Abstract: An invention is provided for authenticating software associated with an embedded device on a motherboard. An embodiment includes executing an option ROM BIOS for the embedded device. If a bit pattern read from a first memory located on the host card does not match a predetermined bit pattern, the option ROM BIOS is terminated. In another embodiment, a first memory address is provided to the address lines of a memory device located on the host card and a first set of data is output from the memory device, followed by a second memory address to output a second set of data. The second memory address is equal to the first memory address plus the maximum addressable size of the memory device. The first set of data is compared to the second data, and the option ROM BIOS is terminated if the first and second sets of data do not match.

Abstract: A method for recovering boot-up data in a computer system is provided. The method includes storing boot up data in a first container that is accessible by an operating system and copying the boot up data from the first container to a second container that is inaccessible by the operating system. If boot up using the boot up data from the first container fails, the method further includes copying the boot up data from the second container to the first container and booting up the computer system using the boot up data copied into the first container from the second container.

Abstract: A method for recovering boot-up data in a computer system is provided. The method includes storing boot up data in a first container that is accessible by an operating system and copying the boot up data from the first container to a second container that is inaccessible by the operating system. If boot up using the boot up data from the first container fails, the method further includes copying the boot up data from the second container to the first container and booting up the computer system using the boot up data copied into the first container from the second container.