HP Vectra VA6, Vectra XA6 Technical Reference Manual

Technical Reference Manual
Hardware and BIOS

HP Vectra VA 6/xxx and

XA 6/xxx PCs

Notice

The information contained in this document is subject to change without notice.

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Microsoft Corporation.
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OS/2

TM

is a trademark of International Business Machines Corporation.

NextStep

TM

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TM

is a trademark of Intel Corporation.
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 1996 Hewlett-Packard Company

iii

Preface

This manual is a technical reference and BIOS document for engineers and
technicians providing system level support. It is assumed that the reader
possesses a detailed understanding of AT-compatible microprocessor
functions and digital addressing techniques.

Technical information that is readily available from other sources, such as
manufacturer’s proprietary publications, has not been reproduced.

This manual contains summary information only. For additional reference
material, refer to the bibliography, on the next page.

Conventions

The following conventions are used throughout this manual to identify
specific numeric elements:

❒ Hexadecimal numbers are identified by a lower case h.

For example, 0FFFFFFFh or 32F5h

❒ Binary numbers and bit patterns are identified by a lower case b.

For example, 1101b or 10011011b

iv

Bibliography

❒ HP Vectra VA 6/xxx PC User’s Guide manual (D4200-90001).
❒ HP Vectra VA 6/xxx MT PC User’s Guide manual (D4210-90001).
❒ HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC User’s Guide manual (D4544-90001).
❒ HP Vectra VA and XA 6/xxx PC Familiarization Guide (D4200-90901).
❒ HP Network Administrator’s Guide (online).
❒ HP Vectra Accessories Service Handbook - 6th edition

(5964-8495).

❒ HP Vectra PC Service Handbook (Volume 1) - 10th edition

(5964-8494).

❒ Documentation CD-ROM (D4200-90921).
❒ HP Support Assistant CD-ROM (by subscription).

The following Intel® publication provides more detailed information:
❒ Pentium Pro Processor (242769-002)

Contents

v

Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Conventions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

1 System Overview

External Features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

HP Vectra VA PC . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

HP Vectra VA MT PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

HP Vectra XA PC. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Specifications and Characteristic Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Control (Status) Panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Physical Characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Electrical Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Environmental Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Documentation and Software . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Operating Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Where to Find the Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

2 System Board

System Board and Backplanes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Backplanes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

PCI Mapping Table . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Architectural View . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Devices on the Processor-Local Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Intel Pentium Pro Microprocessor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Chip-Set. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Cache Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Contents

vi

Processor-Local Bus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Main Memory . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Devices on the PCI Bus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Video Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Network Controller and External Start Connector . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Other PCI Accessory Devices under Plug and Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Devices on the ISA Bus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Super I/O Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

Audio Controller. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

System ROM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

Little Ben . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

Other ISA Accessory Devices under Plug and Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Cirrus 5446 Video Controller Chip. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Video Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Video Modes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29

Available Video Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32

Further Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

Matrox MGA Millennium Video Controller Board. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34

Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Video Memory. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Available Video Resolutions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Video BIOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Further Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37

Audio Controller . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38

Enhanced Ethernet Network Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39

Contents

vii

Mass-Storage Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Hard Disk Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

Flexible Disk Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

CD-ROM Drives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42

Internal Connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

HP/Phoenix BIOS Description. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46

Setup Program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Main Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Configuration Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48

Security Menu . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50

Power Menu. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51

Remote Power-On (RPO). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Magic Packet . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52

Activity within Setup . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

Advanced Power Management (APM). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54

Little Ben . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

BIOS Addresses. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

System Memory Map. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

Product Identification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59

HP I/O Port Map (I/O Addresses Used by the System). . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61

5 Power-On Self-Tests and Error Messages

Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 66

Beep Codes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 69

Contents

viii

Error Messages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70

1

1

System Overview

This manual describes the HP Vectra VA and XA 6/xxx PCs, and provides
detailed system specifications.

This chapter introduces the external features, and lists the specifications
and characteristic data of the system. It also summarizes the documentation
which is available.

2

1 System Overview

External Features

External Features

HP Vectra VA PC

1 hard disk drive

Backplane

Flexible disk drive

CD-ROM drive
Vacant slim

Pentium Pro

4 accessory slots

Memory modules

Video memory

processor

internal shelf

3.5/5.25-inch shelf

MouseKeyboard

Parallel Port Serial Port A

Serial Port B

Display

3

1 System Overview

External Features

HP Vectra VA MT PC

Pentium Pro processor

Memory modules

Flexible disk drive

CD-ROM drive

2 vacant half height

System board

Video controller board

2 hard disk drive

Power supply

internal shelves

Backplane

5.25-inch shelves

Airflow guide

4 vacant accessory slots

Audio controller board

S

Serial port B

Mouse connector
Keyboard connector

Parallel port

Display connector

Processor fan

Serial port A

Power supply

Hard disk compartment

and fan

Voltage selection switch

4

1 System Overview

External Features

HP Vectra XA PC

1 hard disk drive

Backplane

Flexible disk drive

CD-ROM drive
Vacant slim

Pentium Pro

Memory modules

System board

processor

internal shelf

3.5/5.25-inch shelf

Audio board (ISA slot)

Matrox board (PCI slot)

2 vacant accessory slots

RJ-45 network

BNC coax hole

Mouse

Keyboard

Parallel Port

Serial Port A

Serial Port B

connector

metal plug

Display connector

5

1 System Overview

Specifications and Characteristic Data

Specifications and Characteristic Data

Control (Status) Panel

Physical Characteristics

System Processing Unit HP Vectra VA 6/xxx MT PC HP Vectra VA 6/xxx PC and HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC

Weight: 33 lbs (15 kg) 20 lbs (9 kg)

Dimensions: 16.0 inches (D) by 8.3 inches (W) by 16.3 inches (H)

(40.5 cm by 21 cm by 41.5 cm)

15.3 inches (D) by 16.5 inches (W) by 4.9 inches (H)
(39 cm by 42 cm by 12.5 cm)

Footprint: 0.91 sq ft (0.085 m

2

) 1.8 sq ft (0.17 m2)

Keyboard: 18.3 inches (W) by 7 inches (D) by 1.3 inches (H), when flat, or

18.3 inches (W) by 7 inches (D) by 2 inches (H), when standing
(464 mm by 178 mm by 33 mm when flat, or

464 mm by 178 mm by 51 mm, when standing)

RESET

HP Vectra VA 6/xxx MT PC

HP Vectra VA 6/xxx PC

Cover lock on back panel

HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC

Cover lock on back panel
Multimedia control panel on front

6

1 System Overview

Specifications and Characteristic Data

Electrical Specification

For the HP Vectra VA 6/xxx MT PC:

Parameter Total Rating

Notes Typical per

PCI Accessory

Slot

Typical per ISA

Accessory Slot

Input voltage 100-127

Vac

200-240

Vac

Switch selectable

Input current (max) 5 A 3 A
Input power (max) 220 W Less than 5 W

when turned off
Input frequency 47 Hz to 63 Hz
Available power 160 W (continuous) 15 W (max) 15 W (max)
Max current at +12 V 4.4 A

— 0.5 A 1.5 A

Max current at -12 V 0.5 A

— 0.1 A 0.3 A

Max current at +3.3 V 12 A Together, these

two must not

exceed 20 A

These must

not exceed

4.5 A per slot

—

Max current at +5 V 20 A 4.5 A

Max current at -5 V 0.2 A

——0.1 A

Max current at +5 Vst

0.05 A — — —

7

1 System Overview

Specifications and Characteristic Data

For the HP Vectra VA 6/xxx PC and HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC:

Parameter

Limit for the Power

Supply

Notes Limit per PCI

Accessory Slot

Limit per ISA

Accessory Slot

Input voltage

100-240 Vac Auto-ranging — —
Input current (max) 3 A — —
Input power (max) 150 W — —
Input frequency 47 Hz to 63 Hz — —
Available power 100 W (continuous) 15 W (max) 15 W (max)
Max current at +12 V

4.5 A 0.5 A 1.5 A

Max current at -12 V

0.3 A 0.1 A 0.3 A

Max current at +3.3 V 6 A Together, these

two must not

exceed 65 W

4.5 A

—

Max current at +5 V 13.5 A 4.5 A

Max current at -5 V

0.1 A — 0.1 A

Input power (when
turned Off)

Less than 5 W When the HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC

is Off, but still plugged in, an
independent mini power supply
keeps the network board active
enough to watch out for the
“Remote Power-On” (RPO) signal
(see page 52 for description)

Available power
(when Off)

0.25 W

Available current
(when Off)

0.05 A

8

1 System Overview

Specifications and Characteristic Data

Environmental Specification

The following specifications are for the system processing unit, with a hard
disk.

Operating temperature and humidity ranges may vary depending upon the
mass storage devices installed. High humidity levels can cause improper
operation of disk drives. Low humidity levels can aggravate static electricity
problems and cause excessive wear of the disk surface.

Typical power consumption 30 W to 40 W (before installing any customer-specific accessories)
Acoustic noise emission less than 40 dB in the workplace under normal conditions as

defined by DIN 45635 T.19 and ISO 7779
Operating temperature + 40°F to 104° F (+5°C to +40°C)
Recommended operating temperature +59°F to +158°F (+15°C to +70°C)
Storage temperature -40°F to +158°F (-40°C to +70°C)
Over temperature shutdown +122°F (+50°C)
Operating humidity 15% to 80% RH (non-condensing)
Storage humidity 8% to 80% RH (non-condensing)
Operating altitude 10000 ft (3100 m) max
Storage altitude 40000 ft (12200 m) max

9

1 System Overview

Documentation and Software

Documentation and Software

The table below summarizes the availability of the documentation that is
appropriate to the HP Vectra VA and XA 6/xxx PCs. Three dots, ‘...’, are
used to indicate ‘VA’ or ‘XA’, as appropriate.

Only selected publications are available in paper-based form. Most are
available as printable files from the HP division support servers, or from the
HP Support Assistant CD-ROM.

Division Support Server Support Assistant CD-ROM Paper-based

Line of HP Vectra 6/xxx PC: VA XA VA XA VA XA

HP Vectra ... 6/xxx User’s Guide yes yes yes yes DT: D4200A

MT: D4210A

D4544A

HP Vectra VA and XA 6/xxx
Familiarization Guide

yes yes D4200-90901

HP Vectra VA and XA 6/xxx
Technical Reference Manual

yes yes no

HP Vectra PC Service
Handbook (Vol 1, 10th Edition)

yes yes yes yes 5964-8494

HP Vectra Accessory Service
Handbook (6th Edition)

yes yes 5964-8495

Network Administrators Guide not applicable yes not applicable yes not applicable no

10

1 System Overview

Documentation and Software

Where to Find the Information

The table on the next page summarizes the availability of information within
the HP Vectra VA and XA 6/xxx PCs documentation set.

User Guide User Online

Familiarization

Guide

Service

Handbook

Technical

Reference

Manual

Introducing the PC

Product features Key features Exploring New features Exploded view

Parts list

Key features

Product model numbers Product range

CPL dates

Using the PC

Connecting cables and
turning on

Keyboard, mouse, display,
network, printer, power

Finding on-line
information

Finding READ.MEs and on­line documentation

Environmental Setting up the PC Working in

comfort

System overview

Formal documents License agreement

Warranty information

License
agreement

Upgrading the PC
Opening the PC Full details
Supported accessories Part number details Full PN details
Replacing accessories How to install New procedures
Configuring devices Installing drivers Configuring

peripherals

Problem fixes

Fields and their options
within Setup

Complete list Key fields

Repairing the PC
Troubleshooting Basic Service notes Advanced
Technical information Basic Detailed Advanced
System board Jumpers, switches and

connectors

Jumpers, switches
and connectors

How to replace

Jumpers,
switches and
connectors

Jumpers, switches
and connectors

Chip-set details

BIOS Basic details Upgrading Technical details

Memory maps

Power-On Self-Test
routines (POST)

Key error codes and
suggestions for corrective
action

Order of tests

11

2

System Board

The next chapter describes the video, disk, audio and network devices
which are supplied with the PC.

