HP D330 HP Business Desktop BIOS - Page 3

HP BIOS Philosophy While many computers contain the same processor, chipset, operating systems, and software choices, the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is one critical computer component that varies significantly in quality and features between competing vendors. The BIOS is the set of routines typically stored in read-only memory that enable a computer to load the operating system and communicate with the various devices in the computer, such as storage drives, keyboard, monitor, printer, and communications ports. The HP BIOS is industry-standard compatible. Industry standards and de facto standards define most of the interfaces and components that comprise the HP BIOS design. The HP BIOS development, though, has always added value to the HP Business Desktop computer products. HP has a dedicated team of development and test resources focused on the BIOS as a tool to help resolve real-world customer problems. While industry-standard resolutions are always considered first when addressing a problem, many new technologies and customer circumstances are not easily addressed by current standards. In these situations, HP BIOS may contain value-add features and components that lack standardization. When appropriate, HP works within the industry and with partners to create standards for new and evolving BIOS functionality. One of the most critical benefits to customers is that HP can quickly enhance or modify BIOS designs to meet critical customer requirements, unique configurations, and deployment schedules. By maintaining HP's own BIOS code, it can eliminate the delays and costs associated with relying on a third-party vendor to make changes. HP's BIOS code has been maintained internally since the original Compaq PC - in fact, Compaq invented the first "clone PC" and IBM PC-compatible BIOS. All HP BIOS designs undergo a rigorous quality assurance process, which includes internal verification and independent compatibility testing. Internal test teams exhaustively test for compatibility with industry and de facto standards (refer to Testing on HP Business Desktop PCs, a white paper, at www.hp.com). External test certifications, such as Windows Hardware Quality Labs (WHQL), help assure the customer that the HP Business Desktop computers' BIOS meets industry partner's testing criteria. HP participates in major industry interoperability test events, which allows third-party hardware and software providers to evaluate their products with the latest HP computer designs. This participation is extremely valuable in helping to ensure that the HP BIOS is compatible with new and emerging technologies. HP customers reap the benefits of smoother computer deployment and fewer compatibility issues. This paper highlights many of the features, value-add capabilities, and enabling technologies incorporated into the HP BIOS. Each category will be examined to reveal how HP provides BIOS solutions for customer needs. HP BIOS features vary by model and system configuration. Some features may not be included on all models. HP Business Desktop BIOS Features This paper provides an overview of the features provided or enabled by HP Business Desktop BIOS. It explains how HP's BIOS solutions for Business Desktops address the following customer concerns: • Deployment and manageability • Stability • Security • Thermal and power management • Serviceability • Upgrades and recovery 3