DE102006016743A1 - Computer system e.g. personal computer, has component of basic input-output system program stored in non volatile memory module, and downloadable components of basic input-output system program stored in storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

The computer system has a processor for executing a program code, a non-volatile memory module (102) e.g. random access memory. A storage medium (112) e.g. hard disk drive, and a basic input-output system (BIOS) program (200) are provided for starting the system. The BIOS program comprises a set of components (201-207) e.g. boot block component, where the component (201) of the BIOS program is stored in the non volatile memory module and the downloadable components (202-207) of the BIOS program are stored in the storage medium. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a method for starting a computer system (2) a method for storing a basic input-output system (BIOS) program.

Description

The The invention relates to a computer system comprising at least one Processor to run of program code, at least one nonvolatile memory module, at least another storage medium and at least one BIOS program for Start the computer system. The invention also relates to a A method of starting a computer system comprising a processor a non-volatile one Memory module and another storage medium. The invention also relates to a method for storing a BIOS program in a computer system.

computer systems The type mentioned above are widely known, in particular wise all so-called personal computer (PC) a BIOS program (Basic Input Output System).

To Turning on a computer system must be in a predetermined state brought by, for example, existing hardware functionality checked and by making system-specific settings. These and other tasks are performed by the BIOS program whose execution immediately after providing an operating voltage of a processor starts. If the system initialization is successful, control is passed to a loader for loading an operating system.

at Prior art systems include a BIOS program in one or more non-volatile Memory devices such as so-called flash EEPROM devices stored in order to be available immediately after system startup.

By the growing number and complexity of System components and extensions will also include BIOS programs always more extensive. Thus, growing also the size of the too its storage required Memory chips steadily, which is on the side of the computer system manufacturers causing rising costs.

task The invention is a particularly flexible and cost-effective Describe computer system. In addition, methods for starting of such a computer system as well as for storing a BIOS program be described on such a computer system.

The The object is achieved by a Computer system of the type mentioned, which is characterized is that the BIOS program has multiple components, where at least one boot block component of the BIOS program for reloading other components stored in the nonvolatile memory module and at least one rechargeable, another component of the BIOS program is stored on the additional storage medium.

By splitting the BIOS program into several components, one of which a boot block component in the non-volatile memory device and other components stored on the other storage medium are, the size of the nonvolatile can Memory chips are reduced.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention is only the boot block component in the non-volatile Memory module stored and all other components of the BIOS program on the saved further storage medium. Because only the bootblock component of the BIOS program stored alone in the non-volatile memory block is, the size of the nonvolatile Memory chips are minimized.

According to one Further advantageous embodiment of the invention are components, which are required each time the computer system is started, in the memory device stored and other components stored on the other storage medium. By storing components needed each time you start the computer system These are available immediately after the start of the computer system disposal and thus allow a fast and secure initialization of the computer system.

According to one Further advantageous embodiment of the invention are particularly often components used by the computer system in the memory device stored and other components on the other storage medium saved. By storing especially frequently from the computer system used components in the nonvolatile memory module can the time required to initialize the computer system is shortened.

• – Laden von erstem Programmcode der Bootblock-Komponente aus dem nichtflüchtigen Speicherbaustein,
• – Ausführen des ersten Programmcodes durch den Prozessor, wobei durch das Ausführen des ersten Programmcodes zweiter Programmcode wenigstens der weiteren Komponente des BIOS-Programms von dem weiteren Speichermedium geladen wird, und
• – Ausführen des zweiten Programmcodes.

The object is also achieved by a method for starting a computer system comprising at least one processor, a nonvolatile memory module having a boot block component of a BIOS program and a further memory medium having at least one further component of the BIOS program, comprising the following steps:

• Loading first program code of the boot block component from the non-volatile memory module,
• - Execute the first program code the processor, wherein by executing the first program code second program code of at least the further component of the BIOS program is loaded from the further storage medium, and
• - Execute the second program code.

By the two-stage loading and running a BIOS program, from which a first boot block component from the non-volatile memory device loaded and executed will and reload and run another component of the further storage medium, the BIOS program in a computer system with a particularly small nonvolatile Memory module executed become.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention is the first program code set up the integrity of the second program code to check and in case of error the execution of the second program code. By checking the integrity will be the second program code of the reloaded further component of the BIOS program is checked before its execution, so that Malfunction caused, for example, by a manipulation the further component on the further storage medium recognized can be.

