Uefi pre-boot guidelines, Supported models

Technical white paper UEFI Secure Boot on HP business notebooks, desktops, and workstations

UEFI pre-boot guidelines

As computer technology has advanced, the BIOS has expanded to handle new components, larger and more complex chipsets, add-in cards, and other enhancements. This expansion has made the BIOS increasingly intricate. Development of the Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI ) is the computer industry’s solution to BIOS limitations. UEFI is a set of modular interfaces that replaces the set of traditional BIOS interfaces between the OS and platform firmware.

UEFI is derived from high-level C language and is driver-based, scalable, and easy to debug and upgrade. UEFI uses a modular, platform-independent architecture that can perform boot and other BIOS functions. HP employs this technology to implement an UEFI partition on all of its business notebook and desktop computers.1 Along with replacing the traditional BIOS interface, the HP UEFI partition adds tools to the pre-boot system environment.

The HP UEFI partition is viewable on the hard drive, labeled as HP_TOOLS. Starting with 2008, HP business notebook and desktop platforms that included the UEFI BIOS, HP created the UEFI partition as a FAT32 primary partition, due to UEFI limitations with accessing other partition formats. These guidelines include specifications for the Microsoft® Windows® 8 operating system (OS).

All mention of notebooks, desktops, and workstations in this document refer to HP business products only. For more information about UEFI, go to http://www.hp.com/go/techcenter.

Supported models

Table 1 shows the HP business notebooks, desktop computers, and workstations that support UEFI Pre-boot Guidelines and Windows 8 UEFI Secure Boot. Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this document applies to the notebooks, desktops, and workstations listed in Table 1. Differences in UEFI pre-boot or Secure Boot implementation between HP business products are noted where appropriate.

Table 1. HP business PCs supporting UEFI pre-boot guidelines and Windows 8 UEFI Secure Boot.

HP business notebooks	HP business desktops	HP workstations

HP Elitebook p series	HP Compaq 8300 Elite series	EliteBook 8570w, 8770w

HP ProBook b/m/s series	HP Compaq 6300 and 6305 Pro series	Workstations Z1, Z220 (CMT/SFF), Z420, Z620, Z820

HP_TOOLS for HP UEFI and pre-boot applications

Partitions and directory paths for pre-boot deliverables have changed in Windows 8. Table 2 shows the Windows 8 changes.

Table 2. Pre-boot deliverables with partition and directory paths for Windows 8 on GPT-formatted notebooks and desktops/workstations

Component	Partition name and path	Partition name and path
	on GPT-formatted notebook HDD	on GPT-formatted desktop/workstation HDD

BIOS images	[ESP] /UEFI/HP/BIOS [/New, /Current,	ESP] /UEFI/HP/BIOS [/New, /Current, /Previous]
	/Previous]

UEFI BIOS Update	[ESP] /UEFI/HP/ BiosUpdate	n/a

System Diagnostics	[ESP] /UEFI/HP/SystemDiags	[ESP] /UEFI/HP/SystemDiags

Language	[HP_TOOLS] /HEWLETT-PACKARD /Language	n/a

Custom Logo	[HP_TOOLS] /HEWLETT-PACKARD/Logo	n/a

SpareKey Language	[HP_TOOLS] /HEWLETT-PACKARD/SpareKey	n/a

SecureHV	[HP_TOOLS] /HEWLETT-PACKARD/SecureHV	[HP_TOOLS] /HEWLETT-PACKARD/SecureHV

1Except for the HP 2133 Mini-Note PC.

8300 specifications

The HP 8300 is a versatile and efficient desktop computer designed for business environments and power users. As part of the HP Elite series, the 8300 is tailored to deliver robust performance, security, and manageability.

One of the key features of the HP 8300 is its selection of Intel processors. Users can opt for third-generation Intel Core i3, i5, or i7 CPUs, providing a range of performance levels suitable for various workloads, from basic office tasks to more intensive applications. This adaptability makes the 8300 a suitable choice for organizations needing reliable computing power.

The system supports up to 32GB of DDR3 RAM, allowing for smooth multitasking and improved efficiency in handling resource-heavy applications. The flexibility in memory options ensures that businesses can configure the machine to meet their specific needs.

For storage, the HP 8300 offers various choices including traditional Hard Disk Drives (HDD) and Solid State Drives (SSD), significantly enhancing data access speeds and system responsiveness. With multiple configuration options, users can select from up to 1TB of storage capacity, providing ample room for files and applications.

Connectivity is also a strong point for the HP 8300. The desktop is equipped with multiple USB 3.0 ports, facilitating quick file transfers and easy peripheral connectivity. Additional ports, including USB 2.0, VGA, DP, and serial ports, ensure compatibility with a wide array of devices and legacy equipment.

Security technologies are integrated within the HP 8300 framework, including features like BIOS protection, HP Client Security, and optional fingerprint readers. These security measures help safeguard sensitive data and provide an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access.

The HP 8300 also supports various operating systems, including Windows 10 Pro, ensuring organizations can deploy the desktop within their existing IT ecosystem. Furthermore, the machine’s compatibility with HP tools for remote management enhances administrators' ability to oversee multiple devices efficiently.

In summary, the HP 8300 embodies a blend of powerful hardware, extensive configuration options, robust security features, and effective management capabilities, making it a compelling desktop solution for businesses aiming for productivity and reliability. With its comprehensive feature set, it stands out as an exceptional choice for both individual and organizational computing needs.