Method and system for improving computer system boot reliability

• US 20040003222A1
• Filed: 06/28/2002
• Published: 01/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Huff, Robert L., Rich, Daniel A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,127,596 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/1417 Boot up procedures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2284 by power-on test, e.g. power-on self test [POST]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4406 Loading of operating system

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention provide for automatically resolving computer system boot-up problems and for ensuring the reliability of boot-up. According to embodiments, a test of a condition of a computer system may be performed prior to attempting to load an operating system, to ensure the reliability of the system. In other embodiments, a boot-up may be attempted from a plurality of different operating system images, in the event a boot-up from a given operating system image fails.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

during a boot of a computer system, executing an application-specific test of a condition of said computer system, prior to loading an operating system;

applying first criteria to determine whether said application-specific test was passed; and

if said test was not passed according to said first criteria, automatically causing said computer system to perform a predetermined responsive action according to second predetermined criteria.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined responsive action includes re-booting said computer system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined responsive action includes loading another operation system.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein predetermined responsive action includes entering a diagnostic mode.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said test comprises applying a stimulus to a device of said computer system and determining whether said device responds correctly.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising completing a load of said operating system if said application-specific test is passed.

7. A method comprising:

attempting to load a first operating system image in a computer system; and

if said first operating system image is not successfully loaded, automatically attempting to load a second operating system image different from said first operating system image.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising setting an indicator to indicate a failed load of said first operating system image.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising automatically attempting to load said first operating system image a predetermined number of times before attempting to load said second operating system image.

10. The method of claim 7, further comprising attempting to load said second operating system image from a network.

11. A computer system comprising:

computer-executable instructions stored in a memory;

a processor coupled to said memory to execute said instructions; and

logic circuitry configured to perform a set of functions;

wherein said instructions are configured to be executed during a boot of said computer system and prior to loading an operating system of said computer system, to apply an application-specific test to determine whether said logic circuitry meets first predetermined criteria before loading said operating system, and, if said application-specific test is not passed according to said first criteria, to automatically cause said computer system to perform a predetermined responsive action according to second predetermined criteria.

12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein said predetermined responsive action includes re-booting said computer system.

13. The computer system of claim 11, wherein said predetermined responsive action includes loading another operation system.

14. The computer system of claim 11, wherein predetermined responsive action includes entering a diagnostic mode.

15. A computer system comprising,

computer-executable instructions stored in a memory;

and

a processor coupled to said memory to execute said instructions;

wherein said instructions are configured to attempt a load of a first operating system image; and

if said attempted load fails, to automatically attempt a load of a second operating system image different from said first operating system image.

16. The computer system of claim 15, further comprising an indicator to indicate a failed load of said first operating system image.

17. The computer system of claim 15, wherein said instructions are further configured to automatically attempt to load said first operating system image a predetermined number of times before attempting to load said second operating system image.

18. A machine-readable medium tangibly embodying computer-executable instructions, said instructions when executed by a processor implementing a process comprising:

during a boot of a computer system, executing an application-specific test of a condition of said computer system, prior to loading an operating system;

applying first criteria to determine whether said application-specific test was passed; and

if said test was not passed according to said first criteria, automatically causing said computer system to perform a predetermined responsive action according to second predetermined criteria.

19. The machine-readable medium of claim 18, wherein said predetermined responsive action includes re-booting said computer system.

20. A machine-readable medium tangibly embodying computer-executable instructions, said instructions when executed by a processor implementing a process comprising:

attempting to load a first operating system image in a computer system; and

if said first operating system image is not successfully loaded, automatically attempting to load a second operating system image different from said first operating system image.

21. The machine-readable medium of claim 20, wherein said process further comprises automatically attempting to load said first operating system image a predetermined number of times before attempting to load said second operating system image.

22. A method comprising:

during a boot of a computer system, executing an application-specific test of a condition of said computer system, prior to loading a first operating system image;

determining whether said application-specific test was passed; and

if said application-specific test was not passed, automatically attempting to load a second operating system image different from said first operating system image.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising setting an indicator to indicate a failed load of said first operating system image.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising automatically attempting to load said first operating system image a predetermined number of times before attempting to load said second operating system image.