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Product Description

The HP Compaq nw8440 Notebook PC, HP Compaq nc8430

Notebook PC, and HP Compaq nx8420 Notebook PC offer advanced modularity, Intel® Core™ Duo processors, and extensive multimedia support.

HP Compaq nw8440 Notebook PC, HP Compaq nc8430

Notebook PC, and HP Compaq nx8420 Notebook PC

Maintenance and Service Guide 1–1

Product Description

1.1 Features

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The following processors, varying by computer model:

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Intel Core Duo T2600 (2.17-GHz)

Intel Core Duo T2500 (2.00-GHz)

Intel Core Duo T2400 (1.83-GHz)

Intel Core Duo T2300 (1.66-GHz)

The following displays are available, varying by computer model:

❏ 15.4-inch, WUXGA, TFT (1920 × 1200) with over

16.8 million colors with AntiGlare

❏ 15.4-inch, WSXGA, TFT (1680 × 1050) with over

16.8 million colors with AntiGlare

❏ 15.4-inch, WXGA+, TFT (1440 × 900) with over

16.8 million colors with AntiGlare

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120-, 100-, 80-, and 60-GB high-capacity hard drive, varying by computer model

256-MB DDR2 synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) at 533 MHz and 667 MHz, expandable to 4.0 GB

Microsoft® Windows® XP Professional

Full-size Windows keyboard with numeric keypad

TouchPad and pointing stick pointing devices, including a dedicated vertical scroll region (select models only)

Integrated 10 Base-T/100 Base-TX Ethernet local area network (LAN) network interface card (NIC) with RJ-45 jack

Integrated high-speed 56K modem with RJ-11 jack

1–2 Maintenance and Service Guide

Product Description

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Integrated wireless support for Mini Card IEEE 802.11a/b/g or 802.11b/g Wireless LAN (WLAN) device

Support for one Type I or Type II PC Card slot, with support for both 32-bit (CardBus) and 16-bit PC Cards, varying by computer model

External 90-watt AC adapter with 3-wire power cord

8-cell Li-Ion battery

Stereo speakers

Volume up, volume mute, and volume down buttons

Support for the following optical drives:

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DVD±RW and CD-RW Double-Layer Combo Drive

DVD/CD-RW Combo Drive

DVD-ROM drive

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Connectors:

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Accessory battery

Audio-in (microphone)

Audio-out (headphone)

Digital media slot

Docking connector

External monitor

IEEE 1394

RJ-11 (modem)

RJ-45 (network)

S-Video-out

Smart Adapter power

Three Universal Serial Bus (USB) v. 2.0

Maintenance and Service Guide 1–3

Product Description

1.2 Resetting the Computer

If the computer you are servicing has an unknown password, follow the steps below to reset the password. These steps also clear CMOS.

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The following steps will not clear an unknown password if the stringent security option has been enabled in the BIOS. If stringent security is enabled, the system board must be replaced

to reset an unknown password. Refer to Section 5.23, “Serial

Connector Module,”

for more information on replacing the system board.

Before replacing the system board, perform the steps below to make sure stringent security has been properly enabled.

Enabling stringent security provides enhanced protection for the power-on password and administrator password and other forms of power-on authorization. Stringent security is enabled/disabled by accessing the Password Options menu in the Computer Setup

utility. Refer to Section 2.1, “Computer Setup,” for more

information.

1. Prepare the computer for disassembly (refer to

Section 5.3,

“Preparing the Computer for Disassembly,” for more

information). Remove the real-time clock (RTC) battery

(refer to

Section 5.14, “RTC Battery,”

for more information on removing and replacing the RTC battery).

2. Wait approximately 5 minutes.

3. Replace the RTC battery and reassemble the computer.

4. Connect AC power to the computer. Do not reinsert any batteries at this time.

5. Turn on the computer.

All passwords and all CMOS settings have been cleared.

1–4 Maintenance and Service Guide

Product Description

1.3 Power Management

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The computer comes with power management features that extend battery operating time and conserve power. The computer supports the following power management features:

Standby

Hibernation

Setting customization by the user

Hotkeys for setting the level of performance

Battery calibration

Lid switch standby/resume

Power button

Advanced Configuration and Power Management (ACPM) compliance

Maintenance and Service Guide 1–5

Product Description

1.4 External Components

The external components on the front of the computer are shown below and described in Table 1-1.

