A method utilizes targeted boot diagnostics in connection with a boot operation to automate the handling of hardware failures detected during startup or initialization of a computer. In particular, in response to detection of a failure after initiation of and during performance of a boot operation, a targeted diagnostic operation is initiated on at least one hardware device in the computer in response to detecting the failure, such that after the targeted diagnostic operation is initiated, the boot operation may be completed.

A system and method for fast system recovery that bypasses diagnostic routines by disconnecting failed hardware from the system before rebooting. Failed hardware and hardware that will be affected by removal of the failed hardware of the system are disconnected from the system. The system is restarted, and because the failed hardware is disconnected, diagnostic routines may safely be eliminated from the reboot process.

Embodiments of the invention provide a method and an apparatus to collect and dynamically update processor polling information. In one method embodiment, the present invention collects processor polling information at boot time to be provided to an operating system. The processor polling information describes operating conditions of an integrated processing system. The operating system is then notified that a triggering event has occurred that may potentially alter the operating conditions of the integrated processor system. Providing to the operating system updated processor polling information during runtime to reflect the operating conditions of the integrated processor system after the occurrence of the triggering event.