Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method for providing fault isolation in a computer system including a central processing unit (“CPU”) capable of issuing a signal to a memory to retrieve a requested instruction from the memory when the CPU is booted. The disclosed invention comprises an interception and substitution circuit, coupled to the CPU, capable of intercepting the signal and providing an alternative diagnostics instruction to the CPU in lieu of the requested instruction, the alternative diagnostics instruction providing an indication of proper functioning of the computer system when executed by the CPU. The circuit allows a user to determine whether the CPU and components proximate the CPU are functioning, even when a fault renders conventional, embedded power-on self-test routines non-functional.

Abstract: Disclosed are a circuit and method for learning attributes of computer memory (such as cacheability and writability) in a computer system. The circuit is coupled to a central processing unit ("CPU") and memory units within the computer system. The circuit is capable of retrieving an attribute relating to performance or operation of a particular memory unit when the CPU accesses the particular memory unit and storing the attribute in random-access memory ("RAM") within the circuit, subsequent accesses by the CPU of the memory unit made more efficient by use of the stored attribute. Operation of the circuit is transparent to the CPU and the memory unit. In an alternative embodiment, the circuit is within the CPU itself.

Abstract: A computer which carries its BIOS in a Flash EPROM. A UV-EPROM carries a redundant BIOS, which can be overlaid onto the BIOS address space by selection with a physical switch.The BIOS contains a small core software program, at the BIOS entry point, which checks BIOS integrity, and provides for reloading the Flash EPROM's BIOS if needed (from a floppy disk, or by copying the entire contents of the UV-EPROM).

Abstract: A brick tie unit comprises a base plate attached to a drywall construction with a plurality of brick ties slideably engaged thereon. The ties are sized to engage the mortar between successive brick layers in a brick veneer. The structure provides a means for frictionally engaging said brick ties to said base plate to prevent longitudinal movement thereof or to selectively release said brick ties to permit movement thereof to a location adjacent the surface of a brick layer to which the tie is attached using wet mortar and successive layers of bricks.