HP Compaq nc8430 User manual

Notebook Tour
Document Part Number: 406849-001
April 2006
This guide explains the computer hardware features.

Notebook Tour ii
Contents
1 Components
Top components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–2
Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–2
Pointing devices. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–4
Buttons, switches and readers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–6
Keys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–8
Front components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–9
Rear components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–9
Right-side components. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–10
Left-side components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–11
Bottom components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–13
Wireless antennae. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–15
Additional hardware components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–16
Labels . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–17
2 Specifications
Operating environment. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–1
Rated input power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–2
Index

Notebook Tour 1–1
1
Components
This chapter explains the hardware features of the computer.
To see a list of hardware installed on the computer:
1. Select Start > My Computer.
2. In the left pane of the System Tasks window, select View
system information.
3. Select Hardware tab > Device Manager.
You can also add hardware or modify your device configurations
using Device Manager.
✎Components included with the computer vary by region and by
model. The illustrations in this guide identify the standard
external features included in most computer models.

1–2 Notebook Tour
Components
Top components
Lights
Component Description
1Power lights* (2) On: The computer is on.
Blinking: The computer is in standby.
Blinking rapidly: An HP Smart AC
Adapter with a higher power rating
should be connected.
Off: The computer is off or
in hibernation.
(Continued)

Components
Notebook Tour 1–3
2Wireless lights†(2) On: An integrated wireless device,
such as a wireless local area network
(LAN) device and/or a Bluetooth®
device, is turned on.
3Caps lock light On: Caps lock is on.
4Num lock light On: Num lock is on.
5Volume mute light On: Computer sound is turned off.
6Battery light Amber: A battery pack is charging.
Green: A battery pack is close to full
charge capacity.
Blinking amber: A battery pack that is
the only available power source has
reached a low-battery condition. When
the battery reaches a
critical
low-battery condition, the battery light
begins blinking rapidly.
Off: If the computer is plugged into an
external power source, the light is
turned off when all batteries in the
computer are fully charged. If the
computer is not plugged into an
external power source, the light stays
off until the battery reaches a
low-battery condition.
7Drive light Blinking green: The hard drive or
optical drive is being accessed.
Amber: The hard drive is parked.
*The 2 power lights display the same information. The light on the power
button is visible only when the computer is open. The power light on the
front of the computer is visible whether the computer is open or closed.
†The 2 wireless lights display the same information. The light on the
wireless button is visible only when the computer is open. The wireless light
on the front of the computer is visible whether the computer is open or
closed.
Component Description

1–4 Notebook Tour
Components
Pointing devices
Touchpad
Component Description
1TouchPad* Moves the pointer and selects or
activates items on the screen. Can be
set to perform other mouse functions,
such as scrolling, selecting, and
double-clicking.
2Left TouchPad button* Functions like the left button on an
external mouse.
3Center TouchPad button* Functions like the center button on an
external mouse.
4Right TouchPad button* Functions like the right button on an
external mouse.
5TouchPad scroll zone* Scrolls up or down.
*This table describes default settings.To view and change TouchPad
preferences, select Start > Control Panel > Printers and Other
Hardware > Mouse.

Components
Notebook Tour 1–5
Pointing stick (select models only)
Component Description
1Left pointing stick button Functions like the left button on an
external mouse.
2Center pointing stick button Functions like the center button on an
external mouse.
3Pointing stick Moves the pointer and selects or
activates items on the screen.
4Right pointing stick button Functions like the right button on an
external mouse.

1–6 Notebook Tour
Components
Buttons, switches and readers
Component Description
1Power button* When the computer is
■Off, press to turn on the computer.
■In standby, briefly press to exit
standby.
■In hibernation, briefly press to exit
hibernation.
If the computer has stopped
responding and Windows shutdown
procedures cannot be used, press
and hold the power button for at least
5 seconds to turn off the computer.
2Display switch Turns off the display if the display
is closed while the computer is on.
(Continued)

Components
Notebook Tour 1–7
3Info Center button Launches Info Center, which enables
you to open various software
solutions.
4Wireless button* Turns the wireless feature on or off, but
does not create a wireless connection.
✎A wireless network must be
set up in order to establish a
wireless connection.
5Presentation button Starts the presentation feature.
6Volume mute button Mutes and restores computer sound.
7Volume down button Decreases computer sound.
8Volume up button Increases computer sound.
9Fingerprint reader
(select models only)
Allows a fingerprint logon to
Microsoft® Windows®, instead of a
password logon.
*This table describes default settings. For information about changing
default settings, refer to the user guides located in the Help and Support
Center.
Component Description

1–8 Notebook Tour
Components
Keys
Component Description
1esc key Displays system information when
pressed in combination with the fn key.
2fn key Executes frequently used system
functions when pressed in combination
with a function key or the esc key.
3Windows logo key Displays the Windows Start menu.
4Windows applications key Displays a shortcut menu for items
beneath the pointer.
5Embedded numeric keypad Can be used like the keys on an
external numeric keypad.
6Function keys Execute frequently used system
functions when pressed in
combination with the fn key.

Components
Notebook Tour 1–9
Front components
Rear components
Component Description
1Display release latch Opens the computer.
Component Description
1Power connector Connects an AC adapter or an optional
power adapter.
2External monitor port Connects an external monitor.

