The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 05, 2000
Filed:
Sep. 18, 1998
David L Collins, Magnolia, TX (US);
Compaq Computer Corporation, Houston, TX (US);
Abstract
A multiprocessor computer system is provided with a BIOS that allows parallel execution of system initialization tasks by at least two processors to reduce system boot-up time. At power-on, one of the processors is designated as a bootstrap processor and the remaining processors are designates as application processors. The processors are coupled to a shared memory module by a shared processor bus. The bootstrap processor is configured to instruct the application processor to test and initialize memory locations in the shared memory module while the bootstrap processor proceeds with other system initialization tasks which may include determining the system configuration, initializing peripheral devices, testing the keyboard, and setting up the BIOS data area with configuration information. After completing its tasks, the bootstrap processor determines whether the application processor has completed the memory test, and if so, the bootstrap processor proceeds to locate and execute an operating system. It is expected that testing and initializing memory in parallel with other system initialization tasks will advantageously reduce system boot-up time in multiprocessor systems having large memories (e.g. 1-4 gigabytes).