US6356965B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Hotkey for network service boot
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 1998-09-08
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Granted: 2002-03-12
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Expires: 2018-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A computer system is provided with a dynamically reconfigurable boot order. In one embodiment, the computer comprises a user input device, a nonvolatile memory, a network interface, a boot trigger, and a CPU. The CPU is coupled to the user input device to detect a predetermined key press, coupled to the boot trigger to detect the assertion of a system reset signal, and coupled to the nonvolatile memory to retrieve a system BIOS in response to assertion of the system reset signal. The CPU executes the BIOS to initialize the computer system, and as part of the system initialization, the CPU determines a first target boot-up device. Preferably if the predetermined key has been pressed during the system initialization, the CPU alters the default boot order to select the network interface as the first target boot up device. The network interface is configurable to retrieve an operating system from a network device for the CPU to execute. The disclosed embodiment advantageously provides for reduced system installation and maintenance effort, and thereby lead to reduced costs for owners of computer networks.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul J. Broyles
- 👤 Don R. James, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 17:07
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/44; G06F9/4401; G06F9/4406; G06F9/4408; G06F9/4416
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
118 words
A computer system having a dynamically reconfigurable boot order, wherein the computer system comprises: a user input device; a nonvolatile memory that stores a BIOS which specifies a first boot order; a boot trigger configurable to momentarily assert a system reset signal; a CPU coupled to the boot trigger to detect the assertion of the system reset signal, coupled to the nonvolatile memory to retrieve the BIOS in response to assertion of the system reset signal, and coupled to the user input device to detect one or more key presses, wherein the CPU determines a second boot order if the predetermined key press is detected, wherein the second boot order is a re-ordering of the first boot order.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
118 words
A computer system having a dynamically reconfigurable boot order, wherein the computer system comprises: a user input device; a nonvolatile memory that stores a BIOS which specifies a first boot order; a boot trigger configurable to momentarily assert a system reset signal; a CPU coupled to the boot trigger to detect the assertion of the system reset signal, coupled to the nonvolatile memory to retrieve the BIOS in response to assertion of the system reset signal, and coupled to the user input device to detect one or more key presses, wherein the CPU determines a second boot order if the predetermined key press is detected, wherein the second boot order is a re-ordering of the first boot order.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the user input device is a keyboard.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined key press is part of a predetermined key-combination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined key press is operation of a function key.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined key press is operation of a function key labeled F12.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the boot trigger is a power switch.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
212 words
A computer system having a dynamically reconfigurable boot order, wherein the computer system comprises: a user input device; a nonvolatile memory that stores a BIOS; a network interface configurable to retrieve an initial program via a network a boot trigger configurable to momentarily assert a system reset signal; a CPU coupled to the user input device to detect a predetermined key press, coupled to the boot trigger to detect the assertion of the system reset signal, coupled to the nonvolatile memory to retrieve the BIOS in response to assertion of the system reset signal, and coupled to the network interface to receive the initial program, wherein the CPU is configured to execute the BIOS to determine a first target boot-up device, wherein the CPU determines that the first target boot-up device is the network interface if the predetermined key press is detected, and wherein the CPU determines that the first target boot-up device is a local device otherwise, wherein the BIOS specifies a first boot order, and wherein the CPU determines a second boot order if the predetermined key press is detected, wherein the second boot order is a re-ordering of the first boot order such that the second boot order begins with a network interface present in the first boot order.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
212 words
A computer system having a dynamically reconfigurable boot order, wherein the computer system comprises: a user input device; a nonvolatile memory that stores a BIOS; a network interface configurable to retrieve an initial program via a network a boot trigger configurable to momentarily assert a system reset signal; a CPU coupled to the user input device to detect a predetermined key press, coupled to the boot trigger to detect the assertion of the system reset signal, coupled to the nonvolatile memory to retrieve the BIOS in response to assertion of the system reset signal, and coupled to the network interface to receive the initial program, wherein the CPU is configured to execute the BIOS to determine a first target boot-up device, wherein the CPU determines that the first target boot-up device is the network interface if the predetermined key press is detected, and wherein the CPU determines that the first target boot-up device is a local device otherwise, wherein the BIOS specifies a first boot order, and wherein the CPU determines a second boot order if the predetermined key press is detected, wherein the second boot order is a re-ordering of the first boot order such that the second boot order begins with a network interface present in the first boot order.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for booting up a computer, wherein the method comprises: detecting a trigger event; applying power to a CPU; retrieving a BIOS that specifies a first boot order; determining if a predetermined key has been pressed; and creating a second boot order different from the first boot order if the predetermined key has been pressed after the trigger event, wherein the second boot order is a re-ordering of the first boot order.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
73 words
A method for booting up a computer, wherein the method comprises: detecting a trigger event; applying power to a CPU; retrieving a BIOS that specifies a first boot order; determining if a predetermined key has been pressed; and creating a second boot order different from the first boot order if the predetermined key has been pressed after the trigger event, wherein the second boot order is a re-ordering of the first boot order.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the second boot order begins with a network interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the predetermined key is a function key.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the predetermined key press is part of a predetermined key-combination.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for booting up a computer, wherein the method comprises: detecting a trigger event; applying power to a CPU; retrieving a BIOS that specifies a first boot order; determining if a predetermined key has been pressed; if the predetermined key has not been pressed: selecting a first target boot device from the first boot order; otherwise, if the predetermined key has been pressed: creating a second boot order which is a reordering of the first boot order; selecting a first target boot device from the second boot order; and accessing the first target boot device to retrieve an operating system.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for booting up a computer, wherein the method comprises: detecting a trigger event; applying power to a CPU; retrieving a BIOS that specifies a first boot order; determining if a predetermined key has been pressed; if the predetermined key has not been pressed: selecting a first target boot device from the first boot order; otherwise, if the predetermined key has been pressed: creating a second boot order which is a reordering of the first boot order; selecting a first target boot device from the second boot order; and accessing the first target boot device to retrieve an operating system.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising: determining if the operating system has been found; selecting a next target boot device if the operating system has not been found; and executing the operating system if the operating system has been found.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-03-11 | 2005-09-10 | 2006-03-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-11 | 2009-09-10 | 2010-03-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-11 | 2013-09-10 | 2014-03-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |