HP Blade Blade User manual

Getting Started
Business PCs
Document Part Number: 384106-001
May 2005
Use this guide after you have completed the steps detailed in the
Quick Setup guide. It will help you set up factory-provided
software. It also includes basic troubleshooting information
should you have problems during the initial startup process.

© Copyright 2005 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
The information contained herein is subject to change without notice.
Microsoft and Windows are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the
U.S. and other countries.
The only warranties for HP products and services are set forth in the
express warranty statements accompanying such products and services.
Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty.
HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions
contained herein.
This document contains proprietary information that is protected by
copyright. No part of this document may be photocopied, reproduced, or
translated to another language without the prior written consent of
Hewlett-Packard Company.
ÅWARNING: Text set off in this manner indicates that failure to
follow directions could result in bodily harm or loss of life.
ÄCAUTION: Text set off in this manner indicates that failure to follow
directions could result in damage to equipment or loss of information.
Getting Started
Business PCs
First Edition (May 2005)
Document Part Number: 384106-001

Getting Started www.hp.com iii
Contents
Installing & Customizing the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Installing the Operating System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Microsoft Security Updates. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Installing Microsoft Critical Updates that are
Loaded on the System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2
Downloading Updates from the Microsoft
Windows Update Web Site. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Accessibility . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Installing or Upgrading Device Drivers . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Customizing the Monitor Display . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Protecting the Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Transferring Files and Settings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Restoring the Software. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Turning Off the Computer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
Finding More Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Using the Documentation and Diagnostics CD. . . . . . . .8
Before You Call for Technical Support . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Helpful Hints . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12
Basic Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Solving General Problems. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15
Solving Hardware Installation Problems. . . . . . . . . . . .22
Interpreting Diagnostic Lights and Audible Codes . . . .25

Getting Started www.hp.com 1
Getting Started
Installing & Customizing the Software
ÄCAUTION: Do not add optional hardware or third-party devices to
the computer until the operating system is successfully installed. Doing
so may cause errors and prevent the operating system from installing
properly.
✎Be sure there is a 4-inch (10.2-cm) clearance at the back of the
unit and above the monitor to permit the required airflow.
Installing the Operating System
The first time you turn on the computer, the operating system is
installed automatically. This process takes about 5 to 10 minutes,
depending on which operating system is being installed.
Carefully read and follow the instructions on the screen to
complete the installation.
ÄCAUTION: Once the automatic installation has begun, DO NOT
TURN OFF THE COMPUTER UNTIL THE PROCESS IS COMPLETE.
Turning off the computer during the installation process may damage
the software that runs the computer or prevent its proper installation.
✎If the computer shipped with more than one operating system
language on the hard drive, the installation process could take up
to 60 minutes.

2 www.hp.com Getting Started
Getting Started
If your computer was not shipped with a Microsoft operating
system, some portions of this documentation do not apply. For
complete operating system installation and configuration
instructions, refer to the operating system documentation.
Additional information is available in online help after you install
the operating system.
Microsoft Security Updates
This system has been delivered to you from the HP factory with
Microsoft Critical updates loaded on your system and ready for
installation that were available at the time of development. HP
and Microsoft strongly recommend that you install the Microsoft
Security Updates loaded on your system, and then connect to the
Microsoft Windows update Web site to acquire any additional
critical Microsoft Security updates recommended for your
operating system.
Installing Microsoft Critical Updates that are
Loaded on the System
Please install the critical updates that were loaded on the system
before connecting to the Internet.
1. Click Start > All Programs > Software Setup. The
Welcome screen appears.
2. On the Welcome screen, click Next.
a. If Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack Hotfixes
appears as a Software Setup application choice, ensure
that it is checked.
b. If Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack Hotfixes does
not appear as a Software Setup application choice, then
the updates were preinstalled at the factory. Click Cancel
and proceed to step 5.

Getting Started
Getting Started www.hp.com 3
3. Click Next to proceed with the installation.
A status bar indicating the progress of the installation is
displayed.
4. From the Setup Complete window, click Finish to reboot the
computer.
5. Proceed with the steps in the Downloading Updates from
the Microsoft Windows Update Web site section to ensure
you have all of the latest updates for your system.
Downloading Updates from the Microsoft
Windows Update Web Site
1. To set up your Internet connection, click Start > Internet
Explorer and follow the instructions on the screen.
2. Once an Internet connection has been established, click the
Start button.
3. Select the All Programs menu.
Click on the Windows Update link at the top of the menu.
You will be directed to the Microsoft Windows Update Web
site.
You may see one or more pop-up windows that will ask you
to install a program from www.microsoft.com.
4. Click Ye s to install the programs from www.microsoft.com.
5. Click the Scan for Updates link when it appears.
After scanning, click the Critical Updates and Service
Packs link when it appears under the heading Pick updates
to install.
A list of updates will appear with all updates selected by
default.
It is recommended that you install all of the updates listed in
this section.

