Method and apparatus for enabling platform configuration

Details Method and apparatus for enabling platform configuration Method and apparatus for enabling platform configuration

2007-06-19

2007-06-19

Trujillo, James K. (Department: 2116)

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support

Digital data processing system initialization or configuration

Loading initialization program

C715S700000

Reexamination Certificate

active

10775863

ABSTRACT:
A method and related apparatuses provide a virtual runtime interface for modifying basic input/output system (BIOS) settings. A processing system may provide the virtual runtime interface after the processing system has booted an operating system (OS). User input that specifies a modified BIOS setting may be received through the virtual runtime interface. To provide the virtual runtime interface, the system may transition from an OS context to a system management mode (SMM) context, and may determine whether the amount of time spent in the SMM context approaches an SMM time limit. If the amount of time spent in the SMM context approaches the SMM time limit, the system may automatically transition from the SMM context back to the OS context. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

REFERENCES:
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patent: 2002/0169951 (2002-11-01), Zimmer
patent: 2002/0169979 (2002-11-01), Zimmer
patent: 1357454 (2003-10-01), None
Nonpublished US Patent Application, “Technique for Reconstituting a Pre-Boot Firmware Environment After Launch of an Operating System”, U.S. Appl. No. 10/324,263, filed Dec. 18, 2002 to Zimmer et al.
Intel E7500 Chipset Datasheet, Intel E5700 Memory Controller Hub (MCH) Feb. 2002, Document No. 290730-001.
Mark Doran, “From Research and Development at Intel: Beyond the BIOS”, Intel Corporation, Feb. 19, 2003.
Insyde Software, “Keyboard Controller Firmware for Hitachi IKAP Family”, Information Appliance Products, www.insyde.com/solutions/ia/ikap.com, Feb. 9, 2004.
E-mail discussion thread, RE: Missing Interrupts, Mar. 19, 2003.

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