JP2005266871A - Computer device having diagnosing/erasing function of hard disk device and its mother board - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a computer device having the diagnosing/erasing function of a hard disk device for executing the erasure and functional diagnosis of data in the hard disk device by making it unnecessary to provide any storage medium. <P>SOLUTION: This computer device having the diagnosing/erasing function of a hard disk device stores a diagnostic/erasure program having a step to write specific data in a designated storage region on the hard disk (S411), and a step to read data written in the designated storage region of the hard disk (S412), and a step to determine the function based on the written specific data and the read data (S403 to S405) and a step to control the designated storage region for writing data in the overall storage region on the hard disk in an ROM 40 for a system BIOS of a personal computer device 1 (S 416). When the functional diagnosis/data erasures of the hard disk device of the personal computer device 1 is necessary, the diagnostic/erasure program written in the ROM 40 for the system BIOS is executed by a CPU, and the data erasure and diagnosis are simultaneously operated. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer device having a diagnosis / erase function of a hard disk device capable of diagnosing the function of a hard disk device connected to the computer device and erasing data stored in the hard disk device, and a motherboard thereof.

  In recent years, from the viewpoint of global environment conservation and resource saving, reuse of unnecessary equipment and effective use of its components have been attempted. Especially in the field of personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PCs”) among computer devices, new models with improved processing capabilities are being developed and provided one after another. It is necessary to recycle (used PC) and effectively use its components.

  The problem in reusing such a used personal computer is that the data in the hard disk device connected to the personal computer is not completely erased, and the function of writing / reading to the storage area of the hard disk device Is it normal?

  In the former, even if the storage area of the hard disk is formatted, it is only possible to write to the hard disk device, and the data already written to the hard disk device is not completely erased. There is a problem that can be abused. The latter is an operation required to ensure reliable and stable use.

  For this reason, a program for diagnosing a hard disk device and a dedicated program for completely erasing data stored and stored in the hard disk device have been provided.

  Many of the programs for diagnosing these hard disk devices or erasing data stored in the hard disk devices are provided as programs that run on an operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”). ing. In addition, in order to store the diagnosis / data erasure program for the hard disk device in a personal computer, it has been necessary to use some external device such as a flexible disk, a CD-ROM, a hard disk device, or the like that stores the diagnosis / data erasure program. It is common to require a storage medium.

  On the other hand, even in the case of the diagnosis / deletion program that does not require an operating system, some external storage medium that stores the diagnosis / data deletion program is required.

  Further, conventionally, function diagnosis of a hard disk device and erasure of data stored in the hard disk device are performed by different software. In addition, even when a program for diagnosing a hard disk device or erasing data stored in the hard disk device is executed by the same software, the function diagnosis of the hard disk device and the erasure of stored data are performed separately. Yes. In short, it looks just like the same program, and in fact it is simply a combination of the two programs.

  As a conventional technique for erasing data stored in a hard disk device, a technique in which data in the entire area of an external storage medium is erased by a control means has been proposed (see Patent Document 1).

  Further, as a conventional technique for diagnosing the function of a hard disk device, a technique has been proposed in which a part of the function of the hard disk device is diagnosed by comparing the actual access time with the reference access time (Patent Document 2). reference).

JP2003-140835A.

JP-A-8-305502.

According to the conventional diagnosis / data erasure program described above, the following inconvenience occurs.
(1) When the diagnosis / deletion program for the hard disk device requires an existing OS for its startup and operation, the OS must naturally be installed in the personal computer. The OS needs to be compatible with the diagnosis / deletion program of the hard disk device. When this condition is not satisfied, there is a problem that the diagnosis / data erasure program cannot be activated and operated.

(2) When using the OS, if the user or the personal computer to be used is limited by the license, it becomes impossible for anyone other than the user to operate the personal computer. In addition, there is a problem that when the OS of a regular license is not installed in the personal computer, the diagnosis / data erasure program cannot be activated and operated.

(3) When an external storage medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk device, or a CD-ROM is required to store the diagnosis / data erasure program, the external storage medium is prepared and the storage medium Depending on the type, it may be necessary to connect a device for operating it. When this condition is not satisfied, there is a problem that the diagnosis / data erasure program cannot be activated and operated.

(4) In addition, the external storage medium may be damaged due to some influence, or the retention of storage may be impaired due to physical deterioration, and may be lost due to human factors. In these cases, The stored software has been lost or cannot be activated and operated.
(5) Furthermore, recent high-function OSs do not allow a program running on the OS to directly access the hardware. In such a case, the diagnosis / data erasure program and the hardware diagnosis software including the diagnosis / data deletion program should make an access request to the OS and diagnose from the hardware information passed from the OS in order to diagnose the hardware. I have to judge the hardware situation. This has the problem that the OS is involved in the criteria for diagnosis and is not suitable for diagnosis.

(6) In the case of an OS that does not permit direct access to hardware, when data is written to or read from the hard disk, it is managed by the file system. Therefore, it is impossible to write and read data using arbitrary data in the file system area. Therefore, there is a problem that it becomes impossible to diagnose the area of the file system.
(7) Furthermore, in the case of an OS that does not permit direct access to the hardware, it may not be permitted to access all of the OS files installed in the hard disk device. Therefore, the computer apparatus as described above has a problem that it is impossible to diagnose the area in which the file is stored.

(8) In addition, there is a case where a memory failure of the hard disk device cannot be detected by a diagnosis of only reading and moving without using writing for the diagnosis of the hard disk device.

(9) Erasing the hard disk device can be realized by writing some data, but when this is performed from the OS, it can be performed on the file system area for the same reason as in the above (6). There was a problem that I could not.

