Failsafe Boot Block Rom - Compaq Deskpro 2000 Service & Reference Manual

For more information on enabling Remote ROM Flash, refer to the online Remote Management
Administrators Guide. The Remote Management Administrators Guide is included with the
Remote Management Administration Tools, and is available on the Support Software CD or at the
Compaq Web Site at www.compaq.com.
3.4.3

FailSafe Boot Block ROM

The FailSafe Boot Block ROM allows for system recovery in the unlikely event of a ROM flash
failure, for example, if a power failure occurs during a ROM upgrade. The Boot Block is a flash-
protected section of the ROM that checks to validate the system ROM each time power to the
system is turned on.
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If the system ROM is valid, the system starts normally.
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If the system ROM fails the validation check, the FailSafe Boot Block ROM provides
enough support to start the system from a ROMPaq diskette, which will program the
system ROM with a valid image. The Flash Recovery diskette is a SoftPaq downloadable
from the Compaq Website at www.compaq.com.
The computer ships with the Diskette Boot feature enabled. If that feature is
disabled, the FailSafe Boot Block ROM will override the disabled feature to
accommodate a system ROM recovery in the event a system ROM failure occurs.
Because there is no video or hard drive support from the Boot Block ROM, the keyboard lights
communicate information. When the Boot Block detects an invalid system ROM, the system
sounds a series of beeps (one long and three short) and flashes the three keyboard lights.
To recover the system after hearing the FailSafe Boot Block beeps, complete the following steps:
1. Remove any diskettes from the diskette drive and turn off the power.
2. Insert the ROMPaq diskette into the diskette drive.
3. Turn on power to the system.
If a setup password has been established, the Caps Lock light will turn on.
If no ROMPaq diskette is found, you will be prompted to insert one and restart the computer.
4. Enter the setup password.
If the system successfully starts from the diskette and successfully reprograms the ROM, then
the three keyboard lights will turn on. A "rising tone" series of beeps also signals successful
completion.
3-14 Desktop Management