Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Martin D Richek

Curtis R Jones

Robert S Gready

Jeffrey S Perry

An method and apparatus for determining and selecting configuration options and settings of circuit boards used in a computer system. The options and settings are placed in a file according to a given format, at which time the system determines if non-conflicting use of the common system resources is possible. The method and apparatus also provide for definable linking resources which further define relationships between various boards within a computer system and the allocation of common computer resources to the circuit boards. The method also decreases the time required for the computer to resolve linking resource and common computer resource allocation conflicts by processing only those resource requirements required to resolve the conflict.

Computer implemented method and apparatus for dynamic configuration of a

A method for determining and selecting configuration options and settings of circuit boards used in a computer system is disclosed. The options and settings are placed in a file according to a given format, at which time the system determines if non-conflicting use of the common system resources is possible. If so, these option and setting parameters are used to configure the circuit boards. The method also provides for creation of a minimal information file to permit configuration of circuit boards not supplied with configuration file information.

Interactive method for configuration of computer system and circuit

A computerized system for dynamically and automatically configuring circuit boards to carry out functions from various manufacturers and a computer system without the user intervention. A single computer system may include, for example, a modem board, a video board, a disk controller board, and a multiple function board, each circuit board from a different manufacturer and each circuit board requires a computer resources for operation. These resources may include interrupt request (IRQ) lines, direct memory access (DMA) channels, I/O port addresses, memory address ranges and circuit board slot locations. The computerized system determines the type of slot required for each circuit board to be inserted in the computer by reading the circuit board configuration file for each board. The system will assign a circuit board to an available slot locations of the required type. Based on the information contained within the circuit board configuration files, the system attempts to allocate the common computer resources required by each circuit board based on the primary or default resource requirements set forth in each circuit board's configuration file. And, overlapping manufacturer default resource requirement may result in resource allocation conflict; and then, the system attempts to resolve conflicts by determining if the conflicting request may be assigned an alternate resource, as specified in the circuit board configuration file. The system stores the resource allocation information as part of a system configuration file which may then be used when the system is rebooted.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Martin D Richek