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, apparatus, and computer-readable media are provided for disabling a BIOS-provided console redirection facility in the presence of an incompatible device. According to the method, a determination is made as to whether a port has been enabled for utilization with a BIOS-provided console redirection facility. If it is determined that a communications port has been enabled for console redirection, the BIOS is operative to determine whether a device is connected to the communications port that is incompatible with the console redirection facility. If an incompatible device is detected, the BIOS will disable the console redirection facility. Otherwise, the BIOS-provided console redirection facility is enabled for operation.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer-readable media are provided for ensuring compatibility between an operating system and a BIOS redirection component. According to one method, in conjunction with the execution of the BIOS redirection component, a determination is made as to whether the operating system has allocated one or more resources of a computing system in a manner that indicates that a conflict between the BIOS redirection component and the operating system may occur. If the operating system has allocated resources in a manner that indicates that a conflict may occur, computing resources utilized by the BIOS redirection component may be preemptively released in a manner likely to eliminate the possible conflict.