HP m6-1211tx User's Guide

User Guide

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1 Starting rightThis computer is a powerful tool designed to enhance your work and entertainment. To get the mostout of your computer, read this chapt

More HP resourcesYou have already used Setup Instructions to turn on the computer and locate this guide. For productdetails, how-to information, and m

2 Getting to know your computerFinding your hardware and software informationLocating hardwareTo find out what hardware is installed on your computer:

Right sideComponent Description(1) Optical drive Reads and writes (select models only) to an optical disc.(2) Optical drive light●Green: The optic

Component Description(8)AC adapter light●White: The AC adapter is connected and the battery ischarged.●Amber: The AC adapter is connected and the batt

Left sideComponent Description(1) Vent Enables airflow to cool internal components.NOTE: The computer fan starts up automatically to coolinternal co

DisplayComponent Description(1) Internal microphones (2) Record sound.(2) Webcam light On: The webcam is in use.(5) HP TrueVision HD Webcam Records vi

TopTouchPadComponent Description(1) TouchPad on/off button Turns the TouchPad on or off.(2) TouchPad light ● On: The TouchPad is off.●Off: The Touc

LightsComponent Description(1)Power light●White: The computer is on.●Blinking white: The computer is in the Sleep state,which is an energy-saving mode

© Copyright 2012 Hewlett-PackardDevelopment Company, L.P.Bluetooth is a trademark owned by itsproprietor and used by Hewlett-PackardCompany under lice

Component Description(5) TouchPad light●On: The TouchPad is off.●Off: The TouchPad is on.(6) Fingerprint reader light ● White: The fingerprint was

Buttons, speakers, and fingerprint readerComponent Description(1)Power button ● When the computer is off, press the button to turn onthe computer.●Whe

KeysComponent Description(1) esc key Displays system information when pressed in combinationwith the fn key.(2) fn key Executes frequently used sy

BottomComponent Description(1) Integrated subwoofer Provides superior bass sound.(2) Battery bay Holds the battery.(3)Battery release latchReleases

Component Description(5) Wireless module compartment Holds the wireless local area network (WLAN) device.CAUTION: To prevent an unresponsive system,

Have this information available when you contact technical support. The service label is affixedinside the battery bay.●Regulatory label—Provides regu

3 Connecting to a networkYour computer can travel with you wherever you go. But even at home, you can explore the globeand access information from mil

To use operating system controls:1. From the Start screen, type n, and then select Settings.2. Type network and sharing in the search box, and the sel

Setting up a WLANTo set up a WLAN and connect to the Internet, you need the following equipment:● A broadband modem (either DSL or cable) (1) and high

Connecting to a WLANTo connect to the WLAN, follow these steps:1. Be sure that the WLAN device is on. If the device is on, the wireless light is on. I

Safety warning noticeWARNING! To reduce the possibility of heat-related injuries or of overheating the computer, do notplace the computer directly on

To connect the network cable, follow these steps:1. Plug the network cable into the network jack (1) on the computer.2. Plug the other end of the netw

4 Enjoying entertainment featuresUse your HP computer as an entertainment hub to socialize via the webcam, enjoy and manage yourmusic, and download an

Component Description(6)USB 3.0 ports (3) Connect optional USB 3.0 devices and provideenhanced USB power performance.(7) Optical drive Reads and wri

Using audioOn your HP computer, you can play music CDs, download and listen to music, stream audio contentfrom the web (including radio), record audio

Checking the soundTo check the audio functions on your computer, follow these steps:1. From the Start screen, type c, and then select Control Panel fr

To connect a monitor or projector:1. Connect the VGA cable from the monitor or projector to the VGA port on the computer asshown.2. Press f4 to altern

To connect a high-definition TV or monitor to your computer:1. Connect one end of the HDMI cable to the HDMI port on the computer.2. Connect the other

Using Intel Wireless Display (select models only)Intel® Wireless Display allows you to transmit your computer content wirelessly to your receive/displ

5 Navigating using touch gestures,pointing devices and the keyboardYour computer allows navigation using touch gestures (select models only) in additi

Using TouchPad gesturesA TouchPad allows you to control the pointing device on the screen using your fingers.TIP: Use the left and right buttons on th

iv Safety warning notice

TappingTo make an on-screen selection, use the tap function on the TouchPad.●Point to an item on the screen, and then tap one finger on the TouchPad z

Pinching/zoomingPinching and zooming allow you to zoom in or out on images or text.●Zoom in by placing two fingers together on the TouchPad zone and t

2-finger click (select models only)2-finger click allows you to make menu selections for an object on the screen.●Place two fingers on the TouchPad zo

Edge swipesEdge swipes allow you to perform tasks such as changing settings and finding or using apps.Right-edge swipeThe right-edge swipe reveals the

Top-edge swipeThe top-edge swipe allows you to open all apps available on the Start screen.IMPORTANT: When an app is active, the top-edge gesture vari

Using the keyboard and mouseThe keyboard and mouse allow you to type, select items, scroll and to perform the same functions asyou do by using touch g

Icon Key Descriptionf5 Turns the radiance backlight keyboard feature off or on (select models only).NOTE: To conserve battery power, turn off this fea

Using Microsoft Windows 8 shortcut keysMicrosoft Windows 8 provides shortcuts to perform actions quickly. Several shortcuts will help youwith Windows

Using the integrated numeric keypadThe computer includes an integrated numeric keypad, and it also supports an optional externalnumeric keypad or an o

6 Managing powerYour computer can operate on either battery power or external power. When the computer is onlyrunning on battery power and an AC power

Table of contents1 Starting right ...

