Using system configuration data to customize bios during the boot-up process
First Claim
1. A computer comprising:
- an electronic storage device to store configuration data indicating whether at least a first optional component and a second optional component are installed in the computer;
an electronic memory device to store BIOS code including code sections associated with operation of the first and second optional components; and
a processor to access the configuration data to determine if the first and second optional components are installed, to execute the section of the BIOS code associated with the first optional component only upon determining that the first optional component is installed, and to execute the section of the BIOS code associated with the second optional component only upon determining that the second optional component is installed.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer includes an electronic storage device that stores configuration data indicating whether a first optional component and a second optional component are installed in the computer. The computer also includes an electronic memory device that stores BIOS code including code sections associated with operation of the first and second optional components. A processor executes the BIOS code and, upon doing so, is programmed to access the configuration data to determine if the first and second optional components are installed, to execute the section of the BIOS code associated with the first optional component only if the first optional component is installed, and to execute the section of the BIOS code associated with the second optional component only if the second optional component is installed.
23 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A computer comprising:
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an electronic storage device to store configuration data indicating whether at least a first optional component and a second optional component are installed in the computer;
an electronic memory device to store BIOS code including code sections associated with operation of the first and second optional components; and
a processor to access the configuration data to determine if the first and second optional components are installed, to execute the section of the BIOS code associated with the first optional component only upon determining that the first optional component is installed, and to execute the section of the BIOS code associated with the second optional component only upon determining that the second optional component is installed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An electronic storage device containing executable BIOS code that, when executed by a computer processor, causes the processor to:
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access a data storage device to obtain configuration data identifying optional components that are installed in the computer;
execute those portions of the BIOS code that are associated with the optional components identified as being installed in the computer; and
not execute those portions of the BIOS code that are associated with the optional components not installed in the computer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. An electronic storage device in a computer system comprising:
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individually addressable storage locations; and
configuration data stored in the storage locations, beginning at a location having a predetermined address offset, at least some bits of which are stored at bit addresses dedicated to storing information indicating whether particular optional system components are installed in the computer system. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method for use in configuring a computer for operation, the method comprising:
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accessing a memory device to retrieve program code that, when executed, forms a basic input/output system (BIOS) for the computer and that includes code sections associated with operation of a plurality of optional components;
at the direction of the BIOS code, accessing a data storage device to obtain configuration data identifying which of the optional components are installed in the computer;
executing those portions of the BIOS code associated with the optional components that are installed in the computer; and
not executing those portions of the BIOS code associated with the optional components that are not installed in the computer. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification