Abstract: Systems and methods for providing pre-boot services in an Information Handling System (IHS) having Operating System (OS)-specific hardware and/or firmware components. In some embodiments, an IHS may include an Embedded Controller (EC), a first Operating System (OS)-specific chip coupled to the EC, and a second OS-specific chip coupled to the EC, where the EC is configured to cause the IHS to: in a first mode of operation, perform a first boot procedure using the first OS-specific chip; and in a second mode of operation, perform a second boot procedure using the second OS-specific chip.

Abstract: A heuristic learning algorithm uses an ALS to determine display brightness settings based on a stored response curve for display brightness for a user. When the user overrides the response curve value for display brightness at a given ALS output, the display brightness setting based on the user input is used to modify the response curve for the ALS output to lesser extent than the user input. Over time the response curve will approach desired user settings for each value of the ALS output.

Abstract: A method for automatic correction of nonvolatile memory in information handling systems includes storing ECC data for a compressed BIOS firmware. The ECC data are used to identify and correct error bits in the compressed BIOS firmware. The discovered error bits are recorded in the nonvolatile memory and accessed for a faster correction method for the compressed BIOS firmware than using the ECC data on subsequent attempts.

Abstract: An information handling system and method performs Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) interception and pre-processing of data associated with block input/output (I/O) commands targeting encrypted storage devices. A UEFI interceptor block (IB) I/O driver intercepts each block I/O command targeting block addresses on a storage device and identifies whether any of the target block addresses is encrypted. In response to identifying an encrypted block address among the target block addresses, the UEFI IB I/O driver forwards data associated with the encrypted block address to an encryption-decryption module to perform one of an encryption and a decryption of the data. Final handling of the block I/O command is performed using a block I/O driver chained to the UEFI IB I/O driver. Data associated with I/O commands targeting encrypted block addresses is first processed by the encryption-decryption module before final handling of the I/O command is performed by the block I/O driver.

Abstract: A heuristic learning algorithm uses an ALS to determine display brightness settings based on a stored response curve for display brightness for a user. When the user overrides the response curve value for display brightness at a given ALS output, the display brightness setting based on the user input is used to modify the response curve for the ALS output to lesser extent than the user input. Over time the response curve will approach desired user settings for each value of the ALS output.

Abstract: A method for automatic correction of nonvolatile memory in information handling systems includes storing ECC data for a compressed BIOS firmware. The ECC data are used to identify and correct error bits in the compressed BIOS firmware. The discovered error bits may be recorded in the nonvolatile memory and accessed for a faster correction method for the compressed BIOS firmware than using the ECC data on subsequent attempts.

Abstract: Methods and systems for platform configuration management may use a platform configuration register (PCR) stored on a trusted platform module (TPM) included with an information handling system. A basic input/output system (BIOS) may include instructions to generate a first PCR value based on BIOS settings while a user is operating the BIOS. When the first PCR value indicates a change from a previous PCR value stored in the PCR, an alert may be displayed to the user and sent to a network administrator. The BIOS may display an indication of a mapping of BIOS settings to the first PCR value.

Abstract: An information handling system and method performs Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) interception and pre-processing of data associated with block input/output (I/O) commands targeting encrypted storage devices. A UEFI interceptor block (IB) I/O driver intercepts each block I/O command targeting block addresses on a storage device and identifies whether any of the target block addresses is encrypted. In response to identifying an encrypted block address among the target block addresses, the UEFI IB I/O driver forwards data associated with the encrypted block address to an encryption-decryption module to perform one of an encryption and a decryption of the data. Final handling of the block I/O command is performed using a block I/O driver chained to the UEFI IB I/O driver. Data associated with I/O commands targeting encrypted block addresses is first processed by the encryption-decryption module before final handling of the I/O command is performed by the block I/O driver.

