Redundant source event log

A method of accessing event data on a failure of a computer system, the method comprising:

• executing a BIOS program to access the event data in response to a first failure of the computer system;
• triggering a watchdog timer in a system management controller of the computer system, the watchdog timer being triggered substantially concurrent to the first failure;
• configuring the watchdog timer to allow the BIOS program to complete in absence of a second failure;
• determining whether the execution of the BIOS program caused the second failure, the second failure forcing the watchdog timer to expire;
• and
• the system management controller accessing the event data when the watchdog timer expires.

A computer system comprising:

• a processor;
• a memory coupled to the processor;
• a BIOS program stored in the memory, the BIOS program being operable to write data to an event log in response to a critical event;
• a system controller coupled to the memory and the processor, the system controller operable to:
• receive an indication of the critical event;
• upon receipt of the indication, initiate operation of a timer;
• and
• determine whether the BIOS program has written the data to the event log within a configurable period of time defined by the timer.

In a computer system having a processor and a system controller, a method of responding to an event, the method comprising:

• issuing an interrupt to the processor in response to the event;
• detecting the interrupt at the system controller coupled to the processor;
• initiating a timer in the system controller upon detection of the interrupt;
• attempting to write data to an event log by executing a BIOS program;
• the system controller determining whether the execution of the BIOS program resulted in writing data to the event log.