Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Digital data processing system initialization or configuration – Loading initialization program
Reexamination Certificate
1998-09-30
2001-04-10
Beausoleil, Robert (Department: 2184)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Digital data processing system initialization or configuration
Loading initialization program
C710S200000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216225
ABSTRACT:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from an application entitled PC System Having Flash-rom Controlling Device And Method For Protecting Bios Stored in Flash-ROM earlier filed in the Korean Industrial Property Office on the 30
th
day of September 1997, and there duly assigned Serial No. 97-50373, a copy of which is annexed hereto.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a memory controlling apparatus of a computer system, and more particularly to a device for protecting a basic input output system (BIOS) stored in a flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM) of a computer system from malicious computer programs, and a method thereof.
2. Related Art
Computer systems are information handling systems that are utilized by many individuals and businesses today. A computer system can be defined as a microcomputer that includes a central processing unit (CPU), a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory, a display monitor, a keyboard, a mouse, a floppy diskette drive, a compact disc-read only memory (CD-ROM) drive, a modem, a hard disk storage device, and a printer. Typically, a computer system's main board, which is a printed circuit board known as a motherboard, is used to electrically connect these components together.
One example of non-volatile memory is read only memory (ROM). Information stored in non-volatile memory can remain unchanged even when there is a power failure. The information stored in non-volatile memory will stay there until it is changed. Read only memory is used to store important information such as instructions for the central processing unit (CPU). There are different types of read only memory including electrically-erasable-programmable-read-only-memory (EEPROM) chip and flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM). The flash-ROM can also be referred to as flash memory. There are differences between an EEPROM chip and flash-ROM, as shown below.
Occasionally the important information stored in ROM needs to be updated or modified. When the information to be modified is stored in an EEPROM chip, higher-than-normal voltages are needed in order to erase the contents of the EEPROM chip. Alternatively, when the information to be modified is stored in flash-ROM, the information can be erased and reprogrammed using normal voltages inside a computer. Additionally, in order for information stored on an EEPROM chip to be modified, typically the EEPROM chip must be removed from a computer system, the new information must be stored on the EEPROM chip, and then the EEPROM chip must be reinstalled to the computer system. The flash-ROM is often preferred over the EEPROM chip because no chips need to be removed from the computer system in order to modify information stored in flash-ROM.
Computer systems include a basic input output system (BIOS) which is an especially important program stored in read only memory (ROM). The basic input output system tests a computer every time the computer is powered on. The basic input output system can allocate a computer system's resources automatically, making adjustments needed to accommodate new hardware. Also, the basic input output system governs how system board components interact.
A basic input output system that is stored in flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM) is vulnerable to computer viruses. Computer viruses include malicious computer programs which can be used to erase information stored in memory. I believe there is a need to provide a method of coping with such malicious programs in order to protect a basic input output system stored in flash-ROM.
Exemplars of recent efforts in the art include U.S. Pat. No. 5,748,940 for a Secure Updating of Non-Volatile Memory issued to Angelo, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,997 for an in an Interactive Network Board, a Method and Apparatus for Preventing Inadvertent Loading of a Programmable Read Only Memory issued to Ip, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,935 for a Method and Apparatus for Controlling the Protection Mode of Flash Memory issued to Hazen, et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,076 for a Computer System Having Bios (Basic Input/output System)-rom (Read Only Memory) Writing Function issued to Dewa, et al.
While these recent efforts provide advantages, I note that they fail to adequately address how a basic input output system (BIOS) stored in flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM) can be efficiently protected from malicious programs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To solve the above problems, it is an objective of the present invention to provide a flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM) controlling device by which the basic input output system (BIOS) recorded in a flash-ROM cannot be eliminated except by the manufacturer of the flash-ROM.
It is another objective of the present invention to provide a method for protecting and updating the basic input output system of a computer system having the above flash-read-only-memory controlling device.
It is still another objective of the present invention to provide a computer system having the above flash-read-only-memory.
Accordingly, to achieve the above objectives and others, there is provided a device for controlling a flash-read-only-memory storing a basic input output system of a personal computer including a controller controlled by software for generating a first control signal or a second control signal for controlling a chip enable signal of the flash-read-only-memory, and a control buffer, having an input port for receiving the chip enable signal and an output port connected to a chip enable port of the flash-read-only-memory, for outputting the chip enable signal as it is when the control signal generated by the controller is the first control signal and changing the chip enable signal to be inactive and outputting the changed signal when the control signal generated by the controller is the second control signal.
To achieve the above objectives and others, there is provided a method for protecting a basic input output system stored in a flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM) of a personal computer, in which a CPU is initialized and a main memory is checked when the power of the personal computer is turned on, a basic input output system image stored in the flash-ROM is copied to a random access memory (RAM) area in the main memory and the basic input output system image is decompressed, a chip enable signal of the flash-ROM is changed to be inactive, and the initialization process of the personal computer is completed by the decompressed basic input output system and a boot process is performed by reading an operating system. In the above method, the flash-ROM having the basic input output system is activated when the personal computer is initialized and deactivated when the initialization process completed.
To achieve the above objectives and others, there is provided a method for updating the basic input output system of a personal computer stored in a flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM) in a state in which a flash-ROM controlling device is initialized. The flash-ROM controlling device has a controller having a predetermined input/output address for generating a control signal to control a chip enable signal and a control buffer for controlling the chip enable signal according to the control signal. The method above is achieved by activating the chip enable signal by controlling the controller included in the flash-ROM controlling device, identifying the type of main chip set and the flash-ROM of the personal computer and determining control data with respect to the flash-ROM, eliminating the contents stored in the flash-ROM and storing a new basic input output system image in the flash-ROM, and reading and verifying the stored basic input output system image inactivating the chip enable signal by controlling the controller included in the flash-ROM controlling device.
To achieve the above objectives and others, there is provided a personal computer system having a flash-read-only-memory (flash-ROM) storing a basic input o
Beausoleil Robert
Bushnell , Esq. Robert E.
Samsung Electronics Co,. Ltd.
Ziemer Rita
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