(10) In the conventional apparatus, when diagnosing and erasing a hard disk device, the diagnostic software and erase software using writing in the hard disk device each include an operation of writing and reading data. For this reason, when diagnosis and erasure are performed by separate software, there is a problem in that the operation becomes redundant and the entire execution time increases.

(11) Further, in the conventional device, when the diagnosis software and the erasure software of the hard disk device are stored in different storage media, it is necessary to start and execute each of them. There is a problem that man-hours for man-hours increase due to startup and execution. In addition, in the case of software operating on the OS, it is possible to perform these automatically, but there is a problem that the processing is not suitable due to a defect caused by using the OS.

  The present invention solves the above-described problems, eliminates the need for a storage medium for storing a diagnosis / data erasure program, diagnoses a memory failure of the hard disk device, and stores the data stored in the hard disk device. The present invention provides a computer device having a diagnosis / erase function of a hard disk device capable of diagnosing and erasing the hard disk device by a hard disk device diagnosis / erase program that can be erased simultaneously.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of a computer device with a diagnosis / erase function of a hard disk device according to claim 1 of the present application is a computer device having a hard disk device which is a mass storage device, and a basic input / output system of the computer device In a computer apparatus comprising a read-only memory storing (Basic Input / Output System), a step of writing specific data to at least a designated storage area on the hard disk in the read-only memory, the designated storage area of the hard disk A step of reading data written to the disk, a step of determining a function based on the written specific data and the data read in the step, and a designated storage area for writing to all the storage areas on the hard disk Her with steps to control When the disk diagnosis / erasure program is stored and the function diagnosis / data erasure of the hard disk device is required, the diagnosis / erasure program written in the read-only memory is executed by the arithmetic processing unit, thereby the hard disk device It is possible to diagnose a memory failure of the hard disk device simultaneously with erasing the data written in the hard disk device.

  Further, the invention of the motherboard of the computer device having a diagnosis / erasing function of the hard disk device according to claim 2 of the present application is a computer having a read only memory storing at least a basic input / output system of the computer device. In the device motherboard, a step of writing specific data in at least a designated storage area on the hard disk to a hard disk device that is a mass storage device connected to the motherboard; A step of reading data, a step of determining a function based on the written specific data and the data read in the step, and a step of controlling a designated storage area in order to write to all the storage areas on the hard disk Have When a hard disk device diagnostic / erase program is stored in the read-only memory and functional diagnosis / data erasure of the hard disk device is required, the diagnostic / erase program written in the read-only memory is executed by an arithmetic processing unit. Thus, it is possible to diagnose a memory failure of the hard disk device simultaneously with erasing data written in the hard disk device.

  According to the computer device having the diagnosis / deletion function of the hard disk device according to the present invention, the computer device having the hard disk device which is a mass storage device and the basic input / output system of the computer device are stored. In the computer device comprising the read-only memory, a step of writing specific data in at least the designated storage area on the hard disk in the read-only memory, a step of reading the data written in the designated storage area of the hard disk, Hard disk diagnosis / comprising a step of determining a function based on the written specific data and the data read in the step, and a step of controlling a designated storage area in order to write to all storage areas on the hard disk Erase program When the function diagnosis / data erasure of the hard disk device is necessary, the diagnosis / erase program written in the read-only memory is executed by the arithmetic processing unit to write the data to the hard disk device. The memory failure of the hard disk device can be diagnosed simultaneously with erasing data.

  Further, the invention of the motherboard of the computer device with a diagnosis / erasing function of the hard disk device according to the present invention is a computer device having a read only memory storing at least a basic input / output system of the computer device. In the motherboard, a step of writing specific data in at least a designated storage area on the hard disk to a hard disk device that is a mass storage device connected to the motherboard, and data written in the designated storage area of the hard disk A step of reading, a step of determining a function based on the written specific data and the data read in the step, and a step of controlling a designated storage area in order to write to all the storage areas on the hard disk Hard When the disk diagnosis / erasure program is stored in the read-only memory and the function diagnosis / data erasure of the hard disk device is necessary, the diagnosis / erasure program written in the read-only memory is executed by the arithmetic processing unit. Thus, the data written in the hard disk device can be erased and simultaneously the storage failure of the hard disk device can be diagnosed.

  Therefore, according to the computer device having the diagnosis / deletion function of the hard disk device and its mother board according to the present invention, the following effects specific to the present invention are obtained.

  (1) Since an OS is not used, there is no relation to conformity with the OS, and it can be reliably started and operated whenever necessary.

  (2) Since the OS is not used, the diagnosis / deletion program can be activated and operated regardless of a license problem when using the OS or a problem that the user is limited.

  (3) Since there is no need for an external storage medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk device, or a CD-ROM for storing the diagnosis / deletion program, the restriction by the external storage medium is eliminated, and the diagnosis / deletion program is It can be started or operated reliably.

  (4) Since an external storage medium is not required, there is no need to damage the external storage medium, loss of storage due to physical deterioration, or loss due to human factors, ensuring startup and operation. Can be executed.

  (5) Since the OS is not used, the OS is not intervened in the diagnosis judgment standard, the OS is not intervened in the diagnosis result, and an accurate function judgment can be performed.

  (6) Since no OS is used, when writing / reading data to / from a hard disk, the file system will not manage them, making it impossible to diagnose the file system area. Disappears.

  (7) Since no OS is used, there is no restriction due to the prohibition of access to all OS files installed in the hard disk device, so that the area in which the file is stored can be reliably diagnosed.

  (8) Since no OS is used, there is no restriction due to the prohibition of access to all OS files installed in the hard disk device, so that data erasure in the area storing the file can be ensured.

  (9) Since the diagnostic program and the erase program for the hard disk device can be executed simultaneously, the overall execution time can be shortened.

