JP2001142709A - Initial actuation device, computer system, initial actuation method, and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an initial actuation device, a computer system, an initial actuation method and a storage medium which can shorten a start-up time by enabling a program making the whole system operate speedily to be used after system actuation by increasing the expanding speed of a compressed program by using hardware which is built in the system and performs compression and expansion. SOLUTION: The system is equipped with a ROM 12 stored with a system actuation program and a compression program, a RAM 13 where the programs are expanded and executed, a compressing and expanding circuit 15 which compresses and expands data, and a CPU 11 which controls a series of processes for initially setting the compressing and expanding circuit 15, securing a memory when a compressed program is expanded, and compressed program expanding and compressed program operation.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an initial start-up device, a computer system, an initial start-up method, and a storage medium, and more particularly to an initial start-up device, a computer system, an initial start-up method, and a method suitable for shortening a start-up time. It relates to a storage medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a program for starting an initial system is stored in a ROM in a computer device. When the program is started to be executed in the computer device, the CPU stores the program in the ROM program when the system is started. The read program is read and the execution of the program is started.

[0003] On the other hand, in recent years, boot programs have become bloated with the diversification of hardware of computer systems, and so on.
There have been cases where the capacity of the ROM cannot be accommodated. Also,
Regardless of the startup program, if an external storage device such as a hard disk is not equipped like an embedded device, it is necessary to store not only the startup program and operation program (OS) but also the application program in the ROM. Is coming out.

In such a case, the capacity of the ROM is increased, or the program is partially compressed and stored in the ROM, and the program compressed by the initial startup program is decompressed and used by software. Alternatively, a method has been adopted in which a divided program is stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk in advance, and a part of the startup program reads the remaining portion from the external storage device and uses it.

[0005] In particular, in a system without an external storage device such as a hard disk, an initial startup program and the remaining compressed programs are stored in the ROM.
The compression program stored in the ROM is expanded in the memory while being expanded by a software expansion method.

[0006]

However, the above-mentioned prior art has the following problems. That is, in a system that is not equipped with an external storage device such as a hard disk according to the above-described conventional example, when the initial startup program expands a compression program stored in ROM by a software expansion method, the compression program However, there is a problem that it takes a long time to decompress the file, and as a result, it takes a very long time to start up the system.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and utilizes a hardware circuit for performing compression and decompression which is incorporated in a system to increase the speed of decompression and decompression of a compression program, thereby enabling system startup. After that, an initial start-up device that enabled the program for quickly operating the entire system to be in a usable state and shortened the start-up time,
It is an object to provide a computer system, an initial startup method, and a storage medium.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, first storage means for storing an initial startup program and a compression program, and various programs are developed and executed. An initial start-up device comprising a second storage means and a compression / expansion means for compressing and decompressing data, wherein at an initial start-up of the system, the initial start-up program uses the compression / expansion means to execute the compression program. It is characterized by having a control means for controlling the development.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the first storage means stores a first area in which the initial startup program is stored and a second area in which the compression program is stored. A read-only memory having an area, the second storage means is a random access memory in which various programs are expanded and executed, and the compression / expansion means is a hardware circuit for compressing and expanding data, The control means is a central processing unit that performs the control.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 is characterized in that, in the first area of the first storage means, the control means firstly reads a program code after system power is turned on. An address is included.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the compression program is a program including a part of the initial startup program, an operation system program, and an application program. Prior to decompression of the compression program by the compression / decompression means, after initial setting of the compression / decompression means and securing of an area required for decompression of the compression program in the second storage means, the first storage means The compression program is read, and the compression program is expanded and expanded by the compression / expansion means.

[0012] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 5 is characterized in that a computer system is configured together with an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 6 is characterized in that a first storage means in which an initial startup program and a compression program are stored, and a second storage means in which various programs are expanded and executed. A computer system to which an initial activation device having compression / expansion means for compressing and decompressing data is applied, wherein the initial activation device executes the compression / expansion means when the system is initially activated. And a control means for controlling the compression program to be expanded by using the compression program.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 7, wherein the first storage means stores a first area in which the initial start-up program is stored and a second area in which the compression program is stored. A read-only memory having an area, the second storage means is a random access memory in which various programs are expanded and executed, and the compression / expansion means is a hardware circuit for compressing and expanding data, The control means is a central processing unit that performs the control.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that the first area in the first storage means stores the program code for the control means to read the program code first after system power is turned on. An address is included.

