A computer system wherein a paging technique is used to expand the usable non-volatile memory capacity beyond a fixed address space limitation. The computer system of the preferred embodiment includes a flash memory component for storing non-volatile code and data including a system BIOS in the upper 128K of memory. The useful BIOS memory space is effectively increased while maintaining the address boundary of the upper 128K region. The address space of the non-volatile memory device is logically separated into distinct pages of memory (Pages 1-4). Page 1, Page 3 and Page 4 may be individually swapped into the address space originally occupied by Page 1 (the swappable page area). In the preferred embodiment, Page 2 is held static and thus is not used as a swap area. Each of the swappable pages contain processing logic called swapping logic used during the swapping or paging operation. The swapping logic operates in conjunction with paging hardware to effect the swapping of pages into the swappable page area. The high order processor address lines are input by a page decoder. The page decoder is used to modify the address actually presented to the non-volatile memory device. A page register is used by the processor to select a page in non-volatile memory. In an alternative embodiment, several different forms of configuration or identification information may be stored in a page of non-volatile memory.
An electronic component including an electrically erasable non-volatile memory for storing information structured in logical entities that are managed by a memory manager. The memory is segmented into pages for the purpose of erasing the information. The memory manager is programmed to organize at least one type of logical entity into pages. Each of the logical entities occupies, at least in part, an integer number of pages in an exclusive manner. This technique is applicable to electronic components to which the electrical power supply is liable to be interrupted in an untimely manner.
A method for performing configuration tasks prior to and including memory configuration within a processor based system is disclosed. A memory location is first reserved by a basic input/output system (BIOS) firmware for each individual BIOS task. A target routine is then performed using the reserved memory location by the BIOS firmware. The target routine is designed to perform a specific BIOS task. Finally, the reserved memory location is released by the BIOS firmware, after the target routine has been successfully completed.
A computer system and method is described for improved storage of computer system configuration information. A ROM module includes both a BIOS ROM portion and a configuration ROM portion. The configuration ROM includes a backup copy of the system configuration parameters stored in a battery-powered configuration CMOS RAM. If the configuration CMOS RAM fails to provide valid configuration data, the contents of the configuration ROM are used to configure the computer system. If the contents of the configuration ROM are also invalid, default configuration values are provided by the BIOS ROM. User modification of the default values may be effected through a setup utility program, and the configuration ROM then programmed accordingly.
A secure method for updating computer firmware online is described. The firmware storage locations are write protected prior to loading the operating system. Updating the firmware after loading the operating system helps to reduce downtime.
A computer system and method is described for improved storage of computer system configuration information. A ROM module includes both a BIOS ROM portion and a configuration ROM portion. The configuration ROM includes a backup copy of the system configuration parameters stored in a battery-powered configuration CMOS RAM. If the configuration CMOS RAM fails to provide valid configuration data, the contents of the configuration ROM are used to configure the computer system. If the contents of the configuration ROM are also invalid, default configuration values are provided by the BIOS ROM. User modification of the default values may be effected through a setup utility program, and the configuration ROM then programmed accordingly.
