JPH02228753A - Automatic constitution setting system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically set an option card by recognizing stored contents on the option card, calculating a condition for set-up optimum to a system environment, setting the condition to a set-up register and outputting an operation instruction. CONSTITUTION:According to the activation of the option card, a CPU in the main body of a personal computer takes out a card ID from a card ID memory 104 through an interface circuit 102 under the control of a card control software 101. According to the card control software 101, the CPU refers the information of the card ID memory 104 and a machine ID (106) of the personal computer and calculates optimum set-up information from a set-up table 107. According to the card control software 101, the CPU writes the set-up information to a set-up register 103 and outputs the operation instruction to an operation circuit 105. Thus, the set-up can be automatically executed and an operation defect caused by a setting miss can be eliminated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an automatic configuration setting method suitable for use in a personal computer equipped with an option card.

(Prior Art) Due to recent advances in semiconductor technology, microprocessors, memory LSIs, and peripheral control LSIs have become available at very low prices, and it is now possible to create relatively high-performance personal computers simply by appropriately combining them. Now you can build it.

By the way, it is known to implement option cards to expand functionality. In this case, the types of option cards that can be mounted are limited depending on the specifications of the connection bus, CPU, etc. Option cards currently in circulation are made for each manufacturer and each model. Before implementing these option cards and starting their operation, it is necessary to set up the environment and inform the system of the attributes that the option cards have. In the past, users determined the depth switches and selectors on option cards by themselves and set them to suit the personal computer they were using.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) Option cards can be installed in several types of personal computers, and since the settings differ depending on each computer, there are many setting errors, and most malfunctions are due to setting errors.

This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic configuration setting method in which an ID is assigned to an option card, the software that operates the card detects the ID, and the option card is automatically set. purpose.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a personal computer in which an option card is mounted and operates under the control of a basic input/output control system (BIOS) built into the main body. The card is provided with a memory that stores its attribute information in advance, and when the system is initialized, the memory contents on the option card are recognized under the control of the BIOS, and the conditions for the optimal setup for the system environment are determined. The configuration is such that the system calculates the value, sets it in a set-up register built into the option card, and issues an operation instruction.

(Function) As described above, the present invention provides a memory (EEFROM, etc.) for storing the card ID on the option card and its interface, and also allows all settings to be made using registers so that setup can be done by software. By providing a setup table for the machine and card within the software, automation of setup by software is realized.

This eliminates malfunctions due to setting errors and relieves the hassle of setup.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described using the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 101 is software built into the main body that controls the card, and is a part called BIOS in the field of personal computers. An interface circuit 102 serves as an interface between the personal computer main body and the mounted card. That is, the circuit 102 interfaces with a set-up register 103, which will be described later, and a card ID memory 104. Reference numeral 103 is a set-up register into which control information is written by a CPU (not shown) in the main body under the control of software 101. Code 104 is card I
D memory, which is a memory in which the card ID is stored. In the embodiment of the present invention, EEFROM is used. code 1
Reference numeral 05 denotes an operation circuit, which operates to satisfy the operation of the option card according to the information in the set-up register 103. Reference numeral 106 is a machine ID, which is a machine code of the personal computer stored in the main body of the personal computer. Reference numeral 107 is a setup table, which contains setup information for option cards within the software 101.

The operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be explained below.

First, the user issues a command to activate the option card. As a result, the CPU within the personal computer main body retrieves the card ID from the card ID memory 104 through the interface circuit 102 under the control of the card control software 101 . The CPU reads the card ID memory 104 according to the card control software 101.
information and the machine ID of the personal computer (10
6), the optimum setup information is calculated from the setup table 107. The CPU writes the calculated setup information into the setup register 103 using the interface circuit 102 according to the card control software 101, and issues an operation instruction to the operation circuit 105. The operating circuit 105 is a set-up register 10
It operates according to the information in 3.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, malfunctions caused by common errors can be eliminated, and the burden on the user regarding environment settings can be reduced.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. 101... Card control software, 103... Setup register, 104... Card ID memory,
105... Operating circuit, 107... Setup table.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a personal computer in which an option card is installed and operates under the control of a basic input/output control system (BIOS) built into the main body, the option card is provided with a memory in which attribute information thereof is stored in advance,
During system initialization, under the control of the BIOS, the memory contents on the option card are recognized, the optimal setup conditions for the system environment are calculated, and the settings are set in the option card's built-in setup register to instruct the operation. An automatic configuration setting method characterized by emitting the following.