BIOS reports "No TPM or TPM has problem"

I recently purchased an OS-less notebook from a fairly well known company. Upon boot, the BIOS warns "No TPM or TPM has problem". It seems that a TPM or "Trusted Platform Module" is some sort of ROM or GPU component of cryptography/DRM/password protection systms. I plan on calling the manufacturer tomorrow but I was wondering if anyone could comment on this or tell me something I ought to know before I call. Any help would be appreciated.