  (10) A diagnostic program and an erase program for the hard disk device are stored in a read only memory (“ROM” (Read Only Memory)) in which a basic input / output system (“BIOS” (Basic Input / Output System)) is stored. Therefore, the activation / execution thereof can be automatically performed, and man-hours such as replacement of a storage medium are not required, and the operation is simplified.

The above is summarized as follows.
First, since the diagnostic program and the erase program are pre-installed in the system BIOS ROM on the motherboard, there is no need to prepare each program, and no external storage medium is required. It is no longer asked whether the device to be operated is connected. Therefore, it is possible to operate even with a notebook personal computer without a device for operating an external storage medium and some small personal computers, and even if the device is broken and data cannot be read from the storage medium, it may depend on them. Absent.

Moreover, since it is assumed that the data stored in the hard disk device may be destroyed in order to perform erasure, diagnosis using writing is possible and the most powerful hard disk that can be used for general purposes. The device can be diagnosed. It is very important to strongly diagnose the hard disk device, which is a major cause of the hardware failure of the personal computer, and the erasure necessary for recycling is also executed at the same time.
Further, although diagnosis and erasure are conventionally performed separately, execution time can be reduced by performing writing and reading in common.

  In addition, a motherboard having functions of diagnosing and erasing the hard disk device can be obtained by a program for simultaneously diagnosing and erasing the hard disk device independent of the OS incorporated in the BIOS ROM.

  As a result, in the recycling of personal computers carried out in accordance with the “Personal Computer Recycling Law” enacted in October 2003, it is possible to realize a significant cost reduction.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
<Personal computer device realizing hard disk device diagnosis / erase method>
[Basic configuration of PC device]

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a personal computer device for realizing a diagnosis / deletion method of a hard disk device according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention.

  In the best mode for carrying out the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, the personal computer device 1 is connected to the personal computer main body 3 for executing various calculations and various processes, and displays the processing results. The display 5 is connected to the computer main body 3 to input necessary key input information, and the mouse 9 is connected to the computer main body 3 to specify the position.

  Although not shown, the personal computer main body 3 generally includes a hard disk device. Further, although not shown, the personal computer main body 3 is a memory / PCI control in which a central processing unit CPU, a main memory, a graphics display mechanism, and the arithmetic processing unit / main memory / graphics display mechanism are connected. A chip set, a high-speed bus connected to the memory / PCI control chip set, a hard disk drive (HDD) connected to the high-speed bus, a bridge circuit connected to the high-speed bus, and a bridge circuit connected to the bridge circuit A low-speed bus, a flexible disk drive (FDD) connected to the low-speed bus, a keyboard 7 / mouse 9, and a serial parallel interface. The personal computer main body 3 is configured by arranging and connecting these devices and components to a mother board.

  [Description of Motherboard]

  FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining a mother board used in a personal computer main body for realizing the diagnosis / deletion method of the hard disk device according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, an arithmetic processing unit (CPU) socket 32, a memory slot 33, power connectors 34a and 34b, an FDD connector 35, an HDD connector 36, and a chip set (ICH) 37 are placed on a motherboard 31. A read-only memory (“ROM”) for a basic input / output system (“BIOS”) that can store a clock battery 38 and a program for executing the diagnosis / erasing method of the hard disk device according to the present invention. (Read Only Memory) 40, a PCI slot 41, an AGP slot 42, an input / output connector 43, and a chipset (MCH) 44 are arranged and mounted as shown in the figure. Connected with other various wiring. An arithmetic processing unit (CPU) is attached to the CPU socket 32. A main memory is attached to the memory slot 33. The power connectors 34a and 34b are supplied with power from a power source (not shown). A hard disk device is connected to the HDD connector 36. A PCI card is attached to the PCI slot 41. Note that description of other components is omitted.

  As described above, the system BIOS ROM 17 stores a diagnosis / deletion program for realizing the diagnosis / deletion method of the hard disk device according to the present invention by the method described later.

  Here, the diagnosis / deletion program stored in the system BIOS ROM 17 includes a step of writing specific data in a designated storage area on the hard disk, and a step of reading data written in the designated storage area of the hard disk. Determining a function based on the written specific data and the data read in the step, and at least a step of controlling a designated storage area in order to write to all storage areas on the hard disk A diagnostic / erasing program is stored.

More specifically, the diagnosis / erasure program includes a step of writing specific data in a designated storage area on the hard disk, a step of reading data written in the designated storage area of the hard disk, and the writing specific Determining the function based on the data read out and the data read in the step, and controlling the designated storage area to write to all the storage areas on the hard disk and specifying when all the storage areas are completed A step of ending the control process of the storage area, a step of writing other specific data different from the specific data to the designated storage area on the hard disk when the process is finished in this step, and writing to the designated storage area of the hard disk Reading the other specified data, and the document Determining the function based on the other specific data loaded and the other specific data read in the step, and controlling the designated storage area in order to write to all the storage areas on the hard disk The process includes a step of ending the control process of the designated storage area when all the storage areas are completed, and a step of enabling presentation of a diagnosis result when the storage areas are completed.
<Description of system BIOS and expansion BIOS>

  Such a diagnosis / deletion program is written in the system BIOS ROM 40 as follows. Before describing the program, the system BIOS and the expansion BIOS will be briefly described.

In the personal computer device 1 composed of a PC / AT compatible machine, the BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) initializes and inspects the system between when the system is turned on and when the OS is started. It plays an important role in the process of starting up the OS installed on the hard disk. As described above, the BIOS is stored in the system BIOS ROM 40 mounted on the motherboard 31.
Further, a video card is usually incorporated in the mother board 31 in order to display information on the display 5. Video cards are provided by several vendors, and with the evolution of applications and technologies, the same vendors have various performances. This depends on the video controller IC (integrated circuit) used in the video card.

