HP BIOS Configuration Utility (BCU)

User Guide
 Copyright 20122015 Hewlett-Packard
Development Company, L.P.

Intel and Intel Core are trademarks of Intel

Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.
Microsoft, Windows, and Windows Vista are
trademarks of the Microsoft group of
companies.

Confidential computer software. Valid license

from HP required for possession, use or
copying. Consistent with FAR 12.211 and
12.212, Commercial Computer Software,
Computer Software Documentation, and
Technical Data for Commercial Items are
licensed to the U.S. Government under
vendor's standard commercial license.

The information contained herein is subject to

change without notice. The only warranties for
HP products and services are set forth in the
express warranty statements accompanying
such products and services. Nothing herein
should be construed as constituting an
additional warranty. HP shall not be liable for
technical or editorial errors or omissions
contained herein.

Fifth Edition: April 2015

First Edition: May 2012

Document Part Number: 700600-005

About this guide
This guide might use one or more of the following styles to distinguish elements of text:

Style Definition

<variable> Variables or placeholders are enclosed in angle brackets. For

example, replace <pathname> with the appropriate path, such
as C:\Windows\System. When typing the actual value for the
variable, omit the brackets.

[optional parameters] Optional parameters are enclosed in square brackets. When

specifying the parameters, omit the brackets.

"literal value" Command line text that appears inside quotation marks should
be typed exactly as shown, including the quotation marks.

iii
iv About this guide
Table of contents

1 Getting started ............................................................................................................................................. 1

What is HP BIOS Configuration Utility? .................................................................................................................. 1
System requirements ............................................................................................................................................ 1
Installation ............................................................................................................................................................. 1

2 Command line parameters ............................................................................................................................. 2

3 BIOS configuration ........................................................................................................................................ 4

WMI support required ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Replicated setup .................................................................................................................................................... 4
Important notes .................................................................................................................................. 5
Password management ......................................................................................................................................... 6
Comments .............................................................................................................................................................. 7

Appendix A Error codes ..................................................................................................................................... 8

Appendix B Sample configuration file .............................................................................................................. 10

Appendix C HP Password Encryption Utility ...................................................................................................... 16

v
vi
1 Getting started

What is HP BIOS Configuration Utility?

HP BIOS Configuration Utility (BCU) is a free utility that enables you to do the following:
Read available BIOS settings and their values from a supported desktop, workstation, or notebook
computer
Set or reset Setup Password on a supported desktop, workstation, or notebook computer
Replicate BIOS settings across multiple client computers
Download the latest version of BCU from http://www.hp.com/go/clientmanagement.

System requirements
Table 1-1 Minimum hardware and software for clients

Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows 8.1, or Windows PE (version 4.0.1.1 or later)

NOTE: BIOS setting management is supported under Windows PE 3.x, 4.0, or 5.0. See WMI support required on page 4.

NOTE: Support of Windows XP and Windows Vista has been deprecated in BCU version 4.0.

Installation
Run the BCU SoftPaq to install its contents to the folder <PROGAMFILESDIR>\Hewlett-Packard
\BIOS Configuration Utility\, where <PROGAMFILESDIR> is the Program Files folder on the
target system (e.g. C:\PROGRAM FILES). The resulting files at the target folder include:
BIOSConfigUtility.exe
BIOSConfigUtility64.exe
HPQPswd.exe
HPQPswd64.exe
Internet shortcut to BIOS Configuration Utility User Guide.pdf

What is HP BIOS Configuration Utility? 1

 2 Command line parameters

Use the following syntax to run BCU:

BIOSConfigUtility.exe <options>
or
BIOSConfigUtility64.exe <options>
The valid options are:

Parameter Description

/Get:"filename" Gets the configuration data.

or NOTE: If "filename" is empty, BCU writes configuration data to the output

console.
/GetConfig:"filename"

/Set:"filename" Modifies the system BIOS configuration. Accepts only REPSET formatted files.

or

/SetConfig:"filename"

/cspwdfile:filename Specifies the current BIOS Setup Password by providing an encrypted password
file. Current password should be provided when changing BIOS settings or
or password. Can specify only one current password file. Use HPQPswd.exe to
/CurSetupPasswordFile:filename generate password file. See Password management on page 6 for additional
details on this utility.
or
NOTE: Requires BCU version 3.0.1.1 or later.
/cpwdfile:filename
If using a BCU version earlier than 4.0.1.1, use /cspwdfile:filename.

