초록 ▼

A computer system wherein a portion of code/data stored in a non-volatile memory device can be dynamically modified or updated without removing any covers or parts from the computer system. The computer system of the preferred embodiment includes a flash memory component coupled to a computer system

A computer system wherein a portion of code/data stored in a non-volatile memory device can be dynamically modified or updated without removing any covers or parts from the computer system. The computer system of the preferred embodiment includes a flash memory component coupled to a computer system bus for storing non-volatile code and data. Using the present invention, the contents of a portion of the flash memory may be replaced, modified, updated, or reprogrammed without the need for removing and/or replacing any computer system hardware components. The flash memory device used in the preferred embodiment contains four separately erasable/programmable non-symmetrical blocks of memory. One of these four blocks may be electronically locked to prevent erasure or modification of its contents once it is installed. This configuration allows the processing logic of the computer system to update or modify any selected block of memory without affecting the contents of other blocks. One memory block contains a normal BIOS. An electronically protected flash memory area is used for storage of a recovery BIOS which is used for recovery operations. The present invention also includes hardware for selecting one of the two available update modes: normal or recovery. Thus, using a mode selection apparatus, either a normal system BIOS or a recovery BIOS may be activated.

대표청구항 ▼

A computer system comprising: a processor for executing processing logic; a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device coupled to said processor, said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device having BIOS firmware programmed therein, portions of said programmable non-volatile

A computer system comprising: a processor for executing processing logic; a programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device coupled to said processor, said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device having BIOS firmware programmed therein, portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device being write modifiable; a random access memory (RAM) device coupled to said processor; means for transferring a first portion of said BIOS firmware from said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device to said RAM, said first portion being specifically directed to updating other portions of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said means for transferring coupled to said processor; means for erasing a portion of said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory device, said means for erasing coupled to said processor; and, means for updating a second portion of said BIOS firmware in said programmable non-volatile semiconductor memory while said first portion of said BIOS firmware is executing from said RAM, said means for updating coupled to said processor.