Abstract: After it is determined that a memory storage device supports media status notification (MSN), the operating system (OS) enables MSN by sending a command to the device that disables the ejection mechanism within the device. The operating system commences MSN operation using one of two alternative modes. In an Asynch mode, the OS issues a single status command to the device. The single status command is stored in a queue pending the occurrence of a media event related to the device's removable medium, such as an ejection request. After the media event occurs, the device completes the status command by altering the removable medium's status and reporting the altered status within a data packet sent to the OS. In a Polling mode, the OS periodically sends status commands to the device. The device ignores the status commands until a media event related to the device's removable medium occurs.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating extended information, including status information, from a hardware device to a computer operating system. An adapter detects changes in the status of hardware devices attached thereto, including inserted, removed or requested-to-be-removed status, places information regarding that status in registers accessible to the operating system, and generates an interrupt. In handling the interrupt, the operating system reads the status information from the registers and takes appropriate action. The described framework extensibly provides the operating system with the ability to issue commands to the adapter such as commands which obtain information on the capabilities of the adapter and the hardware devices attached thereto. Another such command enables the operating system to direct the adapter to mechanically eject a device attached thereto, such as in response to detection of request-to-be-removed status.

Abstract: A computer method and system for providing protected mode device drivers that are compatible with real mode device drivers. A first aspect of the invention provides consistent assignment of drive unit numbers with which the same physical disks are accessed by the real mode and protected mode physical disk drivers. A second aspect of the invention provides consistent assignment of volume unit numbers with which the same logical volumes are accessed by real mode and protected mode logical volume drivers. A third aspect of the invention provides consistent assignment of adapter numbers with which the same adapters are controlled by real mode and protected mode adapter drivers and mapping real mode adapter driver requests to protected mode adapter driver requests of the protected mode adapter drivers that control the same adapters.

Abstract: A computer method and system for allocating memory for a plurality of software routines. Before execution of the software routines, a collective buffer is allocated. Each software routine is assigned an offset within the collective buffer. Each software routine may then use the portion of the collective buffer starting at its offset as its dynamically allocated work space. To allocate the collective buffer, a collective buffer size is first determined which is sufficient to satisfy the total dynamic memory requirements of the software routines. In determining the collective buffer size, the size of a software routine buffer required by each software routine is accumulated into the collective buffer size. As each software routine buffer size requirement is accumulated, the interim total is stored as the offset for the next software routine. When the last software routine buffer size requirement is accumulated, the total indicates the collective buffer size.

Abstract: A method and system for providing intercommunication of I/O access factors between a file system and device driver, described as follows. A factor data block is provided which stores I/O access factors used by a file system and a device driver. The file system performs application program requests to access files by providing appropriate file system requests to the device driver based on the I/O access factors. The device driver performs the file system requests by controlling access to an appropriate peripheral device based on the I/O access factors. In a preferred embodiment, the I/O access factors include real time status data indicating a current status of I/O processing. The I/O access factors also include device constraint data indicating limitations of the peripheral devices.

Abstract: A computer method and system for providing protected mode device drivers that are compatible with real mode device drivers. A first aspect of the invention provides consistent assignment of drive unit numbers with which the same physical disks are accessed by the real mode and protected mode physical disk drivers. A second aspect of the invention provides consistent assignment of volume unit numbers with which the same logical volumes are accessed by real mode and protected mode logical volume drivers. A third aspect of the invention provides consistent assignment of adapter numbers with which the same adapters are controlled by real mode and protected mode adapter drivers and mapping real mode adapter driver requests to protected mode adapter driver requests of the protected mode adapter drivers that control the same adapters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing overlapping service of requests to two peripheral devices, specifically a CD-ROM drive and a hard disk drive connected to a computer. When a read request is issued to the CD-ROM drive, a seek is immediately initiated. A timer, with a period much shorter than the typical seek time of a CD-ROM drive, is started and any requests to the peripheral hard disk drive are initiated. When the timer times out and when the hard disk request is complete, an inquiry is made to determine whether the CD-ROM drive has finished seeking. This inquiry is accomplished by determining the status of a bit set by the CD-ROM drive in a register in the computer when the CD-ROM drive has finished seeking. If the bit is set, indicating the CD-ROM seek is complete, the data transfer request is immediately issued to the CD-ROM drive. If the bit is not set, indicating the CD-ROM seek is not complete, the timer is reset and the service of hard disk drive requests continues.

Abstract: An integrated device electronics (IDE) driver 40 operating in conjunction with a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) driver (14), wherein both the IDE driver (40) and BIOS driver (14) are capable of powering down a hard disk drive (18). The IDE driver (40) monitors accesses to an alternate status register (32) by the BIOS driver (14). Upon detecting an access to the alternative status register (32), the IDE driver (40) commences writing any uncommitted data to the hard disk drive (18). The IDE driver (40) inhibits power down by the BIOS driver (14) until it finishes committing any uncommitted data to the hard disk drive (18). After all uncommitted data is committed to the hard disk drive (18), the BIOS driver (14) is permitted to power down the hard disk drive (18). A timer is set to reactivate the IDE driver (40). If the hard disk drive (18) was put to sleep, a reset from the BIOS driver (14) must occur before the IDE driver (40) can access the hard disk drive (18).

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a multiplicity of software routines are defined. During configuration of the software system, a plurality of the software routines are selected for inclusion in the software system. Before configuring the software system, each of the multiplicity of software routines is assigned a configuration group. When configuring the software system, each of the multiplicity of software routines is invoked, one configuration group at a time. Each invoked software routine determines whether it should be included in the software system. This determination may be based on which other software routines are already included. Thus, by changing the assigned configuration order of a software routine, the configuration of the software system can be changed.