• – Speichern der Bootblock-Komponente in einem nichtflüchtigen Speicherbaustein und
• – Speichern wenigstens einer weiteren Komponente auf einem weiteren Speichermedium.

The object is also achieved by a method for storing a BIOS program with a boot block component and further components in a computer system, comprising the following steps:

• - Save the boot block component in a non-volatile memory chip and
• - Store at least one further component on a further storage medium.

The Method in which the boot block component in the non-volatile Memory module stored and at least one other component a further storage medium is stored, is suitable for Saving a BIOS program on a computer system with a especially small non-volatiles Memory chip.

According to one advantageous embodiment of the invention is another to be stored Component stored on the additional storage medium, if the Size of the others component to be stored the remaining free space of the nonvolatile Memory chip exceeds, and otherwise in the non-volatile Memory module saved. This will charge you for reloading Components during reduced or required time to initialize the computer system minimizes, so given maximum times for loading an operating system can be complied with.

Further advantageous details and embodiments of the invention are in the subclaims specified.

The Invention is described below with reference to the embodiments Drawings closer explained. In the drawings show:

1 a computer system according to an embodiment of the invention,

2 a first embodiment of a BIOS program with multiple components,

3 a second embodiment of a BIOS program with multiple components,

4 a flow chart for starting a computer system, and

5 a flow chart for storing a BIOS program.

1 shows a computer system 100 The computer system has a processor 101 , a non-volatile memory chip 102 , a volatile memory 103 and a battery-backed volatile memory 104 on. The processor 101 , the non-volatile memory 102 , the volatile memory 103 and the battery-backed volatile memory 104 are over a system bus 105 connected with each other.

For example, the processor may be 101 to act an Intel or AMD processor according to the x86 architecture. In the nonvolatile memory module 102 For example, it may be a Flash EEPROM memory device included in the computer system 100 can be deleted and programmed. In the battery-backed volatile memory 104 For example, it is a special CMOS device that has memory stored in its memory when it starts up and that also has a real-time clock.

The components of the system bus 105 are over a so-called bridge building block 106 which is the chipset of the computer system 100 belongs, with a peripheral bus 107 connected. On the peripheral bus are in the illustrated embodiment, a hard disk controller 108 , a network card 109 , a video card 110 and an audio card 111 connected.

On the hard disk controller 108 is a hard disk 112 connected. About the network card 109 can the computer system 100 with far ren, not shown computers of a network 113 get connected. The video card 110 and the audio card 111 are used to output video and audio data on a monitor 114 or through a speaker 115 ,

At the peripheral bus 107 and the components connected thereto may be, for example, a bus and components according to the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) standard, the PCI Express (PCIE) standard or other bus standards known to those skilled in the art. Of course, the computer system 100 In addition, further bus systems and bus connections, so-called bridges have. Such bus systems include, for example, another memory bus, an AGP standard video bus or bus systems for connecting mass storage media and other peripheral devices such as SATA, PATA, SCSI or USB.

In addition to in the 1 illustrated configuration of the computer system 100 a variety of other configurations of computer systems are possible. For example, other storage media such as smart card memory or removable storage media to the computer system 100 be connected.

2 shows a first embodiment of a BIOS program 200 with several components. The BIOS program 200 includes a boot block component 201 , a memory initialization component 202 , a video initialization component 203 , an extension initialization component 204 , a network initialization component 205 , a disk access component 206 and a system adjustment component 207 ,

The extension initialization component 204 For example, it is used to initialize other plug-in cards with so-called option ROMs of a PCI or PCIE bus, such as the audio card 111 or so-called on-board components such as system management interrupt (SMI) components, processor and cache initialization components or power management components according to the Advanced Configuration and Power Management Interface (ACPI). The disk access component 206 For example, it is used to initialize the hard disk 112 Detecting to the hard disk controller 108 connected drives such as the hard disk drive 112 and other drives, such as CD or DVD drives, and setting appropriate speeds for these drives.

The components 201 . 202 . 203 . 204 and 206 of the BIOS program 200 are in the non-volatile memory chip 102 saved. The components 205 and 207 of the BIOS program 200 are in the embodiment in an access protected area 208 the hard drive 112 saved. Alternatively, the components may of course be stored on further, not shown in the figure, however, storage media such as a CD-ROM, a floppy disk or a so-called USB stick. In the case of redundant storage on several storage media, the components are still in the event of a hard disk failure 112 to disposal.

In addition, in the embodiment are on the hard disk 112 other areas 209 and 210 , where the first area 209 serves as a system partition in which an operating system 211 is stored, and the second area 210 serves as a data partition in which user data is stored. Of course, a variety of other disk partitions are possible.

According to the in 2 illustrated embodiment of the BIOS program 200 become all components 201 . 202 . 203 . 204 and 206 that when starting the computer system 100 be needed in the non-volatile memory chip 102 saved. On the other hand, the network initialization component becomes 205 and the system adjustment component 207 for the maintenance of the hard disk 112 or for changing in the battery-buffered volatile memory 104 stored data, in the access-protected area 208 saved.

As an access protected area 208 Particularly suitable is a so-called Host Protected Area (HPA), to which an operating system 211 has no access. This is reduced by the BIOS program 200 the number of to the operating system 211 reported sectors of the disk 112 so that the unreported sectors of the disk 112 only through the BIOS program 200 are reachable. At the first and second area 209 and 210 For example, it is a primary and an extended partition of a hard disk drive.

In the exemplary embodiment, the components are 205 and 207 of the BIOS program 200 particularly extensive, but are rarely needed. Therefore, it makes sense to use these components on the hard drive 112 or another storage medium of the computer system 100 to save the size of the non-volatile memory chip 102 to be kept as low as possible.

3 shows a second embodiment of a BIOS program 300 with several components. The BIOS program 300 has a boot block component 201 with an integrated network initialization component 205 on. Other components 203 . 204 and 304 of the BIOS program 300 become from a server computer 301 over the network 113 recharged.

The network computer 301 has a component manager 302 as well as a component database 303 on. In the component database 303 There are several video initialization components each 203 , Extension Initialization Components 204 and microcode components 304 For example, to correct for errors in the microcode of a processor used 101 , saved.

For example, these are video initialization components 203 for different video cards 110 or different versions of a video initialization component 203 a video card 110 , Likewise, different versions and variants of extension initialization components 204 and microcode components 304 , components not shown in the component database 303 be saved.

Of course, you can also have several identical versions of the components 203 . 204 and 304 on the hard disk 112 or in the component database 303 be stored so that when a copy is damaged, a redundant copy used who can. This will cause the BIOS program 300 protected from data loss, possible errors.

Alternatively, you can also get a complete BIOS program 300 that has all the needed components over the network 113 be reloaded. For example, in practice, it is common to provide BIOS files that are an image of a complete BIOS program 300 included and for a particular computer system 100 are configured. It can be a, for example, in the boot block component 201 included, Component Manager to verify that the BIOS file to use with the computer system 100 and its motherboard is suitable. This is particularly useful when a variety of different BIOS files are available, such as service CDs provided by computer manufacturers that can be used with a variety of different computer systems.

The BIOS program 300 is particularly suitable for use in networks 113 with so-called thin clients, where as few and inexpensive hardware components in a computer system 100 be used. By reloading most components 203 . 204 and 304 of the BIOS program 300 over the network 113 , the non-volatile memory device can 102 of such a computer system 100 be kept very small. In addition, the computer system needs 100 no local hard drive 112 have the other components 203 . 204 and 304 as well as an operating system 211 save.

A reload of components 203 . 204 and 304 or a complete BIOS program 300 does not differ fundamentally from reloading from a storage medium such as a local hard drive 112 , For very slow networks 113 However, there is a risk that the initialization time will be extended.

4 shows a flowchart for a method 400 to start a computer system 100 ,

In a first step 401 becomes the boot block component 201 loaded. For example, the content of a predetermined memory cell of the non-volatile memory chip 102 after applying a supply voltage to an instruction memory of the processor 101 loaded.

In one step 402 becomes the first program code of the boot block component 201 executed. This includes the steps 403 to 409 ,

In the step 403 becomes another component 203 . 204 . 205 . 206 . 207 or 304 of the BIOS program 200 or 300 requested. In step 404 it checks if the requested component 203 . 204 . 205 . 206 . 207 or 304 in the non-volatile memory module 102 is stored. If this is the case, in step 405 second program code of the requested component from the nonvolatile memory 102 loaded. Otherwise, in step 406 the second program code of the requested component from another storage medium, such as the hard disk 112 , loaded.

In an optional step 407 the second program code loaded by the storage medium is checked. For example, by checking version information or redundancy information such as a so-called CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) checksum, the correctness and integrity of the second program code can be checked. It can also be checked whether the second program code is intended for use with the loading computer system. If an error occurs during the check, another component can alternatively be used 203 . 204 . 205 . 206 . 207 or 304 getting charged.

