HP Business Desktops BIOS

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 developers and testers focused on the BIOS 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