Front Components

Item Component

1 Wireless light

2 Power light

Table 1-1

Front Components

Function

On: An integrated wireless device, such as a wireless local area network (LAN) device and/or a Bluetooth® device, is turned on.

■ 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.

1–6 Maintenance and Service Guide

Product Description

Table 1-1

Front Components (Continued)

Item Component

3

4

5

Battery light

Drive light

Display release latch

Function

■ Amber: A battery is charging.

■ Green: A battery is close to full charge capacity.

■ Blinking amber: A battery 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 more quickly.

■ Off: If the computer is connected to an external power source, the light is turned off when all batteries in the computer are fully charged. If the computer is not connected to an external power source, the light is turned off until the battery reaches a low-battery condition.

■ Blinking green: The hard drive or optical drive is being accessed.

■ Amber: HP Mobile Data Protection has temporarily parked the hard drive.

Opens the computer.

Maintenance and Service Guide 1–7

Product Description

The external components on the right side of the computer are shown below and described in Table 1-2.

Right-Side Components

Table 1-2

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3

Right-Side Components

Item Component

1 Audio-out

(headphone) jack

Function

Produces computer sound when connected to optional power stereo speakers, headphones, ear buds, a headset, or television audio.

Internal microphone

Audio-in

(microphone) jack

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6

USB ports (2)

Optical drive

Serial port

Records sound

Connects an optional computer headset microphone, stereo array microphone, or monaural microphone.

Connect USB 1.1- and 2.0-compliant devices to the computer using a standard

USB cable, or connect an optional External

MultiBay II to the computer. The MultiBay II must also be connected to an external power source.

Supports an optical disc. The type of optical drive varies by model.

Connects an optional serial device.

1–8 Maintenance and Service Guide

Product Description

The external components on the rear panel of the computer are shown below and described in Table 1-3.

Rear Panel Components

Table 1-3

Item Component

1 Battery bay

Rear Panel Components

Function

Holds a battery.

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3

Smart adapter power connector

External monitor port

Connects an AC adapter or an optional power adapter.

Connects an optional VGA external monitor or projector.

Maintenance and Service Guide 1–9

Product Description

The external components on the left side of the computer are shown below and described in Table 1-4.

Left-Side Components

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Table 1-4

Left-Side Components

Item Component

1 Security cable slot

Function

Attaches an optional security cable to the computer.

RJ-45 (network) jack

RJ-11 (modem) jack

S-Video-out jack

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Security solutions are designed to act as deterrents. These deterrents may not prevent a product from being mishandled or stolen.

Connects an optional network cable.

Connects the modem cable.

Connects an optional S-Video device, such as a television, VCR, camcorder, projector, or video capture card.

1–10 Maintenance and Service Guide

Product Description

Left-Side Components (Continued)

Item Component Function

5 Exhaust vent

Table 1-4

Provides airflow to cool internal components.

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1394 port

USB port

Smart card slot

PC Card slot

Digital Media Slot

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To prevent overheating, do not obstruct vents. Use the computer only a hard, flat surface. Do not allow a hard surface, such as an adjoining printer, or a soft surface, such as pillows or thick rugs or clothing, to block airflow.

Connects an optional 1394a device such as a scanner, digital camera, or digital camcorder.

Connects USB 1.1- and 2.0-compliant devices to the computer using a standard

USB cable, or connects an optional

External MultiBay II to the computer. The

MultiBay II must also be connected to an external power source.

Supports optional smart cards and Java™

Cards.

Supports optional Type I or Type II 32-bit

(CardBus) or 16-bit PC Cards.

Supports Secure Digital (SD) Memory

Cards and MultiMediaCards.

Maintenance and Service Guide 1–11

Product Description

The standard keyboard components of the computer are shown below and described in Table 1-5.

Standard Keyboard Components

1–12 Maintenance and Service Guide

Product Description

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Table 1-5

Standard Keyboard Components

Item Component

1 f1 to f12 keys (12)

8 caps lock key fn key

Windows logo key

Windows applications key

Arrow keys

Keypad keys num lock key

Function

Perform system and application tasks.

When combined with the fn key, several keys and buttons perform additional tasks as hotkeys.

Enables caps lock and turns on the caps lock light.

