Abstract: A method, computer program product, and a data processing system for generating a data dump in a data processing system is provided. A system boot of the data processing system is initialized. A firmware that includes fault collection logic is executed. A data dump is created in a persistent storage of the data processing system. An attempt is made to complete the system boot of the data processing system.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for determining validity of and updating a microcode image. Responsive to initiation of an update process, a first validity indicator is checked to determine whether a first microcode image in the memory is valid. In response to the first microcode image being valid, a second validity indicator is set indies, to indicate that a second microcode image is invalid, and the update process is allowed to update the second microcode image to form an updated microcode image. A determination is made as to whether the updated microcode image is valid. The second validity indicator is set to indicate that the updated microcode is valid if the updated image is valid. The second validity indicator is checked during booting of a data processing system. If the second validity indicator is valid, the updated microcode will be loaded.

Abstract: Method apparatus, and computer instructions for updating a flash memory. Information regarding the flash memory, for example, configuration and size information, is determined, and the determined information is then used to apply a code update to the flash memory. The invention allows for the same update program or tool to be used for data processing systems with different sizes or configurations of flash memories.

Abstract: An improved process for executing a dump is provided. The iteration loops are made “smart” by allowing them to determine how big the arrays are on the fly and adjust their behavior accordingly. The process uses a function to calculate the amount of memory to allocate for the dump list based on the dump mode and array sizes. Thus, if the static arrays are modified to add or delete constants or the diagnostic code is in an abbreviated dump mode, the amount of memory to be allocated will be calculated accurately.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for processing an error in a multiprocessor data processing system. An error is detected within the data processing system. A chip, causing the error, is identified within a plurality of chips to form an identified chip. Data is collected from the identified chip and hardware associated with the identified chip.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for determining validity of and updating a microcode image. Responsive to initiation of an update process, a validity indicator is checked to determine whether the microcode image in the memory is valid. The validity is set indicator to indicate that the microcode image is invalid, in response to the microcode image being valid. Responsive to the microcode image being valid, the update process is allowed to update the microcode image to form an updated microcode image. A determination is made as to whether the updated microcode image is valid. The validity indicator is set to indicate that the microcode is valid if the updated image is valid. The validity indicator is checked during booting of a data processing system to determine whether to load the microcode image. If the validity indicator is valid, the microcode will be loaded. Otherwise, an alternative microcode image is loaded or an error report is generated.

Abstract: A method of de-allocating multiple processor cores sharing a failing bank of memory is disclosed. The method allows new multiple-processor integrated circuits with on-chip shared memory to be de-allocated using existing technology designed for use with single-processor integrated circuit technology.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for updating a flash memory. A configuration of the flash memory is determined to form an identified configuration. A code update is applied to the flash memory based on the identified configuration.

Abstract: A method for locating a defective component in a data processing system during system startup is disclosed. Each component within the data processing system is assigned a location code. Then, a progress code is associated with a location code and a function being loaded to, tested, or executed in a component. After supplying power to the data processing system, the components of the data processing system are initialized and tested to establish a configuration. During the initialization and testing, a location code of a component and a corresponding progress code are displayed on a display panel. In response to a system hang, a defective component can be identified utilizing the location code and the progress code displayed on the display panel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and using chipset built-in self-test (BIST) signatures is provided. A BIST for a chip in a data processing system may be initiated by a power-on-reset in the data processing system. The BIST signature generated during the BIST is compared with a predetermined BIST signature stored in a vital products data (VPD) module associated with the chip is read. A difference between the generated BIST signature and the predetermined BIST signature is then reported.

Abstract: An improved process for executing a dump is provided. The iteration loops are made “smart” by allowing them to determine how big the arrays are on the fly and adjust their behavior accordingly. The process uses a function to calculate the amount of memory to allocate for the dump list based on the dump mode and array sizes. Thus, if the static arrays are modified to add or delete constants or the diagnostic code is in an abbreviated dump mode, the amount of memory to be allocated will be calculated accurately.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an error condition during initialization of a multiprocessor data processing system is provided. A master processor identification indicator is initialized to an initial value by a service processor in the data processing system. The master processor identification indicator may be a location in nonvolatile RAM to protect data integrity. One of the plurality of processors in the multiprocessor system is selected to be the master processor by being released by the service processor and winning the “race condition” to fetch the first instruction from memory for program execution. This processor then sets the master processor identification indicator to a unique processor identification value. The initial value may be a spoof number indicating whether the master processor has yet written its unique processor identification value. At some later point in time, the service processor detects a freeze or hang condition in the data processing system.

Abstract: A method of de-allocating multiple processor cores sharing a failing bank of memory is disclosed. The method allows new multiple-processor integrated circuits with on-chip shared memory to be de-allocated using existing technology designed for use with single-processor integrated circuit technology.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for processing an error in a multiprocessor data processing system. An error is detected within the data processing system. A chip, causing the error, is identified within a plurality of chips to form an identified chip. Data is collected from the identified chip and hardware associated with the identified chip.