Apparatus and method for loading a system reference diskette image from a system partition in a personal computer system
US5214695A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 17, 1991 |
| Grant date | May 25, 1993 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 17, 2011 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S706/934
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A personal computer system according to the present invention comprises a system processor, a random access memory, a read only memory, and at least one direct access storage device. A direct access storage device controller coupled between the system processor and direct access storage device includes a protection mechanism for protecting a region of the storage device. The protected region of the storage device includes a master boot record, a BIOS image and a system reference diskette image. The BIOS image includes a section known as Power on Self Test (POST). POST is used to test and initialize a system. Upon detecting any configuration error, system utilities from the system reference diskette image, such as set configuration programs, diagnostic programs and utility programs can be automatically activated from the direct access storage device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.