Executes frequently used system functions when pressed in combination with a function key or the esc key.

In Windows, displays the Windows

Start menu.

In Windows, displays a shortcut menu for items beneath the pointer.

Moves the cursor around the screen.

In Windows, can be used like the keys on an external numeric keypad.

Enables numeric lock, turns on the embedded numeric keypad, and turns on the num lock light.

Maintenance and Service Guide 1–13

Product Description

The computer top components are shown below and described in

Table 1-6.

Top Components, Part 1

1–14 Maintenance and Service Guide

Product Description

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Item Component

1 Power button

Info Center button

Wireless button

(with wireless light)

Presentation button

Caps lock light

Num lock light

Volume mute button

Volume down button

Volume up button

Table 1-6

Top Components

Function

When the computer is:

■ Off, press to turn on the computer.

■ On, briefly press to initiate hibernation.

■ In standby, briefly press to resume from standby.

■ In hibernation, briefly press to restore from hibernation.

If the system has stopped responding and

Windows shutdown procedures cannot be used, press and hold for 5 seconds to turn off the computer.

Launches Info Center, which enables you to open various software solutions.

Turns the wireless functionality on or off, but does not create a wireless connection.

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To establish a wireless connection, a wireless network must already be set up.

Starts the presentation feature.

On: caps lock is on.

On: num lock or the numeric keypad is on.

Mutes or restores speaker volume.

decreases speaker volume.

Increases speaker volume.

Maintenance and Service Guide 1–15

Product Description

The computer top components are shown below and described in

Table 1-7.

Top Components, Part 2

1–16 Maintenance and Service Guide

Product Description

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Item Component

1 Display lid switch

Pointing stick

(select models only)

Stereo speakers (2)

TouchPad

TouchPad buttons

Fingerprint reader

Table 1-7

Top Components

TouchPad scroll zone

Pointing stick buttons

(select models only)

Function

■ If the computer is closed while on, turns off the display.

■ If the computer is opened while in standby, turns on the computer

(resumes from standby).

Moves the pointer and selects or activates items on the screen.

Produce stereo sound.

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.

Function like the left, middle, and right buttons on an external mouse.

Allows a fingerprint logon to Windows instead of using a password.

Scrolls up or down.

Function like the left, middle, and right buttons on an external mouse.

Maintenance and Service Guide 1–17

Product Description

The external components on the bottom of the computer are shown below and described in Table 1-8.

Bottom Components

1–18 Maintenance and Service Guide

Product Description

Table 1-8

Bottom Components

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Item Component

1

2

Function

Battery bay Holds the battery.

Battery release latches (2) Secure the battery in the battery bay.

3

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7

Accessory battery connector

Memory module compartment

Hard drive bay

Docking connector

Exhaust vent

Connects an optional HP Ultra-Capacity

Battery or HP Extended Life Battery.

Contains one memory slot that supports replaceable memory modules.

Holds the primary hard drive.

Connects the computer to an optional docking device.

Provides airflow to cool internal components.

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To prevent overheating, do not obstruct vents. Use the computer only a hard, flat surface. Do not allow a hard surface, such as an adjoining printer, or a soft surface, such as pillows or thick rugs or clothing, to block airflow.

Maintenance and Service Guide 1–19

Product Description

1.5 Design Overview

This section presents a design overview of key parts and features

of the computer. Refer to Chapter 3, “Illustrated Parts Catalog,”

to identify replacement parts, and

Chapter 5, “Removal and

Replacement Procedures,” for disassembly steps.

The system board provides the following device connections:

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Audio

Digital Media Slot

Display

Hard drive

Intel Core Duo processors

Keyboard, pointing stick, and TouchPad

Memory modules

Mini Card module

Optical drive

PC Card

Smart Adapter AC adapter

Smart card

Ä CAUTION: To properly ventilate the computer, allow at least a 7.6-cm

(3-inch) clearance on the left and right sides of the computer.

The computer uses an electric fan for ventilation. The fan is controlled by a temperature sensor and is designed to turn on automatically when high temperature conditions exist. These conditions are affected by high external temperatures, system power consumption, power management/battery conservation configurations, battery fast charging, and software. Exhaust air is displaced through the ventilation grill located on the left side of the computer.

1–20 Maintenance and Service Guide