For example, a different version of the component 203 . 204 or 304 from the component database 303 getting charged. Alternatively, it is also possible for a user to request a volume, such as a so-called Recove ry CD or a special memory card, with the computer system 100 to connect to load a bug-free version. Instead, the execution of the second program code recognized as being defective can also be prevented only and a user can be made aware of the error by an error message.

In one step 408 is the second program code by the processor 101 executed. Before being executed, the second program code is usually still in the non-volatile memory 103 copied. To increase the execution speed, it is also possible to have an entire, reloaded BIOS program 200 or 300 at once in the non-volatile memory 103 to copy.

In a further step 409 It checks if there are other components 202 . 203 . 204 . 205 . 206 . 207 or 304 to be loaded. If this is the case, the execution in step 403 continued. Otherwise, if so the entire BIOS program 200 respectively. 300 has been successfully completed, is in one step 410 the operating system 211 started.

For example, the control can be sent to a loader of the operating system 211 be handed over.

5 shows a method 500 to save a BIOS program 200 or 300 , In a first step 501 becomes a boot block component 201 in the nonvolatile memory 102 saved. For example, the bootblock component 201 stored by applying an increased programming voltage in a flash module.

In one step 502 it checks if there is another component 202 to 207 or 304 of the BIOS program 200 respectively. 300 should be saved. If this is the case, in step 503 Checks if the size of the component to be saved 202 to 207 or 304 the remaining free storage capacity of the non-volatile memory module 102 exceeds. If this is the case, in step 504 the other component 202 to 207 or 304 on the other storage medium, such as the hard drive 112 , saved and the procedure in step 502 continued.

Is the size of the component to be saved 202 to 207 or 304 less than the remaining free space of the nonvolatile memory module 102 , is in an optional step 505 Checks if the component to be saved 202 to 207 or 304 is needed very often. For example, default settings provided by a system manufacturer, a system administrator, or a user may be used.

Is the component to be saved, for example, a network initialization component 205 or a system adjustment component 207 , only relatively rarely needed, she gets in step 504 stored as described above on a further storage medium. However, if the component is needed frequently or finds the optional step 505 not taking place, becomes the component to be saved 202 to 207 or 304 in the non-volatile memory device 102 saved.

In any case, the execution in step 502 continued. There is found to be no more component in the computer system 100 is to be stored, the execution of the process ends 500 ,

Instead of individual components, of course, the entire BIOS program 200 or 300 stored on the additional storage medium. In this case, no decision for individual components needs to be made. For the sake of simplicity, for example, a complete BIOS can be written to the additional storage medium. In the case that the bootblock component 201 it has not changed again, it does not have to be re-inserted into the non-volatile memory chip 102 to be written. Enough easy replacement of the BIOS program 200 or 300 For example, by copying a new BIOS image file to the other storage medium.

In an advantageous embodiment, the method 500 automatically executed by a suitable utility. For this purpose, a user or service technician selects only one already completely for the computer system 100 compiled BIOS program 200 or 300 out. On the manufacturer side, such BIOS programs 200 or 300 by linking individual components 201 to 207 or 304 determined and offered for example in the form of binary code via an Internet page or a service CD.

In the BIOS program 200 or 300 it can be any type of system program that is suitable for initializing or starting a computer system or other device with a microcontroller. Even components of so-called firmware, which are provided via the so-called Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI) interface, can be stored in a particularly flexible and cost-effective manner.

For example, firmware from consumer electronics devices may also be stored and loaded in the manner previously described. if the device has another storage medium. In particular, many mobile devices such as PDAs or MP3 players have disk storage media or memory card media for storing additional components 202 to 207 or 304 are suitable.

100

computer system

101

processor

102

nonvolatile memory chip

103

volatile Storage

104

battery backed volatile Storage

105

System bus

106

Bridge module

107

Peripheral bus

108

Hard disk controller

109

network card

110

video card

111

Audio card

112

hard disk

113

network

114

monitor

115

speaker

200

BIOS program

201

Boot-block component

202

Speicherinitialisierungskomponente

203

Videoinitialisierungskomponente

204

Erweiterungsinitialisierungskomponente

205

Netzwerkinitialisierungskomponente

206

Disk access component

207

System adjustment component

208

Access protected area

209

first Area

210

second Area

211

operating system

300

BIOS program

301

Server computers

302

component Manager

303

Component database

304

Microcode component

400

method to start a computer system

401 to 410

steps

500

method to save a BIOS program

501 to 506

steps

Claims (17)