/nspwdfile:filename Specifies the new BIOS Setup Password by providing an encrypted password file.
To remove the password, use /npwdfile:. Use HPQPswd.exe to generate
or the password file. See Password management on page 6 for additional details
/NewSetupPasswordFile:filename on this utility.

or NOTE: Clearing the BIOS Setup Password will remove all BIOS Users.

/npwdfile:filename Requires BCU version 3.0.1.1 or later.

If using a BCU version earlier than 4.0.1.1, use /nspwdfile:filename.

/? Displays a help message.

or

/Help

/SetDefaults Sets BIOS settings to their default values.

NOTE: /SetDefaults does not change every possible value; also, it does not
change settings on an individual basis.

/verbose When used with /Set, displays details about each setting, such as success, the
reason for failure (warning), or failure code (error).

/WarningAsErr When used with /Set, displays details about each setting. Unlike /verbose,
any settings not applied due to warnings cause BCU to return program error code
13 instead of success.

2 Chapter 2 Command line parameters

Parameter Description

NOTE: Requires BCU 3.0.11.1 or later. When both /verbose and /

WarningAsErr are used, /WarningAsErr will take precedence.

/Unicode Checks platform support for Unicode passwords only. If not supported, returns
error code 32. Use only in batch files; this command is not compatible with other
commands.

NOTE: Requires BCU version 4.0.1.1 or later.

/log Generates the log folder and log file default to the executable folder.

NOTE: Requires BCU version 4.0.1.1 or later.

/getvalue Gets the value of a given setting without using the config file.

Example: BCU.exe /getvalue:Asset Tracking Number

NOTE: Requires BCU version 4.0.1.1 or later.

/setvalue Sets the value of a given setting without using the config file.

Example: BCU.exe /setvalue:Asset Tracking

Number,12345678

NOTE: Requires BCU version 4.0.1.1 or later.

3
 3 BIOS configuration

BCU is a Windows-based tool that lets you create standard configuration settings and deploy them across the
enterprise. By creating a configuration text file with only the setting you want to change, you can deploy it to
all systems in the enterprise. If a particular system does not support the specified setting, it will be ignored.

WMI support required

BCU requires HP custom WMI namespace and WMI classes (at the namespace root\HP\InstrumentedBIOS)
provided by BIOS. BCU will only support models with a WMI-compliant BIOS, which are most commercial HP
desktops, notebooks, and workstations.
Before running BCU, it is helpful to make sure that the HP BIOS WMI classes are in the namespace root\HP
\InstrumentedBIOS. When using BCU in WinPE, ensure that the WMI component is added to the boot image
using Microsoft Deployment Image Servicing and Management (DISM) tool.

Replicated setup
To create, save, and deploy the configuration settings, complete the following procedure:
1. Run the program BIOSConfigUtility.exe using the /GetConfig:config.txt command-line
parameter.
2. Edit the file config.txt. Remove properties that you do not want to change and modify the other
properties.

NOTE: Some properties, such as model and manufacturer, are read-only. Such properties will be
ignored with a warning if specified during /SetConfig.
NOTE: If a property value has not changed in the input configuration file from its existing value in
BIOS, it will be skipped during /SetConfig. It is recommended to remove such settings during /
SetConfig operation.

NOTE: If a property name or value is invalid or does not exist on the client system, such settings will
be ignored with a warning during /SetConfig.