This chapter describes the components of the system board, taking in turn
the components of the Processor-Local Bus, the Peripheral Component
Interconnect (PCI) bus and the Industry Standard Architecture (ISA) bus.

12

2 System Board

System Board and Backplanes

System Board and Backplanes

Backplanes

HP Vectra VA 6/xxx PCHP Vectra VA 6/xxx

MT PC

HP Vectra XA 6/xxx

PC

Total Occupied Total Occupied Total Occupied

PCI slots (normal) 2 0 2 1✕Video 2 1✕Video
PCI slots (network) 0 0 0 0 1 1✕LAN
PCI/ISA combination slots 1 0 2010
ISA slots (full length) 0 0 1000
ISA slots (26-cm/10.2-

inch maximum length)

1011✕Audio 1 1✕Audio

1

Present only on the desktop HP Vectra VA 6/xxx PC board

1

13

2 System Board

System Board and Backplanes

VA Desktop

VA Minitower

XA Desktop (rear view)

The front of the XA backplane is the
same as that for the VA desktop.

14

2 System Board

System Board and Backplanes

PCI Mapping Table

Architectural View

The following block diagram gives an architectural view.

VA VA MT XA

Device

Number

AD[xx] PCI Device

***011PL/PCI bridge (PMC)

***415PCI/ISA bridge (PIIX3)

* 13 24 Video controller (Cirrus Logic)

* 12 23 PCI slot #4

***617PCI slot #3

* * * 10 21 PCI slot #2

***718PCI slot #1

* 11 22 Enhanced Ethernet network controller

(rear PCI slot)

15

2 System Board

System Board and Backplanes

16

2 System Board

Devices on the Processor-Local Bus

Devices on the Processor-Local Bus

Intel Pentium Pro Microprocessor

The processor that is supplied can be P6 or P6S. The processor is packaged
in a 387-way pin-grid-array (PGA), which is seated on the system board in
a P6T overdrive zero-insertion-force (ZIF) socket 8. Only upgrades using
OverDrive processors, pin compatible with the original processor,
manufactured by Intel, are supported.

The voltage regulator module (VRM) is implemented directly on the
system board. The voltage is selected automatically by the processor (four
logic signals specify a voltage between 2.0 V to 3.5 V in steps of 0.1 V).

The cooling needs of the processor require there to be a good thermal
contact between it and the heat-sink. A thermal contact material made of
silicone-based grease, or of aluminium foil, must be placed on the top of the
processor before installing the heat-sink.

Although it is not pin compatible with the Pentium, the Pentium Pro is
backward code-compatible. Software written for previous HP Vectra PCs
will run on the Pentium Pro-based HP Vectra PCs.

Bus Frequencies Like the Pentium and 80486 DX2 processors, the Pentium Pro uses internal

clock multiplication. For example, the Pentium Pro 200 MHz processor
multiplies the 66 MHz system clock by three. Switches 1 and 2 on the system
board switches set the frequency of the Processor-Local bus. Switches 3, 4
and 5 set the clock multiplier ratio.

Processor

Frequency

Switch 1Switch

2

Processor
Local Bus

Frequency

Switch 3Switch 4Switch

5

Frequency

Ratio

Processor :

Local Bus

150 MHz

Closed Open 60 MHz Open Open Closed 2.5 : 1

166 MHz Open Open 66 MHz Open Open

Closed 2.5 : 1

180 MHz

Closed Open 60 MHz Open Closed Open 3 : 1

200 MHz Open Open 66 MHz Open

Closed Open 3 : 1

233 MHz Open Open 66 MHz Open

Closed Closed 3.5 : 1

266 MHz Open Open 66 MHz

Closed Open Open 4 : 1

17

2 System Board

Devices on the Processor-Local Bus

Chip-Set

The Intel 82440 FX chip-set comprises three chips. Two are concerned
with controlling memory accesses. These are the data bus accelerator
(DBX) chip (SB82442FX) and the combined PL/PCI bridge and memory
controller (PMC) chip (SB82441FX). The DBX chip, controlled by the PMC
chip, implements a 64-bit data path (not interleaved) between the
Processor-Local bus and main memory modules.

The PCI/ISA Bridge chip (otherwise known as PIIX3, or as the system I/O
chip, SIO-A) is an Intel SB82371SB. It is not only responsible for
transferring data between the PCI bus and the ISA expansion bus, but also
contains the IDE controller.

Main

Memory

82371SB

PCI/ISA Bridge

BIOS

Pentium Pro

Processor

82441FX

PL/PCI Bridge (PMC)

Processor-Local Bus

PCI Bus

ISA Bus

Clocks

and Misc.

IDE

Controller

ISA Bus

Controller

PCI

Master

PCI

Slave

APIC

DBX

Interface

Host

Interface

Main

Memory

Controller

PCI

Interface

82442FX

Data Bus Accelerator (DBX)

Host

Interface

DRAM

Interface

Clocks

and Misc.

PMC

Interface

18

2 System Board

Devices on the Processor-Local Bus

Cache Memory

There are two integrated circuits sealed within a single Pentium Pro
package. One of these contains the Level-2 (L2) cache memory chip; the
other contains the processor, which itself includes two banks of Level-1 (L1)
cache memory (I-cache for instruction code, and D-cache for data).

Each L1 cache memory has a capacity of 8 KB. The I-cache is 4-way
set-associative (it consists of four 2 KB sub-banks). The D-cache is 2-way
set-associative (it consists of two 4 KB sub-banks) and is dual-ported (2
operations, such as 1 read and 1 write, can be performed simultaneously to
different lines in the bank).

The L2 cache memory has a capacity 256 KB, and is composed of 4-way set­associative static RAM. Data is stored in lines of 32-bytes (256 bits). Thus
four consecutive 64-bit transfers with the main memory are involved for
each transaction.

The amount of cache memory is set by Intel at the time of manufacture, so
cannot be changed. Versions of the Pentium Pro (P6) processor exist with
512 KB of L2 cache memory. These are specially designed for servers, and
are used in HP Netservers, but not yet in HP Vectra PCs.

Processor-Local Bus

The Processor-Local bus is 64 bits wide, and is clocked at 60 or 66 MHz.
Although carrying 64-bits of data, it is in fact composed of 141 signals. These
are implemented using Intel’s GTL+ technology. To reduce voltage over- and
under-shoots, the signals are clamped to a 0 to 1.5 voltage range, and are
filtered to prevent the logic edges from becoming too steep (that is, there is
a minimum constraint on the rise and fall times, as well as the usual
maximum constraint).

As a split-transaction bus, it allows a device (such as the Pentium Pro
processor) to send its request (such as asking for the contents of a given
memory address) and then to release the bus, rather than waiting for the
result, thereby allowing it to get on with other work. The target device then
requests the bus again when it is ready to respond, and sends the requested
data packet. Up to eight transactions are allowed to be outstanding at any
given time.

19

2 System Board

Devices on the Processor-Local Bus

Main Memory

There are six main memory module sockets, arranged in three banks
(A to C), allowing installation up to 192 MB. One bank is already occupied
by the pair of memory modules that contain the 16 or 32 MB of memory that
is fitted as standard (depending on the model of the PC).

The PC can use 60 ns extended data-out (EDO) or 70 ns fast page-mode
(FPM) modules. When the PC is turned on, the chip set tests whether any
FPM modules are present. If so, it assumes an access time of 70 ns,
otherwise it assumes an access time of 60 ns.

Error correcting code (ECC) is available when using 36-bit modules (these
are available only in FPM technology, so the system performance will be
affected). The original 32-bit modules must be removed so that the memory
is populated only by 36-bit modules. The appropriate field must be set in
Memory sub-menu of the Configuration menu of the Setup program.

Using ECC memory, a single bit error in any 72-bit line of memory (64 data
bits plus 8 parity bits) will be corrected automatically and transparently. A
double bit error will cause an NMI to be generated, and the PC to be halted.

20

2 System Board

Devices on the PCI Bus

Devices on the PCI Bus

Video Controller

The desktop HP Vectra VA 6/xxx PC has a Cirrus 5446 graphics chip
connected on the PCI bus with a VESA feature connector integrated on the
system board.

The HP Vectra VA 6/xxx MT PC the HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC have these
spaces left vacant on the system board, and are supplied with a Matrox
Millennium video controller on board in a PCI accessory slot.

Both types of video system are described in more detail in the next chapter.

Integrated Drive Electronics (IDE)

The IDE controller is implemented as part of the PIIX3 chip (the PCI/ISA
bridge). It supports Enhanced IDE (EIDE) and Standard IDE. To use the
Enhanced IDE features, though, the drives must be compliant with
Enhanced IDE.

Up to four IDE devices are supported: two (one master and one slave)
connected to the primary channel, and two (one master and one slave) to
the secondary channel. If a single device (a hard disk drive or a CD-ROM
drive) is attached to a channel, it should be in the master position (the
connector that is closest to the system board).

It is possible to have a fast device, such as a hard disk drive, and a slow
device, such as a CD-ROM, on the same channel without affecting the
performance of the fast device. The BIOS sends a command to each drive,
and determines, automatically, the fastest configuration that it supports.
However, in general, the primary channel cable (the one with the grey
connectors) is recommended for hard disk drives, and the secondary
channel cable (the one with the red connectors) for CD-ROM drives.

On the HP Vectra VA 6/xxx MT PC, when the CD-ROM drive is installed in
the Master position of the IDE secondary channel, the hard disk drives
(1.2 GB or 2.5 GB) cannot be installed in the slave position of this channel
(problems could be experienced activating the 32-bit access drivers). The
hard disk drive should be installed in the master position of the secondary
channel with the CD-ROM drive in the slave position.

21

2 System Board

Devices on the PCI Bus

Transfer Rates Versus
Modes of Operation

The controller supports 32-bit Windows and DOS I/O transfers. It has PCI
master capability, and supports programmed I/O (PIO) modes up to mode 4
(though modes 1 and 2 are handled as mode 0) and direct memory access
(DMA) modes up to mode 2. This gives a fastest cycle time of 120 ns, and a
transfer rate of 16.7 MB per second, in both cases. The five PIO modes allow
the following transfer rates:

The three DMA modes allow the following transfer rates:

Operated in SLAVE mode, the IDE controller saturates the PCI bus with
transfers, thus limiting the actual achieved transfer rate to 4 or 5 MBytes per
second. Operated in MASTER mode, though, the IDE controller is allowed
to work autonomously of the CPU, and the full 16.7 MBytes per second
transfer rate can be achieved, with less than 33% occupancy of the PCI bus
(so allowing the CPU to get on with other work for more than 67% of the
cycle times, whilst the IDE transfers are going on in parallel).

Disk Capacity Versus
Modes of Addressing

The amount of addressable space on a hard disk drive is limited by three
factors: the physical size of the hard disk, the addressing limit of the IDE
hardware, and the addressing limit of the BIOS. The Extended-CHS
addressing scheme allows larger disk capacities to be addressed than under
CHS, by performing a translation (for example regrouping the sectors so that
there are twice as many logical tracks as is possible under the CHS addressing
scheme).

Mode 01234

Cycle time (ns) 600 383 240 180 120

Transfer rate (MBytes/s) 3.33 5.22 8.33 11.1 16.7

Mode 0 1 2

Cycle time (ns) 480 150 120

Transfer rate (MBytes/s) 4.2 13.3 16.7

Cylinders per

Device

Heads per

Cylinder

Sectors per Track

Bytes per

Sector

Bytes per

Device

CHS 64 16 1024 512 528 M

ECHS 64 256 1024 512 8.4 G

22

2 System Board

Devices on the PCI Bus

Network Controller and External Start Connector

The HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC has an Enhanced Ethernet Network Board (as
described in the next chapter) installed in a PCI accessory slot.

