Compaq 8100 - Elite Convertible Minitower PC User manual

Brand: Compaq

Model: 8100 - Elite Convertible Minitower PC

Type: User manual

This manual is also suitable for

November 2009

Table of Contents:

Introduction ....................................................................................... 1

Importance of Desktop Testing ............................................................. 2

Test Tool Development ........................................................................ 2

Hardware Evaluation Test Development ....................................................... 2

Hardware and Software design evaluation tools .................................. 2

ETD ............................................................................................... 3

Software Image Development ................................................................... 3

Types of Testing ................................................................................. 3

System Board Validation Testing ............................................................... 3

Platform Validation Testing ....................................................................... 4

Mechanical Validation Testing .................................................................. 4

Module Functional Testing ........................................................................ 5

System Integration Testing ........................................................................ 6

Performance Testing ................................................................................ 6

Desktop Certifications .............................................................................. 7

Tested Configurations ......................................................................... 7

Hours of Testing ................................................................................. 8

Observations during Testing ................................................................ 8

On-going Qualifications ...................................................................... 8

For More Information .......................................................................... 9

Introduction

Testing is an important part of the value supplied by HP to our customers. Many companies can

assemble personal computers. HP has the engineering expertise and resources to perform the tens of

thousands of hours testing for every desktop platform we develop. This testing provides our customers

with peace of mind, knowing that hundreds of different tests have been performed to provide a stable

and reliable experience.

In our quest to continuously improve the customer experience, HP uses a disciplined and methodical

development and test process. We verify that each new desktop platform meets or exceeds HP quality

standards for structural integrity, reliability, and compatibility. This white paper describes the various

forms of testing performed by HP engineering when developing a new HP Business Desktop PC

platform.

Importance of Desktop Testing

Business Desktop PCs represent a large portion of the worldwide computer shipments and are often the

workhorses of business. As such, it is critical that they be durable and able to support a vast array of

operating systems, languages, applications, and add-in options. Helping to ensure this compatibility

and flexibility requires extensive, well-engineered testing.

In this industry, quality is a differentiator. Business customers recognize the value of a more reliable PC,

and that is a major factor in their purchase selection. The time and resources we invest in our testing

yield benefits to them and to HP. A well-tested product can lead to a more efficient factory, lower costs,

fewer failures in the field, and more satisfied customers.

The PC business is a dynamic industry in which new technologies are created and adopted. It is

imperative that we have a robust test process that can react to new technologies, verify their quality,

integrate them into our product lines, and get them to market quickly.

The following sections provide more details of the HP test tool development and capability and the

types of testing performed. These sections also provide a closer look at the investment of time in our

test process and how we track the results of tests conducted on HP Business Desktop PCs.

Test Tool Development

An essential element of the HP test process is our attention and dedication to continuously improving

the tests and processes used during product development. Two such areas of concentration are

Hardware Evaluation Test Development and Software Image Development. Hardware Evaluation Test

Development designs tests to help ensure that hardware components conform to published functional

engineering design specifications. Software Image Development architects image databases,

processes, and tools used to test and deliver software images on business desktop products.

Hardware Evaluation Test Development

HP’s Evaluation Test Development (ETD) team designs and builds specialized hardware and software

used to ensure that PCs meet HP’s high standards for design quality and functionality. These tools test

the hardware components for conformance to published functional engineering design specifications.

This engineering organization, established in 1988, is shared across other business units at HP. The

ETD tools have evolved over years of development, and are available to all HP design teams,

manufacturing sites, development partners, and HP field engineers for use exclusively on HP products.

This test capability is unique in the PC industry and enables HP to thoroughly evaluate computer

designs from firmware to silicon, as well as improve quality and reduce manufacturing costs.

Hardware and Software design evaluation tools

ETD validation tools include both low level functional tests which target particular subsystems in

isolation, and system stress tests which test nearly every subsystem in combination in order to discover

any undesirable interactions. The test tools are designed to support identification, isolation, and

debugging of issues so that the final system designs are verified to meet HP’s required functional,

electrical and mechanical standards.

ETD

Hardware and software tools are used to validate the following PC subsystems:

 Microprocessors and chipsets, including cache memory, interrupts, and timers

 System memory

 Internal expansion interfaces: PCI, PCI-Express, mini-PCI-Express

 Hard Drive and Removable Storage (Blu-ray, DVD, CD-RW) interfaces

 Network adapters, Bluetooth and 802.11a/b/n Wireless adapters and Modems

 Parallel, Serial, USB 1.1/2.0 and Firewire (IEEE 1394) ports

 Trusted Platform (TPM) hardware

 Flash memory readers / devices

 PC Card / Express Card interfaces

Software Image Development

Software Image Development is optimized for time-to-market delivery, quality, and release integrity. A

dedicated tool development team was formed in 1998. Their charter was to design software image

databases, processes, and tools that encompass the following elements:

 Test Management—Database tools enable test teams to generate and manage test plans and test

procedures in a centralized, repeatable environment with assurances that the test configurations

conform to product definition and requirements.

