Failsafe Boot Block ROM
The computer comes with a reprogrammable flash system ROM (read only memory). To upgrade the ROM, download the latest ROM BIOS image from the HP Web site (www.hp.com) and follow the online GUI/instructions.
Your system ROM includes a Failsafe Boot Block that is protected during the flash process and allows the computer to be restarted in the unlikely event of an unsuccessful ROM flash.
If the system detects an invalid system ROM during the boot sequence, the Failsafe Boot Block attempts to locate a valid BIOS image on removable media. To recover from the Boot Block recovery mode complete the following steps:
Boot Block Recovery
1.Remove any bootable media from the computer and turn off power.
2.Insert a flash drive or CD containing the ROM BIOS in the root directory. The media must be formatted using the FAT12, FAT16, or FAT32 file system.
3.Turn on power to the system.
4.The system will automatically flash the ROM.
NOTE: BitLocker prevents Windows Vista from booting when a CD containing the BIOS image file is in an optical drive. If BitLocker is enabled, remove this CD before attempting to boot to Windows Vista.
Password Security
Establishing a Setup or Power-On password:
1.Turn on or restart the computer. If you are in Windows, click Start > Shut Down >Restart.
2.As soon as the computer is turned on, press F10 when the monitor light turns green to enter Computer Setup. Press Enter to bypass the title screen, if necessary. If you do not press F10 when prompted, a restart will be necessary.
3.To establish a Setup password, select Security > Setup Password and follow the instructions
on the screen. - or -
To establish a
4.Before exiting, click File > Save Changes and Exit.
Changing a Setup or Power-On password:
1. Turn on or restart the computer. If you are in Windows, click Start > Shut Down > Restart.
To change the Setup password, go to step 2.
To change the
2.To change the Setup password, as soon as the computer is turned on, press F10 when the monitor light turns green to enter Computer Setup. Press Enter to bypass the title screen, if necessary.
3.When the key icon appears, type your current password, a slash (/) or alternate delimiter character, your new password, another slash (/) or alternate delimiter character, and your new password again as shown:
current password/new password/new password.
NOTE: Type the new password carefully since the characters do not appear on the screen.
4.Press Enter.
The new password will take effect the next time the computer is restarted.
Deleting a Power-On or Setup password
1. Turn on or restart the computer. If you are in Windows, click Start > Shut Down > Restart.
To delete the Setup password, go to step 2.
To delete the
2.To change the Setup password, as soon as the computer is turned on, press F10 when the monitor light turns green to enter Computer Setup. Press Enter to bypass the title screen, if necessary.
3.When the key icon appears, type your current password followed by a slash (/) or alternate delimiter character as shown. Example: currentpassword/
4.Press Enter.
Security Features
Diagnostic Functions
Diagnostic functions are provided by the Setup Utility (in system ROM) and by HP Insight Diagnostics. HP Insight Diagnostics provides detailed system information including:
•Processor type and speed
•Memory amount, mapping, and integrity
•Hardware peripheral availability/settings
•Hard drive type, space used/available
•System identification, asset tracking
Insight Diagnostics may be found on the Documentation and Diagnostics CD that shipped with the computer. The tool may also be downloaded from the HP Web site using the following pro- cedure:
1.Go to www.hp.com
2.Click the Software & Download driver link.
3.Enter the product number (for example, dc7900) in the text box and press the Enter key.
4.Select the specific product.
5.Select the OS.
6.Click the Diagnostics link.
7.Select HP Insight Diagnostics Offline Edition.
8.Click Download.
NOTE: The download includes instructions on how to create a bootable CD.
Clearing CMOS
1.Turn off the computer and any external devices, and disconnect the power cord from the power outlet.
2.Remove the chassis access panel.
3.On the system board, press and hold the CMOS button for 5 seconds.
4.Replace the chassis access panel and reconnect the power cord.
5.Turn on the computer and allow it to start.
