Michael D Noll

US Patent:

57939438, Aug 11, 1998

Filed:

Jul 29, 1996

Appl. No.:

8/688056

Inventors:

Michael J. Noll - Nelson WI

Assignee:

Micron Electronics, Inc. - Boise ID

International Classification:

G06F 1108
G06F 1116

US Classification:

39518204

Abstract:

A computer system includes a dual basic input-output system (BIOS) read-only memory (ROM) system to initialize the computer. When the computer is first powered on or reset, the primary BIOS ROM is initially enabled. The computer analyzes the entire program contents of the primary BIOS memory to detect data errors. If a data error is detected, a chip enable circuit disables the primary BIOS ROM and enables a secondary BIOS ROM containing essentially the same initialization instructions as the primary BIOS ROM. If no errors are detected in the secondary BIOS ROM, the initialization of the computer proceeds using the secondary BIOS ROM. As part of the initialization procedure, the contents of the secondary BIOS ROM are copied to a random access memory. The primary BIOS ROM can then be reprogrammed with the contents of the secondary BIOS ROM using the copy in random access memory, or from the secondary BIOS ROM itself.

US Patent:

59960728, Nov 30, 1999

Filed:

Jan 27, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/788849

Inventors:

Michael J. Noll - Durand WI
Eric D. Anderson - North Hudson WI

Assignee:

Micron Electronics, Inc. - Nampa ID

International Classification:

G06F 9445

US Classification:

713 1

Abstract:

The present invention relates to software used in conjunction with the BIOS POST process to preserve certain messages (referred to as "safeguarded messages") displayed on a video screen, while other messages, which are considered disposable messages, are not preserved on the screen. In one embodiment, prior to displaying a message, the software determines whether the generated message is a safeguarded message. The software then displays safeguarded messages and disposable messages on the video screen on preselected lines assigned to each category. Once the video screen is full of disposable messages and an additional message is to be displayed, a disposable message is removed from the screen leaving a character display line empty. The additional message is displayed on the newly-empty character display line. During the removal of a disposable message and the displaying of the additional message, the safeguarded messages are preserved on the screen.

US Patent:

58356959, Nov 10, 1998

Filed:

Jul 31, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/904212

Inventors:

Michael J. Noll - Nelson WI

Assignee:

Micron Electronics, LLP - Nampa ID

International Classification:

G06F 1100
G06F 1108

US Classification:

39518204

Abstract:

A computer system includes a dual basic input-output system (BIOS) read-only memory (ROM) system to initialize the computer. When the computer is first powered on or reset, the primary BIOS ROM is initially enabled. The computer analyzes the entire program contents of the primary BIOS memory to detect data errors. If a data error is detected, a chip enable circuit disables the primary BIOS ROM and enables a secondary BIOS ROM containing essentially the same initialization instructions as the primary BIOS ROM. If no errors are detected in the secondary BIOS ROM, the initialization of the computer proceeds using the secondary BIOS ROM. As part of the initialization procedure, the contents of the secondary BIOS ROM are copied to a random access memory. The primary BIOS ROM can then be reprogrammed with the contents of the secondary BIOS ROM using the copy in random access memory, or from the secondary BIOS ROM itself.

US Patent:

61856967, Feb 6, 2001

Filed:

May 27, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/085533

Inventors:

Michael J. Noll - Nelson WI

Assignee:

Micron Electronics, Inc. - Nampa ID

International Classification:

H02H 305
H03K 19003

US Classification:

714 6

Abstract:

A computer system includes a dual basic input-output system (BIOS) read-only memory (ROM) system to initialize the computer. When the computer is first powered on or reset, the primary BIOS ROM is initially enabled. The computer analyzes the contents of the primary BIOS memory to detect data errors. If a data error is detected, a chip enable circuit disables the primary BIOS ROM and enables a secondary BIOS ROM containing essentially the same initialization instructions as the primary BIOS ROM. If no errors are detected in the secondary BIOS ROM, the initialization of the computer proceeds using the secondary BIOS ROM. As part of the initialization procedure, the contents of the secondary BIOS ROM are copied to a random access memory. The primary BIOS ROM can then be reprogrammed with the contents of the secondary BIOS ROM using the copy in random access memory, or from the secondary BIOS ROM itself.