4 www.hp.com Getting Started
Getting Started
6. Click on the Review and Install Updates link.
7. Click the Install Now button. This will start downloading the
critical updates and automatically install them.
8. After the updates have been installed, Windows XP will
prompt you to reboot the machine. Be sure to save any files or
documents that you may have open before rebooting. Then
select Ye s to reboot the machine.
Accessibility
HP is committed to designing products, services, and programs
with improved usability and accessibility for all customers. HP
products with Microsoft Windows XP preinstalled, or that are XP
Ready, are designed for accessibility. These products are tested
with industry-leading Assistive Technology products to ensure
equal access—anytime, anywhere . . . to anyone.
Installing or Upgrading Device Drivers
When installing optional hardware devices after the operating
system installation is complete, you must also install the drivers
for each of the devices.
If prompted for the I386 directory, replace the path specification
with C:\i386,or use the Browse button in the dialog box to
locate the i386 folder. This action points the operating system to
the appropriate drivers.
Obtain the latest support software, including support software for
the operating system from www.hp.com/support. Select your
country and language, select Download drivers and software,
enter the model number of the computer, and press Enter.

Getting Started
Getting Started www.hp.com 5
You can also obtain the latest support software on CDs. The
following Web site provides information on how to purchase a
support software CD subscription:
http://h18000.www1.hp.com/support/files/desktops/us/purcha
se.html
✎If the computer has a writable optical drive, install the appropriate
application to be able to write to the drive (see the CDs that came
with the system).
Customizing the Monitor Display
If you wish, you can select or change the monitor model, refresh
rates, screen resolution, color settings, font sizes, and power
management settings. To do so, right-click on the Windows
Desktop, then click Properties to change display settings. For
more information, refer to the online documentation provided
with the graphics controller utility or the documentation that
came with your monitor.
Protecting the Software
To protect the software from loss or damage, keep a backup copy
of all system software, applications, and related files stored on the
hard drive. Refer to the operating system or backup utility
documentation for instructions on making backup copies of your
data files.
Transferring Files and Settings
Use the Microsoft Windows XP Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard to move files and settings from the old computer to the
new one. Click Start > All Programs > Accessories > System
Tools > Files and Settings Transfer Wizard.

6 www.hp.com Getting Started
Getting Started
Restoring the Software
Restore the original operating system and factory-installed
software by using the Restore Plus! CD and any other CDs that
came with the computer. Carefully read and follow the
instructions provided for the restore solution that came with the
computer.
For questions about or problems with this CD, please contact
customer support.
Turning Off the Computer
To properly turn off the computer, first shut down the operating
system software. In Microsoft Windows XP Professional, click
Start > Shut Down. In Microsoft Windows XP Home, click
Start > Turn Off Computer. The computer automatically shuts
down.
Depending on the operating system, pressing the power button
causes the computer to enter a low-power or “standby” state
instead of automatically turning the power off. This allows you to
conserve energy without closing software applications; later, you
can start using the computer immediately without having to
restart the operating system and without losing any data.
ÄCAUTION: Manually forcing the computer off bypasses the
standby state and can cause loss of unsaved data.
To force the computer off manually, press and hold the power
button for four seconds.
On some models, you can reconfigure the power button to work
in On/Off mode by running Computer Setup. Refer to the
Computer Setup (F10) Utility Guide on the Documentation and
Diagnostics CD for more information about using the Computer
Setup utility.

Getting Started
Getting Started www.hp.com 7
Finding More Information
Refer to the Documentation and Diagnostics CD for additional
product information in easy to access PDF format. The CD
contains the following publications:
■Quick Setup (available in print and Adobe Acrobat PDF on
the CD) Helps you connect the computer and peripheral
devices.
■Getting Started (available in print and PDF on the CD) Helps
you set up factory-provided software; also includes basic
troubleshooting information should you encounter any
problems during initial startup.
■Hardware Reference Guide (PDF on the CD) Provides an
overview of the product hardware, as well as instructions for
upgrading this series of computers, and includes information
on RTC batteries, memory, and power supply.
■Computer Setup (F10) Utility Guide (PDF on the CD)
Provides instructions on using this tool to reconfigure or
modify default settings for maintenance purposes or when
installing new hardware devices.
■Desktop Management Guide (PDF on the CD) Provides
definitions and “how to” instructions for security and
Intelligent Manageability features that are preinstalled on
some models.
■Network & Internet Communications Guide (PDF on the CD)
Provides basic networking information and instructions for
installing device drivers and using network interface
controller (NIC) features preinstalled on some desktop
models; also provides information about Internet Service
Providers and using the Internet.
■Troubleshooting Guide (PDF on the CD)
A comprehensive guide that provides helpful hints for
troubleshooting this computer and scenarios for resolving

