Computer system having flash memory BIOS which can be accessed remotely while protected mode operating system is running
US6282643A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1998 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F9/4401
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Disclosed is a personal computer system which includes a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a direct access storage device (DASD), a random access memory (RAM), and a LAN controller. A flash memory module is coupled to the CPU and an input/output (IO) bus and includes a basic input output system (BIOS) stored therein. The BIOS is effective for responding to the energization of the computer system by initiating a power on self test (POST). The BIOS is further operative on completion of the POST for transferring a portion of BIOS from the module to the RAM and for transferring control of the of the computer system to the BIOS portion. The portion of BIOS is operative to load a protected mode operating system (OS) into RAM and transfer control to the OS. The system further includes a logic circuit coupled to the flash memory module and the IO bus. A communication subsystem is coupled to the IO bus, the logic circuit and the flash memory for allowing the remote computer to access the BIOS in flash memory while the protected mode OS is running.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.