BIOS Controller Automatic File Switching for Initialization Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer systems with damaged storage media or broken signal connections between BIOS files cannot automatically switch to a backup BIOS file, leading to system initialization failures and idling without response.
Innovation Solution
A BIOS controller with a timer, error correction check module, counter, and trigger module initiates automatic switching between multiple BIOS files by retrying data page reads within a predetermined time or count limit, switching to another file if errors persist or timing expires.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the computer system has a backup BIOS file stored in the same EEPROM chip, then the system can potentially recover from BIOS file modification by viruses, but the system cannot automatically switch to the backup BIOS file when the storage media or signal connection is damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-diagnosis by automatically detecting read errors during the initialization process. When errors are detected in the first BIOS file, the system autonomously switches to read from the second BIOS file without requiring external intervention, thereby achieving self-service functionality that resolves the contradiction between having backup files and being able to automatically utilize them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary error detection and switching preparation by attempting to read the first BIOS file and immediately having a fallback mechanism ready. The system is pre-configured with a second BIOS file and a switching mechanism that activates automatically upon error detection, ensuring that the backup capability is ready in advance rather than requiring manual intervention when failures occur.
2Device complexity
If the system continuously retries reading from the damaged BIOS file, then it maintains simplicity in the switching mechanism, but the system remains idle without responding and wastes time
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic retry attempts with a predetermined maximum number of retries. Instead of continuously attempting to read from the damaged BIOS file indefinitely, the system performs a limited number of periodic retry attempts, and when the maximum is reached without success, it automatically switches to the second BIOS file. This periodic action with a defined limit resolves the contradiction by balancing simplicity with time efficiency.
3Reliability
If the system implements automatic switching between BIOS files, then the system can recover from storage media damage or broken connections, but the switching mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The BIOS file is segmented into multiple data pages, and the reading process is divided into discrete retry attempts. The switching mechanism is segmented into distinct stages: initial read attempt, error detection, retry counter increment, and final switch decision. This segmentation allows the complex switching logic to be implemented in a modular, manageable way that improves reliability without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback through error detection during the read process and a retry counter that tracks the number of failed attempts. When read errors are detected, the feedback mechanism triggers a retry, and when the retry counter reaches the predetermined maximum, the feedback triggers the switch to the second BIOS file. This feedback-based control mechanism achieves automatic switching with manageable complexity by using simple error signals and counter comparisons.
Data Source
AI summary
A file switching method of a Basic Input/Output System (BIOS) file is disclosed. Upon a received read instruction, a timer for a predetermined timing is initiated, and a first data page having a requested data is read from a first BIOS file. An error correction check on the first data page is performed to check if any error in the first data page. If an error is occurred in the error correction check, repeating the step “reading the first data page”. If number of times of the repeating step exceeds a predetermined number, or if the predetermined timing is expired, a second data page having the requested data is read from a second BIOS file according to the read instruction.