Abstract: A method of booting an operating system for use with an information handling system includes identifying an operating system dependent configuration, and determining an operating system type of the operating system. Further, the method includes changing the operating system dependent configuration in response to the operating system type.

Abstract: An information handling system is disclosed and can include at least one memory and at least two processor cores coupled thereto. Further, the information handling system can include a controller coupled to the at least two processor cores and the at least one memory. The controller can monitor the temperature within each processor core. Based on the temperature the controller can selectively steer one or more program threads away from an overheating processor core.

Abstract: A method of using a counter stored in flash memory includes providing a base value field, a selector field, and a plurality of increment fields. The base value field represents a base value for the counter, and the selector field indicating a first increment field of the plurality of increment fields. The method further includes changing a bit of the first increment field from an erased value to a written value to indicate a change in a value stored in the counter.

Abstract: In an information handling system, when a memory location is accessed and there is a bit error detected in that memory location then the memory location is logged into an error-log. The memory locations of the logged bit errors stored in the error-log are evaluated to determine whether there is one or more bit errors in a particular memory range, e.g., a contiguous range of memory locations. If there is one or more bit errors in a memory range, then that memory range may be hot ejected, e.g., disabled from use by the operating system. The bit error may be single bit error and/or multiple bit errors of a memory location.

Abstract: A remote access module associated with a BIOS of an information handling system having a UHCI-based USB controller allows selection of legacy USB control with a local keyboard or access by a remote keyboard through a remote access bus master adapter. Input from an inactive local or remote keyboard results in automated enabling of the inactive keyboard and disabling of the active keyboard. In one embodiment, remote access to a keyboard port during legacy USB control saves the data associated with the remote access to a memory location accessible to the BIOS and invokes the BIOS to obtain the data. In another embodiment, a legacy USB control option is offered by a display to a user associated with a local keyboard and legacy USB control disabled if the user fails to select local access in a predetermined time period.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of booting an operating system for use with an information handling system. The method comprises identifying an operating system dependent configuration, and determining an operating system type of the operating system. Further, the method includes changing the operating system dependent configuration in response to the operating system type.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, a system and method for reducing the amount of time for a boot operation is provided that substantially reduces disadvantages and problems associated with previously developed memory testing systems and methods. The system includes using a shutdown memory test module to perform the bulk of memory testing during system shutdown, rather than at system start up.

Abstract: An information handling system is disclosed and can include at least one memory and at least two processor cores coupled thereto. Further, the information handling system can include a controller coupled to the at least two processor cores and the at least one memory. The controller can monitor the temperature within each processor core. Based on the temperature the controller can selectively steer one or more program threads away from an overheating processor core.

Abstract: A remote access module associated with a BIOS of an information handling system having a UHCI-based USB controller allows selection of legacy USB control with a local keyboard or access by a remote keyboard through a remote access bus master adapter. Input from an inactive local or remote keyboard results in automated enabling of the inactive keyboard and disabling of the active keyboard. In one embodiment, remote access to a keyboard port during legacy USB control saves the data associated with the remote access to a memory location accessible to the BIOS and invokes the BIOS to obtain the data. In another embodiment, a legacy USB control option is offered by a display to a user associated with a local keyboard and legacy USB control disabled if the user fails to select local access in a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A system with capabilities for recovering from memory errors includes memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The system also includes an operating system and a BIOS which reside in the memory and are executable by the processor. The BIOS includes recovery logic that detects a memory error in a section of the memory and, in response, instructs the operating system to discontinue use of the section of memory with the memory error. For instance, the system may include multiple memory objects that represent respective sections of the memory. The recovery logic may instruct the operating system to discontinue use of the section of memory with the memory error by sending an eject event to the operating system.

Abstract: A remote access module associated with a BIOS of an information handling system having a UHCI-based USB controller allows selection of legacy USB control with a local keyboard or access by a remote keyboard through a remote access bus master adapter. Input from an inactive local or remote keyboard results in automated enabling of the inactive keyboard and disabling of the active keyboard. In one embodiment, remote access to a keyboard port during legacy USB control saves the data associated with the remote access to a memory location accessible to the BIOS and invokes the BIOS to obtain the data. In another embodiment, a legacy USB control option is offered by a display to a user associated with a local keyboard and legacy USB control disabled if the user fails to select local access in a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A GUI control for entering a user selection from a list of possible selections in which the user can “spin” through a list of items shown on preview and postview option lists. The control allows the user to spin forwards and backwards, with a preview list of items and a postview list of items being displayed on opposing sides of the currently selected item dialog box. By providing visibility to the upcoming and recently past selections during the spin, a user can operate the spin control at a higher speed, thereby reducing the amount of time necessary to find the desired item on the list.

Abstract: A rubber band variable-rate GUI control for use in conjunction with GUI controls, such as sliders, scroll bars, virtual joysticks, and oppositional buttons (up/down, left/right, plus/minus, next/previous, etc.). A user may place a pointer or cursor over a GUI control, select (e.g. click and hold a mouse button) and drag away from the control, and a virtual rubber band extending between the pointer and the GUI control is displayed. The further the user moves or “pulls” the pointer from the GUI control, the thinner and more elyptical the rubber band is displayed, and the faster the selections scrolls or the control operation is repeated. When the user moves the pointer closer to GUI control, the rubber band is displayed fatter and more circular in shape, and the scrolling or control operation repetition slows.

Abstract: An enhanced web browser includes a visual history browser which allows recording of browsing sessions and visual replay or review of browsing sessions. As web sites are visited during a normal browsing session, images of the pages viewed are rendered and stored in the system's memory, and are keyed to entries in the web browser's history log. When the web browser user selects the visual history review control such as a graduated slider control, he or she may move the control forward or backward “in time” as the rendered images are displayed in a viewing window, along with optional information such as the originating web site for each address. The user may stop the control at a position in history, and select to re-point the browser to the web address selected from the history file. Thus, the user may visually browse back and forth through the history of web browser until he or she finds the page desired, and then jump to that page on the web.

Abstract: A system with capabilities for recovering from memory errors includes memory and a processor in communication with the memory. The system also includes an operating system and a BIOS which reside in the memory and are executable by the processor. The BIOS includes recovery logic that detects a memory error in a section of the memory and, in response, instructs the operating system to discontinue use of the section of memory with the memory error. For instance, the system may include multiple memory objects that represent respective sections of the memory. The recovery logic may instruct the operating system to discontinue use of the section of memory with the memory error by sending an eject event to the operating system.

Abstract: A method for removing residual data from a computer program stack prior to returning control to a calling or controlling process with system and method for automatic inclusion thereof into software application programs at the time of production of executable code. Two methods, one for removing residual data from a relatively small stack frame and another for removing residual data from a large stack frame, are automatically inserted into application program code during an enhanced compiling method. Two compiler controls allow a software designer to globally include the stack cleaning feature in all code being produced, or to selectively include the stack cleaning feature into certain indicated modules, code areas, or procedures.

Abstract: A virtual joystick GUI control with self-centering capability which provides a computer system user the ability to scroll at an angle using an n-dimensional graphical control interface. The virtual joystick may be displayed in simple two-dimensional view for control of one dimension of scrolling, such as left/right or up/down. Alternatively, the virtual joystick may be displayed in a simulated three-dimensional (perspective) view which allows scrolling in two dimensions, such as up/down/left/right and combinations thereof. The new virtual joystick can be used to scroll displays, or control other system functions and program parameters, such as volume up/down and tone bass/treble. In general, the virtual joystick can allow control of one or two variables over a range of values.

Abstract: A web browser with a set of controls which allows a user to select several page hold modes of operation when selecting standard or plain hyperlinks. In a first state, the web browser software will display pages in a way unaltered from it's standard functionality. In a second state, selection of any hyperlink on the parent page shown in the original instance of the web browser will result in the spawning of a new instance of the web browser in a new window showing the selected document, and the parent page will be “held” in the original instance of the web browser. The user may select many hyperlinks on the parent page, and many new instances of the web browser would be spawned. In the third state, only one additional web browser instance will created to display most recently selected document, and the parent page will be “held” in the original instance of the web browser.