The following config.txt example shows a configuration file that changes some properties:
BIOSConfig 1.0
;
; Originally created by BIOS Configuration Utility
; Version 4.0.10.1
; Date="2015-03-20" Time="14:37:40" UTC="-5"
;
; Found 214 settings
Asset Tracking Number
CORPTAG001ABCDEF

4 Chapter 3 BIOS configuration

 Removable Media Boot
Enable
*Disable
Removable Media Write
Enable
*Disable
Enter Ownership Tag
property of company XYZ
Boot Order
Network Controller
PnP Device#1
Hard Drive (C:)
CD-ROM Drive
IDE CD-ROM Drive
Multibay Device (A: or CD-ROM)
Diskette Drive (A:)
USB device
Cover Lock
Unlock
*Lock

3. Run BIOSConfigUtility.exe with the /SetConfig:config.txt command-line parameter to apply

the settings contained in config.txt.

Important notes
The /Set and /Get functionality is supported on select commercial desktop, mobile, and workstation
systems. Supported settings vary by model.
In BCU version 4.0.1.1 and later, the first line of the configuration file must be the word BIOSConfig,
follow by the file format version, currently 1.0. For backwards compatibility, the word English is
accepted. This keyword is deprecated and support may be removed in the future. For BCU versions
earlier than 4.0.1.1, the first line must be the word English.
The settings are indented with a tab character.

IMPORTANT: Indenting with space characters will not work.

There is no space between /command: and the filename.

Arguments containing spaces must be entered within quotes.
For commands that contain two comma-separated arguments, there must not be a space before or
after the comma.

Replicated setup 5
 Only password changes are guaranteed to take effect immediately and without a reboot. All other
settings might not take effect until after a reboot.
The exact strings for some boot devices may vary between models. For example, the network controller
for Boot Order was identified with the tag PNP Device #1 on one system and Network Controller on
newer systems. If your environment includes a mix of systems, then ensure that all known values for a
particular boot device are placed together in the list relative to the next type of boot device. See the
example above. Devices not found on the system are ignored. See the example above, noting that CD-
ROM is specified several different ways.
It is recommended that you do not mix replicated setup changes with software updates that include
BIOS firmware updates. It is a best practice to perform each operation independently and to restart the
system between each operation. This procedure accommodates cases in which the internal structure of
BIOS configuration setting information changes between BIOS revisions.

Password management
BCU also has the ability to establish, modify, and remove the BIOS setup password. Use the HP Password
Encryption Utility (HPQPswd.exe) to create the password file needed to specify new or current password. It is
available at HP Client Management Solutions website at http://www.hp.com/go/clientmanagement. See HP
Password Encryption Utility on page 16 for password utility usage samples.
Use the following sample command to create a setup password on a system with no existing password:
BIOSConfigUtility.exe /nspwdfile:"new password.bin"
Use the following sample command to modify the BIOS setup password use:
BIOSConfigUtility.exe /nspwdfile:"new password.bin" /cspwdfile:"current
password.bin"
Use the following sample command to remove the BIOS setup password use:
BIOSConfigUtility.exe /nspwdfile:"" /cspwdfile:"current password.bin"

NOTE: A password change command can be combined with BIOS configuration, in which case the password
is modified before the configuration is applied.
BIOSConfigUtility.exe /set:"configuration.txt" /nspwdfile:"new
password.bin"

6 Chapter 3 BIOS configuration

Comments
BCU configuration files support adding comments by using the ; (semicolon) character. Any line that begins
with; is treated as a comment. The white space (including tab) in front of ; is ignored. The comment does
not carry over to the next line.
Example usage of comments:
BIOSConfig 1.0
; This file shows usage of comments in configuration files
; Below is an example of comments using semicolon at beginning of line
Sunday
; *Disable
; Enable

; Below is an example of comments using semicolon after white space

(includes tab)
Monday
;*Disable
;Enable

; Below is an example where the semicolon is NOT considered as a comment.

Parallel Port
IO=3BC; IRQ=7
IO=378; NOT comment

Comments 7
 A Error codes

Table A-1 Error codes

Error code Description Notes

0 Success Operation succeeded.

1 Not Supported WMI result code Setting is not supported on system.

2 Unknown WMI result code Operation failed for unknown reason.

3 Timeout WMI result code Operation timed out.

4 Failed WMI result code Operation failed.

5 Invalid Parameter WMI result code A parameter is missing or wrong type.

6 Access Denied WMI result code Setting modification failed due to BIOS permissions.

10 Valid password not provided. BCU was unable to find a valid password on the command line in the
following cases:

When attempting to change the password, the correct password

was not provided.

