Personal computer employing reset button to enter ROM-based diagnostics
US5398333A · kind A · utility
32Cited by
1References
21Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 22, 1993 |
| Grant date | Mar 14, 1995 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 22, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/0757
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed are a system and method for providing user-invocable, non disk-based diagnostics routines for a personal computer. The method comprises the steps of (1) storing a diagnostics routine capable of performing diagnostic tests on portions of the personal computer in ROM, (2) monitoring a status of a reset button coupled to the personal computer and (3) executing the diagnostics routine if the reset button is pressed twice within a preselected period of time. The disclosed system and method allow a user to control the invocation of a diagnostics routine that needs a minimum of functioning computer hardware to execute.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.