  In the personal computer main body 3 of the personal computer device 1, one of these various video cards is usually mounted. However, any video card is required to be handled by the same standard software interface. This is done by the video BIOS.

  The video BIOS is one of the extended BIOSes, and unlike the system BIOS, it is usually stored in a ROM physically prepared on the video card. The system BIOS scans the video BIOS, which is an extended BIOS, and arranges it in the memory space so that the CPU of the personal computer main body 3 can access it.

  Further, as in the case of the motherboard 31 on which the video controller is mounted, or the chipset having the video controller function, the personal computer main body 3 having the video card function on the motherboard 31 has the video BIOS. Is incorporated in the system BIOS. This means that the system BIOS and the software BIOS (enhanced BIOS) as software are arranged in the system BIOS ROM 40 as physical hardware.

  There are various types of expansion cards (hardware) that are not PC / AT compatibles unlike video cards, such as RAID, Ethernet (registered trademark), Sound, and others. Among these, expansion cards that require BIOS, such as RAID and Ethernet (registered trademark), have a ROM on the expansion card in the same manner as the video card, and the expansion BIOS is stored therein. Alternatively, when the function of each expansion card is mounted on the mother board 31, the expansion BIOS is stored in the system BIOS ROM 40.

  The extended BIOS has information called a header starting from “55AAh” (h indicates a hexadecimal number) at the beginning of the program, and each of them is separated by 2 [k bytes] from “C000h” to “DFFFh”. Placed in. Then, its presence is scanned by the system BIOS at the time of startup and incorporated into the system. This mechanism is called PnP (Plug and Play).

  Generally, the video BIOS is arranged at “C000h”, and the other extended BIOS is arranged at other addresses.

  The PC main body 3 of the PC / AT compatible machine has a PCI bus or an ISA bus in order to insert an expansion card. The expansion cards installed on these buses tell the system that they have an expansion BIOS ROM according to the standard of each bus, and the system places the expansion ROM in the memory space based on the request.

  Thus, by using the expansion ROM, it is possible to store an arbitrary program code in the system BIOS ROM 40 or the expansion BIOS ROM and execute it. By using this mechanism, so-called “media-free” is possible in which an arbitrary program is started without using an OS and without using a storage medium such as a flexible disk, a CD, or a hard disk device.

  In this case, a storage medium such as the system BIOS ROM 40 or the expansion BIOS ROM is actually used, but at least the system BIOS ROM 40 is surely present, and by utilizing the free space, virtually any program code can be obtained. Therefore, it is not necessary to prepare a new storage medium for storing and executing “media-free”, and “media-free” can be realized.

  Using this “media free”, at least the system BIOS ROM 40 stores the diagnosis / deletion program so that the diagnosis / deletion method of the hard disk device according to the present invention can be realized.

<Explanation regarding the role of system BIOS>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart briefly explaining the activation of the system BIOS in order to explain the role of the system BIOS. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, when the power is turned on (step (S) 101), the personal computer main body 3 initializes the system (S102), and the CPU scans the extended BIOS (S103). As a result of scanning the extended BIOS (S103), the CPU checks an activation request for the extended BIOS (S104).
If there is a request for starting the expansion BIOS, the CPU starts the expansion BIOS (S105). On the other hand, the CPU checks the startup request for the extended BIOS (S105). If there is no request, the CPU checks the startup request for the extended BIOS (S106), and if the startup request is not completed (S106; NO), checks the startup request for the extended BIOS. Returning to (S104), if the activation request is completed (S106; YES), the OS is activated (S107).

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart briefly explaining the activation of the extended BIOS in order to explain the role of the extended BIOS.

  When the extended BIOS is activated in S105 of FIG. 3 described above, the CPU of the personal computer main body 3 displays the conditions for executing the extended BIOS on the display 5 (S111), and waits for a request to execute the extended BIOS (S112). Here, when the execution request of the extended BIOS is input (S112; YES), the extended BIOS is executed (S113). If there is no request for executing the extended BIOS (S112; NO), the process returns to the system BIOS process (S114).

Thus, it can be understood that the BIOS is a program that plays an important role for the personal computer main body 3 in order to cause the personal computer main body 3 to perform a series of operations as described above.
<Overview of operation for writing diagnostic / erase program to BIOS ROM>
Next, an operation for writing such a BIOS and the diagnosis / deletion program for realizing the present invention into the system BIOS ROM 40 of the motherboard 31 will be described.

FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the operation for writing the BIOS and the diagnostic / erasing program for realizing the present invention in the system BIOS ROM of the motherboard.
5, the system BIOS ROM 40 stores a system BIOS 60, an expanded BIOS 70 composed of A, B,..., N, and the diagnosis / deletion program X of the present invention.

  In order to make such a system BIOS ROM 40, as shown in FIG. 5, when the motherboard 31 is manufactured, the system BIOS, the expansion BIOS and the method for storing the diagnostic / erasing program (S201), or the BIOS The system BIOS, expansion BIOS, and method (301) for storing the diagnosis / deletion program may be used at the time of update or other times.

[When storing the diagnostic / deletion program when creating the system BIOS]
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the operation for writing the BIOS and the diagnostic / erasing program for realizing the present invention into the system BIOS ROM of the motherboard.

