Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

David M Burckhartt

Theodore F Emerson

Lazaro D Perez

Gary A Stimac

Randolph O Dow

Randall L Hess

Norman P Brown

Drew S Johnson

Mark D Moore

Dwight L Barron

Craig A Estepp

Wm Caldwell Crosswy

David W Abmayr

Harvey M Rosenblum

A computer system includes a timer which times out if the operating system does not periodically reset the timer. When the system fails and no longer resets the timer, the timer times out, and the computer is reset. The system performs its power on program and checks the memory array for bad memory blocks, which are mapped out of the memory. Next, the system alerts the operator of the failure using a pager. The system then reboots itself from a hard drive having two separate bootable partitions, one for the operating system in the first partition, and one for a diagnostics program in the second partition, so that an operator may diagnose and remedy the problem. The operator may set an indication of which partition to use for booting. The system further provides for remote access so that the operator may interact with the diagnostics program from a remote location.

Computer failure recovery and alert system

A computer application stored on a storage medium (e.g., a portable storage medium such as a compact disk) is automatically launched. Initialization information expressed in accordance with a predefined syntax is stored on the storage medium. Also stored in the computer is 'launching' information sufficient, together with the initialization information, to enable the computer to launch the application. The application is automatically launched, without user intervention, by reading the initialization information and using it in connection with the launching information stored in the computer.

Launching computer applications

Storage medium storing application programs and application

A computer system includes a timer which times out if the operating system of the computer system does not periodically reset the timer. When the computer system fails and no longer resets the timer, the timer times out, and the computer system is reset. The computer system performs its power on program and checks the memory array for bad memory blocks, which are mapped out of the memory. Next, the computer system alerts the operator of the failure using a pager. The computer system then reboots itself from a hard drive having two separate bootable partitions, one for the operating system in the first partition, and one for a diagnostics program in the second partition, so that an operator may diagnose and remedy the problem. The operator may set an indication of which partition to use for booting. The system further provides for remote access so that the operator may interact with the diagnostics program from a remote location.

A computer system includes a timer which times out if the operating system of the computer system does not periodically reset the timer. When the computer system fails and no longer resets the timer, the timer times out, and the computer system is reset. The computer system performs its power,on program and checks the memory array for bad memory blocks, which are mapped out of the memory. Next, the computer system alerts the operator of the failure using a pager. The computer system then reboots itself from a hard drive having two separate bootable partitions, one for the operating system in the first partition, and one for a diagnostics program in the second partition, so that an operator may diagnose and remedy the problem. The operator may set an indication of which partition to use for booting. The computer system further provides for remote access so that the operator may interact with the diagnostics program from a remote location.

A computer system which includes certain minimum capabilities in a system ROM. Device driver software is located in the system ROM or adapter ROM's. On boot the computer system collects these device drivers from ROM to develop a minimal system. If a removable medium such as a floppy disk or CD-ROM is present a configuration mode is entered when final driver files and operating system modules are stored on a selected hard disk. After this storage the device driver modules and operating system modules necessary to develop a boot image of the operating system are gathered and linked. The boot image is generated and stored, allowing use on the following boot operations. The computer system detects device changes and rebuilds the boot image as necessary. If the devices have remained the same the previously stored boot image is loaded and operating system execution commences.

Automatic development of operating system boot image

A circuit board is capable of indicating whether it is located in an 8 bit slot and is capable of operating on an 8 bit or 16 bit wide data path. The user can indicate the desired operating data width. Based on determinations of slot size, desired operating width and the presence of other 8 or 16 bit devices, the operating data path width is automatically set. Warnings are given for selected operating conditions.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

David M Burckhartt