Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for providing a thermal window for an Information Handling System (IHS) housing are described. In some embodiments, an IHS may include a plurality of components and a housing configured to hold the plurality of components, where the housing includes a plate having a metal portion and a plastic portion, and where the plastic portion is positioned adjacent a hot spot of the IHS.

Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods for providing a thermal window for an Information Handling System (IHS) housing are described. In some embodiments, an IHS may include a plurality of components and a housing configured to hold the plurality of components, where the housing includes a plate having a metal portion and a plastic portion, and where the plastic portion is positioned adjacent a hot spot of the IHS.

Abstract: An information handling system motherboard integrates components through integrated wirelines, including at least some components coupled to the motherboard on opposite sides of a narrow region, such as formed by an opening that accepts a cooling fan. A bridge circuit board couples to contacts of the motherboard on opposing sides of the narrow region so that wirelines integrated in the bridge circuit board interface motherboard wirelines, thus offering greater communication density across the narrow region.

Abstract: A battery charge state indicator presents an information handling system battery charge state with an illumination element at a housing side surface in response to end user proximity detected at both first and second capacitive sensor electrodes disposed at the side surface. The capacitive sensor electrodes are supported at a nonconductive material, such as a plastic palm rest covered by carbon fiber material, to provide a proximity detection path, and are grounded to an outer surface of the information handling system housing to reduce false detection induced by end user grasp of the information handling system housing.

Abstract: An information handling system motherboard integrates components through integrated wirelines, including at least some components coupled to the motherboard on opposite sides of a narrow region, such as formed by an opening that accepts a cooling fan. A bridge circuit board couples to contacts of the motherboard on opposing sides of the narrow region so that wirelines integrated in the bridge circuit board interface motherboard wirelines, thus offering greater communication density across the narrow region.

Abstract: An information handling system motherboard integrates components through integrated wirelines, including at least some components coupled to the motherboard on opposite sides of a narrow region, such as formed by an opening that accepts a cooling fan. A bridge circuit board couples to contacts of the motherboard on opposing sides of the narrow region so that wirelines integrated in the bridge circuit board interface motherboard wirelines, thus offering greater communication density across the narrow region.

Abstract: A battery charge state indicator presents an information handling system battery charge state with an illumination element at a housing side surface in response to end user proximity detected at both first and second capacitive sensor electrodes disposed at the side surface. The capacitive sensor electrodes are supported at a nonconductive material, such as a plastic palm rest covered by carbon fiber material, to provide a proximity detection path, and are grounded to an outer surface of the information handling system housing to reduce false detection induced by end user grasp of the information handling system housing.

Abstract: A portable information handling system battery pack couples plural flat battery cells to a frame in first and second planes having battery cells of the first plane aligned to extend past battery cells of the second plane in a cantilevered manner. In one embodiment, the battery pack integrates a battery management unit and a wireless charger.

Abstract: An information handling system motherboard integrates components through integrated wirelines, including at least some components coupled to the motherboard on opposite sides of a narrow region, such as formed by an opening that accepts a cooling fan. A bridge circuit board couples to contacts of the motherboard on opposing sides of the narrow region so that wirelines integrated in the bridge circuit board interface motherboard wirelines, thus offering greater communication density across the narrow region.

Abstract: A portable information handling system battery pack couples plural flat battery cells to a frame in first and second planes having battery cells of the first plane aligned to extend past battery cells of the second plane in a cantilevered manner. In one embodiment, the battery pack integrates a battery management unit and a wireless charger.

Abstract: A computer system for flashing Extended System Configuration Data (ESCD) and associated variables to a flash read-only memory (ROM) is provided. During Power-On-Self-Test (POST) code, a ROM image is copied from an ESCD sector of a read-only memory to an ESCD original buffer and an ESCD write buffer. The ESCD write buffer may be updated by POST code. Following the POST operations, the contents of the ESCD write buffer are copied to an ESCD runtime buffer. The contents of the ESCD original buffer or the ESCD sector are compared to the contents of the ESCD runtime buffer. If the contents of the ESCD runtime buffer differ from the contents of the compared buffer or sector, SMI code flashes the ROM image in the ESCD runtime buffer to the flash ROM. If the ESCD runtime buffer is the same as the contents of the compared buffer or sector, a ROM flash it not performed. POST is then exited and the computer system is booted.

