Introduction; What Are The Files And Directories In A Bios Softpaq - HP dc7900 - Convertible Minitower PC Questions And Answers

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 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. As new processors, devices,
and operating system features are made available, the BIOS must be updated or flashed, in
some situations, to take advantage. The BIOS can be updated or stored in several methods.
Users or administrators can choose the best method depending on the operating environment
of the computer(s). BIOS updates are available in a softpaq downloadable containing the
BIOS image and upgrade instructions for the various methods. Regardless of the BIOS flash
method, business PC products provide a high degree of upgrade reliability and offer failure
safe recovery.
Starting with some 2006 products (e.g. dc7700), the biggest change is the integration of an
embedded Intel Management Engine (ME) which is used to provide Active Management
Technology (AMT) or Alert Standard Format (ASF) management modes. Some HP Business
PC products will only offer ASF as configured from the factory. AMT capable PC products
will allow the user or administrator configuration of the management mode. AMT provides
remote access to a system regardless of the state of the operating system or power state as
long as the system is connected to a network. This ability to manage a system when it is not
powered on and or fully operational is called Out-of-Band (OOB) management. ASF is a
subset of the monitoring features of AMT and does not offer the rich range of OOB
management options. ME is a hardware and firmware platform resident solution. BIOS
update softpaq images for systems incorporating ME will contain a separate utility and binary
for updating the ME firmware.
Another new feature for this product offering is the ability to update processor microcode
patches through HPQFlash in a Windows environment.
The remaining sections of this document attempts to ask about the typical BIOS flash
scenarios and provide the BIOS softpaq answers to these questions.

What are the files and directories in a BIOS softpaq?

BIOS updates are delivered to customers through downloadable softpaqs. Softpaqs are self-
executable programs which contain the BIOS image files and utilities to allow the BIOS to be
updated in various manners. Regardless of the upgrade manner chosen by the user or
administrator, HP business PC BIOS provides flash recovery in the event of a BIOS flash
failure. The softpaq is executed by selecting the file SPXXXXX.exe where XXXXX is a unique
identification number assigned to each softpaq. The softpaq will present the user with
information about the softpaq contents, how to use the softpaq, and a brief explanation as to
the PC enhancements offered.
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