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Drive Protection System (DPS)

The Drive Protection System (DPS) is a diagnostic tool built into the hard drives installed in select computers. DPS is designed to help diagnose problems that might result in unwarranted hard drive replacement.

When these systems are built, each installed hard drive is tested using

DPS, and a permanent record of key information is written onto the drive. Each time DPS is run, test results are written to the hard drive.

Your service provider can use this information to help diagnose conditions that caused you to run the DPS software.

Running DPS will not affect any programs or data stored on the hard drive. The test resides in the hard drive firmware and can be executed even if the computer will not boot to an operating system. The time required to execute the test depends on the manufacturer and size of the hard drive; in most cases, the test will take approximately two minutes per gigabyte.

Use DPS when you suspect a hard drive problem. If the computer reports a SMART Hard Drive Detect Imminent Failure message, there is no need to run DPS; instead, back up the information on the hard drive and contact a service provider for a replacement hard drive.

Troubleshooting Guide www.hp.com

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Drive Protection System (DPS)

Accessing DPS Through Diagnostics for Windows

To access DPS through Diagnostics for Windows, perform the following steps:

1. Turn on the computer and select Start > Control Panel >

Diagnostics for Windows .

A choice of five possible headings appears in the Diagnostics screen: Overview , Test , Status , Log , and Error .

2. Select Test > Type of Test .

A choice of three tests appear: Quick Test , Complete Test , and

Custom Test .

3. Select Custom Test .

A choice of two test modes is offered: Interactive Mode and

Unattended Mode .

4. Select Interactive Test > Storage > Hard Drives .

5. Select the specific drives to be tested > Drive Protection System

Test > Begin Testing .

When the test has been completed, one of three messages will be displayed for each of the drives tested:

■

■

■

Test Succeeded. Completion Code 0.

Test Aborted. Completion Code 1 or 2.

Test Failed. Drive Replacement Recommended. Completion

Code 3 through 14.

If the test failed, the completion code should be recorded and reported to your service provider for help in diagnosing the computer problem.

C–2 www.hp.com

Troubleshooting Guide

Drive Protection System (DPS)

Accessing DPS Through Computer Setup

When the computer does not power on properly you should use

Computer Setup to access the DPS program. To access DPS, perform the following steps:

1. Turn on or restart the computer.

2. When the F10 Setup message appears in the lower-right corner of the screen, press the

F10

key.

✎

If you do not press the

F10

key while the message is displayed, you must turn the computer off, then on again, to access the utility.

A choice of five headings appears in the Computer Setup Utilities menu: File , Storage , Security , Power , and Advanced .

3. Select Storage > DPS Self-Test .

The screen will display the list of DPS-capable hard drives that are installed on the computer.

✎

If no DPS-capable hard drives are installed, the will not appear on the screen.

DPS Self-Test option

4. Select the hard drive to be tested and follow the screen prompts to complete the testing process.

When the test has been completed, one of three messages will be displayed:

■

■

■

Test Succeeded. Completion Code 0.

Test Aborted. Completion Code 1 or 2.

Test Failed. Drive Replacement Recommended. Completion

Code 3 through 14.

If the test failed, the completion code should be recorded and reported to your service provider for help in diagnosing the computer problem.

Troubleshooting Guide www.hp.com

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