Compaq 8000 BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 1

Updated December 2009 Table of Contents: Introduction 1 What are the files and directories in a BIOS softpaq 2 In what operating systems can I update the PC BIOS 4 Will I lose my setup configurations when updating the BIOS 4 How do I update my PC BIOS in Windows 7, Vista, or Windows XP 4 How do I update the BIOS in a DOS environment 5 How do I update the BIOS when not running Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP, or DOS? ...6 What are the steps necessary to execute the HPQFlash utility 9 What are the steps necessary to execute the HPQPwsd utility 12 What are the steps necessary to create a bootable floppy for BIOS update?....12 What are the steps necessary to create a bootable CD for BIOS update? .........13 What are the steps necessary to create the BIOS image CD for F10 ROM flash and recovery 13 What are the steps necessary to create a bootable USB flash media (DOK) for BIOS update 14 What are the steps necessary to use SSM for BIOS update 15 What are the steps necessary to use Altiris for BIOS update 15 What if the PC does not complete the BIOS flash process 18 What is a processor microcode update softpaq and how is it used 18 How can a processor microcode update be executed in Windows 19 What does the BIOS binary image naming convention indicate 19 Can the BIOS POST splash screen be modified 19 How do I update the ME firmware in Windows 7, Vista, or Windows XP?.......20 How do I update the ME firmware in a DOS environment 21 What are the steps necessary to use Altiris for ME firmware update 21 What if the ME firmware does not complete the update process 23 Can the ME firmware be restored to a previous version after updating? ..........23 Summary ...23 Appendix A - Modifying a DOS boot diskette for Flashbin.exe 24 For More Information 25 Introduction This whitepaper outlines Hewlett-Packard Business PC dc class BIOS flashing options beginning with the 2005 products (e.g. dc7600). The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is the set of routines typically stored in read-only memory that