Apparatus and method for loading a system reference diskette image from a system partition in a personal computer system

Patent 5214695 Issued on May 25, 1993. Estimated Expiration Date:

June 17, 2011. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

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Apparatus and method for loading a system reference diskette image from a system partition in a personal computer system Patent #: 5128995
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Inventor: Arnold, et al.

Inventors

Application

No. 716594 filed on 06/17/1991

US Classes:

713/2, Loading initialization program (e.g., booting, rebooting, warm booting, remote booting, BIOS, initial program load (IPL), bootstrapping)706/934, Information retrieval or information management713/187COMPUTER PROGRAM MODIFICATION DETECTION BY CRYPTOGRAPHY

Examiners

Primary: Swann, Tod R.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Brown, Jr.; Winfield J., Terrile; Stephen A.

International Class

H04L 009/00

Abstract

A personal computer system according to the present invention comprises a system processor, a random access memory, a read only memory, and at least one direct access storage device. A direct access storage device controller coupled between the system processor and direct access storage device includes a protection mechanism for protecting a region of the storage device. The protected region of the storage device includes a master boot record, a BIOS image and a system reference diskette image. The BIOS image includes a section known as Power on Self Test (POST). POST is used to test and initialize a system. Upon detecting any configuration error, system utilities from the system reference diskette image, such as set configuration programs, diagnostic programs and utility programs can be automatically activated from the direct access storage device.