Abstract: In a computer system including a video subsystem, a method for storing and displaying a power on graphical image, comprises the steps of: storing a compressed graphical image in a programmable read-only memory (PROM); initializing a power-on self test (POST); decompressing the compressed graphical image;loading the decompressed graphic image into a random access memory (RAM); and displaying the graphical image during the POST. Also in accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method for adding a user selected graphic image to a system ROM image, comprises the steps of: searching the Flash image file for the graphical image signature (GIS); locating the actual graphical image data with the graphical image header; reading the new graphical image data; overlaying the old graphical image data into a Flash image file; and recalculating the system ROM checksum.

Abstract: An information processing system comprises a system processor, an information storage circuit for storing at least programs for operating the information processing system; an enclosure for enclosing the information processing apparatus, the enclosure including an opening for providing access to the information processing system; a cover attached to the enclosure, the cover providing an open position and a closed condition for the information processing apparatus; detection circuitry for detecting whether the cover is in the open position; and means for stopping information processing by the information processing system responsive to an indication that the cover is in the open condition.

Abstract: A computer system includes a system processor, an information storage apparatus, at least one booting device from which the computer system can be booted, and a detection apparatus for detecting a computer virus during a boot sequence for the computer system. The information storage apparatus contains information including cyclic redundancy check values for a Master Boot Record and for an operating system selected for booting. These CRC values are computed when the Master boot record and the operating system boot record are known to be free from computer viruses.

Abstract: A tiered device driver system includes a SCSI generic device driver (SGDD) in one tier and one or more SCSI device-class drivers (SDCD) in another tier. In response to a request to access a SCSI device, the operating system creates a request packet that is passed to the appropriate SDCD. Such SDCD creates a generic request packet and associated data structures that contain information specific to the SCSI device being accessed. The generic request packet is passed on to a SCSI generic device driver (SGDD) that creates a SCSI ABIOS request block which it transmits to a SCSI adapter for accessing the desired SCSI device. The SGDD provides functions common to the SDCDs.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for configuring a personal computer system for operation with a plurality of optional system consoles. A first non-volatile memory means stores present system configuration data. The present system configuration data is representative of the type of system console connected to the system. A diagnostic module accesses this configuration data for determining the operational validity of the system based upon a predetermined system configuration. The diagnostic module compares the present configuration data to the predetermined configuration. Based upon the comparison the diagnostic module modifies the operation of the system to communicate with the type of system console connected to the system.