IP Library › Granted Patent US 8,285,977
Granted Patent B2
US 8,285,977 · App. 11/923,271 · Granted Oct 9, 2012

System and method for extension of the BIOS boot specification

Assignee: Dell Products L.P.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,285,977
App. No.
11/923,271
Filed
Oct 24, 2007
Granted
Oct 9, 2012
Kind
B2
Art Unit
2116
USPC
713/2
Abstract

A system and method is disclosed for extending the BIOS Boot Specification. The specification is extended to accommodate the identification of a greater number of bootable devices. The specification is also extended so that the identifier for each bootable device identifies the default boot order of the device. The specification is also extended to provide additional information about the type of each bootable device and whether each bootable device is an onboard or add-in device. The extension of the BIOS Boot Specification also allows for the designation of certain entries as placeholders for devices that that are supported by the computer system, but not present in the computer system.

Claims (34)

1. A method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system, comprising:

for each bootable device that is present in the computer system, including in a current boot order stored in the computer system an entry that has an identifier for the bootable device, wherein the identifier in the entry has a bit length of greater than four bits, and wherein the entry for the bootable device identifies a default boot order of the bootable device; and

for at least one bootable device that is not present in the computer system, using a flag in an entry in the boot order specification to identify that the entry is a place holder for a bootable device that is supported by the computer system but not present in the computer system;

initiating at a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) of the computer system a first boot sequence using the default boot order if a system event has occurred; and

initiating at the BIOS a second boot sequence using the current boot order if the system event has not occurred.

2. A method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system of claim 1 , wherein the boot order specification is the BIOS Boot Specification.

3. A method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system of claim 2 , wherein the entry for each bootable device in the computer system includes a DeviceType field that identifies, for each bootable device, the type of device.

4. A method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system of claim 2 , wherein the entry for each bootable device in the computer system identifies whether the device is an onboard device.

5. A method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system of claim 2 ,

wherein the entry for each bootable device in the computer system includes a DeviceType field that identifies, for each bootable device, the type of device; and

wherein the entry for each bootable device in the computer system identifies whether the device is an onboard device.

6. A method for resetting the boot order of a computing system from the current boot order of the computer system to a default boot order, comprising:

booting the computer system according to the current boot order of the computer system;

for each bootable device that is present in the computer system, providing a data structure that includes an entry that has an identifier for the bootable device, wherein the entry identifies the default boot order of the bootable device;

recognizing in the computer system a system event to cause the computer system to boot according to the default boot order of the computing device; and

booting according to the default boot order on the next subsequent boot of the computer system.

7. The method for resetting the boot order of a computing system from the current boot order of the computer system to a default boot order of claim 6 , wherein the data structure is defined by a boot order specification.

8. The method for resetting the boot order of a computing system from the current boot order of the computer system to a default boot order of claim 7 , wherein the boot order specification is the BIOS Boot Specification.

9. The method for resetting the boot order of a computing system from the current boot order of the computer system to a default boot order of claim 8 , wherein the length of the identifier is eight bits.

10. The method for resetting the boot order of a computing system from the current boot order of the computer system to a default boot order of claim 8 , wherein the entry for each bootable device identifies if the entry is a place holder for a bootable device that is supported by the computer system but not present in the computer system.

11. The method for resetting the boot order of a computing system from the current boot order of the computer system to a default boot order of claim 8 , wherein the entry for each bootable device includes a DeviceType field that identifies, for each bootable device, the type of device.

12. A method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system, comprising:

for each bootable device that is present in the computer system, providing in a current boot order stored in the computer system a data structure that includes an entry that has an identifier for the bootable device, wherein the identifier in the entry has a bit length of greater than four bits, wherein the entry identifies a default boot order of the bootable device

initiating at a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) of the computer system a first boot sequence using the default boot order if a system event has occurred; and

initiating at the BIOS a second boot sequence using the current boot order if the system event has not occurred.

13. The method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system of claim 12 , wherein the length of the identifier for each bootable device is eight bits.

14. The method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system of claim 12 , wherein the boot order specification is the BIOS Boot Specification.

15. The method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system of claim 12 , further comprising the step of providing, for at least one bootable device that is not present in the computer system, a data structure that includes a flag in an entry that identifies that the entry is a place holder for a bootable device that is supported by the computer system but not present in the computer system.

16. The method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system of claim 12 , wherein each entry in the data structure includes a DeviceType field that identifies, for each bootable device, the type of device.

17. The method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system of claim 12 , wherein each entry in the data structure identifies whether the device is an onboard device.

18. The method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system of claim 12 , wherein each entry in the data structure identifies whether the device is an add-on device within the computer system.

19. The method for extending the boot order specification of a computer system of claim 12 ,

wherein the boot order specification is the BIOS Boot Specification; and

further comprising the step of providing, for at least one bootable device that is not present in the computer system, a data structure that includes a flag in an entry that identifies that the entry is a place holder for a bootable device that is supported by the computer system but not present in the computer system.

Assignments (17)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (053546/0001) Recorded Jun 23, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
Reel/Frame 071642/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (045455/0001) Recorded May 20, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061753/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (040136/0001) Recorded Apr 26, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.); DELL MARKETING L.P. (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.); DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL MARKETING CORPORATION (SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC. AND WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.); EMC CORPORATION (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MAGINATICS LLC); EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC (ON BEHALF OF ITSELF AND AS SUCCESSOR-IN-INTEREST TO MOZY, INC.); SCALEIO LLC
Reel/Frame 061324/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2021
From: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH
To: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 058216/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 22, 2020
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053546/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 21, 2019
From: CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; EMC CORPORATION; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049452/0223 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: CREDIT SUISSE AG, CAYMAN ISLANDS BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040134/0001 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 21, 2016
From: ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; AVENTAIL LLC; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL INTERNATIONAL L.L.C.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL SYSTEMS CORPORATION; EMC CORPORATION; EMC IP HOLDING COMPANY LLC; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; MAGINATICS LLC; MOZY, INC.; SCALEIO LLC; SPANNING CLOUD APPS LLC; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 040136/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0618 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 14, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040040/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2016
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: DELL MARKETING L.P.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; COMPELLANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL USA L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
Reel/Frame 040065/0216 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (TERM LOAN) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031899/0261 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (NOTES) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON TRUST COMPANY, N.A., AS FIRST LIEN COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031897/0348 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT (ABL) Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: DELL INC.; APPASSURE SOFTWARE, INC.; ASAP SOFTWARE EXPRESS, INC.; BOOMI, INC.; COMPELLENT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; CREDANT TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; DELL MARKETING L.P.; DELL PRODUCTS L.P.; DELL SOFTWARE INC.; DELL USA L.P.; FORCE10 NETWORKS, INC.; GALE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; PEROT SYSTEMS CORPORATION; SECUREWORKS, INC.; WYSE TECHNOLOGY L.L.C.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031898/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 15, 2008
From: MOHRMANN, VADEN A.; DENNIS, LOWELL B.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 020805/0949 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Nov 3, 2007
From: HANSEN, HANS J.; GRIFFITHS, GARY L.; LEUNG, SHUI-ON; MCBRIDE, WILLIAM J.; QU, ZHENGXING
To: IMMUNOMEDICS, INC.
Reel/Frame 020062/0970 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 24, 2007
From: MOHRMANN, VADEN A.
To: DELL PRODUCTS L.P.
Reel/Frame 020030/0964 →
Continuity (1)
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