System and method for identifying executable diagnostic routines using machine information and diagnostic information in a computer system

• US 6,865,691 B1
• Filed: 08/07/2000
• Issued: 03/08/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/07/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Jimenez, Javier L., Brundridge, Michael A.
• Primary Examiner(s): LE, DIEU MINH T
• Application Number:
  US09/633,450
• Time in Patent Office: 1,674 Days
• Field of Search: 714/25, 714/36, 714/37, 714/38, 714/40, 717/124, 717/126, 717/168, 717/173
• US Class Current: 714/25
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/2289 by configuration test

Abstract

A system and method for identifying executable diagnostic routines using machine information and diagnostic information in a computer system is provided. The method includes detecting machine information, detecting diagnostic information corresponding to the machine information, and causing one of a plurality of diagnostic routines to be selectable for execution according to the diagnostic information.

Claims

1. A method of updating diagnostic information comprising:

detecting machine information;

detecting diagnostic information corresponding to the machine information;

including updated diagnostic script, application and information in a first computer;

communicating the updated diagnostic script, application and information to a second computer via a network;

the second computer comparing the diagnostic script, application and information communicated from the first computer to determine whether a newer version of each exists; and

if the newer version exists, the second computer downloading the newer version from the first computer.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an indicator corresponding to the one of the plurality of diagnostic routines.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the indicator includes a graphical representation of a component corresponding to the one of the plurality of diagnostic routines and a textual representation of the component.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

selecting the indicator; and

executing the one of the plurality of diagnostic routines in response to the selecting.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the machine information includes an operating system type and a machine type, and wherein the diagnostic information includes a list of included components corresponding to the operating system type and a list of excluded components corresponding to the machine type.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a component corresponding to the one of the plurality of diagnostic routines is included in the list of included components, and wherein the component is not included in the list of excluded components.

7. A computer system comprising:

a first computer including;

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor;

the memory including a diagnostic script, a diagnostic application including a plurality of diagnostic routines, updated diagnostic information, and machine information;

a second computer;

a communications network;

the first computer and second computer being configured to communicate using the communications network;

communicating the updated diagnostic script, application and information to the second computer via the network;

the second computer comparing the diagnostic script, application and information communicated from the first computer to determine whether a newer version of each exists; and

if the newer version exists, the second computer downloading the newer version from the first computer.

8. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the diagnostic script is executable by the processor to cause an indicator corresponding to the one of the plurality of diagnostic routines to be displayed.

9. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the indicator includes a graphical representation of a component corresponding to the one of the plurality of diagnostic routines and a textual representation of the component.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the processor is configured to execute the one of the plurality of diagnostic routines in response to the indicator being selected.

11. The computer system of claim 7, wherein the machine information includes an operating system type and a machine type, and wherein the updated diagnostic information includes a list of included components corresponding to the operating system type and a list of excluded components corresponding to the machine type.

12. The computer system of claim 11, further comprising:

a component coupled to the processor;

wherein the component is included in the list of included components and not included in the list of excluded components, and wherein the component corresponds to the one of the plurality of diagnostic routines.

13. A computer system comprising:

a first computer including;

a processor;

a memory coupled to the processor;

the memory including a diagnostic script, a plurality of diagnostic routines, first diagnostic information, and machine information;

the diagnostic script being executable by the processor to cause the machine information to be read, to cause a portion of the first diagnostic information corresponding to the machine information to be read, and to cause one of the plurality of diagnostic routines supported by the computer system to become selectable for execution by the processor according to the portion of the first diagnostic information, and to cause another of the diagnostic routines, not supported by the computer system to be not selectable for execution;

a second computer;

a communications network;

the first computer and second computers being configured to communicate using the communications network;

communicating the diagnostic script and first diagnostic information to the second computer via the network;

the second computer comparing the diagnostic script and first diagnostic information to determine whether a newer version of each exists; and

if a newer version exists, the second computer downloading the newer version from the first computer.