Nonvolatile memory usage
Table 12-1  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?
HP Sure Start ash 
(select models 
only)
8 MBytes No Yes Provides 
protected 
backup of 
critical System 
BIOS code, EC 
rmware, and 
critical 
computer 
conguration 
data for select 
platforms that 
support HP 
Sure Start.
For more 
information, 
see Using HP 
Sure Start 
(select models 
only) 
on page 93.
Data cannot be written to this 
device via the host processor. 
The content is managed 
solely by the HP Sure Start 
Embedded Controller.
This memory is protected 
by the HP Sure Start 
Embedded Controller.
Real Time Clock 
(RTC) battery 
backed-up CMOS 
conguration 
memory
256 Bytes No Yes Stores system 
date and time 
and noncritical 
data.
RTC battery backed-up CMOS 
is programmed using the 
Computer Setup (BIOS), or 
changing the Microsoft® 
Windows date & time.
This memory is not write-
protected.
Controller (NIC) 
EEPROM
64 KBytes (not 
customer 
accessible)
No Yes Stores NIC 
conguration 
and NIC 
rmware.
NIC EEPROM is programmed 
using a utility from the NIC 
vendor that can be run from 
DOS.
A utility is required 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) 
conguration 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 specic 
write-protection method 
varies by memory vendor.
System BIOS 9 MBytes Yes Yes Stores system 
BIOS code and 
computer 
conguration 
data.
System BIOS code is 
programmed at the factory. 
Code is updated when the 
system BIOS is updated. 
Conguration data and 
settings are input using the 
Computer Setup (BIOS) or a 
custom utility.
NOTE: Writing data to 
this ROM in an 
inappropriate manner can 
render the computer non-
functional.
A utility is required for 
writing data to this 
memory and is available 
on the HP website; go to 
http://www.hp.com/
90 Chapter 12   Statement of memory volatility