Nonvolatile memory usage
Table B-1
Troubleshooting steps for nonvolatile memory usage
Nonvolatile
Memory Type
Amount (Size)
Does this
memory
store
customer
data?
Does this
memory
retain data
when power
is removed?
What is the
purpose of this
memory?
How is data input into this
memory?
How is this memory
write-protected?
Real Time Clock
(RTC) battery
backed-up CMOS
configuration
memory
256 bytes
No
Yes
Stores system
date and time
and noncritical
data.
RTC battery backed-up CMOS
is programmed using
Computer Setup (BIOS), or by
changing the Microsoft®
Windows date & time.
This memory is not write-
protected.
Controller (NIC)
EEPROM
64 KB (not
customer
accessible)
No
Yes
Stores NIC
configuration
and NIC
firmware.
NIC EEPROM is programmed
using a utility from the NIC
vendor that can be run from
DOS.
A utility must be used to
write data to this memory
and is available from the
NIC vendor. Writing data
to this ROM in an
inappropriate manner will
render the NIC non-
functional.
DIMM Serial
Presence Detect
(SPD)
configuration data
256 bytes per
memory
module, 128
bytes
programmable
(not customer
accessible)
No
Yes
Stores memory
module
information.
DIMM SPD is programmed by
the memory vendor.
Data cannot be written to
this memory when the
module is installed in a
computer. The specific
write-protection method
varies by memory vendor.
Bluetooth flash
(select products
only)
2 Mb
No
Yes
Stores
Bluetooth
configuration
and firmware.
Bluetooth flash is
programmed at the factory.
Tools for writing data to this
memory are not publicly
available but can be obtained
from the silicon vendor.
A utility must be used for
writing data to this
memory and is made
available through newer
versions of the driver
whenever the flash
requires an upgrade.
802.11 WLAN
EEPROM
4 Kb to 8 Kb
No
Yes
Stores
configuration
and calibration
data.
802.11 WLAN EEPROM is
programmed at the factory.
Tools for writing data to this
memory are not made public.
A utility must be used for
writing data to this
memory and is typically
not made available to the
public unless a firmware
upgrade is necessary to
address a unique issue.
Webcam (select
products only)
64 Kb
No
Yes
Stores webcam
configuration
and firmware.
Webcam memory is
programmed using a utility
from the device
manufacturer that can be run
from Windows.
A utility must be used for
writing data to this
memory and is typically
not made available to the
public unless a firmware
upgrade is necessary to
address a unique issue.
Fingerprint reader
(select products
only)
512 KB flash
Yes
Yes
Stores
fingerprint
templates.
Fingerprint reader memory is
programmed by user
enrollment in HP
ProtectTools Security
Manager.
Only a digitally signed
application can make the
call to write to the flash.
Nonvolatile memory usage
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