Abstract: An information handling system includes a processor, a storage medium coupled to the processor, and a program stored in the storage medium and executable by the processor. The program is for causing the processor to, in response to a boot event, detect that a device is not present in the information handling system where the device was present in the information handling system during a prior boot event or detect a device that is present but was not present during a prior boot event. The program is also for causing the processor to access a list that indicates a boot order where the list is stored in the storage medium prior to the boot event and including an entry associated with each bootable device. The program is further for causing the processor to store an indicator in the entry where the indicator indicates that the device is dormant or to replace a dormant device in the boot order with a newly present device of the same type.

Abstract: An information handling system that includes a processor, a storage medium coupled to the processor, and a program stored in the storage medium and executable by the processor. The program is for causing the processor to, in response to a boot event, detect that a device is not present in the information handling system where the device was present in the information handling system during a prior boot event or detect a device that is present but was not present during a prior boot event. The program is also for causing the processor to access a list that indicates a boot order where the list is stored in the storage medium prior to the boot event and including an entry associated with each bootable device. The program is further for causing the processor to store an indicator in the entry where the indicator indicates that the device is dormant or to replace a dormant device in the boot order with a newly present device of the same type.

Abstract: A method of correcting identification data stored in an EEPROM is described. Identification data stored in an EEPROM of a device such as a NIC is programmed into a flash ROM in which the host computer's BIOS is stored. During boot up of the host computer, the BIOS checksums the identification data stored in the EEPROM to determine whether it is valid. If the identification data is determined to be invalid, the EEPROM is reprogrammed with the identification data stored in the flash ROM. Optionally, a flag is set in a CMOS RAM for use by a network administrator to monitor the health of the EEPROM.