Error Conditions and Messages
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| How It Is |
Feature | Purpose | Established |
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|
Floppy drive controller | Prevents the transfer of data to or from the | Setup Utilities |
| floppy drive. |
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Device Boot Disabling | Prevents booting from and or all of these | Setup Utilities |
| devices: Internal or external USB, Internal |
|
| ODD, or Internal FDD |
|
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|
|
Security Option | Prevents use of computer until password is | Setup Utilities |
| entered. Can apply to both initial startup and |
|
| restart. |
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|
BIOS Write Protect | Restricts ability to change ROM BIOS with- | Setup Utilities. |
| out approval. |
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|
USB Controller | Allows you to disable or enable all USB | Setup Utilities |
| devices. |
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|
Diagnostic LEDs
LED | Color | LED Activity | State/Message |
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Power | Green | On | Computer on |
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Power | Green | 1 blink every 2 seconds | Normal Suspend Mode |
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Power | Red | 1 blink every second followed | CPU thermal shutdown |
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| by a 2 second pause |
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Power | Red | 3 blinks, 1 blink every second | Processor not installed |
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| followed by a 2 second pause |
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Power | Red | 4 blinks, 1 blink every second | Power failure (power supply overload) |
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| followed by a 2 second pause |
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Power | Red | 5 blinks, 1 blink every second | |
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| followed by a 2 second pause |
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Power | Red | 6 blinks, 1 blink every second | |
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| followed by a 2 second pause |
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Power | Red | 7 blinks, 1 blink every second | System board failure (ROM |
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| followed by a 2 second pause |
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Power | Red | 8 blinks, 1 blink every second | Invalid ROM based on Checksum |
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| followed by a 2 second pause |
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Power | Red | 9 blinks, 1 blink every second | System powers on but is unable to boot |
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| followed by a 2 second pause |
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Power | Red | 10 blinks, 1 blink every second | Bad option card |
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| followed by a 2 second pause |
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Power | Red | 11 blinks, 1 blink every second | The current processor does not support |
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| followed by a 2 second pause | a feature previously enabled on this |
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| system. |
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|
none | none | System does not power on and | System unable to power on |
|
| LEDs are not flashing |
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Common POST Error Messages
Screen Message | Probable Cause | Recommended Action | |
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1. System ROM checksum | 1. | Verify ROM, reflash if required | |
| error. | 2. | Remove suspected card, reboot |
|
| ||
| 2. Expansion board option | 3. | Clear CMOS memory, reboot |
| ROM checksum | ||
| 4. | Replace system board | |
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| ||
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DMA, timers | 1. | Clear CMOS memory. | |
Failure |
| 2. | Remove expansion boards. |
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| ||
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| 3. | Replace system board. |
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|
Incorrect memory configu- | 1. | Run Setup (F10). | |
and | ration | 2. | Check DIMMs for proper |
| |||
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| seating, type, and HP | |
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| |
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| compatibility. |
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| 3. | Remove DIMMs singularly and |
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| reboot to isolate faulty DIMM. |
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| 4. | Replace system board. |
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| |
Populated DIMM configura- | Rearrange the DIMMs so that | ||
tion Warning | tion is not optimized | each channel has the same amount | |
|
| of memory. | |
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| |
Keyboard failure. | Check keyboard connection or | ||
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| keys. Check connector for bent of | |
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| missing pins. Replace keyboard. If | |
|
| 304, possible system board prob- | |
|
| lem. | |
|
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|
Graphics display controller. | 1. | Reseat graphics card. | |
Failure |
| 2. | Clear CMOS. |
|
| ||
|
| 3. | Check monitor connection. |
|
| 4. | Replace graphics card. |
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|
Hard drive is about to fail. | 1. | Determine if hard drive is | |
Detects Imminent Failure |
|
| giving correct error message. |
|
|
| Enter Computer Setup and run |
|
|
| the Drive Protection System |
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|
| test under Storage > DPS Self- |
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| test. |
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| 2. | Apply hard drive firmware |
|
|
| patch if applicable. |
|
| 3. | Back up contents and replace |
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|
| hard drive. |
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| |
One or more SATA devices | Ensure SATA connectors are used | ||
| are improperly attached. For | in ascending order. For one | |
| optimal performance, the | device, use SATA 0. For two | |
| SATA 0 and SATA 1 con- | devices, use SATA 0 and SATA 1. | |
| nectors must be used before | For three devices, use SATA 0, | |
| SATA 2 and SATA 3. | SATA1, and SATA 2. | |
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|
Processor not supported by | 1. | Upgrade BIOS to proper | |
Error | ROM BIOS. |
| version. |
|
| 2. | Change the processor. |
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dc7900 Illustrated Parts & Service Map, SFF Chassis | page 4 |