Computer method and apparatus to prompt for administrative password to flash a corrupted non-volatile memory
First Claim
1. A method to prompt for an administrative password before flashing an uncorrupted image into a non-volatile memory in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
- determining whether the non-volatile memory has become corrupt; and
responsive to determining that the non-volatile memory has become corrupt, performing the steps of;
producing a user perceivable password prompt;
accepting a password to the computer system responsive to the password prompt; and
if the password matches the administrative password, enabling programming of the non-volatile memory, else disabling programming of the non-volatile memory.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus and a method to prompt for an administrative password during the boot block process to flash a corrupted ROM image. During a computer system'"'"'s power-up and initialization, the flash ROM image is examined to determine if the image is corrupt. If so, the computer system executes certain protected code stored in the boot block of the ROM. When the computer system is booted from this boot block, a reduced set of capabilities are needed. One capability according to the invention, is the ability to flash a new ROM image to the corrupted ROM. Once booted from the boot block, the computer system prompts the user for a password preferably by flashing keyboard LEDs. Upon receiving a password, this password is compared to an administrative password stored in non-volatile memory. If the password matches the administrative password, then the computer system enables the ROM to accept a flash ROM image. If the password does not match, the ROM is disenabled, not accepting a flash ROM image.
41 Citations
51 Claims
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1. A method to prompt for an administrative password before flashing an uncorrupted image into a non-volatile memory in a computer system, the method comprising the steps of:
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determining whether the non-volatile memory has become corrupt; and
responsive to determining that the non-volatile memory has become corrupt, performing the steps of;
producing a user perceivable password prompt;
accepting a password to the computer system responsive to the password prompt; and
if the password matches the administrative password, enabling programming of the non-volatile memory, else disabling programming of the non-volatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An system to prompt for an administrative password before flashing an uncorrupted image for use with a processor, the system comprising:
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a non-volatile memory;
a boot block residing in the non-volatile memory; and
boot block code stored in the boot block, the boot block code, when executed, causing the processor to perform the steps of;
determining whether the non-volatile memory has become corrupt; and
responsive to determining that the non-volatile memory has become corrupt, performing the steps of;
providing a user perceivable password prompt;
accepting a password responsive to the password prompt; and
if the password matches the administrative password, enabling the programming of the non-volatile memory, else disabling the programming of the non-volatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A computer system that prompts for an administrative password before flashing an uncorrupted image, the computer system comprising:
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a processor;
a non-volatile memory coupled to the processor;
a user input device coupled to the processor for receiving a password;
an output device coupled to the processor for generating a perceivable password prompt;
a security device coupled to the processor for enabling and disabling programming of the non-volatile memory;
a boot block residing in the non-volatile memory; and
boot block code stored in the boot block, the boot block code, when executed, causing the processor to perform the steps of;
determining whether the non-volatile memory has become corrupt; and
responsive to determining that the non-volatile memory has become corrupt, performing the steps of;
providing a user perceivable password prompt to the output device;
accepting a password from the user input device responsive to the password prompt; and
if the password matches the administrative password, enabling the programming of the non-volatile memory via the security device, else disabling the programming of the non-volatile memory via the security device. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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Specification