Method and arrangement for providing BIOS to a host computer

Claim 2

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having a rotatable mass memory storage which is connected to the host computer, the host computer using a BIOS to control its operation, an arrangement comprising: a) permanent memory storage means accessible to the host computer during the start-up of the computer system for containing a first portion of the BIOS; b) a second portion of the BIOS, the second portion of the BIOS being stored within the rotatable mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; and c) operating means for causing the host computer to access the permanent memory storage means, obtain the first portion of the BIOS, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the BIOS, causing the host computer to access the rotatable mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, obtain the second portion of the BIOS which is located within the rotatable mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and store the second portion of the BIOS within the system RAM, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a configuration space available to the host computer, containing information on a requested size of the BIOS, and the first portion of the BIOS includes initializing means for making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 3

An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the BIOS is system BIOS associated with the host computer.

Claim 4

An arrangement according to claim 2 wherein the permanent memory storage means is provided as part of the host computer.

Claim 5

An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the BIOS is expansion BIOS associated with a particular peripheral computer device.

Claim 6

An arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the permanent memory storage means is provided as part of the particular peripheral computer device.

Claim 7

An arrangement according to claim 4 wherein the particular peripheral computer device is the mass memory storage peripheral computer device.

Claim 8

An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the BIOS is system BIOS associated with the host computer and expansion BIOS associated with a particular peripheral computer device.

Claim 9

An arrangement according to claim 1 wherein the permanent memory storage means is ROM.

Claim 10

A computer memory storage medium other than ROM for use in a computer system including a host computer having system RAM associated with the host computer and a mass storage peripheral computer device which is connected to the host computer, the system host computer using a BIOS to control its operation, at least a portion of the BIOS being stored within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device for use by the host computer after the host computer has loaded the BIOS stored in the mass memory storage into the system RAM of the host computer, the computer memory storage medium comprising, A portion thereof containing BIOS for controlling the operation of the host computer, the mass storage peripheral computer device includes a configuration space available to the host computer, containing information on a requested size of the BIOS, and the first portion of the BIOS includes initializing means for making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 11

A computer memory storage medium other than ROM for use in a computer system including a host computer having system RAM associated with the host computer and a mass storage peripheral computer device which is connected to the host computer, the system host computer using a BIOS to control its operation, at least a portion of the BIOS being stored within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device for use by the host computer after the host computer has loaded the BIOS stored in the mass memory storage into the system RAM of the host computer, the computer memory storage medium comprising, A portion thereof containing BIOS for controlling the operation of the host computer, the mass storage peripheral computer device includes a configuration space available to the host computer, containing information on a requested size of the BIOS, and the first portion of the BIOS includes initializing means for making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 12

A computer memory storage medium according to claim 9 wherein the computer memory storage medium is the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device which is connected to the host computer.

Claim 13

A computer memory storage medium according to claim 10 wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device is a hard disk drive.

Claim 14

A computer memory storage medium according to claim 9 wherein the computer memory storage medium is a floppy disk and wherein the BIOS contained on the floppy disk is transferable to the mass memory storage peripheral computer device.

Claim 15

A computer memory storage medium according to claim 9 wherein the BIOS contained on the memory storage medium is updated and revised BIOS associated with at least a portion of the computer system.

Claim 16

A computer memory storage medium according to claim 9 wherein the BIOS contained on the memory storage medium is expansion BIOS associated with a particular peripheral computer device being connected to the computer system.

Claim 17

A computer memory storage medium according to claim 9 wherein the BIOS contained on the memory storage medium is system BIOS associated with the host computer.

Claim 18

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a particular peripheral computer device connected to the host computer using a peripheral bus in which relocatable expansion BIOS location addresses are allowed, an arrangement for allowing the host computer to operate the particular peripheral computer device, the operation of which requires the host computer to obtain expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device and load the expansion BIOS into the system RAM, the arrangement comprising: a) ROM storage means for containing a first portion but not all of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device, b) a mass memory storage peripheral computer device connected to the host computer and having mass memory storage means containing a second portion of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device, and c) operating means for causing the host computer to access the ROM storage means, obtain the first portion of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the expansion BIOS, causing the host computer to (i) access the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (ii) obtain the second portion of the expansion BIOS which is associated with the particular peripheral computer device and which is located within the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and (iii) store the second portion of the expansion BIOS within the system RAM, wherein the particular peripheral computer device includes a configuration space available to the host computer containing information on a requested size of the expansion BIOS; and, the first portion of the expansion BIOS includes initializing means for making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the expansion BIOS is the size of the requested size of the expansion BIOS even though the first Portion of the expansion BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 19