 Comprehensive test procedures within test plans contain pass/fail criteria that can be

leveraged by any workgroup. Rigorous database rules help verify that each test procedure

criteria is executed only when certain conditions are met.

 Test configurations are tracked at the hardware revision level of each device, including

firmware (FW)/BIOS revisions, and at the software versions level for each component used

during software image download and test.

 Automated Test Environment—This enables test teams to download a products software image,

automatically install the software to replicate the manner in which a typical customer might install

it, automatically run test scripts, and then log results into the database. For a given product

configuration, hundreds of different software downloads, installations, and tests can be logged

with minimal time and effort.

 Quality Assurance—Software image development databases and tools enable a complete, end-to-

end, repeatable image test process. All HW, FW, and SW changes are systematically managed.

System checks are in place to help make sure that what gets built in any factory worldwide and

sent to the customer is the same as what was tested and qualified in engineering.

Types of Testing

HP executes a vast array of testing on Business Desktop PCs to help ensure that systems meet important

industry standards. Multiple engineering teams conduct various types of testing throughout the product

development cycle. This helps mitigate risk by providing needed checks and balances and it helps to

ensure a high HP standard of quality. These tests include, but are not limited to:

System Board Validation Testing

This testing focuses on the signal quality of high-speed interfaces, power delivery to system

components, and ACPI power management. The System board is put through stress testing to help

ensure that it will operate normally while running under the range of operating conditions. Testing

includes:

 Signal Integrity Testing—This helps ensure proper signal quality on all major interfaces on the

system board including CPU bus, memory bus, system clocks, USB (universal serial bus), SATA

(storage) bus, and all expansion buses.

 Voltage Integrity Testing—This helps ensure that voltage regulators on the system board and in the

power supply remain within HP specifications under worst-case stress conditions. Additionally,

voltage stress testing is conducted and measured on the various supported memory and processor

configurations.

 Power Management Testing—This helps ensure that the system will reliably enter and exit all

supported low-power states, including sleep (S3), hibernation (S4), and powered off (S5) . In

addition, power cycle testing is conducted to simulate many years worth of power-up/power-down

usage with thousands of consecutive no-fail cycles.

 Fan control—This helps ensure that the system fan(s) keep the system within the required thermal

window while minimizing fan acoustic levels.

Platform Validation Testing

This testing focuses on chipset validation, new architectural design features, the system board,

processor, system memory, system BIOS, and system-level hardware interoperability to help ensure

platform component stability prior to incorporation into an integrated desktop solution. Testing

includes:

 System BIOS Testing—This is comprehensive validation and qualification of the system BIOS.

Testing includes BIOS calls and functionality, supported BIOS features, and expected BIOS

interoperability with the platform hardware and software.

 System Board—This is comprehensive validation and qualification of the main Printed Circuit

Board (PCB) and Printed Circuit Assembly (PCA) including all components and interfaces. Testing

includes all chipset features and functions, all PCA subsystems (i.e., CPU, memory, graphics,

audio, expansion buses, network adapter, USB, storage (SATA/RAID), input/output interfaces,

etc), and associated hardware components.

 Processor Qualification—This is comprehensive validation and qualification of each unique

processor type, including all processor frequencies and revisions/steppings. Processor

qualifications are executed on every supported platform.

 System Memory Qualification—This is comprehensive validation and qualification of each unique

memory module type. System memory module qualifications are executed on every supported

platform.

Mechanical Validation Testing

This testing focuses on environmental and Industrial Design factors for the chassis, power supply, and

system board. Mechanical testing includes form, fit and function tests; paint finish; durability tests; and

security tests to help ensure that the product can be assembled correctly. Additional testing includes:

 Shock and Vibration Testing—Units are subjected to random vibration and shock to help ensure

that the system functions correctly in harsh environments.

 Packaging Testing—Boxed systems are subjected to resonance, random vibration, and multiple

drops from various heights to help ensure that the packaging can withstand rough handling and

protect the system.

 Thermal Testing—Each system board, power supply, and integrated subsystem (memory, graphics,

audio, NIC, etc.) is tested in elevated ambient, maximum power, and minimum power situations to

help ensure that no component temperature specifications are exceeded.

 Environmental Testing—Testing is conducted at various temperatures, altitudes, and humidity

settings for extended periods of time to help ensure that the system design is reliable in many

environments.

