HP EliteBook 9470m User manual

HP EliteBook
User Guide

© Copyright 2010 Hewlett-Packard
Development Company, L.P.
Bluetooth is a trademark owned by its
proprietor and used by Hewlett-Packard
Company under license. Intel is a trademark
of Intel Corporation in the U.S. and other
countries. Java is a U.S. trademark of Sun
Microsystems, Inc. Microsoft and Windows
are U.S. registered trademarks of Microsoft
Corporation. SD Logo is a trademark of its
proprietor.
The information contained herein is subject
to change without notice. 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.
First Edition: January 2010
Document Part Number: 582865-001
Product notice
This user guide describes features that are
common to most models. Some features
may not be available on your computer.

Safety warning notice
WARNING! To reduce the possibility of heat-related injuries or of overheating the computer, do not
place the computer directly on your lap or obstruct the computer air 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 rugs or clothing, to block airflow. Also, do not allow the AC adapter to contact
the skin or a soft surface, such as pillows or rugs or clothing, during operation. The computer and the
AC adapter comply with the user-accessible surface temperature limits defined by the International
Standard for Safety of Information Technology Equipment (IEC 60950).
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iv Safety warning notice

Table of contents
1 Features
Identifying hardware ............................................................................................................................. 1
Top components .................................................................................................................. 1
Pointing devices .................................................................................................. 1
Lights ................................................................................................................... 2
Buttons, switches, and fingerprint reader ............................................................ 4
Keys .................................................................................................................... 5
Front components ................................................................................................................ 6
Rear components ................................................................................................................ 7
Right-side components ........................................................................................................ 7
Left-side components .......................................................................................................... 8
Bottom components ............................................................................................................. 9
Display components ......................................................................................................... 10
Wireless antennas (select models only) ............................................................................ 11
Additional hardware components ...................................................................................... 12
Identifying the labels ........................................................................................................................... 12
2 Wireless, modem, and local area network
Using wireless devices (select models only) ...................................................................................... 14
Identifying wireless and network icons .............................................................................. 15
Using the wireless controls ................................................................................................ 15
Using the wireless button ................................................................................................... 15
Using Wireless Assistant software (select models only) .................................................... 16
Using HP Connection Manager (select models only) ........................................................ 16
Using operating system controls ........................................................................................ 16
Using a WLAN device (select models only) ....................................................................................... 17
Setting up a WLAN ............................................................................................................ 17
Protecting your WLAN ....................................................................................................... 17
Connecting to a WLAN ...................................................................................................... 19
Roaming to another network .............................................................................................. 19
Using HP Mobile Broadband (select models only) ............................................................................. 20
Inserting a SIM (select models only) .................................................................................. 20
Removing a SIM (select models only) ............................................................................... 21
Using a Bluetooth wireless device (select models only) ..................................................................... 23
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Bluetooth and Internet Connection Sharing (ICS) ............................................................. 23
Troubleshooting wireless connection problems ................................................................................. 24
Cannot create a WLAN connection ................................................................................... 24
Cannot connect to a preferred network ............................................................................. 25
Current network security codes are unavailable ................................................................ 25
WLAN connection is very weak ......................................................................................... 26
Cannot connect to the wireless router ............................................................................... 26
Using the modem (select models only) .............................................................................................. 27
Connecting a modem cable ............................................................................................... 27
Connecting a country- or region-specific modem cable adapter ....................................... 27
Selecting a location setting ................................................................................................ 28
Viewing the current location selection ............................................................... 28
Adding new locations when traveling ................................................................ 28
Solving travel connection problems .................................................................. 29
Connecting to a local area network (LAN) .......................................................................................... 31
3 Pointing devices and keyboard
Using pointing devices ....................................................................................................................... 32
Setting pointing device preferences ................................................................................... 32
Using the TouchPad .......................................................................................................... 32
Using the pointing stick ...................................................................................................... 32
Connecting an external mouse .......................................................................................... 32
Using the keyboard ............................................................................................................................ 32
Using hotkeys .................................................................................................................... 32
Displaying system information .......................................................................... 33
Initiating Standby ............................................................................................... 33
Switching the screen image .............................................................................. 34
Viewing battery charge information ................................................................... 34
Decreasing screen brightness ........................................................................... 34
Increasing screen brightness ............................................................................ 34
Activating the ambient light sensor ................................................................... 34
Using HP QuickLook .......................................................................................................................... 35
Using keypads .................................................................................................................................... 35
Using the embedded numeric keypad ............................................................................... 36
Enabling and disabling the embedded numeric keypad .................................... 36
Switching key functions on the embedded numeric keypad ............................. 36
Using an optional external numeric keypad ....................................................................... 36
Cleaning the TouchPad, keyboard, and vents ................................................................................... 37
4 Multimedia
Multimedia features ............................................................................................................................ 38
Adjusting the volume ......................................................................................................... 38
Multimedia software ........................................................................................................................... 39
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Accessing your preinstalled multimedia software .............................................................. 39
Installing multimedia software from a disc ......................................................................... 40
Audio .................................................................................................................................................. 41