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a particular peripheral computer device connected to the host computer using a peripheral bus in which relocatable expansion BIOS location addresses are allowed, an arrangement for allowing the host computer to operate the particular peripheral computer device, the operation of which requires the host computer to obtain expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device and load the expansion BIOS into the system RAM, the arrangement comprising: a) ROM storage means for containing a first portion but not all of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device, b) a mass memory storage peripheral computer device connected to the host computer and having mass memory storage means containing a second portion of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device, and c) operating means for causing the host computer to access the ROM storage means, obtain the first portion of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the expansion BIOS, causing the host computer to (i) access the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (ii) obtain the second portion of the expansion BIOS which is associated with the particular peripheral computer device and which is located within the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and (iii) store the second portion of the expansion BIOS within the system RAM, wherein the particular peripheral computer device includes a configuration space available to the host computer containing information on a requested size of the expansion BIOS; and, the first portion of the expansion BIOS includes initializing means for making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the expansion BIOS is the size of the requested size of the expansion BIOS even though the first Portion of the expansion BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 20

An arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the particular peripheral computer device is the mass memory storage peripheral computer device.

Claim 21

An arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the host computer includes its own ROM memory storage and wherein the ROM storage means containing the first portion of the expansion BIOS is apart from the computers own ROM storage memory.

Claim 22

An arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the host computer includes a PCI bus for connecting the particular peripheral computer device to the host computer and wherein the system utilizes PCI protocol for using the PCI bus.

Claim 23

An arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the mass memory storage means is a hard disk drive and the second portion of the expansion BIOS is contained within the mass memory storage of the hard disk drive.

Claim 24

An arrangement according to claim 20 wherein the second portion of the expansion BIOS is located in a portion of the hard disk drive mass memory storage which is not user accessible.

Claim 25

An arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the mass memory storage means is a compact disk player and the second portion of the expansion BIOS is contained within the memory of a compact disk which may be read by the compact disk player.

Claim 26

An arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the particular peripheral computer device is a video card.

Claim 27

An arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the particular peripheral computer device is a network card.

Claim 28

An arrangement according to claim 16 wherein the initializing means includes means for storing excess information in the system RAM along with the first portion of the expansion BIOS such that the combination of the excess information and the first portion of the expansion BIOS equals quantitatively the requested size.

Claim 29

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a particular peripheral computer device connected to the host computer using a peripheral bus in which relocatable expansion BIOS location addresses are allowed, an arrangement for allowing the host computer to operate the particular peripheral computer device, the operation of which requires the host computer to obtain expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device and load the expansion BIOS into the system RAM, the arrangement comprising: a) a mass memory storage peripheral computer device connected to the host computer and having mass memory storage means containing the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device; b) means for commencing the operation of the system; and c) operating means responsive to the commencing of operation of the system for causing the host computer to (i) access the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (ii) obtaining the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device, and (iii) store within the system RAM the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device, and as in claim 16, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a configuration space available to the host computer containing information on a requested size of the expansion BIOS; and the first portion of the expansion BIOS includes initializing means for making It appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the expansion BIOS is the size of the requested size of the expansion BIOS even though the first portion of the expansion BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 30

An arrangement according to claim 26 wherein the particular peripheral computer device is the mass memory storage peripheral computer device.

Claim 31

An arrangement according to claim 26 wherein the host computer includes a PCI bus for connecting the particular peripheral computer device to the host computer and wherein the system utilizes PCI protocol for using the PCI bus.

Claim 32

An arrangement according to claim 28 wherein the operating means includes a memory buffer on the mass memory storage peripheral computer device.

Claim 33

An arrangement according to claim 29 wherein: a) the operating means includes means for performing a Power-On-Self-Test upon the commencing of operation of the system according to the PCI protocol; b) the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device includes a first portion and a second portion; and c) the mass memory storage means includes means for loading the first portion of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device into the memory buffer of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device within the time frame of the Power-On-Self-Test allowing the operating means to (i) access the memory buffer, (ii) obtain the first portion of expansion BIOS, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the expansion BIOS, (iii) access the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (iv) obtain the second portion of the expansion BIOS which is associated with the particular peripheral computer device and which is located within the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and (v) store the second portion of the expansion BIOS within the system RAM.

Claim 34

An arrangement according to claim 30 wherein the initializing means includes means for storing excess information in the system RAM along with the first portion of the expansion BIOS such that the combination of the excess information and the first portion of the expansion BIOS equals quantitatively the requested size.

Claim 35

An arrangement according to claim 26 wherein the mass memory storage means is a hard disk drive.

Claim 36

An arrangement according to claim 32 wherein the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device is located in a portion of the hard disk drive mass memory storage which is not user accessible.

Claim 37

An arrangement according to claim 26 wherein the mass memory storage means is a compact disk player and the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device is contained within the memory of a compact disk which may be read by the compact disk player.

Claim 38

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage which is connected to the host computer, the host computer using a BIOS to control its operation, an method comprising the steps of: a) providing permanent memory storage means which is accessible to the host computer during the start-up of the computer system and which contains a first portion of the BIOS; b) storing a second portion of the BIOS within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; and c) causing the host computer to access the permanent memory storage means, obtain the first portion of the BIOS, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the BIOS, causing the host computer to access the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, obtain the second portion of the BIOS which is located within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and store the second portion of the BIOS within the system RAM, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a PCI configuration space available to the host computer which contains information on a requested size of the BIOS, the method further Includes the step of causing the host computer to obtain the requested size of the BIOS from the PCI configuration space, and the step of causing the host computer to access and obtain the first portion of the BIOS includes the step of making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 39

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage which is connected to the host computer, the host computer using a BIOS to control its operation, an method comprising the steps of: a) providing permanent memory storage means which is accessible to the host computer during the start-up of the computer system and which contains a first portion of the BIOS; b) storing a second portion of the BIOS within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; and c) causing the host computer to access the permanent memory storage means, obtain the first portion of the BIOS, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the BIOS, causing the host computer to access the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, obtain the second portion of the BIOS which is located within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and store the second portion of the BIOS within the system RAM, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a PCI configuration space available to the host computer which contains information on a requested size of the BIOS, the method further Includes the step of causing the host computer to obtain the requested size of the BIOS from the PCI configuration space, and the step of causing the host computer to access and obtain the first portion of the BIOS includes the step of making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 40

A method according to claim 35 wherein the BIOS is system BIOS associated with the host computer.

Claim 41

A method according to claim 36 wherein the step of providing permanent memory storage means includes the step of providing the permanent memory storage means as part of the host computer.

Claim 42

A method according to claim 35 wherein the BIOS is expansion BIOS associated with a particular peripheral computer device.

Claim 43

A method according to claim 38 wherein the step of providing permanent memory storage means includes the step of providing the permanent memory storage means as part of the particular peripheral computer device.

Claim 44

An arrangement according to claim 38 wherein the particular peripheral computer device is the mass memory storage peripheral computer device.

Claim 45

A method according to claim 35 wherein the BIOS is system BIOS associated with the host computer and expansion BIOS associated with a particular peripheral computer device.

Claim 46

A method according to claim 35 wherein the step of providing permanent memory storage means includes the step of providing permanent memory storage means in the form of ROM.

Claim 47

A method according to claim 42 wherein; a) the system includes a particular peripheral computer device connected to the host computer using a peripheral bus in which relocatable expansion BIOS location addresses are allowed, b) the BIOS is expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device c) the step of storing the second portion of the BIOS includes the step of storing a second portion of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device within the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and d) the step of causing the host computer to access the permanent memory storage means includes the step of causing the host computer to access the ROM storage means, obtain the first portion of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the expansion BIOS, causing the host computer to (i) access the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (ii) obtain the second portion of the expansion BIOS which is associated with the particular peripheral computer device and which is located within the mass storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and (iii) store the second portion of the expansion BIOS within the system RAM.

Claim 48

A method according to claim 43 wherein the particular peripheral computer device is the mass memory storage peripheral computer device.

Claim 49

A method according to claim 43 wherein the host computer includes its own ROM memory storage and wherein the step of storing the first portion of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device within the ROM storage means includes the step of storing the first portion of the expansion BIOS within ROM storage means which is apart from the computers own ROM storage memory.

Claim 50

A method according to claim 43 wherein the host computer and the particular peripheral computer device are connected using a PCI bus and wherein the steps of causing the host computer to access the first and second portions of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device includes the step of utilizing PCI protocol to cause the host computer to access the first and second portions of the expansion BIOS.

Claim 51

A method according to claim 43 wherein the mass memory storage means is a hard disk drive and wherein the step of storing the second portion of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device includes the step of storing the second portion of the expansion BIOS within the memory of the hard disk drive.

Claim 52

A method according to claim 47 wherein the step of storing the second portion of the expansion BIOS within the memory of the hard disk drive includes the step of storing the second portion of the expansion BIOS within a portion of the hard disk drive mass memory storage which is not user accessible.

Claim 53

A method according to claim 43 wherein the mass memory storage means is a compact disk player and wherein the step of storing the second portion of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device includes the step of storing the second portion of the expansion BIOS within the memory of a compact disk which may be read by the compact disk player.

Claim 54

A method according to claim 43 wherein the particular peripheral computer device is a video card.

Claim 55

A method according to claim 43 wherein the particular peripheral computer device is a network card.

Claim 56

A method according to claim 46 wherein the step of making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the expansion BIOS is the size of the requested size of the expansion BIOS includes the step of storing excess information in the system RAM along with the first portion of the expansion BIOS such that the combination of the excess information and the first portion of the expansion BIOS equals quantitatively the requested size.

Claim 57

A method according to claim 53 wherein the step of providing the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes the step of providing the particular peripheral computer device in the form of a mass memory storage peripheral computer device.

Claim 58

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a particular peripheral computer device connected to the host computer using a peripheral bus in which relocatable expansion BIOS location addresses are allowed, a method for allowing the host computer to operate the particular peripheral computer device, the operation of which requires the host computer to obtain expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device and load the expansion BIOS into the system RAM, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage means connected to the host computer; b) storing the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device within the mass memory storage means; c) commencing the operation of the system; and d) after commencing of operation of the system, causing the host computer to (i) access the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (ii) obtain all of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device, and (iii) store the expansion BIOS within the system RAM; wherein, the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a PCI configuration space available to the host computer which contains information on a requested size of the expansion BIOS; the method further includes the step of causing the host computer to obtain the requested size of the expansion BIOS from the PCI configuration space, and the step of causing the host computer to access and obtain the first portion of the expansion BIOS includes the step of making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the expansion BIOS is the size of the requested size of the expansion BIOS even though the first portion of the expansion BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 59

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a particular peripheral computer device connected to the host computer using a peripheral bus in which relocatable expansion BIOS location addresses are allowed, a method for allowing the host computer to operate the particular peripheral computer device, the operation of which requires the host computer to obtain expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device and load the expansion BIOS into the system RAM, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage means connected to the host computer; b) storing the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device within the mass memory storage means; c) commencing the operation of the system; and d) after commencing of operation of the system, causing the host computer to (i) access the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (ii) obtain all of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device, and (iii) store the expansion BIOS within the system RAM; wherein, the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a PCI configuration space available to the host computer which contains information on a requested size of the expansion BIOS; the method further includes the step of causing the host computer to obtain the requested size of the expansion BIOS from the PCI configuration space, and the step of causing the host computer to access and obtain the first portion of the expansion BIOS includes the step of making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the expansion BIOS is the size of the requested size of the expansion BIOS even though the first portion of the expansion BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 60

A method according to claim 53 wherein the host computer and the particular peripheral computer device are connected using a PCI bus and wherein the steps of causing the host computer to access the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device includes the step of utilizing PCI protocol to cause the host computer to access the expansion BIOS.

Claim 61

A method according to claim 55 wherein a) the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a memory buffer, b) the step of causing the host computer to access the mass memory storage means includes the step of causing the host computer to perform a Power On Self Test upon the commencing of operation of the system according to the PCI protocol; c) the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device includes a first portion and a second portion; and d) before the step of causing the host computer to access the mass memory storage means, including the step of loading the first portion of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device into the memory buffer of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device within the time frame of the Power On Self Test, and thereafter, causing the host computer to (i) access the memory buffer, (ii) obtain the first portion of expansion BIOS, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the expansion BIOS, (iii) access the mass memory storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (iv) obtain the second portion of the expansion BIOS which is associated with the particular peripheral computer device and which is located within the mass storage means of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and (v) store the second portion of the expansion BIOS within the system RAM.

Claim 62

A method according to claim 56 wherein the step of making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the expansion BIOS is the size of the requested size of the expansion BIOS includes the step of storing excess information in the system RAM along with the first portion of the expansion BIOS such that the combination of the excess information and the first portion of the expansion BIOS equals quantitatively the requested size.

Claim 63

A method according to claim 53 wherein the mass memory storage means is a hard disk drive and wherein the step of storing all of the expansion BIOS within the mass memory storage means includes the step of storing all of the expansion BIOS within the memory of the hard disk drive.

Claim 64

A method according to claim 58 wherein the step of storing all of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device within the memory of the hard disk drive includes the step of storing all of the expansion BIOS within a portion of the hard disk drive mass memory storage which is not user accessible.

Claim 65

A method according to claim 53 wherein the mass memory storage means is a compact disk player and wherein the step of storing all of the expansion BIOS associated with the particular peripheral computer device within the mass memory storage means includes the step of storing all of the expansion BIOS within the memory of a compact disk which may be read by the compact disk player.

Claim 66

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage which is connected to the host computer, the host computer using a BIOS to control its operation during the start-up of the computer system, an arrangement comprising: a) permanent memory storage means accessible to the host computer during the start-up of the computer system for containing at least a portion of the BIOS; b) operating data stored within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; and c) operating means for causing the host computer to access the permanent memory storage means, obtain the portion of the BIOS stored within the permanent memory storage means, and during the start-up of the system, by using the portion of the BIOS stored within the permanent memory storage, causing the host computer to (i) access the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (ii) obtain the operating data which is located within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and (iii) store the operating data within the system RAM, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a PCI configuration space available to the host computer which contains information on a requested size of the BIOS; the method further includes the step of causing the host computer to obtain the requested size of the BIOS from the PCI configuration space, and the step of causing the host computer to access and obtain the first portion of the BIOS includes the step of making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 67

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage which is connected to the host computer, the host computer using a BIOS to control its operation during the start-up of the computer system, an arrangement comprising: a) permanent memory storage means accessible to the host computer during the start-up of the computer system for containing at least a portion of the BIOS; b) operating data stored within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; and c) operating means for causing the host computer to access the permanent memory storage means, obtain the portion of the BIOS stored within the permanent memory storage means, and during the start-up of the system, by using the portion of the BIOS stored within the permanent memory storage, causing the host computer to (i) access the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (ii) obtain the operating data which is located within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and (iii) store the operating data within the system RAM, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a PCI configuration space available to the host computer which contains information on a requested size of the BIOS; the method further includes the step of causing the host computer to obtain the requested size of the BIOS from the PCI configuration space, and the step of causing the host computer to access and obtain the first portion of the BIOS includes the step of making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 68

An arrangement according to claim 61 wherein the system includes a display and wherein the operating data includes graphics generating means which controls the image on the display during the start-up of the system.

Claim 69

An arrangement according to claim 61 wherein the operating data includes configuration information about the computer system required during the start-up of the system.

Claim 70

An arrangement according to claim 61 wherein the operating data includes a password required during the start-up of the system.

Claim 71

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage which is connected to the host computer, the host computer using a BIOS to control its operation during the start up of the computer system, a method comprising the steps of: a) providing permanent memory storage means accessible to the host computer during the start-up of the computer system for containing at least a portion of the BIOS; b) storing operating data within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; c) during the start-up of the system, causing the host computer to access the permanent memory storage means and obtain the portion of the BIOS stored within the permanent memory storage means; and d) by using the portion of the BIOS stored within the permanent memory storage, causing the host computer to (i) access the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (ii) obtain the operating data which is located within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and (iii) store the operating data within the system RAM, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a PCI configuration space available to the host computer which contains information on a requested size of the BIOS, the method further includes the step of causing the host computer to obtain the requested size of the BIOS from the PCI configuration space, and the step of causing the host computer to access and obtain the first portion of the BIOS includes the step of making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 72