 Acoustics Testing—This testing helps ensure quiet, reliable products. Acoustic evaluations are

performed with typical and power user applications: at idle, when the hard drive is being

accessed, and at tonal resonances (noises that could be perceived as adverse by the customer).

 Safety/Agency—Systems undergo extensive electromagnetic compatibility and safety testing to

help ensure that the product is safe to operate, is environmentally friendly, meets European

ergonomic fatigue standards and other various local regulations, does not interfere with radio or

TV reception, and is free from interference by external electrical effects.

 Power Supply Testing—This testing focuses on the power supply; it includes full electrical

verification, voltage regulation, output ripple and noise, stability, input and output transients, stress

margins for voltage and current, high-voltage isolation, electro-static discharge, and harmonic

current emissions.

 Reliability Testing—System and component level testing and modeling is geared towards

mitigating risk such as Mean Time Between Failures (MTBF), Strife, High and Low temperature

power cycling, long-term reliability, cold/warm boot, AC power on/off, and various other tests.

Module Functional Testing

This testing focuses on a wide variety of module subsystems to help ensure HP Business Desktop PC

standards are met prior to integration into a desktop solution. Module functional testing is conducted

on the graphics, audio, network controller, hard drive, optical drive, and input/output device

subsystems, as well as on numerous software applications. Testing includes, but is not limited to:

 Electric Signal Integrity Testing—This testing helps ensure that the proper signal quality is met on

all interfaces and layout routes through the specific module components.

 Mechanical Testing—Environmental and design ID testing helps to ensure the proper fit and

function and temperature variance tolerance for a module.

 Electro-Static Discharge Testing—This testing helps ensure that a module component meets

specifications for continued operation after being subjected to electro-static discharges at various

points on the device.

 Electro-Magnetic Conductance Testing—This testing helps ensure that a module is not susceptible

to and does not emit interfering radio waves.

 Power Management Testing—This testing helps ensure that a module goes properly into and out of

defined low-power states.

 Software Driver Testing—This testing helps ensure that the software drivers for a module perform as

required, deliver expected performance and features, and integrate into HP images to meet

customer needs and latest technology.

 Software Application Testing—As part of the total PC solution, HP offers select software

applications, including hardware-enabling applications (such as DVD playback) and productivity

type applications (such as Microsoft Office). Testing is conducted to help ensure that these HP-

specific and industry standard applications offer the required features and integrate into HP

images.

 Video Timing Testing—This testing helps ensure proper graphics controller output for image display

on a variety of monitors by complying with video timing specifications for all supported resolutions

and refresh rates. Additionally, commercial HP monitors are tested in combination with the HP

graphics controller solutions to better ensure proper image display.

 Network Interface Testing—This testing helps ensure proper functionality of the network interface.

Testing includes, but is not limited to, the following: bit-error-rate, auto-negotiation, networking

protocol testing, and CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check). Testing also verifies that packet loss

specifications are not exceeded and that network packet patterns are as designed.

System Integration Testing

This testing focuses on the system compatibility and integration test on overall quality of the hardware

and software module components assembled into a complete desktop solution. Testing is conducted

across a wide variety of configurations.

 Image Integration Test helps verify:

 integration of pre-installed operating systems and software in all supported languages

(currently 9 operating systems, 51 regions and 35 languages).

 operation of the system after using the HPRM (HP Recovery Manager) solutions provided with

our platforms

 System Compatibility Test helps verify:

 hardware and software compatibility of supported modules on new products. (combinations of

interdependent modules)

 functionality of integrated system hardware and its compatibility with alternate operating

systems (Linux, Novell, etc. if supported)

 system hardware and pre-installed software compatibility with 3rd party hardware and

software products using primary and alternate operating systems. (over 500 3rd-party

products)

 compatibility of the systems with commonly used accessibility products

 physical form and fit of standard and aftermarket modules on new products

 interoperability of HP Business Desktop PCs with other HP products

 compatibility by participating in variety of “plugfests” sponsored by HP and other

component vendors

 Localization Test

 represents interests of geographic areas around the world to the development team

 execute localization test plans to check for

o accurate translations

o appropriate language

o correct user interface

 functionally tests translated versions of products

 Module Integration Test

 provides acceptance testing to help ensure selection of high quality options

 verifies the functionality of supported peripherals and applications in a wide variety of

combinations of modules and platforms

Performance Testing

HP runs a number of popular, industry-standard and press-review benchmark tests to measure the

overall performance of new Business Desktop PCs. These tests target unique sub-systems as well as full

systems. Benchmarks are used to monitor the performance impact of design and configuration

changes. Representative system configurations are tested through several design phases up to the

production level. HP follows each benchmark’s guidelines for preparing/configuring the operating

system and other configuration settings prior to testing. Through these benchmark measurements, we

can determine how well the system’s performance in each design phase meets our product goals.

