Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for diagnosis of a processor in an operating system-absent environment (i.e., without or prior to an operating system boot). A boot operation of the processor is begun, and a Power-On Self test (POST) process is run. If a failure in the POST process occurs, the failure is detected and information regarding it is stored. The processor is then rebooted and the POST process is begun again. The stored information of the prior POST failure is then used for diagnosis during the reboot operation. To assist in the diagnosis, information about the state of the boot process can be displayed as a supplement to beep codes customarily used for diagnosis. In another aspect of the invention, after a boot failure is detected, a Pre-boot Diagnostic System Loader can be run. Information stored in the Pre-boot Diagnostic System Loader can then be used to boot a diagnostic partition.

Abstract: A computer system includes a nonvolatile memory positioned between a disk controller and a disk drive storing a boot program, in a computer system. Upon an initial boot sequence, the boot program is loaded into a cache in the nonvolatile memory. Subsequent boot sequences retrieve the boot program from the cache. Cache validity is maintained by monitoring cache misses, and/or by monitoring writes to the disk such that a write to a sector held in the cache results in the cache line for that sector being invalidated until such time as the cache is updated. A filter driver is provided to monitor writes to the disk and determine if a cache line is invalidated.

Abstract: A software application for executing on a computing system that monitors a user's behavior and adapts the power management policies to the user's preferences in an automated manner. The software application records a time of day whenever the computing system transitions from a current power state to a new power state as a result of an action initiated by a user, such as when the user activates the computing system. The software application includes a pattern-detection software module to detect a usage pattern within the recorded times and predicts when the user is likely to activate the computing system. Based on this prediction, the software application automatically transitions the computing system to a higher power state prior to the predicted startup time, thereby allowing the computing system to be “instantly” available for use when accessed by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for diagnosis of a processor in an operating system-absent environment (i.e., without or prior to an operating system boot). A boot operation of the processor is begun, and a Power-On Self Test (POST) process is run. If a failure in the POST process occurs, the failure is detected and information regarding it is stored. The processor is then rebooted and the POST process is begun again. The stored information of the prior POST failure is then used for diagnosis during the reboot operation. To assist in the diagnosis, information about the state of the boot process can be displayed as a supplement to beep codes customarily used for diagnosis. In another aspect of the invention, after a boot failure is detected, a Pre-boot Diagnostic System Loader can be run. Information stored in the Pre-boot Diagnostic System Loader can then be used to boot a diagnostic partition.

Abstract: A computer system includes a nonvolatile memory positioned between a disk controller and a disk drive storing a boot program, in a computer system. Upon an initial boot sequence, the boot program is loaded into a cache in the nonvolatile memory. Subsequent boot sequences retrieve the boot program from the cache. Cache validity is maintained by monitoring cache misses, and/or by monitoring writes to the disk such that a write to a sector held in the cache results in the cache line for that sector being invalidated until such time as the cache is updated. A filter driver is provided to monitor writes to the disk and determine if a cache line is invalidated.

Abstract: A computer system includes a nonvolatile memory positioned between a disk controller and a disk drive storing a boot program, in a computer system. Upon an initial boot sequence, the boot program is loaded into a cache in the nonvolatile memory. Subsequent boot sequences retrieve the boot program from the cache. Cache validity is maintained by monitoring cache misses, and/or by monitoring writes to the disk such that a write to a sector held in the cache results in the cache line for that sector being invalidated until such time as the cache is updated. A filter driver is provided to monitor writes to the disk and determine if a cache line is invalidated.

Abstract: A computer system includes a nonvolatile memory positioned between a disk controller and a disk drive storing a boot program, in a computer system. Upon an initial boot sequence, the boot program is loaded into a cache in the nonvolatile memory. Subsequent boot sequences retrieve the boot program from the cache. Cache validity is maintained by monitoring cache misses, and/or by monitoring writes to the disk such that a write to a sector held in the cache results in the cache line for that sector being invalidated until such time as the cache is updated. A filter driver is provided to monitor writes to the disk and determine if a cache line is invalidated.

Abstract: A system for inspecting indicia on a golf ball is disclosed herein. The system uses a multitude of cameras to analyze indicia that has been printed on the surface of the golf ball in order to accept or reject each golf ball. In a preferred embodiment, the system is placed in-line with the printing of the indicia on the golf ball surface, and prior to the curing of the indicia in order to easily remove unacceptable indicia.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to establish a network connection for a processor in an operating system-absent environment (i.e., without or prior to an operating system boot). Pre-boot services are first loaded into a volatile memory from a non-volatile memory. These pre-boot services include code for a modem driver. The modem driver code is then used to establish the network connection. In addition, in situations where it is desired to minimize the amount of non-volatile memory required on-site at the processor, the code stored in the non-volatile memory for the modem driver can be limited to only the code necessary to establish a low-speed initial connection. Once the processor is connected to the network, code for a high speed modem driver can be downloaded to the volatile memory of the processor.

Abstract: A carbonated beverage dispenser is provided with a station for dispensing chilled still water. The dispenser includes an adapter block which is easily installed in place of a standard dispensing valve, blocks the soda delivery tube and accepts chilled water from a syrup delivery tube for dispensing through a standard spigot.

Abstract: A multiposition hood hinge for an alligator type hood includes body mounted and hood mounted hinge members which are respectively pivoted to the forward and rearward ends of an intermediate link. An intermediate portion of the link is releasably secured to the body mounted hinge member. The hood mounted hinge member normally pivots about the rearward end of the link. Upon release of the intermediate portion of the link from the body mounted hinge member, the hinge can be moved to various open positions.

Abstract: An extruded plastic molding is attached to the roof rail and faces downwardly toward the door opening so that the molding conceals the spot welds on the roof rail. The molding has an outboard edge portion defining a recess which is installed over the pinch-weld flange and accommodates a sealant to prevent the flow of moisture through the interface between the panels at the pinch-weld and between the roof rail and the molding. The outboard edge portion also defines an upwardly opening drip gutter and has an integral longitudinal extending retention lip structure by which a decorative drip molding may be snap-retained on the molding. The inboard edge of the molding overlaps a leg of the door sealing strip.