Computer with multi booting function
First Claim
1. A computer having multi booting function comprising:
- a first boot memory;
a second boot memory;
a select signal generator for generating one of a first chip select signal and a second chip select signal;
a central processing unit for producing a third chip select signal, a write select signal and one of an output enable signal and a write enable signal; and
memory selection means responsive to said first chip select signal, said third chip select signal and said output enable signal for activating said first boot memory to perform a booting function of said computer, responsive to said second chip select signal, said third chip select signal and said output enable signal for activating said second boot memory to perform said booting function of said computer, responsive to said first chip select signal, said write select signal and said write enable signal for enabling a booting program to be stored in one of said first boot memory and said second boot memory.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer having multi booting function with more than two boot-ROMs is disclosed. The boot-ROMs comprise a flash RAM, and have the same address space in the computer system. Preferably, the first boot-ROM is provided with a general boot program, and the second boot-ROM with detailed diagnostic program. Alternatively, the first boot-ROM is provided with a conventional boot program, and the second boot-ROM with reprogrammed or updated boot programs. Provided is a select signal generator for producing select signals which designate one of said boot-ROMs and a boot-ROM select circuit for producing control signals that selectively activate one boot-ROM in response to the memory control signals fed from the CPU and one of said select signals. The select signal generator includes a first and second reset switches for producing a first and second chip select signals, each designating the first and second boot-ROMs. Also, those first chip select signal and second chip select signal can be produced in response to an input of a specific key combination from the keyboard and keyboard controller.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A computer having multi booting function comprising:
-
a first boot memory; a second boot memory; a select signal generator for generating one of a first chip select signal and a second chip select signal; a central processing unit for producing a third chip select signal, a write select signal and one of an output enable signal and a write enable signal; and memory selection means responsive to said first chip select signal, said third chip select signal and said output enable signal for activating said first boot memory to perform a booting function of said computer, responsive to said second chip select signal, said third chip select signal and said output enable signal for activating said second boot memory to perform said booting function of said computer, responsive to said first chip select signal, said write select signal and said write enable signal for enabling a booting program to be stored in one of said first boot memory and said second boot memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A method for booting a computer having keyboard with a plurality of keys, a first boot memory and a second boot memory, said method comprising the steps of:
-
generating a first select signal by activating one of a first switch and a first predetermined combination of said keys; generating a second select signal by activating one of a second switch and a second predetermined combination of said keys; outputting from a central processing unit one or more of a chip select signal, an output enable signal, a write enable signal and a write select signal; enabling a boot program to be stored in one of said first and second boot memories in response to said chip select signal, said write enable signal, said write select signal and one of said first and second select signals; activating said first boot memory to boot said computer in response to said first select signal, said output enable signal and said first chip select signal; determining whether said first boot memory performs a successful boot operation; and activating said second boot memory to boot said computer in response to said second select signal, said output enable signal and said chip select signal when it is determined that said first boot memory failed to perform said successful boot operation.
-
-
12. A computer having multi booting function comprising:
-
a first boot memory; a second boot memory; a select signal generator for generating one of a first select signal and a second select signal, said first select signal being generated in response to one of a powering up of said computer and a combination of a first plurality of keys attached to a keyboard of said computer and said second select signal being generated in response to one of a reset operation of said computer and a combination of a second plurality of keys attached to said keyboard of said computer; a central processing unit for producing a chip select signal, a write select signal and one of an output enable signal and a write enable signal; and memory selection means responsive to said first select signal, said chip select signal and said output enable signal for activating said first boot memory to perform a booting function of said computer, responsive to said second select signal, said chip select signal and said output enable signal for activating said second boot memory to perform said booting function of said computer, responsive to said first select signal, said write select signal and said write enable signal for enabling a booting program to be stored in one of said first boot memory and said second boot memory. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
-
Specification