Connecting external audio devices .................................................................................... 41
Checking your audio functions ........................................................................................... 41
Video .................................................................................................................................................. 43
Connecting an external monitor or projector ...................................................................... 43
Using the external monitor port ......................................................................... 43
Using the DisplayPort ........................................................................................ 43
Optical drive (select models only) ...................................................................................................... 45
Identifying the optical drive ................................................................................................ 45
Using optical discs (CDs, DVDs, and BDs) ....................................................................... 45
Selecting the right disc (CDs, DVDs, and BDs) ................................................................. 46
CD-R discs ........................................................................................................ 46
CD-RW discs ..................................................................................................... 46
DVD±R discs ..................................................................................................... 46
DVD±RW discs ................................................................................................. 46
LightScribe DVD+R discs .................................................................................. 47
Blu-ray Discs (BDs) ........................................................................................... 47
Playing a CD, DVD, or BD ................................................................................................. 47
Configuring AutoPlay ......................................................................................................... 48
Changing DVD region settings .......................................................................................... 48
Observing the copyright warning ....................................................................................... 49
Copying a CD, DVD, or BD ................................................................................................ 49
Creating (burning) a CD, DVD, or BD ................................................................................ 50
Removing an optical disc (CD, DVD, or BD) ..................................................................... 50
Troubleshooting ................................................................................................................. 51
The optical disc tray does not open for removal of a CD, DVD, or BD ............. 51
The computer does not detect the optical drive ................................................ 52
A disc does not play .......................................................................................... 52
A disc does not play automatically .................................................................... 53
A movie stops, skips, or plays erratically .......................................................... 53
A movie is not visible on an external display ..................................................... 54
The process of burning a disc does not begin, or it stops before
completion ......................................................................................................... 54
A device driver must be reinstalled ................................................................... 54
Obtaining the latest HP device drivers ............................................. 54
Obtaining Microsoft device drivers ................................................... 55
Webcam (select models only) ............................................................................................................ 56
Adjusting webcam properties ............................................................................................. 56
Capturing business card images ....................................................................................... 57
5 Power management
Setting power options ......................................................................................................................... 59
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Using power-saving states ................................................................................................. 59
Initiating and exiting Standby ............................................................................ 59
Initiating and exiting Hibernation ....................................................................... 60
Using the Power Meter ...................................................................................................... 60
Using power schemes ....................................................................................................... 61
Viewing the current scheme .............................................................................. 61
Selecting a different power scheme .................................................................. 61
Customizing power schemes ............................................................................ 62
Setting password protection upon exiting Standby ............................................................ 62
Using Power Assistant (select models only) ...................................................................................... 63
Starting Power Assistant .................................................................................................... 63
Using external AC power .................................................................................................................... 63
Connecting the AC adapter ............................................................................................... 64
Using battery power ........................................................................................................................... 64
Displaying the remaining battery charge ........................................................................... 65
Inserting or removing the battery ....................................................................................... 65
Charging a battery ............................................................................................................. 66
Maximizing battery discharge time .................................................................................... 67
Managing low battery levels .............................................................................................. 67
Identifying low battery levels ............................................................................. 67
Resolving a low battery level ............................................................................. 68
Resolving a low battery level when external power is available ....... 68
Resolving a low battery level when a charged battery is
available ........................................................................................... 68
Resolving a low battery level when no power source is
available ........................................................................................... 68
Resolving a low battery level when the computer cannot exit
Hibernation ....................................................................................... 68
Calibrating a battery ........................................................................................................... 68
Step 1: Fully charge the battery ........................................................................ 69
Step 2: Disable Hibernation and Standby ......................................................... 69
Step 3: Discharge the battery ............................................................................ 69
Step 4: Fully recharge the battery ..................................................................... 70
Step 5: Reenable Hibernation and Standby ...................................................... 70
Conserving battery power .................................................................................................. 70
Storing a battery ................................................................................................................ 70
Disposing of a used battery ............................................................................................... 71
Replacing the battery ......................................................................................................... 71
Testing an AC adapter ....................................................................................................................... 72
Shutting down the computer ............................................................................................................... 72
6 Drives
Identifying installed drives .................................................................................................................. 74
Handling drives ................................................................................................................................... 74
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Improving hard drive performance ..................................................................................................... 76
Using Disk Defragmenter ................................................................................................... 76
Using Disk Cleanup ........................................................................................................... 76
Using HP 3D DriveGuard ................................................................................................................... 77
Identifying HP 3D DriveGuard status ................................................................................. 77
Using HP 3D DriveGuard software .................................................................................... 77
Replacing a hard drive in the hard drive bay ...................................................................................... 79
Replacing a drive in the upgrade bay ................................................................................................. 82
