Firmware modification in a computer system environment supporting operational state changes

• US 20090150662A1
• Filed: 12/06/2007
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/06/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Jacobs, William R., Desselle, B. Dalvis
• Granted Patent: US 8,082,439 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/100
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A method of modifying a computer system firmware includes initiating a firmware modification. At least one prohibited pre-determined operational state is inhibited to prevent the computer system from entering the at least one pre-determined operational state until a subsequent boot. The firmware is modified.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

a) initiating a firmware modification of a computer system;

b) inhibiting at least one pre-determined operational state; and

c) proceeding with the firmware modification.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein b) comprises setting an inhibit flag representing at least one prohibited pre-determined operational state.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the inhibit flag is stored within a same nonvolatile memory storing the firmware.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

d) receiving a request for the at least one pre-determined operational state; and

e) denying the request if the inhibit flag is set.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein b) comprises identifying at least one prohibited pre-determined operational state to an operating system of the computer system.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

d) booting the computer system; and

e) enabling the at least one pre-determined operational state.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein d) comprises performing a power-up boot.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the power-up boot does not include removal and re-application of power to the computer system.

9. The method of claim 6 wherein e) comprises clearing an inhibit flag representing at least one prohibited pre-determined operational state.

10. A method comprising:

a) initiating a firmware modification of a computer system;

b) eliminating at least one prohibited pre-determined operational state from a table of operating system selectable operational states; and

c) proceeding with the firmware modification.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein b) comprises modifying a power management table stored in a system memory of the computer system.

12. A method comprising:

a) initiating a firmware modification of a computer system;

b) setting an inhibit flag representing at least one prohibited pre-determined operational state;

c) eliminating the at least one prohibited pre-determined operational state from a table of operating system selectable operational states; and

d) proceeding with modification of the firmware.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the inhibit flag is stored within a same nonvolatile memory storing the firmware.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein c) comprises modifying a power management table stored in a system memory of the computer system.

15. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

e) receiving a request for the at least one pre-determined operational state; and

f) denying the request if the inhibit flag is set.

16. The method of claim 12 further comprising:

e) booting the computer system; and

f) clearing the inhibit flag.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein e) includes performing a power-up boot.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the power-up boot does not include removal and re-application of power to the computer system.

19. A method of modifying a computer system firmware comprising:

a) initiating a firmware modification of a computer system;

b) receiving a request to enter a pre-determined operational state; and

c) complying with the request if and only if the pre-determined operational state is not prohibited due to a firmware modification.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein an inhibit flag is set to identify prohibited pre-determined operational states.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the inhibit flag is located within a same physical memory storing the firmware.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein a prohibited pre-determined operational state is any state which preserves at least one of the following in whole or part for subsequent restoration:

a processor context, a processor cache, and a system memory.