Protection of boot block code while allowing write accesses to the boot block
US6308265A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Oct 23, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F11/1433
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and a method for protecting boot block code while allowing updating to BIOS code during a flash BIOS operation. The boot block code is stored in a boot block or boot region of a flash part, and then a copy of the boot block code is written into another region of the flash part. The image of the boot block code in the another region is compared with the boot block code in the boot block, and if there is a match, the boot block region is unprotected, thereby allowing an update of code in the boot block. The boot block code of the flashed-in BIOS image in the boot block region is compared with the copy of the boot block code in the another region, and if there is a match, the code in the boot block region is protected. If there is not a match or if a power failure occurs, the system is booted up using the boot block code in the another region.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.