In order to achieve the above object, according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the compression program is a program including a part of the initial startup program, an operation system program, and an application program. Prior to decompression of the compression program by the compression / decompression means, after initial setting of the compression / decompression means and securing of an area required for decompression of the compression program in the second storage means, the first storage means The compression program is read, and the compression program is expanded and expanded by the compression / expansion means.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 10 is characterized in that it comprises the initial starting device and an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 11 is characterized in that a first storage means in which an initial startup program and a compression program are stored, and a second storage means in which various programs are expanded and executed. An initial boot method applied to an initial boot device having compression / expansion means for compressing and decompressing data, wherein at the time of initial boot of a system, the initial boot program uses the compression / expansion means to execute the compression program. Is characterized by having a control step of controlling to develop.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the first storage means stores the first area in which the initial startup program is stored and the second area in which the compression program is stored. A read-only memory having an area, the second storage means is a random access memory in which various programs are expanded and executed, and the compression / expansion means is a hardware circuit for compressing and expanding data, The processing in the control step is performed by a central processing unit that performs the control.

According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, in the first storage means, the first area in the first storage means is for reading a program code in the control step first after the system power is turned on. An address is included.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 14 is characterized in that the compression program is a program including a part of the initial startup program, an operation system program, and an application program. Prior to decompression of the compression program by the compression / decompression means, after initial setting of the compression / decompression means and securing of an area required for decompression of the compression program in the second storage means, the first storage means The compression program is read, and the compression program is expanded and expanded by the compression / expansion means.

To achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 15 is characterized in that it can be applied to a computer system having the initial activation device and also having an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display. I do.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 16 is characterized in that a first storage means in which an initial startup program and a compression program are stored, and a second storage means in which various programs are expanded and executed. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing an initial boot method applied to an initial boot device having compression / expansion means for compressing and expanding data, wherein the initial boot method includes a system And a control step of controlling the initial startup program to expand the compression program using the compression / expansion means at the time of initial startup.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 17 is characterized in that the first storage means stores a first area in which the initial startup program is stored and a second area in which the compression program is stored. A read-only memory having an area, the second storage means is a random access memory in which various programs are expanded and executed, and the compression / expansion means is a hardware circuit for compressing and expanding data, The processing in the control step is performed by a central processing unit that performs the control.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to claim 18 is characterized in that the first area in the first storage means is for reading a program code in the control step first after system power is turned on. An address is included.

In order to achieve the above object, an invention according to a nineteenth aspect is characterized in that the compression program is a program including a part of the initial startup program, an operation system program, and an application program. Prior to decompression of the compression program by the compression / decompression means, after initial setting of the compression / decompression means and securing of an area required for decompression of the compression program in the second storage means, the first storage means The compression program is read, and the compression program is expanded and expanded by the compression / expansion means.

[0027] In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 20 is applicable to a computer system having the initial activation device and also having an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display. I do.

[0028]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration inside a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The computer device according to the embodiment of the present invention has C
PU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, memory controller 14, compression / expansion circuit 15, SRAM (Static
RAM) 16, other device controllers 17, and a system bus 18. It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to a specific computer system but can be applied to a general purpose. Therefore, a system block diagram of only a part related to the present invention, not the whole system, is shown.

In detail, the CPU 11 is a central processing unit that performs control and arithmetic processing of the entire apparatus, and executes processing shown in a flowchart of FIG. The ROM 12 is a read-only memory, and is a storage area for a system boot program, an operation system program, an application program, or a compressed program image. However, although it is read-only, Fl can rewrite internal data by controlling the access mode to ROM.
It may be an Ash ROM. The RAM 13 is a random access memory, which is a data storage area with no usage restrictions, and is loaded with programs and data for various processes and executed. The RAM 13 is also used as a work area required during the operation of the program. The memory controller 14 performs various controls for accessing the ROM 12 and the RAM 13 described above.

The compression / decompression circuit 15 has a circuit for compressing and decompressing data in hardware. As a compression format, JBIG (Joint Bi-level Image Experts
Group: An international standard for encoding binary images with information storage, MH (Modified Huffman: a type of data compression / decompression technique), MMR (Modified Modified READ: a type of data compression / decompression technique) However, the present invention does not particularly refer to the type of compression format. The SRAM 16 is a random access memory that retains data even when the system power is off. Information such as the configuration of the system can be stored in this portion. Reference numeral 17 denotes other device controllers, but denotes an I / O device controller existing on the system. Since it does not affect the present invention, it is omitted in the above expression. The system bus 18 serves as a data path between the above-described components.

