be initiated by you or by
the system. See “Using Default Power Settings” in this chapter
for details about factory settings.
Standby
Standby reduces power to system components that are not in use.
When Standby is initiated, your work is saved in random access
memory (RAM) and the screen is cleared. When you resume
from Standby, your work returns to the screen where you left off.
Hibernation
Hibernation saves your work in RAM to a hibernation file on the
hard drive, then shuts down the notebook. When you resume from
Hibernation, your work returns to the screen where you left off. If
a power-on password has been set, the password must be entered
to resume from Hibernation.
You can disable Hibernation. However, if Hibernation is disabled,
the system does not automatically save your work if the notebook
reaches a critical low-battery condition, while power is on or in
Standby.
✎In the Power Options window, Hibernation will not be displayed
as an option if it has been disabled. Enable Hibernation in order
to select it in the Power Options window.
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Power
Software Guide 1–3
Confirming Hibernation Settings
Hibernation is enabled at the factory. To verify that Hibernation is
enabled:
■In Windows 2000 Professional, select Start > Settings >
Control Panel > Power Options icon > Hibernate tab. Make
sure that the Enable Hibernate Support checkbox is selected.
■In Windows XP Professional, select Start > Control Panel >
Power Options icon > Hibernate tab. Make sure that the
Enable Hibernation checkbox is selected.
Choosing Standby, Hibernation or
Shutdown
When You Leave Your Work
If you plan to resume shortly: Initiating Standby clears the
screen, uses less power than leaving the notebook on, and your
work returns instantly to the screen when you resume from
Standby. Unless it has been frequently charged and discharged, a
new, fully charged battery pack can support Standby for
approximately 4 days.
If you plan to resume within 2 weeks: Initiating Hibernation
clears the screen, saves your work to the hard drive, and uses
much less power than Standby. A fully charged battery pack can
support Hibernation indefinitely, or as long as the hard drive
remains in good condition.
If the notebook will be disconnected from external power for
more than 2 weeks: Shutting down the notebook and removing
the battery pack is recommended to extend the life of the battery
pack. For details on battery pack storage, refer on this CD to the
Hardware Guide, “Battery Packs” chapter.
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1–4 Software Guide
Power
When the Power Supply Is Uncertain
Compaq recommends that Hibernation remain enabled,
especially when the power supply is uncertain. Power may be
interrupted if the notebook is running on external power from an
unreliable source or on battery power from a failing battery pack.
If the power is interrupted while the notebook is in Standby, your
unsaved work may be lost. However, if power is interrupted while
the notebook is in Hibernation, your unsaved work is protected.
When Using Infrared or Drive Media
Standby and Hibernation interfere with the use of infrared
communication and drive media.
■If the notebook is in Standby or Hibernation, an infrared
transmission cannot be initiated.
■If Standby or Hibernation is accidentally initiated while
a drive medium (such as a diskette, disk, CD, or DVD)
is in use:
❏Your playback may be interrupted.
❏You may see a popup warning: “Putting the computer
into Hibernation or Standby may stop the playback. Do
you want to continue?” Select No.
❏Resume from Hibernation or Standby by sliding the
power switch.
❏Audio and video may resume or you may need to restart
the drive medium.
ÄCAUTION: To prevent possible video and audio degradation and
loss of audio or video playback functionality, do not initiate Standby
or Hibernation while using drive media.
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Power
Software Guide 1–5
Using the Default Power Settings
The following tables describe the factory power settings on the
notebook. Many power settings can be changed according to the
user preference. If you want to change the default settings, see the
section “Setting Power Management Options.”
Turning the Notebook On or Off
Task Procedure Result
Turn on the
notebook.
Slide the power switch.
✎Sliding the power
switch returns the
notebook to “on”
from any power
mode: Standby,
Hibernation, or
Shutdown.
Power/standby light
turns on.
Operating system
loads.
Shut down the
notebook.*
Save your work and close
all open applications. Then:
■In Windows 2000
Professional, select
Start > Shut Down >
Shut Down, then
select the OK button.
■In Windows XP
Professional, select
Start > Turn Off
Computer > Turn Off.
Power/standby light
turns off.
Operating system
shuts down.
Notebook turns off.
Turn off the
display if the
notebook
is closed while
power is on.
No action required. Closing the
notebook activates
the display release
latch, which turns
off the display.
*If the system is unresponsive and you are unable to shut down the
notebook with these procedures, refer to “Using Emergency
Shutdown Procedures,” later in this chapter.
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1–6 Software Guide
Power
Initiating or Resuming from Hibernation
Task Procedure Result
User-initiated
Hibernation.
With the notebook on, slide
the power switch.
■In Windows 2000
Professional, select
Start > Shut Down >
Hibernate, then select
the OK button.
■In Windows XP
Professional, select
Start > Turn Off the
Computer > Hibernate.
(If the Hibernate option
is not displayed, press
the shift key.)
Power/standby light
turns off.
Screen clears.
System-initiated
Hibernation
(with
Hibernation
enabled).
■If the notebook is
attached to AC power,
the system will not
initiate Hibernation.
■If the notebook is
running on batteries,
the system will initiate
Hibernation after 30
minutes of notebook
inactivity.
✎Power settings
and timeouts can
be changed in the
Power Options
window.
Power/standby light
turns off.
Screen clears.
Resume from
user-initiated or
system-initiated
Hibernation.
Slide the power switch. Power/standby light
turns on.
Your work returns to
the screen.
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Power
Software Guide 1–7
Initiating or Resuming from Standby
Task Procedure Result
User-initiated
Standby.
With the notebook on,
press the Standby button.
■In Windows 2000
Professional, select
Start > Shut Down >
Standby, then select
the OK button.
■In Windows XP
Professional, select
Start > Turn Off the
Computer > Standby.
(If the Standby option
is not displayed, press
the shift key.)
Power/standby light
blinks.
Screen clears.
System-initiated
Standby.
■If the notebook is
attached to AC power,
the system will not
initiate Standby.
■If the notebook is
running on batteries,
the system will initiate
Standby after 10
minutes of notebook
inactivity.
✎Power settings
and timeouts can
be changed in the
Power Options
window.
Power/standby light
blinks.
Screen clears.
Resume from
user-initiated or
system-initiated
Standby.
Press the Standby button
or slide the power switch.
Power/standby light
turns on.
Your work returns to
the screen.
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1–8 Software Guide
Power
Using Emergency Shutdown Procedures
If the notebook is unresponsive and you are unable to use normal
Windows shutdown procedures, try the following emergency
procedures:
■Press ctrl+alt+delete. Then:
❏In Windows 2000 Professional, select Shut Down. In
the What Do You Want the Computer To Do list, select
Restart or Shut Down, then select the OK button.
❏In Windows XP Professional, select Start > Turn Off
Computer button > Turn Off.
■If you are unable to shut down the notebook with
ctrl+alt+delete, select Fn+power.
■If you are unable to shut down the notebook with the power
switch, disconnect the notebook from external power and
remove the battery pack.
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Power
Software Guide 1–9
Setting Power Management Options
Many of the default power settings, such as timeouts, alarms, and
power button settings, can be changed in the Power Options
window.
Accessing the Power Options Window
To access the Power Options window:
■In Windows 2000 Professional, select Start > Settings >
Control Panel > Power Options icon.
■In Windows XP Professional, select Start > Control Panel >
Power Options icon.
■In Windows 2000 Professional or Windows XP
Professional, double-click the Power Meter icon on the
taskbar.
Displaying the Power Meter Icon
The Power Meter icon is on your taskbar by default. The icon
changes shape to indicate whether the notebook is running on
battery power or external AC power. Double-click the icon to
display the Power Options window.
To show or hide the Power Meter icon on the taskbar:
1. Access the Power Options window.
2. Select the Advanced tab.
3. Select or clear the Always Show Icon on the Task Bar
check box.
4. Select the OK button.
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1–10 Software Guide
Power
Setting or Changing a Power Scheme
The Power Schemes tab in the Power Options window assigns
power levels to system components. You can assign different
schemes depending on whether the notebook is running on
battery or AC Power.
