Failsafe Boot Block ROM
The computer comes with a reprogrammable flash system ROM (read only memory). To
upgrade the ROM, download the latest ROM BIOS image from the HP Web site (www.hp.com)
and follow the online GUI/instructions.
All ROM BIOS images from HP are digitally signed to ensure authenticity and minimize poten-
tial corruption. Your system ROM includes a Failsafe Boot Block that is protected during the
flash process and allows the computer to be restarted in the unlikely event of an unsuccessful
ROM flash.
If the system detects an invalid system ROM during the boot sequence the system will search for
a bootable device. To recover from the Boot Block recovery mode complete the following steps:
Boot Block Recovery
1. Remove any bootable media from the computer and turn off power.
2. Insert a bootable diskette, or CD containing the ROM BIOS.
3. Turn on power to the system.
4. The system will automatically flash the ROM, load the BIOS default, and then boot to the
operating system.
Security Functions
The system offers a single supervisor password for system and data protection.
The password, if established, protects the computer from unauthorized access by prompting the
user for a password during power up. The password, if established, protects the computer from
unauthorized or inadvertent re-configuration by prompting the user for a password prior to
entering the Setup Utility.
Establishing a password:
1. Turn on or restart the computer. If you are in Windows, click Start > Shut Down >
Restart the computer.
2. When the F10 Setup message appears in the lower-right corner of the screen, press the
F10 key. Press Enter to bypass the title screen, if necessary. If you do not press F10 when
prompted, a restart will be necessary.
3. Select Password Option, then select Change Supervisor Password and follow the
instructions on the screen. You may also want to establish the Password check at this time.
This will allow you to specify when the password will be required.
4. Before exiting, click File > Save Changes and Exit.
Changing a password:
1. Turn on or restart the computer. If you are in Windows, click Start > Shut Down > Restart
the Computer. To change the setup password, run Computer Setup.
2. When the key icon appears, type your current password, a slash (/) or alternate de-limiter
character, your new password, another slash (/) or alternate delimiter character, and your
new password again as shown:
current password/new password/new password.
NOTE: Type the new password carefully since the actual characters do not appear on the
screen.
3. Press the enter key.
The new password will take effect the next time the computer is restarted.
Deleting a password
1. Turn on or restart the computer. If you are in Windows, click Start > Shut Down > Restart
the Computer. To delete the setup password, run Computer Setup (F10).
2. When the key icon appears, type your current password followed by a slash (/) or alternate
delimiter character as shown. Example: currentpassword/
3. Press the Enter key.
Clearing CMOS
1. Shut down the system and disconnect the power cord from the power outlet.
2. Remove the chassis access panel.
3. On the system board, move the CMOS jumper from pins 2-3 to pins 1-2
4. Allow the jumper to remain in that position for at least 5 seconds then, return the jumper
to pins 2-3.
5. Replace the chassis access panel and reconnect the power cord.
6. Turn on the computer and allow it to start.
Security Features
NOTE:
For more information about Setup Utilities refer to the Computer Setup Menu on the previous
page or in the Service Reference Guide.
Diagnostic Functions
Diagnostic functions are provided by the Setup Utility (in system ROM) and by Insight Diag-
nostics. Insight Diagnostics provides detailed system information including:
• Processor type and speed
• Memory amount, mapping, and integrity
• Hardware peripheral availability/settings
• Hard drive type, space used/available
• System identification, asset tracking
Insight Diagnostics may be pre installed on some models and can be downloaded free of charge
from www.hp.com.
Error Conditions and Messages
NOTE:
* Repeated after 2 second pause
Feature Purpose
How It Is
Established
Floppy drive con-
troller
Prevents the transfer of data to or from the
floppy drive.
Setup Utilities
Device Boot Dis-
abling
Prevents booting from and or all of these
devices: Internal or external USB, Internal
ODD, or Internal FDD
Setup Utilities
Security Option Prevents use of computer until password is
entered. Can apply to both initial startup
and restart.
Setup Utilities
BIOS Write Pro-
tect
Restricts ability to change ROM BIOS
without approval.
Setup Utilities.
USB Controller Allows you to disable or enable all USB
devices.
Setup Utilities
Chassis Diagnostic LEDs
Power LED Event
Steady green System on (normal operation)
Steady green for 3 seconds
followed by a 1 second pause
System overheating.
Blinks green @ 0.5 Hz Suspend to RAM (some models)
Blinks green @ 0.5 Hz Normal Suspend
Off (clear) Computer off
Blinks green 5 times @ 1 Hz * Memory not seated / installed
Blinks green 6 times @ 1 Hz * Graphics card error
Blinks green 8 times @ 1 Hz* Invalid ROM
Common POST Error Messages
Screen Message Probable Cause Recommended Action
Parity Error Fatal memory parity error.
System halts after
displaying this message.
Reseat memory modules.
Replace memory modules
... Master/... Slave
Hard Disk Error
(Primary/Secondary)
Master/Slave hard drive
could not be initialized by
the BIOS.
Reseat the device data and power
cables.
Replace the device data cable.
Replace the device.
Replace the system board.
...Master/Slave
Drive — ATAPI
Incompatible
Device configured as a
(Primary/Secondary)
Master/Slave failed an
ATAPI compatibility test.
Replace the device.
Replace the system board.
SMART capable
but Command
Failed.
SMART
Command Failed
BIOS unable to send a
SMART message to the
device.
Backup the data on the hard drive.
Replace the hard drive.
SMART status
Bad, Backup and
replace.
SMART Capable
and Status Bad.
SMART capable hard drive
detects an imminent failure.
Backup the data on the hard drive.
Replace the hard drive.
DMA-1 Error
DMA-2 Error
DMA Controller
Error
Error when initializing the
DMA controller.
Reconnect the cables on the
peripheral device.
Replace the data cable.
Replace the device.
Replace the system board.
Checking
NVRAM...Update
Failed
BIOS could not write to the
NVRAM block.
Change system board jumper JP2 to
pins 2-3, then flash the system
BIOS. Reset jumpers to 1-2.
Replace the system board.
NVRAM Ignored
or NVRAM Bad
NVRAM data used to store
plug and play data was not
used for system
configuration in POST.
Restart computer, access Computer
Setup. Select Load Default
Settings > Save and Exit.
Change system board jumper JP2 to
pins 2-3, then flash the BIOS. Reset
jumpers to 1-2.
NVRAM
Checksum Bad,
NVRAM Cleared
Error detected while
validating NVRAM data.
Restart the computer, use the F10
Key to access Computer Setup,
Select Load Default Settings >
Save and Exit.
Microcode Error BIOS could not find or load
CPU microcode to update
the CPU.
Ensure the system board BIOS
supports the processor.
Change system board jumper JP2 to
pins 2-3, then flash the BIOS. Reset
jumpers to 1-2.
