HP Compaq tc4400 Quick start guide
Software Update, Backup and
Recovery
Document Part Number: 405533-001
January 2006
Software Update, Backup and Recovery ii
Contents
1 Software updates
Receiving automatic HP Software Updates . . . . . . . . . . . 1–1
Downloading software updates from the HP Web site . . 1–2
Accessing computer information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1–3
2 Backup
Safeguarding your data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–1
Backing up your system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–1
Backing up specific files or folders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–2
Backing up your entire system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2–3
Backing up modifications made to your system . . . . 2–4
3 Recovery
Creating recovery discs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–2
Performing a recovery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3–4
Performing a recovery from the recovery discs. . . . . 3–4
Performing a recovery from the hard drive . . . . . . . . 3–4
Software Update, Backup and Recovery 1–1
1
Software updates
Updates to software provided with the computer may be available
through the HP Software Update utility or on the HP Web site.
✎If the computer is connected to a corporate network, consult
with your network administrator before installing any software
updates, especially system BIOS updates.
Receiving automatic HP Software
Updates
HP Software Update is a utility included on the computer that
automatically checks for software updates from HP. By default,
the utility automatically runs every 30 days and provides a list of
software updates and support alerts for the computer.
To access HP Software Update:
1. Select Start > Help and Support > Update Software
and Drivers.
2. Follow the on-screen instructions to update your software
and drivers.
1–2 Software Update, Backup and Recovery
Software updates
Downloading software updates from
the HP Web site
Most software on the HP Web site is packaged in compressed
files called Softpaqs. Some BIOS updates may be packaged in
compressed files called ROMPaqs.
✎The BIOS initializes the operating system, determines how the
computer will interact with the hardware devices, and provides
for information transfer among hardware devices, including the
time and date. The computer system BIOS is stored on the
system ROM.
Some download packages contain a file named Readme.txt,
which contains information regarding installing and
troubleshooting the file. (Readme.txt files included with
ROMPaqs are provided in English only.)
You can also access software updates by obtaining the Support
Software CD (purchased separately). The disc includes device
drivers, BIOS updates, and utilities. To purchase the current
Support Software disc or a subscription that provides both the
current version and future versions of the disc, visit the HP Web
site at http://www.hp.com.
Software updates
Software Update, Backup and Recovery 1–3
Accessing computer information
Before you access the updates for your computer, collect the
following information:
■The product category is Notebook.
■The product family name, series number, and serial number
(S/N) are provided on the service tag.
To determine whether an available BIOS update contains a later
BIOS version than the one currently installed on the computer,
you need to know the version of the system BIOS currently
installed.
BIOS version information (also known as ROM date and System
BIOS) can be displayed by pressing fn+esc (if you are already in
Microsoft® Windows®) or by opening Computer Setup.
To use Computer Setup for displaying BIOS information:
1. Open Computer Setup by turning on or restarting the
computer, and then pressing f10 while the “F10 = ROM
Based Setup” message is displayed in the lower-left corner
of the screen.
2. Use the arrow keys to select File > System Information, and
then press enter.
ROM date information is displayed.
3. To exit Computer Setup, use the arrow keys to select File >
Ignore changes and exit. Then follow the instructions on the
screen.
1–4 Software Update, Backup and Recovery
Software updates
Downloading a BIOS update
ÄCAUTION: To prevent damage to the computer or an unsuccessful
installation, download and install a BIOS update only when the computer
is connected to reliable external power using the AC adapter. Do not
download or install a BIOS update while the computer is running on
battery power, docked in an optional docking device, or connected to an
optional power source. During the download and installation:
■Do not disconnect power from the computer by unplugging the
power cord from the AC outlet.
■Do not shut down the computer or initiate standby or hibernation.
■Do not insert, remove, connect, or disconnect any device, cable,
or cord.
To download a BIOS update:
1. Access the page on the HP Web site that provides software
for your computer:
❏Click a software update link in the Help and Support
Center.
– or –
❏Visit the HP Web site at http://www.hp.com/support.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen to identify your
computer and access the BIOS update you want to download.
3. At the download area:
a. Identify the BIOS update that is later than the BIOS
version currently installed on your computer.
b. Follow the instructions on the screen to download your
selection to the hard drive.
✎Make a note of the path to the location on your hard
drive where the BIOS update will be downloaded. You
will need to access this path when you are ready to
install the update.
Software updates
Software Update, Backup and Recovery 1–5
Installing a BIOS update
✎If the computer is connected to a corporate network, consult
with your network administrator before installing any software
updates, especially system BIOS updates.
BIOS installation procedures vary. Follow any instructions that
are displayed on the screen after the download is complete. If no
instructions are displayed:
1. Open Windows Explorer by selecting Start > All
Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer.
2. In the left pane of the Windows Explorer window:
a. Click My Computer and then your hard drive
designation.
The hard drive designation is typically Local Disk (C:).
b. Using the hard drive path you recorded earlier, open the
folder on your hard drive that contains the update.
3. Double-click the file with an .exe extension (for example,
filename.exe).
The BIOS installation begins.
4. Complete the installation by following the instructions on the
screen.
✎After a message on the screen reports a successful installation,
you may delete the downloaded file from your hard drive.
1–6 Software Update, Backup and Recovery
Software updates
Downloading and installing other software
To download and install software other than a BIOS update:
1. Access the page on the HP Web site that provides software
for your computer:
❏Click a software update link in the Help and Support
Center.
– or –
❏Visit the HP Web site at http://www.hp.com/support and click
Download drivers and software to download the
software for your computer model.
2. Follow the instructions on the screen to find the software you
want to update.
3. At the download area, select the software you want and
follow the download instructions on the Web page.
✎Make a note of the path to the location on your hard drive
where the software will be downloaded. You may need to
access this path when you are ready to install the software.
4. When the download is complete, open Windows Explorer by
selecting Start > All Programs > Accessories > Windows
Explorer.
Software updates
Software Update, Backup and Recovery 1–7
5. In the left pane of the Windows Explorer window:
a. Click My Computer and then your hard drive
designation.
The hard drive designation is typically Local Disk (C:).
b. Using the hard drive path you recorded earlier, open the
folder on your hard drive that contains the update.
6. Double-click the file with an .exe extension (for example,
filename.exe).
The installation begins.
7. Complete the installation by following the instructions on the
screen.
✎After a message on the screen reports a successful installation,
you may delete the download package from your hard drive.
Software Update, Backup and Recovery 2–1
2
Backup
The HP Backup and Recovery Manager provides several ways to
back up the system and to recover optimal system functionality.
For information about recovering system functionality, refer to
Chapter 3, “Recovery.”
✎HP installed drivers, utilities, and applications can be copied
to a CD or to a DVD using the HP Backup and Recovery
Manager.
Safeguarding your data
Software or devices added to the computer can cause your system
to become unstable. To safeguard your documents, store personal
files in the My Documents folder and periodically create a
backup copy of the folder.
Backing up your system
Using HP Backup and Recovery Manager, you can back up
■Specific files and folders.
■The entire system.
■Modifications since your last backup, using HP system
recovery points.
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