When attempting to change the password, the new password did

not satisfy password requirements for the platform.

When attempting to change setting values, the correct password

was not provided.

11 Config file not valid. BCU was unable to locate the configuration file or unable to read the file
at the specified path.

12 First line in config file is not the keyword First line in the configuration file must be the word BIOSConfig
BIOSConfig. followed by the file format version, currently 1.0.

13 Failed to change setting. BCU failed to change one or more settings. Use /verbose or /
WarningAsErr to get status per setting.

14 BCU not ready to write file. Not used.

15 Command line syntax error. Possible reasons for this error include the following:

Invalid command line option specified. Use /? or /Help for

available options.

Invalid combination of command line options used.

Multiple password files were specified. Only one new or current

setup password file can be provided on command line.

No configuration file name was specified with /set.

No file name was specified with /cspwdfile or /nspwdfile.

16 Unable to write to file or system. BCU was unable to connect to HP BIOS WMI. WMI classes are corrupted
or the system is not supported. See the section WMI support required
on page 4 for additional information.

17 Help is invoked. Show usage text.

8 Appendix A Error codes

Table A-1 Error codes (continued)

Error code Description Notes

18 Setting is unchanged. This return code is returned by BCU on a per setting basis when /
verbose or /WarningAsErr options are specified. Settings with
this return code are skipped when BCU attempts to write to BIOS and do
not affect BCU return code.

19 Setting is read-only. This return code is returned by BCU on a per setting basis when /
verbose or /WarningAsErr options are specified. Settings with
this return code are skipped when BCU attempts to write to BIOS.
When /verbose is used, this return code generates a warning and
does not affect the BCU return code. If /WarningAsErr is used, it
results in BCU error code 13.

20 Invalid setting name. This return code is returned by BCU on a per setting basis when /
verbose or /WarningAsErr options are specified. Settings with
this return code are skipped when BCU attempts to write to BIOS.
When /verbose is used, this return code generates a warning and
does not affect the BCU return code. If /WarningAsErr is used, it
results in BCU error code 13.

21 Invalid setting value. This return code is returned by BCU on a per setting basis when /
verbose or /WarningAsErr options are specified. Settings with
this return code are skipped when BCU attempts to write to BIOS.
When /verbose is used, this return code generates a warning and
does not affect the BCU return code. If /WarningAsErr is used, it
results in BCU error code 13.

23 Unable to connect to HP BIOS WMI System not supported. Unable to connect to HP BIOS WMI namespace:
namespace. root\HP\InstrumentedBIOS. See the section WMI support required
on page 4 for additional information.

24 Unable to connect to HP WMI namespace. System not supported. Unable to connect to HP WMI namespace: root
\HP. See the section WMI support required on page 4 for additional
information.

25 Unable to connect to PUBLIC WMI System not supported. Unable to connect to PUBLIC WMI namespace:
namespace. root\CIMV2. Ensure that WMI service is enabled and running.

30 Password file error. Unable to read or decrypt the password file.

31 Password is not F10 compatible. If a platform does not support Unicode passwords, BCU can set and
change the password, but the password will not function in F10 Setup.
BCU must be used to change or clear it.

32 Platform does not support Unicode Returned when the /Unicode option is used to check for support.
passwords.

33 No settings to apply found in Config file. Config file contains no settings or they are commented out.

9
 B Sample configuration file

This configuration file shows a partial list of the BIOS settings for an HP ZBook 15:
BIOSConfig 1.0
;
; Originally created by BIOS Configuration Utility
; Version: 4.0.1.1
; Date="2014-09-17" Time="09:39:33" UTC="-5"
;
; Found 244 settings
;
Manufacturer
Hewlett-Packard
Product Name
HP ZBook 15
System Board ID
1909
Universal Unique Identifier(UUID)
7FAC190ABD17E411A132884C5F06E0FF
Processor Type
Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4900MQ CPU
SKU Number
D5H49AV#ABA
Warranty Start Date
00/00/0000
Processor Speed
2.80GHz
Sunday
*Disable
Enable
Monday
*Disable
Enable

