Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses relating to circuitry to implement a multiprocessor boot flow for a faster boot process are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a hardware processor comprising a processor core, a cache coupled to the hardware processor, storage for hardware initialization code, and a controller circuit to initialize a portion of the cache as memory for usage by the hardware initialization code before beginning execution of the hardware initialization code after a power on of the system.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses relating to circuitry to implement a multiprocessor boot flow for a faster boot process are described. In one embodiment, a system includes a hardware processor comprising a processor core, a cache coupled to the hardware processor, storage for hardware initialization code, and a controller circuit to initialize a portion of the cache as memory for usage by the hardware initialization code before beginning execution of the hardware initialization code after a power on of the system.

Abstract: An improved method of testing a computer system comprises a sequence of tests that are performed when the computer system is first turned on, according to one embodiment. The operation of various components of the computer system, such as a chipset, a random access memory, a cache memory, a video controller, a keyboard controller, peripheral memory controllers, busses, and the like, is tested by a test program stored in read only memory (ROM). If the components successfully pass, an address is permanently changed in ROM, so that the test sequence is bypassed whenever the computer system is subsequently booted, saving significant time during future reboots. An improved computer system and a machine-accessible medium are also described.

Abstract: Articles, methods, apparatus, and systems to control access to a protected area of a memory are disclosed.

Abstract: Articles, methods, apparatus, and systems to control access to a protected area of a memory are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, circuitry, an apparatus, and a system for controlling access to a protected area of a memory are disclosed. The method includes detecting an attempt to write to the protected area, determining whether a write authorization flag (not located in the protected area) has been set by instructions located in the protected area, and, if the flag has been set, enabling the attempted write operation. The circuitry, apparatus, and system embody the method in various combinations of software and hardware, such that a write detection module alerts a processor module regarding attempts to write to the protected area, the processor module determines whether the write operation has been authorized by checking the state of the authorization flag, and enables the write operation to the protected area only if the authorization flag has been set.

Abstract: An improved method of testing a computer system comprises a sequence of tests that are performed when the computer system is first turned on, according to one embodiment. The operation of various components of the computer system, such as a chipset, a random access memory, a cache memory, a video controller, a keyboard controller, peripheral memory controllers, busses, and the like, is tested by a test program stored in read only memory (ROM). If the components successfully pass, an address is permanently changed in ROM, so that the test sequence is bypassed whenever the computer system is subsequently booted, saving significant time during future reboots. An improved computer system and a machine-accessible medium are also described.

Abstract: Methods, circuitry, an apparatus, and a system for controlling access to a protected area of a memory are disclosed. The method includes detecting an attempt to write to the protected area, determining whether a write authorization flag (not located in the protected area) has been set by instructions located in the protected area, and, if the flag has been set, enabling the attempted write operation. The circuitry, apparatus, and system embody the method in various combinations of software and hardware, such that a write detection module alerts a processor module regarding attempts to write to the protected area, the processor module determines whether the write operation has been authorized by checking the state of the authorization flag, and enables the write operation to the protected area only if the authorization flag has been set.