Initiating and exiting SleepWith the computer on, you can initiate Sleep in any of the following ways:●Close the display.●From the Start screen, point

4. Click Require a password (recommended).NOTE: If you need to create a user account password or change your current user accountpassword, click Creat

Factory-sealed batteryTo monitor the status of your battery, or if the battery is no longer holding a charge, run Battery Checkin HP Support Assistant

Conserving battery powerTips for conserving battery power and maximizing battery life:●Lower the brightness on the display.●Select the Power saver set

Storing a user-replaceable batteryCAUTION: To reduce the risk of damage to a battery, do not expose it to high temperatures forextended periods of tim

When you disconnect external AC power, the following events occur:● The computer switches to battery power.●The display brightness automatically decre

reinitiates Sleep. As a result, your work is immediately available to you as soon as you exit Sleep.You do not have to wait while updates are download

7 Managing and sharing informationDrives are digital storage devices that help you store, manage, share, and access information. Yourcomputer has an i

▲Connect the USB cable for the device to the USB port.NOTE: The USB port on your computer may look slightly different from the illustration in thissec

Inserting and removing a digital storage cardTo insert a digital storage card:CAUTION: To reduce the risk of damage to the digital card connectors, us

4 Enjoying entertainment features ... 2

Use these tips for best performance of your optical drive:● When the battery is the only source of power, be sure the battery is sufficiently charged

4. Hold the disc by the edges to avoid touching the flat surfaces and position the disc label-side upover the tray spindle.NOTE: If the tray is not fu

2. Remove the disc (3) from the tray by gently pressing down on the spindle while lifting the outeredges of the disc. Hold the disc by the edges and a

3. Under View your active networks, select an active network.4. Select Change advanced sharing settings to set sharing options for privacy, networkdis

8 Maintaining your computerIt is important to perform regular maintenance to keep your computer in optimal condition. Thischapter provides information

CAUTION: To prevent information loss or an unresponsive system:Before removing or installing a drive, shut down the computer. If you are unsure whethe

5. Lift the hard drive (3) out of the hard drive bay.To install a hard drive, reverse this procedure.Using HP 3D DriveGuard (select models only)HP 3D

After you start Disk Defragmenter, it works without supervision. However, depending on the size ofyour hard drive and the number of fragmented files,

CAUTION: To prevent information loss or an unresponsive system:Shut down the computer before adding or replacing memory modules. Do not remove a memor

8. Insert a new memory module:CAUTION: To prevent damage to the memory module, hold the memory module by the edgesonly. Do not touch the components on

Initiating and exiting Sleep ... 40Enabling and exiting

recent gaming software. Without the latest driver, you would not be getting the most out of yourequipment.Download the latest versions of HP programs

CAUTION: Perform this action before shipping, storing, or traveling with a drive. This willhelp reduce the risk of damage to the computer, damage to a

9 Securing your computer andinformationComputer security is essential for protecting the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of yourinformati

Setting Windows passwordsPassword FunctionUser password Protects access to a Windows user account. You may alsoset up your computer to require the use

For the location of the fingerprint reader on your computer, see Getting to know your computeron page 3.Using HP SimplePass (select models only)HP Sim

Using antivirus softwareComputer viruses can disable programs, utilities, or the operating system, or cause them to functionabnormally. Antivirus soft

Securing your wireless networkWhen you set up your wireless network, always enable security features. For more information, seeProtecting your WLAN on

10 Using Setup Utility (BIOS) and SystemDiagnosticsSetup Utility, or Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), controls communication between all the input an

Downloading a BIOS updateCAUTION: To reduce the risk of damage to the computer or an unsuccessful installation, downloadand install a BIOS update only

Using System DiagnosticsSystem Diagnostics allows you to run diagnostic tests to determine if the computer hardware isfunctioning properly.To start Sy

Using Disk Cleanup ... 57Adding or replacing m

11 Backing up, restoring, and recoveringYour computer includes tools provided by HP and the operating system to help you safeguard yourinformation and

choose to reset the computer by reinstalling Windows or choose to recover using HP RecoveryManager.NOTE: File History is not enabled by default, so yo

Restore and recoveryThere are several options for recovering your system. Choose the method that best matches yoursituation and level of expertise:● I

Using Windows Refresh for quick and easy recoveryWhen your computer is not working properly and you need to regain system stability, the WindowsRefres

3. Click Change PC settings in the bottom-right corner of the screen, and then select Generalfrom the PC settings screen.4. Under Remove everything an

Using the HP Recovery partition to recover a minimized image (select models only)The HP Recovery partition (select models only) allows you to perform

IMPORTANT: Removing the HP Recovery partition means you can no longer use WindowsRefresh, the Windows Remove everything and reinstall Windows option,

12 SpecificationsInput powerThe power information in this section may be helpful if you plan to travel internationally with thecomputer.The computer o

Operating -15 m to 3,048 m -50 ft to 10,000 ftNonoperating -15 m to 12,192 m -50 ft to 40,000 ft78 Chapter 12 Specifications

13 Electrostatic DischargeElectrostatic discharge is the release of static electricity when two objects come into contact—forexample, the shock you re

What you need to know ... 74Using the HP Recovery partition to recov

IndexAAC adapter 5AC adapter, testing 45action keysdecrease screen brightness35Help and Support 35identifying 12increase screen brightness 35next trac

description 37display system information 37using 37HP 3D DriveGuard 56HP and third-party softwareupdates, installing 65HP Recovery Manager 74correctin

recovery partition 75removing 75recyclecomputer 72, 73refresh 73computer 72regulatory informationregulatory label 15wireless certification labels 15re