Although one system bus is shown in FIG. 1, the system bus is not particularly specified as one, and a plurality of buses may be connected via a bus bridge connecting the buses as needed. Bus form is also possible. FIG.
May be implemented on the CPU 11, the memory controller 14, the compression / expansion circuit 15, the SRAM 16, or a different chip on a printed circuit board, or may be implemented on a single chip. The present invention does not particularly refer to the implementation of the hardware circuit.

FIG. 2 shows a memory map on the ROM 12 of the computer according to the embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of storing a program for realizing the present invention in a ROM 12. 21 is a ROM 1 in the system
2 is a memory area, and 22 is an address A (a CPU instruction fetch address at power-on or when a reset signal is generated) which is a head address of the ROM 12.
23 indicates an address D which is the last address of the ROM 12. An area 24 stores a system start-up program, and the area 24 must always include an address at which the CPU 11 first fetches a program code after the system power is turned on.
In the case of FIG. 2, the address A · 22 is an address for fetching the program code first after the system power is turned on.

The system startup program includes the CPU 11
Necessary minimum programs such as initial settings of related registers, initial settings of the memory controller 14, and programs using the compression / expansion circuit 15 are included. Address A ・ 22
Is described as the storage start address of the system startup program, but may be any address within the program storage range 24. An area 25 stores a compression program processed by the system startup program. The compression program includes a part of a system startup program, an operation system program, an application program, and the like. 26
Indicates an address B which is a head address where the compression program is stored.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual example in which the program and related data of the present invention are supplied to the apparatus from a storage medium. The program and related data of the present invention are supplied by inserting a storage medium 51 such as a floppy disk or a CD-ROM into an insertion slot 53 of a storage medium drive provided in the device 52. Thereafter, the program and the related data of the present invention are temporarily installed on the hard disk from the storage medium 51 and loaded into the RAM from the storage medium 51, or directly loaded into the RAM without being installed on the hard disk, whereby the program and the related data of the present invention are loaded. It is possible to execute.

In this case, when executing the program of the present invention in the computer device according to the embodiment of the present invention, the program and related data of the present invention are supplied to the computer device in the procedure as shown in FIG. 5, for example. The program can be executed by storing the program and the related data in a computer device in advance.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the storage contents of a storage medium storing the program and related data of the present invention. The storage medium of the present invention stores, for example, volume information 4
1, directory information 42, program execution file 4
3. The storage contents of the program-related data file 44 and the like. The program of the present invention (the claim of the storage medium in the claims) is program-coded based on the flowchart of FIG.

The correspondence between the components in the claims of the present invention and the components of the computer device according to the embodiment of the present invention is as follows. The first storage means in the claims corresponds to the ROM 12, the second storage means corresponds to the RAM 13, the compression / expansion means corresponds to the compression / expansion circuit 15, and the control means corresponds to the CPU 11. The initial activation device in the claims corresponds to the system having only the configuration related to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 described above, and the computer system in the claims corresponds to the computer system shown in FIG. I do.

Next, the operation of the computer device according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing from power-on (reset) to a compression program operation in the computer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.
1 is executed.

When power is applied to the system or when a reset signal is input to the system (step S31), the CP
U11 fetches the program code from the address A · 22 of the ROM 12 in FIG.
11 interprets the program code and the initial startup program starts operating (step S33). The initial startup program performs initialization related to the CPU 11 (step S34) and initialization of the memory controller 14 (step S35) which are necessary as system initialization. In preparation for expanding the compression program, the initial startup program performs initial settings in the compression / expansion circuit 15 and secures a memory (an area in the RAM 13) required when the compression program is expanded (step S36). In securing this memory, it is necessary to secure the memory so as to match the program address when the compressed program is expanded.

Thereafter, the initial startup program is executed as shown in FIG.
The compression program stored from the address B • 26 of the OM 12 is read out and processed by the compression / decompression circuit 15.
The memory area (R
The expanded compression program is expanded in the OM 12) (step S37). After the compression program is expanded, control is passed from the initial startup program to the expanded compression program, and the functions can be called between the initial startup program and the expanded compression program to enable mutual operation. (Step S38).

As described above, according to the computer apparatus of the embodiment of the present invention, the R having the area in which the system startup program is stored and the area in which the compression program processed by the system startup program is stored.
OM12 and RAM1 where the program is expanded and executed
3, a compression / expansion circuit 15 for compressing and decompressing data in hardware, an operation of an initial startup program, initialization related to the CPU, initialization of the memory controller 14, initial setting of the compression / expansion circuit 15, and expansion of the compression program. The configuration includes the CPU 11 that controls the execution of a series of processing including the necessary memory reservation, decompression of the compression program, and the operation of the compression program.

