Method for entering system firmware recovery mode using software-detectable buttons

Abstract

Methods that detect a user's desire to enter a firmware recovery mode using one or more software-detectable buttons, such as power and/or sleep buttons, such as those on the front panel or keyboard of a computer system. An exemplary firmware recovery method comprises the steps of detecting the status of the one or more software-detectable buttons at power-on, distinguishing between the normal use of the selected button(s) and as a recovery button(s), and initiating firmware recovery. Upon initial power-on, system firmware detects the one or more software-detectable buttons held down for a predetermined time period, or that are sequentially held down, after which the one or more software-detectable buttons are released. The depressing and releasing action of the selected button(s) is used as an indicator to initiate the recovery mode. The present invention thus uses traditional buttons to initiate firmware recovery mode.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.