Abstract: A system for displaying information on start-up includes a display screen, a power supply, a data processor, system initialization routine software stored in a non-volatile memory, and one or more ancillary devices, the non-volatile memory including system critical information which is used during a system boot sequence by the system to enable the system subsequently to operate, and wherein the non-volatile memory includes system non-critical information relating to the identity of the manufacturer or supplier of one or more of the ancillary devices, and the system non-critical information is displayable on the display screen during the system boot sequence.

Abstract: The invention provides a bus system comprising a controller; a high speed data transfer bus, the data transfer bus being subject to one or more inherent physical-layer configuration constraints for proper electrical operation; and a separate control bus. Several devices are connected to the controller through the control bus and the data transfer bus. The controller is arranged to communicate with devices using the control bus in order to verify whether or not one or more of the physical-layer configuration constraints are satisfied. If such configuration constraints are not satisfied, the controller modifies the operation of some of the devices using control signals transmitted on the control bus in order to bring the data transfer bus to an operable condition. The invention makes it possible to use the bus system, even though physical-layer configuration constraints are violated.

Abstract: The invention provides a bus system comprising a controller; a high speed data transfer bus, the data transfer bus being subject to one or more inherent physical-layer configuration constraints for proper electrical operation; and a separate control bus. Several devices are connected to the controller through the control bus and the data transfer bus. The controller is arranged to communicate with devices using the control bus in order to verify whether or not one or more of the physical-layer configuration constraints are satisfied. If such configuration constraints are not satisfied, the controller modifies the operation of some of the devices using control signals transmitted on the control bus in order to bring the data transfer bus to an operable condition.

Abstract: The invention provides a bus system comprising a controller; a high speed data transfer bus, the data transfer bus being subject to one or more inherent physical-layer configuration constraints for proper electrical operation; and a separate control bus. Several devices are connected to the controller through the control bus and the data transfer bus. The controller is arranged to communicate with devices using the control bus in order to verify whether or not one or more of the physical-layer configuration constraints are satisfied. If such configuration constraints are not satisfied, the controller modifies the operation of some of the devices using control signals transmitted on the control bus in order to bring the data transfer bus to an operable condition. The invention makes it possible to use the bus system, even though physical-layer configuration constraints are violated.

Abstract: A system for displaying information on start-up includes a display screen, a power supply, a data processor, system initialisation routine software stored in a non-volatile memory, and one or more ancillary devices, the non-volatile memory including system critical information which is used during a system boot sequence by the system to enable the system subsequently to operate, and wherein the non-volatile memory includes system non-critical information relating to the identity of the manufacturer or supplier of one or more of the ancillary devices, and the system non-critical information is displayable on the display screen during the system boot sequence.