Performing diagnostic tests of computer devices while operating system is running
AssigneeDell Products L.P.
InventorsAllen Chester Wynn, Charles James Lewis
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A system and method of performing diagnostic tests of computer devices, including but not limited to memory, while the operating system is running, is presented. One embodiment comprises making a device unavailable for use by a running operating system; making a processor unavailable for use by the running operating system; and running a diagnostic test of the device, the processor executing the diagnostic test to determine whether the device is functioning acceptably, while the processor and the device are unavailable for use by the running operating system.
Claims30
A method comprising:
- making a device unavailable for use by a running operating system;
- making a processor unavailable for use by the running operating system;
- and
- running a diagnostic test of the device, the processor executing the diagnostic test to determine whether the device is functioning acceptably, while the processor and the device are unavailable for use by the running operating system.
An information handling system comprising:
- at least two processors;
- a memory operably coupled to the at least two processors;
- an operating system operably installed in the memory;
- a software program operably installed in the memory for making a device unavailable to the operating system while the operating system is running;
- a software program operably installed in the memory for making at least one of the at least two processors unavailable to the operating system while the operating system is running;
- and
- a software program operably installed in the memory for running a diagnostic test of the device, the at least one of the at least two processors executing the diagnostic test while the device and the at least one of the at least two processors are unavailable for use by the running operating system to determine whether the device is functioning acceptably.
An apparatus comprising:
- means for making a device unavailable for use by a running operating system;
- means for making a processor unavailable for use by the running operating system;
- and
- means for running a diagnostic test of the device, the processor executing the diagnostic test to determine whether the device is functioning acceptably, while the processor and the device are unavailable for use by the running operating system.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.