Appendix H Statement Of Volatility - HP t620 Troubleshooting Manual

H Statement of Volatility
Thin Client products typically have three types of memory devices namely, RAM, ROM, and Flash
memory devices. Data stored in the RAM memory device will be lost once the power is removed from
the device. RAM devices could be powered by main, aux, or battery power (power states are
explained below). Therefore, even when the unit is not connected to an AC outlet, some of the RAM
devices could be powered by battery power. Data stored in the ROM or Flash memory devices will
retain its data even if the power is removed to the device. Manufacturers of Flash device usually specify
a period of time (in the order of 10 years) for data retention.
Definition of power states:
Main Power: Power available when the unit is turned on.
Aux or Standby power: Power available when the unit is in off state when the power supply is
connected to an active AC outlet.
Battery Power: Power from a coin battery present in the Thin Client systems.
The table below lists the available memory devices and their types per the models. Please note that the
Thin Client systems do not use traditional hard drives with moving parts. Instead, they use flash memory
devices with an IDE front end interface. Hence, the operating systems interface with these flash devices
similar to a regular IDE hard drive. This IDE flash device contains the image of the operating system.
The flash device can only be written by an administrator. A special software tool is required to format
the flash devices and clear the data stored in them.
Please find below a list of steps that should be taken to update BIOS and use it to set the BIOS settings
to factory default settings.
1. Download the latest BIOS (system ROM) from the HP website.
2. Follow the instructions to flash the BIOS that are found on the website.
Flashing the BIOS will reset it back to factory settings.
3. Turn on the system, and while system is powering on, and after the HP splash screen, press the
F10 key to enter BIOS setup screen.
4.
Set defaults and exit (this will clear passwords and any other settings)
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