Abstract: A system and method for performing software patches for embedded system devices in which the firmware of the system is included in non-alterable storage of the device. The patch mechanism provides a means for finding firmware errors, prototyping fixes to the errors and/or prototyping new functionality of the firmware of the embedded system. The system comprises an embedded system device coupled to an external memory. The device includes a non-alterable memory, including firmware, coupled to a processor. The device further includes a relatively small amount of patch RAM within the device also coupled to the processor. The patches are loaded from the external memory into the patch RAM. The device further includes a means for determining if one or more patches are to be applied. If the device detects a patch to be applied, the system loads the patch from the external memory into the patch RAM. The device also includes a breakpoint register.