Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving a non-disruptive code load in a digital electronic device utilizes a copier that modifies itself as it executes. A fixed data section might be left unmodified to preserve a trusted system state. The copier has two parts, a bootstrapper and a dynamic part. As a minimum, the bootstrapper copies the new dynamic part into the runtime area and initiates execution of the new dynamic part. Through the dynamic part, the desired new runtime area configuration for data and code modules is achieved. The bootstrapper is typically static through upgrades, but instruction cache associated with the processor can make self-modification of even the bootstrapper more convenient.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for defining power-up sequences and menus through a macro file. The macro file is compiled into a data construct that is stored on a computing device. On the powering up of the computing device, a first algorithm reads and executes a series of diagnostic tests from the stored data construct. On the failure of a critical diagnostic test, a second algorithm reads and presents a menu structure found in the stored data construct. The data construct can be recompiled and re-stored on the computing device so as to alter the power-up sequence and the menu structure without altering the first or second algorithm.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving a non-disruptive code load that includes assigning an endpoint to a non-disruptive code loading new process, loading the process into a memory location of a system and starting the process, wherein a previous process is instructed to forward all messages on its queue to the new process to where all new signals are processed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for achieving a non-disruptive code load that includes staging the new version of executable code, stacking the hardware events during code copy and code switch over, copying the code into the runtime area, restarting the system upon completion of copying the new code without reinitializing the hardware and processing the stacked hardware events with the same system state (hardware and firmware) information.