In FIG. 6, the source code of the system BIOS is created in a text format, for example (S301). These source codes are converted into machine language by, for example, an assembler compiler (S302). Further, as necessary, an extended BIOS (extended A, extended B,..., Extended n) and a diagnostic / erasing program for realizing the present invention are given to, for example, an assembler compiler (S303, S304). These expansion BIOS (expansion A, expansion B,..., Expansion n) and the diagnosis / deletion program for realizing the present invention are converted into machine language and incorporated into the system BIOS ROM 40 together with the system BIOS (S305). As a result, the system BIOS ROM 40 can be obtained in which the system BIOS 60, the extended BIOS 70 composed of A, B,..., N and the diagnosis / deletion program X according to the present invention are stored. These operations for obtaining the system BIOS ROM 40 are executed by a BIOS manufacturer or a motherboard manufacturer.
[Explanation when the diagnostic / erasing program is incorporated in the ROM storing the system BIOS]

  FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another specific example of the operation for writing the BIOS and the diagnostic / erasing program for realizing the present invention into the system BIOS ROM of the motherboard.

  In FIG. 7, the source code of the system BIOS is created in the text format, for example (S401). These source codes are converted into machine language by, for example, an assembler compiler (S402).

  Further, the extended BIOS (extended A, extended B,..., Extended n) is given to, for example, an assembler compiler as required (S403). These extended BIOSs (extended A, extended B,..., Extended n) are converted into machine language and incorporated into the system BIOS ROM 40 together with the system BIOS (S405). Thus, the system BIOS ROM 40 in which the system BIOS 60 and the extended BIOS 70 composed of A, B,..., N are stored can be obtained. The system BIOS ROM 40 is mounted on the motherboard 31. The operation for obtaining the system BIOS ROM 40 is executed by a BIOS manufacturer or a motherboard manufacturer.

  On the other hand, the motherboard manufacturer, the BIOS manufacturer, or the system vendor performs insertion or removal of the expansion BIOS with respect to the system BIOS ROM 40 obtained as described above.

  That is, the motherboard manufacturer, the BIOS manufacturer, or the system vendor additionally incorporates the extended BIOS using the system BIOS operation tool or removes the extended BIOS (S411). At this time, the diagnosis / deletion program X according to the present invention can be incorporated by using the system BIOS operation tool (S412). Even in this case, the system BIOS ROM 40 in which the system BIOS 60, the extended BIOS 70 composed of A, B,..., N and the diagnosis / deletion program X according to the present invention are stored can be obtained.

  Even in this case, the system BIOS ROM 40 in which the system BIOS 60, the extended BIOS 70 composed of A, B,..., N and the diagnosis / deletion program X according to the present invention are stored can be obtained. In this case, not only the manufacturer but also the system vendor can obtain the system BIOS ROM 40 storing the diagnosis / deletion program X according to the present invention.

  The diagnosis / deletion program X according to the present invention can be stored, for example, in the system BIOS ROM 40 as described above. As described above, if the diagnosis / erasure program X for realizing the method according to the present invention is stored in the system BIOS ROM 40, the function diagnosis of the hard disk device can be performed in a completely independent manner without depending on the OS. It becomes possible to simultaneously erase data stored in the hard disk device.

<Examination of hard disk device function diagnosis>
Before examining the function diagnosis of the hard disk device, first, the configuration of the hard disk device will be briefly described. As is well known, the hard disk of the hard disk device is a disk-shaped data storage medium using magnetism. The disk-shaped data storage surface is always rotating when in use. A head for performing magnetic reading and writing moves to an arbitrary disk-like position on the data storage surface, and is configured to write and read magnetic data.

  The hard disk device has an interface of a standard called ATA (IDE) or SCSI as an interface for connection to the outside, but the internal portion is not necessarily a general standard than the external interface, and is a method unique to each hard disk device vendor. . The internal specifications are basically not disclosed, and only the hard disk device vendors know.

  In order to make a general-purpose diagnosis of the hard disk device regardless of the vendor, an ATA interface or a SCSI interface is used. Diagnosis is performed by a hard disk drive control signal according to these standards.

  By the way, the diagnosis of the hard disk device is roughly divided into (1) drive system diagnosis, (2) surface diagnosis, and (3) S.D. M.M. A. R. T.A. There are diagnosis and (4) file system diagnosis. The diagnosis of these hard disk devices will be briefly described respectively.

[(1) Drive system diagnosis]
For the drive system diagnosis of the hard disk device, a seek command (moving the magnetic read / write head to an arbitrary magnetic surface) and a read command (reading data from an arbitrary position on the magnetic surface) are used. When execution of a requested command fails, such as failure to move the head or read data inside the hard disk device, the number of times or time determined by the controller of the hard disk device and its firmware (program) In the meantime, the operation is repeated. This operation is generally called a retry. If the command can be succeeded at one time without retrying, or if retrying can succeed, the hard disk device will show a signal indicating success inside it, and the program that is the command issuer will check it to determine whether it can succeed or not. To do.

  However, this is only shown inside the hard disk device, and it is not always guaranteed whether the head has actually moved to the correct position or whether correct data has been read out. If the data written at a certain magnetic surface position is known, it is possible to determine whether the read data is accurate by reading and comparing the data at that position. However, in consideration of the actual use situation of the hard disk device, it is impossible to make known all the data on the magnetic surface.

  Since this drive system diagnosis method has almost no risk of destroying data written on the magnetic surface, it is suitable for hard disk device diagnosis including the predictive meaning of failure performed on the hard disk device of the operating system. There is an advantage of being.

  [(2) Surface diagnosis]

  Diagnosis of the magnetic storage surface of the hard disk device is performed by actually writing data using a write command, reading it, and comparing whether both data match. With such a surface diagnostic method, it is possible to diagnose whether any data can be stored on the magnetic storage surface without depending on the internal specifications of the hard disk device, and is the most powerful diagnosis.

