Dell USA L P

Peter A Woytovech

Marc D Alexander

Benjamen G Tyner

Mark A Larson

Jeffrey N Sloan

A computer system having bus controller operating code stored in a non operating system managed, extended portion of system memory. In one example, the operating code is executed by a bus controller for a computer bus conforming to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) specification. In one example, the bus controller operating code is stored in a portion of system memory that is located above the top system memory address reported to the operating system, thereby hiding the stored code from the operating system. In one example, the bus controller operating code is constructed during the startup of the computer system with a code construction routine. Storing bus controller operating code in a non operating system managed, extended portion of system memory provides a computer system greater flexibility in system memory usage.

Bus controller operating code in system memory

A method and apparatus enables a computer system to recover from power failures, and includes a computer system having a UPS connected to a computer, the computer having an RTC, a driver, and a program stored in the computer's memory. The program has instructions for performing the following steps: a) when a source of AC power fails, the UPS supplying AC power to the computer; b) the UPS notifying the computer to shut down; and c) just before the computer shuts down, the driver setting the RTC for a wake-up time at a prescribed time in the future.

Using RTC wake-up to enable recovery from power failures

A method and apparatus for selectively locking and unlocking the system password of a PC in response to authorized requests by the system administrator. The method and apparatus operate in a PC environment having a Setup utility program and the capability for a system password to control access. The disclosed method contemplates receiving a user request to either disable or change the system password. If the request is a request to disable the system password, then the system password status is examined. If the system password status is 'locked,' then the system password is not disabled. If the system password status is 'unlocked,' then the system password is disabled. If, on the other hand, the user request is a request to change the system password, then the setup password is examined. If the setup password is disabled, then the user is permitted to change the system password. If the setup password is enabled, then the user must correctly enter the setup password before being permitted to change the system password.

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Austin, TX, United States of America

Peter A Woytovech