CN104123121A - Computer system and method using disk basic output input system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a computer system using disk basic output and input system and method thereof, the computer system includes: a CPU unit; the storage unit is used for storing a first basic input/output program code and an operating system; and a loading device of Disk BIOS for reading the first BIOS program code in the storage unit to make the CPU execute the first BIOS program code. Except that the procedure of burning the basic input/output memory is saved and the cost of parts is reduced in the production process of the computer, the BIOS version after the product is sold is more convenient to update, and the aim of quick maintenance is achieved in the customer service maintenance procedure.

Description

Computer system and method using disk basic output input system

technical field

The invention relates to a computer system, in particular to a computer system without a BIOS memory.

Background technique

Since IBM launched personal computers in the early 1980s, personal computers have been developed for 30 years and have spread all over the world. Everyone will use computers, and even own more than one computer. The BIOS memory in personal computers has also developed from the read-only memory (ROM, Read-only memory) used in the 1980s to today's flash memory (Flash memory), and its capacity has also grown from the original 16KB to 128MB or higher. The computer language used in the BIOS has also developed from assembly language to C language. The BIOS memory is a traditional read-only memory (ROM) or flash memory (Flashmemory) for storing the program code of the basic output input system (BIOS). Traditional BIOS read-only memory (ROM) uses ISA and X-BUS interfaces, while modern personal computers use LPC (low pin count) interfaces.

When the power of the computer is turned on, the BIOS will be executed by the flash memory (Flash memory) on the motherboard. First, the power-on self-test POST (Power-on Self-test) will be completed, and the subsystems such as the system chipset and memory will be initialized. . The BIOS program code also includes diagnostic functions to ensure that certain important hardware components, such as keyboards, disk devices, input and input ports, etc., can function normally and be initialized correctly. Almost all BIOSes can optionally perform a setup routine for the CMOS memory; that is, store user-defined setup data (time, date, hard drive details, etc.) that the BIOS will access. Finally, the operating system is loaded into the dynamic random access memory according to the setting of the CMOS memory.

The contents of the BIOS are usually edited along with the evolution of the functions of the CPU, system chipset, or peripheral devices, and there is often an action to update the version of the BIOS after the product is sold. The way to update the BIOS version now is usually that the computer user grabs the updated version from the computer manufacturer's website through the network, and reburns the BIOS read-only memory (ROM) after downloading to update the BIOS content to a new version.

Embedded controller chip (Embedded Controller Chip) was developed in response to portable PC (Portable PC) in the 1990s, so desktop computers generally do not need this chip. The main function of this chip is to integrate the functions of keyboard controller (KBC) and keyboard decoder (KBD). A traditional desktop computer has an external keyboard, and there is a keyboard decoder (KBD) inside the keyboard, which is responsible for sending the scan-code (scan-code) of the key back to the keyboard controller (KBC) of the system, and the keyboard controller sends it to the keyboard controller (KBC). The scan code is converted into the keyboard code of IBM PC/XT or IBM PS2. Because the interior of the portable computer system already contains a keyboard, the portable computer needs both a keyboard controller and a keyboard decoder, so an embedded control chip emerges at the historic moment, responsible for integrating the functions of the keyboard controller and keyboard decoder. integrated in one chip. In addition, the embedded control chip also adds many functions that the original desktop computer did not have, such as battery pack charge/discharge control, screen brightness and contrast control, system power management, and so on.

In addition, the desktop computer system chipset has also replaced the function of the keyboard controller KBC with a hardware circuit and placed it in the south bridge chip in recent years. In other words, the desktop computer no longer uses the KBC single-chip microprocessor. .

Traditionally, the use of BIOS memory in personal computers has some disadvantages: first, the cost of materials and the manufacturing cost of burning program codes; in addition, it is not convenient to update the BIOS version after the product is sold; in addition, when the BIOS memory is poisoned or damaged, the computer must be sent for repair. Replacing a new BIOS memory also consumes labor costs. In view of the problems of the prior art, a solution is needed to solve the above problems.