Abstract: A computer system for flashing Extended System Configuration Data (ESCD) and associated variables to a flash read-only memory (ROM) is provided. During Power-On-Self-Test (POST) code, a ROM image is copied from an ESCD sector of a read-only memory to an ESCD original buffer and an ESCD write buffer. The ESCD write buffer may be updated by POST code. Following the POST operations, the contents of the ESCD write buffer are copied to an ESCD runtime buffer. The contents of the ESCD original buffer or the ESCD sector are compared to the contents of the ESCD runtime buffer. If the contents of the ESCD runtime buffer differ from the contents of the compared buffer or sector, SMI code flashes the ROM image in the ESCD runtime buffer to the flash ROM. If the ESCD runtime buffer is the same as the contents of the compared buffer or sector, a ROM flash it not performed. POST is then exited and the computer system is booted.

Abstract: A computer system for flashing Extended System Configuration Data (ESCD) and associated variables to a flash read-only memory (ROM) is provided. During Power-On-Self-Test (POST) code, a ROM image is copied from an ESCD sector of a read-only memory to an ESCD original buffer and an ESCD write buffer. The ESCD write buffer may be updated by POST code. Following the POST operations, the contents of the ESCD write buffer are copied to an ESCD runtime buffer. The contents of the ESCD original buffer or the ESCD sector are compared to the contents of the ESCD runtime buffer. If the contents of the ESCD runtime buffer differ from the contents of the compared buffer or sector, SMI code flashes the ROM image in the ESCD runtime buffer to the flash ROM. If the ESCD runtime buffer is the same as the contents of the compared buffer or sector, a ROM flash it not performed. POST is then exited and the computer system is booted.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to force the computer system to boot from the boot block. During a computer system power-up and initialization, the computer system determines if the escape key is pressed. If so, the computer system will boot from the code in the boot block, proceeding as if the flash ROM is corrupted. This forces the computer system to boot from the boot block even though the system determines that the flash ROM is not corrupt, allowing the user to flash a ROM at the user's discretion.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method to prompt for an administrative password during the boot block process to flash a corrupted ROM image. During a computer system's power-up and initialization, the flash ROM image is examined to determine if the image is corrupt. If so, the computer system executes certain protected code stored in the boot block of the ROM. When the computer system is booted from this boot block, a reduced set of capabilities are needed. One capability according to the invention, is the ability to flash a new ROM image to the corrupted ROM. Once booted from the boot block, the computer system prompts the user for a password preferably by flashing keyboard LEDs. Upon receiving a password, this password is compared to an administrative password stored in non-volatile memory. If the password matches the administrative password, then the computer system enables the ROM to accept a flash ROM image. If the password does not match, the ROM is disenabled, not accepting a flash ROM image.

Abstract: A computer system for flashing Extended System Configuration Data (ESCD) and associated variables to a flash read-only memory (ROM) is provided. During Power-On-Self-Test (POST) code, a ROM image is copied from an ESCD sector of a read-only memory to an ESCD original buffer and an ESCD write buffer. The ESCD write buffer may be updated by POST code. Following the POST operations, the contents of the ESCD write buffer are copied to an ESCD runtime buffer. The contents of the ESCD original buffer or the ESCD sector are compared to the contents of the ESCD runtime buffer. If the contents of the ESCD runtime buffer differ from the contents of the compared buffer or sector, SMI code flashes the ROM image in the ESCD runtime buffer to the flash ROM. If the ESCD runtime buffer is the same as the contents of the compared buffer or sector, a ROM flash it not performed. POST is then exited and the computer system is booted.