Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for suspending communications with a hard disk drive in order to transfer data relating to the hard disk drive between the host and an intermediate communications gateway, thereby isolating the hard disk drive from the bus while this data is transferred. The data transferred between the host and the intermediate communications gateway may include control signals transferred from the host to the intermediate communications gateway and status signals transferred from the intermediate communications gateway to the host. In one embodiment, normal communications with an IDE hard disk drive are suspended upon the assertion of the RESET line of the AT bus. As such, the state of the RESET line may be controlled such that the RESET line is no longer merely utilized as a system reset but, instead, is used to define the state of communications between the host and the hard disk drive.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus are provided for retrieving and executing one or more diagnostics modules together capable of testing a single hardware component within a computer system in direct response to a user request. A request is received to perform a diagnostics test on the component. In response to the request, one or more diagnostics modules necessary to test the component are identified. Once the modules have been identified, the modules are retrieved from a remote server computer and installed at the computer system upon which they are to be executed. The modules are then executed, thereby testing the single hardware component. The retrieved diagnostics modules may contain only program code necessary to test the identified component.

Abstract: Methods, computer systems, and devices provide for the use of pointers of various formats stored in a ROM image that is initially stored in an on-board ROM device of a computer system. The pointers may be stored in either a first format such as segment:offset or a second format such as flat 32-bit. The flat 32-bit format allows the ROM device and ROM image to exceed one megabyte in size, which permits many modules to be included to allow the ROM image to provide support for a full spectrum of hardware of the computer system. The segment:offset format allows backward compatibility with legacy type systems and software. The format of the pointers is determined so that first format pointers are converted to second format pointers for use in accessing modules of the ROM image. Pointers already stored in the second format are utilized as is to access the modules.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for creating a customized POST program for use in a computing system. Specifically, the system of the present invention includes each of the routines for POST stored in different locations with associated calls for locating and running the routines. Each routine includes an instruction section containing editable data that indicates the sequence that the routine should be run in POST in relation to the other routines. The system further includes a POST program builder that builds a POST program that includes calls to each routine. The calls for each routine are stored in sequence in the POST program based on the information from the instruction segment associated with each routine.

Abstract: A surgical covering assembly includes a flexible cover that has a length and width each greater than 2.30 feet. The cover has an opening extending therethrough. A transparent window is attached to the cover and substantially covers the opening. The window comprises a flexible material that has at least one section therein defined by perforation lines to allow the selective removal of the section from the window. The section may be selectively removed from the window. The cover may be positioned over a body such that window is aligned with an area to be operated on.