10 Appendix B Sample configuration file

Tuesday
*Disable
Enable
Wednesday
*Disable
Enable
Thursday
*Disable
Enable
Friday
*Disable
Enable
Saturday
*Disable
Enable
BIOS Power-On Time (hh:mm)
00:00
PCID Version
A3.00
System Configuration ID
A3008DD20303
Define Custom URL

Total Memory Size

16384 MB
Memory Slot 1 Information
Top - Slot 2 (under) Hynix/Hyundai 4096 MB @ 1600 MHz
Memory Slot 2 Information
Bottom-Slot 2(right) Samsung 4096 MB @ 1600 MHz
Memory Slot 3 Information
Top - Slot 1 (top) Hynix/Hyundai 4096 MB @ 1600 MHz
Memory Slot 4 Information
Bottom-Slot 1(left) Samsung 4096 MB @ 1600 MHz
Define Customized Boot Option

11
 Enter Feature Byte
3X47676J6S6b7M7Q7U7W7saBaw.BQ
Enter Build ID
13WWAVCW601#SABA#DABA
BIOS Date
06/24/2014
System BIOS Version
L70 Ver. 01.10
Serial Number
CND3220CMX
Video BIOS Revision
Intel(R) GOP Driver [5.0.1028]
Video BIOS Revision 2
nVidia 05/15/14
Keyboard Controller Version
94.51
Ownership Tag

Asset Tracking Number

Primary Battery Serial Number

13577 5/4/2013
Serial port
*Disable
Enable
Thunderbolt port
DisplayPort only
PCIe and DisplayPort
*PCIe and DisplayPort - require user approval for Thunderbolt
legacy devices
Secondary Battery Serial Number
No Battery Present
Parallel port
*Disable
Enable
Flash media reader

12 Appendix B Sample configuration file

 Disable
*Enable
USB Port
Disable
*Enable
Express Card Slot
Disable
*Enable
Smart Card
*Disable
Enable
WWAN FCC ID
No Device Present
WLAN FCC ID
PD96235ANH
Bluetooth FCC ID
PD96235ANH
System Board CT
PXXXXA2WV4PYXW
Product Family
103C_5336AN G=D L=BUS B=HP S=ELI
eSATA Port
Disable
*Enable
GPS FCC ID
No Device Present
MicroCode Revision
16
Language
*English
Francais
Deutsch
Espanol
Italiano
Dansk

13
 Nederlands
Suomi
Japanese
Norsk
Portugues
Svenska
Simplified Chinese
Traditional Chinese
Custom Logo
*Disable
Enable
CD-ROM boot
*Disable
Enable
Fast Boot
Disable
*Enable
Backlit Keyboard Timeout
*5 secs.
15 secs.
30 secs.
1 min.
5 mins.
Never
SD Card boot
*Disable
Enable
Floppy boot
*Disable
Enable
PXE Internal NTC boot
*Disable
Enable
Legacy Boot Order

14 Appendix B Sample configuration file

 mSATA Drive
Notebook Upgrade Bay
Notebook Hard Drive
USB Floppy
USB CD-ROM
USB Hard Drive
Notebook Ethernet
Dock Upgrade Bay
eSATA Drive
Boot Device 13
...

15
 C HP Password Encryption Utility

The HP Password Encryption Utility (HPQPswd.exe) accepts a password entered by the user, encrypts the
password, and then stores it in a file for use by the BIOS. This utility can be used in either command-line
mode or GUI mode. To run it in GUI mode, double click the executable or run without parameters.
HP recommends using a strong password to protect managed assets.
The following is a sample command to create a password file in silent mode:
HpqPswd.exe /s /p"12345678" /f"sample password.bin"
In this example, /p specifies the password and /f specifies the name and path of the encrypted file.

NOTE: Use the /? command to invoke help for additional information on the password utility.

HPQPswd.exe currently supports a maximum of 32 characters.

16 Appendix C HP Password Encryption Utility