BIOS Memory Channel Switching via Debug Port

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for diagnosing and repairing abnormal hardware in a computer system are labor-intensive and time-consuming, particularly when the BIOS fails to initialize the hardware correctly, requiring manual switching of components like memory modules, which is inefficient and costly.

Innovation Solution

A test method that utilizes a debug port to enable and disable memory channels independently through the BIOS, allowing the system to be tested without physically switching hardware, thereby reducing labor and time costs by isolating potential errors to specific channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual switching of hardware components is used to test the computer system, then the diagnostic capability is improved, but the labor cost and time consumption increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manually switching hardware components with an electronic/software-based solution. The BIOS-level memory channel switching mechanism allows testers to enable or disable specific memory channels through software control rather than physically removing and reinstalling memory modules, thereby substituting mechanical operations with electronic control to reduce time consumption while maintaining diagnostic capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism at the BIOS level that acts as a mediator between the tester and the memory channels. This intermediary layer provides switching control without requiring direct physical manipulation of the memory modules, allowing the testing process to proceed through controlled enable/disable operations rather than manual hardware switching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If manual switching of hardware components is used to test the computer system, then the diagnostic capability is improved, but the labor cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvediagnostic capabilityVSAvoidlabor cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the labor-intensive mechanical process of manually switching hardware components with an electronic/software-based solution. The BIOS-level memory channel switching mechanism allows testers to enable or disable specific memory channels through software control rather than physically removing and reinstalling memory modules, thereby substituting mechanical operations with electronic control to reduce labor cost while maintaining diagnostic capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables the system to perform self-diagnosis through automated testing procedures. The BIOS-level switching mechanism allows the system to automatically isolate and test individual memory channels without requiring continuous manual intervention, reducing the need for labor-intensive switching operations while maintaining comprehensive diagnostic capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Measurement precision

If physical switching of memory modules is performed, then the memory channel testing is achieved, but the process complexity and time required increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory channel testing accuracyVSAvoidprocess complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the complex mechanical process of physically switching memory modules with a simplified electronic control mechanism at the BIOS level. This allows memory channel testing to be performed through software-controlled enable/disable operations rather than physical module manipulation, reducing process complexity while maintaining testing accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies segmentation by allowing individual memory channels to be independently enabled or disabled through the BIOS switching mechanism. This segmentation approach enables precise isolation of specific channels for testing without requiring physical reconfiguration, simplifying the overall process while maintaining the ability to test each channel individually

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS11068369B2Computer device and testing method for basic input/output system

Publication Date: 2021.07.20 INVENTEC PUDONG TECH CORPOARTION

AI summary

A test method for a basic input/output system (BIOS), configured to test a computer device which includes the BIOS when a power on self test (POST) of the BIOS fails, is disclosed including following operations: enabling a fixing function of the BIOS by a debug port of a motherboard of the computer device; enabling a first memory device and disabling a second memory device, by the debug port; according to the fixing function, turning on the computer device by the first memory device; and determining whether the computer device is turned on successfully.