Abstract: Examples disclosed herein relate to an approach to take a startup inventory of a computing including multiple startup components, where the startup inventory includes information about the at least one processing element, at least one memory device, a system board, and a bus device on a bus. The startup inventory is compared to a stored inventory taken when the computing device was put into a first mode to determine whether the startup inventory and the stored inventory match. A security action is performed in response to the comparison.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to diagnose temperature-induced memory errors are disclosed. A disclosed example method to diagnose a temperature-induced memory error includes detecting a memory error associated with a memory device, and writing a highest measured temperature of the memory device in the memory device when the memory error is detected, the highest temperature measured temporally near the detected memory error.

Abstract: Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to diagnose temperature-induced memory errors are disclosed. A disclosed example method to diagnose a temperature-induced memory error includes detecting a memory error associated with a memory device, and writing a highest measured temperature of the memory device in the memory device when the memory error is detected, the highest temperature measured temporally near the detected memory error.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes exemplary embodiments of BIOS-based systems and methods of processor power management. Such systems include a computer system, comprising: a processor operable at a plurality of power levels (the processor comprises a register capable of storing a processor load value); a memory coupled to the processor; and BIOS software stored in the memory that executes on the processor, (the BIOS software comprises a power management module). The power management module sets the processor to a new power level of the plurality of power levels if a function of the load value indicates the new power level.

Abstract: A method of customer service that uses a program which captures the computer's hardware and operating system configuration when the program is installed, and also captures the hardware and operating system configuration upon request (when the user needs customer service help), and compares the two, highlighting differences.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and an apparatus for performing remote execution of system administration upon a standalone computer system, using a controlling computer system. A remote communication sequence is initiated. Communications between the controlling computer system and the standalone computer system is established using the remote communication sequence. Furthermore, a diagnostic software application is initiated on the standalone computer system using the established communication between the controlling computer system and the standalone computer system.

Abstract: A method for servicing computers using diagnostics programs to capture and report comprehensive configuration information to customer service via email.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and an apparatus for performing remote system administration upon a standalone computer system, using a controlling computer system. A remote communication sequence is started. The remote communication sequence is used to initiate an HTTP request to a computer destination address. Communications between the controlling computer system and the standalone computer system is established by decoding the computer destination address. A diagnostic application on the standalone computer system is initiated using the established communication between the controlling computer system and the standalone computer system.

Abstract: A method for performing remote diagnostics on a personal computer system in which the user calls a help desk representative who creates a computerized case file which includes modem telephone numbers, call and computer identification information. The representative also selects specific diagnostic tests, resident on the user's diagnostic disk, to be run on the user's computer. The representative creates a batch job which causes a computer to connect to the user's computer via modem and instructs the user's computer to perform the selected tests. The telephone connection is then broken. The user's computer reconnects with the help desk computer on completion of the tests and reports the result to the help desk representative. The representative then reviews the files and calls the user with recommendations. Certain necessary files can then be downloaded using a similar procedure.