BIOS Memory Fail Logging for Post-Boot Page Offlining

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory fail responses in computing devices, such as booting interruptions and channel mapping, are inefficient and resource-intensive, and the page offline technique provided by the operating system is unavailable during the boot process, leaving a gap in effective memory fail management.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves a BIOS performing a pre-boot memory test, recording memory fail information in a log, and using this information for a page offline operation by the operating system after booting, allowing for targeted memory fail responses based on fail type.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If BIOS performs traditional memory fail responses (boot interruption, channel mapping-out, PPR), then memory fail is handled, but memory resource utilization is reduced and system bandwidth is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory fail handlingVSAvoidmemory resource utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The BIOS performs preliminary memory testing and records fail information in a log before the operating system boots. This preliminary action enables the OS to perform targeted page offline operations later, rather than requiring aggressive BIOS-level responses that waste memory resources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

A log file serves as an intermediary between the BIOS memory test and the OS page offline operation. The BIOS records memory fail information in the log, which then guides the OS to perform precise page offline operations, bridging the gap between BIOS testing capabilities and OS memory management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If BIOS performs aggressive memory fail responses (boot interruption, channel mapping-out), then system stability is maintained, but responding flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoidresponding flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static BIOS-level responses to dynamic OS-level responses. The OS can adaptively perform page offline operations based on the recorded fail information, providing flexible responding strategies that maintain stability while allowing for different failure scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The response strategy changes from BIOS-level parameters (boot interruption, channel mapping) to OS-level parameters (page offline operations). This parameter change enables more nuanced control over memory management while maintaining system stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If page offline technique is used at OS level, then memory resource utilization is maximized, but it cannot be utilized before booting is completed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory resource utilizationVSAvoidboot process timing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The BIOS performs preliminary memory testing and stores fail information in a log during the boot process. This preliminary action prepares the data needed for OS-level page offline operations, enabling the OS to maximize memory resource utilization after booting without losing the benefit of early detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12566662B2Method and computing device for responding to memory fail

Publication Date: 2026.03.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A method of operating a computing device includes performing a pre-boot memory test on a memory by a BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), recording, in a log, memory fail information generated as a result of performing the pre-boot memory test by the BIOS, and performing a page offline operation using the memory fail information, after an operating system (OS) of the computing device is installed.