4 Summary of the HP/Phoenix BIOS

Power Saving and Ergonometry

Advanced Power Management (APM)

The BIOS is APM 1.2 compliant, providing it with facilities for advanced power management (APM). APM is incorporated in Windows for Workgroups 3.11, Windows 95 and OS/2, but not Windows NT. 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 supports the following modes: Fully-on, Standby, Suspend, Hibernation and Off. Of these, APM 1.2 supports Fully-on, Standby, Suspend and Off, as summarized in the following table.

 

Fully-On

Standby

Suspend

Off

 

 

 

 

 

Brought about using:

 

Setup menu

Operating system

Operating system

 

 

 

 

Status panel button

 

 

 

 

 

Resume events:

 

Keyboard

Keyboard

Space-bar

 

 

Mouse

Fax / Modem

Network (RPO)

 

 

 

Network (RWU)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Resume delay:

 

Instantaneous

A few seconds

Boot delay

 

 

 

 

 

Processor

Normal speed

Clock throttled (divided

Halted

Halted

 

 

by 8)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hard disk drive

Normal speed

Normal speed

Halted

Halted

 

 

 

 

 

Display

Normal operation

Blanked (<30 W)

Blanked (<5 W typ)

Blanked (<5 W typ)

 

 

 

 

 

Power consumption

24 W to 47 W

 

< 30 W

< 3 W

 

 

 

 

 

The Suspend mode is managed at the operating system level only, from the Windows 95 Start menu. There is no longer the inter-activity between the Setup program and the operating system, and no longer a “sleep at” item on the Setup program 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 computer is plugged in. RPO hardware can produce a triggering signal which turns on the computer.

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HP Vectra VL 5/xxx 5 manual Advanced Power Management APM

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.