Loading method and apparatus for computer system

    公开(公告)号:SG44401A1

    公开(公告)日:1997-12-19

    申请号:SG1996000186

    申请日:1990-07-04

    Applicant: IBM

    Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading BIOS stored on a direct access storage device (62,66) into a personal computer system (10). The personal computer system (10) comprises a system processor (26), a system planar (24), a random access main memory, a read only memory (36), and at least one direct access storage device (62,66). The read only memory (36) includes a first portion of BIOS and data representing the type of system processor (26) and system planar (24) I/O configuration. The first portion of BIOS initializes the system (10) and the direct access storage device (62,66) to read in a master boot record into the system (10) from the direct access storage device (62,66). The master boot record includes a data segment (122-138) and an executable code segment (120). The data segment (122-138) includes data representing system hardware and a system (10) configuration which is supported by the master boot record. The first BIOS portion confirms the master boot record is compatible with the system hardware by verifying that the data from the data segment (122-138) of the master boot record agrees with the system processor (26), system planar (24), and planar I/O configuration. If the master boot record is compatible with the system hardware, the first BIOS portion vectors the system processor (26) to execute the executable code segment (120) of the master boot record. The executable code segment (120) confirms that the system configuration has not changed and loads in the remaining BIOS portion from the direct access storage device (62,66) into random access memory (32). The executable code segment (120) then verifies the authenticity of the remaining BIOS portion and vectors the system processor (26) to begin executing the BIOS now in random access memory (32). BIOS executing in random access memory (32) then boots up the operating system to begin operation of the personal computer system (10).

    APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR LOADING BIOS FROM A DISKETTE IN A PERSONAL COMPUTER SYSTEM

    公开(公告)号:CA2020522C

    公开(公告)日:1993-11-09

    申请号:CA2020522

    申请日:1990-07-05

    Applicant: IBM

    Abstract: An apparatus and method for loading BIOS from a diskette drive into a personal computer system normally connected to a hardfile, such as a fixed disk. The personal computer system further includes a system processor, a random access main memory, a read only memory and a switching means. The switching means generates a signal to indicate a mode for whether BIOS loads from either diskette or disk. In a priority mode, BIOS loads immediately from diskette. In a recovery mode, BIOS loads from diskette after testing the disk subsystem. The read only memory includes a first portion of BIOS and data representing the type of system processor and system planar I/O configuration. The first portion of BIOS initializes the system and queries the switching means. If the fixed disk is not available or the master boot record on the disk is invalid, the first portion of BIOS reads in a master boot record from the diskette drive. For either mode, the master boot record includes a data segment and an executable code segment. The data segment includes data representing system hardware and a system configuration which is supported by the master boot record. The first BIOS portion transfers control to the executable code segment which confirms the master boot record is compatible with the system hardware by verifying that the data from the data segment of the master boot record agrees with the system processor, system planar, and planar I/O configuration. If the master boot record is compatible with the system hardware, the executable code segment confirms that the system configuration has not changed and loads in the remaining BIOS portion from the diskette drive into random access memory. The executable code segment then verifies the authenticity of the remaining BIOS portion and vectors the system processor to begin executing the BIOS now in random access memory. BIOS, executing in random access memory, then boots up the operating system to begin operation of the personal computer system.

    DECREASING THE MEMORY REQUIREMENTS FOR BIOS IN A PERSONAL COMPUTER SYSTEM

    公开(公告)号:NZ234711A

    公开(公告)日:1993-04-28

    申请号:NZ23471190

    申请日:1990-07-30

    Applicant: IBM

    Abstract: An apparatus and method for decreasing the memory requirements of BIOS in a personal computer system (10) includes storing a first portion of BIOS in memory and a second portion on a direct storage access device. The personal computer system (10) comprises a system processor (26), a random access main memory, a read only memory (36), and at least one direct access storage device (62,66). The read only memory (36) includes the first portion of BIOS and data representing the type of system processor (26) and system planar (24) I/O configuration. The first portion of BIOS only includes routines for initializing the system (10) and the direct access storage device (62,66) to read in a master boot record into the system (10) from the direct access storage device (62,66). The master boot record includes a data segment (122-138) and an executable code segment (120). The data segment (122-138) includes data representing system hardware and a system configuration which is supported by the master boot record. The first BIOS portion confirms the master boot record is compatible with the system hardware by verifying that the data from the data segment (122-138) of the master boot record agrees with the system processor (26), system planar (24), and planar (24) I/O configuration. If the master boot record is compatible with the system hardware, the first BIOS portion vectors the system processor (26) to execute the executable code segment (120) of the master boot record. The executable code segment (120) confirms that the system conf iguration has not changed and loads in the remaining BIOS portion from the direct access storage device (62,66) into random access memory (32) superseding the first BIOS portion. The executable code segment (120) then verifies the authenticity of the remaining BIOS portion and vectors the system processor (26) to begin executing the remaining BIOS now in random access memory (32). The remaining BIOS in main memory includes reusable routines for operating the system (10) in a normal manner.

