Background memory test during system start up
First Claim
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1. A method for testing a computer system memory, comprising the steps of:
- initializing a data structure indicating unavailability of memory blocks in the computer system memory for storage of data;
testing a first portion of the computer system memory;
marking in the data structure as available the memory blocks of said first portion tested as good;
after the memory blocks of said first portion tested as good have been marked as available, loading a paged virtual memory multitasking operating system, having a virtual memory manager, into the memory blocks of said first portion tested as good and beginning execution thereof;
after the paged virtual memory multitasking operating system begins execution, testing remaining untested memory blocks in the computer system memory concurrently with normal operations of the paged virtual memory multitasking operating system;
as memory blocks are tested, marking memory blocks that test as good available for storage of data; and
utilizing the data structure to enable the paged virtual memory multitasking system operating system to use only the memory blocks marked as available.
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Abstract
A system and method is provided for testing a computer system main memory during system startup. An initial block of memory is tested and marked as valid or invalid during a startup sequence, with the remaining system memory initially marked as bad. An operating system and applications can be loaded into the initial block and operate normally, and a concurrent process is invoked to test the remaining system memory. This allows the remaining system memory to be tested and marked as valid during normal system operation.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for testing a computer system memory, comprising the steps of:
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initializing a data structure indicating unavailability of memory blocks in the computer system memory for storage of data; testing a first portion of the computer system memory; marking in the data structure as available the memory blocks of said first portion tested as good; after the memory blocks of said first portion tested as good have been marked as available, loading a paged virtual memory multitasking operating system, having a virtual memory manager, into the memory blocks of said first portion tested as good and beginning execution thereof; after the paged virtual memory multitasking operating system begins execution, testing remaining untested memory blocks in the computer system memory concurrently with normal operations of the paged virtual memory multitasking operating system; as memory blocks are tested, marking memory blocks that test as good available for storage of data; and utilizing the data structure to enable the paged virtual memory multitasking system operating system to use only the memory blocks marked as available. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A system for testing memory within a digital computer comprising:
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a central processor; a main system memory connected to said central processor; a paged virtual memory multitasking operative system suitable for executing within tested portions of said main system memory; means for initializing a data structure indicating unavailability for storage of data of the main system memory; means for testing a first portion of said main system memory and for marking in the data structure said first portion thereof as available for storage of data prior to loading said paged virtual memory multitasking operating system into said first portion; means for testing a second portion of the main system memory during execution of said paged virtual memory multitasking operating system and progressively marking blocks in the data structure constituting said second portion of the main system memory as available for storage of data; and virtual memory manager means for accessing the data structure to determine available memory blocks. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification