8 Computer Setup (BIOS), TPM, and HP Sure
Start
HP provides several tools to help set up and protect your computer.
Using Computer Setup
Computer Setup, or Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), controls communication between all the input and output devices on the system (such as hard drives, display, keyboard, mouse, and printer). Computer Setup includes settings for types of devices installed, the startup sequence of the computer, and amount of system and extended memory.
NOTE: Use extreme care when making changes in Computer Setup. Errors can prevent the computer from operating properly.
To start Computer Setup, turn on or restart the computer, and when the HP logo appears, press f10 to enter
Computer Setup.
Navigating and selecting in Computer Setup
You can navigate and select in Computer Setup using one or more methods.
● To select a menu or a menu item, use the tab key and the keyboard arrow keys and then press enter , or use a pointing device to select the item.
● To scroll up and down, select the up arrow or the down arrow in the upper-right corner of the screen, or use the up arrow key or the down arrow key on the keyboard.
● To close open dialog boxes and return to the main Computer Setup screen, press esc , and then follow the on-screen instructions.
To exit Computer Setup, choose one of the following methods:
● To exit Computer Setup menus without saving your changes, select Main, select Ignore Changes and
Exit, and then select Yes.
NOTE: If you are using arrow keys to highlight your choice, you must then press enter .
● To save your changes and exit Computer Setup menus, select Main, select Save Changes and Exit, and then select Yes.
NOTE: If you are using arrow keys to highlight your choice, you must then press enter .
Your changes go into effect when the computer restarts.
Restoring factory settings in Computer Setup
To return all settings in Computer Setup to the values that were set at the factory, follow these steps.
NOTE: Restoring defaults will not change the hard drive mode.
Using Computer Setup 145
1.
Start Computer Setup. See Using Computer Setup on page 145 .
2.
Select Main, select Apply Factory Defaults and Exit, and then select Yes.
NOTE: If you are using arrow keys to highlight your choice, you must then press enter .
NOTE: On select products, the selections might display Restore Defaults instead of Apply Factory
Defaults and Exit.
Your changes go into effect when the computer restarts.
NOTE: Your password settings and security settings are not changed when you restore the factory settings.
Updating the BIOS
Updated versions of the BIOS might be available on the HP website. Most BIOS updates on the HP website are packaged in compressed files called SoftPaqs.
Some download packages contain a file named Readme.txt, which contains information regarding installing and troubleshooting the file.
Determining the BIOS version
To decide whether you need to update Computer Setup (BIOS), first determine the BIOS version on your computer.
You can access BIOS version information (also known as ROM date and System BIOS) by pressing fn + esc (if you are already in Windows) or by using Computer Setup.
1.
Start Computer Setup. See Using Computer Setup on page 145 .
2.
Select Main, and then select System Information.
3.
To exit Computer Setup menus without saving your changes, select Main, select Ignore Changes and
Exit, and then select Yes.
NOTE: If you are using arrow keys to highlight your choice, you must then press enter .
To check for later BIOS versions, see
Preparing for a BIOS update on page 146
.
Preparing for a BIOS update
Be sure to follow all prerequisites before downloading and installing a BIOS update.
IMPORTANT: To reduce the risk of damage to the computer or an unsuccessful installation, download and install a BIOS update only when the computer is connected to reliable external power using the AC adapter. Do not download or install a BIOS update while the computer is running on battery power, docked in an optional docking device, or connected to an optional power source. During the download and installation, follow these instructions:
Do not disconnect power on the computer by unplugging the power cord from the AC outlet.
Do not shut down the computer or initiate Sleep.
Do not insert, remove, connect, or disconnect any device, cable, or cord.
Downloading a BIOS update
After you review the prerequisites, you can check for and download BIOS updates.
146 Chapter 8 Computer Setup (BIOS), TPM, and HP Sure Start
1.
Type support in the taskbar search box, and then select the HP Support Assistant app.
– or –
Select the question mark icon in the taskbar.
2.
Select Updates, and then select Check for updates and messages.
3.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
4.
At the download area, follow these steps: a.
Identify the most recent BIOS update and compare it to the BIOS version currently installed on your computer. Make a note of the date, name, or other identifier. You might need this information to locate the update later, after it has been downloaded to your hard drive.
b.
Follow the on-screen instructions to download your selection to the hard drive.
Make a note of the path to the location on your hard drive where the BIOS update is downloaded.
You will need to access this path when you are ready to install the update.
NOTE: If you connect your computer to a network, consult the network administrator before installing any software updates, especially system BIOS updates.
Installing a BIOS update
BIOS installation procedures vary. Follow any instructions that are displayed on the screen after the download is complete. If no instructions are displayed, follow these steps.
1.
Type file in the taskbar search box, and then select File Explorer.
2.
Select your hard drive designation. The hard drive designation is typically Local Disk (C:).
3.
Using the hard drive path you recorded earlier, open the folder that contains the update.
4.
Double-click the file that has an .exe extension (for example, filename.exe).
The BIOS installation begins.
5.
Complete the installation by following the on-screen instructions.
NOTE: After a message on the screen reports a successful installation, you can delete the downloaded file from your hard drive.
Changing the boot order using the f9 prompt
To dynamically choose a boot device for the current startup sequence, follow these steps.
1.
Access the Boot Device Options menu:
● Turn on or restart the computer, and when the HP logo appears, press f9 to enter the Boot Device
Options menu.
2.
Select a boot device, press enter , and then follow the on-screen instructions.
TPM BIOS settings (select products only)
TPM provides additional security for your computer. You can modify the TPM settings in Computer Setup
(BIOS).
TPM BIOS settings (select products only) 147
IMPORTANT: Before enabling Trusted Platform Module (TPM) functionality on this system, you must ensure that your intended use of TPM complies with relevant local laws, regulations and policies, and approvals or licenses must be obtained if applicable. For any compliance issues arising from your operation or usage of
TPM that violates the previously mentioned requirement, you shall bear all the liabilities wholly and solely. HP will not be responsible for any related liabilities.
NOTE: If you change the TPM setting to Hidden, TPM is not visible in the operating system.
To access TPM settings in Computer Setup:
1.
Start Computer Setup. See Using Computer Setup on page 145 .
2.
Select Security, select TPM Embedded Security, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
Using HP Sure Start (select products only)
Select computer models are configured with HP Sure Start, a technology that monitors the computer's BIOS for attacks or corruption. If the BIOS becomes corrupted or is attacked, HP Sure Start automatically restores the BIOS to its previously safe state, without user intervention.
HP Sure Start is configured and already enabled so that most users can use the HP Sure Start default configuration. Advanced users can customize the default configuration.
To access the latest documentation on HP Sure Start, go to http://www.hp.com/support . Select Find your
product, and then follow the on-screen instructions.
148 Chapter 8 Computer Setup (BIOS), TPM, and HP Sure Start
