JPH0342751A - Boot load control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To select an optional device without using a complicated circuit and hardware by designating optional one among plural boot loading devices incorpo rated in a personal computer and executing boot loading. CONSTITUTION:After a personal computer 1 is supplied with power, it starts the execution of a program from the prescribed address of IPL ROM4 and checks the action of respective input/output devices, etc., connected with the system. Successively the CPU 1 reads the contents of the address in which a boot loading device number is stored in a CMOS memory 5 that is battery- backed up in accordance with the boot device reading routine 41 of ROM 4. The device which is designated with the content that is read from plural devices is selected and boot loading is executed. For setting the device, a set up pro gram 42 is started and the device selected.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Object of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to a system program boot load control method particularly suitable for use in personal computers.

(Conventional technology) In recent years, due to advances in semiconductor technology, microprocessors,
Peripheral control LSIs and memory LSIs have become available at low cost, and it has become possible to provide relatively high-performance personal computer systems simply by appropriately combining them. Furthermore, in the field of basic software, the basic software for this type of computer system has also been standardized, making it possible to effectively utilize commercially available software assets.

By the way, in the above-mentioned computer system, in order to start up the system, the following two methods have conventionally been used depending on the purpose.

(1) IPL (Initial Program Loading) R
OM is installed in the system, and after the power is turned on, multiple floppy disk drives (FDD) are sequentially checked according to the program stored in the IPL ROM, and if a floppy disk is set, the program stored in this floppy disk is checked. Run the bootload according to the instructions. Here, if the floppy disk drive is not set in any of the FDDs, the hard disk drive (HDD)
) to bootload.

(2) Equipped with a hardware switch and IPL ROM for setting the bootload device, and the IP
The L ROM looked at the device number configured on this switch and selected the bootload device accordingly.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) According to the conventional example described above, in the example (1), a floppy other than the system program is set in the FDD, and the HDD is
It has the disadvantage that the system program cannot be bootloaded from D.

Further, in the example (2), a switch for device settings and a circuit for reading the settings are required, which poses problems such as becoming an obstacle to making the personal computer stem lighter, thinner, and smaller.

This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and enables an operator to designate any one of a plurality of bootload devices built into or connected to a personal computer to bootload a system program. The purpose is to provide a bootload control method.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a battery-backed backup memory in which at least the device number of the device in which the system program is stored, and a system program boot load function after the power is turned on. Select and set any one of the ROM that stores the program to load according to the device number stored in the backup memory and the built-in or connected boot load device on the display screen, and enter the device number. and a setup means for storing the system program in the backup memory, and the system program is bootloaded from a boot load device designated by the setup means when the system is initialized.

(Function) As described above, the present invention stores an IPL ROM that controls the bootloading of system programs, a setup program that selects and specifies a bootload device, and a bootload device number specified by the setup program. Battery backed CMO
By providing the S memory, it is possible to launch a system program from any boot load device.

This eliminates the need for a switch or jumper to determine the bootload device, making the circuit simpler, cheaper, and smaller; It is possible to select from a variety of types and can be used for a variety of purposes.

(Example) Embodiments of the present invention will be described below using the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a personal computer showing an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is the CPU,
It becomes the control center of the system. 2 is a system ROM in which a BIOS program (basic human output control system) is stored.

The setup program is also stored here.

A system RAM 3 is used as an area for loading basic software and application software, and is also used as a work area for the above-mentioned programs. 4 is a ROM (I
PL ROM). 5 is a CMOS memory whose contents are backed up by a battery 6;

7 is a display controller (CRTC), which controls the connected CRT monitor 1 and the ink face of the CPUI.

8 is a floppy disk control device, 9 is a hard disk control device, and floppy disk drives (FDD) 12A and 12B, respectively.

A hard disk drive (HDD) 13 is connected and serves as an interface between a storage medium (floppy disk/hard disk) loaded together with the CPUI.

FIG. 2 shows the memory up of the main part of the IPL ROM 4, and FIG. 3 is a diagram cited for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. Blocks labeled with the same numbers as in FIG. 1 are equivalent to those in FIG.

Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. After the power is turned on, the CPU of the personal computer performs IPL RO.
Program execution is started from a predetermined location on M4, and a predetermined operation check of each output device connected to the system is performed. Next, the CPU reads the contents of the address where the boot load device number is stored in the battery-backed CMOS memory 5 according to the boot device read routine 41 of the IPL ROM 4, and reads out the contents of the address where the boot load device number is stored in the battery-backed CMOS memory 5, and reads out the contents of the address where the boot load device number is stored, and reads out the contents of the address where the boot load device number is stored, and reads out the contents of the address where the boot load device number is stored.
2B, the device specified by the read contents from the hard disk drive 13), and executes boot loading from that device.

On the other hand, the boot load device is set (changed) using the following method. That is, the setup program 42 in the system ROM 4 is activated, a setup screen as shown in FIG. 3 is displayed on the CRT monitor 11, and a boot load device is selected and set on the screen. This selection/
The set device number is written to a predetermined address in the battery-backed CMOS memory 5 by the CPU according to the setup program 42.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) There is no need for switches or jumpers to determine the bootload device, making the circuit simple, simple, and compact.

(2) Any bootload device can be selected without using complicated circuits or hardware switches, and it can be used in a variety of ways.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a main part memory up of the IPL ROM 4 shown in Fig. 1, and Fig. 3 is a diagram cited to explain the operation of the embodiment of the present invention. be. 1...CPU, 2...System ROM, 4...I
PM ROM, 5... CMOS memory (backup memory) 12A, 12B... Floppy disk drive (FDD) 13... Node disk drive (HDD) 41... Boot device read routine, 42. ...Set-up program.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A battery-backed backup memory that stores at least the device number of the device in which the system program is stored, and a program that loads the boot load of the system program according to the device number stored in the backup memory after power is turned on. Select any one of the built-in or connected bootload devices on the display screen.
and a setup means for setting the device number and storing the device number in the backup memory, and when the system is initialized, the system program is bootloaded from the bootload device specified by the setup means. Bootload control method.