Chapter 4 System Support
Compaq Deskpro Personal Computers
Third Edition – April 2001
4-24
4.6.2 CMOS ARCHIVE AND RESTORE
During the boot sequence the BIOS saves a copy of NVRAM (CMOS contents, password(s) and
other system variables) in a portion of the flash ROM. Should the system become un-usable, the
last good copy of NVRAM data can be restored with the Power Button Override function. This
function is invoked with the following procedure:
1. With the unit powered down, press and release the power button.
2. Immediately after releasing the power button in step 1, press and hold the power button until
the unit powers down. This action will be recorded as a Power Button Override event.
With the next startup sequence the BIOS will detect the occurrence of the Power Button Override
event and will load the backup copy of NVRAM from the ROM to the CMOS.
NOTE: The Power Button Override feature does not allow quick cycling of the system
(turning on then off). If the power cord is disconnected during the POST routine, the
splash screen image may become corrupted, requiring a re-flashing of the ROM (refer to
chapter 8, BIOS ROM).
4.6.3 STANDARD CMOS LOCATIONS
Table 4-14 and the following paragraphs describe standard configuration memory locations 0Ah-
3Fh. These locations are accessible through using OUT/IN assembly language instructions using
port 70/71h or BIOS function INT15, AX=E823h.
Table 4-14. Configuration Memory (CMOS) Map
Table 4-14.
Configuration Memory (CMOS) Map
 
Location Function  Location  Function 
00-0Dh  Real-time clock  24h  System board ID 
0Eh  Diagnostic status  25h  System architecture data 
0Fh  System reset code  26h  Auxiliary peripheral configuration 
10h  Diskette drive type  27h  Speed control external drive 
11h  Reserved  28h  Expanded/base mem. size, IRQ12 
12h  Hard drive type  29h  Miscellaneous configuration 
13h  Security functions  2Ah  Hard drive timeout 
14h  Equipment installed  2Bh  System inactivity timeout 
15h  Base memory size, low byte/KB  2Ch  Monitor timeout, Num Lock Cntrl 
16h  Base memory size, high byte/KB  2Dh  Additional flags 
17h  Extended memory, low byte/KB  2Eh-2Fh  Checksum of locations 10h-2Dh 
18h  Extended memory, high byte/KB  30h-31h  Total extended memory tested 
19h  Hard drive 1, primary controller  32h  Century 
1Ah  Hard drive 2, primary controller  33h  Miscellaneous flags set by BIOS 
1Bh  Hard drive 1, secondary controller  34h  International language 
1Ch  Hard drive 2, secondary controller  35h  APM status flags 
1Dh  Enhanced hard drive support  36h  ECC POST test single bit 
1Eh Reserved  37h-3Fh Power-on password 
1Fh  Power management functions  40-FFh  Feature Control/Status 
NOTES:  
Assume unmarked gaps are reserved. 
Higher locations (>3Fh) contain information that should be accessed using the INT15, AX=E845h  
BIOS function (refer to Chapter 8 for BIOS function descriptions). 
RTC Control Register A, Byte 0Ah