International Computers Limited

Michael W Curran

Richard N Taylor

Marek S Pierkarski

A data processing system comprises a plurality of processing modules, and a central services module, connected by a system bus. Details of the expected system configuration and of a normal bootstrap load path are held in a non-volatile store. On power-up or system restart, the non volatile store is tested. If the test is satisfactory, a defined bootstrap procedure is executed; otherwise an undefined bootstrap procedure is performed. The defined bootstrap procedure compares the expected configuration with the actual system configuration. If they match, the bootstrap program is loaded from the normal load path. If they do not match, the undefined bootstrap procedure may be entered. In the undefined bootstrap procedure, the central services module searches for possible bootstrap load paths and attempts a load from one of these paths. The defined bootstrap is expected to be the normal procedure, and is faster. The undefined bootstrap is entered automatically whenever it appears that the non-volatile store has not been set up, and provides a way of loading the system without any bootstrap load path having to be specified.

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Goostrey, United Kingdom

Michael W Curran