The board is supplied with power, even whilst the rest of the PC is turned
off, via a line called VStandby on the External Start Connector. This
connector also carries the control lines which the network board uses to
turn on the main power supply, and to send or receive other control and
status information. (See the pin-out information on page 44, and the
description of the RPO function on page 52).

Other PCI Accessory Devices under Plug and Play

These PCs have a “PnP level 1.0A” BIOS and meets the “Windows 95
Required” level for Plug and Play. Accessory boards which are Plug and Play
are automatically configured by the operating system (Windows 95) or by
the BIOS (other operating systems).

23

2 System Board

Devices on the ISA Bus

Devices on the ISA Bus

Super I/O Controller

The Super I/O chip (NS PC87308) provides the control for two FDC
devices, two serial ports and one bidirectional multi-mode parallel port.

Serial / parallel
communications ports

The two 9-pin serial ports (whose pin layouts are depicted on page 44)
support RS-232-C and are buffered by 16550 UARTs, with 16 Byte FIFOs.
They can be programmed as COM1, COM2, COM3, COM4, or disabled.

The 25-pin parallel port (also depicted on page 44) is Centronics
compatible, supporting IEEE 1284. It can be programmed as LPT1, LPT2, or
disabled. It can operate the four modes:

❒ Standard mode (PC/XT, PC/AT, and PS/2 compatible).
❒ Bidirectional mode (PC/XT, PC/AT, and PS/2 compatible).
❒ Enhanced mode (enhanced parallel port, EPP, compatible).
❒ High speed mode (MS/HP extended capabilities port, ECP, compatible).

FDC The integrated flexible drive controller (FDC) supports any combination of

two of the following: tape drives, 3.5-inch flexible disk drives, 5.25-inch
flexible disk drives. It is software and register compatible with the 82077AA,
and 100% IBM compatible. It has an A and B drive-swapping capability and a
non-burst DMA option.

RTC The real-time clock (RTC) is 146818A-compatible. The configuration RAM

is implemented as 256 bytes of CMOS memory.

Keyboard and Mouse
Controller

The PC has an 8042-based keyboard and mouse controller (the connector pin
layouts are shown on page 44). The PC is supplied with a Logitech 2-button
mouse, and a C3758A keyboard with the following features:

❒ Space bar power on, to start the computer from the Off state (if

power on

from keyboard

is enabled in the Setup program).

❒ Windows key (next to the keys), which has the same effect as

clicking the “Start” button on the Windows 95 task bar.

❒ Pull-down key (next to the right key), which has the same effect as

clicking the right mouse button.

24

2 System Board

Devices on the ISA Bus

Serial EEPROM This is the non-volatile memory which holds the default values for the CMOS

memory (in the event of battery failure, or the user pressing in Setup).

When installing a new system board, the Serial EEPROM will have a blank
serial number field. This will be detected automatically by the BIOS, which
will then prompt the user to enter the serial number which is printed on the
identification label on the back of the PC.

Audio Controller

The audio controller is provided, on the HP Vectra VA 6/xxx MT PC and
HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC, on a board in an ISA accessory slot, and is

described in the next chapter.

System ROM

The PC uses 256 KB of 200ns, Flash EEPROM implemented within a single
256 K ✕ 8-bit ROM chip. Flash EEPROM is ROM that can be returned to its
unprogrammed state by the application of appropriate electrical signals to
its pins, and hence can then be reprogrammed with the latest upgrade
firmware.

The System ROM contains the system BIOS (including the boot code, the
ISA and PCI initialization, RPO, DMI, the Setup program and the Power-On
Self-Test routines, plus their error messages). These are summarized in
Chapters 4 and 5.

Updating the System ROM

The System ROM can be updated with the latest BIOS firmware. This can be
ordered from HP or downloaded from one of HP’s online services. (For more
information on HP’s online services, refer to the Hewlett-Packard Support
and Information Services chapter in the User’s Guide that was supplied with
the computer.)

The System ROM is updated by running the PHLASH utility,

PHLASH.EXE,

which is supplied with the BIOS upgrade file,

GZ07xx.FUL, and the system

definition file,

platform.bin. You must specify the model number of the

PC since the utility which is supplied for a different model cannot be used
with this one. It must be run from diskette.

25

2 System Board

Devices on the ISA Bus

Before flashing, it is necessary to type in the System Administrator’s
Password when starting up the computer. The PCI and PnP information is
erased in the process.

Do not switch off the computer until the system BIOS update procedure has
completed, successfully or not, otherwise irrecoverable damage to the ROM
may be caused. While updating the flash ROM, the control panel switches
are disabled to prevent accidental interruption of the flash programming
process.

Error Diagnostics and Suggested Corrective Actions

The programs and data in the system ROM are accompanied by a check-sum
code. If any of the programs or data ever become corrupted, the check-sum
will not correspond with the contents of the ROM, and the appropriate part
of the POST routine will attempt to report the error:

Cannot display error messages
Flash ROM may be defective

The suggested corrective action is to reprogram the system ROM by running
the same utility as has just been described for upgrading it.

System Board Switches

The first two of the system board switches set the frequency of the
Processor-Local bus, and the next three the ratio of processor-frequency to
Processor-Local-bus-frequency, as summarized on page 16. The next four
set the configuration for the PC, as summarized in the table below. The last
switch should not be used.

Switch Function Default

1-5 - Processor frequency, see the table on page 16 -

6

Open Normal operation

Open

Closed Clear the configuration data (in CMOS memory)

7

Open Normal operation

Open

Closed Clears all passwords

8

Open Disables keyboard power-on

Closed

Closed Enables the PC to be turned on from the space bar on the keyboard

9

Open Normal operation

Open

Closed Clears the Product Identification (VA)

10 Open Normal operation Open

26

2 System Board

Devices on the ISA Bus

By setting switch 6 in the Closed position, not only is the configuration data
cleared (in the CMOS memory and the Serial EEPROM), but also all the
Plug-and-Play data that had been saved in the CMOS memory. However, the
serial number, the tattooing string, the date and the time are each retained.

By setting switch 8 in the

Closed position, the Power-On Space-Bar

function is enabled, provided that it is also enabled in the

Power-On

Space-Bar

field of the Power Menu in the Setup program.

Setting switch 9 in the

Closed position clears the product identification

field in the BIOS, and causes the PC to prompt for the new information. By
identifying the product correctly, the BIOS is able to tailor itself for the
particular product, and to enable the appropriate features.

Little Ben

Little Ben is an HP application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is
connected between the chip-set and the processor. It has been designed to
act as a companion to the Super I/O chip. It is described on page 57.

Other ISA Accessory Devices under Plug and Play

All PCI accessory boards are Plug and Play, although not all ISA boards are.
Check the accessory board’s documentation if you are unsure.

In general, in a Plug and Play configuration, resources for an ISA board have
to be reserved first (using a utility under Windows 95 or ICU for DOS/
Windows) and then you can plug in your board. When you run a non Plug­and-Play operating system, such as OS/2 or Windows NT, if you want to
install an ISA board, you have to reserve the resources for the board using
the ICU (for Windows). Failure to do so may lead to resource conflicts.

The procedure for installing an ISA accessory board that is not Plug and
Play is described in the User’s Guide that is supplied with the PC.

27

3

Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

This chapter describes the video, mass storage, audio and network devices
which are supplied with the PC. It also summarizes the pin connections on
internal and external connectors.

28

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Cirrus 5446 Video Controller Chip

Cirrus 5446 Video Controller Chip

The HP Vectra VA 6/xxx PC is supplied with a video controller chip
integrated on the system board (all other models are supplied with a Matrox
MGA Millennium PCI video controller on a board fitted in a PCI accessory
slot, as described in the next section of this chapter). The Cirrus Logic
CL-GD5446, can be characterized as follows:

• 100% hardware- and BIOS-compatible with IBM

®

VGA display standard

• 32-bit video memory access with 1 MB DRAM. This increases to 64-bit
access when an additional 1 MB DRAM is installed

• Hardware acceleration of graphical user interface (GUI) operations
through a bit-block transfer mechanism

• Support for up to 4 MB, 50 ns EDO video DRAM (though space is only
provided on the system board for 2 MB)

• Integrated 24-bit, 135 MHz RAMDAC

• Integrated programmable, dual-clock synthesizer

• Green PC power saving features

• Standard and Enhanced Video Graphics Array (VGA) modes

• Acceleration for playback, continuous interpolation on X, continuous
interpolation on Y

• DDC 2B compliant.

• Superior TV-like quality video performance: hardware video window; YUV
video support; color key, chroma key; X & Y interpolated zooming.

Connectors

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) defines a standard
video connector, variously known as the VESA feature connector,
auxiliary connector, or pass-through connector. The video controller
supports an input/output VESA feature connector. This connector (whose
pin names are listed in a table on page 44) is integrated on the system board,
and is connected directly to the pixel data bus and the synchronization
signals.

29

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Cirrus 5446 Video Controller Chip

Video Memory

The video RAM (also known as the frame buffer) is a local block of 50 ns
EDO DRAM for holding both the on-screen surface (reflecting what is
currently displayed on the screen), and the off-screen surface (video frame,
fonts, double buffer).

Some models are supplied with 1 MB of video memory, and a socket for
installation of an additional 1 MB. Other models are supplied with the full
2 MB already installed

Many different types of video memory chip will physically fit in the upgrade
sockets, but not all of them will work with this PC. Installation of the wrong
types of chip will result in garbage being displayed on the screen. In the case
of display problems, check the markings on the video memory chips.

Video Modes

The following table details the standard VGA modes which are currently
implemented in the video BIOS. These modes are supported by standard
BIOS functions; that is, the video BIOS (which is mapped contiguously in
the address range C0000h to C7FFFh) contains all the routines required to
configure and access the video subsystem.

Standard VGA Modes

Mode No. Standard

Interface

Type

Resolution

No. of
Colors

Vertical
Refresh

Horizontal

Refresh

Notes

00h, 01h
02h, 03h

CGA
CGA

text
text

360 x 400
720 x 400

16/256K
16/256K

70 Hz
70 Hz

31.5 kHz

31.5 kHz

04h, 05h

06h

CGA
CGA

graphics
graphics

320 x 200
640 x 200

4/256K
2/256K

70 Hz
70 Hz

31.5 kHz

31.5 kHz

07h MDA text 720 x 400 monochrome 70 Hz 31.5 kHz

0Dh
0Eh
0Fh
10h

EGA
EGA
EGA
EGA

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

320 x 200
640 x 200
640 x 350
640 x 350

16/256K
16/256K

monochrome

16/256K

70 Hz
70 Hz
70 Hz
70 Hz

31.5 kHz

31.5 kHz

31.5 kHz

31.5 kHz

11h
11h+
11h+

12h
12h+
12h+
12h+

13h

VGA
VGA
VGA
VGA
VGA
VGA
VGA
VGA

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480
320 x 200

2/256K
2/256K

2/256K
16/256K
16/256K
16/256K
16/256K

256/256K

60 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz
60 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz
70 Hz

31.5 kHz

37.9 kHz

37.5 kHz

31.5 kHz

37.9 kHz

37.5 kHz

43.3 kHz

31.5 kHz

30

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Cirrus 5446 Video Controller Chip

Extended Video Modes

Extended

Mode No.

VESA

Mode No.

Interface

Type

Resolution

No. of

Colors

Vertical
Refresh

Horizontal

Refresh

Notes

58h, 6Ah
58h, 6Ah
58h, 6Ah
58h, 6Ah

102h

102h
102h ergo
102h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600

16/256K
16/256K
16/256K
16/256K

56 Hz
60 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz

35.2 kHz

37.8 kHz

48.1 kHz

46.9 kHz

5Ch
5Ch
5Ch
5Ch
5Ch

103h

103h
103h ergo
103h ergo
103h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600

256/256K
256/256K
256/256K
256/256K
256/256K

56 Hz
60 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

35.2 kHz

37.9 kHz

48.1 kHz

46.9 kHz

53.7 kHz

5Dh i

5Dh
5Dh
5Dh
5Dh

104h

104h

104h

104h
104h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768

16/256K
16/256K
16/256K
16/256K
16/256K

43 Hz i

60 Hz
70 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz

35.5 kHz

48.3 Hz
56 kHz
58 kHz
60 kHz

interlaced

5Eh 100h graphics 640 x 400 256/256K 70 Hz 31.5 kHz

5Fh
5Fh
5Fh
5Fh

101h
101h ergo
101h ergo
101h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480

256/256K
256/256K
256/256K
256/256K

60 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

31.5 kHz

37.9 kHz

37.5 kHz

43.3 kHz

60h i

60h
60h
60h
60h

60h d

105h

105h

105h

105h
105h ergo
105h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768

256/256K
256/256K
256/256K
256/256K
256/256K
256/256K

43 Hz i

60 Hz
70 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

35.5 kHz

48.3 kHz
56 kHz
58 kHz
60 kHz

68.3 kHz

interlaced

clock-doubled 8 bpp

64h
64h
64h
64h

111h
111h ergo
111h ergo
111h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480

65,536
65,536
65,536
65,536

60 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

31.5 kHz

37.9 kHz

37.5 kHz

43.3 kHz

65h
65h
65h
65h
65h

114h

114h
114h ergo
114h ergo
114h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600

65,536
65,536
65,536
65,536
65,536

56 Hz
60 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

35.2 kHz

37.8 kHz

48.1 kHz

46.9 kHz

53.7 kHz

66h
66h
66h
66h

110h
110h ergo
110h ergo
110h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480

32,768
32,768
32,768
32,768

60 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

31.5 kHz

37.8 kHz

37.5 kHz

43.3 kHz

67h
67h
67h
67h
67h

113h

113h
113h ergo
113h ergo
113h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600

32,768
32,768
32,768
32,768
32,768

56 Hz
60 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

35.2 kHz

37.8 kHz

48.1 kHz

46.9 kHz

53.7 kHz

31

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Cirrus 5446 Video Controller Chip

The “non Vesa timing”, on modes 68h, 74h and 79h, arises because the VESA
pixel frequency on the 5446 is 87.7 MHz, as opposed to 94.5 MHz. This
should not present major problems; most of the displays that can support
such video modes are high end displays that use micro-controller based
electronics.

68h i

68h
68h
68h
68h

116h

116h
116h ergo
116h ergo
116h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768

32,768
32,768
32,768
32,768
32,768

43 Hz i

60 Hz
70 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

35.5 kHz

48.3 kHz
56 kHz
60 kHz

68.3 kHz

interlaced

non Vesa timing

69h i 119h graphics 1280 x 1024 32,768 43 Hz i 48 kHz interlaced

6Ch i 106h graphics 1280 x 1024 16/256K 43 Hz i 48 kHz interlaced

6Dh i
6Dh d
6Dh d
6Dh d

107h

107h
107h ergo
107h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

1280 x 1024
1280 x 1024
1280 x 1024
1280 x 1024

256/256K
256/256K
256/256K
256/256K

43 Hz i

60 Hz

71.2 Hz
75 Hz

48 kHz
65 kHz
76 kHz
80 kHz

interlaced
clock-doubled
clock-doubled
clock-doubled

71h
71h
71h
71h

112h
112h
112h
112h

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480
640 x 480

16.7 M

16.7 M

16.7 M

16.7 M

60 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

31.5 kHz

37.8 kHz

37.5kHz

43.3 kHz

74h i

74h
74h
74h
74h

117h

117h
117h ergo
117h ergo
117h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768

65,536
65,536
65,536
65,536
65,536

43 Hz i

60 Hz
70 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

35.5 kHz

48.3 kHz
56 kHz
60 kHz

68.3 kHz

interlaced

non Vesa timing

75h i 11Ah graphics 1280 x 1024 65,536 43 Hz i 48 kHz interlaced

78h
78h
78h
78h
78h

115h
115h
115h
115h
115h

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600
800 x 600

16.7 M

16.7 M

16.7 M

16.7 M

16.7 M

56 Hz
60 Hz
72 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

35.2 kHz

37.8 kHz

48.1 kHz

46.9 kHz

53.7 kHz

79h i

79h
79h
79h
79h

118h

118h
118h ergo
118h ergo
118h ergo

graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics
graphics

1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768
1024 x 768

16.7 M

16.7 M

16.7 M

16.7 M

16.7 M

43 Hz i

60 Hz
70 Hz
75 Hz
85 Hz

35.5 kHz

48.3 kHz
56 kHz
60 kHz

68.3 kHz

interlaced

non Vesa timing

7Ch d
7Ch d

-

-

graphics
graphics

1152 x 864
1152 x 864

256/256K
256/256K

70 Hz
75 Hz

63.9 kHz

67.5 kHz

clock-doubled

clock-doubled 8 bpp

Extended

Mode No.

VESA

Mode No.

Interface

Type

Resolution

No. of

Colors

Vertical
Refresh

Horizontal

Refresh

Notes

32

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Cirrus 5446 Video Controller Chip

Available Video Resolutions

The number of colors supported is limited by the graphics device and the
video memory. The resolution/color/refresh-rate combination is limited by a
combination of the display driver, the graphics device, and the video
memory. If the resolution/refresh-rate combination is set higher than the
display can support, you risk damaging the display.

The following table lists the video resolutions that are available from the
BIOS:

Drivers are provided on the CD-ROM that is supplied with the PC (5011-

3802). At the time of release, these bear the following version numbers:

1.12, for Windows NT 3.51; 1.00d, for Windows 95; and 1.00 for OS/2 Warp.

The following table lists the available video resolutions using these drivers.
The available resolutions may be different with later versions of each of
these drivers.

1.

Interlaced.

Resolution Number of colors Refresh Rate (Hz) Memory

640 x 480 16, 256, 32K, 64K, 16M 60, 72, 75, 85 1 MB

800 x 600

16
256, 32K, 64K

56, 60, 72, 75
56, 60, 72, 75, 85

1024 x 768

16
256

i87

1

, 60, 70, 75

i87

1

, 60, 70, 75, 85

1280 x 1024 16 i87

1

800 x 600 16M 56, 60, 72, 75, 85 2 MB

(additional modes
available)

1024 x 768 64K i87

1

, 60, 70, 75, 85

1280 x 1024 256 i87

1

, 60, 72, 75

33

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Cirrus 5446 Video Controller Chip

Further Information

For information on Cirrus Logic graphics devices, contact Cirrus Logic Inc.:

3100 West Warren Avenue, Fremont, USA, CA 94538
Telephone: [phone]; Fax: [phone] (or 800-359-6414 if calling
from the USA); email: [e-mail], or automatically from
[e-mail]; www: http://www.cirrus.com

1.

Interlaced.

Resolution Number of colors Refresh Rate (Hz) Memory

Windows NT 640 x 480 16, 256, 32K, 64K, 16M 60, 75, 85 1 MB

800 x 600

16
256, 64K

56, 60, 72, 75
56, 60, 72, 75, 85

1024 x 768

16
256

i87

1

, 60, 70, 75

i87

1

, 60, 70, 75, 85

1280 x 1024 16 i87

1

800 x 600 16M 60, 72, 75, 85 2 MB
1024 x 768 64K i87

1

, 60, 70, 75, 85

1280 x 1024 256 i87

1

, 60, 72, 75

Windows 95 640 x 480 16, 256, 64K, 16M 60, 72, 75, 85 1 MB

800 x 600

16
256, 64K

56, 60, 72, 75
56, 60, 72, 75, 85

1024 x 768 256 i87

1

, 60, 70, 75, 85

800 x 600 16M 56, 60, 72, 75, 85 2 MB

(additional modes
available)

1024 x 768 64K i87

1

, 60, 70, 75, 85

1280 x 1024 256 i87

1

, 60, 72, 75

OS/2 640 x 480 256, 64K 60, 72, 75, 85 1 MB

800 x 600 256, 64K 56, 60, 72, 75, 85
1024 x 768 256 i87

1

, 60, 70, 75, 85

1024 x 768 64K i87

1

, 60, 70, 75, 85 2 MB (additional

modes available)

1280 x 1024 256 i87

1

, 60, 72, 75

34

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Matrox MGA Millennium Video Controller Board

Matrox MGA Millennium Video Controller Board

With the exception of the HP Vectra VA 6/xxx PC, which is supplied with a
video controller chip integrated on the system board (as described in the
previous section of this chapter), all models are supplied with a Matrox MGA
Millennium PCI video controller on a board fitted in a PCI accessory slot. Its
on-board MGA-2064W processor communicates with the Pentium Pro
processor along the PCI bus. The controller can be characterized as follows:

• 100% hardware- and BIOS-compatible with IBM

®

VGA display standard

• 64-bit video memory access

• Hardware acceleration of graphical user interface (GUI) operations

• Support for up to 8 MB Window RAM (WRAM) at 60 ns

• Integrated 24-bit, 175 MHz RAMDAC

• Pixel clock maximum frequency of 135 MHz

• Green PC power saving features

• Standard and Enhanced Video Graphics Array (VGA) modes

• Acceleration for 3D, playback, MPEG (when an optional upgrade module
from Matrox is fitted), continuous interpolation on X, replication on Y

• DDC 2B compliant.

VESA pass-through connector

Display connector

Matrox VESA connector

Graphics processor chips

2 MB memory chips

Top half of upgrade socket

Bottom half of upgrade socket

Configuration switches

Top and bottom halves of the
upgrade socket. (For the
installation of a video memory
upgrade module or the Matrox
MPEG module).

Configuration switches. (Set to
their bottom position for
normal operation).

35

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Matrox MGA Millennium Video Controller Board

Connectors

The Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA) defines a standard
video connector, variously known as the VESA feature connector,
auxiliary connector, or pass-through connector. The video controller
supports an output-only VESA feature connector in VGA mode. This
connector (whose pin names are listed in a table on page 44) is integrated
on the PCI board, and is connected directly to the pixel data bus and the
synchronization signals.

There are two connectors on the back panel: the normal DB15 VGA
connector, for connecting to HP displays, and a Matrox VESA connector.
The layout of the pins for the DB15 VGA connector are shown on page 44.

If you install a VESA-standard video accessory board that uses the MGA
video adapter, connect the accessory board’s cable to the VESA pass­through connector on the board.

Video Memory

The video memory (also known as window RAM, or WRAM) is a local block
of RAM for holding two major data structures: the double buffer (to hold one
frame steady on the screen whilst the next one is being processed), and the
Z-buffer (for storing depth information for each pixel). It is dual ported, so
that it can be inputting and outputting simultaneously.

The Matrox MGA Millennium video board is supplied with 2 MB of video
memory. This can be upgraded to 4 MB with a D3557A upgrade module, or
to 8 MB with an MGA-MIL/MOD6 upgrade module (ordered from Matrox).
The upgrade socket can alternatively be used for the installation of the
Matrox MGA Media XL upgrade module (also ordered from Matrox) to
support MPEG. The switch settings do not have to be changed.

Available Video Resolutions

The number of colors supported is limited by the graphics device and the
video memory. The resolution/color/refresh-rate combination is limited by a
combination of the display driver, the graphics device, and the video
memory. If the resolution/refresh-rate combination is set higher than the
display can support, you risk damaging the display.

36

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Matrox MGA Millennium Video Controller Board

Drivers are provided on the CD-ROM that is supplied with the PC (5011-

3802) for Windows NT 3.51, Windows 95 and OS/2 Warp. At the time of

release, these bear the version number BC.02.08.

