Abstract: Upon activation of a portable computer, a check is made to see if a user has indicated a reduced operating system is to be used. If the user has indicated the reduced operating system is to be used, the reduced operating system is activated. The reduced operating system is stored within a special memory area within the portable computer. The reduced operating system uses less system resources than a full function operating system for the portable computer. If the computer is activated and the user has not indicated the reduced operating system is to be used, the full function operating system of the portable computer is activated.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a system comprises a client, a BIOS on the client, and an image support application in the BIOS operable to re-image the client.

Abstract: Embodiments provide methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for determining a configuration for system board based on a connector. The connector may have a structure that enables a system board to determine configuration data associated with a system configuration.

Abstract: A system and a method that uses a software application operable under a current firmware/operating system configuration to install a new firmware version without “compromising” the operating system are presented. The software application may configure a computer system to install a plurality of software fixes configured to enhance functionality under a new firmware/operating system environment after the firmware has been successfully upgraded. Such functionality enhancements may be associated with external peripherals, as well as, input/output circuit cards, processors, and the like. In addition, the software application may configure the computing device to “boot” under the new firmware/operating system environment upon subsequent system initializations. Furthermore, the software application permits the distribution of firmware upgrades via a network.

Abstract: A pin strap setting override system comprises logic configured to determine whether a pin strap setting for at least one feature of an integrated circuit (IC) is set to enable, the logic further configured to automatically override the enable pin strap setting if a flag stored in a memory indicates a disable setting for the at least one feature.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving user input during a boot process requesting a list of selectable boot devices to be provided from which the user can select one of the devices to boot a system. The method further comprises precluding a function from being performed, the function otherwise permitting a user to select the device to be used to boot the system.

Abstract: During a boot block part of a boot procedure in an electronic device having a persistent secondary storage, a feature that prevents access to the persistent secondary storage is disabled. The persistent secondary storage is accessed during the boot block part of the boot procedure to retrieve information to perform a predetermined task.

Abstract: Example embodiments disclosed herein relate to determining a setting at a component. An output to be powered by a low power state power rail can output a value. The component is to be powered by an auxiliary power rail and determines the setting based on the value at auxiliary power good.

Abstract: In some examples, a device includes a processor, a core hardware logic to execute instructions to perform a task in the device, and a controller separate from the processor. The controller detects corruption of the instructions, and in response to detecting the corruption, load a recovery code to the core hardware logic to trigger recovery of the core hardware logic from the corruption of the instructions.

Abstract: A system is provided, the system includes a base computer having operating system (OS) settings and Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) settings. The system also includes a plurality of managed computers. An OS image file having the OS settings and the BIOS settings is transferred from the base computer to the managed computers for configuring the managed computers.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide an efficient method and apparatus for reprogramming flash memory in a multiprocessor computer system. A bootstrap processor (BSP) partitions portions of an image to be programmed into the flash memory and may divide those portions amongst itself and one or-more application processors (APs) for reprogramming.

Abstract: A method according to the invention ensures optimal memory configuration in a computer: A determination is made whether performance can be improved by rearranging the DIMMs that are installed in the computer. If so, then a user of the computer is notified that the DIMMs can be rearranged to improve performance.

Abstract: A programmable electronic device automatically identifies at least a portion of a system configuration for the programmable electronic device and automatically generates an image request based at least in part on the identified system configuration. The programmable electronic device transmits the image request over one or more networks to a server, receives an image of operating system software, and installs the received image.

Abstract: An operating environment configuration system comprises a first operating system of a computer device having at least one configuration setting associated therewith, and a second operating system of the computer device configured to automatically retrieve the at least one configuration setting and configure at least one component associated with the second operating system with the at least one configuration setting.

Abstract: In one embodiment a computing device comprises a processor, a memory module coupled to the process and comprising logic instructions stored in a computer readable medium which, when executed, configure the processor to initiate boot operations in a computing device, present an authentication challenge when authentication is required to boot the computing device, continue boot operations in response to a successful response to the authentication challenge, and invoke an error routine in response to an unsuccessful response to the authentication challenge.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a server is provisioned to a client by: 1) pre-booting a server of a server pool using a client-neutral operating system image, before the server is provisioned to the client; 2) provisioning the pre-booted server to a virtual network of the client; 3) mounting client storage volumes to the provisioned server; and then 4) processing a client-specific configuration file. Other related methods and apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide an efficient method and apparatus for avoiding hangs when a computer system is unable to complete a proper boot. Booting is attempted from each device in a standard boot order list until a successful boot occurs. If the standard boot order list is exhausted without a successful boot, the boot sequence is retried after a predetermined time period.

Abstract: A computer system includes a plurality of nodes coupled together wherein each node may comprise a processor and memory. The system may also include a plurality of software objects usable by any of the nodes. Each object may be provided to, and stored in, the memory of the node that most frequently uses the object.

Abstract: An operating environment configuration system comprises a first operating system of a computer device having at least one configuration setting associated therewith, and a second operating system of the computer device configured to automatically retrieve the at least one configuration setting and configure at least one component associated with the second operating system with the at least one configuration setting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for protecting a computer system. Specifically, a method and system for validating portions of memory at each power-on cycle is described. A Boot Block is used to validate the BIOS, CMOS and NVRAM of a system. The BIOS may also be used to validate the Boot Block, CMOS and NVRAM.