HP Dc7900 BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper
HP Dc7900 - Compaq Business Desktop Manual
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- HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 1
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 - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 2
to load the operating system and communicate with the various devices in the computer, such as storage drives, keyboard, monitor, printer, and communications ports. As new processors, devices, and operating system features are made available, the BIOS must be updated or flashed, in some situations - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 3
specific driver required by Flashbin.exe to update/restore the BIOS BIOS CD (directory): XXX_MMmm.iso - CD image containing the binary BIOS file for F10 and flash recovery Readme.txt - Text document describing the iso file image HPQFlash (directory): HPQFlash.exe - Windows application - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 4
of the ME Flash directory. HP Business Blade PC products do not support the Windows BIOS updates and will not require the HPQFlash directory contents. In what operating systems can I update the PC BIOS? The BIOS can be updated or restored in Windows 7, Vista, or Windows XP using the HPQFlash - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 5
How do I update the BIOS in a DOS environment? The Flash Bin Firmware Upgrade Utility (Flashbin.exe) can be executed in a DOS environment to upgrade or restore a PC BIOS image. The utility uses a driver (flsh.cpu) for specific hardware flash operations. The BIOS binary image should be included in - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 6
update the BIOS when not running Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP, or DOS? BIOS can be updated using the F10 setup "Flash System ROM" feature. Reboot the PC and note that some systems may contain a BIOS image that is too large for floppy media. Some models may not support a legacy floppy drive with the - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 7
When the media is selected, the user is presented with a list of valid binaries. If the BIOS cannot read the media or media files, an error message will be displayed and another media source can be selected. - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 8
desired binary image is selected and confirmed, the BIOS will begin the flashing process. The flash process should not be interrupted. The percentage completion will be displayed during the process. The user is prompted when the process is completed. The new BIOS code will not take effect until the - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 9
.exe file. The initial HPQFlash application window will be presented as follows reminding the user that additional applications should be closed before proceeding. The user must have administrative privilege on the PC to proceed with the BIOS update. Otherwise, the application will respond with - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 10
message will be displayed. If the image is applicable, HPQFlash will display the current BIOS and the BIOS version contained in the ROM.CAB file. If the image file is applicable to the PC but is an older BIOS version than currently installed, the user will receive the following warning; however the - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 11
process will begin, and the user is warned not to interrupt the flashing process. Interrupting the flashing process can corrupt the BIOS image. If the BIOS does not update successfully, the business PC would enter flash recovery when rebooted. After the flash process has successfully completed, the - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 12
for BIOS update? Some products contain a BIOS image that is too large to fit on a diskette, or certain models may not support a legacy floppy drive; therefore, the following information would not be applicable to those products or models. To create an MS-DOS boot disk from Windows XP Professional - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 13
PC to be updated has administrator/setup password set. What are the steps necessary to create a bootable CD for BIOS update? A bootable, El-Torito compatible, CD can be created for BIOS update. Most third party CD burning software supports the business PC, the Flashbin utility driver must be - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 14
CD, follow instructions provided by the application. 4. Place the newly created BIOS binary image CD in the CD drive of the computer to be updated or restored and cycle system power. 5. Follow the procedures detailed in the "How do I update the BIOS when not running Windows 7, Vista, Windows XP, or - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 15
on SSM and this remote BIOS update method, access the System Software Manager website (www.hp.com/go/ssm). What are the steps necessary to use Altiris for BIOS update? This section contains instructions for using Altiris Deployment server to deliver a BIOS update. This information assumes that an - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 16
BIOS update through the Altiris Deployment server is as follows: 1. Copy Flashbin.exe, Adminpw.exe, and BIOS image to the server 2. Create Flash.bat 3. Create the Altiris ROM Flash Event 4. Connect the Client PC up an Event Properties form 4. Click "Add" 5. Select "Run Script" Brings up a new - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 17
on Aclient b) Follow the instructions 4. When Aclient is properly installed and the system is connected to the Altiris Console, the Altiris icon in the Windows Taskbar (next to the clock) will become blue 5. On the server: a) Right click on the client computer name b) Select properties c) Check - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 18
processors download code from the BIOS during initialization referred to as microcode. If a new, supported processor is installed in the business PC which requires a microcode currently not adequately provided by the BIOS, the BIOS will issue a POST warning "1801-Microcode Update Error". To add - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 19
? With the latest version of HPQFlash to support the 2007 HP Business PC products (e.g. dc7800), processor microcode patches can be updated in a Windows environment. As detailed in the previous section, the microcode softpaq specific to the general BIOS family can be downloaded containing the image - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 20
flash a new image. The image stored in the BIOS will be compressed with RLE4. If the image being HP Drive Key and M-Systems DiskOnKey. The following image shows the successful completion of the ME FW update process in a Windows XP environment. The update process will stay at the "Performing Update - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 21
utility and update image file. The ME Flash folder contains a binary update image for the HP Drive Key and M-Systems DiskOnKey®. The update process output is similar to the Windows-based version. What are the steps necessary to use Altiris for ME firmware update? This section contains instructions - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 22
.exe and ME firmware update image to the server form 6. Select "Run the script from file:" 7. Click on the "folder" button The button to the right of "Run the script from file", button has image of a folder on it) 8. Select the file "meflash.bat" created in the previous section 9. Click "Open" 10 - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 23
process. The ME firmware can only be updated to a newer image. Summary HP's Business PC BIOS provides update methods to allow the user or administrator to manage the BIOS upgrades and ME firmware in a flexible manner. HPQFlash offers a familiar, Windows application interface that allows the user to - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 24
floppy image, this appendix provides the instructions necessary to create a DOS bootable flash diskette. In order to copy Flashbin.exe, flsh.cpu, and the BIOS binary image onto the Windows XP MS-DOS boot diskette, the following modifications must be made: Driver directory o Delete all files except - HP Dc7900 | BIOS Flash Q&A White Paper - Page 25
set forth in the express warranty statements accompanying such products and services. Nothing herein should be construed as constituting an additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. Itanium is a trademark or registered trademark of
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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
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23
Appendix A
–
Modifying a DOS boot diskette for Flashbin.exe
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24
For More Information
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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