HP Vectra VL420

Version
Installation
Changes
Fixes
Known issues
Known limitations
Crisis recovery procedure
Upgrade Recommendation
Preload/web
Disclaimer

• BIOS version: JA.01.05
• Release date: May 7th , 2003

To check the BIOS version currently installed: at the start of boot, when the HP logo is displayed, press F8 to enter Configuration & Diagnostics, then press F2 to enter BIOS Setup. The BIOS version number is displayed in the main menu.

The BIOS can be flashed from within Windows 2000, Windows NT4 and Windows XP using the utility "hpflash32". For other operating systems, you will need to flash the BIOS from DOS (requires a bootable DOS system diskette).

Flasher Options:

• Do NOT restart the machine: If this option is selected, the PC will NOT reboot at the end of the flash process. The new BIOS will only be active after the next reboot.
• Flash the boot block: This option is not required unless specifically stated in this release note.
• Load default settings: If this option is selected, the BIOS default settings will be reset during flash.

Advanced users:

• for BIOS flash options, type: hp82726 /?
• It is recommended to flash the BIOS with the /b option to upgrade the boot block. This is required to get the latest microcode settings for P4 Northwood processors.

Changes in JA.01.05 compared to JA.01.04 :

• Includes LBA 48-bits support.

Main changes in earlier BIOS versions :

In JA.01.04:

• Includes microcode update for Intel Pentium 4 "Willamette E0" processors.
• New bootrom version for Intel integrated LAN controller - version 4.1.01
• New BIOS setup item to modify the ring signal wake up control.
• Support for the "QuickCooler" processor fan (shipping on the vl420 from July 2002).

In JA.01.03:
· None

In JA.01.02:

• Includes final microcode update for Intel Pentium 4 "Northwood B0" processors (most processors from 2GHz and higher).

In JA.01.01:

• Includes thermal regulation settings for the Small Form Factor (SFF) chassis. JA.01.01 is the minimum BIOS version for the SFF chassis.

Fixes in JA.01.05 compared to JA.01.04 :

• None.

Main fixes in earlier BIOS versions :

In JA.01.04

• Fixed: under DOS, pressing the Print Screen key hangs the system.
• Fixed: with PC DOS 7.0, wrong HDD size reported
• Fixed: reboot issue with Windows 2000 when the system is in full USB

In JA.01.03

• Fixed: Boot on floppy intermittent failures. This intermittent issue results in the boot process skipping the floppy disk, and booting directly on the hard disk.

In JA.01.02

• Boot on LAN after RPO does not always function correctly (note: to fix this issue, use the /b option when flashing the BIOS)
• Fixed: random hangs during DOS boot with a USB keyboard and USB floppy drive.
• Fixed: system hangs with a USB floppy drive and an LS120 connected.

In JA.01.01

• fixed: Windows NT4 task manager reports 40% CPU usage at idle.
• fixed: USB devices not correctly redetected when waking from "hibernate" mode in Windows 2000.

• none

• Use DCONFIG utility version 1.1 mimimum with BIOS JA.01.01 and higher
• No error message is displayed if the PS/2 mouse and keyboard are inverted.

If for any reason the BIOS becomes corrupt (for example a power cut during the flash process), the PC may no longer be able to boot. In this situation it is still possible to recover the BIOS using a special procedure known as "crisis recovery".

This section gives the upgrade recommendation for this BIOS:

• Customers currently using JA.01.01 or JA.01.02 are strongly recommended to upgrade to JA.01.05.
• Customers currently using JA.01.03 only need to upgrade if they specifically need one of the fixes described above.

HP reserves the right to validate any claims of defective products or components before repairing or replacing such products or components. IMPORTANT: Users should update their PC's BIOS to the latest version available on the web and run HP e-DiagTools (HP Diagnostics Utility) before contacting HP for warranty service-this will provide them with the information that will be requested by the support agent.

• This BIOS is available on the vectra support website from May 2003.

The information in this document is subject to change without notice.
Hewlett Packard makes no warranty of any kind with regard to this material, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose.

Hewlett Packard shall not be liable for errors contained herein or for incidental or consequential damages in connection with the furnishing, performance, or use of this material.

Hewlett Packard limited warranty statement
Please refer to the Hewlett-Packard software License agreement you accepted by downloading this software or refer to your quick user's guide.

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