4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Power Saving and Ergonometry

dog timer detects that the BIOS is inactive (and not reloading the timer once every 6 seconds), the computer is turned off without further BIOS acknowledgment.

The following table summarizes the main signals that drive or are driven by the Little Ben chip.

Signal1

Address

Description

SMI_OFF

 

User wants to power off: computer enters RPO shutdown mode

 

 

(computer 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: computer 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 computer is re-booted

 

 

 

SM

index 11h, bit 1

When set, computer 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

Not used

 

index Dh, bit 3

 

 

 

 

Super Secure Mode

pin 64 (shared with

Not used

 

FLPWPT#)

 

 

 

 

1.indicates triggered on a rising edge; indicates triggered on a falling edge

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HP Vectra VL 5/xxx 5 manual Signal Address Description, Network board still active, Mode, CoffeeBreak#, Asl#, Index Bh, bit

Vectra VL 5/xxx 5 specifications

The HP Vectra VL 5/xxx was a series of desktop personal computers introduced by Hewlett-Packard in the mid-1990s. These machines were designed for both business and professional environments, making them suitable for a range of applications from basic office tasks to more demanding computing needs. This series played a significant role in HP's efforts to strengthen its market presence in the PC sector during a time when competition was intensifying.

One of the standout features of the HP Vectra VL 5/xxx line was its versatility. The series included various configurations designated by the '5/xxx' nomenclature, which indicated different performance levels and specifications. The performance was driven primarily by Intel Pentium processors, widely acclaimed for their reliability and efficiency. This allowed users to choose a model that suited their specific requirements, whether for everyday tasks or more resource-intensive applications.

In addition to its strong processing capabilities, the Vectra VL 5/xxx featured advanced graphics support, which was critical for visual applications and presentations. Many units in this series came equipped with onboard graphics capabilities that supported a range of resolutions, enhancing the user experience in both standard office environments and more creative settings.

Storage options were another highlight of the HP Vectra VL 5/xxx series. The machines typically featured a variety of hard drive configurations, allowing for ample data storage. Some models included the option for expanding storage through additional hard drives or external devices. Coupled with considerable RAM options, these machines ensured smooth multitasking and efficient performance across various applications.

Connectivity was also a core aspect of the Vectra VL 5/xxx. The systems typically included multiple USB ports, parallel and serial ports, and integrated networking capabilities. This made it easy for businesses to integrate the Vectra machines into their existing infrastructure, facilitating seamless interaction with peripherals and networks.

In terms of design, the HP Vectra VL 5/xxx series presented a robust yet compact form factor, which was ideal for office environments with limited space. Additionally, HP emphasized the reliability and serviceability of these machines, which included easy access to internal components for maintenance and upgrades, thereby extending the product life cycle.

Overall, the HP Vectra VL 5/xxx line offered a balanced combination of performance, flexibility, and reliability, making it a solid choice for organizations looking to leverage computing power for a range of professional applications. The series embodied HP's commitment to delivering quality and innovation in the ever-evolving landscape of personal computing.