Or you can set a Power Scheme that initiates Standby or turns off
the display or hard drive after a time interval (timeout) you
specify.
To set a Power Scheme, access the Power Options window >
Power Schemes tab. Select options from the lists, name the new
Power Scheme, and select Save As.
Using a Security Password
You can add a security feature that prompts you for a password
when the notebook turns on or resumes from Standby or
Hibernation.
To set a password prompt, access the Power Options window >
Advanced tab. Select the check box for Prompt For Password
When the Computer Goes Off Standby, and select OK.
For more information about using security passwords, see the
“Security” chapter, “Setting Power-On Passwords.”
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Power
Software Guide 1–11
Managing Low-Battery Conditions
Identifying a Low-Battery Condition
When a battery pack, which is the only power source available to
the notebook, reaches a low-battery condition, a warning message
appears on the screen.
✎To set audible low-battery alerts and other low-battery
preferences, access the Power Options window and select the
Alarms tab.
Identifying a Critical Low-Battery Condition
If a low-battery condition is not resolved, the notebook enters a
critical low-battery condition, and the following can occur:
■If Hibernation is enabled, and the notebook is on or in
Standby, a warning message appears on the screen, the
notebook initiates Hibernation, and shuts down. Your
unsaved work is protected.
ÄCAUTION: To protect your work in case of a low-battery condition,
make sure that Hibernation remains enabled.
■If Hibernation is disabled and the notebook is on or in
Standby, a warning message appears, then the notebook shuts
down, and your unsaved work is lost.
Displaying Battery Charge
When the notebook is running on battery power, press Fn+F8 or
double-click the Power icon on the taskbar to display the power
meter and view the amount of battery power remaining in each
installed battery pack.
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1–12 Software Guide
Power
Resolving Low-Battery Conditions
When External Power Is Available
Select one of the following options:
■Connect the notebook to an electrical outlet.
■Dock the notebook in a Port Replicator or Mobile Expansion
Unit that is connected to external power.
■Plug an optional Automobile Power Adapter/Charger into the
notebook and into a vehicle cigarette lighter receptacle.
■Plug an optional Aircraft Power Adapter into the notebook
and into the in-seat power supply available on some
commercial aircraft.
✎An optional Aircraft Power Adapter can run the notebook but
cannot charge a battery pack.
When a Charged Battery Pack Is Available
Turn off the notebook or initiate Hibernation, insert a charged
battery pack, then resume from Hibernation. For battery pack
replacement instructions, refer on this CD to the Hardware
Guide, “Battery Packs” chapter.
When No Power Source Is Available
Save your work, initiate Hibernation, then shut down the
notebook.
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Power
Software Guide 1–13
When Notebook Cannot Resume from
Hibernation
If the notebook does not have enough power to restore your work
after resuming from Hibernation:
1. Press ctrl+alt+delete to abort the restoration.
2. Insert a charged battery pack or connect the notebook to
external power.
3. Resume from Hibernation.
Charging a Battery Pack
To charge a battery pack in the notebook, connect the notebook to
external power through:
■An AC Adapter.
■An optional Port Replicator or Mobile Expansion Unit.
■An optional Automobile Power Adapter/Charger.
While the battery pack is charging, the battery light on the
notebook turns on. The light turns off when the battery pack is
fully charged.
Obtaining Accurate Charge Information
To increase the accuracy of all battery charge displays:
■When you charge a battery pack, charge it completely.
■Allow a battery pack to discharge to the low-battery level
through normal use before charging it.
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1–14 Software Guide
Power
Displaying Charge Information on a Battery Pack
Some battery packs have a quick check feature that allows you to
monitor the battery charge when the battery pack is not inside the
system.
To display the percent of full charge remaining in a battery pack,
press the button 1on the battery pack.
Each charge level light 2represents 20 percent of a full charge.
When pressing the button causes all five lights to turn on, the
battery pack is fully charged. If only one light is on and blinking,
the battery pack has less than a 10 percent charge remaining.
✎The location of battery quick check features may vary among
battery packs.
Displaying battery pack charge information
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