Computer system ( 100 ), comprising - at least one processor ( 101 ) for executing program code, - at least one non-volatile memory module ( 102 ), - at least one further storage medium ( 112 . 303 ) and - at least one BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ) to start the computer system ( 10O ), characterized in that the BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ) several components ( 201 - 207 . 304 ), wherein at least one boot block component ( 201 ) of the BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ) for reloading at least one further component ( 202 - 207 . 304 ) in the nonvolatile memory module ( 102 ) and at least one rechargeable, further component ( 202 - 207 . 304 ) of the BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ) on the further storage medium ( 112 . 303 ) is stored. Computer system ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one further component ( 202 - 207 . 304 ) of the BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ) is one of the following components: memory initialization component ( 202 ), Video initialization component ( 203 ), Extension initialization component ( 204 ), Network initialization component ( 205 ), Disk Access Component ( 206 ), System settings component ( 207 ) or microcode component ( 304 ). Computer system ( 100 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the further storage medium ( 112 . 303 ) a hard disk drive ( 112 ), a network drive ( 303 ), a removable storage medium or a memory card. Computer system ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the non-volatile memory module ( 102 ) is a ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM or Flash EEPROM device. Computer system ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that only the boot block component ( 201 ) in the nonvolatile memory module ( 102 ) and all other components ( 202 - 207 . 304 ) of the BIOS program ( 300 ) on the further storage medium ( 112 . 303 ) are stored. Computer system ( 1o0 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that components ( 201 - 205 ) of the BIOS program ( 200 ), each time the computer system ( 100 ) are required in the nonvolatile memory module ( 102 ) and other components ( 206 . 207 ) on the further storage medium ( 112 . 303 ) are stored. Computer system ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that by a manufacturer, administrator or user of the computer system ( 100 ) predetermined components ( 201 - 205 ) of the BIOS program ( 200 ) in the nonvolatile memory module ( 102 ) are stored and other components ( 206 . 207 ) on the further storage medium ( 112 . 303 ) are stored. Computer system ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that particularly often by the computer system ( 100 ) used components ( 201 - 205 ) of the BIOS program ( 200 ) in the nonvolatile memory module ( 102 ) and other components ( 206 . 207 ) on the further storage medium ( 112 . 303 ) are stored. Computer system ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the at least one rechargeable, further component of the BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ) the entire BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ). Computer system ( 100 ) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the size of all components ( 201 - 207 . 304 ) of the BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ) the size of the non-volatile memory module ( 102 ) exceeds. Procedure ( 400 ) for starting a computer system ( 100 ) comprising at least one processor ( 101 ), a non-volatile memory device ( 102 ) with a boot block component ( 201 ) of a BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ) and another storage medium ( 112 . 303 ) with at least one further component ( 202 - 207 . 304 ) of the BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ) comprising the steps of: loading first program code of the boot block component ( 201 ) from the non-volatile memory module ( 102 ), - execution of the first program code by the processor ( 101 ), wherein by executing the first program code, second program code of at least the further component ( 202 - 207 . 304 ) of the BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ) from the further storage medium ( 112 . 303 ), and - executing the second program code. Procedure ( 400 ) according to claim 11, characterized in that the first program code is adapted to check the integrity of the second program code and to prevent the execution of the second program code in case of error. Procedure ( 400 ) according to claim 12, characterized in that loaded in case of error third program code and instead of the second program code by the processor ( 101 ) is performed. Procedure ( 400 ) according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that an error message is generated in the event of an error. Procedure ( 500 ) to save a BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ) with a boot block component ( 201 ) and other components ( 202 - 207 . 304 ) in a computer system ( 100 ), comprising the steps: - storing the boot block component ( 201 ) in a nonvolatile memory module ( 102 ) and - storing at least one further component ( 202 - 207 . 304 ) on another storage medium ( 112 . 303 ). Procedure ( 500 ) according to claim 15, characterized in that a further component to be stored ( 202 - 207 . 304 ) on the further storage medium ( 112 . 303 ), if the largest of the further components to be stored is the remaining free memory space of the non-volatile memory module ( 102 ) and the further component to be stored ( 202 - 207 . 304 otherwise in the non-volatile memory device ( 102 ) is stored. Method according to one of claims 11 to 16, characterized in that it is in the other components ( 202 - 207 . 304 ) to the entire BIOS program ( 200 . 300 ).