    5.
    发明专利
    未知

    公开(公告)号:DE4026912A1

    公开(公告)日:1991-02-28

    申请号:DE4026912

    申请日:1990-08-25

    Applicant: IBM

    Abstract: An apparatus and method for protecting BIOS stored on a direct access storage device (62) into a personal computer system (10). The personal computer system (JO) comprises a system processor (26), a system planar (24), a random access main memory (32), a read only memory (36), a protection means and at least one direct access storage device (62). The read only memory (36) includes a first portion of BIOS and data representing the type of system processor (26) and system planar (24) I/O configuration. The first portion of BIOS initializes the system (10) and the direct access storage device (62), and resets the protection means in order to read in a master boot record into the random access memory (32) from a protectable partition on the direct access storage device (62). The master boot record includes a data segment and an executable code segment. The data segment includes data representing system hardware and a system configuration which is supported by the master boot record. The first BIOS portion confirms the master boot record is compatible with the system hardware by verifying that the data from the data segment of the master boot record agrees with the system processor (26), system planar (24), and planar (24) I/O configuration. If the master boot record is compatible with the system hardware, the first BIOS portion vectors the system processor (26) to execute the executable code segment of the master boot record. The executable code segment confirms that the system configuration has not changed and loads in the remaining BIOS portion from the same protectable partition on the direct access storage device (62) into random access memory (32). The executable code segment then verifies the authenticity of the remaining BIOS portion and vectors the system processor (26) to begin executing the BIOS now in random access memory. BIOS, executing in random access memory (32), then activates the protection means to prevent further access to the protectable partition. BIOS boots up the operating system to begin operation of the personal computer system.

    6.
    发明专利
    未知

    公开(公告)号:DE3579860D1

    公开(公告)日:1990-10-31

    申请号:DE3579860

    申请日:1985-07-12

    Applicant: IBM

    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method for allowing for adoption of names either on a unique basis (association of the name with one and only one entity) or a non-unique basis (association of one name to plural entities), in a data communication system that allows communicating processors to act without reliance on a common directory to adopt logical names for respective locally attached entities (programs, data files, human operators, etc.), and to initiate sessions relative to remote entities by means of communications directed to respective entity names (rather than addresses associated with the physical locations of respective entities). Names adopted on a non-unique basis are flagged as such in the adopting system, and name checking communications directed to such names are ignored by processors serving the respective entity (thereby allowing the checking processors to adopt the respective non-unique name, using the existing procedure for adopting unique names, and thereby enabling processors serving a group of entities to adopt a common name for directing network communications to the entire group concurrently). The disclosure describes specific communication applications made possible by this non-unique naming capability. (Fig. 6)

    7.
    发明专利
    未知

    公开(公告)号:BR8503043A

    公开(公告)日:1986-03-11

    申请号:BR8503043

    申请日:1985-06-25

    Applicant: IBM

    Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a method for allowing for adoption of names either on a unique basis (association of the name with one and only one entity) or a non-unique basis (association of one name to plural entities), in a data communication system that allows communicating processors to act without reliance on a common directory to adopt logical names for respective locally attached entities (programs, data files, human operators, etc.), and to initiate sessions relative to remote entities by means of communications directed to respective entity names (rather than addresses associated with the physical locations of respective entities). Names adopted on a non-unique basis are flagged as such in the adopting system, and name checking communications directed to such names are ignored by processors serving the respective entity (thereby allowing the checking processors to adopt the respective non-unique name, using the existing procedure for adopting unique names, and thereby enabling processors serving a group of entities to adopt a common name for directing network communications to the entire group concurrently). The disclosure describes specific communication applications made possible by this non-unique naming capability. (Fig. 6)

    DATA COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK
    8.
    发明专利

    公开(公告)号:AU4489985A

    公开(公告)日:1986-01-23

    申请号:AU4489985

    申请日:1985-07-15

    Applicant: IBM

    Abstract: For facilitating data communication between entities in a local area network (storage files, programs, devices, human operators, etc.), a method is disclosed for addressing such communications to logical names adopted for the entities; rather than to discrete physical locations in the network. The subject method allows for extension of name-directed communications across bridges (between separate communication media or between discrete frequency channels on one medium). Extensions of such communications across bridges are conditioned on the handling of respective communications within the channel or medium leading to respective bridges. If a named entity is reachable within a channel or medium leading to a bridge, the communication will be acknowledged by the processing facility at the node serving that entity, and the communication will not be extended. With the present method, a program running on a processor at one node of the network may call for retrieval of a data set by name, where the location of the data set need not be known or specifiable by either the program or the processor, and the respective data set may be retrieved through a process of communication which is entirely transparent to the program and processor, and also not ambiguous or burdensome when ■ the network path to the named data set contains bridges and/or gateways.

Patent Agency Ranking