Abstract: A debug card suitable for use with a data processing system is disclosed. The card includes a microcontroller, a storage device connected to the microcontroller; and, connected to the microcontroller, means for tapping into a communication bus of the data processing system where the bus communicates information between a processor of the data processing system and a display panel. The microcontroller is configured to record the information received by the display panel from the processor in the storage device when the debug card is connected to the communication bus. In one embodiment, the communication bus and the microcontroller are I2C compliant. In this embodiment, the debug card may have its own I2C address thereby enabling the debug card to communicate with the processor. The debug card may further include a serial port connected to the microcontroller. The serial port enables downloading the information stored in the storage device to an external computer.

Abstract: A method and system comprising at least one service processor that is connected to memory and a host system. Additionally, the host system includes at least one host input resource device, such as, for example, a floppy disk, and an interface connecting the host input resource device to the service processor. The interface provides a means for the host input resource device to update, restore, or initialize host system parts or images. In one embodiment, this invention disconnects the host input resource device from main system power and connects it to auxiliary standby power. Thus, the host input resource device makes possible a less costly, less burdensome update of any piece of a data processing system.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product are disclosed for determining the address type of a serial EEPROM in an electronic system. The method includes reading data from at least one location of the EEPROM for a first time and saving the data for future reference. Thereafter, a sequence of transactions is executed that alters the contents of the EEPROM in a prescribed manner if the EEPROM is of a first type. The sequence of transaction leaves the EEPROM in an unaltered state if the EEPROM is of a second type. Data is then read from at least one location of the EEPROM for a second time. The location of the data read from the EEPROM the second time is the same as the location of the data read the first time if the EEPROM is of the first type. The data read the first time and the data read the second time are then compared.

Abstract: A computer system employs a thermal sensor in the main CPU housing to detect operating temperature. If a preselected trip point is reached indicating that overheating may be about to occur, the system goes into an orderly shutdown mode. A standby mode uses a low-power service processor which continues to operate even when the main unit is shut down. The service processor has limited functions, including detecting temperature within the main housing, and communicating by a network with a system administrator unit and reporting on the temperature in the main housing, and on the operating status of the main unit. A mechanism is provided to prevent the main processor unit from being unnecessarily shut down when the operating temperature is near but not beyond the trip point, as may occur due to variations in the power supply voltage and the voltage-dependence of the thermal sensor.

Abstract: A data processing system and method for sharing a component of the data processing system between multiple resources are disclosed. According to the method, at least one query is transmitted from a first resource to a second resource. In response to receipt of the query by the second resource, a reply is transmitted from the second resource to the first resource. The reply indicates that the second resource has an active communication session through a particular communication port controlled by the shared component. In response to receipt of the reply by the first resource, a transfer command is transmitted from the first resource to the second resource. In response to receipt of the transfer command by the second resource, control of the component is transferred from the second resource to the first resource while maintaining the active communication session.