As benchmark updates are released, HP quickly transitions to using the latest versions. Archives for

previous test versions and the associated results are maintained for desktop products.

Benchmarks used include, but are not limited to the following:

 Business Winstone

 Multimedia Content Creation Winstone

 SYSMark

 PCMarkPRO

 3DMark

 WebMark

 AquaMark3

 Glaze3D

 PassMark Performance

 MS Velocity

Desktop Certifications

Certification testing is a unique type of testing that supports the goal of obtaining certain shipping and

logo rights for Business Desktop PC solutions. Specific certification tests must be passed in order to

successfully gain these rights. Testing is conducted prior to submission to resolve any issues that would

impede passing. These types of certification testing include:

 Windows Hardware Quality Lab (WHQL) Testing and Certification—Passing this required

operating-system-level testing and certification allows HP to display the “Designed for Windows”

logo on a product. A Microsoft-controlled test suite is used as a validation tool prior to system

submission to Microsoft for certification.

 Section 508 Testing and Certification—Section 508 is set of rules developed, maintained, and

enforced by the Access Board and General Services Administration (GSA) that helps to ensure that

electronic and information technologies provide or support certain accessibility features or

products for people with disabilities. For Section 508, HP conducts audit-level testing to verify

conformance. HP publishes the Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) on the HP

Accessibility Web site for each product.

 Linux Testing and Certification—Select HP Business PCs are currently certified for Novell SUSE

LINUX and/or Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Additional or different Linux providers may be supported

on future products. Testing is conducted prior to submission using available industry tools and

utilities with the goal of helping to ensure a passing Linux configuration.

 Novell Testing and Certification—Select HP Business PCs are submitted for certification for use with

the Novell Netware Client.

Tested Configurations

With the multitude of components included in a PC, and the number of operating systems,

applications, and options offered, testing of every permutation becomes impossible. However, using

disciplined test-engineering methods, HP helps ensure good test coverage. Detailed understanding of

component interdependencies and testing technologies allows HP to create a set of test configurations

that are representative of many of our customers’ usage.

The hundreds of systems we use in the test process and the numerous well-controlled configurations we

build during development help maintain our high level of quality.

Hours of Testing

HP Business Desktop PCs are subjected to on average over 113,000 machine hours of testing. This is

strictly test hours and does not include time spent troubleshooting or reviewing design specifications.

The number of test hours varies as new system chipsets and system boards, chasses, video, audio and

other module components, and/or operating systems are incorporated into a desktop design. Table 1

shows the approximate test percentage allocation to qualify a business desktop PC with typical

architectural changes.

Table 1: Test coverage per area

Test area

Estimated Percentage of

total test hours

System Board Validation

17%

Platform Validation

28%

Mechanical Validation

28%

Module Functional Testing

12%

System Integration, Performance and

Certification Testing

15%

Observations during Testing

The result of this exhaustive testing is a detailed list of observations made by test engineers. The

observations are reported when the behavior of the PC is different than what is expected, based on

design specifications, product requirements, and an understanding of customer needs. These

observations are reviewed by the responsible HP staff and management team using robust database

tools and tracking processes, then HP determines the disposition for each observation.

After development is complete and the product is shipped to the end user, customer satisfaction is

closely monitored and customer-reported problems, requests, and comments are tracked. HP attempts

to resolve customer issues, and information is fed back to the development and test teams, thus

completing this closed-loop process. In this way, we help ensure that the Total Customer Experience

(TCE) is continuously improving.

On-going Qualifications

Testing does not stop after a new Business Desktop product completes initial testing and the new

Business Desktop computer is shipped. Rather, testing continues throughout the product lifecycle to

incorporate product updates including BIOS, module HW and SW, along with customer support

feedback. Additionally, test process improvements are constantly folded into the on-going qualification

process.

In conclusion, the HP Business Desktop product development team values testing and believes that the

HP customer values testing. We feel strongly that HP’s level of testing leads to a higher quality product,

which benefits our customers. A Business Desktop PC is more than just an assembly of various modules

and components; it is the result of a concerted development and integration effort, with checks and

balances throughout the qualification cycle. It is a PC that the product development team is proud to

have carry the HP brand.

For More Information

Additional information can be obtained through the HP Web site at

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.

372011-003, 11/2009

Compaq 8100 - Elite Convertible Minitower PC User manual

Brand: Compaq

Model: 8100 - Elite Convertible Minitower PC

Type: User manual

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