JPH0488432A - Personal computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need for a space where a read-only memory (ROM) stored with a basic input/output software (BIOS) is mounted by transferring the contents of the BIOS stored on a memory card to a main memory after the device is started up. CONSTITUTION:Plural memory cards 12 can be connected to a memory card interface 5 and data can be read and written similarly to the main memory 12. The BIOS for starting the personal computer is stored on a memory card 12 and a CPU 1 after being powered ON or reset accesses the memory card first and actuated with the BIOS on the memory card 12. After the actuation, the contents of the BIOS stored on the memory card 12 are transferred to a predetermined area on the main memory 2 and then the memory card 12 where the BIOS is stored can be extracted from the personal computer main body. Consequently, the need for the ROM for the BIOS is eliminated and the device is reducible in size.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to personal computers.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in personal computers, RO is written with BiO2 to start the personal computer.
M was built into the main body. Furthermore, the access speed of the ROM in which BiO2 is written is slower than that of the read/write memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) that is separately built into the personal computer, so the processing performance of the personal computer is In order to improve performance, a shadow ROM technique may be used in which data in the ROM in which BiO2 is written is transferred to the RAM, and thereafter BIOS accesses are read from the RAM.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

The above-mentioned conventional personal computer has a built-in ROM in which BiO3 is written to start the computer, so it has the disadvantage that it is difficult to change the BIOS after the computer is shipped from the manufacturer. . Furthermore, when shadow ROM technology is used, the BIOS ROM will not be accessed unless it is initialized after startup, making the ROM unnecessary and requiring extra space when downsizing the device. There was a drawback to doing so.

[Means to solve the problem]

The personal computer of the present invention is a personal computer having one or more memory card interface slots in which a memory card can be used, and in which basic software (hereinafter referred to as BIOS) for starting the personal computer is stored. Memory and cards with read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) and BIO when starting up a personal computer.
and means for transferring the data stored in the memory card stored in the ROM to a specific area of the battery backup memory in the main body of the personal computer.

〔Example〕

Next, the present invention will be explained with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

CPU1. The main memory 2 is composed of a RAM, and data can be read from and written to a predetermined address via the system bus 11. The peripheral LSI 3 has functions such as a DMA controller, an interrupt controller, a timer/counter, and a calendar.

MODEM4 communicates via a telephone line. Information is displayed on a liquid crystal display 8 via a display controller 6 as a display means. Further, the video RAM 7 serves as an input means for storing display data, and the keyboard 10 is controlled by a keyboard controller 9.

A plurality of memory cards 12 can be connected to the memory card interface 5, and data can be read and written in the same manner as the main memory 2. BIO for starting this personal computer
S is stored in the memory card 12, and after the power is turned on or reset is turned on, the CPU 1 first accesses the memory card and starts up by the BIOS stored in the memory card 12.

In addition, after startup, the BI stored in the memory card 12
By transferring the contents of the OS to a predetermined area of the main memory 2, the memory card 12 storing the BIOS can be removed from the main body of the personal computer. This also makes it possible to insert other memory cards.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention has a BIOS for starting a personal Φ computer in a memory card, thereby making it easy to change the BIOS by simply replacing the memory card. In addition, by transferring the BIOS contents stored on the memory card to the main memory after starting up the device, it is possible to remove the memory card containing the BIOS from the device main body, and use general-purpose memory. - Can be used in combination with a card, and when viewed from the device itself,
This has the effect of eliminating the need for a space to mount a ROM that stores the BIOS.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. 1...CPU, 2...Main memory (RAM)
, 3... Peripheral LS114... MODEM, 5...
Memory card interface, 6... Display controller, 7... Video memory (RAM)
, 8...LCD display, 9...Keyboard 0
Controller, 10...Keyboard, 11...System bus (signal line), 12...Memory card.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A personal computer with one or more memory card interface slots that can accept memory cards.
Basic software for starting a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as BIOS)
Read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as ROM) that stores
and a means for transferring data of the memory card having the ROM storing the BIOS to a specific area of a battery backup memory within the personal computer main body when the personal computer is started up. personal computer.