Abstract: A computing device is provided, including memory storing an instruction storage location. The computing device may further include a processor system including a plurality of processor threads. The processor system may suspend execution of one or more respective processor threads of the plurality of processor threads. The processor system may store one or more respective processor thread contexts of the one or more processor threads in the memory. The processor system may enter a system management mode (SMM). The processor system may determine that the instruction storage location includes a code update instruction. The processor system may perform a code update based on the code update instruction. The processor system may exit the SMM. The processor system may retrieve the one or more processor thread contexts from the memory and resume execution of the one or more processor threads without rebooting the computing device.

Abstract: A computing device is provided, including memory storing an instruction storage location. The computing device may further include a processor system including a plurality of processor threads. The processor system may suspend execution of one or more respective processor threads of the plurality of processor threads. The processor system may store one or more respective processor thread contexts of the one or more processor threads in the memory. The processor system may enter a system management mode (SMM). The processor system may determine that the instruction storage location includes a code update instruction. The processor system may perform a code update based on the code update instruction. The processor system may exit the SMM. The processor system may retrieve the one or more processor thread contexts from the memory and resume execution of the one or more processor threads without rebooting the computing device.

Abstract: Example techniques for updating a firmware, such as BIOS, are disclosed. Upon receiving an update, it is determined whether a secondary non-volatile memory is defined for the firmware. If the secondary non-volatile memory is defined, the update may be written in the secondary non-volatile memory. Further, to apply the update, a warm reboot of the firmware may be performed. The warm reboot causes an OS of the computing system to restart, while preserving data associated with applications running on the computing system.

Abstract: A computing device is provided, including memory storing an instruction storage location. The computing device may further include a processor system including a plurality of processor threads. The processor system may suspend execution of one or more respective processor threads of the plurality of processor threads. The processor system may store one or more respective processor thread contexts of the one or more processor threads in the memory. The processor system may enter a system management mode (SMM). The processor system may determine that the instruction storage location includes a code update instruction. The processor system may perform a code update based on the code update instruction. The processor system may exit the SMM. The processor system may retrieve the one or more processor thread contexts from the memory and resume execution of the one or more processor threads without rebooting the computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an initialization process that selectively reloads part or all of the UEFI when called by the operating system. The reload skips platform initialization and enables the selective loading of UEFI modules with tailored dependencies. A special protected region of memory is reserved and is not available for use by the host operating system. Once initialized, the UEFI will use the reserved memory region to execute code that initiates or loads UEFI modules. The host operating system will await the UEFI reload and then re-initialize the functions, structures and variables it receives from the UEFI.

Abstract: Example techniques for updating a firmware, such as BIOS, are disclosed. Upon receiving an update, it is determined whether a secondary non-volatile memory is defined for the firmware. If the secondary non-volatile memory is defined, the update may be written in the secondary non-volatile memory. Further, to apply the update, a warm reboot of the firmware may be performed. The warm reboot causes an OS of the computing system to restart, while preserving data associated with applications running on the computing system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for an initialization process that selectively reloads part or all of the UEFI when called by the operating system. The reload skips platform initialization and enables the selective loading of UEFI modules with tailored dependencies. A special protected region of memory is reserved and is not available for use by the host operating system. Once initialized, the UEFI will use the reserved memory region to execute code that initiates or loads UEFI modules. The host operating system will await the UEFI reload and then re-initialize the functions, structures and variables it receives from the UEFI.