Removing the protective insert .......................................................................................... 82
Replacing a hard drive ....................................................................................................... 82
Replacing an optical drive .................................................................................................. 85
7 External devices
Using a USB device ........................................................................................................................... 88
Connecting a USB device .................................................................................................. 88
Stopping and removing a USB device ............................................................................... 89
Using USB legacy support ................................................................................................. 89
Using a 1394 device ........................................................................................................................... 90
Connecting a 1394 device ................................................................................................. 90
Stopping and removing a 1394 device .............................................................................. 90
Using external drives .......................................................................................................................... 92
Using optional external devices ......................................................................................... 92
Using a docking device ...................................................................................................................... 93
8 External media cards
Using SD Card Reader cards ............................................................................................................. 94
Inserting a digital card ........................................................................................................ 94
Stopping and removing a digital card ................................................................................ 95
Using ExpressCards (select models only) .......................................................................................... 95
Configuring an ExpressCard .............................................................................................. 95
Inserting an ExpressCard .................................................................................................. 95
Stopping and removing an ExpressCard ........................................................................... 97
Using smart cards (select models only) ............................................................................................. 97
Inserting a smart card ........................................................................................................ 98
Removing a smart card ...................................................................................................... 98
9 Memory modules
Adding or replacing a memory module in the expansion memory module slot ................................ 100
Upgrading a memory module in the primary memory module slot ................................................... 103
Increasing the hard drive space for the Hibernation file ................................................................... 107
10 Security
Protecting the computer ................................................................................................................... 108
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Using passwords .............................................................................................................................. 109
Setting passwords in Windows ........................................................................................ 109
Setting passwords in Computer Setup ............................................................................ 109
BIOS administrator password .......................................................................................... 110
Managing a BIOS administrator password ...................................................... 110
Entering a BIOS administrator password ........................................................ 111
Using Computer Setup DriveLock ................................................................................... 112
Setting a DriveLock password ......................................................................... 112
Entering a DriveLock password ...................................................................... 113
Changing a DriveLock password .................................................................... 113
Removing DriveLock protection ...................................................................... 114
Using Computer Setup Auto DriveLock ........................................................................... 114
Entering an Automatic DriveLock password ................................................... 114
Removing Automatic DriveLock protection ..................................................... 115
Using Computer Setup security features .......................................................................................... 116
Securing system devices ................................................................................................. 116
Viewing Computer Setup System Information ................................................................. 116
Using Computer Setup System IDs ................................................................................. 117
Using antivirus software ................................................................................................................... 118
Using firewall software ..................................................................................................................... 119
Installing critical security updates ..................................................................................................... 120
Using HP ProtectTools Security Manager (select models only) ....................................................... 121
Installing a security cable ................................................................................................................. 122
11 Software updates
Updating software ............................................................................................................................ 123
Updating the BIOS ........................................................................................................... 124
Determining the BIOS version ......................................................................... 124
Downloading a BIOS update ........................................................................... 124
Updating programs and drivers ....................................................................................... 125
Using SoftPaq Download Manager .................................................................................. 126
12 Backup and recovery
Backing up your information ............................................................................................................. 128
Performing a recovery ...................................................................................................................... 129
Recovering your information ............................................................................................ 129
Recovering the operating system and programs ............................................................. 129
13 Computer Setup
Starting Computer Setup .................................................................................................................. 130
Using Computer Setup ..................................................................................................................... 130
Navigating and selecting in Computer Setup ................................................................... 130
Restoring factory settings in Computer Setup ................................................................. 131
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Computer Setup menus ................................................................................................................... 131
File menu ......................................................................................................................... 132
Security menu .................................................................................................................. 13 2
System Configuration menu ............................................................................................ 133
14 MultiBoot
About the boot device order ............................................................................................................. 137
Enabling boot devices in Computer Setup ....................................................................................... 139
Considering boot order changes ...................................................................................................... 140
Choosing MultiBoot preferences ...................................................................................................... 141
Setting a new boot order in Computer Setup ................................................................... 141
Dynamically choosing a boot device ................................................................................ 141
Setting a MultiBoot Express prompt ................................................................................ 142
Entering MultiBoot Express preferences ......................................................................... 142
15 Management and Printing
Using Client Management Solutions ................................................................................................ 143
Configuring and deploying a software image ................................................................... 143
Managing and updating software ..................................................................................... 144
HP Client Automation (select models only) ..................................................... 144
HP SSM (System Software Manager) ............................................................. 144
Index ................................................................................................................................................................. 145
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xii