  However, when this surface diagnostic method is executed, new data is written on the magnetic storage surface, so that the data stored until immediately before is destroyed. There is a method of reading and saving data at an arbitrary position, performing a diagnosis by writing / reading, and writing back the saved data after completion, but it is not guaranteed that the data read for saving is necessarily accurate. No. Therefore, it is not appropriate to perform a diagnosis using writing on the hard disk device of the operating system.

  This diagnostic method is appropriate for a hard disk device that does not require data storage, and it is clear from the above that this is the most reliable diagnostic method.

  As a situation where data storage is not required, there are a hard disk device in which data is already backed up, a hard disk device that is recycled and reused, and the like. In particular, the latter is optimal when using the current hard disk diagnosis and erasure because it is required not to leave the previous data (deletion is required).

  Further, by performing diagnosis using writing and reading, the operation performed by the drive system diagnosis method is inevitably included, so that the drive system diagnosis can be performed simultaneously.

  [(3) S.M. M.M. R. A. R. Diagnosis]

S. M.M. A. R. T.A. "Self Monitoring Analyzing And Reporting Technology" is an abbreviation for self-monitoring of hard disk devices and storing error information. By using this function, it is possible to grasp the state of the hard disk device in real time even when the system including the hard disk device is in operation.
However, S. M.M. A. R. T.A. Most of the information obtained from the function is vendor specific, and only the vendor knows the meaning of the value. Therefore, it is difficult to apply to all hard disk devices, and it is difficult to provide versatility.

[(4) File system diagnosis]
The file system is one of functions mainly provided by the OS, and is a method for managing data stored in a storage medium, and is a mechanism for handling data in units of files with management information added thereto. . As a result, software such as the OS and the diagnosis / deletion program can functionally handle data. With the file system, software such as a diagnosis / deletion program only needs to pass data to be stored to the OS, and logical position information of data to be read can be read by simply passing to the OS. Software such as an erasure program can handle data without being aware of absolute position information in the storage medium.

Therefore, if the file system portion of the data is destroyed for some reason, the OS cannot refer to the data and apparently loses the data.
The cause of the destruction of the file system can be divided into an OS failure, a hard disk device failure, and a software factor or a hardware factor.

  In the case of a software malfunction, there is a possibility that there is no problem with the hardware, and it is difficult to identify the cause. However, if there is no problem with the hardware, it can be repaired in some cases, and the destruction of the file system due to software factors can be prevented by reconstructing the OS and correcting the malfunction of the OS. This does not depend on hardware, in particular in this case the hard disk device, which means that the hard disk device can be used thereafter.

  In general, problems that have occurred in a system are particularly important in today's software and hardware that have grown in scale and have become difficult to control, so it is important to diagnose the hardware on which the software operates.

  If no hardware problems are detected, the error can be determined to be a software factor, saving labor and parts costs, such as repairing and replacing hardware that is operating normally. it can. If a problem is detected in the hardware, there is a very high probability that a similar problem will occur unless it is replaced or repaired, and it is possible to avoid the same problem if it is replaced or repaired.

[Conclusion about functional diagnosis of hard disk drive]
In order to diagnose whether or not a hard disk device can be reused for the reasons described in items (1) to (4) above, it is possible by performing a hardware diagnosis. It becomes. In addition, in order to make it possible to use any vendor's hard disk device, versatility is required, and in order to make a powerful diagnosis, it is required to write to and read from the storage magnetic surface.

  Therefore, in the diagnosis / erasure program for realizing the diagnosis / erasure method of the hard disk device according to the present invention, as described above, the storage magnetic surface is written and read to erase the data in the storage area and the function diagnosis of the hard disk device. And do it at the same time.

<Description of diagnosis / deletion method of hard disk device>
Next, a diagnosis / deletion program for realizing the diagnosis / deletion method of the hard disk device according to the present invention obtained based on the above-described examination results will be described. This diagnosis / deletion program is capable of performing functional diagnosis of the hard disk device and erasure of data stored in the hard disk device at the same time in a completely independent manner without depending on the OS.

  FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are flowcharts for explaining a diagnosis / deletion program for realizing the diagnosis / deletion method of the hard disk device according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention.

  The diagnosis / deletion program stored in the system BIOS ROM 40 is executed by the CPU on the motherboard 31 of the personal computer main body 3. In the following description, the “CPU on the motherboard 31 of the personal computer main body 3” described above will be simply referred to as “CPU”.

First, in the CPU, a specific diagnostic data pattern (for example, “55H” (here, “H” indicates that the preceding number is a hexadecimal number) in a designated storage area on the hard disk in the hard disk device (not shown). (S501) Next, the CPU executes a step of reading a specific diagnostic data pattern (for example, “55H”) written in the designated storage area of the hard disk (S502). In the above description, for example, “55H” is exemplified as the specific diagnosis data pattern. However, the specific diagnosis data pattern is not limited to this. For example, “00H” or “FFH” is used, and this diagnosis is effectively performed. Any pattern can be used as long as it can be used.
Further, the CPU compares the written specific diagnostic data pattern with the data read from the designated storage area of the hard disk in the step (S503), and executes a step of determining whether or not the function is normal (S503). S504). Here, when the CPU determines that the comparison result is abnormal (both data patterns do not match) (S504; NO), the CPU performs error processing (S505) and proceeds to the next processing. If the CPU determines that the comparison result is normal (both data patterns match) (S504; YES), the CPU proceeds to the next process.

  Next, the CPU executes a step of controlling the designated storage area in order to write to all the storage areas on the hard disk and determining whether all the storage areas have been completed (S506). That is, if the CPU determines that the entire area has not been completed (S506; NO), the CPU increments the address of the next storage area to be written, for example, and returns to the data write processing step (S501). If the CPU determines that the entire area has been completed (S506; YES), the CPU proceeds to the next step (S511).