Contents of the invention

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a computer system, is to use disk basic output input unit loader (Disk-BIOS Loader) and disk basic output input system program code (Disk-BIOS Code) to replace traditional BIOS memory, to effectively solve the above question,

In order to achieve the above object, the technical scheme adopted in the present invention is:

A computer system comprising: a CPU unit; a storage unit for storing a first BIOS code and an operating system; and a disk BIOS loader (Disk-BIOSLoader) for reading The first BIO program code in the storage unit is fetched for the CPU unit to execute the first BIO program code.

Wherein, it further includes an embedded control chip, a system chipset and a single-chip microprocessor, wherein the disk BIOS loader is arranged in one of the following units: the CPU unit, the embedded control chip, the system chip group as well as the single-chip microprocessor.

Wherein, a dynamic random access memory is further included, wherein the disk BIOS loader loads the first BIOS program code into the dynamic random access memory.

Wherein, a dynamic random access memory is further included, wherein the CPU unit executes the first BIOS to load the operating system into the dynamic random access memory.

Wherein, the disk basic I/O system loader is a program code or a hardware.

Wherein, the storage unit further includes an application program and a data file.

The present invention provides a method for executing a basic input-input program code, comprising the following steps:

Provide a CPU unit;

providing a storage unit for storing a first basic input input program code and an operating system;

read the first BIO program code in the storage unit; and

The CPU unit executes the first BIO program code.

Wherein, the following steps are further included: loading the operating system into a dynamic random access memory when the CPU unit executes the first BIO program code.

Compared with the prior art, the innovation of the present invention has the following advantages:

1. Shorten product development time. The editing of BIOS at the computer manufacturing and assembly end and the product R&D end can be carried out at the same time, even if the BIOS content needs to be revised and updated during the product manufacturing and assembly process, there is no need to re-program the BIOS memory.

2. Save material and manufacturing costs and improve quality. Because the present invention does not need to use the BIOS memory, the cost of materials is reduced, and the manufacturing cost is reduced because the process of burning the BIOS memory is eliminated. The computer system also has one less component, and the yield rate of the product can be further improved.

3. After the product of the present invention is sold, even if there is a demand for an updated version of the BIOS, the user does not need to burn the BIOS, and it usually takes several minutes to more than ten minutes to burn a set of BIOS memory.

4. After the product of the present invention is sold, because the system does not have a BIOS memory, there is no demand for replacement of the damaged BIOS memory, and the product is easier to maintain.

After referring to the drawings and the implementation methods described in the following paragraphs, those skilled in the art can understand other objectives of the present invention, as well as the technical means and implementation aspects of the present invention.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is the device structural diagram of computer system of the present invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the computer system structure of the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the implementation flowchart of the present invention.

Explanation of reference signs: 10 computer system; 11 CPU unit; 12 storage unit; 13 disk basic input input system loader; 14 dynamic random access memory; 17 input unit; 18 display unit; 121 first basic input input program code; 122 operating system; 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306 steps.

Detailed ways

The detailed description of the present invention is described in the following, and the preferred embodiments described here are for the purpose of illustration and description, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention provides a computer system, which uses Disk-BIOSLoader and Disk-BIOS Code to replace the traditional BIOS memory.

Fig. 1 is a device structure diagram of the computer system of the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the computer system structure of the present invention, wherein the disk BIOS loader 13 is disposed on the embedded control chip 15, but the present invention is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2 . The computer system 10 mainly includes a CPU unit 11 , a storage unit 12 and a disk BIOS loader 13 . The storage unit 12 stores a first basic input-input program code 121 and an operating system 122 . Preferably, the storage unit 12 may further include an application program (not shown) and a data file (not shown). The disk BIOS loader 13 reads the first BIOS code 121 in the storage unit 12 for the CPU unit 11 to execute the first BIOS code 121 . In one embodiment, the CPU unit 11 executes the first BIOS 121 to load the operating system 122 into the DRAM 14 .

The CPU unit 11 is a personal central processing unit, generally a PC-compatible CPU of Intel or AMD, but not limited to these two products. In addition, the current CPU unit often integrates peripheral logic circuits, which is also included in our definition, such as Intel3-core processor ivy-bridge processor or Sandy-bridge processor, etc., even includes a built-in graphics card chip.

The storage unit 12 is a device for storing the first basic input/output program code 121 , the operating system 122 , application programs (not shown) and data files (not shown). The storage unit 12 includes a floppy disk drive, an optical disk drive, a solid state disk (SSD), a hard disk drive (HDD), and the like.

The disk BIOS loader 13 can be a program code (such as a simplified program code), and the program code is executable program code by the CPU unit 11 . The program code has the same hardware interface as the traditional BIOS memory, such as an LPC (Low-Pin-Count) interface. In other words, the disk BIOS loader 13 has the same hardware interface as the traditional BIOS memory. The disk BIOS loader 13 can also be a piece of hardware. For example, the disk BIOS loader 13 can replace the read-only memory or the flash memory with a hardware circuit.

The first BIOS code 121 is a disk BIOS code (Disk-BIOSCode), which is set in the storage unit 12 as a Disk-BIOS program file. The disk basic input and output system is a set of program codes with functions similar to traditional BIOS memory, including power-on self-test POST (Power-on Self-test), which initializes subsystems such as chipset and memory. Before the computer manufacturer ships the product, the disk basic output and input system is stored in the storage unit 12 (such as a floppy disk drive, a CD drive, a solid-state hard disk, and a hard disk drive, etc.). Due to the limitation of IC capacity, the traditional BIOS memory usually compresses the program code; when it is executed, the program code is decompressed into the dynamic random access memory. This compression and decompression action is unnecessary in the disk BIOS of the present invention, because the storage unit 12 has enough memory space to store the disk BIOS program code. The disk BIOS code also includes diagnostic functions to ensure that certain critical hardware components, such as keyboards, disk drives, I/O ports, etc., function properly and are properly initialized. In addition, the disk BIOS also includes the CMOS implementation function of the traditional BIOS memory.

The difference between the disk BIOS loader 13 and the traditional BIOS memory is that the functions and structures of the program codes are completely different. The function of the disk BIOS loader 13 is to open the circuit leading to the storage unit 12, and load the first BIOS program code (disk BIOS program code) 121 placed in the storage unit 12 into the dynamic random Access memory 14 and jump to the execution of the first instruction in the disk BIOS.

The operating system 122 includes operating systems such as Windows Linux that can be executed on personal computers. The DRAM 14 includes SDRAM, DDR2, DDR3 and other memories used in personal computers for program or data access. In detail, the computer system further includes an input unit 17 and a display unit 18 . The input unit may include a keyboard, a mouse, a trackball, and a touch pad (Touch Pad).

Please continue with Figure 2. The computer system 10 further includes an embedded controller chip (Embedded Controller Chip) 15, a system chipset 16 and a single-chip microprocessor (not shown). The embedded control chip 15 is formed by integrating early keyboard decoders and keyboard controllers, and is mostly used in portable computers, such as Notebook PCs. Embedded control chip can add ACPI EC function, ADC, DAC, PWM, Smbus control and other functions. The system chipset 16 is a combination of one or more chips, such as Intel's North-bridge and South-bridge chipsets, which integrate logic circuits other than the CPU unit. The single-chip microprocessor (not shown) can be a touch-pad controller (Touch-Pad Controller). The disk BIOS loader 13 can be installed in one of the following units: CPU unit 11, embedded control chip 15, system chipset 16 and single-chip microprocessor (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the disk BIOS loader 13 is set in the embedded control chip 15 .

In a preferred embodiment, the disk BIOS loader 13 is set in the embedded control chip 15 . The embedded control chip 15 has one more group of LPC (Low-Pin-Count) hardware interfaces, and the outside is connected in parallel with the BIOS memory circuit, and the program code of the disk basic output input system loader 13 is arranged inside.

When the system was turned on, the CPU unit 11 directly read the disk BIOS loader (Disk-BIOS Loader) and the disk BIOS code (Disk-BIOS Code) to replace the traditional BIOS memory.

Fig. 3 is the implementation flowchart of the present invention.

(Step 301) Start the system.

(Step 302 ) Execute the disk basic output and input system loader 13 . The disk BIOS loader 13 can be a program code (such as a simplified program code). The disk BIOS loader 13 can be installed in one of the following units: CPU unit 11, embedded control chip 15, system chipset 16 and single-chip microprocessor (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the disk basic input and input system loader 13 is arranged in the embedded control chip 15, when the disk basic input and input system loader 13 is executed, the program code embedded in the control chip 15 is executed, which The group program code is the system CPU program code, such as the program code of Intel or AMD CPU instead of the program code of EC-Chip single-chip CPU. The main work of the program code is to open the circuit channel leading to the storage unit 12 (such as floppy disk drive, optical disk drive, solid state hard disk, hard disk drive, etc.), and then jump to (step 303).

(Step 303 ) Read the first BIOS program code (disk BIOS program code) 121 in the storage unit 12 , and load the first BIOS program code 121 into the DRAM 14 .

(Step 304 ) Execute the first BIO program code (disk BIO system program code) 121 . When the first BIOS program code (disk BIOS program code) 121 is loaded into the dynamic random access memory 14, the disk BIOS loader 121 jumps to the first instruction of the disk BIOS implement.

(Step 305 ) Load the operating system 122 . The operating system 122 stored in the storage unit 12 is loaded into the DRAM 14 and executed.

(step 306) end.

Although the present invention is disclosed above in terms of embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, replacing the disk basic output and input system with a system testing program (System-Debugger) program for system testing, which is more convenient for computer manufacturers and computer repairs, and reduces the cost of computer manufacturers and customers. Service cost on the server side. In addition, under the present invention, the storage unit can store different versions of the disk BIOS at the same time, which is convenient for users to use according to their needs. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the appended patent application.

Claims (8)

1. A computer system using a disk basic output and input system, characterized in that it comprises: a CPU unit; A storage unit for storing a first BIOS code and an operating system; and A disk BIOS loader is used to read the first BIOS code in the storage unit for the CPU unit to execute the first BIOS code. 2. The computer system using the disk basic input and input system according to claim 1, further comprising an embedded control chip, a system chipset and a single-chip microprocessor, wherein the disk basic input and input system carries The input device is arranged in one of the following units: the CPU unit, the embedded control chip, the system chipset and the single-chip microprocessor. 3. The computer system using the disk BIOS according to claim 1, further comprising a dynamic random access memory, wherein the disk BIOS loader is the first BIOS input program code is loaded into the dynamic random access memory. 4. The computer system using a disk BIOS according to claim 1, further comprising a dynamic random access memory, wherein the CPU unit executes the first BIOS program code so that the operating system loaded into the dynamic random access memory. 5. The computer system using a disk BIOS according to claim 1, wherein the disk BIOS loader is a program code or a piece of hardware. 6. The computer system using a disk BIOS according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit further comprises an application program and a data file. 7. A method for executing a basic input-input program code, characterized in that, comprising the following steps: Provide a CPU unit; providing a storage unit for storing a first basic input input program code and an operating system; read the first BIO program code in the storage unit; and The CPU unit executes the first BIO program code. 8. The method for executing a basic output-input program code according to claim 7, further comprising the following steps: when the CPU unit executes the first basic input-input program code, the operating system is loaded into a dynamic random access memory.