8 www.hp.com Getting Started
Getting Started
possible hardware or software problems; includes
information about diagnostic codes, as well as information on
running the diagnostics utility.
■Safety & Regulatory Information Guide (PDF on the CD)
Provides safety and regulatory information that ensures
compliance with U.S., Canadian, and various international
regulations.
✎If you do not have an optical drive capable of reading CDs, you
may download the product documentation from the Web at
http://www.hp.com/support. Select your country and language,
select See support and troubleshooting information, enter the
model number of the computer, and press Enter.
Using the Documentation and
Diagnostics CD
1. Insert the CD into the optical drive.
There may be a slight delay while the software on the CD
checks the Windows Regional Settings. If a recent version of
Adobe Acrobat or Acrobat Reader is not found on the
computer, it will be installed automatically from the CD.
2. Read and follow the prompts to complete the installation.
The menu and books are displayed in the language chosen
during initial system setup or as specified later in the
Windows Regional Settings. If the Regional Settings do not
match one of the languages supported on the CD, the menu
and books are displayed in English.
3. Click the title of the book you want to read.
If there is no optical drive activity for two minutes or more, it may
be that Autorun is not enabled on the computer.

Getting Started
Getting Started www.hp.com 9
To run the Documentation and Diagnostics CD if it does not run
automatically:
1. Click Start > Run.
2. Type:
X:\DocLib.exe
(where Xis the drive letter designator for the optical drive)
3. Click OK.
If the computer is running a Linux operating system, the
Documentation and Diagnostics CD will not autorun. To view the
documents on the CD, download and install Adobe Acrobat
Reader for Linux from www.adobe.com.
Before You Call for Technical Support
If you are having problems with the computer, try the appropriate
solutions below to try to isolate the exact problem before calling
for technical support.
■Run the diagnostics utility. Refer to the Troubleshooting
Guide on the Documentation and Diagnostics CD for more
information.
■Run the Drive Protection System (DPS) Self-Test in
Computer Setup. Refer to the Computer Setup (F10) Utility
Guide on the Documentation and Diagnostics CD for more
information.
✎The Drive Protection System (DPS) Self-Test software is
available on some models only.

10 www.hp.com Getting Started
Getting Started
■Check the power LED on the front of the computer to see if it
is flashing red. The flashing lights are error codes that will
help you diagnose the problem. Refer to “Interpreting
Diagnostic Lights and Audible Codes” on page 25 in this
guide for details.
■If the screen is blank, plug the monitor into a different video
port on the computer if one is available. Or, change out the
monitor with a monitor that you know is working properly.
■If you are working on a network, plug another computer with
a different cable into the network connection. There may be a
problem with the network plug or cable.
■If you recently added new hardware, remove the hardware
and see if the computer functions properly.
■If you recently installed new software, uninstall the software
and see if the computer functions properly.
■Boot the computer to the Safe Mode to see if it will boot
without all of the drivers loaded. When booting the operating
system, use “Last Known Configuration.”
■Refer to the comprehensive online technical support at
www.hp.com/support.
■Refer to “Helpful Hints” on page 12 in this guide for more
general suggestions.
■Refer to the comprehensive Troubleshooting Guide on the
Documentation and Diagnostics CD for more detailed
information.
■Run the Restore Plus! CD.
ÄCAUTION: Running the Restore CD will erase all data on the hard
drive.

Getting Started
Getting Started www.hp.com 11
To assist you in resolving problems online, HP Instant Support
Professional Edition provides you with self-solve diagnostics. If
you need to contact HP support, use HP Instant Support
Profession Edition's online chat feature. Access HP Instant
Support Professional Edition at: www.hp.com/go/ispe.
Access the Business Support Center (BSC) at
www.hp.com/go/bizsupport for the latest online support
information, software and drivers, proactive notification, and
worldwide community of peers and HP experts.
If it becomes necessary to call for technical assistance, be
prepared to do the following to ensure that your service call is
handled properly:
■Be in front of your computer when you call.
■Write down the computer serial number and product ID
number, and the monitor serial number before calling.
■Spend time troubleshooting the problem with the service
technician.
■Remove any hardware that was recently added to your
system.
■Remove any software that was recently installed.
■Run the Restore Plus! CD.
ÄCAUTION: Running the Restore CD will erase all data on the hard
drive.
✎For sales information and warranty upgrades (HP Care Pack), call
an authorized service provider or dealer.

