Method and apparatus for recovering from corrupted system firmware in a computer system
First Claim
1. A system management device that supports a computer system having at least one system processor, the at least one system processor adapted to execute a system BIOS beginning at a starting address, the system management device comprising:
- a system management processor adapted to;
detect a boot attempt of the computer system;
initiate a countdown from a starting point to an expiration point responsive to detecting a boot attempt;
if the countdown reaches the expiration point;
place the at least one system processor in a reset state;
provide a starting address of an alternate system BIOS to the at least one system processor; and
release the at least one system processor from the reset state; and
if the countdown is stopped before reaching the expiration point;
allow the at least one system processor to continue executing without placing the at least one system processor in the reset state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The disclosed embodiments relate generally to providing increased data integrity in computer systems and, more particularly, to using a system management processor to overcome a computer system failure because of corrupted programming. A system management processor detects an attempted boot by host computer system and starts a watchdog timer. If the system BIOS or other firmware fails to execute, the watchdog timer expires and the system management processor places the system processor(s) in a reset state. The system management processor provides the address of a back-up BIOS or firmware and releases the system processor(s) from the reset state. The system processor(s) are redirected to the back-up BIOS or firmware and the computer system is able to boot.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system management device that supports a computer system having at least one system processor, the at least one system processor adapted to execute a system BIOS beginning at a starting address, the system management device comprising:
a system management processor adapted to;
detect a boot attempt of the computer system;
initiate a countdown from a starting point to an expiration point responsive to detecting a boot attempt;
if the countdown reaches the expiration point;
place the at least one system processor in a reset state;
provide a starting address of an alternate system BIOS to the at least one system processor; and
release the at least one system processor from the reset state; and
if the countdown is stopped before reaching the expiration point;
allow the at least one system processor to continue executing without placing the at least one system processor in the reset state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A computer system that includes at least one system processor and a system management processor, the at least one system processor adapted to execute a system BIOS beginning at a starting address, the computer system comprising:
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a core logic chipset adapted to exchange data with the at least one system processor and the system management processor;
at least one input/output device adapted to deliver input data from a user to the core logic chipset;
a video graphics controller connected to the core logic chipset;
a storage device that is adapted to store the system BIOS; and
wherein the system management processor is adapted to;
detect a boot attempt of the computer system;
initiate a countdown from a starting point to an expiration point responsive to detecting a boot attempt;
if the countdown reaches the expiration point;
place the at least one system processor in a reset state;
provide a starting address of an alternate system BIOS to the at least one system processor; and
release the at least one system processor from the reset state; and
if the countdown is stopped before reaching the expiration point;
allow the at least one system processor to continue executing without placing the at least one system processor in the reset state. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A process for allowing a computer system to execute an alternate system BIOS after a failed attempt to execute a primary system BIOS, the computer system having at least one system processor, the method comprising the acts of:
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detecting a boot attempt of the computer system;
initiating a countdown from a starting point to an expiration point responsive to detecting a boot attempt;
if the countdown reaches the expiration point;
placing the at least one system processor in a reset state;
providing a starting address of the alternate system BIOS to the at least one system processor; and
releasing the at least one system processor from the reset state; and
if the countdown is stopped before reaching the expiration point;
allowing the at least one system processor to continue executing without placing the at least one system processor in the reset state. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification