Method for executing embedded diagnostics from operating system-based applications

Claim 2

In a computer comprising a hard disk and a memory device for storing BIOS code, a method for executing hardware diagnostics code embedded in said memory device, the method comprising, saving a state of said computer to said hard disk responsive to a request for execution of said embedded diagnostics code; automatically resetting said computer without additional user input; responsive to said resetting, executing said embedded diagnostics code; storing results of said executing to a nonvolatile storage device of said computer; automatically resetting said computer a second time without additional user input after said storing; and responsive to said second resetting, restoring said computer to said saved state.

Claim 3

The method of claim 1 further comprising, prior to said first resetting, setting a TEST flag for causing said embedded diagnostics code to be executed responsive to said computer being reset.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 further comprising, prior to said second resetting, clearing said TEST flag.

Claim 5

The method of claim 1 further comprising displaying said stored results.

Claim 6

The method of claim 1 further comprising printing said stored results.

Claim 7

The method of claim 1 wherein said request for execution of said embedded diagnostics code is generated from a remote terminal electrically connected to said computer, the method further comprising accessing said stored results with said remote terminal.

Claim 8

The method of claim 1 wherein said saving is executed by an operating system (OS)-independent BIOS function.

Claim 9

In a computer comprising a hard disk and a memory device for storing BIOS code, a method for executing hardware diagnostics code embedded in said memory device: requesting execution of said embedded diagnostics code from an operating system (OS)-based applications program; responsive to said requesting execution of said embedded diagnostics code, executing a BIOS function for saving a state of said computer to said hard disk; resetting said computer; examining a TEST flag of said computer to determine whether said TEST flag is set or clear; responsive to said TEST flag being set: executing said embedded diagnostics code; saving results of said executing to a nonvolatile storage device of said computer; resetting said computer a second time after said saving; responsive to said TEST flag being clear: restoring said computer state from said hard disk.

Claim 10

In a computer comprising a hard disk and a memory device for storing BIOS code, a method for executing hardware diagnostics code embedded in said memory device: requesting execution of said embedded diagnostics code from an operating system (OS)-based applications program; responsive to said requesting execution of said embedded diagnostics code, executing a BIOS function for saving a state of said computer to said hard disk; resetting said computer; examining a TEST flag of said computer to determine whether said TEST flag is set or clear; responsive to said TEST flag being set: executing said embedded diagnostics code; saving results of said executing to a nonvolatile storage device of said computer; resetting said computer a second time after said saving; responsive to said TEST flag being clear: restoring said computer state from said hard disk.

Claim 11

The method of claim 8 wherein said executing said BIOS function further comprises setting said TEST flag.

Claim 12

The method of claim 8 wherein said executing said embedded diagnostics code further comprises clearing said TEST flag.

Claim 13

The method of claim 8 further comprising displaying said stored diagnostics results.

Claim 14

The method of claim 8 further comprising printing said stored diagnostics results.

Claim 15

The method of claim 8 wherein said requesting is initiated from a remote terminal, the method further comprising accessing said stored diagnostics results at said remote terminal.

Claim 16

The method of claim 8 wherein said requesting comprises making a BIOS function call.

Claim 17

Apparatus for performing a series of hardware diagnostics tests in a computer comprising a processor, a hard disk, BIOS memory and a nonvolatile storage device electrically interconnected via at least one bus, the apparatus comprising: BIOS code for execution by said processor and stored in said BIOS memory, said BIOS code comprising code for implementing an operating system (OS)-independent function for executing a suspend-to-disk (S2D) operation to save a state of said computer responsive to a request for performance of said hardware diagnostics tests, setting a TEST flag, and resetting said computer; diagnostics code for execution by said processor and stored in said BIOS memory, said diagnostics code comprising code for performing said hardware diagnostics tests, storing results of said hardware diagnostics tests in said nonvolatile storage device, clearing said TEST flag and resetting said computer a second time after said storing; said BIOS code further comprising code for execution by said processor examining said TEST flag responsive to said computer being reset, executing said diagnostics code if said examined TEST flag is set, and executing a resume-from-disk (RFD) operation to restore said saved computer state if said examined TEST flag is clear.

Claim 18

Apparatus for performing a series of hardware diagnostics tests in a computer comprising a processor, a hard disk, BIOS memory and a nonvolatile storage device electrically interconnected via at least one bus, the apparatus comprising: BIOS code for execution by said processor and stored in said BIOS memory, said BIOS code comprising code for implementing an operating system (OS)-independent function for executing a suspend-to-disk (S2D) operation to save a state of said computer responsive to a request for performance of said hardware diagnostics tests, setting a TEST flag, and resetting said computer; diagnostics code for execution by said processor and stored in said BIOS memory, said diagnostics code comprising code for performing said hardware diagnostics tests, storing results of said hardware diagnostics tests in said nonvolatile storage device, clearing said TEST flag and resetting said computer a second time after said storing; said BIOS code further comprising code for execution by said processor examining said TEST flag responsive to said computer being reset, executing said diagnostics code if said examined TEST flag is set, and executing a resume-from-disk (RFD) operation to restore said saved computer state if said examined TEST flag is clear.

Claim 19

The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising OS-based utility code executable by said processor for calling said OS-independent function responsive to a user-initiated request for performance of said hardware diagnostics tests.

Claim 20

The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising OS-based utility code executable by said processor for accessing said stored test results.

Claim 21

The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a printer connected to said computer system for printing said stored test results.

Claim 22

The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a display for displaying said stored test results.

Claim 23

The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising a remote terminal electrically connected to said computer for requesting performance of said hardware diagnostics tests and accessing said test results.

Claim 24

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said BIOS memory is a read-only memory.

Claim 25

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said BIOS memory is a flash memory.

Claim 26

The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said BIOS memory is an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory.

Claim 27

In a computer comprising a hard disk and a memory device for storing BIOS code, an apparatus for executing hardware diagnostics code embedded in said memory device, the apparatus comprising: means responsive to a request for execution of said embedded diagnostics code for saving a state of said computer to said hard disk and resetting said computer; means responsive to said resetting for initiating execution of said embedded diagnostics code; means for storing results of said executing to a nonvolatile storage device of said computer; means for resetting said computer a second time subsequent to said storing; and means responsive to said second resetting for restoring said computer to said saved state.

Claim 28

In a computer comprising a hard disk and a memory device for storing BIOS code, an apparatus for executing hardware diagnostics code embedded in said memory device, the apparatus comprising: means responsive to a request for execution of said embedded diagnostics code for saving a state of said computer to said hard disk and resetting said computer; means responsive to said resetting for initiating execution of said embedded diagnostics code; means for storing results of said executing to a nonvolatile storage device of said computer; means for resetting said computer a second time subsequent to said storing; and means responsive to said second resetting for restoring said computer to said saved state.

Claim 29

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said means for saving and resetting further comprises means for setting a TEST flag to cause said embedded diagnostics code to be executed responsive to said computer being reset.

Claim 30

The apparatus of claim 25 wherein said means for initiating execution further comprises means for clearing said TEST flag.

Claim 31

The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising means for displaying said stored results.

Claim 32

The apparatus of claim 24 further comprising means for printing said stored results.

Claim 33

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said request for execution of said embedded diagnostics code is generated from a remote terminal electrically connected to said computer, the apparatus further comprising means for accessing said stored results using said remote terminal.

Claim 34

The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said means for saving and resetting comprises an operating system (OS)-independent BIOS function.