Abstract: A computer system for providing user control of multimedia output parameters. The computer system includes a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a memory unit. The memory unit includes a system management mode (SMM) memory and a main memory. The SMM memory is not mapped as part of the main memory and includes a prestored interrupt processing program. The interrupt processing program includes multimedia parameter control functions that provide a user with control of the output of multimedia parameters. The computer system further includes an input means for a user to generate multimedia parameter control requests, and an interrupt triggering means for detecting the multimedia parameter control request and in response issues an interrupt to the CPU. In response to the interrupt, the CPU interrupts execution, stores the current system state data of the computer system into the SMM memory, and starts execution of the interrupt processing program to service the multimedia parameter control functions.