The table below summarizes the video resolutions which are supported.
Note, though, SCO Unix only supports 15 bpp (bits per pixel), instead of
16 bpp, and does not support 32 bpp; OS/2 does not support 24 bpp.

1.

The upper limit of refresh rate for HP monitors is 60Hz at this resolution.

1.

1152 ✕ 882 is not supported by HP displays

2.

The upper limit of refresh rate for HP monitors is 60Hz at this resolution.

Resolution Number of colors Video Adapter Maximum

Refresh Rate (Hz)

Memory

640 x 480 256, 64K, 16M 120 2 MB
800 x 600 256, 64K, 16M
1024 x 768 256, 64K
1280 x 1024 256 90
1600 x 1200

1

256 72
640 x 480 256, 64K, 16M 120 4 MB
800 x 600 256, 64K, 16M
1024 x 768 256, 64K, 16M
1280 x 1024 256, 64K, 16M (24 bpp) 90
1600 x 1200

1

256, 64K 72
640 x 480 256, 64K, 16M 120 8 MB
800 x 600 256, 64K, 16M
1024 x 768 256, 64K, 16M
1280 x 1024 256, 64K, 16M 90
1600 x 1200

1

256, 64K, 16M 72

Number of

Colors

256 64 K

Hi-Color

16.7 M

True-Color

16.7 M

True-Color

Bits per Pixel

8 162432

640 ✕ 480

2 MB, 120 Hz

800 ✕ 600

2 MB, 120 Hz

1024 ✕ 768

2 MB, 120 Hz 4 MB, 120Hz

1152 ✕ 882

1

2 MB, 100 Hz 4 MB, 100 Hz

1280 ✕ 1024

2 MB, 90 Hz 4 MB, 90 Hz 8 MB, 90 Hz

1600 ✕ 1200

2

2 MB, 72 Hz 4 MB, 72 Hz 8 MB, 72 Hz Not supported

37

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Matrox MGA Millennium Video Controller Board

The maximum 2D resolutions for any given video memory capacity and
color scale can be found from the following table:

Video BIOS

The capability to flash program the video BIOS is a feature of the Matrox
MGA Millennium board. This is achieved as follows:

1 Set SW-1, on the Matrox board, to ON (BIOS unprotected).
2 Set the “Operating System” field in the Setup program to

Others.

3 Run the

updbios.bat command file (provided by HP), to execute the

video BIOS flash program,

progbios.exe, and the associated *.bin file.

4 Set SW-1, on the Matrox board, to OFF (BIOS protected).
5 Set the “Operating System” field in the Setup program back to an appro-

priate setting.

Further Information

For more information on the Matrox MGA Millennium video adapter board,
contact Matrox Electronic Systems:

Matrox Electronic Systems Ltd., 1055 St. Regis Blvd., Dorval, Quebec,
Canada H9P 2T4
Telephone: [phone]; Fax: [phone]; BBS: [phone]

1.

1152 ✕ 882 is not supported by HP displays

Number of

Colors

256 64 K

Hi-Color

16.7 M

True-Color

16.7 M

True-Color

Bits per Pixel

8 162432

2 MB 1600 ✕ 1200 1024 ✕ 768 800 ✕ 600 800 ✕ 600
4 MB 1600 ✕ 1200 1600 ✕ 1200 1280 ✕ 1024 1152 ✕ 882

1

8 MB 1600 ✕ 1200 1600 ✕ 1200 1600 ✕ 1200 Not supported

38

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Audio Controller

Audio Controller

The Creative Labs Vibra 16S CT2504 SoundBlaster 16 audio interface,
supplied on some models in an ISA slot, can be summarized as follows:

•83 dB SNR

• 8-bit and 16-bit stereo sampling from 5 kHz to 44.1 kHz

• Creative OPL3 synthesizer (11 polyphonic voices)

• connector for WaveBlaster standard (wave-table synthesizer) board

• connector for MIDI /joystick interface (MPU-401 UART compatible)

• microphone input (600 ohms, 30 mV to 200 mV peak-to-peak)

• line-out (stereo) jack can supply 2 W per channel into a 4 ohm load

Drivers are provided on the CD-ROM that is supplied with the PC (5011-

3802) for Windows NT 3.51 and OS/2 Warp. These are required since the
board is Plug-and-Play, but these operating systems are not. The
HP supplied drivers are capable of downloading the required configuration
information for the audio board. The user can select the default
configuration or change any of the parameters. The drivers are not Plug­and-Play, so they are not able to signal conflicts with other devices. At the
time of release, they bear the version number A.01.02. Windows 95 is a true
Plug-and-Play operating system, and does not need such drivers.

Audio control chip

Line-In
MIC-In
Line-Out
Speaker-Out

Joystick

Microphone

Wavetable

Internal

Modem

Front panel (XA only)

CD-Audio

Aux2 (MPEG)

Goldfinch

Speaker

39

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Enhanced Ethernet Network Board

Enhanced Ethernet Network Board

The Enhanced Ethernet Network board (AMD PCnet-PCI-II AM79C970A) is
supplied on all models of the HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC, in a dedicated PCI
accessory slot underneath the internal, hard disk drive, rear-shelf. It is
plugged into the PCI accessory slot that is situated on the rear of the
double-sided backplane board.

This controller is fully compliant with the 10-BaseT, 10 Mbits per second,
ISO 8802-3 (IEEE/ANSI 802.3) standard. There is a socket to support an
Option ROM of up to 32 KB. On the rear panel there is an RJ-45 unshielded
twisted-pair (UTP) connector, whose pin-out is shown in the diagram on
page 44.

There is a cable from the Remote Start connector, on the network board, to
the External Start connector, on the system board. This is used by the
Remote Power-On feature (RPO) that is described in the next chapter. This

Coax adapter board

Remote start

RJ-45 UTP 10 BaseT network

Hole to accept network coax BNC

Network controller

40

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Enhanced Ethernet Network Board

cable must be routed through the hole in the chassis. Not doing so, and
allowing the cable to be routed with the flexible disk drive and IDE cables,
will raise the risk of radio frequency interference (RFI) cross-talk.

When shutdown into its RPO state, the board draws 35 mA, well within the
50 mA capability of the special RPO power supply.

The board can be configured completely by software (no switches or
jumpers need changing). Drivers for the network board are provided on the
CD-ROM that is supplied with the PC (5011-3802) for Windows NT 3.51. At
the time of release, these bear the version number N.01.00. Drivers for Soft
Power Down are provided for Windows NT 3.51. At the time of release,
these bear the version number A.01.01.

Installing the D3979A
Coax Adapter

To use a BNC coax connection, instead of the RJ-45 connection, a coax
adapter (D3979A) is required. Its installation is described in the HP Vectra
Accessory Service Handbook (5964-8495).

Switching between the UTP and coax connections is achieved automatically.
If both are connected, and are being used, the UTP connection is given
priority, unless specifically configured by the user.

The adapter draws 200 mA from the main power supply. Consequently, the
Remote Power-On (RPO) facility does not work when using the coax
adapter.

The Network Administrator’s Guide (online) is a useful source of further
information.

41

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Mass-Storage Drives

Mass-Storage Drives

The IDE controller is described on page 20. The flexible disk controller is
described on page 23.

Drivers for the IDE controller are provided on the CD-ROM that is supplied
with the PC (5011-3802) for Windows NT 3.51, Windows 95 and OS/2 Warp.
At the time of release, these bear the version number GZ.07.03.

Hard Disk Drives

A 3.5-inch hard disk drive is supplied on an internal shelf in some models.

2.5 GB IDE 1.28 GB IDE

HP product number D2784A D2930A
Manufacturer Quantum Quantum
Product name Alize Fireball 2
Interface ATA ATA
Random average seek time (read) 11 ms 11 ms
Spindle speed 4500 rpm 5400 rpm
Cylinders 4969 2484
Heads (logical) 16 16
Sectors per track 63 63
Disks 3 2
Heads (physical) 6 4
Tracks per surface 5900 4142
Total tracks 35400 16568
Total user sectors 5 008 K 2 503 872
Bytes per sector 512 512
Formatted storage capacity 2550 MB 1281 MB
Maximum linear density (fci) 113404 115774
Encoding technology 16/17 PRML 16/17 PRML
Track density (tpi) 5850 4270
Total buffer size 128 KB 128 KB
Cache segment size 80 KB 80 KB
Track to track seek time (average) 2.5 ms 3.1 ms
Full stroke seek time (average) 20 ms 19 ms
Average rotational latency 6.3 ms 5.6 ms
External burst rate (PIO mode) 6.0 MB/s 6.7 MB/s
External burst rate (PIO mode+ IORDY) 16.7 MB/s (mode 4) 16.7 MB/s (mode 4)
External burst rate (DMA) 16.7 MB/s 16.7 MB/s
Sound pressure at 1m (idle) 33 dBA 32 dBA

42

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Mass-Storage Drives

Flexible Disk Drives

A 3.5-inch, 1.44 MB flexible disk drive (D2035B) is supplied on the top
front-access shelf of all models.

CD-ROM Drives

All models have a 8✕ IDE CD-ROM drive (D4381A) supplied in a 5.25-inch
front-access shelf.

If a disk is still in the drive after power failure or drive failure, the disk can
be reclaimed by inserting a stout wire, not unlike a straightened paper-clip,
into the dedicated hole at the bottom of the door.

In order to allow correct CD-ROM drive detection by the BIOS, leave the
device configuration jumper on the rear connector in the cable select (CS)
or master (MA) positions.

8✕ IDE

HP product number D4381A
Manufacturer Hitachi
Product name CDR-7930
Formatted storage capacity 650 MB
Total buffer size 128 KB
External burst rate (PIO mode+ IORDY) 11.1 MB/s (mode 3)

43

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Internal Connectors

Internal Connectors

Hard Disk Drive Data Connector Flexible Disk Drive Data Connector

Pin Signal Pin Signal Pin Signal Pin Signal

1 Reset# 2 Ground 1 Ground 2 LDENSEL#
3 HD7 4 HD8 3 Ground 4 Microfloppy
5 HD6 6 HD9 5 Ground 6 EDENSEL
7 HD5 8 HD10 7 Ground 8 INDX#

9 HD4 10 HD11 9 Ground 10 MTEN1#
11 HD3 12 HD12 11 Ground 12 DRSEL0#
13 HD2 14 HD13 13 Ground 14 DRSEL1#
15 HD1 16 HD14 15 Ground 16 DTEN0#
17 HD0 18 HD15 17 Ground 18 DIR#
19 Ground 20 orientation key 19 Ground 20 STP#
21 DMARQ 22 Ground 21 Ground 22 WRDATA#
23 DIOW# 24 Ground 23 Ground 24 WREN#
25 DIOR# 26 Ground 25 Ground 26 TRK0#
27 IORDY 28 SPSYNC:CSEL 27 Ground 28 WRPRDT#
29 DMACK# 30 Ground 29 Ground 30 RDDATA#
31 INTRQ 32 IOCS16# 31 Ground 32 HDSEL1#
33 DA1 34 PDIAG# 33 Ground 34 DSKCHG#
35 DA0 36 DA2
37 CS0# 38 CS1#
39 DASP# 40 Ground

Control Panel Connector Power Supply Connector for System Board

Pin Signal Pin Signal Pin Signal Pin Signal

1A Error_LED# 1B Keylock_LED# 1 PwrGood 8 +5 Vstdby
2A RstDis_Allow# 2B HD_LEDG# 2 orientation key 9 +5 V supply
3A Keylock_Button 3B Off_Ask# 3 Remote_On1 10 +5 V supply
4A PwrGood 4B Remote_On1 4 Ground 11 +5 V supply
5A Remote_On2 5B +5 Volt supply 5 Ground 12 -12 V supply
6A Reset_Ask# 6B not connected 6 Ground 13 -5 V supply
7A FPanel4 7B Ground 7 +12 V supply

44

3 Interface Boards and Mass-Storage Drives

Internal Connectors

Socket Pin Layouts

VESA Connector

Battery Pack

Connector

Pin Signal Pin Signal Pin Signal

1 Ground 13 PA0 1 Ground
2 Ground 14 PA1 2 not connected
3 Ground 15 PA2 3 orientation key
4 EVideo 16 PA3 4 VBATT
5 ESync 17 PA4
6 EDclk 18 PA5

3.3 V Connector

7 not connected 19 PA6

Pins Signal

8 Ground 20 PA7

1 Ground

9 Ground 21 DClk

2 Ground

10 Ground 22 BlankP#

3 Ground

11 Ground 23 HSyncB

4 3.3 V

12 not connected 24 VSyncB

5 3.3 V

25 Ground

6 3.3 V

Ethernet UTP Connector

Keyboard and Mouse Connector

Serial Port Connector

VGA Connector

Parallel Port Connector

45

4

Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

This chapter and the following chapter give an overview of the
features of the HP/Phoenix BIOS.

