Abstract: Embodiments of a method and system for managing a system are disclosed herein. The method and system provides a means to permanently and/or securely store core system configuration information so that the core system configuration information stays with a particular system, such as a computing device or motherboard for example. The method and system provide a means for channel integrators, manufacturers, and technicians to quickly troubleshoot and return a system to full service after receiving the system from a customer as part of an unstable, non-functioning, or other system service event. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A BIOS includes a core and multiple modules. The modules include both those that are platform specific and those that are not platform specific. Each module has a standard interface that allows the core (or other module) to call the module. A platform vendor constructs a BIOS by selecting modules from one or more vendors, which when executed can select modules that are suitable for the platform the BIOS resides in.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is a system and method relating to seamlessly enable enhanced management and scripting of a computer system and its add-in devices. In at least one embodiment, the present invention enables a system administrator or integrator to script a common configuration for multiple devices and then automatically configure the devices using the script. The language construct and central data repository for configuration settings are extended to comprehend a scripting language. A script is read by a script engine during either pre-boot or runtime. The script engine searches a keyword database on the central data repository to determine requested configuration settings. A data offset is corresponding to a specific op-code is used to determine where configuration settings are located, for modification.

Abstract: A BIOS includes a core and multiple modules. The modules include both those that are platform specific and those that are not platform specific. Each module has a standard interface that allows the core (or other module) to call the module. A platform vendor constructs a BIOS by selecting modules from one or more vendors, which when executed can select modules that are suitable for the platform the BIOS resides in.

Abstract: A BIOS includes a core and multiple modules. The modules include both those that are platform specific and those that are not platform specific. Each module has a standard interface that allows the core (or other module) to call the module. A platform vendor constructs a BIOS by selecting modules from one or more vendors, which when executed can select modules that are suitable for the platform the BIOS resides in.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention relates generally to computer configuration and, more specifically, to a system and method to seamlessly determine the component configurations of a series of heterogeneous platforms and enable their respective component configurations to be intelligently migrated from one platform to another. In some embodiments, the invention involves generating configuration binaries for a plurality of target platforms. The configuration binaries are used with tools to create configuration directives for the target machines. In at least one embodiment, the configuration directives are sent to the target platforms in a scripting language. In some embodiments, the scripts are automatically generated by a tool using the configuration binaries for various platforms and policy guidance to determine which settings should be set on or off. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a BIOS routine, and a method executed during a BIOS routine, that includes a stored BIOS program causing a computer to receive information, including error information, from at least one first units coupled to the computer, store the information in a memory; and for each of at least one second units coupled to the computer, receive an initial request for the information from the second unit and in response to the request, provide to the second unit at least one of the information stored before the receipt of the request if any is stored, and provide to the second unit at least one of the information to the second unit received subsequent to the request.

Abstract: A method includes generating a first signal defining 1) a location in a memory, and 2) a length in the memory of a second signal, the first signal having a cross-platform encoding. The first signal is stored such that it may be accessed by an application program.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a computer system includes, in response to a startup phase of the computer system in which a system memory of the computer system is not initialized for data storage, detecting a resource of the computer system. Information about the resource reported in response to a second phase of the computer system in which the system memory is initialized.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a digitally signed image is embodied in a memory component such as a non-volatile memory. The digitally signed image comprises a post-relocation image and a digital signature. The post-relocation image is an image of a software module altered by a symmetrical relocation function by loading of the image into the memory component. The digital signature is based on the image so that it can be used to analyze data integrity.

Abstract: A protected boot sequence in a computer system. A reset vector directs the system to a boot program including a protected program. This protected program verifies the integrity of the BIOS contents before branching to the BIOS for execution of normal bootstrap functions. The protected program can also lock down various blocks of bootstrap code to prevent them from being changed after a certain point in the boot sequence. The protected boot sequence can proceed in layers, with each layer providing some level of validation or security for succeeding layers.

Abstract: A technique that is usable with a computer system includes, in response to a startup phase of the computer system in which a system memory of the computer system is not initialized for data storage, detecting a resource of the computer system. Information about the resource reported in response to a second phase of the computer system in which the system memory is initialized.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for uniform configuration for a computer system. During a runtime stage for the computer system, configuration data for configurable devices populating the computer system is retrieved from a buffer. The buffer containing the configuration data is transferred to this buffer during a pre-boot stage of the computer system. A homepage comprising a configuration menu for each of the configurable devices based on the configuration data is generated during the pre-boot stage. The homepage is presented to an operator for configuration setup for each of the configurable devices at the operator's request either during the pre-boot stage or during the runtime stage. The operator selects the desirable configuration setup. The data for this configuration setup is stored in a nonvolatile storage module, which is included within the computer system.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mechanism for independently developed firmware modules to be executed in an ordered sequence such that the services required by each module will be available when the module executes. Upon execution, each of the firmware modules provides one or more services that may be used by various components in the computer platform. In one embodiment, one or more firmware modules are stored on one or more firmware devices (FD), such as a flash memory component or other types of non-volatile storage mediums. The mechanism examines header information pertaining to each of the firmware modules in each FD and determines services that are required to be available prior to the execution of that module. Firmware modules are then executed in an order that is a function of the services each module requires (i.e., is dependent on) and the services each module produces using an iterative algorithm.

Abstract: A BIOS includes a core and multiple modules. The modules include both those that are platform specific and those that are not platform specific. Each module has a standard interface that allows the core (or other module) to call the module. A platform vendor constructs a BIOS by selecting modules from one or more vendors, which when executed can select modules that are suitable for the platform the BIOS resides in.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for initializing a computer system, which includes a lockable nonvolatile memory coupled to a processor having maskable address lines and a cache, when a nonvolatile memory update is in process. When an update is in process, the nonvolatile memory is unlocked in response to the initialization event only if address line masking is disabled, and at least a portion of the processor cache is invalidated to ensure the processor will fetch the first instruction from the nonvolatile memory.

Abstract: A method for updating firmware. The method includes providing replaceable information in a non-modifiable storage and replacement information in a modifiable storage or a removable storage and providing a replacement indicator. The replacement information is accessed instead of the replaceable information based upon the replacement indicator.

Abstract: An apparatus that includes a BIOS routine, and a method executed during a BIOS routine, that includes a stored BIOS program causing a computer to receive information, including error information, from at least one first units coupled to the computer, store the information in a memory; and for each of at least one second units coupled to the computer, receive an initial request for the information from the second unit and in response to the request, provide to the second unit at least one of the information stored before the receipt of the request if any is stored, and provide to the second unit at least one of the information to the second unit received subsequent to the request.

Abstract: A method includes generating a first signal defining 1) a location in a memory, and 2) a length in the memory of a second signal, the first signal having a cross-platform encoding. The first signal is stored such that it may be accessed by an application program.

Abstract: A method for restriping a striped disk array in a computer system without requiring the removal of the system from normal operation provides an efficient method to expand the disk array and incorporate the new storage into the striping scheme. When the operating system is not requesting access to the hard disk subsystem, the data is repositioned. The data on the array need not be backed-up onto alternate media before the array is expanded. Once new storage space is installed, the data is repositioned from disk to disk under the control of a disk controller until a stripe of the new array is expanded. Pointers stored in non-volatile memory maintain the location of the next free location and the next data block to be repositioned. The pointers are also used by the disk controller to locate the files during the array expansion process. The process is repeated until all of the data is relocated in the expanded array. After the relocation is complete, empty storage at the end of each disk remains.