In the above configuration, when the power is turned on or reset, the operation of the initial startup program as described above, the initialization related to the CPU, the initialization of the memory controller 14, the initial setting of the compression / expansion circuit 15, and the expansion of the compression program are performed. By performing a series of processing including securing necessary memory, decompressing a compressed program, and operating the compressed program, that is, decompressing the compressed program stored in the ROM 12 of the computer using the compression / decompression circuit 15 of hardware. By doing so, the entire system quickly becomes operable.

Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention,
If the size of the initial startup program has increased, or if the size has increased, including the operation system program or application program,
The program can be incorporated into the system without increasing the capacity of the ROM 12 and without worrying about the startup time.
That is, by using the compression / expansion circuit 15 of the hardware incorporated in the system and increasing the speed of the expansion and decompression of the compression program, the program for quickly operating the entire system after the system is started can be used. As a result, there is an effect that the start-up time can be shortened.

[Other Embodiments] (1) In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, the system having only the configuration related to the present invention shown in FIG. 1 has been described. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, an input device 61 such as a keyboard and a pointing device and an output device 62 such as a display are connected to only the configuration related to the present invention shown in FIG. It can be applied to computer systems. Further, the present invention can be applied to an image processing system in which a printer, a scanner, a copying machine, and the like are connected to a computer system having the configuration shown in FIG. 6 via a network.

(2) In the above-described embodiment of the present invention, there are various types of compression formats such as JBIG, MH, and MMR as described above in the compression / decompression circuit 15. Although the format is not specifically mentioned, the present invention is applicable to various compression formats.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. A storage medium storing software program codes for realizing the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or an apparatus, and a computer (or CPU or MPU) of the system or the apparatus executes the program code stored in the storage medium. Needless to say, this can also be achieved by executing the reading.

In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium implements the functions of the above-described embodiment, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

As a storage medium for supplying the program code, for example, a floppy disk, hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, CD-ROM, CD
-R, a magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory card, a ROM, or the like can be used.

When the computer executes the readout program code, not only the functions of the above-described embodiment are realized, but also the OS or the like running on the computer is actually executed based on the instructions of the program code. It goes without saying that a part or all of the above-described processing is performed, and the functions of the above-described embodiments are realized by the processing.

Further, after the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided in a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer, based on the instructions of the program code, It goes without saying that the CPU included in the function expansion board or the function expansion unit performs part or all of the actual processing, and the processing realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments.

[0052]

As described above, according to the initial starting device of the first to fifth aspects, the initial starting program is stored in the first storage means as a read-only memory at the time of initial starting of the system. Since the program is expanded using the compression / expansion means as a hardware circuit, if the size of the initial startup program is large, or if the size is large including the operation system program or application program, the read-only memory is used. The program can be incorporated into the system without increasing the capacity of the first storage means and without considering the startup time. In other words, the compression / expansion means as a hardware circuit for performing compression / expansion incorporated in the system is used to increase the speed of decompression / expansion of the compression program. It can be set in a usable state, and as a result, there is an effect that the start-up time can be shortened.

According to the computer system of the present invention, the computer system has an initial starting device and an input device and an output device.
Similarly to the above, after the system is started, the program for operating the entire system can be quickly made usable, and as a result, the effect that the start-up time can be shortened is achieved.

According to the initial start method of the present invention, the initial start method is executed by the initial start device, so that the program for quickly operating the entire system after the system is started is executed in the same manner as described above. It can be put into a usable state, and as a result, there is an effect that the start-up time can be shortened.

According to the storage medium of the present invention, the initial boot method is read from the storage medium and executed by the initial boot device, so that the entire system can be quickly restored after the system is booted in the same manner as described above. The program to be operated can be put into a usable state, and as a result, there is an effect that the start-up time can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a basic internal configuration of a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a memory map of a ROM and contents stored in the ROM in the computer device according to the embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing from power-on (reset) to a compression program operation in the computer device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of storage contents of a storage medium storing a program and related data of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a conceptual example in which a program and related data of the present invention are supplied from a storage medium to an apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a computer system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 15 Compression / expansion circuit 61 Input device 62 Output device

Claims (20)