46

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

HP/Phoenix BIOS Description

HP/Phoenix BIOS Description

The System ROM contains the BIOS (System BIOS, video BIOS and low
option ROM), and the power-on self-test routines displays a diagnosis, as
well as suggestions for corrective action. This chapter and the following
chapter give an overview:

• menu-driven Setup with context-sensitive help (in US English only),

described next in this chapter.

• The address space, with details of the interrupts used, described at the
end of this chapter.

• The Remote Power-On (RPO), which is the mechanism for turning on the
PC remotely from the network, described later in this chapter.

• The Power-On-Self-Test or POST, which is the sequence of tests the PC
performs to ensure that the system is functioning correctly, described in
the next chapter.

The system BIOS is identified by the version number GZ.07.xx. The
procedure for updating the System ROM firmware is described on page 24.

You can press , to run the Setup program, while the initial “Vectra” logo
is being displayed. Alternatively, you can press to view the summary
configuration screen, an example of which is depicted on the next page. By
default, this remains on the screen for 20 seconds, but by pressing once,
it can be held on the screen until is pressed. Pressing will cause the
PC to be turned off.

47

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

HP/Phoenix BIOS Description

XA/200 — Copyright 1995 Hewlett-Packard — GZ.07.xx

Any line of text can be entered here as a ‘tatoo’ for the PC

BIOS version GZ.07.xx PC Serial Number FR54011111

CPU Date Code N/A LAN MAC address 08-0009-85-03-00

System RAM : 32 MB COM1 : 3F8H (Serial A)

Bank A : 32 MB (EDO) COM2 : 2F8H (Serial B)

Bank B : None COM3 : None

Bank C : None) COM4 : None

Video RAM : 2 MB LPT1 : 378H

System Cache : None LPT2 : None

Video Device : Matrox LPT3 : None

1st IDE Device : HDD 848 MB Flexible Disk A : 1.44 MB

2nd IDE Device : None Flexible Disk B : None

3rd IDE Device : None Display type : Not Available

4th IDE Device : None

ISA PnP : Not Installed PCI Slot #1 : Not Installed

ISA PnP : Not Installed PCI Slot #2 : Not Installed

PCI Slot #3 : Not Installed

<F1> to continue, <F2> to run Setup, <F10> to power off, <F5> to retain

48

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Setup Program

Setup Program

You can interrupt the POST to run the Setup program by pressing once
the

F2=Setup message appears on the initial “Vectra” logo screen.

The band along the top of the screen offers five menus: Main, Configuration,
Security, Power, and Exit. These are selected using the left and right arrow
keys. Each menu is discussed in the following sub-sections. For a more
complete description, see the User’s Guide that was supplied with the PC.

Main Menu

The Main Menu presents the user with a list of fields, such as “System Time”
and “Key auto-repeat speed”. These can be selected using the up and down
arrow keys, and can have their values changed using the and keys.

The “Item-Specific Help” field changes automatically as the user moves the
cursor between the fields. It tells the user what the presently highlighted
field is for, and what the options are.

Some fields are not changeable. Examples include fields that are for
information only, and fields whose contents become “frozen” by the setting
of a value in some other field. Such fields are displayed in a different color,
without the “[” and “]” brackets. When the user moves the cursor with the up
and down arrow keys, such fields are skipped.

Some fields disappear completely when a choice in another field makes their
appearance inappropriate (for example, the “Key auto-repeat speed” and
“Delay before auto-repeat” fields disappear when the user selects

Yes in the

“Running Windows 95” field, since these parameters can then be set within
the operating system).

Configuration Menu

The Configuration Menu does not have the same structure as the Main Menu
and Power Menu. Instead of presenting a list of fields, it offers the user a list
of sub-menus. Again, the user steps between the options using the up and
down arrow keys, but presses the key to enter the chosen sub­menu (and the key to go back again when finished).

If access to devices has been disabled in the Security Menu, then the
configuration of those devices on the Configuration Menu becomes frozen,
as shown in the diagram below for Serial port A. The field becomes starred,
appears in a different color and cannot be changed.

49

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Setup Program

Disabling a device in the Configuration Menu (for example, Serial port B in
the diagram above) has the advantage of freeing the resources (such as
IRQs and peripheral addresses). Disabling a device in the Security Menu
disables the access, not the device. It does not have the advantage of freeing
the resources, but has the advantage of temporarily disabling the device
without losing the configuration settings.

Under the “Memory and Cache” sub-menu, memory caching can be set to

internal only or disabled; the memory hole can be enabled between

15 MB and 16 MB; the graphic POST can be

disabled if there is a Display

Option ROM installed; the shadow/cache ISA option ROMs can be made
accessible if detected as being fitted.

Under the “IDE” sub-menu, multi-sector transfers can be

disabled, or set

to

2, 4, 8, or 16; the translation method can be set to extended or
standard; the integrated bus adapters can be set to none, primary=IRQ15,
secondary=IRQ14, or both.

Phoenix BIOS Setup — Copyright 1985-95 Phoenix Technologies Ltd.

Copyright 1995 Hewlett-Packard Rev. GZ.07.xx

Configuration

Integrated I/O Ports Item-Specific Help

Enables or disables the
on-board parallel port at
the specific address.
‘Disabled’ frees
resources used by the
port.

Parallel port [378h IRQ7

]

Parallel port mode [Centronix TM]

Serial port A * 3F8h IRQ4

Serial port B [Disabled]

[*] = The device is disabled for security reasons.
To enable it, use the Security/Hardware Protection menu.

F1

ESC

Help
Exit

↕↔Select Item

Select Menu

F7/F8

Enter

Change Values
Select >Sub-Menu

F9

F10

Setup Defaults
Previous Values

50

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Setup Program

Security Menu

Sub-menus are presented for changing the characteristics and values of the
User Password, the System Administrator Password, the amount of
protection against use of the system’s drives and network connections
(using the Hardware Protection sub-menu), and the amount of protection
against being able to boot from the system’s drives and network connections
(using the Start-Up Center sub-menu).

The minimum lengths of either type of password can be set to a specific
number of characters, or to

none. The maximum length of each is 32

characters. A limit can be set for the maximum number of retries that are
permitted if the password is mistyped, and whether a delay should be
imposed (of successively increasing lengths: 4 seconds, 8 seconds, 16
seconds, and finally 32 seconds) before successive retries are accepted
(using the

exponential setting for the “Lock Time Between Attempts”

field).

The “User Password” sub-menu grants access to the keyboard lock timer
option. Once this password has been set, the menu gives access to the main
sub-menu of user preferences.

Under the “Hardware Protection” sub-menu, the following devices can have
their access

enabled/disabled: flexible disk controller, IDE controllers,

serial and parallel ports, network controller. Writes to the flexible disk can
be

disabled, so as to prevent the exporting of data. Writes to the hard disk

drive boot sector can be

disabled, for instance as a protection against

viruses.

Under the “Start-Up Center” sub-menu, the Setup program not only allows
the user to select which devices are

enabled or disabled for booting up

the system, but also indicates their order of precedence when more than one
is enabled: network, flexible disk drive, CD-ROM drive, or hard disk drive.

If the “Start from Network” field is not changeable with and , either
only enter the Setup program after the 50% position on the histogram has
been reached, or use to go to the summary screen, and press from
there.

If the system will not boot from the network, when there is a hard disk drive
present, disable the IDE, and remove the hard disk drive.

51

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Setup Program

Power Menu

The “Power” menu allows the user to set the standby delay. It also allows the
system administrator to decide whether the network, serial ports, mouse, or
space bar are enabled as a means of reactivating the system from Standby
or Suspend. It is also possible to specify whether the network is enabled as
a means of reactivating the system from Off, using the remote power-on
(RPO) facility (as described in the next section of this chapter).

52

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Remote Power-On (RPO)

Remote Power-On (RPO)

All models of the HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC are supplied with a tailor-made
Enhanced Ethernet 10 BaseT network board fitted in a dedicated PCI bus
slot.

Besides the standard suite of network-ready features, the HP Vectra XA
6/xxx PC includes all the hardware and firmware modifications necessary to
implement remote wake-up from any state. These include special BIOS,
Magic Packet capability, and a separate miniature power supply to keep the
start-up hardware active when the machine is Off.

Remote power-on (RPO) is a way to turn on the PC from a communication
channel, such as a Network or Modem, using facilities that have been
incorporated in the Little Ben chip and the ExtStart connector. It allows
system administrators, and authorized users, switch on the PC from
anywhere over an Ethernet network, perform remote administration or
other tasks, and return it to Off or Suspend mode afterwards.

Magic Packet

Magic packet is a standard for remote wake-up developed by HP and
Advanced Micro Devices (AMD). It defines a standard signal for awakening a
dormant computer. The standard defines a Magic Packet frame as the PC’s
unique Ethernet Media Access Control (MAC) address (which it has stored
in an EEPROM on the network board), repeated 16 times and encoded in a
valid network packet.

Any Magic Packet-compatible management application (such as HP
OpenView Workgroup Node Manager) can send a Magic Packet frame. An
administrator can do this manually, or can incorporate it into a management
script.

The packet travels over any type of Ethernet LAN to the target HP Vectra
XA 6/xxx PC.

The only component not completely off in the PC is the network chip, which
rests in a special low power mode. Power is supplied by a line called
VStandby (VSTD), on the ExtStart connector (whose pin layout is shown in
the table on page 43), as long as the power cord is plugged in. The

53

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Remote Power-On (RPO)

independent mini power supply provides the power necessary to keep the
network chip half awake (see page 6 for electrical specifications), and ready
to receive a wake-up signal. This is the only signal it can respond to in this
state.

The network chip sends a signal over the HP external start connector, where
it is received by the special network remote power chip. This in turn
switches on the main power supply.

The HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC boots normally from whatever operating
system is installed, just as if the power supply had been switched on from
the external power switch. The display does not itself need to have RPO. If a
password has been set, the

Start with keyboard locked option must be

enabled, to allow the operating system to boot.

At the end of the session, the HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC needs to be shut
down again. This can be achieved remotely if it is running Windows 95.
Otherwise, using remote DMI, it can be configured to go back to Suspend
mode.

Activity within Setup

Since the user is not physically present, the level of security must be tighter.
There must be a distinction between the user-boot process, and the RPO­boot process. HP provides all the necessary Setup options to keep users
from interfering with the PC during the remote session. Administrators can
set the management package to toggle on options like:

• Keyboard lock mode: This offers the same suite of security features as the

external “keyboard lock” button (keyboard, mouse, reset and power
button disabled).

• Floppy disable: this makes sure the PC cannot be disrupted by re-booting

from a diskette.

RPO is available when the POST routines have finished executing. It is
initialized by an SMI which is triggered from the mains power button.

A power failure when the PC is in RPO mode will deactivate the RPO
feature. RPO is intended for resource management (such as virus cleaners,
nightly backups, etc.), not for crisis management (thunderstorm recovery,
power failure, etc.).