The CPU executes a step of writing another specific diagnostic data pattern (for example, “AAH”) different from the specific data written in S501 in a designated storage area on the hard disk (S511). Next, the CPU executes a step of reading other specific data (for example, “AAH”) written in the designated storage area of the hard disk (S512). Here, as the specific diagnosis data pattern, for example, “AAH” has been exemplified in the above description, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, “FFH” or “00H”, etc. Any pattern can be used as long as it can be performed.
A step of determining the function based on the other specific diagnosis data pattern (for example, “AAH”) written in the step (S511) and the other specific data read from the designated storage area of the hard disk in the step (S512). Are executed (S514 to S515). That is, the CPU compares the written specific data with the data read in the step (S513), and executes a step of determining whether or not the function is normal (S514). If the CPU determines that the comparison result is abnormal (mismatch) (S514; NO), the CPU performs error processing (S515) and proceeds to the next processing. If all the CPUs determine that the comparison result is normal (both data patterns match) (S514; YES), the CPU proceeds to the next process.

  Next, the CPU controls the designated storage area for writing to all the storage areas on the hard disk, and processes the step of ending the designated storage area control process when all the storage areas are finished (S516). . That is, when the CPU controls the designated storage area in order to write to all the storage areas on the hard disk and the entire storage area does not end (S516; NO), the CPU returns to the write processing step (S511) again. Further, when this step is completed (S516; YES), the CPU processes a step that allows presentation of a diagnosis result (S517 to S518). That is, if the diagnosis and deletion are normal (S517; YES), the CPU processes a step that the diagnosis and deletion is normally completed (S518). If the diagnosis and deletion are abnormal (S517; NO) ), A step of erasing is completed but the diagnosis result is abnormal (S519).

  Thus, the diagnosis / deletion program for realizing the diagnosis / deletion method of the hard disk device according to the present invention is stored in the hard disk device function diagnosis and the hard disk device in a completely independent manner without depending on the OS. Data deletion can be processed simultaneously.

  [Reason for using “55H” and “AAH”, for example, as a specific diagnosis data pattern]

  Here, the reason why “55H”, for example, “AAH” is used as the diagnostic data pattern in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 will be briefly described.

  When diagnosing a computer, not limited to a hard disk, values such as “55H” and “AAH” expressed in hexadecimal numbers are frequently used. These values are very useful for finding fatal errors in your computer.

Here, when the hexadecimal number “55H” is converted into a binary number, it becomes “01010101b (where“ b ”represents a binary number”), and when the hexadecimal number “AAH” is converted into a binary number, it becomes “10101010b”.
These values ("55H" and "AAH") have different values in adjacent bits. As a result, "1" or "0" is input as logical data to hardware such as wiring, memory, and hard disk device. It is possible to check whether there is a fatal bit error fixed to "", and whether adjacent wiring and data storage areas are not interfering with each other.
For example, assume that there is an 8-bit wiring to a certain memory, and that bit 4 (fifth from the least significant bit) is short-circuited to GND (ground, voltage 0 [V]). Even if the diagnostic data pattern “55H” is written in the memory, since there is a short circuit in the middle, “55H” actually becomes “45H”. Therefore, the data written to the hard disk device also becomes “45H”.

  Accordingly, the computer can be diagnosed by comparing the read diagnostic data pattern (“55H”) with the read data (“45H”) according to the flowchart described above.

  If the portion corresponding to bit “4” of the above-mentioned wiring is short-circuited to the power supply (power supply voltage 5 [V] or 3.3 [V] etc.), if the data is “55H”, the same In this operation, “55H” can be read. However, if “AAH” is used in the next processing, the data corresponding to the bit “4” becomes “BAH” due to a short circuit on the power supply side, so that an abnormality can be reliably detected. Therefore, in the present invention, by using both “55H” and “AAH” as described above, it is possible to detect whether all the wirings are short-circuited to “GND” or “power supply”. It becomes possible.

  In the flowcharts shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 described above, for example, “55H”, for example, “AAH” is used as the diagnostic data pattern. However, this diagnostic data pattern is, for example, “ The same effect can be obtained by using a diagnostic data pattern of “00H” and “FFH”, for example.

[Reason for using “00H” and “FFH”, for example, as specific diagnosis patterns]
When, for example, “00H” and “FFH” are used as the specific diagnosis pattern, an actual benefit is found in the following cases.

In general, data written to the hard disk is modulated and recorded by a method called NRZI (Non-Return to Zero Interleave) immediately before being written on the storage magnetic surface of the hard disk. NRZI is a modulation method that is defined as a change when the logic signal is 1 and no change when the logic signal is 0, and therefore has the same waveform as the current waveform of the printhead.
Therefore, according to the NRZI method, the data to be written is “66H” (01100110b) when the data is “55H” (01010101b), and “CCH” (when the data is “AAH” (10101010b). 11001100b). Similarly, “00H” (00000000b) is modulated as “00H” (00000000b), and “FFH” (11111111b) is modulated as “AAH” (10101010b).
The data after the NRZI modulation is the same as the current waveform of the recording head and corresponds to the magnetic field on the recording surface. That is, in “55H” and “AAH”, the magnetic field on the recording surface, that is, the arrangement of bits after NRZI modulation is not significantly changed, but when “00H” and “FFH” are used, the diagnostic patterns “00H” and “FFH” are used. "Makes it possible to greatly change the magnetic field, and exhibits the same great effect as described above in diagnosing the recording surface and deleting data.
Therefore, as in the case of using “00H” and, for example, “FFH” as the diagnosis data pattern, as in the case of using the diagnosis data pattern such as “55H”, for example, “AAH”, as described above, Erasing (data erasing) is possible.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the hard disk diagnosis / erasure (data erasure) can be performed by the hardware configuration as described above and the program incorporated therein. Both can be done at the same time. The best mode for carrying out the present invention has the following advantages.