Abstract: An information handling system and method performs Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) interception and pre-processing of data associated with block input/output (I/O) commands targeting encrypted storage devices. A UEFI interceptor block (IB) I/O driver intercepts each block I/O command targeting block addresses on a storage device and identifies whether any of the target block addresses is encrypted. In response to identifying an encrypted block address among the target block addresses, the UEFI IB I/O driver forwards data associated with the encrypted block address to an encryption-decryption module to perform one of an encryption and a decryption of the data. Final handling of the block I/O command is performed using a block I/O driver chained to the UEFI IB I/O driver. Data associated with I/O commands targeting encrypted block addresses is first processed by the encryption-decryption module before final handling of the I/O command is performed by the block I/O driver.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing diagnostic testing based on information handling system variables include receiving a first indication specifying diagnostic tests to be performed on an information handling system, receiving a second indication specifying diagnostic test conditions respectively associated with the diagnostic tests, receiving a third indication specifying health condition severity of the information handling system, and receiving a fourth indication specifying a user profile including user usage patterns. Based on the first indication, the second indication, the third indication, and the fourth indication, a schedule for executing diagnostic tests is generated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for platform configuration management may use a platform configuration register (PCR) stored on a trusted platform module (TPM) included with an information handling system. A basic input/output system (BIOS) may include instructions to generate a first PCR value based on BIOS settings while a user is operating the BIOS. When the first PCR value indicates a change from a previous PCR value stored in the PCR, an alert may be displayed to the user and sent to a network administrator. The BIOS may display an indication of a mapping of BIOS settings to the first PCR value.

Abstract: An information handling system and method performs Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) interception and pre-processing of data associated with block input/output (I/O) commands targeting encrypted storage devices. A UEFI interceptor block (IB) I/O driver intercepts each block I/O command targeting block addresses on a storage device and identifies whether any of the target block addresses is encrypted. In response to identifying an encrypted block address among the target block addresses, the UEFI IB I/O driver forwards data associated with the encrypted block address to an encryption-decryption module to perform one of an encryption and a decryption of the data. Final handling of the block I/O command is performed using a block I/O driver chained to the UEFI IB I/O driver. Data associated with I/O commands targeting encrypted block addresses is first processed by the encryption-decryption module before final handling of the I/O command is performed by the block I/O driver.

Abstract: An information handling system and method performs Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) interception and pre-processing of data associated with block input/output (I/O) commands targeting encrypted storage devices. A UEFI interceptor block (IB) I/O driver intercepts each block I/O command targeting block addresses on a storage device and identifies whether any of the target block addresses is encrypted. In response to identifying an encrypted block address among the target block addresses, the UEFI IB I/O driver forwards data associated with the encrypted block address to an encryption-decryption module to perform one of an encryption and a decryption of the data. Final handling of the block I/O command is performed using a block I/O driver chained to the UEFI IB I/O driver. Data associated with I/O commands targeting encrypted block addresses is first processed by the encryption-decryption module before final handling of the I/O command is performed by the block I/O driver.

Abstract: Methods and systems for performing diagnostic testing based on information handling system variables include receiving a first indication specifying diagnostic tests to be performed on an information handling system, receiving a second indication specifying diagnostic test conditions respectively associated with the diagnostic tests, receiving a third indication specifying health condition severity of the information handling system, and receiving a fourth indication specifying a user profile including user usage patterns. Based on the first indication, the second indication, the third indication, and the fourth indication, a schedule for executing diagnostic tests is generated.

Abstract: An information handling system and method performs Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) interception and pre-processing of data associated with block input/output (I/O) commands targeting encrypted storage devices. A UEFI interceptor block (IB) I/O driver intercepts each block I/O command targeting block addresses on a storage device and identifies whether any of the target block addresses is encrypted. In response to identifying an encrypted block address among the target block addresses, the UEFI IB I/O driver forwards data associated with the encrypted block address to an encryption-decryption module to perform one of an encryption and a decryption of the data. Final handling of the block I/O command is performed using a block I/O driver chained to the UEFI IB I/O driver. Data associated with I/O commands targeting encrypted block addresses is first processed by the encryption-decryption module before final handling of the I/O command is performed by the block I/O driver.