1Features
Identifying hardware
Components included with the computer may vary by region and model. The illustrations in this chapter
identify the standard features on most computer models.
To see a list of hardware installed in the computer:
1. Select Start >My Computer.
2. In the left pane of the System Tasks window, click View system information.
3. Select Hardware tab >Device Manager.
You can also add hardware or modify device configurations using Device Manager.
Top components
Pointing devices
Component Description
(1) Pointing stick Moves the pointer and selects or activates items on the screen.
Identifying hardware 1

Component Description
(2) Left pointing stick button Functions like the left button on an external mouse.
(3) TouchPad* Moves the pointer and selects or activates items on the screen.
(4) Left TouchPad button* Functions like the left button on an external mouse.
(5) Right pointing stick button Functions like the right button on an external mouse.
(6) TouchPad scroll zone* Scrolls up or down.
(7) Right TouchPad button* Functions like the right button on an external mouse.
*This table describes factory settings. To view or change pointing device preferences, select Start >Control Panel >Printers
and Other Hardware >Mouse.
Lights
Component Description
(1) Wireless lights (2)* ●Blue: An integrated wireless device, such as a wireless local
area network (WLAN) device, the HP Mobile Broadband
Module, and/or a Bluetooth® device, is on.
●Amber: All wireless devices are off.
(2) Power lights (2)† ●On: The computer is on.
●Blinking: The computer is in the Standby state.
●Blinking rapidly: An AC adapter with a higher power rating
should be connected.
●Off: The computer is off or in Hibernation.
2 Chapter 1 Features

Component Description
(3) Battery light ●Amber: A battery is charging.
●Turquoise: A battery is close to full charge capacity.
●Blinking amber: A battery that is the only available power
source has reached a low battery level. When the battery
reaches a critical battery level, the battery light begins blinking
rapidly.
●Off: If the computer is plugged into an external power source,
the light turns 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 level.
(4) Drive light ●Blinking turquoise: The hard drive or optical drive is being
accessed.
●Amber: HP 3D DriveGuard has temporarily parked the internal
hard drive, and if present, the hard drive in the upgrade bay.
(5) QuickLook light ●On: The computer is on.
●Off: The computer is off or in the Standby or Hibernation state.
(6) QuickWeb light On: Web browser is in use.
(7) TouchPad light ●Turquoise: The TouchPad is on.
●Amber: The TouchPad is off.
(8) Caps lock light On: Caps lock is on.
(9) Num lock light On: Num lock is on or the embedded numeric keypad is enabled.
(10) Volume mute light ●Turquoise: Speaker sound is on.
●Amber: Speaker sound is off.
(11) Volume down light Blinking: The volume down button is being used to decrease the
speaker volume.
(12) Volume up light Blinking: The volume up button is being used to increase the
speaker volume.
*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.
†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.
Identifying hardware 3

Buttons, switches, and fingerprint reader
Component Description
(1) Power button ●When the computer is off, press the button to turn on the
computer.
●When the computer is on, press the button to shut down the
computer.
●When the computer is in the Standby state, press the button
briefly to exit Standby.
●When the computer is in Hibernation, press the button briefly
to exit Hibernation.
If the computer has stopped responding and Windows® shutdown
procedures are ineffective, press and hold the power button for at
least 5 seconds to turn off the computer.
To learn more about your power settings, select Start >Control
Panel >Performance and Maintenance >Power Options.
(2) Internal display switch Turns off the display and initiates Standby if the display is closed
while the power is on.
NOTE: The internal display switch is not visible from the outside
of the computer.
(3) QuickLook button ●When the computer is off, press the button to open HP
QuickLook.
●When the computer is on, press the button to open Software
Setup.
NOTE: If Software Setup is not available, the default Web
browser opens.
4 Chapter 1 Features