12 www.hp.com Getting Started
Getting Started
Helpful Hints
If you encounter problems with the computer, monitor, or
software, see the following list of general suggestions before
taking further action:
■Check that the computer and monitor are plugged into a
working electrical outlet.
■Check to see that the voltage select switch (some models) is
set to the appropriate voltage for your region (115V or 230V).
■Check to see that the computer is turned on and the green
power light is on.
■Check to see that the monitor is turned on and the green
monitor light is on.
■Check the power LED on the front of the computer to see if it
is flashing red. The flashing lights are error codes that will
help you diagnose the problem. Refer to “Interpreting
Diagnostic Lights and Audible Codes” on page 25 in this
guide for details.
■Turn up the brightness and contrast controls of the monitor if
the monitor is dim.
■Press and hold any key. If the system beeps, then the
keyboard should be operating correctly.
■Check all cable connections for loose connections or
incorrect connections.
■Wake the computer by pressing any key on the keyboard or
pressing the power button. If the system remains in suspend
mode, shut down the computer by pressing and holding the
power button for at least four seconds then press the power
button again to restart the computer. If the system will not
shut down, unplug the power cord, wait a few seconds, then

Getting Started
Getting Started www.hp.com 13
plug it in again. The computer will restart if automatic start
on power loss is set in Computer Setup. If it does not restart,
press the power button to start the computer.
■Reconfigure your computer after installing a non–plug and
play expansion board or other option. See “Solving Hardware
Installation Problems” on page 22 for instructions.
■Be sure that all the needed device drivers have been installed.
For example, if you are using a printer, you need a driver for
that model printer.
■Remove all bootable media (diskette, CD, or USB device)
from the system before turning it on.
■If you have installed an operating system other than the
factory-installed operating system, check to be sure that it is
supported on the system.

14 www.hp.com Getting Started
Getting Started
■If the system has multiple video sources (embedded, PCI, or
PCI-Express adapters) installed (embedded video on some
models only) and a single monitor, the monitor must be
plugged into the monitor connector on the source selected as
the primary VGA adapter. During boot, the other monitor
connectors are disabled and if the monitor is connected into
these ports, the monitor will not function. You can select
which source will be the default VGA source in Computer
Setup.
ÄCAUTION: When the computer is plugged into an AC power
source, there is always voltage applied to the system board. You must
disconnect the power cord from the power source before opening the
computer to prevent system board or component damage.

Getting Started
Getting Started www.hp.com 15
Basic Troubleshooting
This section concentrates on problems that you might encounter
during the initial set up process. A comprehensive
Troubleshooting Guide is available on the Documentation and
Diagnostics CD and under the reference library at
http://www.hp.com/support. Select your country and language,
select See support and troubleshooting information, enter the
model number of the computer, and press Enter.
Solving General Problems
You may be able to easily resolve the general problems described
in this section. If a problem persists and you are unable to resolve
it yourself or if you feel uncomfortable about performing the
operation, contact an authorized dealer or reseller.
Solving General Problems
Problem Cause Solution
Computer appears
locked up and will
not turn off when the
power button is
pressed.
Software control of
the power switch is
not functional.
Press and hold the power button
for at least four seconds until the
computer turns off.
Computer will not
respond to USB
keyboard or mouse.
Computer is in
standby mode.
Press the power button to
resume from standby mode.
System has locked
up.
Restart computer.
ÄCAUTION: When attempting to resume from standby mode, do not
hold down the power button for more than four seconds. Otherwise, the
computer will shut down and you will lose your unsaved data.

16 www.hp.com Getting Started
Getting Started
Computer date and
time display is
incorrect.
RTC (real-time clock)
battery may need to
be replaced.
✎Connecting
the computer
to a live AC
outlet
prolongs the
life of the
RTC battery.
First, reset the date and time
under Control Panel
(Computer Setup can also be
used to update the RTC date
and time). If the problem
persists, replace the RTC battery.
See the Hardware Reference
Guide on the Documentation
and Diagnostics CD for
instructions on installing a new
battery, or contact an
authorized dealer or reseller for
RTC battery replacement.
Cursor will not move
using the arrow keys
on the keypad.
The Num Lock key
may be on.
Press the Num Lock key. The
Num Lock light should not be on
if you want to use the arrow
keys. The Num Lock key can
be disabled (or enabled) in
Computer Setup.
Cannot remove
computer cover or
access panel.
Smart Cover Lock,
featured on some
computers, is locked.
✎This feature
is not
available
on all
models.
Unlock the Smart Cover Lock
using Computer Setup.
The Smart Cover FailSafe Key, a
device for manually disabling
the Smart Cover Lock, is
available from HP. You will need
the FailSafe Key in case of
forgotten password, power loss,
or computer malfunction.
Solving General Problems (Continued)
Problem Cause Solution