Computer system with plug-in override of system ROM

Patent 5471674 Issued on November 28, 1995. Estimated Expiration Date:

February 16, 2014. 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

Patent References

Computer controller system with a reprogrammable read only memory
Patent #: 3944984
Issued on: 03/16/1976
Inventor: Morley , et al.

Auxiliary ROM memory system
Patent #: 4141068
Issued on: 02/20/1979
Inventor: Mager , et al.

Programmable bootstrap loading system
Patent #: 4430704
Issued on: 02/07/1984
Inventor: Page , et al.

Data processing system having automatic configuration
Patent #: 4589063
Issued on: 05/13/1986
Inventor: Shah , et al.

Method and apparatus for controlling software configurations in data processing systems
Patent #: 4590557
Issued on: 05/20/1986
Inventor: Lillie

Multilevel bootstrap apparatus
Patent #: 4663707
Issued on: 05/05/1987
Inventor: Dawson

High speed program store with bootstrap
Patent #: 4720812
Issued on: 01/19/1988
Inventor: Kao , et al.

Laser printer interface circuit
Patent #: 4760406
Issued on: 07/26/1988
Inventor: Sato , et al.

Random access memory file apparatus for personal computer with external memory file
Patent #: 4791564
Issued on: 12/13/1988
Inventor: Takai

System for updating software in automatic film processor
Patent #: 5053797
Issued on: 10/01/1991
Inventor: Samuels, et al.

More ...

Inventors

Assignee

Dell USA, L.P.

Application

No. 197110 filed on 02/16/1994

US Classes:

713/2, Loading initialization program (e.g., booting, rebooting, warm booting, remote booting, BIOS, initial program load (IPL), bootstrapping)710/13, By detachable memory711/103, Programmable read only memory (PROM, EEPROM, etc.)711/115Detachable memory

Examiners

Primary: Harvey, Jack B.
Assistant: Auve, Glenn A.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Huffman; James, Terrile; Stephen

International Class

G06F 009/445

Abstract

A portable computer system with a special connector, on the motherboard, into which a field-installable boot card can be inserted. The special motherboard connector is wired so that the operator, by setting connections on the field-installable boot card, can bypass the boot memory on the motherboard and force the computer to boot from the memory on the boot card. This permits a technician, in the field, to temporarily override the internal nonvolatile memory which holds the basic system software. This permits recovery of a system in which the basic system software has been corrupted. Preferably the motherboard boot memory is a flash EPROM, and can be rewritten, by setting appropriate jumpers on the boot card, after the computer has booted from the boot card. The motherboard connector is preferably located on the motherboard, and is accessible through a removable cover. This connector can also preferably be used for temporary attachment of a diagnostic display card.