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

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

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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