54

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Remote Power-On (RPO)

Advanced Power Management (APM)

APM is incorporated in Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Windows 95 and
OS/2. A file called

power.exe is needed for APM under DOS.

APM is a standard, defined by Intel and Microsoft, for a power-saving mode
that is applicable under a wide range of operating systems. It consists of the
following modes: Fully-on, Standby, Suspend, Hibernation, Off. Of these,
APM 1.1 supports: Fully-on, Standby, Suspend, Off.

The Suspend mode, which used also to be known as Sleep, is now managed
at the operating system level only, and by pressing the “sleep” icon. There is
no longer the inter-activity between BIOS Setup and operating systems, and
no longer a “sleep at” item in the desktop configuration menus, to avoid the
BIOS from shutting down the system at the wrong moment.

RPO defines a variation from the standard Off state. In RPO mode, the main
CPU hardware is off while a RPO function is powered by a power supply
called VStandby. VStandby is active as soon as the PC is plugged in. RPO
hardware can produce a triggering signal which turns on the PC.

The following diagram gives a simplified view of the useful states that the PC
can be in: the three On states (Fully-On, Standby and Suspend), the RPO
state (when the CPU is Off, and the RPO hardware is powered by
VStandby), the Off state (when everything is powered off), and the state
that is caused by power failure or unplugging the PC.

55

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Remote Power-On (RPO)

56

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Remote Power-On (RPO)

The following diagram gives a more accurate, more detailed account of the
valid state changes.

57

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Remote Power-On (RPO)

Little Ben

Little Ben is an HP application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), designed
to be a companion to the Super I/O chip, that is connected between the
chip-set and the processor. It contains the following:

• BIOS timer

❒ hardware wired 50 ms long 880 Hz beep module.
❒ automatic blinker that feeds the LEDs module with a 1 Hz oscillator

signal.

• security protection (access, flash and anti-virus protection)

❒ For 128, 256 or 512 KB Flash EEPROMs.
❒ For the Super I/O space: the Serial EEPROM, serial ports, parallel port

and mass storage drives (disable write on Flexible Disk Drive, disable
boot on any drive, disable use of any embedded drive)

• hard and soft control for the power supply (available with Windows NT

and Windows 95, but not with OS/2)

• Advanced power management (APM) version 1.1 (available with

Windows 95 and OS/2, but not with Windows NT)

• glue logic (such as programmable chip selects)

The PC can be turned on by typing the space-bar on the keyboard, or when
it receives an external signal from a fax or modem. Little Ben is powered by
battery, so its consumption has been kept as low as possible. When VccState
and PowerGood pins are both low, all output pins are in tri-state mode,
except for RemoteOnBen which continues to be driven. This allows the PC
to be restarted even after a power loss has occurred.

When the user requests a ShutDown from the operating system, the
environment is first cleared. Any request to turn off the PC, from the control
panel, or from the operating system, can only be granted if the PC is not
locked by Little Ben’s lock bit (otherwise the power remains on, a red light is
illuminated, and the buzzer is sounded).

SMI_OFF is asserted if the Hard Soft Power Down mode (HSPD) is enabled
when Little Ben wants to turn off the computer (via the control panel or soft
power down). The BIOS first performs some RPO initialization, and then
proceeds to power down the computer. If the watch-dog timer detects that
the BIOS is inactive (and not reloading the timer once every 6 seconds), the
PC is turned off without further BIOS acknowledgment.

58

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Remote Power-On (RPO)

1.

➹ indicates triggered on a rising edge; ➷ indicates triggered on a falling edge

Signal

1

Address Description

SMI_OFF User wants to power off: PC enters RPO shutdown mode

(PC clock, HDDs all stopped; only RTC, Little Ben and network
board still active)

SMI_RWU ➹ pin 69, LBen channel 7 Signal from RTC, FAX, control panel, and power key on keyboard.

Magic Frame from network board: PC wakes up from RPO mode.

CoffeeBreak# ➷ pin 66, LBen channel 0 Connected to the lock button (coffee break) on the control panel.
ASL# ➷ pin 65, LBen channel 4 Connected to the Super IO Auto Soft Lock (ASL) timer.

Reset by an interrupt from the keyboard or mouse.

APM chip-set SMI# ➷ pin 67, LBen channel 2 SMIs from the chip set pass first to Little Ben, then are sent on to

the processor on the SMI# line

SMI#
StopClk# Stops the processor clock
SMI_CONFIG Tells Little Ben that the processor is in SMM
SMI_ACT#
SMI_TRIG_EN
SMI channels index Ah Used to enable individual SMI channels during the boot process
SMI_EN index Bh, bit 0 Enable general SMI generation (during the boot process)
SMI status register index 10h This register is cleared when the PC is re-booted
SM index 11h, bit 1 When set, PC mains button is disabled

index 11h, bit 2 When set, Flash ROM is write protected; Super IO space is write

protected (Serial EEPROM access, serial ports configuration,
parallel port configuration, flexible disk drive configuration)

index 11h, bit 4 When set, flexible disk drive is write protected

PWD_EN pin 21

index Dh, bit 3

Not used

Super Secure Mode pin 64 (shared with

FLPWPT#)

Not used

59

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

BIOS Addresses

BIOS Addresses

This section provides a summary of the main features of the HP system
BIOS. This is software that provides an interface between the computer
hardware and the operating system.

System Memory Map

Reserved memory used by accessory boards must be located in the area
from C8000h to EFFFFh.

Memory addresses in the range DC00h to F000h are used by the BIOS and
are not available for third party products.

Product Identification

The reserved addresses in the 64 KB BIOS ROM data area, which contain
various product identification and BIOS identification strings, are no longer
accessed directly. Instead, the information is obtained from utilities in the
Desk Management Interface (DMI).

The following product identification strings are located in the 64 KB BIOS
ROM data area.

00000h - 9FFFFh 640 KB–Base Memory Area
A0000h - BFFFFh 128 KB–Video Memory
C0000h - C7FFFh 32 KB–Video BIOS
C8000h - DFFFFh 96 KB–Accessory Boards Memory
E0000h - E7FFFh 32 KB–Available
E8000h - EFFFFh Reserved
F0000h - FFFFFh 64 KB–System BIOS
100000h - FFFFFFFFh 1 MB plus–Extended Memory

Location Size Contents Description

0F000:00F2h byte 5Fh

63h
64h

System number: HP Vectra VA 6/xxx MT PC
System number: HP Vectra VA 6/xxx PC

System number: HP Vectra XA 6/xxx PC
0F000:00F3h byte 14h Extended identification byte: Pentium Pro
0F000:00F4h byte speed (in MHz) High processor clock frequency

60

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

BIOS Addresses

BIOS Version Number

0F000:00FCh = BIOS version number

Length = two bytes

Encoding is as follows:

ppss

where pp = Primary version number and ss = Secondary version number

For these PCs, all BIOS releases have GZ as the prefix and 07 as the primary
version number.

For example; BIOS release GZ.07.01 would be expressed as:

0701

Note that if you use DEBUG to look at the bytes, the numbers will be
reversed (0107) due to Intel’s little endian architecture implementation.

Year of the ROM BIOS Release

0F000:00FEh = Year of ROM BIOS release in Binary Coded Decimal (BCD)

Length = one byte

Encoding is as follows:

yy

where yy is the difference between the current year and 1960 in BCD.

0F000:00F5h byte 08h Low processor clock frequency
0F000:00F8h word 4646h HP Vectra PC ID (ASCII “FF”)
0F000:00FAh byte FFh Product Identification
0F000:00FCh word ppssh BIOS version number

pp = primary number
ss = secondary number

0F000:00FEh byte yyh ROM release year (since 1960) stored in BCD
0F000:00FFh byte nnh Week of the year stored in BCD
0F000:0102h word 4850h Computer ID (ASCII “HP”)

Location Size Contents Description

61

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

BIOS Addresses

For example; if the current year is 1996, the year code would be 1996 minus
1960, which is 36h expressed in BCD.

Week of the ROM BIOS Release

0F000:00FFh = Week of the ROM BIOS release in Binary Coded Decimal
(BCD)

Length = one byte

Encoding is as follows:

nn

where nn is the week in which the BIOS ROMs were released expressed
in BCD. The range is 01h to 52h.

HP I/O Port Map (I/O Addresses Used by the System1)

Peripheral devices, accessory devices and system controllers are accessed
via the system I/O space, which is not located in system memory space. The
64 KB of addressable I/O space comprises 8-bit and 16-bit registers (called
I/O ports) located in the various system components. When installing an
accessory board, ensure that the I/O address space selected is in the free
area of the space reserved for accessory boards (100h to 3FFh).

This is not BIOS dependent. It applies to the operating system, too.
However, the Setup program can be used to change some settings.

1. If configured.

I/O Address Ports Function

0000h - 000Fh DMA controller 1
0020h - 0021h Interrupt controller 1
0040h - 0043h Interval timer 1
0060h, 0064h Keyboard controller
0061h System speaker
0070h NMI mask register, RTC and CMOS address
0071h RTC and CMOS data
0081h - 0083h, 008Fh DMA low page register
0092h Alternate reset and A20 Function

62

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

BIOS Addresses

DMA Channel Controllers

0096h - 009Fh Internal ports (Little Ben)
00A0h - 00A1h Interrupt controller 2
00C0h - 00DFh DMA controller 2
00EAh - 00EBh Internal port
00F0h - 00FFh Co-processor error
0170h - 0177h IDE hard disk drive controller secondary channel
01F0h - 01F7h IDE hard disk drive controller primary channel
0200h - 0207h Joystick port (Soundblaster)
0220h - 022Fh Audio controller (Soundblaster)
0270h - 0273h IO read data port for ISA Plug and Play enumerator
0278h - 027Fh Parallel port 2
02E8h - 02EFh Serial port 4
02F8h - 02FFh Serial port 2
0300h - 030Bh MPU-401 1 (Soundblaster)
0330h - 033Bh MPU-401 2 (Soundblaster)
0370h - 0371h Super I/O controller
0372h - 0375h Secondary flexible disk drive controller
0376h IDE hard disk drive controller secondary channel
0377h Secondary flexible disk drive controller
0378h - 037Ah Parallel port 1
0388h - 038Bh Ad-lib / FM (Soundblaster)
03B0h - 03DFh Video controller
03E8h - 03EFh Serial port 3
03F0h - 03F5h Primary flexible disk drive controller
03F6h IDE hard disk drive controller primary channel
03F7h Primary flexible disk drive controller
03F8h - 03FFh Serial port 1
0678h - 067Bh Parallel port if ECP mode is selected 2
0778h - 077Bh Parallel port if ECP mode is selected 1
0CF8h - 0CFFh Configuration registers for PCI devices

I/O Address Ports Function

63

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

BIOS Addresses

Only “I/O-to-memory” and “memory-to-I/O” transfers are allowed.
“I/O-to-I/O” and “memory-to-memory” transfers are disallowed by the
hardware configuration.

The system controller supports seven DMA channels, each with a page
register used to extend the addressing range of the channel to 16 MB. The
following table summarizes how the DMA channels are allocated.

Interrupt Controllers

The system has two 8259A compatible interrupt controllers. They are
arranged as a master interrupt controller and a slave that is cascaded
through the master.

The following table shows how the master and slave controllers are
connected. The Interrupt Requests (IRQ) are numbered sequentially,
starting with the master controller, and followed by the slave.

First DMA controller (used for 8-bit transfers)

Channel Function

0 Available

1 Available or ECP mode for parallel port

2 Flexible disk I/O

3 Available or ECP mode for parallel port

Second DMA controller (used for 16-bit transfers)

Channel Function

4 Cascade from first DMA controller

5-6 Available

6-7 Available

64

4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

BIOS Addresses

Using the Setup program:

• IRQ3 can be made available by disabling serial ports 2 and 4.

