Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a method and system for accessing at least one storage element in a processor-based system. The system comprises a memory for storing instruction sequences by which the processor-based system is processed. The memory has at least one storage element. A processor is coupled to the memory, and a storage device is coupled to the processor. Prior to booting an operating system on the processor-based system, the stored instruction sequences cause the processor to write the contents of the at least one storage element to the storage device. Another aspect of the invention relates to a computer system having a user computer in communication with a remote service computer. The remote service computer has access to a database identifying information available to the service computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a stack in a processor-based system. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises a memory for storing instruction sequences by which the processor-based system is processed; and a processor coupled to the memory that executes the stored instruction sequences, where the processor has a plurality of registers. The stored instruction sequences cause the processor to: (a) determine a condition of occupancy of the plurality of registers; and (b) rearrange the contents of each of the plurality of registers in accordance with a predetermined order.

Abstract: A system for exchanging devices installed in a computer system allows users to make an exchange of devices while the computer system is running or in a sleeping state. The system is able to recognize, access and use the newly added device without restarting or rebooting the computer system.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to provide functionalities to a system BIOS. The method comprises interfacing an interface module to the system BIOS, and receiving a request from the system BIOS to perform a task. System device information associated with the task is received from the system BIOS. The interface module translates the system device information to provide translated information. The translated information is then transferred to a corresponding module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described in which a firmware causes display of a graphical screen with various images that are stored in a non-volatile memory wherein the images may be selectively updated. A memory is configured into a plurality of memory segments wherein each memory segment has a predetermined address thereby allowing the segment to be selectively addressed. A circuit is able to configure a display template having a plurality of display sections on a display wherein data stored in the mentioned memory segments is displayed on a predetermined display section.

Abstract: A software development system develops a product from core library of source code elements, the core library being categorized into components having one or more features. A configurator develops configuration state data based on a designated platform type and the source code elements. A graphical user interface displays a visual and logical representation of the product according to the configuration state data, includine visual indications of any unresolved dependencies. A product make routine then generates the product from the source code elements according to the configuration state data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending basic input output system (BIOS) control of the display screen beyond the loading of the operating system is described. In one embodiment, the BIOS, during power-on self test (POST), writes content to the display screen, redirects a video controller interrupt vector to a new handler, and traps I/O accesses to the video controller. During the time the operating system is starting, accesses to the video controller, through the interrupt vector or directly, is intercepted and/or redirected. Once the operating is loaded, the original interrupt vector is restored, and trapping of I/O accesses to the video controller is disabled, allowing the operating system to take control of the video controller and hence the display screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a computer system usage profile, and transmitting the computer system usage profile to a server which targets content to the computer system in response to the usage profile is described. A basic input output system (BIOS) module and/or an operating system module obtain computer system usage profile information by tracking events such as the frequency of re-boots, the time required to boot-up and shut-down the operating system on the computer system, the amount of time the computer system is “used”, and the frequency and amount of time the computer system is connected to the Internet. This data is collected and communicated to a profile server. The profile server targets content such as messages with graphics or informational material, etc. to the computer system based upon the computer system usage profile. In one embodiment, the content is displayed during boot-up and shut-down of the operating system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for installing programs on a writeable storage device in a fault tolerant manner is described. A processor readable medium having instructions causes a processor to write at least one program to a writeable storage device. A state machine coupled to the processor readable medium indicates the write status of the program to the processor readable medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically installing a target application module and de-installing the target application module if it fails to execute or function properly is described. In one embodiment, the method includes determining whether a shared resource exists on a target media, and, if the shared resource exists, determining whether the application module functioned properly on the target media, and automatically de-installing the application module if the application module failed to function properly.

Abstract: A high capacity computer article of manufacture to be loaded into a drive of a computer that includes a memory, comprising: a computer usable medium including at least one partition area and a boot sector, with the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein, comprising: first computer readable code means fixed in the boot sector including a first BIOS parameter block for setting parameters for the medium if inserted in a floppy drive of the computer; and second computer readable code means fixed in the boot sector comprising a Partition Table for organizing the medium to include at least one partition and for designating an active partition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for inserting one or more files onto a mass storage device during a boot sequence. The method includes loading a content module containing at least one file into memory. The method further includes replacing a target module that is typically executed during a boot sequence with a utility module. The method also includes executing the utility module during the boot sequence to move the content module onto a mass storage device.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to determine loading time of an operating system in a computer system. A basic input and output system (BIOS) retrieves a first time value from a real-time clock. The BIOS loads the OS into memory of the computer system. The OS has a device driver. The device driver retrieves a second time value from the real-time clock. A time difference is computed based on the first and second time value to obtain the loading time of the OS.

Abstract: A method including creating an executable program in accordance with a Windows Control Panel Language (CPL) format; storing the executable program in a first non-volatile memory; transferring the executable program from the first non-volatile memory to a second non-volatile memory; and, configuring an operating system to start-up the executable program after the operating system has completed booting.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to perform multitasking in a basic input and output system (BIOS). Interrupt signals are enabled at predetermined interrupt times. A first task is performed in response to the interrupt signals at the interrupt times. A second task is performed between the successive interrupt times.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and apparatus to display an image during a transition of an operating system in a computer system. An image having an image format compatible with the operating system is obtained. Content of a system file corresponding to the transition of the operating system is created using the image in a system directory.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for providing power management apparatus for a circuit in a processor-based system. The apparatus comprises a memory to store instruction sequences by which the processor-based system is processed and a processor coupled to the memory. The stored instruction sequences cause the processor to: (a) determine a system access time of the circuit; (b) determine if the system access time is less than a first predetermined value, if so, increasing an accessibility period of the circuit, during which the circuit is active. Various embodiments are described.

Abstract: A method for use in a multi-processor system, including a boot strap processor and at least a first processor, for booting the system by executing a plurality of boot sequence tasks, comprising the steps of causing the boot strap processor to execute at least one task from the plurality of boot sequence tasks, and causing the first processor to execute a task in the plurality of boot sequence tasks that is different from the task being executed by the boot strap processor and is executed at least partially in parallel with the execution by the boot strap processor.

Abstract: A method and system of communicating with a computer through a network prior to booting the computer's operating system or after operating system failure is provided. A multitasking kernel is implemented in a network enhanced BIOS. External references in a NIC device driver are resolved to reference services provided by the network enhanced BIOS. A workstation coupled to the computer through a network may be used to access and set status on the computer prior to loading the operating system or after operating system failure. The multitasking kernel may be operated simultaneously with a conventional BIOS. The computer may be further provided with a means for alerting the workstation in the event of a POST failure or operating system crash.

Abstract: A high capacity computer article of manufacture to be loaded into a drive of a computer that includes a memory, comprising: a computer usable medium including at least one partition area and a boot sector, with the computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied therein, comprising: first computer readable code means fixed in the boot sector including a first BIOS parameter block for setting parameters for the medium if inserted in a floppy drive of the computer; and second computer readable code means fixed in the boot sector comprising a Partition Table for organizing the medium to include at least one partition and for designating an active partition.