Compaq Computer Corporation, Inc.

Randolph O Dow

Theodore F Emerson

David M Burckhartt

Lazaro D Perez

Gary A Stimac

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 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.

Growing community of inventors

Cypress, TX, United States of America

Randolph O Dow