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage which is connected to the host computer, the host computer using a BIOS to control its operation during the start up of the computer system, a method comprising the steps of: a) providing permanent memory storage means accessible to the host computer during the start-up of the computer system for containing at least a portion of the BIOS; b) storing operating data within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; c) during the start-up of the system, causing the host computer to access the permanent memory storage means and obtain the portion of the BIOS stored within the permanent memory storage means; and d) by using the portion of the BIOS stored within the permanent memory storage, causing the host computer to (i) access the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, (ii) obtain the operating data which is located within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and (iii) store the operating data within the system RAM, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a PCI configuration space available to the host computer which contains information on a requested size of the BIOS, the method further includes the step of causing the host computer to obtain the requested size of the BIOS from the PCI configuration space, and the step of causing the host computer to access and obtain the first portion of the BIOS includes the step of making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 73

A method according to claim 65 wherein the system includes a display and wherein the step of obtaining the operating data includes the step of obtaining graphics generating means which controls the image on the display during the start-up of the system.

Claim 74

A method according to claim 65 wherein the step of obtaining the operating data includes the step of obtaining configuration information about the computer system required during the start-up of the system.

Claim 75

A method according to claim 65 wherein the step of obtaining the operating data includes the step of obtaining a password required during the start-up of the system.

Claim 76

An arrangement for use in a computer system including computer means which uses BIOS for controlling its operation and the operation of at least a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage, the system also including the mass memory storage peripheral device and system RAM somewhere in the system other than on the mass memory storage device, the arrangement comprising: a) permanent memory storage means accessible to the computer means during the start-up of the computer system for containing a first portion of the BIOS; b) a second portion of the BIOS, the second portion of the BIOS being stored within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; and c) operating means for causing the computer means to access the permanent memory storage means, obtain the first portion of the BIOS, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the BIOS, causing the computer means to access the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, obtain the second portion of BIOS which is located within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and store the second portion of the BIOS within the system RAM, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a configuration space available to the host computer containing information on a requested size of the BIOS, and the first portion of the BIOS includes initializing means for making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the expansion BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 77

An arrangement for use in a computer system including computer means which uses BIOS for controlling its operation and the operation of at least a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage, the system also including the mass memory storage peripheral device and system RAM somewhere in the system other than on the mass memory storage device, the arrangement comprising: a) permanent memory storage means accessible to the computer means during the start-up of the computer system for containing a first portion of the BIOS; b) a second portion of the BIOS, the second portion of the BIOS being stored within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; and c) operating means for causing the computer means to access the permanent memory storage means, obtain the first portion of the BIOS, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the BIOS, causing the computer means to access the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, obtain the second portion of BIOS which is located within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and store the second portion of the BIOS within the system RAM, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a configuration space available to the host computer containing information on a requested size of the BIOS, and the first portion of the BIOS includes initializing means for making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the expansion BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 78

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage which is connected to the host computer, the host computer using a BIOS to control its operation, an arrangement comprising: a) permanent memory storage means accessible to the host computer during the start-up of the computer system for containing a first portion of the BIOS; b) a second portion of the BIOS, the second portion of the BIOS being stored within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; and c) operating means for causing the host computer to access the permanent memory storage means, obtain the first portion of the BIOS, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the BIOS, causing the host computer to access the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, obtain the second portion of the BIOS which is located within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and store the second portion of the BIOS within the system RAM, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a configuration space available to the host computer containing information on a requested size of the expansion BIOS, and the first portion of the BIOS includes initializing means for making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.

Claim 79

In a computer system including a host computer having system RAM and a mass memory storage peripheral computer device having mass memory storage which is connected to the host computer, the host computer using a BIOS to control its operation, an arrangement comprising: a) permanent memory storage means accessible to the host computer during the start-up of the computer system for containing a first portion of the BIOS; b) a second portion of the BIOS, the second portion of the BIOS being stored within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device; and c) operating means for causing the host computer to access the permanent memory storage means, obtain the first portion of the BIOS, and thereafter, by using the first portion of the BIOS, causing the host computer to access the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, obtain the second portion of the BIOS which is located within the mass memory storage of the mass memory storage peripheral computer device, and store the second portion of the BIOS within the system RAM, wherein the mass memory storage peripheral computer device includes a configuration space available to the host computer containing information on a requested size of the expansion BIOS, and the first portion of the BIOS includes initializing means for making it appear to the host computer as if the first portion of the BIOS is the size of the requested size of the BIOS even though the first portion of the BIOS is smaller than the requested size.