  (1) Since an OS is not used, there is no relation to conformity with the OS, and it can be reliably started and operated whenever necessary.

  (2) Since the OS is not used, the diagnosis / deletion program can be activated and operated regardless of a license problem when using the OS or a problem that the user is limited.

  (3) Since there is no need for an external storage medium such as a flexible disk, a hard disk device, or a CD-ROM for storing the diagnosis / deletion program, the restriction by the external storage medium is eliminated, and the diagnosis / deletion program is It can be started or operated reliably.

  (4) Since an external storage medium is not required, there is no need to damage the external storage medium, loss of storage due to physical deterioration, or loss due to human factors, ensuring startup and operation. Can be executed.

  (5) Since the OS is not used, the OS is not intervened in the diagnosis judgment standard, the OS is not intervened in the diagnosis result, and an accurate function judgment can be performed.

  (6) Since no OS is used, when writing / reading data to / from a hard disk, the file system will not manage them, making it impossible to diagnose the file system area. Disappears.

  (7) Since no OS is used, there is no restriction due to the prohibition of access to all OS files installed in the hard disk device, so that the area in which the file is stored can be reliably diagnosed.

  (8) Since no OS is used, there is no restriction due to the prohibition of access to all OS files installed in the hard disk device, so that data erasure in the area storing the file can be ensured.

  (9) Since the diagnostic program and the erase program for the hard disk device can be executed simultaneously, the overall execution time can be shortened.

  (10) Since the diagnostic program and the erasure program for the hard disk device are stored in the BIOS ROM, they can be automatically activated / executed, and man-hours such as replacement of storage media are not required. Easy to operate.

The above is summarized as follows.
First, since the diagnostic program and the erase program are pre-installed in the system BIOS ROM on the motherboard, there is no need to prepare each program, and no external storage medium is required. It is no longer asked whether the device to be operated is connected. Therefore, it is possible to operate even with a notebook personal computer without a device for operating an external storage medium and some small personal computers, and even if the device is broken and data cannot be read from the storage medium, it may depend on them. Absent.

  Moreover, since it is assumed that the data stored in the hard disk device may be destroyed in order to perform erasure, diagnosis using writing is possible and the most powerful hard disk that can be used for general purposes. The device can be diagnosed. It is very important to strongly diagnose the hard disk device, which is a major cause of the hardware failure of the personal computer, and the erasure necessary for recycling is also executed at the same time.

  Further, although diagnosis and erasure are conventionally performed separately, execution time can be reduced by performing writing and reading in common.

  In addition, a motherboard having functions of diagnosing and erasing the hard disk device can be obtained by a program for simultaneously diagnosing and erasing the hard disk device that does not depend on the OS incorporated in the BIOS ROM.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a basic configuration of a personal computer device for realizing diagnosis / erasure of a hard disk device according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining a mother board used in a personal computer main body for realizing the diagnosis / deletion method of the hard disk device according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart briefly explaining the activation of the system BIOS in order to explain the role of the system BIOS. FIG. 4 is a flowchart briefly explaining the activation of the extended BIOS in order to explain the role of the extended BIOS. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining an outline of the operation for writing the BIOS and the diagnostic / erasing program for realizing the present invention in the system BIOS ROM of the motherboard. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a specific example of the operation for writing the BIOS and the diagnostic / erasing program for realizing the present invention into the system BIOS ROM of the motherboard. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining another specific example of the operation for writing the BIOS and the diagnostic / erasing program for realizing the present invention into the system BIOS ROM of the motherboard. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining a diagnosis / deletion program for realizing the diagnosis / deletion method of the hard disk device according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flowchart for explaining a diagnosis / deletion program for realizing diagnosis / deletion of a hard disk device according to the best mode for carrying out the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 PC device 3 PC body 5 Display 7 Keyboard 9 Mouse 31 Motherboard 32 CPU socket 33 Memory slots 34a, 34b Power connector

Claims (2)

In a computer device comprising a computer device having a hard disk device which is a mass storage device and a read-only memory in which a basic input / output system of the computer device is stored,
Writing specific data to at least the designated storage area on the hard disk in the read-only memory, reading data written to the designated storage area on the hard disk, the written specific data and the data read in the step A hard disk diagnosis / erase program having a step of determining a function based on the above and a step of controlling a designated storage area in order to write to all the storage areas on the hard disk. When data erasure is required, the diagnostic / erasure program written in the read-only memory is executed by an arithmetic processing unit, so that the data written in the hard disk device is erased simultaneously with the memory failure of the hard disk device Can be diagnosed Diagnostic / erase function computer device such as a hard disk device, characterized in that the. At least in the motherboard of a computer device having a read-only memory storing a basic input / output system of the computer device,
Writing specific data in at least a designated storage area on the hard disk, reading out data written in the designated storage area of the hard disk, to a hard disk device that is a mass storage device connected to the motherboard; Hard disk diagnosis / comprising a step of determining a function based on the written specific data and the data read in the step, and a step of controlling a designated storage area in order to write to all storage areas on the hard disk When the erasure program is stored in the read-only memory and the function diagnosis / data erasure of the hard disk device is necessary, the diagnosis / erasure program written in the read-only memory is executed by the arithmetic processing unit, thereby Write to hard disk drive Motherboard diagnostic / erase function computer device such as a hard disk device, characterized in that to allow diagnosis of memory failure of the hard disk drive at the same time erasing are rare data.

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