Expedited computer boot system and method
The present invention discloses an expedited computer boot system and method. The expedited computer boot system includes: ROM, RAM, and a module for selecting a boot mode. The module for selecting a boot mode at least includes: a detecting unit and a fast boot unit. The fast boot unit reads configuration settings stored in the RAM and loads into operating system based on the configuration settings if the detecting unit detects no device changed. Otherwise, the fast boot unit reads ROM and Power-On Self Test (POST) is executed if any device is changed. Therefore, the computer system can quickly boot and the time for booting computer is shortened.
1. A method for expediting a boot process of a computer, the method comprising the steps of:
turning on a power of a computer system;
executing a power-on self test (POST);
loading an operating system;
determining whether to enter a hibernate state or a soft-off state;
when the hibernate state or the soft-off state is entered, determining whether a fast boot mode is actuated;
when the fast boot mode is not actuated, entering the hibernate state or the soft-off state so the power of the computer is turned off;
when it is determined that the fast boot mode is actuated, entering a sleeping state, but not entering the hibernate state or the soft-off state, to store configuration settings of devices of the computer system in a random access memory (RAM) so the power of the computer is turned off;
turning on the power of the computer system again, and detecting whether there is no change in the devices; and
when it is detected that there is no change in the devices, reading the configuration settings of the devices from the RAM and reloading the operating system to skip executing the POST.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the fast boot mode is actuated by a basic input/output system (BIOS) or an application program of the operating system.
3. A method for expediting a boot process of a computer, the method comprising the steps of:
turning on a power of a computer system;
determining whether a fast boot mode is actuated and detecting whether there is a change in devices of the computer system;
when the fast boot mode is actuated and when there is no change in the devices, reading configuration settings of the devices from a random access memory (RAM) to skip executing a power-on self test (POST);
loading an operating system;
determining whether the power is converted into a hibernate state or a soft-off state;
if yes, determining whether the fast boot mode is actuated again;
when it is determined that the fast boot mode is not actuated, turning off the power by entering the hibernate state or the soft-off state; and
when it is determined that the fast boot mode is actuated, entering a sleeping state but not entering the hibernate state or the soft-off state.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the fast boot mode is actuated by a basic input/output system (BIOS) or an application program of the operating system.
5. The method of claim 3 , wherein when it is detected that there is a change in the devices of the computer system, executing the POST and reloading the operating system.
6. The method of claim 3 , further comprising a canceling step between the step of reading configuration settings of the devices from a RAM and not executing a POST and the step of loading an operating system, the canceling step serves to cancel the loading of the operating system, and to permit a basic input/output system (BIOS) to execute the POST first and then load the operating system.