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 that includes a system ROM with at least two sets of character strings, one set in English and at least one other set in a non-English language. Generally, each set of character strings includes characters, words and phrases that are translations of corresponding character strings in the other sets. In a preferred embodiment, the system ROM includes only two sets of character strings—one English and the other non-English. The non-English set of character strings is included as part of a “language module” stored or flashed into the system ROM. The character strings preferably are used to provide information and instructions to a user during system setup. When setup is run, the computer system determines whether a valid international language module is included in the system ROM. If a valid language module is included, the user is prompted to select either English or whatever international language is provided in the language module.

Abstract: A computer system contains a revision indicator which is stored in a protected special area of computer memory. The revision indicator specifies the revision of the hardware actually present in the system. The revision indicator data is presented by the computer during power up so that a user may be aware of the type and configuration of the computer system hardware. The revision indicator may be displayed by the computer system BIOS during power on self test (POST), for example. The memory storing the revision indicator is protected from erroneous or unauthorized change.

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 fast boot computer which has three user-selectable modes of performing POST operations. The user can select full POST or quick POST be performed, as in conventional computers. However, he can also select an intermediate mode, wherein the full POST is performed if and only if a given number of days (as programmed by the user) have elapsed since the last full POST operation. This permits users to set their own trade-off between fast boot operation and maximum reliability.