Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Kurt C Lantz

David F Heinrich

Alan L Goodrum

Randall L Hess

Gary B Kotzur

Jeffrey T Wilson

A hot spare boot circuit that automatically switches from a non-operational CPU to an operational CPU for powering up the computer system. In the multiprocessor computer system, a first CPU is designated to perform power on operations. If the first CPU fails, which is determined when a dead man counter in the hot spare boot circuit times out, the hot spare circuit ensures that the first CPU is in a disabled state. Next, the hot spare boot circuit identifies an operational second CPU, reinitializing certain ID information as necessary such that the second CPU can properly perform power on operations. The hot spare boot then awakens the second CPU, using a startup interprocessor interrupt in one embodiment, or simply negating the hard reset of the second CPU in a second embodiment. The second CPU then proceeds to perform the power on functions.

Circuit for reassigning the power-on processor in a multiprocessing

A keyboard controller which scans entered input sequences for an input sequence to activate a display blanking feature. A password and particular hot key are loaded by the system microprocessor. The keyboard controller then scans until the designated sequence is activated. The display on the monitor is blanked until a password sequence is entered. The password mode may be directly activated from the system microprocessor. The display blanking feature is especially useful in conjunction with a keyboard password lock.

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Spring, TX, United States of America

Kurt C Lantz