Abstract: A system including a communication circuit and a microprocessor operable to execute instruction code associated with at least a first operating system and a second operating system. The system also includes a volatile system memory to store executable code, a nonvolatile memory to store executable startup code, and nonvolatile image storage to store at least one captured state image. The captured state image includes an image of system memory in a captured state associated with a non-executing operating system. The system further includes a system transition routine to transition between the executing operating system and the non-executing operating system when an application to be run on the microprocessor requires the non-executing operating system. The system transition routine converts content of volatile memory and microprocessor registers to a captured state in accordance with the non-executing operating system captured state image stored in the nonvolatile image storage.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring a microprocessor-based system to a previously booted target state in which an image of memory and the processor registers in the previously booted state is saved and stored in a storage device. A restore routine executing in ROM retrieves the image from the storage device and restores the system memory and processor registers to the target state. An operating system return routine then returns control of the system to the operating system software. In an exemplary implementation, a system in accordance with the invention is incorporated into a microprocessor-based external programmer for a cardiac rhythm management device in order to allow quick starting of the programmer from a powered down condition without going through a time consuming boot process.

Abstract: A system including a communication circuit and a microprocessor operable to execute instruction code associated with at least a first operating system and a second operating system. The system also includes a volatile system memory to store executable code, a nonvolatile memory to store executable startup code, and nonvolatile image storage to store at least one captured state image. The captured state image includes an image of system memory in a captured state associated with a non-executing operating system. The system further includes a system transition routine to transition between the executing operating system and the non-executing operating system when an application to be run on the microprocessor requires the non-executing operating system. The system transition routine converts content of volatile memory and microprocessor registers to a captured state in accordance with the non-executing operating system captured state image stored in the nonvolatile image storage.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring a microprocessor-based system to a previously booted target state in which an image of memory and the processor registers in the previously booted state is saved and stored in a storage device. A restore routine executing in ROM retrieves the image from the storage device and restores the system memory and processor registers to the target state. An operating system return routine then returns control of the system to the operating system software. In an exemplary implementation, a system in accordance with the invention is incorporated into a microprocessor-based external programmer for a cardiac rhythm management device in order to allow quick starting of the programmer from a powered down condition without going through a time consuming boot process.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring a microprocessor-based system to a previously booted target state in which an image of memory and the processor registers in the previously booted state is saved and stored in a storage device. A restore routine executing in ROM retrieves the image from the storage device and restores the system memory and processor registers to the target state. An operating system return routine then returns control of the system to the operating system software. In an exemplary implementation, a system in accordance with the invention is incorporated into a microprocessor-based external programmer for a cardiac rhythm management device in order to allow quick starting of the programmer from a powered down condition without going through a time consuming boot process.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring a microprocessor-based system to a previously booted target state in which an image of memory and the processor registers in the previously booted state is saved and stored in a storage device. A restore routine executing in ROM retrieves the image from the storage device and restores the system memory and processor registers to the target state. An operating system return routine then returns control of the system to the operating system software. In an exemplary implementation, a system in accordance with the invention is incorporated into a microprocessor-based external programmer for a cardiac rhythm management device in order to allow quick starting of the programmer from a powered down condition without going through a time consuming boot process.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring a microprocessor-based system to a previously booted target state in which an image of memory and the processor registers in the previously booted state is saved and stored in a storage device. A restore routine executing in ROM retreives the image from the storage device and restores the system memory and processor registers to the target state. A operating system return routine then returns control of the system to the operating system software. In an exemplary implementation, a system in accordance with the invention is incorporated into a microprocessor-based external programmer for a cardiac rhythm management device in order to allow quick starting of the programmer from a powered down condition without going through a time consuming boot process.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for booting a computer from a removable media disk drive. The method and apparatus are suited to an environment in which the removable media disk drive is configured as the first fixed disk drive in the computer. The removable media drive responds to testing during the power-up as if it contains media, whether or not media is present. Thus, the removable media drive is recognized by the BIOS. Additionally, a substitute master boot record is provided to the computer from a Read-Only Memory device contained on the removable media drive in response to a request for the master boot record of the media. Control of the boot sequence is thereby gained. The substitute master boot record loads a boot program that allows booting from any media or physical disk drive independent of the CMOS configuration.