Password protecting ROM based utilities in an adapter ROM
US5742758A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 29, 1996 |
| Grant date | Apr 21, 1998 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 29, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2211/1097
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Provides management tools for a System Owner to assure that a personal computer system is secured against access by an unauthorized user by foreclosing the possibility of circumventing system's security protection during an I/O ROM scan. The POST code is designed to prompt for the proper security password prior to allowing any adapter ROM utility to be run. An interrupt service routine will detect key strokes during adapter ROM scan and prior to passing control to the adapter ROM for handling of the keyboard interrupt. Prior to the ROM Scan for the system, the POST code detects whether or not C2 Security is enabled. On some systems, the C2 functionally may not be used and, the system does not consider password protection for the adapter Utilities. If however, the C2 functionality of the system is enabled, the POST code will continue to enable the password protection for the ROM Scan. Once the interrupt service routine is established the ROM scan will begin. Once the ROM Scan is complete, the interrupt service routine will be unchained from the system, and progress will continue through POST.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.