[Claims] A first storage unit in which an initial startup program and a compression program are stored; a second storage unit in which various programs are expanded and executed; and a compression and expansion unit for compressing and expanding data. An initial start-up device, comprising: control means for controlling the initial start-up program to expand the compression program using the compression / decompression means at the time of initial start-up of a system. 2. The first storage means is a read-only memory having a first area in which the initial startup program is stored and a second area in which the compression program is stored. The means is a random access memory in which various programs are expanded and executed, the compression / expansion means is a hardware circuit for compressing and expanding data, and the control means is a central processing unit for performing the control. The initial activation device according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The system according to claim 2, wherein said first area in said first storage means includes an address for said control means to read out a program code first after system power is turned on. Initial activation device as described. 4. The compression program is a program including a part of the initial startup program, an operation system program, and an application program,
Prior to the expansion of the compression program by the compression / expansion means, the initial startup program secures an area necessary for the compression / expansion means at the time of expansion of the compression program in the second storage means and the second storage means. 4. The initial activation device according to claim 1, wherein said compression program is read from a first storage means, and said compression program is expanded and expanded by said compression / expansion means. 5. The initial start-up device according to claim 1, wherein a computer system is configured with an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display. 6. A storage device comprising: a first storage unit in which an initial startup program and a compression program are stored; a second storage unit in which various programs are expanded and executed; and a compression and expansion unit for compressing and expanding data. A computer system to which the initial start-up device is applied, wherein the initial start-up device controls the initial start-up program to expand the compression program using the compression / decompression means at the time of initial start-up of the system. A computer system comprising: 7. The first storage means is a read-only memory having a first area in which the initial start-up program is stored and a second area in which the compression program is stored. The means is a random access memory in which various programs are expanded and executed, the compression / expansion means is a hardware circuit for compressing and expanding data, and the control means is a central processing unit for performing the control. The computer system according to claim 6, wherein: 8. The system according to claim 7, wherein said first area in said first storage means includes an address for said control means to read out a program code first after system power is turned on. Computer system as described. 9. The compression program is a program including a part of the initial startup program, an operation system program, and an application program,
Prior to the expansion of the compression program by the compression / expansion means, the initial startup program secures an area necessary for the compression / expansion means at the time of expansion of the compression program in the second storage means and the second storage means. 9. The computer system according to claim 6, wherein said compression program is read from a first storage means, and said compression program is expanded and expanded by said compression / expansion means. 10. The computer system according to claim 6, further comprising the input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display. 11. A storage device comprising: a first storage unit in which an initial startup program and a compression program are stored; a second storage unit in which various programs are expanded and executed; and a compression / expansion unit for compressing and expanding data. An initial boot method applied to the initial boot device, further comprising a control step of controlling the initial boot program to expand the compression program by using the compression / expansion means when the system is initially booted. And the initial startup method. 12. The first storage means is a read-only memory having a first area in which the initial startup program is stored and a second area in which the compression program is stored. The means is a random access memory in which various programs are expanded and executed, the compression / expansion means is a hardware circuit for compressing and expanding data, and the processing in the control step is a central processing unit for performing the control. The method according to claim 11, wherein the method is executed by: 13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said first area in said first storage means includes an address for reading out a program code in said control step first after system power is turned on. Initial startup method described. 14. The compression program is a program including a part of the initial startup program, an operation system program, and an application program. After the initial setting of the compression / expansion means and the securing of the area necessary for expanding the compression program in the second storage means, the compression program is read from the first storage means, and the compression program is read by the compression / expansion means. 14. The initial activation method according to claim 11, wherein the method is extended and expanded. 15. The initial startup according to claim 11, wherein the initial startup is applicable to a computer system having the input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display. Method. 16. A storage device comprising: a first storage unit in which an initial startup program and a compression program are stored; a second storage unit in which various programs are expanded and executed; and a compression / expansion unit for compressing and expanding data. A computer-readable storage medium storing a program for executing an initial boot method applied to an initial boot device, the initial boot method comprising: And a control step of controlling the compression program to be expanded by using the storage medium. 17. The first storage means is a read-only memory having a first area in which the initial startup program is stored and a second area in which the compression program is stored. The means is a random access memory in which various programs are expanded and executed, the compression / expansion means is a hardware circuit for compressing and expanding data, and the processing in the control step is a central processing unit for performing the control. 17. The storage medium according to claim 16, which is executed by: 18. The method according to claim 17, wherein the first area in the first storage means includes an address for reading a program code in the control step first after system power is turned on. The storage medium according to the above. 19. The compression program is a program including a part of the initial startup program, an operation system program, and an application program. The initial startup program is configured to execute the compression and decompression by the compression and decompression means prior to decompression of the compression program. After the initial setting of the compression / expansion means and the securing of the area necessary for expanding the compression program in the second storage means, the compression program is read from the first storage means, and the compression program is read by the compression / expansion means. 19. The storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the storage medium is expanded and expanded. 20. The storage medium according to claim 16, wherein the storage medium is applicable to a computer system including the initial activation device and an input device such as a keyboard and an output device such as a display. .