Master Boot Record Save/Restore BIOS Feature for HP Business Notebooks and Desktops PSG Business Notebook Group - Technical white paper

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Abstract
The Master Boot Record (MBR) save/restore BIOS feature saves an image of the MBR to non-volatile random access
memory (NVRAM) residing on the Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI), and then restores the MBR to the same location on the
HDD. The MBR save/restore feature makes the HDD bootable in the event of data corruption caused by the user, viruses,
or any random event. This document describes the MBR save/restore feature for both HP business notebook and
desktop environments.
MBR structure
The 512-byte MBR resides in the first block (LBA-0) of the boot drive. Figure 1 shows that the MBR allows a maximum of
4 partitions in the MBR table. The MBR sector stores information about the number of partitions and the location of each
partition on the HDD. MBR partition information allows you to restore the HDD partition structure even if the MBR data is
corrupt.
Figure 2: The structure of a 512-byte MBR.
Supported models
Beginning with 2012 models, all HP business notebooks support the MBR save/restore feature.
HP business desktop models that support the MBR save/restore feature include the following:
 Models with the newer UEFI-based BIOS:
– HP Compaq 8300 Elite (all versions: Convertible Minitower, Microtower, Small Form Factor, Ultra-slim PC, and All-
in-One PC)
– HP Compaq 8200 Elite (all versions: Convertible Minitower, Microtower, Small Form Factor, Ultra-slim PC, and All-
in-One PC)
– HP Compaq 6300 Pro (all versions: Microtower, Small Form Factor, and All-in-One PC)
– HP Compaq 6200 Pro (all versions: Microtower and Small Form Factor)
– HP rp5800 Retail System
 Models with the older legacy BIOS :
– 2010 HP Compaq 8100 Elite (all versions: Convertible Minitower, Small Form Factor)
NOTE: For support information on legacy desktop systems prior to 2010, consult HP QuickSpecs.