Abstract: Methods, systems, apparatus, and computer-readable media are provided for utilizing an alternate video buffer for console redirection in a headless computer system. According to the method, a buffer is created in the main memory of the computer that is configured to store character and attribute data for a display of the computer. When a video services software interrupt is detected, the interrupt is trapped. A determination is then made as to whether a function associated with the interrupt is for writing to a video display memory. If the function is for writing, the contents of the buffer are updated with the character or attribute information specified by the function. Data representing the updated character or attribute is then redirected to the remote computing device. If a read function is encountered, character or attribute information is retrieved from the buffer at a specified location and is returned in response to the function call.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable mediums provide for the detection of IDE drives connected to intelligent drive electronics channels within a computer. Detection may be obtained by reading a status register destination and detecting whether data read from the status register destination has a predefined value. Based on the data read from the status register destination, an indication that an IDE drive is connected to the intelligent drive electronics channel is returned. Detection of enhanced IDE or ATAPI drives connected to an intelligent drive electronics channel is also provided. Enhanced IDE drives may be detected by reading a cylinder high register destination and a cylinder low register destination to detect a predefined signature. Based on the data read from the cylinder high and the cylinder low register destinations, an indication that an enhanced IDE drive is connected to an intelligent drive electronics channel is returned.