1–10 Notebook Tour
Components
Right-side components
Component Description
1Audio-out (headphone) jack Produces computer sound when
connected to optional powered stereo
speakers, headphones, ear buds, a
headset, or television audio.
2Internal microphone Records sound.
3Audio-in (microphone) jack Connects an optional computer
headset microphone, stereo array
microphone, or a monaural
microphone.
4USB ports (2) Connect optional USB devices.
5Optical drive Reads an optical disc.
6Serial port
(select models only)
Connects an optional serial device.

Components
Notebook Tour 1–11
Left-side components
Component Description
1Security cable slot Attaches an optional security cable
to the computer.
ÄThe security cable is designed
to act as a deterrent, but may
not prevent the computer from
being mishandled or stolen.
2RJ-45 (network) jack Connects a network cable.
3RJ-11 (modem) jack Connects a modem cable.
4S-Video-out jack Connects an optional S-Video
device such as a television, VCR,
camcorder, overhead projector, or
video capture card.
(Continued)

1–12 Notebook Tour
Components
5Vent Enables airflow to cool internal
components.
ÄTo prevent overheating, do
not obstruct vents. Use the
computer only on a hard, flat
surface. Do not allow another
hard surface, such as an
adjoining optional printer, or a
soft surface, such as pillows or
thick rugs or clothing, to block
airflow.
✎The computer fan starts up
automatically to cool internal
components and prevent
overheating. It is normal for the
internal fan to cycle on and off
during routine operation.
61394 port Connects an optional IEEE 1394
device, such as a camcorder.
7USB port Connects an optional USB device.
8Digital Media Slot Supports Secure Digital (SD) Memory
Cards and MultiMediaCards.
9Smart card reader Supports optional smart cards.
-PC Card slot Supports optional Type I and Type II
32-bit (CardBus) or 16-bit PC Cards.
Component Description

Components
Notebook Tour 1–13
Bottom components
Component Description
1Primary battery bay Holds the primary battery pack.
2Primary battery pack
release latches (2)
Release the primary battery pack from
the battery bay.
3Business card holder Holds a standard size business card.
4Hard drive bay Holds the hard drive.
5Docking connector Connects an optional docking device.
6Expansion memory
module compartment
Contains the expansion memory
module slot.
(Continued)

1–14 Notebook Tour
Components
7Vent Enables airflow to cool internal
components.
ÄTo prevent overheating, do
not obstruct vents. Use the
computer only on a hard, flat
surface. Do not allow another
hard surface, such as an
adjoining optional printer, or a
soft surface, such as pillows or
thick rugs or clothing, to block
airflow.
✎The computer fan starts up
automatically to cool internal
components and prevent
overheating. It is normal for the
internal fan to cycle on and off
during routine operation.
8Accessory battery connector Connects an optional accessory
battery pack.
Component Description

Components
Notebook Tour 1–15
Wireless antennae
Two wireless antennae send and receive wireless device signals.
These antennae are not visible from the outside of the computer.
For wireless regulatory notices pertaining to your region, refer to
the Regulatory, Safety and Environmental Notices located in the
Help and Support Center.
✎For optimal transmission, keep the areas immediately around
the antennae free from obstructions.

1–16 Notebook Tour
Components
Additional hardware components
Component Description
1Power cord* Connects an AC adapter to an
AC outlet.
2HP Smart AC Adapter Converts AC power to DC power.
3Primary battery pack* Powers the computer when the
computer is not plugged into
external power.
4Modem cable* Connects the internal modem to
an RJ-11 telephone jack or to a
country-specific modem adapter.
5Country-specific modem
adapter (included by region
as required)
Adapts the modem cable to a
non-RJ-11 telephone jack.
*Modem cables, battery packs, and power cords vary in appearance by
region and country.

Components
Notebook Tour 1–17
Labels
The labels affixed to the computer provide information you may
need when you troubleshoot system problems or travel
internationally with the computer.
✎The appearance and position of labels varies by model.
■Service tag—Provides the product brand and series name,
product number (p/n), and serial number (s/n) of your
computer. Have this information available when you contact
Customer Care. The service tag label is affixed to the bottom
of the computer. The information on the service tag is also
available through the Help and Support Center.
■Microsoft Certificate of Authenticity—Contains the
Microsoft®Windows®Product Key. You may need the
Product Key to update or troubleshoot the operating system.
This certificate is affixed to the bottom of the computer.
■Regulatory label—Provides regulatory information about the
computer. The regulatory label is affixed to the bottom of the
computer.

1–18 Notebook Tour
Components
■Modem approval label—Provides regulatory information
about the modem and lists the agency approval markings
required by some of the countries in which the modem has
been approved for use. You may need this information when
traveling internationally. The modem approval label is affixed
to the bottom of the computer.
■Wireless certification label(s)—Provide information about
optional wireless devices and the approval markings on some
of the countries in which the devices have been approved for
use. An optional device may be a wireless local area network
(WLAN) device or an optional Bluetooth® device. If your
computer model includes one or more wireless devices, one
or more certification labels are included with your computer.
You may need this information when traveling
internationally. Wireless certification labels are affixed to the
bottom of the computer.