• IRQ4 can be made available by disabling serial ports 1 and 3.

• IRQ5 can be made available by disabling the parallel port 2.

• IRQ7 can be made available by disabling parallel ports 1 and 2.

• IRQ12 can be made available by disabling the mouse interrupt.

None of the interrupt service routines (ISRs), for the above lines, directly
flush any of the cache memories.

PCI Interrupt Request Lines

PCI devices generate interrupt requests using up to four PCI interrupt
request lines (INTA#, INTB#, INTC#, and INTD#).

When a PCI device makes an interrupt request, the request is re-directed to
the system interrupt controller. The interrupt request will be re-directed to
one of the IRQ lines made available for PCI devices.

All PCI devices with interrupt transfer support will use and share INTA#.
A multiple-function PCI device may use several INT lines. These devices will
require more than one system interrupt request line.

IRQ (Interrupt Vector) Interrupt Request Description

IRQ0(08h) System Timer
IRQ1(09h) Keyboard Controller

IRQ2(0Ah) Slave IRQ Cascade connection from INTC2 (Interrupt Controller 2)

IRQ8(70h) Real Time Clock

IRQ9(71h) Available for accessory board (ISA/PCI)
IRQ10(72h) SoundBlaster3, or Available for accessory board (ISA/PCI)
IRQ11(73h) Available for accessory board (ISA/PCI)
IRQ12(74h) Mouse, or ISA accessory board
IRQ13(75h) Co-processor
IRQ14(76h) IDE, or ISA accessory board
IRQ15(77h) 2nd IDE or ISA/PCI accessory board

IRQ3(0Bh) Serial Port 2, Serial Port 4, or ISA accessory board

IRQ4(0Ch) Serial Port 1, Serial Port 3, or ISA accessory board

IRQ5(0Dh) SoundBlaster1, Parallel Port 2, or ISA accessory board

IRQ6(0Eh) Flexible Disk Controller
IRQ7(0Fh) SoundBlaster2, Parallel Port 1, or ISA accessory board

65

5

Power-On Self-Tests and Error Messages

This chapter describes the Power-On Self-Test (POST) routines, which are
contained in the PC’s ROM BIOS, the error messages which can result, and
the suggestions for corrective action.

66

5 Power-On Self-Tests and Error Messages

Overview

Overview

Each time the system is powered on, or a reset is performed, the POST is
executed. The POST process verifies the basic functionality of the system
components and initializes certain system parameters.

The POST starts by displaying a graphic screen with the initial HP “Vectra”
logo. If the POST detects an error, the error message is displayed inside a
view system errors screen, in which the error message utility (EMU) not
only displays the error diagnosis, but the suggestions for corrective action.
Error codes are no longer displayed.

To see the tests performed during the POST, press when the initial
HP “Vectra” logo appears, and the display will switch to text mode. In this
mode, a summary configuration screen will be displayed at the end of the
POST. Pressing the PAUSE/BREAK key at any time will allow you to inspect
the screen contents. Press any key to resume.

Devices, such as memory and hard disks, are configured automatically. The
user is not requested to confirm the change. However, the user is prompted
if a device is found to have gone missing since the previous boot. The user
can simply accept the new configuration by pressing . Note, though, that
the POST does not detect when a slave hard disk drive (“HDD 1” or
“HDD 3” in the Setup) has been installed or changed.

During the POST, the BIOS and other ROM data is copied into high-speed
shadow RAM. The shadow RAM is addressed at the same physical location
as the original ROM in a manner which is completely transparent to
applications. It therefore appears to behave as very fast ROM. This
technique provides faster access to the system BIOS firmware.

The table on the following page lists the POST routines in the order in which
they are executed (from the shadow RAM). If the POST is initiated by a soft
reset and , the RAM tests are not executed and shadow
RAM is not cleared. In all other respects, the POST executes in the same
way following power-on or a soft reset.

Delete

67

5 Power-On Self-Tests and Error Messages

Overview

Test Description

System BIOS Tests

LED Test

Tests the LEDs on the control panel.

System (BIOS) ROM Test

Calculates an 8-bit checksum. Test failure causes the boot process to
abort.

RAM Refresh Timer Test

Tests the RAM refresh timer circuitry. Test failure causes the boot process
to abort.

Interrupt RAM Test

Checks the first 64 KB of system RAM used to store data corresponding to
various system interrupt vector addresses. Test failures cause the boot
process to abort.

Shadow the System ROM

BIOS

Tests the system ROM BIOS and shadows it. Failure to shadow the ROM
BIOS will cause an error code to display. The boot process will continue,
but the system will execute from ROM. This test is not performed after a
soft reset (using and ).

Load CMOS Memory

Checks the serial EEPROM and returns an error code if it has been
corrupted. Copies the contents of the EEPROM into CMOS RAM.

CMOS RAM Test

Checks the CMOS RAM for start-up power loss, verifies the CMOS RAM
checksum(s). Test failure causes error codes to display.

CPU Cache Memory Test

Tests the processor’s internal level-one cache RAM. Test failure causes an
error code to display and the boot process to abort.

Video Tests

Initialize the Video

Initializes the video subsystem, tests the video shadow RAM, and, if
required, shadows the video BIOS. A failure causes an error code to
display, but the boot process continues.

System Board Tests

8042 Self-Test

Downloads the 8042 and invokes the 8042 internal self-test. A failure
causes an error code to display.

Timer 0/Timer 2 Test

Tests Timer 0 and Timer 2. Test failure causes an error code to display.

DMA Subsystem Test

Checks the DMA controller registers. Test failure causes an error code to
display.

Interrupt Controller Test

Tests the Interrupt masks, the master controller interrupt path (by forcing
an IRQ0), and the industry-standard slave controller (by forcing an IRQ8).
Test failure causes an error code to display.

Real-Time Clock Test

Checks the real-time clock registers and performs a test that ensures that
the clock is running. Test failure causes an error code to display.

Audio Test

If the audio board is present, invokes a built-in self-test. Test failure
causes an error code to display.

Memory Tests

RAM Address Line
Independence Test

Verifies the address independence of real-mode RAM (no address lines
stuck together). Test failure causes an error code to display.

Delete

68

5 Power-On Self-Tests and Error Messages

Overview

Size Extended Memory

Sizes and clears the protected mode (extended) memory and writes the
value into CMOS bytes 30h and 31h. If the system fails to switch to
protected mode, an error code is displayed.

Real-Mode Memory Test

(First 640KB)

Read/write test on real-mode RAM. (This test is not done during a reset
using and ). The test checks each block of
system RAM to determine how much is present. Test failure of a 64 KB
block of memory causes an error code to display, and the test is aborted.

Shadow RAM Test

Tests shadow RAM in 64 KB segments (except for segments beginning at
A000h, B000h, and F000h). If they are not being used, segments C000h,
D000h and E000h are tested. Test failure causes an error code to display.

Protected Mode RAM Test

(Extended RAM)

Tests protected RAM in 64 KB segments above 1 MB. (This test is not
done during a reset using and ). Test failure
causes an error code to display.

Keyboard / Mouse Tests

Keyboard Test

Invokes a built-in keyboard self-test of the keyboard’s microprocessor and
tests for the presence of a keyboard and for stuck keyboard keys. Test
failure causes an error code to display.

Mouse Test

If a mouse is present, invokes a built-in mouse self-test of the mouse’s
microprocessor and for stuck mouse buttons. Test failure causes an error
code to display.

LAN Test

If the network board is present, invokes a built-in self-test. Test failure
causes an error code to display.

Tests of Flexible Disk Drive A

Flexible Disk Controller

Subsystem Test

Tests for proper operation of the flexible disk controller. Test failure
causes an error code to display.

Coprocessor Tests

Internal Numeric Coprocessor

Test

Checks for proper operation of the numeric coprocessor part of the
processor. Test failure causes an error code to display.

Communication Port Tests

Parallel Port Test

Tests the integrated parallel port registers, as well as any other parallel
ports. Test failure causes an error code to display.

Serial Port Test

Tests the integrated serial port registers, as well as any other serial ports.
Test failure causes an error code to display.

Hard Disk Drive Tests

Hard Disk Controller

Subsystem Test

Tests for proper operation of the hard disk controller. Test failure causes
an error code to display. The test does not detect hard disk replacement
or changes in the size of the hard disk.

Delete

Delete

69

5 Power-On Self-Tests and Error Messages

Beep Codes

Beep Codes

If a terminal error occurs during POST, the system issues a beep code before
attempting to display the error. Beep codes are useful for identifying the
error when the system is unable to display the error message.

1.

Values indicate number and relative length of beep signals. For example,
1-2-2-3 is one long beep, followed by two short beeps, followed by
another two short beeps, and finally three short beeps.

System Configuration Tests

System Generation

Initiation of the system generation (SYSGEN) process, which compares
the configuration information stored in the CMOS memory with the actual
system. If a discrepancy is found, an error code will be displayed.

Plug and Play

Configuration

Configures any Plug and Play device detected (either PCI or ISA):
❒ All PCI devices, and any ISA device necessary for loading the operating

system will be configured for use.

❒ Any ISA device that is not required for loading the operating system,

will be initialized (prepared for loading of a device driver), but not fully
configured for use.

Beep Code

1

Numeric Code Description

1-2-2-3 16h BIOS ROM checksum failure

1-3-1-1 20h DRAM refresh test failure

1-3-1-3 22h 8742 Keyboard controller test failure

1-3-4-1 2C RAM failure

1-3-4-3 2E RAM failure on data bits in low byte of memory bus

1-4-1-1 30 RAM failure on data bits in high byte of memory bus

2-1-2-3 46 ROM copyright notice check failure

2-2-3-1 58 Unexpected interrupts test failure

1-2 98 Video configuration failure or

Option ROMs checksum failure

1 B4 This does not indicate an error.

There is one short beep before system startup.

70

5 Power-On Self-Tests and Error Messages

Error Messages

Error Messages

When the PC is switched on or reset, a power-on hardware test is
performed. If an error occurs, an error message is displayed.

HP’s new style BIOS does not display POST error codes (such as 910B)
which existed in the BIOS of previous HP Vectra PCs.

Message Corrective Action and/or Explanation

Operating system not found Check whether the disk, HDD, FDD or CD-ROM disk drive is

connected.
If it is connected, check that it is detected by Setup.
Check that your boot device is enabled on the Setup
Security menu.
If the problem persists, check that the boot device contains
the operating system.

Missing operating system If you have configured HDD user parameters, check that

they are correct. Otherwise, use HDD type “Auto”
parameters.

Failure fixed disk
(preceded by a 30” time-out)

Check that HDD is connected.
Check that HDD is detected in Setup.
Check that boot on hard disk drive is enabled in Setup.

Diskette Drive A (or B) error Check whether the diskette drive is connected. Check

Setup for the configuration.

System battery is dead You may get this message if the PC is disconnected for a

few days. When you Power-on the PC, run Setup to update
the configuration information. The message should no
longer be displayed. Should the problem persist, replace the

battery.
Keyboard error Check that the keyboard is connected.
Resource Allocation Conflict -PCI

device 0079 on motherboard

Clear CMOS.

Video Plug and Play interrupted or
failed Re-enable in Setup and try again

You may have powered your PC Off/On too quickly and the

PC turned off Video plug and play as a protection.
System CMOS checksum bad - run

Setup

CMOS contents have changed between 2 power-on

sessions. Run Setup for configuration.
I/O device IRQ conflict Serial ports A and B may have been assigned the same IRQ.

Assign a different IRQ to each serial port and save the

configuration.
No message, system “hangs” after

POST

Check that cache memory and main memory are correctly

set in their sockets.
Other An error message may be displayed and the PC may “hang”

for 20 seconds and then beep. The POST is probably

checking for a mass storage device which it cannot find and

the PC is in Timeout Mode. After Timeout, run Setup to

check the configuration.