Component Description
(4) QuickWeb button ●When the computer is off, press the button to open HP
QuickWeb.
●When the computer is on, press the button to open the default
Web browser.
(5) Wireless button Turns the wireless feature on or off but does not establish a
wireless connection.
NOTE: A wireless network must be set up in order to establish a
wireless connection.
(6) TouchPad button Turns the TouchPad on or off.
(7) Caps lock button Turns caps lock on or off.
(8) Num lock button Turns num lock on or off.
(9) Volume mute button Mutes and restores speaker sound.
(10) Volume down button Decreases speaker volume.
(11) Volume up button Increases speaker volume.
(12) Fingerprint reader (select models only) Allows a fingerprint logon to Windows, instead of a password logon.
Keys
NOTE: Your computer may look slightly different from the illustration in this section.
Component Description
(1) esc key Displays system information when pressed in combination with the
fn key.
Identifying hardware 5

Component Description
(2) fn key Executes frequently used system functions when pressed in
combination with a function key or the esc key.
(3) Windows logo key Displays the Windows Start menu.
(4) Windows applications key Displays a shortcut menu for items beneath the pointer.
(5) Embedded numeric keypad keys Can be used like the keys on an external numeric keypad.
(6) Function keys Execute frequently used system functions when pressed in
combination with the fn key.
Front components
Component Description
(1) Wireless light ●Blue: An integrated wireless device, such as a wireless local
area network (WLAN) device, the HP Mobile Broadband
Module, and/or a Bluetooth device, is on.
●Amber: All wireless devices are off.
(2) Power light ●On: The computer is on.
●Blinking: The computer is in the Standby state.
●Blinking rapidly: An AC adapter with a higher power rating
should be connected.
●Off: The computer is off or in Hibernation.
(3) Battery light ●Amber: A battery is charging.
●Turquoise: A battery is close to full charge capacity.
●Blinking amber: A battery that is the only available power
source has reached a low battery level. When the battery
reaches a critical battery level, the battery light begins blinking
rapidly.
●Off: If the computer is plugged into an external power source,
the light turns 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 level.
6 Chapter 1 Features

Component Description
(4) Drive light ●Blinking turquoise: The hard drive or optical drive is being
accessed.
●Amber: HP 3D DriveGuard has temporarily parked the internal
hard drive, and if present, the hard drive in the upgrade bay.
(5) Business card slot Holds a business card in position so that the webcam (select
models only) can capture an image.
(6) SD Card Reader Supports the Secure Digital (SD) Memory Card and
MultiMediaCard (MMC) optional digital card formats.
(7) Display release button Opens the computer.
(8) Speakers (2) Produce sound.
(9) Bluetooth compartment (select models only) Contains a Bluetooth device.
Rear components
Component Description
(1) Security cable slot Attaches an optional security cable to the computer.
NOTE: The security cable is designed to act as a deterrent, but
it may not prevent the computer from being mishandled or stolen.
(2) Power connector Connects an AC adapter.
(3) DisplayPort Connects an optional digital display device such as a high-
performance monitor or projector.
(4) External monitor port Connects an external VGA monitor or projector.
Right-side components
Identifying hardware 7

Component Description
(1) Smart card reader Supports optional smart cards and Java™ cards.
(2) Upgrade bay Supports an optical drive or a hard drive.
(3) eSATA/USB port Connects an eSATA device or a USB device.
(4) RJ-45 (network) jack Connects a network cable.
(5) RJ-11 (modem) jack (select models only) Connects a modem cable.
Left-side components
Component Description
(1) Vent Enables airflow to cool internal components.
NOTE: 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.
(2) USB ports (3) Connect optional USB devices.
(3) 1394 port Connects an optional IEEE 1394 or 1394a device, such as a
camcorder.
(4) ExpressCard slot Supports optional ExpressCards.
(5) Audio-in (microphone) jack Connects an optional computer headset microphone, stereo array
microphone, or monaural microphone.
(6) Audio-out (headphone) jack Produces sound when connected to optional powered stereo
speakers, headphones, ear buds, a headset, or television audio.
NOTE: When a device is connected to the headphone jack, the
computer speakers are disabled.
8 Chapter 1 Features